bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A preliminary study on the normal values of the thoracic Haller index in children
Authors: Song Wan-Yi , Zhou Yu , Wu Chun , Pan Zheng-Xia , Li Yong-Gang 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The Haller index (HI) is widely utilized as a quantitative indicator to assess the extent of the pectus excavatum (PE) deformity, which is the most common chest wall abnormality in children. Both preoperative correction planning and postoperative follow-up need to be based on the standard of normal thoracic growth and development. However, there is currently no established reference range for the HI in children. Consequently, the goal of this study was to conduct a preliminary investigation of normal HI values among children to understand thoracic developmental characteristics.

METHODS
Chest computed tomography images obtained from January 2012 to March 2022 were randomly selected from the imaging system of the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. We divided the images of children into a total of 19 groups: aged 0–3 months (1 group), 4–12 months (1 group) and 1 year to 17 years (17 groups), with 50 males and 50 females, totaling 100 children in each group. HI was measured in the plane where the lowest point of the anterior thoracic wall was located and statistically analysed using SPSS 26.0 software.

RESULTS
A total of 1900 patients were included in the study. Our results showed that HI, transverse diameter and anterior-posterior diameter were positively correlated with age (P &lt; 0.05). Using age as the independent variable and HI as the dependent variable, the best-fit regression equations were HI-male = 2.047 * Age0.054(R2 = 0.276, P&lt;0.0001) and HI-female = 2.045 * Age0.067(R2 = 0.398, P&lt;0.0001). Males had significantly larger thoracic diameters than females, and there was little difference in the HI between the 2 sexes.

CONCLUSIONS
The HI rapidly increases during the neonatal period, slowly increases during infancy and stops increasing during puberty, with no significant differences between the sexes.
Transforming mineral capital into human capital? Mining and education in early twentieth-century Spain
Authors: Palacios-Mateo Adrian 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Using a highly detailed dataset at the municipality level, drawn from the Spanish Mining Cadastre of 1890, this paper shows how the mining sector affected education provision and human capital formation in early twentieth century Spain. The results indicate that there were two patterns in mining towns. Those mines that invested in technology, those highly productive, and those with post-extraction industries linkages were able to transform mineral capital into human capital. However, in areas where mines were characterized by unskilled labour and low living standard, the mining sector had a negative impact on education, especially in women’s human capital formation.
Development and validation of a lifetime prediction model for incident type 2 diabetes in patients with established cardiovascular disease: the CVD2DM model
Authors: Helmink Marga A G , Peters Sanne A E , Westerink Jan , Harris Katie , Tillmann Taavi , Woodward Mark , van Sloten Thomas T , van der Meer Manon G , Teraa Martin , Dorresteijn Jannick A N , Ruigrok Ynte M , Visseren Frank L J , Hageman Steven H J ,   the UCC-SMART study group, Cramer M J , Nathoe H M , van der Meer M G , de Borst G J , Teraa M , Bots M L , van Smeden M , Emmelot-Vonk M H , de Jong P A , Lely A T , van der Kaaij N P , Kappelle L J , Ruigrok Y M , Verhaar M C , Dorresteijn J A N , Visseren F L J 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Aims
Identifying patients with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) who are at high risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) may allow for early interventions, reducing the development of T2D and associated morbidity. The aim of this study was to develop and externally validate the CVD2DM model to estimate the 10-year and lifetime risks of T2D in patients with established CVD.

Methods and results
Sex-specific, competing risk-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models were derived in 19 281 participants with established CVD and without diabetes at baseline from the UK Biobank. The core model’s pre-specified predictors were age, current smoking, family history of diabetes mellitus, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and HDL cholesterol. The extended model also included HbA1c. The model was externally validated in 3481 patients from the UCC-SMART study. During a median follow-up of 12.2 years (interquartile interval 11.3–13.1), 1628 participants with established CVD were diagnosed with T2D in the UK Biobank. External validation c-statistics were 0.79 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76–0.82] for the core model and 0.81 (95% CI 0.78–0.84) for the extended model. Calibration plots showed agreement between predicted and observed 10-year risk of T2D.

