bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic parameters for carcass traits of progeny of beef bulls mated to dairy cows
Authors: Keele John W , Foraker Blake A , Boldt Ryan , Kemp Chip , Kuehn Larry A , Woerner Dale R 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Beef × dairy crossbred cattle (n = 615) were used to evaluate the effect of preharvest indicator traits and genotypes on the accuracy of estimated breeding values (EBVs) of seedstock candidates for selection. Genotypes for 100,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms were provided by the American Simmental Association of purebred and crossbred seedstock animals (n = 2,632). Five hundred and ninety-five of the 615 beef × dairy cattle had carcass camera and ultrasound data. Phenotypes were not used for any of the seedstock animals even though some may have had performance and ultrasound data. We estimated the genomic relationship matrix among 3,247 animals including both phenotyped and unphenotyped animals. We computed genetic parameters among 37 traits using 666 bivariate restricted maximum likelihood analyses. The accuracy of EBV depends on heritability. For the sake of brevity, we report accuracy for marbling as a proxy for other traits with similar heritability. We focus on accuracy for marbling because marbling is the primary determinant of carcass value. We computed EBV for all 3,247 animals for marbling based on camera data postharvest using best linear unbiased prediction. We report evidence of overlap in causative genes among postharvest carcass traits; marbling, ribeye area, yield grade, fat thickness, and hot carcass weight (HCW) based on genetic correlations. Genetic correlations range from −0.73 to 0.89. Several live animal traits (frame size, body weight and ultrasound fat thickness and ribeye area) were genetically correlated with postharvest traits; including HCW, ribeye area, yield grade, fat thickness, and marbling. Genetic correlations between pre- and postharvest traits ranged from −0.53 to 0.95. Accuracy for marbling ranged from 0.64 to 0.80 for animals with marbling recorded, and from 0.09 to 0.60 for animals without marbling recorded. The accuracy of animals without phenotypes was related to the genomic relationship between animals with phenotype and those without. Live animal traits were useful for predicting economically important carcass traits based on genetic correlations. The accuracy of EBV for seedstock animals that were not phenotyped was low, but this is consistent with theory, and accuracy is expected to increase with the addition of genotypes and carcass data from beef × dairy animals.
The Gender Gap in Earnings Losses After Job Displacement
Authors: Illing Hannah , Schmieder Johannes , Trenkle Simon 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
We compare men and women who are displaced from similar jobs by applying an event study design combined with propensity score matching and reweighting to administrative data from Germany. After a mass layoff, women’s earnings losses are about 35% higher than men’s, with the gap persisting 5 years after displacement. This is partly explained by women taking up more part-time employment, but even women’s full-time wage losses are almost 50% higher than men’s. Parenthood magnifies the gender gap sharply. Finally, displaced women spend less time on job search and apply for lower-paid jobs, highlighting the importance of labor supply decisions.
Integrating tertiary lymphoid structure–associated genes into computational models to evaluate prognostication and immune infiltration in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Ma Ying , Li Xuesong , Zhang Jin , Zhao Xiangqin , Lu Yi , Shen Guangcong , Wang Guowen , Liu Hong , Hao Jihui 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by poor response to all therapeutic modalities and dismal prognosis. The presence of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) in various solid cancers is of crucial prognostic significance, highlighting the intricate interplay between the tumor microenvironment and immune cells aggregation. However, the extent to which TLSs and immune status affect PDAC prognosis remains incompletely understood. Here, we sought to unveil the unique properties of TLSs in PDAC by leveraging both single-cell and bulk transcriptomics, culminating in a risk model that predicts clinical outcomes. We used TLS scores based on a 12-gene (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL8, CCL18, CCL19, CCL21, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and CXCL13) and 9-gene (PTGDS, RBP5, EIF1AY, CETP, SKAP1, LAT, CCR6, CD1D, and CD79B) signature, respectively, and examined their distribution in cell clusters of single-cell data from PDAC samples. The markers involved in these clusters were selected to develop a prognostic model using The Cancer Genome Atlas Program database as the training cohort and Gene Expression Omnibus database as the validation cohort. Further, we compared the immune infiltration, drug sensitivity, and enriched and differentially expressed genes between the high- and low-risk groups in our model. Therefore, we established a risk model that has significant implications for the prognostic assessment of PADC patients with remarkable differences in immune infiltration and chemosensitivity between the low- and high-risk groups. This paradigm established by TLS-related cell marker genes provides a prognostic prediction and a panel of novel therapeutic targets for exploring potential immunotherapy.
“Multi-Product Critical Loss: Allowing for Varying Margins, Prices, and Quantities in the Candidate Antitrust Market”
Authors: Ulrick Shawn W , Williams Mark D 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Critical loss analysis is important in defining antitrust product and geographic markets as it directly implements the hypothetical monopolist test. Traditionally, critical loss analysis assumes all products in the candidate market earn the same margin at current prices. In effect, this approach treats all products as a single, representative product. This is technically incorrect. This paper develops the appropriate measures of critical loss assuming products in the candidate markets have different margins, different current prices, and different initial quantities. We also address issues in the implementation of critical loss analysis. This paper is meant to be accessible to the practitioner.
Heterogeneous paths to stability
Authors: Di Porto Edoardo , Tealdi Cristina 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
In this paper, we show that incentives to convert temporary contracts into permanent ones might be less effective when the employment protection legislation associated with temporary contracts is lax. Drawing upon rich administrative data and using a difference-in-differences methodology, we estimate that workers at their first work experience hired on more flexible contracts undergo a reduction in the conversion rate to permanent employment of 6.3 percentage points after the implementation of the incentives (and of 3.2 percentage points over a year), compared to peers hired on more rigid contracts. This reduced conversion rate, which results in a 17% wage penalty even 2 years into their professional journey, points to a significant negative impact of flexible temporary jobs on the future prospects of young workers.
Analysis of diurnal variation in serum testosterone levels in men with symptoms of testosterone deficiency
Authors: Novaes Luis F , Flores Jose M , Benfante Nicole , Schofield Elizabeth , Katz Darren J , Nelson Chris J , Mulhall John P 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Testosterone (T) plays a crucial role in various physiological functions in men, and understanding the variations in T levels during the day is essential for diagnosing and treating testosterone deficiency (TD).

