bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mortality, Hospitalization, and Cardiac Interventions in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Aged <65 Years
Authors: Bhonsale Aditya , Zhu Jianhui , Thoma Floyd , Koscumb Steve , Kancharla Krishna , Voigt Andrew , Magnani Jared , Estes N.A. , Saba Samir , Marroquin Oscar , Mulukutla Suresh , Jain Sandeep 
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND:
The risk factor (RF) burden, clinical course, and long-term outcome among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) aged <65 years is unclear.

METHODS:
Adult (n=67 221; mean age, 72.4±12.3 years; and 45% women) patients with AF evaluated at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between January 2010 and December 2019 were studied. Hospital system–wide electronic health records and administrative data were utilized to ascertain RFs, comorbidities, and subsequent hospitalization and cardiac interventions. The association of AF with all-cause mortality among those aged <65 years was analyzed using an internal contemporary cohort of patients without AF (n=918 073).

RESULTS:

Nearly one-quarter (n=17 335) of the cohort was aged <65 years (32% women) with considerable cardiovascular RFs (current smoker, 16%; mean body mass index, 33.0±8.3; hypertension, 55%; diabetes, 21%; heart failure, 20%; coronary artery disease, 19%; and prior ischemic stroke, 6%) and comorbidity burden (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 11%; obstructive sleep apnea, 18%; and chronic kidney disease, 1.3%). Over mean follow-up of >5 years, 2084 (6.7%, <50 years; 13%, 50–65 years) patients died. The proportion of patients with >1 hospitalization for myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke was 1.3%, 4.8%, and 1.1% for those aged <50 years and 2.2%, 7.4%, and 1.1% for the 50- to 65-year subgroup, respectively. Multiple cardiac and noncardiac RFs were associated with increased mortality in younger patients with AF with heart failure and hypertension demonstrating significant age-related interaction (
P
=0.007 and
P
=0.013, respectively). Patients with AF aged <65 years experienced significantly worse survival compared with comorbidity-adjusted patients without AF (men aged <50 years and hazard ratio, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.24–1.79]; 50–65 years and hazard ratio, 1.3 [95% CI, 1.26–1.43]; women aged <50 years and hazard ratio, 2.4 [95% CI, 1.82–3.16]; 50–65 years and hazard ratio, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.6–1.92]).

CONCLUSIONS:
Patients with AF aged <65 years have significant comorbidity burden and considerable long-term mortality. They are also at a significantly increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure, stroke, and myocardial infarction. These patients warrant an aggressive focus on RF and comorbidity evaluation and management.
On Collaboration
Authors: Chamberlain Colby 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
“On Collaboration” attempts to situate the withdrawal of support from the magazine Artforum (precipitated by the firing of its editor-in-chief David Velasco in October 2023) within a longer history of institutional antagonism. It compares strategies of opposition available to the avant-garde and counterculture in the 1960s (as exemplified by Fluxus's George Maciunas and the novelist Thomas Pynchon) with those that emerged in the 1970s, with particular attention paid to the machinery that sustained the appearance of the art world and, more broadly, the public sphere. Citing Vito Acconci's contributions to the exhibition ROOMS P.S. 1 (1976), it argues that much of what has been historically recognized as strategies of institutional opposition from the 1970s onward, including institutional critique and the alternative space movement, might be better understood within a framework of “institutional collaboration.”
Evaluation of Postoperative Outcomes After Enterostomy Closure in Low Body Weight Infants: A Multi-Center Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Lee William G. , O’Guinn MaKayla L. , Keane Olivia A. , Krishna Vikram , Mack Shale J. , Soliman Antoine , Anselmo Dean M. , Nguyen Nam X. , Gayer Christopher P. , Kim Eugene S. , Shue Eveline H. 
Published: April 2024

