bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in e-cigarette brands, devices and the nicotine profile of products used by youth in England, Canada and the USA: 2017–2019
Authors: Hammond David , Reid Jessica L , Burkhalter Robin , O'Connor Richard J , Goniewicz Maciej L , Wackowski Olivia A , Thrasher James F , Hitchman Sara C 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundThe e-cigarette market has rapidly evolved, with a shift towards higher nicotine concentration and salt-based products, such asJUUL; however, the implications for youth vaping remain unclear.MethodsRepeat cross-sectional online surveys were conducted in 2017, 2018 and 2019, with national samples of youth aged 16–19 years recruited from commercial panels in Canada (n=12 018), England (n=11 362) and the USA (n=12 110). Regression models examined differences between countries and over time in the types of e-cigarette products used (design and nicotine content), reasons for using brands and differences in patterns of use, sociodemographics and dependence symptoms by brand/nicotine content.ResultsIn 2019, the use of pod- or cartridge-style e-cigarettes was greater in Canada and the USA than England, withSmokandJUULthe leading brands in all countries. In 2019, youth vapers in England were less likely to report using e-cigarettes with ≥2% nicotine (12.8%) compared with Canada (40.5%; adjusted OR (AOR)=4.96; 95% CI 3.51 to 7.01) and the USA (37.0%; AOR=3.99, 95% CI 2.79 to 5.71) and less likely to report using nicotine salt-based products (12.3%) compared with Canada (27.1%; AOR=2.77, 95% CI 1.93 to 3.99) and the USA (21.9%; AOR=2.00, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.95). In 2019, self-reported use of products with higher nicotine concentration was associated with significantly greater frequency of vaping, urges to vape and perceived vaping addiction (p<0.05 for all).ConclusionsThe use of high-nicotine salt-based products is associated with greater symptoms of dependence, includingJUULand other higher-nicotine brands. Greater use of high-nicotine salt-based products may account for recent increases in the frequency of vaping among youth in Canada and the USA.
Detection of bladder trabeculation by voiding cystourethrography and sonography: observations in boys with posterior urethral valves
Authors: Thüminger Jonas , Haid Bernhard , Oswald Josef 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundAs trabeculated bladder wall is often referred to as a sign of chronically increased intravesical pressure, we investigated whether voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) or sonography reliably predicts bladder trabeculation on later urethrocystoscopy.MethodsA total of 76 consecutive patients (2012–2017) with cystoscopically confirmed posterior urethral valves (PUV) and pre-endoscopy VCUG were included. Sonography data were available for 68 of these patients. Radiological findings were reassessed and compared with endoscopic findings using Fisher’s exact test and Spearman’s rank assessment.ResultsVCUG showed a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 30% in predicting trabeculation on a later urethrocystoscopy, with no significant difference in determining mild or severe forms (p=0.51). Sonography proved a sensitivity of 27.6% and a specificity of 70%, with no correlation between sonographic signs and trabeculation on cystoscopy (r=0.1311). In addition, vesicoureteral reflux had no significant influence as a possible pressure pop-off mechanism on the development of trabeculation in our group.ConclusionsWhile VCUG predicts bladder trabeculation in children with PUV with limited reliability, sonography mostly fails to detect trabeculation. Therefore, such findings should only be used with utmost caution in relation to clinical decision-making.
Acoustic emission techniques for the detection of simulated failures in historical vehicles engines
Authors: Brambilla Laura , Chalançon Brice , Roda Buch Alejandro , Cornet Emilie , Rapp Guillaume , Mischler Stefano 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTechnical and industrial heritage artefacts are characterized by the presence of mechanisms. The possibility to activate, or reactivate, these mechanisms is an integral part of the cultural values of this kind of patrimony. The artefacts’ functionality, however, requires an effective diagnostic in order to detect the onset of malfunctioning at a very early stage to avoid wear and breakdowns. The assessment of moving mechanisms of heritage objects may be performed using non-destructive methods, such as acoustic emission (AE). The ACUME_HV project aimed at developing diagnostic and monitoring protocols for historical vehicles’ engines using AE techniques. The case studies were performed on 2-cylinders Renault AG1 vehicles (collection of the “Musée National de l’Automobile – Collection Schlumpf” of Mulhouse, France). These cars are maintained in working conditions, and their engines are started periodically. After a first phase consisting in recording the reference signals of the selected engines, the project focused on detecting faults simulated on purpose, the latter reproducing common failures occurring in historical vehicles' engines.
On a Generalization of Kummer’s Second-Type

