bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
White Matter Hyperintensities Predict Response to Language Treatment in Poststroke Aphasia
Authors: Varkanitsa Maria , Peñaloza Claudia , Charidimou Andreas , Caplan David , Kiran Swathi 
Published: September 2020

Background White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are a radiological marker of brain health that has been associated with language status in poststroke aphasia; however, its association with language treatment outcomes remains unknown. Objective To determine whether WMH in the right hemisphere (RH) predict response to language therapy independently from demographics and stroke lesion–related factors in poststroke aphasia. Methods We used the Fazekas scale to rate WMH in the RH in 30 patients with poststroke aphasia who received language treatment. We developed ordinal regression models to examine language treatment effects as a function of WMH severity after controlling for aphasia severity, stroke lesion volume, time post onset, age, and education level. We also evaluated associations between WMH severity and both pre-treatment naming ability and executive function. Results The severity of WMH in the RH predicted treatment response independently from demographic and stroke-related factors such that patients with less severe WMH exhibited better treatment outcome. WMH scores were not significantly correlated with pretreatment language scores, but they were significantly correlated with pretreatment scores of executive function. Conclusion We suggest that the severity of WMH in the RH is a clinically relevant predictor of treatment response in this population.
Application of an extracorporeal prefenestrated stent graft in endovascular repair of ascending aorta and aortic arch lesions
Authors: Wang Liang , Bai Lei , Zhang Yujing , Liu Jianglong , Li Xiaodong 
Published: September 2020

Objectives Aortic dissection involving the ascending aorta and aortic arch is a serious condition. Treatment using traditional surgical methods has certain disadvantages. This study investigated the effectiveness of thoracic endovascular repair of aortic dissection using an external prefenestrated stent. Methods We present a series of aortic dissection cases involving the ascending aorta and aortic arch treated with an external prefenestrated stent. Results Postoperative follow-up of the patients showed that all stents were released at the proper position and that branch vessels were not occluded, and there were no instances of type I endoleak. One patient died suddenly one week after surgery; another experienced retrograde type A aortic dissection in the second week; and type I endoleak occurred in one patient in the first week, although this resolved within six months. No serious complications such as cerebrovascular events, acute spinal cord ischemia, and paraplegia occurred during the perioperative period. All patients had false lumen thrombosis in the ascending aorta and aortic arch. Conclusion Prefenestrated stent grafting is a feasible treatment option for repairing an entry tear in the ascending aorta.
Two-year follow-up of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds in severe infra-popliteal arterial disease
Authors: Dia AbdulRahman , Venturini Joseph M , Kalathiya Rohan J , Besser Stephanie , Estrada Jeremy Raider , Friant Janet , Paul Jonathan , Blair John E , Nathan Sandeep , Shah Atman P 
Published: September 2020

Objectives To assess the safety, efficacy, and durability of the Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold in predominantly complex, infra-popliteal lesions for the management of chronic limb ischemia at two-year clinical follow-up. Bioresorbable vascular scaffold are biodegradable scaffolds that provide short-term vascular support before undergoing intravascular degradation. A recent trial reported excellent 36-month vessel patency rates in simple infrapopliteal arterial lesions treated with Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold. Methods This single-center, retrospective study evaluated the use of the Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (everolimus impregnated poly-L-lactic scaffold) in patients with infra-popliteal peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with respect to safety (thrombosis and TIMI bleeding), technical success, and freedom from clinically driven target vessel failure at 24 months. Results 31 patients (51.6% male) with a median age of 67 years with predominantly advanced infra-popliteal disease were treated with 49 bioresorbable vascular scaffold in 41 vessels. The mean stenosis was 94% (80–100), with 49% of lesions being chronic thrombotic occlusions. No scaffold thrombosis or peri-procedural bleeding was observed. Procedural success was achieved in all patients; 93.5% of patients experienced freedom from clinically driven target vessel failure at 24 months, driven by one revascularization and one amputation. Primary patency was 96.7% at 12 months and 87.1% at 24 months. All patients were alive at 12 and 24 months. Conclusions At 24 months, our study found that patients with predominantly advanced infra-popliteal PAD who were treated with Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold reported improved clinical status and a low and durable rate of clinically driven target vessel failure extending out to 24 months.
EGFR/c-Met and mTOR signaling are predictors of survival in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Crees Zachary D , Shearrow Caleb , Lin Leo , Girard Jennifer , Arasi Kavin , Bhoraskar Aayush , Berei Joseph , Eckburg Adam , Anderson Austin D. , Garcia Christian , Munger Ariana , Palani Sunil , Smith Thomas J , Sreenivassappa Shylendra B , Vitali Connie , David Odile , Puri Neelu 
Published: September 2020

