bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age- and time-dependent increases in incident anti-glomerular basement membrane disease: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Nelveg-Kristensen Karl Emil , Madsen Bo , McClure Mark , Bruun Nanna , Lyngsø Cecilie , Dieperink Hans , Gregersen Jon Waarst , Krarup Elizabeth , Ivarsen Per , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Egfjord Martin , Szpirt Wladimir , Carlson Nicholas ,   for the Danish Vasculitis Association (DANVAS)
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Background
Epidemiologic assessments of anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease have been challenging due to its rare occurrence. We examined changes in the incidence and outcomes from 1998 to 2018 using nationwide healthcare registries.

Methods
All patients with incident anti-GBM disease were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision code DM31.0A. Controls were matched 4:1 on birthyear and sex using exposure density sampling. Log link regression adjusted for time, age and sex was applied to model survival.

Results
We identified 97 patients with incident anti-GBM disease, corresponding to an incidence of 0.91 cases/million/year [standard deviation (SD) 0.6]. The incidence increased over time [1998–2004: 0.50 (SD 0.2), 2005–2011: 0.80 (SD 0.4), 2012–2018: 1.4 (SD 0.5); P = .02] and with age [0.76 (SD 0.4), 1.5 (SD 1.04) and 4.9 (SD 2.6) for patients &lt;45, 45–75 and &gt;75 years]. The median age was 56 years (interquartile range 46) and 51.6% were female. Dialysis was required in 58.4%, 61.9% and 62.9% of patients at day 30, 180 and 360, respectively. The 1-year kidney survival probability was 0.38 (SD 0.05) and exhibited time-dependent changes [1998–2004: 0.47 (SD 0.13), 2005–2011: 0.16 (SD 0.07), 2012–2018: 0.46 (SD 0.07); P = .035]. The 5-year mortality was 26.8% and mortality remained stable over time (P = .228). The risk of death was greater than that of the matched background population {absolute risk ratio [ARR] 5.27 [confidence interval (CI) 2.45–11.3], P &lt; .001}, however, it was comparable to that of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis (AAV) requiring renal dialysis at presentation [ARR 0.82 (CI 0.48–1.41), P = .50].

