bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of reductive tricuspid ring annuloplasty on right ventricular size, geometry and strain in an ovine model of functional tricuspid regurgitation
Authors: Iwasieczko Artur , Malinowski Marcin , Solarewicz Monica , Bush Jared , MacDougall Brian , Rausch Manuel , Timek Tomasz A 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Reductive ring annuloplasty of the tricuspid annulus represents the contemporary surgical approach to functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR). We set out to investigate the influence of moderate reductive tricuspid ring annuloplasty on tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular (RV) size, geometry and strain in an ovine model of chronic FTR.

METHODS
Eight healthy Dorsett male sheep (62.8 + 2kg) underwent a left thoracotomy for placement and tightening of pulmonary artery band to at least double proximal pulmonary artery blood pressure. After 8 weeks of recovery, animals underwent sternotomy, epicardial echocardiography and sonomicrometry crystal implantation. Six crystals were placed around tricuspid annulus and 13 on RV free wall epicardium along 3 parallels defining 3 wall regions (basal, mid and lower) and 1 on the RV apex. All animals underwent beating heart implantation of 26 mm MC3 annuloplasty ring during a second cardiopulmonary bypass run after baseline data acquisition. Simultaneous haemodynamic, sonomicrometry and echocardiography data were acquired at Baseline and after reductive tricuspid ring annuloplasty.

RESULTS
Implantation of reductive ring annuloplasty resulted in 47 ± 7% annular area reduction (996 ± 152 mm vs 516 ± 52 mm2, P = 0.0002) and significantly decreased RV end-diastolic volume (185 ± 27 vs 165 ± 30 ml, P = 0.02). Tricuspid ring annuloplasty effectively reduced FTR grade (3.75 ± 0.6 vs 0.3 ± 0.5, P = 0.00004) and had little influence on RV function, cross-sectional area, radius of curvature or free wall regional strains.

CONCLUSIONS
In adult sheep with 8 weeks of pulmonary artery banding and FTR, tricuspid annulus reduction of 47% with prosthetic ring annuloplasty effectively abolished FTR while maintaining regional RV function and strain patterns.
A 20-year experience with cryopreserved allografts as the valve replacement of choice in aortic root reconstruction for destructive endocarditis with abscess formation
Authors: Yousif Afram , Ali Khaldoun , Anssar Marcel , Harringer Wolfgang , El-Essawi Aschraf , Brouwer René 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the early- and long-term outcomes following the use of cryopreserved allografts in aortic valve endocarditis with peri-annular abscess formation.

METHODS
From 2001 to 2021, 110 consecutive patients with active infective endocarditis and peri-annular abscess, underwent a cryopreserved allograft root replacement. In 100 patients (91%), the operation was performed &lt;48 h after admission due to refractory heart failure and or septic shock. In 95 patients (86.4%), a redo operation was performed due to a prosthetic valve endocarditis. Preoperatively, 12 patients were dialysis-dependent and 30 patients suffered from a recent stroke.

RESULTS
The 30-day mortality was 18% (20 patients). Freedom from reintervention was 98.3% (standard deviation: 1.7) at 1 year and 83.3% (standard deviation: 8.5) at 10 years. Four patients required a redo operation. Three patients did develop re-endocarditis. Freedom from re-endocarditis was 95% after 17 years of follow-up. Preoperative dialysis dependency (odds ratio: 22.75, 95% confidence interval: 4.79–108.14, P &lt; 0.001), ejection fraction under 30% (odds ratio: 17.91, 95% confidence interval: 3.27–98.01, P &lt; 0.001) and stroke within 14 days prior to operation (odds ratio: 5.21, 95% confidence interval: 1.28–21.2, P = 0.021) were incremental factors associated with the 30-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS
In aortic root endocarditis with abscesses formation, cryopreserved allografts exhibit excellent clinical performance with a low rate of reinfection and reintervention, which make its use as valve replacement a very desirable option. Dialysis dependency, ejection fraction under 30% and recent stroke have the highest impact on the 30-day mortality.
Evaluation of pharmacists’ knowledge in emergency preparedness and disaster management
Authors: Ahmad Suleiman Muhammad , Magaji Mohammed Garba , Mohammed Shafiu 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Background
Emergency preparedness and disaster management are global phenomena that have a significant impact on the economy and healthcare system. Pharmacists have assumed additional responsibilities in the wake of emergencies and disasters that are beyond their training curricula. Some research highlighted the need for pharmacists to assume these responsibilities in the cause of emergency and disaster. The objective of this study is to evaluate pharmacists' knowledge in relation to emergency preparedness and disaster management.