F

1

1

and

F

2

2
Authors: Awad Mohamed M. 
Published: June 2021

The aim of this paper is to establish a general form of Kummer’s second-type summation theory. By defining a new form for the divided of the Pochhammer symbol

d
+
i

n

/

d

n

, we can develop a general form of Kummer’s second-type summation theorem as

e

−

x
/
2

F

2

2

a
,

i
+
d
;

x

b
+
l
,

d
;

in the form of a sum of

e

−

x
/
2

F

1

1

a
;

x

b
+
i
;

for

i
,
l
=
0,1,2
,
…
,

Then, some properties of the generalized Kummer’s second-type summation theorem can yield a number of known and novel results.
Aortic Valve Surgery After Neonatal Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty in Congenital Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Kido Takashi , Guariento Alvise , Doulamis Ilias P. , Porras Diego , Baird Christopher W. , del Nido Pedro J. , Nathan Meena 
Published: June 2021

Background:
We sought to identify predictive factors for aortic valve (AoV) surgery after neonatal balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) and characterize clinical outcomes of AoV surgery after neonatal BAV.

Methods:
Time-to-event analysis identified predictors for AoV surgery after neonatal BAV. Clinical outcomes of AoV surgery following neonatal BAV were examined.

Results:

This study included 96 consecutive patients who underwent neonatal BAV for congenital aortic stenosis between 1998 and 2018, in 26 of whom a fetal BAV had been performed. Fifty-six patients underwent AoV surgery at a median age of 2.0 years. Significant risk factors for AoV surgery in univariate Cox regression (result presented as hazard ratio [HR], [95% CI];
P
value) were a history of fetal BAV (HR, 4.05 [95% CI, 2.19–7.40];
P
<0.001), AoV annulus diameter
Z
score (HR, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.43–0.75];
P
=0.001), the presence of endocardial fibroelastosis (HR, 2.61 [95% CI, 1.48–4.51];
P
=0.001), severe left ventricular dysfunction before neonatal BAV (HR, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.03–2.97];
P
=0.04), and recent era (HR, 3.08 [95% CI, 1.68–5.91];
P
=0.0002) in the entire cohort. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and Youden J index analysis identified a cutoff value for AoV annulus diameter
Z
score of −2.6 in patients without fetal BAV. In 24 patients with midterm cardiac catheterization data, univariate linear regression analysis (result presented as B coefficient [95% CI];
P
) showed that the presence of greater-than-moderate aortic regurgitation immediately after BAV (B coefficient, 4.8 [95% CI, 1.0–8.6];
P
=0.018) and before AoV surgery (B coefficient, 6.1 [95% CI, 2.2–10.0];
P
=0.004) were significant risk factors for elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure after AoV surgery, while concomitant endocardial fibroelastosis resection at AoV surgery had a protective effect (B coefficient, −3.8 [95% CI, −7.6 to −0.06];
P
=0.05).

Conclusions:

A small AoV annulus diameter
Z
score with a cutoff value of −2.6 and a history of fetal BAV were significantly associated with AoV surgery after neonatal BAV. Concomitant endocardial fibroelastosis resection is recommended at AoV surgery following neonatal BAV to improve left ventricular diastolic function.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Degenerated Transcatheter Aortic Valves: The TRANSIT International Project
Authors: Testa Luca , Agnifili Mauro , Van Mieghem Nicolas M. , Tchétché Didier , Asgar Anita W. , De Backer Ole , Latib Azeem , Reimers Bernhard , Stefanini Giulio , Trani Carlo , Colombo Antonio , Giannini Francesco , Bartorelli Antonio , Wojakowski Wojtek , Dabrowski Maciej , Jagielak Dariusz , Banning Adrian P. , Kharbanda Rajesh , Moreno Raul , Schofer Joachim , van Royen Niels , Pinto Duane , Serra Antoni , Segev Amit , Giordano Arturo , Brambilla Nedy , Popolo Rubbio Antonio , Casenghi Matteo , Oreglia Jacopo , De Marco Federico , Tanja Rudolph , McCabe James M. , Abizaid Alexander , Voskuil Michiel , Teles Rui , Biondi Zoccai Giuseppe , Bianchi Giovanni , Sondergaard Lars , Bedogni Francesco 
Published: June 2021

