bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact and predictors of outcome of COVID-19 in pulmonary hypertension patients
Authors: Soliman Y. M. A. , Elkorashy R. I. M. , Aziz Ahmed Abdel , Abdelnaby Asmaa , Magdy Sally 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe pandemic had a significant impact on those with underlying chronic health conditions being at risk of developing a more severe disease with rapid progression, significant complications, and with increased risk of mortality.This was also expected in the pulmonary vascular community owing to the vulnerable nature of this population, who are characterized by an increase in the pulmonary vascular resistance leading to right heart failure.This study is aiming to identify the incidence of COVID-19 infection among pulmonary hypertension patients receiving specific therapy as well as the predictors of the COVID-19 disease severity and outcome in those patients.ResultsData analysis of 197 PAH and CTEPH patients, showed that the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection is 10.66% (n= 21). Seven patients (33.3%) required hospitalization. Mortality rate is 14.3% (3/21).Severity of COVID19 disease in those patients has statistically significant moderate to strong correlation with higher values of d-dimer (r= 0.821,P= 0.000), ferritin (r= 0.718,p= 0.000), CRP (r= 0.613,p= 0.04), acute renal failure (r= 0.557,p= 0.009), and hypoxemia (r= 0.825,p= 0.000).Mortality from COVID-19 show moderate to strong statistically significant correlations with acute renal failure (r= 0.795,p= 0.000), hypoxemia (r= 0.645,p= 0.002), higher values of ferritin (r= 0.689,p= 0.001) and d-dimer (r= 0.603,P= 0.004).ConclusionsCOVID-19 in PAH and CTEPH patients is challenging, higher COVID-19 infection rate is present in those patients and is associated with increased disease severity and higher mortality.
VEViD: Vision Enhancement via Virtual diffraction and coherent Detection
Authors: Jalali Bahram , MacPhee Callen 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe history of computing started with analog computers consisting of physical devices performing specialized functions such as predicting the position of astronomical bodies and the trajectory of cannon balls. In modern times, this idea has been extended, for example, to ultrafast nonlinear optics serving as a surrogate analog computer to probe the behavior of complex phenomena such as rogue waves. Here we discuss a new paradigm where physical phenomena coded as an algorithm perform computational imaging tasks. Specifically, diffraction followed by coherent detection becomes an image enhancement tool. Vision Enhancement via Virtual diffraction and coherent Detection (VEViD) reimagines a digital image as a spatially varying metaphoric “lightfield” and then subjects the field to the physical processes akin to diffraction and coherent detection. The term “Virtual” captures the deviation from the physical world. The light field is pixelated and the propagation imparts a phase with dependence on frequency which is different from the monotonically-increasing behavior of physical diffraction. Temporal frequencies exist in three bands corresponding to the RGB color channels of a digital image. The phase of the output, not the intensity, represents the output image. VEViD is a high-performance low-light-level and color enhancement tool that emerges from this paradigm. The algorithm is extremely fast, interpretable, and reduces to a compact and intuitively-appealing mathematical expression. We demonstrate image enhancement of 4k video at over 200 frames per second and show the utility of this physical algorithm in improving the accuracy of object detection in low-light conditions by neural networks. The application of VEViD to color enhancement is also demonstrated.
Implication of MR Activity in Posttreatment Arterial Stiffness Reversal in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Chen Zheng-Wei , Pan Chien-Ting , Liao Che-Wei , Tsai Cheng-Hsuan , Chang Yi-Yao , Chang Chin-Chen , Lee Bo-Ching , Chiu Yu-Wei , Huang Wei-Chieh , Wang Shuo-Meng , Lu Ching-Chu , Chueh Jeff S , Wu Vin-Cent , Hung Chi-Sheng , Lin Yen-Hung 
Published: November 2022

