bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimated Deaths Averted in Adults by COVID-19 Vaccination in Select Latin American and Caribbean Countries
Authors: Savinkina Alexandra , Weinberger Daniel M , Toscano Cristiana M , De Oliveira Lucia H 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant impact on global health, with millions of lives lost worldwide. Vaccination has emerged as a crucial strategy in mitigating the impact of the disease. This study aims to estimate the number of deaths averted through vaccination in Latin America and the Caribbean region (LAC) during the first year and a half of vaccination rollout (January 2021–May 2022).

Methods
Publicly available data on COVID-19 deaths and vaccination rates were used to estimate the total number of deaths averted via vaccination in LAC. Using estimates for number of deaths, number of vaccinated, and vaccine effectiveness, a counterfactual estimated number of deaths observed without vaccination was calculated. Vaccine effectiveness estimates were obtained from published studies. The analysis focused on 17 countries in LAC and considered adults aged 18 years and older.

Results
After accounting for underreporting, the analysis estimated that &gt;1.49 million deaths were caused by COVID-19 in the selected countries during the study period. Without vaccination, the model estimated that between 2.10 and 4.11 million COVID-19 deaths would have occurred. Consequently, vaccination efforts resulted in ∼610 000 to 2.61 million deaths averted.

Conclusions
This study represents the first large-scale, multicenter estimate of population-level vaccine impact on COVID-19 mortality in LAC. The findings underscore the substantial impact of timely and widespread vaccination in averting COVID-19 deaths. These results provide crucial support for vaccination programs aimed at combating epidemic infectious diseases in the region and future pandemics.
Chirality and odd mechanics in active columnar phases
Authors: Kole S J , Alexander Gareth P , Maitra Ananyo , Ramaswamy Sriram 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Chiral active materials display odd dynamical effects in both their elastic and viscous responses. We show that the most symmetric mesophase with 2D odd elasticity in three dimensions is chiral, polar, and columnar, with 2D translational order in the plane perpendicular to the columns and no elastic restoring force for their relative sliding. We derive its hydrodynamic equations from those of a chiral active variant of model H. The most striking prediction of the odd dynamics is two distinct types of column oscillation whose frequencies do not vanish at zero wavenumber. In addition, activity leads to a buckling instability coming from the generic force-dipole active stress analogous to the mechanical Helfrich–Hurault instability in passive materials, while the chiral torque-dipole active stress fundamentally modifies the instability by the selection of helical column undulations.
Written Mobility Communication in Acute Care Medical Wards: An Observational Study of Physical Therapists’ and Nurses’ Documentation Practice
Authors: Harvey Emily , Adsett Julie , Mudge Alison , Steele Michael , McRae Prue 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Objective
Low inpatient mobility is associated with poor hospital outcomes. Poor communication between clinicians has been identified as a barrier to improving mobility. Understanding how mobility is communicated within the multidisciplinary team may help inform strategies to improve inpatient mobility. The aim of this study was to describe written mobility communication by physical therapists and nurses in acute care medical wards.

Methods
This cross-sectional observational study was conducted across 4 hospitals in an Australian health service. A survey of physical therapists and nurses identified preferred sources and content of written mobility communication. An audit described and compared written mobility communication in the most strongly preferred documentation sources. Findings were described and compared graphically between discipline and site.

Results
Questionnaires were completed by 85 physical therapists and 150 nurses. Twenty-two sources of documentation about mobility were identified. Preferences for sources and content varied between disciplines. Physical therapists nominated several preferred information sources and sought and documented broader mobility content. Nurses often sought nursing documents that focused on current mobility assistance and aids, with limited communication of mobility level or mobility goals. Audits of 104 patient records found that content varied between sources and sites, and content was variably missing or inconsistent between sources.

Conclusion
Written mobility communication focused on mobility assistance and aids, rather than mobility levels or mobility goals, with poor completion and inconsistency within documentation. More complete and consistent documentation might improve progressive mobilization of hospital inpatients.

