bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Cerebral Embolic Protection Devices on Disabling Stroke After TAVR: Updated Results From the STS/ACC TVT Registry
Authors: Butala Neel M. , Kapadia Samir R. , Secemsky Eric A. , Gallup Dianne , Kosinski Andrzej S. , Vemulapalli Sreekanth , Messenger John C. , Yeh Robert W. , Cohen David J. 
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:
Cerebral embolic protection devices (EPDs) were developed to mitigate the risk of stroke during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), but their benefit remains unproven. In the PROTECTED-TAVR trial (Stroke Protection With Sentinel During Transcatheter), EPD use did not reduce periprocedural stroke (primary study outcome) but led to a 62% reduction in the secondary end point of disabling stroke. Given these results, the impact of EPDs during TAVR remains unclear.

METHODS:
We used STS/ACC TVT registry data to examine the association between EPD use and a proxy for disabling stroke among transfemoral TAVR patients between January 2018 and June 2023. The primary outcome was in-hospital disabling stroke—defined as stroke associated with either in-hospital death or discharge to a nonhome location. We evaluated the association between EPD use and disabling stroke using instrumental variable analysis with a site-level preference for EPD use as the instrument—a quasi-experimental approach that can support causal inference. In addition, we performed a propensity score–based comparison using overlap weighting as a secondary analysis.

RESULTS:

The study population consisted of 414 649 patients of whom 53 389 (12.9%) received an EPD. The unadjusted rate of in-hospital disabling stroke was 0.7% among the EPD group and 0.9% in the no-EPD group. EPD use was associated with a reduction in disabling stroke in both instrumental variable analysis (relative risk, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.73–1.00]) and propensity-weighted analysis (odds ratio, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.70–0.90]) but was not associated with a reduction in nondisabling stroke. In subgroup analyses, the benefit of EPD was greater among those with versus without prior stroke (
P
interaction
<0.05 for both instrumental variable and propensity-weighted analyses).

CONCLUSIONS:
In the largest study to date, among patients undergoing TAVR, EPD use was associated with a small, borderline significant reduction in stroke associated with death or discharge to a nonhome location (a proxy for disabling stroke) that is likely to be causal in nature. Taken together with previous mechanistic and clinical studies, these findings provide credible evidence that EPDs benefit patients undergoing TAVR.
Impact of Left Atrial Pressure on Outcomes After Mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair
Authors: Sammour Yasser M. , Bou Chaaya Rody G. , Hatab Taha , Zaid Syed , Aoun Joe , Makram Omar M. , Wessly Priscilla , Samimi Sahar , Nagueh Sherif F. , Zoghbi William A. , Atkins Marvin D. , Reardon Michael J. , Faza Nadeen , Little Stephen H. , Kleiman Neal S. , Goel Sachin S. 
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:
Increased left atrial pressure (LAP) has been associated with adverse outcomes after mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER). We sought to evaluate outcomes based on differences in postprocedural LAP measured after the final clip deployment.

METHODS:
We included consecutive patients who underwent M-TEER at our institution between 2014 and 2022 with LAP monitoring. Patients were stratified into 3 groups according to tertiles of post-TEER mean LAP. Outcomes were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS:
We included 273 patients (mean age, 76.8±10.8 years; 42.5% women; 78.4% White). The mean post-TEER LAP was 8.7±1.7 mm Hg in tertile 1 (n=85), 14.4±1.6 mm Hg in tertile 2 (n=95), and 21.9±3.8 mm Hg in tertile 3 (n=93). In comparison with tertile 1, both tertiles 2 and 3 were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization at 2 years (adjusted hazard ratio [adjHR], 2.27 [95% CI, 1.25–4.12] and adjHR, 3.00 [95% CI, 1.59–5.64], respectively). Among patients with primary mitral regurgitation, higher LAP was associated with increased risk of 2-year all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization (tertile 2 versus 1: adjHR, 3.00 [95% CI, 1.37–6.56]; tertile 3 versus 1: adjHR, 5.52 [95% CI, 2.04–14.95]). However, in patients with secondary mitral regurgitation, neither being in tertile 2 (adjHR, 1.53 [95% CI, 0.55–4.24]) nor tertile 3 (adjHR, 2.18 [95% CI, 0.82–5.77]) were associated with the composite outcome compared with tertile 1. Any degree of LAP reduction following M-TEER was associated with lower mortality or heart failure hospitalization compared with no LAP reduction (adjHR, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.39–0.88]).

