bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Valve embolization during transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Incidence, risk factors and follow-up by computed tomography
Authors: Frumkin David , Pietron Malte , Kind Andreas , Brand Anna , Knebel Fabian , Laule Michael , Leistner David M. , Landmesser Ulf , Krackhardt Florian , Sherif Mohammad , Sündermann Simon H. , Grubitzsch Herko , Lembcke Alexander , Niehues Stefan M. , Stangl Karl , Dreger Henryk 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundIn most cases of transcatheter valve embolization and migration (TVEM), the embolized valve remains in the aorta after implantation of a second valve into the aortic root. There is little data on potential late complications such as valve thrombosis or aortic wall alterations by embolized valves.AimsThe aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of TVEM in a large cohort of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and to examine embolized valves by computed tomography (CT) late after TAVI.MethodsThe patient database of our center was screened for cases of TVEM between July 2009 and July 2021. To identify risk factors, TVEM cases were compared to a cohort of 200 consecutive TAVI cases. Out of 35 surviving TVEM patients, ten patients underwent follow-up by echocardiography and CT.Results54 TVEM occurred in 3757 TAVI procedures, 46 cases were managed percutaneously. Horizontal aorta (odds ratio [OR] 7.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.4–16.6, p &lt; 0.001), implantation of a self-expanding valve (OR 4.63, 95% CI 2.2–9.7, p &lt; 0.01) and a left ventricular ejection fraction &lt; 40% (OR 2.94, 95% CI 1.1–7.3, p = 0.016) were identified as risk factors for TVEM. CT scans were performed on average 26.3 months after TAVI (range 2–84 months) and detected hypoattenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) in two patients as well as parts of the stent frame protruding into the aortic wall in three patients.ConclusionTVEM represents a rare complication of TAVI. Follow up-CT detected no pathological findings requiring intervention.
Cardiac Shock Wave Therapy in Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Qiu Quan , Chen Shenjie , Qiu Yuangang , Mao Wei 
Published: July 2022

ObjectiveCoronary artery disease (CAD) has been one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cardiac shock wave therapy (CSWT) is a novel and non-invasive therapy for CAD. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of CSWT on CAD.Methods and resultsWe performed a comprehensive search of electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Wanfang Data in October 2021. The results were reported as weighted mean difference (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Statistical heterogeneity scores were assessed with the standard Cochran’s Q test and the I2 statistic. A total of 8 randomized trials and 2 prospective cohort studies, together involving 643 patients (n = 336 CSWT and n = 307 control), were included in our study. Eight studies with 371 patients showed significantly improved rest left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with CSWT as compared to that of the control group (WMD 3.88, 95% CI 1.53–6.23, p = 0.001, I2 = 51.2%). Seven studies with 312 patients reported left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (LVIDd) were markedly decreased in the CSWT group compared to the control group (WMD −1.81, 95% CI −3.23 to −0.39, p = 0.012, I2 = 20.3%). The summed stress score significantly favored the CSWT group (WMD −3.76, 95% CI −6.15 to −1.37, p = 0.002, I2 = 56.8%), but there was no significant difference for the summed rest score. Our data were acquired from studies without a perceived high risk of bias, so plausible bias is unlikely to seriously affect the main findings of the current study.ConclusionBased on data from our present meta-analysis, CSWT was shown to moderately improve myocardial perfusion and cardiac function among patients with CAD, which would provide the clinicians with a meaningful and valuable option.Systematic Review RegistrationThe meta-analysis was registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF) (https://osf.io/r2xf9).
Reduction ascending aortoplasty: A retrospective analysis of outcomes and risk factors
Authors: Szalkiewicz Philipp , Gökler Johannes , Dietl Wolfgang , Ehrlich Marek , Holzinger Christoph , Laufer Günther , Wiedemann Dominik 
Published: July 2022

