bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Results of new-generation balloon vs. self-expandable transcatheter heart valves for bicuspid aortic valve stenosis
Authors: Deutsch Oliver , Vitanova Keti , Ruge Hendrik , Erlebach Magdalena , Krane Markus , Lange Rüdiger 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundData comparing new-generation self-expandable (SEV, Evolut R/PRO) vs. balloon-expandable (BEV, SAPIEN 3/3Ultra) transcatheter heart valve replacement (TAVR) in bicuspid aortic valve stenosis (BAV) is limited. Our aim was to compare 30-day results of SEV and BEV implantations in patients with BAV.MethodsA total of 2009 patients underwent TAVR between April 2015 and June 2021 at our Centre. From our institutional registry, we identified 106 consecutive patients with BAV who underwent TAVR using SEV and BEV.ResultsA 106 patients (n = 68 BEV; n = 38 SEV) were included. Mean age was 74.6 ± 8.8 years (BEV) vs.75.3 ± 8.7 years (SEV) (p = 0.670) and Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 2.6 ± 1.9 (BEV) vs. 2.6 ± 1.6 (SEV) (p = 0.374), respectively. Device landing zone calcium volume (DLZ-CV) was 1168 ± 811 vs. 945 ± 850 mm3 (p = 0.192). Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-3 device success at 30 days was similar (BEV 80.9% vs. SEV 86.8%; p = 0.433). More post-dilatations were performed in SEVs (23.5% BEV vs. 52.6% SEV; p = 0.002). Overall mean gradient at 30 days follow-up was 11.9 ± 4.6 mmHG (BEV) vs. 9.2 ± 3.0 mmHG (SEV) (p = 0.002). A mild-moderate degree of paravalvular leak (PVL) was detected more often in the SEV group (7.4% vs. 13.2%; p = 0.305). A trend towards higher rate of permanent pacemaker implantation was observed in SEV (11.8% vs. 23.7%; p = 0.109).ConclusionsTreatment of BAV revealed similar performance using BEV and SEV. In this retrospective cohort study, hemodynamics were more favorable with the SEV, although there was a trend toward more PVL and significantly more post-dilations.
Analysis of energy consumption characteristics and fracture characteristics of moraine grouting solidified body under uniaxial compression
Authors: Li Zheng-rong , Jiang Ming-gui , Feng Xing-long , Wang Shao-yong , Zeng Qing-tian , Chen Chong , Liu Wen-lian , Sun Wei 
Published: September 2023

Glacial movement causes massive accumulation of fine-grained moraine, which often induces slope instability, moraine debris flow, and other geological hazards due to the effects of rain and the ice-snow melting. This study used a modified phosphoric acid-water glass slurry for grouting and curing moraine, and analyzed the influencing law of water glass Baume degree and curing age on energy consumption characteristics as well as the fracture properties of the grout-cured body of moraine using the uniaxial compression test. The results showed that the gel time of phosphoric acid-water glass slurry increased with the increasing addition of phosphoric acid and that it had a mutation phenomenon. The gel time increased linearly with the increasing addition of phosphoric acid before the mutation. Moreover, the compressive strength, pre-peak total energy, pre-peak elastic energy, pre-peak dissipative energy, elastic energy density, dissipative energy density, and pre-peak fracture toughness of the moraine curing body at same curing age increased linearly with the increase of water glass Baume degree by 46%–218%. The compressive strength, pre-peak elastic energy, and pre-peak elastic energy density of the moraine curing body increased with the curing age but grew slowly from 3 days to 7 days and rapidly from 7 days to 14 days. Through regression analysis of the test results, the fracture toughness calculation formula was derived from an energy perspective. These research results have significant implications for the reinforcement of moraine strata grouting and glacial debris flow disaster prevention and control.
