bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Cervical Sagittal Parameters among Patients with Neck Pain and Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy and Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Authors: Liu Tao , Tian Shuo , Zhang Jianzhou , He Mengzi , Deng Longlian , Ding Wenyuan , Wang Zheng , Yang Dalong 
Published: December 2023

ObjectivePrevious studies have shown that cervical sagittal alignment is strongly associated with cervical deformity, myelopathy, and cervical adjacent‐segmental disease, and these cervical sagittal parameters are correlated with health‐related quality of life. However, less attention has been paid to cervical sagittal balance in various cervical disorders. This study aimed to compare cervical sagittal parameters between patients with nonspecific neck pain (NS‐NP) and patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).MethodsWe retrospectively examined 236 patients from between January 2020 and October 2022. We divided them into three groups (NS‐NP, CSR, and CSM) and collected general information and cervical sagittal parameters for these patients. The variation of parameters between the size of these parameters and gender differences was analyzed. Pearson's or Spearman's correlation was applied to analyze the association of cervical sagittal parameters of all patients between the three groups.ResultsThere were significant differences in age and sex among the three groups (p < 0.001), with the NS‐NP group being the youngest and NS‐NP being more common in women. The parameters of cervical sagittal position significantly differed among the three groups (p < 0.05). Pearson's or Spearman's correlation result showed that the C2–C7 Cobb angle was negatively associated with the C2–C7 sagittal vertical angle (SVA), and the C2–C7 Cobb angle and T1 slope (T1s) were negatively associated with the spino‐cranial angle (SCA). There was a positive correlation between the C2–C7 Cobb angle and C7 slope (C7s), C2–C7 SVA and T1s, C2–C7 SVA and SCA, and C7s and T1s.ConclusionThis study showed that between the three groups, patients with nonspecific neck pain had smaller SCA, and among patients with NS‐NP, women had more significant SCA. The smaller anteroposterior diameter of the thorax in women might explain this difference.
Incidence of emergence agitation in children undergoing sevoflurane anesthesia compared to isoflurane anesthesia: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Farag Rasha S. , Spicer Aaron C. , Iyer Geetha , Stevens Jennifer P. , King Andrew , Bain Paul A. , McAlvin J. Brian 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundEmergence agitation is a complex syndrome of altered consciousness after emergence from anesthesia. It can result in injury to patients and staff and is associated with other postoperative complications. Sevoflurane has been associated with emergence agitation, potentially due to low tissue solubility and therefore speed of emergence. Prior meta‐analyses comparing emergence agitation incidence between sevoflurane and isoflurane anesthetics did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference. Given the publication of additional relevant studies not included in prior meta‐analyses as well as improved diagnosis of emergence agitation, we aim to perform an updated, comprehensive meta‐analysis comparing emergence agitation incidence between sevoflurane and isoflurane anesthetics in children.MethodsWe conducted an updated systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials comparing sevoflurane to isoflurane in children <18 years of age, reporting emergence agitation as an outcome, published before July 2023 using databases and registers. Our primary outcome was the incidence of emergence agitation. Secondary outcomes were time to extubation, awakening time, and length of stay in the postanesthetic care unit. We assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool version 2. We pooled the effect size for the outcomes using the fixed effects model if we had low heterogeneity, otherwise, we used a random‐effects model.ResultsEight randomized controlled trials (523 children) were included in the final analysis. The incidence of emergence agitation after isoflurane was significantly lower compared to sevoflurane (risk ratio: 0.62 (95% CI: [0.46–0.83]; I2 = 40.01%, p < .001)). Time to extubation, awakening times, and postanesthetic care unit duration were not significantly different. The protective effect of isoflurane compared to sevoflurane remained significant in subgroups of patients who received premedication or intraoperative systemic analgesics (risk ratios: (0.48 [0.28–0.82]; I2 = 60.78%, p = .01), (0.52 [0.37–0.75]; I2 = 0.00%, p < .001), respectively).ConclusionThe risk of emergence agitation in children after maintenance anesthesia with sevoflurane is significantly greater than with isoflurane; we did not find evidence of prolonged emergence or postanesthetic length of stay. When possible, isoflurane should be considered for maintenance anesthesia over sevoflurane in patients at high risk of emergence agitation.
