bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrical Stimulation of Acute Fractures: A Narrative Review of Stimulation Protocols and Device Specifications
Authors: Nicksic Peter J. , Donnelly D’Andrea T. , Verma Nishant , Setiz Allison J. , Shoffstall Andrew J. , Ludwig Kip A. , Dingle Aaron M. , Poore Samuel O.
Published: June 2022

Orthopedic fractures have a significant impact on patients in the form of economic loss and functional impairment. Beyond the standard methods of reduction and fixation, one adjunct that has been explored since the late 1970s is electrical stimulation. Despite robust evidence for efficacy in the preclinical arena, human trials have mixed results, and this technology is not widely accepted. The purpose of this review is to examine the body of literature supporting electrical stimulation for the purpose of fracture healing in humans with an emphasis on device specifications and stimulation protocols and delineate a minimum reporting checklist for future studies of this type. We have isolated 12 studies that pertain to the administration of electrical stimulation for the purpose of augmenting fracture healing in humans. Of these, one was a direct current electrical stimulation study. Six studies utilized pulsed electromagnetic field therapy and five used capacitive coupling. When examining these studies, the device specifications were heterogenous and often incomplete in what they reported, which rendered studies unrepeatable. The stimulation protocols also varied greatly study to study. To demonstrate efficacy of electrical stimulation for fractures, the authors recommend isolating a fracture type that is prone to nonunion to maximize the electrical stimulation effect, a homogenous study population so as to not dilute the effect of electrical stimulation, and increasing scientific rigor in the form of pre-registration, blinding, and sham controls. Finally, we introduce the critical components of minimum device specification reporting for repeatability of studies of this type.
A Hierarchical Optimization Method for the Design of Active Hybrid Structures
Authors: Marker Paul , Bleicher Achim
Published: June 2022

In structural engineering, active structures that combine the principles of lightweight construction with bending elastic component behavior are increasingly being investigated. For the realization of a prototype of an active hybrid roof structure at the laboratory of Hybrid Structures at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, preliminary investigations on a case study are conducted in the framework of this publication in order to improve the design process of these types of structures. These active hybrids require a higher design effort than classical structures from the field of structural engineering due to a larger number of relevant objectives. Consequently, this study devotes special attention to these essential target criteria and their mathematical formulation. Furthermore, in order to improve the efficiency of this design process, a hierarchical method is derived that is subdivided into two successive partial procedures, which contain specific heuristics that are developed. In this method, after structural optimization, an optimal actuator placement is performed. The subject of a design process involving optimal actuator placement is relatively unexplored for active structures in which components are subjected to large elastic bending deformations and is therefore the focus of this study. In order to verify the functionality of the method and the plausibility of the results of the derived partial methods, a validation of the methodology is performed. Therefore, results of analyses of an active truss structure are compared with those of an active hybrid structure, both derived using the presented method. In addition to validating results, the study intends to investigate whether the performance of an active hybrid structure generated by the proposed method is sufficiently competitive compared to a state-of-the-art active truss structure derived by the same procedure.
Exosomal Composition, Biogenesis and Profiling Using Point-of-Care Diagnostics—Implications for Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Burtenshaw Denise , Regan Brian , Owen Kathryn , Collins David , McEneaney David , Megson Ian L. , Redmond Eileen M. , Cahill Paul Aidan
Published: June 2022

Arteriosclerosis is an important age-dependent disease that encompasses atherosclerosis, in-stent restenosis (ISR), pulmonary hypertension, autologous bypass grafting and transplant arteriosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction and the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC)-like cells is a critical event in the pathology of arteriosclerotic disease leading to intimal-medial thickening (IMT), lipid retention and vessel remodelling. An important aspect in guiding clinical decision-making is the detection of biomarkers of subclinical arteriosclerosis and early cardiovascular risk. Crucially, relevant biomarkers need to be good indicators of injury which change in their circulating concentrations or structure, signalling functional disturbances. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized membraneous vesicles secreted by cells that contain numerous bioactive molecules and act as a means of intercellular communication between different cell populations to maintain tissue homeostasis, gene regulation in recipient cells and the adaptive response to stress. This review will focus on the emerging field of EV research in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and discuss how key EV signatures in liquid biopsies may act as early pathological indicators of adaptive lesion formation and arteriosclerotic disease progression. EV profiling has the potential to provide important clinical information to complement current cardiovascular diagnostic platforms that indicate or predict myocardial injury. Finally, the development of fitting devices to enable rapid and/or high-throughput exosomal analysis that require adapted processing procedures will be evaluated.
Brevican, Neurocan, Tenascin-C, and Tenascin-R Act as Important Regulators of the Interplay Between Perineuronal Nets, Synaptic Integrity, Inhibitory Interneurons, and Otx2
Authors: Mueller-Buehl Cornelius , Reinhard Jacqueline , Roll Lars , Bader Verian , Winklhofer Konstanze F. , Faissner Andreas
Published: June 2022