Impact
Physical therapists and nurses seek and document different content in a wide range of locations, leading to incomplete and inconsistent written documentation. Understanding and resolving these practice differences offers potential to improve mobility communication and practice.
Trust and delegated investing: a Money Doctors experiment
Authors: Germann Maximilian , Mertes Lukas , Weber Martin , Loos Benjamin 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The more trust investors place in a money manager, the more confident they are to take risk. We test this theory in a laboratory experiment using the amount returned from a trust game as measure of trustworthiness. Investors increase the share invested in risky assets with high-cost money managers compared to those with low costs when the high-cost money managers are more trustworthy than the low-cost ones. The willingness to take more risk with high-cost money managers is increasing in the difference in trustworthiness. Up to a third of the difference in trustworthiness translates into an increasing risky share. Vice versa, investors are willing to accept higher costs for investments made through more trustworthy money managers. Our findings are robust to alternative explanations, demonstrating that the risk-aversion channel can be sufficient for trust to influence behavior.
Increased sensitivity to social hierarchy during social competition versus cooperation
Authors: Su Yaner , Martens Sander , Aleman André , Zhou Jiali , Xu Pengfei , Luo Yue-Jia , S. Goerlich Katharina 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Social hierarchy is a typical feature of social organization. The ability to quickly recognize social hierarchy information is crucial for adapting to social contexts. Here, we adopted fast periodic visual stimulation with electroencephalography to assess the neural responses to social hierarchy during social competition and cooperation, respectively. Participants first learned hierarchical faces from a competitive game versus a cooperative game. We then sequentially presented the learned hierarchical faces with a specific frequency in a set of faces. Results showed that participants rated the inferior player as lower in the social hierarchy in the cooperative context compared to the competitive context, indicating that social context affects the judgment of others’ rank. Moreover, higher neural responses to high and low-hierarchy faces versus medium-hierarchy faces were observed, suggesting rapid discrimination of social hierarchy from faces. Interestingly, rank-specific neural responses were more pronounced in the competitive context than in the cooperative context, indicating increased sensitivity to social hierarchy during social competition versus social cooperation. This study provides behavioral and neural evidence for rapid, automatic processing of social hierarchy information and for an increased sensitivity to such information in competitive versus cooperative social contexts.
Mitigation of Almond Leaf Scorch by a Peptide that Inhibits the Motility of Xylella fastidiosa
Authors: Moll Luis , Badosa Esther , De La Fuente Leonardo , Montesinos Emilio , Planas Marta , Bonaterra Anna , Feliu Lidia 
Published: September 2024

Xylella fastidiosa is a xylem-limited plant pathogenic bacterium that is a menace to the agriculture worldwide, threating economically relevant crops such as almond. The pathogen presents a dual lifestyle in the plant xylem, consisting of sessile microbial aggregates and mobile independent cells that move by twitching motility. The latter is essential for the systemic colonization of the host and is mediated through type IV pili. In previous reports, it has been demonstrated that peptides can affect different key processes of X. fastidiosa, but their effect on motility has never been assessed. In the present work, peptides previously identified and newly designed analogs were studied for their effect in vitro on the motility of X. fastidiosa, and their protective effect against almond leaf scorch was determined. By assessing the twitching fringe width in colonies and using microfluidic chambers, the inhibitory effect of BP100 on twitching motility was demonstrated. Interestingly, type IV pili of BP100-treated cells were similar in frequency and length and presented no morphological differences when compared with the nontreated control. The application of BP100 by endotherapy in almond plants inoculated with X. fastidiosa under greenhouse conditions significantly reduced population levels and showed less affected xylem vessels, which correlated with decreased disease symptoms. Therefore, BP100 is a promising candidate to manage almond leaf scorch caused by X. fastidiosa. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Effects of Post-Hospital Arrival Factors on Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kawai Yasuyuki , Yamamoto Koji , Miyazaki Keita , Asai Hideki , Fukushima Hidetada 
Published: September 2024

