Showing papers by "Dalhousie University published in 2021"
Daniel J. Klionsky1, Amal Kamal Abdel-Aziz2, Sara Abdelfatah3, Mahmoud Abdellatif4 +2980 more•Institutions (777)
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes.
Abstract: In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field.
1,129 citations
TL;DR: Plastics should remain in the top of the political agenda in Europe and across the world, not only to minimise plastic leakage and pollution, but to promote sustainable growth and to stimulate both green and blue- economies.
570 citations
Niamh Mullins1, Andreas J. Forstner2, Andreas J. Forstner3, Andreas J. Forstner4 +396 more•Institutions (119)
TL;DR: The authors performed a genome-wide association study of 41,917 bipolar disorder cases and 371,549 controls of European ancestry, which identified 64 associated genomic loci, including genes encoding targets of antipsychotics, calcium channel blockers, antiepileptics and anesthetics.
Abstract: Bipolar disorder is a heritable mental illness with complex etiology. We performed a genome-wide association study of 41,917 bipolar disorder cases and 371,549 controls of European ancestry, which identified 64 associated genomic loci. Bipolar disorder risk alleles were enriched in genes in synaptic signaling pathways and brain-expressed genes, particularly those with high specificity of expression in neurons of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Significant signal enrichment was found in genes encoding targets of antipsychotics, calcium channel blockers, antiepileptics and anesthetics. Integrating expression quantitative trait locus data implicated 15 genes robustly linked to bipolar disorder via gene expression, encoding druggable targets such as HTR6, MCHR1, DCLK3 and FURIN. Analyses of bipolar disorder subtypes indicated high but imperfect genetic correlation between bipolar disorder type I and II and identified additional associated loci. Together, these results advance our understanding of the biological etiology of bipolar disorder, identify novel therapeutic leads and prioritize genes for functional follow-up studies.
378 citations
University of California, Santa Barbara1, Utah State University2, IFREMER3, University of British Columbia4, Virginia Tech5, Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences6, University of Freiburg7, University of Montpellier8, The Nature Conservancy9, Marine Conservation Institute10, University of Queensland11, Dalhousie University12, Oregon State University13
TL;DR: In this paper, a conservation planning framework is developed to prioritize highly protected marine protected areas in places that would result in multiple benefits today and in the future, by protecting biodiversity, boosting the yield of fisheries and securing marine carbon stocks that are at risk from human activities.
Abstract: The ocean contains unique biodiversity, provides valuable food resources and is a major sink for anthropogenic carbon. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are an effective tool for restoring ocean biodiversity and ecosystem services1,2, but at present only 2.7% of the ocean is highly protected3. This low level of ocean protection is due largely to conflicts with fisheries and other extractive uses. To address this issue, here we developed a conservation planning framework to prioritize highly protected MPAs in places that would result in multiple benefits today and in the future. We find that a substantial increase in ocean protection could have triple benefits, by protecting biodiversity, boosting the yield of fisheries and securing marine carbon stocks that are at risk from human activities. Our results show that most coastal nations contain priority areas that can contribute substantially to achieving these three objectives of biodiversity protection, food provision and carbon storage. A globally coordinated effort could be nearly twice as efficient as uncoordinated, national-level conservation planning. Our flexible prioritization framework could help to inform both national marine spatial plans4 and global targets for marine conservation, food security and climate action. Using a globally coordinated strategic conservation framework to plan an increase in ocean protection through marine protected areas can yield benefits for biodiversity, food provisioning and carbon storage.
265 citations
TL;DR: Data was heterogenous and limited, particularly from nationally representative studies making the interpretation of differences by geographic region challenging, and common methodological approaches are required to improve the accuracy of population-level prevalence estimates.
