bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of Phase‐Resolved Functional Lung (PREFUL) Magnetic Resonance Imaging Pulse Wave Transit Time Compared to Echocardiography in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Pöhler Gesa H. , Löffler Friederike , Klimeš Filip , Behrendt Lea , Voskrebenzev Andreas , González Cristian Crisosto , Westhoff‐Bleck Mechthild , Wacker Frank , Vogel‐Claussen Jens 
Published: December 2021

BackgroundPhase‐resolved functional lung (PREFUL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pulmonary pulse wave transit time (pPTT) is a contrast agent free, vascular imaging biomarker, but has not been validated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).PurposeTo validate PREFUL with echocardiographic pPTT as a reference standard and to compare arterial/venous pPTT mapping with spirometry and clinical parameters.Study typeProspective.PopulationTwenty‐one patients (62% female) with COPD and 44 healthy participants (50% female).Field Strength/Sequence1.5 T; 2D‐spoiled gradient‐echo sequence.AssessmentThree coronal PREFUL MRI slices, echocardiography, and spirometry including forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1, liter) and predicted defined as FEV1 in% divided by the population average FEV1%, were performed. Pulmonary pulse transit time from the main artery to the microvasculature (PREFUL pPTT), to the right upper lobe vein (PREFUL pPTTav, echo pPTTav), from microvasculature to right upper lobe vein (PREFULvein) and the ratio of PREFUL pPTT to PREFUL pPTTvein were calculated. Body mass index (BMI), Global Initiative for COPD (GOLD) stage 1–4, disease duration, and cigarette packs smoked per day multiplied by the smoked years (pack years) were computed.Statistical TestsShapiro–Wilk‐test, paired‐two‐sided‐t‐tests, Bland–Altman‐analysis, coefficient of variation, Pearson ρ were applied, pPTT data were compared between 21 subjects from the 44 healthy subjects who were age‐ and sex‐matched to the COPD cohort, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsPREFUL pPTTav significantly correlated with echo pPTTav (ρ = 0.95) with 1.85 msec bias, 95% limits of agreement: 55.94 msec, −52.23 msec in all participants (P = 0.59). In the healthy participants, PREFUL and echo pPTTav significantly correlated with age (ρ = 0.81, ρ = 0.78), FEV1 (ρ = −0.47, ρ = −0.34) and BMI (ρ = 0.56, ρ = 0.51). In COPD patients, PREFUL pPTT significantly correlated with FEV1 predicted (ρ = −0.59), GOLD (ρ = 0.53), disease duration (ρ = 0.54), and pack years (ρ = 0.49).Data ConclusionArteriovenous PTT measured by PREFUL MRI corresponds precisely to echocardiography and appears to be feasible even in severe COPD.Evidence Level1Technical EfficacyStage 2
Relationship between Surpoint Tag Index, a Radiofrequency Ablation lesion quality indicator, and Atrial wall thickness in Cavotricuspid isthmus Ablations exhibiting bidirectional block
Authors: Smith Alexander , Amin Anish K. , El‐Zein Rayan , Billakanty Sreedhar R. , Chopra Nagesh 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundAn RFA lesion quality indicator, Surpoint Tag Index® (TI) incorporates key factors: power, time, and contact force, impacting lesion quality. TI accurately estimates lesion depth in animal studies. However, the relationship between TI and in‐vivo atrial wall thickness in patients exhibiting bidirectional block remains unknown.ObjectiveTo describe the relationship between atrial wall thickness and TI in CTI exhibiting bidirectional block.MethodsData from 492 RFA lesions from 25 patients undergoing PVI and CTI ablations in SR with point‐by‐point RF lesions (<45 W) utilizing a Thermocool Smarttouch® SF ablation catheter and CARTO‐3 mapping were retrospectively analyzed. Operators were blinded to TI data and CTI thickness. CTI thickness was obtained using ICE images on Cartosound pre‐ablation. Durable lesions were defined as part of a lesion set exhibiting bidirectional block of >30 min.ResultsIn lesions exhibiting bidirectional block, the thinnest (1–2 mm; 5% lesions) and thickest (8–10 mm; 6% lesions) portions of the CTI correlated with the lowest (429 ± 75) and highest (516 ± 64) TI. The bulk of thickness (2–6 mm; 80%) correlated with a TI of 455 ± 72 (p = 0.001). There was a weak but positive correlation between TI and CTI thickness (r = 0.2; p ≤ 0.01). Examined in sectors, the anterior 1/3rd CTI was the thickest (4.8 ± 1.9 mm) but correlated with a similar TI value (479 ± 75 vs. 471 ± 70; p = 0.34) as the thinner middle 1/3rd (3.8 ± 1.7 mm; p ≤ 0.0001).ConclusionA mean TI value of 455 correlates with bidirectional block across the bulk of CTI with lower and higher values needed for the thinner and thicker portions, respectively. Tissue composition, aside from wall thickness, influences TI values for the creation of the bidirectional block.