Fast-spiking parvalbumin interneurons are critical for the function of mature cortical inhibitory circuits. Most of these neurons are enwrapped by a specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) structure called perineuronal net (PNN), which can regulate their synaptic input. In this study, we investigated the relationship between PNNs, parvalbumin interneurons, and synaptic distribution on these cells in the adult primary visual cortex (V1) of quadruple knockout mice deficient for the ECM molecules brevican, neurocan, tenascin-C, and tenascin-R. We used super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SIM) to analyze PNN structure and associated synapses. In addition, we examined parvalbumin and calretinin interneuron populations. We observed a reduction in the number of PNN-enwrapped cells and clear disorganization of the PNN structure in the quadruple knockout V1. This was accompanied by an imbalance of inhibitory and excitatory synapses with a reduction of inhibitory and an increase of excitatory synaptic elements along the PNNs. Furthermore, the number of parvalbumin interneurons was reduced in the quadruple knockout, while calretinin interneurons, which do not wear PNNs, did not display differences in number. Interestingly, we found the transcription factor Otx2 homeoprotein positive cell population also reduced. Otx2 is crucial for parvalbumin interneuron and PNN maturation, and a positive feedback loop between these parameters has been described. Collectively, these data indicate an important role of brevican, neurocan, tenascin-C, and tenascin-R in regulating the interplay between PNNs, inhibitory interneurons, synaptic distribution, and Otx2 in the V1.
Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells in Progressive Fibrogenic Involvement and Anti-Fibrosis Therapeutic Properties
Authors: Li Chenghai , Wang Bin
Published: June 2022

Fibrosis refers to the connective tissue deposition and stiffness usually as a result of injury. Fibrosis tissue-resident mesenchymal cells, including fibroblasts, myofibroblast, smooth muscle cells, and mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), are major players in fibrogenic processes under certain contexts. Acknowledging differentiation potential of MSCs to the aforementioned other types of mesenchymal cell lineages is essential for better understanding of MSCs’ substantial contributions to progressive fibrogenesis. MSCs may represent a potential therapeutic option for fibrosis resolution owing to their unique pleiotropic functions and therapeutic properties. Currently, clinical trial efforts using MSCs and MSC-based products are underway but clinical data collected by the early phase trials are insufficient to offer better support for the MSC-based anti-fibrotic therapies. Given that MSCs are involved in the coagulation through releasing tissue factor, MSCs can retain procoagulant activity to be associated with fibrogenic disease development. Therefore, MSCs’ functional benefits in translational applications need to be carefully balanced with their potential risks.
Centromere Identity and the Regulation of Chromosome Segregation
Authors: Sundararajan Kousik , Straight Aaron F.
Published: June 2022

Eukaryotes segregate their chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis by attaching chromosomes to the microtubules of the spindle so that they can be distributed into daughter cells. The complexity of centromeres ranges from the point centromeres of yeast that attach to a single microtubule to the more complex regional centromeres found in many metazoans or holocentric centromeres of some nematodes, arthropods and plants, that bind to dozens of microtubules per kinetochore. In vertebrates, the centromere is defined by a centromere specific histone variant termed Centromere Protein A (CENP-A) that replaces histone H3 in a subset of centromeric nucleosomes. These CENP-A nucleosomes are distributed on long stretches of highly repetitive DNA and interspersed with histone H3 containing nucleosomes. The mechanisms by which cells control the number and position of CENP-A nucleosomes is unknown but likely important for the organization of centromeric chromatin in mitosis so that the kinetochore is properly oriented for microtubule capture. CENP-A chromatin is epigenetically determined thus cells must correct errors in CENP-A organization to prevent centromere dysfunction and chromosome loss. Recent improvements in sequencing complex centromeres have paved the way for defining the organization of CENP-A nucleosomes in centromeres. Here we discuss the importance and challenges in understanding CENP-A organization and highlight new discoveries and advances enabled by recent improvements in the human genome assembly.
A Facile Microwave Hydrothermal Method for Fabricating SnO2@C/Graphene Composite With Enhanced Lithium Ion Storage Properties
Authors: Liu Li-Lai , Li Ming-Yang , Sun Yi-Han , Yang Xue-Ying , Ma Min-Xuan , Wang Hui , An Mao-Zhong
Published: June 2022

SnO2@C/graphene ternary composite material has been prepared via a double-layer modified strategy of carbon layer and graphene sheets. The size, dispersity, and coating layer of SnO2@C are uniform. The SnO2@C/graphene has a typical porous structure. The discharge and charge capacities of the initial cycle for SnO2@C/graphene are 2,210 mAh g−1 and 1,285 mAh g−1, respectively, at a current density of 1,000 mA g−1. The Coulombic efficiency is 58.60%. The reversible specific capacity of the SnO2@C/graphene anode is 955 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles. The average reversible specific capacity still maintains 572 mAh g−1 even at the high current density of 5 A g−1. In addition, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are performed to further investigate the prepared SnO2@C/graphene composite material by a microwave hydrothermal method. As a result, SnO2@C/graphene has demonstrated a better electrochemical performance.
Molecular Free Electron Vortices in Photoionization by Polarization-Tailored Ultrashort Laser Pulses
Authors: Bayer Tim , Wollenhaupt Matthias
Published: June 2022