Abstract: INTRODUCTION The prevalence of frailty at population level is unclear. We examined this in population-based studies, investigating sources of heterogeneity. METHODS PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane Library databases were searched for observational population-level studies published between 1 January 1998 and 1 April 2020, including individuals aged ≥50 years, identified using any frailty measure. Prevalence estimates were extracted independently, assessed for bias and analysed using a random-effects model. RESULTS In total, 240 studies reporting 265 prevalence proportions from 62 countries and territories, representing 1,755,497 participants, were included. Pooled prevalence in studies using physical frailty measures was 12% (95% CI = 11-13%; n = 178), compared with 24% (95% CI = 22-26%; n = 71) for the deficit accumulation model (those using a frailty index, FI). For pre-frailty, this was 46% (95% CI = 45-48%; n = 147) and 49% (95% CI = 46-52%; n = 29), respectively. For physical frailty, the prevalence was higher among females, 15% (95% CI = 14-17%; n = 142), than males, 11% (95% CI = 10-12%; n = 144). For studies using a FI, the prevalence was also higher in females, 29% (95% CI = 24-35%; n = 34) versus 20% (95% CI = 16-24%; n = 34), for males. These values were similar for pre-frailty. Prevalence increased according to the minimum age at study inclusion. Analysing only data from nationally representative studies gave a frailty prevalence of 7% (95% CI = 5-9%; n = 46) for physical frailty and 24% (95% CI = 22-26%; n = 44) for FIs. CONCLUSIONS Population-level frailty prevalence varied by classification and sex. Data were heterogenous and limited, particularly from nationally representative studies making the interpretation of differences by geographic region challenging. Common methodological approaches to gathering data are required to improve the accuracy of population-level prevalence estimates. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION PROSPERO-CRD42018105431.
239 citations
Carlos III Health Institute1, Universidad Pública de Navarra2, University of Navarra3, National University of Singapore4, Saint Louis University5, Charité6, Université du Québec à Montréal7, Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic8, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul9, University of Milan10, University of Toulouse11, University of Melbourne12, Tufts University13, King's College London14, Wake Forest University15, University of Florida16, University of Miami17, Dalhousie University18, Baylor College of Medicine19, University of Otago20, Kyung Hee University21, The Chinese University of Hong Kong22, RMIT University23
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide evidence-based rationale for using exercise and physical activity (PA) for health promotion and disease prevention and treatment in older adults, and discuss the specific modalities and doses that have been studied in randomised controlled trials for their effectiveness in attenuating physiological changes of ageing, disease prevention, and/or improvement of older adults with chronic disease and disability.
Abstract: The human ageing process is universal, ubiquitous and inevitable. Every physiological function is being continuously diminished. There is a range between two distinct phenotypes of ageing, shaped by patterns of living - experiences and behaviours, and in particular by the presence or absence of physical activity (PA) and structured exercise (i.e., a sedentary lifestyle). Ageing and a sedentary lifestyle are associated with declines in muscle function and cardiorespiratory fitness, resulting in an impaired capacity to perform daily activities and maintain independent functioning. However, in the presence of adequate exercise/PA these changes in muscular and aerobic capacity with age are substantially attenuated. Additionally, both structured exercise and overall PA play important roles as preventive strategies for many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, and obesity; improvement of mobility, mental health, and quality of life; and reduction in mortality, among other benefits. Notably, exercise intervention programmes improve the hallmarks of frailty (low body mass, strength, mobility, PA level, energy) and cognition, thus optimising functional capacity during ageing. In these pathological conditions exercise is used as a therapeutic agent and follows the precepts of identifying the cause of a disease and then using an agent in an evidence-based dose to eliminate or moderate the disease. Prescription of PA/structured exercise should therefore be based on the intended outcome (e.g., primary prevention, improvement in fitness or functional status or disease treatment), and individualised, adjusted and controlled like any other medical treatment. In addition, in line with other therapeutic agents, exercise shows a dose-response effect and can be individualised using different modalities, volumes and/or intensities as appropriate to the health state or medical condition. Importantly, exercise therapy is often directed at several physiological systems simultaneously, rather than targeted to a single outcome as is generally the case with pharmacological approaches to disease management. There are diseases for which exercise is an alternative to pharmacological treatment (such as depression), thus contributing to the goal of deprescribing of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMS). There are other conditions where no effective drug therapy is currently available (such as sarcopenia or dementia), where it may serve a primary role in prevention and treatment. Therefore, this consensus statement provides an evidence-based rationale for using exercise and PA for health promotion and disease prevention and treatment in older adults. Exercise prescription is discussed in terms of the specific modalities and doses that have been studied in randomised controlled trials for their effectiveness in attenuating physiological changes of ageing, disease prevention, and/or improvement of older adults with chronic disease and disability. Recommendations are proposed to bridge gaps in the current literature and to optimise the use of exercise/PA both as a preventative medicine and as a therapeutic agent.
