bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair with percutaneous coronary intervention vs. surgical mitral valve repair with coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Wang Xiqiang , Ma Yanpeng , Liu Jing , Wang Ting , Zhu Ling , Fan Xiude , Cui Qianwei , Liu Chengfeng , Guan Gongchang , Wang Junkui , Pan Shuo , Liu Zhongwei , Zhang Yong 
Published: December 2022

AimsPatients with severe ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) may receive concurrent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with surgical mitral valve repair (SMVr) or percutaneous coronary stent implantation (PCI) with transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TMVr). However, there is no consensus on the management of severe IMR in this setting. We aimed to compare the outcomes of combined SMVr with CABG to concurrent TMVr with PCI among patients with IMR in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.Methods and resultsThe National Inpatient Sample was queried for all patients diagnosed with IMR who underwent SMVr with CABG or TMVr with PCI during the years 2016–2018. Study outcomes included all-cause in-hospital mortality, periprocedural complications, and resources used. A total of 1,360 potentially eligible patients were included in the study. After 1:5 propensity score matching, 133 patients were classified in the SMVr + CABG group and 29 patients in the TMVr + PCI group. Adjusted mortality was higher in the TMVr + PCI group compared with the SMVr + CABG group (13.8% vs. 4.5%, P = 0.034). Perioperative complications were higher among patients who underwent SMVr + CABG including blood transfusions (29.3% vs. 6.9%, P = 0.01) and post-procedural cardiogenic shock (11.3% vs. 0%, P = 0.044). The cost of care was higher (USD$783548.80 vs. USD$331846.523, P = 0.001) and the length of stay was longer (17.9 vs. 15.44 days, P &lt; 0.001) in the TMVr + PCI group. On multivariable analysis, age (OR, 1.039 [95% CI, 1.006–1.072]; P = 0.032), renal failure (OR, 3.465 [95% CI, 1.867–6.433]; P &lt; 0.001), and liver disease (OR, 5.012 [95% CI, 2.578–9.686]; P &lt; 0.001) were associated with in-hospital mortality.ConclusionTMVr + PCI was associated with higher resource use and in-hospital mortality but with improved perioperative complications compared with SMVr + CABG.
Association between the RETN -420C/G polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus susceptibility: A meta-analysis of 23 studies
Authors: Luo Fei , Shi Mingjie , Guo Junhao , Cheng Yisen , Xu Xusan , Zeng Jieqing , Huang Si , Huang Weijun , Wei Wenfeng , Wang Yajun , Chen Riling , Ma Guoda 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundThe published findings on the link between the resistin (RETN) gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk are still contradictory. Here, through a meta-analysis, we summarized a more precise evaluation of their connection by synthesizing existing research.MethodsPubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were electronically searched, and all cited sources were manually searched. The heterogeneity of effects was tested and all statistical analyses were performed in Stata 12.0.ResultsA total of 23 studies with 10,651 cases and 14,366 controls on RETN -420C/G polymorphism were included. The overall results showed that the association of RETN -420C/G polymorphism and T2DM susceptibility was not significant [for the allelic model: odds ratio (OR) = 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.87–1.10, pheterogeneity &lt;.001; I2 = 84.6%; for the dominant model: OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.80–1.15, pheterogeneity &lt;.001; I2 = 87.1%; and for the recessive model: OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.82–1.12, pheterogeneity &lt;.001; I2 = 56.9%] but with high heterogeneity across studies (p &lt;.0001). Meta-regression found that the median age of T2DM participants (using age 50 as the cutoff) could be a factor in the observed variation. The RETN -420C/G polymorphism seems to be linked to an increased risk of T2DM in younger individuals [for dominant: OR = 0.84 (95% CI, 0.72–0.98; pheterogeneity &lt;.001; I2 = 80.9%)] and decreased risk in older people [for dominant: OR = 3.14 (95% CI, 2.35–4.19; pheterogeneity = .98; I2 = 0.0%)].ConclusionsCurrent results found no evidence that the RETN -420C/G variant was linked to T2DM susceptibility, but the patient’s age appears to be a potential factor that contributed to high heterogeneity across studies. Additional high-quality and well-designed investigations are required to confirm these results.