CONCLUSIONS:
Elevated LAP after M-TEER was associated with increased 2-year risk of mortality or heart failure hospitalization. Exploration of reasons for elevated LAP after M-TEER and ways to lower it warrant further investigation.
Freak Pictures, Fly Fishers, and Optical Illusions: Historical Antecedents of the Science of Fish Vision
Authors: Elias Ann 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
In the early twentieth century, when little was known about the underwater realm, the question of subaquatic vision garnered much interest. Based on human laws of optics in water, observers of the time claimed to show how fish see, and the impact of illusions on fish vision. Addressing fly-fishers in particular, they raised the question of whether fish see “freak pictures” and “monsters.” The present study examines five scientific visualizations published in Scientific American in 1913 to determine whether optical illusions remain relevant for fish scientists today and whether conceptions of visual intelligence in fish have changed since 1913.
Visibilis 433: Sensory Extension and Audiovisual Reinterpretation of 4′33″
Authors: Yoon Ji Won , Yeo Woon Seung , Kang Da Hye 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
This article introduces Visibilis 433, an audiovisual installation piece inspired by and conceived as an homage to John Cage’s legendary 4′33″. The piece utilizes practically inaudible components of the ambient sound in the gallery to present an audible artificial soundscape and an accompanying virtual landscape in real time, aiming to reinterpret Cage’s original intentions from a new perspective through signal processing and multimedia programming. In addition to introducing notable features of Visibilis 433, the article discusses its significance as a re-mediated synesthetic variation of 4′33″ that extends the limit of our auditory perceptions and crosses the border between audio and visual senses.
Connectome embedding in multidimensional graph spaces
Authors: Mach Mathieu , Amico Enrico , Liégeois Raphaël , Preti Maria Giulia , Griffa Alessandra , Van De Ville Dimitri , Pedersen Mangor 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Connectomes’ topological organization can be quantified using graph theory. Here, we investigated brain networks in higher dimensional spaces defined by up to 10 graph theoretic nodal properties. These properties assign a score to nodes, reflecting their meaning in the network. Using 100 healthy unrelated subjects from the Human Connectome Project, we generated various connectomes (structural/functional, binary/weighted). We observed that nodal properties are correlated (i.e., they carry similar information) at whole-brain and subnetwork level. We conducted an exploratory machine learning analysis to test whether high-dimensional network information differs between sensory and association areas. Brain regions of sensory and association networks were classified with an 80–86% accuracy in a 10-dimensional (10D) space. We observed the largest gain in machine learning accuracy going from a 2D to 3D space, with a plateauing accuracy toward 10D space, and nonlinear Gaussian kernels outperformed linear kernels. Finally, we quantified the Euclidean distance between nodes in a 10D graph space. The multidimensional Euclidean distance was highest across subjects in the default mode network (in structural networks) and frontoparietal and temporal lobe areas (in functional networks). To conclude, we propose a new framework for quantifying network features in high-dimensional spaces that may reveal new network properties of the brain.
Moving vs still prey: do common wall lizards show any preference?
Authors: Guadin Bianca , Gazzola Andrea , Balestrieri Alessandro , Pellitteri-Rosa Daniele 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Among prey functional traits, mobility plays a major role, affecting its actual availability to predators: a moving animal is usually more susceptible of being detected than immobile or inanimate prey. With the aim of investigating the role played by visual cues and preference for moving vs. immobile prey in a widespread, generalist species, common wall lizard Podarcis muralis, we used two different experimental approaches. First, we assessed the preference of tested individuals for either one active or one still mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), symmetrically hung in a T-shaped arena (single prey preference experiment); secondly, each individual was left free to interact for 20 min with two closed boxes containing 10 moving or still worms, kept at opposite sides of a rectangular arena (multiple prey experiment). Our results showed that lizards consistently selected the moving stimuli when no chemical prey-borne cues were available. When choosing between single prey, we found inter-individual variation in both lizard preference for moving or still prey and latency to attack, which may depend on either microhabitat-related difference in foraging tactics or personality traits.
Unveiling two novel Ditylenchus (Nematoda: Anguinidae) species inhabiting the growing medium of Rhododendron simsii imported from Japan
Authors: Gu Jianfeng , Ma Xinxin , Castillo Pablo , Munawar Maria 
Published: June 2024