218 citations
Chinese Academy of Sciences1, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics2, University of Alberta3, University of Wuppertal4, Hong Kong Polytechnic University5, Shandong University6, Dalhousie University7, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ8, Korea University9, Catalan Institute for Water Research10, Southwest University11, University of Western Australia12, Washington University in St. Louis13, Beijing Normal University14, Agricultural University of Tirana15, Shenyang Agricultural University16, Xiamen University17, Cornell University18, Technische Universität München19, RWTH Aachen University20, Michigan State University21, University of Toronto22
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review innovative technologies that offer solutions achieving carbon neutrality and sustainable development, including those for renewable energy production, food system transformation, waste valorization, C sink conservation, and C-negative manufacturing.
Abstract: Global development has been heavily reliant on the overexploitation of natural resources since the Industrial Revolution. With the extensive use of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other forms of land-use change, anthropogenic activities have contributed to the ever-increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere, causing global climate change. In response to the worsening global climate change, achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is the most pressing task on the planet. To this end, it is of utmost importance and a significant challenge to reform the current production systems to reduce GHG emissions and promote the capture of CO2 from the atmosphere. Herein, we review innovative technologies that offer solutions achieving carbon (C) neutrality and sustainable development, including those for renewable energy production, food system transformation, waste valorization, C sink conservation, and C-negative manufacturing. The wealth of knowledge disseminated in this review could inspire the global community and drive the further development of innovative technologies to mitigate climate change and sustainably support human activities.
169 citations
TL;DR: This review will first outline the atomic scale structural analysis on single-atom alloys using microscopy and spectroscopy tools, such as high-angle annular dark field imaging-scanning transmission electron microscope and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopic techniques, and progress in research to understand the electronic properties of single- atom alloys.
Abstract: Monometallic catalysts, in particular those containing noble metals, are frequently used in heterogeneous catalysis, but they are expensive, rare and the ability to tailor their structures and properties remains limited. Traditionally, alloy catalysts have been used instead that feature enhanced electronic and chemical properties at a reduced cost. Furthermore, the introduction of single metal atoms anchored onto supports provided another effective strategy to increase both the atomic efficiency and the chance of tailoring the properties. Most recently, single-atom alloy catalysts have been developed in which one metal is atomically dispersed throughout the catalyst via alloy bonding; such catalysts combine the traditional advantages of alloy catalysts with the new feature of tailoring properties achievable with single atom catalysts. This review will first outline the atomic scale structural analysis on single-atom alloys using microscopy and spectroscopy tools, such as high-angle annular dark field imaging-scanning transmission electron microscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. Next, progress in research to understand the electronic properties of single-atom alloys using X-ray spectroscopy techniques and quantum calculations will be presented. The catalytic activities of single-atom alloys in a few representative reactions will be further discussed to demonstrate their structure–property relationships. Finally, future perspectives for single-atom alloy catalysts from the structural, electronic and reactivity aspects will be proposed.
158 citations
TL;DR: The Brighton Collaboration case definition of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children and Adults (MIS-C/A) was developed by topic experts in the context of active development of vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 as discussed by the authors.
144 citations
University of Washington1, WorldFish2, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences3, Stockholm Resilience Centre4, Dalhousie University5, American Museum of Natural History6, Harvard University7, Tel Aviv University8, Research Institutes of Sweden9, Bard College10, University of California, Santa Barbara11, International Atomic Energy Agency12, University of Stirling13, Shanghai Ocean University14
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide standardized estimates of greenhouse gas, nitrogen, phosphorus, freshwater and land stressors for species groups covering nearly three quarters of global production and find that across all blue foods, farmed bivalves and seaweeds generate the lowest stressors.
