bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Subtypes of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer across Racial Groups and Gene Expression Platforms
Authors: Davidson Natalie R. , Barnard Mollie E. , Hippen Ariel A. , Campbell Amy , Johnson Courtney E. , Way Gregory P. , Dalley Brian K. , Berchuck Andrew , Salas Lucas A. , Peres Lauren C. , Marks Jeffrey R. , Schildkraut Joellen M. , Greene Casey S. , Doherty Jennifer A.
Published: May 2024

Background:

High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) gene expression subtypes are associated with differential survival. We characterized HGSC gene expression in Black individuals and considered whether gene expression differences by self-identified race may contribute to poorer HGSC survival among Black versus White individuals.

Methods:

We included newly generated RNA sequencing data from Black and White individuals and array-based genotyping data from four existing studies of White and Japanese individuals. We used K-means clustering, a method with no predefined number of clusters or dataset-specific features, to assign subtypes. Cluster- and dataset-specific gene expression patterns were summarized by moderated t-scores. We compared cluster-specific gene expression patterns across datasets by calculating the correlation between the summarized vectors of moderated t-scores. After mapping to The Cancer Genome Atlas–derived HGSC subtypes, we used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate subtype-specific survival by dataset.

Results:

Cluster-specific gene expression was similar across gene expression platforms and racial groups. Comparing the Black population with the White and Japanese populations, the immunoreactive subtype was more common (39% vs. 23%–28%) and the differentiated subtype was less common (7% vs. 22%–31%). Patterns of subtype-specific survival were similar between the Black and White populations with RNA sequencing data; compared with mesenchymal cases, the risk of death was similar for proliferative and differentiated cases and suggestively lower for immunoreactive cases [Black population HR = 0.79 (0.55, 1.13); White population HR = 0.86 (0.62, 1.19)].

Conclusions:

Although the prevalence of HGSC subtypes varied by race, subtype-specific survival was similar.

Impact:

HGSC subtypes can be consistently assigned across platforms and self-identified racial groups.
PKMYT1 Is a Marker of Treatment Response and a Therapeutic Target for CDK4/6 Inhibitor-Resistance in ER+ Breast Cancer
Authors: Chen Anran , Kim Beom-Jun , Mitra Aparna , Vollert Craig T. , Lei Jonathan T. , Fandino Diana , Anurag Meenakshi , Holt Matthew V. , Gou Xuxu , Pilcher Jacob B. , Goetz Matthew P. , Northfelt Donald W. , Hilsenbeck Susan G. , Marshall C. Gary , Hyer Marc L. , Papp Robert , Yin Shou-Yun , De Angelis Carmine , Schiff Rachel , Fuqua Suzanne A.W. , Ma Cynthia X. , Foulds Charles E. , Ellis Matthew J.
Published: May 2024

Endocrine therapies (ET) with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibition are the standard treatment for estrogen receptor-α-positive (ER+) breast cancer, however drug resistance is common. In this study, proteogenomic analyses of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from patients with 22 ER+ breast cancer demonstrated that protein kinase, membrane-associated tyrosine/threonine one (PKMYT1), a WEE1 homolog, is estradiol (E2) regulated in E2-dependent PDXs and constitutively expressed when growth is E2-independent. In clinical samples, high PKMYT1 mRNA levels associated with resistance to both ET and CDK4/6 inhibition. The PKMYT1 inhibitor lunresertib (RP-6306) with gemcitabine selectively and synergistically reduced the viability of ET and palbociclib-resistant ER+ breast cancer cells without functional p53. In vitro the combination increased DNA damage and apoptosis. In palbociclib-resistant, TP53 mutant PDX-derived organoids and PDXs, RP-6306 with low-dose gemcitabine induced greater tumor volume reduction compared to treatment with either single agent. Our study demonstrates the clinical potential of RP-6306 in combination with gemcitabine for ET and CDK4/6 inhibitor resistant TP53 mutant ER+ breast cancer.
Supplementary Table S4 from Use of Deep Learning to Evaluate Tumor Microenvironmental Features for Prediction of Colon Cancer Recurrence
Authors: Sinicrope Frank A. , Nelson Garth D. , Saberzadeh-Ardestani Bahar , Segovia Diana I. , Graham Rondell P. , Wu Christina , Hagen Catherine E. , Shivji Sameer , Savage Paul , Buchanan Dan D. , Jenkins Mark A. , Phipps Amanda I. , Swallow Carol , LeMarchand Loic , Gallinger Steven , Grant Robert C. , Pai Reetesh K. , Sinicrope Stephen N. , Yan Dongyao , Shanmugam Kandavel , Conner James , Cyr David P. , Kirsch Richard , Banerjee Imon , Alberts Steve R. , Shi Qian , Pai Rish K.
Published: May 2024

Supplementary Table S4
Optimizing Identification of Allergic Sensitization to Seasonal Inhalant Allergens in the USA: Implications for Constructing Optimal Panels to Evaluate Patients with Allergy
Authors: Kwong Kenny Y. , Chen Zhen , Scott Lyne , Hilborne Lee H.
Published: May 2024