Summary
The present study describes two new Ditylenchus species, isolated from the growing medium of Rhododendron simsii imported from Japan, at the Ningbo plant quarantine laboratory, Ningbo, P.R. China. Ditylenchus parvicauda n. sp. is an amphimictic species. Females have six incisures in the lateral fields, a medium length slim body, a short delicate stylet with asymmetrical stylet knobs, the secretory-excretory (S-E) pore located posterior to the isthmus and in the anterior region of the basal pharyngeal bulb, a posteriorly located vulva (V = 80.9-83.0), post-uterine sac (PUS) tube-like, and the tail cylindrical, tapering gradually towards finely rounded terminus. Males are similar to females in general morphology and have 10.1-14.9 μm long spicules. The second new species, D. gracicauda n. sp. is characterised by having a long and slender body, the presence of a vulval flap, four lines in the lateral field, a narrow and low lip region not offset, the S-E pore located posterior to the isthmus but not in the anterior region of the basal pharyngeal bulb, a posteriorly located vulva (V = 71.1-76.2), a short post-vulval uterine sac short (4.5-9.2 μm), and the tail slender, tapering gradually towards finely rounded to wedge-shaped terminus. The two new species were also characterised molecularly using 18S, ITS and the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA genes. Our phylogenetic analyses showed their independent place among available Ditylenchus species. Several Ditylenchus species are regulated pests, and the introduction of these species into a new environment may result in diseases among native plants or vegetation in the area. Therefore, careful attention must be directed towards newly discovered species, particularly those under quarantine observation.
An improved protocol for inducing the gut cleaning process in earthworm for various experiments
Authors: Kandaswamy Karthikeyan , Vadivelu Kayalvizhi , Durairaj Selvan Christyraj Jackson , Subbiahanadar Chelladurai Karthikeyan , Rajagopalan Kamarajan , Das Puja , Chandrasekar Meikandan , Balamurugan Nivedha , Subramanian Vijayalakshmi , Selvan Christyraj Johnson Retnaraj Samuel 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Earthworms have a complex digestive system consisting of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, crop, gizzard, and intestine which work together to pass the soil out. The gut soil and associated microbial load in earthworms’ gut hinder the outcome of many experiments like in-vitro regeneration, histology, immunohistochemistry, molecular expression and toxicological studies. Currently, the available gut cleaning techniques are time-consuming and costly. The tissue paper method takes 4-7 days; the agar-agar method takes around 3-5 days to clean the gut. Therefore, refined techniques are needed to reduce the gut cleaning process in a cost-effective and at the same time in a minimum number of days. Bisacodyl is a medication used to treat constipation and it acts as a laxative drug that increases peristatic movement of the gut. It can also be used to cleanse the intestines before a bowel examination or surgery. The present study aims to enhance the gut-cleaning process in earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae, using the drug bisacodyl. Briefly, the earthworm is exposed to different concentrations (1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, 6 mg, 8 mg and 10 mg) of bisacodyl and analyzed for its excretion rate. We observed that 4 mg is more efficient and aids in cleaning the earthworm’s gut within two days. A lower bisacodyl concentration is inefficient in cleaning the gut in a shorter duration while at higher bisacodyl concentrations, worm experienced autotomy. Since the drug was active for only 45 mins, the worm became normal one hour after withdrawal from the experiment. Other than E. eugeniae, for Perionyx excavatus we observed 4 mg bisacodyl drug is efficient and aids in cleaning its gut within two days. Overall, the designed protocol is efficient for gut cleaning in a shorter duration in a cost-effective manner.
Solutions for Tropical Vertical Motion under Convective Quasi-Equilibrium Constraints
Authors: Dang Dong-Pha , Yu Jia-Yuh 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Solutions for tropical convection (vertical motion), including both the first (deep) and the second baroclinic (shallow) modes, subject to convective quasi-equilibrium (CQE) constraints are formulated. Under CQE assumption, tropical convection ω(p, x, y) can be decomposed into a product of height-dependent variable Ωi(p) and space-dependent variable ∇·vi(x, y) with the former constrained by conservation of moist static energy (MSE) or dry static energy (DSE) perturbations, depending on whether the atmospheric column is dominated by ascending or descending motions. We then evaluate the roles of deep and shallow modes of convection in transporting moisture and static energy against observations using the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts reanalysis data. The moisture transport by deep mode produces a spatial pattern similar to observations, except for an obvious underestimate of the magnitude over the eastern Pacific convergence zone (EPCZ) and cold tongue areas, where the contribution of shallow mode may account for up to 25% of the total moisture transport. In contrast, the MSE transport by deep mode exhibits a very poor performance, especially over the EPCZ where the observational MSE transport is negative, but a positive value is predicted by deep mode. Including the contribution of shallow mode immediately remedies this deficiency, due to a better representation of the bottom-heavy structure of ascending motions over the EPCZ. These improvements apply to almost the entire tropics, although the correlation tends to decrease away from the convergence zones. Since simple atmospheric models often assume a single heating (forcing) profile to represent the effect of cumulus convection, the present study highlights the importance and feasibility of including both deep and shallow modes in a simple atmospheric model, while at the same time maintaining the simple model framework, to more accurately represent the moisture and MSE transports by convection in the tropics.
Comparison of Therapeutic Effects Between Conventional 2D Laparoscopy and 3D Laparoscopy in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhan Shixiong , Zhu Zhicheng , Yu Haitao , Xia Yu , Zhu Yuangui , Wu Feixiang , Liao Hui , Wan Zhenda 
Published: June 2024