Abstract: Fish and other aquatic foods (blue foods) present an opportunity for more sustainable diets1,2. Yet comprehensive comparison has been limited due to sparse inclusion of blue foods in environmental impact studies3,4 relative to the vast diversity of production5. Here we provide standardized estimates of greenhouse gas, nitrogen, phosphorus, freshwater and land stressors for species groups covering nearly three quarters of global production. We find that across all blue foods, farmed bivalves and seaweeds generate the lowest stressors. Capture fisheries predominantly generate greenhouse gas emissions, with small pelagic fishes generating lower emissions than all fed aquaculture, but flatfish and crustaceans generating the highest. Among farmed finfish and crustaceans, silver and bighead carps have the lowest greenhouse gas, nitrogen and phosphorus emissions, but highest water use, while farmed salmon and trout use the least land and water. Finally, we model intervention scenarios and find improving feed conversion ratios reduces stressors across all fed groups, increasing fish yield reduces land and water use by up to half, and optimizing gears reduces capture fishery emissions by more than half for some groups. Collectively, our analysis identifies high-performing blue foods, highlights opportunities to improve environmental performance, advances data-poor environmental assessments, and informs sustainable diets. A range of environmental stressors are estimated for farmed and wild capture blue foods, including bivalves, seaweed, crustaceans and finfish, with the potential to inform more sustainable diets.
142 citations
TL;DR: A review of the current literature on anti-vaccination can be found in this article, where the authors discuss potential causes, consequences, and impacts of resistance to vaccination in the public.
Abstract: An often-stated public health comment is that "vaccination is a victim of its own success." While the scientific and medical consensus on the benefits of vaccination is clear and unambiguous, an increasing number of people are perceiving vaccines as unsafe and unnecessary. The World Health Organization identified "the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite availability of vaccines" as one of the 10 threats to global health in 2019. The negative influence of anti-vaccination movements is often named as a cause of increasing vaccine resistance in the public. In this review, we give an overview of the current literature on the topic, beginning by agreeing on terminology and concepts before looking at potential causes, consequences, and impacts of resistance to vaccination.
University Health Network1, University of British Columbia2, University of Alberta3, Montreal Heart Institute4, McGill University5, University of Waterloo6, University of Calgary7, Université de Sherbrooke8, University of Ottawa9, University of Toronto10, University of Manitoba11, Dalhousie University12, University of Paris13, University of Western Ontario14, McMaster University15, Anschutz Medical Campus16, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre17, St. John's University18
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide comprehensive recommendations and practical tips for the pharmacologic management of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) including angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, sinus node inhibitors, sodium glucose transport 2 inhibitors, and soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory1, National University of Singapore2, Stanford University3, University of Wisconsin-Madison4, National Ecological Observatory Network5, Oak Ridge National Laboratory6, McMaster University7, University of Nebraska–Lincoln8, University of California, Berkeley9, Agricultural Research Service10, University of British Columbia11, University of Colorado Boulder12, Ohio State University13, University of Florida14, University of Guelph15, University of Kansas16, Michigan State University17, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory18, United States Department of Agriculture19, University of New Mexico20, National Research Council21, Marine Biological Laboratory22, University of Alberta23, Virginia Commonwealth University24, University of Minnesota25, Université de Montréal26, Dalhousie University27, Carleton University28, Shinshu University29, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology30, Northern Arizona University31, Oregon State University32, Yale University33, Washington State University34, Harvard University35, Texas A&M University36, Indiana University37, Florida International University38, San Diego State University39, California State University, East Bay40, Wayne State University41, University of Sydney42, Wilfrid Laurier University43, University of Alabama44, Environment Canada45, United States Geological Survey46, Argonne National Laboratory47, Osaka Prefecture University48, University of Delaware49, University of Missouri50, University of Sheffield51
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluate the representativeness of flux footprints and evaluate potential biases as a consequence of the footprint-to-target-area mismatch, which can be used as a guide to identify site-periods suitable for specific applications.
TL;DR: This highly powered collaborative effort showed subtle patterns of age-related structural brain abnormalities in MDD, and substantial within-group variance and overlap between groups were observed.
