bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regional and temporal differences in the associations between cardiovascular disease and its classic risk factors: an analysis of 49 cohorts from 11 European countries
Authors: Reinikainen Jaakko , Kuulasmaa Kari , Oskarsson Viktor , Amouyel Philippe , Biasch Katia , Brenner Hermann , De Ponti Roberto , Donfrancesco Chiara , Drygas Wojciech , Ferrieres Jean , Grassi Guido , Grimsgaard Sameline , Iacoviello Licia , Jousilahti Pekka , Kårhus Line L , Kee Frank , Linneberg Allan , Luksiene Dalia , Mariño Joany , Moitry Marie , Palmieri Luigi , Peters Annette , Piwonska Aleksandra , Quarti-Trevano Fosca , Salomaa Veikko , Sans Susana , Schmidt Carsten Oliver , Schöttker Ben , Söderberg Stefan , Tamosiunas Abdonas , Thorand Barbara , Tunstall-Pedoe Hugh , Vanuzzo Diego , Veronesi Giovanni , Woodward Mark , Lekadir Karim , Niiranen Teemu 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Aims
The regional and temporal differences in the associations between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its classic risk factors are unknown. The current study examined these associations in different European regions over a 30-year period.

Methods and results
The study sample comprised 553 818 individuals from 49 cohorts in 11 European countries (baseline: 1982–2012) who were followed up for a maximum of 10 years. Risk factors [sex, smoking, diabetes, non-HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure (BP), and body mass index (BMI)] and CVD events (coronary heart disease or stroke) were harmonized across cohorts. Risk factor–outcome associations were analysed using multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models, and differences in associations were assessed using meta-regression. The differences in the risk factor–CVD associations between central Europe, northern Europe, southern Europe, and the UK were generally small. Men had a slightly higher hazard ratio (HR) in southern Europe (P = 0.043 for overall difference), and those with diabetes had a slightly lower HR in central Europe (P = 0.022 for overall difference) compared with the other regions. Of the six CVD risk factors, minor HR decreases per decade were observed for non-HDL cholesterol [7% per mmol/L; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3–10%] and systolic BP (4% per 20 mmHg; 95% CI, 1–8%), while a minor HR increase per decade was observed for BMI (7% per 10 kg/m2; 95% CI, 1–13%).