Public hesitancy to COVID‐19 vaccine and the role of pharmacists in addressing the problem and improving uptake
Authors: Wubishet Befikadu L. , Tesfaye Wubshet H. , Khan Md Nuruzzaman , Thomas Jackson , Tuffaha Haitham , Comans Tracy A. , Scuffham Paul , Erku Daniel A. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCOVID‐19 is one of the worst pandemics in recent human history, causing huge health, economic, and psychosocial damage. Since the pandemic hit, several unsubstantiated claims regarding exposure, transmission and management have been disseminated. Misinformation and associated public confusion now extend to the COVID‐19 vaccines, spanning from claims based on possible links between some vaccine types and rare blood clots, to baseless claims. As a result, the public’s trust in COVID‐19 vaccines has been eroded, fuelling an already troubling trend of vaccine hesitancy. As medication experts and the most accessible healthcare providers, pharmacists are well equipped with the required skills and knowledge to improve COVID‐19 vaccine uptake by taking roles that range from dispelling myths, to providing reliable evidence‐based information, through to vaccine administration. This paper discusses public hesitancy to COVID‐19 vaccines, major contributing factors, and the role pharmacists can play in reducing hesitancy and increasing vaccine uptake.
Whole wheat bread enriched with silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) needles extract: technological and antioxidant properties
Authors: Parenti Ottavia , Albanese Lorenzo , Guerrini Lorenzo , Zanoni Bruno , Zabini Federica , Meneguzzo Francesco 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe interest of consumers and market and scientific research for added‐value foods obtained with environmentally sustainable productive chains is increasing. Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) needles (SFNs), often by‐products of forest management and logging, represent an unexploited source of bioactive compounds.RESULTSFor the first time, SFN aqueous extract obtained through controlled hydrodynamic cavitation was used to enrich whole wheat flour bread. The first trial found that 35% SFNs extract addition was the absolute threshold of taste perception. The second trial investigated dough rheological properties and bread technological and antioxidant properties in samples enriched with 35% and 100% SFNs extract compared with the control (0% SFNs extract). SFNs extract significantly increased bread antioxidant capacity in both 35% and 100% SFN fresh breads by ~42.5% and ~87% respectively and in 100% SFNs bread samples after 72 h of storage by ~76%. Enrichment of 35% showed higher alveograph dough extensibility (~11%) and different bread texture in terms of hardness, springiness, and chewiness. Enrichment with 100% SFNs extract significantly improved dough and bread technological quality: it increased alveograph dough extensibility L (~18%), swelling index G (~8%), and flour strength W (~14%) and showed the highest increase in bread specific volume (~0.200 L kg−1).CONCLUSIONSSFNs aqueous extract produced with controlled hydrodynamic cavitation appeared a valuable technical material for the manufacturing of added‐value and functional breads. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Falciform ligament tubular graft for mesenteric‐portal vein reconstruction during pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Balzan Silvio M. P. , Gava Vinicius G. , Rieger Alexandre , Magalhães Marcelo A. , Schwengber Alex , Ferreira Fagner 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundPortal vein resection and reconstruction in locally advanced pancreatic cancer represents a potentially curative treatment in selected patients without increasing surgical mortality. However, vascular reconstruction after segmental venous resection is challenging. The parietal peritoneum has emerged as a venous substitute but few reports include its use as a tubular graft. We report a retrospective series of portal vein reconstruction using a falciform ligament tubular graft during pancreaticoduodenectomy.Material and MethodsTechnical aspects and short‐term morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy with falciform ligament tubular graft interposition were analyzed.ResultsAmong 21 patients who used parietal peritoneum for venous substitution between 2015 and 2019, eight underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with venous resection and reconstruction using interposition of falciform ligament tubular graft. The mean duration of surgery and clamping time were 350 and 27 min, respectively. No perioperative blood transfusion was required. All the grafts were patent the day after surgery. No complication related to venous obstruction was detected during the hospital stay. Two patients had postoperative pancreatic fistula. No further intervention was needed. The 90‐day mortality was null.ConclusionsThe use of interposition of falciform ligament tubular graft for portal venous reconstruction during pancreaticoduodenectomy seems to be a reliable, inexpensive, and safe procedure.