Method
A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out from April to August 2020, on selected pharmacists from different areas of practice in Kaduna/Nigeria. Participants were evaluated using a self-reported questionnaire which consisted of 15 knowledge questions that were distributed online using pharmacists' social-media platforms. The questionnaire was adapted from previous studies and was validated by the team of expect using face validation and pre-tested.

Main outcome
The majority of pharmacists have good knowledge of emergency preparedness and disaster management.

Results
The online poll received 102 respondents, and their knowledge was evaluated by rating respondents out of 15 questions. 55%, 40%, and 5% scored good, fair, and poor knowledge respectively. At p&lt;0.05, there was a relationship between knowledge score and years of practice experience, level of education, and area of practice. 44% reported being taught emergency, with the majority at the undergraduate level. 78% of respondents have never participated in drills or workshops.

Conclusion
Pharmacists demonstrated good knowledge of basic emergency and disaster terms, they do, however, need to be more conversant with other emergency areas, which necessitates more training and drills.
Species-Specific Expression of Growth-Regulatory Genes in 2 Anoles with Divergent Patterns of Sexual Size Dimorphism
Authors: Cox Christian L , Logan Michael L , Nicholson Daniel J , Chung Albert K , Rosso Adam A , McMillan W Owen , Cox Robert M 
Published: July 2022