Mito‐nuclear discordance and phylogeography of the surf clam Mesodesma donacium along the Southeast Pacific coast
Authors: Liza Carmen R. , Stotz Wolfgang B. , Haye Pilar A. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMesodesma donacium is a surf clam endemic to the southeast Pacific coast, and it is an important resource species of the sandy beach artisanal fishery in Peru and Chile. Over time, the species has shown high variability in population dynamics (presence and abundance), which has been attributed to overfishing and environmental events. In this study, we assess the phylogeography of seven natural beds of M. donacium (17 to 42° S), to reveal the geographic distribution of the genetic diversity through the analysis of 278 sequences of the mitochondrial gene COI. Sequences of the nuclear genes 18S and 28S were used to evaluate the divergence of COI haplogroups. Two divergent parapatric mitochondrial haplogroups were found, which lacked divergence at nuclear markers (18S and 28S); this mito‐nuclear discordance allows inferring that there is no reproductive isolation of mitochondrial haplogroups. The North haplogroup is the only one present at the northernmost site, while only the South haplogroup was present in Cucao in the south. Between 28° and 32° S, coincident with a coastal biogeographic break at 30° S, both haplogroups are in sympatry. Haplogroups differed in their genetic structure, with the North haplogroup representing a single, highly diverse population and the South haplogroup with genetic differentiation and more restricted genetic diversity and gene flow. The divergence in mitochondrial haplogroups without nuclear divergence suggests a past scenario of geographic isolation in the northern and southern areas, without developing reproductive isolation, followed by secondary contact. Given the phylogeography, genetic information should be considered in restocking and management activities.
An 8-Week Virtual Exercise Training Program for Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Authors: Grishin Nikol K. , De Souza Astrid M. , Fairbairn Julie , Sheel A. William , Puterman E. , Blydt-Hansen Tom , Potts James E. , Armstrong Kathryn R. 
Published: December 2023

Purpose: Musculoskeletal strength can be impaired in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients. Exercise training programs can be beneficial but in-person delivery can be challenging; virtual exercise programs can alleviate some of these challenges. This feasibility study aimed to deliver an 8-week virtual exercise program in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients. Method: Program delivery occurred 3 times per week for 30 minutes. An exercise stress test was completed prior to program start. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency strength subtest and self-report surveys were used to assess musculoskeletal strength, quality of life, fatigue, and physical activity. Contact was maintained through a text messaging platform. Z scores were calculated using standardized normative data. Medians (interquartile range) are reported for all other data. Results: Eleven participants completed the program (2 liver, 5 kidney, 4 heart; 58% females; median age = 11.5 [10.3–13.8] y). Six participants attended ≥60% of classes, 5 participants attended <50% of classes. After 8 weeks, strength scores improved (Z score, Pre: −1.0 [−1.65 to −0.60] to Post: −0.2 [−1.30 to 0.40]; P = .007) with no change in other outcome measures. Conclusion: The virtual exercise program was delivered without technical issues and received positive participant feedback. Engagement and costs need to be considered.
Pulsed dosing and extended daily dosing of oral vancomycin do not facilitate clearance of
Clostridioides difficile
colonization in mice
Authors: Pearlmutter Basya S. , Carlisle Matthew G. , Wilson Brigid M. , Sangwan Naseer , Donskey Curtis J. 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Vancomycin taper and pulse regimens are commonly used to treat recurrent
Clostridioides difficile
infections, but the mechanism by which these regimens might reduce recurrences is unclear. Here, we used a mouse model to test the hypothesis that pulse dosing of vancomycin after a 10-day treatment course enhances clearance of
C. difficile
from the intestinal tract. Mice with
C. difficile
colonization received 10 days of once-daily oral vancomycin followed by 20 days of treatment with saline (controls), daily vancomycin, or pulse dosing of vancomycin every 2 or 3 days. Stool samples were collected to measure the concentration of C.
difficile
during and after treatment, vancomycin concentrations, and growth of vegetative
C. difficile
during every 3 days dosing. Pulse dosing of vancomycin was not effective in maintaining suppression of
C. difficile
(
P
> 0.05 in comparison to saline controls); growth of vegetative
C. difficile
occurred between pulse doses when vancomycin decreased to undetectable levels. Daily dosing of vancomycin suppressed
C. difficile
during treatment, but recurrent colonization occurred after treatment in more than 75% of mice, and by post-treatment day 14, there was no significant difference among the control, pulse dosing, and daily dosing groups (
P
> 0.05). These findings demonstrate that pulse dosing of vancomycin every 2 or 3 days does not facilitate the clearance of
C. difficile
spores in mice. Studies are needed to examine the impact of vancomycin taper and pulsed regimens in patients.
