bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of Invasive Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Disease—United States, 2008–2019
Authors: Oliver Sara E , Rubis Amy B , Soeters Heidi M , Reingold Arthur , Barnes Meghan , Petit Susan , Farley Monica M , Harrison Lee H , Como-Sabetti Kathy , Khanlian Sarah A , Wester Rachel , Thomas Ann , Schaffner William , Marjuki Henju , Wang Xin , Hariri Susan 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Background
Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is the most common cause of invasive H. influenzae disease in the United States (US). We evaluated the epidemiology of invasive NTHi disease in the US, including among pregnant women, infants, and people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH).

Methods
We used data from population- and laboratory-based surveillance for invasive H. influenzae disease conducted in 10 sites to estimate national incidence of NTHi, and to describe epidemiology in women of childbearing age, infants aged ≤30 days (neonates), and PWH living in the surveillance catchment areas. H. influenzae isolates were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for species confirmation, serotyping, and whole genome sequencing of select isolates.

Results
During 2008–⁠2019, average annual NTHi incidence in the US was 1.3/100 000 population overall, 5.8/100 000 among children aged &lt;1 year, and 10.2/100 000 among adults aged ≥80 years. Among 225 reported neonates with NTHi, 92% had a positive culture within the first week of life and 72% were preterm. NTHi risk was 23 times higher among preterm compared to term neonates, and 5.6 times higher in pregnant/postpartum compared to nonpregnant women. More than half of pregnant women with invasive NTHi had loss of pregnancy postinfection. Incidence among PWH aged ≥13 years was 9.5 cases per 100 000, compared to 1.1 cases per 100 000 for non-PWH (rate ratio, 8.3 [95% confidence interval, 7.1–9.7]; P &lt; .0001).

Conclusions
NTHi causes substantial invasive disease, especially among older adults, pregnant/postpartum women, and neonates. Enhanced surveillance and evaluation of targeted interventions to prevent perinatal NTHi infections may be warranted.
Inhibition of phosphoglycerate kinase 1 attenuates autoimmune myocarditis by reprogramming CD4+ T cell metabolism
Authors: Lu Yang , Zhao Ning , Wu Yuwei , Yang Shuaitao , Wu Qiongfeng , Dong Qian , Du Yimei 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Aims
CD4+ T cells are the major drivers of cardiac-specific autoimmunity in myocarditis, specifically Th1, Treg, and most significant Th17 cells. But the molecular mechanisms of their activation remain unclear. We aimed to elucidate the regulatory role of phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) in CD4+ T cells and experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM).

Methods and results
EAM was induced in BALB/c mice by subcutaneous injections with alpha myosin heavy chain peptide emulsified in complete Freund’s adjuvant. Single-cell sequencing analysis found that glycolysis and PGK1 expression were elevated in cardiac CD4+ T and Th17 cells from myocarditis mice. Mice treated with PGK1 inhibitor NG52 showed less cardiac inflammation and fibrosis and better contractile function, as well as reduced cardiac infiltrating Th17 and Th1 cells and increased proportion of Treg. NG52 suppressed CD4+ T cell activation and differentiation of mice and myocarditis patients in vitro. Mechanistically, inhibition of PGK1 suppressed glycolytic activity and decreased pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDHK1) phosphorylation, thereby increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in mitochondria and thus preventing Th17 cell differentiation.

Conclusion
PGK1 may act as a key metabolic regulator of CD4+ T cell differentiation and regulates Th17 cell differentiation by regulating glycolysis and the PDHK1-ROS axis. Targeting PGK1 might be a promising strategy for the treatment of myocarditis.
Testing for parameter change epochs in GARCH time series
Authors: Richter Stefan , Wang Weining , Wu Wei Biao 
Published: February 2023