Atomic and molecular free electron vortices (FEVs), characterized by their spiral-shaped momentum distribution, have recently attracted a great deal of attention due to their varied shapes and their unusual topological properties. Shortly after their theoretical prediction by the single-photon ionization (SPI) of He atoms using pairs of counterrotating circularly polarized attosecond pulses, FEVs have been demonstrated experimentally by the multiphoton ionization (MPI) of alkali atoms using single-color and bichromatic circularly polarized femtosecond pulse sequences. Recently, we reported on the analysis of the experimental results employing a numerical model based on the ab initio solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation (TDSE) for a two-dimensional (2D) atom interacting with a polarization-shaped ultrashort laser field. Here, we apply the 2D TDSE model to study molecular FEVs created by SPI and MPI of a diatomic molecule using polarization-tailored single-color and bichromatic femtosecond pulse sequences. We investigate the influence of the coupled electron-nuclear dynamics on the vortex formation dynamics and discuss the effect of CEP- and rotational averaging on the photoelectron momentum distribution. By analyzing how the molecular structure and dynamics is imprinted in the photoelectron spirals, we explore the potential of molecular FEVs for ultrafast spectroscopy.
Fenofibrate Ameliorated Systemic and Retinal Inflammation and Modulated Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet-Induced Mice
Authors: Wang Xue , Yu Chaofeng , Liu Xiaomei , Yang Jiasong , Feng Yuliang , Wu Yajun , Xu Yali , Zhu Yihua , Li Wensheng
Published: June 2022

Fenofibrate, as a lipid-lowering drug, has been reported to have a protective effect on the retina independent with plasma lipid levels. This study aimed to investigate that the ameliorative effects of fenofibrate on systemic and retinal inflammation, as well as gut microbiota dysbiosis in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mice. C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated into four groups: standard diet (SD) group; HFD group; SD plus fenofibrate (SD_ Fe) group; HFD plus fenofibrate (HFD_ Fe) group. After successfully establishing models (5 months), indicators associated with lipid, gut barrier, inflammation and gut microbiota were investigated. Our results showed that supplementing the HFD with fenofibrate decreased body weight gain, alleviated dyslipidemia and reversed the downregulation of short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) in serum, retina and feces. Fenofibrate ameliorated intestinal barrier function damage in HFD-induced mice. Fenofibrate coadministration inhibited the levels of inflammatory factor and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the serum and attenuated inflammatory response in the retina of HFD-induced mice. Systemic LPS was positively correlated with a series of inflammatory factors in serum and retina, respectively. Fenofibrate supplementation down-regulated the abundances of LPS-associated bacteria in HFD mice, including Firmicutes and Proteobacteria at the phylum level, Desulfovibrionaceae at the family level, as well as unclassified_ Desulfovibrionaceae, Acetatifactor, Flavonifractor, Oscillibacter and Anaerotruncus at the genus level. However, fenofibrate treatment up-regulated the abundances of SCFA-associated bacteria in HFD mice, including Bacteroidetes at the phylum level, Porphyromonadaceae at the family level, as well as unclassified_Porphyromonadaceae, Barnesiella, Alloprevotella and Bifidobacterium at the genus level. In conclusion, our results confirmed fenofibrate could attenuate HFD-induced systemic and retinal inflammation, accompanying with restoration of intestinal barrier damage and modulation of gut microbiota/metabolites. This work provided an explanation for the ameliorative effects of fenofibrate on HFD-induced systemic and retinal inflammation might be partially related with the modulation of gut microbiota and its metabolites.
Impact of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps on Thrombosis Formation: New Findings and Future Perspective
Authors: Zhou Yilu , Xu Zhendong , Liu Zhiqiang
Published: June 2022

Thrombotic diseases seriously endanger human health, neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play an important role in abnormal thrombus formation. NETs are extracellular structures released by neutrophils upon stimulation by pathogens. NETs include neutrophil elastase (NE), myeloperoxidase (MPO), cathepsin G and other active substances. The network structure provided by NETs can prevent the spread of pathogens and effectively kill and eliminate pathogens. However, the components of NETs can also abnormally activate the coagulation pathway and participate in the formation of pathological thrombi. This review aims to summarize the mechanisms of NETs formation in detail; the research progress of NETs in venous thrombosis, arterial thrombosis, acquired disease-associated thrombosis, sepsis coagulation disorder; as well as the strategies to target NETs in thrombosis prevention and treatment.
Intraocular Bleeding in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Treated With NOACs VS. Warfarin: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Fuwei , Zhang Yupei , Luo Jun , Zhou Yue
Published: June 2022

Background

Intraocular bleeding is a devastating adverse event for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving anticoagulant therapy. It is unknown whether non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) compared with warfarin can reduce the risk of intraocular bleeding in patients with AF. Herein, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of NOACs vs. warfarin on intraocular bleeding in the AF population.

