bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association Between AGT M235T and Left Ventricular Mass in Vietnamese Patients Diagnosed With Essential Hypertension
Authors: Tran Tuan Thanh , Mai Thao Phuong , Tran Ha Chau Bich , Le Linh Hoang Gia , Vu Hoang Anh , Tran Trang Kim , Hoang Sy Van , Chau Hoa Ngoc , Do Minh Duc 
Published: February 2021

Background: Increasing left ventricular mass in hypertensive patients is an independent prognostic marker for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Genetic factors have been shown to critically affect left ventricular mass. AGT M235T is one of the genetic polymorphisms that may influence left ventricular mass due to its pivotal role in the regulation of plasma angiotensinogen level as well as hypertension pathophysiology in Asian populations. Currently, how M235T affects left ventricular mass is not well-described in Vietnamese hypertensive patients. This study aimed to investigate the association between M235T and left ventricular mass in Vietnamese patients diagnosed with essential hypertension.Materials and Methods:AGT M235T genotyping and 2D echocardiography were performed on 187 Vietnamese subjects with essential hypertension. All the ultrasound parameters were obtained to calculate the left ventricular mass index according to the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging 2015 guidelines. Other clinical characteristics were also recorded, including age, gender, duration of hypertension, hypertensive treatment, lifestyle, renal function, fasting plasma glucose, and lipid profile.Results: MT and TT genotypes were determined in 30 and 157 subjects, respectively. AGT M235T genotype, duration of hypertension, body mass index, and ejection fraction statistically affected the left ventricular mass index, which was significantly greater in TT compared to MT carriers after adjusting for confounding factors.Conclusion: The TT genotype of AGT M23T was associated with greater left ventricular mass in Vietnamese patients diagnosed with essential hypertension.
A Synergistic Effect of Lp(a) and GRACE Score on Cardiovascular Risk in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Cohort Study From China
Authors: Hu Chengping , Liu Jinxing , Han Hongya , Sun Yan , Cheng Yujing , Liu Yan , Gao Ang , Zhou Yujie , Zhang Jianwei , Zhao Yingxin 
Published: February 2021

Objectives: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has been thought as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score is used to predict the risk of death or death/non-fatal myocardial infarction in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). It suggests that there may be a synergism between Lp(a) and the GRACE risk score on predicting cardiovascular events. Accordingly, this study aimed to test the hypothesis that Lp(a)-related cardiovascular risk could be significantly modulated by the GRACE risk score in patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods: Patients hospitalized with ACS undergoing PCI were enrolled and followed up for 18 months. The primary outcome was the composite of death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and unplanned repeat revascularization. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to determine the relationship between Lp(a) and cardiovascular events.Results: A total of 6,309 patients were included (age: 60.1 ± 10.06 years, male: 75.2%, BMI: 26.2 ± 10.57 kg/m2). A total of 310 (4.9%) cardiovascular events occurred. When the overall population was stratified by a GRACE score of 91 or less vs. more than 91 and by tertiles of Lp(a), higher Lp(a) was significantly associated with cardiovascular events only when the GRACE score was &lt;91(tertile 2 vs. tertile 1: HR 1.31, 95% CI: 0.86–1.98, P = 0.205; tertile 3 vs. tertile 1: HR 1.94, 95% CI: 1.32–2.84, P = 0.001; P = 0.002). However, no such significant correlation between cardiovascular events and Lp(a) emerged in the case of a GRACE score 91 or less, and there was a significant interaction for cardiovascular events between Lp(a) tertiles and dichotomized GRACE scores (P &lt; 0.001).Conclusions: In ACS patients undergoing PCI, there was a synergistic effect between the GRACE risk score and on-statins Lp(a) on predicting cardiovascular events. This finding could help us more accurately identify patients who would benefit most from Lp(a)-lowering treatment.
The Association Between Monocyte Subsets and Cardiometabolic Disorders/Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Oh Ester S. , Na Muzi , Rogers Connie J. 
Published: February 2021