Conclusion
The results demonstrate that all classic CVD risk factors are still relevant in Europe, irrespective of regional area. Preventive strategies should focus on risk factors with the greatest population attributable risk.
Diversity of Methylobacterium species associated with New Zealand native plants
Authors: Jahan Rowshan , McDonald Ian R 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Methylobacterium species are abundant colonizers of the phyllosphere due to the availability of methanol, a waste product of pectin metabolism during plant cell division. The phyllosphere is an extreme environment, with a landscape that is heterogeneous and continuously changing as the plant grows and is exposed to high levels of ultraviolet irradiation. Geographically, New Zealand (NZ) has been isolated for over a million years, has a biologically diverse flora, and is considered a biodiversity hotspot, with most native plants being endemic. We therefore hypothesize that the phyllosphere of NZ native plants harbor diverse groups of Methylobacterium species. Leaf imprinting using methanol-supplemented agar medium was used to isolate bacteria, and diversity was determined using ARDRA and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Methylobacterium species were successfully isolated from the phyllosphere of 18 of the 20 native NZ plant species in this study, and six different species were identified: M. marchantiae, M. mesophilicum, M. adhaesivum, M. komagatae, M. extorquens, and M. phyllosphaerae. Other α, β, and γ-Proteobacteria, Actinomycetes, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were also isolated, highlighting the presence of other potentially novel methanol utilizers within this ecosystem. This study identified that Methylobacterium are abundant members of the NZ phyllosphere, with species diversity and composition dependent on plant species.
Heterogeneity in the progression of retinal pathologies in mice harboring patient mimicking Impg2 mutations
Authors: Williams Brittany N , Draper Adam , Lang Patrick F , Lewis Tylor R , Smith Audrey L , Mayerl Steven J , Rougié Marie , Simon Jeremy M , Arshavsky Vadim Y , Greenwald Scott H , Gamm David M , Pinilla Isabel , Philpot Benjamin D 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Biallelic mutations in interphotoreceptor matrix proteoglycan 2 (IMPG2) in humans cause retinitis pigmentosa (RP) with early macular involvement, albeit the disease progression varies widely due to genetic heterogeneity and IMPG2 mutation type. There are currently no treatments for IMPG2-RP. To aid preclinical studies toward eventual treatments, there is a need to better understand the progression of disease pathology in appropriate animal models. Toward this goal, we developed mouse models with patient mimicking homozygous frameshift (T807Ter) or missense (Y250C) Impg2 mutations, as well as mice with a homozygous frameshift mutation (Q244Ter) designed to completely prevent IMPG2 protein expression, and characterized the trajectory of their retinal pathologies across postnatal development until late adulthood. We found that the Impg2T807Ter/T807Ter and Impg2Q244Ter/Q244Ter mice exhibited early onset gliosis, impaired photoreceptor outer segment maintenance, appearance of subretinal deposits near the optic disc, disruption of the outer retina, and neurosensorial detachment, whereas the Impg2Y250C/Y250C mice exhibited minimal retinal pathology. These results demonstrate the importance of mutation type in disease progression in IMPG2-RP and provide a toolkit and preclinical data for advancing therapeutic approaches.
Digital technologies, learning capacity of the organization and innovation: EU-wide empirical evidence from a combined dataset
Authors: Greenan Nathalie , Napolitano Silvia 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This paper investigates the effects of digitalization and organizational practices on innovation in Europe, between 2010 and 2016. We analyze the cross-country and industry differences in firms’ investments and capabilities to adopt and use new technologies and their effects on innovation outputs. Along with traditional drivers of innovation, such as research and development (R&D) expenditure, two composite indicators are constructed. One encompasses direct measures of the adoption and use in enterprises of a set of digital technologies. The other measures the learning capacity of organizations, which captures the use of management tools and organizational practices concerned with the improvement of individual and organizational learning. Product, process, organizational, and marketing innovations are identified as well as their combinations within companies. Empirical evidence is provided by a unique dataset based on the integration at the sector within the country level of European Union (EU)-wide employers’ and employees’ surveys: the Community Innovation Survey (CIS), the Community Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) usage and e-commerce in enterprises survey (Eurostat), and the European Working Conditions Survey (Eurofound). The descriptive evidence shows that Digital technology adoption and use is rapidly growing across Europe, while the Learning capacity of organizations remains stagnant. By contrast, our results from the econometric analysis show that these investments can favor all forms of innovations and that, further, they may show some complementarity. Overall, a mix of product/process innovations and organizational/marketing innovations rests on joint investments in R&D, digital technology adoption and use, and learning capacity of the organization.
Nitrofurantoin resistance as an indicator for multidrug resistance: an assessment of Escherichia coli urinary tract specimens in England, 2015–19
Authors: Guy Rebecca L , Rudman Jamie , Higgins Hannah , Carter Emma , Henderson Katherine L , Demirjian Alicia , Gerver Sarah M 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Objectives
To determine whether MDR occurs more frequently in nitrofurantoin-resistant Escherichia coli urinary isolates in England, compared with nitrofurantoin-susceptible isolates.

Methods
Using routine E. coli urine isolate antibiotic susceptibility laboratory surveillance data for England, 2015–19 inclusive, the percentage of MDR or XDR phenotype was estimated for nitrofurantoin-susceptible and nitrofurantoin-resistant laboratory-reported urinary tract samples by region, patient sex and age group.

