bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of acupuncture on ischaemic stroke in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a nationwide propensity score-matched study
Authors: Huang Chia-Yu , Huang Ming-Cheng , Liao Hou-Hsun , Lin Cheng-Li , Lee Yu-Chen , Zimmerman Gregory , Wu Mei-Yao , Yen Hung-Rong 
Published: February 2024

ObjectiveTo demonstrate that acupuncture is beneficial for decreasing the risk of ischaemic stroke in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).DesignA propensity score-matched cohort study.SettingA nationwide population-based study.ParticipantsPatients with RA diagnosed between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2010, through the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan.InterventionsPatients who were administered acupuncture therapy from the initial date of RA diagnosis to 31 December 2010 were included in the acupuncture cohort. Patients who did not receive acupuncture treatment during the same time interval constituted the no-acupuncture cohort.Primary outcome measuresA Cox regression model was used to adjust for age, sex, comorbidities, and types of drugs used. We compared the subhazard ratios (SHRs) of ischaemic stroke between these two cohorts through competing-risks regression models.ResultsAfter 1:1 propensity score matching, a total of 23 226 patients with newly diagnosed RA were equally subgrouped into acupuncture cohort or no-acupuncture cohort according to their use of acupuncture. The basic characteristics of these patients were similar. A lower cumulative incidence of ischaemic stroke was found in the acupuncture cohort (log-rank test, p<0.001; immortal time (period from initial diagnosis of RA to index date) 1065 days; mean number of acupuncture visits 9.83. In the end, 341 patients in the acupuncture cohort (5.95 per 1000 person-years) and 605 patients in the no-acupuncture cohort (12.4 per 1000 person-years) experienced ischaemic stroke (adjusted SHR 0.57, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.65). The advantage of lowering ischaemic stroke incidence through acupuncture therapy in RA patients was independent of sex, age, types of drugs used, and comorbidities.ConclusionsThis study showed the beneficial effect of acupuncture in reducing the incidence of ischaemic stroke in patients with RA.
Sleep and motor learning in stroke (SMiLES): a longitudinal study investigating sleep-dependent consolidation of motor sequence learning in the context of recovery after stroke
Authors: Weightman Matthew , Robinson Barbara , Mitchell Morgan P , Garratt Emma , Teal Rachel , Rudgewick-Brown Andrew , Demeyere Nele , Fleming Melanie K , Johansen-Berg Heidi 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionThere is growing evidence that sleep is disrupted after stroke, with worse sleep relating to poorer motor outcomes. It is also widely acknowledged that consolidation of motor learning, a critical component of poststroke recovery, is sleep-dependent. However, whether the relationship between disrupted sleep and poor outcomes after stroke is related to direct interference of sleep-dependent motor consolidation processes, is currently unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to understand whether measures of motor consolidation mediate the relationship between sleep and clinical motor outcomes post stroke.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a longitudinal observational study of up to 150 participants diagnosed with stroke affecting the upper limb. Participants will be recruited and assessed within 7 days of their stroke and followed up at approximately 1 and 6 months. The primary objective of the study is to determine whether sleep in the subacute phase of recovery explains the variability in upper limb motor outcomes after stroke (over and above predicted recovery potential from the Predict Recovery Potential algorithm) and whether this relationship is dependent on consolidation of motor learning. We will also test whether motor consolidation mediates the relationship between sleep and whole-body clinical motor outcomes, whether motor consolidation is associated with specific electrophysiological sleep signals and sleep alterations during subacute recovery.Ethics and disseminationThis trial has received both Health Research Authority, Health and Care Research Wales and National Research Ethics Service approval (IRAS: 304135; REC: 22/LO/0353). The results of this trial will help to enhance our understanding of the role of sleep in recovery of motor function after stroke and will be disseminated via presentations at scientific conferences, peer-reviewed publication, public engagement events, stakeholder organisations and other forms of media where appropriate.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov:NCT05746260, registered on 27 February 2023.
How do sepsis survivors experience life after sepsis? A Danish qualitative study exploring factors of importance
Authors: Schade Skov Camilla , Østervang Christina , Brabrand Mikkel , Lassen Annmarie Touborg , Nielsen Dorthe Susanne 
Published: February 2024