Methods

Studies were systematically searched from the Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases until April 2022. We included studies if they enrolled patients with AF and compared the intraocular bleeding risk between NOACs and warfarin and if they were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational cohort studies. The random-effects model was chosen to evaluate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

A total of 193,980 patients with AF from 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 1 cohort study were included. The incidence of intraocular bleeding among AF patients treated with warfarin and NOACs was 0.87% (n = 501/57346) and 0.61% (n = 836/136634), respectively. In the pooled analysis with the random-effects model, the use of NOACs was not significantly associated with the risk of intraocular bleeding (OR = 0.74; 95% CI 0.52–1.04, P = 0.08) compared with warfarin use. In addition, the sensitivity analysis with the fixed-effects model suggested that NOAC users had a lower incidence of intraocular bleeding than patients with warfarin (OR = 0.57; 95% CI 0.51–0.63, P < 0.00001).

Conclusions

Our current meta-analysis suggested that the use of NOACs had no increase in the incidence of intraocular bleeding compared with warfarin use in patients with AF. Whether the use of NOACs is superior to warfarin needs more research to confirm.
A Pilot Assessment on the Role of Procalcitonin Dynamic Monitoring in the Early Diagnosis of Infection Post Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Miao Qiang , Chen Sheng-nan , Zhang Hao-jing , Huang Shan , Zhang Jun-long , Cai Bei , Niu Qian
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the value of dynamic monitoring of procalcitonin (PCT) as a biomarker for the early diagnosis of postoperative infections in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods

In total, 252 patients who underwent cardiac surgery were retrospectively included. The postoperative patients’ PCT level, change value (△PCT), and clearance rate (△PCTc) were compared between the infected and noninfected groups in adult and pediatric patients on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, and 5. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic value.

Results

Procalcitonin concentration decreased progressively in the noninfected group in adult and pediatric patients; PCT concentration continued to rise until it peaked on POD 3 in the infected group. In adult patients, the AUC of PCT for diagnosis of infection on PODs 1, 3, and 5 were 0.626, 0.817, and 0.806, with the optimal cut-off values of 7.35, 3.63, and 1.73 ng/ml, respectively. The diagnostic efficiency of △PCT3 and △PCTC3 was significantly better than △PCT5 and △PCTC5, respectively. In pediatric patients, the AUC of PCT for diagnosis of infection on PODs 1, 3, and 5 were 0.677, 0.747, and 0.756, respectively, and the optimal cut-off values were 27.62, 26.15, and 10.20 ng/ml.

Conclusion

This study showed that dynamic monitoring of PCT levels could be an effective clinical means to help to discover postoperative infection earlier. The PCT level and its change indicators on POD 3 in adult patients and the PCT level on POD 5 in children can indicate infection.
Interaction Between Treatment and Age or Sex in Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Disease and Three-Vessel Disease
Authors: Li Tianyu , Jiang Lin , Xu Lianjun , Tian Jian , Zhao Xueyan , Feng Xinxing , Wang Dong , Zhang Yin , Sun Kai , Xu Jingjing , Liu Ru , Xu Bo , Zhao Wei , Hui Rutai , Gao Runlin , Song Lei , Yuan Jinqing
Published: June 2022

Aims

To explore the effects of age and sex on the outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients with the three-vessel disease (TVD).

Methods and Results

The study is a subanalysis of data from a prospective cohort of 8,943 patients with angiographically confirmed TVD at Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. The primary end point was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. In total, 2,819 patients with NSTE-ACS who received CABG (43.6%) or PCI (56.4%) were included, among whom 32.7% were of 65–74 years, 7.2% were ≥75 years, and 22.6% were women. The median follow-up duration was 6.8 years. The superiority of CABG relative to PCI in terms of MACCE was decreased with age (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] [95% confidence interval (CI)]: <65 years: 0.662 [0.495–0.885], p = 0.005; 65–74 years: 0.700 [0.512–0.956], p = 0.025; ≥75 years: 0.884 [0.529–1.479], p = 0.640) and was only seen in men (adjusted HR [95% CI]: men: 0.668 [0.526–0.848], p = 0.001; women: 0.713 [0.505–1.006], p = 0.054). Significant treatment-by-sex and treatment-by-age interactions were observed in patients ≥ 75 years and women, respectively, (pinteraction with sex = 0.001; pinteraction with age = 0.002).

Conclusion

Coronary artery bypass grafting is favorable for most NSTE-ACS patients with TVD. The preponderance of CABG over PCI disappeared in patients ≥ 75 years and women. PCI is superior in women ≥ 75 years.
No Paradoxical Effect of Smoking Status on Recurrent Cardiovascular Events in Patients Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Thai PCI Registry
Authors: Limpijankit Thosaphol , Chandavimol Mann , Srimahachota Suphot , Siriyotha Sukanya , Thakkinstian Ammarin , Krittayaphong Rungroj , Sansanayudh Nakarin
Published: June 2022

Background

“Smoker's paradox” is a controversial phenomenon that describes an unexpectedly favorable short-term outcome of smokers post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of smoking status on recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients who recently underwent PCI and to determine whether it was paradoxical.

Methods

This study utilized data from the nationwide Thai PCI registry, enrolling patients during 2018–2019. Our study factor was smoking status, classified as current smokers, ex-smokers, and nonsmokers. The outcome of interest was the time to occurrence of a composite of MACEs (i.e., all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and unplanned revascularization) evaluated at about 1-year post-PCI. A propensity score (PS) model using inverse probability weighting with regression adjustment was used to estimate the effect of smoking on the occurrence of MACE.

