bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Endogenous Sex Hormones in Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ottarsdottir Kristin , Tivesten Åsa , Li Ying , Lindblad Ulf , Hellgren Margareta , Ohlsson Claes , Daka Bledar 
Published: April 2022

AbstractContextIt is uncertain which cardiovascular risk factors are associated with sex hormone levels in postmenopausal women.ObjectiveThis work aimed to investigate the association between cardiometabolic risk factors and sex hormones in a cross-sectional, observational population study.MethodsIn this Swedish population study, participants were physically examined from 2002 to 2004, and endogenous sex hormones were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Women aged 55 years or older with estradiol levels below 20 pg/mL and not using any hormonal therapy were eligible for inclusion in the study (N = 146). Variable selection and bootstrap stability analyses were performed and linear regression models presented, with each of the 8 hormones as outcome variables.ResultsBody mass index (BMI) was positively associated with estradiol (β = 0.054, P &lt; .001), but negatively associated with 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone (β = –0.023, P = .028). Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was negatively associated with dihydrotestosterone (β = –2.195, P = .002) and testosterone (β = –1.541, P = .004). The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance was positively associated with androstenedione (β = 0.071, P = .032), estradiol (β = 0.091, P = .009), estrone (β = 0.075, P = 0.009), and 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone (β = 0.157, P = .001). Age was positively associated with testosterone (β = 0.017, P = .042). C-reactive protein showed an inverse association with progesterone (β = –0.028, P = .037). Lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with higher estradiol levels (β = –0.093, P = .049), whereas lower triglycerides were associated with higher concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (β = –0.208, P = .016).ConclusionIn postmenopausal women, WHR was strongly inversely associated with androgens, while BMI was positively associated with estrogens.
A PKC that controls polyphosphate levels, pinocytosis and exocytosis, regulates stationary phase onset in Dictyostelium
Authors: Umachandran Shalini , Mohamed Wasima , Jayaraman Meenakshi , Hyde Geoff , Brazill Derrick , Baskar Ramamurthy 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACT
Many cells can pause their growth cycle, a topic much enriched by studies of the stationary phase (SP) of model microorganisms. Although several kinases are implicated in SP onset, whether protein kinase C has a role remains unknown. We show that Dictyostelium discoideum cells lacking pkcA entered SP at a reduced cell density, but only in shaking conditions. Precocious SP entry occurs because levels of extracellular polyphosphate (polyP) reach the threshold needed to induce the SP onset at a lower cell density than seen in wild-type cells; adding exopolyphosphatase to pkcA− cells reverses the effect and mimics wild-type growth. PkcA-mediated regulation of polyP depended on inositol hexakisphosphate kinase and phospholipase D. PkcA− mutants also had higher F-actin levels, higher rates of exocytosis and lower pinocytosis rates. Postlysosomes were smaller and present in fewer pkcA− cells compared to the wild type. Overall, the results suggest that a reduced PkcA level triggers SP primarily because cells do not acquire or retain nutrients as efficiently, thus mimicking, or amplifying, the conditions of actual starvation.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Sex-specific multivariate morphology/performance relationships in Anolis carolinensis
Authors: Simon Monique Nouailhetas , Cespedes Ann M. , Lailvaux Simon P. 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACT
Animals rely on their ability to perform certain tasks sufficiently well to survive, secure mates and reproduce. Performance traits depend on morphology, and so morphological traits should predict performance, yet this relationship is often confounded by multiple competing performance demands. Males and females experience different selection pressures on performance, and the consequent sexual conflict over performance expression can either constrain performance evolution or drive sexual dimorphism in both size and shape. Furthermore, change in a single morphological trait may benefit some performance traits at the expense of others, resulting in functional trade-offs. Identifying general or sex-specific relationships between morphology and performance at the organismal level thus requires a multivariate approach, as individuals are products of both an integrated phenotype and the ecological environment in which they have developed and evolved. We estimated the multivariate morphology→performance gradient in wild-caught, green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) by measuring external morphology and forelimb and hindlimb musculature, and mapping these morphological traits to seven measured performance traits that cover the broad range of ecological challenges faced by these animals (sprint speed, endurance, exertion distance, climbing power, jump power, cling force and bite force). We demonstrate that males and females differ in their multivariate mapping of traits on performance, indicating that sex-specific ecological demands likely shape these relationships, but do not differ in performance integration.
Measurement of oxygen consumption in Tenebrio molitor using a sensitive, inexpensive, sensor-based coulometric microrespirometer
Authors: Sandstrom David J. , Offord Bruce W. 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACT
Coulometric respirometry is a highly sensitive method for measuring O2 consumption in small organisms but it is not in widespread use among physiologists. Here, we describe a coulometric microrespirometer based on a digital environmental sensor inside a sealed glass chamber and controlled by an Arduino™ microcontroller. As O2 is consumed, exhaled CO2 is removed, causing pressure to decrease in the chamber. The sensor detects the decreased pressure, and the controller activates electrolytic production of O2, returning pressure to the initial value. O2 consumption is calculated from electrolytic charge transfer. The effects of developmental stage, body mass and temperature on O2 consumption of Tenebrio molitor beetles were easily measured by the apparatus. This straightforward design is a significant innovation in that it provides continuous data regarding environmental conditions inside the experimental chamber, can be fabricated easily, and is adaptable to a wide range of uses.
Εκπαιδευτικό ντοκιμαντέρ «Ανακυκλώνουμε, δεν πετάμε»
Authors: Μπαλτά Μαρία , Παπαχλιμίντζου Παρασκευή , Ράμα Άννα , Σοφός Αλιβίζος (Λοΐζος) 
Published: April 2022

