bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biophysical constraints on avian adaptation and diversification
Authors: Sayol Ferran , Reijenga Bouwe , Tobias Joseph A. , Pigot Alex L. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe capacity of organisms to adapt to vacant niches or changing environments is limited by physical constraints on morphological evolution. Substantial progress has been made in identifying how these constraints shape the form and function of producers (plants), but our understanding of evolutionary limits in consumers (animals) remains highly limited, in part because the requisite data have not been available at sufficient scale. Using morphometric measurements for all birds, we demonstrate that observed variation is highly restricted—both for beak shape and overall body shape—to triangular regions of morphospace with clearly defined boundaries and vertices. By combining morphometric data with new information on physical functions of measured traits, we provide evidence that the extent of avian morphospace is constrained by biophysical trade-offs between three functional objectives (strength, reach and engulfment capacity) that characterize resource acquisition and processing by the beak, and three locomotory modalities (aerial, aquatic and terrestrial) that characterize avian lifestyles. Our results suggest that over avian evolutionary history, trajectories of morphological change trend towards the vertices, with birds evolving from a core of biophysical generalists to biophysical specialists, associated with faster macroevolutionary turnover of lineages at the periphery or morphospace. Our analyses reveal that the structure of avian morphological diversity follows relatively simple rules defined by biophysical constraints and trade-offs, shedding light on the process shaping modern animal diversity and responses to environmental change.
Quality control ofBradyrhizobiuminoculant strains: Detection ofnosZand correlation of symbiotic efficiency with soybean leaf chlorophyll levels
Authors: Brignoli Damián , Frickel-Critto Emilia , Sandobal Tamara J. , Balda Rocío S. , Castells Cecilia B. , Mongiardini Elías J. , Pérez-Giménez Julieta , Lodeiro Aníbal R. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractGreenhouse gas emissions, such as N2O from excessive N-fertilizer use, are of concern. Symbiotic N2-fixation by pulses as soybean might mitigate this issue, for which inoculants carrying locally adaptedBradyrhizobiumstrains are recommended. In the frame of this goal, enhancing the quality control of these inoculants is required on two key aspects: determining the presence ofnosZ, for the strains being able to reduce N2O, and assessing N2-fixation potential. Yet, simple and non- destructive methods to assess N2-fixation are lacking. Here we aimed to leverage the correlation between N and chlorophyll levels by cultivating soybeans in vermiculite with N-free nutrient solution, inoculating them with variousBradyrhizobiumfield isolates, and subsequently measuring chlorophyll with a portable chlorophyllometer, correlating it to symbiotic parameters. We observed significant correlations between chlorophyll and shoot nitrogen levels as well as with nodule dry mass. TwoB. diazoefficiensstrains stood out and possessednosZ. In contrast,B. elkaniiandB. japonicumisolates displayed lower chlorophyll and symbiotic performance, and lackednosZ. Our findings highlight the potential of measuring chlorophyll contents and testing for the presence ofnosZas two straightforward techniques that may enhance quality control, enabling selection of superior and safe locally isolated strains for soybean inoculants.
Reliably quantifying the severity of social symptoms in children with autism using ASDSpeech
Authors: Eni Marina , Ilan Michal , Michaelovski Analya , Golan Hava M. , Meiri Gal , Menashe Idan , Dinstein Ilan , Zigel Yaniv 
Published: October 2023

AbstractSeveral studies have demonstrated that the severity of social communication problems, a core symptom of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is correlated with specific speech characteristics of ASD individuals. This suggests that it may be possible to develop speech analysis algorithms that can quantify ASD symptom severity from speech recordings in a direct and objective manner. Here we demonstrate the utility of a new open-source AI algorithm, ASDSpeech, which can analyze speech recordings of ASD children and reliably quantify their social communication difficulties across multiple developmental timepoints. The algorithm was trained and tested on the largest ASD speech dataset available to date, which contained 99,193 vocalizations from 197 ASD children recorded in 258 Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2ndedition (ADOS-2) assessments. ASDSpeech was trained with acoustic and conversational features extracted from the speech recordings of 136 children, who participated in a single ADOS-2 assessment, and tested with independent recordings of 61 additional children who completed two ADOS-2 assessments, separated by 1–2 years. Estimated total ADOS-2 scores in the test set were significantly correlated with actual scores when examining either the first (r(59) = 0.544,P< 0.0001) or second (r(59) = 0.605,P< 0.0001) assessment. Separate estimation of social communication and restricted and repetitive behavior symptoms revealed that ASDSpeech was particularly accurate at estimating social communication symptoms (i.e., ADOS-2 social affect scores). These results demonstrate the potential utility of ASDSpeech for enhancing basic and clinical ASD research as well as clinical management. We openly share both algorithm and speech feature dataset for use and further development by the community.
