bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and outcomes of patients with postoperative Candida versus bacterial mediastinitis: a case-matched comparative study
Authors: Moyon Quentin , Lebreton Guillaume , Huang Florent , Demondion Pierre , Desnos Cyrielle , Chommeloux Juliette , Hékimian Guillaume , Bréchot Nicolas , Nieszkowska Ania , Schmidt Matthieu , Leprince Pascal , Combes Alain , Luyt Charles-Edouard , Pineton de Chambrun Marc 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Postoperative mediastinitis, a feared complication after cardiac surgery, is associated with high mortality, especially of critically ill patients. Candida species infections are rare and severe, with poorly known outcomes. We conducted a case–control study to describe the characteristics, management and outcomes of patients with postoperative Candida mediastinitis.

METHODS
This French, monocentre, retrospective study included all patients with postoperative Candida mediastinitis (January 2003–February 2020) requiring intensive care unit admission. Candida mediastinitis patients (henceforth cases) were matched 1:1 with postoperative bacterial mediastinitis (henceforth control), based on 3 factors during mediastinitis management: age &gt;40 years, cardiac transplantation and invasive circulatory device used. The primary end point was the probability of survival within 1 year after intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

RESULTS
Forty cases were matched to 40 controls. The global male/female ratio was 2.1, with mean age at admission 47.9 ± 13.8 years. Candida species were: 67.5% albicans, 17.5% glabrata, 15% parapsilosis, 5.0% tropicalis, 2.5% krusei and 2.5% lusitaniae. The median duration of mechanical ventilation was 23, 68.8% of patients received renal replacement therapy and 62.5% extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. The probability of survival within the first year after ICU admission was 40 ± 5.5% and was significantly lower for cases than for controls (43 ± 8% vs 80 ± 6.3%, respectively; Log-rank test: P &lt; 0.0001). The multivariable Cox proportional hazards model retained only renal replacement therapy [hazard ratio (HR) 3.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–13.1; P = 0.04] and Candida mediastinitis (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1–5.6; P = 0.04) as independently associated with 1-year mortality.

CONCLUSIONS
Candida mediastinitis is a serious event after cardiac surgery and independently associated with 1-year mortality. Further studies are needed to determine whether deaths are directly attributable to Candida mediastinitis.
Predictors of safety and success in minimally invasive surgery for degenerative mitral disease
Authors: Bonaros Nikolaos , Hoefer Daniel , Oezpeker Cenk , Gollmann-Tepeköylü Can , Holfeld Johannes , Dumfarth Julia , Kilo Juliane , Ruttmann-Ulmer Elfriede , Hangler Herbert , Grimm Michael , Mueller Ludwig 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to identify predictors of periprocedural success and safety in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery and to determine the impact of pathology localization and repair technique on reoperation-free survival.

METHODS
We isolated 686 patients (mean age 60.5, standard deviation 12.3 years, 69.4% male) who underwent surgery for mitral valve prolapse between 2002 and 2020 in a single institution. Patients with concomitant disease, redo or mitral pathology other than degenerative mitral disease were excluded from the analysis. Periprocedural safety was defined as: freedom from perioperative death, myocardial infarction, stroke, use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or reoperation for bleeding. Operative success was defined as: successful primary mitral repair without conversion to replacement or to larger thoracic incisions, without residual mitral regurgitation &gt; mild at discharge or reoperation within 30 days. Predictors for perioperative success and safety were identified using univariable and multivariable analyses. The impact of prolapse localization and repair technique on reoperation-free survival was assessed by Cox regression.

