bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Left ventricular mass index‐to‐QRS‐voltage ratio predicts outcomes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Kinugasa Yoshiharu , Nakamura Kensuke , Kamitani Hiroko , Hirai Masayuki , Yanagihara Kiyotaka , Kato Masahiko , Nagai Toshiyuki , Yoshikawa Tsutomu , Saito Yoshihiko , Takeishi Yasuchika , Yamamoto Kazuhiro , Anzai Toshihisa 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAimsIncreased left ventricular mass index (LVMI) disproportionate to electrocardiographic QRS voltage has been reported to be associated with cardiac fibrosis and amyloid infiltration to myocardium. This study aimed to assess whether the LVMI‐to‐QRS‐voltage ratio predicts clinical outcomes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).Methods and resultsThe Japanese Heart Failure Syndrome with Preserved Ejection Fraction (JASPER) registry is a nationwide, observational, and prospective registration of Japanese patients hospitalized with HFpEF (EF ≥ 50%). LVMI was assessed by echocardiography using the cube formula. QRS voltage was assessed by Sokolow–Lyon voltage criteria. We divided 290 patients in the registry who met inclusion criteria into five groups according to the quintile values of their LVMI‐to‐QRS‐voltage ratio. In the highest quintile group (≥71.8 g/m2/mV), approximately 50% of the patients had concentric hypertrophy and 30% had eccentric hypertrophy. These patients had the highest proportion of atrial fibrillation (61.4%) and history of pacemaker implantation (12.1%) among the five groups (P < 0.05). During the mean follow‐up of 587 ± 300 days, 31.4% of all patients met the composite endpoint of all‐cause death or rehospitalization for HF. Even after adjustment for demographic and baseline variables, the highest quintile group had a significantly higher incidence of the composite endpoints than the lowest quintile group (<30.7 g/m2/mV) (hazard ratio: 2.205, 95% confidence interval: 1.106–4.395, P < 0.05).ConclusionsA high LVMI‐to‐QRS‐voltage ratio is independently associated with poor outcomes in patients with HFpEF.
Geochronology and geochemistry of the Triassic intrusive rocks in the Faku area, northern Liaoning, China: Constraints on the evolution of the Palaeo‐Asian Ocean
Authors: Shi Shao‐Shan , Shi Yi , Zhang Chao , Shi Jian‐Min , Jiang Shan 
Published: January 2022

This study reports petrography, geochemistry, geochronology, and Lu–Hf isotopic analyses of Xiaofangshen, Lingshansibei, and Shidonggou plutons, which are located in the northern Liaoning Province, eastern segment of the northern margin of the North China Craton. In this study, we discuss their formation ages, petrogenesis, and tectonic environment. Petrographic characteristics suggest that these plutons are composed mainly of granitic rocks and are widely altered by later deformation. Zircon U–Pb dating results suggest formation ages of 248.2 ± 1.4 Ma, 245.1 ± 1.5 Ma, and 230.6 ± 2.5 Ma for the Xiaofangshen, Lingshansibei, and Shidonggou plutons, respectively. The geochemical characteristics indicate that both the Xiaofangshen and Lingshansibei plutons are metaluminous, high‐K calc‐alkaline‐shoshonitic granites that formed in a crustal thickening environment; the Shidonggou pluton is peraluminous, calc‐alkaline I‐type granite that formed in a post‐orogenic environment. All granitic plutons in the study area are enriched in large‐ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements (REEs) and depleted in high‐field‐strength elements and heavy REEs. Combined with geochemical characteristics of the plutons and previous studies on the region, we conclude that the eastern part of the Palaeo‐Asian Ocean closed in the Late Permian to Early Triassic. The orogeny of the eastern segment of the northern margin of the North China Craton continued until the early Late Triassic.