ChineseCVD: first-in-world, web-based, Chinese-specific Cardiovascular Risk Calculator incorporating long COVID, COVID-19 vaccination, SGLT2i and PCSK9i treatment effects
Authors: Chang Carlin , Tse Gary , Lee Quinncy , Chou Oscar Hou In , Lee Teddy Tai Loy , Leung Bosco Kwok-hei , Ngai Amy Lee , Khan Adan , Wong Wing Tak , Wai Abraham Ka Chung , Chen Kang-yin , Liu Tong , Zhou Jiandong 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundWeb-based risk prediction tools for cardiovascular diseases are crucial for providing rapid risk estimates for busy clinicians, but there is none available specifically for Chinese subjects. This study developed ChineseCVD, first-in-world web-based Chinese-specific Cardiovascular Risk Calculator incorporating long COVID, COVID-19 vaccination, SGLT2i and PCSK9i treatment effects.MethodsAdult patients attending government-funded family medicine clinics in Hong Kong between 1stJanuary 2000 and 31stDecember 2003 were included. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as a composite of myocardial infarction, heart failure, transient ischaemic attacks/ischaemic strokes, and cardiovascular mortality.ResultsA total of 155,066 patients were used as the derivation cohort. Over a median follow-up of 16.1 (11.6-17.8) years, 31,061 (20.44%) had MACE. Cox regression identified male gender, age, comorbidities, cardiovascular medications, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and laboratory test results (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, creatinine, ALP, AST, ALT, HbA1c, fasting glucose, triglyceride, LDL and HDL) as significant predictors of the above outcomes. ChineseCVD further incorporates the impact of smoking status, COVID-19 infection, number of COVID-19 vaccination doses, and modifier effects of newest medication classes of PCSK9i and SGLT2i. The calculator enables clinicians to demonstrate to patients how risks vary with different medications.ConclusionsThe ChineseCVD risk calculator enables rapid web-based risk assessment for adverse cardiovascular outcomes, thereby facilitating clinical decision-making at the bedside or in the clinic.
Mental health conditions and COVID-19 vaccine outcomes: a scoping review
Authors: Jia Ru , Coupland Carol , Vinogradova Yana , Qureshi Nadeem , Turner Emma , Vedhara Kavita 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the mental health of people worldwide. Mental health also impacts on physical health. In the context of viral illnesses, viral challenge studies have shown that indices of mental health are associated with susceptibility to viral infections, including coronaviruses. Research conducted during the pandemic has shown that people with a history of mental health conditions were at increased risk of infection, hospitalisation, and mortality. However, the relationship between mental health conditions and vaccine outcomes such as vaccine intentions, uptake, and vaccine breakthrough is not yet well-understood.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search on the topics of COVID-19 vaccine intentions, vaccine uptake, and vaccine breakthrough, in relation to mental health conditions, in four databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and PsychINFO, as well as the publication lists of Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), The Health Improvement Network (THIN), OpenSAFELY, and QResearch. Inclusion criteria focus on studies reporting either of the aforementioned COVID-19 vaccine outcomes among people with mental health conditions.ResultsThirty-three out of 251 publications met our inclusion criteria for this review. Overall, the evidence is inconclusive regarding the level of intention to accept the COVID-19 vaccine among people with mental health conditions. However, people with mental health conditions were more likely to have lower uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine, compared to people without. Common barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake include concerns about the safety, effectiveness, and side effects of the vaccines. Limited evidence also suggests that vaccine breakthrough may be a particular risk for those with substance use disorder.ConclusionsOur findings revealed a possible intention-behaviour gap for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine among people with mental health conditions, yielding interventions to encourage vaccine uptake in this population. There is also the need to enhance our understanding of COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough in people with mental health conditions.