Background:
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has determined a paradigm shift in the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis. However, the durability of bioprostheses is still a matter of concern, and little is known about the management of degenerated TAV. We sought to evaluate the outcomes of patients with a degenerated TAV treated by means of a second TAVR.

Methods:
The TRANSIT is an international registry that included cases of degenerated TAVR from 28 centers. Among around 40 000 patients treated with TAVR in the participating centers, 172 underwent a second TAVR: 57 (33%) for a mainly stenotic degenerated TAV, 97 (56%) for a mainly regurgitant TAV, and 18 (11%) for a combined degeneration. Overall, the rate of New York Heart Association class III/IV at presentation was 73.5%.

Results:
Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 device success rate was 79%, as a consequence of residual gradient (14%) or regurgitation (7%). At 1 month, the overall mortality rate was 2.9%, while rates of new hospitalization and New York Heart Association class III/IV were 3.6% and 7%, respectively, without significant difference across the groups. At 1 year, the overall mortality rate was 10%, while rates of new hospitalization and New York Heart Association class III/IV were 7.6% and 5.8%, respectively, without significant difference across the groups. No cases of valve thrombosis were recorded.

Conclusions:
Selected patients with a degenerated TAV may be safely and successfully treated by means of a second TAVR. This finding is of crucial importance for the adoption of the TAVR technology in a lower risk and younger population.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT04500964.
A Variant Noncoding Region Regulates
Prrx1
and Predisposes to Atrial Arrhythmias
Authors: Bosada Fernanda M. , Rivaud Mathilde R. , Uhm Jae-Sun , Verheule Sander , van Duijvenboden Karel , Verkerk Arie O. , Christoffels Vincent M. , Boukens Bastiaan J. 
Published: June 2021

Rationale:

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia diagnosed in clinical practice. Genome-wide association studies have identified AF-associated common variants across 100+ genomic loci, but the mechanism underlying the impact of these variant loci on AF susceptibility in vivo has remained largely undefined. One such variant region, highly associated with AF, is found at 1q24, close to
PRRX1
, encoding the paired-related homeobox 1 transcription factor.

Objective:
To identify the mechanistic link between the variant region at 1q24 and AF predisposition.

Methods and Results:

The mouse orthologue of the noncoding variant genomic region (
R1A
) at 1q24 was deleted using CRISPR genome editing. Among the genes sharing the topologically associated domain with the deleted
R1A
region (
Kifap3
,
Prrx1
,
Fmo2
, and
Prrc2c
), only the broadly expressed gene
Prrx1
was downregulated in mutants, and only in cardiomyocytes. Expression and epigenetic profiling revealed that a cardiomyocyte lineage-specific gene program (
Mhrt
,
Myh6
,
Rbm20
,
Tnnt2
,
Ttn
, and
Ckm
) was upregulated in
R1A
−/−
atrial cardiomyocytes and that Mef2 (myocyte enhancer factor)-binding motifs were significantly enriched at differentially accessible chromatin sites. Consistently,
Prrx1
suppressed Mef2-activated enhancer activity in HL-1 cells. Mice heterozygous or homozygous for the
R1A
deletion were susceptible to atrial arrhythmia induction, had atrial conduction slowing and more irregular RR intervals. Isolated
R1A
−/−
mouse left atrial cardiomyocytes showed lower action potential upstroke velocities and sodium current, as well as increased systolic and diastolic calcium concentrations compared with controls.