A review on risk assessment in managed aquifer recharge
Authors: Imig Anne , Szabó Zsóka , Halytsia Olha , Vrachioli Maria , Kleinert Verena , Rein Arno 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) refers to a suite of methods that is increasingly being applied worldwide for sustainable groundwater management to tackle drinking or irrigation water shortage or to restore and maintain groundwater ecosystems. The potential for MAR is far from being exhausted, not only due to geological and hydrogeological conditions or technical and economic feasibility but also due to its lack of acceptance by the public and policymakers. One approach to enable the safe and accepted use of MAR could be to provide comprehensive risk management, including the identification, analysis, and evaluation of potential risks related to MAR. This article reviews current MAR risk assessment methodologies and guidelines and summarizes possible hazards and related processes. It may help planners and operators select the appropriate MAR risk assessment approaches and support the risk identification process. In addition to risk assessment (and subsequent risk treatment) related to the MAR implementation phase, this review also addresses risk assessment for MAR operation. We also highlight the limitations and lessons learned from the application and development of risk assessment methodologies. Moreover, developments are recommended in the area of MAR-related risk assessment methodologies and regulation. Depending on data availability, collected methodologies may be applicable for MAR sites worldwide. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:1513–1529. © 2022 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
KEY POINTS
The past two decades have seen a marked increase in the literature on MAR-related risk assessment, and a further increase is expected, since more attractive strategies are being used worldwide for integrated groundwater management. The development of holistic risk management plans can improve social acceptability and contribute to safer implementation and operation of MAR schemes. In connection with holistic risk management, MAR can be seen as a viable option for reaching the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #6. Widely lacking regulations worldwide for risk assessment of MAR schemes is identified to hinder MAR implementation and safe operation worldwide.
BDU‐net: Toward accurate segmentation of dental image using border guidance and feature map distortion
Authors: Zhang Fan , Zhu Junhua , Hao Pengyi , Wu Fuli , Zheng Yuanna 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe importance of instance segmentation for each tooth is increasing in dental disease diagnosis and computer‐assisted treatment. However, most existing segmentation methods are mainly concerned with semantic feature extraction, while ignoring complex situations such as blurred boundaries and dislocation of teeth in panoramic radiographs. To address these problems, we propose a dual subnetworks structure based on border guidance and feature map distortion, called BDU‐net. Specifically, we embed the Disout method with the capability to distort features into the encoder to obtain multi‐scale feature maps with excellent generalization. Then, the distorted feature map is submitted to two subnetworks, each having a feature pyramid structure in a shared manner, including a border subnetwork that adjusts the segmentation boundaries and a region subnetwork that generates the region segmentation results. Experiments conducted on the teeth segmentation dataset show that the proposed BDU‐net performs better than the other approaches, especially for the case of teeth missing or dislocated teeth.
Neuromuscular disease detection based on feature extraction from time–frequency images of EMG signals employing robust hyperbolic Stockwell transform
Authors: Samanta Kaniska , Chatterjee Soumya , Bose Rohit 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn this paper, a novel technique for detection of healthy (H), myopathy, (M) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) electromyography (EMG) signals is proposed employing robust hyperbolic Stockwell transform (HST). HST is an efficient signal processing technique to analyze any nonstationary signal in joint time–frequency (T–F) plane. However, a major issue with HST is the optimum selection of Gaussian window parameters since the resolution in the T–F plane depends on the shape of the window. Considering the aforesaid fact, in this article, a genetic algorithm (GA) based optimized HST is proposed for improved EMG signal analysis in T–F plane. Several novel features were extracted from HST spectrum and features with high statistical significance were selected for classification using several benchmark classifiers. It was observed that optimized HST resulted in better classification accuracy of EMG signals which indicates its potential for clinical applications.
