bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Organization of atrial fibrillation using a pure sodium channel blocker: Implications of rotor ablation therapy
Authors: Nanbu Tadafumi , Yotsukura Akihiko , Suzuki George , Takekawa Hiroyuki , Tanaka Yuki , Yamanashi Katsuma , Tsuda Masaya , Yoshida Izumi , Sakurai Masayuki , Ashihara Takashi 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundRotors are the source of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the ablation of rotors for persistent AF is challenging. The purpose of this study was to identify the dominant rotor by accelerating the organization of AF using a sodium channel blocker and detecting the rotor's preferential area that governs AF.MethodsOverall, 30 consecutive patients with persistent AF who underwent pulmonary vein isolation and still sustained AF were enrolled. Pilsicainide 50 mg was administered. An online real‐time phase mapping system (ExTRa Mapping™) was used to identify the meandering rotors and multiple wavelets in 11 left atrial segments. The time ratio of non‐passive activation (%NP) was evaluated as the frequency of rotor activity in each segment.ResultsConduction velocity became slower—from 0.46 ± 0.14 to 0.35 ± 0.14 mm/ms (p = .004)—and the rotational period of the rotor was significantly prolonged—156 ± 21 to 193 ± 28 ms/cycle (p < .001). AF cycle length was prolonged from 169 ± 19 to 223 ± 29 ms (p < .001). A decrease in %NP was observed in seven segments. Additionally, 14 patients had at least one complete passive activation area. Of them, the use of high %NP area ablation resulted in atrial tachycardia and sinus rhythm in two patients each.ConclusionsA sodium channel blocker organized persistent AF. In selective patients with a wide organized area, high %NP area ablation could convert AF into atrial tachycardia or terminate AF.
Dire wolf (Canis dirus) from the late Pleistocene of southern Canada (Medicine Hat, Alberta)
Authors: Reynolds Ashley R. , Lowi‐Merri Talia M. , Brannick Alexandria L. , Seymour Kevin L. , Churcher C. S. , Evans David C. 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACTThe dire wolf (Canis dirus) had a broad geographic range in Pleistocene North and South America. Its northernmost occurrence has been reported from late Pleistocene deposits in Medicine Hat, Alberta, representing the only record of the taxon in Canada. However, the dentary upon which these reports were based has never been described or illustrated. The Medicine Hat specimen is badly crushed and appears to be from an old individual, which precludes the observation of adult diagnostic morphological characters. Geometric morphometrics were used to test the previous identification of the Medicine Hat dentary. A landmark‐based principal component analysis and a canonical variates analysis suggests that the specimen more strongly resembles dire wolf specimens than grey wolf (Canis lupus). Identification of the Medicine Hat specimen asC. dirussupports it as the northernmost occurrence of this species in North America. However, we note the potential for allometric relationships that may confound differentiation between grey and dire wolves based on the morphology of the dentary. This study concludes by identifying future work needed in the areas of canid allometry and the biogeography of late Pleistocene North America and Beringia.
Microbiota structure of traditional starters from around the Tai‐hang mountains and their influence on the fermentation properties, aroma profile and quality of Chinese steamed bread
Authors: Wei Guanmian , Regenstein Joe M 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDSteamed bread is a popular staple food in China, and the significant regional differences of the microbiota in traditional starters make the flavor and quality of steamed bread highly variable along with long preparation times. Therefore, analyzing the microbial flora of traditional starters and their influences on the flavor and quality may help to solve the problems mentioned earlier, and it may also be conducive to potentially meet consumer needs and permit industrialization of this traditional fermented food.RESULTSOne hundred and thirty‐two fungal and 50 bacterial species were identified in five traditional starters, each with a different dominant genus. The fermentation properties of dough showed that total titratable acid, dough volume and gas production increased and the pH decreased with fermentation time. The traditional starters improved the quality of Chinese steamed bread (CSB) including the crumb structure, specific volume and sensory attributes. Thirty‐three aroma compounds with a VIP (variable importance for the projection) > 1 were identified as characteristic aroma compounds. The correlations among the microbiota, aroma and qualities of CSB showed a greater contribution from the bacteria, which was consistent with the predictions of metabolic pathways in the sequenced genomes.CONCLUSIONThe quality of CSB fermented with traditional starters was improved induced by their different microbial profiles, and bacteria made a greater contribution than fungus to the aroma and qualities of CSB. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Assessment of a novel biliary‐specific near‐infrared fluorescent dye (BL‐760) for intraoperative detection of bile ducts and biliary leaks during hepatectomy in a preclinical swine model
Authors: Saruwatari Michele S. , Jawed Kochai , Ali Khalid M. , Ning Bo , Naik Sailee , Nam So‐Hyun , Schnermann Martin J. , Sandler Anthony , Cha Richard J. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractObjectivesPostoperative bile leakage is a common complication of hepatobiliary surgery and frequently requires procedural intervention. Bile‐label 760 (BL‐760), a novel near‐infrared dye, has emerged as a promising tool for identifying biliary structures and leakage, owing to its rapid excretion and strong bile specificity. This study aimed to assess the intraoperative detection of biliary leakage using intravenously administered BL‐760 compared with intravenous (IV) and intraductal (ID) indocyanine green (ICG).Materials and MethodsLaparotomy and segmental hepatectomy with vascular control were performed on two 25–30 kg pigs. ID ICG, IV ICG, and IV BL‐760 were administered separately, followed by an examination of the liver parenchyma, cut liver edge, and extrahepatic bile ducts for areas of leakage. The duration of intra‐ and extrahepatic fluorescence detection was assessed, and the target‐to‐background (TBR) of the bile ducts to the liver parenchyma was quantitatively measured.ResultsIn Animal 1, after intraoperative BL‐760 injection, three areas of leaking bile were identified within 5 min on the cut liver edge with a TBR of 2.5–3.8 that was not apparent to the naked eye. In contrast, after IV ICG administration, the background parenchymal signal and bleeding obscured the areas of bile leakage. A second dose of BL‐760 demonstrated the utility of repeated injections, confirming two of the three previously visualized areas of bile leakage and revealing one previously unseen leak. In Animal 2, neither ID ICG nor IV BL‐760 injections showed obvious areas of bile leakage. However, fluorescence signals were observed within the superficial intrahepatic bile ducts after both injections.ConclusionsBL‐760 enables the rapid intraoperative visualization of small biliary structures and leaks, with the benefits of fast excretion, repeatable intravenous administration, and high‐fluorescence TBR in the liver parenchyma. Potential applications include the identification of bile flow in the portal plate, biliary leak or duct injury, and postoperative monitoring of drain output. A thorough assessment of the intraoperative biliary anatomy could limit the need for postoperative drain placement, a possible contributor to severe complications and postoperative bile leak.
Synthesis and Characterization of Waterborne Sulfonate Polyesters
Authors: Lu Wei , Lv Tianyi , Lin Xuliang , Yang Zhuoni , Cheng Keke 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWaterborne sulfonate polyesters (WSPs) are prepared by esterification and condensation reaction using 1,4‐cyclohexadimethanol, diethylene glycol, and iso‐phthalic acid as monomers and 5‐sulfoisophthalic acid monosodium salt as hydrophilic monomers. The obtained WSPs are characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, and water contact angle is also investigated. Their Tg can be adjusted between 30 and 55 °C by changing the ratio of monomers. The WSPs have good thermal stability at 350 °C. The static contact results show that the existence of sulfonic group enhances the hydrophilicity of WSPs. Compared with the waterborne acrylic polyester and polyurethane sold in the market, the prepared WSPs show excellent defoaming performance.
Highly Stretchable, Repairable, and Tough Nanocomposite Hydrogel Physically Cross‐linked by Hydrophobic Interactions and Reinforced by Surface‐Grafted Hydrophobized Cellulose Nanocrystals
Authors: Chen Ningxin , He Xiao , Lu Qingye 
Published: April 2023