RESULTS
The mitral repair rate and the need for concomitant tricuspid repair were 94.6% and 16.5%, respectively. Perioperative mortality occurred in 5 patients (0.7%). The criteria for perioperative safety and success were met in 646/686 (94.2%) and 648/686 (94.5%) patients, respectively. The absence of tricuspid disease requiring repair was the only independent predictor of safety in this cohort [hazard ratio (HR) 0.460 (0.225–0.941), P = 0.033]. The only independent predictor of operative success was the use of chordal replacement [0.27 (0.09–0.83), P = 0.022]. Reoperation-free survival was 98.5%, 94.5% and 86.9% at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively. Posterior leaflet pathology demonstrated a higher reoperation-free survival as compared to other localizations (log-rank P = 0.002). The localization of leaflet pathology but not the repair method was an independent predictor for reoperation-free survival (HR 1.455, 95% confidence interval 1.098–1.930; P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS
In minimally invasive mitral surgery for degenerative disease, chordal replacement yields higher rates of periprocedural success than leaflet resection. Posterior leaflet pathology is an independent predictor of reoperation-free survival.
Optimal localisation of agricultural biofuel production facilities and feedstock: a Swedish case study
Authors: Nordin Ida , Elofsson Katarina , Jansson Torbjörn 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Policies for investment in biofuel production facilities and feedstock may be necessary in order to meet climate and renewable energy targets. These policies entail a trade-off between high transportation costs of biomass and economies of scale of production facilities. We develop a spatial optimisation model and investigate the cost-effective localization of production facilities for ethanol from agricultural land in Sweden. Feedstock costs are found to be most important in determining the location, although high feedstock density motivates locating large facilities in areas with high feedstock costs. At higher production, feedstock from the whole country is preferred despite high transport costs.
Combinations of BMI and cardiorespiratory fitness categories: trends between 1995 and 2020 and associations with CVD incidence and mortality and all-cause mortality in 471 216 adults
Authors: Hemmingsson Erik , Väisänen Daniel , Andersson Gunnar , Wallin Peter , Ekblom-Bak Elin 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Aims
To describe time trends in combinations of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body mass index (BMI) status, and to analyse their associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and mortality and all-cause mortality.

Methods and results
Prospective cohort study with data from occupational health screenings in Swedish employees, including n = 471 216 (aged 18–74 years) between 1995 and 2020, and n = 169 989 in risk analyses. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated from a submaximal cycle test. High CRF was defined as top quartile, and low CRF as bottom quartile. Body mass index was used to define normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2), and obesity (≥30 kg/m2). Outcome data (CVD incidence and mortality, all-cause mortality) were obtained from national registers. From 1995 to 2020, the combination of obesity + low CRF increased from 2.1% to 5.3% (relative increase 154%) whereas the combination of normal weight + high CRF decreased from 13.2% to 9.3% (−30%) (both P &lt; 0.001). Negative changes were more pronounced in men, younger ages, and non-university educated. At the end of the period, prevalence of obesity + low CRF were higher in men vs. women (3.1% vs. 2.2%), older vs. younger (3.7% vs. 1.7%), and in non-university vs. university educated (5.0% vs. 0.3%), all P-value &lt;0.001. Having a high CRF attenuated the risk of all three outcomes in all BMI categories, especially in individuals with obesity (hazard ratio 3.90 vs. 6.67 for CVD mortality). Both a low BMI and a high CRF prolonged age of onset for all three outcomes.

Conclusions
The combination of obesity with low CRF has increased markedly since the mid-90s, with clear implications for increased CVD morbidity and mortality, and all-cause mortality.
Trajectories of working hours in later careers and their association with social and health-related factors: a follow-up study
Authors: Suur-Uski Johanna , Pietiläinen Olli , Rahkonen Ossi , Lallukka Tea 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background
The aim was to identify working hours’ trajectories in later work careers over a follow-up of 15–17 years and to examine their association with social factors and health.

Methods
A subsample from the Helsinki Health Study was extracted comprising employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland. Growth mixture modelling was used to identify different working hour trajectories. Age, gender, occupational class, marital status, health behaviour, physical and mental functioning and current pain were associated with trajectory membership. Relative risks (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated.

