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The present work is a biodiversity study on some caprellids from the Northern Red Sea coast with their occurrence and distribution in different habitats in relation to water depth. From late 2019 to early 2020, a total of 67 individuals were collected from Hurghada and Shalateen, Red Sea coast by snorkeling and SCUBA diving, from five different depths (0.5, 5, 15, 25, and 35 m). A total of 7 caprellid species belonging to six genera and two subfamilies were recorded from Hurghada site, and only 5 species were recorded from Shalateen site. Phtisica marina Slabber, 1769, Metaprotella sp., and Deutella sp. were recorded for the first time from the Red Sea waters. These new records are significant in terms of increasing the known species diversity of the Red Sea fauna. Paradeutella multispinosa was the most abundant caprellid and was represented by 46.3% at Shalateen, followed by Hemiaegina minuta (31.7%) at Shalateen and (50.0%) at Hurghada. SIMPER analysis showed that the caprellids, P. multispinosa, H. minuta and P. marina, were the most contributing species to the dissimilarity between the two studied sites. Depth and habitat composition directly influenced the total caprellid abundance and diversity at both sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on the issue of uncertainty relating to average estimates of resources, cost, and time factors in project risk management is presented. Findings demonstrate the inherent problems of using average estimates in preparing for uncertainty.

Call admission schemes are found to be a significant factor in determining asynchronous transfer mode network costs, suggesting that topological design may be used to determine appropriate call admission control schemes. Two schemes are compared with results showing the Reflected Brownian Motion-based scheme, incurring costs that are 10% to 30% lower than the equivalent bandwidth-based call admission control scheme.

Two heuristic procedures were formulated to resolve a job scheduling problem, which is NP-complete, of a three-stage hybrid flowshop. Application of the two heuristics in various problem sizes revealed their effectiveness in lessening the makespan in a three-stage hybrid flowshop. The two heuristics procedures were able to generate a relative error less than 1% of the lower bound.

Two optimal procedures for solving the discrete time/cost trade-off problem (DTCTP) in deterministic activity-on-arc networks under limited resource availability. Both based on dynamic programming, the first algorithm computes the minimal number of node reductions for converting a general network into a series-parallel network. The second employs a branch and bound search to minimize the alternative possibilities in arriving at a solution.

We described here the assemblage patterns accompanying the soft-bottom amphipods on both spatial and vertical scales. During winter 2020, 6820 individuals were collected from Hurghada and Shalateen, the Red Sea coast from five different depths ranging from 0.5 to 35 m. Twenty two amphipod species were recorded of which 18 (82 %) and 9 (41%) species were from Hurghada and Shalateen, respectively. Perioculodes aequimanus was the most abundant sand amphipod amounting to 17% and 39% in Hurghada and Shalateen, respectively, followed by Ceradocus rubromaculatus (27%) in Shalateen, and Metaphoxus sp. and Bemlos sp. (15%) in Hurghada. Depth influenced the total amphipod abundance in Hurghada, while, in Shalateen it showed an opposite assemblage pattern. The multivariate approach based on Non-Metric Multi-Dimensional Scaling (MDS) was helpful to detect differences between the study sites against depths. Sandy bottom composition, temperature, and depth variations were the main factors that influenced the amphipod assemblages according to the PCA and ANOSIM outputs. The SIMPER analysis showed that the amphipod Lysianassa ceratina and Lembos sp. were the most contributing species to the dissimilarity between the two study sites, while Guernea petalocera was the most contributing species to the similarity between Hurghada and Shalateen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic programming (DP) is applied to the solution of the problem of resource allocation in a project. This is based on the assumption that a correlation exists between the amount of resource allocated to a project and its length of completion. The applicability of DP to the problem stems from the development of a methodology that gives the minimum number of nodes to be reduced in activity network. Nevertheless, DP retains its dimensionality despite its simplification.