IMPORTANCE:The relationship between post-hospital arrival factors and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes remains unclear.OBJECTIVES:This study assessed the impact of post-hospital arrival factors on OHCA outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic using a prediction model.DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:In this cohort study, data from the All-Japan Utstein Registry, a nationwide population-based database, between 2015 and 2021 were used. A total of 541,781 patients older than 18 years old who experienced OHCA of cardiac origin were included.MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES:The primary exposure was trends in COVID-19 cases. The study compared the predicted proportion of favorable neurologic outcomes 1 month after resuscitation with the actual outcomes. Neurologic outcomes were categorized based on the Cerebral Performance Category score (1, good cerebral function; 2, moderate cerebral function).RESULTS:The prediction model, which had an area under the curve of 0.96, closely matched actual outcomes in 2019. However, a significant discrepancy emerged after the pandemic began in 2020, where outcomes continued to deteriorate as the virus spread, exacerbated by both pre- and post-hospital arrival factors.CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:Post-hospital arrival factors were as important as pre-hospital factors in adversely affecting the prognosis of patients following OHCA during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results suggest that the overall response of the healthcare system needs to be improved during infectious disease outbreaks to improve outcomes.
Efficacy and safety of avatrombopag in the treatment of thrombocytopenia after umbilical cord blood transplantation
Authors: Huang Aijie , Sun Guangyu , Tang Baolin , Han Yongsheng , Wan Xiang , Yao Wen , Song Kaidi , Cheng Yaxin , Wu Weiwei , Tu Meijuan , Wu Yue , Pan Tianzhong , Zhu Xiaoyu 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background:
Delayed platelet engraftment is a common complication after umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT), and there is no standard therapy. Avatrombopag (AVA) is a second-generation thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist (TPO-RA) that has shown efficacy in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, few reports have focused on its efficacy in patients diagnosed with thrombocytopenia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

Methods:
We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy of AVA as a first-line TPO-RA in 65 patients after UCBT; these patients were compared with 118 historical controls. Response rates, platelet counts, megakaryocyte counts in bone marrow, bleeding events, adverse events and survival rates were evaluated in this study. Platelet reconstitution differences were compared between different medication groups. Multivariable analysis was used to explore the independent beneficial factors for platelet implantation.

Results:
Fifty-two patients were given AVA within 30 days post-UCBT, and the treatment was continued for more than 7 days to promote platelet engraftment (AVA group); the other 13 patients were given AVA for secondary failure of platelet recovery (SFPR group). The median time to platelet engraftment was shorter in the AVA group than in the historical control group (32.5 days vs. 38.0 days, Z = 2.095, P = 0.036). Among the 52 patients in the AVA group, 46 achieved an overall response (OR) (88.5%), and the cumulative incidence of OR was 91.9%. Patients treated with AVA only had a greater 60-day cumulative incidence of platelet engraftment than patients treated with recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) only or rhTPO combined with AVA (95.2% vs. 84.5% vs. 80.6%, P <0.001). Patients suffering from SFPR had a slightly better cumulative incidence of OR (100%, P = 0.104). Patients who initiated AVA treatment within 14 days post-UCBT had a better 60-day cumulative incidence of platelet engraftment than did those who received AVA after 14 days post-UCBT (96.6% vs. 73.9%, P = 0.003).