Results
A two-trajectory model was selected: ‘Stable regular working hours’ (90%) and ‘Shorter and varying working hours’ (10%). Women (RR 1.40, 95% CI 1.09–1.78), the oldest employees (RR 2.71, 95% CI 2.06–3.57), managers and professionals (RR 1.56, 95% CI 1.20–2.02), those reporting non-drinker (RR 1.66, 95% CI 1.32–2.10), those reporting sleeping more than 8 h per night (RR 1.74 95% CI 1.25–2.42) and those reporting poor mental functioning (RR 1.39 95% CI 1.15–1.68) had higher likelihood of belonging to the trajectory ‘Shorter and varying working hours’. There were no differences between the trajectories in marital status, smoking, body mass index, current pain or physical functioning. However, routine non-manual workers (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.55–0.98), and semi-professionals (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.50–0.96) had lower likelihood of belonging to this trajectory.

Conclusions
Trajectories of working hours in later work career differ by age, gender and occupational class but also by health behaviours and mental health functioning.
Electronic cigarette use among adolescents in 17 European study sites: findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey
Authors: Tarasenko Yelena , Ciobanu Angela , Fayokun Ranti , Lebedeva Elizaveta , Commar Alison , Mauer-Stender Kristina 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background
As new findings on public health implications of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use emerge, its surveillance remains of utmost importance. This study examined the latest state of e-cigarette use in youth in 17 European study sites (i.e. 16 countries and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) using the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS).

Methods
This was an observational study. Cross-sectional data on students aged 11–17 years from the latest available GYTS round completed in 17 study sites were used to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence of e-cigarette use by sex and pocket money. Panel GYTS data from five countries were used for the trend analyses. All analyses were weighted to account for the survey design and non-response.

Results
Compared to 2014, the age-adjusted prevalence of e-cigarette use more than doubled in Georgia and Italy, and nearly doubled in Latvia. Significantly more male than female students aged 11–17 years reported use of e-cigarettes, with little to no confounding by age, grade and pocket money across countries. Youth with medium or higher amount of pocket money was 20–200% more likely to use e-cigarettes than those with fewer to no pocket money in 14 study sites.

