bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Real-world treatments and thrombotic events in polycythemia vera patients in the USA
Authors: Verstovsek Srdan , Pemmaraju Naveen , Reaven Nancy L. , Funk Susan E. , Woody Tracy , Valone Frank , Gupta Suneel 
Published: January 2023

AbstractPolycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm associated with increased risk of thrombotic events (TE) and death. Therapeutic interventions, phlebotomy and cytoreductive medications, are targeted to maintain hematocrit levels < 45% to prevent adverse outcomes. This retrospective observational study examined medical and pharmacy claims of 28,306 PV patients initiating treatment for PV in a data period inclusive of 2011 to 2019. Study inclusion required ≥ 2 PV diagnosis codes in the full data period, at least 1 year of PV treatment history, and ≥ 1 prescription claim and medical claim in both 2018 and 2019. Patients having ≥ 2 hematocrit (HCT) test results in linked outpatient laboratory data (2018–2019) were designated as the HCT subgroup (N = 4246). Patients were characterized as high- or low-risk at treatment initiation based on age and prior thrombotic history. The majority of patients in both risk groups (60% of high-risk and 83% of low-risk) initiated treatment with phlebotomy monotherapy, and during a median follow-up period of 808 days, the vast majority (81% low-risk, 74% high-risk) maintained their original therapy during the follow-up period. Hematocrit control was suboptimal in both risk groups; 54% of high-risk patients initiating with phlebotomy monotherapy sometimes/always had HCT levels > 50%; among low-risk patients, 64% sometimes/always had HCT levels above 50%. Overall, 16% of individuals experienced at least 1 TE subsequent to treatment initiation, 20% (n = 3920) among high-risk and 8% (n = 629) among low-risk patients. This real-world study suggests that currently available PV treatments may not be used to full advantage.
Stochastic approximations of higher-molecular by bi-molecular reactions
Authors: Plesa Tomislav 
Published: January 2023

AbstractReactions involving three or more reactants, called higher-molecular reactions, play an important role in mathematical modelling in systems and synthetic biology. In particular, such reactions underpin a variety of important bio-dynamical phenomena, such as multi-stability/multi-modality, oscillations, bifurcations, and noise-induced effects. However, as opposed to reactions involving at most two reactants, called bi-molecular reactions, higher-molecular reactions are biochemically improbable. To bridge the gap, in this paper we put forward an algorithm for systematically approximating arbitrary higher-molecular reactions with bi-molecular ones, while preserving the underlying stochastic dynamics. Properties of the algorithm and convergence are established via singular perturbation theory. The algorithm is applied to a variety of higher-molecular biochemical networks, and is shown to play an important role in synthetic biology.
Heteroclinic cycling and extinction in May–Leonard models with demographic stochasticity
Authors: Barendregt Nicholas W. , Thomas Peter J. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractMay and Leonard (SIAM J Appl Math 29:243–253, 1975) introduced a three-species Lotka–Volterra type population model that exhibits heteroclinic cycling. Rather than producing a periodic limit cycle, the trajectory takes longer and longer to complete each “cycle”, passing closer and closer to unstable fixed points in which one population dominates and the others approach zero. Aperiodic heteroclinic dynamics have subsequently been studied in ecological systems (side-blotched lizards; colicinogenic Escherichia coli), in the immune system, in neural information processing models (“winnerless competition”), and in models of neural central pattern generators. Yet as May and Leonard observed “Biologically, the behavior (produced by the model) is nonsense. Once it is conceded that the variables represent animals, and therefore cannot fall below unity, it is clear that the system will, after a few cycles, converge on some single population, extinguishing the other two.” Here, we explore different ways of introducing discrete stochastic dynamics based on May and Leonard’s ODE model, with application to ecological population dynamics, and to a neuromotor central pattern generator system. We study examples of several quantitatively distinct asymptotic behaviors, including total extinction of all species, extinction to a single species, and persistent cyclic dominance with finite mean cycle length.
CTA-determined tricuspid annular dilatation is associated with persistence of tricuspid regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Löw Kornelia , Steffen Julius , Theiss Hans , Orban Martin , Rizas Konstantinos D. , Haum Magda , Doldi Philipp M. , Stolz Lukas , Gmeiner Jonas , Hagl Christian , Massberg Steffen , Hausleiter Jörg , Braun Daniel , Deseive Simon 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Aim
The aim of this study was to analyse the predictive value of CTA-determined tricuspid annular dilatation (TAD) on the persistence of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) and concomitant at least moderate TR.

