bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation between albuminuria and tissue Doppler‐derived left ventricular myocardial performance index in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Parsaee Homa , Nabati Maryam , Azizi Soheil , Yazdani Jamshid 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundAlbuminuria is considered as a significant predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus. The main purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between albuminuria and global left ventricular (LV) function in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).MethodsThis observational study was conducted on 80 consecutive asymptomatic patients with T2D and an LV ejection fraction ≥55%. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the presence or absence of albuminuria. Echocardiography‐derived indices of the LV function were then compared between these groups.ResultsThe patients with albuminuria were older (mean ± SD: 60.37 ± 9.05 vs 54.52 ± 10.26 years of age, P = .01) and had higher hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels (8.45 ± 1.97 vs 7.25 ± 1.93 mg/dL, P = .012) than those without albuminuria. Among the echocardiographic variables, the patients with albuminuria had higher LV Tei‐index (median [lower‐upper quartile]: 0.620 [0.455‐0.824] vs 0.441 [0.336‐0.586], P < .001), more prolonged early filling (E)‐wave deceleration time (274.87 ± 75.97 vs 239.40 ± 61.35 ms, P = .032), increased interventricular septal wall thickness (1.11 ± 0.31 vs 0.95 ± 0.21 cm, P = .012), and lower mean early diastolic mitral annular velocity (7.57 ± 2.34 vs 8.68 ± 2.46 cm/s, P = .046) than those without albuminuria. Among risk factors, only albuminuria and HbA1c levels were associated with a significant increase in LV Tei‐index (Beta = 0.426 and P < .001, Beta = 0.226 and P = .042, respectively).ConclusionThe LV Tei‐index was significantly higher in diabetic patients with than without albuminuria. Low HbA1c levels were correlated with a decrease in LV Tei‐index.
A graphic guide to the percutaneous tripod acetabular reconstruction for metastatic cancer
Authors: Yang Rui , Wang Jichuan , Mizera Megan M. , Tarpada Sandip P. , Seetharaman Mani , Sen Milan K. , Hoang Bang , Geller David S. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSymptomatic peri‐acetabular metastatic lesions are often treated with open surgery such as modified Harrington procedures. In an effort to avoid surgical complications inherently associated with open surgical approaches, we developed and recently reported a novel Tripod percutaneous screw technique. The tripod technique is minimally invasive and was found to yield excellent outcomes regarding both pain control and functionality. The procedure is performed in a standard operative theater using fluoroscopic guided percutaneous screws. Despite the simplicity of intraoperative set‐up and instrumentation, it is technically demanding. Obtaining the correct fluoroscopic views and troubleshooting intraoperative hurdles can be challenging for even an experienced orthopedic surgeon. The technique and bony conduits were previously described in the trauma literature, however, there are key points of difference in the setting of metastatic disease. Here we provide a compilation of a stepwise graphic guide for the tripod model in the setting of metastatic peri‐acetabular lesions, as well as the tips and tricks based on our own experience. These encompass preoperative preparation, operating room settings, intraoperative fluoroscopic guidance, postoperative care, and subsequent conversion to a cemented total hip arthroplasty, if needed.
Asymptotic dynamics on the worldline for spinning particles
Authors: Bonocore Domenico 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
There has been a renewed interest in the description of dressed asymptotic states à la Faddeev-Kulish. In this regard, a worldline representation for asymptotic states dressed by radiation at subleading power in the soft expansion, known as the Generalized Wilson Line (GWL) in the literature, has been available for some time, and it recently found applications in the derivation of factorization theorems for scattering processes of phenomenological relevance. In this paper we revisit the derivation of the GWL in the light of the well-known supersymmetric wordline formalism for the relativistic spinning particle. In particular, we discuss the importance of wordline supersymmetry to understand the contribution of the soft background field to the asymptotic dynamics. We also provide a derivation of the GWL for the gluon case, which was not previously available in the literature, thus extending the exponentiation of next-to-soft gauge boson corrections to Yang-Mills theory. Finally, we comment about possible applications in the current research about asymptotic states in scattering amplitudes for gauge and gravity theories and their classical limit.
CT perfusion in hyper-acute ischemic stroke: the acid test for COVID-19 fear
Authors: Furlanis Giovanni , Ajčević Miloš , Scali Ilario , Buoite Stella Alex , Olivo Sasha , Lugnan Carlo , Caruso Paola , Pozzi Mucelli Roberta Antea , Accardo Agostino , Cova Maria Assunta , Naccarato Marcello , Manganotti Paolo 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The fear of COVID-19 infection may discourage patients from going to the hospital even in case of sudden onset of disabling symptoms. There is growing evidence of the reduction of stroke admissions and higher prevalence of severe clinical presentation. Yet, no studies have investigated the perfusion pattern of acute strokes admitted during the lockdown. We aimed to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on hyper-acute stroke CT perfusion (CTP) pattern during the first months of the pandemic in Italy.

