bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of biofilm and microbial metrics with healing rate in older adults with chronic venous leg ulcers
Authors: Stewart Philip S. , Kim Junglyun , James Garth , Yi Fan , Stechmiller Joyce , Weaver Michael , Kelly Debra L. , Fisher Steve , Schultz Gregory , Lyon Debra 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe presence of microbial biofilms in many human chronic wounds led to the hypothesis that biofilms delay healing of these wounds. We tested this hypothesis in a population of 117 older individuals with venous leg ulcers who were receiving standardised therapy, including frequent debridement. Debridement specimens were analysed for the amount of bacterial biomass by two independent methods: a microscopic approach that scored the relative size and number of bacterial aggregates, interpreted as a biofilm metric, and conventional enumeration by agar plating for viable bacteria. The plating protocol yielded three distinct values: the total viable bacterial count, bleach‐tolerant bacteria, and the log reduction in viable bacteria upon bleach treatment. Wound healing rates over an 8‐week observation period were calculated as the rate of decrease of the equivalent diameter of the wound. There was no statistically significant association between wound healing and the biofilm metric in any of the three analyses performed (p ≥0.15). In all three statistical tests, wound healing was associated with the log reduction caused by bleach treatment (p ≤0.004); wounds that harboured bacteria that were more bleach‐susceptible healed more slowly. A refinement of the model of chronic wound infection pathogenesis is proposed in which dormant bacteria constitute a persistent nidus and outgrowth of metabolically active cells impairs healing. This model constitutes a new hypothesis as metabolic activity was not directly measured in this investigation.
SUPERIOR ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF COPPER-BEARING HIGH ENTROPY ALLOY COATED STAINLESS STEEL SURFACE FABRICATED USING LASER CLADDING
Authors: Khalaf Mahan Nazar , Al Marjani Mohammed Faraj , Abd Aziz Muhammad Safwan , Johari Abdul Rahman , Talib Siti Qistina Arora , Krishnan Ganesan 
Published: October 2024

A high-entropy alloy (HEA) coating is applied to a stainless-steel surface using the laser cladding (LC) process. This coating offers a broad-spectrum antibacterial ability and favorable mechanical properties. The release of copper ions from the HEA effectively inhibits the growth of Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), enhancing the alloy’s suitability for various applications requiring antibacterial properties. The elemental compositions, sizes, and morphologies of the constructed HEAs are revealed through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). This study validates the feasibility of applying the antibacterial CoCrFeCuNi HEA alloy coating to stainless steel via LC. The antibacterial evaluation showcases the enhanced efficacy of the CoCrCuFeNi HEA coating, demonstrating an antibacterial effectiveness of approximately 89% against E. coli and 98% against S. aureus. In contrast, the CoCrFeNi HEA coating exhibits an antibacterial effectiveness of about 40% against E. coli and 93% against S. aureus. The Vickers hardness of the stainless steel coated with CoCrCuFeNi HEA has significantly increased to 352 HV, compared to the CoCrFeNi coating with a hardness of 300.6 HV and the uncoated stainless steel with a hardness of 256.6 HV. This HEA alloy demonstrates considerable potential for use in medical applications or other settings that require antibacterial features.
Acute and long‐term effect of specific and non‐specific exercises in patients with chronic neck pain: A protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gaban Giovanna Laura Neves Antonio , Vægter Henrik Bjarke , Vivaldini Maria Ramela Schalch , Broisler Camila Nepomuceno , Nunes Giovanna Silva , Selistre Luiz Fernando Approbato 
Published: October 2024