Discussion
As e-cigarette use is becoming widespread throughout the world, there is variation in use among and between countries. Expanded and consistent surveillance of e-cigarette use by all World Health Organization member states is essential to generate data on the extent and correlates of youth e-cigarette use for evidence-based planning and evaluation of the electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems national and global control programmes.
Virophages: association with human diseases and their predicted role as virus killers
Authors: Dutta Debrupa , Ravichandiran Velayutham , Sukla Soumi 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT
The fascinating discovery of the first giant virus, Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus (APMV), belonging to the family Mimiviridae in 2008, and its associated virophage, Sputnik, have left the world of microbiology awestruck. To date, about 18 virophages have been isolated from different environmental sources. With their unique feature of resisting host cell infection and lysis by giant viruses, analogous to bacteriophage, they have been assigned under the family Lavidaviridae. Genome of T-27, icosahedral-shaped, non-enveloped virophages, consist of dsDNA encoding four proteins, namely, major capsid protein, minor capsid protein, ATPase and cysteine protease, which are essential in the formation and assembly of new virophage particles during replication. A few virophage genomes have been observed to contain additional sequences like PolB, ZnR and S3H. Another interesting characteristic of virophage is that Mimivirus lineage A is immune to infection by the Zamilon virophage through a phenomenon termed MIMIVIRE, resembling the CRISPR-Cas mechanism in bacteria. Based on the fact that giant viruses have been found in clinical samples of hospital-acquired pneumonia and rheumatoid arthritis patients, virophages have opened a novel era in the search for cures of various diseases. This article aims to study the prospective role of virophages in the future of human therapeutics.
Reflectance spectroscopy to characterize the response of Corymbia calophylla to Phytophthora root rot and waterlogging stress
Authors: Croeser Louise , Admiraal Ryan , Barber Paul , Burgess Treena I , Hardy Giles E St J 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The health of Corymbia calophylla (marri), a keystone tree species in the native forests of southwest Western Australia, has been in decline for the past few decades. Phytophthora root disease and waterlogging have often been cited as contributing to this decline. Traditional methods (i.e., field surveys and sampling) of mapping Phytophthora root infection in the field are time-consuming and expensive; thus, the potential of reflectance spectroscopy to characterize marri response to Phytophthora and waterlogging stress was investigated. Twelve-month old marri plants were infected with either P. cinnamomi or P. multivora in two glasshouse trials and waterlogged for 24 h each fortnight. Spectral measurements with a portable high-resolution spectroradiometer were taken weekly. Plant biophysical measurements were taken at harvest time. Normalized difference spectral index (NDSI) was calculated for every combination of reflectance values between 400 and 2500 nm for all time points, correlated with the treatment effects and displayed as heat maps. Narrowband vegetation indices (VIs), utilizing different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, were also calculated from the spectral data. The Phytophthora treatments did not cause significant differences with the biophysical measurements in both trials. In the second trial, the waterlogging treatment significantly lowered plant top dry weight (P = 0.016) and diameter (P = 0.044). Reflectance values plotted against wavelength displayed differences between treatments as well as a seasonal trend. The NDSI heat maps indicated that the Phytophthora and waterlogging treatment effects were strongest correlated with bandwidths in the visible and near-infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum (538–558 nm and 701–709 nm). Six of the VIs (normalized difference nitrogen index 2, anthocyanin reflectance index 1, photochemical reflectance index, Carter index 1, Vogelman index 3 and water band index) were able to track the biochemical changes in the leaves over the 10 weeks, confirming the seasonal trend. The interaction effect between P. cinnamomi, waterlogging and elapsed time in the first trial was significant for water band index (P = 0.010). This study demonstrates that reflectance spectroscopy holds promise for characterizing marri response but more work needs to be done to identify the optimum wavelengths for identifying Phytophthora and waterlogging stress with marri.
Evolutionary Genomics of Sex-Related Chromosomes at the Base of the Green Lineage
Authors: Benites Luis Felipe , Bucchini François , Sanchez-Brosseau Sophie , Grimsley Nigel , Vandepoele Klaas , Piganeau Gwenaël 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Although sex is now accepted as a ubiquitous and ancestral feature of eukaryotes, direct observation of sex is still lacking in most unicellular eukaryotic lineages. Evidence of sex is frequently indirect and inferred from the identification of genes involved in meiosis from whole genome data and/or the detection of recombination signatures from genetic diversity in natural populations. In haploid unicellular eukaryotes, sex-related chromosomes are named mating-type (MTs) chromosomes and generally carry large genomic regions where recombination is suppressed. These regions have been characterized in Fungi and Chlorophyta and determine gamete compatibility and fusion. Two candidate MT+ and MT− alleles, spanning 450–650 kb, have recently been described in Ostreococcus tauri, a marine phytoplanktonic alga from the Mamiellophyceae class, an early diverging branch in the green lineage. Here, we investigate the architecture and evolution of these candidate MT+ and MT− alleles. We analyzed the phylogenetic profile and GC content of MT gene families in eight different genomes whose divergence has been previously estimated at up to 640 Myr, and found evidence that the divergence of the two MT alleles predates speciation in the Ostreococcus genus. Phylogenetic profiles of MT trans-specific polymorphisms in gametologs disclosed candidate MTs in two additional species, and possibly a third. These Mamiellales MT candidates are likely to be the oldest mating-type loci described to date, which makes them fascinating models to investigate the evolutionary mechanisms of haploid sex determination in eukaryotes.
Anticoagulation in syncardia total artificial heart recipients: anti-factor Xa or activated partial thromboplastin time?
Authors: Monteagudo-Vela María , Bowles Christopher , Raj Binu , Robinson Derek , Simon Andre 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAlthough the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) has historically been the method of choice for anticoagulation monitoring in patients undergoing mechanical circulatory support with intravenous unfractionated heparin, it is being progressively superseded by the anti-factor Xa (anti-Xa) method. A retrospective single-arm, single-centre analysis of 20 patients who underwent total artificial heart implantation entailed simultaneous determinations of aPTT and anti-Xa. Agreement between these parameters was assessed using the Bland–Altman method. Despite a positive correlation between aPTT and anti-Xa, normal target ranges were poorly aligned: from 5th to 30th postoperative day, for anti-Xa values of 0.2 and 0.4 U/ml corresponding aPTT values were 52.1 and 65.2 s, 7.9 and 14.8 lower than predicted values, respectively. This was not associated with thromboembolic sequalae. It was not possible to demonstrate a significant relationship between the predictor variables (postoperative day; white blood cell count; C-reactive protein concentration; alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase level; bilirubin; haemoglobin; albumin and total protein concentration) and the agreement between aPTT and anti-Xa levels. In summary, when anti-Xa levels were used to guide anticoagulation therapy, corresponding aPTT levels were low with respect to target range. Methodology applied in this study is generalizable to other forms of mechanical circulatory support.
The Human Rights Approach to ‘Persecution’ and Its Child Rights Discontents
Authors: Smyth Ciara 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The longstanding debate in refugee law about the meaning of persecution has been largely resolved in favour of the human rights approach – the idea that basic human rights serve as an objective yardstick for evaluating whether a particular act might constitute persecution. However, the human rights approach produces several dilemmas, not least the question of which human rights are ‘basic’ human rights, and how to ascertain whether a given human rights violation reaches the threshold for persecution. These dilemmas have spawned various, sometimes competing, theories within refugee law scholarship. Meanwhile, a distinctive strain of child rights scholarship has emerged within refugee law, concerned with how to adapt the status determination procedure and refugee definition to children. Building upon that work, this article systematically examines the implications of the general human rights approach to persecution, and its various dilemmas, for the development of a child rights approach. The central thesis is that the human rights approach to persecution erects hidden barriers to the acceptance that violations of child rights (also) constitute persecution. Part 2 makes some preliminary observations on children’s rights that serve as a backdrop to exploring and critiquing, in part 3, the key features of the human rights approach to persecution and its implications for the rights of the child. Part 4 is a case study, based on the text of the European Union Qualification Directive and the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, of how the child rights implications identified in part 3 play out ‘in the real world’. It is found that when the human rights approach, based on lex generalis, is superimposed on the lex specialis that is the rights of the child, the results are disappointing. Nonetheless, the article identifies how the human rights approach to persecution can be adjusted so as to accommodate the rights of the child.
Research-Relevant Clinical Pathology Resources: Emphasis on Mice, Rats, Rabbits, Dogs, Minipigs, and Non-Human Primates
Authors: Bau-Gaudreault Liza , Arndt Tara , Provencher Anne , Brayton Cory F 
Published: September 2021