Diagnostic efficiency among Eu-/C-/ACR-TIRADS and S-Detect for thyroid nodules: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Longtao , Li Cong , Chen Zhe , He Shaqi , Wang Zhiyuan , Liu Jun 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundThe performance in evaluating thyroid nodules on ultrasound varies across different risk stratification systems, leading to inconsistency and uncertainty regarding diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.ObjectiveComparing diagnostic performance of detecting thyroid cancer among distinct ultrasound risk stratification systems proposed in the last five years.Evidence acquisitionSystematic search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases to find relevant research up to December 8, 2022, whose study contents contained elucidation of diagnostic performance of any one of the above ultrasound risk stratification systems (European Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System[Eu-TIRADS]; American College of Radiology TIRADS [ACR TIRADS]; Chinese version of TIRADS [C-TIRADS]; Computer-aided diagnosis system based on deep learning [S-Detect]). Based on golden diagnostic standard in histopathology and cytology, single meta-analysis was performed to obtain the optimal cut-off value for each system, and then network meta-analysis was conducted on the best risk stratification category in each system.Evidence synthesisThis network meta-analysis included 88 studies with a total of 59,304 nodules. The most accurate risk category thresholds were TR5 for Eu-TIRADS, TR5 for ACR TIRADS, TR4b and above for C-TIRADS, and possible malignancy for S-Detect. At the best thresholds, sensitivity of these systems ranged from 68% to 82% and specificity ranged from 71% to 81%. It identified the highest sensitivity for C-TIRADS TR4b and the highest specificity for ACR TIRADS TR5. However, sensitivity for ACR TIRADS TR5 was the lowest. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and area under curve (AUC) were ranked first in C-TIRADS.ConclusionAmong four ultrasound risk stratification options, this systemic review preliminarily proved that C-TIRADS possessed favorable diagnostic performance for thyroid nodules.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, CRD42022382818.
Turner syndrome transition clinic in the West of Scotland: a perspective
Authors: Zahra Baryab , Sastry Aparna , Freel Marie , Donaldson Malcolm , Mason Avril 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionTurner Syndrome (TS) is the commonest chromosomal abnormality in females. Establishing and maintaining long-term follow-up after transition to adult endocrine services, to allow for essential lifelong surveillance of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, and optimal hormone replacement, remains a challenge. A TS transition clinic was established with the aim of supporting successful transfer and establishing long-term follow-up in adult endocrine services. Our objectives are to evaluate the success of our TS transition service primarily in achieving and maintaining follow-up after transfer to adult services and to assess the adequacy of health surveillance post-transition with a specific focus on cardiac monitoring and hormone replacement.MethodsA departmental database was used to identify young people whose care had transferred to adult endocrine services. An electronic case record was utilised to obtain clinic attendance and relevant clinical information on cardiovascular monitoring and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). ResultsForty-six (n=46) young people transferred to adult endocrine services during the observed 20-year period, 1998-2017. Thirty-six (n=36) had transferred prior to 2015, of whom sixteen (n=16, 44%) are lost to long-term follow-up at 5 years. Overall, 41 (89%) patients have had cardiac imaging surveillance since transferring, However, only 30 (73%) of these were carried out at the recommended frequencies. All 20 women in established follow-up have had cardiac imaging. Five out of the 46 (11%) patients do not have any documented cardiovascular monitoring. Forty (86.9%) women have had a documented BP measurement. Nineteen of the 20 women who are in 5- year established follow-up have a documented blood pressure. Five (11%) women are not on HRT, while two (4%) remain on oestrogen-only HRT. Thirty-seven (80.4%) women are on combined HRT, only eight (21.6%) are on the recommended form of oestradiol. Two (4%) are not on HRT due to normal ovarian function. ConclusionA significant proportion of girls with TS are currently lost to adult endocrine services. Strategies to improve long-term endocrine follow-up are needed to ensure lifelong health needs and adequate hormone replacement are met. Whilst similar parameters are monitored in adult endocrine services a group of patients may be at risk of receiving inadequate HRT and developing cardiovascular complications.