AbstractExercise therapy is the most common approach for people with chronic neck pain (CNP). Although well‐established, it remains unknown which type of exercise is the best for treating this condition. Moreover, pain processing can play a role in the persistence of pain and in the response to interventions. Thus, the aim of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the acute and long‐term effects of two exercise protocols (specific and non‐specific) on pain and pain processing in individuals with CNP. One hundred and ten participants aged between 18 and 65 years who have had non‐specific neck pain for more than 3 months will be recruited. They will be randomized and allocated into two groups (specific exercises and non‐specific exercises) and both groups will perform an exercise programme twice a week for 8 weeks. Both programmes are divided into two progressive and individualized phases. The primary outcomes are change in pain intensity after 8 weeks of exercise and exercise‐induced hypoalgesia, and secondary outcomes are pressure pain threshold, temporal summation of pain, conditioned pain modulation, the Neck Disability Index, the Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Global Perception of Change Scale. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, after 8 weeks of intervention, and at 6‐month follow‐up.
The role of platelets and megakaryocytes in sepsis and ARDS
Authors: Leung Gabriel , Middleton Elizabeth A. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractSince the global COVID‐19 pandemic, there has been a renewed focus on lung injury during infection. Systemic inflammatory responses such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and sepsis are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for both adults and children. Improvements in clinical care have improved outcomes but mortality remains ∼40% and significant morbidity persists for those patients with severe disease. Mechanistic studies of the underlying biological processes remain essential to identifying therapeutic targets. Furthermore, methods for identifying the underlying drivers of organ failure are key to treating and preventing tissue injury. In this review, we discuss the contribution of megakaryocytes (MKs) and platelets to the pathogenesis of systemic inflammatory syndromes. We explore the role of MKs and the new identification of extramedullary MKs during sepsis. We describe the alterations in the platelet transcriptome during sepsis. Lastly, we explore platelet function as defined by aggregation, activation and the formation of heterotypic aggregates. Much more work is necessary to explore the contribution of platelets to these heterogenous syndromes, but the foundation of platelets as key contributors to inflammation has been laid.
image
Machine learning models of cerebral oxygenation (rcSO2) for brain injury detection in neonates with hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy
Authors: Ashoori Minoo , O'Toole John M. , Garvey Aisling A. , O'Halloran Ken D. , Walsh Brian , Moore Michael , Pavel Andreea M. , Boylan Geraldine B. , Murray Deirdre M. , Dempsey Eugene M. , McDonald Fiona B. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe present study was designed to test the potential utility of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rcSO2) in detecting term infants with brain injury. The study also examined whether quantitative rcSO2 features are associated with grade of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). We analysed 58 term infants with HIE (>36 weeks of gestational age) enrolled in a prospective observational study. All newborn infants had a period of continuous rcSO2 monitoring and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment during the first week of life. rcSO2 Signals were pre‐processed and quantitative features were extracted. Machine‐learning and deep‐learning models were developed to detect adverse outcome (brain injury on MRI or death in the first week) using the leave‐one‐out cross‐validation approach and to assess the association between rcSO2 and HIE grade (modified Sarnat – at 1 h). The machine‐learning model (rcSO2 excluding prolonged relative desaturations) significantly detected infant MRI outcome or death in the first week of life [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.73, confidence interval (CI) = 0.59−0.86, Matthew's correlation coefficient = 0.35]. In agreement, deep learning models detected adverse outcome with an AUC = 0.64, CI = 0.50−0.79. We also report a significant association between rcSO2 features and HIE grade using a machine learning approach (AUC = 0.81, CI = 0.73−0.90). We conclude that automated analysis of rcSO2 using machine learning methods in term infants with HIE was able to determine, with modest accuracy, infants with adverse outcome. De novo approaches to signal analysis of NIRS holds promise to aid clinical decision making in the future.
imageKey points
Hypoxic‐induced neonatal brain injury contributes to both short‐ and long‐term functional deficits.
Non‐invasive continuous monitoring of brain oxygenation using near‐infrared‐ spectroscopy offers a potential new insight to the development of serious injury.
In this study, characteristics of the NIRS signal were summarised using either predefined features or data‐driven feature extraction, both were combined with a machine learning approach to predict short‐term brain injury.
Using data from a cohort of term infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, the present study illustrates that automated analysis of regional cerebral oxygen saturation rcSO2, using either machine learning or deep learning methods, was able to determine infants with adverse outcome.
Structure, maximum mass, and stability of compact stars in $$f(\mathcal {Q,T})$$ gravity
Authors: Nashed G. G. L. , Harko Tiberiu 
Published: October 2024

AbstractWe investigate the properties of compact objects in the f(Q, T) theory, where $$\mathcal {Q}$$
Q
is the non-metricity scalar and $${ \mathcal {T}}$$
T
is the trace of the energy–momentum tensor. We derive an interior analytical solution for anisotropic perfect-fluid spheres in hydrostatic equilibrium using the linear form of $$f(\mathcal {Q}, { \mathcal {T}})=\mathcal {Q}+\psi { \mathcal {T}}$$

f
(
Q
,
T
)
=
Q
+
ψ
T

, where $$\psi $$
ψ
represents a dimensional parameter. Based on the observational constraints related to the mass and radius of the pulsar SAX J1748.9-2021, $$\psi $$
ψ
is set to a maximum negative value of $$\psi _1=\psi / \kappa ^2=-0.04$$