ObjectivesIndication for Reduction of Ascending Aortoplasty (RAA) and long-term outcomes remain unclear. This study analyzed the outcomes after nonreinforced RAA in two Austrian centers.MethodsPatients with RAA at two Austrian centers between 6/2,009 and 6/2,017 were retrospectively analyzed. Aortic diameters were measured by CT pre- and post-operatively. Patients were assigned according to valve morphology and imaging modality.ResultsOverall, 253 patients underwent RAA [women: 30.8%; median age 74 (63–79) years] with a mean preoperative ascending diameter of 44.7 (±3.5) mm. RAA-related postoperative adverse events occurred in 1.2% (n = 3) over a follow-up of a median of 3.8 (2.4–5.5) years: One type A aortic dissection, one lethal aortic rupture at the suture line, and one suture line bleeding with cardiac tamponade and need of surgical revision. The overall survival rate was 89.7%. Aortic valve morphology itself was no risk factor for mortality (Log-Rank: 0.942). One hundred and forty patients had a tricuspid [TAV: (55.3%)] aortic valve and 113 patients had a bicuspid aortic valve [BAV: (44.7%)]. Redilatation to a diameter &gt;50 mm according to CT follow-up occurred in 5.7% (n = 5 of 87). One patient needed reoperation with RAA and aortic valve replacement due to a prosthesis-patient mismatch after aortic valve replacement and aortic redilatation.ConclusionNon-reinforced RAA is a safe, feasible, and reproducible procedure with low rates of perioperative complications in selected patients primarily undergoing aortic valve repair with a dilated ascending aorta. Aortic valve morphology has no impact on mortality after RAA.
Efficiency Enhancement of Thermophotovoltaic Cells With Different Design Configurations Using Existing Photon Recycling Technologies
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Kazim Ali H. , Shabbir Aqsa , Abbasi Muhammad Salman , Sarwar Jawad 
Published: July 2022

This work deals with different design configurations using existing photon recycling technologies such as front spectral filters and back surface reflectors (BSRs) to improve the efficiency of the thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells. On the TPV cell surface, some photons absorb, but some quantity of them is lost due to the interference on the surface. On the other hand, BSR mounted on the backside of the cell reflects all photons which were not absorbed by TPV back to the front side of the cell and the emitter, which leads to the elevated temperature of the cell and more interference on the cell surface. This work aimed to design a configuration of the TPV system model using hybrid photon recycling technologies and to investigate the efficiencies of different TPV cells with numerous factors such as emitter temperature and reflectivity of the spectral filter. The design parameters and configuration of front filters with BSRs are studied under 2500 K temperature of the emitter. It is found that an InGaAs cell with reasonable bandgap energy of 0.72 eV, is the most favorable cell material as its bandgap wavelength (1.68 μm) is closely matched to the peak wavelength (1.65 μm) of the emissions spectra. The results show that the incorporation of magnesium oxide (MgO) spectral filter along with the BSR (R = 1) and the emitter temperature of 2200 K efficiency as high as 35% can be attained. This makes MgO a viable choice in TPV cell system under concentrated solar power plant.
Simultaneous Esterification and Transesterification of Neem Seed Oil Using Ferric Sulphate Doped With Poultry Droppings as a Bifunctional Catalyst
Authors: Akhabue Christopher Ehiaguina , Ukponahiusi Uwadiae Jonathan , Osa-Benedict Evidence Osayi , Otoikhian Shegun Kevin , Inetianbor Oseghale Cyril , Oyedoh Eghe Amenze 
Published: July 2022

The use of organic waste materials conjugated with inorganic sources as a bifunctional catalyst for one-step biodiesel production is currently under-utilized. In this study, a bifunctional catalyst for biodiesel production was developed from poultry droppings doped with ferric sulphate (FSPD). Its catalytic activity was investigated in simultaneous esterification and transesterification of neem seed oil (NSO) using methanol. Response Surface Methodology was employed in modelling and optimizing the reaction conditions. The characterization of the catalyst was done using Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffractometer. Fe (46.08 wt. %), S (22.31 wt. %), and Ca (11.82 wt. %) were the major elements present in the FSPD and the other results revealed that it is bifunctionally active. A biodiesel yield of 97.21% and acid value (AV) of 0.5 mg KOH/g were obtained at the optimum conditions of 21:1 methanol/oil ratio, 5 wt. %, catalyst loading and reaction temperature of 65°C after 180 min. The biodiesel produced using FSPD catalyst meets both the ASTM D6751 and the EN 14214 biodiesel standards. Reusability investigation of the FSPD showed remarkable stability up to the third reuse cycle with a slight decrease in biodiesel yield and a corresponding increase in acid value from 97.21% to 90.05% and 0.5–0.81 mg KOH/g respectively. The utilization of FSPD as a bifunctional catalyst is significant for improving the biodiesel output of high FFA oil and overall biodiesel production time.
RETRACTED: Study of thermal characteristics of energy efficient micro channel heat sinks in advanced geometry structures and configurations: A review
Authors: Rehman Zabdur , Ahmad Faraz , Muhammad Hafiz Ali , Riaz Fahid , Ayub Hafiz Muhammad Uzair , Hasan Mudassir , Lee Moonyong 
Published: July 2022

