bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does minimally invasive approach reduce risk of infection after ventricular assist device implantation?
Authors: Kervan Umit , Tezer Yasemin , Kocabeyoglu Sinan Sabit , Sert Dogan Emre , Karahan Mehmet , Akdi Mustafa , Yilmaz Abdulkadir , Kocak Can , Colak Abdurahim , Catav Zeki 
Published: May 2021

Background: We analyzed patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) related and specific infection, and aimed to determine whether surgical technique implantation affect the frequency of infection. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 99 patients who received LVAD at our department between June 2013 and June 2019. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical technique. Group A ( n = 58) was conventional sternotomy (CS) and group B ( n = 41) was on-pump minimally invasive left thoracotomy (MILT). Demographics, preoperative risk factors, LVAD infections, surgical incision site, driveline site, and outcomes were compared between these two groups. Results: Mean follow up time was 589 ± 480 (31–2171) days. Infection was detected in 34% (41/99) of LVAD patients. Admission to emergency department and intensive care unit (ICU) in last 6 months were significantly higher in MILT group. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of driveline exit site infection (CS: 28%, MILT: 27%) ( p > 0.05). Seven (17%) patients had infection in the thoracotomy incision site area in the MILT group. The rate of ICU hospitalization in the last 6 months was seen as the only independent risk factor increasing the frequency of infection (R = 0.30; p = 0.016). Survival analysis at 60 days, 1 year and 2 years showed no difference between the two groups ( p = 0.09). Conclusions: Despite advances in pump technology and surgical technique, infection is still an important cause of mortality and morbidity.
Sono-angiography for dialysis vascular access based on the freehand 2D ultrasound scanning
Authors: Weitzel William F , Rajaram Nirmala , Krishnamurthy Venkataramu N , Hamilton James , Thelen Brian J , Zheng Yihao , Morgan Timothy , Funes-Lora Miguel Angel , Yessayan Lenar , Bishop Brandie , Shih Albert J 
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Dialysis vascular access, preferably an autogenous arteriovenous fistula, remains an end stage renal disease (ESRD) patient’s lifeline providing a means of connecting the patient to the dialysis machine. Once an access is created, the current gold standard of care for maintenance of vascular access is angiography and angioplasty to treat stenosis. While point of care 2D ultrasound has been used to detect access problems, we sought to reproduce angiographic results comparable to the gold standard angiogram (fistulogram) using ultrasound data acquired from a conventional 2D ultrasound scanner. Methods: A 2D ultrasound probe was used to acquire a series of cross sectional images of the vascular access including arteriovenous anastomosis of a subject with a radio-cephalic fistula. These 2D B-mode images were used for 3D vessel reconstruction by binary thresholding to categorize vascular versus non-vascular structures followed by standard image segmentation to select the structure representative of dialysis vascular access and morphologic filtering. Image processing was done using open source Python Software. Results: The open source software was able to: (1) view the gold standard fistulogram images, (2) reconstruct 2D planar images of the fistula from ultrasound data as viewed from the top, analogous to computerized tomography images, and (3) construct a 2D representation of vascular access similar to the angiogram. Conclusion: We present a simple approach to obtain an angiogram-like representation of the vascular access from readily available, non-proprietary 2D ultrasound data in the point of care setting. While the sono-angiogram is not intended to replace angiography, it may be useful in providing 3D imaging at the point of care in the dialysis unit, outpatient clinic, or for pre-operative planning for interventional procedures. Future work will focus on improving the robustness and quality of the imaging data while preserving the straightforward freehand approach used for ultrasound data acquisition.
Association of Gap Healing With Angle of Correction After Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy Without Bone Grafting
Authors: Park Hyung Jun , Kang Seung-Baik , Chang Moon Jong , Chang Chong Bum , Jung Woon Hwa , Jin Heejin 
Published: May 2021

