bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alterations of biaxial viscoelastic properties of the right ventricle in pulmonary hypertension development in rest and acute stress conditions
Authors: Liu Wenqiang , LeBar Kristen , Roth Kellan , Pang Jassia , Ayers Jessica , Chicco Adam J. , Puttlitz Christian M. , Wang Zhijie 
Published: May 2023

Introduction: The right ventricle (RV) mechanical property is an important determinant of its function. However, compared to its elasticity, RV viscoelasticity is much less studied, and it remains unclear how pulmonary hypertension (PH) alters RV viscoelasticity. Our goal was to characterize the changes in RV free wall (RVFW) anisotropic viscoelastic properties with PH development and at varied heart rates.Methods: PH was induced in rats by monocrotaline treatment, and the RV function was quantified by echocardiography. After euthanasia, equibiaxial stress relaxation tests were performed on RVFWs from healthy and PH rats at various strain-rates and strain levels, which recapitulate physiological deformations at varied heart rates (at rest and under acute stress) and diastole phases (at early and late filling), respectively.Results and Discussion: We observed that PH increased RVFW viscoelasticity in both longitudinal (outflow tract) and circumferential directions. The tissue anisotropy was pronounced for the diseased RVs, not healthy RVs. We also examined the relative change of viscosity to elasticity by the damping capacity (ratio of dissipated energy to total energy), and we found that PH decreased RVFW damping capacity in both directions. The RV viscoelasticity was also differently altered from resting to acute stress conditions between the groups—the damping capacity was decreased only in the circumferential direction for healthy RVs, but it was reduced in both directions for diseased RVs. Lastly, we found some correlations between the damping capacity and RV function indices and there was no correlation between elasticity or viscosity and RV function. Thus, the RV damping capacity may be a better indicator of RV function than elasticity or viscosity alone. These novel findings on RV dynamic mechanical properties offer deeper insights into the role of RV biomechanics in the adaptation of RV to chronic pressure overload and acute stress.
Robotic-assisted mitral valve surgery without aortic cross-clamping: a safe and feasible technique
Authors: Ökten Eyüp Murat , Özcan Zeynep Sıla , Arslanhan Gökhan , Şenay Şahin , Güllü Ahmet Ümit , Koçyiğit Muharrem , Değirmencioğlu Aleks , Alhan Cem 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundThe primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of robotic-assisted mitral valve surgery without aortic cross-clamping.MethodsFrom January 2010 to September 2022, 28 patients underwent robotic-assisted mitral valve surgery without aortic cross-clamping in our center using DaVinci Robotic Systems. Clinical data during the perioperative period and early outcomes of the patients were recorded.ResultsMost patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II and III. Mean age and EuroScore II of the patients were 71.5 ± 13.5 and 8.4 ± 3.7 respectively. The patients underwent either mitral valve replacement (n = 16, 57.1%) or mitral valve repair (n = 12, 42.9%). Concomitant procedures were performed including tricuspid valve repair, tricuspid valve replacement, PFO closure, left atrial appendage ligation, left atrial appendage thrombectomy and cryoablation for atrial fibrillation. Mean CPB times were 140.9 ± 44.6 and mean fibrillatory arrest duration was 76.6 ± 18.4. Mean duration of ICU stay was 32.5 ± 28.8 h and mean duration of hospital stay 9.8 ± 8.3 days. One patient (3.6%) underwent revision due to bleeding. New onset renal failure was observed in one (3.6%) patient and postoperative stroke in one (3.6%) patient. Postoperative early mortality was observed in two (7.1%) patients.ConclusionsRobotic-assisted mitral valve surgery without cross-clamping is a safe and feasible technique in high-risk patients undergoing redo mitral surgery with severe adhesions as well as in primary mitral valve cases that are complicated with ascending aortic calcification.
Homemade fenestration and chimney techniques for the left subclavian artery revascularization during zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair
Authors: Ye Jiacheng , Li Yuliang , Lu Yue , Wang Yongzheng , Liu Bin , Chang Haiyang 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundTo investigate the safety and efficacy of homemade fenestration and chimney techniques for the left subclavian artery (LSA) revascularization during zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).MethodsFrom February 2017 to February 2021, 41 patients undergoing fenestration technique (group A) and 42 patients undergoing chimney technique (group B) to preserve the LSA during zone 2 TEVAR were enrolled in the present study. The procedure was indicated for dissections with unsuitable proximal landing zone with refractory pain and hypertension, rupture and malperfusion, and high-risk radiographic features. The baseline characteristics, peri-procedure, and follow-up clinical and radiographic data were recorded and analyzed. The primary endpoint was clinical success, and the secondary endpoints were rupture-free survival, LSA patency, and complications. Aortic remodeling, defined as patency, partial and complete thrombosis of the false lumen, was also analyzed.ResultsTechnical success was achieved in 38 and 41 patients in groups A and B, respectively. Four intervention-related deaths were confirmed, two in each group. Immediate post-procedural endoleaks were detected in two and three patients in group A and B, respectively. No other major complications were found in either group, except for one retrograde type A dissection in group A. During follow-up, the initial clinical success rates were 90.24% and 92.86% in groups A and B, respectively. The primary and secondary mid-term clinical success rates were 87.5% and 90% in group A, and both of them were 92.68% in group B. Rupture-free survival and LSA patency were not significantly different between the two groups. The incidence of complete thrombosis in the aorta distal to the stent graft was 67.65% and 61.11% in groups A and B, respectively.ConclusionsApart from the lower clinical success rate of fenestration technique, both physician-modified techniques are available for LSA revascularization during zone 2 TEVAR and significantly promote favorable aortic remodeling.
