bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perioperative and mid-term outcomes of mitral valve surgery with and without concomitant surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Pregaldini Fabio , Çelik Mevlüt , Mosbahi Selim , Barmettler Stefania , Praz Fabien , Reineke David , Siepe Matthias , Pingpoh Clarence 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
We retrospectively analysed perioperative and mid-term outcomes for patients undergoing mitral valve surgery with and without atrial fibrillation.

METHODS
Patients who underwent mitral valve surgery between January 2018 and February 2023 were included and categorized into 3 groups: ‘No AF’ (no documented atrial fibrillation), ‘AF no SA’ (atrial fibrillation without surgical ablation) and ‘AF and SA’ (atrial fibrillation with concomitant surgical ablation). Groups were compared for perioperative and mid-term outcomes, including mortality, stroke, bleeding and pacemaker implantation. A P-value &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS
Of the 400 patients included, preoperative atrial fibrillation was present in 43%. Mean follow-up was 1.8 (standard deviation: 1.1) years. The patients who underwent surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation exhibited similar overall outcomes compared to patients without preoperative atrial fibrillation. Patients with untreated atrial fibrillation showed higher mortality (‘No AF’: 2.2% versus ‘AF no SA’: 8.3% versus ‘AF and SA’: 3.2%; P-value 0.027) and increased postoperative pacemaker implantation rates (‘No AF’: 5.7% versus ‘AF no SA’: 15.6% versus ‘AF and SA’: 7.9%, P-value: 0.011). In a composite analysis of adverse events (Mortality, Bleeding, Stroke), the highest incidence was observed in patients with untreated atrial fibrillation, while patients with treated atrial fibrillation had similar outcomes as those without preoperative documented atrial fibrillation (‘No AF’: 9.6% versus ‘AF no SA’: 20.2% versus ‘AF and SA’ 3: 9.5%, P-value: 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS
Concomitant surgical ablation should be considered in mitral valve surgery for atrial fibrillation, as it leads to similar mid-term outcomes compared to patients without preoperative documented atrial fibrillation.
Comparative analysis of gene regulatory networks identifies conserved regulators in seed plants
Authors: Wulf Donat , Bräutigam Andrea 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) based on transcription factors (TFs) control development and environmental responses. In this study, GRNs were inferred computationally using random forest decision tree-based regression. Networks were constructed for the grasses barley, maize, wheat, brachypodium, sorghum and rice. When compared with Arabidopsis thaliana and alga networks, they show substantial conservation. The degree of conservation depends on phylogenetic closeness. The processes are conserved between all species include basic cellular functions while the processes conserved only in the grasses are annotated with more specific gene ontology terms. In the three species with a carbon concentration mechanism, photorespiration is partially dissociated from photosynthetic regulation. In contrast, in the C4 species, the regulation of C4 genes is associated with photosynthetic regulation. The comparative analyses reveal conserved TFs that control photosynthesis in seed plants but not in the alga. The analyses resulted in a pipeline for the general transfer of information between the small dicot A. thaliana and the commercially relevant grasses.
Anaerobic ammonium oxidation coupled to iron(III) reduction catalyzed by a lithoautotrophic nitrate-reducing iron(II) oxidizing enrichment culture
Authors: Zhang Hong-Bin , Wang He-Fei , Liu Jia-Bo , Bi Zhen , Jin Ruo-Fei , Tian Tian 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The last two decades have seen nitrogen/iron-transforming bacteria at the forefront of new biogeochemical discoveries, such as anaerobic ammonium oxidation coupled to ferric iron reduction (feammox) and lithoautotrophic nitrate-reducing ferrous iron-oxidation (NRFeOx). These emerging findings continue to expand our knowledge of the nitrogen/iron cycle in nature and also highlight the need to re-understand the functional traits of the microorganisms involved. Here, as a proof-of-principle, we report compelling evidence for the capability of an NRFeOx enrichment culture to catalyze the feammox process. Our results demonstrate that the NRFeOx culture predominantly oxidizes NH4+ to nitrogen gas, by reducing both chelated nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)-Fe(III) and poorly soluble Fe(III)-bearing minerals (γ-FeOOH) at pH 4.0 and 8.0, respectively. In the NRFeOx culture, Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria of Rhodanobacter and Fe(III)-reducing bacteria of unclassified_Acidobacteriota coexisted. Their relative abundances were dynamically regulated by the supplemented iron sources. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the NRFeOx culture contained a complete set of denitrifying genes along with hao genes for ammonium oxidation. Additionally, numerous genes encoding extracellular electron transport-associated proteins or their homologs were identified, which facilitated the reduction of extracellular iron by this culture. More broadly, this work lightens the unexplored potential of specific microbial groups in driving nitrogen transformation through multiple pathways and highlights the essential role of microbial iron metabolism in the integral biogeochemical nitrogen cycle.
Climate Refugees in India: Seeking Security between Disaster Diplomacy and Strategic Ambiguity
Authors: Bollempalli Manasa 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Among the 100 million refugees and displaced persons in 2022, the category of “climate refugees” has become more salient, yet countries still do not know how to handle it. Two aspects of climate refugees also remain understudied; how climate refugees are perceived, since they are viewed through the dual lenses of climate risks and migratory flows and how these perceptions impact policies. Climate refugees are thus doubly impacted by the spill-over effect of securitization processes in the fields of climate change and immigration. This paper analyzes how climate- and migration-security legislation in a resource-constrained nation conceptualizes climate refugees, and how their diverse conceptual categories spill over into policymaking and create a mutually beneficial and humanitarian approach for host and migrant populations. This paper uses India as a case study based on its historical practice of refugee protection despite significant resource constraints, high risk of inbound climate refugees, participation in key global agreements, and domestic discourse over climate and immigration securitization. Using policy analysis and expert interviews, this study demonstrates that India successfully exemplifies a broadly humanitarian climate mobility regime in the South Asian region through relocations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations, and ad hoc legal protection. Despite crucial structural limitations, India illustrates a democratic global south template implicitly recognizing migrants’ vulnerability to climate change and attempts to minimize risk, with potential for replication in other developing and developed nations. This normative policy framework, notwithstanding its limitations, presents an alternative to the threat-centric and unsustainable securitization of climate migration practiced in the Global North.
Biliary pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis of continuous infusion meropenem/vaborbactam in a case series of orthotopic liver transplant recipients
Authors: Gatti Milo , Rinaldi Matteo , Laici Cristiana , Ambretti Simone , Siniscalchi Antonio , Viale Pierluigi , Pea Federico 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Objective
To analyse the biliary pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of continuous infusion (CI) meropenem-vaborbactam (MEM-VBM) in a case series of orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients being treated for Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) related biliary tract infections (BTIs) or as preemptive therapy of KPC-Kp rectal colonization.