Background: Studies have reported that opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) without bone grafting has outcomes that are similar to or even better than those of OWHTO with bone grafting, especially after use of a locking plate. However, a consensus on managing the gap after OWHTO has not been established. Purpose: To determine the degree of gap healing achieved without bone grafting, the factors associated with gap healing, and whether additional gap healing would be obtained after plate removal. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This retrospective study included 73 patients who underwent OWHTO without bone grafting between 2015 and 2018. Patients in the study were divided into 2 groups based on the correction angle: small correction group (<10°; SC group) and large correction group (≥10°; LC group). The locking plate used in OWHTO was removed at a mean of 13.5 months after surgery in 65 patients. Radiographic indexes were measured: gap filling height, gap vacancy ratio (GVR), and osteotomy filling index. The acceptable gap healing was defined as an osteotomy filling index ≥3. The factors related to gap healing around the osteotomy site were selected after multicollinearity analysis. Results: Although both groups achieved acceptable gap healing regardless of the correction angle, the SC group showed higher and earlier gap healing than did the LC group (gap healing rate 81.4% in the SC group vs 41.7% in the LC group at 3 months postoperatively). The GVR was 8.6% in the SC group and 15.3% in the LC group at 12 months after surgery ( P = .005). Both the amount of time that elapsed after surgery and the correction angle were associated with gap healing ( P < .05). Additional gap healing was observed after plate removal, as the GVR decreased 2.7% more in the patients with plate removal than in patients who did not have plate removal ( P = .012). Conclusion: All patients achieved acceptable gap healing without bone graft. The degree of gap healing was higher in the SC group and increased over time. Gap healing was promoted after plate removal. Considering the results of this study, a bone graft is not necessary in routine OWHTO in terms of gap healing.
Modelling, kinetics and equilibrium studies of crystal violet adsorption on modified montmorillonite by sodium dodecyl sulfate and hyamine surfactants
Authors: Sarabadan Malihe , Bashiri Hadis , Mousavi Seyed Mahdi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTwo novel adsorbents – montmorillonite (Mnt)-hyamine and Mnt-hyamine-sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) – were synthesized using Mnt nanoparticles. The modified Mnt and Mnt nanoparticles were used for the removal of crystal violet from water, and they were characterized using various techniques. The effects of pH, time, temperature, adsorbent dosage and initial dye concentration on the dye-removal efficiency were investigated using response surface methodology. The optimum conditions for maximum dye removal were obtained. The optimum conditions for crystal violet adsorption on Mnt-hyamine, Mnt-hyamine-SDS and Mnt nanoparticles are temperatures 25.00°C, 29.97°C and 27.28°C; pH values 9.00, 10.41 and 9.40; adsorbent dosages 1.00, 1.15 and 1.06 g L–1; and initial dye concentrations 30.00, 98.74 and 99.44 mg L–1, respectively. The adsorbent dosage is the most critical variable for dye removal. Temkin and Langmuir are the best isotherms for studying adsorption equilibria. In the kinetic study, the fractal-like integrated kinetic Langmuir model was the most appropriate model, and the thermodynamic parameters were also determined. The synthesized adsorbents could be easily separated from solution. The Mnt-hyamine-SDS adsorbent has a high adsorption capacity (690.69 mg g–1) for the removal of crystal violet.
Investigation of product-derived lymphoma following infusion of piggyBac-modified CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells
Authors: Micklethwaite Kenneth P. , Gowrishankar Kavitha , Gloss Brian S. , Li Ziduo , Street Janine A. , Moezzi Leili , Mach Melanie A. , Sutrave Gaurav , Clancy Leighton E. , Bishop David C. , Louie Raymond H. Y. , Cai Curtis , Foox Jonathan , MacKay Matthew , Sedlazeck Fritz J. , Blombery Piers , Mason Christopher E. , Luciani Fabio , Gottlieb David J. , Blyth Emily 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
We performed a phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate outcomes in patients receiving donor-derived CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for B-cell malignancy that relapsed or persisted after matched related allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplant. To overcome the cost and transgene-capacity limitations of traditional viral vectors, CAR T cells were produced using the piggyBac transposon system of genetic modification. Following CAR T-cell infusion, 1 patient developed a gradually enlarging retroperitoneal tumor due to a CAR-expressing CD4+ T-cell lymphoma. Screening of other patients led to the detection, in an asymptomatic patient, of a second CAR T-cell tumor in thoracic para-aortic lymph nodes. Analysis of the first lymphoma showed a high transgene copy number, but no insertion into typical oncogenes. There were also structural changes such as altered genomic copy number and point mutations unrelated to the insertion sites. Transcriptome analysis showed transgene promoter–driven upregulation of transcription of surrounding regions despite insulator sequences surrounding the transgene. However, marked global changes in transcription predominantly correlated with gene copy number rather than insertion sites. In both patients, the CAR T-cell–derived lymphoma progressed and 1 patient died. We describe the first 2 cases of malignant lymphoma derived from CAR gene–modified T cells. Although CAR T cells have an enviable record of safety to date, our results emphasize the need for caution and regular follow-up of CAR T recipients, especially when novel methods of gene transfer are used to create genetically modified immune therapies. This trial was registered at www.anzctr.org.au as ACTRN12617001579381.
Breaking down population density into different components to better understand its spatial variation
Authors: Jacquier Mickaël , Vandel Jean-Michel , Léger François , Duhayer Jeanne , Pardonnet Sylvia , Say Ludovic , Devillard Sébastien , Ruette Sandrine 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundPopulation size and densities are key parameters in both fundamental and applied ecology, as they affect population resilience to density-dependent processes, habitat changes and stochastic events. Efficient management measures or species conservation programs thus require accurate estimates of local population densities across time and space, especially for continuously distributed species. For social species living in groups, population density depends on different components, namely the number of groups and the group size, for which relative variations in space may originate from different environmental factors. Whether resulting spatial variations in density are mostly triggered by one component or the other remains poorly known. Here, we aimed at determining the magnitude of the spatial variation in population densities of a social, group-living species, i.e. the European badgerMeles meles, in 13 different sites of around 50 km2across France, to decipher whether sett density, group size or proportion of occupied sett variation is the main factor explaining density variation. Besides the intrinsic factors of density variation, we also assessed whether habitat characteristics such as habitat fragmentation, urbanisation, and resource availability, drove both the spatial variation of density components and local population densities.ResultsWe proposed a new standardised approach combining use of multiple methods, namely distance sampling for estimating the density of occupied sett clusters, i.e. group density, and camera and hair trapping for genetic identification to determine the mean social group size. The density of adult badgers was on average 3.8 per km2(range 1.7–7.9 per km2) and was positively correlated with the density of sett clusters. The density of adult badgers per site was less related to the social group size or to the proportion of occupied sett clusters. Landscape fragmentation also explained the spatial variation of adult badger density, with highly fragmented landscapes supporting lower adult densities. Density components were linked differently to environmental variables.ConclusionsThese results underline the need to break down population density estimates into several components in group-living species to better understand the pattern of temporal and spatial variation in population density, as different components may vary due to different ecological factors.
Time spent on the smartphone does not relate to manual dexterity in young adults
Authors: Petrigna Luca , Treigienė Milda , Thomas Ewan , Mani Diba , Pajaujiene Simona , Drid Patrik , Lavanco Gioacchino , Palma Antonio , Bianco Antonino 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
The Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) is widely adopted to evaluate manual dexterity, it presents normative data but the test is influenced by different factors. The influence of time spent on smartphones has not been considered before, for this reason, the objective of this study was to evaluate if smartphone use influences the time to complete the GPT. A total of 38 (21 women; 17 men) young adults 20.7 (1.5) years participated in the study. The time spent on the smartphones during the last seven days was recorded through the device itself and the GPT performance was measured. A correlation analysis between the time spent on the smartphone and GPT was performed while the t-test was adopted to evaluate gender differences.