Introduction: While a specific number and type of antigens are recognized to detect perennial inhalant allergies, the optimal number and combination of allergens to reliably identify seasonal allergic sensitization is unclear due to limited national data. This study analyzed aeroallergen testing data from a large US clinical reference laboratory to provide guidance for optimizing seasonal allergen test selection. Methods: The 2019 serum IgE tests for seasonal inhalant allergens were identified from the Quest Diagnostics database. Patients with results for at least 1 of 31 seasonal allergens across 4 allergen classes (11 trees, 7 weeds, 5 grasses, and 8 molds) were analyzed. A step-by-step conditional approach was employed to determine the minimum number and species of allergens needed to identify at least 98% of sensitized patients for each class. Results: Of 88,042 patients tested for ≥1 seasonal allergen, 1.5%, 1.8%, 1.3%, and 1.6% were tested for all trees, weeds, grasses, and molds, respectively. Of those tested for all allergens within a class, 40.4%, 38.6%, 29.5%, and 21.2% were sensitized to at least one tree, weed, grass, or mold allergen, respectively. Identification of ≥98% of sensitized patients within a class required 8 allergens for trees (mountain cedar, maple box elder, walnut, white ash, elm, birch, cottonwood, and hickory/pecan), 5 for weeds (common ragweed short, rough pigweed, English plantain, lamb's quarters/goosefoot, and Russian thistle), 3 for grasses (June/Kentucky blue grass, Johnson grass, and Bermuda grass), and 7 for molds (Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucor racemosus, Epicoccum purpurascens, Penicillium notatum, Helminthosporium halodes, and Fusarium moniliforme). Conclusion: A minimum of 23 antigens is required to optimally detect sensitization to four classes of seasonal allergens (i.e., ≥98% identification). The addition of these allergens to unique perennial allergens (cat, dog, mouse, cockroach, and 2 dust mite species) results in a comprehensive elucidation of inhalant allergen sensitization. This knowledge provides a pivotal guide for clinical laboratories as they construct allergen panels to optimize diagnostic yield.
Codonopsis Radix Inhibits the Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Mice through Regulation of the Nrf2/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Chen Zhengjun , Shi Qi , Liu Xuxia , Lu Guodi , Yang Jie , Luo Wenrong , Yang Fude
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a nonspecific chronic inflammatory lung disease with no known cure. Codonopsis Radix (CR) has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory effects of different CR varieties on COPD mice. Methods: Sixty male-specified pathogen-free grade C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, 10 mice in each group. The COPD mice model was induced by cigarette smoke extract combined with lipopolysaccharide, and the mice in each group were given corresponding drugs. Lung function was assessed in all mice. Lung tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Masson, and periodic acid-Schiff stains, and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected using an ELISA. Further, serum and lung tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected by colorimetric assay. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to predict signaling pathways, which were validated by Western blot analysis. Results: Compared with the COPD group, the mice in each dosing group of CR exhibited significant reductions in serum IL-8 and TNF-α levels, serum and lung tissue MDA levels, and pathological lung tissue damage, alongside elevations in lung function and SOD levels (p < 0.01). Western blot analysis also indicated significant downregulation of p-p65/p65 and p-IκB-α/IκB-α protein expression, alongside significant upregulation of Nrf2 protein expression in the lung tissues of mice treated with CR (p < 0.01). Conclusion: In summary, CR effectively enhances lung function, minimizes lung tissue damage, and inhibits inflammation and oxidative stress in mice with COPD. Additionally, these findings suggest that inhibition of the Nrf2/NF-κB axis may be a key mechanism of action of CR in the alleviation of COPD.
Controles hidroquímicos na deposição de tufas em drenagens na Serra do André Lopes (SP, Brasil)
Authors: Almeida Luis Henrique Sapiensa , Sallun Filho William , Karmann Ivo
Published: May 2024

A Serra do André Lopes localiza-se em um planalto cárstico composto por dolomitos (Mármore da Tapagem) no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Na superfície, a água que escoa sobre as rochas carbonáticas é rica em carbonato de cálcio, o que possibilita a deposição de tufas. Para que ocorra essa deposição, a água deve ser cristalina, sem sedimentos em suspensão, que possa inibir a precipitação dos carbonatos e ter alta concentração de carbonato de cálcio dissolvido. Foram coletadas amostras de águas fluviais em 14 locais da Serra do André Lopes e região, para a análise de parâmetros hidroquímicos e isotópicos. A análise hidroquímica mostrou que essas águas têm alto teor de carbonato de cálcio (média de 179 mg/L), alta razão Mg/Ca (média de 0,88) e altos valores de pH (entre 8,18 e 8,71) e índice de saturação em relação à calcita (entre 0,1 e 1,04). A maioria das amostras das águas foram classificadas como cálcio magnesianas carbonatadas. Com base nos resultados foi possível concluir que as águas das drenagens onde ocorrem os depósitos de tufa são provenientes de recarga autóctone, com pouca ou nenhuma influência de águas alogênicas (provenientes de áreas não carbonáticas), sendo o fator preponderante para a deposição de tufas na região. Os resultados das análises isotópicas de d18O da água e do carbonato de cálcio das tufas mostraram que a influência da evaporação é praticamente nula na precipitação de calcita. A observação da deposição de tufa em equilíbrio isotópico, mostra que potenciais registros paleoclimáticos obtidos a partir dos depósitos antigos são relevantes.
Lições sobre a recusa na Antropologia: Mauro Almeida e a tarefa da descolonização permanente do pensamento an(tropo)lógico
Authors: Cariaga Diogenes Egidio
Published: May 2024

