bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponins I and T and Cardiovascular Outcomes: Findings from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT)
Authors: Jia Xiaoming , Nambi Vijay , Berry Jarett D , Dalmacy Djhenne , Ascher Simon B , Taylor Addison A , Hoogeveen Ron C , de Lemos James A , Ballantyne Christie M 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
Cardiac troponins are associated with adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. The value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) independently and in concert with troponin T (hs-cTnT) in the management of hypertension has not been well studied.

Methods
We assessed the utility of hs-cTnI independently and with hs-cTnT in identifying the highest risk individuals in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT). Among 8796 eligible SPRINT participants, hs-cTnI was measured at baseline and 1 year. The association of baseline level and 1-year change in hs-cTnI with CVD events and all-cause death was evaluated using adjusted Cox regression models. We further assessed the complementary value of hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT by identifying concordant and discordant categories and assessing their association with outcomes.

Results
hs-cTnI was positively associated with composite CVD risk [myocardial infarction, other acute coronary syndrome, stroke, or cardiovascular death: hazard ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 1.08–1.39 per 1-unit increase in log(troponin I)] independent of traditional risk factors, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and hs-cTnT. Intensive blood pressure lowering was associated with greater absolute risk reduction (4.5% vs 1.7%) and lower number needed to treat (23 vs 59) for CVD events among those with higher baseline hs-cTnI (≥6 ng/L in men, ≥4 ng/L in women). hs-cTnI increase at 1 year was also associated with increased CVD risk. hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT were complementary, and elevations in both identified individuals with the highest risk for CVD and death.

Conclusions
Baseline levels and change in hs-cTnI over 1 year identified higher-risk individuals who may derive greater cardiovascular benefit with intensive blood pressure treatment. hs-TnI and hs-TnT have complementary value in CVD risk assessment.
ClinicalTrials.gov Registration Number: NCT01206062.
Critical review of the phytohemagglutinin assay for assessing amphibian immunity
Authors: Hawley Lauren , Smalling Kelly L , Glaberman Scott 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Infectious diseases are a major driver of the global amphibian decline. In addition, many factors, including genetics, stress, pollution, and climate change can influence the response to pathogens. Therefore, it is important to be able to evaluate amphibian immunity in the laboratory and in the field. The phytohemagglutinin (PHA) assay is an inexpensive and relatively non-invasive tool that has been used extensively to assess immunocompetence, especially in birds, and more recently in amphibians. However, there is substantial variation in experimental methodology among amphibian PHA studies in terms of species and life stages, PHA doses and injection sites, and use of experimental controls. Here, we compile and compare all known PHA studies in amphibians to identify knowledge gaps and develop best practices for future work. We found that research has only been conducted on a limited number of species, which may not reflect the diversity of amphibians. There is also a lack of validation studies in most species, so that doses and timing of PHA injection and subsequent swelling measurements may not effectively evaluate immunocompetence. Based on these and other findings, we put forward a set of recommendations to make future PHA studies more consistent and improve the ability to utilize this assay in wild populations, where immune surveillance is greatly needed.
Sympathicotomy for isolated facial blushing: long-term follow-up of a randomized trial
Authors: Dittberner Finn Amundsen , Jørgensen Ole Dan , Pilegaard Hans Kristian , Ladegaard Lars , Licht Peter Bjørn 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Thoracoscopic sympathicotomy may be an effective treatment for disabling facial blushing in selected patients. Short- and mid-term results are good but very long-term results are scarce in the medical literature and there is no knowledge which extent of sympathicotomy is better long-term for isolated facial blushing.

METHODS
We previously randomized 100 patients between a rib-oriented R2 or R2–R3 sympathicotomy for isolated facial blushing, and reported local effects, side effects and quality of life after 12 months. In the present study, we sent identical questionnaires to all patients after a median of 16 years (interquartile range 15–17 years).