Echocardiographic characterisation in severe Covid-19 with respiratory failure - an observational study
Authors: Isackson Henrik , Larsson Anders , Lipcsey Miklos , Frithiof Robert , Flachskampf Frank A. , Hultström Michael 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACTObjectiveWe aimed to investigate cardiac effects of severe SARS-CoV-2 and the importance of echocardiography-assessment and biomarkers.MethodsThis is an observational study of the first patients admitted to intensive care due to SARS-CoV-2-respiratory failure. Thirty-four underwent echocardiography of which twenty-five were included, compared to forty-four non-echo patients. Exclusion was based on absence of normofrequent sinus rhythm and/or mechanical respiratory support. Biomarkers were analysed on clinical indication.ResultsMortality was higher in the echo-compared to non-echo group (44 % vs. 16%, p<0.05). Right-sided parameters were not under significant strain. Tricuspid valve regurgitation velocity indicated how increased pulmonary pressure was associated with mortality (survivors: 2.51 ± 0.01 m/s vs. non-survivors: 3.06 ± 0.11 m/s, p<0.05), before multiple comparison-correction. Setting cut-off for pulmonary hypertension to 2.8 m/s generated p<0.01 using frequency distribution testing. Cardiac markers, high sensitivity cardiac troponin I and N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide, and D-dimer were higher in the echocardiography group. (hs-TnI (ng/L): echo : 133 ± 45 vs. non-echo: 81.3 ± 45, p<0.01; NT-proBNP (ng/L): echo: 2959 ± 573 vs. non-echo: 1641 ± 420, p<0.001; D-dimer (mg/L): echo: 16.1 ± 3.7 vs. non-echo: 6.1 ± 1.5, p<0.01) and non-survivor group (hs-TnI (ng/L): survivors: 59.1 ± 21 vs. non-survivors: 211 ± 105, p<0.0001; NT-proBNP (ng/L): survivors: 1310 ± 314 vs. non-survivors: 4065 ± 740, p<0.0001; D-dimer (mg/L): survivors: 7.2 ± 1.5 vs. non-survivors: 17.1 ± 4.8, p<0.01). Tricuspid regurgitation velocity was positively correlated with cardiac troponin I (r=0.93, r2=0.74, p<0.001).ConclusionsThese results suggest there is no negative effect on cardiac function in critical SARS-CoV-2. Pulmonary pressure appears higher amongst non-survivors indicating pulmonary disease as the driver of mortality. Echocardiography was more commonly performed in the non-survivor group, and cardiac biomarkers as well as D-dimer was higher in the non-survivor group suggesting they carry negative prognostic values.Trial registration numberThis is an observational study from patients included in “Clinical trialsNCT04316884”Strength and limitations of this study-The patient cohort is recruited from consecutive patients admitted to the ICU in need of mechanical respiratory support independent of background which makes it relevant to clinical practice.-The echocardiographic image acquisition was carried out by hospital assigned agents on clinical indication, which makes the results applicable in a clinical setting.-Since the image acquisition was carried out on a clinical indication, the results may be skewed towards the false positive if applied to all Covid19 patients.