This study sought to describe worldwide variations in the use of myocardial perfusion imaging hardware, software, and imaging protocols and their impact on radiation effective dose (ED). Concerns about long-term effects of ionizing radiation have prompted efforts to identify strategies for dose optimization in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Studies have increasingly shown opportunities for dose reduction using newer technologies and optimized protocols. Data were submitted voluntarily to the INCAPS (International Atomic Energy Agency Nuclear Cardiology Protocols Study) registry, a multinational, cross-sectional study comprising 7,911 imaging studies from 308 labs in 65 countries. The study compared regional use of camera technologies, advanced post-processing software, and protocol characteristics and analyzed the influence of each factor on ED. Cadmium-zinc-telluride and positron emission tomography (PET) cameras were used in 10% (regional range 0% to 26%) and 6% (regional range 0% to 17%) of studies worldwide. Attenuation correction was used in 26% of cases (range 10% to 57%), and advanced post-processing software was used in 38% of cases (range 26% to 64%). Stress-first single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging comprised nearly 20% of cases from all world regions, except North America, where it was used in just 7% of cases. Factors associated with lower ED and odds ratio for achieving radiation dose ≤9 mSv included use of cadmium-zinc-telluride, PET, advanced post-processing software, and stress- or rest-only imaging. Overall, 39% of all studies (97% PET and 35% SPECT) were ≤9 mSv, while just 6% of all studies (32% PET and 4% SPECT) achieved a dose ≤3 mSv. Newer-technology cameras, advanced software, and stress-only protocols were associated with reduced ED, but worldwide adoption of these practices was generally low and varied significantly between regions. The implementation of dose-optimizing technologies and protocols offers an opportunity to reduce patient radiation exposure across all world regions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free-piston linear generator (FPLG) engines currently gained great attention due to their capability to operate with variable fuel and compression ratio. This paper presents an experimental study on the effect of aspect ratio on the performance characteristics of the FPLG engine fueled by hydrogen. Three aspect ratios (i.e. 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) are used to identify the engine combustion and performance parameters. The injection position is fixed in the middle of the stroke, while the equivalence ratio is kept at 1.0. The results indicate that the aspect ratio 2.0 produces the highest pressure, heat release, and shortest combustion duration. Whereas the aspect ratio 1.0 produces higher combustion efficiency and operating frequency. The piston speed decreases with the decrease in aspect ratio, which gives a negative effect on the indicated mean effective pressure and power output of the PFLG. Overall, the aspect ratio has a significant influence on engine performance characteristics. • This paper focuses on the experimental study on the FPLG engine performance. • The effect of aspect ratio on the performance of FPLG was also investigated. • Three aspect ratios (i.e. 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) were used and tested in this study. • The long-stroke produces the highest combustion pressure, IMEP, and Prms. • Overall engine combustion and performance improves with increasing aspect ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Le diagnostic de tuberculose oculaire (TO) demeure difficile et la contribution du QuantiFERON® (QFT) reste à préciser malgré sa généralisation en France. L'objectif de cette étude est d'évaluer dans quelles situations d'inflammation oculaire (IO) le QFT doit être prescrit et l'intérêt du nouveau test QuantiFERON®-TB-Plus (QFT-Plus) dans la TO. Étude monocentrique, observationnelle, effectuée en ophtalmologie sur une période de 5 mois. Les critères d'inclusion étaient l'existence d'une IO avec QFT-Plus demandé à visée étiologique. Sur 316 dossiers consécutifs, 72 ont été exclus (tests indéterminés, bilan préthérapeutique, données manquantes et mauvaise indication) et 244 retenus et répartis en deux groupes : groupe 1 (uvéite antérieure/épislérite, n = 129), groupe 2 (uvéite intermédiaire/postérieure/névrite optique/myosite oculaire, n = 115). Tous les patients QFT+ ont bénéficié d'un bilan étiologique avec imagerie thoracique. Quarante-cinq patients, d'âge médian de 52 ± 12 ans, avaient un QFT+ (18,5 %), incluant 18 patients dans le groupe 1 et 27 dans le groupe 2. Un voyage en pays d'endémie et un contage tuberculeux et des anomalies de l'imagerie thoracique étaient identifiés, respectivement dans 70 %, 27 % et 22 % des cas. L'IO était chronique chez 36 % des patients (groupe 1, n = 4/18 ; groupe 2, n = 12/27). Aucun des 18 patients du groupe 1, n'a reçu de quadrithérapie antituberculeuse, ni n'a présenté de rechute à 1 an de suivi. Un diagnostic alterne était retrouvé chez 15 % des patients du groupe 2. Parmi les 23 patients, sans étiologie identifiée, 13 (59 %) avaient au moins un élément sémiologique ophtalmologique prédictif de TO (synéchies postérieures, vascularite rétinienne, granulomes choroïdiens). Onze patients ont bénéficié d'un traitement antituberculeux (TAT) d'épreuve (rifampicine/isoniazide/pirilène/éthambutol) de six mois. La présence de granulomes à l'angiographie et d'anomalies radiologiques à l'imagerie thoracique était statistiquement plus fréquente parmi les patients ayant reçu un TAT (respectivement, p = 0,001 et 0,03). Une guérison à 12 mois était observée pour 8 patients (73 %), considéré a posteriori comme TO. Neuf patients ont reçu trois mois de bithérapie (rifampicine/isoniazide) sans que l'on puisse déterminer l'impact sur l'IO. La comparaison des réponses lymphocytaires T entre la stimulation CD4 par peptides ESAT-6/CFP-10 ou la co-stimulation CD4/CD8 était similaire, ne retrouvant que 4 discordances sur 244 tests (1,5 %). Aucun de ces 4 patients n'avait de TO. La fréquence de positivité du QFT est élevée parmi les patients consultant pour une IO postérieure. Les anomalies radiologiques et la présence de granulomes semblent être les éléments qui ont incités le clinicien à initier un TAT aux patients QFT+, avec guérison dans 73 % des cas. Le QFT-Plus ne semble pas plus pertinent que le QFT-TB-Gold dans l'exploration d'une IO. Des études prospectives restent nécessaires pour codifier l'utilisation du QFT dans le bilan étiologique des IO et définir les indications du TAT d'épreuve et de ses modalités. Ocular tuberculosis (TB) diagnosisremains difficult and quantiferon (QFT) contribution needs still yet to be specified, despite its generalization in France. The purpose of this observational study is to assess in which ocular inflammation (OI) presentation QFT is prescribed and to evaluate the added value of new QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) test for diagnosis ocular TB diagnosis. Monocentric, observational study, carried out in an ophthalmology department over a period of 5 months. Inclusion criteria were defined as an existence of an OI for which a QFT-Plus test was part of the etiological investigations. Of the 316 consecutive files, 72 were excluded (indeterminate test, prescription before anti-TNFα or immunosuppressant initiation, missing data, wrong indication) and 244 were selected and divided into two groups: group one (anterior uveitis/episcleritis, n = 129) and group two (intermediate/posterior uveitis/optic neuritis/ocular myositis, n = 115). All positive QFT patients underwent an etiological investigation including thoracic imaging. Forty-five patients, aged 52 ± 12 years, had positive QFT (18.5%), including 18 patients for group 1 and 27 for group 2. Living in TB-endemic area, TB exposure and chest imaging abnormalities were identified in 70%, 27% and 22% of cases, respectively. OI was chronic in 36% of cases (group one, 4/18; group two, 12/27). None of the 18 patients, in group 1, received anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT) or experienced a relapse during one-year follow-up. Four QFT+ patients, from group 2 (15%) had another associated disease explaining their uveitis. Among the 23 other patients without identified etiology, 13 had at least one relevant ophthalmological signs predictive of TB uveitis (posterior synechiae, retinal vasculitis and/or choroidal granuloma) (59%). Eleven patients received a 6-month ATT trial. Radiological abnormalities and granulomas at angiography were significantly more frequent among treated patients (p = 0.03 and 0.001, respectively). A full OI recovery was observed for 8 patients (73%), considered ex-post as ocular TB. Nine patients in group 2 received rifampicin/isoniazid dual therapy for 3 months, but no conclusion could be drawn as to the benefit of such prescription on OI. QFT rate comparison, according to CD4 stimulation by ESAT-6/CFP-10 peptides or by CD4/CD8 co-stimulation, was comparable and found only 4 cases of discrepancy (1.6%). None of these 4 cases had ocular TB diagnosis. Positive QFT frequency among patients consulting for posterior OI remains high. In this study, radiological abnormalities and granulomas at angiography seemed to be more closely related to clinician decision for starting ATT trial in QFT+ patients, which was effective in 73% of cases. QFT-Plus does not seem more relevant than QFT-TB in exploring an OI. Prospective studies are necessary to codify QFT management in the etiological assessment of OI and clearly define ATT trial indications as well as their modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to establish worldwide and regional diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) and achievable administered activities (AAAs) for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Reference levels serve as radiation dose benchmarks to compare individual laboratories against aggregated data, helping to identify sites in greatest need of dose reduction interventions. DRLs for SPECT MPI have previously been derived from national or regional registries. To date there have been no multiregional reports of DRLs for SPECT MPI from a single standardized dataset. Data were submitted voluntarily to the INCAPS (International Atomic Energy Agency Nuclear Cardiology Protocols Study), a cross-sectional, multinational registry of MPI protocols. A total of 7,103 studies were included. DRLs and AAAs were calculated by protocol for each world region and for aggregated worldwide data. The aggregated worldwide DRLs for rest-stress or stress-rest studies employing technetium Tc 99m–labeled radiopharmaceuticals were 11.2 mCi (first dose) and 32.0 mCi (second dose) for 1-day protocols, and 23.0 mCi (first dose) and 24.0 mCi (second dose) for multiday protocols. Corresponding AAAs were 10.1 mCi (first dose) and 28.0 mCi (second dose) for 1-day protocols, and 17.8 mCi (first dose) and 18.7 mCi (second dose) for multiday protocols. For stress-only technetium Tc 99m studies, the worldwide DRL and AAA were 18.0 mCi and 12.5 mCi, respectively. Stress-first imaging was used in 26% to 92% of regional studies except in North America where it was used in just 7% of cases. Significant differences in DRLs and AAAs were observed between regions. This study reports reference levels for SPECT MPI for each major world region from one of the largest international registries of clinical MPI studies. Regional DRLs may be useful in establishing or revising guidelines or simply comparing individual laboratory protocols to regional trends. Organizations should continue to focus on establishing standardized reporting methods to improve the validity and comparability of regional DRLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to study the effects of recreational diving and snorkeling on the distribution, diversity, and abundance of surgeonfishes in six northern islands, different in their diving and snorkeling load, at the Hurghada area in the Egyptian Red Sea waters. SCUBA diving survey was conducted in summer 2019 using transect technique in the reef flat and reef slope in the study sites to compare total and single surgeonfish species census among sites and microhabitats. A total of six species of surgeonfish belonging to three genera were recorded during the current survey, including Zebrasoma xanthurum , Zebrasoma desjardinii , Acanthurus gahhm , Acanthurus sohal , Naso lituratus , and Naso unicornis. Z. desjardinii was the most abundant species, recording 41.2% relative abundance, followed by Acanthurus sohal (19%). In all sites, surgeonfish species diversity and average/total abundance in reef flat was always higher than that recorded in the reef slope. Meanwhile, the recreational effect results showed that, in reef flat habitats, surgeonfishes total/average abundance was inversely related to the numbers of divers and snorkelers across survey sites. In contrast, deeper habitat at the opened reef edge exhibited inverse distribution pattern, whereas, the obtained results showed that surgeonfish preferred the reef edge when the diving activities load increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It remains uncertain how advances in revascularization techniques, availability of new evidence, and updated guidelines have influenced the annual rates of coronary revascularization in the United States. We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample data from 2005 to 2014 with appropriate weighting to determine national procedural volumes. To present accurately overall percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) rates, PCI with same-day discharge numbers per year were estimated from the available literature and added to annual PCI procedures performed. Annual PCI rate declined from 353 per 100,000 adults in 2005 to 277 per 100,000 adults in 2009 (P <.001) but remained stable thereafter (P =.50). Annual coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) rate declined steadily, at a shallower slope than PCI, from 120 per 100,000 in 2005 to 93 per 100,000 in 2009 (P =.02) but remained stable thereafter (P =.60). Similar trends were seen in men and women. Both PCI and CABG rates were lower in women than men over the study period (PCI, 482 to 324/100,000 in men vs 232 to 153/100,000 in women; CABG, 172 to 118/100,000 in men vs 64 to 38/100,000 in women). Annual PCI rates were higher than CABG rates in patients of all age groups including in younger patients (age < 50) and octogenarians. The proportion of coronary revascularization procedures performed per insurance type remained relatively similar across the study period. Annual rates of coronary revascularization have changed significantly over