Methods and results
288 consecutive patients treated with TAVR due to severe AS and concomitant at least moderate TR at baseline were included in the analysis. As cutoff for TAD, the median value of the CTA-determined, to the body surface area-normalized tricuspid annulus diameter (25.2 mm/m2) was used. TAD had no impact on procedural characteristics or outcomes, including procedural death and technical or device failure according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium 3 criteria. However, the primary outcome of the study—TR persistence after TAVR was significantly more frequent in patients with compared to patients without TAD (odds ratio 2.60, 95% confidence interval 1.33–5.16, p < 0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusting for clinical and echocardiographic baseline characteristics, which are known to influence aetiology or severity of TR, confirmed TAD as an independent predictor of TR persistence after TAVR (adjusted odds ratio 2.30, 95% confidence interval 1.20–4.46, p = 0.01). Moreover, 2 year all-cause mortality was significantly higher in patients with persistence or without change of TR compared to patients with TR improvement (log-rank p < 0.01).

Conclusion
In patients undergoing TAVR for severe AS and concomitant at least moderate TR at baseline, TAD is a predictor of TR persistence, which is associated with increased 2-year all-cause mortality.

Graphical abstract
The course of knee extensor strength after total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review with meta-analysis and -regression
Authors: Singla Ravi , Niederer Daniel , Franz Alexander , Happ Kevin , Zilkens Christoph , Wahl Patrick , Behringer Michael 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Muscular strength loss and atrophy are postoperative complications. This systematic review with meta-analysis investigated the course of on knee extensor mass and strength from pre-surgery over total knee arthroplasty to rehabilitation and recovery.

Methods
A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed (Medline), Cochrane Library (CINAHL, Embase) and Web of Science (until 29th of June 2022). Main inclusion criteria were  ≥ 1 preoperative and  ≥ 1 measurement  ≥ 3-months post-operation and ≥ 1 objective assessment of quadriceps strength, muscle mass or neuromuscular activity, measured at both legs. Studies were excluded if they met the following criteria: further impairment of treated extremity or of the contralateral extremity; further muscle affecting disease, or muscle- or rehabilitation-specific intervention. The Robins-I tool for non-randomized studies, and the Cochrane Rob 2 tool for randomized controlled studies were used for risk of bias rating. Pre-surgery, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after surgery data were pooled using random effects meta-analyses (standardized mean differences, SMD, Hedge’s g) in contrast to the pre-injury values.

Results
1417 studies were screened, 21 studies on 647 participants were included. Thereof, 13 were non-randomized controlled trails (moderate overall risk of bias in most studies) and 7 were randomized controlled trials (high risk of bias in at least one domain in most studies). Three (k = 12 studies; SMD = − 0.21 [95% confidence interval = − 0.36 to − 0.05], I2 = 4.75%) and six (k = 9; SMD = − 0.10 [− 0.28 to − 0.08]; I2 = 0%) months after total knee arthroplasty, a deterioration in the strength of the operated leg compared with the strength of the non-operated leg was observed. One year after surgery, the operated leg was stronger in all studies compared to the preoperative values. However, this increase in strength was not significant compared to the non-operated leg (k = 6, SMD = 0.18 [− 0.18 to 0.54], I2 = 77.56%).