RESULTS
The response rate was 66%. Overall, 82% reported excellent or satisfactory results on facial blushing, with significant better local effect after R2 sympathicotomy compared with R2–R3 sympathicotomy. Patients who underwent R2 sympathicotomy were also significantly more satisfied with the operation. We found no significant difference between R2 and R2–R3 sympathicotomy in quality of life or rates of compensatory sweating (77%) and recurrence of blushing (41%) which was milder than preoperatively in most patients.

CONCLUSIONS
R2 sympathicotomy should be the preferred approach for isolated facial blushing because of better local effect and higher satisfaction rates. Although this was a very long-term follow-up of the only randomized trial of its kind the response rate was limited leaving a risk of undetected bias.
Molecular identification of a peroxidase gene controlling body size in the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema hermaphroditum
Authors: Schwartz Hillel T , Tan Chieh-Hsiang , Peraza Jackeline , Raymundo Krystal Louise T , Sternberg Paul W 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema hermaphroditum was recently rediscovered and is being developed as a genetically tractable experimental system for the study of previously unexplored biology, including parasitism of its insect hosts and mutualism with its bacterial endosymbiont Xenorhabdus griffiniae. Through whole-genome re-sequencing and genetic mapping we have for the first time molecularly identified the gene responsible for a mutationally defined phenotypic locus in an entomopathogenic nematode. In the process we observed an unexpected mutational spectrum following ethyl methansulfonate mutagenesis in this species. We find that the ortholog of the essential Caenorhabditis elegans peroxidase gene skpo-2 controls body size and shape in S. hermaphroditum. We confirmed this identification by generating additional loss-of-function mutations in the gene using CRISPR-Cas9. We propose that the identification of skpo-2 will accelerate gene targeting in other Steinernema entomopathogenic nematodes used commercially in pest control, as skpo-2 is X-linked and males hemizygous for loss of its function can mate, making skpo-2 an easily recognized and maintained marker for use in co-CRISPR.
Imprint of relative sea level histories on Last Interglacial coral preservation
Authors: Cleveland Stout R , Pico T , Huybers P , Mitrovica J X , Austermann J 
Published: December 2023

SUMMARY
Fossil corals are commonly used to reconstruct Last Interglacial (∼125 ka, LIG) sea level. Sea level reconstructions assume the water depth at which the coral lived, called the ‘relative water depth’. However, relative water depth varies in time and space due to coral reef growth in response to relative sea level (RSL) changes. RSL changes can also erode coral reefs, exposing older reef surfaces with different relative water depths. We use a simplified numerical model of coral evolution to investigate how sea level history systematically influences the preservation of corals in the Bahamas and western Australia, regions which house &gt;100 LIG coral fossils. We construct global ice histories spanning the uncertainty of LIG global mean sea level (GMSL) and predict RSL with a