bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age-Specific Prevalence and Factors Associated With Normal Blood Pressure Among US Adults
Authors: Muntner Paul , Jaeger Byron C , Hardy Shakia T , Foti Kathryn , Reynolds Kristi , Whelton Paul K , Bowling C Barrett 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background
The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) for US adults increases with age. Determining characteristics of US adults ≥65 years with normal blood pressure (BP) may inform approaches to prevent this increase.

Methods
We analyzed US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2018 data (n = 21,581). BP was measured up to 3 times and averaged. Normal BP was defined as SBP &lt;120 mm Hg and diastolic BP (DBP) &lt;80 mm Hg among participants not taking antihypertensive medication. Those with SBP ≥120 mm Hg, DBP ≥80 mm Hg, self-reporting having hypertension or taking antihypertensive medication were categorized as having elevated BP or hypertension.

Results
The prevalence of normal BP was 57.8%, 25.3%, 11.2%, and 5.0% among US adults who were 18–44, 45–64, 65–74, and ≥75 years, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, in US adults ≥65 years of age, normal BP vs. elevated BP/hypertension was more common among those with moderate and no vs. heavy alcohol consumption (prevalence ratio [PR] 3.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25–7.36 and 2.53; 95% CI 0.96–6.65, respectively), ≥150 vs. &lt;150 minutes of physical activity per week (PR = 1.44; 95% CI 1.01–2.05), overweight and normal weight vs. obesity (PR = 1.88; 95% CI 1.22–2.90 and 2.94; 95% CI 1.89–4.59, respectively), and a high Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension score (PR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.00–2.05). US adults ≥65 years with normal BP vs. elevated BP/hypertension were less likely to have good or fair/poor vs. excellent/very good self-rated health, diabetes, albuminuria, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and heart failure.

Conclusions
Among US adults ≥65 years, normal BP was associated with healthy lifestyle factors and a lower prevalence of adverse health conditions.
Reflections on public slavery and social death
Authors: Rossi Benedetta 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
It is tempting to see public slaves as sharing characteristics of both slave and free and, therefore, as embodying an intermediate position that proves binary approaches to slavery and freedom wrong. This article argues that this temptation should be resisted. Based on an analysis of cases from different regions and periods, it agrees broadly with Patterson's clear distinction between slave and free statuses, but not with his interpretation of elite slaves as 'the ultimate slaves'. Public slaves were unusual slaves. A close analysis of their circumstances, and of the circumstances of other categories of slaves endowed with particular influence or autonomy in their societies, reveals that the social death metaphor suits certain contexts better than other. It does not accurately capture the historical diversity of the statuses and conditions of enslaved persons through time, and hence is unhelpful for the purpose of comparative generalisation.
Hybridization: a ‘double-edged sword’ for Neotropical plant diversity
Authors: Schley Rowan J , Twyford Alex D , Pennington R Toby 
Published: September 2021

AbstractHybridization can facilitate both evolutionary diversification and extinction and has had a critical role in plant evolution, with c. 25% of species known to hybridize in some temperate floras. However, in the species-rich Neotropical flora, the role of hybridization in the evolution of diversity remains unclear. Our review examines studies of hybridization in seed plants from across the Neotropics and explores its outcomes on Neotropical plant evolution. We review studies on a per-biome basis and a spectrum of evolutionary outcomes from hybridization are evident across Neotropical biomes and taxa. These range from short-term impacts, such as the broadening of ecological amplitude in hybrid progeny with transgressive phenotypes and genetic swamping, through to long term impacts, such as the generation of new lineages. Among these studies certain themes emerge, such as the pervasive hybridization among species-rich plant radiations from the Andean páramos, suggesting a role for hybridization in rapid diversification events. Finally, we highlight that hybridization is relatively understudied in the Neotropical flora, despite its remarkable species richness. The advent of genomic techniques can facilitate the study of hybridization and its effects in understudied biomes and plant groups. The increasing availability of genomic resources will eventually allow comparisons between tropical and temperate floras and therefore shed light on the evolutionary impacts of hybridization across the latitudinal biodiversity gradient.
Calcium silicate accelerates cutaneous wound healing with enhanced re-epithelialization through EGF/EGFR/ERK-mediated promotion of epidermal stem cell functions
Authors: Li Bingmin , Tang Haowen , Bian Xiaowei , Ma Kui , Chang Jiang , Fu Xiaobing , Zhang Cuiping 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background
Human epidermal stem cells (hESCs) play an important role in re-epithelialization and thereby in facilitating wound healing, while an effective way to activate hESCs remains to be explored. Calcium silicate (CS) is a form of bioceramic that can alter cell behavior and promote tissue regeneration. Here, we have observed the effect of CS on hESCs and investigated its possible mechanism.