Conclusion
We found moderate certainty evidence that deficits in muscle strength of the knee extensors persist and progress until 3 months post-total knee arthroplasty in patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis. Very low certainty evidence exists that preoperatively existing imbalance of muscle strength and mass in favor of the leg not undergoing surgery is not recovered within 1 year after surgery.
No difference in outcomes between large- and small-pore meshes in a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial investigating open retromuscular meshplasty for incisional hernia repair
Authors: Kroh Andreas , Zufacher Markus , Eickhoff Roman , Heise Daniel , Helmedag Marius , Ulmer Florian , Neumann Ulf P. , Conze Joachim , Hilgers Ralf-Dieter , Binnebösel Marcel 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Study design
A randomized, controlled, prospective multicenter clinical trial with a parallel group design was initiated in eight surgical centers to compare a large-pore polypropylene mesh (Ultrapro®) to a small-pore polypropylene mesh (Premilene®) within a standardized retromuscular meshplasty for incisional hernia repair.

Methods
Between 2004 and 2006, patients with a fascial defect with a minimum diameter of 4 cm after vertical midline laparotomy were recruited for the trial. Patients underwent retromuscular meshplasty with either a large-pore or a small-pore mesh to identify the superiority of the large-pore mesh. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 5 and 21 days and 4, 12, and 24 months after surgery. A clinical examination, a modified short form 36 (SF-36®), a daily activity questionnaire, and an ultrasound investigation of the abdominal wall were completed at every follow-up visit. The primary outcome criterion was foreign body sensation at the 12-month visit, and the secondary endpoint criteria were the occurrence of hematoma, seroma, and chronic pain within 24 months postoperatively.

Results
In 8 centers, 181 patients were included in the study. Neither foreign body sensation within the first year after surgery (27.5% Ultrapro®, 32.2% Premilene®) nor the time until the first occurrence of foreign body sensation within the first year was significantly different between the groups. Regarding the secondary endpoints, no significant differences could be observed. At the 2-year follow-up, recurrences occurred in 5 Ultrapro® patients (5.5%) and 4 Premilene® patients (4.4%).

Conclusion
Despite considerable differences in theoretical and experimental works, we have not been able to identify differences in surgical or patient-reported outcomes between the use of large- and small-pore meshes for retromuscular incisional hernia repair.

Trial registration
Clinical Trials NCT04961346 (16.06.2021) retrospectively registered.
Climatic control of high-resolution stem radius changes in a drought-limited southern boreal forest
Authors: Dulamsuren Choimaa , Coners Heinz , Leuschner Christoph , Hauck Markus 
Published: January 2023

AbstractKey messageStem radius changes measured at high temporal resolution in a drought-limited southern boreal forest were primarily related to soil temperature and partly soil moisture variation, but only weakly to VPD.AbstractForest productivity at the southern fringe of the boreal forest biome in Inner Asia is strongly drought-limited, as is evident from dendrochronological analyses. Using electronic point dendrometers, we studied the climate response of stem radius changes at high temporal resolution (10-min intervals) in a mixed larch–birch forest in northern Mongolia in a drought year and two subsequent moist years. Larch trees showed stronger stem radius fluctuations than birches, and this difference was more pronounced in dry than in moist years. Stem radius changes were most tightly related to soil temperature variation, while soil moisture was the dominant controlling factor only in birch in the dry year. Correlations with the atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and even more so with air temperature, were much weaker. While the linkage between radius change and VPD might primarily reflect diurnal transpiration-driven stem shrinkage and expansion, soil temperature is thought to directly affect cambial cell division and elongation during wood formation. We conclude that the phenology of stemwood increment is strongly controlled by soil temperature even in drought-limited southern boreal forests under continental climate due to the combination of cold and dry climate.
A multicentre study on the incidence of respiratory viruses in children with community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization in the setting of the zero-COVID policy in China
Authors: Feng Ziheng , Xu Baoping , Zhong Lili , Chen Jing , Deng Jikui , Luo Zhengxiu , Cao Lingfeng , Tang Yu , Li Changchong , Jin Rong , Deng Li , Shang Yunxiao , Wu Ying , Zhao Hongwei , Feng Qianyu , Chen Xiangpeng , Xu Lili , Xie Zhengde 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background
Stringent nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have been implemented worldwide to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and the circulation and seasonality of common respiratory viruses have subsequently changed. There have been few multicentre studies or comparisons of the prevalence of respiratory viruses accounting for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in hospitalized children between the pre-COVID period and the period after community and school reopening in the setting of the zero-COVID policy.

