bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between serum uric acid‐to‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and insulin resistance in an American population: A population‐based analysis
Authors: Zhou Xiaohai , Xu Jing 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionPrevious studies have demonstrated a correlation between the serum uric acid‐to‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (UHR) and insulin resistance (IR) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, no existing studies have investigated the relationship between IR and UHR in the general population. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between UHR and IR in the general American population.MethodsA sample of 8,817 participants was selected from the 2013 to 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) was used to assess insulin resistance. Multiple logistic regression, generalized smooth curve fitting, and subgroup analysis were used to assess the association between IR and UHR.ResultsMultiple logistic regression analysis indicated a significant correlation between insulin resistance and UHR, with odds ratios (OR) of 1.07 (95% CI = 1.03–1.11) in males and 1.18 (95% CI = 1.13–1.25) in females. A non‐linear relationship and saturation effect between IR risk and UHR were observed, characterized by an inverted L‐shaped curve and a critical inflection point at 8.82. It was found that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of UHR was significantly larger (AUC = 0.703 for males and 0.747 for females, all P < 0.01) compared with the use of UA or HDL‐C alone. Subgroup analysis showed that this independent association remain consistent regardless of race, age, BMI, diabetes, moderate activities, education level, alcohol drinking, and gender.ConclusionElevated UHR demonstrates a significant correlation with insulin resistance, so it can be used as a potential indicator of insulin resistance within the American population.
Fish fauna and environmental factors in river estuaries of small and medium‐sized rivers on islands significantly influenced by warm currents
Authors: Itsukushima Rei , Kano Yuichi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractRiver estuaries are influenced by terrestrial and marine areas, and have a unique environment that is constantly fluctuating. They are also important habitats for biodiversity conservation. Tanegashima Island is significantly influenced by the Kuroshio Current. Although nearby Yakushima Island has been recognized as a World Natural Heritage site and information on many species has been collected, there is little information on species inhabiting the river estuaries of Tanegashima Island. In this study, the river estuarine ichthyofauna of 26 small and medium‐sized rivers on Tanegashima Island was surveyed and a total of 2758 individuals of 29 species and one genus belonging to 15 families were collected. The fish fauna of the river estuaries of Tanegashima Island were classified into three groups, namely the river estuaries where coastal terraces are underdeveloped and drowned valleys are formed, the river group where the riverbed gradient at the mouth is high, and other river groups. Environmental factors selected as being important for ordination of fish fauna were the altitude of the headstreams at the watershed scale, the gradient of the river estuarine area, and the presence or absence of rapids in the estuary. The importance of the geohistorical factor of drowned valley formation, in addition to habitat and watershed scale environmental factors, as a factor on river estuarine fish fauna is an important finding for future conservation of local biota diversity.
Reversible Comparisons: Policing Criminality and Criminal Policing in South Africa
Authors: Vartavarian Mesrob 
Published: February 2024

AbstractJohn D. Brewer’s (1994) seminal study of the South African Police claimed that structural factors would inhibit democratic reforms in law enforcement agencies, regardless of which political party controlled the public administration. Thirty years of majority rule, and a series of subsequent works (Altbeker 2005, 2007; Steinberg, 2008; Lamb 2018), demonstrate that Brewer’s thesis remains relevant. Occasional efforts at fully reconstructing state security agencies never took hold and the South African Police Service remains mired in the sordid practices of its colonial past. McMichael and Brown concur with this established narrative while Shaw’s study on vigilantism adds insightful subtleties that deromanticize subaltern social movements. All three authors tackle sharp distinctions between policing and criminality, arguing that the two processes often intertwine and are frequently interchangeable. This review article combines structural determinants of coercive law enforcement with elite political agency. Political choices made by South Africa’s ruling African National Congress reinforce criminal practices in policing and precipitate the formation of volatile vigilante organizations.