ObjectiveSepsis is a condition associated with high mortality and morbidity, and survivors often experience physical and psychological decline. Previous research has primarily focused on sepsis survivors discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU). We aimed to explore and understand the consequences of sepsis experienced by sepsis survivors in general.DesignA qualitative study inspired by a phenomenological hermeneutical approach was conducted. Data were analysed using systematic text condensation.SettingPatients with sepsis were identified on admission to the emergency department and invited to an interview 3 months after discharge.ParticipantsSixteen sepsis survivors were purposively sampled and interviewed. Among these survivors, one patient was admitted to the ICU.ResultsThree main themes were derived from the analysis: new roles in life, cognitive impairment and anxiety. Although many survivors described a physical decline, they experienced psychological and cognitive impairments after sepsis as the most influential factors in daily life. The survivors frequently experienced fatigue, withdrawals from social activities and anxiety.ConclusionSepsis survivors’ experiences appeared to overlap regardless of ICU admission or treatment at the general ward. Identifying patients with sepsis-related decline is important to understand and support overall patient processes and necessary in meeting specific needs of these patients after hospital discharge.
What are the factors that determine treatment choices in patients with kidney failure: a retrospective cohort study using data linkage of routinely collected data in Wales
Authors: Chess James , Roberts Gareth , McLaughlin Leah , Williams Gail , Noyes Jane 
Published: February 2024

ObjectivesTo identify the factors that determine treatment choices following pre-dialysis education.DesignRetrospective cohort study using data linkage with univariate and multivariate analyses using linked data.SettingSecondary care National Health Service Wales healthcare system.ParticipantsAll people in Wales over 18 years diagnosed with established kidney disease, who received pre-dialysis education between 1 January 2016 and 12 December 2018.Main outcome measuresPatient choice of dialysis modality and any kidney replacement therapy started.ResultsMean age was 67 years; n=1207 (60%) were male, n=878 (53%) had ≥3 comorbidities, n=805 (66%) had mobility problems, n=700 (57%) had pain symptoms, n=641 (52%) had anxiety or were depressed, n=1052 (61.6%) lived less than 30 min from their treatment centre, n=619 (50%) were on a spectrum of frail to extremely vulnerable. n=424 (25%) chose home dialysis, n=552 (32%) chose hospital-based dialysis, n=109 (6%) chose transplantation, n=231 (14%) chose maximum conservative management and n=391 (23%) were ‘undecided’. Main reasons for not choosing home dialysis were lack of motivation/low confidence in capacity to self-administer treatment, lack of home support and unsuitable housing. Patients who choose home dialysis were younger, had lower comorbidities, lower frailty and higher quality of life scores. Multivariate analysis found that age and frailty were predictors of choice, but we did not find any other demographic associations. Of patients who initially chose home dialysis, only n=150 (54%) started on home dialysis.ConclusionThere is room for improvement in current pre-dialysis treatment pathways. Many patients remain undecided about dialysis choice, and others who may have chosen home dialysis are still likely to start on unit haemodialysis.
Prevalence of coeliac disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sotoodeh Adonis , Nguyen Hoang Madeleine , Hellgren Karin , Forss Anders 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundThere is some evidence of a higher prevalence of coeliac disease (CD) among patients with SLE than in the general population. However, the prevalence estimates vary substantially.ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of CD among patients with SLE through systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsWe performed searches in the databases of Medline, Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science Core Collection between 1 January 1990 and 9 July 2023. A total of 2053 publications were rendered in the searches, of which 68 were reviewed in full text and 14 included in the analyses. Primary analysis estimated the pooled prevalence of biopsy-verified CD in patients with SLE. In the secondary analysis, the prevalence of serological markers indicative of CD was investigated. The quality of studies was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool. We conducted meta-regression analyses to investigate associations between the prevalence of CD in individuals with SLE and publication year, study population size, CD prevalence in the general population, proportion of females and quality assessment score.ResultsA total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 11 were included in the primary analysis of biopsy-verified CD. Among 1238 patients with SLE, 14 had CD. The weighted pooled prevalence of CD was 0.7% (95% CI 0.0 to 1.8). The weighted pooled prevalence of CD serological markers in 1063 patients with SLE was 3.7% (95% CI 1.4 to 6.7). In meta-regression analyses, no associations between CD prevalence and study characteristics, demographics and quality assessment scores were found.ConclusionsIn this meta-analysis, we found a weighted pooled prevalence of biopsy-verified CD in patients with SLE comparable with the prevalence in the general population. Our findings do not support routine screening for CD in patients with SLE. However, individual screening could be considered in cases of clinical suspicion and additional risk factors for CD.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022339594.
Epigenetic age estimation in a long-lived, deepwater scorpionfish: insights into epigenetic clock development
Authors: Weber D. Nick , Fields Andrew T. , Chamberlin Derek W. , Patterson William F. , Portnoy David S. 
Published: February 2024