Aim
We sought to evaluate the reduction in serum total T (TT) levels throughout the day in men with symptoms of testosterone deficiency and to determine the variables having an impact on the extent of this decline.

Methods
The study population consisted of a group of men who within 3 months of each other had all undergone both early morning and afternoon TT level measurements. We did not include patients with a history of a prior orchiectomy, testosterone levels below 100 ng/dL or above 1000 ng/dL, a history of androgen deprivation therapy, or patients on T therapy. Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics, t-tests, chi-square tests, and correlation calculations. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure TT, and a change in TT levels greater than 100 ng/dL was considered significant. Using multivariable and univariable analysis, we attempted to define predictors of a decrease in afternoon TT levels.

Outcomes
The majority of men showed no significant difference in T levels between morning and afternoon.

Results
In total, 506 men with a median age of 65 years were analyzed. The most common comorbidities were hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Levels of TT were measured in the morning and afternoon, and no significant differences in mean T levels based on the time of the test were found. Age was not significantly associated with T levels.

Clinical Implications
There was a weak negative correlation between age and the difference between morning and afternoon T levels, with younger men showing more significant variations in T levels. The most considerable differences in T levels were observed in men younger than 30 years. There were no predictors of the magnitude of the T decrease in the afternoon.

Strengths and Limitations
Strengths of the study include the number of subjects and the use of liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for T measurement. Limitations include failure to measure morning and afternoon T levels on the same day, the retrospective nature of the study, and a smaller sample size of patients younger than 30 years.

