bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Effects of Real-Time Feedback devices on Chest Compression Quality of Basic Life Support-Certified and Non-Basic Life Support-Certified Rescuers: A Randomized Crossover Manikin Study.
Authors: Wang Huanglei , Zhang Zhongxiang , Xiong Dan , Yu Jiangtao , Zhao Yan , Jiang Cheng 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of mortality across the world. The incidence and death rate are high. However, high-quality CPR cannot be always accomplished by either bystanders or medical professionals. Feedback devices have been confirmed to be effective in training of CPR. The aim of the study is to investigate and compare the impacts of a real-time feedback device (RTFD) on CPR quality of BLS-certified and non-BLS-certified rescuers.
Methods
A total of 50 BLS-certified participants from emergency department and 50 junior students from medical school were recruited. Two rounds of 2-min chest compression (CC)-only CPR with and without RTFD were conducted. The order in which rescuers conducted the two rounds was arranged randomly. 6-hour rest was set between two rounds. Position, rate, depth, and recoil during compression and blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation and Borg fatigue scale before and after compression were measured and recorded.
Results
With RTFD, the proportions of high-quality CC (compression with rate between 100–120 bpm, depth in 5–6 cm, and complete recoil) of two groups significantly improved (both p < 0.001). However, the proportion of high-quality CC in non-BLS, with or without RTFD, were still lower than BLS (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001). With RTFD, the rate of non-BLS increased to over 100 (96.5 ± 12.9 vs 108.7 ± 6.6, p < 0.001) and the proportion of 100–120 bpm between two groups became similar (p = 0.35). With RTFD, depth of BLS was increased to recommended range (5–6 cm), but depth in non-BLS was still lower than 5 cm (5.1 ± 0.6 vs 4.7 ± 0.7, p = 0.001). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased more with RTFD after CC in non-BLS, and the score of Borg fatigue scale after compression with RTFD was significantly higher than that without RTFD (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
RTFD can help rescuers perform CC with a higher quality. RTFD can improve CC rate better than depth. Considering the increase of fatigue for bystanders during CPR with RTFD, repetitive training is necessary to allow rescuers to adapt the feedback devices, especially for bystanders.
Cost-effectiveness of corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus in district general hospital settings in the United Kingdom
Authors: Dervenis Panagiotis , Dervenis Nikolaos , Lam Fook Chang 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Keratoconus is a bilateral corneal ectasia occurring in adolescence or early adulthood. Collagen crosslinking is being used as an option to halt disease progression. However, still many district general hospitals lack the equipment of performing this rather straightforward procedure. The aim of this study is to assess how cost-effectiveness of crosslinking when performed in district units compares to crosslinking in tertiary centers.
Methods
A Markov model was constructed consisting of two different cohorts. One cohort included patients having crosslinking in district units, while the second included patients that were initially examined in district hospitals but then they were referred to tertiary centers in order to have the same treatment. Data for the first cohort were derived from audit data in our department, whereas for the tertiary cohort we used already published data. Sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the robustness of our results.
Results
In the base case, crosslinking performed in district general hospitals proved to be more effective and less costly compared to crosslinking in tertiary units. Assuming a lifelong efficacy of crosslinking, this leads to an extra cost of £238,782.33/QALY, whereas assuming a 10-year efficacy crosslinking in district general hospitals saves £1,062,962.96/QALY. In any case, crosslinking in district units remains cost effective compared to the NHS willingness-to-pay ratio of £30000/QALY. Decision making is unaffected by the initial disease severity, the proportion of bilateral cases treated and the discount rate of the utilities and the costs.
Conclusion
Collagen crosslinking when performed in district general hospitals is more effective and less costly for the healthcare system. Coordinated actions should be taken in order to equip even more district units with all the necessary equipment so that patients can be treated locally rather than be referred to tertiary centers.