glacial isostatic adjustment model. We then simulate coral evolution since 132 ka. We show that preserved elevations and relative water depths of modelled LIG corals are sensitive to the magnitude, timing and number of GMSL highstand(s). In our simulations, the influence of coral growth and erosion (i.e. the ‘growth effect’) can have an impact on RSL reconstructions that is comparable to glacial isostatic adjustment. Thus, without explicitly accounting for the growth effect, additional uncertainty is introduced into sea level reconstructions. Our results suggest the growth effect is most pronounced in western Australia due to Holocene erosion, but also plays a role in the Bahamas, where LIG RSL rose rapidly due to the collapsing peripheral bulge associated with Laurentide Ice Sheet retreat. Despite the coral model's simplicity, our study highlights the utility of process-based RSL reconstructions.
Efficient and heritable A-to-K base editing in rice and tomato
Authors: Li Xinbo , Xie Jiyong , Dong Chao , Zheng Zai , Shen Rundong , Cao Xuesong , Chen Xiaoyan , Wang Mugui , Zhu Jian-Kang , Tian Yifu 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Cytosine and adenosine base editors (CBE and ABE) have been widely used in plants, greatly accelerating gene function research and crop breeding. Current base editors can achieve efficient A-to-G and C-to-T/G/A editing. However, efficient and heritable A-to-Y (A-to-T/C) editing remains to be developed in plants. In this study, a series of A-to-K base editor (AKBE) systems were constructed for monocot and dicot plants. Furthermore, nSpCas9 was replaced with the PAM-less Cas9 variant (nSpRY) to expand the target range of the AKBEs. Analysis of 228 T0 rice plants and 121 T0 tomato plants edited using AKBEs at 18 endogenous loci revealed that, in addition to highly efficient A-to-G substitution (41.0% on average), the plant AKBEs can achieve A-to-T conversion with efficiencies of up to 25.9 and 10.5% in rice and tomato, respectively. Moreover, the rice-optimized AKBE generates A-to-C conversion in rice, with an average efficiency of 1.8%, revealing the significant value of plant-optimized AKBE in creating genetic diversity. Although most of the A-to-T and A-to-C edits were chimeric, desired editing types could be transmitted to the T1 offspring, similar to the edits generated by the traditional ABE8e. Besides, using AKBEs to target tyrosine (Y, TAT) or cysteine (C, TGT) achieved the introduction of an early stop codon (TAG/TAA/TGA) of target genes, demonstrating its potential use in gene disruption.
Phosphoproteomics Reveals Novel Insights into the Pathogenesis and Identifies New Therapeutic Kinase Targets of Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Tao Sifan , Long Xiuyan , Gong Pan , Yu Xiaoyu , Tian Li 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic recurrent inflammatory disease with unclear etiology. Currently, safe and effective treatment options for UC remain to be developed. Kinases, which catalyze the phosphorylation of substrates, have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for inflammatory diseases. We clarified the kinase activity profile and phosphorylation network in UC and aimed to reveal new pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