Skin's green autofluorescence at dorsal centremetacarpus may become a novel biomarker for diagnosis of lung cancer
Authors: Zhang Mingchao , Tao Yue , Chang Qing , Wang Kaixuan , Chu Tianqing , Ying Weihai 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIt is critical to discover novel biomarkers of lung cancer for establishing economical technology for diagnosis of lung cancer. Our study has suggested that the autofluorescence (AF) of the skin may become a novel biomarker of this type: First, development of lung cancer led to a significant increase in the skin's green AF in a mouse model of lung cancer; second, lung cancer patients had significantly higher skin's green AF at certain positions compared with healthy volunteers and pulmonary infection patients; and third, using the skin's green AF intensity at dorsal centremetacarpus as the variable, the areas under curve (AUC) for differentiating lung cancer patients and pulmonary infection patients and for differentiating lung cancer patients and healthy volunteers was 0.871 and 0.813, respectively. Collectively, our study has indicated that the skin's green AF at dorsal centremetacarpus may become a novel biomarker for establishing a ground‐breaking diagnostic strategy for lung cancer.
Impact of Covid‐19 on Maternal Health Seeking in Ghana
Authors: Asuming Patrick Opoku , Gaisie Deborah Aba , Agula Caesar , Bawah Ayaga Agula 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe Covid‐19 pandemic is widely speculated to have disrupted the delivery of primary health care in low‐income countries. Yet, there is little rigorous empirical research identifying this effect. This paper estimates the impact of Covid‐19 on facility and skilled delivery and utilisation of antenatal care (ANC) services by comparing these outcomes for women who were pregnant/delivered before and during the Covid‐19 period. The results show that Covid‐19 led to 23% and 25% reductions, respectively, in the likelihood of facility delivery and four or more ANC visits during pregnancy. These findings highlight the need to build more resilient health systems in low‐income settings.
Correlation between vaccine coverage and the COVID‐19 pandemic throughout the world: Based on real‐world data
Authors: Huang Chao , Yang Lijun , Pan Jia , Xu Xiaomei , Peng Rong 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe aim of the study was to examine the correlation between COVID‐19 vaccine coverage rates and outcomes of the COVID‐19 epidemic in the case of COVID‐19 variants based on real‐world data. The data came from Our World in Data, which is building the international COVID‐19 vaccination data set and is an open‐source data set for everyone to use. The vaccination data set uses the most recent official numbers from governments and health ministries worldwide. We assessed the correlation between COVID‐19 vaccine coverage rates and outcomes of the COVID‐19 epidemic with existing variants by performing temporal analysis and spatial analysis. Overall, new cases per million population, the reproduction rate of COVID‐19, new deaths from all causes per million population, excess mortality attributed to COVID‐19 pandemic, and hospital patients or intensive care unit (ICU) patients per million population were not decreased with the time course. However, at the same time point, new cases per million population, the reproduction rate of COVID‐19, new deaths per million population, and hospital patients or ICU patients per million population gradually decreased as the rate of vaccination coverage increased. High coverage percentages of COVID‐19 vaccination were negatively correlated with the reproduction rate of COVID‐19 (correlation coefficient −0.116) and ICU patients per million of the local population (correlation coefficient −0.055). Currently, there is no effective treatment for the COVID‐19 pandemic, and prevention of the COVID‐19 pandemic mainly depends on vaccines, especially when the rate of COVID‐19 vaccine coverage is over 60%. The benefits of preventing severe disease and preventing transmission of infection are likely to be obvious.
