bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Demonstrating the safety profile of ketamine as procedural conscious sedation in infants; a prospective cohort study of 904 cases
Authors: Ahmed Zahra , Ahmed Shiban 
Published: February 2024

Background:
Conscious sedation has both a sedative and an analgesic effect. Ketamine is an increasingly popular choice for procedural conscious sedation in a paediatric day surgery. Ketamine is also cheaper than general anaesthetic. The objective of our study is to investigate the number of adverse events when using ketamine for procedural conscious sedation and demonstrate its safety profile for use in paediatric day surgery in a community setting in infants.

Methods:
A single-centre, single surgeon, single procedure 5-year longitudinal prospective review of 904 infants undergoing elective day-care surgery using ketamine for procedural conscious sedation between 2016 and 2020. Patients were stratified for pre-anaesthetic co-morbidities based on the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification system.

Results:
All patients were between 4 weeks and 1 year and 98.7% were ASA Class 1. Most children received ketamine intramuscularly and only one child required additional ketamine to maintain procedural conscious sedation. There were no serious adverse events and there were 27 mild adverse events in 26 patients (2.88% patients). The most common adverse event was hypersalivation, which occurred in 11 infants.

Conclusions:
Ketamine is a safe drug for procedural conscious sedation and should be considered more for infants undergoing elective day-care surgery provided that all staff conducting procedures have advanced training in paediatric and neonatal airway management and resuscitation.
CT-derived Epicardial Adipose Tissue Inflammation Predicts Outcome in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Salam Babak , Al-Kassou Baravan , Weinhold Leonie , Sprinkart Alois M. , Nowak Sebastian , Theis Maike , Schmid Matthias , Al Zaidi Muntadher , Weber Marcel , Pieper Claus C. , Kuetting Daniel , Shamekhi Jasmin , Nickenig Georg , Attenberger Ulrike , Zimmer Sebastian , Luetkens Julian A. 
Published: February 2024

Purpose:Inflammatory changes in epicardial (EAT) and pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) are associated with increased overall cardiovascular risk. Using routine, preinterventional cardiac CT data, we examined the predictive value of quantity and quality of EAT and PAT for outcome after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).Materials and Methods:Cardiac CT data of 1197 patients who underwent TAVR at the in-house heart center between 2011 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The amount and density of EAT and PAT were quantified from single-slice CT images at the level of the aortic valve. Using established risk scores and known independent risk factors, a clinical benchmark model (BMI, Chronic kidney disease stage, EuroSCORE 2, STS Prom, year of intervention) for outcome prediction (2-year mortality) after TAVR was established. Subsequently, we tested whether the additional inclusion of area and density values of EAT and PAT in the clinical benchmark model improved prediction. For this purpose, the cohort was divided into a training (n=798) and a test cohort (n=399).Results:Within the 2-year follow-up, 264 patients died. In the training cohort, particularly the addition of EAT density to the clinical benchmark model showed a significant association with outcome (hazard ratio 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07;P=0.013). In the test cohort, the outcome prediction of the clinical benchmark model was also significantly improved with the inclusion of EAT density (c-statistic: 0.589 vs. 0.628;P=0.026).Conclusions:EAT density as a surrogate marker of EAT inflammation was associated with 2-year mortality after TAVR and may improve outcome prediction independent of established risk parameters.
Staged Immediate Nipple Reconstruction With Tube Flap in Immediate Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Chu Chengyu , Zhang Wei , Zhang Yi , Zou Qiang , Xu Hua , Jin Yiting 
Published: February 2024

Background
In the setting of immediate breast reconstruction by deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap, the excessive DIEP flap skin is de-epithelialized and then buried under the mastectomy skin. In this study, by virtue of tube flap technique, we hypothesize that the skin supposed to be abandoned could be transferred to the apex of reconstructed breast mound for nipple reconstruction.

Methods
A total of 60 female patients were recruited between January 2019 and December 2020. All these patients underwent mastectomy including nipple-areola complex and immediate DIEP flap breast reconstruction. A ladder-shaped pedicled flap was raised from the DIEP flap and rolled into a tube. The free end of tube flap was inset into the future nipple position of the reconstructed breast mound 1 week later. After revascularization for 1 month, we divided the previous pedicle and used the tube on the apex of the breast mound to recreate a new nipple.