Conclusion:
In summary, compared with those in the historical control group, our results indicate that AVA could effectively promote platelet engraftment and recovery after UCBT, especially when used in the early period (≤14 days post-UCBT).
Research progress on platelets in glioma
Authors: Zuo Mingrong , Li Tengfei , Wang Zhihao , Xiang Yufan , Chen Siliang , Liu Yanhui 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Gliomas are the most common primary neuroepithelial tumors of the central nervous system in adults, of which glioblastoma is the deadliest subtype. Apart from the intrinsically indestructible characteristics of glioma (stem) cells, accumulating evidence suggests that the tumor microenvironment also plays a vital role in the refractoriness of glioblastoma. The primary functions of platelets are to stop bleeding and regulate thrombosis under physiological conditions. Furthermore, platelets are also active elements that participate in a variety of processes of tumor development, including tumor growth, invasion, and chemoresistance. Glioma cells recruit and activate resting platelets to become tumor-educated platelets (TEPs), which in turn can promote the proliferation, invasion, stemness, and chemoresistance of glioma cells. TEPs can be used to obtain genetic information about gliomas, which is helpful for early diagnosis and monitoring of therapeutic effects. Platelet membranes are intriguing biomimetic materials for developing efficacious drug carriers to enhance antiglioma activity. Herein, we review the recent research referring to the contribution of platelets to the malignant characteristics of gliomas and focusing on the molecular mechanisms mediating the interaction between TEPs and glioma (stem) cells, as well as present the challenges and opportunities in targeting platelets for glioma therapy.
Robotic mitral surgery: recent advances and outcomes
Authors: Hibino Makoto , Murphy Douglas A. , Halkos Michael E. 
Published: September 2024

Purpose of review
This review explores recent advancements in robotic cardiac surgery, specifically focusing on its application in diverse mitral valve surgeries. The aim is to provide an overview of current clinical practices and supporting evidence in this evolving field.

Recent findings
A literature review indicates a 30% surge in robotic mitral valve repair from 2015 to 2021, paralleled by a decline in sternotomy-based repair per the STS database. Robotic mitral valve repair consistently shows effective and safe outcomes, with comparable mortality but lower morbidity risks than sternotomy and thoracotomy. The robotic approach exhibits lower conversion to valve replacement, shorter ICU stays, and reduced 30-day readmissions. For experienced programs, robotic techniques prove versatile in various pathologies, including rheumatic heart valve disease, infective endocarditis, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and mitral annular calcification necessitating valve replacement. Literature supports their selective use in high-risk scenarios, including redo surgeries and elderly patients.

Summary
Recent evidence supports the growing use of robotic approaches in mitral valve surgery, highlighting their efficacy with comparable mortality rates but lower morbidity risks. Robotic techniques consistently yield positive outcomes across various pathologies and patient profiles, signaling a potential paradigm shift in mitral valve interventions.
Expanding revascularization trials to women and underserved minorities and shifting to patient-centered outcomes: RECHARGE trials program
Authors: Redfors Bjorn , Spertus John A. , Yancy Clyde , Masterson-Creber Ruth , Stone Gregg W. , Gaudino Mario F.L. 
Published: September 2024

Purpose of review
We review the limited available evidence informing coronary revascularization decisions in women and minorities, and introduce the RECHARGE trial program, which consists of two separate but integrated parallel multicenter, randomized trials comparing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), one exclusively enrolling women (RECHARGE:Women) and one exclusively enrolling Black or Hispanic patients (RECHARGE:Minorities).

Recent findings
The extensive evidence base supporting coronary revascularization suffers from under-representation of women, minorities and minoritized populations, and the use of heterogeneous primary composite outcomes whose components have varying strengths of association with prognosis and quality-of-life (QOL). In RECHARGE, participants will be followed for up to 10 years, with QOL assessments at baseline, 30 days, 3 months, every 6 months for 3 years, and annually thereafter. The primary endpoint is the hierarchical composite of time to all-cause mortality, time-averaged change from baseline in the physical component of the SF-12v2 physical summary score, and time-averaged change from baseline in the mental component of the SF12v2 summary score, evaluated using a win ratio. Independently adjudicated major adverse cardiovascular and noncardiovascular events and disease-specific QoL will be secondary endpoints.