Age estimates are essential for fisheries assessment and management, but deepwater (>200 m) fishes are often difficult to age using traditional techniques. Therefore, age-predictive epigenetic clocks were developed for a model deepwater reef fish, blackbelly rosefish Helicolenus dactylopterus, using two tissue types (fin clips and muscle; n = 61 individuals; 9−60 years) and Δ14C-validated consensus age estimates. The influence of biological information (length and sex) on epigenetic clock accuracy, and the potential for developing a multi-tissue clock, were also assessed. Bisulfite-converted restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (bsRADseq) was used to identify CpG sites (cytosines followed by guanines) exhibiting age-correlated DNA methylation, and epigenetic clocks showed strong agreement ( R2 > 0.98) between predicted and consensus ages. Including length and sex data enhanced accuracy and precision ( R2 > 0.99; mean absolute error < 1 year). Age-associated CpG sites were identified across tissues, but a multi-tissue clock performed poorly relative to single-tissue clocks. Overall, results demonstrate that accurate and precise epigenetic clocks can be developed for deepwater fishes, and the inclusion of biological information may enhance clock accuracy and precision.
High Potential Electrochemical Synthesis of Thermally Reduced Graphene Nanomaterial
Authors: Srivastava Rohit , Singh Pradeep Kumar , Singh Pankaj Kumar 
Published: February 2024

In this study, we provide electrochemical techniques for synthesizing thermally reduced graphene nanomaterial that have high potential, low defects, cost-effectiveness, and ecological sustainability. The electrochemical exfoliation is carried out by employing a 195 W DC (voltage = 60[Formula: see text]V and current = 3.25 A) power source at a maximum electrolyte temperature of about 92.5∘C within the aqueous suspension of 2[Formula: see text]M of sulfuric acid (H2[Formula: see text]. Thereafter, the synthesized nanomaterial was treated in the weak piranha [combination of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide (H2[Formula: see text]] solution using an electrochemical technique inside the water bath sonicator at 80∘C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows the peak of diffraction to the (002) plane of the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) samples emerges at around 2[Formula: see text] and 26.56∘ with an interplanar distance of 3.40 Å and 3.54 Å. According to the XRD data, after the high-temperature thermal reduction phase, the structure of the crystals and interplanar separation were recovered. The size of the crystallite of RGO produced under H2SO4 conditions was discovered to be greater than the crystallite size of graphene oxide produced under piranha solution conditions. The Raman analysis results show that the degree of disorder of the graphene synthesized within the H2O2 was higher than in comparison to the graphene synthesized in H2SO4. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) results show that graphene synthesized in the presence of H2O2 has a thin and porous microstructure in comparison to H2SO4 with no significant effect on the presence of the availability of the C/O ratio. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis indicates that the surface roughness of the graphene synthesized in the H2O2 was higher than that of the H2SO4. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR spectroscopy) analytical results show that the majority of the functional groups have been eliminated within the samples.
Hyaluronan Sperm Selection during ICSI (HA-ICSI) Increases Embryo Utilization in Couples with Male Factor Infertility
Authors: Williams Ashleigh , Popkiss Sophie , Horta Fabrizzio , McLachlan Robert , Zander-Fox Deirdre , Green Mark P. 
Published: February 2024