The sustainability and economic development is intertwined with the energy consumption and conversion processes. To suffice the ever-increasing demand of energy consumption amid environmental concerns, energy conservation and recovery along with the harnessing of renewable energy has been mandated by the policy regulators. In any energy conversion process, heat exchangers are vital operation component and has been part of any energy conversion process since the Nineteenth century. However, due to the increased energy demand, requirement of high efficiency and space and material constraints, the need for miniaturized light-weight heat exchangers with adequate heat transfer characteristics persists. Traditional heat exchangers are outdated because of its large space requirements and comparatively less heat removal rate. The miniaturized micro channel heat sink (MCHS) with tubes of about less than 1 mm have a tremendous potential to further enhance the heat transfer performance. However, its simple design doesn’t cope with the modern requirements of heat removal. Therefore, many researchers have tried to improve its performance using different techniques. The present study reviews some of the most important techniques applied to MCHS. These techniques include, coolant types used in MCHS, MCHS shapes, flow conditions, numerical methods used for this research, and materials used to manufacture MCHS. Moreover, some recommendations have been given to provide opportunities to researchers for future aspects.
Establishment of a Necroptosis-Related Prognostic Signature to Reveal Immune Infiltration and Predict Drug Sensitivity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Ren Huili , Zheng Jianglin , Cheng Qi , Yang Xiaoyan , Fu Qin 
Published: July 2022

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common type of primary liver cancer and has a poor prognosis. In recent times, necroptosis has been reported to be involved in the progression of multiple cancers. However, the role of necroptosis in HCC prognosis remains elusive.Methods: The RNA-seq data and clinical information of HCC patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) databases. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and prognosis-related genes were explored, and the nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) clustering algorithm was applied to divide HCC patients into different subtypes. Based on the prognosis-related DEGs, univariate Cox and LASSO Cox regression analyses were used to construct a necroptosis-related prognostic model. The relationship between the prognostic model and immune cell infiltration, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and drug response were explored.Results: In this study, 13 prognosis-related DEGs were confirmed from 18 DEGs and 24 prognostic-related genes. Based on the prognosis-related DEGs, patients in the TCGA cohort were clustered into three subtypes by the NMF algorithm, and patients in C3 had better survival. A necroptosis-related prognostic model was established according to LASSO analysis, and HCC patients in TCGA and ICGC were divided into high- and low-risk groups. Kaplan–Meier (K–M) survival analysis revealed that patients in the high-risk group had a shorter survival time compared to those in the low-risk group. Using univariate and multivariate Cox analyses, the prognostic model was identified as an independent prognostic factor and had better survival predictive ability in HCC patients compared with other clinical biomarkers. Furthermore, the results revealed that the high-risk patients had higher stromal, immune, and ESTIMATE scores; higher TP53 mutation rate; higher TMB; and lower tumor purities compared to those in the low-risk group. In addition, there were significant differences in predicting the drug response between the high- and low-risk groups. The protein and mRNA levels of these prognostic genes were upregulated in HCC tissues compared to normal liver tissues.Conclusion: We established a necroptosis-related prognostic signature that may provide guidance for individualized drug therapy in HCC patients; however, further experimentation is needed to validate our results.
Effect of quercetin on muscle growth and antioxidant status of the dark sleeper Odontobutis potamophila
Authors: Zhu Chenxi , Liu Guoxing , Gu Xiankun , Yin Jiawen , Xia Aijun , Han Mingming , Zhang Tongqing , Jiang Qichen 
Published: July 2022