Methods
Using a mouse full-thickness skin excision model, we explored the therapeutic effect of CS on wound healing and re-epithelialization. In vitro, hESCs were cultured with diluted CS ion extracts (CSIEs), and the proliferation, migration ability and stemness of hESCs were evaluated. The effects of CS on the epidermal growth factor (EGF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) signaling pathway were also explored.

Results
In vivo, CS accelerated wound healing and re-epithelialization. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that CS upregulated cytokeratin 19 and integrin β1 expression, indicating that CS improved hESCs stemness. In vitro studies confirmed that CS improved the biological function of hESCs. And the possible mechanism could be due to the activation of the EGF/EGFR/ERK signaling pathway.

Conclusion
CS can promote re-epithelialization and improve the biological functions of hESCs via activating the EGF/EGFR/ERK signaling pathway.
Determination of Commonly Used Multiclass Pesticide Residues in Tobacco and Cigarette Smoke by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Xiong Wei , Tao Xiaoqiu , Zhang Haiyan , Huang Mei , Shao Jimin 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
A novel method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of multiclass pesticide residues in tobacco and cigarette smoke, using a modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) procedure and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS). Cigarette mainstream smoke particulate was collected on a Cambridge filter pad. Pesticide residues was extracted with an aqueous solution, back extracted into acetonitrile after freezing, purified by dispersive solid phase extraction with primary-secondary amine adsorbents and analyzed by UPLC–MS/MS. The obtained mean recoveries of 16 pesticides commonly used on tobacco at three fortification levels (5.9, 94.1 and 352.9 ng g−1) ranged from 69.3 to 115.9% with relative standard deviations between 2.4 and 11.3%. The limits of detection ranged from 0.14 to 13.28 ng g−1. Finally, the proposed method was applied to study the pesticide smoke transfer ratio in 2 cigarettes with pesticide standard spiked and 51 cigarettes with one or more pesticide residues. The transfer ratio of pesticides residue in tobacco into the smoke might be much less than that from artificially spiked tobacco (&lt;25%) with spiking levels varied from 1.88 to 9.41 μg g−1. The transfer ratio of pesticide from artificially spiked tobacco into cigarette mainstream smoke was from 0.0 to 56.5%, and pesticide residues from tobacco into cigarette smoke were from 0.0 to 26.1% using the ISO smoking method (ISO 3308 2012).
Changing Patterns of Bloodstream Infections in the Community and Acute Care Across 2 Coronavirus Disease 2019 Epidemic Waves: A Retrospective Analysis Using Data Linkage
Authors: Zhu Nina J , Rawson Timothy M , Mookerjee Siddharth , Price James R , Davies Frances , Otter Jonathan , Aylin Paul , Hope Russell , Gilchrist Mark , Shersing Yeeshika , Holmes Alison 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background
We examined community- and hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (BSIs) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and non–COVID-19 patients across 2 epidemic waves.

Methods
We analyzed blood cultures of patients presenting to a London hospital group between January 2020 and February 2021. We reported BSI incidence, changes in sampling, case mix, healthcare capacity, and COVID-19 variants.