Inflammation‐Based Score (Combination of Platelet Count and Neutrophil‐to‐Lymphocyte Ratio) Predicts Pharyngocutaneous Fistula After Total Laryngectomy
Authors: Matsumoto Shin , Nakayama Masahiro , Gosho Masahiko , Nishimura Bungo , Takahashi Kuniaki , Yoshimura Tomonori , Senarita Masamitsu , Ohara Hirotatsu , Akizuki Hiromitsu , Wada Tetsuro , Tabuchi Keiji 
Published: December 2021

Objectives/HypothesisPostoperative complications may depend on the systemic inflammatory response. We evaluated the predictive potential of the combination of platelet count and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (COP‐NLR) for the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) in patients who have undergone total laryngectomy.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsPatients who underwent total laryngectomy between 2000 and 2020 were recruited from four hospitals. The correlations between the incidence of PCF and several risk factors, including the COP‐NLR, were examined. Patients with both elevated platelet count and elevated neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were categorized as COP‐NLR 2, and patients with either one or no abnormal values of both parameters were assigned as COP‐NLR 1 and COP‐NLR 0, respectively.ResultsA total of 235 patients were identified. The overall incidence of PCF was 12.3%. The cut‐off value for NLR before surgery was set at 3.95 (sensitivity = 58.6%, specificity = 69.4%, area under the curve [AUC] = 0.635), and the platelet count was set at 320 × 109/L (sensitivity = 27.6%, specificity = 87.9%, AUC = 0.571). Multivariate analysis revealed that COP‐NLR was an independent risk factor for PCF (COP‐NLR 1 vs. COP‐NLR 0: odds ratio [OR], 4.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64 to 10.59; and COP‐NLR 2 vs. COP‐NLR 0: OR, 5.33; 95% CI, 1.38 to 20.56).ConclusionsCOP‐NLR is a novel predictive factor for the development of PCF in patients undergoing total laryngectomy.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 132:1582–1587, 2022
COVID‐19 transmission flow through the stigmatization process in Bangladesh: A qualitative study
Authors: Miah Md. Shahgahan , Mamun Md. Razib , Hasan S. M. Murshid , Sarker Md. Golam Faruk , Miah Muhammad Salim , Khan Md. Gias Uddin , Kabir Ashraful , Haque Mohammad Ainul , Chowdhury N. M. Rabiul Awal 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIntroductionCoronavirus disease (COVID‐19) patients and survivors face stigma, discrimination, and negligence. The motives for and the different types and consequences of COVID‐19‐related stigmatization remain underexplored in Bangladesh. Therefore, this study examined how the COVID‐19 stigmatization process is interlinked with transmission flow.MethodsUsing a qualitative research design, we conducted 20 in‐depth interviews with infected and suspected caregivers and five key informant interviews with physicians, local media representatives, leaders, law enforcement officials, and local administrative officials in three divisional cities of Bangladesh. We performed thematic analysis to analyze the data.ResultsParticipants expressed their experiences with multiple subthemes within three themes (stigma related to symptoms, stigma associated with isolation and quarantine, and stigma associated with health services). Participants reportedly faced stigma, for example, exclusion, hesitation to interact, avoidance, bullying, threat, and negligence caused by misinformation, rumors, and fear. Stigmatized individuals reportedly hid their symptoms and refrained from seeking healthcare services, contributing to COVID‐19 transmission flow.ConclusionRevealed insights may contribute to effective prevention, control, and management of such an emerging pandemic. Further in‐depth exploration of such stigmatization process will enrich unexpected outbreaks management effectively.