Background: EGFR/c-Met activation/amplification and co-expression, mTOR upregulation/activation, and Akt/Wnt signaling upregulation have been individually associated with more aggressive disease and characterized as potential prognostic markers for lung cancer patients. Methods: Tumors obtained from 109 participants with stage I–IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were studied for EGFR/c-Met co-localization as well as for total and active forms of EGFR, c-Met, mTOR, S6K, beta-catenin, and Axin2. Slides were graded by two independent blinded pathologists using a validated scoring system. Protein expression profile correlations were assessed using Pearson correlation and Spearman’s rho. Prognosis was assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results: Protein expression profile analysis revealed significant correlations between EGFR/p-EGFR ( p = 0.0412) and p-mTOR/S6K ( p = 0.0044). Co-localization of p-EGFR/p-c-Met was associated with increased p-mTOR ( p = 0.0006), S6K ( p = 0.0018), and p-S6K ( p < 0.0001) expression. In contrast, active beta-catenin was not positively correlated with EGFR/c-Met nor any activated proteins. Axin2, a negative regulator of the Wnt pathway, was correlated with EGFR, p-EGFR, p-mTOR, p-S6K, EGFR/c-Met co-localization, and p-EGFR/p-c-Met co-localization (all p-values <0.03). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed shorter median survival in participants with high expression of Axin2, total beta-catenin, total/p-S6K, total/p-mTOR, EGFR, and EGFR/c-Met co-localization compared with low expression. After controlling for stage of disease at diagnosis, subjects with late-stage disease demonstrated shorter median survival when exhibiting high co-expression of EGFR/c-Met (8.1 month versus 22.3 month, p = 0.050), mTOR (6.7 month versus 22.3 month, p = 0.002), and p-mTOR (8.1 month versus 25.4 month, p = 0.004) compared with low levels. Conclusions: These findings suggest that increased EGFR/c-Met signaling is correlated with upregulated mTOR/S6K signaling, which may in turn be associated with shorter median survival in late-stage NSCLC.
Outcomes of the 2019 novel coronavirus in patients with or without a history of cancer: a multi-centre North London experience
Authors: Joharatnam-Hogan Nalinie , Hochhauser Daniel , Shiu Kai-Keen , Rush Hannah , Crolley Valerie , Wilson William , Sharma Anand , Muhammad Aun , Anwar Muhammad , Vasdev Nikhil , Goldstein Robert , Kantser Ganna , Saha Aramita , Raja Fharat , Bridgewater John , Khan Khurum 
Published: September 2020

Background: This study aims to compare the outcomes of COVID-19-positive disease in patients with a history of cancer to those without. Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical data and outcomes of COVID-19 positive cancer patients treated consecutively in five North London hospitals (cohort A). Outcomes recorded included time interval between most recent anti-cancer treatment and admission, severe outcome [a composite endpoint of intensive care unit (ITU) admission, ventilation and/or death] and mortality. Outcomes were compared with consecutively admitted COVID-19 positive patients, without a history of cancer (cohort B), treated at the primary centre during the same time period (1 March–30 April 2020). Patients were matched for age, gender and comorbidity. Results: The median age in both cohorts was 74 years, with 67% male, and comprised of 30 patients with cancer, and 90 without (1:3 ratio). For cohort B, 579 patients without a history of cancer and consecutively admitted were screened from the primary London hospital, 105 were COVID-19 positive and 90 were matched and included. Excluding cancer, both cohorts had a median of two comorbidities. The odds ratio (OR) for mortality, comparing patients with cancer to those without, was 1.05 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4–2.5], and severe outcome (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.4–2.0) suggesting no increased risk of death or a severe outcome in patients with cancer. Cancer patients who received systemic treatment within 28 days had an OR for mortality of 4.05 (95% CI 0.68–23.95), p = 0.12. On presentation anaemia, hypokalaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and hypoproteinaemia were identified predominantly in cohort A. Median duration of admission was 8 days for cancer patients and 7 days for non-cancer. Conclusion: A diagnosis of cancer does not appear to increase the risk of death or a severe outcome in COVID-19 patients with cancer compared with those without cancer. If a second spike of virus strikes, rational decision making is required to ensure optimal cancer care.
Clinical efficacy and safety of sirolimus in systemic lupus erythematosus: a real-world study and meta-analysis
Authors: Peng Liying , Wu Chanyuan , Hong Ruping , Sun Yiduo , Qian Junyan , Zhao Jiuliang , Wang Qian , Tian Xinping , Wang Yanhong , Li Mengtao , Zeng Xiaofeng 
Published: September 2020