Results
All reconstructed breasts and nipples survived well postoperatively. The average nipple projection was 12.5 ± 2.0 mm immediately after the surgery, which gradually decreased to 9.4 ± 1.5 mm at 1-year follow-up, with the projection loss from the initial measurement as 24.9% ± 1.8%. In total, 51 patients considered the overall impression of breast and nipple reconstruction to be very good or good.

Conclusions
We provided an ideal technique that could improve the maintenance of reconstructed nipple projection and have aesthetically acceptable outcomes, without DIEP flap tissue loss, breast mound distortion, or additional scars.
A Model to Study Wound Healing Over Exposed Avascular Structures in Rodents With a 3D-Printed Wound Frame
Authors: Bengur Fuat Baris , Komatsu Chiaki , Loder Shawn , Humar Pooja , Villalvazo Yadira , Nawash Baraa , Schilling Benjamin K. , Solari Mario G. 
Published: February 2024

Background
Soft tissue defects with exposed avascular structures require reconstruction with well-vascularized tissues. Extensive research is ongoing to explore tissue engineered products that provide durable coverage. However, there is a lack of controlled and affordable testbeds in the preclinical setting to reflect this challenging clinical scenario. We aimed to address this gap in the literature and develop a feasible and easily reproducible model in rodents that reflects an avascular structure in the wound bed.

Methods
We created 20 × 20 mm full thickness wounds on the dorsal skin of Lewis rats and secured 0.5-mm-thick silicone sheets of varying sizes to the wound bed. A 3D-printed wound frame was designed to isolate the wound environment. Skin graft and free flap survival along with exposure of the underlying silicone was assessed. Rats were followed for 4 weeks with weekly dressing changes and photography. Samples were retrieved at the endpoint for tissue viability and histologic analysis.

Results
The total wound surface area was constant throughout the duration of the experiment in all groups and the wound frames were well tolerated. The portion of the skin graft without underlying silicone demonstrated integration with the underlying fascia and a histologically intact epidermis. Gradual necrosis of the portion of the skin graft overlying the silicone sheet was observed with varying sizes of the silicone sheet. When the size of the silicone sheet was reduced from 50% of the wound surface area, the portion surviving over the silicone sheet increased at the 4-week timepoint. The free flap provided complete coverage over the silicone sheet.

Conclusion
We developed a novel model of rodent wound healing to maintain the same wound size and isolate the wound environment for up to 4 weeks. This model is clinically relevant to a complex wound with an avascular structure in the wound bed. Skin grafts failed to completely cover increasing sizes of the avascular structure, whereas the free flap was able to provide viable coverage. This cost-effective model will establish an easily reproducible platform to evaluate more complex bioengineered wound coverage solutions.
The Lower Survival in Patients With Alcoholism and Hepatitis C Continues in the DAA Era
Authors: Thuluvath Paul J. , Amjad Waseem , Russe-Russe Jose , Li Feng 
Published: February 2024