Methods
Critical OLT recipients receiving CI MEM-VBM (2 g/2 g q8h over 8 h) because of KPC-Kp related BTIs or as preemptive therapy of KPC-Kp rectal colonization, having Kehr’s tube positioned and undergoing simultaneous therapeutic drug monitoring of MEM and VBM in plasma and bile were retrospectively assessed. Bile-to-plasma ratio of free steady-state concentrations (fCss) of MEM and VBM was used for assessing biliary penetration. Optimal joint MEM-VBM PK/PD target attainment was defined as MEM fCss/MIC ratio &gt;4 coupled with VBM free area under time–concentration curve (fAUC)/threshold concentration (CT) ratio &gt;24.

Results
Overall, four critical OLT recipients were included. Median bile-to-plasma ratio was 0.32 for MEM (range 0.21–0.79) and 0.40 for VBM (range 0.20–0.77). Biliary MEM-VBM joint PK/PD target attainment was optimal in 3/4 OLT recipients and quasi-optimal in the other one.

Conclusions
The 1:1 proportion between MEM and VBM concentrations was maintained unchanged in the bile, allowing us to assume that the efficacy of MEM-VBM may be appropriate even in the treatment of BTIs. CI administration was an effective strategy for attaining aggressive biliary joint PK/PD targets against pathogens with an MIC up to 2 mg/L.
Isolation and characterization of enterococci from poultry reveals high incidence of Enterococcus thailandicus in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Wigmore Sarah M , Greenhill Andrew R , Bean David C 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Aims
Antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis. Roughly two-thirds of all antibiotics used are in production animals, which have the potential to impact the development of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens of humans. There is little visibility on the extent of antibiotic resistance in the Australian food chain. This study sought to establish the incidence of antibiotic resistance among enterococci from poultry in Victoria.

