bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic significance of right ventricle to pulmonary artery coupling in patients with mitral regurgitation treated with the MitraClip system
Authors: Popolo Rubbio Antonio , Testa Luca , Granata Giuseppina , Salvatore Tanya , De Marco Federico , Casenghi Matteo , Guerrini Marco , Oliva Omar A. , Stefanini Elisa , Barletta Marta , Sisinni Antonio , Poletti Enrico , Zannoni Jessica , Gorla Riccardo , Brambilla Nedy , Tusa Maurizio , Bedogni Francesco 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the prognostic impact of baseline tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/pulmonary artery systolic pressure (TAPSE/PASP) ratio, as an expression of the right ventricle–pulmonary artery (RV–PA) coupling, in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) treated with the MitraClip.BackgroundImpaired RV to PA coupling is considered a marker of RV dysfunction.MethodsFrom February 2016 to February 2020, a total of 165 patients were evaluated and stratified in two groups according to a prespecified value of TAPSE/PASP ratio ≤ 0.36.ResultsThe median patients' age was 79 (men: 62.4%). Sixty‐three patients (38.1%) presented TAPSE/PASP ≤ 0.36 and were then compared with patients with TAPSE/PASP > 0.36. Functional MR etiology was more frequent in TAPSE/PASP ≤ 0.36 (71.4%; p = 0.046). Acute technical success was achieved in 92.7% of the population, without any significant difference between the two groups of study and with sustained results at 30‐day (device success: 85.5%; procedural success: 84.8%).On multivariate Cox regression analysis, after correction for body mass index, chronic kidney disease and left ventricle ejection fraction ≥30% but <50%, TAPSE/PASP ≤ 0.36 remained a sustained predictor of mortality and hospitalization for heart failure at one year after MitraClip (hazard ratio: 3.87; 95% confidence interval: 1.83–8.22; p ≤ 0.001). Kaplan–Meier all‐cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization rates at one year were consequently higher in patients with TAPSE/PASP ≤ 0.36 (39.4% vs. 14.8%; log‐rank p ≤ 0.001).ConclusionBaseline TAPSE/PASP ratio seems independently associated with all‐cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization after MitraClip both in functional and degenerative MR.
Isotretinoin update
Authors: Marson Justin W. , Baldwin Hilary E. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundAcne is a common, chronic inflammatory condition seen in nearly all teenagers and many adult females, with a global lifetime prevalence between 70‐85%. While a majority of individuals with acne can be appropriately managed with a combination of topical therapies, oral antibiotics, and/or oral anti‐androgens, 10‐20% of individuals will have acne severe enough to warrant isotretinoin. When necessary, isotretinoin is highly effective and the only drug to offer the likelihood of a durable response.AimsTo review the literature regarding known adverse effects of isotretinoin therapy and nuances during and post‐isotretinoin therapy important to patient care.Materials and MethodsA literature search was conducted for original, English‐language case reports, case series, original studies and/or meta‐analyses published between 1982‐2021 on isotretinoin, related adverse effects, and laboratory assessment and treatment nuances during and after a course of isotretinoin.ResultsAdverse events categories include mucocutaneous (e.g., xerosis, cheilitis, epistaxis), ocular (xerophthalmia, nyctalopia, blepharitis, conjunctivitis), non‐specific gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal (myalgia, pre‐mature epiphyseal plate closure, DISH), neurologic (idiopathic intracranial hypertension, hearing loss, tinnitus). Most adverse events are mild, self‐limiting, and/or resolve with drug discontinuation. Teratogenicity is of utmost concern especially given the risk of patient nonadherence to iPLEDGE precautions. Laboratory testing at baseline and after month 2 of therapy or upon reaching maximum daily dose may be sufficient. Utilizing creatine kinase and gamma‐glutamyl transferase in lieu of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase may better assess hepatic function during treatment. Improved formulations of isotretinoin may improve absorption and decrease reliance on patient adherence to a high‐fat diet. Dermabrasion and fully ablative laser procedures should be avoided in the immediate post‐isotretinoin period.DiscussionAlthough adverse events associated with isotretinoin therapy are common, a majority of side effects are limited, self‐resolving (with completion of treatment course) without long‐term implications, and/or easily managed. Unfortunately, the advent of the internet and social media has given a platform to misleading law‐firm claims and medical pseudoscience inaccuracies that may frighten patients in need of treatment, ultimately delaying or even preventing therapy.ConclusionIt is important that physicians are knowledgeable about the nuances of isotretinoin therapy, including efficacy, real potential adverse events, and appropriate laboratory monitoring. By honing this expertise, physicians may confidently counsel and guide patients through a course of isotretinoin to achieve a more permanent solution for their acne and improve their quality of life.
