bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Artificial intelligence-based, non-invasive assessment of the central aortic pressure in adults after operative or interventional treatment of aortic coarctation
Authors: Freilinger Sebastian , Bambul Heck Pinar , Dewald Oliver , Eicken Andreas , Ewert Peter , Freiberger Annika , Harig Frank , Huntgeburth Michael , Lösch Manuel , Kaemmerer Harald , Klawonn Frank , Meierhofer Christian , Mellert Fritz , Middeke Martin , Nagdyman Nicole , Oberhoffer Renate , von Scheidt Fabian , Ury Elsa , Wolfrum Nicole , Kaemmerer-Suleiman Ann-Sophie , Suleiman Mathieu N. 
Published: January 2025

BackgroundAortic coarctation (CoA) is a congenital anomaly leading to upper-body hypertension and lower-body hypotension. Despite surgical or interventional treatment, arterial hypertension may develop and contribute to morbidity and mortality. Conventional blood pressure (BP) measurement methods lack precision for individual diagnoses and therapeutic decisions. This study evaluated the use of artificial intelligence-based pulse wave analysis (AI-PWA) to assess central aortic blood pressure (CABP) and related parameters in post-treatment CoA patients.MethodsThis exploratory, cross-sectional study enrolled 47 adults with CoA, between June 2023 and May 2024. Peripheral BP (PBP) was conventionally measured, and CABP was assessed using the VascAssist2 (inmediQ, Butzbach, Germany). Hypertension was defined by systolic BP≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP≥90 mm Hg for PBP. Using AI-PWA, patients with systolic CABP≥130 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP≥90 mm Hg were classified as hypertensive.ResultsThe study cohort’s age was 41.5±13.7 years, with all patients having undergone previous aortic surgery or intervention. PBP measurements showed a systolic BP of 135.4±14.4 mm Hg at the upper and 147.8±20.3 mm Hg at the lower extremities. CABP measurements were significantly lower, with a systolic BP of 114.3±15.8 mm Hg (p<0.001). Overall, 32 patients (68.1%) were diagnosed as hypertensive, either by PBP measurement (n=13/27.7%), because of antihypertensive treatment (n=9; 40.4%), or a combination of both. The measurement of PBP was more likely to indicate arterial hypertension than the measurement of CABP (n=12; 25.5% vs n=4; 8.5%). Pulse wave velocity, indicative of aortic stiffness, averaged 9.1 m/s, with higher values in 13 patients (27.7%), including 4 after end–end anastomosis, 2 after graft interposition and 7 after stent placement/angioplasty as the most recent procedure. An increased augmentation index as an indicator of arterial stiffness was observed in nine patients (19.1%). Comparing PBP and CABP in the entire collective, significant differences were found for CABP in relation to the procedure performed, with higher values in patients after prosthesis interposition as their last treatment (p<0.05).ConclusionAI-PWA provides valuable insights into cardiovascular stress in CoA patients, beyond PBP measurements. The study highlights the need to incorporate CABP measurements into clinical practice to avoid overdiagnosis of hypertension. Further research with larger cohorts is needed to validate these findings and refine management strategies for CoA patients.
Impact of Sjögren’s disease on quality of sexual life using the Qualisex score
Authors: Kachaner Alexandra , Seror Raphaele , Le Guern Véronique , Dieudé Philippe , Gottenberg Jacques-Eric , Hachulla Eric , Devauchelle-Pensec Valérie , Perdriger Aleth , Dernis Emanuelle , Couderc Marion , Berville Sophie , Mariette Xavier , Belkhir Rakiba , Nocturne Gaetane 
Published: January 2025

