bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experience with dalbavancin for long‐term antimicrobial suppression of left ventricular assist device infections
Authors: Mansoor Armaghan‐e‐Rehman , Krekel Tamara , Cabrera Nicolo L. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundLeft ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are a common strategy for management of end‐stage heart failure. LVADs carry a risk of infection of the implanted device components, and skin flora are commonly implicated. Long‐term antibiotics may be needed for management of deep device infection or recurrent superficial infections. In appropriately selected patients, dalbavancin can be a feasible option given its extended dosing interval.MethodsThis is a retrospective, single‐center review of patients presenting with an LVAD infection between January 2011 and November 2022, where management included the use of dalbavancin. Data regarding LVAD placement, details of index infection, dalbavancin use and outcomes was obtained from chart review, and documented in a RedCap database.ResultsThe mean time from LVAD placement to index infection was 131.6 weeks (standard deviation 87.2 weeks). The most common targeted organism was Corynebacterium striatum in six of 10 patients. Index infection presented as deep driveline infection in four patients and recurrent superficial driveline infection in three patients. Five patients had a concurrent bloodstream infection. Dalbavancin was discontinued in two patients due to breakthrough infection, with one patient requiring surgical intervention. No drug‐related adverse events were noted.ConclusionDalbavancin is an attractive option in the management of long‐term LVAD infection in patients for whom alternative oral or parenteral antibiotics are not a feasible option. Additional studies are needed to determine the optimal dosing of dalbavancin in this setting, and to study adverse events and long‐term outcomes of dalbavancin.
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Monitoring syphilis serology in blood donors: Is there utility as a surrogate marker of early transfusion transmissible infection behavioral risk?
Authors: O'Brien Sheila F. , Drews Steven J. , Yi Qi‐Long , Osmond Lori , Tran Vanessa , Zhou Hong Yuan , Goldman Mindy 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundIn Canada the time deferral for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) was progressively shortened (lifetime, 5 years, 1 year, 3 months). Here we describe trends in syphilis rates (a potential sexual risk marker) and risk behaviors from blood donors in the past 12 years.Study Design and MethodsSyphilis positivity in 10,288,322 whole blood donations (January 1, 2010–September 10, 2022) and gbMSM deferral time periods, donation status, age, and sex were analyzed with logistic regression. Overall, 26.9% syphilis positive and 42.2% controls (matched 1:4) participated in risk factor interviews analyzed by logistic regression.ResultsSyphilis rates were higher in first‐time donors (OR 27.0, 95% CI 22.1–33.0), in males (OR 2.3, 1.9–2.8) and with the 3‐month deferral (OR 3.4, 2.6–4.3) during which the increase was greater for first‐time males (p < .001) but similar for male and female repeat donors (p > .05). Among first‐time donors, histories of intravenous drug use (OR 11.7, 2.0–69.5), male‐to‐male sex 7.8 (2.0–30.2) and birth in a high prevalence country (OR 7.6, 4.4–13.0) predicted syphilis positivity; among repeat donors, history of male‐to‐male sex (OR 33.5, CI 3.5–317.0). All but 1 gbMSM syphilis‐positive donors were noncompliant with the gbMSM deferral. About a quarter of first‐time interviewed case donors had history of syphilis; 44% were born in a high‐prevalence country.ConclusionRising syphilis rates in donors correlates with the general population epidemic. Recent infection rates rose similarly in males and females. GbMSM history may contribute to donor syphilis rates but shortening time deferrals appears unrelated.
A Design Approach of a Dedicated Exhaust-Gas Recirculation-System for a Naturally Aspirated Gas Engine—From One-Dimensional Engine Process Simulation and Design of Experiments Up to the Experimental Validation
Authors: Beltaifa Youssef , Kettner Maurice , Eilts Peter , Ruchel Bosse 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
This work presents a systematic approach proceeding from the engine process simulation (one-dimensional (1D)-computational fluid dynamics (CFD)) and design of experiments (DoE) up to the experimental validation to build a dedicated exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) system for a stationary four-cylinder naturally aspirated gas engine. This system should ensure an equal distribution of the recirculated exhaust gas, coming entirely from the rich-operated dedicated cylinder. The rich combustion enables an in-cylinder production of highly reactive species (mainly H2 and CO), resulting in increased EGR reactivity, which improves the dilution tolerance, leading to reduced wall heat losses and lower knock tendency in the EGR receiving cylinders. However, the EGR system design represents a challenge due to the pulsating exhaust gas flow from the dedicated cylinder, which leads to a considerable EGR maldistribution in the receiving cylinders. A numerical analysis of this effect demonstrated that the EGR distribution uniformity depends on the design and dimensions of the EGR path. Considering the numerous design parameters and taking into account that the optimum design of the EGR path is not necessarily the sum of optima from the one-factor-at-a-time variations, efficient DoE methodologies were applied. They enabled identifying the optimum set of the EGR path design-parameters, with an EGR rate maldistribution of about 1% points. To evaluate the quality of the numerical results, the dedicated EGR path with the optimum parameters set was built on the engine test bench. The experimental results confirm the simulative prediction accuracy, demonstrating the reliability of the pursued approach.
Conceptualizing, Defining, and Measuring Before-School Physical Activity: A Review With Exploratory Analysis of Adolescent Data
Authors: Woodforde James , Gomersall Sjaan , Timperio Anna , Loh Venurs , Browning Hannah , Perales Francisco , Salmon Jo , Stylianou Michalis 
Published: May 2023