Conclusion
In this study we found no strong link between age and daily T fluctuation, but we observed a decrease in the magnitude of variation with aging. The group experiencing the most significant decline in daily T had higher morning and consistently normal afternoon T levels.
Histoplasmaantigens as novel players for the development of new enzyme immunoassays for the serodiagnosis of histoplasmosis: A comparative study of their analytical performance
Authors: Rodríguez Laboccetta Carolina , Briceño Fernández Víctor J , Videla Garrido Agustín , Posse Gladys B , Cuestas María L , Nusblat Alejandro D 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDefinitive diagnosis of histoplasmosis relies on culture and/or cytology/histopathology; however, these procedures have limited sensitivity and cultures are time-consuming. Antibodies detection by immunodiffusion has low sensitivity in immunocompromised individuals and uses histoplasmin (HMN), a crude antigenic extract, as reagent. Novel protein antigen candidates have been recently identified and produced by DNA-recombinant techniques to obtain standardized and specific reagents for diagnosing histoplasmosis.To compare the analytical performance of novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for antibodies testing for diagnosing histoplasmosis using different Histoplasma capsulatum antigens as reagents.The H. capsulatum 100 kDa protein (Hcp100), the M antigen and its immunoreactive fragment F1 were produced by DNA-recombinant techniques. Galactomannan was purified from both the yeast and mycelial cell walls (yGM and mGM, respectively). The analytical performance of the ELISA tests for the serological detection of antibodies against these antigens was evaluated and compared with those obtained using HMN as reagent.Antibodies detection by the Hcp100 ELISA demonstrated 90.0% sensitivity and 92.0% specificity, versus 43.3% sensitivity and 95.0% specificity of the M ELISA, 33.3% sensitivity and 84.0% specificity of the F1 ELISA, 96.7% sensitivity and 94.0% specificity of the yGM ELISA, 83.3% sensitivity and 88.0% specificity of the mGM ELISA, and 70.0% sensitivity and 86.0% specificity for the HMN ELISA.In summary, Hcp100 is proposed as the most promising candidate for the serodiagnosis of histoplasmosis. The primary immunoreactive element in HMN proved to be GM rather than the M antigen. Nevertheless, a higher incidence of cross-reactions was noted with GM compared to M.
Pre-donation Assessment of Cystatin C to Improve Prediction of Pre- and Post-Donation GFR in Potential Living Kidney Donors
Authors: van der Weijden Jessica , Kremer Daan , Westenberg Lisa B , Sanders Jan-Stephan F , Pol Robert A , Nolte Ilja M , De Borst Martin H , Berger Stefan P , Bakker Stephan J L , van Londen Marco 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background and hypothesis
Accurate estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is crucial in living kidney donation. While most eGFR equations are based on plasma creatinine, its levels are strongly influenced by muscle mass. Application of cystatin C (CysC)-based estimates before donation may improve both estimation of current GFR and prediction of post-donation GFR.

Methods
We assessed the performance of CKD-EPI equations based on creatinine (eGFRcreat-2009, eGFRcreat-2021), cystatin C (eGFRCysC-2012), or both (eGFRcombined-2012, eGFRcombined-2021) for estimating pre- and post-donation measured GFR in 486 living kidney donors. We subsequently focused on a subgroup of individuals with high/low muscle mass (25% highest/lowest 24-hour urinary creatinine excretion, sex-stratified and height-indexed).

Results
Pre-donation eGFRcombined 2012 and eGFRcombined 2021 showed the strongest associations with pre- and post-donation mGFR. Pre-donation eGFRcombined 2021 was most accurate for estimating both pre-donation (bias 0.01±11.9 mL/min/1.73m2) and post-donation mGFR (bias 1.3±8.5 mL/min/1.73 m2). In donors with high/low muscle mass, CysC-based equations (with or without creatinine) performed better compared to equations based on only creatinine.

