bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of chiller sequencing control for district cooling system at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port
Authors: Kerrick Law Tin Chung , Wong Pui Kei Calvin , Ng Kar Wai Gordon 
Published: April 2022

To mitigate the climate change issue, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) proposed the “Hong Kong Climate Change Plan 2030+” with an ambitious goal of reducing the carbon intensity to 65%–70% below 2005 levels by 2030. To achieve this target, the HKSAR Government has developed two District Cooling Systems (DCS) to promote the use of district energy system, enhancing the overall energy efficiency for cooling purpose. One of the government-owned DCSs is located at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port (HZMB-HKP), producing a total design cooling capacity of 24.16 MW to passenger clearance building and ancillary buildings there. This paper demonstrates how the DCS at HZMB-HKP could enhance overall energy efficiency for cooling purpose, through proper chiller sequencing control, and reduce CO2 emission significantly. An optimal seasonal chiller operation mode is also suggested to be adopted at the DCS at HZMB-HKP from cost-effectiveness perspective. Practical application: District Cooling Systems are considered as a promising solution to alleviate the climate change issue. An optimized chiller sequencing control strategy of DCS can effectively reduce overall cooling energy consumption, so as to achieve carbon neutrality. This paper outlines a case study on a cost-effective operational control strategy of the DCS at HZMB-HKP. The analysis of both the theoretical and practical sequencing control strategy can be taken as a reference for DCS development in the future.
Quality of life after stenting for chronic iliocaval obstruction
Authors: Tosenovsky Patrik , Vlaskovsky Philip 
Published: April 2022

Background Iliocaval stenting is widely used for treatment of symptomatic iliocaval obstruction. The aim of our study was to compare quality of life before and after iliocaval stenting. Method Prospectively collected data using CIVIQ20 questionnaire, Venous Clinical Severity Score (rVCSS) and Villalta-Prandoni score (VP) of patients following iliocaval stenting for non-thrombotic and post-thrombotic venous obstruction were analysed. Result One hundred and one limbs (87 patients) were stented between May 2017 and May 2019. Baseline CIVIQ20 median value was 50 (34–66); 1 month after surgery CIVIQ20 value was 36 (26–58) and the scores then remained steady for the rest of the first year. Both rVCSS and VP scores decrease by 3.09 (95% CI: 2.39, 3.89; p < .001) and 5.21 (95% CI: 4.14, 6.48; p < .001) units, respectively, throughout the first year. Conclusion Quality of life of patients with iliocaval obstruction significantly improves after successful percutaneous reconstruction. Severity of symptoms measured by rVCSS and VP scores decreases.
Patients with brain metastases from gastric cancer
Authors: Yang Yu , Yang Yang , Chen Zhendong 
Published: April 2022

Introduction: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the treatment strategies and possible prognostic factors in patients with brain metastases from gastric cancers. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 24 patients with brain metastases from gastric cancer who were treated at our center between January 2014 and March 2020. Clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results: The median follow-up time was six months (range, 1–40). The median survival time after diagnosis of brain metastases was six months (95% confidence interval: 1.33–10.66). The one- and two-year survival rates were 30.7% and 5.1%, respectively. On univariate analyses, absence of extracranial metastases was significantly associated with better overall survival (OS) but not intracranial progression-free survival (iPFS), while Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS), whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and systemic treatments were significantly associated with better iPFS and OS. Multivariate analysis showed that ECOG PS, extracranial disease and systemic treatments were independent prognostic factors, while only systemic treatment influenced the iPFS. Two patients achieved partial response, 12 patients had progressive disease, and 10 patients remained stable. Local tumor control in our series was achieved in 50%. One patient, who received a combination of camrelizumab and apatinib therapy following whole brain radiotherapy, achieved an obvious partial response. Conclusions: ECOG PS, extracranial disease and systemic treatments were independent prognostic factors for gastric cancer patients with brain metastases. The present best treatment for this group of patients was individual comprehensive therapy according to the different situation of each patient.
Barriers and Facilitators to Lung Cancer Screening: A Physician Survey
Authors: Lowenstein Margaret , Karliner Leah , Livaudais-Toman Jennifer , Gregorich Steven , Velazquez Ana I. , Vijayaraghavan Maya , Walsh Judith M.E. , Kaplan Celia P. 
Published: April 2022