Results
Resistance to nitrofurantoin among E. coli urinary samples decreased slightly year on year from 2.9% in 2015 to 2.3% in 2019. Among E. coli UTIs tested for nitrofurantoin susceptibility and  ≥3 additional antibiotics, the percentage that were MDR was consistently 15%–20% percentage points higher for nitrofurantoin-resistant isolates compared with nitrofurantoin-susceptible isolates. Similarly, the percentage of isolates with an XDR phenotype was higher among nitrofurantoin-resistant versus -susceptible isolates (8.7% versus 1.4%, respectively, in 2019); this disparity was greater in male patients, although variation was seen by age group in both sexes. Regional variation was also noted, with the highest MDR percentage amongst nitrofurantoin-resistant E. coli urinary samples in the London region (36.7% in 2019); the lowest was in the North East (2019: 16.9%).

Conclusions
MDR and XDR phenotypes occur more frequently in nitrofurantoin-resistant E. coli urinary isolates in England, compared with nitrofurantoin-susceptible isolates. However, nitrofurantoin resistance is low (&lt;3%) overall. This latest study provides important insights into trends in nitrofurantoin resistance and MDR, which is of particular concern for patients ≥75 years old and those who are male. It also emphasises geographical heterogeneities within England in nitrofurantoin resistance and MDR.
Dominance of ST131, B2, blaCTX-M-15, and papA-papC-kpsMII-uitA among ESBL Escherichia coli isolated from bloodstream infections in Quito, Ecuador: a 10-year surveillance study (2009–2019)
Authors: Zurita Jeannete , Sevillano Gabriela , Paz y Miño Ariane , Haro Nathalí , Larrea-Álvarez Marco , Alcocer Iliana , Ortega-Paredes David 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Aims
This study aimed to examine antibiotic resistance and the epidemiology of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli associated with bloodstream infections over a period of 10 years.

Methods and results
Isolates were collected from January 2009 to December 2019 and those testing for E. coli were included. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested using the VITEK® system. Selected isolates were further characterized by amplification of marker genes (virulence traits, phylogroups, and sequence types). A total of 166 ESBL-producing E. coli were recovered. The blaCTX-M-15 allele was the most abundant. Most of the isolates were resistant to ceftriaxone, cefepime, ceftazidime, ampicillin/sulbactam, piperacillin/tazobactam, and ciprofloxacin. No resistance to carbapenems was registered. More than 80% of bacteria were classified as extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), and the combination of virulence traits:papA-papC-kpsMII-uitA was the most common. Phylogroup B2 was the most prevalent, and bacteria predominantly belonged to ST131.

Conclusions
There was an increase in the ExPEC ESBL-E coli in bloodstream infections and the relationship between the isolates found in these infections during these 10 years.
Pyrogallol impairs staphylococcal biofilm formation via induction of bacterial oxidative stress
Authors: Roese Katharina H C , Torlone Christina , Cooper Lauren A , Esposito Lee , Deveau Amy M , Röse Ursula S R , Burkholder Kristin M 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Aims
To examine the effect of the phenolic compound pyrogallol on staphylococcal biofilm formation.

Methods and results
In crystal violet biofilm assays, pyrogallol-reduced biofilm formation in Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35984, Staph. epidermidis NRRL-B41021, Staphylococcus aureus USA300, and Staph. aureus Newman, without significantly impairing bacterial viability. Pyrogallol-mediated impairment of biofilm formation was likely due to induction of bacterial oxidative stress, as its effect was greater in catalase-deficient versus WT Staph. aureus, and biofilm production was rescued by exogenous catalase. The effect of pyrogallol on staphylococcal biofilm formation mirrored that of the known oxidant hydrogen peroxide, which also reduced biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusions
Pyrogallol reduces biofilm formation in S. aureus and Staph. epidermidis in a mechanism involving induction of bacterial oxidative stress.
Breast Imaging Fellowship Virtual Interviews: The Program Director’s Perspective
Authors: Katzen Janine , Nguyen Jonathan , Zuckerman Samantha , Wang Lilian , Whitman Gary , Mango Victoria 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Objective
To evaluate breast imaging fellowship program directors’ perspectives on the virtual interview process.

Methods
A 20-question survey constructed by members of the Fellowship Match Committee of the Society of Breast Imaging was distributed to all 99 breast imaging program directors registered with the Society. An initial e-mail with a link to the survey was distributed on September 9, 2022, and the survey was closed on October 1, 2022. Results were compiled and a descriptive statistical analysis was performed utilizing Microsoft Excel.