Results
No statistically significant differences were detected between men and women in the time to complete the GPT (p = 0.20) and in the time spent on the smartphone (p = 0.87). The GPT and the time spent using the smartphone were not correlated (r = 0.044, p = 0.78).

Conclusion
The time spent on the smartphone by young adults does not influence the time to complete the GPT, indicating that smartphone use does not influence measures of manual dexterity.
Retro-orbital injection of FITC-dextran combined with isolectin B4 in assessing the retinal neovascularization defect
Authors: Li Jizhu , Wu Yuqing , Liu Bingqian , Huang Ying , Wu Qingxiu , Li Haichun , Xiao Sainan , Lin Ying , Li Tao 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
A reliable and effective method is required to deliver agent that can aid the in vivo imaging of retinal vessels. The aim of the present study was to evaluate retro-orbital (RO) injection of fluorescein-labeled isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-dextran) as a method of demonstrating retinal neovascularization (NV) and avascular areas in oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mice.

Methods
Different concentrations of FITC-dextran were used to compare the efficacy of this agent in perfusing the retinal vessels. Hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate the safety of RO injection. The vitreous blood vessels and extent of NV were assessed in P17 OIR mice using FITC-dextran and compared with the corresponding measurements obtained following isolectin B4 staining or the combination of both methods.

Results
The fluorescence of small vessels and neovascular tufts could be observed clearly following RO injection of 0.05 ml of 25 mg/ml or 50 mg/ml FITC-dextran. No visible damage to tissues adjacent to the injection site was discovered. Vitreous blood flow was gradually reduced from P0 to P5 and eventually disappeared in P17 OIR mice, as demonstrated by FITC-dextran perfusion. The retinal NV areas assessed by isolectin B4 were larger than those assessed by FITC-dextran, but the retinal avascular areas were smaller. The combination of both methods could conduce to distinguish non-functional blood vessels.

Conclusions
RO injection of FITC-dextran combined with isolectin B4 is an effective, optimal method for assessing the NV area and avascular area.
A sequence analysis of hospitalization patterns and service utilization in patients with major psychiatric disorders in China
Authors: Han Xueyan , Jiang Feng , Needleman Jack , Guo Moning , Chen Yin , Zhou Huixuan , Liu Yuanli , Yao Chen , Tang Yilang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Understanding the long-term inpatient service cost and utilization of psychiatric patients may provide insight into service demand for these patients and guide the design of targeted mental health programs. This study assesses 3-year hospitalization patterns and quantifies service utilization intensity of psychiatric patients in Beijing, China.

Methods
We identified patients admitted for one of three major psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar and depressive disorders) between January 1 and December 31, 2013 in Beijing, China. Inpatient admissions during the following 3 years were extracted and analyzed using sequence analysis. Clinical characteristics, psychiatric and non-psychiatric service use of included patients were analyzed.