Machine learning prediction of progressive subclinical myocardial dysfunction in moderate aortic stenosis
Authors: Namasivayam Mayooran , Meredith Thomas , Muller David W. M. , Roy David A. , Roy Andrew K. , Kovacic Jason C. , Hayward Christopher S. , Feneley Michael P. 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundModerate severity aortic stenosis (AS) is poorly understood, is associated with subclinical myocardial dysfunction, and can lead to adverse outcome rates that are comparable to severe AS. Factors associated with progressive myocardial dysfunction in moderate AS are not well described. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) can identify patterns, inform clinical risk, and identify features of importance in clinical datasets.MethodsWe conducted ANN analyses on longitudinal echocardiographic data collected from 66 individuals with moderate AS who underwent serial echocardiography at our institution. Image phenotyping involved left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) and valve stenosis severity (including energetics) analysis. ANNs were constructed using two multilayer perceptron models. The first model was developed to predict change in GLS from baseline echocardiography alone and the second to predict change in GLS using data from baseline and serial echocardiography. ANNs used a single hidden layer architecture and a 70%:30% training/testing split.ResultsOver a median follow-up interval of 1.3 years, change in GLS (≤ or &gt;median change) could be predicted with accuracy rates of 95% in training and 93% in testing using ANN with inputs from baseline echocardiogram data alone (AUC: 0.997). The four most important predictive baseline features (reported as normalized % importance relative to most important feature) were peak gradient (100%), energy loss (93%), GLS (80%), and DI &lt; 0.25 (50%). When a further model was run including inputs from both baseline and serial echocardiography (AUC 0.844), the top four features of importance were change in dimensionless index between index and follow-up studies (100%), baseline peak gradient (79%), baseline energy loss (72%), and baseline GLS (63%).ConclusionsArtificial neural networks can predict progressive subclinical myocardial dysfunction with high accuracy in moderate AS and identify features of importance. Key features associated with classifying progression in subclinical myocardial dysfunction included peak gradient, dimensionless index, GLS, and hydraulic load (energy loss), suggesting that these features should be closely evaluated and monitored in AS.
Complex thinking through a Transition Design-guided Ideathon: testing an AI platform on the topic of sharing economy
Authors: Sanabria-Z Jorge , Castillo-Martínez Isolda Margarita , González-Pérez Laura Icela , Ramírez-Montoya María Soledad 
Published: May 2023

RationaleThe development of the complex thinking meta-competency in the education of university students potentially promotes high capacities, where artificial intelligence (AI) might work as a supporting structure.ObjectiveThis proof-of-concept study of an AI-based platform aimed to integrate a sequence of activities into the design of an online platform to assess the development of complex thinking competency in higher education students.MethodThe Transition Design method was used within an Ideathon event supported by an AI platform to provide students with a sharing economy challenge. A total of 31 university students from five university campuses in Mexico synchronously participated. An instrument was applied in the pre-test and post-test phases to explore the complex thinking meta-competency and its sub-competencies of critical, innovative, scientific, and systemic thinking.ResultsTwo hypotheses were tested, both of which turned out to be true: (a) the functioning of the constructed learning situation and (b) the model of the learning situation.ConclusionThese findings may be of value to scientific and academic communities, as well as social and business organizations interested in developing high capacities of complex thinking and educational innovations using digital platforms.