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the impact of Sjögren disease (SjD) on the quality of sexual life and its determinants using the Qualisex questionnaire.MethodsThe Qualisex questionnaire was administered to participants within the ASSESS cohort, a French national multicentric prospective cohort of individuals with SjD. Patients’ characteristics and psychometric evaluations were also collected.ResultsAmong the 395 patients of the cohort, 92 (23%) completed the questionnaire, with a median age of 56 (44–59) years and a female ratio of 92% (85/92). The median Qualisex score was 3.4 (1.1–5.9).Comparing the first and last quartiles of the Qualisex score, a worst sexual satisfaction was associated with older age (median (IQR) 58 (52–65) vs 52 (41–56) years, p=0.005), higher EULAR Sjögren’s disease Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI) (6.8 (5.7–7.7) vs 4.3 (2.8–5.3), p<0.0001) lower SF-36 mental and physical scores (respectively, 43 (38–46) vs 49 (47–53), p=0.0035 and 31 (29–35) vs 35 (30–37), p=0.035), higher Depression and Anxiety scores (HADS) (respectively, 9 (7–11) vs 2 (1–4), p<0.0001 and 11 (8–14) vs 7 (4–10), p=0.006). Interestingly, EULAR Sjögren’s disease Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) score did not differ significantly (4 (1–10) vs 2.5 (1.8–4), p=0.35). In a multivariable analysis, the Qualisex score remained strongly associated with a higher HADS depression score and, to a lesser extent, with a higher ESSPRI. The inability to obtain a score was associated with older age.ConclusionIn SjD patients, sexual satisfaction assessed with the Qualisex score, was strongly associated with depression and, to lesser extent, with ESSPRI, but not with systemic activity.
Fermionic steering in multi-event horizon spacetime
Authors: Wu Shu-Min , Li Jin-Xuan , Wang Yu-Xuan , Shang Si-Han , Lu Jianbo 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
We investigate quantum steering of Dirac field for different types of Bell states in Schwarzschild–de Sitter (SdS) spacetime that has a black hole event horizon (BEH) and a cosmological event horizon (CEH). We find that fermionic steerability from Bob to Alice is greater than fermionic steerability from Alice to Bob, while bosonic steerability exhibits the opposite behavior in SdS spacetime. These different properties between fermionic and bosonic steering arise from the differences between Fermi–Dirac statistics and Bose–Einstein statistics. We also find that the Hawking effect of the black hole decreases fermionic steerability. However, the Hawking effect of the expanding universe can enhance fermionic steerability, which differs from the properties of quantum steering in single-event horizon spacetime. Interestingly, we can indirectly protect quantum steering by using appropriate types of Bell states in multi-event horizon spacetime. These conclusions are helpful to guide the task of processing relativistic quantum information for quantum steering in SdS spacetime.
Parameterized covering in semi-ladder-free hypergraphs
Authors: Guillemot Sylvain 
Published: January 2025

In this article, we study the parameterized complexity of the
Set Cover
problem restricted to semi-ladder-free hypergraphs, a class defined by Fabianski et al. [Proceedings of STACS 2019]. We observe that two algorithms introduced by Langerman and Morin [Discrete & Computational Geometry 2005] in the context of geometric covering problems can be adapted to this setting, yielding simple FPT and kernelization algorithms for
Set Cover
in semi-ladder-free hypergraphs. We complement our algorithmic results with a compression lower bound for the problem, which proves the tightness of our kernelization under standard complexity-theoretic assumptions.
Disease burden, healthcare resource utilisation, and treatment patterns in patients with newly diagnosed myasthenia gravis in England: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bonar Kerina , Boudiaf Nada , Zaremba Piotr , Tarancón Thais , Zhou Jiachen , Jacob Saiju 
Published: January 2025