What a multi‐institutional collective case study of social annotation data reveals about graduate students' metacognitive reading practices
Authors: Wilson Nance S. , Dussling Tess , Adams Brittany , Stevens Elizabeth , Baumann Jennie , Yang Shuling , Smetana Linda , Bean‐Folkes Jane , Van Wig Ann 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis article presents the results of a multi‐site study conducted by nine graduate educators in the United States investigating how reading comprehension might be supported by social annotation. This research examines collaborative learning and group construction of knowledge that took place in six classrooms across a university semester. The findings of this study provide insight into the general reading comprehension practices of graduate students. The results also demonstrate how social annotation can operate as a pathway for understanding learning in process. We hope this study can act as a catalyst for discussion in the development of students' metacognitive practices.
Disparities among ethnic groups in mortality and outcomes among adults with MASLD: A multicenter study
Authors: Aboona Majd B. , Faulkner Claire , Rangan Pooja , Ng Cheng Han , Huang Daniel Q. , Muthiah Mark , Nevah Rubin Moises I. , Han Ma Ai Thanda , Fallon Michael B. , Kim Donghee , Chen Vincent L. , Wijarnpreecha Karn 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundMetabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease and 10%–20% occurs in lean individuals. There is little data in the literature regarding outcomes in an ethnically‐diverse patient populations with MASLD. Thus, we aim to investigate the natural history and ethnic disparities of MASLD patients in a diverse population, and stratified by body mass index categories.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective multicenter study on patients with MASLD at the Banner Health System from 2012 to 2022. Main outcomes included mortality and incidence of cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus (DM), liver‐related events (LREs), and cancer. We used competing risk and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis for outcome modelling.ResultsA total of 51 452 (cross‐sectional cohort) and 37 027 (longitudinal cohort) patients were identified with 9.6% lean. The cohort was 63.33% European ancestry, 27.96% Hispanic ancestry, 3.45% African ancestry, and 2.31% Native American/Alaskan ancestry. Median follow‐up was 45.8 months. After adjusting for confounders, compared to European individuals, Hispanic and Native American/Alaskan patients had higher prevalence of cirrhosis and DM, and individuals of Hispanic, African, and Native American/Alaskan ancestry had higher mortality and incidence of LREs and DM. Lean patients had higher mortality and incidence of LREs compared with non‐lean patients.ConclusionNative American/Alaskan, Hispanic, and African patients had higher mortality and incidence of LREs and DM compared with European patients. Further studies to explore the underlying disparities and intervention to prevent LREs in lean patients, particularly several ethnic groups, may improve clinical outcomes.
Barriers to communication with people with developmental disabilities: A reflexive thematic analysis
Authors: Cashin Andrew , Morphet Julia , Wilson Nathan J. , Pracilio Amy 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPeople with Intellectual Disability and/or autism internationally experience some of the worst health outcomes of any population group. Registered nurses have been identified as having educational deficits in this domain, which include knowledge of adjustments to communication. This study aimed to explore perceived barriers to communication with people with Intellectual Disability and/or autism. A thematic analysis of data from an open‐ended free‐text survey question exploring barriers to communicating in a cross‐sectional survey of 279 Australian registered nurses conducted in 2020 was undertaken. Six interrelated themes were identified. Increased educational content in undergraduate and postgraduate level nursing courses is indicated. The findings identify the benefit of educational design based on the foundation of understanding the diversity in thinking and information processing represented by the forms of neurodiversity in Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with left bundle branch block
Authors: Tang Ri‐Bo , Lv Wen‐He , Long De‐Yong , Dong Jian‐Zeng , Du Xin , Sang Cai‐Hua , Yu Rong‐Hui , He Liu , Jiang Chen‐Xi , Wen Song‐Nan , Liu Nian , Li Song‐Nan , Wang Wei , Guo Xue‐Yuan , Zhao Xin , Liu Xiao‐Ying , Wu Ze‐Yang , Li Yu‐Kun , Wang Xue‐Si , Du Zhuo‐Hang , Ma Chang‐Sheng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundLeft bundle branch block (LBBB) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are commonly coexisting conditions. The impact of LBBB on catheter ablation of AF has not been well determined. This study aims to explore the long‐term outcomes of patients with AF and LBBB after catheter ablation.MethodsForty‐two patients with LBBB of 11,752 patients who underwent catheter ablation of AF from 2011 to 2020 were enrolled as LBBB group. After propensity score matching in a 1:4 ratio, 168 AF patients without LBBB were enrolled as non‐LBBB group. Late recurrence and a composite endpoint of stroke, all‐cause mortality, and cardiovascular hospitalization were compared between the two groups.ResultsLate recurrence rate was significantly higher in the LBBB group than that in the non‐LBBB group (54.8% vs. 31.5%, p = .034). Multivariate analysis showed that LBBB was an independent risk factor for late recurrence after catheter ablation of AF (hazard ratio [HR] 2.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–4.40, p = .031). LBBB group was also associated with a significantly higher incidence of the composite endpoint (21.4% vs. 6.5%, HR 3.98, 95% CI 1.64–9.64, p = .002).ConclusionsLBBB was associated with a higher risk for late recurrence and a higher incidence of composite endpoint in the patients underwent catheter ablation.