Methods and results
In 2016, poultry from a Victorian processing facility were swabbed immediately post-slaughter and cultured for Enterococcus species. All isolates recovered were speciated and tested for antibiotic susceptibility to 12 antibiotics following the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. A total of 6 farms and 207 birds were sampled and from these 285 isolates of Enterococcus were recovered. Eight different enterococcal species were identified as follows: E. faecalis (n = 122; 43%), E. faecium (n = 92; 32%), E. durans (n = 35; 12%), E. thailandicus (n = 23; 8%), E. hirae (n = 10; 3%), and a single each of E. avium, E. gallinarum, and E. mundtii. Reduced susceptibility to older classes of antibiotics was common, in particular: erythromycin (73%), rifampin (49%), nitrofurantoin (40%), and ciprofloxacin (39%). Two vancomycin-intermediate isolates were recovered, but no resistance was detected to either linezolid or gentamicin.

Conclusions
The relatively high numbers of a recently described species, E. thailandicus, suggest this species might be well adapted to colonize poultry. The incidence of antibiotic resistance is lower in isolates from poultry than in human medicine in Australia. These results suggest that poultry may serve as a reservoir for older antibiotic resistance genes but is not driving the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in human bacterial pathogens. This is supported by the absence of resistance to linezolid and gentamicin.
Utilizing active learning strategies in machine-assisted annotation for clinical named entity recognition: a comprehensive analysis considering annotation costs and target effectiveness
Authors: Liu Jiaxing , Wong Zoie S Y 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Active learning (AL) has rarely integrated diversity-based and uncertainty-based strategies into a dynamic sampling framework for clinical named entity recognition (NER). Machine-assisted annotation is becoming popular for creating gold-standard labels. This study investigated the effectiveness of dynamic AL strategies under simulated machine-assisted annotation scenarios for clinical NER.

Materials and Methods
We proposed 3 new AL strategies: a diversity-based strategy (CLUSTER) based on Sentence-BERT and 2 dynamic strategies (CLC and CNBSE) capable of switching from diversity-based to uncertainty-based strategies. Using BioClinicalBERT as the foundational NER model, we conducted simulation experiments on 3 medication-related clinical NER datasets independently: i2b2 2009, n2c2 2018 (Track 2), and MADE 1.0. We compared the proposed strategies with uncertainty-based (LC and NBSE) and passive-learning (RANDOM) strategies. Performance was primarily measured by the number of edits made by the annotators to achieve a desired target effectiveness evaluated on independent test sets.

Results
When aiming for 98% overall target effectiveness, on average, CLUSTER required the fewest edits. When aiming for 99% overall target effectiveness, CNBSE required 20.4% fewer edits than NBSE did. CLUSTER and RANDOM could not achieve such a high target under the pool-based simulation experiment. For high-difficulty entities, CNBSE required 22.5% fewer edits than NBSE to achieve 99% target effectiveness, whereas neither CLUSTER nor RANDOM achieved 93% target effectiveness.

Discussion and Conclusion
When the target effectiveness was set high, the proposed dynamic strategy CNBSE exhibited both strong learning capabilities and low annotation costs in machine-assisted annotation. CLUSTER required the fewest edits when the target effectiveness was set low.
Sex-based disparities with cost-related medication adherence issues in patients with hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure
Authors: Agapito Ivann , Hoang Tu , Sayer Michael , Naqvi Ali , Patel Pranav M , Ozaki Aya F 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Importance and Objective
Identifying sources of sex-based disparities is the first step in improving clinical outcomes for female patients. Using All of Us data, we examined the association of biological sex with cost-related medication adherence (CRMA) issues in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities.