Purpose To describe barriers to lung cancer screening (LCS) among family medicine and general internal medicine primary care physicians (PCPs) and assess the association of barriers with discussion and referral for screening. Design Cross-sectional survey. Subjects and Settings Random sample of primary care physicians (PCPs) in California. Measures PCP practices for discussion and referral for LCS and ratings of LCS barriers. Analysis We performed exploratory factor analysis to identify four barrier constructs: (1) Physician Visit-Level Barriers to screening referral; (2) Physician System and Evidence Barriers; (3) Patient Cost Barrier; and (4) Other Patient Barriers. We then performed multivariable logistic regression adjusted for physician and practice characteristics to assess the association between the physician-reported barriers and whether PCPs discussed or referred for LCS. Results 368 physicians responded (response rate 42%). Most worked in large metropolitan areas (80%) and large health systems (59%). After adjusting for physician and practice characteristics, we found that physician-reporting of System and Evidence Barriers was associated with lower odds of discussion or referral for LDCT (aOR .18, 95% CI 0.09–0.37), while physician-reported Visit-Level Barriers were associated with increased odds discussion or referral (aOR 2.65, 95% CI 1.30–5.04). Conclusions While physicians reported numerous barriers to LCS, we found that barriers were differentially associated with discussion or referral for screening. As new LCS guidelines broaden screening eligibility, it is critical to address these barriers to achieve higher rates of evidence-based LCS.
A polyimide/poly(N-vinylimidazole) membrane for CO2/CH4 separation with high selectivity and permeability
Authors: Yan Shuo , Yu Haibin , Chen Zan 
Published: April 2022

Membranes with both good permeation and selectivity are highly desired for gas separations. In this study, we synthesized a new 6FDA-type polyimide copolymer 6FDA-BDTA-ODA, and then an organic polymer of poly ( N-vinylimidazole) was doped into the polyimide to prepare mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). We also studied the effect of poly ( N-vinylimidazole) contents on the separation performance of MMMs. The results showed that the ideal selectivity for CO2/CH4 was improved by adding the poly ( N-vinylimidazole) filler. The ideal selectivity reached 63.5 with 6 wt% poly ( N-vinylimidazole) loading with the permeability of 29.2 Barrer. The highly permeable MMMs showed a considerably enhanced performance for CO2/CH4 that close to the 2008 Robeson upper-bound. The gas separation performance of the prepared MMMs for CO2/CH4 was improved compared to that of the pure polymer membrane, indicating that the copolyimide/poly ( N-vinylimidazole) MMMs have promising applications in CO2/CH4 gas separation.
MicroRNA-200b-3p as a biomarker for diagnosis and survival prognosis of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome caused by acute paraquat poisoning
Authors: Ding Minggang , Zhang Yi , Xu Weijun , Fang Chongtao , Zhang Kaitai 
Published: April 2022

Background Acute paraquat poisoning-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) leads to the high mortality. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of microRNA-200b-3p (miR-200b-3p), an upstream inhibitor of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), in acute paraquat poisoning patients for the prediction of MODS and survival. Methods This study enrolled 80 patients with MODS induced by paraquat and 94 healthy volunteers. The interaction between miR-200b-3p and HMGB1 was identified by luciferase reporter assay. miR-200b-3p levels were measured by quantitative real-time (QRT) PCR. High-mobility group box 1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of miR-200b-3p in screening MODS patients. The relationship between miR-200b-3p and the 28-day survival of MODS patients was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier curves and log-rank test. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the prognostic value of miR-200b-3p. Correlation between miR-200b-3p and HMGB1 was confirmed by Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results miR-200b-3p directly target HMGB1. miR-200b-3p, decreased in MODS patients, had high diagnostic value to screen MODS patients from healthy controls. Additionally, serum miR-200b-3p was decreased in non-survivors, and patients with low miR-200b-3p level had poor 28-day survival. Serum miR-200b-3p could independently predict the survival prognosis. Moreover, serum HMGB1 level was increased in MODS patients, and was negatively correlated with miR-200b-3p level. Conclusion Decreased miR-200b-3p may function as a biomarker for the diagnosis and survival prognosis of MODS patients, and miR-200b-3p may be involved in the progression of acute paraquat-induced MODS via regulating inflammatory responses by targeting HMGB1.
Barriers to Surgical Innovation Research: A Canadian Study on Public Funding Trends
Authors: Wang Rachel , Kaarid Kaija P , Sanaee May 
Published: April 2022