Objective: To provide real-world data and summarize current clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of sirolimus in active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Methods: This was a prospective real-world clinical study. Included SLE patients should have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) ⩾ 2. They were treated with sirolimus and followed up regularly. The SLEDAI-2K, Physician Global Assessment (PGA), serological activity indices, and remission of organ manifestations were evaluated. We also performed a meta-analysis to integrate current evidence of sirolimus in SLE. Results: A total of 49 patients were included in the final analysis. After treatment, the SLEDAI-2K (6.2 ± 3.1 versus 4.0 ± 3.4, p = 0.001) decreased significantly, and the prednisone dosage was tapered successfully (9.9 ± 8.8 mg/day versus 5.9 ± 4.0 mg/day, p = 0.002). Serological activity indices also improved [complement 3 (C3): 0.690 ± 0.209 g/l versus 0.884 ± 0.219 g/l, p < 0.001; complement 4: 0.105 ± 0.059 g/l versus 0.141 ± 0.069 g/l, p < 0.001; anti-dsDNA antibody, 200 ± 178 IU/ml versus 156 ± 163 IU/ml, p = 0.022]. The remission proportions of arthritis, skin rash, and thrombocytopenia were 100%, 88.8%, and 46.2%, respectively. A total of 41.2% of lupus nephritis (LN) patients achieved renal remission, but the average 24-h urine protein level was not significantly changed. Meta-analysis enrolled five studies with 149 patients included, and revealed similar results regarding the changes of SLEDAI-2K [−3.5 (−5.0, −2.1)], C3 [0.224 (0.136, 0.311) g/l] and daily dosage of prednisone [−12.7 (−19.9, −5.6) mg/day]. Conclusion: Sirolimus might be effective and tolerated in SLE. The role of sirolimus in LN requires further study.
High CXCR2 expression predicts poor prognosis in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Tang Wei , Li Zunyan , Li Xian , Huo Zhonghua 
Published: September 2020

Aims: This study aimed to assess the associations between clinical parameters, long-term outcomes, and expression of chemokine receptor CXCR2 in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods: From May 2013 to May 2017, 83 adult patients newly diagnosed with AML in the Affiliated Hospital of BeiHua University and Jilin Chemical Hospital, were enrolled in this study. The expression of CXCR2 in bone marrow mononuclear cells was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Clinical information and RNA-sequencing datasets of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) ( n = 136) were obtained. The associations between clinical parameters, prognosis, and CXCR2 expression were analyzed. Results: From both cohorts, patients with AML with M4 and M5 subtypes showed higher CXCR2 expression levels than those with other French-American-British (FAB) subtypes. Patients with extramedullary leukemia infiltration had higher CXCR2 levels than those without. In our cohort, patients with high CXCR2 levels (⩾2.099) had lower relapse-free survival (RFS) ( p < 0.000001) and overall survival (OS) ( p = 0.000107) than those with low levels (<2.099). High CXCR2 levels (⩾2.082) also indicated a poor OS in the TCGA cohort but only in patients younger than 65 years (5-year OS: 7.7% versus 29.9% in those with CXCR2 levels < 2.082). High CXCR2 levels independently predicted poor prognosis in AML patients, as determined by Cox proportional hazards models. Conclusion: Our results suggest that high CXCR2 expression associates with the monocytic lineage of AML and is an independent risk factor for poor patient prognosis.
Analysis of Glucose Levels in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19 During the First Phase of This Pandemic in West Texas
Authors: Rao Sanjana , Ali Kiran , Dennis Jeff , Berdine Gilbert , Test Victor , Nugent Kenneth 
Published: September 2020