PROVE: Retrospective, non‐interventional, Phase IV study of perampanel in real‐world clinical care of patients with epilepsy
Authors: Wechsler Robert T. , Wheless James , Zafar Muhammad , Huesmann Graham R. , Lancman Marcelo , Segal Eric , Chez Michael , Aboumatar Sami , Patten Anna , Salah Alejandro , Malhotra Manoj 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo assess retention, dosing, efficacy, and safety of perampanel in a large cohort of patients with epilepsy during routine clinical care.MethodsPROVE was a retrospective, non‐interventional Phase IV study (NCT03208660). Data were obtained retrospectively from the medical records of patients in the United States initiating perampanel after January 1, 2014, according to treating clinicians' recommendation. Retention rate was the primary efficacy endpoint. Secondary efficacy endpoints included median percent changes in seizure frequency per 28 days from baseline, seizure‐freedom rate, and overall investigator impression of seizure effect. Safety endpoints included incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Efficacy and safety were also assessed according to baseline use of enzyme‐inducing antiseizure medications (EIASMs).ResultsOverall, 1703 patients were enrolled and included in the Safety Analysis Set (SAS; ≥1 baseline EIASMs, n = 358 [21.0%]; no baseline EIASMs, n = 1345 [79.0%]). Mean (standard deviation [SD]) cumulative duration of exposure to perampanel was 17.4 (15.7) months; mean (SD) daily perampanel dose was 5.6 (2.7) mg. The most frequent perampanel titration intervals were weekly (23.4%) and every 2 weeks (24.7%). Across the SAS, 24‐month retention rate was 48.1% (n = 501/1042). Based on overall investigator impression at the end of treatment, 51.9%, 35.8%, and 12.3% of patients in the SAS experienced improvement, no change, or worsening of seizures, respectively. TEAEs occurred in 704 (41.3%) patients; 79 (4.6%) had serious TEAEs. The most common TEAE was dizziness (7.3%). There was some variation in efficacy according to EIASM use, while retention rates and safety were generally consistent.SignificanceIn this final analysis of >1700 patients with epilepsy receiving perampanel in routine clinical care, favorable retention and sustained efficacy were demonstrated for ≥12 months.
Parallel architecture of CNN‐bidirectional LSTMs for implied volatility forecast
Authors: Choi Ji‐Eun , Shin Dong Wan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWe propose a new forecast method based on artificial neural networks (ANNs), ensemble CNN‐BiLSTM, which is an ensemble of three CNN‐BiLSTMs constructed with the combination of Convolution Neural Network (CNN) and Bidirectional Long Short‐Term Memory (BiLSTM). The new forecast method effectively handles the strong long memory serial dependence feature of the daily VXN by the ensemble CNN‐BiLSTM together with proper normalization and batch size. The long memory features arising from time‐dependent mean and variance are largely reduced by normalizing the data with local mean and local standard deviation (SD). The batch size is determined by the optimal block length of the moving block bootstrap which reflects the long memory. The ensemble CNN‐BiLSTM concentrates on 1‐day, 1‐week, and 2‐week features of the normalized VXN data. An out‐of‐sample forecast comparison reveals that (i) the proposed ensemble CNN‐BiLSTM has better forecast performance than the autoregressive model, DNN, LSTM, BiLSTM, and individual CNN‐BiLSTMs; (ii) the local mean‐SD normalization has superior forecast performance to the standard global mean‐SD normalization; (iii) and the optimal block length improves the forecast performance over a batch size considered in the literature.