Summary
We develop a uniform test for detecting and dating the integrated or mildly explosive behaviour of a strictly stationary generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) process. Namely, we test the null hypothesis of a globally stable GARCH process with constant parameters against the alternative that there is an ‘abnormal’ period with changed parameter values. During this period, the parameter-value change may lead to an integrated or mildly explosive behaviour of the volatility process. It is assumed that both the magnitude and the timing of the breaks are unknown. We develop a double-supreme test for the existence of breaks, and then provide an algorithm to identify the periods of changes. Our theoretical results hold under mild moment assumptions on the innovations of the GARCH process. Technically, the existing properties for the quasi-maximum likelihood estimation in the GARCH model need to be reinvestigated to hold uniformly over all possible periods of change. The key results involve a uniform weak Bahadur representation for the estimated parameters, which leads to weak convergence of the test statistic to the supreme of a Gaussian process. Simulations in the Appendix show that the test has good size and power for reasonably long time series. We apply the test to the conventional early-warning indicators of both the financial market and a representative of the emerging Fintech market, i.e., the Bitcoin returns.
Postoperative atrial fibrillation: from mechanisms to treatment
Authors: Gaudino Mario , Di Franco Antonino , Rong Lisa Q , Piccini Jonathan , Mack Michael 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common type of secondary atrial fibrillation (AF) and despite progress in prevention and treatment, remains an important clinical problem for patients undergoing a variety of surgical procedures, and in particular cardiac surgery.
POAF significantly increases the duration of postoperative hospital stay, hospital costs, and the risk of recurrent AF in the years after surgery; moreover, POAF has been associated with a variety of adverse cardiovascular events (including stroke, heart failure, and mortality), although it is still unclear if this is due to causal relation or simple association.
New data have recently emerged on the pathophysiology of POAF, and new preventive and therapeutic strategies have been proposed and tested in randomized trials.
This review summarizes the current evidence on the pathogenesis, incidence, prevention, and treatment of POAF and highlights future directions for clinical research.
Purine synthesis suppression reduces the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension in rodent models
Authors: Ma Qian , Yang Qiuhua , Xu Jiean , Sellers Hunter G , Brown Zach L , Liu Zhiping , Bordan Zsuzsanna , Shi Xiaofan , Zhao Dingwei , Cai Yongfeng , Pareek Vidhi , Zhang Chunxiang , Wu Guangyu , Dong Zheng , Verin Alexander D , Gan Lin , Du Quansheng , Benkovic Stephen J , Xu Suowen , Asara John M , Ben-Sahra Issam , Barman Scott , Su Yunchao , Fulton David J R , Huo Yuqing 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Aims
Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a hallmark of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Proliferative cells utilize purine bases from the de novo purine synthesis (DNPS) pathways for nucleotide synthesis; however, it is unclear whether DNPS plays a critical role in VSMC proliferation during development of PH. The last two steps of DNPS are catalysed by the enzyme 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase/inosine monophosphate cyclohydrolase (ATIC). This study investigated whether ATIC-driven DNPS affects the proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and the development of PH.

Methods and results
Metabolites of DNPS in proliferative PASMCs were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. ATIC expression was assessed in platelet-derived growth factor-treated PASMCs and in the lungs of PH rodents and patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Mice with global and VSMC-specific knockout of Atic were utilized to investigate the role of ATIC in both hypoxia- and lung interleukin-6/hypoxia-induced murine PH. ATIC-mediated DNPS at the mRNA, protein, and enzymatic activity levels were increased in platelet-derived growth factor-treated PASMCs or PASMCs from PH rodents and patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. In cultured PASMCs, ATIC knockdown decreased DNPS and nucleic acid DNA/RNA synthesis, and reduced cell proliferation. Global or VSMC-specific knockout of Atic attenuated vascular remodelling and inhibited the development and progression of both hypoxia- and lung IL-6/hypoxia-induced PH in mice.

