bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cinefluoroscopy for assessment of mechanical heart valves with suspected dysfunction
Authors: Derda Anselm A. , Marquardt Marvin M. , Martens Andreas , Mirena Elion , Vogel-Claussen Jens , Kempf Tibor , Haverich Axel , Bauersachs Johann , Napp L. Christian 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundMechanical heart valves (MHVs) are preferred prosthesis types in many, especially younger patients who need surgical valve replacement. Although echocardiography is most frequently performed for prosthesis assessment during follow-up, ultrasound artifacts usually preclude a precise investigation of prosthesis function. Cinefluoroscopy (CF) is a simple and effective method to analyze and quantify opening and closing of prosthesis leaflets but requires careful visualization of the valve using optimal viewing angles. Here, we investigated the quality of CF studies in clinical routine and their suitability for quantitative analysis of prosthesis function.Methods and resultsWe retrospectively identified 94 patients with 118 cinefluoroscopies performed by 31 different investigators in one tertiary center from 2012 to 2021. Of 150 MHVs (98% bi-leaflet prostheses), 87 (58%) were aortic, 53 (34%) mitral, 7 (5%) tricuspid, and 5 (3%) pulmonary valve prostheses, respectively. CF studies were categorized by their suitability to quantitatively assess opening and closing angles. Visualization of valve function was “sufficient” in 23%, “suboptimal” in 46%, and “unsuitable” in 31% of the cases.ConclusionIn clinical routine, only one-fourth of CF studies allow for a complete assessment of leaflet motion of MHVs. Although this may be in part due to the varying experience of operators, the high number of unsuitable studies suggests that optimal viewing angles may not be achievable in all patients. Further research is required to investigate standard viewing angles and anatomy after MHV implantation to improve the quality of CF studies and reduce radiation exposure of patients and operators.
Concomitant transcatheter occlusion versus thoracoscopic surgical clipping for left atrial appendage in patients undergoing ablation for atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Shijie , Cui Yuqi , Li Jinzhang , Tian Hongbo , Yun Yan , Zhou Xiaoming , Fang Hui , Zhang Haizhou , Zou Chengwei , Ma Xiaochun 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundBoth catheter left atrial appendage occlusion combined with ablation (COA) and thoracoscopic surgical left atrial appendage clipping combined with ablation (TCA) have shown favorable outcomes in management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib). However, studies comparing the endpoints of both techniques are still lacking. Herein, a meta-analysis of safety and efficacy outcomes of COA versus TCA was performed in patients with AFib.MethodsPubmed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched for retrieving potential publications. The primary outcome was the incidence of stroke during follow-up period of at least 12 months. Secondary outcomes were acute success rate of complete left atrial appendage (LAA) closure by COA or TCA, postprocedural mortality and complications, and all-cause mortality during follow-up period of at least 12 months.Results19 studies of COA containing 1,504 patients and 6 studies of TCA with 454 patients were eligible for analysis. No significant difference in stroke and all-cause mortality was found in patients undergoing COA versus TCA after at least a 12-month follow-up (stroke: p = 0.504; all-cause mortality: p = 0.611). COA group had a higher acute success rate compared with TCA group (p = 0.001). COA placed the patients at a higher risk of hemorrhage during the postprocedural period compared with TCA (p = 0.023). A similar risk of other postprocedural complications (stroke/transient ischemic attack and pericardial effusion) and mortality was found in the COA group in comparison with TCA group (p&gt;0.05).ConclusionThis meta-analysis showed that COA and TCA did not differ in stroke prevention and all-cause mortality in patients with AFib after a follow-up of at least 12 months. Postprocedural complications and mortality were almost comparable between the two groups. In the near future, high-quality randomized controlled trials exploring the optimal surgical strategies for AFib and endpoints of different procedures are warranted.Systematic review registration[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/], identifier [CRD42022325497].
Transforming growth factor serum concentrations in patients with proven non-syndromic aortopathy
Authors: Karalko Mikita , Pojar Marek , Zaloudkova Lenka , Stejskal Vaclav , Timbilla Salifu , Brizova Pavla , Vojacek Jan 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundThe mechanism underlying aortic dilatation is still unknown. Vascular dilatation is thought to be the result of progressive aortic media degeneration caused by defective vascular matrix hemostasis, including TGF-β1 dysregulation. The goal of this study is to draw attention to the potential utility of TGF-β1 as a diagnostic marker in non-syndromic patients with aortic dilatation.MethodsTGF-β1 levels in plasma were measured in 50 patients who had undergone surgery and had a tricuspid or bicuspid aortic valve as well as a normal or dilated ascending aorta. A pathologist also examined thirty resected aorta samples. To specify the reference range of TGF-β1, a control group of 40 volunteers was enrolled in this study.ResultsWe discovered a significant difference in TGF-β1 levels between patients with aortic dilatation and the control group (32.5 vs. 63.92;P&lt; 0.001), as well as between patients with non-dilated aorta but with aortic valve disease, and the control group (27.68 vs. 63.92;P&lt; 0.001). There was no difference between the dilated ascending aorta group and the non-dilated ascending aorta group. We found a poor correlation between TGF-β1 levels and ascending aorta diameter as well as the grade of ascending aorta histopathological abnormalities.ConclusionTGF-β1 concentration does not meet the criteria to be a specific marker of aortic dilatation, but it is sensitive to aortic valvulopathy-aortopathy. A larger patient cohort study is needed to confirm these findings.