Rainfall interception by mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentataspp.vaseyana): Dryland shrub canopy cover affects net precipitation
Authors: Snyder Devon K. , Stringham Tamzen K. , Snyder Keirith A. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCanopy interception loss is an important component of the water budget for many ecosystems, and may be particularly influential in semi‐arid shrublands where water is limiting. In this experiment, we quantified interception loss by mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata spp. vaseyana)using simulated rainfall events in the field. Various levels of canopy cover and rainfall intensities were tested to measure their effects on net precipitation and interception loss. Additionally, the comparisons were made between three methods of measuring shrub cover to enhance the scalability of results. Stands of sagebrush from 20% to 50% canopy cover intercepted 18.5 ± 12.5% of incoming precipitation. Percent interception loss differed by 13.7% between the high and low cover classes, indicating that net precipitation may be significantly reduced under mature, dense stands of sagebrush. Hemispherical photography was a viable method for estimating canopy cover in this vegetation type. Interception loss by sagebrush was 14% lower on average than pinyon and juniper measured in the same watershed. Results from this study quantified the effects of sagebrush canopy on rainfall interception and improved understanding of vegetation dynamics in the sagebrush steppe.
Serum troponin, D‐dimer, and CRP level in severe coronavirus (COVID‐19) patients
Authors: Ali Ayad M. , Rostam Hassan M. , Fatah Mohammed H. , Noori Chalak M. , Ali Kameran M. , Tawfeeq Hassan M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundAbnormal inflammation coagulation biomarker levels of troponin, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and D‐dimer levels in serum have been demonstrated to be associated and involved in the disease progression of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19).MethodsFirst: the study aimed to investigate the correlation of troponin, CRP, d‐dimer, white blood cell (WBC) and polymerase chain reaction–cycle threshold (PCR‐Ct) within COVID‐19 survivors (143 patients; 79 males, 64 females) and in deceased (30 patients; 12 males, 18 females) group. Also, assessing any differences between both groups in studied parameters. Second: a correlation study of studied parameters' level has been conducted within families (41 patients; 23 males [seven deaths] and 18 females [eight deaths]) that lost more than one member due to the severity of the disease. Also, differences between these family and control group (132 patients; 69 males and 63 females) group in studied parameters have been assessed.ResultsIn the first week of hospitalization, there were significant differences in D‐dimer, CRP and troponin level between survived and deceased patient groups. In the second week of the admission, both groups had significant differences in the level of all studied parameters; troponin I, D‐dimer, CRP, and WBCs. WBC levels positively correlated to CRP in male survivors (r = 0.75, p < 0.0001), and to troponin in deceased male patients (r = 0.74, p = 0.007). The second week of patient admission was critical in the group of families who lost more than one person, when troponin was correlated positively with D‐dimer, CRP, and WBCs.ConclusionTroponin, D‐dimer, CRP, and WBCs level were significantly higher in COVID‐19 patients who died than in COVID‐19 survivors. High troponin and WBC levels, were considerably associated with families that lost more than one member, when compared with the unrelated COVID‐19 patient control.
Serum carnitine as a biomarker of sarcopenia and nutritional status in preoperative gastrointestinal cancer patients
Authors: Takagi Akihiko , Hawke Philip , Tokuda Satoshi , Toda Takeo , Higashizono Kazuya , Nagai Erina , Watanabe Masaya , Nakatani Eiji , Kanemoto Hideyuki , Oba Noriyuki 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundSarcopenia is an important factor in the postoperative outcome of gastrointestinal cancer patients. However, little research has been carried out on potential biomarkers of sarcopenia. Carnitine is an amino acid derivative that is stored in skeletal muscle and is essential for muscle energy metabolism. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate whether serum carnitine level is a biomarker of sarcopenia in preoperative patients with gastrointestinal cancer. The secondary purposes were (i) to examine the associations between carnitine, nutritional status, and albumin level, and (ii) to determine whether carnitine is a prognostic factor for postoperative complications.MethodsOne hundred fourteen patients scheduled to undergo gastroenterological surgery between August 2016 and January 2017 were enrolled. Their mean age was 68.4 ± 10.5, and 64.9% were male. Serum carnitine fractions [total carnitine (TC), free l‐carnitine (FC), and acylcarnitine (AC)] were measured prior to surgery. The correlation between carnitine level and a variety of clinical features was analysed, including skeletal muscle index (SMI), sarcopenia, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and postoperative complications.ResultsTumour locations included the oesophagus (n = 17), stomach (n = 16), pancreas (n = 20), bile duct (n = 9), liver [n = 33; primary liver cancer (n = 18), liver metastasis (n = 15)], and colorectal region (n = 19). TC and FC levels varied significantly by tumour location. TC and FC showed significant positive correlations with SMI [TC (r = 0.295, P = 0.0014), FC (r = 0.286, P = 0.0020)] and PNI [TC (P = 0.0178, r = 0.222), FC (P = 0.0067, r = 0.2526)]. These levels were significantly lower in the sarcopenia group (TC, P = 0.0124; FC, P = 0.0243). In addition, TC and FC showed significant positive correlations with ALB level [TC (P = 0.038 r = 0.19), FC (P = 0.016 r = 0.23)]. When patients were divided into high ALB (≥3.5 g/dL, 96 patients) and low ALB (<3.5 g/dL, 18 patients) groups, these correlations were no longer significant, but in the low ALB group there was a tendency towards a negative relationship between ALB level and both TC and FC. No significant relationship was found between postoperative complications and carnitine level.ConclusionsThis study suggests that carnitine level is a biomarker of sarcopenia and nutritional status. However, it did not find an association between carnitine level and postoperative complications.