Background: Hyaluronan (HA) sperm selection, utilizing the affinity of mature sperm for HA, has emerged as a technique to enhance the selection of sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). However, conflicting evidence exists regarding the impact of HA-ICSI on clinical outcomes including fertilization, embryo utilization, and pregnancy rates. The study aimed to compare clinical outcomes including fertilization, utilization, and pregnancy rates between paired ICSI and HA-ICSI cycles within patients, particularly for male factor and low utilization subgroups. Methods: A retrospective study from 3,988 ICSI treatment cycles was conducted between January 2018 and March 2022. A HA-ICSI cycle was paired with the preceding ICSI cycle from the same patient. Fertilization, utilization, and clinical pregnancy rates were compared based on infertility diagnosis and utilization rate (UR) from the initial ICSI cycle. Results: There were no differences in fertilization, utilization, embryo quality, euploidy, or pregnancy rates between ICSI and HA-ICSI in all paired cycles. However, for patients with male factor infertility UR increased from 25.0% to 38.5% in their HA-ICSI cycle ([Formula: see text]). There was no difference observed for female factor infertility patients. HA-ICSI use was of particular benefit for male factor infertility patients with low ([Formula: see text]) embryo utilization in their initial ICSI cycle, evident by an increased utilization from 14.3% to 25.0% in their HA cycle ([Formula: see text]). Conclusions: This is the first study to focus on the impact of HA-ICSI on embryo utilization, particularly in patients with male factor infertility. The efficacy of HA-ICSI as a sperm selection tool appears to be limited to improving UR in patients with male factor infertility, particularly those with low utilization in a previous ICSI cycle, with no significant effect on fertilization or pregnancy rates. Conclusion: HA-ICSI may be useful for sperm selection at the time of ICSI for a select subgroup of patients. Male factor infertility patients, who have previously undertaken an ICSI cycle with less than 40% utilization, should be considered as candidates for treatment.
The ABC‐Stroke Risk Score and Effects of Atrial Fibrillation Screening on Stroke Prevention: Results From the Randomized LOOP Study
Authors: Xing Lucas Yixi , Diederichsen Søren Zöga , Højberg Søren , Krieger Derk W. , Graff Claus , Frikke‐Schmidt Ruth , Platonov Pyotr G. , Olesen Morten S. , Brandes Axel , Køber Lars , Haugan Ketil Jørgen , Svendsen Jesper Hastrup 
Published: February 2024

Background
The ABC‐stroke score is a risk scheme for prediction of stroke or systemic embolism (SE) in atrial fibrillation (AF). This study sought to examine whether the score could be useful in predicting stroke in AF‐naïve individuals and risk stratifying for AF screening.

Methods and Results

The LOOP (Atrial Fibrillation Detected by Continuous ECG Monitoring Using Implantable Loop Recorder to Prevent Stroke in High‐Risk Individuals) study randomized 6004 AF‐naïve individuals aged 70 to 90 years with stroke risk factors to either screening with an implantable loop recorder and anticoagulation upon detection of new‐onset AF episodes ≥6 minutes, or usual care. A total of 5781 participants had available ABC‐stroke score at baseline and were included in this secondary analysis: 4170 (72.1%) with an estimated stroke/SE risk ≤1%/year versus 1611 (27.9%) with an estimated stroke/SE risk >1%/year. Having an annual ABC‐stroke risk >1% was associated with stroke/SE, stroke/SE/cardiovascular death, and all‐cause death (hazard ratio, 1.82 [95% CI, 1.44–2.21], 2.17 [95% CI, 1.80–2.62], and 2.19 [95% CI, 1.87–2.56], respectively). For screening with implantable loop recorder versus usual care, no significant reduction in these study outcomes was obtained in any ABC‐stroke risk groups (
P
>0.0500 for all), with no signal toward interaction (
P
interaction
>0.2500 for all). Similar findings were yielded when assessing the ABC‐stroke score as a continuous variable.