Powering the future: Exploring self‐charging cardiac implantable electronic devices and the Qi revolution
Authors: Bilal Maham , Syed Noem Najam , Jamil Yumna , Tariq Areesha , Khan Habib Rehman 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have risen over the last few decades worldwide, resulting in a cost burden to healthcare systems and increasingly complex procedures. Among many strategies for treating heart diseases, treating arrhythmias using cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) has been shown to improve quality of life and reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death. The battery‐powered CIEDs have the inherent challenge of regular battery replacements depending upon energy usage for their programmed tasks. Nanogenerator‐based energy harvesters have been extensively studied, developed, and optimized continuously in recent years to overcome this challenge owing to their merits of self‐powering abilities and good biocompatibility. Although these nanogenerators and others currently used in energy harvesters, such as biofuel cells (BFCs) exhibit an infinite spectrum of uses for this novel technology, their demerits should not be dismissed. Despite the emergence of Qi wireless power transfer (WPT) has revolutionized the technological world, its application in CIEDs has yet to be studied well. This review outlines the working principles and applications of currently employed energy harvesters to provide a preliminary exploration of CIEDs based on Qi WPT, which may be a promising technology for the next generation of functionalized CIEDs.
Atrioventricular block secondary to transient causes and long‐term recurrence after an index event
Authors: Santos João Grade , Martinho Mariana , Ferreira Bárbara , Cunha Diogo , Briosa Alexandra , Miranda Rita , Almeida Sofia , Pereira Hélder , Brandão Luís 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundAtrioventricular block (AVB) secondary to transient causes can recover with its correction. However, studies assessing predictors of recovery and long‐term recurrence are lacking.MethodsPatients with advanced or complete AVB who had a reversible cause admitted in a single expert center were retrospectively studied. Patients with AVB secondary to acute coronary syndromes were excluded from analysis.ResultsIn a population of 162 patients, the main factors associated with recovery of rhythm without a permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation were the presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis (OR 7.6; CI 95% 1.2–47.5 (p = .03)); greater serum potassium levels (OR 2.3; CI 95% 1.28–4.0 (p < .01)), higher dosage of bradycardic drugs (OR 2.2; CI 95% 1.13–4.4 (p = .02)), the association between different bradycardic drugs (OR 9.0; CI 95% 2.02–40.3 (p < .01)) and between drug therapy and hyperkaliemia (OR 5.2; CI 95% 1.8–15.1 (p < .01)). There was an overall high burden of conductions abnormalities which did not correlate with recovery of rhythm (OR 0.5; CI 95% 0.19–1.5 (p = .23)). In 29 patients (17.9%) there was a correction of the AVB. During a maximum follow‐up of 130 months, 24 patients (82.8%) had a recurrence which warranted a PPM. In the overall cohort only five patients (3%) had sustained recovery of rhythm.ConclusionsRecovery of AVB was mainly observed with higher doses of drug therapy, higher serum potassium levels or a combination of factors and regardless of baseline conduction abnormalities. The high rate of recurrence during follow‐up warrants a close follow‐up or PPM implantation at index admission.