Background: Monocyte subsets in humans, i.e., classical (CM), intermediate (IM), and non-classical monocytes (NCM), are thought to differentially contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the association between monocyte subsets and cardiometabolic disorders and CVD is not well-understood. Thus, the aim of the current systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate recent findings from clinical studies that examined the association between the distribution of monocyte subsets in subjects with cardiometabolic disorders and CVD compared to healthy controls.Methods: Articles were systematically searched in CINAHL, PubMed and Cochrane Library. Articles were independently screened and selected by two reviewers. Studies that reported the percentage of each monocyte subset were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. For the meta-analysis, a random-effects model was used to generate pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) between subjects with cardiometabolic disorders and healthy controls.Results: A total of 1,693 articles were screened and 27 studies were selected for qualitative analyses. Among them, six studies were included in the meta-analysis. In total, sample size ranged from 22 to 135 and mean or median age from 22 to 70 years old. We found studies that reported higher percentage and number of IM and/or NCM in subjects with cardiometabolic disorders (9 out of 13 studies) and in subjects with CVD (11 out of 15 studies) compared to healthy controls. In the meta-analysis, the percentage of CM was lower [SMD = −1.21; 95% CI (−1.92, −0.50); P = 0.0009; I2 = 91%] and the percentage of IM [SMD = 0.56; 95% CI (0.23, 0.88); P = 0.0008; I2 = 65%] and NCM [SMD = 1.39; 95% CI (0.59, 2.19); P = 0.0007; I2 = 93%] were higher in subjects with cardiometabolic disorders compared to healthy controls.Conclusions: Individuals with cardiometabolic disorders and CVD may have a higher percentage of IM and NCM than healthy controls. Future studies are needed to evaluate the cause and biological significance of this potential altered distribution of monocyte subsets.
Variation of Open-Pit Waste Dump Specimens Under Effective Pressure Influence
Authors: Tovele Gerson. S. V. , Han Liu , Shu Ji Sen 
Published: February 2021

The waste dump is a giant artificial loose pile body composed of fine, medium, and coarse particle sizes. Rising incidents of landslides caused by overburden pressure and effective pressure are of increasing concern in the open-pit waste dump and, if not well-controlled, are a dangerous threat to the workers, the environment, and the equipment. The purpose of this research is to investigate the connection between effective pressure, porosity, void ratio, and coefficient of permeability and to find their influence in the open-pit waste dump. This study analyzed the mechanical and physical changes of seven different soil samples using consolidation and permeability under consolidation laboratory test. The test samples were subject to a pressure ranging from 100 to 1600 kPa. The effective pressure was found to play a major role in influencing void ratio, porosity, and coefficient of permeability, and waste dump height management and control are of great importance. This study answers the question regarding the correlation between effective pressure, void ratio, porosity, and coefficient of permeability in the open-pit waste dump. Further studies are needed to establish profound relationships and develop preventative measures to keep the waste dump slope stable and safe.
Hybrid Photovoltaic-Wind Microgrid With Battery Storage for Rural Electrification: A Case Study in Perú
Authors: Canziani Franco , Vargas Raúl , Gastelo-Roque José A. 
Published: February 2021