Conclusions
In an elderly, AF‐naïve population with additional stroke risk factors, a higher ABC‐stroke score could identify individuals with increased stroke risk. However, this risk score may not be useful in pinpointing those more likely to benefit from AF screening and subsequent preventive treatment. These findings should be considered as hypothesis generating and warrant further study.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; unique identifier: NCT02036450.
Superresolution of GOES-16 ABI Bands to a Common High Resolution with a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: White Charles H. , Ebert-Uphoff Imme , Haynes John M. , Noh Yoo-Jeong 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Superresolution is the general task of artificially increasing the spatial resolution of an image. The recent surge in machine learning (ML) research has yielded many promising ML-based approaches for performing single-image superresolution including applications to satellite remote sensing. We develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) to superresolve the 1- and 2-km bands on the GOES-R series Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) to a common high resolution of 0.5 km. Access to 0.5-km imagery from ABI band 2 enables the CNN to realistically sharpen lower-resolution bands without significant blurring. We first train the CNN on a proxy task, which allows us to only use ABI imagery, namely, degrading the resolution of ABI bands and training the CNN to restore the original imagery. Comparisons at reduced resolution and at full resolution with Landsat-8/Landsat-9 observations illustrate that the CNN produces images with realistic high-frequency detail that is not present in a bicubic interpolation baseline. Estimating all ABI bands at 0.5-km resolution allows for more easily combining information across bands without reconciling differences in spatial resolution. However, more analysis is needed to determine impacts on derived products or multispectral imagery that use superresolved bands. This approach is extensible to other remote sensing instruments that have bands with different spatial resolutions and requires only a small amount of data and knowledge of each channel’s modulation transfer function.

Significance Statement
Satellite remote sensing instruments often have bands with different spatial resolutions. This work shows that we can artificially increase the resolution of some lower-resolution bands by taking advantage of the texture of higher-resolution bands on the GOES-16 ABI instrument using a convolutional neural network. This may help reconcile differences in spatial resolution when combining information across bands, but future analysis is needed to precisely determine impacts on derived products that might use superresolved bands.
Modes of Variability in E3SM and CESM Large Ensembles
Authors: Fasullo John T. , Caron Julie M. , Phillips Adam , Li Hui , Richter Jadwiga H. , Neale Richard B. , Rosenbloom Nan , Strand Gary , Glanville Sasha , Li Yuanpu , Lehner Flavio , Meehl Gerald , Golaz Jean-Christophe , Ullrich Paul , Lee Jiwoo , Arblaster Julie 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
An adequate characterization of internal modes of climate variability (MoV) is a prerequisite for both accurate seasonal predictions and climate change detection and attribution. Assessing the fidelity of climate models in simulating MoV is therefore essential; however, doing so is complicated by the large intrinsic variations in MoV and the limited span of the observational record. Large ensembles (LEs) provide a unique opportunity to assess model fidelity in simulating MoV and quantify intermodel contrasts. In this work, these goals are pursued in four recently produced LEs: the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) versions 1 and 2 LEs, and the Community Earth System Model (CESM) versions 1 and 2 LEs. In general, the representation of global coupled modes is found to improve across successive E3SM and CESM versions in conjunction with the fidelity of the base state climate while the patterns of extratropical modes are well simulated across the ensembles. Various persistent shortcomings for all MoV are however identified and discussed. The results both demonstrate the successes of these recent model versions and suggest the potential for continued improvement in the representation of MoV with advances in model physics.

Significance Statement
Modes of variability play a critical role in prediction of seasonal to decadal climate variability and detection of forced climate change, but historically many modes have been poorly simulated by coupled climate models. Using recently produced large ensembles, this work demonstrates the improved simulation of a broad range of internal modes in successive versions of the E3SM and CESM and discusses opportunities for further advances.