As the author himself announces, unsuspecting individuals might find the heterogeneous gathering presented here strange, but Mauro Almeida is generous in guiding us through a reading program capable of connecting his reflections over the past decades, of a sophisticated intellectual who nonetheless views the world from the battleground of political struggles for socio-environmental rights with rubber tappers, riverine dwellers, and indigenous peoples in the Amazon Rainforest. Among the potential lessons to be gleaned from the reading of the work, there is the refusal of an anthropology that does not position itself adjacent to politics, where ontological wars do not separate "theory from practice."
Inflammation in HIV and Its Impact on Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Obare Laventa M. , Temu Tecla , Mallal Simon A. , Wanjalla Celestine N.
Published: May 2024

People living with HIV have a 1.5- to 2-fold increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Despite treatment with highly effective antiretroviral therapy, people living with HIV have chronic inflammation that makes them susceptible to multiple comorbidities. Several factors, including the HIV reservoir, coinfections, clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), microbial translocation, and antiretroviral therapy, may contribute to the chronic state of inflammation. Within the innate immune system, macrophages harbor latent HIV and are among the prominent immune cells present in atheroma during the progression of atherosclerosis. They secrete inflammatory cytokines such as IL (interleukin)-6 and tumor necrosis-α that stimulate the expression of adhesion molecules on the endothelium. This leads to the recruitment of other immune cells, including cluster of differentiation (CD)8
+
and CD4
+
T cells, also present in early and late atheroma. As such, cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems contribute to both systemic inflammation and vascular inflammation. On a molecular level, HIV-1 primes the NLRP3 (NLR family pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome, leading to an increased expression of IL-1β, which is important for cardiovascular outcomes. Moreover, activation of TLRs (toll-like receptors) by HIV, gut microbes, and substance abuse further activates the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Finally, HIV proteins such as Nef (negative regulatory factor) can inhibit cholesterol efflux in monocytes and macrophages through direct action on the cholesterol transporter ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1), which promotes the formation of foam cells and the progression of atherosclerotic plaque. Here, we summarize the stages of atherosclerosis in the context of HIV, highlighting the effects of HIV, coinfections, and antiretroviral therapy on cells of the innate and adaptive immune system and describe current and future interventions to reduce residual inflammation and improve cardiovascular outcomes among people living with HIV.
Exercise to Prevent Accelerated Vascular Aging in People Living With HIV
Authors: Jones Raymond , Robinson Austin T. , Beach Lauren B. , Lindsey Merry L. , Kirabo Annet , Hinton Antentor , Erlandson Kristine M. , Jenkins Nathaniel D.M.
Published: May 2024

Given advances in antiretroviral therapy, the mortality rate for HIV infection has dropped considerably over recent decades. However, people living with HIV (PLWH) experience longer life spans coupled with persistent immune activation despite viral suppression and potential toxicity from long-term antiretroviral therapy use. Consequently, PLWH face a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk more than twice that of the general population, making it the leading cause of death among this group. Here, we briefly review the epidemiology of CVD in PLWH highlighting disparities at the intersections of sex and gender, age, race/ethnicity, and the contributions of social determinants of health and psychosocial stress to increased CVD risk among individuals with marginalized identities. We then overview the pathophysiology of HIV and discuss the primary factors implicated as contributors to CVD risk among PLWH on antiretroviral therapy. Subsequently, we highlight the functional evidence of premature vascular dysfunction as an early pathophysiological determinant of CVD risk among PLWH, discuss several mechanisms underlying premature vascular dysfunction in PLWH, and synthesize current research on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying accelerated vascular aging in PLWH, focusing on immune activation, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. We consider understudied aspects such as HIV-related changes to the gut microbiome and psychosocial stress, which may serve as mechanisms through which exercise can abrogate accelerated vascular aging. Emphasizing the significance of exercise, we review various modalities and their impacts on vascular health, proposing a holistic approach to managing CVD risks in PLWH. The discussion extends to critical future study areas related to vascular aging, CVD, and the efficacy of exercise interventions, with a call for more inclusive research that considers the diversity of the PLWH population.
Data Interoperability for Ambulatory Monitoring of Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Armoundas Antonis A. , Ahmad Faraz S. , Bennett Derrick A. , Chung Mina K. , Davis Leslie L. , Dunn Jessilyn , Narayan Sanjiv M. , Slotwiner David J. , Wiley Kevin Keith , Khera Rohan ,   on behalf of the American Heart Association Data Science and Precision Medicine Committee of the Council on Genomic and Precision Medicine and Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Cardiopulmonary, Critical Care, Perioperative and Resuscitation; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health; Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease; Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research; and Stroke Council
Published: May 2024

