bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age matters: Older Alnus viridis ssp. fruticosa are more sensitive to summer temperatures in the Alaskan Arctic
Authors: Drew Jackson W. , Bret‐Harte Marion S. , Buchwal Agata , Heslop Calvin 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

The Arctic is rapidly warming, and tundra vegetation community composition is changing from small, prostrate shrubs to taller, erect shrubs in some locations. Across much of the Arctic, the sensitivity of shrub secondary growth, as measured by growth ring width, to climate has changed with increased warming, but it is not fully understood how shrub age contributes to shifts in climate sensitivity.

We studied Siberian alder, Alnus viridis ssp. fruticosa, a large nitrogen‐fixing shrub that has responded to climate warming with northward range expansion over the last 50 years. We used serial sectioning of 26 individual shrubs and 94 cross‐sections to generate a 98‐year growth ring chronology, including one 142‐year‐old, Siberian alder in Northern Alaska. We tested how secondary growth sensitivity to climate has changed over the past century (1920–2017) and how shrub age affects climate sensitivity of alder growth through time.

We found that over time, alder growth as expressed by the stand chronology became more sensitive to July mean monthly air temperature. Older shrubs displayed higher sensitivity to June and July temperature than younger alders. However, during the first 30 years of growth of any shrub, temperature sensitivity did not differ among individuals. In addition, the June temperature sensitivity of growth series from individual cross‐sections depended on the age of the attached shrub.

Our results suggest that age contributes to climate sensitivity, likely through modifying internal shrub carbon budgets by changing size and reducing alder's dependence on N‐fixation over time. Older, more sensitive alder may enhance C and N‐cycling while having greater recruitment potential. Linking alder age to climate sensitivity, recruitment and total N‐inputs will enable us to better predict ecosystem carbon and nitrogen cycling in a warmer Arctic.

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Uncertainty in probabilistic genotyping of low template DNA: A case study comparing STRMix™ and TrueAllele™
Authors: Thompson William C. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractTwo probabilistic genotyping (PG) programs, STRMix™ and TrueAllele™, were used to assess the strength of the same item of DNA evidence in a federal criminal case, with strikingly different results. For STRMix, the reported likelihood ratio in favor of the non‐contributor hypothesis was 24; for TrueAllele it ranged from 1.2 million to 16.7 million, depending on the reference population. This case report seeks to explain why the two programs produced different results and to consider what the difference tells us about the reliability and trustworthiness of these programs. It uses a locus‐by‐locus breakdown to trace the differing results to subtle differences in modeling parameters and methods, analytic thresholds, and mixture ratios, as well as TrueAllele's use of an ad hoc procedure for assigning LRs at some loci. These findings illustrate the extent to which PG analysis rests on a lattice of contestable assumptions, highlighting the importance of rigorous validation of PG programs using known‐source test samples that closely replicate the characteristics of evidentiary samples. The article also points out misleading aspects of the way STRMix and TrueAllele results are routinely presented in reports and testimony and calls for clarification of forensic reporting standards to address those problems.
Death rates following emergency department chest pain assessment
Authors: Loten Conrad , Nutt Hannah , Bull Neva 
Published: February 2023

AbstractObjectivesWe sought to define the rate of unexpected death from acute coronary syndrome or arrhythmia in chest pain patients directly discharged from the ED.MethodsRetrospective audit of all chest pain patients at a tertiary ED for 7 years. Medical and post‐mortem records of the deceased were reviewed with independent cardiologist adjudication to determine outcomes. Primary outcome measure was 28‐day unexpected death secondary to acute coronary syndrome or arrhythmia.ResultsDuring the study period, 25 924 patients presented with chest pain, 292 (1.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99–1.01%) died within 28 days. Of these, 16 680(64%, 95% CI 63.88–64.12%) were discharged by ED, two (0.01%, 95% CI 0–0.011%) of this group died from the primary outcome.ConclusionUnexpected death is very uncommon after ED discharge of chest pain patients.