A review of CO2 catalytic regeneration research based on MEA solution
Authors: Yang Zhiyuan , Shen Yuhang , Yang Haoran , Yi Hui , Guo Hao , Zhang Xiaoliang 
Published: September 2023

In recent years, the rapid increase of CO2 emission has caused severe environmental issues. The environmental concern has made how to reduce the carbon emissions become a hot topic. Many scholars and research teams believe that the organic amine chemical absorption technology is the most favored and promising carbon capture technology due to its highly CO2 removal effectiveness. However, it is not applied wildly in industrial environment since the desorption process energy consumption is too much, over 4 GJ/t CO2. Many researchers report that catalysts can help to reduce the desorption energy. And it is generally assumed that four key properties of solid acid catalysts determined the performance of solid acid catalysts in the process of CO2 desorption: the total number of acid sites; specific surface area; the ratio of Brønsted acid sites to Lewis acid sites; the amount of Brønsted acid sites. Therefore, this paper reviews the recent research on the effect of different catalysts on the energy consumption of CO2 desorption and the progress of research on improving catalyst performance. Also, it provides views on the possible problems in practical industrial applications.
Socio-demographic and antenatal care-related factors associated with early post-partum family planning use in Ethiopia: evidence from Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016 data
Authors: Asratie Melaku Hunie , Tesema Getayeneh Antehunegn , Chilot Dagmawi , Aragaw Fantu Mamo , Merid Mehari Woldemariam , Belay Daniel Gashaneh 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionInitiation of family planning in the early post-partum period is a strategic move to reduce maternal, neonatal, and child mortality due to the negative consequences of short interbirth interval and the complications of unintended pregnancy. Antenatal care (ANC) is the noteworthy predictor of scaling up early initiation of post-partum family planning (PPFP) and preventing unintended pregnancy before menses resume. Despite the great role of ANC, information is scant about the effect of content, timing, and the number of ANC visits on the early initiation of PPFP in Ethiopia.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the association of ANC services with the early initiation of PPFP in Ethiopia.MethodsThe study was based on Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016 data, which was a cross-sectional survey from 18 January 2016 to 27 June 2016. A total weighted sample size of 2,920 post-partum women was included. A multilevel logistic regression model was used because of the hierarchical data, and variables with a p-value of ≤0.2 in the bivariable multilevel analysis were taken to multivariable multilevel analysis. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to declare both the direction and strength of the association, and variables with a p-value of &lt;0.05 were considered as statistically significant for the outcome variable.ResultsThe early initiation of PPFP was 20.4%. Women with at least four ANC visits [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.31; CI 1.12–2.32], women who started ANC within the first trimester (AOR = 1.25; CI 1.10–2.23), complete routine ANC (AOR = 1.11; CI 1.01–2.03), post-natal care (AOR = 1.45; CI 1.19–1.87), resumption of menses (AOR = 1.67; CI 1.18–1.93), urban residency (AOR = 2.14; CI 1.18–2.51), and high community women’s education (AOR = 1.71; CI 1.51–2.11) were variables significantly associated with the early initiation of PPFP.ConclusionThe early initiation of PPFP in Ethiopia was very low. Attention needs to be given to the quality of ANC, post-natal care, resumption of menses, residency, and community-level education of women to increase the prevalence of the early initiation of PPFP in Ethiopia. Therefore, the government should design a program targeting the quality of ANC in rural communities, considering women without menses and scaling up the education of women at the community level to the culture of the early initiation of PPFP in order to achieve reduced maternal, neonatal, and child mortality.