Wearable devices are increasingly used by a growing portion of the population to track health and illnesses. The data emerging from these devices can potentially transform health care. This requires an interoperability framework that enables the deployment of platforms, sensors, devices, and software applications within diverse health systems, aiming to facilitate innovation in preventing and treating cardiovascular disease. However, the current data ecosystem includes several noninteroperable systems that inhibit such objectives. The design of clinically meaningful systems for accessing and incorporating these data into clinical workflows requires strategies to ensure the quality of data and clinical content and patient and caregiver accessibility. This scientific statement aims to address the best practices, gaps, and challenges pertaining to data interoperability in this area, with considerations for (1) data integration and the scope of measures, (2) application of these data into clinical approaches/strategies, and (3) regulatory/ethical/legal issues.
Assessment of Days Alive Out of Hospital as a Possible End Point in Trials of Stroke Prevention for Atrial Fibrillation: A ROCKET AF Analysis
Authors: Harrington Josephine , Hellkamp Anne S. , Mahaffey Kenneth W. , Breithardt Günter , Halperin Jonathan L. , Hankey Graeme J. , Becker Richard C. , Nessel Christopher C. , Berkowitz Scott D. , Fox Keith A. A. , Singer Daniel E. , Goodman Shaun G. , Patel Manesh R. , Piccini Jonathan P.
Published: May 2024

Background

Days alive out of hospital (DAOH) is an objective and patient‐centered net benefit end point. There are no assessments of DAOH in clinical trials of interventions for atrial fibrillation (AF), and it is not known whether this end point is of clinical utility in these populations.

Methods and Results

ROCKET AF (Rivaroxaban Once Daily Oral Direct Factor Xa Inhibition Compared With Vitamin K Antagonism for Prevention of Stroke and Embolism Trial in Atrial Fibrillation) was an international double‐blind, double‐dummy randomized clinical trial that compared rivaroxaban with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation at increased risk for stroke. We assessed DAOH using investigator‐reported event data for up to 12 months after randomization in ROCKET AF. We assessed DAOH overall, by treatment group, and by subgroup, including age, sex, and comorbidities, using Poisson regression. The mean±SD number of days dead was 7.3±41.2, days hospitalized was 1.2±7.2, and mean DAOH was 350.7±56.2, with notable left skew. Patients with comorbidities had fewer DAOH overall. There were no differences in DAOH by treatment arm, with mean DAOH of 350.6±56.5 for those randomized to rivaroxaban and 350.7±55.8 for those randomized to warfarin (
P
=0.86). A sensitivity analysis found no difference in DAOH not disabled with rivaroxaban versus warfarin (DAOH not disabled, 349.2±59.5 days and 349.1 days±59.3 days, respectively,
P
=0.88).

Conclusions

DAOH did not identify a treatment difference between patients randomized to rivaroxaban versus warfarin. This may be driven in part by the low overall event rates in atrial fibrillation anticoagulation trials, which leads to substantial left skew in measures of DAOH.
Early Alteration of Right Ventricle–Pulmonary Artery Coupling in Experimental Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Hubesch Géraldine , Dewachter Céline , Chomette Laura , Hupkens Emeline , Jespers Pascale , Vegh Grégory , Doppler Mathilde , Sheikh Mohammad Umair , Thiriard Anaïs , Remmelink Myriam , Vachiéry Jean‐Luc , McEntee Kathleen , Dewachter Laurence
Published: May 2024

Background

Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction are major prognostic determinants in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The underlying pathomechanisms remain unknown. In this context, we sought to study the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension and RV dysfunction in a rat model of obesity‐associated HFpEF.

Methods and Results

HFpEF was induced in obesity‐prone rats fed a high‐fat diet (n=13) and compared with obesity‐resistant rats fed with standard chow (n=9). After 12 months, the animals underwent echocardiographic and hemodynamic evaluation followed by tissue sampling for pathobiological assessment. HFpEF rats presented mild RV pressure overload (with increased RV systolic pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance). No changes in pulmonary artery medial thickness and ex vivo vasoreactivity (to acetylcholine and endothelin‐1) were observed and RNA sequencing analysis failed to identify gene clustering in HFpEF lungs. However, released nitric oxide levels were decreased in HFpEF pulmonary artery, while lung expression of preproendothelin‐1 was increased. In HFpEF rats, RV structure and function were altered, with RV enlargement, decreased RV fractional area change and free wall longitudinal fractional shortening, together with altered right ventricle–pulmonary artery coupling (estimated by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/systolic pulmonary artery pressure). Hypertrophy and apoptosis (evaluated by transferase biotin‐ dUTP nick‐end labeling staining) were increased in right and left ventricles of HFpEF rats. There was an inverse correlation between tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/systolic pulmonary artery pressure and RV apoptotic rate. Plasma levels of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity‐2, interleukin‐1β, ‐6 and ‐17A were increased in HFpEF rats.