AbstractHighly stretchable, repairable, and tough nanocomposite hydrogels are designed by incorporating hydrophobic carbon chains to create first‐layer cross‐linking among the polymer matrix and monomer‐modified polymerizable yet hydrophobic nanofillers to create second‐layer strong polymer‐nanofiller clusters involving mostly covalent bonds and electrostatic interactions. The hydrogels are synthesized from three main components: hydrophobic monomer DMAPMA‐C18 by reacting N‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide] (DMAPMA) with 1‐bromooctadecane, monomer N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAc), and monomer‐modified polymerizable hydrophobized cellulose nanocrystal(CNC‐G) obtained by reacting CNC with 3‐trimethoxysily propyl methacrylate. The polymerization of DMAPMA‐C18 and DMAc and physical cross‐linking due to the hydrophobic interactions between C18 chains make DMAPMA‐C18/DMAc hydrogel. The additional introduction of CNC‐G brings more interactions into the final hydrogel (DMAPMA‐C18/DMAc/CNC‐G): the covalent bonds between CNC‐G and DMAPMA‐C18/DMAc, hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic interactions between negatively charged CNC‐G and positively charged DMAPMA‐C18, and hydrogen bonds. The optimum DMAPMA‐C18/DMAc/CNC‐G hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical performance with elongation stress of 1085 ± 14 kPa, strain of 4106 ± 311%, toughness of 3.35 × 104 kJ m−3, Young's modulus of 844 kPa, and compression stress of 5.18 MPa at 85% strain. Besides, the hydrogel exhibits good repairability and promising adhesive ability (83–260 kN m−2 toward various surfaces).
Long‐Term Generator Replacement Experience in Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator Therapy Recipients With CPAP‐Intolerant Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Magaña Linda C. , Strollo Patrick J. , Steffen Armin , Ravesloot Madeline , van Maanen Peter , Harrison Christine , Maurer Joachim T. , Soose Ryan J. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractObjectiveIn the last decade, hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) has emerged as a therapeutic alternative for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The original clinical trial cohorts are entering the phase of expected battery depletion (8‐12 years). This study aimed to examine the surgical experience with implantable pulse generator (IPG) replacements and the associated long‐term therapy outcomes.Study DesignRetrospective analysis of patients from the original clinical trial databases (STAR, German post‐market) who were followed in the ongoing ADHERE registry.SettingInternational multicenter HNS registry.MethodsThe ADHERE registry and clinical trial databases were cross‐referenced to identify the serial numbers of IPGs that were replaced. Data collection included demographics, apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI), therapy use, operative times, and adverse events.ResultsFourteen patients underwent IPG replacement 8.3 ± 1.1 years after their initial implantation. Body mass index was unchanged between the original implant and IPG replacement (29 ± 4 vs 28 ± 2 kg/m2, p = .50). The mean IPG replacement operative time was shorter than the original implant (63 ± 50 vs 154 ± 58 minutes, p < .002); however, 2 patients required stimulation lead replacement which significantly increased operative time. For patients with available AHI and adherence data, the mean change in AHI from baseline to latest follow‐up (8.7 ± 1.1 years after de novo implant) was −50.06%, and the mean therapy use was 7.2 hours/night.ConclusionIPG replacement surgery was associated with low complications and shorter operative time. For patients with available outcomes data, adherence and efficacy remained stable after 9 years of follow‐up.
Investigating identity‐related weak developmental assets and their barriers in Iranian female adolescents: Self‐worth, self‐efficacy, and personal power
Authors: Aghatabay Rabea , Vaezi Aliakbar , Mazloomy Mahmoodabad Seyed Saeed , Rahimi Mehdi , Fallahzadeh Hosein , Alizadeh Somayeh 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAchievement of a positive identity and its transition to adulthood is the most important task of the adolescent era. This cross‐sectional explanatory mixed‐method study sought to better understand barriers to identity development in female adolescents in Iran by explaining their own experiences and using a Positive Youth Development model as a framework. A total of 573 female secondary‐school students were recruited through multistage sampling and were asked to complete the questionnaire of Developmental Assets Profile (DAP). Positive identity in DAP consists of four assets (personal power, self‐esteem, a positive view of the personal future, and sense of purpose). Quantitative data analysis showed that among above mentioned four assets, personal power and self‐esteem gained lower scores. A qualitative study held six individual interviews and two focused‐group discussions were conducted to explain the barriers to personal power and self‐esteem. Results showed that considering personal power, there were two categories as follows: (1) barriers to a sense of control over life and future (subcategories: being limited by failures, deprivation of liberty, and dissatisfaction from being excessively controlled by parents). (2) Barriers to adequately dealing with the challenges and problems (subcategories: expressing feelings inappropriately, isolation, and blaming). Barriers to self‐esteem included categories of negative emotions due to weak academic performance, weak religious performance, weak communication with parents, and previous mistakes. The results of the present study highlighted the areas that need intervention in the field of promoting positive identity in adolescent girls and their parents.
How legal patterns over lifetime of migration shape migrants' labour market outcomes: Evidence from Mexican migrants in the United States
Authors: Chen Zhenxiang 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis article proposes a life‐course measure of the legal pattern that accounts for the overall legal pattern over the lifetime of migration and explores the two main pathways to labour market outcomes: selecting into legal patterns associated with different levels of labour market outcomes and realising different labour market outcomes within each pattern. Results suggest that labour market outcomes depend on which legal patterns migrants end up with instead of what they realise within each pattern. Particularly, migrants with more human capital and better social capital select into legal patterns associated with better labour market outcomes, but they do not realise better labour market outcomes given the legal patterns they experienced. From the dynamic perspective, the economic integration of migrants depends on legal patterns. Migrants in legal patterns that initiate with temporary resident status experience economic integration over time. The growth rate is larger for the patterns that involve a transition in legal status. This paper makes important contributions to the literature. First, it identifies holistic legal patterns that account for the legal status over migrants' entire migration history. Second, it sheds light on the selection into different legal patterns and highlights selection as the major process in explaining migrants' labour market outcomes. Third, it shows how legal patterns, jointly shaped by initial legal status and legal transition, determine migrants' economic integration. Finally, the inclusion of temporary resident status, beyond the illegal–legal dichotomy, enriches our understanding of how liminal legality over the lifetime of migration shapes labour market outcomes.
A decision support system based on artificial intelligence and systems biology for the simulation of pancreatic cancer patient status
Authors: Junet Valentin , Matos‐Filipe Pedro , García‐Illarramendi Juan Manuel , Ramírez Esther , Oliva Baldo , Farrés Judith , Daura Xavier , Mas José Manuel , Morales Rafael 
Published: April 2023