Validation of the VirCapSeq-VERT system for differential diagnosis, detection, and surveillance of viral infections
Authors: Kapoor Vishal , Briese Thomas , Ranjan Amit , Donovan William M. , Mansukhani Mahesh M. , Chowdhary Rashmi , Lipkin W. Ian 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT
There is a need in clinical microbiology and public health for assays that enable sensitive and rapid detection of infectious agents. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is increasingly used in the fields of oncology and personalized genome medicine but has not gained a wider acceptance for clinical microbiology due to operational and bioinformatics complexity, as well as lower sensitivity compared to agent-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays. VirCapSeq-VERT is a positive selection system for detection, typing, and strain differentiation of both RNA and DNA viruses with sensitivity comparable to qPCR. Here we report the analytical and clinical validation of the VirCapSeq-VERT system for detection of viruses in plasma and nasal secretions that cause systemic and/or respiratory infections.

IMPORTANCE
Broad range assay for accurate and sensitive diagnostics.
Draft genome sequence of multidrug-resistant
Vibrio navarrensis
strain DA9 isolated from a coastal canal in the Florida Keys (USA)
Authors: Lydon Keri Ann , Grim Christopher , Robertson Megan J. , Lipp Erin K. 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

A presumptive
Vibrio
isolate with a multidrug resistance profile was isolated from surface seawater collected from a coastal canal in 2014 and identified as
Vibrio navarrensis
, designated as strain DA9. Here, we report a 5.1-Mb draft genome sequence of strain DA9 with a G + C content of 47.5%.
European River Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis (Petromyzontidae) of the Pskov Lakeland: Current State of Isolated Populations
Authors: Zvezdin A. O. , Kucheryavyy A. V. , Kolotei A. V. , Polyakova N. V. , Pavlov D. S. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Small freshwater (resident) populations of the European river lamprey Lampetrafluviatilis from an isolated from the sea upper part of a river system with numerous lakes (the upper reaches of tributaries of the Daugava River and Lake Peipus, Pskov Oblast, Russia) have been studied. Adult individuals of the lamprey have been attributed to common and large size groups; adults are similar to other resident lamprey from the Baltic Sea basin. The presence of larvae of different size and age groups indicates regular spawning of the European river lamprey in the studied watersheds. Analysis of the modern and historical (before the isolation) distribution of lamprey revealed a reduction in habitats and a decrease in the number of individuals. Dam-associated disruption of migration routes led to the disappearance of anadromous form, and consequently, disappearance of resident lamprey from most of the studied waterbodies. We attribute the decrease in the number of rivers inhabited by lamprey and abundance of the lamprey both to anthropogenic factors (direct blocking of an access of anadromous form of the lamprey to spawning grounds by hydraulic construction) and to the characteristics of the studied area. The richness of the river system with lentic waterbodies makes it suitable for lamprey inhabitation with an influx of large anadromous individuals capable of crossing such reservoirs in search of spawning sites.