Conclusion
The 10-year and lifetime risks of T2D can be estimated with the CVD2DM model in patients with established CVD, using readily available clinical predictors. The model would benefit from further validation across diverse ethnic groups to enhance its applicability. Informing patients about their T2D risk could motivate them further to adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
Application of a circular-shaped pulsed field ablation catheter with magnetic sensors for pulmonary vein isolation: a multi-centre clinical study report
Authors: Wang Yan , Lai Heng Li , Chen Qi , Liu Hao , Liu Qi Ming , Huang Wei Bin , Tao Yu , Xiong Qingmei , Zhou Ning , Zhao Chunxia , Qiu Jie , Xu Ziqin , Wang Dao Wen 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Aims
A few studies have reported the effect and safety of pulsed field ablation (PFA) catheters for ablating atrial fibrillation (AF), which were mainly based on basket-shaped or flower-shaped designs. However, the clinical application of a circular-shaped multi-electrode catheter with magnetic sensors is very limited. To study the efficacy and safety of a PFA system in patients with paroxysmal AF using a circular-shaped multi-electrode catheter equipped with magnetic sensors for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Methods and results
A novel proprietary bipolar PFA system was used for PVI, which utilized a circular-shaped multi-electrode catheter with magnetic sensors and allowed for three-dimensional model reconstruction, mapping, and ablation in one map. To evaluate the efficacy, efficiency, and safety of this PFA system, a prospective, multi-centre, single-armed, pre-market clinical study was performed. From July 2021 to December 2022, 151 patients with paroxysmal AF were included and underwent PVI. The study examined procedure time, immediate success rate, procedural success rate at 12 months, and relevant complications. In all 151 patients, all the pulmonary veins were acutely isolated using the studied system. Pulsed field ablation delivery was 78.4 ± 41.8 times and 31.3 ± 16.7 ms per patient. Skin-to-skin procedure time was 74.2 ± 29.8 min, and fluoroscopy time was 13.1 ± 7.6 min. The initial 11 (7.2%) cases underwent procedures with deep sedation anaesthesia, and the following cases underwent local anaesthesia. In the initial 11 cases, 4 cases (36.4%) presented transient vagal responses, and the rest were all successfully preventatively treated with atropine injection and rapid fluid infusion. No severe complications were found during or after the procedure. During follow-up, 3 cases experienced atrial flutter, and 11 cases had AF recurrence. The estimated 12-month Kaplan–Meier of freedom from arrhythmia was 88.4%.

Conclusion
The PFA system, comprised of a circular PFA catheter with magnetic sensors, could rapidly achieve PVI under three-dimensional guidance and demonstrated excellent safety with comparable effects.
Evidence for weak azimuthal anisotropy beneath the Kumaon-Garhwal Himalaya
Authors: Devi Arti , Roy Sunil K , Kanaujia Jyotima , Kumar M Ravi 
Published: April 2024