Genetic variation within the arctic-alpine Calamagrostis stricta (Poaceae) species complex in Europe
Authors: Parisod Christian , GRUENIG Sandra , Metry Adrian , Leibundgut Mary , Eggenberg Stefan , Mràz Patrick , Kozlowski Gregor , Champoud Luca 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The Calamagrostis stricta (Poaceae) species complex is a circumpolar, boreo-arctic and montane taxon that includesnumerous subspecies and varieties. The recent discovery of Calamagrostis lonana Eggenberg & Leibundgut in the Alps, calls for a thorough assessment of relationships within C. stricta. The main aim of our study was to elucidate the phylogenetic position, genetic structure, and ploidy level of C. lonana, as compared to the other members of the C. stricta species complex from Central Europe to the Arctic. Fifteen populations of the C. stricta species complex were sampled across Central and Northern Europe and their ploidy level was estimated using flow cytometry. Genetic variation was characterized using double digest RAD sequencing reads (ddRADseq) on a total of 115 individuals genotyped at 1157 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Tetraploidy was observed in Arctic populations from Northern Europe and C. lonana in the Alps, in contrast to other populations exhibiting higher ploidy levels. Calamagrostis lonana was genetically closely related to the arctic C. stricta subsp. groenlandica, while C. stricta subsp. stricta formed a second genetic cluster across Central Europe. A third, very distinct genetic cluster was observed in the northern Svalbard archipelago. Despite lacking evidence of sexual reproduction, substantially more genetic diversity than expected under asexual reproduction was detected within populations in C. lonana and other taxa. The distribution and genetic structure of the C. stricta species complex has been shaped by major post-glacial environmental changes having affected cold regions, and specifically highlights C. lonana as a valuable relict taxon for the Alps.
Benefits of entecavir therapy in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients with compensated cirrhosis after hepatectomy: a ten-year cohort study
Authors: Liu Jian , Lin Jianbo , Shi Xintong , Zhang Xiaofeng , Dai Chun , Wu Yeye , Cui Longjiu , Zhu Bin , Fu Xiaohui , Yu Wenlong , Wang Kui , Li Jun 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Data on the impact of antiviral therapy(AVT) on the long-term outcomes of hepatitis B virus(HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients with cirrhosis after hepatectomy are limited. We aimed to determine the effect of AVT on HBV-related cirrhotic HCC.
Methods
A total of 1396 patients with HBV-related cirrhotic HCC who underwent curative resection and received entecavir for postoperative AVT were categorized into AVT and no-AVT groups. Recurrence and overall survival(OS) rates were compared, especially according to the initiation time of AVT, virological response, and low HBV levels.
Results
The 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year recurrence rates in AVT group(n = 432) were lower than those in no-AVT group(n = 964, 26%, 49%, 65% and 76% vs. 29%, 69%, 87% and 92%,P < 0.001) and OS rates were higher(95%, 69%, 54% and 34% vs. 94%, 53%, 35% and 11%,P < 0.001). AVT was an independent factor for late, but not early, recurrence(P < 0.001). The 3-, 5-, and 10-year recurrence rates were similar between patients with only postoperative AVT and those with both pre-and postoperative AVT(P = 0.772). In the AVT group, the 3-, 5-, and 10-year recurrence rates in patients with persistent virological response(PVR) were lower than those in patients with low detectable viral levels(LDV, P = 0.003). Logistic analysis showed that the time to virological response(P < 0.001) and HBeAg positivity(P < 0.001) were independently associated with LDV. Patients with spontaneous or treatment-induced undetectable HBV showed the lowest and similar late recurrence rates(P = 0.796).
Conclusions
Long-term AVT, regardless of preoperative or postoperative initiation, reduced post-resection late recurrence in patients with HCC and cirrhosis, especially in those with PVR.
A real-world pharmacovigilance study of nusinersen based on the FAERS database
Authors: Guo Weiling , Fang Yi , Xu Aiguang , Wu Lijuan , Zou Yonghong , Yan Liang 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and analyse nusinersen adverse events (AEs) in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) to provide comprehensive safety data on nusinersen in real-world.