Complex sexual-social environments produce high boldness and low aggression behavioral syndromes
Authors: Queller Philip S. , Shirali Yasmin , Wallace Kelly J. , DeAngelis Ross S. , Yurt Vural , Reding Luke P. , Cummings Molly E. 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionEvidence of animal personality and behavioral syndromes is widespread across animals, yet the development of these traits remains poorly understood. Previous research has shown that exposure to predators, heterospecifics, and urbanized environments can influence personality and behavioral syndromes. Yet, to date, the influence of early social experiences with conspecifics on the development of adult behavioral traits is far less known. We use swordtail fish (Xiphophorus nigrensis), a species with three genetically-determined male mating strategies (courtship display, coercion, or mixed strategy) to assess how different early-life social experiences shape adult behavioral development.MethodsWe raised female swordtails from birth to adulthood in density-controlled sexual-social treatments that varied in the presence of the type of male mating tactics (coercers only, displayers only, coercers and displayers, and mixed-strategists only). At adulthood, we tested females’ boldness, shyness, aggression, sociality, and activity.ResultsWe found that the number of different mating strategies females were raised with (social complexity) shaped behavioral development more than any individual mating strategy. Females reared in complex environments with two male mating tactics were bolder, less shy, and less aggressive than females reared with a single male mating tactic (either courtship only or coercion only). Complex sexual-social environments produced females with behavioral syndromes (correlations between aggression and activity, shyness and aggression, and social interaction and activity), whereas simple environments did not.DiscussionImportantly, the characteristics of these socially-induced behavioral syndromes differ from those driven by predation, but converge on characteristics emerging from animals found in urban environments. Our findings suggest that complexity of the sexual-social environment shapes the development of personality and behavioral syndromes to facilitate social information gathering. Furthermore, our research highlights the previously overlooked influence of sexual selection as a significant contributing factor to diverse behavioral development.
Micro-fractionation shows microbial community changes in soil particles below 20 μm
Authors: Keuschnig Christoph , Martins Jean M. F. , Navel Aline , Simonet Pascal , Larose Catherine 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionMicro-scale analysis of microbes in soil is essential to the overall understanding of microbial organization, interactions, and ecosystem functioning. Soil fractionation according to its aggregated structure has been used to access microbial habitats. While bacterial communities have been extensively described, little is known about the fungal communities at scales relevant to microbial interactions.MethodsWe applied a gentle soil fractionation method to preserve stable aggregated structures within the range of micro-aggregates and studied fungal and bacterial communities as well as nitrogen cycling potentials in the pristine Rothamsted Park Grass soil (bulk soil) as well as in its particle size fractions (PSFs; &gt;250 μm, 250–63 μm, 63–20 μm, 20–2 μm, &lt;2 μm, and supernatant).ResultsOverall bacterial and fungal community structures changed in PSFs below 20 μm. The relative abundance of Basidiomycota decreased with decreasing particle size over the entire measure range, while Ascomycota showed an increase and Mucoromycota became more prominent in particles below 20 μm. Bacterial diversity was found highest in the &lt; 2 μm fraction, but only a few taxa were washed-off during the procedure and found in supernatant samples. These taxa have been associated with exopolysaccharide production and biofilm formation (e.g., Pseudomonas, Massilia, Mucilaginibacter, Edaphobaculum, Duganella, Janthinobacterium, and Variovorax). The potential for nitrogen reduction was found elevated in bigger aggregates.DiscussionThe observed changes below 20 μm particle are in line with scales where microbes operate and interact, highlighting the potential to focus on little researched sub-fractions of micro-aggregates. The applied method shows potential for use in studies focusing on the role of microbial biofilms in soil and might also be adapted to research various other soil microbial functions. Technical advances in combination with micro-sampling methods in soil promise valuable output in soil studies when particles below 20 μm are included.