Physical activity (PA) among children and adolescents is often reported by time segments centered around the school day, including before school. However, there is no consistent approach to defining the before-school segment, to accurately capture PA levels and facilitate synthesis of results across studies. Therefore, this study aimed to (a) examine how studies with children and adolescents have defined the before-school segment, and (b) compare adolescents’ before-school PA using various segment definitions. We conducted a systematic search and review of literature from six databases, and subsequently analyzed accelerometer data from Australia (n = 472, mean age 14.9 years, 40% male), to compare PA across five before-school definitions. Our review found 69 studies reporting before-school PA, 59 of which used device-based measures. Definitions ranged widely, but justifications were rarely reported. Our empirical comparison of definitions resulted in a range of participants meeting wear time criteria (≥3 days at >50% of segment length) from the latest-starting definition (30 min prior to school; n = 443) to the earliest-starting definition (6:00 a.m.–school start; n = 155), implying that for many participants, accelerometer wear was low in the early hours due to sleep or noncompliance. Statistically significant differences in light and moderate-to-vigorous PA (mean minutes/school day, proportion of segment length, and proportion of wear time) were found between definitions, indicating that before-school PA could potentially be underestimated depending on definition choice. We recommend that future studies clearly report and justify segment definition, apply segment-specific wear time criteria, and collect wake time data to enable individualized segment start times and minimize risk of data misclassification.
Reliability of 400-m Walk Test Performance and Postexercise Cardiac Autonomic Markers in Older Women
Authors: Machado Daniel Gomes da Silva , Fonteles André Igor , Honorato Renêe Caldas , Anselmo-Silva Samara Karla , Elsangedy Hassan M. , Chao Cheng Hsin Nery , Okano Alexandre Hideki , Lima Kenio Costa 
Published: May 2023

The 400-m walk test (400MWT) is a useful tool to assess mobility and aerobic fitness, while postexercise heart rate recovery (HRR) and heart rate variability (HRV) are noninvasive tools for assessing cardiovascular health. However, measures of reliability, agreement, minimal detectable change (MDC), and coefficient of variation (CV) in older women with different levels of physical activity are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate measures of the reliability of the 400MWT and postexercise markers of cardiac autonomic control in active and sedentary older women. Eighteen physically active and 18 sedentary older women, performed the 400MWT twice, followed by measures of HRR at 1 (HRR1′) and 2 min (HRR2′), and HRV. Reliability was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and agreement by Bland–Altman plots. The standard error of measurement, CV, and MDC were calculated. The active group walked faster and completed the 400MWT in a shorter time than the sedentary group (all ps ≤ .03). In addition, in general, the active group presented higher HRR1′ and HRR2′ (all ps ≤ .04). 400MWT performance showed good reliability in both groups (ICC ≥ .78; all ps < .001; CVs ≤ 14% and MDC < 49 s). Indexes of cardiac autonomic control showed poor to good reliability (all ps < .001) with higher CVs than the 400MWT: HRV (ICC ≥ .39; CVs = 41.9%–97.6%; MDC = 12.1–31), HRR1′ (ICC ≥ .63; CVs = 36.2%–49.5%; MDC = 8.3–14.3 bpm), and HRR2′ (ICC ≥ .77; CVs = 33%–43.2%; MDC = 12.7–13.8 bpm). The 400MWT and HRR are reliable measures for the assessment of sedentary and physically active older women, but the reliability of HRV indexes varies according to the group.
Role of sleep-disordered breathing in age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Fang Wendy Ying , Rama Raj Palaniraj , Wu Zhichao , Abbott Carla , Luu Chi D , Naughton Matthew , Guymer Robyn H 
Published: May 2023