Microgrids are autonomous systems that generate, distribute, store, and manage energy. This type of energy solution has the potential to supply energy to remote communities since they can integrate solar, wind, and back-up diesel generation. These systems are potentially beneficial in Peru, where there are approximately 1.5 million people without access to electricity. This paper studies the technical aspects of the implementation, operation, and social impact of a hybrid microgrid installed in Laguna Grande, Ica, Peru, a rural fishing community composed of about 35 families who have lived in this remote location for more than 40 years without access to electricity. The design of the microgrid comprised three main stages: assessment, sizing, and social management. According to resource assessment, this location has a very high wind potential with an average of 8 m/s and annual average irradiation of 6 kWh/m2/day. The microgrid was designed based on interviews with members of the community on energy use, social-economic aspects, and factors such as expected growth and available funds. The construction followed a participatory approach, involving the community in specific stages of the project. This hybrid microgrid is composed of a 6 kWp photovoltaic system and two wind turbines of 3 kW each. It has two coupled 4 kW inverters that deliver power to a 230 V AC distribution line to which all the community loads are connected. Energy is stored using a VRLA 800 Ah, 48 V battery bank, which is designed to work at 50% DOD. The installed microgrid has proven very effective in supplying the average daily demand of 23 kWh at an almost steady power of 1–1.2 kW. During almost 2 years of monitoring, it has presented a 10% loss of load due to peak increases in demand, technical problems, and occasional low solar and wind resources. PV/wind integration is very important since approximately 60% of the energy demand is nocturnal. The CAPEX of the project reached USD 36,000.00, obtaining a cost of energy levelized cost of energy of 0.267 USD per kWh. The project has a useful life of 20 years, with battery renewal every 3 years and wind turbines and electronics every 10.
Associations Among Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase rs1801133 C677T Gene Variant, Food Groups, and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Risk in the Chinese Population
Authors: Hao Xiaoyan , Ma Cong , Xiang Tianyuan , Ou Lei , Zeng Qiang 
Published: February 2021