SUMMARY
This study attempts to interrogate the upper mantle deformation pattern beneath the Kumaon-Garhwal region, located in the western Himalaya, using shear wave splitting (SWS) analysis of core-refracted (XK(K)S) phases recorded at 53 broad-band stations. The fast polarization azimuths (FPAs) revealed by 338 well constrained measurements are dominantly clustered around ENE–WSW, with a few along the NE and E–W directions. The delay times vary from 0.2 to 1.4 s, with an average of 0.6 s that is smaller than that for the Indian shield (∼0.8 s), central and eastern Himalayas. The northern part of the lesser Himalaya shows a slightly smaller delay time compared to the southern part, which is attributed to the weakening of azimuthal anisotropy caused by the dipping of the Indian lithosphere. In order to understand the crustal contribution, its anisotropy is measured by analysing the splitting of Ps conversions from the Moho (Pms), akin to that of the XK(K)S phases. However, reliable results for crustal anisotropy could be obtained only at 10 stations. The average delay time due to crustal anisotropy is 0.47 s, with a variation from 0.2 to 0.9 s. Although the dominant period of Pms is smaller than that of SK(K)S, crustal anisotropy contributing to splitting of the latter phases cannot be ruled out. The orientation of FPAs obtained from Pms phases is found to be parallel or sub-parallel to those from XK(K)S phases, suggesting a similar deformation mechanism in the mid- to lower-crust and upper mantle. On the basis of FPAs derived from XK(K)S measurements, the Kumaon-Garhwal Himalaya (KGH) region can be divided into four subregions. In the western and eastern parts, the FPAs are mostly aligned along NE and ENE–WSW, and NE, respectively. In the central and south-eastern parts, their orientation is along ENE–WSW and NW, respectively. The strong ENE–WSW orientation in the central part could result from a slightly variable anisotropy in the crust to the upper part of the lithosphere or basal topography causing deflection of mantle flow. Also, the NW orientation in the south-eastern part of KGH is associated with a shallow source within the lithosphere. Application of the spatial coherency technique to single-layered anisotropic parameters results in a depth of 220–240 km, implying that the dominant source of anisotropy could lie in the upper mantle.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List does not account for intraspecific diversity
Authors: Norderhaug Kjell Magnus , Knutsen Halvor , Filbee-Dexter Karen , Sodeland Marte , Jorde Per Erik , Wernberg Thomas , Oomen Rebekah , Moland Even 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List identifies threatened and endangered species and is a key instrument in global biodiversity conservation efforts. Our understanding of the structure and value of genetic biodiversity below the species level is rapidly increasing. Nonetheless, the IUCN assessment criteria overlook genetic variation within species. Here, we address this blind spot and discuss the principles of species conservation status classification relative to intraspecific biodiversity. We focus on coastal species, which thrive in heterogeneous environments known to drive genetic differentiation. The focal example species, Atlantic cod and sugar kelp, have contrasting life histories, are ecologically and economically important constituents of the coastal ecosystem, and are currently not classified as threatened in Norway and Canada. We expose important variation in population structure, the presence of ecotypes and genetic-environment covariation, as well as loss of ecotypes that threatens the conservation of these species. Because the genetic makeup of species directly influences their resilience, omitting this information from conservation status assessments can result in loss of adaptive capacity to future stressors, such as climate change. Consequently, recognizing and preserving intraspecific variation emerges as vital for species’ abilities to adapt to and survive in future ocean conditions.
Closed-incision negative pressure therapy as a strategy to reduce sternal wound infection in identified high-risk patients: a multicentre propensity matched study
Authors: Suelo-Calanao Rona Lee , D’Alessio Andrea , Hutton Sandra , Krasopoulos George , Muppiri Vijayakumar , Cartwright Carly , Parvez Ahmed , Nikolaidis Nicolas , Loubani Mahmoud 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The premise of this retrospective study was to evaluate the intraoperative use of closed-incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) to help reduce the incidence of postoperative sternal wound infections in multimorbid patients with an elevated risk of developing a sternal wound infection post cardiac surgery versus a cohort that received standard-of-care dressings.

METHODS
Data for all adult patients were collected from each cardiothoracic surgery unit across 3 hospitals in the United Kingdom. High-risk patients had 2 or more recognized risk factors. Fisher’s exact test (two-tailed) and unpaired t-test were used to help analyse categorical and continuous data. Propensity matching was performed to compare the 2 groups.

RESULTS
A total of 5,288 patients who had cardiac surgery were included. Propensity matching led to 766 matched cases. There were significantly fewer sternal wound infections in the ciNPT group [43 (5.6%) vs 119 (15.5%) cases; P = 0.0001], as well as fewer deep sternal wound infections [14 (1.8%) vs 31 (4.0%) cases; P = 0.0149] and superficial sternal wound infections [29 (3.8%) vs 88 (11.4%) cases; P = 0.0001]. A higher mean length of stay in the ciNPT group was statistically significant (11.23 ± 13 vs 9.66 ± 10 days; P = 0.0083) as was a significantly higher mean logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) (11.143 ± 13 vs 8.094 ± 11; P = 0.0001). A statistically significant higher readmission to the intensive care unit due to sternal wound infection was noted for the controls [16 (2.08%) vs 3 (0.39%) readmissions; P = 0.0042].