Synopsis
Sexual size dimorphism is widespread in nature and often develops through sexual divergence in growth trajectories. In vertebrates, the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor (GH/IGF) network is an important regulator of growth, and components of this network are often regulated in sex-specific fashion during the development of sexual size dimorphism. However, expression of the GH/IGF network is not well characterized outside of mammalian model systems, and the extent to which species differences in sexual size dimorphism are related to differences in GH/IGF network expression is unclear. To begin bridging this gap, we compared GH/IGF network expression in liver and muscle from 2 lizard congeners, one with extreme male-biased sexual size dimorphism (brown anole, Anolis sagrei), and one that is sexually monomorphic in size (slender anole, A. apletophallus). Specifically, we tested whether GH/IGF network expression in adult slender anoles resembles the highly sex-biased expression observed in adult brown anoles or the relatively unbiased expression observed in juvenile brown anoles. We found that adults of the 2 species differed significantly in the strength of sex-biased expression for several key upstream genes in the GH/IGF network, including insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2. However, species differences in sex-biased expression were minor when comparing adult slender anoles to juvenile brown anoles. Moreover, the multivariate expression of the entire GH/IGF network (as represented by the first two principal components describing network expression) was sex-biased for the liver and muscle of adult brown anoles, but not for either tissue in juvenile brown anoles or adult slender anoles. Our work suggests that species differences in sex-biased expression of genes in the GH/IGF network (particularly in the liver) may contribute to the evolution of species differences in sexual size dimorphism.
Infrared webcam-based non-contact measurement of event-related potentials from event-related pupillary responses: An approach focused on mental workload
Authors: Park Sangin , Kim Laehyun , Ha Jihyeon , Mun Sungchul 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The event-related potential (ERP) technique is widely used in various fields, but the requirement for sensor attachment limits its application. The aim of this study was to develop an infrared (IR) webcam-based, non-contact system to obtain the amplitudes and latencies of ERP via measurement of event-related pupillary responses (ErPRs) from pupillary rhythms. A total of 32 healthy volunteers participated in this study, and they were required to perform the three levels of mental arithmetic tasks to induce mental workloads (MWLs). ERPs and ErPR were measured by ERP task for the different MWL states and compared based on statistical analysis, classification, correlation, and Bland–Altman plot. Both ERP and ErPR amplitudes and latencies for the three MWL states were revealed by one-way repeated measures analysis of variance to be statistically significantly different. Furthermore, the ERP and ErPR data were found to have 73 and 80% classification performances, respectively, using k-nearest neighbour (10-fold cross validation, n = 96). Correlation coefficients between ERP and ErPR features, which were in the range of 0.642–0.734, indicated good or strong correlation, and good agreement between the indices from these two types of experimental measurement indices was apparent in Bland–Altman plots. An advanced method for IR-webcam-based non-contact determination of ERP components via ErPR measurement was successfully developed, and it was demonstrated that this technique can be used for ERP component monitoring using a low-cost, non-invasive, and easily implemented IR webcam without the burden of sensor attachment.
Full Protection and Security (for Racial Capitalism)
Authors: Tzouvala Ntina 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT
Scholars and practitioners of international investment law have repeatedly attempted to legitimise the field by presenting it as an antidote against the arbitrary and excessive powers of the (postcolonial) state. Early cases, such as AAPL v. Sri Lanka, have contributed to this popular, yet ultimately unpersuasive, argument by seemingly constraining the conduct of warfare in the Global South. My contribution questions this received wisdom and in so doing it shows that repressive state violence is not simply permitted but even mandated by international investment law. My analysis focuses on the obligation of host states to provide ‘full protection and security’ (FPS) to foreign investors. My argument unfolds in three steps. First, I examine in detail the tribunal’s approach to FPS in the von Pezold case, an award that stands out amongst the jurisprudent of investment tribunals due to its explicit engagement with questions of race/ism. Secondly, I construct a theory of FPS that draws from US legal realism in order to show that international investment law does not create bilateral legal relations (state-investor) but rather directly determines (and in particular, diminishes) the sphere of lawful action of a potentially indefinite number of actors subject to the host state’s jurisdiction. In other words, I read FPS as a legal standard that aims to create an authoritarian form of statehood and mobilise the state against the exploited and racialised sections of its population. Finally, I link the above observation to broader debates about ‘racial capitalism’. I show that the FPS demands a particular form of racial sovereignty in defence of global capitalist accumulation, and it does so as a matter of structural allocation of violence, and not simply due to bigoted or insensitive language.