Synthesis of new 1H‐spiro[acridine‐9,3′‐indoline]‐1,2′(2H,10H)‐dione derivatives using aqueous ethanol as a reaction medium
Authors: Vinoth Nangagoundan , Lalitha Appaswami 
Published: December 2021

AbstractOne‐pot three component synthesis of novel spiro[acridine‐9,3′‐indoline]‐1,2′(2H,10H)‐dione derivatives has been performed through the condensation of isatin, dimedone, and aniline under greener conditions. The remarkable features of this synthesis are use of ethanol:water mixture as a greener solvent and isolation of products by simple washing with water. The structures of the synthesized compounds have been well elucidated by various spectroscopic techniques.
Disentangling gender‐differentiated impacts on food security and poverty: Empirical evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Bairagi Subir , Mishra Ashok K. , Tran Dat Q. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis study examines the association between a household head's gender and food insecurity and poverty in Vietnam using data from the Vietnam Household Living Standard Survey and exogenous switching treatment effect regression. The findings suggest that food insecurity and poverty differ by the gender of the household head and by the presence (de facto) or absence (de jure) of a spouse among female‐headed households (FHHs). On average, FHHs are less food secure and live in more poverty than male‐headed households (MHHs). Still, their status would improve if they had the same returns on their observed characteristics as those estimated for MHHs. The results further reveal that the probabilities of food insecurity and poverty would be lower if de jure FHHs had the same returns on their observed characteristics as those estimated for MHHs. The probability of poverty would also be lower if de jure FHHs had the same returns on their observed characteristics as those estimated for de facto FHHs. The likelihood of poverty and food insecurity would remain similar if de facto FHHs had the same returns on their observed characteristics as the ones estimated for MHHs. Among all groups, de jure FHHs are likely to be the most vulnerable in Vietnam, suggesting gender equality policies are required. Finally, higher education, increased nonfarm incomes and greater land‐use rights can substantially enhance Vietnam's food security and poverty levels.
A Mendelian randomization study on the effect of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels on periodontitis
Authors: Baumeister Sebastian‐Edgar , Reckelkamm Stefan Lars , Baurecht Hansjörg , Nolde Michael , Kocher Thomas , Holtfreter Birte , Ehmke Benjamin , Hannemann Anke 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundTwenty five‐hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels have been proposed to protect against periodontitis based on in vitro and observational studies but evidence from long‐term randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is lacking. This study tested whether genetically proxied 25OHD is associated with periodontitis using Mendelian randomization (MR).MethodsGenetic variants strongly associated with 25OHD in a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of 417,580 participants of European ancestry were used as instrumental variables, and linked to GWAS summary data of 17,353 periodontitis cases and 28,210 controls. In addition to the main analysis using an inverse variance weighted (IVW) model, we applied additional robust methods to control for pleiotropy. We also undertook sensitivity analyses excluding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) used as instruments with potential pleiotropic effects and used a second 25OHD GWAS for replication. We identified 288 SNPs to be genome‐wide significant for 25OHD, explaining 7.0% of the variance of 25OHD levels and providing ≥90% power to detect an odds ratio (OR) of ≤ 0.97.ResultsMR analysis suggested that a 1 standard deviation increase in natural log‐transformed 25OHD was not associated with periodontitis risk (IVW OR = 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97–1.12; P‐value = 0.297). The robust models, replication, and sensitivity analyses were coherent with the primary analysis.ConclusionsCollectively, our findings suggest that 25OHD levels are unlikely to have a substantial effect on the risk of periodontitis, but large long‐term RCTs are needed to derive definitive evidence on the causal role of 25OHD in periodontitis.