AbstractContextPrimary aldosteronism (PA) patients have a higher degree of arterial stiffness, which can be reversed after adrenalectomy.ObjectiveWe aimed to compare the reversal of arterial stiffness between surgically and medically treated PA patients and to identify the predictors of effective medical treatment.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 445 PA patients and collected data on baseline clinical characteristics, biochemistry, blood pressure, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) before treatment and 12 months after treatment. In the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA)-treated patients, the relationship between the change in PWV after 1 year (ΔPWV) and posttreatment renin activity was explored using the restricted cubic spline (RCS) method.ResultsOf the 445 enrolled PA patients, 255 received adrenalectomy (group 1) and 190 received MRAs. In the RCS model, posttreatment plasma renin activity (PRA) 1.5 ng/mL/h was the best cutoff value. Therefore, we divided the MRA-treated patients into 2 groups: those with suppressed PRA (&lt; 1.5 ng/mL/h, group 2), and those with unsuppressed PRA (≥ 1.5 ng/mL/h, group 3). Only group 1 and group 3 patients had a statistically significant improvement in PWV after treatment (both P &lt; .001), whereas no significant improvement was noted in group 2 after treatment (P = .151). In analysis of variance and post hoc analysis, group 2 had a significantly lower ΔPWV than group 1 (P = .007) and group 3 (P = .031). Multivariable regression analysis of the MRA-treated PA patients identified log-transformed posttreatment PRA, age, and baseline PWV as independent factors correlated with ΔPWV.ConclusionThe reversal of arterial stiffness was found in PA patients receiving adrenalectomy and in medically treated PA patients with unsuppressed PRA.
Hyperparathyroidism in a Large Cohort of Chinese Patients With Tumor-induced Osteomalacia
Authors: Ni Xiaolin , Liu Wei , Zhang Dingding , Li Xiang , Chi Yue , Feng Juan , Jin Chenxi , Pang Qianqian , Gong Yiyi , Cui Lijia , Jiajue Ruizhi , Yu Wei , Wu Huanwen , Huo Li , Liu Yong , Jin Jin , Zhou Xi , Lv Wei , Zhou Lian , Xia Yu , Wang Ou , Li Mei , Xing Xiaoping , Jiang Yan , Xia Weibo 
Published: November 2022

AbstractContextTumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome caused by excessive production of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) by a tumor. Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) including secondary HPT (SHPT) and tertiary HPT (THPT) in TIO patients, which is believed to be associated with phosphate supplementation, has not been well documented.ObjectivesTo clarify the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and risk factors for HPT in a large cohort of Chinese patients with TIO in our hospital.Design, setting, and participantsThis retrospective study enrolled 202 patients with TIO.Main outcome measurementsOccurrence of HPT in patients with TIO.ResultsHPT was observed in 91 patients (91/202, 45.1%): 84 patients (41.6%) with SHPT and 7 patients (3.5%) with THPT. All patients with THPT underwent parathyroidectomy and only 1 patient experienced recurrence. Compared with patients without HPT, patients with SHPT had longer disease duration, higher rate of phosphate and calcitriol supplementation, lower serum calcium, lower urine calcium excretion, and higher urine phosphate excretion. Compared with patients with SHPT, patients with THPT had even longer disease duration and a higher rate of phosphate and calcitriol supplementation. PTH levels showed positive correlation with intact FGF23 and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels, but not 25-hydroxy vitamin D level in patients with TIO. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that long disease duration and phosphate supplementation were independently associated with occurrence of HPT in patients with TIO. Further logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline model revealed dose-response relationship between cumulative dose of phosphate supplementation and PTH levels.ConclusionsHPT is common in patients with TIO. To avoid the occurrence of HPT in patients with TIO, timely diagnosis and tumor resection is necessary and an excessive dose of phosphate supplementation is not suggested before surgery.
Steps Towards Legalization of Euthanasia in Portugal
Authors: Alves Anne-Sophie 
Published: November 2022

In a world where everyone has their own beliefs and opinions, sometimes being extremely polarized, the subject of Euthanasia raises a lot of uncertainties and questions. It is way more than just a medical ethical problem, legal, religious, political, and philosophical arguments are brought into the discussion. As societies evolve, the way this topic is viewed changes, for this reason the number of countries which have legalized euthanasia or assisted suicide is growing. Despite of the different perspectives, either side of this debate has the same concern: the respect for the principle of human dignity.
Portuguese society has been considering this topic for a long time, the prospect of having a law that allows patients in a situation of permanent and unbearable suffering to end their lives was brought to parliament being approved for the first time in January 2021 and then declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court and vetoed by the President of The Republic in March 2021. Subsequently, after a change in the decree that clarified the initial doubts that led to its rejection, the document was again vetoed by President Marcelo in November 2021. More recently, in June 2022 a new version of the decriminalization of euthanasia was approved, the opinions are divided, and the country is awaiting a response from its President, who has already affirmed that everything is open.
Therefore, it is relevant to understand the legal aspects related to this subject. For the purpose of this research, it is necessary to comprehend the Portuguese legal order and Portuguese thoughts and views leading to a possible future decriminalization.
Peruvian children toothbrushing during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Garcés-Elías María Claudia , Beltrán Jorge A. , Del Castillo-López César Eduardo , Agudelo-Suárez Andrés A. , León-Manco Roberto A. 
Published: November 2022