Background A decline in research funding has been cited as a potential cause for limited surgical innovation in the United States. We aim to understand if this is a North American phenomenon and explore whether a lack of public funding is a barrier to surgical innovation in Canada. Methods Publicly available funding data from Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) were reviewed from 2008 to 2019 to determine the yearly funding distributed to surgical departments. Surgical innovation studies were identified and total yearly funding was calculated. All amounts were adjusted for inflation to reflect 2019 Canadian dollar value. Results From 2008 to 2019, surgical departments were granted 1.82–4.70% of total CIHR funding. In total, 902 grants were allocated to surgical departments and 126 (14.0%) met criteria for surgical innovation. Surgical innovation research was allocated a total annual amount ranging from 1.52 to 9.01 million CAD. There appears to be an upward trend in public funding for surgical innovation over this time period. Discussion Contrary to the landscape in the United States, there is no evidence of decreasing trends in public funding for surgical innovation in Canada. Considerations should be given to other potential barriers precluding surgeons from participating in innovation. Conclusion Only a small percentage of research dollars to departments in Canada are spent on innovation research, despite an overall increasing trend in total public research funding over the past 10 years. We need to foster an environment in which surgical innovation is encouraged through medical curriculum changes, multidisciplinary collaboration opportunities, and dedicated faculty resources.
ECG in the clinical and prognostic evaluation of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: an underestimated value
Authors: Michalski Tomasz Adam , Pszczola Joanna , Lisowska Anna , Knapp Malgorzata , Sobkowicz Bozena , Kaminski Karol , Ptaszynska-Kopczynska Katarzyna 
Published: April 2022

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease leading to right ventricular (RV) failure and manifests in decreasing exercise tolerance. Our study aimed to assess the usefulness of electrocardiographic parameters reflecting right heart hypertrophy as predictors of clinical status in PAH. Methods: The retrospective analysis included 26 patients, mean 49 ± 17 years of age, diagnosed with PAH, and eligible to undergo cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). The relations between ECG values and parameters obtained in procedures such as six-minute walk test (6-MWT), echocardiography, right heart catheterization (RHC), and CPET were analyzed. Results: P-wave amplitude in lead II correlated positively with CPET parameter of respiratory response: minute ventilation to carbon dioxide production slope (VE/VCO2 slope; r = 0.436, p = 0.029) and echocardiographic estimated RA pressure (RAP; r = 0.504, p = 0.02). RV Sokolow-Lyon index (RVSLI) positively correlated with echocardiographic parameters reflecting RV function, overload, and afterload–tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (TRPG; r = 0.788, p < 0.001), RV free wall thickness ( r = 0.738, p < 0.001), and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAPECHO; r = 0.62, p = 0.0016), respectively, as well as VE/VCO2 slope ( r = 0.593, p = 0.001) and mPAP assessed directly in RHC (mPAPRHC; r = 0.469, p = 0.0497). R-wave in lead aVR correlated positively with TRPG ( r = 0.719, p < 0.001), mPAPECHO ( r = 0.446, p = 0.033), and several hemodynamic criteria of PAH diagnosis: positively with mPAPRHC ( r = 0.505, p = 0.033) and pulmonary vascular resistance ( r = 0.554, p = 0.026) and negatively with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ( r = −0.646, p = 0.004). QRS duration correlated positively with estimated RAP ( r = 0.589, p = 0.004), vena cava inferior diameter ( r = 0.506, p = 0.016), and RA area ( r = 0.679, p = 0.002) and negatively with parameters of exercise capacity: peak VO2 ( r = −0.486, p = 0.012), CPET maximum load ( r = − 0.439, p = 0.025), and 6-MWT distance ( r = −0.430, p = 0.046). ROC curves to detect intermediate/high 1-year mortality risk (based on ESC criteria) indicate RVSLI (cut-off point: 1.57 mV, AUC: 0.771) and QRS duration (cut-off points: 0.09 s, AUC: 703 and 0.1 s, AUC: 0.759) as relevant predictors. Conclusion: Electrocardiography appears to be an important and underappreciated tool in PAH assessment. ECG corresponds with clinical parameters reflecting PAH severity.
Analysis of the Treatment and Survival of Sinonasal Extramedullary Plasmacytoma
Authors: Gao Jeff , Tseng Christopher C. , Barinsky Gregory L. , Fang Christina H. , Grube Jordon G. , Hsueh Wayne D. , Baredes Soly , Eloy Jean Anderson 
Published: April 2022