AimsTo examine the association between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and the subphenotype of AMD with reticular pseudodrusen (RPD).MethodsCase–control study with 351 participants (211 AMD and 140 controls) using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the STOP-BANG Questionnaire (SBQ) validated sleep questionnaires. Participant risk of having moderate-to-severe OSA was determined using a binary risk scale based on the ESS and SBQ combined and an ordinal risk scale based on the SBQ. A prior diagnosis of OSA and whether receiving assisted breathing treatment was also ascertained. Retinal imaging allowed AMD and RPD determination.ResultsHigher risk of moderate-to-severe OSA according to the binary and ordinal scales was not associated with the presence of AMD (p≥0.519) nor AMD with RPD (p≥0.551). Per point increase in ESS or SBQ questionnaire score was also not associated with AMD nor AMD with RPD (p≥0.252). However, being on assisted breathing treatment for diagnosed OSA was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of having AMD with RPD, but not all AMD, (OR 3.70; p=0.042 and OR 2.70; p=0.149, respectively), when compared with those without diagnosed OSA on treatment.ConclusionsFormally diagnosed OSA undergoing treatment, increased the likelihood of having AMD with RPD, but not overall AMD compared with those who were not undergoing treatment. Risk-based OSA questionnaires showed no difference in risk for all AMD or AMD with RPD. Future research, using formal sleep studies could further explore the potential role of nocturnal hypoxia in AMD.
Factors associated with persistent multiyear frequent emergency department use
Authors: Giannouchos Theodoros , Pirrallo Ronald , Ukert Benjamin 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundAlthough frequent emergency department (ED) users have been widely studied in cross-sectional settings, there is some evidence suggesting that most frequent ED users do not remain frequent users over multiple consecutive years. The objective of this study was to explore the association between persistent multiyear frequent ED use and individuals’ characteristics.MethodsA retrospective analysis using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Emergency Department Databases (2012–2017) for individuals aged 18–59 who visited any ED in Florida, Massachusetts and New York was conducted. Multivariable regression models were used to estimate the association between persistent frequent ED use over time (≥4 ED visits in each data year) and individuals’ characteristics and clinical factors compared with non-persistent frequent users (≥4 ED visits only in the baseline year).ResultsThe databases for the three states included 3.3 million patients, who accounted for 4.5 million ED visits in the baseline year (2012). Of those, 3.2% of patients were frequent ED users (≥4 visits) accounting for 13.2% of all ED visits in the baseline year. Longitudinal follow-up revealed that 14.9% (15 617) of frequent users in 2012 remained persistently frequent ED users for 2–3 consecutive years and 3.6% (3774) for 4–6 consecutive years. Persistent frequent ED users differed significantly from non-persistent frequent ED users; they had more ED visits in the index year, were more likely to have no health insurance or public health insurance coverage, and had a higher prevalence of chronic conditions and comorbidities, and more ED visits for less medically urgent conditions.ConclusionDifferences exist between persistent and non-persistent frequent ED users that should be considered when implementing interventions designed to improve health outcomes and curtail healthcare expenditures generated by the broad population of frequent ED users.
Performance and pitfalls of the tools for measuring glomerular filtration rate to guide chronic kidney disease diagnosis and assessment
Authors: Gama Rouvick M , Griffiths Kathryn , Vincent Royce P , Peters Adrien Michael , Bramham Kate 
Published: May 2023