Background.Alcohol liver disease (ALD) may coexist with hepatitis C (HCV) in many transplant recipients (alcoholic cirrhosis with hepatitis C [AHC]). Our objective was to determine whether there were differences in postliver transplantation outcomes of patients with AHC when compared with those with alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) and/or alcoholic hepatitis (AH).Methods.Using UNOS explant data sets (2016–2020), the survival probabilities of AC, AH, and AHC were compared by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Cox proportional-hazard regression analysis was used to determine outcomes after adjusting for disease confounders. The outcomes were also compared with predirect antiviral agent (DAA) period.Results.During study period, 8369 biopsy-proven ALD liver transplant recipients were identified. Of those, 647 had AHC (HCV + alcohol), 353 had AH, and 7369 had AC. MELD-Na score (28.7 ± 9.5 versus 23.8 ± 10.7,P < 0.001) and presence of ACLF-3 (19% versus 11%,P < 0.001) were higher in AC + AH as compared with AHC. AHC and AC+AH has similar adjusted mortality at 1-y, but 3-y (hazard ratios, 1.76; 95% confidence intervals, 1.32-2.35;P < 0.0001) and 5-y (hazard ratios, 1.64; 95% confidence intervals, 1.24-2.15;P = 0.0004) mortality rates were higher in AHC. Survival improved in the DAA era (2016–2020) compared with 2009 to 2013 in AHC, but remained worse in AHC group versus AC and/or AH. Malignancy-related mortality was higher in AHC (15% versus 9.3% in AC) in the DAA era.Conclusions.AHC was associated with lower 3- and 5-y post-LT survival as compared with ALD without HCV and the worse outcomes in AHC group continued in the DAA era.
Soil microbial communities along elevational gradients in the Madrean Sky Islands
Authors: Martinez Adalee , Schiro Gabriele , Barberán Albert 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe Madrean Sky Islands are mountain ranges isolated by a ‘desert sea’. This area is a biodiversity hotspot currently threatened by climate change. Here, we studied soil microbial communities along elevational gradients in eight Madrean Sky Islands in southeastern Arizona (USA). Our results showed that while elevational microbial richness gradients were weak and not consistent across different mountains, soil properties strongly influenced microbial community composition (overall composition and the abundance of key functional groups) along elevational gradients. In particular, warming is associated with a higher abundance of soil‐borne fungal plant pathogens that concomitantly might facilitate upward elevational shifts of plant species released from negative plant–soil feedbacks. Furthermore, projected warming and drought in the area aggravated by anthropogenic nitrogen deposition on mountain tops (and thus, decreasing nitrogen limitation) can enhance a shift from ectomycorrhizal to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Overall, these results indicate that climate change effects on plant–soil interactions might have profound ecosystem consequences.
AsOBP1 is required for bioallethrin repellency in the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles sinensis
Authors: Zhang Yongjie , He Shulin , He Chengyin , Zhou Ling , Xu Ou , Qiao Liang , Chen Bin , Cao Yueqing , He Zhengbo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe use of insecticides, primarily pyrethroids, is a pivotal strategy for mosquito control globally. Bioallethrin, the first commercially available volatile pyrethroid, can elicit spatial (i.e., noncontact) repellency to mosquitoes through the coactivation of olfactory receptor neurons and sodium channels. However, the olfactory mechanism of the repellency elicited by bioallethrin in mosquitoes is still unclear. Here, we demonstrated the involvement of AsOBP1 in the bioallethrin repellency in Anopheles sinensis, one of the main vectors of vivax malaria in China and other Southeast Asian countries. The behavioral and electrophysiological analyses in AsOrco−/− mutant found that the spatial repellency elicited by bioallethrin depended on the odorant receptor (OR)‐mediated olfactory pathway. Furthermore, the repellency was reduced in the AsOBP1−/− mutant and a pyrethroid‐resistant strain, in which the expression of AsOBP1 was significantly decreased. Moreover, recombinant AsOBP1 protein bound to bioallethrin in an in vitro competition assay. These results indicate that activation of the AsOBP1‐mediated olfactory pathway is an important component of bioallethrin repellency. Our research lays the foundation for further elucidation into the olfactory mechanism of bioallethrin repellency and the behavioral modifications of pyrethroid‐resistant mosquitoes.
Systematic review of the association between short‐chain fatty acids and allergic diseases
Authors: Sasaki Mari , Suaini Noor H. A. , Afghani Jamie , Heye Kristina N. , O'Mahony Liam , Venter Carina , Lauener Roger , Frei Remo , Roduit Caroline 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe performed a systematic review to investigate the current evidence on the association between allergic diseases and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are microbially produced and suggested as one mechanism on how gut microbiome affects the risk of allergic diseases. Medline, Embase and Web of Science were searched from data inception until September 2022. We identified 37 papers, of which 17 investigated prenatal or early childhood SCFAs and the development of allergic diseases in childhood, and 20 assessed SCFAs in patients with pre‐existing allergic diseases. Study design, study populations, outcome definition, analysis method and reporting of the results varied between papers. Overall, there was some evidence showing that the three main SCFAs (acetate, propionate and butyrate) in the first few years of life had a protective effect against allergic diseases, especially for atopic dermatitis, wheeze or asthma and IgE‐mediated food allergy in childhood. The association between each SCFA and allergic disease appeared to be different by disease and the age of assessment. Further research that can determine the potentially timing specific effect of each SCFA will be useful to investigate how SCFAs can be used in treatment or in prevention against allergic diseases.