Background This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of 2D laparoscopy vs 3D laparoscopy for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Methods A literature search was conducted through PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase from their inception to January 2024. Studies investigating different outcomes of colorectal surgery were included. Results are presented as odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The protocol for this review has been registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024504902). Results A total of 10 publications were retrieved in this article. The 3D group is associated with a significant improvement in intraoperative blood loss (MD = −8.04, 95% CI = −14.18 to −1.89, P = 0.01, I2 = 55%), operative time (MD = −17.33, 95% CI = −29.15 to −5.51, P = 0.004, I2 = 90%), and postoperative hospital stay (MD = −0.23, 95% CI = −0.43 to −0.04, P = 0.02, I2 = 48%) compared to that of patients treated in the 2D group, particularly for rectal cancer patients above three results (MD = −10.36, 95% CI = −15.00 to −5.73, P < 0.001, I2 = 0%), (MD = −18.85, 95% CI = −34.88 to −2.82, P = 0.02, I2 = 57%), and (MD = −0.93, 95% CI = −1.53 to −0.34, P = 0.002, I2 = 0%), respectively. There was no significant statistical difference in the time of pass flatus (MD = −0.14, 95% CI = −0.49 to  0.21, P = 0.44, I2 = 79%) and the number of dissected lymph nodes (MD = 0.36, 95% CI = −0.49 to 1.21, P = 0.41, I2 = 45%), but the 3D group had an earlier postoperative pass flatus for rectal cancer patients (MD = −0.46, 95% CI = −0.66 to −0.27, P<0.001, I2 = 0%) and the more number of dissected lymph nodes for colon cancer patients (MD = 1.54, 95% CI = 0.05 to 3.03, P = 0.04, I2 = 69%) than the 2D group. There was no significant difference in postoperative overall complication (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.67 to 1.31, P = 0.71, I2 = 0%) and anastomotic leakage (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.48 to 1.80, P = 0.83, I2 = 0%) in the two groups, regardless of rectal cancer and colon surgery patients. Conclusion This meta-analysis demonstrates that 3D laparoscopy could reduce the amount of blood loss, accelerate postoperative pass flatus, and shorten the operation time and postoperative hospital stay over 2D for radical rectal cancer surgery, without obvious advantage for radical colon cancer surgery. Moreover, 3D laparoscopy increases the number of dissected lymph nodes for radical colon cancer surgery but may not be observed in rectal cancer surgery.
Adapting Dementia Care Management to a Regional German Context: Assessment of Changes in Acceptability, Appropriateness, and Feasibility
Authors: Seidel Katja , Rupp Lena , Thyrian Jochen René , Haberstroh Julia 
Published: June 2024