Background: Patients with hyperglycemia during hospitalization, especially during ICU hospitalizations, often have worse outcomes, even if they do not have a premorbid diagnosis of diabetes. High glucose levels can provide insight into the underlying pathogenesis of a disease and can contribute to tissue injury. Some patients with COVID-19 have hyperglycemia during hospitalizations. Methods: The Infectious Disease and Control office at University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas, provided a list of patients with a COVID-19 infection hospitalized between March 1 and May 15, 2020. The medical records were reviewed to collect information on age, gender, history of diabetes, and glucose levels on admission and through the first 7 days of hospitalization. Results: This study included 63 patients with a mean age of 62.1 ± 14.1 years. Thirty-five patients (55.6%) were males. The in-hospital mortality rate was 30.2%. The mean admission glucose level was 129.4 ± 57.1 mg/dL in patients who survived (N = 47) and 189.6 ± 112.2 mg/dL in patients who died during hospitalization (N = 16, P = .007). An admission glucose greater than 180 mg/dL predicted mortality in a model adjusted for a diabetes, age, and male gender. The mean differences between the maximum and minimum glucose levels calculated over the first 7 days of hospitalization were 112.93 ± 115.4 (N = 47) in patients who survived and were 240.5 ± 97.7 (N = 15) in patients who died during hospitalization ( P = .0003). A difference between the maximum and minimum glucose level greater than 105 mg/dL was associated with increased mortality. Conclusions: Patients who died during hospitalization for COVID-19 had higher admission glucose levels than patients who survived. Larger differences between maximum and minimum glucose levels during the first 7 days of hospitalization were associated with increased mortality. These results suggest that high glucose levels identify patients at increased risk for mortality and warrant more study.
Mutational analysis of hematologic neoplasms in 164 paired peripheral blood and bone marrow samples by next-generation sequencing
Authors: Lucas Fabienne , Michaels Phillip D. , Wang Dahai , Kim Annette S. 
Published: September 2020

Key PointsFindings support use of PB samples for chronic myeloid neoplasms and for acute leukemias with sufficient circulating disease. In acute leukemias, BM appears to be superior to PB for monitoring measurable residual disease, even in the absence of BM excess blasts.
Airway–artery quantitative assessment on chest computed tomography in paediatric primary ciliary dyskinesia
Authors: Ferraro Valentina , Andrinopoulou Eleni-Rosalina , Sijbring Anna Marthe Margaretha , Haarman Eric G. , Tiddens Harm A.W.M. , Pijnenburg Marielle W.H. 
Published: September 2020

Chest computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard for detecting structural abnormalities in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) such as bronchiectasis, bronchial wall thickening and mucus plugging. There are no studies on quantitative assessment of airway and artery abnormalities in children with PCD. The objectives of the present study were to quantify airway and artery dimensions on chest CT in a cohort of children with PCD and compare these with control children to analyse the influence of covariates on airway and artery dimensions.Chest CTs of 13 children with PCD (14 CT scans) and 12 control children were collected retrospectively. The bronchial tree was segmented semi-automatically and reconstructed in a three-dimensional view. All visible airway–artery (AA) pairs were measured perpendicular to the airway centre line, annotating per branch inner and outer airway and adjacent artery diameter and computing inner airway diameter/artery ratio (AinA ratio), outer airway diameter/artery ratio (AoutA ratio), wall thickness (WT), WT/outer airway diameter ratio (Awt ratio) and WT/artery ratio.In the children with PCD (38.5% male, mean age 13.5 years, range 9.8–15.3) 1526 AA pairs were measuredversus1516 in controls (58.3% male, mean age 13.5 years, range 8–14.8). AinA ratio and AoutA ratio were significantly higher in children with PCD than in control children (both p<0.001). Awt ratio was significantly higher in control children than in children with PCD (p<0.001).Our study showed that in children with PCD airways are more dilated than in controls and do not show airway wall thickening.
Clinical manifestations and epidemiology of adolescent tuberculosis in Ukraine
Authors: Chiang Silvia S. , Dolynska Maria , Rybak Natasha R. , Cruz Andrea T. , Aibana Omowunmi , Sheremeta Yana , Petrenko Vasyl , Mamotenko Andrii , Terleieva Iana , Horsburgh C. Robert , Jenkins Helen E. 
Published: September 2020