Accurate diagnosis, classification and risk stratification for chronic kidney disease (CKD) allow for early recognition and delivering optimal care. Creatinine-based glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urinary albumin: creatinine ratio (UACR) and the kidney failure risk equation (KFRE) are important tools to achieve this, but understanding their limitations is important for optimal implementation.When accurate GFR is required (eg, chemotherapy dosing), GFR is measured using an exogenous filtration marker. In routine clinical practice, in contrast, estimated GFR (eGFR) from serum creatinine (SCr), calculated using the enzymatic method±UACR, is recommended. Limitations of SCr include non-GFR determinants such as muscle mass, diet and tubular handling. An alternative or additional endogenous filtration marker is cystatin C, which can be used alongside SCr for confirmatory testing of CKD. However, its role in the UK is more limited due to concerns regarding false positive results.The recommended creatinine-based eGFR equation in the UK is the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration 2009 equation. This was recently updated to a race-neutral 2021 version and demonstrated reduced bias in people of Black ethnicity, but has not been validated in the UK. Limitations are extremes of age, inaccuracy at greater GFRs and reduced generalisability to under-represented ethnicity groups.The KFRE (based on age, sex, SCr and UACR) has recently been developed to help determine 2-year and 5-year risk of progression to end-stage kidney disease. It has been validated in over 30 countries and provides meaningful quantitative information to patients. However, supporting evidence for their performance in ethnic minority groups and kidney diseases such as glomerulonephritis remains modest.In conclusion, early identification, risk stratification of kidney disease and timely intervention are important to impact kidney disease progression. However, clinician awareness of the limitations and variability of creatinine, cystatin C and the eGFR equations, is key to appropriate interpretation of results.
OncoVEXmGM-CSFexpands tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell response in preclinical models
Authors: Estrada Juan , Zhan Jinghui , Mitchell Petia , Werner Jonathan , Beltran Pedro J , DeVoss Jason , Qing Jing , Cooke Keegan S 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundCheckpoint inhibitors targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) have demonstrated clinical efficacy in advanced melanoma, but only a subset of patients with inflamed tumors are responsive. Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), a modified herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) expressing granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), is a first-in-class oncolytic immunotherapy approved for the treatment of melanoma and has been shown to inflame the tumor microenvironment. To evaluate the potential and mechanisms of T-VEC to elicit systemic antitumor immunity and overcome resistance to checkpoint inhibitors in murine tumor models, OncoVEXmGM-CSFwas developed similarly to T-VEC, except the human GM-CSF transgene was replaced with murine GM-CSF. Previous work had demonstrated that OncoVEXmGM-CSFgenerated systemic antitumor immunity dependent on CD8+ T cells in an immune checkpoint-sensitive tumor cell model.MethodsA novel B16F10 syngeneic tumor model with both HSV-1−permissive subcutaneous tumors and HSV-1−refractory experimental lung metastasis was used to study the local and systemic effects of OncoVEXmGM-CSFtreatment alone or in combination with checkpoint inhibitors.ResultsIntratumoral injection of OncoVEXmGM-CSFin combination with an anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1 blocking antibody led to increased tumor growth inhibition, a reduction in the number of lung metastases, and prolonged animal survival. OncoVEXmGM-CSFinduced both neoantigen-specific and tumor antigen-specific T-cell responses. Furthermore, cured mice from the combination treatment of OncoVEXmGM-CSFand anti-CTLA-4 antibody rejected tumor rechallenges.ConclusionsThese data support the concept that T-VEC and checkpoint inhibition may be an effective combination to treat patients with advanced melanoma.
Analysis of Rotterdam Study cohorts confirms a previously identifiedRIPOR2in-frame deletion as a prevalent genetic factor in phenotypically variable adult-onset hearing loss (DFNA21) in the Netherlands
Authors: Velde Hedwig M , Homans Nienke C , Goedegebure André , Lanting Cornelis P , Pennings Ronald J E , Kremer Hannie 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundA 12-nucleotideRIPOR2in-frame deletion was recently identified as a relatively common and highly penetrant cause of autosomal dominant non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss, type DFNA21, in the Netherlands. The associated hearing phenotype is variable. The allele frequency (AF) of 0.039% of this variant was determined in a local cohort, and the reported phenotype may be biased because studied families were identified based on index patients with hearing loss (HL). In this study, we determine the AF in a cohort from a different geographical region of the Netherlands. Additionally, we examine the hearing phenotype in individuals with the variant but not selected for HL.MethodsThe AF was determined in participants of the Rotterdam Study (RS), a large cohort study. The phenotype was characterised using individual clinical hearing data, including audiograms.ResultsThe observed AF in the RS cohort was 0.072% and not statistically significantly different from the previously observed 0.039%. The AF in the two cohorts combined was 0.052%. Consistent with previous findings, we found a highly variable audiometric phenotype with non-penetrance of HL in 40% of subjects aged 55–81, which is higher than the 10% at age 50 previously observed.ConclusionWe found an overall higher AF and lower penetrance than previously reported, confirming that DFNA21 is relatively common in the Netherlands. This supports its potential suitability as a target for therapeutic development. Studying possible modifying factors is essential to explain the phenotypical variability and to identify patients eligible for such a therapy.
Combining the light-demanding Araucaria angustifolia with the shade-tolerant Cabralea canjerana: mixed plantations to produce tropical timber trees outside the Atlantic rainforest
Authors: Olguin Flavia Yesica , Moretti Ana Paula , Pinazo Martín Alcides , Goya Juan Francisco , Gortari Fermín , Vera Bahima José , Graciano Corina 
Published: May 2023

