bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic disparities in abdominal aortic aneurysm repair rates and survival
Authors: Maheswaran Ravi , Tong Thaison , Michaels Jonathan , Brindley Paul , Walters Stephen , Nawaz Shah 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is more prevalent in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. This study investigated socioeconomic disparities in AAA repair rates and survival.

Methods
The study used ecological and cohort study designs, from 31 672 census areas in England (April 2006 to March 2018), the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2010 as the area-level deprivation indicator, and Poisson, logistic and Cox regression.

Results
Some 77 606 patients (83.4 per cent men) in four age categories (55–64, 65–74, 75–84, 85 or more years) were admitted with AAA from a population aged at least 55 years of 14.7 million. Elective open and endovascular repair rates were 41 (95 per cent c.i. 23 to 61) and 60 (36 to 89) per cent higher respectively among men aged 55–64 years in the most versus least deprived areas by quintile. This differences diminished and appeared to reverse with increasing age, with 26 (−1 to 45) and 25 (13 to 35) per cent lower rates respectively in men aged 85 years or more in the most deprived areas. Men admitted from more deprived areas were more likely to die in hospital without aneurysm repair. Among those who had aneurysm repair, this was more likely to be for a ruptured aneurysm than among men from less deprived areas. For intact aneurysm repair, they were relatively more likely to have this during an emergency admission. The mortality rate after repair was higher for men from more deprived areas, although the hazard diminished with age. Patterns were unclear for women.

Conclusion
There were clear socioeconomic disparities in operation rates, mode of presentation, and outcome for AAA surgery. Policies are needed to address these disparities.
Effects of a person-centred, nurse-led follow-up programme on adherence to prescribed medication among patients surgically treated for intermittent claudication: randomized clinical trial
Authors: Haile Sara T , Joelsson-Alm Eva , Johansson Unn Britt , Lööf Helena , Palmer-Kazen Ulrika , Gillgren Peter , Linné Anneli 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Management of intermittent claudication should include secondary prevention to reduce the risk of cardiocerebrovascular disease. Patient adherence to secondary prevention is a challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a person-centred, nurse-led follow-up programme could improve adherence to medication compared with standard care.

Methods
A non-blinded RCT was conducted at two vascular surgery centres in Sweden. Patients with intermittent claudication and scheduled for revascularization were randomized to the intervention or control (standard care) follow-up programme. The primary outcome, adherence to prescribed secondary preventive medication, was based on registry data on dispensed medication and self-reported intake of medication. Secondary outcomes were risk factors for cardiocerebrovascular disease according to the Framingham risk score.

Results
Some 214 patients were randomized and analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The mean proportion of days covered (PDC) at 1 year for lipid-modifying agents was 79 per cent in the intervention and 82 per cent in the control group, whereas it was 92 versus 91 per cent for antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant agents. The groups did not differ in mean PDC (lipid-modifying P = 0.464; antiplatelets and/or anticoagulants P = 0.700) or in change in adherence over time. Self-reported adherence to prescribed medication was higher than registry-based adherence regardless of allocation or medication group (minimum P &lt; 0.001, maximum P = 0.034). There was no difference in median Framingham risk score at 1 year between the groups.

Conclusion
Compared with the standard follow-up programme, a person-centred, nurse-led follow-up programme did not improve adherence to secondary preventive medication. Adherence was overestimated when self-reported compared with registry-reported.
Axillary lymph node dissection can be omitted in patients with limited clinically node-positive breast cancer: a National Cancer Database analysis
Authors: Cocco Daniela , Shah Chirag , Wei Wei , Wilkerson Avia , Grobmyer Stephen R , Al-Hilli Zahraa 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
De-escalation of axillary surgery in breast cancer has progressively taken place when appropriate. Data supporting surgical de-escalation in patients with clinically node-positive (cN+) disease remains scarce. Here, survival among patients with cN+ T1–2 tumours undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and regional nodal irradiation (RNI) was investigated and compared with that among patients undergoing axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) with or without RNI.