time, potentially because of advances in revascularization techniques, availability of new evidence, and updated guidelines. Rates of PCI declined more steeply than CABG before plateauing but remained higher than rates of CABG across the study period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Assessing plant water status parameters is a leading priority for effective management of deficit irrigation. • Hyperspectral sensing technique can provide an exact and expeditious manner for assessing plant water status in a large scale and real-time. • Developing new spectral indices will help in precise assessment and monitoring of plant water status and will be useful for irrigation scheduling. Abstract Hyperspectral sensing technique can provide an exact and expeditious manner for effective management of deficit irrigation through assessment of changes in plant water status in a large scale and real-time. This hypothesis was tested in this study using the hyperspectral signatures of the canopy in the visible- (VIS), near- (NIR), and shortwave-infrared (SWIR) to estimate and predict the leaf water status, measured here in terms of leaf water potential (LWP), relative water content (RWC), and equivalent water thickness (EWT), and grain yield (GY) of wheat cultivars exposed to 1.00, 0.75, and 0.50 of the estimated evapotranspiration (ETc). Results showed that the three parameters of leaf water status exhibited strong correlations with GY under 0.75 (except LWP) and 0.50 ETc treatments. This indicates that these parameters can be used as early indicators for management of deficit irrigation. Based on the relationships between these four phenotypic parameters and original canopy spectral reflectance within 350–2500 nm, the sensitive spectral wavelengths that exhibited strong correlations with all parameters existed mainly within the NIR and SWIR regions, with peak-wavelengths around 351, 518, and 687 nm in the VIS, 762, 974, 1100, and 1240 nm in the NIR, and 1392, 1515, 1930, and 2273 nm in the SWIR regions. These peak-wavelengths were used to build new two- and three-band normalized spectral reflectance indices (NDSIs). The NDSIs that combine NIR and VIS, NIR and NIR, SWIR and NIR, and SWIR and SWIR wavelengths were more effective for tracking changes in leaf water status and GY than those that combine only VIS wavelengths. The high fit between the observed and predicted values for phenotypic parameters based on twelve newly developed and published NDSIs indicates that the most recently developed NDSI models were more precise and accurate, and thus could be used for monitoring the changes in leaf water status and wheat production caused by deficit irrigation. The performance of partial least square regression (PLSR) based on either eleven wavelengths or different NDSIs as a predictive approach was the same and sometimes better than the individual NDSIs for assessment of phenotypic parameters. The results of spectral reflectance data and PLSR tools can serve as rapid and non-destructive alternative approaches for monitoring the water status and wheat production, and can be used to develop certain spectral indices for management of deficit irrigation in arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Multivariate analysis was allowed to derive new SRIs for tracking different phenotypic parameters under salinity stress. • New SRIs were constructed for assessment of ions and water relations of wheat under saline field conditions. • Hyperspectral reflectance technique can minimize the laborious and time-consuming destructive calibration for ions and water relations. • The VIS, Red edge and NIR- based indices were suitable for assessing the ions and water relation of wheat under salinity conditions. Abstract Realistic simulations of saline field conditions and effective monitoring of phenotyping parameters in an expeditious, non-destructive manner are imperative to successful breeding of genotypes for salinity stress tolerance. This study aimed to spectrally assess the growth, water relations and ion contents of wheat under simulated saline field conditions using the subsurface water retention technique (SWRT) and three salinity water levels (control, 6, and 12 dS m−1). Phenotypic parameters and hyperspectral signatures of the canopy within the 350–2500 nm range were measured at the flowering stage. Multivariate analysis, including correlation, partial least squares regression, simultaneous b-coefficient and variable importance for projection (VIP), and stepwise multiple linear regression were used in the same order, to extract sensitive wavebands and effective singular wavelengths. Binary effective wavelengths as normalized spectral indices (NDSIs) were constructed and related to phenotypic parameters for pooled data and for each salinity level and cultivar. The results confirmed that the shoot dry weight (SDW), water relations and ion contents parameters were effective as screening