Conclusions
In conclusion, combined eGFR equations yielded a better estimate of pre- and post-donation mGFR, compared to estimates based on creatinine or CysC only. The added value of CysC seems particularly pronounced in donors with high or low muscle mass.
Sequence-activity mapping via depletion reveals striking mutational tolerance and elucidates functional motifs in Tur1a antimicrobial peptide
Authors: Collins Jonathan , Hackel Benjamin J 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) are attractive antibiotic candidates that target gram-negative bacteria ribosomes. We elucidated the sequence-function landscape of 43 000 variants of a recently discovered family member, Tur1a, using the validated SAMP-Dep platform that measures intracellular AMP potency in a high-throughput manner via self-depletion of the cellular host. The platform exhibited high replicate reproducibility (ρ = 0.81) and correlation between synonymous genetic variants (R2 = 0.93). Only two segments within Tur1a exhibited stringent mutational requirements to sustain potency: residues 9YLP11 and 19FP20. This includes the aromatic residue in the hypothesized binding domain but not the PRP domain. Along with unexpected mutational tolerance of PRP, the data contrast hypothesized importance of the 1RRIR4 motif and arginines in general. In addition to mutational tolerance of residue segments with presumed significance, 77% of mutations are functionally neutral. Multimutant performance mainly shows compounding effects from removed combinations of prolines and arginines in addition to the two segments of residues showing individual importance. Several variants identified as active from SAMP-Dep were externally produced and maintained activity when applied to susceptible species exogenously.
Electroencephalographic spectro-spatial covariance patterns related to phenoconversion in isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder and their longitudinal trajectories in α-synucleinopathies
Authors: Park Kyoungeun , Shin Jung Hwan , Byun Jung-Ick , Jeong El , Kim Han-Joon , Jung Ki-Young 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Study Objectives
This study aimed to identify electroencephalographic (EEG) spectro-spatial covariance patterns associated with phenoconversion in isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) patients and explore their longitudinal trajectories within α-synucleinopathies.

Methods
We assessed 47 participants, including 35 patients with iRBD and 12 healthy controls (HC), through baseline eye-closed resting EEGs. Patients with iRBD underwent follow-up EEG assessments and 18 patients with iRBD converted (12 to Parkinson’s disease (PD), 6 to dementia with Lewy bodies [DLB]) during follow-up. We derived EEG spectro-spatial covariance patterns for PD-RBD and DLB-RBD from converters and HC. Correlations with motor and cognitive function, baseline distinctions among iRBD converters and nonconverters, and longitudinal trajectories were examined.

Results
At baseline, converters exhibited higher PD-RBD and DLB-RBD beta2 pattern scores compared to nonconverters (each area under curve [AUC] = 0.7751). The delta and alpha spatial patterns effectively distinguished both PD and DLB converters from HC, with the alpha pattern showing high discriminative power (AUC = 0.9097 for PD-RBD, 0.9306 for DLB-RBD). Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III scores correlated positively with PD-RBD and DLB-RBD delta patterns (Spearman’s rho = 0.688, p = 0.00014; rho = 0.539, p = 0.0055, respectively), with age and sex as cofactors. Distinct trajectories emerged during follow-up among PD converters, DLB converters, and iRBD nonconverters.

Conclusions
Unique EEG spectro-spatial patterns specific to PD-RBD and DLB-RBD offer potential as predictive markers for phenoconversion to α-synucleinopathies in iRBD.
PA and NP burnout in orthopedic surgery
Authors: Drennen Alexis V. , Heard Jeremy C. , D'Antonio Nicholas D. , Kepler Christopher K. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To quantify the burnout rate among physician associates/assistants (PAs) and NPs in a large orthopedic surgery practice affiliated with an academic institution.

Methods:
The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and original research questions were given to all PAs and NPs in orthopedics at the facility. Burnout was defined as a high level of emotional exhaustion or depersonalization on the MBI subscale.

Results:
Of the 129 PAs and NPs in orthopedics at our institution, 91 (70.5%) completed all survey items. Nearly 42% of respondents were burned out, as defined by high depersonalization or emotional exhaustion. PAs and NPs who met the burnout criteria were significantly older than those who did not (41.8 ± 10 versus 36.5 ± 7.71 years, P = .007) and spent longer in practice (12.4 ± 6.66 versus 9.35 ± 6.41 years, P = .01).