Methods
The National Cancer Data Base was used to identify three groups of patients with cN+ tumours according to axillary management among those treated between 2010 and 2016: patients who underwent SLNB and RNI (cN+ SLNB/RNI group); those who had ALND and RNI (cN+ ALND/RNI group); and those who had ALND alone (cN+ ALND/no RNI group). Patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and those who had stage IV breast cancer or pN2–3 disease were excluded.

Results
A total of 12 560 patients met the inclusion criteria: 3030 in the cN+ SLNB/RNI, 5446 in the cN+ ALND/RNI, and 4084 in the cN+ ALND/no RNI group. The sizes of cN + SLNB/RNI and cN+ ALND/RNI groups increased over the study interval, whereas the cN+ ALND/no RNI group decreased in size (P &lt; 0.001). There was a median of one positive node in the cN+ SLNB/RNI group and two nodes in the cN+ ALND/RNI and cN+ ALND/no RNI groups. The median number of nodes examined was three, 14, and 14, respectively (P &lt; 0.001). Median follow-up was 57.9 (range 0.8–114) months. The overall survival rate was 97, 97, and 92 per cent respectively at two years, and 88, 86, and 78 per cent at five years (P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusion
Patients with limited cN+ T1–2 breast cancer undergoing upfront SLNB and RNI have favourable survival outcomes that are not inferior to those of patients undergoing ALND with or without RNI. Prospective studies are warranted to assess locoregional control and long-term outcomes.
Global brain network modularity dynamics after local optic nerve damage following noninvasive brain stimulation: an EEG-tracking study
Authors: Wu Zheng , Xu Jiahua , Nürnberger Andreas , Sabel Bernhard A 
Published: October 2022