Radiation necrosis and therapeutic outcomes in patients treated with linear accelerator‐based hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery for intact intracranial metastases
Authors: Zhang Qichen , Hamilton Daniel , Conway Paul , Xie Sophia Jing , Haghighi Neda , Lasocki Arian 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIntroductionBalancing disease control and treatment‐related toxicities can be challenging when treating higher‐risk brain metastases (BMs) that are larger in size or eloquent anatomical locations. Hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (hfSRS) is expected to offer superior or equal efficacy with lower toxicity profile compared with single‐fraction SRS (sfSRS). We report the efficacy and toxicity profiles of hfSRS in a consecutive cohort of patients to support this predicted benefit from hfSRS for high‐risk BMs.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed 185 consecutive individual lesions from 152 patients with intact BMs treated with hfSRS between 1 July 2016 and 31 October 2019 and followed up to 30 April 2022 with serial brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The primary endpoint was the event of radiation necrosis (RN). Local control (LC) rate and distant brain failure (DBF) were reported as secondary outcomes. Kaplan–Meier method was used to report the cumulative incidence of RN and overall survival and the incidence of DBF. Potential risk factors for RN were assessed using univariable Cox regression analysis.ResultsThe median follow‐up was 38.0 months, and the median survival post‐SRS was 9.5 months. The cumulative incidence rate of RN was 13.2% (95% CI: 7.0–24.7%), and 18.1% of patients with confirmed RN were symptomatic. Higher mean dose delivered to planning target volume (PTV) (HR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.05–1.42, P = 0.01), higher mean BED10 (biological equivalent dose assuming a tissue ratio of 10) (HR 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04–1.2, P < 0.001), and higher mean BED2 (HR 1.02, 95% CI: 1–1.04, P = 0.04) delivered to the lesion was associated with increased risk of RN. LC rate was 86% and the cumulative incidence of DBF was 36% with a median onset of 28.4 months.ConclusionsOur results support the predicted radiobiological benefit of the use of hfSRS in high‐risk BMs to limit treatment‐related toxicity with low risk for symptomatic RN comparable with lower risk population receiving sfSRS while achieving satisfactory local disease control.
Estimating resistance surfaces using gradient forest and allelic frequencies
Authors: Vanhove Mathieu , Launey Sophie 
Published: February 2023

AbstractUnderstanding landscape connectivity has become a global priority for mitigating the impact of landscape fragmentation on biodiversity. Connectivity methods that use link‐based methods traditionally rely on relating pairwise genetic distance between individuals or demes to their landscape distance (e.g., geographic distance, cost distance). In this study, we present an alternative to conventional statistical approaches to refine cost surfaces by adapting the gradient forest approach to produce a resistance surface. Used in community ecology, gradient forest is an extension of random forest, and has been implemented in genomic studies to model species genetic offset under future climatic scenarios. By design, this adapted method, resGF, has the ability to handle multiple environmental predicators and is not subjected to traditional assumptions of linear models such as independence, normality and linearity. Using genetic simulations, resistance Gradient Forest (resGF) performance was compared to other published methods (maximum likelihood population effects model, random forest‐based least‐cost transect analysis and species distribution model). In univariate scenarios, resGF was able to distinguish the true surface contributing to genetic diversity among competing surfaces better than the compared methods. In multivariate scenarios, the gradient forest approach performed similarly to the other random forest‐based approach using least‐cost transect analysis but outperformed MLPE‐based methods. Additionally, two worked examples are provided using two previously published data sets. This machine learning algorithm has the potential to improve our understanding of landscape connectivity and inform long‐term biodiversity conservation strategies.