Conclusions:
The prevalence of burnout is high among PAs and NPs in orthopedics who practice in an academic setting.
The Efficacy of Low-Titer Group O Whole Blood Compared With Component Therapy in Civilian Trauma Patients: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Morgan Katrina M. , Abou Khalil Elissa , Feeney Erin V. , Spinella Philip C. , Lucisano Amelia C. , Gaines Barbara A. , Leeper Christine M. 
Published: March 2024

OBJECTIVES:To assess if transfusion with low-titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) is associated with improved early and/or late survival compared with component blood product therapy (CT) in bleeding trauma patients.DATA SOURCES:A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science was performed from their inception through December 1, 2023. Key terms included injury, hemorrhage, bleeding, blood transfusion, and whole blood.STUDY SELECTION:All studies comparing outcomes in injured civilian adults and children who received LTOWB versus CT were included.DATA EXTRACTION:Data including author, publication year, sample size, total blood volumes, and clinical outcomes were extracted from each article and reported following the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. Main outcomes were 24-hour (early) and combined 28-day, 30-day, and in-hospital (late) mortality rates between recipients of LTOWB versus CT, which were pooled using random-effects models.DATA SYNTHESIS:Of 1297 studies reviewed, 24 were appropriate for analysis. Total subjects numbered 58,717 of whom 5,164 received LTOWB. Eleven studies included adults-only, seven included both adults and adolescents, and six only included children. The median (interquartile range) age for patients who received LTOWB and CT was 35 years (24–39) and 35.5 years (23–39), respectively. Overall, 14 studies reported early mortality and 22 studies reported late mortality. LTOWB was associated with improved 24-hour survival (risk ratios [RRs] [95% CI] = 1.07 [1.03–1.12]) and late (RR [95% CI] = 1.05 [1.01–1.09]) survival compared with component therapy. There was no evidence of small study bias and all studies were graded as a moderate level of bias.CONCLUSIONS:These data suggest hemostatic resuscitation with LTOWB compared with CT improves early and late survival outcomes in bleeding civilian trauma patients. The majority of subjects were injured adults; multicenter randomized controlled studies in injured adults and children are underway to confirm these findings.
Birth weight, ideal cardiovascular health metrics in adulthood, and incident cardiovascular disease
Authors: Sun Ying , Wang Bin , Yu Yuefeng , Wang Yuying , Tan Xiao , Zhang Jihui , Qi Lu , Lu Yingli , Wang Ningjian 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background:
Prenatal and postnatal factors may have joint effects on cardiovascular health, and we aimed to assess the joint association of birth weight and ideal cardiovascular health metrics (ICVHMs) prospectively in adulthood with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods:
In the UK Biobank, 227,833 participants with data on ICVHM components and birth weight and without CVD at baseline were included. The ICVHMs included smoking, body mass index, physical activity, diet information, total cholesterol, blood pressure, and hemoglobin A1c. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in men and women.

Results:
Over a median follow-up period of 13.0 years (2,831,236 person-years), we documented 17,477 patients with incident CVD. Compared with participants with birth weights of 2.5–4.0 kg, the HRs (95% CIs) of CVD among those with low birth weights was 1.08 (1.00–1.16) in men and 1.23 (1.16–1.31) in women. The association between having a birth weight <2.5 kg and CVD risk in men was more prominent for those aged <50 years than for those of older age (P for interaction = 0.026). Lower birth weight and non-ideal cardiovascular health metrics were jointly related to an increased risk of CVD. Participants with birth weights <2.5 kg and ICVHMs score 0–1 had the highest risk of incident CVD (HR [95% CI]: 3.93 [3.01–5.13] in men; 4.24 [3.33–5.40] in women). The joint effect (HR [95% CI]: 1.36 [1.17–1.58]) could be decomposed into 24.7% (95% CI: 15.0%–34.4%) for a lower birth weight, 64.7% (95% CI: 56.7%–72.6%) for a lower ICVHM score, and 10.6% (95% CI: 2.7%–18.6%) for their additive interaction in women.

Conclusions:
Birth weight and ICVHMs were jointly related to CVD risk. Attaining a normal birth weight and ideal ICVHMs may reduce the risk of CVD, and a simultaneous improvement of both prenatal and postnatal factors could further prevent additional cases in women.