Low T3 syndrome is associated with 30-day mortality in adult patients with fulminant myocarditis
Authors: Miao Guangrui , Pang Shuo , Zhou Yuanhang , Duan Mingxuan , Bai Linpeng , Zhao Xiaoyan 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundFulminant myocarditis (FM) is a critical disease with high early mortality. Low triiodothyronine syndrome (LT3S) was a strong predictor of poor prognosis of critical diseases. This study investigated whether LT3S was associated with 30-day mortality in FM patients.MethodsNinety-six FM patients were divided into LT3S (n=39, 40%) and normal free triiodothyronine (FT3) (n=57, 60%) groups based on serum FT3 level. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of 30-day mortality. Kaplan–Meier curve was used to compare 30-day mortality between two groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to assess the value of FT3 level for 30-day mortality prediction.ResultsCompared to normal FT3 group, LT3S group had higher incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, worse hemodynamics, worse cardiac function, more severe kidney impairment, and higher 30-day mortality (48.7% vs. 12.3%, P&lt;0.001). In univariable analysis, LT3S (odds ratio [OR]:6.786, 95% confidence interval [CI]:2.472-18.629, P&lt;0.001) and serum FT3 (OR:0.272, 95%CI:0.139-0.532, P&lt;0.001) were significant strong predictors of 30-day mortality. After adjustment for confounders in multivariable analysis, LT3S (OR:3.409, 95%CI:1.019-11.413, P=0.047) and serum FT3 (OR:0.408, 95%CI:0.199-0.837, P=0.014) remained independent 30-day mortality predictors. The area under the ROC curve of FT3 level was 0.774 (cut-off: 3.58, sensitivity: 88.46%, specificity: 62.86%). In DCA, FT3 level showed good clinical-application value for 30-day mortality prediction.ConclusionIn FM patients, LT3S could independently predict 30-day mortality. FT3 level was a strong 30-day mortality predictor and a potentially useful risk-stratification biomarker.
Inverse correlation of intact PTH, oxidized PTH as well as non-oxidized PTH with 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Zuo Jiao , Hasan Ahmed A. , Hocher Carl-Friedrich , Kalk Philipp , Kleuser Burkhard , Krämer Bernhard K. , Hocher Berthold 
Published: May 2023

Background25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and potentially also 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) inhibits the synthesis of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the chief cells of the parathyroid gland. Clinical studies showing a negative correlation between (25(OH)D and PTH are in good agreement with these findings in basic science studies. However, PTH was measured in these studies with the currently clinically used 2nd or 3rd generation intact PTH (iPTH) assay systems. iPTH assays cannot distinguish between oxidized forms of PTH and non-oxidized PTH. Oxidized forms of PTH are the by far most abundant form of PTH in the circulation of patients with impaired kidney function. Oxidation of PTH causes a loss of function of PTH. Given that the clinical studies done so far were performed with an PTH assay systems that mainly detect oxidized forms of PTH, the real relationship between bioactive non-oxidized PTH and 25(OH)D as well as 1,25(OH)2D is still unknown.MethodsTo address this topic, we compared for the first time the relationship between 25(OH)D as well as 1,25(OH)2D and iPTH, oxPTH as well as fully bioactive n-oxPTH in 531 stable kidney transplant recipients in the central clinical laboratories of the Charité. Samples were assessed either directly (iPTH) or after oxPTH (n-oxPTH) was removed using a column that used anti-human oxPTH monoclonal antibodies, a monoclonal rat/mouse parathyroid hormone antibody (MAB) was immobilized onto a column with 500 liters of plasma samples. Spearman correlation analysis and Multivariate linear regression were used to evaluate the correlations between the variables.ResultsThere was an inverse correlation between 25(OH)D and all forms of PTH, including oxPTH (iPTH: r=-0.197, p&lt;0.0001; oxPTH: r=-0.203, p&lt;0.0001; n-oxPTH: r=-0.146, p=0.001). No significant correlation was observed between 1,25(OH)2D and all forms of PTH. Multiple linear regression analysis considering age, PTH (iPTH, oxPTH and n-oxPTH), serum calcium, serum phosphor, serum creatinine, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), osteoprotegerin (OPG), albumin, and sclerostin as confounding factors confirmed these findings. Subgroup analysis showed that our results are not affected by sex and age.ConclusionIn our study, all forms of PTH are inversely correlated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). This finding would be in line with an inhibition of the synthesis of all forms of PTH (bioactive n-oxPTH and oxidized forms of PTH with minor or no bioactivity) in the chief cells of the parathyroid glad.