Methods
In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed CTP images and clinical data of ischemic stroke patients admitted between 9 March and 2 June 2020 that underwent CTP (n = 30), to compare ischemic volumes and clinical features with stroke patients admitted during the same period in 2019 (n = 51). In particular, CTP images were processed to calculate total hypoperfused volumes, core volumes, and mismatch. The final infarct volumes were calculated on follow-up CT.

Results
Significantly higher total CTP hypoperfused volume (83.3 vs 18.5 ml, p = 0.003), core volume (27.8 vs 1.0 ml, p < 0.001), and unfavorable mismatch (0.51 vs 0.91, p < 0.001) were found during the COVID-19 period compared to no-COVID-19 one. The more unfavorable perfusion pattern at admission resulted in higher infarct volume on follow-up CT during COVID-19 (35.5 vs 3.0 ml, p < 0.001). During lockdown, a reduction of stroke admissions (− 37%) and a higher prevalence of severe clinical presentation (NIHSS ≥ 10; 53% vs 36%, p = 0.029) were observed.

Conclusion
The results of CTP analysis provided a better insight in the higher prevalence of major severity stroke patients during the COVID-19 period.
Structural and Genetic Determinants of Convergence in the Drosophila tRNA Structure–Function Map
Authors: Phillips Julie Baker , Ardell David H. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe evolution of tRNA multigene families remains poorly understood, exhibiting unusual phenomena such as functional conversions of tRNA genes through anticodon shift substitutions. We improved FlyBase tRNA gene annotations from twelveDrosophilaspecies, incorporating previously identified ortholog sets to compare substitution rates across tRNA bodies at single-site and base-pair resolution. All rapidly evolving sites fell within the same metal ion-binding pocket that lies at the interface of the two major stacked helical domains. We applied our tRNA Structure–Function Mapper (tSFM) method independently to eachDrosophilaspecies and one outgroup speciesMusca domesticaand found that, although predicted tRNA structure–function maps are generally highly conserved in flies, one tRNA Class-Informative Feature (CIF) within the rapidly evolving ion-binding pocket—Cytosine 17 (C17), ancestrally informative for lysylation identity—independently gained asparaginylation identity and substituted in parallel across tRNAAsnparalogs at least once, possibly multiple times, during evolution of the genus. InD. melanogaster, most tRNALysand tRNAAsngenes are co-arrayed in one large heterologous gene cluster, suggesting that heterologous gene conversion as well as structural similarities of tRNA-binding interfaces in the closely related asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (AsnRS) and lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LysRS) proteins may have played a role in these changes. A previously identified Asn-to-Lys anticodon shift substitution inD. ananassaemay have arisen to compensate for the convergent and parallel gains of C17 in tRNAAsnparalogs in that lineage. Our results underscore the functional and evolutionary relevance of our tRNA structure–function map predictions and illuminate multiple genomic and structural factors contributing to rapid, parallel and compensatory evolution of tRNA multigene families.
Application of a Proposed Multi-Positional Circumferential Arm Liposuction Method and Quantification of its Clinical Efficacy Evaluation
Authors: Gu Yunpeng , Kang Ning , Lv Qianwen , Qi Yue , Liu Zhenjun , Chen Weiwei , Sun Xuejian , Chen Haodong , Ma Gui-e , Qi Zuoliang 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Upper arm liposuction mainly focuses on the posterolateral region, which may lead to a lack of harmony between the aspirated and unaspirated areas. In addition, the treatment effect of arm liposuction is often evaluated only by preoperative and postoperative photograph comparison and simple measurement; quantitative research on this topic is still lacking.

Methods
The multi-positional circumferential arm liposuction (MCAL) technique was proposed and applied to a total of 34 females in our hospital from 2017 to 2019. Three-dimensional data of 12 patients before the operation and after 2–3 months were collected and processed by 3D imaging, and the volume reduction rate was evaluated quantitatively.

Results
The MCAL method was successfully applied in the clinic, and its surgical effect was quantitatively studied. The mean follow-up time of 12 patients was (75.2 ±13.1) days, and the postoperative volume was significantly reduced. The postoperative volume of patients with type I, type II and type III decreased by (10.79 ±2.55)%, (17.25 ±3.02)% and (22.76 ±3.51)%, respectively.

Conclusion
Our new MCAL technique was successful, maximizing the esthetic results in upper limb contour refinements in the superficial fascial layer. The clinical efficacy of this proposed MCAL method was evaluated by CT and 3D digital technology, which provided further accuracy in demonstrating its effect on the shape of the arm.