Results

Current smokers, ex-smokers, and non-smokers accounted for 23, 32, and 45% of the 22,741 subjects, respectively. Smokers were younger, more frequently male, and had fewer traditional atherosclerotic risk factors. Current smokers presented more frequently with ST-elevation MIs (STEMIs) and cardiogenic shock (54 and 14.6%, respectively) than non-smokers. MACE rates were 1.9, 1.2, and 1.6 per 100 patients per month in the current smokers, ex-smokers, and non-smokers, respectively. After applying a PS, patients with a history of current smoking and ex-smoking developed the onset of recurrent MACEs significantly sooner than non-smokers, with a median time of 4.4 vs. 4.9 vs. 13.5 months (p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

“Smoker's paradox” was not observed in our patient population. Current smokers and ex-smokers were prone to develop an earlier onset of a post-PCI MACEs than nonsmokers and need a smoke cessation program for further prevention.
Assessment of Left Ventricular Systolic Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Compressed Sensing Real-Time Cine Imaging Combined With Area-Length Method in Normal Sinus Rhythm and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Yin Gang , Cui Chen , An Jing , Zhao Kankan , Yang Kai , Li Shuang , Yang Xinling , Wang Jiaxin , Dong Zhixiang , Yu Shiqin , He Jian , Chen Xiuyu , Lu Minjie , Zhao Shihua
Published: June 2022

Background

The most-commonly used multi-slice Simpson's method employed with routine two-dimensional segmented cine images makes it difficult to evaluate left ventricular (LV) volume and function due to endocardial border blurring and beat-to-beat variation during atrial fibrillation (AF) status.

Objectives

To assess the feasibility of compressed sensing real-time (CSRT) cine imaging combined with an area-length method for quantification of LV systolic function in normal sinus rhythm (NSR) and AF.

Methods

The CSRT cine sequence and routine segmented balanced Steady-State-Free-Precession cine sequence were performed in 71 patients with NSR (n = 36) or AF (n = 35). Image quality and edge sharpness for both sequences were assessed. The LV functional measurements in patients with NSR included end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), and LV mass (LVM); all were assessed using segmented cine with Simpson's rule in short axis (SegSA_Simpson, as a reference standard) and area-length (AL) method in the two chamber (Seg2CH_AL) or four chamber (Seg4CH_AL) and CSRT cine with AL method in the two chamber (CSRT2CH_AL) or four chamber (CSRT4CH_AL). Finally, the mean, maximum, and minimum values of each LV functional parameter [EDV/ESV/SV/EF/CO/CI/LVM/heart rate (HR)] from 4~5 consecutive heartbeats were measured using CSRT2CH_AL in patients with AF.

Results

In patients with NSR, measurements of EDV (p > 0.05), ESV (p > 0.05), SV (p > 0.05), EF (p > 0.05), and LVM (p > 0.05) assessed with CSRT2CH_AL did not differ significantly from those obtained with SegSA_Simpson. In patients with AF, CSRT image quality score (p < 0.001) and edge sharpness (p < 0.001) both were significantly higher than those obtained from segmented cine. The CSRT2CH_AL provided significantly different results among mean, maximum, and minimum values of each LV parameter from 4~5 consecutive heartbeats (all p < 0.001) with strong inter- and intra-observer agreement in AF.

Conclusions

The CSRT cine sequence combined with two chamber area-length analysis accurately assessed LV systolic function in NSR. This approach is expected to permit the assessment of multiple parameters in consecutive heartbeats with good inter- and intra-observer reproducibility for beat-to-beat analysis of LV function in AF.
Guanxinning Injection Combined With Ischemic Postconditioning Attenuate Myocardial Ischemic Reperfusion Injury in Chronic Renal Failure Rats by Modulating Mitochondrial Dynamics
Authors: Wang Anzhu , Zhang Dawu , Liu Jiangang , Yan Huijing , Zhang Pei , Yuan Hui , Ma Xiaochang
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. (Danshen, DS) and Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Chuanxiong, CX) have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to prevent and treat myocardial ischemia and renal insufficiency, and their extracts (Guanxinning injection, GXN) have been reported to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ischemia-reperfusion injury properties. It is well-established that ischemic postconditioning (IPOC) can protect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats with chronic renal failure (CRF). However, little is known on whether GXN combined with IPOC may affect myocardial I/R injury in CRF rats. We sought to observe the effect of GXN combined with IPOC on myocardial I/R injury in CRF rats by quantifying changes in the expression of proteins related to mitochondrial dynamics.

Materials and Methods

In a survey, 90 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (15 rats per group): CRF group, I/R group, comorbid group (CRF + I/R), IPOC group, IPOC + GXN group and the sham group. Changes in blood myocardial injury markers, urea, and creatinine were analyzed. Heart tissues were harvested for histomorphometry and western blotting when rats were sacrificed. Myocardial infarction area was measured by Evans blue and Triphenyltetrazolium chloride solution staining. The expressions of mitochondrial fission relative proteins (DRP1 and FIS1) and mitochondrial fusion relative proteins (OPA1 and MFN1) were detected by western blotting.