Summary
The RECHARGE trials are the first revascularization trials to enroll exclusively women and minority patients and to use patient-centered outcomes as their primary outcome.
Predictors of long-term clinical outcomes after TIPS: An ALTA group study
Authors: Nobel Yael R. , Boike Justin R. , Mazumder Nikhilesh R. , Thornburg Bartley , Hoffman Rachel , Kolli K. Pallav , Fallon Michael , Lai Jennifer C. , Morelli Giuseppi , Spengler Erin K. , Said Adnan , Desai Archita P. , Paul Sonali , Goel Aparna , Hu Kelly , Frenette Catherine , Gregory Dyanna , Padilla Cynthia , Zhang Yuan , VanWagner Lisa B. , Verna Elizabeth C. ,   Advancing Liver Therapeutic Approaches (ALTA) Study Group
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims:
While TIPS is traditionally considered a bridge to liver transplant (LT), some patients achieve long-term transplant-free survival (TFS) with TIPS alone. Prognosis and need for LT should not only be assessed at time of procedure, but also re-evaluated in patients with favorable early outcomes.

Approach and Results:
Adult recipients of TIPS in the multicenter advancing liver therapeutic approaches retrospective cohort study were included (N=1127 patients; 2040 person-years follow-up). Adjusted competing risk regressions were used to assess factors associated with long-term post-TIPS clinical outcomes at the time of procedure and 6 months post-TIPS. MELD-Na at TIPS was significantly associated with post-TIPS mortality (subdistribution hazards ratio of death 1.1 [p=0.42], 1.3 [p=0.04], and 1.7 [p<0.01] for MELD-Na 15–19, 20–24, and ≥25 relative to MELD-Na <15, respectively). MELD 3.0 was also associated with post-TIPS outcomes. Among the 694 (62%) patients who achieved early (6 mo) post-TIPS TFS, rates of long-term TFS were 88% at 1 year and 57% at 3 years post-TIPS. Additionally, a within-individual increase in MELD-Na score of >3 points from TIPS to 6 months post-TIPS was significantly associated with long-term mortality, regardless of initial MELD-Na score (subdistribution hazards ratio of death 1.8, p<0.01). For patients with long-term post-TIPS TFS, rates of complications of the TIPS or portal hypertension were low.

Conclusions:
Among patients with early post-TIPS TFS, prognosis and need for LT should be reassessed, informed by postprocedure changes in MELD-Na and clinical status. For selected patients, “destination TIPS” without LT may offer long-term survival with freedom from portal hypertensive complications.
Association of HDV infection and HCC, hepatic decompensation, and all-cause and liver-related death in a national cohort
Authors: John Binu V. , Bastaich Dustin , Amoli Mahmoud Manouchehri , Wong Robert J. , Evon Donna M. , Rogal Shari S. , Ross David B. , Morgan Timothy R. , Spector Seth A. , Villada Gabriel , Chao Hann-Hsiang , Dahman Bassam ,   on behalf of the Veterans Analysis of Liver Disease (VALID) group of investigators
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims:HDV infection is the most severe form of chronic hepatitis. However, studies on outcomes and causes of death in a US-born population, with primarily horizontal transmission of HDV, are lacking. The aim of this study was to conduct a national study of patients with hepatitis D to understand the natural history and outcomes compared to patients with HBV infection.Approach and Results:In a national cohort of 4817 veterans infected with HBV tested for HDV (99.6% US-born, 3.3% HDV-positive) over a 23-year period, we used multivariable models to identify the factors associated with a composite outcome of HCC, decompensation, and liver-related mortality, and all-cause mortality of patients with HDV compared to HBV mono-infection. HDV coinfection (vs. HBV mono-infection) was associated with a significantly higher incidence of composite liver-related outcomes at both 5 (23.84 vs. 7.98,p< 0.001) and 10 years (19.14 vs. 10.18,p< 0.001), respectively. The most common cause of death was liver-related (33.8% for HDV vs. 24.7% for HBV), followed by nonhepatic malignancies (15.6% vs. 14.8%), cardiac (11.7% vs. 15.2%), and lung disease (5.2% vs. 3.7%). In multivariable models, HDV was associated with an increased risk of composite liver outcomes (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.87–3.52,p< 0.001) and all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.20–1.93,p< 0.001).Conclusions:In a predominantly US-born cohort of veterans, HDV coinfection was associated with an increased risk of liver-related outcomes and all-cause mortality. Our findings support widespread testing for early identification of HDV.