Evidence of partial thermal compensation in natural phytoplankton assemblages
Authors: Liu Kailin , Chen Bingzhang , Liu Hongbin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWhether phytoplankton growth is solely constrained by temperature (hotter is better) or compensated by thermal adaptation is still under debate. We measured the temperature sensitivity of natural phytoplankton communities at both short‐term and seasonal timescales using temperature manipulation experiments. The activation energy across communities (mean ± SE: Ei = 0.51 ± 0.12 eV, Q10 = 1.98) is significantly lower than that within communities (Ea = 0.80 ± 0.10 eV, Q10 = 2.80). Moreover, using a larger dataset of phytoplankton growth rates measured in (sub)tropical waters, we estimated the across‐community activation energy as 0.33 ± 0.06 eV (Q10 = 1.56), which is also lower than Ea. Our study is the first to suggest the “hotter is partially better” for natural phytoplankton communities, indicating that the phytoplankton communities can show some thermal adaptation capability. Our results highlight the importance of incorporating the differential temperature sensitivities at different timescales into the biogeochemical models to better evaluate how marine ecosystems will respond to climate changes.
Superior Long‐Term Outcomes of Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Cumulative Single‐Center Cohort Study With 20 Years of Follow‐Up
Authors: Goto Toru , Ivanics Tommy , Cattral Mark S. , Reichman Trevor , Ghanekar Anand , Sapisochin Gonzalo , McGilvray Ian D. , Sayed Blayne , Lilly Les , Bhat Mamatha , Selzner Markus , Selzner Nazia 
Published: December 2021

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an attractive alternative to deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). Although both modalities have similar short‐term outcomes, long‐term outcomes are not well studied. We compared the 20‐year outcomes of 668 adults who received LDLT with1596 DDLTs at the largest liver transplantation (LT) program in Canada. Recipients of LDLT were significantly younger and more often male than DDLT recipients (P < 0.001). Autoimmune diseases were more frequent in LDLT, whereas viral hepatitis and alcohol‐related liver disease were more frequent in DDLT. LDLT recipients had lower Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease scores (P = 0.008), spent less time on the waiting list (P < 0.001), and were less often inpatients at the time of LT (P < 0.001). In a nonadjusted analysis, 1‐year, 10‐year, and 20‐year patient survival rates were significantly higher in LDLT (93%, 74%, and 56%, respectively) versus DDLT (91%, 67%, and 46%, respectively; log‐rank P = 0.02) as were graft survival rates LDLT (91%, 67%, and 50%, respectively) versus (90%, 65%, and 44.3%, respectively, for DDLT; log‐rank P = 0.31). After multivariable adjustment, LDLT and DDLT were associated with a similar hazard of patient and graft survival. Our data of 20 years of follow‐up of LDLT from a single, large Western center demonstrates excellent long‐term outcomes for recipients of LDLT.
3D EM data‐driven artificial network‐based design optimization of circular reflectarray antenna with semi‐elliptic rings for X‐band applications
Authors: Çalışkan Alper , Güneş Filiz 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn this work, the design and realization of a circular reflectarray antenna (CERA) with semi‐ elliptic rings are carried out for X‐band. In order to achieve a fast design optimization process, 3D EM simulated data‐driven multilayer perceptron neural network (MLP NN) model of the unit element is generated providing the unit reflection phase as a continuous function of the radii and gap of the ring for the width w = 0.5 mm on the FR4 with ∊r = 4.4, h = 1.5 mm. The proposed CERA consists of 148 unit cells taken symmetrical both in the Y and X‐axis. Thus, a meta‐heuristic optimization algorithm honey bee mating optimization (HBMO) is applied to 21 elements between 10 and 12 GHz to determine their optimal geometries for the required reflection angles according to the phasing scheme. The simulated and measured performances of the designed CERA have been found in good agreement and its performance is compared also with its counterpart designs in literature and resulted to exhibit superior performance.