Smoking, respiratory symptoms, lung function and life expectancy: A longitudinal study of ageing
Authors: Petrie Kate , Abramson Michael J. , George Johnson 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectivePrognostic indices have been developed to predict various outcomes, including mortality. These indices and hazard ratios may be difficult for patients to understand. We investigated the association between smoking, respiratory symptoms and lung function with remaining life expectancy (LE) in older adults.MethodsData were from the 2004/05 English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) (n = 8930), participants aged ≥50‐years, with mortality data until 2012. Respiratory symptoms included were chronic phlegm and shortness of breath (SOB). The association between smoking, respiratory symptoms and FEV1/FVC, and remaining LE was estimated using a parametric survival function and adjusted for covariates including age at baseline and sex.ResultsThe extent to which symptoms and FEV1/FVC predicted differences in remaining LE varied by smoking. Compared to asymptomatic never smokers with normal lung function (the reference group), in never smokers, only those with SOB had a significant reduction in remaining LE. In former and current smokers, those with respiratory symptoms had significantly lower remaining LE compared to the reference group if they had FEV1/FVC <0.70 compared to those with FEV1/FVC ≥0.70. Males aged 50‐years, current smokers with SOB and FEV1/FVC <0.70, had a remaining LE of 19.2 (95%CI: 16.5–22.2) years, a decrease of 8.1 (5.3–10.8) years, compared to the reference group.ConclusionSmoking, respiratory symptoms and FEV1/FVC are strongly associated with remaining LE in older people. The use of remaining LE to communicate mortality risk to patients needs further investigation.
The causal relationship between psoriasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A bidirectional mendelian randomization study
Authors: Liu Meng , Zhou Xiaolin , Zhang Guanfei , Liu Luyu , Fang Chengyu , Li Ziyan , Zheng Yan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPurposeAlthough many studies have investigated the association between psoriasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the causal relationship between psoriasis and COPD is still unknown.MethodsWe employed bidirectional Mendelian randomization to investigate the causal relationship between psoriasis and COPD. Genetic instruments for exposure were selected from two distinct genome‐wide association study databases. Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with exposures at the genome‐wide significance level (p < 5 × 10^−8) and exhibiting low linkage disequilibrium (r^2 < 0.001) were chosen as instrumental variables. Causality was assessed using multiple MR methods, including Inverse‐Variance Weighted (IVW), MR‐Egger, Weighted Median, Simple Mode, and Weighted Mode. A significance level of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Heterogeneity was examined using Cochran's Q test, and MR‐Egger regression was employed to detect pleiotropy. The robustness and reliability of the results were further evaluated through leave‐one‐out analysis.ResultsWe found a positive causal association between psoriasis and COPD [IVW: odds ratio (OR): 1.0006; p = 0.0056]. Heterogeneity and pleiotropy have not been discovered, so the results of the study are reliable. In the reverse analysis, no causal association between CPOD and psoriasis was found.ConclusionOur findings revealed that psoriasis was associated with an elevated risk of COPD. However, no causal association between COPD and psoriasis was identified in our study.