Background The minimum weight for enterostomy closure (EC) in infants remains debated with the current acceptable cut-off of >2 kg. As enterostomy-related complications or high enterostomy output (>30cc/kg/d) may prohibit a premature infant from reaching 2 kg, additional data is needed to evaluate the safety of EC in infants <2 kg. The objective of this study was to evaluate postoperative outcomes in low body weight (<2 kg) infants undergoing EC compared to larger infants. Methods We performed a multi-center retrospective analysis from 1/1/2012-12/31/2022 of all infants (age <1 year) who were <4 kg at time of EC. Primary outcomes included postoperative complications and 30-day mortality. Non-parametric analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and chi-square tests. Univariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with postoperative complications. Results Of 92 infants, 15 infants (16.3%) underwent EC at <2 kg, 16 (17.4%) at 2-2.49 kg, 31 (33.7%) at 2.5-2.99 kg, and 30 (32.6%) at ≥3 kg. Infants <2 kg at time of EC exhibited higher rates of hyperbilirubinemia ( P = .030), neurologic comorbidities ( P = .030), and high enterostomy output ( P = .041). There was no difference in postoperative complications ( P = .460) or 30-day mortality ( P = .460) between the <2 kg group and larger weight groups. Low body weight was not associated with an increased risk for developing a postoperative complication (OR: 1.001, 95% CI: 1.001-1.001; P = .032). Conclusion Our findings suggest that EC in infants <2 kg may be safe with comparable postoperative outcomes to larger weight infants. Thus, the timing of EC should be based on the infant’s physiologic status, in contrast to a predetermined minimum weight cut-off.
A comprehensive experimental study on the effects of hexagonal boron nitride particle size and loading ratio on thermal and mechanical performance in epoxy composites
Authors: Ozyigit Samet , Mehdipour Mostafa , Al-Nadhari Abdulrahman , Tabrizi Arvin T , Dogan Semih , Dericiler Kuray , Beylergil Bertan , Yildiz Mehmet , Okan Burcu S 
Published: April 2024

Harnessing the potential of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) in epoxy composites for tailoring thermal conductivity is a promising avenue in materials science. However, achieving balanced enhancements in both in-plane and through-plane directions remains a challenge that requires innovative solutions. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate how thermal and mechanical characteristics of an epoxy matrix are affected by the size and amount of h-BN particles. To achieve this goal, h-BN particles with varying sizes (micro and nano) are incorporated into the epoxy matrix at different weight ratios spanning from 0.5 wt % to 20 wt % using a pre-dispersion technique. The epoxy composites reinforced with h-BN through a molding process exhibits enhanced mechanical and thermal performance in contrast to the pristine epoxy material. During the flexural test, acoustic emission data is collected to identify the initiation and progression of damage within the specimens under testing conditions. The most notable enhancement in thermal conductivity is observed when incorporating 20 wt% of micron-sized h-BN particles. This leads to a remarkable 107% increase in the in-plane direction and an impressive 112% increase in the through-plane direction. These results can be attributed to the formation of a three-dimensional thermally conductive network by the larger h-BN particles, which extends the path of phonon scattering. Furthermore, there are significant improvements in both flexural modulus and tensile modulus. Epoxy composites containing 10 wt% of micron-sized h-BN experiences an approximate 42% increase, while those with 20 wt% of the same particles displays a substantial 47% rise in these properties. This study effectively addresses the challenges associated with tailoring the thermal properties of epoxy composites, opening up new opportunities for applications in various industries, including electronics, aerospace and thermal management systems.
Effect of chewing gum in reducing postoperative ileus after gastroduodenal perforation peritonitis surgery: A prospective randomised controlled trial
Authors: Muwel Sanjay , Suryavanshi Seema , Damde Hari Krishna , Mishra Arpan , Yadav Sanjay Kumar , Sharma Dhananjaya 
Published: April 2024

Chewing gum reduces the duration of postoperative ileus and early recovery of bowel function following elective abdominal surgery. However, its role has not been studied in cases of gastroduodenal perforation peritonitis, prompting us to conduct this study. Patients were randomised into two groups, 39 patients received chewing gum (study group) and 43 patients were in the control group. Sensation of hunger, appearance of first bowel sound, and passages of flatus and faeces were significantly early in the study group; their hospital stay was also shorter. Chewing gum reduces the duration of postoperative ileus in cases of gastroduodenal perforation peritonitis. Registration number: IEC/2020-23/3359 dated 13 December 2020, Institutional Ethics Committee, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur, India.
The role of apparent diffusion coefficient in the grading of adult isocitrate dehydrogenase-mutant astrocytomas: relationship with the Ki-67 proliferation index
Authors: She Yingxia , Liu Xianwang , Jiang Jian , Wang Xuwen , Niu Qian , Zhou Junlin 
Published: April 2024