Protective effect of hydroxychloroquine on infections in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: an observational study using the LUNA registry
Authors: Hidekawa Chiharu , Yoshimi Ryusuke , Saigusa Yusuke , Tamura Jun , Kojitani Noriko , Suzuki Naoki , Sakurai Natsuki , Yoshioka Yuji , Sugiyama-Kawahara Yumiko , Kunishita Yosuke , Kishimoto Daiga , Higashitani Kana , Sato Yuichiro , Komiya Takaaki , Nagai Hideto , Hamada Naoki , Maeda Ayaka , Tsuchida Naomi , Hirahara Lisa , Soejima Yutaro , Takase-Minegishi Kaoru , Kirino Yohei , Yajima Nobuyuki , Sada Ken-ei , Miyawaki Yoshia , Ichinose Kunihiro , Ohno Shigeru , Kajiyama Hiroshi , Sato Shuzo , Shimojima Yasuhiro , Fujiwara Michio , Nakajima Hideaki 
Published: September 2023

ObjectivesInfection is a leading cause of death in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Alt hough hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been reported to inhibit infection, evidence from Asian populations remains insufficient. We investigated this effect in Japanese SLE patients.MethodsData from the Lupus Registry of Nationwide Institutions were used in this study. The patients were ≥20 years old and met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria revised in 1997. We defined “severe infections” as those requiring hospitalization. We analyzed the HCQ’s effect on infection suppression using a generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression model as the primary endpoint and performed a survival analysis for the duration until the first severe infection.ResultsData from 925 patients were used (median age, 45 [interquartile range 35–57] years; female, 88.1%). GEE analysis revealed that severe infections were significantly associated with glucocorticoid dose (odds ratio [OR] 1.968 [95% confidence interval, 1.379–2.810], p&lt;0.001), immunosuppressants (OR 1.561 [1.025–2.380], p=0.038), and baseline age (OR 1.043 [1.027–1.060], p&lt;0.001). HCQ tended to suppress severe infections, although not significantly (OR 0.590 [0.329–1.058], p=0.077). Survival time analysis revealed a lower incidence of severe infections in the HCQ group than in the non-HCQ group (p&lt;0.001). In a Cox proportional hazards model, baseline age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.029 [1.009–1.050], p=0.005) and HCQ (HR 0.322 [0.142–0.728], p=0.006) were significantly related to incidence.ConclusionHCQ may help extend the time until the occurrence of infection complications and tends to decrease infection rates.
Natural infection versus hybrid (natural and vaccination) humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2: a comparative paired analysis
Authors: AbdelWareth Laila , Alhousani Farida , Abuyadek Rowan , Donnelly James , Leinberger-Jabari Andrea , Atef Shereen , Al-Rifai Rami H. 
Published: September 2023

ObjectivesThere is substantial immunological evidence that vaccination following natural infection increases protection. We compare the humoral immune response developed in initially seropositive individuals (naturally infected) to humoral hybrid immune response (developed after infection and vaccination) in the same population group after one year.MethodsThe study included 197 male individuals who were naturally infected with SARS-CoV-2 and then vaccinated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Trimeric spike, nucleocapsid, and ACE2-RBD blocking antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 were measured. Nasal swabs were collected for SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing. Information on vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and PCR verified infection was retrieved from official databases (Abu Dhabi Health Data Services- SP LLC. (“Malaffi”), including number of vaccine doses received, date of vaccination, and type of the received vaccine.ResultsAll the study population were tested PCR-Negative at the time of sample collection. Our results showed that there was a significant rise in the mean (SD) and median (IQR) titers of trimeric spike, nucleocapsid and ACE2-RBD blocking antibodies in the post-vaccination stage. The mean (± SD) and median (IQR) concentration of the anti-S antibody rose by 3.3-fold (+230% ± 197% SD) and 2.8-fold (+185%, 220–390%, p&lt;0.001), respectively. There was an observed positive dose-response relationship between number of the received vaccine doses and having higher proportion of study participants with higher than median concentration in the difference between the measured anti-S and ACE2-RBD blocking antibodies in the post-vaccination compared to pre-vaccination.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that COVID-19 vaccination post natural infection elicits a robust immunological response with an impressive rise of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, especially the ACE2-RBD blocking antibodies.
Mechanical properties of Lop Nor salt rock fillers for subgrade and its forecast model construction
Authors: Cheng Cheng , Liu Jie , Wang Chaohui , Song Liang , Chen Haoyu 
Published: September 2023

A deep exploration was conducted on the evolution law of the mechanical properties of salt rock fillers under the influence of different forming parameters in the Lop Nor area to promote the engineering application process of salt rock. The accuracy of primary regression, square regression, and support vector machine (SVM) regression algorithms in predicting the mechanical properties of salt rock fillers was compared, and the most accurate prediction model for the California bearing ratio (CBR) and rebound modulus of salt rock fillers were recommended. The results showed that the optimal brine content of SC-40, SC-20, and SC-10 salt rock fillers was between 8.2% and 9.3%, with a dry density of approximately 1.69–1.76 g/cm3. The CBR of salt rock samples gradually decreased with an increase in brine content, and the rebound modulus was higher than 90.6 MPa. As the compaction degree increased, the CBR value increased significantly, and the rebound modulus increased by approximately 28.1 MPa. As the immersion time increased, the mechanical properties of salt rock gradually decreased. Among the various regression models, the SVM prediction model had the highest accuracy index coefficient of determination (R2), whereas the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MAE) were the smallest. Therefore, the SVM prediction model was recommended to accurately estimate the mechanical properties of salt rock roadbed fillers and provide a reference for the regulation of compaction parameters and the guarantee of bearing capacity characteristics of salt rock roadbeds.