Methods
We included 1543 children with CAP who required hospitalization from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021 (period 1), and 629 children with the same conditions from November 1, 2018, to April 30, 2019 (period 2), in our study. All respiratory samples from these patients were screened for six respiratory viruses (respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], adenovirus [ADV], influenza A virus [Flu A], influenza B virus [Flu B], parainfluenza virus type 1 [PIV1], and parainfluenza virus type 3 [PIV3]) using a multiplex real-time PCR assay.

Results and conclusions
The median ages of the enrolled patients at the time of diagnosis were 1.5 years and 1.0 years for period 1 and period 2, respectively. In period 1, viral pathogens were detected in 50.3% (776/1543) of the enrolled patients. The most frequently identified viral pathogen was RSV (35.9%, 554/1543), followed by PIV3 (9.6%, 148/1543), PIV1 (3.6%, 56/1543), ADV (3.4%, 52/1543), Flu A (1.0%, 16/1543), and Flu B (0.8%, 13/1543). The total detection rates of these six viruses in the peak season of CAP were at the pre-COVID level. The prevalence of Flu A decreased dramatically, and circulation activity was low compared to pre-COVID levels, while the incidence of PIV3 increased significantly. There were no significant differences in the detection rates of RSV, ADV, Flu B, and PIV1 between the two periods. Our results showed that respiratory viruses accounted for CAP in hospitalized children at pre-COVID levels as communities and schools reopened within the zero-COVID policy, although the prevalence aetiology spectrum varied.
Musical Metaverse: vision, opportunities, and challenges
Authors: Turchet Luca 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe so-called metaverse relates to a vision of a virtual, digital world which is parallel to the real, physical world, where each user owns and interact through his/her own avatar. Music is one of the possible activities that can be conducted in such a space. The “Musical Metaverse” (MM), the metaverse part which is dedicated to musical activities, is currently in its infancy, although is a concept that is constantly evolving and is progressing at a steady pace. However, to the best of the author’s knowledge, as of today an investigation about the opportunities and challenges posed by the MM has not been conducted yet. In this paper, we provide a vision for the MM and discuss what are the opportunities for musical stakeholders offered by current implementations of the MM, as well as we envision those that are likely to occur as the metaverse emerges. We also identify the technical, artistic, ethical, sustainability, and regulatory issues that need to be addressed so for the MM to be created and utilized in efficient, creative, and responsible ways. Given the importance and timeliness of the MM, we believe that a discussion on the related opportunities and concerns is useful to provide developers with guidelines for creating better virtual environments and musical interactions between stakeholders.
The impact of universal, school based, interventions on help seeking in children and young people: a systematic literature review
Authors: Hayes Daniel , Mansfield Rosie , Mason Carla , Santos Joao , Moore Anna , Boehnke Jan , Ashworth Emma , Moltrecht Bettina , Humphrey Neil , Stallard Paul , Patalay Praveetha , Deighton Jessica 
Published: January 2023