Continuous non-invasive measurement of cardiac output in neonatal intensive care using regional impedance cardiography: a prospective observational study
Authors: Banerjee Jayanta , Khatib Nidal , Mansfield Roshni C , Sathiyamurthy Sundar , Kariholu Ujwal , Lees Christoph 
Published: December 2023

ObjectivesTo compare agreement between echocardiography and regional impedance cardiography (RIC)-derived cardiac output (CO), and to construct indicative normative ranges of CO for gestational age groups.Design, setting and participantsProspective cohort observational study performed in a tertiary centre in London, UK, including neonates born between 25 and 42 weeks’ gestational age.ExposuresNeonates on the postnatal ward had 2 hours of RIC monitoring; neonates in intensive care had RIC monitoring for the first 72 hours, then weekly for 2 hours, with concomitant echocardiography measures.Main outcomes and measuresRIC was used to measure CO continuously. Statistical analyses were performed using R (V.4.2.2; R Core Team 2022). RIC-derived CO and echocardiography-derived CO were compared using Pearson’s correlations and Bland-Altman analyses. Differences in RIC-derived CO between infants born extremely, very and late preterm were assessed using analyses of variance and mixed-effects modelling.Results127 neonates (22 extremely, 46 very, 29 late preterm and 30 term) were included. RIC and echocardiography-measured weight-adjusted CO were correlated (r=0.62, p<0.001) with a Bland-Altman bias of −31 mL/min/kg (limits of agreement −322 to 261 mL/min/kg). The RIC-derived CO fell over 12 hours, then increased until 72 hours after birth. The 72-hour weight-adjusted mean CO was higher in extremely preterm (424±158 mL/min/kg) compared with very (325±131 mL/min/kg, p<0.001) and late preterm (237±81 mL/min/kg, p<0.001) neonates; this difference disappeared by 2–3 weeks of age.ConclusionsRIC is valid for continuous, non-invasive CO measurement in neonates. Indicative normative CO ranges could help clinicians to make more informed haemodynamic management decisions, which should be explored in future studies.Trial registration numberNCT04064177.
Point-of-care ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in respiratory assessment in awake paediatric patients: a comparative study
Authors: Edelman James , Taylor Hannah , Goss Anne-Marie , Tisovszky Natasha , Sun Kang Min , O’Toole Sophie , Herriotts Kate , Inglis Elizabeth , Johnson Chloe , Penfold Scott , Bull Jenny , Shires Peter , Towers Ashley , Griksaitis Michael J 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundChest X-ray (CXR) has typically been the main investigation in children with suspected respiratory pathology. Recent advances in lung point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) have shown the potential for it to be comparative, if not better, than CXR. The objective of this study was to compare CXR with lung POCUS in children with respiratory illness in a ward-based setting at a paediatric teaching hospital.MethodsAny child <18 years of age presenting to Southampton Children’s Hospital requiring a CXR for clinical reasons also had lung POCUS performed. CXR was reported by a consultant paediatric radiologist and lung POCUS was reviewed retrospectively by a blinded POCUS clinician, with only the clinical information provided on the CXR request. Comparisons were made between the CXR and lung POCUS findings.Results100 paired lung POCUS and CXR were included in the study. 30% of lung POCUS were normal with 97% of these having a normal CXR. 70% of cases had POCUS abnormalities with 96% of POCUS cases identifying comparative lung pathology. Lung POCUS therefore had a sensitivity of 98.51% and a specificity of 87.9% with a diagnostic accuracy of 95% when compared with the CXR report.ConclusionsLung POCUS has excellent diagnostic accuracy. The diagnosis of normal lung on POCUS when performed by a trained practitioner can reliably reduce the need for a CXR, thus reducing CXR use and radiation exposure in children. An abnormal lung POCUS could then either give the diagnosis or lead to a CXR with the expectation of clinically relevant findings.
Lymphopenia and high Ki-67 expression in peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells associate with progressive sarcoidosis
Authors: Kullberg Susanna , Grunewald Johan , Eklund Anders 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundEarly identification of patients at risk for progressive sarcoidosis may improve intervention. High bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) lymphocytes and peripheral blood (PB) lymphopenia are associated with worse prognosis. The mechanisms behind are not disentangled, and to date, it is not possible to predict disease course with certainty.ObjectivesInsight into the frequency of T regulatory cells (Tregs), proliferating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in BALF and PB in clinically well-characterised patients, may provide clues to mechanisms behind differences in disease course.MethodsNineteen treatment-naïve patients with newly diagnosed sarcoidosis were assessed with BAL and PB samples at diagnosis. From the majority, repeated PB samples were collected over a year after diagnosis. The patients were followed for a median of 3 years and clinical parameters were used to classify patients into resolving, chronic progressive and chronic stable disease. Lymphocyte counts, frequency of Tregsdefined as forkhead box protein 3+ (FoxP3+) CD4+T cells, and proliferating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells assessed with Ki-67 were analysed.ResultsEleven patients disclosed a chronic stable, and eight a progressive disease course, no one resolved during the study period. In PB, lower number of lymphocytes associated with chronic progressive disease, an increased frequency of Ki-67+CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and a tendency towards higher percentage of FoxP3+CD4+ T cells compared with chronic stable patients.ConclusionA reduction of PB lymphocytes despite increased proliferation of CD4+and CD8+ T cells was observed in patients with chronic active compared with chronic stable sarcoidosis, indicating an increased PB lymphocyte turn-over in patients with deteriorating disease. Measurement of PB Tregs, Ki-67+CD4+ and Ki-67+CD8+ T cells may help in predicting sarcoidosis disease course.