Methods
We first performed the phosphoproteomic analysis of rectal tissues from UC patients and healthy individuals. Further bioinformatic analyses revealed the remodeling of key kinases and signaling pathways. Then, we conducted a screening of kinases to identify new potential therapeutic targets through in vivo and in vitro experiments.

Results
Phosphoproteomics revealed a drastic remodeling of signaling pathways in UC, such as pathways related to tight junction, adhesion junction, and necroptosis. Additionally, the activity of kinases such as CDK2, CLK1 and AURKB were significantly changed. Additional screening of these kinases identified CDK2 as a potential therapeutic target for UC, as inhibiting CDK2 effectively alleviated dextran sulfate sodium–induced colitis in mice. Further research revealed that suppressing CDK2 remarkably inhibited RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL phosphorylation, as well as MLKL oligomerization, thereby inhibiting epithelial necroptosis and protecting the intestinal barrier.

Conclusions
Our research deepened the understanding of UC pathogenesis through the lens of phosphorylation. Moreover, we identified CDK2 as a new potential therapeutic target for UC, revealing a novel role for CDK2 in necroptosis.
Automated acoustic monitoring of fish for near-real-time resource management
Authors: Horne John K , Swan Jackson A , Tracy Tommy J , Holtgrieve Gordon W 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Freshwater fisheries in developing regions provide livelihoods and nutrition for millions of people worldwide. These fisheries are frequently data poor, which limits fisheries management. The seasonal Cambodian dai platform fishery on the Tonle Sap River is one of the best monitored inland fisheries in Southeast Asia, yet catch sampling is limited and there is no fishery-independent monitoring. A monitoring system is needed to characterize fish migration and mortality, be cost effective, and be deployable in areas with minimal infrastructure. We integrated a Simrad wide-band transceiver mini echosounder (200 kHz), solar power, and an Internet of Things communications module as an autonomous, automated monitoring package for the deployment on upstream and downstream commercial fishing platforms. The solar panel and controller supply direct current power to the echosounder, communications module, and battery for power during dark hours. Echosounders are programmed to sample at 1 Hz for 15 min every hour. The communications module is a built cellular endpoint that accesses a local wireless network to transmit raw data files to a data server. Data are downloaded from the server for processing and analysis. This expandable system provides a flexible management tool that can be deployed at any location with wireless communication capability.
Non-density of C0-Stable Mappings on Non-compact Manifolds
Authors: Ichiki Shunsuke 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The problem of density of $C^{0}$-stable mappings is a classical and venerable subject in singularity theory. In 1973, Mather showed that the set of proper $C^{0}$-stable mappings is dense in the set of all proper mappings, which implies that the set of $C^{0}$-stable mappings is dense in the set of all mappings if the source manifold is compact. The aim of this paper is to complement Mather’s result and to provide new information to the subject. Namely, we show that the set of $C^{0}$-stable mappings is never dense in the set of all mappings if the source manifold is non-compact. As a corollary of this result and Mather’s result, we can obtain a characterization of density of $C^{0}$-stable mappings, that is, the set of $C^{0}$-stable mappings is dense in the set of all mappings if and only if the source manifold is compact. To prove the non-density result, we provide a more essential result by using the notion of non-open points.
Perverse Filtration for Generalized Kummer Varieties of Fibered Surfaces
Authors: Zhang Zili 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Let $A\to C$ be a proper surjective morphism from a smooth connected quasi-projective commutative group scheme of dimension 2 to a smooth curve. The construction of generalized Kummer varieties gives a proper morphism $A^{[[n]]}\to C^{((n))}$. We show that the perverse filtration associated with this morphism is multiplicative.
Antimicrobial use and combination of resistance phenotypes in bacteraemic Escherichia coli in primary care: a study based on Japanese national data in 2018
Authors: Hosaka Yumiko , Muraki Yuichi , Kajihara Toshiki , Kawakami Sayoko , Hirabayashi Aki , Shimojima Masahiro , Ohge Hiroki , Sugai Motoyuki , Yahara Koji 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
Antimicrobial use (AMU) in primary care is a contributing factor to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. We assessed the potential effects of AMU on the prevalence of a combination of resistance phenotypes in bacteraemic Escherichia coli in outpatient care settings between primary care facilities (‘clinics’) and hospitals.

Methods
Population-weighted total AMU calculated from the national database was expressed as DDDs per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID). National data for all routine microbiological test results were exported from the databases of a major commercial clinical laboratory, including 16 484 clinics, and the Japan Nosocomial Infections Surveillance, including 1947 hospitals. AMU and the prevalence of combinations of resistance phenotypes in bacteraemic E. coli isolates were compared between clinics and hospitals.

Results
The five most common bacteria isolated from patients with bacteraemia were the same in clinics, outpatient settings and inpatient settings in hospitals, with E. coli as the most frequent. Oral third-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones were the top two AMU outpatient drugs, except for macrolides, and resulted in at least three times higher AMU in clinics than in hospitals. The percentage of E. coli isolates resistant to both drugs in clinics (18.7%) was 5.6% higher than that in hospitals (13.1%) (P &lt; 10−8).