Conclusions

Obesity‐associated HFpEF in rats spontaneously evolves to pulmonary hypertension–HFpEF associated with impaired right ventricle–pulmonary artery coupling that appears disproportionate to a slight increase in RV afterload.
Saccular and Fusiform Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Treated With Endovascular Repair Differ in Presentation and Treatment Threshold: Analyses Using a National Clinical Database in Japan
Authors: Ozawa Hirotsugu , Takahashi Arata , Bessho Ryuzo , Hoshina Katsuyuki , Shukuzawa Kota , Ohki Takao
Published: May 2024

Background

Saccular abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are considered to be at higher risk of rupture than fusiform AAAs, but not much is known about the extent of this risk. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the rupture presentation between fusiform and saccular AAAs.

Methods and Results

This is a retrospective cohort study on 27 290 patients who underwent primary endovascular repair for a degenerative AAA between 2016 and 2019, and who were registered in the National Clinical Database in Japan. At operation for nonruptured case, the aneurysm diameter was significantly smaller in saccular AAAs than in fusiform AAAs (median, 44.0 versus 51.0 mm;
P
<0.001). Similarly, aneurysm diameter at rupture was significantly smaller in saccular AAAs than in fusiform AAAs (median, 55.6 versus 68.0 mm;
P
<0.001). The likelihood of repair for rupture was significantly higher in saccular AAAs than in fusiform AAAs in the 40‐ to 54‐mm diameter range, in which saccular morphology was found to be an independent risk factor for rupture against fusiform morphology by adjusting for sex and aneurysm diameter (odds ratio, 2.54 [95% CI, 1.75–3.69]). In addition, receiver‐operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the cutoff diameter to predict rupture was smaller in saccular AAAs than in fusiform AAAs (50.5 and 59.5 mm, respectively) based on the Youden index.

Conclusions

Saccular AAAs presented at smaller diameters than fusiform AAAs in patients with ruptured AAAs treated with endovascular aortic repair, which supports the idea that saccular AAAs should be treated at smaller diameters.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care Usage and Death by Neighborhood Poverty Among Individuals With Congenital Heart Defects, 4 US Surveillance Sites, 2011 to 2013
Authors: Raskind‐Hood Cheryl L. , Kancherla Vijaya , Ivey Lindsey C. , Rodriguez Fred H. , Sullivan Anaclare M. , Lui George K. , Botto Lorenzo , Feldkamp Marcia , Li Jennifer S. , D'Ottavio Alfred , Farr Sherry L. , Glidewell Jill , Book Wendy M.
Published: May 2024

Background

Socioeconomic factors may lead to a disproportionate impact on health care usage and death among individuals with congenital heart defects (CHD) by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors. How neighborhood poverty affects racial and ethnic disparities in health care usage and death among individuals with CHD across the life span is not well described.

Methods and Results

Individuals aged 1 to 64 years, with at least 1 CHD‐related
International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification
(
ICD‐9‐CM
) code were identified from health care encounters between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2013, from 4 US sites. Residence was classified into lower‐ or higher‐poverty neighborhoods on the basis of zip code tabulation area from the 2014 American Community Survey 5‐year estimates. Multivariable logistic regression models, adjusting for site, sex, CHD anatomic severity, and insurance‐evaluated associations between race and ethnicity, and health care usage and death, stratified by neighborhood poverty. Of 31 542 individuals, 22.2% were non‐Hispanic Black and 17.0% Hispanic. In high‐poverty neighborhoods, non‐Hispanic Black (44.4%) and Hispanic (47.7%) individuals, respectively, were more likely to be hospitalized (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.2 [95% CI, 1.1–1.3]; and aOR, 1.3 [95% CI, 1.2–1.5]) and have emergency department visits (aOR, 1.3 [95% CI, 1.2–1.5] and aOR, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.5–2.0]) compared with non‐Hispanic White individuals. In high poverty neighborhoods, non‐Hispanic Black individuals with CHD had 1.7 times the odds of death compared with non‐Hispanic White individuals in high‐poverty neighborhoods (95% CI, 1.1–2.7). Racial and ethnic disparities in health care usage were similar in low‐poverty neighborhoods, but disparities in death were attenuated (aOR for non‐Hispanic Black, 1.2 [95% CI=0.9–1.7]).

Conclusions

Racial and ethnic disparities in health care usage were found among individuals with CHD in low‐ and high‐poverty neighborhoods, but mortality disparities were larger in high‐poverty neighborhoods. Understanding individual‐ and community‐level social determinants of health, including access to health care, may help address racial and ethnic inequities in health care usage and death among individuals with CHD.
Ten‐Year Risk Equations for Incident Heart Failure in Established Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Populations
Authors: Dawson Luke P. , Carrington Melinda J. , Haregu Tilahun , Nanayakkara Shane , Jennings Garry , Dart Anthony , Stub Dion , Inouye Michael , Kaye David
Published: May 2024

Background

Ten‐year risk equations for incident heart failure (HF) are available for the general population, but not for patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which is highly prevalent in HF cohorts. This study aimed to develop and validate 10‐year risk equations for incident HF in patients with known ASCVD.