The impact of asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis on the clinical outcomes of patients with single subcortical infarction
Authors: Yang Yi , He Yue , Xu Yuhao , Han Wei , Shao Yuanwei , Zhao Tian , Yu Ming 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundThe presence of parental arterial disease (PAD) is correlated with the outcomes of patients with a single subcortical infarction (SSI). Due to the relatively low incidence of PAD, the predictors of outcomes seem to be limited for SSI patients without PAD. This study aims to investigate the association between asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (aIAS) and outcomes in patients with SSI and in the subgroup without PAD.MethodsPatients with SSI were consecutively enrolled. aIAS referred to a stenosis of ≥50% in intracranial arteries irrelevant to SSI by using magnetic resonance angiography. A poor outcome refers to a modified Ranking Scale &gt;2 points at discharge.ResultsIn total, 298 participants were enrolled. The presence of aIAS could predict a poor outcome for all SSI patients [adjusted relative risk (aRR) = 2.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.17–3.93, p = 0.014] and in the subgroup without PAD (aRR = 3.12, 95% CI = 1.47–6.62, p = 0.003), but not in the subgroup with PAD. Compared with participants with neither aIAS nor PAD, the risk of a poor outcome increased approximately 2-fold in those with aIAS only (aRR = 2.95, 95% CI = 1.55–5.60, p = 0.001) and in those with concomitant aIAS and PAD (aRR = 3.10, 95% CI = 1.62–5.95, p = 0.001).ConclusionThe presence of aIAS is a predictor of a poor outcome in SSI patients, especially in those without PAD.
The shared microbiome in mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) of Sanmen Bay, China: core gut microbiome
Authors: Jiang Xiaosong , Niu Mingming , Qin Kangxiang , Hu Yun , Li Yuntao , Che Chenxi , Wang Chunlin , Mu Changkao , Wang Huan 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionThe mud crab, Scylla paramamosain, holds great commercial significance as a marine crustacean widely cultivated in the Indo-Pacific region. Understanding the core gut microbiota of aquatic animals is crucial for their overall health and growth, yet the core gut microbiota of mud crab remains poorly characterized.MethodsIn this study, we gathered gut samples from mud crabs across five locations within Sanmen Bay, China. Through the utilization of high-throughput sequencing, we delved into the composition of the gut microbial community and identified the core gut microbiome of mud crab.ResultsOur results demonstrate that the gut microbial diversity of mud crab did not exhibit significant variation among the five sampling sites, although there were some differences in community richness. At the phylum level, we identified 35 representative phyla, with Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Campilobacterota as the dominant phyla. Among the 815 representative genera, we discovered 19 core genera, which accounted for 65.45% of the total sequences. These core genera were distributed across 6 phyla, and among them, Photobacterium exhibited the highest average relative abundance.DiscussionPhotobacterium has probiotic activity and may play a crucial role in enhancing the immune response of the host and maintaining the diversity of the gut microbiota. Moreover, we observed a positive correlation between the relative abundance of core genera and the stability of the gut microbial community. Furthermore, our findings revealed distinct differences in gut microbial composition and specific taxa between the sexes of mud crab. These differences subsequently influenced the functionality of the gut microbial community. Overall, our investigation sheds light on the core gut microbiota of mud crab, emphasizing the importance of core gut microbial communities in maintaining the health and growth of these commercially significant marine crustaceans.