Use of prokinetic agents in hospitalised adult patients: A scoping review
Authors: Crone Vera , Møller Morten Hylander , Bækgaard Emilie Stokholm , Perner Anders , Bytzer Peter , Alhazzani Waleed , Krag Mette 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundGastrointestinal motility is important for adequate uptake of fluids and nutrition but is often impaired in hospitalised patients. Prokinetic agents enhance gastrointestinal motility and are prescribed for many hospitalised patients. In this scoping review, we aimed to systematically describe the body of evidence on the use of prokinetic agents in hospitalised patients. We hypothesised, that the body of evidence would be limited and derive from heterogeneous populations.MethodsWe conducted this scoping review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews statement. We searched Medline, Embase, Epistemonikos and the Cochrane Library for studies assessing the use of prokinetic agents on any indication and outcome in adult hospitalised patients. We used a modified version of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) to assess the certainty of evidence.ResultsWe included 102 studies with a total of 8830 patients. Eighty‐six studies were clinical trials (84%), and 52 (60%) of these were conducted in the intensive care unit, with feeding intolerance as the main indication. In the non‐intensive care setting the indications were wider; most studies assessed use of prokinetic agents before gastroscopy to improve visualisation. The most studied prokinetic agent was metoclopramide (49% of studies) followed by erythromycin (31%). In total 147 outcomes were assessed with only 67% of the included studies assessing patient‐centred outcomes, and with gastric emptying as the most frequently reported outcome. Overall, the data provided no firm evidence on the balance between the desirable and undesirable effects of prokinetic agents.ConclusionsIn this scoping review, we found that the studies addressing prokinetic agents in hospitalised adults had considerable variations in indications, drugs and outcomes assessed, and that the certainty of evidence was judged to be low to very low.
Validating administratively derived frailty scores for use in Veterans Health Administration emergency departments
Authors: Dev Sharmistha , Gonzalez Andrew A. , Coffing Jessica , Slaven James E. , Dev Shantanu , Taylor Stan , Ballard Carrie , Hastings S. Nicole , Bravata Dawn M. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractObjectivesFrailty is a clinical syndrome characterized by decreased physiologic reserve that diminishes the ability to respond to stressors such as acute illness. Veterans Health Administration (VA) emergency departments (ED) are the primary venue of care for Veterans with acute illness and represent key sites for frailty recognition. As questionnaire‐based frailty instruments can be cumbersome to implement in the ED, we examined two administratively derived frailty scores for use among VA ED patients.MethodsThis national retrospective cohort study included all VA ED visits (2017–2020). We evaluated two administratively derived scores: the Care Assessment Needs (CAN) score and the VA Frailty Index (VA‐FI). We categorized all ED visits across four frailty groups and examined associations with outcomes of 30‐day and 90‐day hospitalization and 30‐day, 90‐day, and 1‐year mortality. We used logistic regression to assess the model performance of the CAN score and the VA‐FI.ResultsThe cohort included 9,213,571 ED visits. With the CAN score, 28.7% of the cohort were classified as severely frail; by VA‐FI, 13.2% were severely frail. All outcome rates increased with progressive frailty (p‐values for all comparisons < 0.001). For example, for 1‐year mortality based on the CAN score frailty was determined as: robust, 1.4%; prefrail, 3.4%; moderately frail, 7.0%; and severely frail, 20.2%. Similarly, for 90‐day hospitalization based on VA‐FI, frailty was determined as prefrail, 8.3%; mildly frail, 15.3%; moderately frail, 29.5%; and severely frail, 55.4%. The c‐statistics for CAN score models were higher than for VA‐FI models across all outcomes (e.g., 1‐year mortality, 0.721 vs. 0.659).ConclusionsFrailty was common among VA ED patients. Increased frailty, whether measured by CAN score or VA‐FI, was strongly associated with hospitalization and mortality and both can be used in the ED to identify Veterans at high risk for adverse outcomes. Having an effective automatic score in VA EDs to identify frail Veterans may allow for better targeting of scarce resources.