The Underwater Vision Profiler 6: an imaging sensor of particle size spectra and plankton, for autonomous and cabled platforms
Authors: Picheral Marc , Catalano Camille , Brousseau Denis , Claustre Hervé , Coppola Laurent , Leymarie Edouard , Coindat Jérôme , Dias Fabio , Fevre Sylvain , Guidi Lionel , Irisson Jean Olivier , Legendre Louis , Lombard Fabien , Mortier Laurent , Penkerch Christophe , Rogge Andreas , Schmechtig Catherine , Thibault Simon , Tixier Thierry , Waite Anya , Stemmann Lars 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAutonomous and cabled platforms are revolutionizing our understanding of ocean systems by providing 4D monitoring of the water column, thus going beyond the reach of ship‐based surveys and increasing the depth of remotely sensed observations. However, very few commercially available sensors for such platforms are capable of monitoring large particulate matter (100–2000 μm) and plankton despite their important roles in the biological carbon pump and as trophic links from phytoplankton to fish. Here, we provide details of a new, commercially available scientific camera‐based particle counter, specifically designed to be deployed on autonomous and cabled platforms: the Underwater Vision Profiler 6 (UVP6). Indeed, the UVP6 camera‐and‐lighting and processing system, while small in size and requiring low power, provides data of quality comparable to that of previous much larger UVPs deployed from ships. We detail the UVP6 camera settings, its performance when acquiring data on aquatic particles and plankton, their quality control, analysis of its recordings, and streaming from in situ acquisition to users. In addition, we explain how the UVP6 has already been integrated into platforms such as BGC‐Argo floats, gliders and long‐term mooring systems (autonomous platforms). Finally, we use results from actual deployments to illustrate how UVP6 data can contribute to addressing longstanding questions in marine science, and also suggest new avenues that can be explored using UVP6‐equipped autonomous platforms.
Photoacoustic discrimination of antibiotic‐resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus isolates
Authors: Edgar Robert H. , Samson Anie‐Pier , Cook Justin , Douglas Madeline , Urish Ken , Kellum John , Hempel John , Viator John A. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectivesBacteremia is a serious and potentially lethal condition. Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of bacteremia and methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) accounts for more than a third of the cases. Compared to methicillin‐sensitive S. aureus, MRSA is more than twice as likely to be fatal. Furthermore, subpopulations of seemingly isogenic bacteria may exhibit a range of susceptibilities, often called heterogenous resistance. These heterogeneous antibiotic‐resistant infections are often misdiagnosed as hospital‐acquired secondary infections because there are no clinically used tests that can differentiate between homogeneous and heterogeneous antibiotic resistance. We describe the development and proof of concept of rapid bacterial identification using photoacoustic flow cytometry and labeled bacteriophages with the characterization and differentiation of heterogeneous antibiotic‐resistant bacterial infections.MethodsIn photoacoustic flow cytometry, pulsed laser light is delivered to a sample flowing past a focused transducer and particles that absorb laser light create an acoustic response. Optically labeled bacteriophage are added to a bacterial mixture that flows through the photoacoustic chamber. The presence of target bacteria is determined by bound labeled phage which are detected photoacoustically. Incubation of bacterial samples in the presence and absence of the antibiotic daptomycin creates a difference in bacterial cell numbers that is quantified using photoacoustic flow cytometry.ResultsFour clinical isolates were tested in the presence and absence of daptomycin. Photoacoustic events for each isolate were recorded and compared to growth curves. Samples treated with daptomycin fell into three categories: resistant, susceptible, and heterogeneous resistant.ConclusionsHere we show a method to determine the presence of bacteria as a marker for bloodstream infection level and antibiotic sensitivity in less than 4 hours. Additionally, these results show an ability to identify heterogeneous resistant strains that are often misidentified.