Background: Toothbrushing is a convenient, inexpensive, widespread and culturally accepted method, resulting in an ideal public health outcome. This study aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on toothbrushing in Peruvian children. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted using a database of children aged 0 to 11 years, with a final sample of 39,124 participants, 15,974 in 2019 (62.03%) and 7088 in 2020 (55.54%). General toothbrushing, daily toothbrushing and minimum frequency of two times a day were dependent variables; the year was considered as the independent variable. In addition, other covariates such as geographical landscape, area of residence, place of residence, altitude, wealth index, health insurance cover, sex and age. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses were applied. Results: General toothbrushing was 96.19% (n=51 013), daily toothbrushing was 87.47% (n=42 246) and minimum toothbrushing two times a day was 84.53% (n=33 957). In multivariate form, the year presented a negative association with daily toothbrushing (RPa: 0.97; CI95%: 0.96-0.98; p<0.001) and minimum toothbrushing two times a day (RPa: 0.97; CI95%: 0.95-0.98; p<0.001), adjusted for the previously associated co-variables. Conclusions: The year 2020 of the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted daily toothbrushing and minimum twice-daily toothbrushing of Peruvian children.
Targeting Acanthamoeba proteins interaction with flavonoids of Propolis extract by in vitro and in silico studies for promising therapeutic effects
Authors: Sama-ae Imran , Sangkanu Suthinee , Siyadatpanah Abolghasem , Norouzi Roghayeh , Chuprom Julalak , Mitsuwan Watcharapong , Surinkaew Sirirat , Boonhok Rachasak , Paul Alok K. , Mahboob Tooba , Abtahi Najme Sadat , Jimoh Tajudeen O. , Oliveira Sónia M.R. , Gupta Madhu , Sin Chea , de Lourdes Pereira Maria , Wilairatana Polrat , Wiart Christophe , Rahmatullah Mohammed , Dolma Karma G. , Nissapatorn Veeranoot 
Published: November 2022

Background: Propolis is a natural resinous mixture produced by bees. It provides beneficial effects on human health in the treatment/management of many diseases. The present study was performed to demonstrate the anti-Acanthamoeba activity of ethanolic extracts of Propolis samples from Iran. The interactions of the compounds and essential proteins of Acanthamoeba were also visualized through docking simulation. Methods: The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Propolis extract against Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts was determined in vitro. In addition, two-fold dilutions of each of the agents were tested for encystment, excystment and adhesion inhibitions. Three major compounds of Propolis extract such as chrysin, tectochrysin and pinocembrin have been selected in molecular docking approach to predict the compounds that might be responsible for encystment, excystment and adhesion inhibitions of A. castellanii. Furthermore, to confirm the docking results, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were also carried out for the most promising two ligand-pocket complexes from docking studies. Results: The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) 62.5 and 125 µg/mL of the most active Propolis extract were assessed in trophozoites stage of Acanthamoeba castellanii ATCC30010 and ATCC50739, respectively. At concentrations lower than their MICs values (1/16 MIC), Propolis extract revealed inhibition of encystation. However, at 1/2 MIC, it showed a potential inhibition of excystation and anti-adhesion. The molecular docking and dynamic simulation revealed the potential capability of Pinocembrin to form hydrogen bonds with A. castellanii Sir2 family protein (AcSir2), an encystation protein of high relevance for this process in Acanthamoeba. Conclusions: The results obtained provided a candidate for the development of therapeutic drugs against Acanthamoeba infection. In vivo experiments and clinical trials are necessary to support this claim.
Detection of pathogens associated with early-onset neonatal sepsis in cord blood at birth using quantitative PCR
Authors: Obiero Christina W. , Gumbi Wilson , Mwakio Stella , Mwangudzah Hope , Seale Anna C. , Taniuchi Mami , Liu Jie , Houpt Eric , Berkley James A. 
Published: November 2022