Endoscopic variceal ligation versus propranolol for the primary prevention of oesophageal variceal bleeding in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: an open-label, two-centre, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Yang Tsung-Chieh , Chen Wen-Chi , Hou Ming-Chih , Chen Ping-Hsien , Lee Pei-Chang , Chang Chung-Yu , Lu Hsiao-Sheng , Chen Yu-Jen , Hsu Shao-Jung , Huang Hui-Chun , Luo Jiing-Chyuan , Huang Yi-Hsiang , Lee Fa-Yauh 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveThis randomised trial aimed to address whether endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) or propranolol (PPL) is more effective at preventing initial oesophageal variceal bleeding (EVB) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).DesignPatients with HCC and medium-to-large oesophageal varices (EVs) but without previous EVB were randomised to receive EVL (every 3–4 weeks until variceal eradication) or PPL (up to 320 mg daily) at a 1:1 ratio. Long-term follow-up data on EVB, other upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), non-bleeding liver decompensation, overall survival (OS) and adverse events (AEs) were analysed using competing risk regression.ResultsBetween June 2011 and April 2021, 144 patients were randomised to receive EVL (n=72) or PPL (n=72). In the EVL group, 7 patients experienced EVB, and 30 died; in the PPL group, 19 patients had EVB, and 40 died. The EVL group had a lower cumulative incidence of EVB (Gray’s test, p=0.009) than its counterpart, with no mortality difference (Gray’s test, p=0.085). For patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A/B, EVL was better than PPL in reducing EVB (p<0.001) and mortality (p=0.003). For patients beyond BCLC stage B, between-group outcomes were similar. Other UGIB, non-bleeding liver decompensation and AEs did not differ between groups. A competing risk regression model confirmed the prognostic value of EVL.ConclusionEVL is superior to PPL in preventing initial EVB in patients with HCC. The benefits of EVL on EVB and OS may be limited to patients with BCLC stage A/B and not to those with BCLC stage C/D.Trial registration numberNCT01970748.
Intra-arterial tenecteplase following endovascular therapy in patients with acute posterior circulation arterial occlusion: study protocol and rationale
Authors: Tao Chunrong , Li Rui , Sun Jun , Zhu Yuyou , Wang Li , Zhang Chao , Liu Tianlong , Song Jianlong , Qureshi Adnan I , Abdalkader Mohamad , Nguyen Thanh N , Saver Jeffrey L , Nogueira Raul G , Hu Wei 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundRecently, a randomized controlled trial showed a beneficial effect of intra-arterial thrombolysis following successful endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation. Due to differences in response to thrombolytics in occlusion of the posterior circulation, the purpose of ATTENTION IA is to explore the adjunct benefit of intra-arterial thrombolysis after successful recanalization in patients presenting with large and medium vessel occlusion of the posterior circulation.MethodsATTENTION-IA is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial with open-label treatment and blinded endpoint assessment (PROBE). After achieving successful recanalization (expanded Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (eTICI) 2b-3) of an occlusion of the vertebral, basilar, or posterior cerebral artery, patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive intra-arterial tenecteplase or standard of care. The primary effect parameter is a modified Rankin Score of 0–1 at day 90.ResultsThe trial recently completed enrollment, and data collection/verification is ongoing. The final results will be made available on completion of enrollment and follow-up.ConclusionsATTENTION-IA will provide definitive evidence for the efficacy and safety of adjunct intra-arterial tenecteplase after successful EVT in patients with an acute posterior circulation arterial occlusion stroke presenting within 24 hours of symptom onset.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.govNCT05684172.