Microsatellite‐based analysis revealsAedes aegyptipopulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia result from colonization by both the ancestral African and the global domestic forms
Authors: Mashlawi Abadi M. , Alqahtani Hussain , Abuelmaali Sara A. , Gloria‐Soria Andrea , Saingamsook Jassada , Kaddumukasa Martha , Ghzwani Ahmad Hassn , Abdulhaq Ahmed A. , Al‐Mekhlafi Hesham M. , Walton Catherine 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe Aedes aegypti(Linnaeus, 1762) mosquito is the main vector of dengue, chikungunya and Zika and is well established today all over the world. The species comprises two forms: the ancestral form found throughout Africa and a global domestic form that spread to the rest of the tropics and subtropics. In Saudi Arabia,A. aegyptihas been known in the southwest since 1956, and previous genetic studies clusteredA. aegyptifrom Saudi Arabia with the global domestic form. The purpose of this study was to assess the genetic structure ofA. aegyptiin Saudi Arabia and determine their geographic origin. Genetic data for 17 microsatellites were collected forA. aegyptiranging from the southwestern highlands of Saudi Arabia on the border of Yemen to the north‐west in Madinah region as well as from Thailand and Uganda populations (as representatives of the ancestral African and global domestic forms, respectively). The low but significant level of genetic structuring in Saudi Arabia was consistent with long‐distance dispersal capability possibly through road connectivity and human activities, that is, passive dispersal. There are two main genetic groupings in Saudi Arabia, one of which clusters with the Ugandan population and the other with the Thailand population with many Saudi Arabian individuals having mixed ancestry. The hypothesis of genetic admixture of the ancestral African and global domestic forms in Saudi Arabia was supported by approximate Bayesian computational analyses. The extent of admixture varied across Saudi Arabia. African ancestry was highest in the highland area of the Jazan region followed by the lowland Jazan and Sahil regions. Conversely, the western (Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah) and Najran populations corresponded to the global domesticated form. Given potential differences between the forms in transmission capability, ecology and behaviour, the findings here should be taken into account in vector control efforts in Saudi Arabia.
High‐resolved surface‐enhanced Raman scattering on Ag@TiO2 plasmonic nanostructure
Authors: Wang Xinxin , Liu Jiaming , Huang Jinghui , Xu Jianchun , Guo Limin , Hui Kezhen , Wang Xiaohui 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSurface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is an ultrasensitive spectroscopic analysis technique widely used for molecule detection. However, manufacturing uniform, stable, and ultrasensitive substrates remains a challenge for the practical application of the SERS technology. Precious metals and semiconductors have been proved to be attractive and universal for SERS detection. In this work, a facile strategy is applied to prepare uniform three‐dimensional (3D) Ag@TiO2 nanostructures as SERS sensors. The Scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicate that silver nanoparticles are uniformly deposited into the pores of the TiO2 nanocavity arrays. The 3D hybrid substrate presents highly sensitive SERS signals of 4‐mercaptobenzoicacid (4‐MBA) with a detection limitation as low as 10−17 M. To prevent the oxidization of Ag and keep the activity of the film, a polymer mask was deposited on the SERS substrate and brought about excellent stability after weeks of reserving in air. In a nutshell, a SERS substrate with a high sensitivity and stability as well as good uniformity has been successfully developed in this work, which has a potential application for high‐precision SERS detection.
High electric‐field‐induced strain of SnO2‐modified PLSBZT ceramic for actuator applications
Authors: Guo Shaoping , Liang Ruihong , Chen Zhengran , Shi Lizhi , Wang Wugang , Zhou Zhiyong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn this study, piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of the Pb0.931La0.006Sr0.03Ba0.03(Zr0.535Ti0.465)O3–xwt%SnO2 (PLSBZT–xwt%SnO2) with x = 0–0.6 were investigated comprehensively. When the content of SnO2 was 0.55 wt%, the sample achieved optimum properties obtaining a high Curie temperature (259°C) and a large strain (0.203% at 20 kV/cm). In particular, the sample's maximum strain (Smax) remained stable with a variation of less than 4% between −20 and 120°C. Moreover, the PLSBZT–0.55 wt%SnO2 ceramic not only presented a small εr value of 1662, enabling the actuator to respond quickly, but also had a high value of g33 (35.8 × 10−3 V/m/N). These results implied that SnO2‐modified PLSBZT ceramics have significant potential for actuator applications owing to their high Curie temperature, large electric‐field‐induced strain, fast response, and good strain–temperature stability.
Total factor productivity in Kenyan manufacturing firms: The role of ISO certification and direct vs indirect export intensity
Authors: Amutabi Cyprian 
Published: February 2024