Quercetin is a flavanol beneficial in reducing fat, promoting muscle growth, and Anti-oxidation. To study its effects in freshwater fish, the full-length cDNA of the follistatin (FST) and myostatin (MSTN) genes of the dark sleeper Odontobutis potamophila were cloned for the first time. Juvenile individual O. potamophila was exposed to quercetin at one of four concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/L) for 21 days. The expression level of MSTN which inhibits muscle growth in the quercetin solution was lower than in the unexposed control group. The genes that promote muscle growth are in TGF-β superfamily like FST, TGF-β1 (transforming growth factor-beta 1), and Myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) like Myf5 (myogenic factor 5), MyoD (myogenic differentiation), MyoG (myogenin), were higher than in the control group. Apolipoprotein and growth hormone receptor transcription levels in the quercetin-treated fish were significantly lower than in the control group. The concentrations of triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the muscle tissue decreased, and the lipid-lowering function of quercetin was also demonstrated at the biochemical level. In this study, we analyzed the mRNA levels of AKT, Keap1 (kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1), Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) oxidation-related genes in the Nrf2/ARE antioxidant pathway, and Malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) activity and glutathione (GSH) content in the hepatopancreas of O. potamophila after quercetin treatment, the mRNA expression of AKT, Nrf2 and CAT activity and GSH content are higher than in the control group. Quercetin enhances antioxidant properties and positively affects muscle growth. The results showed that quercetin has no significant effects on the growth performance of O. potamophila, but is effective in increasing muscle growth rate and lowering muscle fat content.
Bidirectional Relationship Between Osteoarthritis and Periodontitis: A Population-Based Cohort Study Over a 15-year Follow-Up
Authors: Ma Kevin Sheng-Kai , Lai Jung-Nien , Thota Eshwar , Yip Hei-Tung , Chin Ning-Chien , Wei James Cheng-Chung , Van Dyke Thomas E. 
Published: July 2022