ψ
1

=
ψ
/

κ
2

=
-
0.04

, where $$\kappa ^2$$

κ
2

is the gravitational coupling constant. The solution results in a stable compact object, which does not violate the speed of sound condition $$c_s^2\le \frac{c^2}{3}$$

c
s
2

≤

c
2

3

. The effective equation of state is similar to the quark matter equation of state, and involves the presence of an effective bag constant. When $$\psi $$
ψ
is negative, the star has a slightly larger size as compared to GR stars with the same mass. The difference in the predicted star size between the theory with a negative $$\psi $$
ψ
and GR for the same mass is attributed to an additional force appearing in the hydrodynamic equilibrium equation. The maximum compactness allowed by the strong energy condition for $$f(\mathcal {Q}, { \mathcal {T}})$$

f
(
Q
,
T
)

theory and for GR is $$C = 0.514$$

C
=
0.514

and 0.419, respectively, with the $$f(\mathcal {Q}, { \mathcal {T}})$$

f
(
Q
,
T
)

prediction about $$10\%$$

10
%

higher than the GR one. Assuming a surface density at saturation nuclear density of $$\rho _{\text {nuc}} = 4\times 10^{14}~\hbox {g}/\hbox {cm}^3$$

ρ
nuc

=
4
×

10
14

g
/

cm
3

, the maximum mass of the star is $$4.66 M_\odot $$

4.66

M
⊙

, with a radius of 14.9 km.
Centralised Air Sampling From a Ventilation System for the Surveillance of Respiratory Pathogens
Authors: Happaerts Michiel , Geenen Caspar , Michiels Jade , Gorissen Sarah , Swinnen Jens , Beuselinck Kurt , Laenen Lies , Raymenants Joren , Lorent Natalie , Ombelet Sien , Keyaerts Els , André Emmanuel 
Published: October 2024

Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic has triggered a renewed interest in indoor air sampling for infectious disease surveillance. However, scalability is currently limited, as samples are usually collected in a single indoor space. An alternative is to place the device within a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC), but this approach has not been tested against room air sampling.Methods: In this observational study, we sampled the air in an indoor fitness centre for 2 or 6 h, simultaneously in three locations of the main exercise hall and in the return plenum of the HVAC system. Samples were collected twice weekly for 11 weeks. All samples were tested for 29 respiratory pathogens using PCR. We compared the ventilation system and exercise hall air with regard to the presence and quantity of pathogens.Findings: Samples collected in two locations in the exercise hall had a similar overall sensitivity to the HVAC sampler for detecting pathogens, while a third sampling location was associated with significantly lower sensitivity. Overall, the pathogen concentration was similar in the ventilation system and the exercise hall air (ratio: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.8–1.3).Interpretation: Our results show that air sampling within a ventilation system can have equal sensitivity for detecting respiratory pathogens, compared to room‐based sampling. Thus, placing samplers within central ventilation systems could increase the scalability of air sampling for infectious disease surveillance.
EIF2S1 Silencing Impedes Neuroblastoma Development Through GPX4 Inactivation and Ferroptosis Induction
Authors: Li Zhen , Wang Yunhui , Liang Shubin , Yuan Tingdong , Liu Jing 
Published: October 2024