AbstractTightly connected clusters of nodes, called communities, interact in a time-dependent manner in brain functional connectivity networks (FCN) to support complex cognitive functions. However, little is known if and how different nodes synchronize their neural interactions to form functional communities (“modules”) during visual processing and if and how this modularity changes postlesion (progression or recovery) following neuromodulation. Using the damaged optic nerve as a paradigm, we now studied brain FCN modularity dynamics to better understand module interactions and dynamic reconfigurations before and after neuromodulation with noninvasive repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS). We found that in both patients and controls, local intermodule interactions correlated with visual performance. However, patients’ recovery of vision after treatment with rtACS was associated with improved interaction strength of pathways linked to the attention module, and it improved global modularity and increased the stability of FCN. Our results show that temporal coordination of multiple cortical modules and intermodule interaction are functionally relevant for visual processing. This modularity can be neuromodulated with tACS, which induces a more optimal balanced and stable multilayer modular structure for visual processing by enhancing the interaction of neural pathways with the attention network module.
De novo genome assembly of the medicinal plant Gentiana macrophylla provides insights into the genomic evolution and biosynthesis of iridoids
Authors: Zhou Tao , Bai Guoqing , Hu Yiheng , Ruhsam Markus , Yang Yanci , Zhao Yuemei 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Gentiana macrophylla is a perennial herb in the Gentianaceae family, whose dried roots are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Here, we assembled a chromosome-level genome of G. macrophylla using a combination of Nanopore, Illumina, and Hi-C scaffolding approaches. The final genome size was ~1.79 Gb (contig N50 = 720.804 kb), and 98.89% of the genome sequences were anchored on 13 pseudochromosomes (scaffold N50 = 122.73 Mb). The genome contained 55,337 protein-coding genes, and 73.47% of the assemblies were repetitive sequences. Genome evolution analysis indicated that G. macrophylla underwent two rounds of whole-genome duplication after the core eudicot γ genome triplication event. We further identified candidate genes related to the biosynthesis of iridoids, and the corresponding gene families mostly expanded in G. macrophylla. In addition, we found that root-specific genes are enriched in pathways involved in defense responses, which may greatly improve the biological adaptability of G. macrophylla. Phylogenomic analyses showed a sister relationship of asterids and rosids, and all Gentianales species formed a monophyletic group. Our study contributes to the understanding of genome evolution and active component biosynthesis in G. macrophylla and provides important genomic resource for the genetic improvement and breeding of G. macrophylla.
Technology-Neutral Versus Technology-Specific Procurement
Authors: Fabra Natalia , Montero Juan-Pablo 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
An imperfectly informed regulator needs to procure multiple units of some good (e.g., green energy, market liquidity, pollution reduction, land conservation) that can be produced with heterogeneous technologies at various costs. How should she optimally procure these units? Should she run technology-specific or technology-neutral auctions? Should she allow for partial separation across technologies? Should she instead post separate prices for each technology? What are the trade-offs involved? We find that one size does not fit all: the preferred instrument depends on the costs of the available technologies, their degree of substitutability, the extent of information asymmetry and the costs of public funds. We illustrate the use of our theory for policy analysis with an ex ante evaluation of Spain’s recent renewable auction.
Board social ties, institutional change asynchronicity, and performance
Authors: Zitian Chen Victor , Hobdari Bersant , Shen Chen 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