Abstract: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with an increased risk of brain atrophy, aging-related diseases, and mortality. We examined potential advanced brain aging in adult MDD patients, and whether this process is associated with clinical characteristics in a large multicenter international dataset. We performed a mega-analysis by pooling brain measures derived from T1-weighted MRI scans from 19 samples worldwide. Healthy brain aging was estimated by predicting chronological age (18–75 years) from 7 subcortical volumes, 34 cortical thickness and 34 surface area, lateral ventricles and total intracranial volume measures separately in 952 male and 1236 female controls from the ENIGMA MDD working group. The learned model coefficients were applied to 927 male controls and 986 depressed males, and 1199 female controls and 1689 depressed females to obtain independent unbiased brain-based age predictions. The difference between predicted “brain age” and chronological age was calculated to indicate brain-predicted age difference (brain-PAD). On average, MDD patients showed a higher brain-PAD of +1.08 (SE 0.22) years (Cohen’s d = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.08–0.20) compared with controls. However, this difference did not seem to be driven by specific clinical characteristics (recurrent status, remission status, antidepressant medication use, age of onset, or symptom severity). This highly powered collaborative effort showed subtle patterns of age-related structural brain abnormalities in MDD. Substantial within-group variance and overlap between groups were observed. Longitudinal studies of MDD and somatic health outcomes are needed to further assess the clinical value of these brain-PAD estimates.
Ghent University1, University of Bath2, Churchill Hospital3, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust4, University of Oxford5, University of Ottawa6, Seattle Children's Research Institute7, University of Calgary8, University of Auckland9, Dalhousie University10, Uppsala University11, Boston Children's Hospital12, John Radcliffe Hospital13
TL;DR: This work aims to demonstrate the power of informed consent and informed choice in the decision-making process to deliver transformative action in paediatric pain.
Washington University in St. Louis1, Dalhousie University2, SERC Reliability Corporation3, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation4, Joint Global Change Research Institute5, Harvard University6, University of Washington7, University at Albany, SUNY8, Peking University9, University of British Columbia10
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide a comprehensive evaluation of sector and fuel-specific contributions to this disease burden across 21 regions, 204 countries, and 200 sub-national areas by integrating 24 global atmospheric chemistry-transport model sensitivity simulations, high-resolution satellite-derived PM2.5 exposure estimates, and disease-specific concentration response relationships.
Abstract: Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the world’s leading environmental health risk factor. Reducing the PM2.5 disease burden requires specific strategies that target dominant sources across multiple spatial scales. We provide a contemporary and comprehensive evaluation of sector- and fuel-specific contributions to this disease burden across 21 regions, 204 countries, and 200 sub-national areas by integrating 24 global atmospheric chemistry-transport model sensitivity simulations, high-resolution satellite-derived PM2.5 exposure estimates, and disease-specific concentration response relationships. Globally, 1.05 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.74–1.36) million deaths were avoidable in 2017 by eliminating fossil-fuel combustion (27.3% of the total PM2.5 burden), with coal contributing to over half. Other dominant global sources included residential (0.74 [0.52–0.95] million deaths; 19.2%), industrial (0.45 [0.32–0.58] million deaths; 11.7%), and energy (0.39 [0.28–0.51] million deaths; 10.2%) sectors. Our results show that regions with large anthropogenic contributions generally had the highest attributable deaths, suggesting substantial health benefits from replacing traditional energy sources. Ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is one of the most important environmental health risk factors in many regions. Here, the authors present an assessment of PM2.5 emission sources and the related health impacts across global to sub-national scales and find that over 1 million deaths were avoidable in 2017 by eliminating PM2.5 mass associated with fossil fuel combustion emissions.
TL;DR: Potential mechanisms involved in COVID-19 that may contribute to sex-specific susceptibility focusing on the innate immune system and the RAS, namely, genetics and sex hormones are explored.
Abstract: Biological sex is increasingly recognized as a critical determinant of health and disease, particularly relevant to the topical COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Epidemiological data and observational reports from both the original SARS epidemic and the most recent COVID-19 pandemic have a common feature: males are more likely to exhibit enhanced disease severity and mortality than females. Sex differences in cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 share mechanistic foundations, namely, the involvement of both the innate immune system and the canonical renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Immunological differences suggest that females mount a rapid and aggressive innate immune response, and the attenuated antiviral response in males may confer enhanced susceptibility to severe disease. Furthermore, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is involved in disease pathogenesis in cardiovascular disease and COVID-19, either to serve as a protective mechanism by deactivating the RAS or as the receptor for viral entry, respectively. Loss of membrane ACE2 and a corresponding increase in plasma ACE2 are associated with worsened cardiovascular disease outcomes, a mechanism attributed to a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM17). SARS-CoV-2 infection also leads to ADAM17 activation, a positive feedback cycle that exacerbates ACE2 loss. Therefore, the relationship between cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 is critically dependent on the loss of membrane ACE2 by ADAM17-mediated proteolytic cleavage. This article explores potential mechanisms involved in COVID-19 that may contribute to sex-specific susceptibility focusing on the innate immune system and the RAS, namely, genetics and sex hormones. Finally, we highlight here the added challenges of gender in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Raul G Nogueira1, Mohamad Abdalkader2, Muhammed M. Qureshi2, Michael Frankel1 +269 more•Institutions (98)
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the volumes of the volumes for medical care in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Abstract: BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic led to profound changes in the organization of health care systems worldwide.AimsWe sought to measure the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the volumes for m...