Hierarchically porous carbon nanofiber binder-free electrode for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Xiao Ming , Li Ruixue , Dai Yu , Yang Ting 
Published: September 2022

It is still a challenge for lithium–sulfur (Li-S) batteries to possess high sulfur utilization and excellent electrochemical performances due to the low electrical conductivity and dissolution of polysulfides. To resolve these issues, a free-standing sulfur host composed of hierarchically porous carbon nanofibers (HPCNFs) has been synthesized via electrospinning technology. The HPCNFs with an interconnected and porous structure can facilitate electron transfer and electrolyte penetration. The mesopores in HPCNFs can provide high levels of sulfur loading, and the micropores can inhibit shuttle effects of the sulfur cathode during discharge and charge processes. After encapsulating a high mass of sulfur (76.4 wt%, HPCNFs@S), the electrode was directly applied as a cathode for the Li-S battery, which exhibited a high specific discharge capacity of 1,145 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C (1 C = 1,675 mA g−1) and maintained 787 mA h g−1 after 150 charge/discharge cycles. This work provides a new insight into optimizing the electrochemical performance of Li-S batteries.
Stator single-line-to-ground fault protection for powerformers based on HSGC and CNN
Authors: Liu Xiaohan , Wang Yuanyuan , Luo Xiaomin , Cao Chengjun , Li Wei , Wang Buming , Wang Jiabao , Wang Yin 
Published: September 2022

It is necessary for powerformers running in parallel to identify which powerformer occurs at the stator single-line-to-ground (SLG) fault. Some state-of-the-art fusion discriminations are used to identify stator SLG fault, but these methods extract fault features artificially, and application conditions are limited. Convolutional neural network (CNN) has shown superior automatic feature extraction ability in various fields, but it cannot directly extract features from one-dimensional time series vectors collected by powerformers. Therefore, this article proposed a novel SLG fault protection scheme based on the hub-and-spoke grid data converting algorithm (HSGC) and CNN. First, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients (PCCs) are used to calculate the correlations of one-dimensional time series vectors, establish a correspondence between them and the distance of two-dimensional grid cells, and then convert one-dimensional time series vectors to two-dimensional grid-structured data by HSGC. Second, the trained CNN automatically extracts the features of two-dimensional grid-structured data. Finally, the faulty powerformer can be identified based on the output of CNN. The proposed protection scheme is verified through the simulation of ATP-EMTP and Python. The results show that the scheme can accurately detect a faulty Powerformer under different conditions where neutral point is high-resistance or reactance grounding, even if fault resistance is 8,000 Ω.
Laying it on thick: Ecosystem effects of sediment placement on a microtidal Rhode Island salt marsh
Authors: Raposa Kenneth B. , Bradley Michael , Chaffee Caitlin , Ernst Nick , Ferguson Wenley , Kutcher Thomas E. , McKinney Richard A. , Miller Kenneth M. , Rasmussen Scott , Tymkiw Elizabeth , Wigand Cathleen 
Published: September 2022

Heightened recognition of impacts to coastal salt marshes from sea-level rise has led to expanding interest in using thin-layer sediment placement (TLP) as an adaptation tool to enhance future marsh resilience. Building on successes and lessons learned from the Gulf and southeast U.S. coasts, projects are now underway in other regions, including New England where the effects of TLP on marsh ecosystems and processes are less clear. In this study, we report on early responses of a drowning, microtidal Rhode Island marsh (Ninigret Marsh, Charlestown, RI) to the application of a thick (10–48 cm) application of sandy dredged material and complimentary extensive adaptive management to quickly build elevation capital and enhance declining high marsh plant species. Physical changes occurred quickly. Elevation capital, rates of marsh elevation gain, and soil drainage all increased, while surface inundation, die-off areas, and surface ponding were greatly reduced. Much of the marsh revegetated within a few years, exhibiting aspects of classic successional processes leading to new expansive areas of high marsh species, although low marshSpartina alterniflorarecovered more slowly. Faunal communities, including nekton and birds, were largely unaffected by sediment placement. Overall, sediment placement provided Ninigret Marsh with an estimated 67–320 years of ambient elevation gain, increasing its resilience and likely long-term persistence. Project stakeholders intentionally aimed for the upper end of high marsh plant elevation growth ranges to build elevation capital and minimize maintenance costs, which also resulted in new migration corridors, providing pathways for future marsh expansion.