AbstractUsing the World Bank panel enterprise data for Kenya for the period 2007–2013–2018, we examined the role of ISO certification and export intensity in explaining the total factor productivity (TFP) of Kenyan manufacturing firms. Contrary to previous studies that largely focus on export propensity, this paper distinguished between the effects of direct and indirect export intensity. To address the endogeneity problem, we instrumented both direct and indirect export intensity variables with imported input supplies dummy. Further, we controlled for heterogeneity in our models by incorporating the year and industry fixed effects as well as the unobserved time‐varying firm characteristics. We found opposite effects of exporting on TFP. While direct export intensity significantly increased TFP, indirect export intensity significantly curtailed TFP. This suggested that direct exporters vis‐à‐vis indirect exporters were more likely to efficiently exploit the productive capacity of foreign technology and knowledge spillover effects that accrue from learning‐by‐exporting. Second, ISO certification significantly increased TFP for indirect exporting firms only denoting a stronger compensating effect for these intermediary‐dependent exporting enterprises. It also affirmed the need by manufacturing firms to attain Internationally Recognized Quality Certification standards. This will increase the competitiveness of their products, hence boosting their chances of breaking into the international markets.
Use of oral health care services among older home care clients in the context of an intervention study
Authors: Tuuliainen Eveliina , Nihtilä Annamari , Komulainen Kaija , Nykänen Irma , Hartikainen Sirpa , Tiihonen Miia , Suominen Anna Liisa 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundAn increasing number of care‐dependent older people living at home need external support to receive regular dental care.ObjectivesTo investigate the use of oral health care services among old home care clients who participated in an intervention study focusing on oral self‐care and nutrition.Materials and MethodsThis study employed data from the multidisciplinary Nutrition, Oral Health and Medication (NutOrMed) intervention study with a population‐based sample of 245 home care clients (74% female) aged 75 or more divided in intervention (n = 140) and two control groups (n = 105). The data were collected through interviews at baseline and 6‐month follow‐up.ResultsAt baseline, 43% of participants reported visits to oral health care within the previous year. At 6‐month follow‐up, this proportion was 51%. In the intervention group, the corresponding figures were 46% and 53%, and in the controls 39% and 48%. Adjusted regression analyses showed that this change was statistically significant (p = 0.008). In addition, higher education and toothache or other discomfort related to teeth or dentures at baseline were associated with increased use after the 6‐month follow‐up (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.0–1.2; OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.5–7.9) but being edentulous indicated the opposite (OR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.1–0.4). Belonging to the intervention group was not associated with increased use.ConclusionsIn older adults, any efforts to raise awareness of oral health are of great potential to increase use of services.
Cantonese dislocation: Parallel chains or cyclic linearization?
Authors: Lai Jackie Yan‐Ki 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis paper offers a critique of the cyclic linearization account of Cantonese dislocation recently advocated by Lee (2021). It shows that the ordering‐based analysis encounters a number of nonobvious problems when compared with the existing parallel‐chain account (Lai, 2019) and that the latter can be maintained under a broadened empirical landscape. The discussion bears on the development of a general theory of dislocation.