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG), a chronic and unpredictable autoimmune disease, is associated with multiple comorbidities and high disease burden. Objective: To assess the disease burden, healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU), and treatment patterns of patients with newly diagnosed MG in England. Methods: Data from Clinical Practice Research Datalink GP practices linked to the Hospital Episode Statistics database were used. Eligible patients had ≥1 diagnostic code for MG, with the first MG diagnostic code recorded between 01 January 2010 and 31 December 2019. Non-MG controls were selected if they had no recorded MG diagnosis and ≥12 months of data. Controls were matched for age, sex and GP practice in a maximum ratio of 5:1. Results: Mean follow-up duration was 2.8 and 3.1 years for the MG and non-MG cohorts, respectively. In the MG cohort, 56% of patients were male, with a mean age of 67 years at baseline. Incidence rates of all comorbidities assessed during follow-up were higher in the MG cohort than in controls. Almost two-thirds of MG patients experienced ≥1 myasthenic exacerbation during follow-up; incidence rates (95% confidence interval) of MG exacerbations and crises were 50.0 (44.7–55.9) and 1.3 (0.8–2.0) per 100 person-years, respectively. Visits to non-neurology specialists and outpatient clinics were the most common instances of HCRU overall, each being more frequent in the MG cohort than for controls. In the first year of follow-up, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and corticosteroids were used by 56.0% and 50.2% of MG patients, respectively; the use of AChEIs declined thereafter. Conclusions: Despite treatment, there is a high disease burden for patients with newly diagnosed MG in England, with high rates of MG exacerbation and HCRU use. Thus, there is a need for targeted treatments with sustained efficacy and improved safety to adequately manage MG symptoms and reduce MG-related disease burden.
Potential alternative and novel biomarkers for paediatric MAFLD: exploratory evidence from a Chinese cohort
Authors: Yang Fan , Hu Mengyuan , Xu Lulian , Zheng Xiaowei , Zhu Lihong , Zhang Le , Zhang Haoyang 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
While the associations between pediatric non-obese metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and multiple diagnostic biomarkers are well-established, the role of a broader range of blood-based, urine-based, and body composition-based biomarkers for monitoring MAFLD are needed.

Methods
A pediatric cohort was established in Wuxi, China. We measured body composition biomarkers, blood-based and urine-based biomarkers, and liver stiffness in participants to diagnose MAFLD and identify alternative and novel potential biomarkers for MAFLD. Body mass index (BMI), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), triglycerides, glucose, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and waist perimeter were used as MAFLD diagnostic biomarkers. To identify alternative biomarkers, we performed correlation analysis to determine biomarkers exhibited strong correlation (|r| > 0.8, p-value < 0.05) with diagnostic biomarkers. To identify novel potential biomarkers, we performed regression analysis to determine biomarkers associated with MAFLD (p-value < 0.05 in stepwise multivariate regression) among the remaining biomarkers that are not related to the diagnostic biomarkers.

Results
Out of 1,108 participants who completed all examinations (N biomarker = 91), 113 participants were diagnosed with MAFLD (prevalence: 14.99% in boys and 5.18% in girls). 27 biomarkers that were strongly correlated with diagnostic biomarkers were identified as alternative biomarkers. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified 9 novel potential biomarkers including 5 blood-based biomarkers (plateletocrit, calcium, insulin, AST/ALT ratio, total bilirubin), urine pH, and body fat measurements in the arm, leg, and thigh.

Conclusions
This study illustrated the characteristics and potential alternative and novel biomarkers of MAFLD based on a Chinese paediatric cohort. These findings posed new paths in guiding the prevention and early diagnosis and prevention.

Trial registration
This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR2400080508). The date of first registration, 01/31/2024. Retrospectively registered.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic measures on hospitalizations and epidemiological patterns of twelve respiratory pathogens in children with acute respiratory infections in southern China
Authors: Wang Wei , Luo Xiaojuan , Ren Zhenmin , Fu Xiaoying , Chen Yunsheng , Wang WenJian , Bao Yanmin , Zheng Yuejie , Cao Ke , Chen Jiehua 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Objectives
To investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic measures on hospitalizations and the alterations and persistence of the epidemiological patterns of 12 common respiratory pathogens in children during the COVID-19 pandemic and after the cessation of the “zero-COVID-19” policy in southern China.