CONCLUSIONS
The ciNPT appears to be an effective intervention to help reduce the incidence of sternal wound infection in high-risk individuals undergoing cardiac surgery.
Automated stratification of trauma injury severity across multiple body regions using multi-modal, multi-class machine learning models
Authors: Gao Jifan , Chen Guanhua , O’Rourke Ann P , Caskey John , Carey Kyle A , Oguss Madeline , Stey Anne , Dligach Dmitriy , Miller Timothy , Mayampurath Anoop , Churpek Matthew M , Afshar Majid 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objective
The timely stratification of trauma injury severity can enhance the quality of trauma care but it requires intense manual annotation from certified trauma coders. The objective of this study is to develop machine learning models for the stratification of trauma injury severity across various body regions using clinical text and structured electronic health records (EHRs) data.

Materials and Methods
Our study utilized clinical documents and structured EHR variables linked with the trauma registry data to create 2 machine learning models with different approaches to representing text. The first one fuses concept unique identifiers (CUIs) extracted from free text with structured EHR variables, while the second one integrates free text with structured EHR variables. Temporal validation was undertaken to ensure the models’ temporal generalizability. Additionally, analyses to assess the variable importance were conducted.

Results
Both models demonstrated impressive performance in categorizing leg injuries, achieving high accuracy with macro-F1 scores of over 0.8. Additionally, they showed considerable accuracy, with macro-F1 scores exceeding or near 0.7, in assessing injuries in the areas of the chest and head. We showed in our variable importance analysis that the most important features in the model have strong face validity in determining clinically relevant trauma injuries.

Discussion
The CUI-based model achieves comparable performance, if not higher, compared to the free-text-based model, with reduced complexity. Furthermore, integrating structured EHR data improves performance, particularly when the text modalities are insufficiently indicative.