Efficacy and safety assessment of traditional Chinese medicine for erectile dysfunction: A meta‐analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Wu Haoran , Gao Zezheng , Dai Dan , Liu Xing , Fang Yini , Chen Xuemei , Wang Qi 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundSeveral patients with erectile dysfunction do not accept or benefit from conventional therapy with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors; thus, alternative and complementary therapies are in need. Traditional Chinese medicine has been treating erectile dysfunction in China, but its clinical value is inconclusive.ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine in treating erectile dysfunction.MethodsRandomized controlled trials were retrieved from a comprehensive search in the literature published in the past decade from the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Internet, WanFang, and VIP. We performed a meta‐analysis of the International Index of Erectile Function 5 questionnaire scores, clinical recovery rates, and testosterone levels using Review Manager 5.4 software. The trial sequential analysis was conducted to check the results.ResultsA total of 45 trials with 5016 patients were included. Meta‐analysis results showed that traditional Chinese medicine effectively improved the International Index of Erectile Function 5 questionnaire scores (weighted mean difference = 3.78, 95% confidence interval: 3.12, 4.44; p < 0.001), clinical recovery rates (risk ratio = 1.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.38, 1.79; p < 0.001), testosterone levels (weighted mean difference = 2.42, 95% confidence interval: 1.59, 3.25; p < 0.001) compared with the controls. The single and add‐on applications of traditional Chinese medicine could improve the International Index of Erectile Function 5 questionnaire score (p < 0.001). The trial sequential analysis confirmed the robustness of the analysis of the International Index of Erectile Function 5 questionnaire scores. A significant difference in the incidence of adverse effects between the treatment and control groups was not observed (risk ratio = 0.82, 95% confidence interval: 0.65, 1.05; p = 0.12).ConclusionTraditional Chinese medicine can gain better responses in improving the International Index of Erectile Function 5 questionnaire scores, clinical recovery rates, and testosterone levels as an alternative and complementary treatment, with no increase in side effects. However, more standardized, long‐term, traditional Chinese medicine and integrative therapy clinical trials are needed to support the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine.
Essential data dimensions for prospective international data collection in older age bipolar disorder (OABD): Recommendations from the GAGE‐BD group
Authors: Lavin Paola , Rej Soham , Olagunju Andrew T. , Teixeira Antonio L. , Dols Annemieke , Alda Martin , Almeida Osvaldo P. , Altinbas Kursat , Balanzá‐Martínez Vicent , Barbosa Izabela G. , Blumberg Hilary P. , Briggs Farren , Calkin Cynthia , Cassidy Kristin , Forester Brent P. , Forlenza Orestes V. , Hajek Tomas , Haarman Barthomeus C. M. , Jimenez Esther , Lafer Beny , Mulsant Benoit , Oluwaniyi Stephen O. , Patrick Regan , Radua Joaquim , Schouws Sigfried , Sekhon Harmehr , Simhandl Christian , Soares Jair C. , Tsai Shang‐Ying , Vieta Eduard , Villa Luca M. , Sajatovic Martha , Eyler Lisa T. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundBy 2030, over 50% of individuals living with bipolar disorder (BD) are expected to be aged ≥50 years. However, older age bipolar disorder (OABD) remains understudied. There are limited large‐scale prospectively collected data organized in key dimensions capable of addressing several fundamental questions about BD affecting this subgroup of patients.MethodsWe developed initial recommendations for the essential dimensions for OABD data collection, based on (1) a systematic review of measures used in OABD studies, (2) a Delphi consensus of international OABD experts, (3) experience with harmonizing OABD data in the Global Aging & Geriatric Experiments in Bipolar Disorder Database (GAGE‐BD, n ≥ 4500 participants), and (4) critical feedback from 34 global experts in geriatric mental health.ResultsWe identified 15 key dimensions and variables within each that are relevant for the investigation of OABD: (1) demographics, (2) core symptoms of depression and (3) mania, (4) cognition screening and subjective cognitive function, (5) elements for BD diagnosis, (6) descriptors of course of illness, (7) treatment, (8) suicidality, (9) current medication, (10) psychiatric comorbidity, (11) psychotic symptoms, (12) general medical comorbidities, (13) functioning, (14) family history, and (15) other. We also recommend particular instruments for capturing some of the dimensions and variables.ConclusionThe essential data dimensions we present should be of use to guide future international data collection in OABD and clinical practice. In the longer term, we aim to establish a prospective consortium using this core set of dimensions and associated variables to answer research questions relevant to OABD.