Materials and Methods
Retrospective data collection identified the following patients: 18 and older, completing personal medical history surveys, having hypertension (HTN), ischemic heart disease (IHD), or heart failure (HF) with medication use history consistent with these diagnoses. Implementing univariable and adjusted logistic regression, we assessed the influence of biological sex on 7 different patient-reported CRMA outcomes within HTN, IHD, and HF patients.

Results
Our study created cohorts of HTN (n = 3891), IHD (n = 5373), and HF (n = 2151) patients having CRMA outcomes data. Within each cohort, females were significantly more likely to report various cost-related medication issues: being unable to afford medications (HTN hazards ratio [HR]: 1.68, confidence interval [CI]: 1.33-2.13; IHD HR: 2.33, CI: 1.72-3.16; HF HR: 1.82, CI: 1.22-2.71), skipping doses (HTN HR: 1.76, CI: 1.30-2.39; IHD HR: 2.37, CI: 1.69-3.64; HF HR: 3.15, CI: 1.87-5.31), taking less medication (HTN HR: 1.86, CI: 1.37-2.45; IHD HR: 2.22, CI: 1.53-3.22; HF HR: 2.99, CI: 1.78-5.02), delaying filling prescriptions (HTN HR: 1.83, CI: 1.43-2.39; IHD HR: 2.02, CI: 1.48-2.77; HF HR: 2.99, CI: 1.79-5.03), and asking for lower cost medications (HTN HR: 1.41, CI: 1.16-1.72; IHD HR: 1.75, CI: 1.37-2.22; HF HR: 1.61, CI: 1.14-2.27).