Methods: Reports on nusinersen were extracted from the FAERS database spanning from January 2017 to December 2023. Disproportionality analysis were performed using reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN) and multi-item gamma Poisson shrinker (MGPS), to find out the AEs for nusinersen. Additionally, we described the time-to-onset (TTO) of AEs.
Results: The study retained the 227 preferred terms (PTs) identified by all four algorithms. Important AEs such as traumatic lumbar puncture, neuromuscular scoliosis, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure increased, neurological procedural complication, mechanical ventilation complication, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, CSF protein increased, procedural anxiety, arachnoid cyst, chronic respiratory failure and sudden infant death syndrome. The median TTO for nusinersen AEs was 119.5 days (interquartile range [IQR] 14–492 days). More than 32.01% of AEs occurred after one year.
Conclusion: Our signal detection of nusinersen reportedsome potential signals of uncommon AEs, which could aid in risk identification and clinical monitoring.
Association of ADAMTS-5 gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility to knee osteoarthritis in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Gao Shan , Jia Menglong , Wang Jingwei , Sun Qiankun , Liu Fangxiu , Yu Longtan , Guo YanXing , Li Nianhu , Wei Lei 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent type of arthritis and the main reason for the progressive disability in middle-aged and older people. Studies of candidate genes may provide a novel insight and treatment strategy for KOA. The aim of this study was to investigated the relationship between knee osteoarthritis (KOA) susceptibility and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the ADAMTS-5 gene.
Materials and methods
The case group included 188 patients from Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital with clinically and radiographically diagnosed primary KOA, and the control group included 100 age-matched individuals without KOA. Fifteen ADAMTS-5 SNPs were assayed using MALDI-TOF MS. Allelic and haplotypic frequencies were compared between the groups. The relationship between genotype distribution and risk of KOA was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.
Results
The frequency of A allele in rs2249350 site in the KOA group was significantly lower (odds ratio [OR]: 0.761; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.612–0.947; P = 0.016), while that of C allele was higher than that in the control group (OR: 1.176; 95% CI: 1.025–1.351; P = 0.016). AA genotype and gene model, especially recessive gene model at rs2249350 locus, negatively correlated with KOA risk after adjustment for sex, body mass index, age, and occupation (AA vs. CC: OR: 0.288; 95% CI: 0.124–0.669; P = 0.004; AA vs. CA + CC: OR: 0.348; 95% CI: 0.162–0.749; P = 0.007). Meanwhile, one protective haplotype, GA (rs229054, rs2249350) (OR: 0.763; 95% CI: 0.614–0.949; P = 0.017), and one high-risk haplotype, GC (rs229054, rs2249350) (OR: 1.259; 95% CI: 1.032–1.537; P = 0.019), were found in this study.
Conclusion
Despite a limited sample size, our study suggests that the rs2249350 polymorphism in the ADAMTS-5 gene is one of the genetic factors influencing the risk of KOA. The A allele and AA genotype of rs2249350 may protect from KOA, whereas C allele and CC genotype increase the risk of KOA. In addition, the GA haplotype (rs229054, rs2249350) might be associated with a decreased risk of KOA, whereas the GC haplotype (rs229054, rs2249350) may be a risk factor for KOA. Additional larger-sized studies in more ethnically diverse populations are needed to confirm these findings.