Methods and Results

Ten‐year risk equations for incident HF were developed using the United Kingdom Biobank cohort (recruitment 2006–2010) including participants with established ASCVD but free from HF at baseline. Model performance was validated using the Australian Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute Biobank cohort (recruitment 2000–2011) and compared with the performance of general population risk models. Incident HF occurred in 13.7% of the development cohort (n=31 446, median 63 years, 35% women, follow‐up 10.7±2.7 years) and in 21.3% of the validation cohort (n=1659, median age 65 years, 25% women, follow‐up 9.4±3.7 years). Predictors of HF included in the sex‐specific models were age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure (treated or untreated), glucose (treated or untreated), cholesterol, smoking status, QRS duration, kidney disease, myocardial infarction, and atrial fibrillation. ASCVD‐HF equations had good discrimination and calibration in development and validation cohorts, with superior performance to general population risk equations.

Conclusions

ASCVD‐specific 10‐year risk equations for HF outperform general population risk models in individuals with established ASCVD. The ASCVD‐HF equations can be calculated from readily available clinical data and could facilitate screening and preventative treatment decisions in this high‐risk group.
Improving Probability-based Prompt Selection Through Unified Evaluation and Analysis
Authors: Yang Sohee , Kim Jonghyeon , Jang Joel , Ye Seonghyeon , Lee Hyunji , Seo Minjoon
Published: May 2024

Previous work in prompt engineering for large language models has introduced different gradient-free probability-based prompt selection methods that aim to choose the optimal prompt among the candidates for a given task but have failed to provide a comprehensive and fair comparison between each other. In this paper, we propose a unified framework to interpret and evaluate the existing probability-based prompt selection methods by performing extensive experiments on 13 common and diverse NLP tasks. We find that each of the existing methods can be interpreted as some variant of the method that maximizes mutual information between the input and the predicted output (MI). Utilizing this finding, we develop several other combinatorial variants of MI and increase the effectiveness of the oracle prompt selection method from 87.79% to 94.98%, measured as the ratio of the performance of the selected prompt to that of the optimal oracle prompt. Furthermore, considering that all the methods rely on the output probability distribution of the model that might be biased, we propose a novel calibration method called Calibration by Marginalization (CBM) that is orthogonal to the existing methods and helps increase the prompt selection effectiveness of the best method to 96.85%, achieving 99.44% of the oracle prompt F1 without calibration.1
Lizard abundance in forest fragments: effects of patch size, patch shape, thermoregulation, and habitat quality
Authors: Díaz José A. , Santos Tomás , Llanos-Garrido Alejandro
Published: May 2024

The effects of forest fragmentation on ecosystems are pervasive, but little is known about the factors that influence lizard abundance in fragmented landscapes. We studied the roles of patch size and shape, thermal quality, and refuge availability as predictors of the relative abundance of Psammodromus algirus lizards at deciduous or evergreen forest fragments surrounded by cereal fields. Relative abundance, based on time-controlled counts, decreased from the northeast (dominated by deciduous habitat) to the southwest (with a higher cover of croplands, and dominated by evergreen habitat). Refuge availability was correlated with this gradient, decreasing from the northeast to the southwest and being larger in deciduous than in evergreen fragments. After controlling for the effects of this environmental variation, lizard abundance increased as perimeter-to-area ratio (P/A) decreased (and consequently as fragment size increased). Although the effects of thermal quality as such were negligible, our results can be interpreted in the light of thermoregulatory requirements; given the low temperatures available at shaded locations, lizards should actively select sunlit patches while they try to minimize predation risk by basking as close as possible to the nearest refuge. Although use of fragment edges as basking sites is expected to increase with P/A ratio, lizards should avoid using them as basking sites, because both exposure to predators and risk of overheating are expected to be higher at edges and croplands than inside fragments. We conclude that long and narrow forest strips with high P/A ratios could act as ecological traps rather than as dispersion-promoting corridors.
Orofacial Complications of the Connective Tissue Disease Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Sharma M. , Fadl A. , Leask A.
Published: May 2024

Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc) is an autoimmune fibrosing connective tissue disease of unknown etiology. SSc patients show increased levels of autoantibodies, profibrotic cytokines, and extracellular matrix remodeling enzymes that collectively cause activated (myo)fibroblasts, the effector cell type of fibrosis. Despite these impacts, no disease-modifying therapy exists; individual symptoms are treated on a patient-to-patient basis. SSc research has been principally focused on symptoms observed in the lung and skin. However, SSc patients display significant oral complications that arise due to fibrosis of the not only skin, causing microstomia, but also the gastrointestinal tract, causing acid reflux, and the oral cavity itself, causing xerostomia and gingival recession. Due to these complications, SSc patients have impaired quality of life, including periodontitis, tooth loss, reduced tongue mobility, and malnutrition. Indeed, due to their characteristic oral presentation, SSc patients are often initially diagnosed by dentists. Despite their clinical importance, the oral complications of SSc are severely understudied; high-quality publications on this topic are scant. However, SSc patients with periodontal complications possess increased levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and chemokines, such as interleukin-6 and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand-4. Although many unsuccessful clinical trials, mainly exploring the antifibrotic effects of anti-inflammatory agents, have been conducted in SSc, none have used oral symptoms, which may be more amenable to anti-inflammatory drugs, as clinical end points. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding oral complications in SSc with the goal of inspiring future research in this extremely important and underinvestigated area.
Disparities in Smoking and Heavy Drinking Behaviors by Disability Status and Age of Disability Onset: Secondary Analysis of National Health Interview Survey Data
Authors: Sarmiento Cristina A. , Furniss Anna , Morris Megan A. , Stransky Michelle L. , Thompson Darcy A.
Published: May 2024

Objectives:

People with childhood-onset disabilities are living into adulthood, and the prevalence of smoking and illicit drug use among adults with disabilities is high. We evaluated the relationship between disability status and age of disability onset, current cigarette smoking status, and heavy alcohol drinking.