Discussion and Conclusion
Our results clearly demonstrate CRMA issues disproportionately affect female patients with cardiovascular comorbidities, which may contribute to the larger sex-based disparities in cardiovascular care. These findings call for targeted interventions and strategies to address these disparities and ensure equitable access to cardiovascular medications and care for all patients.
Fluorofentanyl and novel synthetic opioids in accidental overdose deaths
Authors: Yu Jihau , Diekhans Katie , Tsang Anson , Rodda Luke N 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
One of the quickest-growing subclasses of novel psychoactive substances is novel synthetic opioids (NSOs), which are categorized as fentanyl analogs (fentalogs) or nonfentanyl opioids that bind to the mu-opioid receptor. Increased detections of NSOs have been observed in the USA. However, limited information on their prevalence outside of the East Coast is available. This study details the prevalence of NSOs, specifically fluorofentanyl, in the biological and drug paraphernalia specimens of accidental overdose deaths in San Francisco in 2022. A recently developed and validated liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was utilized for the analysis of &gt;250 NSOs. Out of the 649 accidental overdose deaths in 2022, 617 cases were available for blood analysis, with at least 1 NSO detected in 48 cases (7.8%). Fentalogs were detected in all 48 cases, with fluorofentanyl being detected in 40 cases. In postmortem femoral blood, estimated concentrations of fluorofentanyl ranged from 0.1 to 8.9 ng/mL, and 0.05 to 85 ng/mL in urine. Polysubstance use with NSO was seen with fentanyl (89.6%), methamphetamine (70.8%), cocaine (33.3%), and heroin (18.8%). NSOs, mainly fluorofentanyl, were observed in matched drug paraphernalia. This report documents the migration of fluorofentanyl to the West Coast, specifically California.
Prophylactic Antibiotics Are Unnecessary for Routine CO2 Laser Burn Scar Treatment
Authors: Zilinskas Kasparas , Mittal Rohit , Hollowed Kathleen , Kahn Steven A 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
CO2 ablative fractional laser (CO2 AFL) therapy is a safe and effective procedure when used in the treatment of hypertrophic scars for burn patients. It has a high patient satisfaction rate and a minimal side effect profile, typically consisting of postoperative pain, irritation, surgical site inflammation, and, in rare cases, infection. Although prophylactic antibiotics have historically been recommended, there is a paucity of literature on the topic and recent studies indicate that they may be unnecessary in routine cases. In this retrospective, single-center descriptive study, 230 cases in patients with hypertrophic burn scars treated with CO2 AFL therapy were compared. 28 cases were with the use of prophylactic antibiotics and 201 cases were without the use of prophylactic antibiotics. We found that there was no significant association between the use of antibiotics and the prevention of topical skin infection in cases treated with CO2 AFL therapy (P = 1). Therefore, we conclude that the omission of prophylactic antibiotics is not associated with an increased risk of infection and recommend that prophylactic antibiotics should not be indicated in the setting of routine CO2 AFL therapy for patients with hypertrophic burn scars.
Fractional numerical analysis of γ-Al2O3 nanofluid flows with effective Prandtl number for enhanced heat transfer
Authors: Khan Mumtaz , Lu Dianchen , Rasool Ghulam , Deebani Wejdan , Shaaban Shaaban M 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Nanoparticles have gained recognition for significantly improving convective heat transfer efficiency near boundary layer flows. The characteristics of both momentum and thermal boundary layers are significantly influenced by the Prandtl number, which holds a crucial role. In this vein, the current study conducted a detailed computational analysis of the mixed convection flow of $\gamma$Al$_2$O$_3$-H$_2$O and $\gamma$Al$_2$O$_3$-C$_2$H$_6$O$_2$ nanofluids over a stretching surface. This research integrates an effective Prandtl number, utilizing viscosity and thermal conductivity models based on empirical findings. Additionally, a unique double-fractional constitutive model is debuted to accurately evaluate the effective Prandtl number’s function in the boundary layer. The equations were solved using a numerical technique that combined the finite-difference method with the L$_1$ algorithm. This investigation presents numerical findings related to the velocity, temperature distributions, wall shear stress coefficient, and heat transfer coefficient, contrasting scenarios with and without the effective Prandtl number. The research shows that integrating nanoparticles into the base fluids reduces the temperature of the nanofluid with an effective Prandtl number while enhancing the heat transfer rate irrespective of its presence. Nonetheless, the introduction of a fractional parameter reduced the heat transfer efficiency within the system. Notably, the $\gamma$Al$_2$O$_3$-C$_2$H$_6$O$_2$ nanofluid demonstrates superior heat transfer enhancement capabilities compared to its $\gamma$Al$_2$O$_3$-H$_2$O counterpart but also exacerbates the drag coefficient more significantly. Many practical applications of this study include electronics cooling, industrial process heat exchangers, and rotating and stationary gas turbines in power plants, and efficient heat exchangers in aircraft.
Editors’ Introduction
Authors: Ashraph Sareta , Chaikel Danya , Gavshon Daniela , Sutherland Kirsty 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Civil society has long been a key actor in the pursuit of accountability. Moreover, civil society has often helped define what accountability is and how to achieve it. This symposium looks at various contributions made by civil society organizations to the international justice landscape. First, as pioneers in establishing international tribunals or justice mechanisms and intervening in cases before them, and secondly, through contributing to emerging alternative processes. These processes include vetting, sanctions, cases focused on civil liability of alleged perpetrators, and the establishment of People’s Tribunals. These avenues are proving to be innovative ways to fulfil many important goals of accountability, in the face of a slower-moving criminal justice system. This symposium offers diverse perspectives on civil society contributions to today’s expanding accountability efforts — provided by those working in them — as an opportunity to consider the current, and arguably shifting, justice infrastructure.
NCI workshop on ctDNA in cancer treatment and clinical care
Authors: Sorg Brian S , Byun Jung S , Westbrook V Anne , Tricoli James V , Doroshow James H , Harris Lyndsay N 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Detection of cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from solid tumors is a fast-evolving field with significant potential for improving patient treatment outcomes. The spectrum of applications for ctDNA assays is broad and includes very diverse intended uses that will require different strategies to demonstrate utility. On September 14-15, 2023, the National Cancer Institute held an in-person workshop in Rockville, MD titled “ctDNA in Cancer Treatment and Clinical Care.” The goal of the workshop was to examine what is currently known and what needs to be determined for various ctDNA liquid biopsy use cases related to treatment and management of patients with solid tumors and to explore how the community can best assess the value of ctDNA assays and technology. Additionally, new approaches were presented that may show promise in the future. The information exchanged in this workshop will provide the community with a better understanding of this field and its potential to affect and benefit decision-making in the treatment of patients with solid tumors.