Many trees of high timber value require canopy cover to become established, and at present, they are only harvested from native rainforests. Other species require high radiation to establish and can be planted in monospecific stands. The main question was whether the canopy generated by a light-demanding rainforest species could protect mid-successional timber species from high radiation and extreme temperatures. We evaluated the establishment of Cabralea canjerana under the canopy of Araucaria angustifolia stands. We related growth to the number of neighbors to determine the best positions to plant C. canjerana. In one stand, we measured environmental and physiological traits, and we determined that the seedling did not suffer light or water stress. Cabralea canjerana plant establishment was successful in stands of different basal areas, and trees reached the highest growth with up to two A. angustifolia neighbors within a 5 m radius. Therefore, the number of neighbors is a tool to choose the planting location to convert even-aged to uneven-aged mixed stands. In this way, valuable native timber species that require canopy protection during the first few years can be planted outside the rainforest. This is the first report of an uneven-aged mixed plantation of two Atlantic forest timber species.
On the nature of X(3960)
Authors: Chen Yu , Chen Hao , Meng Ce , Qi Hong-Rong , Zheng Han-Qing 
Published: May 2023

AbstractA near-threshold enhancement in the$$D^{+}_{s}D^{-}_{s}$$Ds+Ds-system, dubbed asX(3960), is observed by the LHCb collaboration recently. A combined analysis on$$\chi _{c0}(3930)~(\rightarrow D^+ D^-)$$χc0(3930)(→D+D-),$$X(3960)~(\rightarrow D^{+}_{s}D^{-}_{s})$$X(3960)(→Ds+Ds-), and$$X(3915)~(\rightarrow J/\psi \omega )$$X(3915)(→J/ψω)is performed using both aK-matrix approach of$$D_{(s)}\bar{D}_{(s)}$$D(s)D¯(s)four-point contact interactions and a model of Flatté-like parameterizations. The use of the pole counting rule and spectral density function sum rule indicate, under current statistics, that this$$D^{+}_{s}D^{-}_{s}$$Ds+Ds-near-threshold state has probably the mixed nature of a$$c\bar{c}$$cc¯confining state and$$D^{+}_{s}D^{-}_{s}$$Ds+Ds-continuum.
X(3860) production in association with $$J/\psi $$ via $$e^{+}e^{-}$$ annihilation at Belle
Authors: Zhang Gui-Yuan , Li Cong , Jiang Ying-Zhao , Sun Zhan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn this paper, we study the X(3860) production associated with $$J/\psi $$

J
/
ψ

via $$e^{+}e^{-}$$

e
+

e
-

annihilation at the next-to-leading-order (NLO) accuracy in $$\alpha _s$$

α
s

, within the nonrelativistic QCD (NRQCD) framework. With the hypothesis of $$J^{PC}_{X(3860)}=0^{++}$$

J

X
(
3860
)

PC

=

0

+
+

, the predictions of $$\sigma _{e^{+}e^{-} \rightarrow J/\psi +X(3860)}$$

σ

e
+

e
-

→
J
/
ψ
+
X

(
3860
)

agree well with the Belle measurements, whereas the results following the $$2^{++}$$

2

+
+

assignment significantly undershoot the data. This is consistent with the Belle’s conclusion that the $$0^{++}$$

0

+
+

hypothesis is favored over the $$2^{++}$$

2

+
+

hypothesis for X(3860). Despite fitting the data of the total cross section, the NRQCD predictions seem to be incompatible with the measured $$J/\psi $$

J
/
ψ

angular distributions. We simultaneously calculate the cross section of $$e^{+}e^{-} \rightarrow J/\psi +X(3940)$$

e
+

e
-

→
J
/
ψ
+
X

(
3940
)

under the assumption of $$J^{PC}_{X(3940)}=0^{-+}$$

J

X
(
3940
)

PC

=

0

-
+

, discovering the consistency of the NRQCD predictions with the light-cone results as well as the experiment.