Allostatic load in early adolescence: gene / environment contributions and relevance for mental health
Authors: Hoffman Kevin W. , Tran Kate T. , Moore Tyler M. , Gataviņš Mārtiņš M. , Visoki Elina , DiDomenico Grace E. , Schultz Laura M. , Almasy Laura , Hayes Matthew R. , Daskalakis Nikolaos P. , Barzilay Ran 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundAllostatic load is the cumulative “wear and tear” on the body due to chronic adversity. We aimed to test poly-environmental (exposomic) and polygenic contributions to allostatic load and their combined contribution to early adolescent mental health.MethodsWe analyzed data on N = 5,035 diverse youth (mean age 12) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ABCD). Using dimensionality reduction method, we calculated and overall allostatic load score (AL) using body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glycemia, blood cholesterol, and salivary DHEA. Childhood exposomic risk was quantified using multi-level environmental exposures before age 11. Genetic risk was quantified using polygenic risk scores (PRS) for metabolic system susceptibility (type 2 diabetes [T2D]) and stress-related psychiatric disease (major depressive disorder [MDD]). We used linear mixed effects models to test main, additive, and interactive effects of exposomic and polygenic risk (independent variables) on AL (dependent variable). Mediation models tested the mediating role of AL on the pathway from exposomic and polygenic risk to youth mental health. Models adjusted for demographics and genetic principal components.ResultsWe observed disparities in AL with non-Hispanic White youth having significantly lower AL compared to Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Black youth. In the diverse sample, childhood exposomic burden was associated with AL in adolescence (beta=0.25, 95%CI 0.22-0.29, P<.001). In European ancestry participants (n=2,928), polygenic risk of both T2D and depression was associated with AL (T2D-PRS beta=0.11, 95%CI 0.07-0.14, P<.001; MDD-PRS beta=0.05, 95%CI 0.02-0.09, P=.003). Both polygenic scores showed significant interaction with exposomic risk such that, with greater polygenic risk, the association between exposome and AL was stronger. AL partly mediated the pathway to youth mental health from exposomic risk and from MDD-PRS, and fully mediated the pathway from T2D-PRS.ConclusionsAL can be quantified in youth using anthropometric and biological measures and is mapped to exposomic and polygenic risk. Main and interactive environmental and genetic effects support a diathesis-stress model. Findings suggest that both environmental and genetic risk be considered when modeling stress-related health conditions.
The magnitude, determinants, and outcome of shock among pediatric patients: A cross-sectional hospital-based study
Authors: Kidanu Mebrahtu G. , Tazebe Engdaeshet , Birhane Alemseged , Yemane Marta , Kahsay Mebrihit M. , Tedla Mebrahtu G. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundPediatric shock, a potentially fatal illness, develops after a systemic circulatory system failure. It appears to be a common emergency in children and produces substantial morbidity and mortality particularly if there is no early identification and therapy. The extent and causes of shock-induced death among children in Ethiopia have not been sufficiently studied.ObjectiveThis study was conducted to evaluate the severity, determinants, and prognosis of shock in pediatric patients who visited Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.MethodsFrom October 1st, 2020, to July 30th, 2022, an observational cross-sectional study was carried out at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. The study included 132 children from the age of 1 month to 18 years. According to pediatric advanced life support guidelines, shock was diagnosed among patients. To gather information, a pretested questionnaire was employed. To examine the relationship between the independent variables and shock outcome, bivariate logistic regression was performed, and statistical significance was defined as a P-value of 0.05 or lower.ResultThe prevalence of shock was 2.2%. This study revealed 70.4 % decompensated stage of shock. Mortality rate of shock was 45.5% (95% CI: 37.1-53.8). A delayed presentation by more than one week with an adjusted odd ratio(AOR) of 16.9 (95% CI:2.3-123), type of shock other than hypovolemic shock with AOR of 8.3 (95% CI: 1.4-48), stage of shock with AOR of 27.8 (95% CI: 2.8-157), requirement of mechanical ventilation with AOR of 11 (95% CI:2.6-53) and length of hospital stay less than three days with AOR of 9 (95% CI: 1.7-48) were identified as a predictor of mortality by shock in children.ConclusionAccording to this study, shock causes a higher rate of child mortality. Independent predictors of mortality included delayed presentation, shock type, shock stage, need for mechanical ventilation, and brief hospital stay (less than three days).