Tying the knot between morphology and development: Using enamel-knot determined dental morphology to study the evolution of molarization in hoofed mammals
Authors: Ashbaugh Austin J. , Jamniczky Heather A. , Theodor Jessica M. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Molariform teeth have fascinated zoologists for as long as the field of evolutionary biology has existed, but few mammalian groups show as much morphological variation as hoofed mammals. Ungulate premolars and molars function together as the post-canine unit in grinding mastication. The degree of similarity of the premolars to the molars in crown complexity varies wildly across dietary ecologies and similar morphologies are refered to as molarized. However, the vast majority of dental complexity evolution research over the past 30 years has focused on molar crown morphogenesis evolution rather than interregional dental phenomena such as molarization. Dental crown complexity in vertebrates is controlled by signalling centers known as enamel knots in all regions of the jaw. In this study we tested whether applying current knowledge of enamel knot driven crown morphogenesis to shape covariation across the premolar molar boundary would inform potential mechanisms of molarization in hoofed mammals. We used 2D geometric morphometrics to study enamel-knot driven covariation at the lower premolar molar boundaries of 16 artiodactyl and 18 perissodactyls species. Phylogenetically informed modularity analyses were used to test several a-priori morphogenetic hypotheses describing different developmental interactions between the premolars and molars. Our results showed artiodactyls and perissodactyls significantly differ in their premolar molar boundary covariation caused by heterochronic shifts between premolar and molar development. To our knowledge, our study is the first to contribute a comprehensive yet accesible 2D morphometric method to produce heuristic results for further investigating the evolution of molarized premolars.
Optimizing Electric Vehicle Charging: An Investigation into Effective Machine Learning Techniques for Charging Management
Authors: Sharma Purnima K , Sathiyanarayanan Mithileysh , Zurek-Mortka Marta 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The impact on the power grid can be reduced by using smart charging systems to manage the charging of electric vehicles in a more organized and effective manner. Demand response programs, where charging stations may connect with the power grid and modify their charging rate according on the demand for electricity at that moment, are one example of a smart charging solution. This may reduce the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades and balance the strain on the electricity system. In order to balance the electricity grid, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology can potentially be deployed. The difficulties posed by electric vehicle charging stations are being addressed through the implementation of smart charging solutions and machine learning techniques. A possible strategy to reduce voltage fluctuation, load variance, and improve power quality is predicting when to offer rapid charging depending on power demand. Finding the best model that can accurately predict the fast-charging times can be done by using ML algorithms like Kernel-Support Vector Machine, Random Forest Classifier, K-Nearest Neighbors, Decision Tree Classifier, Naive Bayes, Artificial Neural Network, Long Short-Term Memory, XGBoost, and CatBoost. The three most effective ML models were picked for this paper: Random Forest Classifier, Decision Tree Classifier, and XGBoost. The top model, XGBoost, known for its enhanced performance, was chosen based on the findings.
Climate change threatens shallow Arctic infaunal blue carbon stocks
Authors: Silberberger Marc 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

In the light of high carbon dioxide emissions and the progressing climate change, blue carbon solutions and climate feedback loops have received much attention. Here I study biological traits of Mollusca along a latitudinal gradient to demonstrate that outstanding high biomass stocks in shallow (< 150m) Arctic fjord sediments are associated with large, long-lived suspension feeders that play only minor roles at greater depth and fjords in sub-Arctic and temperate climate zones. Using the latitudinal gradient as space-for-time surrogate, the results suggest that climate change will cause decreasing blue carbon stores in Arctic fjords and that a positive climate feedback loop exists.
Advancing Wood Quality with Convective Vacuum Drying and its Influence on Multiple Properties of Mangifera Indica L. Timber
Authors: . Nishant , Pathak Ashutosh , Upreti N. K. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

This study looks into the effects of convective vacuum drying on the timber quality of Mangifera indica L. timber, focusing on drying rate, drying time, and mechanical, physical, and anatomical properties. Convective vacuum drying significantly reduced the moisture content of mango wood from 93.10% to 8–12% within approximately 99 hours, enhancing its physical and mechanical properties. The process yielded wood with no visual defects, increased basic density, reduced volumetric shrinkage, and improved mechanical strength metrics such as modulus of elasticity and rupture. Anatomical changes included reductions in vessel and fiber dimensions. The improvements observed suggest that convective vacuum drying is a useful technique for improving the quality of M. indica L. wood, increasing its suitability for a range of industrial uses.