High-Dimensional Granger Causality Tests with an Application to VIX and News
Authors: Babii Andrii , Ghysels Eric , Striaukas Jonas 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
We study Granger causality testing for high-dimensional time series using regularized regressions. To perform proper inference, we rely on heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation consistent (HAC) estimation of the asymptotic variance and develop the inferential theory in the high-dimensional setting. To recognize the time-series data structures, we focus on the sparse-group LASSO (sg-LASSO) estimator, which includes the LASSO and the group LASSO as special cases. We establish the debiased central limit theorem for low-dimensional groups of regression coefficients and study the HAC estimator of the long-run variance based on the sg-LASSO residuals. This leads to valid time-series inference for individual regression coefficients as well as groups, including Granger causality tests. The treatment relies on a new Fuk–Nagaev inequality for a class of τ-mixing processes with heavier than Gaussian tails, which is of independent interest. In an empirical application, we study the Granger causal relationship between the VIX and financial news.
Pyogenic granuloma of the larynx
Authors: Hijazi Leen Omar , Asiri Mohammed , Al Mahdi Mohammed Jihad , Pharaon Majed 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Pyogenic granulomas are benign, typically painless, vascular tumors of the skin and mucosal surface. Recently the term ‘lobular capillary hemangioma’ has been introduced to describe the histological appearance more accurately. Major locations for pyogenic granuloma are in the head and neck region, but larynx localization is rare. In this case report, we present a case of a 36-year-old male with lobular capillary hemangioma of the larynx and discuss the related literature.
A unique scaphocapitate fracture syndrome in an adolescent: a case report and a review of literature from the last decade
Authors: Mortada Hatan , AlKhudhair Mohammed Riyadh , Alsaygh Ehab F , AlModumeegh Abdulaziz S , Kattan Abdullah 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Scaphocaptiate fracture syndrome is a unique condition and is challenging to manage. This rare fracture develops after high-energy wrist trauma. We reported a patient with a history of falling on an outstretched hand. A 15-year-old boy had scaphocapitate fracture syndrome, which included a displaced fracture of the capitate, an avulsion fracture at the distal tubercle of the scaphoid bone with an extension to the articular surface, and a perilunate fracture. A few months after open reduction and internal fixation were performed, the patient had a satisfying outcome. In addition, we have conducted a review of the literature regarding the mechanism of injury, diagnosis and outcome of published cases in correlation to our discussed case.
Dermal nonneural granular cell tumor: a case report
Authors: El Ochi Mohamed Reda , Essaoudi Amine , Allaoui Mohamed , Abrid Jamal Eddin , Touri Salima , Moussaoui Nada , El Ktaibi Abderrahim , Damiri Amal , Chahdi Hafsa , Oukabli Mohamed 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Dermal nonneural granular cell tumor is a rare neoplasm of uncertain histogenesis that Le Boit and colleagues originally described in 1991. It arises commonly from the back, extremities and head and neck. To the best of our knowledge, only 50 cases have been reported in adults in the English literature. A 42-year-old man presented with a polypoid skin nodule of the front side of the chest wall, measuring 1,8 × 1,5 cm. The lesion was removed completely with tumor-free margins. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of a diffuse infiltrate of polygonal cells, S 100 negatives, with abundant granular cytoplasm and vesicular nuclei. The diagnosis of dermal nonneural granular cell tumor was retained. No recurrence was noted during follow up of 6 months. The prognosis is good.
Molecular insights into the phototropin control of chloroplast movements
Authors: Łabuz Justyna , Sztatelman Olga , Hermanowicz Paweł 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Chloroplast movements are controlled by ultraviolet/blue light through phototropins. In Arabidopsis thaliana, chloroplast accumulation at low light intensities and chloroplast avoidance at high light intensities are observed. These responses are controlled by two homologous photoreceptors, the phototropins phot1 and phot2. Whereas chloroplast accumulation is triggered by both phototropins in a partially redundant manner, sustained chloroplast avoidance is elicited only by phot2. Phot1 is able to trigger only a small, transient chloroplast avoidance, followed by the accumulation phase. The source of this functional difference is not fully understood at either the photoreceptor or the signalling pathway levels. In this article, we review current understanding of phototropin functioning and try to dissect the differences that result in signalling to elicit two distinct chloroplast responses. First, we focus on phototropin structure and photochemical and biochemical activity. Next, we analyse phototropin expression and localization patterns. We also summarize known photoreceptor systems controlling chloroplast movements. Finally, we focus on the role of environmental stimuli in controlling phototropin activity. All these aspects impact the signalling to trigger chloroplast movements and raise outstanding questions about the mechanism involved.
The social network of target of rapamycin complex 1 in plants