Background While extramedullary plasmacytomas are infrequently encountered plasma cell malignancies, most cases occur in the head and neck, with a predilection for the sinonasal cavity. Due to the rarity of this disease, the majority of studies on sinonasal extramedullary plasmacytoma (SN-EMP) are case reports or small retrospective case series. Objective To investigate the impact of patient, disease, and treatment factors on the survival of patients with SN-EMP. Methods The National Cancer Database was queried for all patients with SN-EMP between 2004–2016 (N = 381 cases). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and survival. Results The majority of SN-EMP patients were over 60 years old (57.0%), male (69.8%), and white (86.2%). The most common treatment modality was radiotherapy alone (38.6%), followed by surgery plus radiotherapy (37.8%). Five-year overall survival was 74.0% and median survival was 9.1 years. Accounting for patient demographics and tumor characteristics in a multivariate model, the following groups had worse prognosis: 60 and older (HR 1.99, p = 0.031) and frontal sinus primary site (HR 11.56, p = 0.001). Patients who received no treatment (HR 3.89, p = 0.013), chemotherapy alone (HR 5.57, p = 0.008) or radiotherapy plus chemotherapy (HR 2.82, p = 0.005) had significantly lower survival than patients who received radiotherapy alone. Patients who received surgery with radiotherapy (HR 0.57, p = 0.039) had significantly higher survival than patients who received radiotherapy alone. Conclusion In patients with SN-EMP five-year overall survival was found to be 74.0% with decreased survival associated with a frontal sinus primary site and being aged 60 or older. Patients receiving no treatment, chemotherapy alone, or radiotherapy with chemotherapy was associated with lower survival. Receiving surgery plus radiotherapy was associated with the highest five-year overall survival.
How Much Lumbar Lordosis does a Patient Need to Reach their Age-Adjusted Alignment Target? A Formulated Approach Predicting Successful Surgical Outcomes
Authors: McCarthy Michael H. , Lafage Renaud , Smith Justin S. , Bess Shay , Ames Christopher P. , Klineberg Eric O. , Kim Han J. , Shaffrey Christopher I. , Burton Douglas C. , Mundis Gregory M. , Gupta Manish C. , Schwab Frank J. , Lafage Virginie ,   International Spine Study Group (ISSG)
Published: April 2022

Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Objectives Identify optimal lumbar lordosis in adult deformity correction to achieve age-adjusted targets and sustained alignment. Methods Surgical adult spinal deformity patients reaching an age-adjusted ideal alignment at one year were identified. Multilinear regression analysis was used to identify the relationship between regional curvatures (LL and TK) that enabled achievement of a given global alignment (T1 pelvic angle, TPA) based on pelvic incidence (PI). Results 347 patients out of 1048 available reached their age-adjusted TPA within 5° (60-year-old, 72% women, body mass index 29 ± 6.2). They had a significant improvement in all sagittal parameters (except PI) from pre-operative baseline to 1 year following surgery ( P < .001). Multilinear regression predicting L1-S1 based on TK, TPA, and PI demonstrated excellent results (R2 = .85). Simplification of the coefficients of prediction combined with a conversion to an age-based formula led to the following: LL = PI - 0.3TK - 0.5Age + 10. Internal validation of the formula led to a mean error of −.4°, and an absolute error of 5.0°. Internal validation on patients with an age-adjusted alignment revealed similar accuracy across the entire age-adjusted TPA spectrum (ranges of LL errors: ME = .2° to 1.7°, AE = 4.0° to 5.3°). Conclusion This study provides a simple guideline to identify the amount of LL needed to reach a given alignment (i.e., age-adjusted target) based on PI and associated TK. Implementation of this predictive formula during pre-operative surgical planning may help to reduce unexpected sub-optimal post-operative alignment outcomes.
HSCT using carrier donors for CD40L deficiency results in excellent immune function and higher CD40L expression in cTfh
Authors: Chandrakasan Shanmuganathan , Chandra Sharat , Prince Chengyu , Kobrynski Lisa J. , Lucas Laura , Patel Kiran , Walter Jolan , Buckley Rebecca H. , Meisel Roland , Ghosh Sujal , Parikh Suhag H. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Data are limited regarding the immune status of CD40 ligand (CD40L)–deficient carriers and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) outcomes using them as donors for CD40L-deficient patients. Therefore, we studied the immune profiles of 7 carriers, 4 of whom were HSCT donors for family members with CD40L deficiency, and we characterized their HSCT outcomes. Immunoglobulin profiles, CD4, CD8, circulating T-follicular helper (cTfh) cells, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in carriers were comparable to those in healthy controls. CD40L expression in carriers ranged from 37% to 78%. cTfh cells from carriers expressed higher CD40L compared with total CD4 cells or the memory CD4 compartment, suggesting a potential advantage to CD40L-expressing cTfh cells. Tregs had minimal CD40L expression in carriers and healthy controls. So we postulated that HSCT using donors who were CD40L carriers may result in excellent immune reconstitution without immune dysregulation. Four CD40L-deficient patients underwent HSCT from carriers who had CD40L expression from 37% to 63%. All patients engrafted, achieved excellent immune reconstitution with lack of opportunistic infections, graft-versus-host disease, and immune dysregulation; stable CD40L expression mimicked that of donors 1 to 5 years after HSCT. Immunoglobulin independence was achieved in 3 of the 4 patients. We demonstrated higher CD40L expression in the cTfh compartment of carriers and excellent immune reconstitution using donors who were CD40L carriers in CD40L-deficient patients.
Convalescent plasma with a high level of virus-specific antibody effectively neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern
Authors: Li Maggie , Beck Evan J. , Laeyendecker Oliver , Eby Yolanda , Tobian Aaron A. R. , Caturegli Patrizio , Wouters Camille , Chiklis Gregory R. , Block William , McKie Robert O. , Joyner Michael J. , Wiltshire Timothy D. , Dietz Allan B. , Gniadek Thomas J. , Shapiro Arell J. , Yarava Anusha , Lane Karen , Hanley Daniel F. , Bloch Evan M. , Shoham Shmuel , Cachay Edward R. , Meisenberg Barry R. , Huaman Moises A. , Fukuta Yuriko , Patel Bela , Heath Sonya L. , Levine Adam C. , Paxton James H. , Anjan Shweta , Gerber Jonathan M. , Gebo Kelly A. , Casadevall Arturo , Pekosz Andrew , Sullivan David J. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The ongoing evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants severely limits available effective monoclonal antibody therapies. Effective drugs are also supply limited. COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) qualified for high antibody levels effectively reduces immunocompetent outpatient hospitalization. The Food and Drug Administration currently allows outpatient CCP for the immunosuppressed. Viral-specific antibody levels in CCP can range 10- to 100-fold between donors, unlike the uniform viral-specific monoclonal antibody dosing. Limited data are available on the efficacy of polyclonal CCP to neutralize variants. We examined 108 pre-δ/pre-ο donor units obtained before March 2021, 20 post-δ COVID-19/postvaccination units, and 1 pre-δ/pre-ο hyperimmunoglobulin preparation for variant-specific virus (vaccine-related isolate [WA-1], δ, and ο) neutralization correlated to Euroimmun S1 immunoglobulin G antibody levels. We observed a two- to fourfold and 20- to 40-fold drop in virus neutralization from SARS-CoV-2 WA-1 to δ or ο, respectively. CCP antibody levels in the upper 10% of the 108 donations as well as 100% of the post-δ COVID-19/postvaccination units and the hyperimmunoglobulin effectively neutralized all 3 variants. High-titer CCP neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 variants despite no previous donor exposure to the variants.