Systematic analysis of prognostic and immunologic characteristics associated with coronavirus disease 2019 regulators in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Shi Mingjie , Chen Lidan , Wei Yue , Chen Riling , Guo Runmin , Luo Fei 
Published: September 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has so far damaged the health of millions and has made the treatment of cancer patients more complicated, and so did acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The current problem is the lack of understanding of their interactions and suggestions of evidence-based guidelines or historical experience for the treatment of such patients. Here, we first identified the COVID-19-related differentially expressed genes (C-DEGs) in AML patients by analyzing RNA-seq from public databases and explored their enrichment pathways and candidate drugs. A total of 76 C-DEGs associated with the progress of AML and COVID-19 infection were ultimately identified, and the functional analysis suggested that there are some shared links between them. Their protein–protein interactions (PPIs) and protein–drug interactions were then recognized by multiple bioinformatics algorithms. Moreover, a COVID-19 gene-associated prognostic model (C-GPM) with riskScore was constructed, patients with a high riskScore had poor survival and apparently immune-activated phenotypes, such as stronger monocyte and neutrophil cell infiltrations and higher immunosuppressants targeting expressions, meaning which may be one of the common denominators between COVID-19 and AML and the reason what complicates the treatment of the latter. Among the study’s drawbacks is that these results relied heavily on publicly available datasets rather than being clinically confirmed. Yet, these findings visualized those C-DEGs’ enrichment pathways and inner associations, and the C-GPM based on them could accurately predict survival outcomes in AML patients, which will be helpful for further optimizing therapies for AML patients with COVID-19 infections.
Evaluation of the immunomodulatory effects of interleukin-10 on peripheral blood immune cells of COVID-19 patients: Implication for COVID-19 therapy
Authors: Najafi-Fard Saeid , Petruccioli Elisa , Farroni Chiara , Petrone Linda , Vanini Valentina , Cuzzi Gilda , Salmi Andrea , Altera Anna Maria Gerarda , Navarra Assunta , Alonzi Tonino , Nicastri Emanuele , Palmieri Fabrizio , Gualano Gina , Carlini Valentina , Noonan Douglas McClain , Albini Adriana , Goletti Delia 
Published: September 2022

ObjectiveSeveral therapies with immune-modulatory functions have been proposed to reduce the overwhelmed inflammation associated with COVID-19. Here we investigated the impact of IL-10 in COVID-19, through theex-vivoassessment of the effects of exogenous IL-10 on SARS-CoV-2-specific-response using a whole-blood platform.MethodsTwo cohorts were evaluated: in “study population A”, plasma levels of 27 immune factors were measured by a multiplex (Luminex) assay in 39 hospitalized “COVID-19 patients” and 29 “NO COVID-19 controls” all unvaccinated. In “study population B”, 29 COVID-19 patients and 30 NO COVID-19-Vaccinated Controls (NO COVID-19-VCs) were prospectively enrolled for the IL-10 study. Whole-blood was stimulated overnight with SARS-COV-2 antigens and then treated with IL-10. Plasma was collected and used for ELISA and multiplex assay. In parallel, whole-blood was stimulated and used for flow cytometry analysis.ResultsBaseline levels of several immune factors, including IL-10, were significantly elevated in COVID-19 patients compared with NO COVID-19 subjects in “study population A”. Among them, IL-2, FGF, IFN-γ, and MCP-1 reached their highest levels within the second week of infection and then decreased. To note that, MCP-1 levels remained significantly elevated compared with controls. IL-10, GM-CSF, and IL-6 increased later and showed an increasing trend over time. Moreover, exogenous addition of IL-10 significantly downregulated IFN-γ response and several other immune factors in both COVID-19 patients and NO COVID-19-VCs evaluated by ELISA and a multiplex analysis (Luminex) in “study population B”. Importantly, IL-10 did not affect cell survival, but decreased the frequencies of T-cells producing IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 (p&lt;0.05) and down-modulated HLA-DR expression on CD8+and NK cells.ConclusionThis study provides important insights into immune modulating effects of IL-10 in COVID-19 and may provide valuable information regarding the furtherin vivoinvestigations.