Results
We identified 1047 BSIs from 34 044 blood cultures, including 653 (62.4%) community-acquired and 394 (37.6%) hospital-acquired. Important pattern changes were seen. Community-acquired Escherichia coli BSIs remained below prepandemic level during COVID-19 waves, but peaked following lockdown easing in May 2020, deviating from the historical trend of peaking in August. The hospital-acquired BSI rate was 100.4 per 100 000 patient-days across the pandemic, increasing to 132.3 during the first wave and 190.9 during the second, with significant increase in elective inpatients. Patients with a hospital-acquired BSI, including those without COVID-19, experienced 20.2 excess days of hospital stay and 26.7% higher mortality, higher than reported in prepandemic literature. In intensive care, the BSI rate was 421.0 per 100 000 intensive care unit patient-days during the second wave, compared to 101.3 pre–COVID-19. The BSI incidence in those infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Alpha variant was similar to that seen with earlier variants.

Conclusions
The pandemic have impacted the patterns of community- and hospital-acquired BSIs, in COVID-19 and non–COVID-19 patients. Factors driving the patterns are complex. Infection surveillance needs to consider key aspects of pandemic response and changes in healthcare practice.
Prevalence, progression and implications of breast artery calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Van Berkel Brecht , Van Ongeval Chantal , Van Craenenbroeck Amaryllis H , Pottel Hans , De Vusser Katrien , Evenepoel Pieter 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT
Breast arterial calcification (BAC) is increasingly recognized as a specific marker of medial calcification. The present retrospective observational cohort study aimed to define the prevalence, progression rate, risk factors and clinical implications of BAC in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients across stages of disease. The presence and extent of BAC were determined on mammograms in 310 females (58.7 ± 10.8 years, Caucasian) with CKD across various stages of disease [CKD G2–5D n = 132; transplant (Tx) recipients n = 178]. In a subset of 88 patients, repeat mammography was performed, allowing us to calculate the annualized BAC rate. Overall, BAC was observed in 34.7% of the patients. BAC prevalence (P = 0.02) and BAC score (P = 0.05) increased along the progression of CKD. In the overall cohort, patients with BAC were characterized by older age, more cardiovascular disease, more inflammation, higher pulse pressure and borderline higher prevalence of diabetes and were more often treated with a vitamin K antagonist (VKA). The BAC progression rate was significantly lower in Tx patients as compared with CKD G5D. Progressors were characterized by more inflammation, worse kidney function, higher BAC score and higher serum phosphate level (Tx only) at baseline and were more often treated with a VKA. Major adverse cardiovascular event-free survival was significantly worse in Tx patients with BAC. In conclusion, BAC is common among CKD patients, progresses at a slower pace in Tx patients as compared with CKD 5D and associates with dismal cardiovascular outcomes. BAC score, kidney function, serum phosphate at baseline and VKA usage seem to be important determinants of progression.
Low-molecular-weight heparin use in coronavirus disease 2019 is associated with curtailed viral persistence: a retrospective multicentre observational study
Authors: Pereyra David , Heber Stefan , Schrottmaier Waltraud C , Santol Jonas , Pirabe Anita , Schmuckenschlager Anna , Kammerer Kerstin , Ammon Daphni , Sorz Thomas , Fritsch Fabian , Hayden Hubert , Pawelka Erich , Krüger Philipp , Rumpf Benedikt , Traugott Marianna T , Glaser Pia , Firbas Christa , Schörgenhofer Christian , Seitz Tamara , Karolyi Mario , Pabinger Ingrid , Brostjan Christine , Starlinger Patrick , Weiss Günter , Bellmann-Weiler Rosa , Salzer Helmut J F , Jilma Bernd , Zoufaly Alexander , Assinger Alice 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Aims
Anticoagulation was associated with improved survival of hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in large-scale studies. Yet, the development of COVID-19-associated coagulopathy (CAC) and the mechanism responsible for improved survival of anticoagulated patients with COVID-19 remain largely elusive. This investigation aimed to explore the effects of anticoagulation and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in particular on patient outcome, CAC development, thromboinflammation, cell death, and viral persistence.