Role of kisspeptin in polycystic ovarian syndrome: A metabolomics study
Authors: Zhao Ting , Xiao Xiao , Li Lingchuan , Tao Xinghua , He Wenli , Zhang Qiong , Wu Xiaomei , Yuan Tao 
Published: February 2023

AbstractObjectivePolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a pathophysiological disease affecting reproductive and metabolic indicators. Research has shown that kisspeptin might be involved in the regulation of pituitary hormone secretion and energy metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum kisspeptin levels and abnormal metabolism in PCOS.MethodsFifty patients with PCOS and 50 control patients were recruited for this study. Serum kisspeptin levels were measured via ELISA. High‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry metabolomics was used to study the changes in serum metabolism between the PCOS and control groups.ResultsSerum kisspeptin levels were significantly elevated in individuals with PCOS compared with those in healthy controls (p = 0.011) and positively correlated with LH, T, FFA, BA, and LEP levels (p < 0.05). Significantly dysregulated expression of several metabolites was observed in the intergroup comparisons of the high‐kisspeptin PCOS, low‐kisspeptin PCOS, and healthy control groups. These primarily consisted of lipid, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolites, among which palmitic acid and N‐formylkynurenine levels were lower in the high‐kisspeptin group than in controls. Metabolite set enrichment analysis was also performed based on metabolites in the KEGG database. The results showed that owing to the differences in kisspeptin concentrations in individuals with PCOS, there was a significant difference in amino acid and pyruvate metabolism.ConclusionsKisspeptin could be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of PCOS and plays an important role in metabolic regulation in individuals with PCOS. In addition, metabolomics provides a promising method for the study of metabolic abnormalities in individuals with PCOS, which might contribute to our understanding of its mechanisms.
Self‐reported sleep quality and exercise in polycystic ovary syndrome: A secondary analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Benham Jamie L. , Booth Jane E. , Goldfield Gary , Friedenreich Christine M. , Rabi Doreen M. , Sigal Ronald J. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the proportion of participants with poor sleep quality, evaluate the associations between sleep quality and anthropometric and cardiometabolic health markers, and evaluate the effect of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and continuous aerobic exercise training (CAET) on sleep quality in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).DesignSecondary analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial.PatientsWomen with PCOS aged 18–40 years.MeasurementsThe Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was measured at baseline and following a 6‐month exercise intervention. A PSQI score >5 indicates poor sleep. Linear regression was used to evaluate the associations between PSQI score and anthropometric and cardiometabolic health markers, and the effect of exercise training on these associations.ResultsThirty‐four participants completed the PSQI at baseline, and 29 postintervention: no‐exercise control (n = 9), HIIT (n = 12) and CAET (n = 8). At baseline, 79% had poor sleep quality. Baseline PSQI score was positively correlated with body mass index, waist circumference, body weight, haemoglobin A1c and insulin resistance. Mean PSQI score changes were −0.4 (SD 1.1), −0.7 (SD 0.6) and −0.5 (SD 0.9) for control, HIIT and CAET, respectively. For HIIT participants, change in PSQI score was associated with changes in body weight (B = .27, 95% CI 0.10–0.45) and waist circumference (B = .09, 95% CI 0.02–0.17).ConclusionMost participants had poor sleep quality which was associated with poorer anthropometric and cardiometabolic health markers. There were no statistically significant changes in PSQI score with exercise training. With HIIT training, decreases in the sleep efficiency score were associated with reductions in body weight and waist circumference. Further studies are needed to determine the effect of exercise training on sleep quality.
Who do you think you are? Children's definitions of being a ‘child’
Authors: Bacon Kate , O'Riordan Zoe 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWe asked 92 children in North West England, aged 2–17, if they were children and what it meant to be a child. Our findings show that not all children think they are a ‘child’. Although different age groups defined ‘childness’ in different ways, children reproduced normative Western discourses of childhood, including ideas which subordinate them. The children in our study seemed unable to articulate their capabilities and contributions. We argue that children and adults need to co‐produce positive definitions of childness to facilitate adult acceptance of children's participation in society and continue the struggle against adultism.