Conclusion
Targeting ATIC-mediated DNPS compromises the availability of purine nucleotides for incorporation into DNA/RNA, reducing PASMC proliferation and pulmonary vascular remodelling and ameliorating the development and progression of PH.
First report of canker caused by Chrysoporthe austroafricana on the plantation-grown eucalypt Corymbia henryi in South Africa
Authors: Suzuki Hiroyuki , Marincowitz Seonju , Roux Jolanda , Wingfield Brenda D , Wingfield Michael J 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Species of Corymbia are increasingly being tested for plantation establishment in South Africa. During disease surveys in KwaZulu-Natal plantations in 2020, a serious canker disease was found on Corymbia henryi. The cankers were seemingly caused by a fungus belonging to the family Cryphonectriaceae. The aims of the study were to identify the fungus causing the disease, to test its pathogenicity and to determine the genetic diversity of a population of isolates from infected trees. Phylogenetic analyses using sequence data for the internal transcribed spacer, β-tubulin 1 and β-tubulin 2 gene regions showed that the causal agent of the cankers was Chrysoporthe austroafricana. This is the first record of C. austroafricana causing cankers on a Corymbia species. A pathogenicity trial demonstrated that the fungus could infect C. henryi and cause cankers. Fifteen isolates of C. austroafricana were subjected to population genetic analyses using microsatellite markers. Eleven multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were detected. Mating-type distribution was approximately equal (MAT1-1:MAT1-2 = 8:7). The results indicate that a wide diversity of genotypes of C. austroafricana have undergone a host shift to infect C. henryi. This is a similar situation to that observed for Eucalyptus in South Africa and suggests that research efforts will be required to reduce the risk of Cryphonectria canker limiting afforestation using Corymbia species in the future.
An expandable FLP-ON::TIR1 system for precise spatiotemporal protein degradation in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Xiao Yutong , Yee Callista , Zhao Chris Z , Martinez Michael A Q , Zhang Wan , Shen Kang , Matus David Q , Hammell Christopher 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The auxin-inducible degradation system has been widely adopted in the Caenorhabditis elegans research community for its ability to empirically control the spatiotemporal expression of target proteins. This system can efficiently degrade auxin-inducible degron (AID)-tagged proteins via the expression of a ligand-activatable AtTIR1 protein derived from A. thaliana that adapts target proteins to the endogenous C. elegans proteasome. While broad expression of AtTIR1 using strong, ubiquitous promoters can lead to rapid degradation of AID-tagged proteins, cell type-specific expression of AtTIR1 using spatially restricted promoters often results in less efficient target protein degradation. To circumvent this limitation, we have developed an FLP/FRT3-based system that functions to reanimate a dormant, high-powered promoter that can drive sufficient AtTIR1 expression in a cell type-specific manner. We benchmark the utility of this system by generating a number of tissue-specific FLP-ON::TIR1 drivers to reveal genetically separable cell type-specific phenotypes for several target proteins. We also demonstrate that the FLP-ON::TIR1 system is compatible with enhanced degron epitopes. Finally, we provide an expandable toolkit utilizing the basic FLP-ON::TIR1 system that can be adapted to drive optimized AtTIR1 expression in any tissue or cell type of interest.
Characteristics of Atypical Sleep Durations Among Older Compared to Younger Adults: Evidence from the New Zealand Health Survey
Authors: Gibson Rosemary , Akter Tasnima , Jones Courtney , Towers Andy 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Background
Understanding and supporting sleep is important across the life span. Disparities in sleep status are well documented in mid-life but under-explored among older populations.

Methods
Data from 40,659 adults pooled from the New Zealand Health Surveys were used; 24.2% were “older adults” (aged ≥65 years), 57% were female, and 20.5% of Māori ethnicity. “Long,” “short,” or “typical” sleep categories were based on age-related National Sleep Foundation guidelines. Multinomial logistic regression examined predictors of atypical sleep, including sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and health status.

Results
Prevalence of short and long sleep among older adults was 296 (3.0%) and 723 (7.4%), respectively. Correspondingly, prevalence among younger adults was 2 521 (8.2%) and 364 (1.2%). Atypical sleep was more significantly associated with indicators of reduced socioeconomic status and ethnicity among younger rather than older adults. Within both age groups, lower physical activity was associated with long sleep status. Higher physical activity and smoking were related to short sleep status among younger adults only. Within both age groups, atypical sleep was associated with SF-12 scores indicating poorer physical and mental health. Having ≥3 health conditions was related to short sleep among the older adults, while for young adults, it was related to both atypical durations.