Radial motor nerve conduction studies recorded from triceps brachii and extensor carpi radialis longus: Techniques and reference values
Authors: Mauti Emma , Robinson Lawrence R. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIntroduction/AimsOptimal timing of nerve transfer surgery in cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) depends upon the integrity of lower motor neurons (LMNs) in recipient nerves, which is best predicted by compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude. There are no established techniques for obtaining the CMAP in two recipient muscles: triceps brachii and extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL). This study aimed to develop recording techniques for radial motor studies to triceps and ECRL, and to determine reference values for CMAP amplitudes in healthy volunteers.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study of healthy adults aged 18 years and older. Motor nerve conduction studies were performed, stimulating the radial nerve in the axilla, over the axillary pulse at the pectoralis major insertion. Recording was from triceps (long head) and ECRL. CMAP amplitude, area, latency, and stimulus intensity were recorded. Reference values (RV) were calculated for CMAP amplitudes using a value 2 standard deviations below the mean. Cube root or logarithmic transformations were used to correct for non‐normal distributions.ResultsTwenty‐five healthy subjects participated. Triceps mean CMAP amplitude was 15.5 mV (SD 4.19), with an RV of 8.1 mV. ECRL mean CMAP amplitude was 11.5 mV (SD 3.54), with an RV of 6.2 mV. CMAP amplitude at ECRL was 75% (95% confidence interval 50%–100%) of that at triceps.DiscussionWe describe a technique for recording radial motor NCS from triceps and ECRL. Knowledge of normal CMAP amplitudes will help identify LMN injury in patients with cervical SCI being considered for nerve transfers.
Uniformly optimally reliable graphs: A survey
Authors: Romero Pablo 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWhich is the most reliable graph withnnodes andmedges? This celebrated problem has several aspects, according to the notion of optimality (in a local or uniform sense), failure type (either nodes or edges), or reliability model (all‐terminal connectedness, two‐terminal or multiterminal setting). This article presents a chronological survey of the multiple proposals to address the problem, together with recent trends and enigmatic conjectures posed decades ago that promote further research.
Relationships of social support and attitudes towards death: A mediator role of depression in older patients on haemodialysis
Authors: Han Hsiang‐Fan , Hsieh Chia‐Jung , Lin Pi‐Fang , Chao Cheng‐Han , Li Chia‐Yu 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAimTo explore the mediating role of depression in older people receiving haemodialysis on social support and the attitude of participants towards death.DesignA cross‐sectional questionnaire survey.MethodsData were collected from older people undergoing dialysis (N = 209) at two regional hospitals in the north of Taiwan. Confirmatory factor analysis with structural equation model was used to clarify the strength of relationships and intermediary effects of three scales in which with 5,000 bootstrap samples using LISREL 9.31.ResultsThe final model provided a good fit for the data. Social support and depression have statistically significant effects on dialysis older person' negative death attitudes. The direct effect of social support on depression was the strongest (p<.001). Overall, depression completely mediates social support and positive death attitudes. Depression partially mediates social support and negative death attitude.
Neurophysiological and transcriptomic predictors of chronic low back pain: Study protocol for a longitudinal inception cohort study
Authors: Starkweather Angela , Ward Kathryn , Eze Bright , Gavin Ahleah , Renn Cynthia L. , Dorsey Susan G. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractChronic low back pain is one of the most common, costly, and debilitating pain conditions worldwide. Increased mechanistic understanding of the transition from acute to chronic low back and identification of predictive biomarkers could enhance the clinical assessment performed by healthcare providers and enable the development of targeted treatment to prevent and/or better manage chronic low back pain. This study protocol was designed to identify the neurological and transcriptomic biomarkers predictive of chronic low back pain at low back pain onset. This is a prospective descriptive longitudinal inception cohort study that will follow 340 individuals with acute low back pain and 40 healthy controls over 2 years. To analyze the neurophysiological and transcriptomic biomarkers of low back pain, the protocol includes psychological and pain‐related survey data that will be collected beginning within 6 weeks of low back pain onset (baseline, 6, 12, 24, 52 weeks, and 2 years) and remotely at five additional time points (8, 10, 16, 20 weeks, and 18 months). Quantitative sensory testing and collection of blood samples for RNA sequencing will occur during the six in‐person visits. The study results will describe variations in the neurophysiological and transcriptomic profiles of healthy pain‐free controls and individuals with low back pain who either recover to pain‐free status or develop chronic low back pain.
Machine learning for polymeric materials: an introduction
Authors: Cencer Morgan M , Moore Jeffrey S , Assary Rajeev S 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPolymers are incredibly versatile materials and have become ubiquitous. Increasingly, researchers are using data science and polymer informatics to design new materials and understand their structure–property relationships. Polymer informatics is an emerging field. While there are many useful tools and databases available, many are not widely utilized. Herein, we introduce the field of polymer informatics and discuss some of the available databases and tools. We cover how to share polymer data, approaches for preparing a dataset for machine learning and recent applications of machine learning to polymer property prediction and polymer synthesis. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.