Results
There were 63 total responses (63/99, 64% response rate). There was a wide distribution in both the number of applications received and the number of interviews each program offered. Just under a fifth (12/63, 19%) of programs received 1 to 5 applications, whereas a quarter (16/63, 25%) received over 40 applications. In contrast, over a quarter (17/63, 27%) of programs interviewed 1 to 5 applicants, and only a small number (3/63, 5%) interviewed over 40 applicants. When reporting what worked best with the virtual interview process, the responses fell into the following 4 categories: efficiency, flexibility, virtual format, or other. When reporting what did not work well, the most common response (14/37, 38%) was conveying the atmosphere of the program in the virtual setting.

Conclusion
This study provides an assessment of the virtual interview experience from the perspective of breast imaging fellowship programs, which may be useful in optimizing future interview experiences for programs and applicants.
Making Right to Housing Work: Learnings from YUVA’s Approach of Enabling the Right to Adequate Housing
Authors: Joseph Marina , Siddharth K J , Jaikishen Doel 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis article presents a model of human rights practice in India, specifically focused on the right to adequate housing for marginalized groups. It details this through the praxis of a 40-year-old non-profit organization called Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA). The article presents the approach, rooted in the specific socio-legal contexts of Indian cities where YUVA works. Four key elements from YUVA’s model of work are elaborated: a) facilitating access to citizenship rights to enable individual claim-making; b) formation of people’s organizations towards collectivization; c) formation of wider city- and state-level alliances towards policy and advocacy shifts; d) strategic inputs to drive inclusion in urban plans. Although the insights embody the experience of a single organization, they offer several lessons for wider human rights practice with respect to realizing the right to housing in developing country contexts, especially in the Global South.
Low risk of erectile dysfunction after nontransecting bulbar urethroplasty for urethral stricture: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Xingming , Xing Yanbo , Zhang Xi , Guo Qiang , Li Chengyong , Guo Chao , Wang Jingqi , Hao Chuan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Sexual function after urethroplasty may be a concern for patients, but there are still some controversies regarding the consequences of nontransecting bulbar urethroplasty (ntBU) in terms of erectile dysfunction (ED).

Aim
This meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of ntBU with that of transecting bulbar urethroplasty (tBU).

Methods
The PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched and reviewed up to October 31, 2022. Quality evaluation was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale system and Cochrane tools for the nonrandomized and randomized studies, respectively. Baseline characteristics, preoperative information, and postoperative outcomes were collected.

Outcomes
Outcomes included success rate, ED, overall complication, and maximum urinary flow.

Results
Thirteen studies comprising 1683 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 596 and 1087 patients undergoing ntBU and tBU, respectively. The results revealed that compared with the tBU group, the patients who underwent ntBU had a significantly lower incidence of ED, while there were no significant differences in the other perioperative outcomes. In subgroup analysis, the nontransecting anastomotic urethroplasty group had a lower incidence of ED than excision and primary anastomosis, and other perioperative outcomes were similar between the 2 groups.

Clinical implications
The results of the study may help clinicians choose procedures that protect sexual function in the treatment of urethral stricture.

Strengths and limitations
The strength of this study is that it is, to our knowledge, the first meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ntBU. A limitation is that most of the included studies were retrospective cohort studies.