This research contributes to the literature on the relationship between board social ties and the complexity of institutional environments. It remains unclear what reactions a firm needs to take in response to the complexity of interconnected changes in multiple institutional dimensions. We seek to understand the changes of social ties on corporate boards due to the asynchronicity across dimensions of pro-market institutional changes—an overlooked type of institutional uncertainty. We address the gap in understanding firm responses to institutional environmental complexity by analyzing changing board social ties as a response to the asynchronicity of pro-market institutional changes in emerging markets. Based on a sample of 8205 firm-year observations during 2005–2016 in 15 emerging markets, we find that firms increased the presence of directors with both corporate interlocks and political ties in response to asynchronous pro-market institutional changes. This increase appeared less salient when the firm already had a greater presence of the other type of social ties on board or a higher percentage of state ownership. Finally, we find that the performance consequences of such board changes depend on the existing level of pro-market institutional developments.
Exploring the constituent mechanisms of hepatitis: a dynamical systems approach
Authors: Dunster Joanne L , Gibbins Jonathan M , Nelson Martin R 
Published: October 2022

AbstractHepatitis is the term used to describe inflammation in the liver. It is associated with a high rate of mortality, but the underlying disease mechanisms are not completely understood and treatment options are limited. We present a mathematical model of hepatitis that captures the complex interactions between hepatocytes (liver cells), hepatic stellate cells (cells in the liver that produce hepatitis-associated fibrosis) and the immune components that mediate inflammation. The model is in the form of a system of ordinary differential equations. We use numerical techniques and bifurcation analysis to characterize and elucidate the physiological mechanisms that dominate liver injury and its outcome to a healthy or unhealthy, chronic state. This study reveals the complex interactions between the multiple cell types and mediators involved in this complex disease and highlights potential problems in targeting inflammation in the liver therapeutically.
Spectral Gap for Weil–Petersson Random Surfaces with Cusps
Authors: Hide Will 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
We show that for any $\varepsilon&gt;0$, $\alpha \in [0,\frac {1}{2})$, as $g\to \infty $ a generic finite-area genus $g$ hyperbolic surface with $n=O\left (g^{\alpha }\right )$ cusps, sampled with probability arising from the Weil–Petersson metric on moduli space, has no non-zero eigenvalue of the Laplacian below $\frac {1}{4}-\left (\frac {2\alpha +1}{4}\right )^{2}-\varepsilon $. For $\alpha =0$ this gives a spectral gap of size $\frac {3}{16}-\varepsilon $ and for any $\alpha &lt;\frac {1}{2}$ gives a uniform spectral gap of explicit size.
The Relationship Between Anti-Spike SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Levels and Risk of Breakthrough COVID-19 Among Fully Vaccinated Adults
Authors: Asamoah-Boaheng Michael , Goldfarb David M , Karim Mohammad Ehsanul , O’Brien Sheila F , Wall Nechelle , Drews Steven J , Barakauskas Vilte , Jassem Agatha N , Grunau Brian 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
The relationship between antibodies to wild-type severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigens and the risk of breakthrough infections is unclear, especially during circulation of the Omicron strain. We investigated the association of anti-spike and anti-receptor binding domain antibody levels and the risk of subsequent breakthrough coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We included adult paramedics from an observational cohort study who received ≥ 2 mRNA vaccines but did not have COVID-19 before the blood collection. Higher postvaccination antibody levels to wild-type SARS-CoV-2 antigens were associated with a reduced risk of COVID-19. Further research into clinical utility of antibody levels, to inform a threshold for protection and timing of boosters, should be prioritized.
Where Is the Money From? Attitudes toward Donor Countries and Foreign Aid in the Arab World
Authors: Singh Renu , Williamson Scott 
Published: October 2022