Level of evidence IV
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Effective Community Engagement during the Environmental Assessment of a Mining Project in the Canadian Arctic
Authors: Prno Jason , Pickard Matthew , Kaiyogana John 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe Back River Project is an approved gold mine in Nunavut, Canada owned by Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. Sabina developed a comprehensive community engagement program during the environmental assessment phase of the Project to share information, receive and address local feedback and concerns, and develop productive relationships in support of Project advancement. This paper outlines Sabina’s engagement program, successes and challenges encountered from the perspective of a mineral developer, and insights obtained for effective community engagement in a Canadian Arctic context. The program has been commended by observers and is consistent with best practice models. Sabina’s experiences revealed the importance of engaging early and often using a context-specific approach; comprehensive record-keeping and reporting; the meaningful incorporation of community perspectives and Traditional Knowledge; and focusing on long-term relationships, partnerships, and local benefits. Effective community engagement subsequently played a key role in Sabina securing major licenses and permits for Project advancement.
Evaluating clinical impact of a shortened infusion duration for ramucirumab: a model-based approach
Authors: Gao Ling , Lau Yiu-Keung , Wei Ran , O’Brien Lisa , Long Amanda , Piao Yongzhe , Abada Paolo 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose
We investigated the impact of infusion duration (30 and 60 min) on the pharmacokinetic profile of ramucirumab using a population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) modeling approach. We also assessed the relationship between infusion rate and incidence of immediate infusion-related reactions (IRRs; occurring on the day of administration) using ramucirumab phase II/III study data.

Methods
The impact of different infusion durations (30 vs. 60 min) on the time-course of ramucirumab concentration profiles were evaluated using a PopPK model, established using ramucirumab pharmacokinetic data from 2522 patients. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between ramucirumab infusion rate and incidence of immediate IRRs in clinical trials.

Results
Ramucirumab time-course concentration profiles were equivalent following a 30- or 60-min infusion. In the pooled clinical study dataset, 254 of 3216 (7.9%) patients receiving ramucirumab experienced at least one immediate IRR (any grade). When grouped according to infusion rate quartile, the incidence of immediate IRRs (any grade or grade ≥ 3) was similar across quartiles; findings were confirmed in sensitivity analyses. The risk of immediate IRRs was not found to be associated with infusion rate based on multivariate logistic analysis.

Conclusion
Shortening the infusion duration of ramucirumab from 60 to 30 min has no impact on ramucirumab exposure. Analysis of trial data found no relationship between an increased risk of immediate IRRs and a faster infusion rate. Such a change in infusion duration is unlikely to affect the clinical efficacy or overall safety profile of ramucirumab.
Disease stability and extended dosing under anti-VEGF treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — a meta-analysis
Authors: Garweg Justus G. , Gerhardt Christin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To assess disease stability (absence of intra- and/or subretinal fluid) and the portion of eyes being capable to extend their treatment interval to ≥ 12 weeks in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods
A systematic literature search was performed in NCBI, PubMed, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify clinical studies reporting treatment outcomes for ranibizumab, aflibercept, and brolucizumab in exudative AMD under a treat-and-extend protocol and a follow-up of ≥ 12 months. Weighted mean differences and subgroup comparisons were used to integrate the different studies.

Results
This meta-analysis refers to 29 published series, including 27 independent samples and 5629 patients. In the pooled group, disease stability was reported in 62.9% and 56.0%, respectively, after 12 and 24 months of treatment, whereas treatment intervals were extended to ≥ 12 weeks in 37.7% and 42.6%, respectively. Ranibizumab, aflibercept, and brolucizumab differed regarding their potential to achieve disease stability (56.3%, 64.5%, and 71.5% after 12, and 50.0%, 52.7% and 75.7% after 24 months; p = < 0.001) and to allow an interval extension to ≥ 12 weeks (28.6%, 34.2%, and 53.3% after 12, and 34.2%, 47.7%, and 41.7% after 24 months; p = < 0.001).

Conclusion
The portion of eyes achieving disease stability regressed in the second year, whereas the portion of eyes under a ≥ 12-week interval increased. This discrepancy may reflect the challenges in balancing between under-treatment and a reduced treatment burden.
The association of perinatal and clinical factors with outcomes in infants with gastroschisis—a retrospective multicenter study in Finland
Authors: Tauriainen Asta , Sankilampi Ulla , Raitio Arimatias , Tauriainen Tuomas , Helenius Ilkka , Vanamo Kari , Hyvärinen Anna 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to assess the prognostic factors for the outcome of gastroschisis in Finland. A retrospective multicenter study of gastroschisis patients born between 1993 and 2015 in four Finnish university hospitals was undertaken, collecting perinatal, surgical, and clinical data of neonates for uni- and multifactorial modeling analysis. The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors for mortality and the composite adverse outcome (death and/or short bowel syndrome or hospital stay > 60 days). Of the 154 infants with gastroschisis, the overall survival rate was 90.9%. In Cox regression analysis, independent risk factors for mortality included liver herniation, pulmonary hypoplasia, relaparotomy for perforation or necrosis, abdominal compartment syndrome, and central line sepsis. Furthermore, a logistic regression analysis identified central line sepsis, abdominal compartment syndrome, complex gastroschisis, and a younger gestational age as independent predictors of the composite adverse outcome.Conclusion: The risk of death is increased in newborns with gastroschisis who have liver herniation, pulmonary hypoplasia, abdominal compartment syndrome, relaparotomy for perforation or necrosis, or central line–associated sepsis. Special care should be taken to minimize the risk of central line sepsis in the clinical setting.