Conclusions
Significant AMU, specifically of oral third-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, in clinics is associated with a higher prevalence of E. coli isolates resistant to both drugs. This study provides a basis for national interventions to reduce inappropriate AMU in primary care settings.
Curvy Digital Marketing Designs: Virtual Elements with Rounded Shapes Enhance Online Click-Through Rates
Authors: Biswas Dipayan , Abell Annika , Chacko Roger 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
With the growing prevalence of digital platforms for online shopping, advertising, and marketing activities in general, it is imperative to better understand how designs of virtual elements on digital interfaces influence click behavior. Websites and online advertisements contain virtual elements such as call-to-action buttons, images, and logos. This research examines how curved versus sharp angled shapes of virtual elements in online ads and on websites influence click-through rates (CTRs). The findings of a series of studies, including three field experiments and an eye tracking study, show that website and online ad elements in curved (vs. sharp angled) shapes generate higher CTRs. Process evidence suggests that curved (vs. sharp angled) digital elements enhance visual appeal, leading to approach motivation and greater CTR. In terms of practical implications, the findings of this research have strong relevance for designing online ads and website interfaces and for digital marketing strategies. Specifically, digital marketers desiring higher click rates would benefit from having more curved (than sharp angled) virtual elements on websites and in online ads.
Law(s) against unfair competition: the legitimacy of the UK approach
Authors: Gangjee Dev Saif 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The UK lacks a unified legal basis for the prevention of unfair competition. Instead, the UK offers up an unfair competition menu consisting of individual torts or equitable wrongs (primarily passing off, injurious falsehood, defamation and the breach of confidence), the prohibition of misleading practices under consumer protection law, trade mark law and codes of advertising regulation. In terms of their cumulative coverage, these regimes overlap considerably with the protection available under civilian unfair competition regimes. It is therefore more accurate to say that the UK has laws against unfair competition. But are they cumulatively sufficient? This article evaluates one important facet of this question—whether the UK approach complies with relevant international treaty obligations contained in Article10bis of the Paris Convention—concluding that it does. The basis for this conclusion is the detailed analysis of international unfair competition prevention obligations contained in WTO Dispute Settlement Panel Report, Australia—Tobacco Plain Packaging.
Exploring Differences in Physical Health in Young Children With and Without ADHD
Authors: Curzon Madeline M , Dick Anthony S , Coccia Catherine , Graziano Paulo A 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo assess differences in child physical health outcomes and metrices associated with obesity in a sample of predominantly Hispanic/Latinx young children with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).MethodsParticipants included 127 children diagnosed with ADHD and 96 typically developing (TD) children between 4 and 7 years of age. Objective measures of children’s body composition, fitness, and physical activity were conducted. Parents of children completed food recalls to assess their child’s dietary intake, diet quality was calculated based on the Healthy Eating Index-2015, and parents completed a survey about their family’s health habits.ResultsLogistic regression revealed that those with ADHD were more likely to be classified as having an overweight or obese (Ov/O) body mass index (BMI). Linear regression analyses indicated that children with ADHD performed worse on a fitness test and consumed more calories relative to TD children. Moderation analyses indicated that sex differences in steps were prominent in our TD sample, but not among those with ADHD.ConclusionsYoung children with ADHD are at greater risk for having an Ov/O BMI, being less fit, and eating a greater intake of calories compared to TD children.
Modelling CN Zeeman effect observations of the envelopes of a low-mass protostellar disc and a massive protostar
Authors: Mazzei Renato , Li Zhi-Yun , Chen Che-Yu , Tu Yisheng , Fissel Laura , Klein Richard I 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT
We use the polaris radiative transfer code to produce simulated circular polarization Zeeman emission maps of the cyanide (CN) J = 1–0 molecular line transition for two types of protostellar envelope magnetohydrodynamic simulations. Our first model is a low-mass disc envelope system (box length L = 200 au), and our second model is the envelope of a massive protostar (L = 104 au) with a protostellar wind and a CN-enhanced outflow shell. We compute the velocity-integrated Stokes I and V, as well as the implied V/I polarization percentage, for each detector pixel location in our simulated emission maps. Our results show that both types of protostellar environments are in principle accessible with current circular polarization instruments, with each containing swaths of envelope area that yield percentage polarizations that exceed the 1.8 per cent nominal sensitivity limit for circular polarization experiments with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. In both systems, high-polarization (≳1.8 per cent) pixels tend to lie at an intermediate distance away from the central star and where the line-centre opacity of the CN emission is moderately optically thin (τLC ∼ 0.1–1). Furthermore, our computed V/I values scale roughly with the density-weighted mean line-of-sight magnetic field strength, indicating that Zeeman observations can effectively diagnose the strength of envelope-scale magnetic fields. We also find that pixels with large V/I are preferentially co-located where the absolute value of the velocity-integrated V is also large, suggesting that locations with favourable percentage polarization are also favourable in terms of raw signal.