ObjectivesTo investigate the associations among the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase rs1801133 C677T gene variant, food groups, and the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the Chinese population.MethodsA study of gene polymorphism was conducted using the polymerase chain reaction method. A total of 4,049 adults participated in the study, and all underwent physical examination and genotyping. Participants filled out a dietary questionnaire to enable us to assess the frequency and quantity of food consumption.ResultsThe important variables identified as risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were age, smoking, sex, body mass index, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase genotype (T – allele carriers). The homocysteine content was higher in the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease group than in the control group, and was higher in the T- allele than C- allele carriers. The homocysteine content was the highest in the T- allele carriers. Additionally, certain food groups such as milk and beans were associated with a lower risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Food groups such as meat, were associated with a higher risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Fresh fruit and vegetables, salted and smoked foods, desserts, cereals, fish, and eggs were not associated with the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, the influence of salted and smoked foods on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was different in the C-allele and T-allele carriers of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (CT + TT vs. CC, OR = 1.196, P = 0.041 for 1–4 times food per week, OR = 1.580, P = 0.004 for 5–7 times per week). Similarly, salted and smoked foods were also a risk factor for the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.ConclusionThis study found that the T-allele of the C677T variant of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase was a risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among Chinese people. These results can likely aid the development of novel approaches for managing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease risk.
TANK-Binding Kinase 1 (TBK1) Serves as a Potential Target for Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Enhancing Tumor Immune Infiltration
Authors: Jiang Yuchuan , Chen Siliang , Li Qiang , Liang Junjie , Lin Weida , Li Jinying , Liu Zhilong , Wen Mingbo , Cao Mingrong , Hong Jian 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundNumerous cancer types present the aberrant TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) expression, which plays an important role in driving inflammation and innate immunity. However, the prognostic role of TBK1 and its relationship with immune cell infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear.MethodsThe expression and prognostic value of TBK1 was analyzed by Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), Kaplan-Meier plotter and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) and further confirmed in the present cohort of patients with HCC. The association between TBK1 and HCC immune infiltrates, and its potential mechanism were investigated via analyses of the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource, tumor-immune system interactions database (TISIDB), CIBERSORT, STRING, and Metascape. The effect of TBK1 on immune infiltrates and the therapeutic value of targeting TBK1 were further investigated in a HCC mouse model by treatment with a TBK1 antagonist.ResultsThe level of TBK1 expression in HCC was higher than that measured in normal tissues, and associated with poorer overall survival (GEPIA: hazard ratio [HR]=1.80, P=0.038; Kaplan–Meier plotter: HR=1.87, P&lt;0.001; CPTAC: HR=2.23, P=0.007; Our cohort: HR=2.92, P=0.002). In addition, high TBK1 expression was found in HCC with advanced TNM stage and identified as an independent poor prognostic factor for overall survival among patients with HCC. In terms of immune infiltration, tumor tissues from HCC patients with high TBK1 expression had a low proportion of CD8+ T cells, and TBK1 expression did not show prognostic value in HCC patients with enriched CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, TBK1 expression was positively correlated with the markers of T cell exhaustion and immunosuppressive cells in the HCC microenvironment. Mechanistically, the promotion of HCC immunosuppression by TBK1 was involved in the regulation of inflammatory cytokines. In vivo experiments revealed that treatment with a TBK1 antagonist delayed HCC growth by increasing the number of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells.ConclusionsThe up-regulated expression of TBK1 may be useful in predicting poor prognosis of patients with HCC. In addition, TBK1, which promotes the HCC immunosuppressive microenvironment, may be a potential immunotherapeutic target for patients with HCC.
High-Dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Multicenter Retrospective Study in China
Authors: Cao Wei , Liu Xiaosheng , Hong Ke , Ma Zhiyong , Zhang Yuelun , Lin Ling , Han Yang , Xiong Yong , Liu Zhengyin , Ruan Lianguo , Li Taisheng 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundThe effective treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains unclear. We reported successful use of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in cases of severe COVID-19, but evidence from larger case series is still lacking.MethodsA multi-center retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of IVIg administered within two weeks of disease onset at a total dose of 2 g/kg body weight, in addition to standard care. The primary endpoint was 28-day mortality. Efficacy of high-dose IVIg was assessed by using the Cox proportional hazards regression model and the Kaplan-Meier curve adjusted by inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis, and IPTW after multiple imputation (MI) analysis.ResultsOverall, 26 patients who received high-dose IVIg with standard therapy and 89 patients who received standard therapy only were enrolled in this study. The IVIg group was associated with a lower 28-day mortality rate and less time to normalization of inflammatory markers including IL-6, IL-10, and ferritin compared with the control. The adjusted HR of 28-day mortality in high-dose IVIg group was 0.24 (95% CI 0.06–0.99, p&lt;0.001) in IPTW model, and 0.27 (95% CI 0.10–0.57, p=0.031) in IPTW-MI model. In subgroup analysis, patients with no comorbidities or treated in the first week of disease were associated with more benefit from high-dose IVIg.ConclusionsHigh-dose IVIg administered in severe COVID-19 patients within 14 days of onset was linked to reduced 28-day mortality, more prominent with those having no comorbidities or treated at earlier stage.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Activator Ameliorates Severe Pulmonary Hypertension in a Rat Model of Left Pneumonectomy Combined With VEGF Inhibition
Authors: Chen I-Chen , Lin Jao-Yu , Liu Yi-Ching , Chai Chee-Yin , Yeh Jwu-Lai , Hsu Jong-Hau , Wu Bin-Nan , Dai Zen-Kong 
Published: February 2021