Conclusion
The incidence of anti-GBM disease increased over time, possibly related to temporal demographic changes. Mortality remained high and was comparable with an age- and sex-matched cohort of dialysis-dependent AAV patients.
Free-ranging dogs match a human’s preference in a foraging task
Authors: Cimarelli Giulia , Juskaite Magdelena , Range Friederike , Marshall-Pescini Sarah 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Social learning is a mechanism used by many species to efficiently gain information about their environment. Although many animals live in an environment where members of other species are present, little is known about interspecific social learning. Domesticated and urbanized species provide the opportunity to investigate whether nonhuman animals can learn from heterospecifics such as humans, who are integral parts of their social landscape. Although domestic dogs Canis familiaris have been intensively researched for their ability to learn from humans, most studies have focused on dogs living as pets. However, free-ranging dogs represent the majority of the world’s dog population, they live alongside humans, scavenge on human refuse, and are subject to natural and sexual selection. Thus, free-ranging dogs with extensive exposure to humans and their artifacts provide the opportunity to investigate interspecific social learning in a naturalistic setting, where learning from humans might be a benefit for them. Here we tested individual free-ranging dogs in a between-subject design: Dogs in the control group could spontaneously choose between two novel and differently patterned food-delivering boxes. In the experimental group, instead, dogs could first observe an unfamiliar human approaching and eating from 1 of the 2 boxes. We provide the first evidence that free-ranging dogs match the choice of an unfamiliar human. These results show that at least simple forms of interspecific social learning might be involved in dogs’ success in living alongside humans in a complex urbanized environment.
Epigenetic aging differences between Wichí and Criollos from Argentina
Authors: Iannuzzi Vincenzo , Sarno Stefania , Sazzini Marco , Abondio Paolo , Sala Claudia , Bacalini Maria Giulia , Gentilini Davide , Calzari Luciano , Masciotta Federica , Garagnani Paolo , Castellani Gastone , Moretti Edgardo , Dasso Maria Cristina , Sevini Federica , Franceschi Zelda Alice , Franceschi Claudio , Pettener Davide , Luiselli Donata , Giuliani Cristina 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackground and objectivesEpigenetic estimators based on DNA methylation levels have emerged as promising biomarkers of human aging. These estimators exhibit natural variations across human groups, but data about indigenous populations remain underrepresented in research. This study aims to investigate differences in epigenetic estimators between two distinct human populations, both residing in the Gran Chaco region of Argentina, the Native-American Wichí, and admixed Criollos who are descendants of intermarriages between Native Americans and the first European colonizers, using a population genetic approach.MethodologyWe analyzed 24 Wichí (mean age: 39.2 ± 12.9 yo) and 24 Criollos (mean age: 41.1 ± 14.0 yo) for DNA methylation levels using the Infinium MethylationEPIC (Illumina) to calculate 16 epigenetic estimators. Additionally, we examined genome-wide genetic variation using the HumanOmniExpress BeadChip (Illumina) to gain insights into the genetic history of these populations.ResultsOur results indicate that Native-American Wichí are epigenetically older compared to Criollos according to five epigenetic estimators. Analyses within the Criollos population reveal that global ancestry does not influence the differences observed, while local (chromosomal) ancestry shows positive associations between specific SNPs located in genomic regions over-represented by Native-American ancestry and measures of epigenetic age acceleration (AgeAccelHannum). Furthermore, we demonstrate that differences in population ecologies also contribute to observed epigenetic differences.Conclusions and implicationsOverall, our study suggests that while the genomic history may partially account for the observed epigenetic differences, non-genetic factors, such as lifestyle and ecological factors, play a substantial role in the variability of epigenetic estimators, thereby contributing to variations in human epigenetic aging.
Maintaining beneficial alga-associated bacterial communities under heat stress: insights from controlled co-culture experiments using antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains
Authors: Karimi Elham , Dittami Simon M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Brown algae, like many eukaryotes, possess diverse microbial communities. Ectocarpus—a model brown alga—relies on these communities for essential processes, such as growth development. Controlled laboratory systems are needed for functional studies of these algal–bacterial interactions. We selected bacterial strains based on their metabolic networks to provide optimal completion of the algal metabolism, rendered them resistant to two antibiotics, and inoculate them to establish controlled co-cultures with Ectocarpus under continuous antibiotic treatment. We then monitored the stability of the resulting associations under control conditions and heat stress using 16S metabarcoding. Antibiotics strongly reduced bacterial diversity both in terms of taxonomy and predicted metabolic functions. In the inoculated sample, 63%–69% of reads corresponded to the inoculated strains, and the communities remained stable during temperature stress. They also partially restored the predicted metabolic functions of the natural community. Overall, the development of antibiotic-resistant helper cultures offers a promising route to fully controlled laboratory experiments with algae and microbiota and thus represents an important step towards generating experimental evidence for specific host–microbe interactions in the systems studied. Further work will be required to achieve full control and progressively expand our repertoire of helper strains including those currently ‘unculturable’.
Impact of IL-17-producing γδ T cells on chronic otitis media induced by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae in a mouse model
Authors: Hirano Takashi , Kawano Toshiaki , Kadowaki Yoshinori , Moriyama Munehito , Umemoto Shingo , Yoshinaga Kazuhiro , Matsunaga Takayuki , Suzuki Masashi 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is considered a major pathogen underlying middle ear infection. This study aimed to investigate the impact of IL-17 on chronic otitis media (COM) induced by NTHi in mice. NTHi was inoculated into the tympanic bulla with eustachian tubal obstruction. Middle ear effusions (MEEs) and tissues were collected on days 3, 14, and at 1, 2, and 6 months after injection. The expression of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) in MEEs was significantly elevated compared to that in the control group at the translational and transcriptional levels during the experiments. The quantities of IL-17-producing γδ T cells were significantly increased compared to that in the control group during COM, but that of Th17 cells did not. Depletion of γδ T cells by anti-γδ T-cell receptor (TCR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) administration significantly decreased the bacteria counts and the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, TNF-α, and IL-10 in MEEs. Our results suggest that IL-17 may play an important role in prolonging the inflammation in the middle ear in COM and that IL-17-producing γδ T cells may contribute to the exacerbated inflammatory response in the middle ear. In this study, anti-γδ TCR mAb administration was found to improve chronic middle ear inflammatory conditions.
Family Pharmacy and Medication Adherence Among Older Adults in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study of JAGES 2019
Authors: Tamura Motoki , Takasugi Tomo , Nakamura Mieko , Yanagi Natsuyo , Nakagomi Atsushi , Sato Koryu , Kondo Katsunori , Ojima Toshiyuki 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objectives
Poor medication adherence among older adults is a global concern as it causes adverse drug interactions and inappropriate dosing. This study aimed to assess the association between family pharmacy and medication adherence among older adults.

Methods
The Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study was a cross-sectional study of 18,792 people aged ≥65 years living in 61 municipalities in 25 prefectures who participated in a survey conducted in 2019 and did not require long-term care. Self-reported questionnaires were administered to evaluate whether the participants “always received medicines from the same pharmacy” and whether they had unused medicines. Modified Poisson regression was used to examine the association after adjusting for confounders.

Results
Unused medicines were present in 89.9% of the “have group” (individuals who always received their medicines from the same pharmacy). This group had a lower prevalence of unused medicines (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.82–0.92) than the “none group” (individuals who did not always receive their medicines from the same pharmacy). In the stratified analysis by education level, the prevalence of unused medicines was lower among those with low levels of education (≤9 years: PR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.71–0.96; 10–12 years: PR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.74–0.88).