Dementia care management, an evidence-based care concept in Germany, optimizes care for people with dementia and their caregivers. Implemented by qualified professionals, it comprises intervention modules addressing treatment and care, medication management, and caregiver support. Positively evaluated in one federal state, it’s recommended for nationwide integration into routine care. Since the infrastructure of the German healthcare system differs regionally, the concept underwent adaption for regional implementation in a participatory, iterative process. Five local healthcare experts as co-researchers tested and adjusted selected components of the concept in a pilot study. This trend analysis aims to assess the adapted concept for acceptance, appropriateness, and feasibility. A total of 89 intervention modules were tested over 18 weeks, and the co-researcher’s assessment was gathered through an accompanying online survey. The participatory process itself was rated positively overall, but technical problems had a negative impact on the implementation and evaluation of the care concept.
Accelerating healing of infected wounds with G. glabra extract and curcumin Co-loaded electrospun nanofibrous dressing
Authors: Doostan Maryam , Maleki Hassan , Khoshnevisan Kamyar , Baharifar Hadi , Doostan Mahtab , Bahrami Sonia 
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to construct a nanofibrous wound dressing composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CS) containing curcumin and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract to inhibit infection and accelerate wound healing. Loading 10 wt% of G. glabra extract-curcumin (50:50) by electrospinng technique resulted in the formation of nanofibers (NFs) with diameter distribution 303 ± 38 and had a uniform and defect-free morphology. FTIR analysis confirmed the loading of the components without adverse interactions. Also, the results showed extremely high porosity, extraordinary liquid absorption capacity, and complete wettability. In addition, G. glabra extract-curcumin showed significant antioxidant activity and their release profile from NFs was continuous and sustained. Also, the prepared NF could inhibit the growth of both Gram-positive Saureus and Gram-negative E. coli strains. Wound healing evaluation in the infected animal model showed that the NFs caused full wound closure and accelerated skin regeneration. The studies on inhibiting the bacteria growth at the wound site also revealed complete inhibitory effects. Moreover, histopathology studies confirmed the complete regeneration of skin layers, formation of collagen fibers, and angiogenesis. Finally, PVA/CS NFs containing G. glabra extract-curcumin as a multifunctional bioactive wound dressing presented a promising approach for promoting the healing of infected wounds.
Supporting Direct Breastfeeding for a Tracheostomy-Dependent Extremely Premature Infant: A Case Study
Authors: Lakoff Alanna , Beckford Jadia , Charbonneau Catherine , Lepine Susan , Lawrence Sarah L. 
Published: June 2024

Introduction: The benefits of human milk for preterm infants are well documented. Complex medical conditions can limit the extremely premature infant’s ability to breastfeed and to receive human milk directly, yet these vulnerable infants may benefit most from receiving it. Main Issue: Extremely preterm infants are at risk for infections, digestive challenges, and chronic lung disease, and occasionally require a tracheostomy to facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation. There is a risk of aspiration when orally feeding a child with a tracheostomy. This case study describes a tertiary neonatal team supporting a family’s direct breastfeeding goal in an extremely premature infant with a diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia requiring a tracheostomy. Management: Initially, the infant participant (born at 24 weeks and 3 days of gestation, with a birthweight of 540 g) was gavage fed with human milk. The interdisciplinary team collaborated with the family to guide the infant’s feeding goals, providing positive oral stimulation with soothers, oral immune therapy, and frequent skin-to-skin contact to prepare for future oral feeding. Within a month of the tracheotomy procedure, oral feeding was initiated, and direct breastfeeding with the tracheostomy tubing in place was achieved at 50 weeks and 1 day of age as a primary source of nutrition. Conclusion: The open dialogue between the family and healthcare team was the foundation for trialing direct breastfeeding for an extremely premature infant with a tracheostomy. While direct breastfeeding of full-term infants with tracheostomies has been previously described in the literature, this is the first case study of an extremely premature infant with a tracheostomy transitioning to direct breastfeeding.