Results

IPOC could significantly decrease myocardial injury markers and myocardial area of necrosis (AN)/area at risk (AAR) of the comorbid model rats. Further results showed that GXN combined with IPOC could significantly reduce CK-MB levels and myocardial AN/AAR in comorbid model rats compared with the IPOC group. Meanwhile, both IPOC and IPOC + GXN significantly reduced DRP1 levels and increased the MFN1 and OPA1 protein levels in the comorbid model rats. However, compared with the IPOC group, MFN1 and OPA1 protein levels increased significantly in the IPOC + GXN group.

Conclusion

Extracts of DS and CX combined with IPOC exert a protective effect against myocardial I/R injury in rats with CRF, mediated by increased expression of mitochondrial fusion proteins (MFN1 and OPA1).
Case Report: Bronchogenic Cyst in the Right Atrium of a Young Woman
Authors: Fukudome Yuya , Hieda Michinari , Masui Shiho , Yokoyama Taku , Futami Shutaro , Moriyama Shohei , Irie Kei , Fukata Mitsuhiro , Ushijima Tomoki , Shiose Akira , Akashi Koichi
Published: June 2022

A 31-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for evaluation of a cardiac mass in the right atrium. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging indicated a cystic mass filled with fluid accumulation in the right atrium. The mass was identified as a cardiac cyst and was surgically removed. Pathological examination revealed an extremely rare bronchogenic cyst. Bronchogenic cysts are benign congenital abnormalities of primitive foregut origins that form in the mediastinum during embryonic development. There is unusual clinical dilemmas surrounding the treatment plan for cardiac surgery or biopsy of cardiac masses, especially in patients with rare cardiac cysts. The anatomical location of the cyst can be related to various clinical symptoms and complications. In cases of indeterminate cardiac cysts, direct cyst removal without prior biopsy is of utmost importance.
Expanding the Secondary Use of Prostate Cancer Real World Data: Automated Classifiers for Clinical and Pathological Stage
Authors: Bozkurt Selen , Magnani Christopher J. , Seneviratne Martin G. , Brooks James D. , Hernandez-Boussard Tina
Published: June 2022

Background

Explicit documentation of stage is an endorsed quality metric by the National Quality Forum. Clinical and pathological cancer staging is inconsistently recorded within clinical narratives but can be derived from text in the Electronic Health Record (EHR). To address this need, we developed a Natural Language Processing (NLP) solution for extraction of clinical and pathological TNM stages from the clinical notes in prostate cancer patients.

Methods

Data for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2010 and 2018 were collected from a tertiary care academic healthcare system's EHR records in the United States. This system is linked to the California Cancer Registry, and contains data on diagnosis, histology, cancer stage, treatment and outcomes. A randomly selected sample of patients were manually annotated for stage to establish the ground truth for training and validating the NLP methods. For each patient, a vector representation of clinical text (written in English) was used to train a machine learning model alongside a rule-based model and compared with the ground truth.

Results

A total of 5,461 prostate cancer patients were identified in the clinical data warehouse and over 30% were missing stage information. Thirty-three to thirty-six percent of patients were missing a clinical stage and the models accurately imputed the stage in 21–32% of cases. Twenty-one percent had a missing pathological stage and using NLP 71% of missing T stages and 56% of missing N stages were imputed. For both clinical and pathological T and N stages, the rule-based NLP approach out-performed the ML approach with a minimum F1 score of 0.71 and 0.40, respectively. For clinical M stage the ML approach out-performed the rule-based model with a minimum F1 score of 0.79 and 0.88, respectively.

Conclusions

We developed an NLP pipeline to successfully extract clinical and pathological staging information from clinical narratives. Our results can serve as a proof of concept for using NLP to augment clinical and pathological stage reporting in cancer registries and EHRs to enhance the secondary use of these data.
Tectonic Influence on the Geomorphology of Submarine Canyons: Implications for Deep-Water Sedimentary Systems
Authors: Bührig Laura H. , Colombera Luca , Patacci Marco , Mountney Nigel P. , McCaffrey William D.
Published: June 2022

A database-informed metastudy of 294 globally distributed submarine canyons has been conducted with the aim of elucidating the role of tectonic setting on submarine-canyon geomorphology. To achieve this, data from seafloor and subsurface studies derived from 136 peer-reviewed publications and from open-source worldwide bathymetry datasets have been statistically analyzed. In particular, relationships between margin type (active vs. passive) or plate-boundary type (convergent vs. transform vs. complex) have been assessed for key morphometric parameters of submarine canyons, including: streamwise length, maximum and average width and depth, canyon sinuosity, average canyon thalweg gradient, and maximum canyon sidewall steepness. In addition, possible scaling relationships between canyon morphometric parameters and characteristics of the associated terrestrial catchment, continental shelf and slope, and of the broader physiographic setting for canyons along both active and passive margins have been evaluated. The following principal findings arise: 1) overall canyon geomorphology is not markedly different across tectonic settings; 2) slope failure might be more important in passive-margin canyons compared to active ones, possibly due to seismic strengthening in the latter; 3) some aspects of canyon geomorphology scale with attributes of the source-to-sink system and environmental setting, but the strength and sign in scaling might differ between active and passive margins, suggesting that the extent to which canyon geomorphology can be predicted depends on the tectonic setting. Insights from our analysis augment and improve conceptual, experimental and numerical models of slope systems at the scale of individual canyons and source-to-sink systems, and increase our understanding of the complex role played by tectonic setting in shaping deep-water systems.
Deep Electrical Structure of the Langshan Mountain-Linhe Basin Area on the Northwest Edge of the Ordos Block, China
Authors: Zhao Lingqiang , Wang Qingliang , Cao Cong , Hao Ming
Published: June 2022