Background The grading of adult isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant astrocytomas is a crucial prognostic factor. Purpose To investigate the value of conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the grading of adult IDH-mutant astrocytomas, and to analyze the correlation between ADC and the Ki-67 proliferation index. Material and Methods The clinical and MRI data of 82 patients with adult IDH-mutant astrocytoma who underwent surgical resection and molecular genetic testing with IDH and 1p/19q were retrospectively analyzed. The conventional MRI features, ADCmin, ADCmean, and nADC of the tumors were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis single factor ANOVA and chi-square tests. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to evaluate conventional MRI and ADC accuracy in differentiating tumor grades. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to determine the correlation between ADC and the Ki-67 proliferation index. Results The difference in enhancement, ADCmin, ADCmean, and nADC among WHO grade 2, 3, and 4 tumors was statistically significant (all P <0.05). ADCmin showed the preferable diagnostic accuracy for grading WHO grade 2 and 3 tumors (AUC=0.724, sensitivity=63.4%, specificity=80%, positive predictive value (PPV)=62.0%; negative predictive value (NPV)=82.5%), and distinguishing grade 3 from grade 4 tumors (AUC=0.764, sensitivity=70%, specificity=76.2%, PPV=75.0%, NPV=71.4%). Enhancement + ADC model showed an optimal predictive accuracy (grade 2 vs. 3: AUC = 0.759; grade 3 vs. 4: AUC = 0.799). The Ki-67 proliferation index was negatively correlated with ADCmin, ADCmean, and nADC (all P <0.05), and positively correlated with tumor grade. Conclusion Conventional MRI features and ADC are valuable to predict pathological grading of adult IDH-mutant astrocytomas.
The Relationship Between Calcaneofibular Ligament Injury and Ankle Osteoarthritis Progression: A Comprehensive Analysis of Stress Distribution and Osteophyte Formation in the Subtalar Joint
Authors: Sakurai Satoru , Nakasa Tomoyuki , Ikuta Yasunari , Kawabata Shingo , Moriwaki Dan , Ishibashi Saori , Silan Asyumaredha Asril , Adachi Nobuo 
Published: April 2024

Background: Ankle osteoarthritis (OA) mainly arises from trauma, particularly lateral ligament injuries. Among lateral ligament injuries, ankles with calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) injuries exhibit increased instability and can be a risk factor ankle OA progression. However, the relationship between CFL injury and OA progression remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to assess the relationship between CFL injuries and ankle OA by investigating stress changes and osteophyte formation in subtalar joint. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and plain radiographic evaluations of 100 ankles of 91 patients presenting with chronic ankle instability (CAI), ankle OA, or other ankle conditions. The association between CFL injuries on the oblique view of MRI and the severity of ankle OA (based on Takakura-Tanaka classification) was statistically evaluated. Additionally, 71 ankles were further subjected to CT evaluation to determine the association between the CFL injuries and the Hounsfield unit (HU) ratios of the subtalar joint and medial gutter, and the correlation between the subtalar HU ratios and osteophyte severity were statistically evaluated. Results: CFL injury was observed in 35.9% (14/39) of patients with stage 0, 42.9% (9/21) with stage 1, 50.0% (10/20) with stage 2, 100% (9/9) with stage 3a, and 90.9% (10/11) with stage 3b. CFL-injured ankles exhibited higher HU ratios in the medial gutter and lower ratios in the medial posterior subtalar joint compared to uninjured ankles. A negative correlation was observed between medial osteophyte severity and the medial subtalar joint HU ratio. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that CFL injuries are common in severe ankle OA impairing the compensatory function of the subtalar joint through abnormal stress distribution and osteophyte formation.
Determination of the reference interval for urine kidney injury molecule-1 in 50 healthy cats
Authors: Brown Tori , Defarges Alice , Monteith Gabrielle , Appleby Ryan , Bienzle Dorothee 
Published: April 2024