Methods
Respiratory specimens were collected from hospitalized children with acute respiratory infections at Shenzhen Children’s Hospital from January 2020 to June 2024. Twelve common respiratory pathogens were detected using multiplex PCR. Data on demographic characteristics, pathogen detection rates, epidemiological patterns, co-infections, and ICU admission rates were compared between the ‘during COVID-19’ period (Phase 1: January 2020 to December 2022) and the ‘post COVID-19’ period (Phase 2: January 2023 to June 2024).

Results
In Phase 2, there was a significant increase in average annual cases, with a higher median age of affected children, higher pathogen detection rates, and increased co-infection rates compared to Phase 1. The epidemiological patterns of most pathogens were altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Human Parainfluenza Virus, Human Metapneumovirus, Human Bocavirus (HBOV), and Human Coronavirus remained active during Phase 1, while Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) and Adenovirus (ADV) were low, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) lacked a seasonal peak in 2022. In Phase 2, Mp, ADV, and RSV experienced outbreaks, with Mp’s high prevalence continuing into 2024. RSV showed out-of-season epidemics for two consecutive years. Influenza A (H1N1), Influenza A (H3N2), and InfB lost their seasonal patterns during Phase 1 but reemerged and regained their seasonal characteristics in 2023–2024. ICU admission rates did not significantly differ between the two phases, except for HBOV, which had higher rates in Phase 2.

Conclusion
The epidemiological patterns of various respiratory pathogens were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to varying degrees. Pathogens suppressed during the pandemic experienced outbreaks or out-of-season epidemics after the lifting of non-pharmaceutical interventions, with Mp and RSV continuing into the second year and HBOV associated ICU admission rates increasing in the post-pandemic era. Continuous monitoring of these patterns is essential to understand the duration of these effects and to inform effective response strategies.
Assessing public support for air pollution mitigation and control policies: health, socioeconomic, and ideological predictors in an overburdened and vulnerable region of the U.S.
Authors: Zarate-Gonzalez Gilda , Brown Paul , Cisneros Ricardo 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
The San Joaquin Valley (SJV) in California is one of the most polluted regions in the U.S. This study examined favorability for air pollution mitigation policies, interventions, and identified predictors amongst region’s residents.

Methods
A cross-sectional online survey asked about health status and conditions, self-protective behaviors, attitudes toward air pollution recommendations, air quality information knowledge and mitigation behaviors, as well as whether their views were favorable or unfavorable towards policy and interventions. EuroQOL-5D-3L was utilized to estimate quality-of-life distribution equity and air pollution policy favorability.

Results
A total of 310 adults residing in the SJV participated in the survey. The mean age was 42.90 years, with 34% having asthma. People with asthma reported the lowest health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to other air pollution “sensitive” groups. Concerns included the costs, charge and attributes of adopting hybrid or electric vehicles. Residents supported air pollution control and public space preservation, with socioeconomic factors and health state being significant predictors. Left-wing ideologies favor policies charging polluters, controlling emissions, and preserving public spaces, whereas right-wing views negatively predict support for electric vehicle charges and local organization interventions.

Conclusions
Results may help air pollution control policymakers, public health agencies, environmental justice organizations, and the health equity research community understand the reasons for differential responses to air pollution interventions and mitigation efforts. This new knowledge could assist stakeholders in recommending sustainable and cost-effective interventions for improving air quality, elicit behavior change, and climate change adaptation in the region.
The impact of regular physical activity on vertebral fractures: Korean nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Han Sangsoo , Choi Sungwoo , Jang Hae-Dong , Park Jiwon , Han Kyungdo , Nah Sangun , Suh Dong Hun , Im Dong Sub , Hong Jae-Young 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Vertebral fractures are a common medical issue. Physical activity helps improve bone health and manage the risk of fractures. However, much controversy exists about the association between physical activity and vertebral fractures. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between changes in regular physical activity (RPA) and vertebral fractures.