Background: Early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) typically begins prior to, during or soon after birth and may be rapidly fatal. There is paucity of data on the aetiology of EONS in sub-Saharan Africa due to limited diagnostic capacity in this region, despite the associated significant mortality and long-term neurological impairment. Methods: We compared pathogens detected in cord blood samples between neonates admitted to hospital with possible serious bacterial infection (pSBI) in the first 48 hours of life (cases) and neonates remaining well (controls). Cord blood was systematically collected at Kilifi County Hospital (KCH) from 2011-2016, and later tested for 21 bacterial, viral and protozoal targets using multiplex PCR via TaqMan Array Cards (TAC). Results: Among 603 cases (101 [17%] of whom died), 179 (30%) tested positive for ≥1 target and 37 (6.1%) tested positive for multiple targets. Klebsiella oxytoca, Escherichia coli/Shigella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pyogenes were commonest. Among 300 controls, 79 (26%) tested positive for ≥1 target, 11 (3.7%) were positive for multiple targets, and K. oxytoca and P. aeruginosa were most common. Cumulative odds ratios across controls: cases (survived): cases (died) were E. coli/Shigella spp. 2.6 (95%CI 1.6-4.4); E. faecalis 4.0 (95%CI 1.1-15); S. agalactiae 4.5 (95%CI 1.6-13); Ureaplasma spp. 2.9 (95%CI 1.3-6.4); Enterovirus 9.1 (95%CI 2.3-37); and Plasmodium spp. 2.9 (95%CI 1.4-6.2). Excluding K. oxytoca and P. aeruginosa as likely contaminants, aetiology was attributed in 9.4% (95%CI 5.1-13) cases using TAC. Leading pathogen attributions by TAC were E. coli/Shigella spp. (3.5% (95%CI 1.7-5.3)) and Ureaplasma spp. (1.7% (95%CI 0.5-3.0)). Conclusions: Cord blood sample may be useful in describing EONS pathogens at birth, but more specific tests are needed for individual diagnosis. Careful sampling of cord blood using aseptic techniques is crucial to minimize contamination. In addition to culturable bacteria, Ureaplasma and Enterovirus were causes of EONS.
Heavy Metal Music in Latin America: Perspectives from the Distorted South, Nelson Varas-Díaz, Daniel Nevárez Araújo and Eliut Rivera-Segarra (2020)
Authors: Banchs Edward 
Published: November 2022

Review of: Heavy Metal Music in Latin America: Perspectives from the Distorted South, Nelson Varas-Díaz, Daniel Nevárez Araújo and Eliut Rivera-Segarra (2020)
Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 352 pp.,
ISBN 978-1-79360-751-5, h/bk, $120.00
Judging Dredd: Examining the World of Judge Dredd, Scott Weatherly (ed.) (2021)
Authors: Kanayama Kelly 
Published: November 2022

Review of: Judging Dredd: Examining the World of Judge Dredd, Scott Weatherly (ed.) (2021)
Edwardsville: Sequart Organization, 228 pp.,
ISBN 978-1-94058-925-1, p/bk, $19.99
Non-nutritive sucking milestones of preterm infants in Indonesia: a descriptive study
Authors: Wahyuni Luh Karunia , Mangunatmadja Irawan , Kaban Risma Kerina , Rachmawati Elvie Zulka Kautzia , Harini Melinda , Laksmitasari Budiati , Geraldyne Agatha , Sangwidjojo Inez Ayuwibowo , Utami Dini Prima , Poernomo Victor Prasetyo , Sudjono Adrian Prasetya 
Published: November 2022