A series of fault depression structures have developed around the Ordos Block. The Langshan Mountain-Linhe Basin area (LLA), located on the northwest edge of the Ordos Block, is a typical, normal tension fault system. A geological survey shows that the Langshan Piedmont fault (LPF) in this area has a large slip rate and indicates risk of earthquake preparation. Broadband magnetotelluric (MT) exploration research was recently carried out across the LLA in the NW–SE direction, and the three-dimensional deep electrical structure thus obtained revealed that the LPF in the LLA is an evident electrical boundary zone on the whole crustal scale and is the main boundary fault of the primary structural block of the Alxa and Ordos Blocks. The MT results also show that the Linhe Basin and Ordos Block belong to the same tectonic basement. The Linhe and Dengkou faults belong to the internal faults of the Ordos Block. The upper crust of the Langshan Mountain on the west side of LPF is characterized by high-resistivity, the middle and lower crust have a low-resistivity layer, and the Linhe Basin on the east side has a Cenozoic low-resistivity sedimentary layer of approximately 10 km thick, which reveals that the Linhe Basin is a faulted basin with sedimentary thickness around the Ordos Block. This indicates that the LLA has experienced continuous and strong tension, normal fault depression sedimentary activities since the Cenozoic era. The current Global Positioning System velocity field shows that there is an apparent NW–SE acceleration zone in the LLA. The leveling data indicate that Linhe Basin shows a subsidence trend relative to the Ordos Block, indicating that the area is undergoing continuous NW–SE tension and faulting. It is speculated that there is a risk of earthquake preparation in the LPF.
Fracture Identification of Deep Dolomite Reservoir Based on R/S-FD Analysis: A Case Study of the Cambrian Sinian Reservoirs in the Sandaoqiao Gas Field, Northern Tarim Basin
Authors: Meng Qingxiu , Ding Wenlong , Diao Xindong , Han Pengyuan , Wang Huanhuan , Xiao Zikang
Published: June 2022

The pre-Mesozoic Sandaoqiao gas field, northern Tarim Basin, Western China, hosts a typical deep fractured dolomite reservoir. Taking this area as an example, this study carried out identification research on the fracture development section of the Cambrian Sinian deep (5,700–6200 m) thick (60–80 m) fractured dolomite reservoirs. The core scale identification and numerical analysis method of heavy gauge finite difference (R/S-FD) are used to identify the fracture development section. In the process of applying this method to the study area, by comparing the fracture development identification results of continuous and complete coring sections, three logging curves with high fracture sensitivity (AC/DEN/CAL) are selected. The adjusted R/S-FD analysis method can effectively identify the fracture development section of the fractured dolomite reservoir. Among them, five fracture development sections were identified in well Q1, with an average thickness of 6.8 m. The fracture development section is in good consistency with the reservoir interpretation section of conventional logging. Well, Q101 identified 11 fracture development sections with an average thickness of 2.5 m. The results show that the gas logging section lags behind the fracture development section, mainly corresponding to the lower part of the identified fracture development section. The thickness and distribution of the longitudinal fracture development section of the two wells are obviously different. The research shows that the R/S-FD method can well identify the fracture development section of a fractured dolomite reservoir.
1-h Glucose During Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Predicts Hyperglycemia Relapse-Free Survival in Obese Black Patients With Hyperglycemic Crises
Authors: Jagannathan Ram , Stefanovski Darko , Smiley Dawn D. , Oladejo Omolade , Cotten Lucia F. , Umpierrez Guillermo , Vellanki Priyathama
Published: June 2022

Objective

Approximately 50% of obese Black patients with unprovoked diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or severe hyperglycemia (SH) at new-onset diabetes achieve near-normoglycemia remission with intensive insulin treatment. Despite the initial near-normoglycemia remission, most DKA/SH individuals develop hyperglycemia relapse after insulin discontinuation. Traditional biomarkers such as normal glucose tolerance at the time of remission were not predictive of hyperglycemia relapse. We tested whether 1-h plasma glucose (1-h PG) at remission predicts hyperglycemia relapse in Black patients with DKA/SH.

Methods

Secondary analysis was performed of two prospective randomized controlled trials in 73 patients with DKA/SH at the safety net hospital with a median follow-up of 408 days. Patients with DKA/SH underwent a 5-point, 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance test after hyperglycemia remission. Hyperglycemia relapse is defined by fasting blood glucose (FBG) > 130 mg/dl, random blood glucose (BG) >180 mg/dl, or HbA1c > 7%.