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most devastating malignancies in children, accounting for a high mortality rate due to limited treatment options. This study is aimed at elucidating the role of the ferroptosis‐related EIF2S1 gene in NB pathogenesis and exploring its potential as a therapeutic target.Methods: We conducted comprehensive bioinformatics analyses utilizing the FerrDb database and NB‐related transcriptomics data to investigate the role of EIF2S1 in NB. Changes in EIF2S1 expression were subsequently validated in NB tissues and cell lines. Loss‐of‐function experiments were performed in SK‐N‐SH and IMR‐32 cell lines through shRNA‐mediated EIF2S1 knockdown. The impact of EIF2S1 knockdown on the tumorigenesis of SK‐N‐SH cells was assessed in nude mice.Results: Bioinformatics analyses revealed a significant association between elevated EIF2S1 expression and poor prognosis in NB patients. The increased levels of EIF2S1 expression were confirmed in NB tissues and cancerous cell lines. Furthermore, EIF2S1 overexpression was linked to translational regulation and immune cell infiltration modulation. Silencing of EIF2S1 resulted in the suppression of cell proliferation, migration, and tumorigenicity in NB cells. Additionally, EIF2S1 knockdown led to an accumulation of iron and oxidative stress, as well as a reduction in GPX4 and SLC7A11 expression.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that EIF2S1 appears to facilitate the progression of NB by protecting tumor cells from ferroptosis through modulating GPX4 and SLC7A11 expression. Consequently, EIF2S1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the management of NB.
Correlation and Agreement of Quantitative Flow Ratio With Fractional Flow Reserve in Saphenous Vein Grafts
Authors: de Winter Ruben W. , Somsen Yvemarie B. O. , Hoek Roel , van Diemen Pepijn A. , Jukema Ruurt A. , Jonker Mathé P. , van Rossum Albert C. , Twisk Jos W. R. , Kooistra Rolf A. , Janssen Jasper , Porouchani Sina , Wilgenhof Adriaan , Verouden Niels J. , Danad Ibrahim , Reiber Johan H. C. , Nap Alexander , Knaapen Paul 
Published: October 2024

Background
The applicability of quantitative flow ratio (QFR), a nonhyperemic, invasive coronary angiography‐derived computation of fractional flow reserve (FFR), has not been studied in coronary artery bypass grafts. We sought to explore the correlation and diagnostic agreement between QFR and FFR in saphenous vein grafts (SVGs).

Methods and Results

A total of 129 prospectively included patients (mean age 73±8 years, 84% male) with prior coronary artery bypass grafting underwent invasive coronary angiography and pressure‐derived functional assessment in 150 nonoccluded SVGs. QFR dedicated angiography images of the SVGs were acquired and used for offline QFR computation. The diagnostic performance of QFR was compared with 2‐dimensional quantitative coronary angiography, using FFR as a reference. A threshold of ≤0.80 was used to define functional significance. QFR was successfully computed in 140 (93%) SVGs. We found a significant correlation between QFR and FFR (r=0.72,
P
<0.001). FFR indicated significant disease in 43 (31%) SVGs, whereas QFR analysis showed significant lesions in 53 (38%) bypass grafts. QFR exhibited a higher sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy compared with angiographic lesion assessment (84% versus 63%,
P
=0.030 and 83% versus 74%,
P
=0.036, respectively), whereas specificity did not differ (82% versus 79%,
P
=0.466). Lastly, QFR demonstrated a higher area under the receiver operating curve than quantitative coronary angiography (0.90 versus 0.82,
P
=0.008) for the detection of FFR‐defined significant vein graft disease.

Conclusions
This study shows the potential applicability of contemporary QFR computation in venous bypass grafts with a moderate correlation and good diagnostic accuracy compared with functional assessment using FFR.
Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Change Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Correlates and Association With Prognosis
Authors: Ndrepepa Gjin , Cassese Salvatore , Byrne Robert A. , Bevapi Blerina , Joner Michael , Sager Hendrik B. , Kufner Sebastian , Xhepa Erion , Ibrahim Tareq , Laugwitz Karl‐Ludwig , Schunkert Heribert , Kastrati Adnan 
Published: October 2024

Background
The association between left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) change (ΔLVEF) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and the long‐term mortality rate in patients with coronary artery disease is incompletely investigated. We aimed to assess the impact of PCI on LVEF and the association of ΔLVEF after PCI with the long‐term mortality rate.