criteria for evaluating the salt tolerance of wheat cultivars under simulated saline field conditions. It was possible to assess the phenotypic parameters by using hyperspectral canopy signatures over a broad spectrum range. All parameters exhibited stronger relationships with the wavelengths extracted in the visible-infrared (VIS) and red edge regions than those extracted in the near-infrared (NIR) and shortwave-infrared (SWIR) regions. Six wavelengths within the VIS region, five within the red edge and SWIR-1 regions, eleven within the NIR region, and nine within the SWIR-2 region were extracted as effective bands. The NDSIs based on VIS/VIS, red edge/red edge, red edge/VIS, NIR/VIS, NIR/red edge, and NIR/NIR were more appropriate for assessing the phenotypic parameters than indices based on SWIR/SWIR and SWIR/NIR, except for the SDW, K+ and Ca2+ contents, which showed strong correlations with the latter NDSIs. The close relationship between SDW and the water relations and ion contents parameters on one side and the high predictive power of the NDSIs based on the VIS, red edge, and NIR wavelengths in the assessment of phenotypic parameters on the other side indicates that the hyperspectral reflectance data and band selection techniques could be used for the indirect assessment of water relations and ion content of wheat under saline field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Limited data exist studying the outcomes of the 2 minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (AVR) strategies—mini-sternotomy (AVR-st) and right anterior thoracotomy (AVR-th). We conducted an indirect meta-analysis to compare the outcomes of these minimally invasive approaches with each other and with conventional AVR (cAVR). Methods We Searched Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science in December 2017 for studies comparing AVR-st, AVR-th, and cAVR. Clinical outcomes were compared between cohorts with inverse weighted random effects modeling. Endpoints studied included hospital mortality, stroke, atrial fibrillation, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, and length of stay. Results A total of 19 studies (>10,000 pooled patients) met the inclusion criteria. Mortality (p = 0.06) and stroke (p = 0.15) were comparable between minimally invasive and conventional AVR. CPB times were longer with AVR-th versus cAVR (12.4 minutes [range, 5 to 19]; p < 0.01). In the AVR-th cohort, CPB duration was weakly inversely related to study size (p = 0.06). Atrial fibrillation was much less after AVR-th (odds ratio 0.47 [0.35 to 0.63]; p < 0.001). Hospital stay was significantly lower after minimally invasive surgery (0.8 [0.4 to 1.3] days; p < 0.01). AVR-th patients were dismissed 2.1 (1.6 to 2.7) days earlier than cAVR patients. Conclusions Minimally invasive approaches to AVR yield excellent outcomes in high-volume centers. They reduce hospital stay and incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation, and therefore should be considered in patients undergoing AVR. The operative approach should be selected according to surgeon's technical expertise and what is best for specific patient profile, however. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Sutureless aortic valve replacement (SU-AVR) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are increasingly adopted methods to treat high-risk patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the clinical outcomes between these two recent methods to treat aortic valve disease. Methods We systematically searched multiple databases (January 2000 to October 2016) to identify original studies comparing clinical outcome between SU-AVR and TAVI. End points studied were early mortality, development of paravalvular leak, early stroke, bleeding events, and the need for pacemaker insertion. A random-effect inverse-variance weighted analysis was performed. Event rates were compared as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results The meta-analysis included seven observational studies comprising 617 SU-AVR and 621 TAVI patients. Early mortality was 2.5% and 5% in the SU-AVR and TAVI cohorts, respectively (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.90; p = 0.02; I 2 = 2%). Postprocedural significant paravalvular leak was much lower after SU-AVR (OR, 0.18l; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.30; p < 0.0001). Postprocedural stroke (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.24 to 2.08; p = 0.53) and the need for pacemaker insertion (OR, 0.884; 95% CI, 0.364 to 2.18; p = 0.7) were comparable between the two cohorts. Conclusions Our meta-analysis of observational studies demonstrates that early mortality is lower after SU-AVR than after TAVI in selected patients. The rates of stroke and pacemaker implant are comparable between procedures; however, the incidence of paravalvular leak is higher after TAVI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]