AbstractReviews into universal interventions to improve help seeking in young people focus on specific concepts, such as behaviour, do not differentiate between interpersonal and intrapersonal help seeking, and often report on statistical significance, rather than effect size. The aim of this review was to address the gaps highlighted above, to investigate the impact of universal, school-based interventions on help-seeking in children and young people, as well as to explore longer term impact. Four databases were searched. Data were extracted on country of origin, design, participant, school, and intervention characteristics, the help-seeking concept measured (e.g. knowledge, attitude/intention, behaviour), the duration between baseline and each follow-up (if applicable) and effect sizes at each follow-up. Quality assessment of the studies was undertaken using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) quality assessment tool. Overall, 14 different interventions met inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies were rated low in the quality assessment. Three constructs were most frequently reported a) intrapersonal attitudes towards help-seeking, b) interpersonal attitudes towards help-seeking and c) intrapersonal intended help-seeking. Findings around intervention effect were mixed. There was tentative evidence that interventions impacting interpersonal attitudes produced small effect sizes when measured between 3 and 6 months post intervention and that when effect sizes were initially observed intrapersonal attitudes, this remained at 3–6 month follow-up. Further work should pay attention to implementation factors, understanding the core ingredients needed to deliver effective interventions and whether embedding mental health education could help sustain or top up effect sizes from help-seeking interventions.
Does uptake of specialty care affect HRQoL development in COPD patients beneficially? A difference-in-difference analysis linking claims and survey data
Authors: Stöber Alisa , Marijic Pavo , Kurz Christoph , Schwarzkopf Larissa , Kirsch Florian , Schramm Anja , Leidl Reiner 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background
There is an evidence gap on whether the choice of specialty care beneficially affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study analyzes how newly initiated pulmonologist care affects the generic and disease-specific HRQoL in COPD patients over a period of 1 year.

Methods
We linked claims data with data from two survey waves to investigate the longitudinal effect of specialty care on HRQoL using linear Difference-in-Difference models based on 1:3 propensity score matched data. Generic HRQoL was operationalized by EQ-5D-5L visual analog scale (VAS), and disease-specific HRQoL by COPD assessment test (CAT). Subgroup analyses examined COPD patients with low (GOLD AB) and high (GOLD CD) exacerbation risk.

Results
In contrast to routine care patients, pulmonologists’ patients (n = 442) experienced no significant deterioration in HRQoL (VAS − 0.0, p = 0.9870; CAT + 0.5, p = 0.0804). Models unveiled a small comparative advantage of specialty care on HRQoL (mean change: CAT − 0.8, VAS + 2.9), which was especially pronounced for GOLD AB (CAT − 0.7; VAS + 3.1).

Conclusion
The uptake of pulmonologist care had a statistically significant, but not clinically relevant, beneficial impact on the development of HRQoL by slowing down overall HRQoL deterioration within 1 year. Including specialty care more appropriately in COPD management, especially at lower disease stages (GOLD AB), could thus improve patients’ health outcome.
Comparative modal analysis in micro–nano-optical fiber tapers using spectral parameter power series method and exact modes method
Authors: Castillo-Perez R. , Ek-Ek J. R. , Jacome-Peñaherrera C. E. , Jauregui-Vazquez D. , Sanchez-Lara R. , Offerhaus H. L. , Alvarez-Chavez J. A. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThis work presents a comparative theoretical analysis of spatial modal evolution in micro/nano-optical fiber (MNF) tapers. The study proposes the use of the Spectral Parameter Power Series (SPPS) Method and compares its performance with results from the so-called Exact Modes Method (EMM) and the Finite Element Method (FEM) (the method employed by the COMSOL© software in which the computations were implemented). By using these techniques, the modal analysis and intensity evolution are discussed along different sections of the optical fiber taper. Furthermore, the data are compared considering experimental values from a real micro/nano-optical fiber taper sample. The SPPS method offers a competitive accuracy and versatility to deal with graded index profiles, its computational costs are low, and its implementation is relatively easy. The results from the SPPS method fit to those of the EM method, which sometimes involves intricated models, and those of the FEM, which may require more computational time. The SPPS method offers an average relative error of less than 5% with respect to the exact method with less computational cost compared to the FEM method for radii bigger than 2 μm at 1550 nm.