Η ταινία «Δεν πετάμε, ανακυκλώνουμε!», αποτελεί ένα ντοκιμαντέρ που δημιουργήθηκε στα πλαίσια του ΠΜΣ “Εκπαιδευτικός Σχεδιασμός Διαδικτυακής Εκπαίδευσης”. Βασικός στόχος του είναι να ενημερώσει, να προβληματίσει αλλά και να ευαισθητοποιήσει τους μαθητές, γύρω από την έννοια και τις διαστάσεις της έννοιας της ανακύκλωσης, με συμβάντα που συμβαίνουν τόσο στην Αθήνα όσο και σε μια επαρχιακή πόλη, τα Καμένα Βούρλα. Σχετίζεται με το ζήτημα της ρύπανσης των σκουπιδιών στις πόλεις, την επεξήγηση και την ανάλυση της σημασίας της έννοιας της ανακύκλωσης, την διαδικασία που επιτελείται στα εργοστάσια ανακύκλωσης καθώς και τα υλικά που παράγονται αλλά και τη σύνδεση με την εκπαιδευτική πραγματικότητα και την οπτική των παιδιών. Έπειτα από μια σύντομη μελέτη της βιβλιογραφία, και ούσες δασκάλες, κατανοούμε πως έχει εκδηλωθεί μεγάλο ενδιαφέρον γύρω από την έννοια της ανακύκλωσης, η οποία σε κάποιο βαθμό παρουσιάζεται συγκεχυμένη στο μυαλό των μαθητών. Γι’ αυτό το λόγο λοιπόν, προκειμένου οι μαθητές να ενημερωθούν για την έννοια και τη σπουδαιότητα της διαδικασίας της ανακύκλωσης, ενσωματώσαμε έντονες εικόνες, ήχο, πραγματικά δεδομένα και συνεντεύξεις μαθητών.
Comprehensive geriatric assessment in the emergency department: A protocol for a prospective cohort study
Authors: O'Shaughnessy Íde , Robinson Katie , O'Connor Margaret , Conneely Mairéad , Steed Fiona , Ryan Damien , Carey Leonora , Shchetkovsky Denys , Shanahan Elaine , Leahy Aoife , Quinn Colin , Galvin Rose 
Published: April 2022