Conclusion
ntBU preserves the high efficacy of its transecting counterpart while reducing postoperative ED.
Arabidopsis PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 4 promotes the maturation and nuclear accumulation of immune-related cysteine protease RD19
Authors: Zeng Yanhong , Zheng Zichao , Hessler Giuliana , Zou Ke , Leng Junchen , Bautor Jaqueline , Stuttmann Johannes , Xue Li , Parker Jane E , Cui Haitao 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Arabidopsis PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 4 (PAD4) has an essential role in pathogen resistance as a heterodimer with ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY 1 (EDS1). Here we investigated an additional PAD4 role in which it associates with and promotes the maturation of the immune-related cysteine protease RESPONSIVE TO DEHYDRATION 19 (RD19). We found that RD19 and its paralog RD19c promoted EDS1- and PAD4-mediated effector-triggered immunity to an avirulent Pseudomonas syringae strain, DC3000, expressing the effector AvrRps4 and basal immunity against the fungal pathogen Golovinomyces cichoracearum. Overexpression of RD19, but not RD19 protease-inactive catalytic mutants, in Arabidopsis transgenic lines caused EDS1- and PAD4-dependent autoimmunity and enhanced pathogen resistance. In these lines, RD19 maturation to a pro-form required its catalytic residues, suggesting that RD19 undergoes auto-processing. In transient assays, PAD4 interacted preferentially with the RD19 pro-protease and promoted its nuclear accumulation in leaf cells. Our results lead us to propose a model for PAD4-stimulated defense potentiation. PAD4 promotes maturation and nuclear accumulation of processed RD19, and RD19 then stimulates EDS1–PAD4 dimer activity to confer pathogen resistance. This study highlights potentially important additional PAD4 functions that eventually converge on canonical EDS1–PAD4 dimer signaling in plant immunity.
The origin of the metallicity distributions of the NE and W stellar shelves in the Andromeda Galaxy
Authors: Milošević S , Mićić M , Lewis G F 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT
Tidal streams and stellar shells are naturally formed in galaxy interactions and mergers. The Giant Stellar Stream (GSS), the North-East (NE), and Western (W) stellar shelves observed in Andromeda Galaxy (M31) are examples of these structures and were formed through the merger of M31 and a satellite galaxy. Recent observational papers have provided strong evidence that the shells and GSS originate from a single progenitor. In this paper, we investigate the formation of these two stellar shelves and the detailed nature of their relationship to the GSS. We present numerical simulations of tidal disruption of a satellite galaxy assuming that it is a progenitor of the GSS and the shell system. We represent the progenitor as a dwarf spheroidal galaxy with the stellar mass of 109 M⊙ and evolve its merger with M31 for 3 Gyr to reproduce the chemodynamical properties of the NE and W shelves. We find that an initial metallicity of the progenitor with a negative radial gradient of ΔFeH = −0.3 ± 0.2 successfully reproduces observed metallicities of the NE, W shelves, and the GSS, showing that all these structures can originate from the same merger event.
The spatially resolved star formation history of the dwarf spiral galaxy NGC 5474
Authors: Bortolini G , Cignoni M , Sacchi E , Tosi M , Annibali F , Pascale R , Bellazzini M , Calzetti D , Adamo A , Dale Daniel A , Fumagalli M , Gallagher John S , Grasha K , Johnson Kelsey E , Linden Sean T , Messa M , Östlin G , Sabbi E , Wofford A 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT
We study the resolved stellar populations and derive the star formation history of NGC 5474, a peculiar star-forming dwarf galaxy at a distance of ∼7 Mpc, using Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys data from the Legacy Extragalactic UV Survey (LEGUS) programme. We apply an improved colour–magnitude diagram fitting technique based on the code sfera and use the latest PARSEC–COLIBRI stellar models. Our results are the following. The off-centre bulge-like structure, suggested to constitute the bulge of the galaxy, is dominated by star formation (SF) activity initiated 14 Gyr ago and lasted at least up to 1 Gyr ago. Nevertheless, this component shows clear evidence of prolonged SF activity (lasting until ∼10 Myr ago). We estimate the total stellar mass of the bulge-like structure to be (5.0 ± 0.3) × 108 M⊙. Such a mass is consistent with published suggestions that this structure is in fact an independent system orbiting around and not within NGC 5474’s disc. The stellar overdensity located to the South–West of the bulge-like structure shows a significant SF event older than 1 Gyr, while it is characterized by two recent peaks of SF, around ∼10 and ∼100 Myr ago. In the last Gyr, the behaviour of the stellar disc is consistent with what is known in the literature as ‘gasping’. The synchronized burst at 10–35 Myr in all components might hint to the recent gravitational interaction between the stellar bulge-like structure and the disc of NGC 5474.