AbstractClinical pathology testing for investigative or biomedical research and for preclinical toxicity and safety assessment in laboratory animals is a distinct specialty requiring an understanding of species specific and other influential variables on results and interpretation. This review of clinical pathology principles and testing recommendations in laboratory animal species aims to provide a useful resource for researchers, veterinary specialists, toxicologists, and clinical or anatomic pathologists.
Does SLOPE outperform bridge regression?
Authors: Wang Shuaiwen , Weng Haolei , Maleki Arian 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
A recently proposed SLOPE estimator [6] has been shown to adaptively achieve the minimax $\ell _2$ estimation rate under high-dimensional sparse linear regression models [25]. Such minimax optimality holds in the regime where the sparsity level $k$, sample size $n$ and dimension $p$ satisfy $k/p\rightarrow 0, k\log p/n\rightarrow 0$. In this paper, we characterize the estimation error of SLOPE under the complementary regime where both $k$ and $n$ scale linearly with $p$, and provide new insights into the performance of SLOPE estimators. We first derive a concentration inequality for the finite sample mean square error (MSE) of SLOPE. The quantity that MSE concentrates around takes a complicated and implicit form. With delicate analysis of the quantity, we prove that among all SLOPE estimators, LASSO is optimal for estimating $k$-sparse parameter vectors that do not have tied nonzero components in the low noise scenario. On the other hand, in the large noise scenario, the family of SLOPE estimators are sub-optimal compared with bridge regression such as the Ridge estimator.