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on birth satisfaction and birth experiences in Russian women
Authors: Suarez Anna , Yakupova Vera 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundWomen's satisfaction with their childbirth experiences has significant impacts on their health and the health of their children. Recently, childbirth and maternity care systems have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the association of birth satisfaction with mode of birth, medical interventions, support during labour, type of childbirth healthcare plan and antenatal education in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia.Methods1,645 Russian women who gave birth during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and 611 matched controls who gave birth in the previous year participated in an anonymous Internet survey about their childbirth experience. The survey included questions regarding women's demographic and obstetric characteristics as well as their childbirth experiences. Birth satisfaction was measured using the Birth Satisfaction Scale Revised Indicator (BSS-RI).ResultsBirth satisfaction scores did not show notable changes before and during the pandemic (Pearson Chi-square = 19.7, p = 0.22). Women had lower BSS-RI scores if they tested positive for COVID-19 during labour (F = 9.18, p = 0.002), but not during pregnancy or postpartum (p &gt; 0.32). In both cohorts women who had vaginal births rated birth satisfaction higher than those who had caesarean births. The more medical interventions there were, the lower were the BSS-RI scores (B = −0.234, 95% CI: −0.760; −0.506, p &lt; 0.001), but only during the pandemic. Birth satisfaction was higher if women had a support person present during labour (F &gt; 7.44, p &lt; 0.001), which was not possible for over 70% of participants during the pandemic. In both cohorts birth satisfaction was associated with the childbirth healthcare plan (F &gt; 5.27, p &lt; 0.001), but not with antenatal education (F &lt; 0.15, p &gt; 0.43).ConclusionsOur study highlights the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the birth experiences of Russian women. Sustaining the rights of women to informed decisions during labour, respect for their preferred childbirth healthcare plan, presence of the birth team of choice and professional support for home birth are essential for higher birth satisfaction and better health outcomes for mothers and their infants.
Estimating fractional cover of saltmarsh vegetation species in coastal wetlands in the Yellow River Delta, China using ensemble learning model
Authors: Wang Zhanpeng , Ke Yinghai , Lu Dan , Zhuo Zhaojun , Zhou Qingqing , Han Yue , Sun Peiyu , Gong Zhaoning , Zhou Demin 
Published: December 2022

Saltmarshes in coastal wetlands provide important ecosystem services. Satellite remote sensing has been widely used for mapping and classification of saltmarsh vegetation, however, medium-spatial-resolution satellite datasets such as Landsat-series imagery may induce mixed pixel problems over saltmarsh landscapes which are spatially heterogeneous. Sub-pixel fractional cover estimation of saltmarsh vegetation at species level are required to better understand the distribution and canopy structure of saltmarsh vegetation. In this study, we presented an approach framework for estimating and mapping the fractional cover of major saltmarsh species in the Yellow River Delta, China based on time series Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager data. To solve the problem that the coastal area is frequently covered by clouds, we adopted the recently developed virtual image-based cloud removal (VICR) algorithm to reconstruct missing image values under the cloud/cloud shadows over the time series Landsat imagery. Then, we developed an ensemble learning model (ELM), which incorporates Random Forest Regression (RFR), K-Nearest Neighbor Regression (KNNR) and Gradient Boosted Regression Tree (GBRT) based on temporal-spectral features derived from the time-series cloudless images to estimate the fractional cover of major vegetation types, i.e., Phragmites australis, Suaeda salsa and the invasive species, Spartina alterniflora. High spatial resolution imagery acquired by the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Gaofen-6 satellites were used for reference sample collections. The results showed that our approach successfully estimated the fractional cover of each saltmarsh species (average of R-square:0.891, RMSE: 7.48%). Through four scenarios of experiments, we found that the ELM is advantageous over each individual model. When the images during key months were absent, cloud removal for the Landsat images considerably improved the estimation accuracies. In the study area, Spartina alterniflora covers the largest area (5753.97 ha), followed by Phragmites australis with spatial extent area of 4208.4 ha and Suaeda salsa of 1984.41 ha. The average fractional cover of S. alterniflora was 58.45%, that of P. australis was 51.64% and that of S.salsa was 51.64%.