Methods:

We conducted a secondary data analysis of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a US survey on illness and disability. Among 2020 NHIS participants aged 22-80 years (n = 28 225), we compared self-reported prevalence of current cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol drinking among those with and without disabilities and among those with childhood- versus adult-onset disabilities. We used adjusted logistic regression analysis to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of current smoking and heavy alcohol drinking based on disability status and age of disability onset.

Results:

Compared with adults without disabilities, adults with disabilities were significantly more likely to report current smoking (23.5% vs 11.2%; P < .001) and significantly less likely to report heavy alcohol drinking (5.3% vs 7.4%; P = .001). The prevalence of these behaviors did not vary significantly by age of disability onset. In adjusted logistic regression models, adults with disabilities had significantly higher odds of current smoking (AOR = 1.76; 95% CI, 1.53-2.03) and similar odds of heavy alcohol drinking (AOR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.65-1.04) compared with adults without disabilities. The odds of these health behaviors did not vary significantly by age of disability onset.

Conclusions:

Adults with disabilities overall may be at high risk for these unhealthy behaviors, particularly smoking, regardless of age of disability onset. Routine screening and cessation counseling related to smoking and unhealthy alcohol use are important for all people with disabilities.
Utility of abbreviated MRI in the post-treatment evaluation of rectal cancer
Authors: Park Sungeun , Park Hee Sun , Jang Siwon , Cho Jungheum , Kim Jae Hyun , Yu Mi Hye , Jung Sung Il , Kim Young Jun , Hwang Dae-Yong
Published: May 2024

Background

Post-treatment evaluation of patients with rectal cancer (RC) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) burdens medical resources, necessitating an exploration of abbreviated protocols

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of abbreviated MRI (A-MRI) for the post-treatment evaluation of RC patients.

Material and Methods

This retrospective study included RC patients who underwent non-contrast rectal MRI and standard liver MRI, as well as abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) for post-treatment evaluation. A-MRI comprised diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and T2-weighted imaging of the upper abdomen and the pelvic cavity. Three radiologists independently reviewed A-MRI, CECT, and standard liver MRI in the detection of viable disease. The diagnostic performances were compared using a reference standard considering all available information, including pathology, FDG-PET, endoscopic results, and clinical follow-up.

Results

We included 78 patients (50 men, 28 women; mean age=60.9 ± 10.2 years) and observed viable disease in 34 (43.6%). On a per-patient-basis analysis, A-MRI showed significantly higher sensitivity (95% vs. 81%, P = 0.04) and higher accuracy (93% vs. 82%, P < 0.01), compared to those of CECT, while A-MRI showed comparable sensitivity (91% vs. 91%, P = 0.42) and accuracy (97% vs. 98%, P = 0.06) to that of standard liver MRI. On a per-lesion-based analysis, A-MRI exhibited significantly superior lesion detectability than that of CECT (figure of merit 0.91 vs. 0.77, P < 0.01) and comparable to that of standard liver MRI (figure of merit 0.91 vs. 0.92, P = 0.75).

Conclusion

A-MRI exhibited higher sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy than those of CECT in the post-treatment evaluation of RC, while it showed comparable performances with standard liver MRI. A-MRI provides diagnostic added value in the follow-up of RC patients.
Study on the competitive reduction mechanism of C and CO on Fe2O3 in blast furnace ironmaking
Authors: Liu Shuang , Yang Fan , Peng Jun , Zhang Fang , Wang Yongbin , Chang Hongtao , An Shengli
Published: May 2024