Methods and Results

This observational study included 8181 patients with paired angiographic LVEF measurements performed at baseline and 6 to 8 months following the index PCI. ΔLVEF was defined as LVEF measured on the 6‐ to 8‐month angiography minus LVEF measured on the baseline angiography. LVEF change was classified according to the following categories: reduced (ΔLVEF <0), mildly improved (ΔLVEF >0% to <10%) and largely improved (ΔLVEF ≥10%). The primary outcome was the 5‐year mortality rate. In patients with baseline LVEF <40%, 40% to <50% and ≥50%, ΔLVEF (median [25th–75th percentiles]) was 6.0% [0.0% to 14.0%], 4.0% [−1.0% to 11.0%] and 0.0% [−4.0% to 3.0%], respectively (
P
<0.001). In patients with reduced, mildly improved, and largely improved ΔLVEF, the 5‐year mortality rate (n=712) was 29.1%, 23.1%, and 16.5%, respectively, in patients with baseline LVEF <40%; 17.0%, 12.2% and 9.8%, respectively, in patients with baseline LVEF 40% to <50%; and 7.8%, 7.1%, and 5.6%, respectively, in patients with baseline LVEF ≥50% (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.91 [95% CI, 0.86–0.96];
P
<0.001) for all‐cause death and adjusted (HR, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.81–0.92];
P
<0.001) for cardiac death, calculated for 5% higher ΔLVEF.

Conclusions
In patients with coronary artery disease undergoing PCI, improvement of LVEF following PCI was associated with a reduced long‐term mortality rate in patients with reduced LVEF but not in patients with preserved LVEF before intervention.
Noise Exposure in the Workplace, Genetic Susceptibility, and Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Li Wenzhen , Zhu Junjie , Hao Xingjie , Chen Zhaomin , Wang Dongming 
Published: October 2024

Background
No study explored the association of noise exposure in the workplace and genetic susceptibility with incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to assess the separate and joint relationship of noise exposure in the workplace and genetic susceptibility with the risk of AF.

Methods and Results

We included 167 577 participants without AF at baseline in UK Biobank. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the separate and joint association of noise exposure in the workplace and genetic susceptibility with the risk of AF. During a median follow‐up of 11.83 years, we observed 9355 AF cases. Compared with no noise exposure in the workplace, the hazard ratios (HRs) and were 1.08 (95% CI, 0.99–1.18) for noise exposure in the workplace of <1 year, 1.03 (95% CI, 0.95–1.12) for noise exposure in the workplace of around 1 to 5 years, and 1.08 (95% CI, 1.02–1.14) for noise exposure in the workplace of >5 years, respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders. Genetic risk was positively associated with AF, compared with low genetic risk (tertile 1), the HRs were 1.50 (95% CI, 1.41–1.59) for medium genetic risk (tertile 2) and 2.51 (95% CI, 2.38–2.65) for high genetic risk (tertile 3). However, no interaction between noise exposure in the workplace and genetic susceptibility was observed (
P
>0.05).

Conclusions
Long‐term noise exposure in the workplace is positively associated with a higher incidence of AF regardless of genetic background.
What Makes an Effective Chief of Pediatric Cardiology: Insights From Chiefs of North American Pediatric Programs
Authors: Kim Michael E. , Franklin Wayne , Dubin Anne M. , Kim Jeffrey J. , Sanatani Shubhayan , Kumar R. Krishna , Srivastava Shubhika , Kimball Thomas R. , Lewin Mark , Rossano Joseph , McMahon Colin J. 
Published: October 2024

Background
Although the position of a pediatric cardiology chief is often seen as the apex of one's academic career, its roles, responsibilities, and qualifications are not well defined in the literature. This study was done to gain further insight of the role and attributes of a pediatric cardiology chief by surveying those who are currently serving the position across North American centers.

Methods and Results
This was a mixed‐methods study with a survey given to North American pediatric cardiology chiefs at programs with fellowship training programs. The survey was a semistructured questionnaire that was independently reviewed by 3 cardiologists. Smaller private practice groups and nonacademic programs were excluded. Survey inventory included items rated on a 5‐point Likert scale, open‐ended prompts, and targeted questions. A total of 40 of 65 (62%) pediatric cardiology chiefs responded to the survey. Respondents identified key chief attributes included communication skills, honesty/transparency, and conflict‐resolution skills. Likert scale data demonstrated participants were satisfied with their position, although many reported growing concerns of increased demands from administration, faculty, and pressures of program performance in the current era. There is also a noted paucity of diversity among those serving in leadership positions within pediatric cardiology, which was acknowledged by survey respondents.

Conclusions
We gathered information directly from current North American pediatric cardiology chiefs examining the current era of its role. There are resounding themes on the emphasis for communication, honesty, conflict resolution, and mentorship. Future studies should examine faculty perceptions and a global perspective of the role.