TL;DR: Bimekizumab was more efficacious than ustekinumab and placebo in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and the bimekzumab safety profile was consistent with that observed in previous studies.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used T1-weighted magnetic resonance images to determine neurobiologic correlates of group differences in cortical thickness between cases and controls in 6 disorders: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder (BD), major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia.
Abstract: Importance Large-scale neuroimaging studies have revealed group differences in cortical thickness across many psychiatric disorders. The underlying neurobiology behind these differences is not well understood.
Objective To determine neurobiologic correlates of group differences in cortical thickness between cases and controls in 6 disorders: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder (BD), major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia.
Design, Setting, and Participants Profiles of group differences in cortical thickness between cases and controls were generated using T1-weighted magnetic resonance images. Similarity between interregional profiles of cell-specific gene expression and those in the group differences in cortical thickness were investigated in each disorder. Next, principal component analysis was used to reveal a shared profile of group difference in thickness across the disorders. Analysis for gene coexpression, clustering, and enrichment for genes associated with these disorders were conducted. Data analysis was conducted between June and December 2019. The analysis included 145 cohorts across 6 psychiatric disorders drawn from the ENIGMA consortium. The numbers of cases and controls in each of the 6 disorders were as follows: ADHD: 1814 and 1602; ASD: 1748 and 1770; BD: 1547 and 3405; MDD: 2658 and 3572; OCD: 2266 and 2007; and schizophrenia: 2688 and 3244.
Main Outcomes and Measures Interregional profiles of group difference in cortical thickness between cases and controls.
Results A total of 12 721 cases and 15 600 controls, ranging from ages 2 to 89 years, were included in this study. Interregional profiles of group differences in cortical thickness for each of the 6 psychiatric disorders were associated with profiles of gene expression specific to pyramidal (CA1) cells, astrocytes (except for BD), and microglia (except for OCD); collectively, gene-expression profiles of the 3 cell types explain between 25% and 54% of variance in interregional profiles of group differences in cortical thickness. Principal component analysis revealed a shared profile of difference in cortical thickness across the 6 disorders (48% variance explained); interregional profile of this principal component 1 was associated with that of the pyramidal-cell gene expression (explaining 56% of interregional variation). Coexpression analyses of these genes revealed 2 clusters: (1) a prenatal cluster enriched with genes involved in neurodevelopmental (axon guidance) processes and (2) a postnatal cluster enriched with genes involved in synaptic activity and plasticity-related processes. These clusters were enriched with genes associated with all 6 psychiatric disorders.
Conclusions and Relevance In this study, shared neurobiologic processes were associated with differences in cortical thickness across multiple psychiatric disorders. These processes implicate a common role of prenatal development and postnatal functioning of the cerebral cortex in these disorders.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed and applied a methodology for monthly estimates and uncertainties during the period 1998-2019, which combines satellite retrievals of aerosol optical depth, chemical transport modeling, and ground-based measurements to allow for the characterization of seasonal and episodic exposure, as well as aid air-quality management.