Conclusions
Indicators of negative lifestyle and health factors remain consistent predictors of atypical sleep with aging. However, demographic disparities are less apparent among older atypical sleepers. This study highlights individual and contextual factors associated with atypical sleep patterns which may be important for age-appropriate recognition and management of sleep problems.
Sexual Satisfaction Among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Authors: Buczak-Stec Elżbieta W , König Hans-Helmut , Hajek André 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesSexual satisfaction is an important part of sexual health and overall well-being. A large number of older people continue to be sexually active, and many are satisfied with their sex life. However, little is known about whether sexual satisfaction differs according to sexual orientation. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate whether sexual satisfaction differs according to sexual orientation in later life.Research Design and MethodsThe German Ageing Survey is a nationally representative study of the German population aged 40+. In the third wave (2008), data on both sexual orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, other) and sexual satisfaction (1—very dissatisfied to 5—very satisfied) were collected. Multiple regression analyses with sampling weights were performed (stratified by age: 40–64; 65+).ResultsWe included 4,856 individuals in our analysis (mean age 57.6 ± 11.6; 40–85 years, 50.4% were women, 92.3% (n = 4,483) were heterosexual, and 7.7% (n = 373) were sexual minority adults). In sum, 55.9% of heterosexual individuals and 52.3% of sexual minority adults were satisfied or very satisfied with their sex life. Multiple regression analysis showed that sexual orientation was not significantly associated with sexual satisfaction among both middle-aged (β = 0.07; p = .45) and older adults (β = 0.01; p = .87). Higher sexual satisfaction was associated with lower loneliness scores, partnership satisfaction, importance of sexuality and intimacy, and better health status.Discussion and ImplicationsOur analysis showed that sexual orientation was not significantly associated with sexual satisfaction among both middle-aged and older adults. Lower loneliness, better health status, and partnership satisfaction significantly contributed to higher sexual satisfaction. Approximately 45% of older individuals (aged 65 years and older), regardless of their sexual orientation, were still satisfied with their sex life.
Transient core surface dynamics from ground and satellite geomagnetic data
Authors: Istas M , Gillet N , Finlay C C , Hammer M D , Huder L 
Published: February 2023

SUMMARYWe present an update of the geomagnetic data assimilation tool pygeodyn, use it to analyse ground and satellite-based geomagnetic data sets, and report new findings on the dynamics of the Earth’s outer core on interannual to decadal timescales. Our results support the idea that quasi-geostrophic Magneto-Coriolis waves, recently discovered at a period of 7 yr, also operate on both shorter and longer timescales, specifically in period bands centred around 3.5 and 15 yr. We revisit the source of interannual variations in the length of day and argue that both geostrophic torsional Alfvén waves and quasi-geostrophic Magneto-Coriolis waves can possibly contribute to spectral lines that have been isolated around 8.5 and 6 yr. A significant improvement to our ensemble Kalman filter algorithm comes from accounting for cross-correlations between variables of the state vector forecast, using the ‘Graphical lasso’ method to help stabilize the correlation matrices. This allows us to avoid spurious shrinkage of the model uncertainties while (i) conserving important information contained in off-diagonal elements of the forecast covariance matrix, and (ii) considering a limited number of realizations, thus reducing the computational cost. Our updated scheme also permits us to use observations either in the form of Gauss coefficient data or more directly as ground-based and satellite-based virtual observatory series. It is thanks to these advances that we are able to place global constraints on core dynamics even at short periods.
Effective Access to Laboratory Test Results: A Health Equity Issue that Enhances Diagnostic Excellence
Authors: Madison Bereneice M , Lazaro Gerardo R , Scott Marranda S , Greene Dina N , Lorey Thomas S , De Jesús Víctor R 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Access to laboratory test results through patient portals is a health equity issue for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP), particularly for Spanish-speaking patients, the largest minority group in the USA. Gaps ranging from linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic disparities to lack of systematic approaches (e.g., implementation of specific support protocols, policies) are among the identified factors that limit LEP patients’ access to patient portals. This paper summarizes initiatives healthcare providers, laboratory professionals, and portal developers can use to address disparities that affect &gt;26 million LEPs while improving their health equity.
Right upper lobe pulmonary sequestration masquerading clinically and radiologically as malignancy: a case report
Authors: Gupta Ankit , Chetty Gavin , Hopkinson David , Rao Jagan , Chetty Govind 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Bronchopulmonary sequestration is a rare disease in which a non-functional region of pulmonary tissue receives an aberrant vascular supply and lacks normal communication with the tracheobronchial tree. We present the case of a 30-year-old female with a primary complaint of unexplained weight loss and no other additional signs or symptoms. In view of this, computed tomography imaging was ordered, showing a 33HU mass in the right upper lobe. A specialist radiologist reviewed the images and concluded that the most likely differentials were mediastinal lymphoma or thymic malignancy. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed, when it was seen that no malignancy was present, but rather a bronchopulmonary sequestration. Histology confirmed the diagnosis; the patient fared well post-operatively. Bronchopulmonary sequestration is a rare pathology, with most cases occurring in the lower lung lobes. This case is highly atypical, due to the lack of clinical features and the lesion radiologically mimicking the appearance of malignancy.
Domain organization, expression, subcellular localization, and biological roles of ARGONAUTE proteins in Arabidopsis
Authors: Martín-Merchán Andrea , Moro Belen , Bouet Antoine , Bologna Nicolas G 
Published: February 2023