BackgroundDuring adolescence, childhood and adult forms of tuberculosis (TB) overlap, resulting in diverse disease manifestations. Knowing which patient characteristics are associated with which manifestations may facilitate diagnosis and enhance understanding of TB pathophysiology.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we included 10–19-year-olds in Ukraine's national TB registry who started TB treatment between 2015 and 2018. Using multivariable regression, we estimated associations between patient characteristics and four presentations of TB: pleural, extrathoracic, cavitary and rifampicin-resistant (RR). We also described the epidemiology of adolescent TB in Ukraine.ResultsAmong 2491 adolescent TB cases, 88.4% were microbiologically confirmed. RR-TB was confirmed in 16.9% of new and 29.7% of recurrent cases. Of 88 HIV-infected adolescents, 59.1% were not on antiretroviral therapy at TB diagnosis. Among 10–14-year-olds, boys had more pleural disease (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.12, 95% CI: 1.08–4.37). Extrathoracic TB was associated with age 15–19 years (aOR 0.26, 95% CI: 0.18–0.37) and HIV (aOR 3.25, 95% CI: 1.55–6.61 in 10–14-year-olds; aOR 8.18, 95% CI: 3.58–17.31 in 15–19-year-olds). Cavitary TB was more common in migrants (aOR 3.53, 95% CI: 1.66–7.61) and 15–19-year-olds (aOR 4.10, 95% CI: 3.00–5.73); among 15–19-year-olds, it was inversely associated with HIV (aOR 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13–0.70). RR-TB was associated with recurrent disease (aOR 1.87, 95% CI: 1.08–3.13), urban residence (aOR 1.27, 95% CI: 1.01–1.62) and cavitation (aOR 2.98, 95% CI: 2.35–3.78).ConclusionsAge, sex, HIV and social factors impact the presentation of adolescent TB. Preventive, diagnostic and treatment activities should take these factors into consideration.
On the dynamical aspects of local translation at the activated synapse
Authors: Khlebodarova Tamara M. , Kogai Vladislav V. , Likhoshvai Vitaly A. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
The key role in the dynamic regulation of synaptic protein turnover belongs to the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein, which regulates the efficiency of dendritic mRNA translation in response to stimulation of metabotropic glutamate receptors at excitatory synapses of the hippocampal pyramidal cells. Its activity is regulated via positive and negative regulatory loops that function in different time ranges, which is an absolute factor for the formation of chaotic regimes that lead to disrupted proteome stability. The indicated condition may cause a number of neuropsychiatric diseases, including autism and epilepsy. The present study is devoted to a theoretical analysis of the local translation system dynamic properties and identification of parameters affecting the chaotic potential of the system.

Results
A mathematical model that describes the maintenance of a specific pool of active receptors on the postsynaptic membrane via two mechanisms – de novo synthesis of receptor proteins and restoration of protein function during the recycling process – has been developed. Analysis of the model revealed that an increase in the values of the parameters describing the impact of protein recycling on the maintenance of a pool of active receptors in the membrane, duration of the signal transduction via the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, influence of receptors on the translation activation, as well as reduction of the rate of synthesis and integration of de novo synthesized proteins into the postsynaptic membrane – contribute to the reduced complexity of the local translation system dynamic state. Formation of these patterns significantly depends on the complexity and non-linearity of the mechanisms of exposure of de novo synthesized receptors to the postsynaptic membrane, the correct evaluation of which is currently problematic.

Conclusions
The model predicts that an increase of “receptor recycling” and reduction of the rate of synthesis and integration of de novo synthesized proteins into the postsynaptic membrane contribute to the reduced complexity of the local translation system dynamic state. Herewith, stable stationary states occur much less frequently than cyclic states. It is possible that cyclical nature of functioning of the local translation system is its “normal” dynamic state.