Abstract: Annual global satellite-based estimates of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are widely relied upon for air-quality assessment. Here, we develop and apply a methodology for monthly estimates and uncertainties during the period 1998-2019, which combines satellite retrievals of aerosol optical depth, chemical transport modeling, and ground-based measurements to allow for the characterization of seasonal and episodic exposure, as well as aid air-quality management. Many densely populated regions have their highest PM2.5 concentrations in winter, exceeding summertime concentrations by factors of 1.5-3.0 over Eastern Europe, Western Europe, South Asia, and East Asia. In South Asia, in January, regional population-weighted monthly mean PM2.5 concentrations exceed 90 μg/m3, with local concentrations of approximately 200 μg/m3 for parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. In East Asia, monthly mean PM2.5 concentrations have decreased over the period 2010-2019 by 1.6-2.6 μg/m3/year, with decreases beginning 2-3 years earlier in summer than in winter. We find evidence that global-monitored locations tend to be in cleaner regions than global mean PM2.5 exposure, with large measurement gaps in the Global South. Uncertainty estimates exhibit regional consistency with observed differences between ground-based and satellite-derived PM2.5. The evaluation of uncertainty for agglomerated values indicates that hybrid PM2.5 estimates provide precise regional-scale representation, with residual uncertainty inversely proportional to the sample size.
TL;DR: The Sichuan basin is characterized by two episodes of weak extension and compression which influenced the architecture of the marine platform during Palaeozoic to Middle Triassic times as mentioned in this paper.
The Graduate Center, CUNY1, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill2, Utrecht University3, Deakin University4, Monash University5, Imperial College London6, University of Copenhagen7, University of Trento8, University of British Columbia9, Stanford University10, Pennsylvania State University11, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center12, Genentech13, Virginia Commonwealth University14, University of Pennsylvania15, University College Cork16, National Research Council17, Teagasc18, University of Minnesota19, Weizmann Institute of Science20, European Bioinformatics Institute21, University of North Carolina at Charlotte22, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine23, University of Kiel24, University of California, San Diego25, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre26, Washington University in St. Louis27, Georgetown University28, University of California, Los Angeles29, Oregon Health & Science University30, Bar-Ilan University31, Harvard University32, Dalhousie University33, University of Maryland, Baltimore34, Johns Hopkins University35, Yale University36, University of Naples Federico II37, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven38, University of Michigan39, Oregon State University40, University of Paris41, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center42, University of California, San Francisco43, Critical Path Institute44, University of Luxembourg45, Tokyo Institute of Technology46, Rutgers University47, SAS Institute48, Eisai49, Zhejiang University50, University of Cologne51, Boston Children's Hospital52, Durham University53, Cornell University54, University of Queensland55, University of Oxford56, University of Helsinki57, Fudan University58, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research59, National Center for Toxicological Research60
TL;DR: The STORMS tool as mentioned in this paper is composed of a 17-item checklist organized into six sections that correspond to the typical sections of a scientific publication, presented as an editable table for inclusion in supplementary materials.
Abstract: The particularly interdisciplinary nature of human microbiome research makes the organization and reporting of results spanning epidemiology, biology, bioinformatics, translational medicine and statistics a challenge. Commonly used reporting guidelines for observational or genetic epidemiology studies lack key features specific to microbiome studies. Therefore, a multidisciplinary group of microbiome epidemiology researchers adapted guidelines for observational and genetic studies to culture-independent human microbiome studies, and also developed new reporting elements for laboratory, bioinformatics and statistical analyses tailored to microbiome studies. The resulting tool, called 'Strengthening The Organization and Reporting of Microbiome Studies' (STORMS), is composed of a 17-item checklist organized into six sections that correspond to the typical sections of a scientific publication, presented as an editable table for inclusion in supplementary materials. The STORMS checklist provides guidance for concise and complete reporting of microbiome studies that will facilitate manuscript preparation, peer review, and reader comprehension of publications and comparative analysis of published results.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to establish association between induced cytokines and COVID-19 disease severity to help in prognosis and clinical care, using a logistic regression model with cytokines having significant SMD as covariates.
TL;DR: In the most comprehensive test of the COVID-19-suicidality link to date, this paper meta-analyzed data from 308,596 participants across 54 studies and found increased event rates for suicide ideation (10.81%), suicide attempts (4.68%), and self-harm (9.63%), when considered against event rates from pre-pandemic studies.