Objectives The aim of the present study was to establish a reference interval (RI) for urine kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in healthy cats. Methods History, physical examination, blood pressure, and feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus serology status were determined. A complete blood cell count, serum biochemical profile, urinalysis and kidney ultrasound were performed, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, total thyroxine (TT4) and urine KIM-1 were measured. An RI was calculated and the effect of age, sex, body condition score (BCS), blood pressure, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), serum creatinine concentration (SCr), phosphorus, TT4, urine specific gravity (USG) and mid-sagittal kidney length on urine KIM-1 was evaluated using a general linear model. Results Of 69 recruited cats, 50 met the inclusion criteria. There were 35 male cats and 15 female cats, with a median age of 4.3 years (range 1.0–12.3), median weight of 5.11 kg (range 2.52–8.45) and median BCS of 6/9 (range 3–8). The median serum concentrations were SDMA 11.0 µg/dl (range 2–14), SCr 88.5 µmol/l (range 47–136), phosphorus 1.41 mmol/l (range 0.8–2.2) and TT4 32.0 nmol/l (range 17–51). Median USG was 1.057 (range 1.035–1.076), mid-sagittal left kidney length was 3.50 cm (range 2.94–4.45) and mid-sagittal right kidney length was 3.70 cm (range 3.06–4.55). The derived RI for urine KIM-1 was 0.02–0.68. USG was a significant ( P <0.001) predictor of urine KIM-1. Individually, age, sex, blood pressure, BCS, SDMA, SCr, phosphorus, TT4 and mid-sagittal kidney length were not significant predictors of urine KIM-1. In a multivariate model, if combined with USG, SDMA concentration was predictive ( P = 0.030) of urine KIM-1. Conclusions and relevance Urine concentration was significantly correlated with urine KIM-1, which will be an important consideration when interpreting findings in cats with potential kidney injury.
Procedural factors associated with successful recanalization in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy—a nationwide register-based observational study
Authors: Wassélius Johan , Hall Emma , Ramgren Birgitta , Andersson Tommy , Ullberg Teresa 
Published: April 2024

Introduction Several studies have addressed technical aspects of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), but it is not well known how procedural factors contribute to technical success in routine healthcare. The aim was to explore factors associated with technically successful EVT on nationwide scale. Methods We did an observational register-based study assessing factors associated with technical success off anterior circulation EVT in Sweden. The main outcome was successful recanalization defined as modified treatment in cerebral ischemia score 2b-3. The association between baseline and treatment variables and successful recanalization were explored using Chi-square(d) test and univariable logistic regression. Multivariable logistic regression was used to define predictors of successful recanalization. Results The study included 3211 patients treated during 2015 to 2020. Successful recanalization was achieved in 83.1% (2667) with a gradual improvement in technical outcome over the period. After adjustment for age and occlusion location, thet use of general anesthesia, balloon guide catheter (BGC) and an operator with an overall success rate of >85% were independent predictors of successful recanalization. An overall operator success rate of <80% or 80–85%, and an annual center volume lower than 50 were predicitors of recanalization failure. Conclusion This study illustrates factors associated with procedural success in endovascular thrombectomy on a nationwide scale including the use of general anesthesia, BGC, annual center volumes >50 cases per year and the overall success rate of the individual operator. It highlights the potential benefit of systematic performance measurements, benchmarking, and continuous training to bring all centers and operators to the highest level of performance.
Transplanted sagebrush “wildlings” exhibit higher survival than greenhouse-grown tubelings yet both recruit new plants
Authors: Bailey Elizabeth C. , Thacker Eric , Monaco Thomas A. , Veblen Kari E. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Land uses such as crop production, livestock grazing, mining, and urban development have contributed to degradation of drylands worldwide. Loss of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) on disturbed drylands across the western U.S. has prompted massive efforts to re-establish this foundational species. There has been growing interest in avoiding the severe limitations experienced by plants at the seed and seedling stages by instead establishing plants from containerized greenhouse seedlings (“tubelings”). In some settings, a potential alternative approach is to transplant larger locally-collected plants (“wildlings”). We compared the establishment of mountain big sagebrush (A. tridentata ssp. vaseyana) from tubelings vs. wildlings in southeastern Idaho. A mix of native and non-native grass and forb species was drill-seeded in a pasture previously dominated by the introduced forage grass, smooth brome (Bromus inermis). We then established 80 m x 80 m treatment plots and planted sagebrush tubelings (n = 12 plots, 1200 plants) and wildlings (n = 12 plots, 1200 plants). We also established seeded plots (n = 12) and untreated control plots (n = 6) for long-term comparison. We tracked project expenses in order to calculate costs of using tubelings vs. wildlings as modified by probability of success.