Case report: A case of corneal deposits between binocular descemet membrane and corneal endothelial layer after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) followed by HPV vaccine
Authors: Zhang Hao , Deng Yingping , Ma Ke , Sun Chengshu , Tang Jing 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundDeposits located between the Descemet memberane and the corneal endothelial layer in both eyes has not yet been reported after SMILE.Case reportGrayish white fine deposits was found between the Descemet memberane and the corneal endothelial layer in both eyes of the patient's cornea, and no other abnormalities were observed in the anterior and posterior segments of patient's eyes with ophthalmic examination instrument. However, the visual acuity of patient remained unchanged. Significantly, the patient had a sister who had undergone the same procedure a year earlier without any complications. After careful questioning, we learned that the patient received the 9-valent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine on the third post-operative day without any other special experiences. We performed immunological examination and genetic testing on the patient. The results of immunological examination of patient showed no obvious abnormality, which was consistent with the routine trend after vaccination. In particular, a homozygous variation of the ARSG gene was found in the patient and her sister.ConclusionThere are two possible causes of corneal changes in patients. The first is IGA elevation caused by vaccination, deposited in the cornea. Second, the ARSG gene mutation of the patient leads to a potential congenital corneal dystrophy, and clinical manifestations occur under the stimulation of the vaccine.
The timelines for the price and reimbursement authorization in Italy 2018–2020
Authors: Gallo Valentina , Alessi Eva , Montilla Simona , Altamura Gianluca , Traversa Giuseppe , Trotta Francesco 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveThis investigation aimed to guarantee the principles of transparency in public administration; to inform citizens about the time to patient access to reimbursed medicines; to assess the duration of the P&amp;R process for the first time in the period 2018–2020; and to evaluate whether and how the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic affected the P&amp;R activity. This study analyzed the timelines of pricing and reimbursement procedures submitted in Italy by the pharmaceutical marketing authorization holder (MAH) from 2018 to 2020.MethodsThe analysis was run through an AIFA web-based platform that collects data about P&amp;R procedures for each step of the Italian Price and Reimbursement (P&amp;R) procedure, including dates of the Technical Scientific Committee (CTS) and Price and Reimbursement Committee (CPR) meetings from January 2018 to December 2020. On this basis, four indicators were developed relating to the completion time of each stage of the P&amp;R negotiation process and were defined in terms of days. In this regard, descriptive analyses, graphical boxplots, and survival curves (Kaplan–Meier) were carried out, studying these indicators in relation to the typology of pharmaceutical procedures.ResultsOverall, in the period 2018–2020, 57.1% of the 2,445 procedures entered were represented by the Off-patent pharmaceuticals procedures (generics, biosimilars, copies, and/or parallel trade). In 2020, the overall process duration for Off-patent pharmaceuticals procedures was equal to 129.8 average days [95% CI: (122.3–137.2)], with a median value of 108.0, whereas for In-patent pharmaceuticals procedures, it was equal to 283.1 average days [95% CI: (267.8–298.5)], with a median value of 284.0. Over time, the trend of the entire duration of the P&amp;R process tended to decrease. In terms of estimated timing for the conclusion of each stage of the P&amp;R negotiation process, the difference between Off-patent and In-patent pharmaceutical procedures was statistically significant by the Log-Rank test.Discussion and conclusionThis is the first study to examine the time of the P&amp;R process in Italy, from MAH submission to the publication of the final decision in the Italian Official Journal. The time span considered is 3 years, including the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to European average times, in Italy, the time necessary for evaluation, authorization for reimbursement, and definition of the price of a medicine can be considered satisfactory.