Background: Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has been shown to improve outcomes in hospitalised older adults; however, there is currently no compelling evidence to support CGA interventions within the Emergency Department (ED). The aim of this study is to explore the clinical and process outcomes of older adults who receive ED-CGA over a period of six months after their initial ED attendance. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: The STrengthening the Reporting of the OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) standardised reporting guidelines will be adhered to. Older adults aged ≥65 years who score ≥2 on the Identification of Seniors at Risk (ISAR) tool and present to the ED with a medical complaint during the operational hours of the dedicated interdisciplinary team, will be considered eligible for recruitment. Demographic and health assessment information will be obtained at the ED index attendance followed by completion of an interdisciplinary CGA. A dedicated research nurse will complete follow-up telephone interviews with participants at 30 days and six months. The primary outcome will be incidence of hospital admission from the ED index attendance. Secondary outcomes will include functional decline, patient satisfaction with the ED index attendance, unscheduled ED reattendance(s), unscheduled hospital (re)admission(s), nursing home admission(s), healthcare utilisation, and death. Descriptive statistics will be used to profile the characteristics of the study participants and multivariate logistic and linear regression analysis will be used to analyse risk of adverse outcomes. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval was granted by the University of Limerick Hospital Group Hospital Research Ethics Committee (107/2021). The authors will disseminate study findings through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentation at national and international conferences. Patient and public involvement will be sought from a panel of older adults at the Ageing Research Centre in the University of Limerick. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT05252182.
Resource (in)efficiency in the EU: a case of plastic waste
Authors: Baran Bernadeta 
Published: April 2022

Motivation: Plastics are versatile materials with applications in numerous sectors. They contribute to effective resource protection during their usage phase but a great challenge is increasing amount of unmanaged plastic waste and its environmental impact. Meanwhile, plastic waste is a valuable raw material. Appropriate management reduces environmental pressure and brings economic benefits. The transition to circularity is a strategic objective of the EU but it involves numerous obstacles. This article deals with these issues.
Aim: The purpose of the article is to indicate the scale of losses in one of key waste stream — plastic waste — by looking at origin, way of collection and treatment of end-of-use plastics. The analysis aims to show the level of recycling in relation to the demand for plastic (as commonly used recycling indicator refers only to the plastic waste collected), the way the plastic waste is managed in various sectors and the specific barriers to its recycling.
Results: Recycling of plastic waste accounts for only about 5–10% of the total demand for plastic. Overall, post-consumer plastic waste collected for treatment constitutes 49% of plastics production. 32.5% of those collected plastics is recycled, compared with 25% of plastics landfilled and 42.5% recovered for energy. Still a lot of plastic waste is exported to developing countries, some is hidden in untracked trade flow or illegal landfills. The EU is shifting from linear to circular approach but it is only the beginning of economic transformation towards plastics circularity.
VAT revenues in 2008–2020: trends and challenges of Covid-19
Authors: Dziemianowicz Ryta , Budlewska Renata 
Published: April 2022

Motivation: VAT revenues are particularly vulnerable to economic turbulence, especially if the crisis directly affects private consumption or changes its structure. Even when consumption levels are relatively high, VAT revenues may be lower due to a shift in consumer spending to the most essential goods or services or an increase in public sector consumption. Because of the reduction in operation and the closure of many businesses, the Covid-19 crisis is likely to have an even greater impact on consumption than the previous financial crisis of 2008.
Aim: The purpose of this article is to analyse VAT revenues in OECD countries over the period 2008–2020, identify general trends, and highlight similarities and differences in this regard between the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid-19 crisis.
Results: Consumption taxes account for about 33% of all taxes collected in OECD countries, of which 20% is VAT. Covid-19 could change that in an important manner. After the 2008 global financial crisis, tax revenues, including VAT, returned to pre-crisis levels after an average of eight years. VAT revenues in relation to GDP peaked in 2016, and have been stable since then. Due to reduced operation and closure of businesses, the Covid-19 epidemic not only changed the structure of private consumption, but also significantly affected its level. In addition, government actions reducing certain rates have contributed to the decline in VAT revenues. As the survey results indicate, standard VAT rates between 2017 and 2020 were at record high levels, averaging 19.3%. With such high rates, in order to re-store VAT revenues after the crisis, governments may have to think about how to broaden the tax base (e.g., temporarily lower rates and stimulate consumption).
BS index: incorporating R&D subsidies into B index
Authors: Zegarowicz Łukasz 
Published: April 2022