Conclusions:

The noncoding AF variant region at 1q24 modulates
Prrx1
expression in cardiomyocytes. Cardiomyocyte-specific reduction of
Prrx1
expression upon deletion of the noncoding region leads to a profound induction of a cardiac lineage-specific gene program and to propensity for AF. These data indicate that AF-associated variants in humans may exert AF predisposition through reduced
PRRX1
expression in cardiomyocytes.
Detection of Atrial Fibrillation After Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
Authors: Mac Grory Brian , Landman Sean R. , Ziegler Paul D. , Boisvert Chantal J. , Flood Shane P. , Stretz Christoph , Madsen Tracy E. , Reznik Michael E. , Cutting Shawna , Moore Elizabeth E. , Hewitt Hunter , Closser James B. , Torres Jose , Lavin Patrick J. , Furie Karen L. , Xian Ying , Feng Wayne , Biousse Valérie , Schrag Matthew , Yaghi Shadi 
Published: June 2021

Background:
Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) causes sudden, irreversible blindness and is a form of acute ischemic stroke. In this study, we sought to determine the proportion of patients in whom atrial fibrillation (AF) is detected by extended cardiac monitoring after CRAO.

Methods:
We performed a retrospective, observational cohort study using data from the Optum deidentified electronic health record of 30.8 million people cross-referenced with the Medtronic CareLink database of 2.7 million people with cardiac monitoring devices in situ. We enrolled patients in 3 groups: (1) CRAO, (2) cerebral ischemic stroke, and (3) age-, sex-, and comorbidity-matched controls. The primary end point was the detection of new AF (defined as ≥2 minutes of AF detected on a cardiac monitoring device).

Results:
We reviewed 884 431 patient records in common between the two databases to identify 100 patients with CRAO, 6559 with ischemic stroke, and 1000 matched controls. After CRAO, the cumulative incidence of new AF at 2 years was 49.6% (95% CI, 37.4%–61.7%). Patients with CRAO had a higher rate of AF than controls (hazard ratio, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.17–2.31]) and a comparable rate to patients with stroke (hazard ratio, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.75–1.36]). CRAO was associated with a higher incidence of new stroke compared with matched controls (hazard ratio, 2.85 [95% CI, 1.29–6.29]).

Conclusions:
The rate of AF detection after CRAO is higher than that seen in age-, sex-, and comorbidity-matched controls and comparable to that seen after ischemic cerebral stroke. Paroxysmal AF should be considered as part of the differential etiology of CRAO, and those patients may benefit from long-term cardiac monitoring.
Filled-Duration Illusions
Authors: Wearden John H. , Ogden Ruth S. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Data relevant to the ‘filled-duration illusion’, the claim that filled intervals appear to last longer than unfilled ones of the same real duration, are reviewed. A distinction is made between divided-time studies (where an empty interval has one or more than one brief dividing stimulus inside it) and filled-duration studies (where the filled intervals are filled with some continuous event). Divided durations appear to last longer than empty ones, and the effect grows with the number of dividers, although it may be restricted to short durations. The best current explanation appears to involve the weighted summation of the different subintervals of which the total duration is composed. When intervals with simple fillers are contrasted with empty ones, they are usually judged as longer, and the effect may grow as the intervals lengthen, at least over short duration ranges. When complex fillers are used, fillers usually have no effect on perceived duration or shorten it. A pacemaker-counter approach can account for some simple filler effects, and division of attention for complex filler effects. Although there are some exceptions, ‘filled-interval illusions’ of all these types are normally found, but some problems, such as questions about the relative perceived variability of filled and unfilled intervals, or stimulus order effects, merit further research.
Correcting precipitation measurements made with Geonor T-200B weighing gauges near the August-one ice cap in the Qilian Mountains, Northwest China
Authors: Zhao Yanni , Chen Rensheng , Han Chuntan , Wang Lei , Guo Shuhai , Liu Junfeng 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA precipitation observation network was constructed in a high-altitude area of the Qilian Mountains in Northwest China, which contained 23 sets of instruments. Because 21 sets of instruments were surrounded by protective fences, a precipitation intercomparison experiment was carried out at the highest station (4651 m) of the observation network with the same configuration to study the impact of wind on precipitation measurements under this configuration and to develop a correction method suitable for the entire network. The 30-min measured precipitation from June 2018 to October 2019 was corrected by transfer functions provided by Kochendorfer et al. (2017b), and their parameters were recalibrated with a local dataset. The results showed that the transfer functions fitted to the local dataset had a better performance than those using original parameters. Because of the influence of the experimental configuration on wind speed and direction, the root mean square error (RMSE) corrected with the original parameters increased by an average of 86%, but the RMSE adjusted by the new transfer functions decreased by 9%. Moreover, the resultant biases using new transfer functions were close to 0. The new coefficients of snowfall were derived by local measurements and applied to datasets from other sites within the Qilian Mountains observation network to evaluate their performances. The corrected snowfall at 21 stations increased by an average of 32.6 mm, and the relative precipitation increment ranged from 6% to 26%. This method can be used to correct snowfall in the observation network under the non-standard site configuration.
Assessing bone formation in patients with chronic kidney disease using procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP): The choice of assay makes a difference
Authors: Tridimas Andreas , Milan Anna , Marks Eileen 
Published: June 2021