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening and deteriorating disease with no promising therapy available currently due to its diversity and complexity. An imbalance between vasoconstriction and vasodilation has been proposed as the mechanism of PAH. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which catalyzes the hydrolysis of the vasoconstrictor angiotensin (Ang) II into the vasodilator Ang-(1-7), has been shown to be an important regulator of blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. Herein we hypothesized diminazene aceturate (DIZE), an ACE2 activator, could ameliorate the development of PAH and pulmonary vascular remodeling.Methods: A murine model of PAH was established using left pneumonectomy (PNx) on day 0 followed by injection of a single dose of the VEGF receptor-2 inhibitor SU5416 (25 mg/kg) subcutaneously on day 1. All hemodynamic and biochemical measurements were done at the end of the study on day 42. Animals were divided into 4 groups (n = 6–8/group): (1) sham-operated group, (2) vehicle-treatment group (SuPNx42), (3) early treatment group (SuPNx42/DIZE1−42) with DIZE at 15 mg/kg/day, subcutaneously from day 1 to day 42, and (4) late treatment group (SuPNx42/DIZE29−42) with DIZE from days 29–42.Results: In both the early and late treatment groups, DIZE significantly attenuated the mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary arteriolar remodeling, and right ventricle brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), as well as reversed the overexpression of ACE while up-regulating the expression of Ang-(1-7) when compared with the vehicle-treatment group. In addition, the early treatment group also significantly decreased plasma BNP and increased the expression of eNOS.Conclusions: ACE2 activator has therapeutic potentials for preventing and attenuating the development of PAH in an animal model of left pneumonectomy combined with VEGF inhibition. Activation of ACE2 may thus be a useful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of human PAH.
Case Report: Placental Maternal Vascular Malperfusion Affecting Late Fetal Development and Multiorgan Infection Caused by SARS-CoV-2 in Patient With PAI-1 4G/5G Polymorphism
Authors: JAK Behling , Zanirati Gabriele , Rodrigues Felipe V. F. , Grahl Matheus , Krimberg Felipe , Pinzetta Giulia , Borém Larissa , Savi Daniela , Machado Denise Cantarelli , Da Costa Jaderson Costa , Marinowic Daniel Rodrigo 
Published: February 2021

Background: Pregnant women are susceptible to the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), and the consequences for the fetus are still uncertain. Here, we present a case of a pregnant woman with subclinical hypothyroidism and a plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G polymorphism who was infected with SARS-CoV-2 at the end of the third trimester of pregnancy, with unexpected evolution of death of the newborn 4 days postpartum.Methods: Nested PCR was performed to detect the virus, followed by ssDNA sequencing.Results: Transplacental transmission of SARS-CoV-2 can cause placental inflammation, ischemia, and neonatal viremia, with complications such as preterm labor and damage to the placental barrier in patients with PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism.Conclusion: We showed a newborn with several damages potentially caused due to the PAI-1 polymorphisms carried by the mother infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy.
Liraglutide Protects Nucleus Pulposus Cells Against High-Glucose Induced Apoptosis by Activating PI3K/Akt/ mTOR/Caspase-3 and PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/Caspase-3 Signaling Pathways
Authors: Yao Mingyan , Zhang Jing , Li Zhihong , Bai Xiaoliang , Ma Jinhui , Li Yukun 
Published: February 2021

Background and Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is reportedly a significant risk factor for intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Incretin system and particularly glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) because of its glucose-lowering effects has become an important target in therapeutic strategies of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist with glucoregulatory and insulinotropic functions as well as regulatory functions on cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, little is known on the roles and signaling pathways of apoptosis protecting effects of liraglutide in IDD. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of liraglutide against high glucose-induced apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and the possible involved signaling pathways.Methods: The human NPCs were incubated with 100 nM liraglutide alone or in combination with LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor), rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor), and SB216763 (GSK3β inhibitor) in a high glucose culture for 48 h. The four groups were assessed further for apoptosis and genes expressions. The apoptotic effect was evaluated by flow cytometry and further confirmed by cell death detection enzyme-linked immunoassay plus (ELISAPLUS). The gene and protein expression levels were assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting techniques. The results were comparatively assessed between the four groups.Results: The results confirmed the presence of GLP-1R in the NPCs indicating that liraglutide inhibited the high glucose-induced apoptosis, which was blocked by silencing GLP-1R with siRNA. Moreover, liraglutide stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR and GSK3β. Treatment with LY294002 significantly increased the apoptosis of NPCs and reduced the levels of their downstream substrates (p-AKT, p-mTOR, and p-GSK3β). Further assessments revealed that activation of mTOR and GSK3β was almost completely inhibited by rapamycin and SB216763, respectively, which significantly increased the caspase-3 levels.Conclusion: Liraglutide could protect NPCs against high glucose-induced apoptosis by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/caspase-3 and PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/caspase-3 signaling pathways.