AbstractHow does funding from foreign aid shape public opinion toward development programs? Existing research suggests that citizens of recipient countries prefer aid-funded programs, particularly if they view the domestic government as corrupt and ineffective. However, these studies have been implemented in contexts where major donors are relatively popular. We extend this literature by analyzing attitudes toward foreign aid in the Arab world, where Western donors are often polarizing and disliked. A survey experiment conducted in Egypt provides some evidence that respondents approve less of public health programs when they are funded by the US or French development agencies instead of the Egyptian government. We find that this effect is driven by distrust of Western donors’ motives. Descriptive survey data from the Arab Barometer reinforce the experimental findings by illustrating the importance of anti-Americanism and perceptions of donor motives in heightening opposition to aid. This research note contributes to a growing literature on public opinion toward foreign aid in recipient countries.
An Anarcho-Pacifist Reading of International Relations: A Normative Critique of International Politics from the Confluence of Pacifism and Anarchism
Authors: Christoyannopoulos Alexandre 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPacifism and anarchism have been until recently largely missing on the landscape of international relations (IR) theories, even though they help articulate valuable and nuanced reflections on core IR themes such as war and peace, the structure of the international order, and the multiple effects of political violence. In particular, an analysis grounded in the territory shared by pacifism and anarchism offers a focused vantage point from which an original contribution can be articulated around five main themes: the widespread fetishization of violence; the chronic sliding toward systemic militarism; the multifaceted manifestations of intersectional exploitation and domination enforced by states around the world; both current and potential alternative structurings of international politics; and reflections concerning political agency. This puts an anarcho-pacifist encounter with IR in a position to either develop further or dispute claims central to more established schools of IR theory. This article thus offers a normative reading of international politics, which adapts and develops arguments aired separately by anarchism and pacifism, demonstrates where they fruitfully overlap, develops anarcho-pacifism by extending its analysis specifically to international politics, and invites a reconsideration of established orthodoxies in IR theory by articulating a more radical, critical, and normative diagnosis of the Westphalian international order.
Effects of chronic heat stress on the immunophenotyping of lymphocytes in immune organs of growing pigs
Authors: Tang Shanlong , Li Meijing , Sun Yue , Liao Yuanyuan , Wu Xiaofeng , Zhong Ruqing , Chen Liang , Zhang Hongfu 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic heat stress on the immunophenotyping of lymphocytes in immune organs of growing pigs. A single-factor randomized block design was used, and 15 healthy growing large white barrows (5 litters, 3 pigs/litter) with similar body weight (40.8 kg) were assigned into 3 groups (5 pigs in each group). Groups were: control group (Con, in 23 °C environmental control chamber, fed ad libitum), heat stress group (HS, in 33 °C environmental control chamber, fed ad libitum), and pair-fed group (PF, in 23 °C environmental control chamber, fed diets according to the feed intake of HS group). After a 7-d adaption, the experiment lasted for 21 d. The results showed as follows: (1) activated T cells in the thymus of HS pigs were higher than those in PF pigs (P &lt; 0.05). Monocytes and dendritic cells in the thymus of HS pigs were significantly higher than that in Con and PF pigs (P &lt; 0.05), while the proportions of these 2 lymphocytes in the thymus of Con pigs did not differ from PF pigs (P &gt; 0.05). Compared with Con pigs, the proportion of CD4+ (P &lt; 0.05) and CD8+ T cells (P &lt; 0.10) in the thymus was increased in HS pigs, while the proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in PF pigs did not differ from Con pigs (P &gt; 0.05). (2) Compared with Con pigs, significantly decreased T cells, increased B cells and monocytes were found in the spleen of pigs exposed to heat stress (P &lt; 0.05); the proportions of these 3 types of lymphocytes were not significantly different between Con and PF pigs (P &gt; 0.05). The proportions of CD4+ T cells and Treg cells in the spleen of pigs exposed to heat stress tended to be lower than those in the Con pigs (P &lt; 0.10). (3) The proportion of lymphocytes in the tonsils of pigs exposed to heat stress did not differ from Con pigs (P &gt; 0.05); compared with PF pigs, the proportion of Treg cells was significantly decreased in HS pigs (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, chronic heat stress stimulates the development and maturation of T cells in the pig thymus toward CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and increases the proportion of monocytes and dendritic cells; under the condition of chronic heat stress, the immune response process in the spleen of pigs is enhanced, but chronic heat stress impairs the survival of CD4+ T cells in the spleen.
Interaction between reduced pH and multiple stressors affects the physiology of the fiddler crabLeptuca thayeri(Rathbun, 1900) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Ocypodidae)
Authors: de Andrade Isabel M , Ferreira Julia R do C , Ramaglia Andressa C , Augusto Alessandra 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIncreasing ocean acidification combined with other impacts may cause changes in homeostatic mechanisms of intertidal invertebrates. Stressors do not act in isolation, and experimental work is needed to assess their synergistic potential. We evaluated the effect of exposure to multiple stressors on the survival, osmoregulation, metabolism, Q10, excretion, hepatosomatic index, and energy substrate oxidation on of the fiddler crab Leptuca thayeri (Rathbun, 1900). Crabs were exposed to two pH values (7.0, 6.3) combined with temperatures (20, 25, 30, 35, 40 °C) and these pH values combined with salinities (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 psu) during acute exposure. All individuals died at 40 °C. Crabs osmoregulated, suggesting that the factors evaluated did not affect salt absorption or secretion. Individuals were weak hyperosmorregulators at lower salinities in the pH 7 control, but they became strong hyperosmoregulators at acidified pH 6.3. Alterations in oxygen consumption and hepatosomatic index were observed in individuals exposed to the acidified pH combined with temperatures or salinities, compared to those kept in the control pH. Q10 was elevated under an acidified pH, with crabs using proteins and lipids as energy substrates. The interaction between reduced pH and temperature or salinity thus affected physiological mechanisms related to the energetic metabolism, but elevated temperatures are more limiting because they affected survival. These physiological effects of acute exposure offer clues about extreme climatic events, which have a short duration but can affect the related energy demands.
Special Collection: Highlights of Medical, Urban and Veterinary Entomology. Highlights in Medical Entomology, 2021
Authors: Gloria-Soria A 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Life remained far from normal as we completed the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic and entered a second year. Despite the challenges faced worldwide, together we continue to move the field of Medical Entomology forward. Here, I reflect on parallels between control of Covid-19 and vector-borne disease control, discuss the advantages and caveats of using new genotyping technologies for the study of invasive species, and proceed to highlight papers that were published between 2020 and 2021 with a focus on those related to mosquito surveillance and population genetics of mosquito vectors.