Motivation: The B index is a measure of the generosity of R&D tax incentives proposed by Warda in 2001 and is now widely used by the OECD. The author of this index already in 2001 indicated that developing it with measures of the availability of direct subsidies would improve the B index as a comprehensive measure of the attractiveness of R&D policies.
Aim: Extension of the B index, used by the OECD to measure the impact of tax incentives on the conditions of investing in R&D, to include direct funding, i.e. subsidies and grants.
Results: The study proposes several methods of including direct funding in the B index calculation. They depend on specific rules on which it is possible to combine the benefits of using tax incentives and direct subsidies in different countries: mutually exclusive in their use, grant funding reduces base of R&D tax credit/allowance, grant funding is part of taxable income, ceiling on total support (direct and tax), complementary in their use. The share of subsidies and direct grants in BERD in each country, broken down into SMEs and large enterprises, was adopted as the measure representing direct funding. The results show an increase in the expected subsidy rate in most of the surveyed countries in 2017. Increase is on average higher in the case of SMEs than in the case of large enterprises. The developed methods can be used for comprehensive in-depth analyzes and comparisons of R&D support policies applied in different countries. And after extending the calculations to historical data, they can be used as an important source material in modeling the impact of R&D support policies on R&D inputs and outputs.
Evidence-based management of disease-related malnutrition: updated guidance
Authors: Holdoway Anne , Franklin Hilary 
Published: April 2022

Anne Holdoway and Hilary Franklin outline the updated guidelines produced by the Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community panel This article outlines the updated guidelines produced by the Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community panel, which aims to assist and support health and social care professionals working in the community to identify and manage malnutrition, particularly that related to ageing, disease and long-term medical conditions.
Supine correction index as a predictor for brace outcome in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Wong Lester P. K. , Cheung Prudence W. H. , Cheung Jason P. Y. 
Published: April 2022

Aims The aim of this study was to assess the ability of morphological spinal parameters to predict the outcome of bracing in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and to establish a novel supine correction index (SCI) for guiding bracing treatment. Methods Patients with AIS to be treated by bracing were prospectively recruited between December 2016 and 2018, and were followed until brace removal. In all, 207 patients with a mean age at recruitment of 12.8 years (SD 1.2) were enrolled. Cobb angles, supine flexibility, and the rate of in-brace correction were measured and used to predict curve progression at the end of follow-up. The SCI was defined as the ratio between correction rate and flexibility. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was carried out to assess the optimal thresholds for flexibility, correction rate, and SCI in predicting a higher risk of progression, defined by a change in Cobb angle of ≥ 5° or the need for surgery. Results The baseline Cobb angles were similar (p = 0.374) in patients whose curves progressed (32.7° (SD 10.7)) and in those whose curves remained stable (31.4° (SD 6.1)). High supine flexibility (odds ratio (OR) 0.947 (95% CI 0.910 to 0.984); p = 0.006) and correction rate (OR 0.926 (95% CI 0.890 to 0.964); p < 0.001) predicted a lower incidence of progression after adjusting for Cobb angle, Risser sign, curve type, menarche status, distal radius and ulna grading, and brace compliance. ROC curve analysis identified a cut-off of 18.1% for flexibility (sensitivity 0.682, specificity 0.704) and a cut-off of 28.8% for correction rate (sensitivity 0.773, specificity 0.691) in predicting a lower risk of curve progression. A SCI of greater than 1.21 predicted a lower risk of progression (OR 0.4 (95% CI 0.251 to 0.955); sensitivity 0.583, specificity 0.591; p = 0.036). Conclusion A higher supine flexibility (18.1%) and correction rate (28.8%), and a SCI of greater than 1.21 predicted a lower risk of progression. These novel parameters can be used as a guide to optimize the outcome of bracing. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(4):495–503.
The British Orthopaedic Surgery Surveillance study: Perthes’ disease
Authors: Perry Daniel C. , Arch Barbara , Appelbe Duncan , Francis Priya , Craven Joanna , Monsell Fergal P. , Williamson Paula , Knight Marian ,   on behalf of the BOSS collaborators
Published: April 2022

Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology and treatment of Perthes’ disease of the hip. Methods This was an anonymized comprehensive cohort study of Perthes’ disease, with a nested consented cohort. A total of 143 of 144 hospitals treating children’s hip disease in the UK participated over an 18-month period. Cases were cross-checked using a secondary independent reporting network of trainee surgeons to minimize those missing. Clinician-reported outcomes were collected until two years. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected for a subset of participants. Results Overall, 371 children (396 hips) were newly affected by Perthes’ disease arising from 63 hospitals, with a median of two patients (interquartile range 1.0 to 5.5) per hospital. The annual incidence was 2.48 patients (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.20 to 2.76) per 100,000 zero- to 14-year-olds. Of these, 117 hips (36.4%) were treated surgically. There was considerable variation in the treatment strategy, and an optimized decision tree identified joint stiffness and age above eight years as the key determinants for containment surgery. A total of 348 hips (88.5%) had outcomes to two years, of which 227 were in the late reossification stage for which a hip shape outcome (Stulberg grade) was assigned. The independent predictors of a poorer radiological outcome were female sex (odds ratio (OR) 2.27 (95% CI 1.19 to 4.35)), age above six years (OR 2.62 (95% CI (1.30 to 5.28)), and over 50% radiological collapse at inclusion (OR 2.19 (95% CI 0.99 to 4.83)). Surgery had no effect on radiological outcomes (OR 1.03 (95% CI 0.55 to 1.96)). PROMs indicated the marked effect of the disease on the child, which persisted at two years. Conclusion Despite the frequency of containment surgery, we found no evidence of improved outcomes. There appears to be a sufficient case volume and community equipoise among surgeons to embark on a randomized clinical trial to definitively investigate the effectiveness of containment surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(4):510–518.
April 2022 Critical Care Case of the Month: Bullous Skin Lesions in the ICU
Authors:   University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA, Wat Margaret , Bilal Jawad , Chacon Martin , Klotz Stephen , Campion Janet 
Published: April 2022

No abstract available. Manuscript truncated after 150 words. History of Present Illness: A 29-year-old woman with a past medical history of lupus and prior pulmonary embolism complained of a 2-week history of nonproductive cough. The cough began after her son was diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Symptoms progressively worsened and now she is admitted from the emergency department (ED) with generalized weakness and progressive shortness of breath. Earlier in the day at an outside hospital, she tested positive for RSV, negative for COVID-19 and had normal O2 saturations and was discharged home. She has not received COVID-19 vaccine. Symptoms progressed, 911 was called and in the emergency department (ED), she was found to have temperature = 104°F, SpO2 = 64% on room air, and fasting blood sugar in the 40s. She was lethargic with visible respiratory distress and unable to answer questions. Past Medical History: •	Systemic lupus erythematosus •	Membranous lupus nephritis •	Raynaud's syndrome Mixed connective tissue disease, …
Cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes in COVID-19: A hospital-based study in India
Authors: Sharma Arvind K. , Baig Vaseem Naheed , Sharma Sonali , Dalela Gaurav , Panwar Raja Babu , Katoch Vishwa Mohan , Gupta Rajeev 
Published: April 2022

Background & objectives
Presence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors enhance adverse outcomes in COVID-19. To determine association of risk factors with clinical outcomes in India we performed a study.

Methods
Successive virologically confirmed adult patients of COVID-19 at a government hospital were recruited at admission and data on clinical presentation and in-hospital outcomes were obtained. The cohort was classified according to age, sex, hypertension, diabetes and tobacco use. In-hospital death was the primary outcome. Logistic regression was performed to compared outcomes in different groups.

Results
From April to September 2020 we recruited 4645 (men 3386, women 1259) out of 5103 virologically confirmed COVID-19 patients (91.0%). Mean age was 46±18y, hypertension was in 17.8%, diabetes in 16.6% and any tobacco-use in 29.5%. Duration of hospital stay was 6.8±3.7 days, supplemental oxygen was in 18.4%, non-invasive ventilation in 7.1%, mechanical ventilation in 3.6% and 7.3% died. Unadjusted and age-sex adjusted odds ratio(OR) and 95% confidence intervals(CI) for in-hospital mortality, respectively, were: age ≥60y vs <40y, OR 8.47(95% CI 5.87–12.21) and 8.49(5.88–12.25), age 40-59y vs <40y 3.69(2.53–5.38) and 3.66(2.50–5.33), men vs women 1.88(1.41–2.51) and 1.26(0.91–1.48); hypertension 2.22(1.74–2.83) and 1.32(1.02–1.70), diabetes 1.88(1.46–2.43) and 1.16(0.89–1.52); and tobacco 1.29(1.02–1.63) and 1.28(1.00–1.63). Need for invasive and non-invasive ventilation was greater among patients in age-groups 40–49 and ≥60y and hypertension. Multivariate adjustment for social factors, clinical features and biochemical tests attenuated significance of all risk factors.

Conclusion
Cardiovascular risk factors, age, male sex, hypertension, diabetes and tobacco-use, are associated with greater risk of in-hospital death among COVID-19 patients.