Methods and results
Data of 586 hospitalized COVID-19 patients from three different regions of Austria were evaluated retrospectively. Of these, 419 (71.5%) patients received LMWH and 62 (10.5%) received non-vitamin-K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) during hospitalization. Plasma was collected at different time points in a subset of 106 patients in order to evaluate markers of thromboinflammation (H3Cit-DNA) and the cell death marker cell-free DNA (cfDNA). Use of LMWH was associated with improved survival upon multivariable Cox regression (hazard ratio = 0.561, 95% confidence interval: 0.348–0.906). Interestingly, neither LMWH nor NOAC was associated with attenuation of D-dimer increase over time, or thromboinflammation. In contrast, anticoagulation was associated with a decrease in cfDNA during hospitalization, and curtailed viral persistence was observed in patients using LMWH leading to a 4-day reduction of virus positivity upon quantitative polymerase chain reaction [13 (interquartile range: 6–24) vs. 9 (interquartile range: 5–16) days, P = 0.009].

Conclusion
Time courses of haemostatic and thromboinflammatory biomarkers were similar in patients with and without LMWH, indicating either no effects of LMWH on haemostasis or that LMWH reduced hypercoagulability to levels of patients without LMWH. Nonetheless, anticoagulation with LMWH was associated with reduced mortality, improved markers of cell death, and curtailed viral persistence, indicating potential beneficial effects of LMWH beyond haemostasis, which encourages use of LMWH in COVID-19 patients without contraindications.
Remdesivir induces persistent mitochondrial and structural damage in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Kwok Maxwell , Lee Carrie , Li Hung Sing , Deng Ruixia , Tsoi Chantelle , Ding Qianqian , Tsang Suk Ying , Leung Kam Tong , Yan Bryan P , Poon Ellen N 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Aims
Remdesivir is a prodrug of an adenosine triphosphate analogue and is currently the only drug formally approved for the treatment of hospitalized coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Nucleoside/nucleotide analogues have been shown to induce mitochondrial damage and cardiotoxicity, and this may be exacerbated by hypoxia, which frequently occurs in severe COVID-19 patients. Although there have been few reports of adverse cardiovascular events associated with remdesivir, clinical data are limited. Here, we investigated whether remdesivir induced cardiotoxicity using an in vitro human cardiac model.

Methods and results
Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) were exposed to remdesivir under normoxic and hypoxic conditions to simulate mild and severe COVID-19, respectively. Remdesivir induced mitochondrial fragmentation, reduced redox potential, and suppressed mitochondrial respiration at levels below the estimated plasma concentration under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Non-mitochondrial damage such as electrophysiological alterations and sarcomere disarray were also observed. Importantly, some of these changes persisted after the cessation of treatment, culminating in increased cell death. Mechanistically, we found that inhibition of DRP1, a regulator of mitochondrial fission, ameliorated the cardiotoxic effects of remdesivir, showing that remdesivir-induced cardiotoxicity was preventable and excessive mitochondrial fission might contribute to this phenotype.