WITHDRAWN: Classification and Treatment of Tibial Tubercle Fractures in Adults
Authors: Yao Xiang , Liu Hongyuan , Hu Minjie , Wang Chong , Miao Han , Tang Jilei 
Published: October 2023

Withdrawal StatementThe authors have withdrawn their manuscript owing to 1. The paper needs structural changes. 2. Some of the data were found to have errors that need to be corrected after the previous submission. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author.
On the estimation of beat-to-beat time domain heart rate variability indices from smoothed heart rate time series
Authors: Garcia-Gonzalez Miguel A. , Mohammadpoor-Faskhodi Mahtab , Fernandez-Chimeno Mireya , Ramos-Castro Juan J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis study tests the feasibility of estimating some time-domain heart rate variability indices (the standard deviation of the RR time series, SDNN, and the standard deviation of the differentiated RR time series, or RMSSD) from smoothed and rounded to the nearest beat per minute heart period time series using shallow neural networks. These time series are often stored in wearable devices instead of the beat-to-beat RR time series. Because the algorithm for obtaining the recorded mean heart rate in wearable devices is often not disclosed, this study test different hypothetic sampling strategies and smoothers. Sixteen features extracted from 5 minute smoothed heart period time series were employed to train, validate, and test shallow neural networks in order to provide estimates of the SDNN and RMSSD indices from freely available public databases RR time series. The results show that, using the proposed features, the median relative error (averaged for each database) in the SDNN ranges from 2% to 14% depending on the smoothness, sampling strategy, and database. The RMSSD is harder to estimate, and its median relative error ranges from 6% to 32%. The proposed methodology can be easily extended to other averaged heart rate time series, HRV indices and supervised learning algorithms
Costs, catastrophic out-of-pocket payments and impoverishment related to accessing surgical care among households in rural Ethiopia
Authors: Hailemichael Yohannes , Eshetu Tigist , Timothewos Sewit , Deneke Andualem , Tadesse Amezene , Abdella Ahmed , Bekele Abebe , Leather Andrew , Medhin Girmay , Prince Martin , Hanlon Charlotte 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of this study was to assess the costs, catastrophic out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditure, impoverishment and coping mechanisms used to pay for surgical care in a predominantly rural area of Ethiopia.MethodsWe conducted a community-based, cross-sectional household survey of 182 people who had undergone a surgical procedure. Participants were interviewed in their homes at six weeks post-operation. Using a contextually adapted version of the Study of global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) questionnaire, we estimated direct and indirect costs of surgical care from a household perspective. Catastrophic out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditure was estimated using thresholds of 10% and 25% of annual household consumption expenditure. Impacts of surgical care payments on poverty levels was estimated by comparing pre-and post-operative OOP payments. Analysis of variance, t-test and a logit model were used to assess factors associated with catastrophic OOP health expenditure.ResultsMost surgical patients were women (87.9%), with 65% receiving obstetric surgical care. Direct costs dominated expenditure: direct medical costs Birr 1649.5 (44.6%), direct non-medical costs Birr 1226.5 (33.2%), indirect costs Birr 821.9 (22.2%). Catastrophic OOP surgical care expenditure was experienced by 69.2% households at the 10% threshold and 45.6% at the 25% threshold. The increase in average normalized poverty gap due to OOP surgical care expenditure was higher in non-obstetric (14.1%) compared to obstetric (5.8%) procedures, and for non-emergency (13.3%) compared to emergency care (6.3%). To pay for surgical care, 38% of households had sold assets and 5% had borrowed money.ConclusionsDue to surgical care, households faced severe financial burdens leading to impoverishment. Households implemented hardship coping strategies to mitigate the financial constraints. Provision of free maternal care reduced but did not eliminate these burdens. There is a pressing need to tailor financial risk protection mechanisms to achieve universal coverage for surgical care.