Discussion
Older adults who “always received medicines from the same pharmacy” had a lower prevalence of unused medicines, especially those with low levels of education. Thus, “always receiving medicines from the same pharmacy” may be effective in reducing the proportion of unused medicines and improving medication adherence.
The Influence of Education and Occupation Type on Birth Cohort Differences in Cognitive Function of Mexican Older Adults
Authors: Gutierrez Mariela , Wahrendorf Morten , Milani Sadaf , Mejia-Arango Silvia , Wong Rebeca , Downer Brian 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Objectives
Mexico’s population aging is occurring in the context of social changes such as increased educational attainment and occupational shifts from agriculture to service and industry. The current study compares cognitive function between two birth cohorts of Mexican adults aged 60–76 to determine if population-level changes in education and occupation type contribute to cohort differences in cognitive function.

Methods
We used the Mexican Health and Aging Study to examine adults aged 60–76 in 2001 (men: 2,309; women: 2,761) and 2018 (men: 2,842; women: 3,825). Global cognition was calculated from five measures. Five main lifetime occupation types were created: no main job; agriculture; service; professional; and industrial. Ordinary least squares regression and structural equation models (SEM) were used to examine cohort differences in cognitive functioning.

Results
Ordinary least squares models that adjusted for age, community size, and marital status indicated that men and women had higher global cognition in 2018 than 2001 (men: b = 0.44, p &lt; .01; women: b = 0.54, p &lt; .01). These differences were reduced after adjusting for education and occupation type (men: b = 0.27, p &lt; .01; women: b = 0.37, p &lt; .01). Results from SEM indicated that the indirect effects of education on cognitive functioning were larger than occupation type for men (education: b = 0.18, p &lt; .05; occupation: b = 0.001, p = .91) and women (education: b = 0.18, p &lt; .05; occupation: b = 0.002, p = .22).

Discussion
Cognitive functioning is higher among more recent birth cohorts of older adults in Mexico. These cohort differences are partially mediated by education but not main lifetime occupation. Additional factors may contribute to cohort differences in cognitive function for older adults in Mexico.
Media exposure, trustworthiness of sources and the health information literacy knowledge gap: a study in China
Authors: Li Jinxu , Chen Juan 
Published: October 2023

AbstractHealth information literacy (HIL), as an essential part of the wellbeing of citizens, is a crucial indicator used to measure a country’s primary public health level. The present study collected 1051 samples in southern China to examine the factors predicting HIL. The results showed that males, those less educated, and older adults had lower HIL. Television exposure, unofficial Internet exposure, trust in government and trust in doctors and medical institutions were positively associated with HIL. In contrast, newspapers, radio exposure and trust in web celebrities were negatively associated with HIL. Official Internet media exposure helps to bridge the HIL knowledge gap generated by differences in education level, while trust in celebrities—especially web celebrities—could widen the HIL knowledge gap. This study extends the knowledge gap theory in health communication in the Chinese context and provides pathways for future health interventions.
Vedolizumab Efficacy Is Associated With Decreased Intracolonic Dendritic Cells, Not Memory T Cells
Authors: Boden Elisa K , Kongala Ramya , Hindmarch Duncan C , Shows Donna M , Juarez Julius G , Lord James D 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Vedolizumab, an antibody blocking integrin α4β7, is a safe and effective therapy for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Blocking α4β7 from binding its cognate addressin MAdCAM-1 on intestinal blood vessel endothelial cells prevents T cells from migrating to the gut mucosa in animal models. However, data supporting this mechanism of action in humans is limited.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional case-control study to evaluate the effect of vedolizumab on intestinal immune cell populations while avoiding the confounding effect of resolving inflammation on the cellularity of the colonic mucosa in treatment-responsive patients. Colon biopsies from 65 case subjects receiving vedolizumab were matched with biopsies from 65 control individuals, similar in disease type, medications, anatomic location, and inflammation. Biopsies were analyzed by flow cytometry and full messenger RNA transcriptome sequencing of sorted T cells.

Results
No difference was seen between vedolizumab recipients and control individuals in the quantity of any antigen-experienced T lymphocyte subset or in the quality of the transcriptome in any experienced T cell subset. Fewer naïve colonic B and T cells were seen in vedolizumab recipients than control individuals, regardless of response. However, the most striking finding was a marked reduction in CD1c+ (BDCA1+) dendritic cells exclusively in vedolizumab-responsive patients. In blood, these dendritic cells ubiquitously express high levels of α4β7, which is rapidly downregulated upon vedolizumab exposure.