Background Non-nutritive sucking (NNS) maturity has been used as one of the markers of oral feeding readiness in infants. Prematurity may hinder the attainment of NNS milestones. Depending on gestational age (GA) at birth, preterm infants may display various degrees of immaturity, potentially affecting the strength, coordination, and efficiency of skills required for NNS.
Objective To identify the progression of NNS patterns across gestational age groups of preterm infants in Indonesia by comparing NNS parameters between moderate-to-late preterm and very preterm infants.
Methods NNS evaluation was conducted in 120 preterm infants born at 28-34 weeks gestational age in five tertiary hospitals in Jakarta, Indonesia. Three aspects of NNS (suction pressure, number of suctions per burst, and time between bursts) were documented and arranged to present a descriptive overview. A suction pressure measurement device was used to record, identify, and analyze NNS parameters. We hypothesize that maturity, as determined by GA, positively affected the attainment of NNS milestones.
Results Moderate-to-late preterm infants (GA 32 to <37 weeks), compared to very preterm infants (GA 28 to <32 weeks), had higher mean NNS pressure (-79.8 vs. -72.7 mmHg, respectively, P=0.041) and shorter mean time between bursts (6.63 vs. 7.36 s, respectively, P=0.030). Mean number of suctions per burst were also significantly different between the two GA groups (8.90 vs. 8.99 sucks/burst, respectively, P=0.048).
Conclusion Maturity, as reflected by GA, had a positive effect on the attainment of NNS milestones in preterm infants in Indonesia. Significant differences in the three NNS parameters: number of suctions per burst, time between bursts, and suction pressure were found between moderate-to-late preterm and very preterm infants.
Information visualization method for intelligent construction of prefabricated buildings based on P-ISOMAP algorithm
Authors: Ouyang Xue , Peng Yizhou , Pan Siyu , Ouyang Ping 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Prefabricated buildings are assembled from factory prefabricated parts, components, and materials transported to the construction site. Its construction process is often called “building blocks”, and the focus is on “prefabrication” and “assembly”. This paper aims to study how to analyze and study the intelligent construction of prefabricated buildings based on the P-ISOMAP algorithm, and describe the information visualization. This paper presents the problem of information visualization, which is based on the P-ISOMAP algorithm and BIM technology. Therefore, the concepts and related algorithms of the two are expounded, and the case design and analysis of the information visualization of the intelligent construction of prefabricated buildings are carried out. The experimental results show that in the questionnaire survey, 87.61% hope to visualize architectural-related information, 82.30% of structural information, and 91.15% of model display, all of which are very high. The information visualization of intelligent construction meets the needs of the masses. In addition to guiding the assembly of prefabricated components, informatization is also convenient for manufacturing and quality management. According to the data generated by real-time monitoring during the construction process, the construction period and the construction material plan are controlled. In the completion stage, these data can be directly exported to complete the completion report for completion acceptance.
B-Fredholm elements in primitive C*-algebras
Authors: Kong Yingying , Jiang Lining 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Let

A

{\mathcal{A}}

be a unital primitive C

∗

\ast

-algebra. This article studies the properties of the B-Fredholm elements, the B-Weyl elements and the B-Browder elements in

A

{\mathcal{A}}

. Particularly, this article describes the B-Fredholm element as the sum of a Fredholm element and a nilpotent element. In addition, the socle of

A

{\mathcal{A}}

is characterized by the B-Fredholm elements.
Stumme Zeugen des Sprachgebrauchs: Friedhöfe und Volkszählungen als Indikatoren der Entwicklung des Slowenischen in Kärnten/Koroška
Authors: Kühnel Ferdinand , Prochazka Katharina 
Published: November 2022

Summary
The southern part of the Austrian state of Carinthia has a long history of language contact between Slovene and German. Since the beginning of the 19th century a decrease in bilingualism and the use of Slovene has been taking place which has accelerated in the last few decades. This contribution analyzes this transformation and in particular the influence of local and regional factors on the development of bilingualism in Carinthia. A multi-methodological approach is adopted, combining data from two different sources: (1) cemeteries and gravestones as public witnesses of language use and markers of (self-)identification, and (2) data on language use from the census and other (parish language, language in schools) for a quantitative analysis. Using this approach, data from two case studies is discussed in detail: two villages/parishes with similar initial conditions (high percentage of Slovene in 1880) but different outcomes. In one case, bilingualism is preserved (albeit on a low level); in the other, the bilingual reality of the past has been transformed into a monolingual German one. Such differences can be attributed to general political developments regarding the status of Slovene in Austria, but also to local factors such as the presence of a Slovene cultural association. Our analyses further show the political character of census data, which has little overlap with actual language usage, but depicts attitudes towards bilingualism and Slovene. Cemeteries, on the other hand, bear witness to the Slovene past long after “active” bilingualism has disappeared.