The aggregation effect of organic matter on bauxite residue particles and its improvement mechanism
Authors: Dong Mengyang , Wang Guizhen , Gul Wazir Zafran , Liu Jing , Hou Guoqin , Gao Xinyu , Chao Liang , Rong Fangxu , Xu Yuzhi , Li Mingyue , Liu Kai , Liu Aiju , Liu Hongliang 
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Understanding organic amendment and the agglomeration of bauxite residue particles is vital to soil amelioration of bauxite residues. In this study, a pot culture experiment was conducted to illustrate the aggregation of organic amendment on bauxite residues particles and its improvement mechanism. The single organic amendment and its combination with soil inoculum were conducted to explore the aggregation effect of organic matter on bauxite residue particles, and its correlations with microbial rehabilitation.Methods: The dry- and wet-sieving method were used to obtain different sizes of aggregates. The concentrations of soil organic carbon and iron and aluminum (Fe/Al) oxides in the forms extractable by DCB (Fed/Ald) and oxalate (Fe0/Al0) were measured. Microbial rehabilitation after 180 days incubation was determined with the methods of Biolog Ecoplate™ and the high-throughput sequencing.Results and Discussion: The results showed that over 180 days incubation, the alkalinity of bauxite residues was significantly decreased with the organic amendment based on the value of pH, EC and ESP (down to 9.26, 0.61 m/cm and 55.5%, respectively, in HS3). Secondly, organic amendment significantly promoted microbial community establishment and ecological function recovery. Moreover, the MWD value of aggregates also increased to 0.73 mm from the initial 0.32 mm, companied with the increase of the Fe/Al oxidizes. The further Pearson relationship analysis and the characterization of EPMA and SEM indicated that the organic matter and Fe/Al oxides played important roles in cementing fine bauxite residues particles and increasing aggregates stability, while this aggregation process was accelerated by the establishment of microbial ecology in bauxite residues. Therefore, organic amendment was more implication in soil amelioration of bauxite residues other than the directive modifications on alkalinity.
A common protocol for reliable comparison of pollen fatty acid profiles: highlighting pitfalls and proposing a methodology for ecological research
Authors: Villagómez Gemma Nydia , Brachvogel René-Chris , Kárpáti Zsolt , Leonhardt Sara D. , Schmitt Thomas , Ruedenauer Fabian A. 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionPollen is an important tissue in plants that plays a vital role in plant reproduction as it carries male gametes and occasionally also serves as a pollinator reward. There has been an increasing interest in pollen chemistry due to the impact of chemical variation on pollinator choices and well-being, especially in bees. The pollen fat content and lipid-to-protein ratio have been shown to play a crucial role in regulating pollen intake, and some bee species avoid overconsumption of fatty acids while specific pollen fatty acid ratios are essential for bee cognition. Therefore, knowledge of the fatty acid composition of plant pollen is crucial for understanding plant-pollinator interactions. However, existing methods for fatty acid analyses are not always specific to pollen fatty acids, and non-pollen-derived fatty acids can easily contaminate samples, making comparison between different methods impossible. Hence, the objectives of our study were to highlight the common mistakes and pitfalls made during pollen fatty acid extraction and analysis and propose a common protocol for reliable comparisons of pollen samples.MethodsThe proposed method, developed in two different labs using different gas chromatograph/mass spectrometers and gas chromatograph/flame ionization detectors, involved manually homogenizing pollen, extracting it with chloroform:methanol (2:1), and analyzing it using gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS) and a flame ionization detector (FID) for identification and quantification.ResultsWe found that many fatty acids were present in plastic materials and many solvents commonly used in the labs, cautioning against the use of plastic and recommending blank samples to determine the level of contamination. We also suggest adding an internal standard and checking the MS and FID’s saturation limit before starting pollen homogenization.DiscussionOur proposed method generated reliable fatty acid profiles of pollen from two different plant species analyzed in the two labs, and we hope it serves as a blueprint for achieving a common methodology for characterizing and comparing pollen fatty acid profiles in ecological research.
“Can my mother come?” Asylum interviews with unaccompanied and separated children seeking asylum in the Netherlands
Authors: Rap Stephanie E. 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionThe UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) accords children the right to give their views on all important decisions in their life (art.12 CRC). In the past decades increased awareness has risen among professionals who work with children in judicial and administrative proceedings, to hear their voices. The key question guiding this research was whether refugee children have the possibility to meaningfully participate in asylum proceedings, as required by international children's rights law and standards? Asylum application procedures are highly complex administrative procedures, that are often not adapted to the capacities and level of maturity of children. Recent studies suggest that the right to participation and information is insufficiently safeguarded for children involved in asylum procedures. Unaccompanied children seeking asylum as young as 6 years of age have to go through the asylum procedure in the Netherlands. Efforts have been put in making this procedure more child-friendly, by designing a child-friendly interview room and training immigration officers. The aim of this study was to explore to what extent the immigration authority takes into account children's voice, age and development, in line with international children's rights.MethodsObservations have been conducted of first instance asylum application interviews with children held by immigration officers. In total 13 interviews with children aged 7–11 have been observed, that were held between 2012 and 2019.ResultsThe results show that child-friendly conversation techniques and tools are used to some extent, however, immigration officers should be trained more extensively in order to enhance the effective participation of young children.DiscussionIt is concluded that interviews with children could be improved by giving children more information and using techniques to communicate with young children. In order to truly hear the child's voice the interviews should be better adapted to the age and level of development of unaccompanied children.