Results

During the median 408 (interquartile range: 110–602) days of follow-up, hyperglycemia relapse occurred in 28 (38.4%) participants. One-hour PG value ≥199 mg/dl discriminates hyperglycemia relapse (sensitivity: 64%; specificity: 71%). Elevated levels of 1-h PG (≥199 mg/dl) were independently associated with hyperglycemia relapse (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.40 [95% CI: 1.04, 5.56]). In a multivariable model with FBG, adding 1-h PG level enhanced the prediction of hyperglycemia relapse, with significant improvements in C-index (Δ: +0.05; p = 0.04), net reclassification improvement (NRI: 48.7%; p = 0.04), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI: 7.8%; p = 0.02) as compared with the addition of 2-h PG (NRI: 20.2%; p = 0.42; IDI: 1.32%; p = 0.41) or HbA1c (NRI: 35.2%; p = 0.143; IDI: 5.8%; p = 0.04).

Conclusion

One-hour PG at the time of remission is a better predictor of hyperglycemia relapse than traditional glycemic markers among obese Black patients presenting with DKA/SH. Testing 1-h PG at insulin discontinuation identifies individuals at high risk of developing hyperglycemia relapse.
Total Diet Replacement Within an Integrated Intensive Lifestyle Intervention for Remission of Type 2 Diabetes: Lessons From DiRECT
Authors: Noronha Jarvis C. , Thom George , Lean Michael E. J.
Published: June 2022

The prognosis for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains concerning, yet its seriousness is often underestimated. T2D is a manifestation, in susceptible individuals, of the disease-process of obesity, and at diagnosis, 10-year survival rates for T2D are around 50%. Here, we will examine: (a) the role of weight loss in T2D, (b) use of total diet replacements (TDRs) to induce weight loss, (c) the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT) protocol and key results, (d) other dietary interventions related to T2D remission, (e) remission in real life, and (f) future directions. Remission of short-duration T2D will usually require 10-15% body weight loss, and results from the DiRECT trial demonstrated that this can be achieved within routine care in nearly half of all people undertaking a supported, TDR-led behavioural weight management programme. In light of these findings, which have since been replicated in the Diabetes Intervention Accentuating Diet and Enhancing Metabolism (DIADEM-I) trial conducted in the Middle East and North Africa, it is now time to prioritize weight loss programmes for T2D remission from diagnosis, and with increasing acceptance and availability of digital healthcare, there is an opportunity to scale up delivery of remission programmes in a cost effective manner.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Phenotype D Versus Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea With Polycystic Ovarian Morphology: A Retrospective Study About a Frequent Differential Diagnosis
Authors: Beitl Klara , Dewailly Didier , Seemann Rudolf , Hager Marlene , Bünker Jakob , Mayrhofer Daniel , Holzer Iris , Ott Johannes
Published: June 2022

The two most frequent causes of secondary amenorrhea are polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA). Despite several studies showing differences in hormonal profile between these groups, the differential diagnosis remains challenging, in particular between FHA women with polycystic ovarian morphology (FHA-PCOM) and PCOS patients without hyperandrogenism (phenotype D, PCOS-D). In a retrospective case-control study, 58 clearly defined patients with FHA-PCOM were compared to 58 PCOS-D patients, matched 1:1 for age and BMI. Significantly higher levels of LH, estradiol, testosterone, and a higher luteinizing hormone (LH): follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio as well as lower sexual hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels were found in PCOS-D patients (p< 0.05). Optimized cut-off values for the prediction of FHA-PCOM were calculated by the Youden index. The highest sensitivity was found for an estradiol serum level <37.5 pg/mL (84.5%, 95% confidence interval, CI: 72.6-92.6), whereas a LH : FSH ratio <0.96 had the highest specificity (94.8, 95% CI: 85.6-98.9). A linear discriminant analysis including testosterone, SHBG and LH was able to correctly classify 87.9% of FHA-PCOM patients (bootstrap 95% CI: 80.2 - 94.0%). In conclusion, this model including serological parameters could be an easy and reliable tool to distinguish between FHA-PCOM and PCOS-D patients, especially in situations where the clinical profile is not obvious.
Effect of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines on Atmospheric Circulation in California
Authors: Raghukumar Kaustubha , Chartrand Chris , Chang Grace , Cheung Lawrence , Roberts Jesse
Published: June 2022

In California offshore waters, sustained northwesterly winds have been identified as a key energy resource that could contribute substantially to California’s renewable energy mandate. It is these winds that drive upwelling, which is responsible for much of the primary productivity that sustains one of the richest ecosystems on the planet. The goal of this study is to quantify changes in wind fields at the sea surface as the result of offshore wind turbine deployments by use of an atmospheric model. Modeled wind fields from this study will drive an ocean circulation model. The Weather Research and Forecasting model was implemented on a regional scale along the U.S. west coast, with a higher resolution nest along the California continental shelf. Simulated arrays of offshore wind turbines were placed within call areas for wind farm development offshore of Central and Northern California. At full build-out, it was found that wind speeds at 10 m height are reduced by approximately 5%, with wakes extending approximately 200 km downwind of the nominated lease block areas. The length scale of wind speed reductions was found to be several times the internal Rossby radius of deformation, the spatial scale at which rotationally-influenced ocean circulation processes such as upwelling occur.