AbstractOncology treatments require continuous individual adjustment based on the measurement of multiple clinical parameters. Prediction tools exploiting the patterns present in the clinical data could be used to assist decision making and ease the burden associated to the interpretation of all these parameters. The goal of this study was to predict the evolution of patients with pancreatic cancer at their next visit using information routinely recorded in health records, providing a decision‐support system for clinicians. We selected hematological variables as the visit's clinical outcomes, under the assumption that they can be predictive of the evolution of the patient. Multivariate models based on regression trees were generated to predict next‐visit values for each of the clinical outcomes selected, based on the longitudinal clinical data as well as on molecular data sets streaming from in silico simulations of individual patient status at each visit. The models predict, with a mean prediction score (balanced accuracy) of 0.79, the evolution trends of eosinophils, leukocytes, monocytes, and platelets. Time span between visits and neutropenia were among the most common factors contributing to the predicted evolution. The inclusion of molecular variables from the systems‐biology in silico simulations provided a molecular background for the observed variations in the selected outcome variables, mostly in relation to the regulation of hematopoiesis. In spite of its limitations, this study serves as a proof of concept for the application of next‐visit prediction tools in real‐world settings, even when available data sets are small.
Assimilation of radar‐derived refractivity and radar data in the context of ensemble Kalman filter: Cases study of the Southwest Monsoon Experiment
Authors: Do Phuong‐Nghi , Chung Kao‐Shen , Feng Ya‐Chien , Lin Pay‐Liam , Tsai Bo‐An 
Published: April 2023