An analysis of antibody response following the second dose of CoronaVac and humoral response after booster dose with BNT162b2 or CoronaVac among healthcare workers in Turkey
Authors: Çağlayan Derya , Süner Ahmet F. , Şiyve Neslişah , Güzel Irmak , Irmak Çağlar , Işik Elif , Appak Özgür , Çelik Muammer , Öztürk Gamze , Alp Çavuş Sema , Ergör Gül , Sayiner Arzu , Ergör Alp , Demiral Yücel , Kiliç Bülent 
Published: January 2022

AbstractLimited data are available on the short‐ to midterm levels of antibodies to the CoronaVac vaccine and quantitative change in humoral response after homologous or heterologous booster doses. In this prospective cohort study, we evaluated the anti‐receptor‐binding domain (RBD) immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels after two doses of CoronaVac and heterologous/homologous booster administration among healthcare workers in a university hospital in Turkey. Quantitative anti‐RBD IgG antibody levels were measured at first and fourth months in 560 healthcare workers who had completed two doses of CoronaVac vaccine, and within 2 months after the third dose of CoronaVac or BNT162b2. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire during the first blood draw. The seropositivity rate was 98.9% and 89.1%, and the median antibody level was 469.2 AU/ml and 166.5 AU/ml at first and fourth month, respectively. In the fourth month, a mean reduction of 61.4% ± 20% in antibody levels was observed in 79.8% of the participants. The presence of chronic disease (odds ratio [OR]: 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–2.69) and being in the 36–50 age group (OR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.39–3.19) were identified as independent predictors for low antibody response. The antibody level increased 104.8‐fold (median: 17 609.4 vs. 168 AU/ml) and 8.7‐fold (median: 1237.9 vs. 141.4 AU/ml) in the participants who received BNT162b2 and CoronaVac, respectively. During the follow‐up, 25 healthcare workers (4.5%) were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Considering the waning immunity and circulating variants, a single booster dose of messenger RNA vaccine seems reasonable after the inactivated vaccine especially in risk groups.
Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Vestibular Schwannoma
Authors: Desai Amar D. , Shah Vraj P. , Tseng Christopher C. , Povolotskiy Roman , Wackym P. Ashley , Ying Yu‐Lan Mary 
Published: January 2022

Objectives/HypothesisLinear accelerator (LINAC) and Gamma Knife (GK) are common stereotactic radiation therapies for treating vestibular schwannoma (VS). There is currently limited literature examining specific demographic and socioeconomic factors, which influence the type of stereotactic radiation therapy a patient with VS receives.Study DesignRetrospective database review.MethodsThe National Cancer Database was queried for cases of VS between 2004 and 2016. Patient demographic characteristics were compared using chi‐squared and t‐tests between GK and LINAC treated groups. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to assess predictors of stereotactic radiation therapy received.ResultsOf the 6,208 included patients, 5,306 (85.5%) received GK and 902 (14.5%) received LINAC. The mean age of GK patients was significantly lower than that of LINAC patients (58.0 vs. 59.7, P < .001). Individuals treated with GK had greater proportions of private insurance (P < .001) and incomes greater than $63,332 (P = .003). A greater proportion of GK patients were treated in academic centers (P < .001), in high‐volume facilities (P < .001), in metropolitan areas (P < .001), and in the Northeastern United States (P < .001). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, region, metropolitan area, facility type, tumor size, and distance traveled by patients independently predict receipt of GK versus LINAC.ConclusionDifferences in patient demographics and other social determinants of health influence choice of GK versus LINAC therapy for VS patients. Future studies focused on addressing barriers to care, which may influence postprocedural quality of life and clinical outcomes associated with these two treatments are necessary to better understand the impact of these social differences.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 132:2232–2240, 2022
Presence of exacerbating factors of persistent perceptual‐postural dizziness in patients with vestibular symptoms at initial presentation
Authors: Kabaya Kayoko , Tamai Hitomi , Okajima Akina , Minakata Toshiya , Kondo Masaki , Nakayama Meiho , Iwasaki Shinichi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the presence of exacerbating factors of persistent perceptual‐postural dizziness (PPPD) in patients with vestibular symptoms during the early period after vestibular symptoms onset, and to examine possible predictive factors for developing PPPD later.MethodsOne hundred and fifty‐five consecutive patients with vestibular symptoms who presented less than 90 days from the onset were included in this study. They filled out the Niigata PPPD Questionnaire (NPQ) that consists of 12 questions on the exacerbating factors of PPPD. The NPQ scores of patients who developed PPPD were compared with those of patients who did not develop PPPD during the follow‐up.ResultsSeventy‐eight of the155 patients (50.3%) showed positive NPQ scores (≥27 points). High NPQ scores were found in patients diagnosed with psychogenic dizziness and vestibular neuritis. During the follow up for an average of 543.3 days after the initial presentation, eight patients (10.3%) developed PPPD. Seven of these eight patients (87.6%) showed positive NPQ scores and all of them had all three exacerbating factors of PPPD at their initial presentation. The NPQ scores of the patients who developed PPPD (40.6 ± 11.6) were significantly higher than those of the patients who did not develop PPPD (26.4 ± 18.3; p <.05).ConclusionApproximately a half of the patients with vestibular symptoms had exacerbating factors of PPPD in the early stages of the disease. Patients who develop PPPD are likely to have its exacerbating factors in the initial stages after presentation.Level of Evidence: 3.