Conclusions
Our multi-modal, multiclass models can provide accurate stratification of trauma injury severity and clinically relevant interpretations.
Effects of diets supplemented with bioactive peptides on nutrient digestibility, immune cell responsiveness, and fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites of adult cats
Authors: Oba Patrícia M , De La Guardia Hidrogo Vanessa M , Kelly Janelle , Saunders-Blades Jennifer , Steelman Andrew J , Swanson Kelly S 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Bioactive peptides (BP) are recognized for their ability to function as antioxidants and maintain lipid stability. They may have positive health effects, including antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, osteoprotective, gut health, and immunomodulatory properties, but are poorly tested in cats. Our primary objective was to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of BP-containing kibble diets and assess how the fecal characteristics, metabolites, and microbiota were affected in adult cats. Our secondary objective was to test whether BP could impact blood oxidative stress markers and cytokine concentrations following transport stress. Twelve adult cats (4.83 ± 0.37 yr; 4.76 ± 0.14 kg) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design to test four extruded kibble diets: Control (no BP), Chicken (4% chicken BP), Marine1 (2% marine BP), and Marine2 (4% marine BP). Each experimental period lasted 28 d, with a 20-d adaptation phase, 5 d for fecal collection, 2 d for blood collection, and 1 d for transport stress testing (driven in vehicle in individual carriers for 45 min). Salivary cortisol and blood oxidative stress markers and cytokines were measured after transport. Fecal microbiota data were evaluated using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and QIIME2. All other data were analyzed using the Mixed Models procedure of SAS, with P &lt; 0.05 being considered significant and P &lt; 0.10 considered trends. No differences were observed in animal health outcomes, with all cats remaining healthy and serum metabolites remaining within reference ranges. Cats fed the Marine2 diet had higher (P &lt; 0.05) ATTD of dry matter (84.5% vs. 80.9%) and organic matter (88.3% vs. 85.8%) than those fed the control diet. The ATTD of protein and energy tended to be higher (P &lt; 0.10) for cats fed the Marine2 diet. Fecal characteristics, metabolites, and bacterial alpha and beta diversity measures were not affected by treatment. However, the relative abundances of six bacterial genera were different (P &lt; 0.05) and two bacterial genera tended to be different (P &lt; 0.10) across treatments. Treatment did not alter salivary cortisol, blood oxidative stress markers, or blood cytokines after transport stress. Our data suggest that BP inclusion may increase nutrient digestibility and modify fecal microbiota and immune measures. More testing is required, however, to determine whether BP may provide additional benefits to cats.
Sequential and Concurrent Mixed-Mode Designs: A Tailored Approach
Authors: Asimov Alexandra , Blohm Michael 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Due to rising costs and declining response rates, surveys are increasingly moving from face-to-face interviewing to a self-administered mixed-mode design. Mixed-mode surveys can be conducted using a concurrent or a sequential design. A sequential design in which the web mode is offered first is a common strategy for mixed-mode surveys as it reduces survey costs. However, when deciding which mode choice sequence to use, sample balance should also be considered. One approach to achieving a balanced sample might be to tailor the sequence of the choice of modes, or the mode choice sequence. For this purpose, we use an indicator that assigns the sampled persons to the different mode choice sequences to minimize the variability of response probabilities. In this study, we compare the sample composition achieved with a concurrent and a sequential design. Additionally, we investigate whether indicator-based tailoring of the two mode choice sequences can improve sample composition. We implemented a randomized experiment in the 2021 German General Social Survey (ALLBUS), which surveyed the general population aged 18 and older in private households (N = 5,342) using a mixed-mode design (web and mail). In a first step, respondents were randomly assigned to a concurrent or a sequential design. We find that the two mode choice sequences lead to a similar sample composition. Next, we identify age as the best available single indicator of the variables known before the survey to tailor the mode choice sequence. Our analyses show that a tailored approach based on age improves the sample composition slightly.
Influence of growth parameters on bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) production by lactic acid bacteria
Authors: Foudjing Gildas Gaëlle Domguia , Sarmast Elham , Allahdad Zahra , Salmieri Stéphane , Lacroix Monique 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the possible production of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) and optimize it by Lactobacillus sakei and combined Lactobacillus curvatus/Pediococcus acidilactici, lactic acid bacteria used for the meat fermentation. The effect of growth parameters on BLIS production was evaluated by measuring the antibacterial activity of the cell-free supernatant of these bacteria. The stability of the cell-free supernatant of combined L.curvatus/P.acidilactici bacteria was also examined after heat treatment and pH variations. Results showed highest BLIS production by L.curvatus/P.acidilactici was at growth temperatures of 28°C and pH 5, while the optimum condition for production of BLIS by L.sakei was 24°C and pH 6.5. The BLIS production by L. curvatus/P. acidilactici bacteria was greatly influenced by carbon and nitrogen sources. The antimicrobial activity of BLIS in supplemented De Man, Rosa, and Sharpe broth (MRS) was 2044.44 AU/mL, 4.84-fold greater than unsupplemented MRS. None of the carbon sources used in this study affected the BLIS production by the L.sakei, while pea peptone enhanced the antimicrobial activity and showed a value of 188.89 AU/mL, 1.47-fold greater than unsupplemented MRS. The characterization of the cell-free supernatant of L. curvatus/P. acidilactici bacteria showed the heat stability and activity of BLIS at pH 2–10.
Genomic and phylogenetic analysis of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis strains linked to multiple outbreaks in Brazil
Authors: Cao Guojie , Balkey Maria , Jin Qing , Brown Eric , Allard Marc , de Melo Adma Nadja Ferreira , Pedrosa Geany Targino de Souza , de Oliveira Tereza Cristina Rocha Moreira , Magnani Marciane , Macarisin Dumitru 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) has become the prevalent serovar isolated from gastroenteritis cases in Brazil since the 1990s. To better understand the genomic diversity and phylogenetic relationship amongst SE epidemic isolates from Brazil, 30 SE isolates from a variety of implicated foods and case patients of outbreaks between 1999 and 2006 were selected for genome comparison analyses. SE genomes were also compared against publicly available Brazilian SE isolates from pre- and postepidemic period. MLST analysis revealed that all isolates belong to sequence type (ST) 11. A total of seven Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPIs) (SPI-1, SPI-3–5, SPI-13, SPI14, and C63PI) were identified in the evaluated genomes and all studied SE genomes carried similar prophage profiling. Resistome analysis revealed the presence of resistance genes to aminoglycosides [aac(6’)laa, aph(3”)-lb, aph(6)-ld], as well as point mutations in gyrA. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that certain isolates have circulated in Brazil for years and been involved in distinct outbreaks.