Conclusions
Using an in vitro model, we demonstrated that remdesivir can induce cardiotoxicity in hiPSC-CMs at clinically relevant concentrations. These results reveal previously unknown potential side-effects of remdesivir and highlight the importance of further investigations with in vivo animal models and active clinical monitoring to prevent lasting cardiac damage to patients.
Environmental risk factors and cardiovascular diseases: a comprehensive expert review
Authors: Münzel Thomas , Hahad Omar , Sørensen Mette , Lelieveld Jos , Duerr Georg Daniel , Nieuwenhuijsen Mark , Daiber Andreas 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are fatal for more than 38 million people each year and are thus the main contributors to the global burden of disease accounting for 70% of mortality. The majority of these deaths are caused by cardiovascular disease (CVD). The risk of NCDs is strongly associated with exposure to environmental stressors such as pollutants in the air, noise exposure, artificial light at night, and climate change, including heat extremes, desert storms, and wildfires. In addition to the traditional risk factors for CVD such as diabetes, arterial hypertension, smoking, hypercholesterolaemia, and genetic predisposition, there is a growing body of evidence showing that physicochemical factors in the environment contribute significantly to the high NCD numbers. Furthermore, urbanization is associated with accumulation and intensification of these stressors. This comprehensive expert review will summarize the epidemiology and pathophysiology of environmental stressors with a focus on cardiovascular NCDs. We will also discuss solutions and mitigation measures to lower the impact of environmental risk factors with focus on CVD.
High-dose intravenous iron reduces myocardial infarction in patients on haemodialysis
Authors: Petrie Mark C , Jhund Pardeep S , Connolly Eugene , Mark Patrick B , MacDonald Michael R , Robertson Michele , Anker Stefan D , Bhandari Sunil , Farrington Kenneth , Kalra Philip A , Wheeler David C , Tomson Charles R V , Ford Ian , McMurray John J V , Macdougall Iain C ,   for the PIVOTAL Investigators and Committees
Published: September 2021

AbstractAimsTo investigate the effect of high-dose iron vs. low-dose intravenous (IV) iron on myocardial infarction (MI) in patients on maintenance haemodialysis.Methods and resultsThis was a pre-specified analysis of secondary endpoints of the Proactive IV Iron Therapy in Hemodialysis Patients trial (PIVOTAL) randomized, controlled clinical trial. Adults who had started haemodialysis within the previous year, who had a ferritin concentration &lt;400 μg per litre and a transferrin saturation &lt;30% were randomized to high-dose or low-dose IV iron. The main outcome measure for this analysis was fatal or non-fatal MI. Over a median of 2.1 years of follow-up, 8.4% experienced a MI. Rates of type 1 MIs (3.2/100 patient-years) were 2.5 times higher than type 2 MIs (1.3/100 patient-years). Non-ST-elevation MIs (3.3/100 patient-years) were 6 times more common than ST-elevation MIs (0.5/100 patient-years). Mortality was high after non-fatal MI (1- and 2-year mortality of 40% and 60%, respectively). In time-to-first event analyses, proactive high-dose IV iron reduced the composite endpoint of non-fatal and fatal MI [hazard ratio (HR) 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.52–0.93, P = 0.01] and non-fatal MI (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.51–0.93; P = 0.01) when compared with reactive low-dose IV iron. There was less effect of high-dose IV iron on recurrent MI events than on the time-to-first event analysis.ConclusionIn total, 8.4% of patients on maintenance haemodialysis had an MI over 2 years. High-dose compared to low-dose IV iron reduced MI in patients receiving haemodialysis.EudraCT Registration Number2013-002267-25.
Applications of multimodality imaging for left atrial catheter ablation
Authors: Roney Caroline H , Sillett Charles , Whitaker John , Lemus Jose Alonso Solis , Sim Iain , Kotadia Irum , O'Neill Mark , Williams Steven E , Niederer Steven A 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Atrial arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, may be treated through catheter ablation. The process of atrial arrhythmia catheter ablation, which includes patient selection, pre-procedural planning, intra-procedural guidance, and post-procedural assessment, is typically characterized by the use of several imaging modalities to sequentially inform key clinical decisions. Increasingly, advanced imaging modalities are processed via specialized image analysis techniques and combined with intra-procedural electrical measurements to inform treatment approaches. Here, we review the use of multimodality imaging for left atrial ablation procedures. The article first outlines how imaging modalities are routinely used in the peri-ablation period. We then describe how advanced imaging techniques may inform patient selection for ablation and ablation targets themselves. Ongoing research directions for improving catheter ablation outcomes by using imaging combined with advanced analyses for personalization of ablation targets are discussed, together with approaches for their integration in the standard clinical environment. Finally, we describe future research areas with the potential to improve catheter ablation outcomes.