Background Measurement of procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) concentration in serum reflects the rate of type I collagen synthesis and can therefore be used as a bone formation marker. There are two methods of PINP quantification; the first measures the trimeric propeptide (intact PINP) and the second measures both the trimeric and monomeric propeptides (total PINP). Trimeric PINP is excreted via hepatic endothelial cells, whereas monomeric PINP is cleared renally. Therefore, in renal failure, the total assay has a positive bias with respect to the intact assay, due to monomeric PINP accumulation. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of both assays across all stages of chronic kidney disease. Methods Serum was taken from male ( n = 111) and female ( n = 105) patients attending a metabolic bone clinic, and these were partitioned into stages of chronic kidney disease 1–5. Each serum sample was analysed using the Roche electrochemiluminescence immunoassay for total PINP and the Immunodiagnostic Systems chemiluminescence immunoassay for intact PINP. Results Passing-Bablok regression analysis comparing both methods showed that with advancing chronic kidney disease there was a proportional positive bias affecting the total assay when compared with the intact assay. This proportional positive bias was statistically significant for chronic kidney disease stages 3b, 4 and 5. Conclusions Based on this method comparison study, usage of the total PINP assay should be avoided in chronic kidney disease stages 3b, 4 and 5 (eGFR ≤44 mL/min/1.73 m2) and instead an intact assay used as the total assay overestimates PINP concentrations due to monomeric PINP accumulation.
Publication trends in clinical ophthalmology journals in the last decade
Authors: Zloto Ofira , Souied Eric , Saeed Peerooz , Ben Simon Guy , Gildener-Leapman Juliana , Vishnevskia-Dai Vicktoria , Khatib Nur , Dray Jean-Paul 
Published: June 2021

Purpose: To examine the absolute number and the proportions of articles published in general high-ranked ophthalmology journals for each ophthalmic subspecialty during the last decade, and to examine the publishing trends over the study period. Methods: All original articles published between January 2010 and December 2019 in the selected general clinical ophthalmic journals were included in the study. All abstracts of original articles were reviewed and deemed to be related to 1 of the 11 ophthalmic subspecialties. Results: Six journals and 10,232 abstracts were reviewed. Articles focused on medical retina were the most common in the last decade (35.22%) while articles focused on strabismus were the least common (2.11%). The total number of articles published per year decreased during the last decade ( p  <  0.01). There was a significant reduction in the number of publications per year focused on anterior-chamber ( p =  0.012), cataract and refractive-surgeries ( p =  0.014), oculoplastic ( p  <  0.01), and strabismus ( p =  0.011). In each year during the last decade, the highest proportion of publications was focused on medical retina while the lowest proportion of publications in most of the years was focused on strabismus. There was a significant decrease during the years in the proportion of articles focused on oculoplastic ( p  <  0.01). Conclusions: During the last decade, there have been differences in the proportion of publications of different ophthalmology subspecialties in high impact factor journals. This probably derives from demographic changes and advances in diagnosis and treatment. The proportion of articles focused on medical retina was the highest during all years while the proportion of articles focused on strabismus was consistently the lowest.