Meeting future NOX emissions using an electric heater in an advanced aftertreatment system
Authors: Meruva Prathik , Matheaus Andrew , Sharp Christopher A. , McCarthy James E. , Collins Thomas A. , Joshi Ameya 
Published: September 2022

Engine and aftertreatment solutions are being identified to meet the upcoming ultra-low NOx regulations on heavy duty vehicles as published by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) for the year 2027 and beyond. These standards will require changes to current conventional aftertreatment systems for dealing with low exhaust temperature scenarios. One approach to meeting this challenge is to supply additional heat from the engine; however, this comes with a fuel penalty which is not attractive and encourages other options. Another method is to supply external generated heat directly to the aftertreatment system. The following work focuses on the later approach by maintaining the production engine calibration and coupling this with an Electric Heater (EH) upstream of a Light-Off Selective Catalytic Reduction (LO-SCR) followed by a primary aftertreatment system containing a downstream Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). External heat is supplied to the aftertreatment system using an EH to reduce the Tailpipe (TP) NOx emissions with minimal fuel penalty. Two configurations have been implemented, the first is a Close Coupled (CC) LO-SCR configuration and the second is an Underfloor (UF) LO-SCR configuration. The CC LO-SCR configuration shows the best outcome as it is closer to the engine, helping it achieve the required temperature with lower EH power while the UF LO-SCR configurations addresses the real-world packaging options for the LO-SCR. This work shows that a 7 kW EH upstream of a LO-SCR, in the absence of heated Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), followed by a primary aftertreatment system met the 2027 NOx regulatory limit. It also shows that the sub-6-inch diameter EH with negligible pressure drop can be easily packaged into the future aftertreatment system.
Immunogenicity of three doses of anti-SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine in psoriasis patients treated with biologics
Authors: Graceffa Dario , Sperati Francesca , Bonifati Claudio , Spoletini Gabriele , Lora Viviana , Pimpinelli Fulvia , Pontone Martina , Pellini Raul , Di Bella Ornella , Morrone Aldo , Cristaudo Antonio 
Published: September 2022

IntroductionPsoriasis has not been directly linked to a poor prognosis for COVID-19, yet immunomodulatory agents used for its management may lead to increased vulnerability to the dangerous complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as impair the effectiveness of the recently introduced vaccines. The three-dose antibody response trend and the safety of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in psoriasis patients treated with biologic drugs have remained under-researched.Materials and methodsForty-five psoriatic patients on biologic treatment were enrolled to evaluate their humoral response to three doses of BNT162b2. IgG titers anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were evaluated at baseline (day 0, first dose), after 3 weeks (second dose), four weeks post-second dose, at the time of the third dose administration and 4 weeks post-third dose. Seropositivity was defined as IgG ≥15 antibody-binding units (BAU)/mL. Data on vaccine safety were also collected by interview at each visit.ResultsA statistically significant increase in antibody titers was observed after each dose of vaccine compared with baseline, with no significant differences between patients and controls. Methotrexate used in combination with biologics has been shown to negatively influence the antibody response to the vaccine. On the contrary, increasing body mass index (BMI) positively influenced the antibody response. No adverse effects were reported, and no relapses of psoriasis were observed in the weeks following vaccine administration in our study population.ConclusionsOur data are largely consistent with the recent literature on this topic confirming the substantial efficacy and safety of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine on psoriatic patients treated with biologics of different types and support the recommendation to perform additional doses in this specific subgroup of patients.
The elephant in the room: Intimate partner violence, women, and traumatic brain injury in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Anto-Ocrah Martina , Aboagye Richard Gyan , Hasman Linda , Ghanem Ali , Owusu-Agyei Seth , Buranosky Raquel 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundIntimate partner violence (IPV) is a gendered form of violence that has been linked with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The prevalence of IPV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is estimated to be one of the highest globally. Yet, little is known about the association between IPV and TBI in the SSA context. In this scoping review, we examine the intersection between IPV and TBI in SSA to identify gaps, as well as intervention opportunities.MethodsUsing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses—Extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines to guide our analyses and reporting, we searched for published articles indexed in the four largest and most comprehensive library databases: Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science and PsychInfo. Given the increasing attention that has been placed on gender disparities and health in recent years, we focused on studies published between 2010 and 2021.ResultsOur search yielded 5,947 articles and 1,258 were IPV and SSA related. Out of this, only ten examined the intersection between IPV and TBI. All focused on outcomes in female populations from South Africa (n = 5), Ghana (n = 3), Uganda (n = 1), and Cameroon (n = 1). They were a mix of qualitative studies (n = 3), neuro-imaging/biomarker studies (n = 3), case studies/reports (n = 2), quantitative surveys (n = 1) and mixed qualitative/quantitative study (n = 1). Six studies evaluated subjective reporting of IPV-induced TBI symptoms such as headaches, sleep disruptions, and ophthalmic injuries. Three examined objective assessments and included Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) dysregulation detected by salivary cortisol levels, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to evaluate brain connectivity and white matter changes. One final study took a forensic anthropology lens to document an autopsy case report of IPV-induced mortality due to physical head and face trauma.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that both subjective and objective assessments of IPV and TBI are possible in “resource-limited” settings. The combination of these outcomes will be critical for viewing IPV through a clinical rather than a cultural lens, and for substantiating the assertion that gender, is indeed, a social determinant of brain health.