Vocal fold mucus layer: Comparison of histological protocols for visualization in mice
Authors: An Ran , Robbins Daniel , Rey Federico E. , Thibeault Susan L. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectivesThe epithelial associated mucus layer of vocal fold (VF) mucosa, plays an essential role in protecting and lubricating the tissue, as well as promoting normal voice quality. Serving as a habitat for laryngeal microbiota involved in the regulation of host immunity, VF mucus contributes to laryngeal health and disease. However, its unstable structure renders its' investigation challenging. We aim to establish a reproducible histological protocol to recover the natural appearance of the VF mucus layer for investigation.MethodsUsing a murine model, we compared the suitability of multiple fixation methods—methacarn, formalin, and cryopreservation followed by post‐fixation with formalin, paraformaldehyde (PFA), acetone, and two staining methods—Alcian Blue (pH 2.5)/Periodic Acid Schiff (AB/PAS) or PAS. Fixation and staining outcomes were evaluated based on the preservation of tissue morphology and mucus layer integrity. Mucin proteins, Muc1 and Muc4, were stained to validate the presence of mucus layer overlaying the VF mucosa.ResultsMethacarn fixation followed by PAS staining was capable of preserving and displaying the smooth and continuous mucus layer, ensuring the determination of mucus thickness and mucin staining.ConclusionsOur study if the first to establish a histological protocol for the visualization of the in situ VF mucus layer whereby facilitating the study of VF mucus biology including VF surface hydration, ion/nutrients transports, biomechanical properties that maintains normal voice quality as well as VF pathophysiology and host‐microbe interactions in the larynx.Level of EvidenceN/A.
Serum lipid analysis and isotopic enrichment is suggestive of greater lipogenesis in young long‐term cannabis users: A secondary analysis of a case–control study
Authors: Cisbani Giulia , Koppel Alex , Metherel Adam H. , Smith Mackenzie E. , Aji Kankana N. , Andreazza Ana C. , Mizrahi Romina , Bazinet Richard P. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractCannabis is now legal in many countries and while numerous studies have reported on its impact on cognition and appetite regulation, none have examined fatty acid metabolism in young cannabis users. We conducted an exploratory analysis to evaluate cannabis impact on fatty acid metabolism in cannabis users (n = 21) and non‐cannabis users (n = 16). Serum levels of some saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, including palmitic, palmitoleic, and oleic acids were higher in cannabis users compared to nonusers. As palmitic acid can be derived from diet or lipogenesis from sugars, we evaluated lipogenesis using a de novo lipogenesis index (palmitate/linoleic acid) and carbon‐specific isotope analysis, which allows for the determination of fatty acid 13C signature. The significantly higher de novo lipogenesis index in the cannabis users group along with a more enriched 13C signature of palmitic acid suggested an increase in lipogenesis. In addition, while serum glucose concentration did not differ between groups, pyruvate and lactate were lower in the cannabis user group, with pyruvate negatively correlating with palmitic acid. Furthermore, the endocannabinoid 2‐arachidonoylglycerol was elevated in cannabis users and could contribute to lipogenesis by activating the cannabinoid receptor 1. Because palmitic acid has been suggested to increase inflammation, we measured peripheral cytokines and observed no changes in inflammatory cytokines. Finally, an anti‐inflammatory metabolite of palmitic acid, palmitoylethanolamide was elevated in cannabis users. Our results suggest that lipogenic activity is increased in cannabis users; however, future studies, including prospective studies that control dietary intake are required.