Conclusions
The clinical effects of vedolizumab reveal integrin α4β7-dependent dendritic cell migration to the intestinal mucosa to be central to inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis.
How to check a simulation study
Authors: White Ian R , Pham Tra My , Quartagno Matteo , Morris Tim P 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Simulation studies are powerful tools in epidemiology and biostatistics, but they can be hard to conduct successfully. Sometimes unexpected results are obtained. We offer advice on how to check a simulation study when this occurs, and how to design and conduct the study to give results that are easier to check. Simulation studies should be designed to include some settings in which answers are already known. They should be coded in stages, with data-generating mechanisms checked before simulated data are analysed. Results should be explored carefully, with scatterplots of standard error estimates against point estimates surprisingly powerful tools. Failed estimation and outlying estimates should be identified and dealt with by changing data-generating mechanisms or coding realistic hybrid analysis procedures. Finally, we give a series of ideas that have been useful to us in the past for checking unexpected results. Following our advice may help to prevent errors and to improve the quality of published simulation studies.
Observational methods for COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness research: an empirical evaluation and target trial emulation
Authors: Català Martí , Burn Edward , Rathod-Mistry Trishna , Xie Junqing , Delmestri Antonella , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel , Jödicke Annika M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
There are scarce data on best practices to control for confounding in observational studies assessing vaccine effectiveness to prevent COVID-19. We compared the performance of three well-established methods [overlap weighting, inverse probability treatment weighting and propensity score (PS) matching] to minimize confounding when comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Subsequently, we conducted a target trial emulation to study the ability of these methods to replicate COVID-19 vaccine trials.

Methods
We included all individuals aged ≥75 from primary care records from the UK [Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) AURUM], who were not infected with or vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 as of 4 January 2021. Vaccination status was then defined based on first COVID-19 vaccine dose exposure between 4 January 2021 and 28 January 2021. Lasso regression was used to calculate PS. Location, age, prior observation time, regional vaccination rates, testing effort and COVID-19 incidence rates at index date were forced into the PS. Following PS weighting and matching, the three methods were compared for remaining covariate imbalance and residual confounding. Last, a target trial emulation comparing COVID-19 at 3 and 12 weeks after first vaccine dose vs unvaccinated was conducted.

Results
Vaccinated and unvaccinated cohorts comprised 583 813 and 332 315 individuals for weighting, respectively, and 459 000 individuals in the matched cohorts. Overlap weighting performed best in terms of minimizing confounding and systematic error. Overlap weighting successfully replicated estimates from clinical trials for vaccine effectiveness for ChAdOx1 (57%) and BNT162b2 (75%) at 12 weeks.

Conclusion
Overlap weighting performed best in our setting. Our results based on overlap weighting replicate previous pivotal trials for the two first COVID-19 vaccines approved in Europe.
Optimization of thermal and light in underground atrium commercial spaces: a case study in Xuzhou, China
Authors: Nie Lufeng , Ji Xiang , Liu Heng , Fang Huanhuan , Liu Xinyu , Yang Mengchen 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
This paper studies the shape design strategy of underground atriums in cold regions based on climate adaptability. From the perspective of climate adaptability, by controlling the shape design parameters of the atrium, and taking the light and thermal performance of the underground atrium as the optimization goal, the light and heat performance simulation and multi-objective optimization are constructed. Method, analyzing the effect relationship of various shape parameters on the light and heat environment and exploring the shape scheme of the underground atrium suitable for cold regions. And it is hoped that architects can take into account the quality of the light and heat environment of the underground atrium in architectural design and use space adjustment to improve the awareness of the quality of the light and heat environment of the underground atrium. The simulation results show that the annual PMV thermal comfort time percentage is 20.47%, the heat radiation difference RAD in summer and winter is 21.17 kw∙w/m2, and the average percentage of natural lighting is 67.41%.
Convergence of Lagrange finite element methods for Maxwell eigenvalue problem in 3D
Authors: Boffi Daniele , Gong Sining , Guzmán Johnny , Neilan Michael 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
We prove convergence of the Maxwell eigenvalue problem using quadratic or higher Lagrange finite elements on Worsey–Farin splits in three dimensions. To do this, we construct two Fortin-like operators to prove uniform convergence of the corresponding source problem. We present numerical experiments to illustrate the theoretical results.
Mixed Virtual Element approximation of linear acoustic wave equation
Authors: Dassi Franco , Fumagalli Alessio , Mazzieri Ilario , Vacca Giuseppe 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
We design a Mixed Virtual Element Method for the approximated solution to the first-order form of the acoustic wave equation. In the absence of external loads, the semi-discrete method exactly conserves the system energy. To integrate in time the semi-discrete problem we consider a classical $\theta $-method scheme. We carry out the stability and convergence analysis in the energy norm for the semi-discrete problem showing an optimal rate of convergence with respect to the mesh size. We further study the property of energy conservation for the fully-discrete system. Finally, we present some verification tests as well as engineering applications of the method.