Methods
This study was a nationwide, observational cohort study based on claim data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service. Physical activity level was obtained from self-reported questionnaires from 2009 to 2012. Participants were divided depending on their levels of physical activity and the occurrence of vertebral fractures from 2013 to 2016 was recorded.

Results
The group with sufficient RPA, compared to the Insufficient group (incidence rate showed a decrease of 1.93/1,000 PY; adjusted HR (aHR): 0.83; 95% CI: 0.81–0.84), had a reduced risk of vertebral fracture. From the perspective of RPA changes, the Continuous Sufficient group had an aHR of 0.74, 95% CI 0.72–0.76, and the Increased group had an aHR of 0.87, 95% CI 0.85–0.88. The Decreased group had an aHR of 0.94, 95% CI 0.92–0.95.

Conclusion
The degree of RPA could reduce the risk of vertebral fracture. Continuous sufficient RPA helped lower the risk of vertebral fracture.
Medical student training with next-generation handheld ultrasound devices – hands on examination of fetal biometry in obstetrics
Authors: Plöger Ruben , Matschl Julia , Walter Adeline , Gembruch Ulrich , Strizek Brigitte , Behning Charlotte , Wittek Agnes , Recker Florian 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Introduction
The technical development of ultrasound devices based on silicon chips has revolutionized ultrasound examinations, leading to the implementation of these portable handheld devices (PUD) in different medical fields. However, training on these devices is necessary to assure appropriate use and ensure valid results. While training programs for the use of conventional standard ultrasound devices (SUD) have been described, no training program for these handheld devices has been developed thus far.

Methods
A training program for obstetric ultrasound examination was modified through the addition of an extra module focusing on the use of these PUDs. After the module the students had to attend an OSCE in which their skills of using the PUD and the SUD were tested and analyzed by applying the agreement rate, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman plots. Furthermore, the students’ ultrasound results were compared with those of trained physicians by employing the one-sample Student's t-test. After the OSCE, the students answered a survey regarding their experience and their expected use of these devices.

Result
An agreement of one hundred percent was reached for basic parameters such as fetal position, placental position, fetal heartbeat and for the classification of the amniotic fluid. The ICC showed a good to moderate agreement between the results of fetal biometry achieved by SUD and PUD. The T-test results confirmed a high reliability between the physicians’ results and the students’ results, independent of the used device. The students remarked a good handling of the ultrasound devices and supported the use in their future specialties.

Discussion
The reliability between the examinations using the SUD and PUD were high but lower than the results observed for trained physicians. Therefore, the implementation of an additional module for portable ultrasound teaches the students to reliably examine basic obstetric parameters and provides a solid basis for further training and improvement of ultrasound skills in use of PUD.
Physiology-informed use of Cupriavidus necator in biomanufacturing: a review of advances and challenges
Authors: Weldon Michael , Euler Christian 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Biomanufacturing offers a potentially sustainable alternative to deriving chemicals from fossil fuels. However, traditional biomanufacturing, which uses sugars as feedstocks, competes with food production and yields unfavourable land use changes, so more sustainable options are necessary. Cupriavidus necator is a chemolithoautotrophic bacterium capable of consuming carbon dioxide and hydrogen as sole carbon and energy sources, or formate as the source of both. This autotrophic metabolism potentially makes chemical production using C. necator sustainable and attractive for biomanufacturing. Additionally, C. necator natively fixes carbon in the form of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, which can be processed to make biodegradable plastic. Recent progress in development of modelling and synthetic biology tools have made C. necator much more usable as a biomanufacturing chassis. However, these tools and applications are often limited by a lack of consideration for the unique physiology and metabolic features of C. necator. As such, further work is required to better understand the intricate mechanisms that allow it to prioritise generalization over specialization. In this review, progress toward physiology-informed engineering of C. necator across several dimensions is critically discussed, and recommendations for moving toward a physiological approach are presented. Arguments for metabolic specialization, more focus on autotrophic fermentation, C. necator-specific synthetic biology tools, and modelling that goes beyond constraints are presented based on analysis of existing literature.