AbstractARGONAUTE (AGO) proteins are the final effectors of small RNA-mediated transcriptional and post-transcriptional silencing pathways. Plant AGO proteins are essential for preserving genome integrity, regulating developmental processes, and in stress responses and pathogen defense. Since the discovery of the first eukaryotic AGO in Arabidopsis, our understanding of these proteins has grown exponentially throughout all the eukaryotes. However, many aspects of AGO proteins’ modes of action and how they are influenced by their subcellular localization are still to be elucidated. Here, we provide an updated and comprehensive view of the evolution, domain architecture and roles, expression pattern, subcellular localization, and biological functions of the 10 AGO proteins in Arabidopsis.
Why stars inflate to and deflate from red giant dimensions – II. Replies to critics
Authors: Renzini Alvio 
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACTIn a 1992 paper of ours, the role of opacity-driven thermal instabilities in shaping the course of stellar evolution was amply illustrated. This included the classical issue of ‘why stars become red giants’ as well as the subsequent formation of extended ‘Cepheids’ blue loops during the helium-burning phases. Our explanation of these evolutionary phenomena has occasionally been dismissed with just a few words in refereed or non-refereed publications. In a recent case, the fact that over the years I have not replied to these criticisms was interpreted as evidence that they were well founded. In this paper, it is made clear that this is not at all the case: the leading role of such instabilities is instead reaffirmed and the criticisms are shown to be insubstantial.
A spectral classification system for hydrogen-deficient carbon stars
Authors: Crawford Courtney L , Tisserand Patrick , Clayton Geoffrey C , Soon Jamie , Bessell Mike , Wood Peter , García-Hernández D A , Ruiter Ashley J , Seitenzahl Ivo R 
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACTStellar spectral classification has been highly useful in the study of stars. While there is a currently accepted spectral classification system for carbon stars, the subset of hydrogen-deficient carbon (HdC) stars has not been well described by such a system, due predominantly to their rarity and their variability. Here we present the first system for the classification of HdCs based on their spectra, which is made wholly on their observable appearance. We use a combination of dimensionality reduction and clustering algorithms with human classification to create such a system with eight total classes corresponding to temperature, and an additional second axis corresponding to the carbon molecular band strength. We classify over half of the known sample of HdC stars using this, and roughly calibrate the temperatures of each class using their colours. Additionally, we express trends in the occurrence of certain spectral peculiarities such as the presence of hydrogen and lithium lines. We also present three previously unpublished spectra, report the discovery of two new Galactic dustless HdC stars, and additionally discuss one especially unique star that appears to border between the hottest HdCs and the coolest extreme helium stars.