Results
There was high (79%) tubeling and low (10%) wildling mortality within the first year. Three years post-planting, chance of survival for wildlings was significantly higher than that of tubelings (85% and 14% respectively). Despite high up-front costs of planting wildlings, high survival rates resulted in their being < 50% of the cost of tubelings on a per-surviving plant basis. Additionally, by the third year post-planting 34% of surviving tubelings and 95% of surviving wildlings showed evidence of reproduction (presence / absence of flowering stems), and the two types of plantings recruited new plants via seed (3.7 and 2.4 plants, respectively, per surviving tubeling/wildling).

Conclusions
Our results indicate that larger plants with more developed root systems (wildlings) may be a promising avenue for increasing early establishment rates of sagebrush plants in restoration settings. Our results also illustrate the potential for tubelings and wildlings to improve restoration outcomes by “nucleating” the landscape via recruitment of new plants during ideal climate conditions.
Biochar enhances the growth and physiological characteristics of Medicago sativa, Amaranthus caudatus and Zea mays in saline soils
Authors: Murtaza Ghulam , Rizwan Muhammad , Usman Muhammad , Hyder Sajjad , Akram Muhammad Irfan , Deeb Maha , Alkahtani Jawaher , AlMunqedhi Bandar M. , Hendy A. S. , Ali Mohamed R. , Iqbal Rashid , Harsonowati Wiwiek , Habib ur Rahman Muhammed , Rizwan Muhammad 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBiochar is a promising solution to alleviate the negative impacts of salinity stress on agricultural production. Biochar derived from food waste effect was investigated on three plant species, Medicago sativa, Amaranthus caudatus, and Zea mays, under saline environments. The results showed that biochar improved significantly the height by 30%, fresh weight of shoot by 35% and root by 45% of all three species compared to control (saline soil without biochar adding), as well as enhanced their photosynthetic pigments and enzyme activities in soil. This positive effect varied significantly between the 3 plants highlighting the importance of the plant-biochar interactions. Thus, the application of biochar is a promising solution to enhance the growth, root morphology, and physiological characteristics of plants under salt-induced stress.
Comparison of outcomes and characteristics of patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19 and other community-acquired pneumonia based on propensity score matching
Authors: Zhao Hongli , Yan Xiulin , Guo Ziru , Li Kaiyu , Wang Zhaopeng , Wang Jun , Lv Dong , Zhu Jianling , Chen Ye 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Objective
To compare the similarities and differences between patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and those with other community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), utilizing propensity score matching (PSM), regarding hospitalization expenses, treatment options, and prognostic outcomes, aiming to inform the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.

Methods
Patients admitted to the ICU of the Third People’s Hospital of Datong City, diagnosed with COVID-19 from December 2022 to February 2023, constituted the observation group, while those with other CAP admitted from January to November 2022 formed the control group. Basic information, clinical data at admission, and time from symptom onset to admission were matched using PSM.

Results
A total of 70 patients were included in the COVID-19 group and 119 in the CAP group. The patients were matched by the propensity matching method, and 37 patients were included in each of the last two groups. After matching, COVID-19 had a higher failure rate than CAP, but the difference was not statistically significant (73% vs. 51%, p = 0.055). The utilization rate of antiviral drugs (40% vs. 11%, p = 0.003), γ-globulin (19% vs. 0%, p = 0.011) and prone position ventilation (PPV) (27% vs. 0%, p < 0.001) in patients with COVID-19 were higher than those in the CAP, and the differences were statistically significant. The total hospitalization cost of COVID-19 patients was lower than that of CAP patients, and the difference was statistically significant (27889.5 vs. 50175.9, p = 0.007). The hospital stay for COVID-19 patients was shorter than for CAP patients, but the difference was not statistically significant (10.9 vs. 16.6, p = 0.071).

Conclusion
Our findings suggest that limited medical resources influenced patient outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing substantial demands for ICU capacity and medications during this period could have potentially reduced the mortality rate among COVID-19 patients.