Results
The study included 3443 patients (7657 hospitalizations). The patient hospitalization sequences were grouped into 4 clusters: short stay (N = 2741 (79.61% of patients), who had 126,911 or 26.82% of the hospital days within the sample), repeated long stay (N = 404 (11.73%), 76,915 (16.26%) days), long-term stay (N = 101 (2.93%), 59,909 (12.66%) days) and permanent stay (N = 197 (5.72%), 209,402 (44.26%) days). Length and frequency of hospitalization, as well as readmission rates were significantly different across the 4 clusters. Over the 3-year period, hospitalization days per year decreased for patients in the short stay and repeated long stay clusters. Patients with schizophrenia (1705 (49.52%)) had 78.4% of cumulative psychiatric stays, with 11.14% of them in the permanent stay cluster. Among patients with depression, 23.11% had non-psychiatric hospitalizations, and on average 46.65% of their total inpatient expenses were for non-psychiatric care, the highest among three diagnostic groups.

Conclusion
Hospitalization patterns varied significantly among psychiatric patients and across diagnostic categories. The high psychiatric care service use of the long-term and permanent stay patients underlines the need for evidence-based interventions to reduce cost and improve care quality.
Pediatric liver and kidney transplantation in the era of COVID-19: a follow-up study from a tertiary referral center in Iran
Authors: Shafiekhani Mojtaba , Kazemi Kourosh , Bahador Ali , Imanieh Mohammad Hadi , Karimzadeh Parisa 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric transplant outcomes and determine whether to continue pediatric transplant activity or not, and how policies intended our center has been effective in preventing COVID-19 among organ transplant recipients.

Methods
We conducted a single-center, retrospective, cohort study of hospitalized pediatrics after organ transplantation at Shiraz transplant center since March to August 2020. All liver and kidney transplanted children were included the study and their laboratory and clinical related COVID-19 characteristics were followed up till 3 months after transplantation during hospitalization period and then weekly by the transplant committee.

Results
Fifty-one patients underwent transplantation including 11 kidney and 40 liver recipients. The mean age of the pediatric cases was 6.72 ± 5.47 years. A total of 11 patients died due to post-transplant complications, while none of the patients presented any sign or symptoms in favor of COVID-19 in the hospital course after transplantation. Six transplants including 2 kidney and 4 liver were canceled when positive PCR tests were detected in their donors before the surgery. In the 3 months of follow up, two patients presented with symptoms including high grade fever, malaise, rhinorrhea, and GI symptoms. Both patients had two negative PCR, and no radiologic or laboratory results regarding COVID-19 were also detected. One had positive influenza PCR, while the second one had a positive serologic test for EBV; CT, computed tomography

Conclusion
Transplant programs could continue their activities during the COVID-19 pandemic with specific case selection, accurate screening methods and following protective protocols.
What if something happens tonight? A qualitative study of primary care physicians’ perspectives on an alternative to hospital admittance
Authors: Nystrøm Vivian , Lurås Hilde , Midlöv Patrik , Leonardsen Ann-Chatrin Linqvist 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Due to demographic changes, hospital emergency departments in many countries are overcrowded. Internationally, several primary healthcare models have been introduced as alternatives to hospitalisation. In Norway, municipal acute wards (MAWs) have been implemented as primary care wards that provide observation and medical treatment for 24 h. The intention is to replace hospitalisation for patients who require acute admission but not specialist healthcare services. The aim of this study was to explore primary care physicians’ (PCPs’) perspectives on admission to a MAW as an alternative to hospitalisation.

Methods
The study had a qualitative design, including interviews with 21 PCPs in a county in southeastern Norway. Data were analysed with a thematic approach.

Results
The PCPs described uncertainty when referring patients to the MAW because of the fewer diagnostic opportunities there than in the hospital. Admission of patients to the MAW was assumed to be unsafe for both PCPs, MAW nurses and physicians. The PCPs assumed that medical competence was lower at the MAW than in the hospital, which led to scepticism about whether their tentative diagnoses would be reconsidered if needed and whether a deterioration of the patients’ condition would be detected. When referring patients to a MAW, the PCPs experienced disagreements with MAW personnel about the suitability of the patient. The PCPs emphasised the importance of patients’ and relatives’ participation in decisions about the level of treatment. Nevertheless, such participation was not always possible, especially when patients’ wishes conflicted with what PCPs considered professionally sound.

Conclusions
The PCPs reported concerns regarding the use of MAWs as an alternative to hospitalisation. These concerns were related to fewer diagnostic opportunities, lower medical expertise throughout the day, uncertainty about the selection of patients and challenges with user participation. Consequently, these concerns had an impact on how the PCPs utilised MAW services.