AbstractRadar‐derived refractivity provides moisture information near the surface, which plays a crucial role in convective initiation and of heavy rain. In this study, the high‐resolution Weather Research and Forecasting local ensemble transform Kalman filter data assimilation system was employed for two cases in the Southwest Monsoon Experiment to conduct two experimental sets. The first set was applied in both cases to investigate the effects of assimilating radar‐retrieved refractivity along with reflectivity and radial wind. The second set was conducted in the second case to examine the benefit of increasing the frequency of refractivity assimilation and investigate the optimal strategy to assimilate refractivity. Results of the two cases revealed that assimilating reflectivity and radial velocity modified near‐surface humidity on the basis of the flow‐dependent error correlation estimated by the ensemble, but the spatial distribution may not be fully accurate, causing underestimation of rainfall. With further refractivity assimilation, stronger convergence and more accurate low‐level moisture, temperature, and wind field corrections were obtained, leading to superior forecasts for both light and heavy rainfall during six hours. The results of the second set indicated that increasing the assimilation interval of refractivity enabled capturing the dramatic moisture variation and enhancing wind convergence, resulting in short‐term forecast improvement. The strategy that solely assimilated refractivity before the appearance of the convection system optimized the correction of environmental moisture, then accurately represented the humidity and strengthened the wind convergence when precipitation occurred. Consequently, the achieved improvement of the short‐term forecast was most noteworthy, particularly for heavy rain.
Designing superiority trials with window mean survival time as a primary endpoint
Authors: Paukner Mitchell , Chappell Richard 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWindow mean survival time (WMST), a simple extension of restricted mean survival time (RMST), allows for clinicians to evaluate the mean survival difference between treatment groups in specific windows of time during the follow‐up period of a trial. The advantages of WMST are numerous. Not only does it produce estimates of treatment effect that can be meaningfully interpreted, but also has power advantages over competing methods when hazards are non‐proportional (NPH). WMST, like RMST, is currently underutilized due to clinicians' lack of familiarity with tests comparing mean survival times and the lack of tools to facilitate trial design with this endpoint. The aim of this article is to provide investigators with insights and software to design trials with WMST as the primary endpoint. Functions for performing power and sample size calculations are provided in the survWMST package in R available on GitHub.
Equivalent Efficacy of Indoor Daylight and Lamp-Based 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic Therapy for Treatment of Actinic Keratosis
Authors: Ruiz Alberto J. , LaRochelle Ethan P. M. , Fahrner Marie-Christine P. , Emond Jennifer A. , Samkoe Kimberley S. , Pogue Brian W. , Chapman M. Shane 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Background
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is widely used as a treatment for actinic keratoses (AK), with new sunlight-based regimens proposed as alternatives to lamp-based treatments. Prescribing indoor daylight activation could help address the seasonal temperature, clinical supervision, and access variability associated with outdoor treatments.