Risk factors for incident cardiovascular events and their population attributable fractions in rural India: The Rishi Valley Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Birhanu Mulugeta Molla , Zengin Ayse , Joshi Rohina , Evans Roger G. , Kalyanram Kartik , Kartik Kamakshi , Riddell Michaela A. , Suresh Oduru , Srikanth Velandai K. , Arabshahi Simin , Thomas Nihal , Thrift Amanda G. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveWe prospectively determined incident cardiovascular events and their association with risk factors in rural India.MethodsWe followed up with 7935 adults from the Rishi Valley Prospective Cohort Study to identify incident cardiovascular events. Using Cox proportional hazards regression, we estimated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for associations between potential risk factors and cardiovascular events. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) for risk factors were estimated using R (‘averisk’ package).ResultsOf the 4809 participants without prior cardiovascular disease, 57.7% were women and baseline mean age was 45.3 years. At follow‐up (median of 4.9 years, 23,180 person‐years [PYs]), 202 participants developed cardiovascular events, equating to an incidence of 8.7 cardiovascular events/1000 PYs. Incidence was greater in those with hypertension (hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI] 1.73 [1.21–2.49], adjusted PAF 18%), diabetes (1.96 [1.15–3.36], 4%) or central obesity (1.77 [1.23, 2.54], 9%) which together accounted for 31% of the PAF. Non‐traditional risk factors such as night sleeping hours and number of children accounted for 16% of the PAF.ConclusionsBoth traditional and non‐traditional cardiovascular risk factors are important contributors to incident cardiovascular events in rural India. Interventions targeted to these factors could assist in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular events.
Major crossmatch compatibility of rabbit blood with rabbit, canine, and feline blood
Authors: Dannemiller Nicholas G. , Ozawa Sarah M. , Petritz Olivia A. , Musulin Sarah E. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the major crossmatch compatibility between rabbit recipients, rabbit donors, and the major canine and feline blood types.DesignProspective in vitro study in December 2021.SettingAcademic veterinary teaching hospital.AnimalsWhole blood samples were collected from 11 healthy New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) with no previous transfusion history. Three pigtail segments were acquired from dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA)‐1‐positive, DEA‐1‐negative, and feline type A blood units. Whole blood was collected from a healthy type B blood donor cat.InterventionsBlood from each rabbit recipient underwent a major crossmatch using standard tube crossmatch methodology with itself and the following donor blood types: rabbit, DEA‐1‐positive, DEA‐1‐negative, feline type A, and feline type B.Measurements and Main ResultsSelf‐crossmatches and crossmatches between rabbit recipients and conspecific donors were negative for hemolysis and agglutination. Crossmatches between rabbit recipients and canine and feline donors yielded no hemolysis but produced varying degrees of macroscopic and microscopic agglutination. Rabbit recipients had 1.4 (95% confidence interval: 1.1–1.8) times the risk of macroscopic agglutination when major crossmatched with canine blood compared to feline blood. No significant difference in agglutination was found between DEA‐1‐positive and DEA‐1‐negative or feline type A and type B donors.ConclusionsThese findings support allogeneic blood transfusions between rabbits being highly compatible and suggest rabbits have naturally occurring alloantibodies against both canine and feline red blood cells. However, feline red blood cells had a lower rate of in vitro incompatibility on major crossmatch, suggesting potentially higher in vivo compatibility if an emergency xenotransfusion is needed. Further prospective research is needed to determine if xenotransfusion is associated with a higher incidence of acute and delayed transfusion reactions in rabbits than allogeneic transfusions.
Seizures in 3 juvenile dogs after intravenous anesthetic drug withdrawal during weaning from mechanical ventilation suspected to be a sign of iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome
Authors: Dreese Kaitlyn , Murphy Kellyann , Burke Jasper , Silverstein Deborah C. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo describe seizure activity in juvenile dogs successfully weaned from long‐term mechanical ventilation.Case Series SummaryThree juvenile dogs (all approximately 3 months old) underwent long‐term mechanical ventilation with IV anesthesia for suspected noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. Within 24 hours of extubation and within 10 hours of discontinuing midazolam continuous infusions, all dogs experienced seizures, which is 1 sign of iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome. Each dog was treated with an anticonvulsant protocol, and none experienced seizures after being discharged.New or Unique Information ProvidedEach dog received IV anesthesia, including fentanyl, dexmedetomidine, midazolam, and propofol, during mechanical ventilation and subsequently experienced seizures after successful weaning from mechanical ventilation. Juvenile dogs may be at risk for seizures after weaning from mechanical ventilation and IV anesthesia. Neurological monitoring and further research into an appropriate weaning protocol may prove beneficial in juvenile dogs requiring prolonged anesthesia.