ObjectiveTo identify the relationship between osteoarthritis and periodontitis.Methods144,788 periodontitis patients and 144,788 propensity score-matched controls without history of periodontitis were enrolled in this cohort study. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the risk of osteoarthritis. Survival analysis was utilized to assess the time-dependent effect of periodontitis on osteoarthritis. Age and gender were stratified to identify subgroups at risk. A symmetrical case-control analysis was designed to determine the relationship between present periodontitis and history of osteoarthritis.ResultsPatients with periodontitis had higher risk of osteoarthritis (hazard ratio, HR =1.15, 95% CI =1.12–1.17, p &lt; 0.001) and severe osteoarthritis that led to total knee replacement or total hip replacement (TKR/THR) (HR =1.12, 95% CI =1.03–1.21, p &lt; 0.01) than controls, which was time-dependent (log-rank test p &lt; 0.01). The effect of periodontitis on osteoarthritis was significant in both genders and age subgroups over 30 years-old (all p &lt; 0.001). Among them, females (HR=1.27, 95% CI = 1.13–1.42, p &lt; 0.001) and patients aged over 51 (HR= 1.21, 95% CI =1.10-1.33, p &lt; 0.001) with periodontitis were predisposed to severe osteoarthritis. In addition, periodontitis patients were more likely to have a history of osteoarthritis (odds ratio = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.06 - 1.17, p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionsThese findings suggest an association between periodontitis and a higher risk of osteoarthritis, including severe osteoarthritis that led to TKR/THR. Likewise, periodontitis is more likely to develop following osteoarthritis. A bidirectional relationship between osteoarthritis and periodontitis was observed.
Cervicovaginal Complement Activation and Microbiota During Pregnancy and in Parturition
Authors: Livson Sivan , Virtanen Seppo , Lokki A. Inkeri , Holster Tiina , Rahkonen Leena , Kalliala Ilkka , Nieminen Pekka , Salonen Anne , Meri Seppo 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundVaginal microbiome and the local innate immune defense, including the complement system, contribute to anti- and proinflammatory homeostasis during pregnancy and parturition. The relationship between commensal vaginal bacteria and complement activation during pregnancy and delivery is not known.ObjectiveTo study the association of the cervicovaginal microbiota composition to activation and regulation of the complement system during pregnancy and labor.Study designWe recruited women during late pregnancy (weeks 41 + 5 to 42 + 0, n=48) and women in active labor (weeks 38 + 4 to 42 + 2, n=25). Mucosal swabs were taken from the external cervix and lateral fornix of the vagina. From the same sampling site, microbiota was analyzed with 16S RNA gene amplicon sequencing. A Western blot technique was used to detect complement C3, C4 and factor B activation and presence of complement inhibitors. For semiquantitative analysis, the bands of the electrophoresed proteins in gels were digitized on a flatbed photo scanner and staining intensities were analyzed using ImageJ/Fiji win-64 software. Patient data was collected from medical records and questionnaires.ResultsThe vaginal microbiota was Lactobacillus-dominant in most of the samples (n=60), L. iners and L. crispatus being the dominant species. L. gasseri and L. jensenii were found to be more abundant during pregnancy than active labor. L. jensenii abundance correlated with C4 activation during pregnancy but not in labor. Gardnerella vaginalis was associated with C4 activation both during pregnancy and labor. The amount of L. gasseri correlated with factor B activation during pregnancy but not during labor. Atopobium vaginae was more abundant during pregnancy than labor and correlated with C4 activation during labor and with factor B activation during pregnancy. Activation of the alternative pathway factor B was significantly stronger during pregnancy compared to labor. During labor complement activation may be inhibited by the abundant presence of factor H and FHL1.ConclusionsThese results indicate that bacterial composition of the vaginal microbiota could have a role in the local activation and regulation of complement-mediated inflammation during pregnancy. At the time of parturition complement activation appears to be more strictly regulated than during pregnancy.
Spatially Explicit Seagrass Extent Mapping Across the Entire Mediterranean
Authors: Traganos Dimosthenis , Lee Chengfa Benjamin , Blume Alina , Poursanidis Dimitris , Čižmek Hrvoje , Deter Julie , Mačić Vesna , Montefalcone Monica , Pergent Gérard , Pergent-Martini Christine , Ricart Aurora M. , Reinartz Peter 
Published: July 2022

The seagrass Posidonia oceanica is the main habitat-forming species of the coastal Mediterranean, providing millennial-scale ecosystem services including habitat provisioning, biodiversity maintenance, food security, coastal protection, and carbon sequestration. Meadows of this endemic seagrass species represent the largest carbon storage among seagrasses around the world, largely contributing to global blue carbon stocks. Yet, the slow growth of this temperate species and the extreme projected temperature and sea-level rise due to climate change increase the risk of reduction and loss of these services. Currently, there are knowledge gaps in its basin-wide spatially explicit extent and relevant accounting, therefore accurate and efficient mapping of its distribution and trajectories of change is needed. Here, we leveraged contemporary advances in Earth Observation—cloud computing, open satellite data, and machine learning—with field observations through a cloud-native geoprocessing framework to account the spatially explicit ecosystem extent of P. oceanica seagrass across its full bioregional scale. Employing 279,186 Sentinel-2 satellite images between 2015 and 2019, and a human-labeled training dataset of 62,928 pixels, we mapped 19,020 km2 of P. oceanica meadows up to 25 m of depth in 22 Mediterranean countries, across a total seabed area of 56,783 km2. Using 2,480 independent, field-based points, we observe an overall accuracy of 72%. We include and discuss global and region-specific seagrass blue carbon stocks using our bioregional seagrass extent estimate. As reference data collections, remote sensing technology and biophysical modelling improve and coalesce, such spatial ecosystem extent accounts could further support physical and monetary accounting of seagrass condition and ecosystem services, like blue carbon and coastal biodiversity. We envisage that effective policy uptake of these holistic seagrass accounts in national climate strategies and financing could accelerate transparent natural climate solutions and coastal resilience, far beyond the physical location of seagrass beds.