What is known:• Gastroschisis is a relatively rare congenital anomaly of the abdominal wall and its incidence is increasing.• Complex gastroschisis has been reported to increase risk of mortality and complications.What is new:• Central line sepsis was found to be independently associated with mortality in gastroschisis patients.• Liver herniation was also significantly associated with mortality.
Polynomial spline spaces of non-uniform bi-degree on T-meshes: combinatorial bounds on the dimension
Authors: Toshniwal Deepesh , Mourrain Bernard , Hughes Thomas J. R. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPolynomial splines are ubiquitous in the fields of computer-aided geometric design and computational analysis. Splines on T-meshes, especially, have the potential to be incredibly versatile since local mesh adaptivity enables efficient modeling and approximation of local features. Meaningful use of such splines for modeling and approximation requires the construction of a suitable spanning set of linearly independent splines, and a theoretical understanding of the spline space dimension can be a useful tool when assessing possible approaches for building such splines. Here, we provide such a tool. Focusing on T-meshes, we study the dimension of the space of bivariate polynomial splines, and we discuss the general setting where local mesh adaptivity is combined with local polynomial degree adaptivity. The latter allows for the flexibility of choosing non-uniform bi-degrees for the splines, i.e., different bi-degrees on different faces of the T-mesh. In particular, approaching the problem using tools from homological algebra, we generalize the framework and the discourse presented by Mourrain (Math. Comput. 83(286):847–871, 2014) for uniform bi-degree splines. We derive combinatorial lower and upper bounds on the spline space dimension and subsequently outline sufficient conditions for the bounds to coincide.
Tests on Model Piled Rafts in Sand: Measured Settlements Compared with Finite Element Predictions
Authors: Omer Joshua , Haroglu Hasan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLaboratory tests were carried out on non-piled rafts, single piles, surface contacting and non surface-contacting piled rafts which were made of aluminum and instrumented with strain gauges and deflection gauges. The foundations were installed in dry sand contained in a large metal tank to minimize boundary effects. Maintained loads were applied to each foundation until failure was closely approached. In parallel, analyses were performed using PLAXIS™ 3-D finite element program to compare the calculated and measured load-settlement trends hence assess the influence of soil stiffness on the foundation behaviour. The results confirmed that group efficiency of non-surface contacting piled increased with increasing pile–pile spacing and approached unity at a spacing equivalent to 8D (D = pile diameter). The data obtained from the strain gauges provided valuable insight into the load-transfer characteristics of different foundations and subsequently proved that the capacity of a surface contacting piled raft is significantly enhanced compared to that of either a non-piled raft or a non-surface contacting piled raft.
Correlation between the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and sperm morphology of infertile patients
Authors: Ferrigno Alberto , Ruvolo Giovanni , Capra Giuseppina , Serra Nicola , Bosco Liana 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the correlation between the DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) and sperm morphology in patients undergoing ICSI, as a predictive parameter in reproductive outcomes.

Methods
A retrospective study was conducted on 125 infertile patients enrolled in a fertility clinic. Seminal characteristics were measured following the WHO guidelines (2010) for the examination of the seminal fluid. After collecting motile sperm population by pellet swim up, DFI was calculated and simultaneously associated with sperm morphology using in situ TUNEL assay and an image analyzer software in at least 250 spermatozoa for each patient.

Results
All subjects were divided into two groups according to a cutoff established, by choice, of the sperm DFI (15%): group A (< 15%) consisting of 65 patients and group B (≥ 15%) of 60 patients. Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistical methods. The results demonstrate that there is no statistical difference between the two groups in seminal characteristics. The collective data show a high significant correlation, suggesting that spermatozoa with abnormal morphology are the best candidates to contain DNA damage (p < 0.001). Also, when group A is compared with group B, an increased percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa with fragmented DNA was observed in patients, with DFI values ≥ 15% (p < 0.001).

Conclusion
These results are aimed at providing an exact value of DFI in morphologically normal spermatozoa, which will be helpful to the embryologist in evaluating the risk of transferring, during the ICSI procedure, a spermatozoon whit normal morphology but fragmented DNA.