Authors: Jamsheer K Muhammed , Awasthi Prakhar , Laxmi Ashverya 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) is a highly conserved serine–threonine protein kinase crucial for coordinating growth according to nutrient availability in eukaryotes. It works as a central integrator of multiple nutrient inputs such as sugar, nitrogen, and phosphate and promotes growth and biomass accumulation in response to nutrient sufficiency. Studies, especially in the past decade, have identified the central role of TORC1 in regulating growth through interaction with hormones, photoreceptors, and stress signaling machinery in plants. In this review, we comprehensively analyse the interactome and phosphoproteome of the Arabidopsis TORC1 signaling network. Our analysis highlights the role of TORC1 as a central hub kinase communicating with the transcriptional and translational apparatus, ribosomes, chaperones, protein kinases, metabolic enzymes, and autophagy and stress response machinery to orchestrate growth in response to nutrient signals. This analysis also suggests that along with the conserved downstream components shared with other eukaryotic lineages, plant TORC1 signaling underwent several evolutionary innovations and co-opted many lineage-specific components during. Based on the protein–protein interaction and phosphoproteome data, we also discuss several uncharacterized and unexplored components of the TORC1 signaling network, highlighting potential links for future studies.
The frequency and mass-ratio distribution of binaries in clusters – I. Description of the method and application to M67
Authors: Albrow Michael D , Ulusele Isaac H 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT
We present a new method for probabilistic generative modelling of stellar colour–magnitude diagrams (CMDs) to infer the frequency of binary stars and their mass-ratio distribution. The method invokes a mixture model to account for overlapping populations of single stars, binaries, and outliers in the CMD. We apply the model to Gaia observations of the old open cluster, M67, and find a frequency fB(q &gt; 0.5) = 0.258 ± 0.019 for binary stars with mass ratio greater than 0.5. The form of the mass-ratio distribution function rises towards higher mass ratios for q &gt; 0.3.
Rectangular core-collapse supernova remnants: application to Puppis A
Authors: Meyer D M-A , Velázquez P F , Petruk O , Chiotellis A , Pohl M , Camps-Fariña A , Petrov M , Reynoso E M , Toledo-Roy J C , Schneiter E M , Castellanos-Ramírez A , Esquivel A 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT
Core-collapse supernova remnants are the gaseous nebulae of galactic interstellar media (ISM) formed after the explosive death of massive stars. Their morphology and emission properties depend both on the surrounding circumstellar structure shaped by the stellar wind–ISM interaction of the progenitor star and on the local conditions of the ambient medium. In the warm phase of the Galactic plane ($n\approx 1\, \rm cm^{-3}$, $T\approx 8000\, \rm K$), an organized magnetic field of strength $7\, \mu \rm G$ has profound consequences on the morphology of the wind bubble of massive stars at rest. In this paper, we show through 2.5D magnetohydrodynamical simulations, in the context of a Wolf–Rayet-evolving $35\, \rm M_{\odot }$ star, that it affects the development of its supernova remnant. When the supernova remnant reaches its middle age ($15\!-\!20\, \rm kyr$), it adopts a tubular shape that results from the interaction between the isotropic supernova ejecta and the anisotropic, magnetized, shocked stellar progenitor bubble into which the supernova blast wave expands. Our calculations for non-thermal emission, i.e. radio synchrotron and inverse-Compton radiation, reveal that such supernova remnants can, due to projection effects, appear as rectangular objects in certain cases. This mechanism for shaping a supernova remnant is similar to the bipolar and elliptical planetary nebula production by wind–wind interaction in the low-mass regime of stellar evolution. If such a rectangular core-collapse supernova remnant is created, the progenitor star must not have been a runaway star. We propose that such a mechanism is at work in the shaping of the asymmetric core-collapse supernova remnant Puppis A.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: The Unexplored Landscape of Geriatric Oncology
Authors: Choucair Khalil , Naqash Abdul Rafeh , Nebhan Caroline A , Nipp Ryan , Johnson Douglas B , Saeed Anwaar 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Cancer is classically considered a disease of aging, with over half of all new cancer diagnoses occurring in patients over the age of 65 years. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment, yet the participation of older adults with cancer in ICI trials has been suboptimal, particularly at the extremes of age. Despite significant improvement in treatment response and an improved toxicity profile when compared with conventional cytotoxic chemotherapies, many cancers develop resistance to ICIs, and these drugs are not free of toxicities. This becomes particularly important in the setting of older adults with cancer, who are generally frailer and harbor more comorbidities than do their younger counterparts. Immunosenescence, a concept involving age-related changes in immune function, may also play a role in differential responses to ICI treatment in older patients. Data on ICI treatment response in older adult with cancers remains inconclusive, with multiple studies revealing conflicting results. The molecular mechanisms underlying response to ICIs in older cancer patients are poorly understood, and predictors of response that can delineate responders from non-responders remain to be elucidated. In this review, we explore the unique geriatric oncology population by analyzing existing retrospective datasets, and we also sought to highlight potential cellular, inflammatory, and molecular changes associated with aging as potential biomarkers for response to ICIs.