Objective
To compare the AK lesion clearance efficacy of indoor daylight PDT treatment (30 min of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) pre-incubation, followed by 2 h of indoor sunlight) versus a lamp-based PDT treatment (30 min of ALA preincubation, followed by 10 min of red light).

Methods
A prospective clinical trial was conducted with 41 patients. Topical 10% ALA was applied to the entire treatment site (face, forehead, scalp). Patients were assigned to either the lamp-based or indoor daylight treatment. Actinic keratosis lesion counts were determined by clinical examination and recorded for pre-treatment, 1-month, and 6-month follow-up visits.

Results
There was no statistical difference in the efficacy of AK lesion clearance between the red-lamp (1-month clearance = 57 ± 17%, 6-month clearance = 57 ± 20%) and indoor daylight treatment (1-month clearance = 61 ± 19%, 6-month clearance = 67 ± 20%). A 95% confidence interval of the difference of the means was measured between −4.4% and 13.4% for 1-month, and −2.2% and +23.6% for 6-month timepoints when comparing the indoor daylight to the red-lamp treatment, with a priori interval of equivalence of ±20%.

Limitations
Ensuring an equivalent dose between the indoor and lamp treatment cohorts limited randomisation since it required performing indoor daylight treatments only during sunny days.

Conclusion
Indoor-daylight PDT provided equivalent AK treatment efficacy to a lamp-based regimen while overcoming temperature limitations and UV-block sunscreen issues associated with outdoor sunlight treatments in the winter.

Clinical trial registration
Clinicaltrials.gov listing: NCT03805737.