Abstract: COVID-19, and efforts to mitigate its spread, are creating extensive mental health problems. Experts have speculated the mental, economic, behavioral, and psychosocial problems linked to the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to a rise in suicide behavior. However, a quantitative synthesis is needed to reach an overall conclusion regarding the pandemic-suicide link. In the most comprehensive test of the COVID-19-suicidality link to date, we meta-analyzed data from 308,596 participants across 54 studies. Our results suggested increased event rates for suicide ideation (10.81%), suicide attempts (4.68%), and self-harm (9.63%) during the COVID-19 pandemic when considered against event rates from pre-pandemic studies. Moderation analysis indicated younger people, women, and individuals from democratic countries are most susceptible to suicide ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policymakers and helping professionals are advised that suicide behaviors are alarmingly common during the COVID-19 pandemic and vary based upon age, gender, and geopolitics. Strong protections from governments (e.g., implementing best practices in suicide prevention) are urgently needed to reduce suicide behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
TL;DR: This meta-analysis confirms that potentially biodegrading Plastisphere members, the hydrocarbonoclastic Oceanospirillales and Alteromonadales are consistently more abundant in plastic than control biofilm samples across multiple studies and environments and indicates the predilection of these organisms for plastics.
Abstract: It is now indisputable that plastics are ubiquitous and problematic in ecosystems globally. Many suggestions have been made about the role that biofilms colonizing plastics in the environment—termed the “Plastisphere”—may play in the transportation and ecological impact of these plastics. By collecting and re-analyzing all raw 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metadata from 2,229 samples within 35 studies, we have performed the first meta-analysis of the Plastisphere in marine, freshwater, other aquatic (e.g., brackish or aquaculture) and terrestrial environments. We show that random forest models can be trained to differentiate between groupings of environmental factors as well as aspects of study design, but—crucially—also between plastics when compared with control biofilms and between different plastic types and community successional stages. Our meta-analysis confirms that potentially biodegrading Plastisphere members, the hydrocarbonoclastic Oceanospirillales and Alteromonadales are consistently more abundant in plastic than control biofilm samples across multiple studies and environments. This indicates the predilection of these organisms for plastics and confirms the urgent need for their ability to biodegrade plastics to be comprehensively tested. We also identified key knowledge gaps that should be addressed by future studies.
TL;DR: This article provides an overview of key concepts, methods, and tools for scientometric mapping, and discusses best practices on how to obtain reliable and valid results, and how to use the scientometric maps to gain meaningful insights.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors summarize the available literature investigating the relationships between the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep) of school-aged children (aged 5−11 years) and youth (aged 12−17 years) in the first year of the COVID-2019 outbreak.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrate that self-pillared MFI zeolite (silicalite-1 and ZSM-5) nanosheets with larger surface area and abundant Si-OH groups are ideal supports to immobilize ultrasmall monometallic and various bimetallic clusters via simple incipient wetness impregnation method.
Abstract: Impregnation is the most commonly used approach to prepare supported metal catalysts in industry. However, this method suffers from the formation of large metal particles with uneven dispersion, poor thermal stability, and thus unsatisfied catalytic performance. Here, we demonstrate that the self-pillared MFI zeolite (silicalite-1 and ZSM-5) nanosheets with larger surface area and abundant Si-OH groups are ideal supports to immobilize ultrasmall monometallic (e.g., Rh and Ru) and various bimetallic clusters via simple incipient wetness impregnation method. The loaded subnanometric metal clusters are uniformly dispersed within sinusoidal five-membered rings of MFI and remain stable at high temperatures. The Rh/SP-S-1 is highly efficient in ammonia borane (AB) hydrolysis, showing a TOF value of 430 molH2 molRh-1 min-1 at 298 K, which is more than 6-fold improvement over that of nanosized zeolite-supported Rh catalyst and even comparable with that of zeolite-supported Rh single-atom catalyst. Because of the synergistic effect between bimetallic Rh-Ru clusters and zeolite acidity, the H2 generation rate from AB hydrolysis over Rh0.8Ru0.2/SP-ZSM-5-100 reaches up to 1006 molH2 molmetal-1 min-1 at 298 K, and also shows record activities in cascade hydrogenation of various nitroarenes by coupling with the hydrolysis of AB. This work demonstrates that zeolite nanosheets are excellent supports to anchor diverse ultrasmall metallic species via the simple impregnation method, and the obtained nanocatalysts can be applied in various industrially important catalytic reactions.