The competitive reduction behaviour of C and CO on the surface of Fe2O3 in blast furnaces was studied based on experiments and the first-principles calculations. The material morphology and element distribution of Fe2O3 under the conditions of C, CO and C + CO reduction were compared. In order to further investigate the competitive reduction behaviour of C and CO on the Fe2O3 surface, based on the first-principles calculation, the adsorption mechanism of C and CO on the α-Fe2O3(001) surface was studied by calculating the parameters of bond length, adsorption energy, charge density and state density. The results showed that under the condition of C + CO co-reduction, the reduction degree of Fe2O3 is better. When CO was adsorbed on the α-Fe2O3 (001) surface alone, the adsorption energy of the adsorption structure was −0.549 eV. The state density peak of the CO molecule on the left side of the Fermi level was sharper, and the electron delocalization around the CO molecule was weaker. Compared with the C atom, the CO molecule was less easily adsorbed on the α-Fe2O3 (001) surface, and the structure stability of the adsorbed products generated by the CO molecule was also lower. Compared with the adsorption of C and CO on the α-Fe2O3 (001) surface alone, the co-adsorption energy of C atom and CO molecule was relatively low, which was −7.755 eV, and the co-adsorption structure was more stable, and the presence of CO was more conducive to the interactions between C and α-Fe2O3 (001) surface.
The Social Self-Efficacy Scale for Spanish and Portuguese (13–18-Year-Olds) Adolescents: Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance
Authors: Salado Vanesa , Gaspar Tania , Moreno-Maldonado Concepción , Gaspar de Matos Margarida , Rivera Francisco
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Social self-efficacy refers to peoples’ beliefs about their ability to establish effective social relationships. During adolescence, it has been related to positive social relationships, skills to cope with adverse experiences, and health. While prior research has focused on the general dimension of self-efficacy, this study aims to examine the reliability and validity of the subscale social self-efficacy in Spanish and Portuguese adolescents across gender, age, and country. Method: The sample, selected from the 2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, was composed of 20,691 13–18-year-old adolescents from Spain and Portugal (48.2% boys and 51.8% girls). The scale’s reliability and internal and external validity were examined systemically across sex, age, and country, as well as testing measurement invariance according to these variables. Results: Data showed adequate evidence of reliability ( α = 0.85), as well as internal and external validity, thus demonstrating the scale’s stability and applicability in similar research contexts. Conclusions: Social self-efficacy fosters individual and social well-being in youth, as well as healthy and positive development. Use of this subscale in evaluation and intervention programs could further our understanding about different dimensions of adolescent development.
Characterizing the Perceived Need for CRC Screening among the Elderly Living in Rural Areas in the Pacific Northwest US: Roles of Miscommunication, Experience of Discrimination, and Dependence
Authors: Huang Qian , Peng Wei , Han Jihae , Mao Bingjing
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Increasing the perceived need for CRC screening can facilitate undertaking CRC screening. This study aims to identify factors associated with the need for CRC screening in rural populations.

Design

A cross-sectional online survey.

Setting

The survey was conducted in June - September 2022 in the rural areas of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, US.

Subjects

The subjects of this study were 250 adults (completion rate: 65%) aged 45-75 residing in rural Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Measures

Perceived need for CRC screening, internet usage for health purposes, demographics, and intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, and environmental characteristics.

Results

Perceived need for CRC screening were negatively associated with patient-provider miscommunication ( β = −.23, P < .001) and perceived discrimination ( β = −.21, P < .001), cancer fatalism (β = −.16, P < .05), individualism ( β = −.15, P < .05), and dependence on community ( β = −.11, P < .05), but positively with compliance with social norms ( β = .16, P < .05), trust in health care providers ( β = .16, P < .05), knowledge about colorectal cancer ( β = .12, P < .05).

Conclusions

Our study showed potential individual and situational characteristics that might help increase colorectal cancer screening. Future efforts might consider addressing discrimination in health care settings, improving patient-provider communication, and tailoring messaging to reflect the rural culture.
An overview of conjugate heat transfer augmentation methods for thermal management and recent advancements in microchannel heat sink overall performance
Authors: Bala Subrahmanyam K. , Das Pritam , Ranjith Kumar Valaparla
Published: May 2024

Recent technological advancement creates high-dense circuits development which creates colossal cooling demand requirements. In the future, advanced technology and scientific applications need to balance heat fluxes beyond limitation that catalyse the research opportunities further to achieve cooling requirements. Conventional cooling equipment is inappropriate for extracting heat from microchips within the minimal surface area. Microchannel technology appeared as a next-generation heat exchanger for the given heat duty. In the classical case of accounting, micro-heat exchangers both axial and transverse wall conduction effects is usually neglected. However, from the year 2005 onwards, researchers identified conduction dominance at fluid velocity is zero zones at the interface, which created balance between conduction–convection currents, finally included axial wall/heat conduction effects to a general model. This present study made a comparative evaluation fluid flow, heat transfer characteristics, thermal performance (TP) based on geometrical parameters, substrate materials and discusses previous issues, and current issues-based future research directions. Till today, based on applications of microchannels in thermal management, several experimental and numerical investigations have been reported for further improvement in TP. However, many researchers are still trying to accomplish things over a long period. Therefore, an overview of previous studies is furnished in the present study to assist researchers in this area much useful for further improvement.
In Search of Evidence: A Scoping Review of School Nurse Leadership Training Programs
Authors: Mazimpaka Christian , Paudel Rashmi , Heinze-Lacey Beverly , Elliott Patricia A.
Published: May 2024

This scoping review explores leadership training opportunities for school nurses. The review was conducted to inform the development of a new leadership training program for school nurses in Massachusetts. A search conducted across four databases (PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, and Web of Science) yielded four articles meeting the search criteria published between 1993 and 2007, and no articles meeting the criteria after 2007. The four articles that were found discussed the approaches and evaluation methods of school nurse leadership training programs. They revealed varying training structures and evaluation approaches and covered a wide range of leadership competencies. Importantly, all of the programs reported enhancements in participants’ leadership knowledge and practice upon completion of the training program. This review highlights the necessity of documenting and disseminating program outcomes in peer-reviewed literature to guide the development of new initiatives and recommends adopting standardized evaluation frameworks.