Direct blood fluorescence signal intensity of neutrophils (NEU-SFL): A predictive marker of death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients?
Authors: Fortier Mathieu , Chea Mathias , Aïn Charlène , Loyens Maxime , Boudemaghe Thierry , Gris Jean-Christophe , Bouvier Sylvie 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease triggered by immunopathological mechanisms that cause excessive inflammation and leukocyte dysfunction. Neutrophils play a critical role in the innate immunity and are able to produce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs: NETosis process) to combat infections. Some NETs markers are increased in patients who died from COVID-19. Recently, the neutrophil fluorescence variable (NEU-SFL), available on certain automated complete blood count (CBC) analyzers, has been correlated with NET formation and may reflect NETosis in patients. Here we evaluate whether NEU-SFL measured after admission of COVID-19 patients is associated with in-hospital survival or death.Patients and methods1,852 patients admitted for severe COVID-19 at Nîmes University Hospital in 2021 were retrospectively included in the study: 1,564 who survived the hospital stay and 288 who did not. The NEU-SFL was obtained on the Sysmex™ XN-10® analyzer and values for survivors and non-survivors were compared. The intra-patient NEU-SFL variations between the hospital entry and the last day of hospitalization were also analyzed (IRB 22.06.01, NCT 05413824).ResultsNon-survivors presented higher NEU-SFL values. NEU-SFL values above the 4th quartile were independently associated with a 2.88-fold risk of death. Furthermore, the difference of NEU-SFL values between the first and the last available data during hospitalization revealed that a decrease in NEU-SFL was associated to survivors and vice versa.ConclusionOur study reinforces the role of neutrophils and NETosis in the pathophysiology and prognosis of COVID-19. Further studies combining NEU-SFL with other NETosis markers could improve the management of COVID-19 patients.
Disease activity indexes might not capture the same disease aspects in males and females with ankylosing spondylitis: A real-world nationwide analysis
Authors: Fernández-Carballido Cristina , Jovaní Vega , Catalán Emma Beltrán , Moreno-Ramos Manuel José , Sanz Sanz Jesús , Gallego Adela , García Vivar M. Luz , Rodríguez-Heredia José Manuel , Sanabra Cristina , Sastré Carlos 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundTo evaluate gender differences in disease activity and health status (HS) in patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA)/ankylosing spondylitis (AS).MethodsAncillary analysis of the MIDAS study, an observational, non-interventional, cross-sectional and retrospective multicenter nationwide study to assess disease activity and its relationship with HS in clinical practice. Adult patients with AS diagnosis, fulfilling ASAS and modified New York criteria, treated for ≥3 months upon study inclusion according to clinical practice were included. The primary outcome was “disease control” assessed by the percentage of patients in remission and low disease activity (BASDAI and ASDAS-CRP scores). HS was evaluated using the ASAS health index (ASAS-HI). Patients' responses and characteristics were analyzed by gender.ResultsWe analyzed 313 patients with AS, 237 (75.7%) males and 76 (24.3%) females. A total of 202 (64.5%) patients had adequate disease control (BASDAI &lt; 4); 69.2% of males [mean (SD) BASDAI 2.9 (2.1)] and 50.0% of females [mean (SD) BASDAI 3.8 (2.4); p = 0.01]. According to ASDAS-CRP, 57.5% of patients were adequately controlled (ASDAS-ID +ASDAS-LDA); 138 (58.2%) males and 42 (55.3%) females. The mean (SD) ASDAS-CRP was 1.9 (1.1); being 1.9 (1.0) in males and 2.0 (1.1) in females. Overall, the impact of AS on HS was low to moderate [mean (SD) ASAS-HI 5.8 (4.4)]; being 5.5 (4.4) for males and 6.8 (4.2) for females (p = 0.02).ConclusionThis study showed a higher proportion of females with AS and active disease using the BASDAI definition. When using the ASDAS-CRP definition these differences by gender were less pronounced. The impact of disease activity on HS appears to be higher in females than males.