Determinants of smallholder farmers choice of adaptation strategies in response to the impacts of climate variability in the Ayehu watershed, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Bitew Abebe Biresaw , Minale Amare Sewnet 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Adapting to climate variability is crucial for sustainable livelihoods in developing countries like Ethiopia, where rain-fed agriculture underpins the economy. This study aims to evaluate both indigenous and introduced adaptation measures across different agroecological zones, along with their determining factors. Data was collected from 338 farm households using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. The Weighted Average Index (WAI) was used to identify the most significant adaptation methods employed by farm households in various agroecological zones, while the Problem Confrontation Index (PCI) assessed the barriers hindering the implementation of these strategies. The multinomial logit model (MNL) was utilized to investigate the factors affecting farmers' choices of adaptation strategies. The results indicated that the most popular indigenous adaptation strategies were planting local crop varieties (WAI = 2.22), crop diversification (WAI = 2.15), and adjusting planting dates (WAI = 2.14). The introduced adaptation strategies included using inorganic fertilizers (WAI = 2.64), applying improved crop varieties (WAI = 2.41), and using pesticides and herbicides (WAI = 2.24). PCI results revealed that the major barriers to adapting to climate variability were limited farm size (PCI = 694), lack of access to climate information (PCI = 641), poor soil quality (PCI = 639), lack of irrigation facilities (PCI = 623), and high input costs (PCI = 610). The logit model identified several significant factors influencing farmers' preferences for adaptation measures, such as crop failure, credit availability, recurrent drought, climate variability perception, agroecological location, and household income. The study underscores the importance of understanding local-level factors that influence farmers' adaptation strategies to enhance their resilience to climate variability.
A simple phylogenetic approach to analyze hypermutated HIV proviruses reveals insights into their dynamics and persistence during antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Shahid Aniqa , Jones Bradley R. , Duncan Maggie C. , MacLennan Signe , Dapp Michael J. , Kuniholm Mark H. , Aouizerat Bradley , Archin Nancie M. , Gange Stephen , Ofotokun Igho , Fischl Margaret A. , Kassaye Seble , Goldstein Harris , Anastos Kathryn , Joy Jeffrey B. , Brumme Zabrina L. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Hypermutated proviruses, which arise in a single HIV replication cycle when host antiviral APOBEC3 proteins introduce extensive G-to-A mutations throughout the viral genome, persist in all people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). But, the within-host evolutionary origins of hypermutated sequences are incompletely understood because phylogenetic inference algorithms, which assume that mutations gradually accumulate over generations, incorrectly reconstruct their ancestor-descendant relationships. Using >1400 longitudinal single-genome-amplified HIV env-gp120 sequences isolated from six women over a median 18 years of follow-up − including plasma HIV RNA sequences collected over a median 9 years between seroconversion and ART initiation, and >500 proviruses isolated over a median 9 years on ART − we evaluated three approaches for removing hypermutation from nucleotide alignments. Our goals were to 1) reconstruct accurate phylogenies that can be used for molecular dating and 2) phylogenetically infer the integration dates of hypermutated proviruses persisting during ART. Two of the tested approaches (stripping all positions containing putative APOBEC3 mutations from the alignment, or replacing individual putative APOBEC3 mutations in hypermutated sequences with the ambiguous base R) consistently normalized tree topologies, eliminated erroneous clustering of hypermutated proviruses, and brought env-intact and hypermutated proviruses into comparable ranges with respect to multiple tree-based metrics. Importantly, these corrected trees produced integration date estimates for env-intact proviruses that were highly concordant with those from benchmark trees that excluded hypermutated sequences, indicating that the corrected trees can be used for molecular dating. Use of these trees to infer the integration dates of hypermutated proviruses persisting during ART revealed that these spanned a wide age range, with the oldest ones dating to shortly after infection. This indicates that hypermutated proviruses, like other provirus types, begin to be seeded into the proviral pool immediately following infection, and can persist for decades. In two of the six participants, hypermutated proviruses differed from env-intact ones in terms of their age distributions, suggesting that different provirus types decay at heterogeneous rates in some hosts. These simple approaches to reconstruct hypermutated provirus' evolutionary histories, allow insights into their in vivo origins and longevity, towards a more comprehensive understanding of HIV persistence during ART.