bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of Coronary Collaterals in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Sleep Apnea
Authors: Summerer Verena , Arzt Michael , Fox Henrik , Oldenburg Olaf , Zeman Florian , Debl Kurt , Buchner Stefan , Stadler Stefan 
Published: July 2021

Background
In patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), cardioprotective effects of obstructive sleep apnea are postulated on account of hypoxemic preconditioning. The aim of this single‐center substudy was to investigate a potential association between obstructive sleep apnea and the presence of coronary collaterals in patients with first‐time acute MI who have been enrolled in an ongoing, multicenter clinical trial.

Methods and Results

In TEAM‐ASV I (Treatment of Sleep Apnea Early After Myocardial Infarction With Adaptive Servo‐Ventilation Trial; NCT02093377) patients with first acute MI who received a coronary angiogram within 24 hours after onset of symptoms underwent polygraphy within the first 3 days. Coronary collaterals were classified visually by assigning a Cohen‐Rentrop Score (CRS) ranging between 0 (no collaterals) and 3. Of 94 analyzed patients, 14% had significant coronary collaterals with a CRS ≥2. Apnea‐Hypopnea Index (AHI) score was significantly higher in patients with CRS ≥2 compared with those with CRS <2 (31/hour [11–54] versus 13/hour [4–27];
P
=0.032). A multivariable regression model revealed a significant association between obstructive AHI and CRS ≥2 that was independent of age, sex, body mass index, and culprit lesion left anterior descending artery (odds ratio [OR], 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01–1.12;
P
=0.023), but no significant association between coronary collaterals and central AHI (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.97–1.08;
P
=0.443).

Conclusions
Patients with first‐time acute MI had more extensive coronary collateralization with an increased AHI or rather an increased obstructive AHI. This finding supports the hypothesis that obstructive sleep apnea exerts potential cardioprotective effects, in addition to its known deleterious effects, in patients with acute MI.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02093377.
Plaque Vulnerability Index Predicts Cardiovascular Events: A Histological Study of an Endarterectomy Cohort
Authors: Goncalves Isabel , Sun Jiangming , Tengryd Christoffer , Nitulescu Mihaela , Persson Ana F. , Nilsson Jan , Edsfeldt Andreas 
Published: July 2021

Background
The balance between stabilizing and destabilizing atherosclerotic plaque components is used in experimental studies and in imaging studies to identify rupture prone plaques. However, we lack the evidence that this balance predicts future cardiovascular events. Here we explore whether a calculated histological ratio, referred to as vulnerability index (VI), can predict patients at higher risk to suffer from future cardiovascular events.

Methods and Results

Carotid plaques and clinical information from 194 patients were studied. Tissue sections were used for histological analysis to calculate the VI (CD68 [cluster of differentiation 68], alpha‐actin, Oil red O, Movat pentachrome, and glycophorin A). Postoperative cardiovascular events were identified through the Swedish National Inpatient Health Register (2005–2013). During the follow‐up (60 months) 45 postoperative cardiovascular events were registered. Patients with a plaque VI in the fourth quartile compared with the first to third quartiles had significantly higher risk to suffer from a future cardiovascular event (
P
=0.0002). The VI was an independent predictor and none of the 5 histological variables analyzed separately predicted events. In the 13 patients who underwent bilateral carotid endarterectomy, the VI of the right plaque correlated with the VI of the left plaque and vice versa (
r
=0.7,
P
=0.01).

Conclusions
Our findings demonstrate that subjects with a high plaque VI have an increased risk of future cardiovascular events, independently of symptoms and other known cardiovascular risk factors . This strongly supports that techniques which image such plaques can facilitate risk stratification for subjects in need of more intense treatment.
Association Between Radial Versus Femoral Access for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Long‐Term Mortality
Authors: Ng Andrew Kei‐Yan , Ng Pauline Yeung , Ip April , Jim Man‐Hong , Siu Chung‐Wah 
Published: July 2021

Background
Percutaneous coronary intervention with radial arterial access has been associated with fewer occurrences of major bleeding. However, published data on the long‐term mortality and major adverse cardiac events after percutaneous coronary intervention with radial or femoral arterial access are inconclusive.

Method and Results

This was a territory‐wide retrospective cohort study including 26 022 patients who underwent first‐ever percutaneous coronary intervention between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2017 in Hong Kong. Among the 14 614 patients matched by propensity score (7307 patients in each group), 558 (7.6%) and 787 (10.8%) patients died during the observation period in the radial group and femoral group, respectively, resulting in annualized all‐cause mortality rates of 2.69% and 3.87%, respectively. The radial group had a lower risk of all‐cause mortality compared with the femoral group up to 3 years after percutaneous coronary intervention (hazard ratio [HR], 0.70; 95% CI, 0.63–0.78;
P
<0.001). Radial access was associated with a lower risk of major adverse cardiac events (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.73–0.83,
P
<0.001), myocardial infarction after hospital discharge (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.70–0.87,
P
<0.001), and unplanned revascularization (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.68–0.85,
P
<0.001). The risks of stroke were similar across the 2 groups (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.82–1.13,
P
=0.655).

Conclusions
Radial access was associated with a significant reduction in all‐cause mortality at 3 years compared with femoral access. Radial access was associated with reduced risks of myocardial infarction and unplanned revascularization, but not stroke. The benefits were sustained beyond the early postoperative period.
Conflict and Climate: Drivers of Fire Activity in Syria in the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Zubkova Maria , Giglio Louis , Humber Michael L. , Hall Joanne V. , Ellicott Evan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIt has been 10 years since the start of the Syrian uprisings. While relative stability is improving overall, a new disaster, wildfires, impacted an already food-insecure population by burning through key production areas, damaging crops, soil, and livestock and causing air quality to deteriorate. As observed with remotely sensed data, fire affected 4.8% of Syria in 2019, as compared with the average 0.2%, and most fires were observed within agricultural land in the northeast. Abnormal amounts of rainfall during the 2019 growing season and, consequently, high soil moisture explained about 62% of the drastic increase in the burned area extent. In contrast, in 2020, fires continued despite the average amount of rainfall. Extremely high temperature could partially explain a 10-fold increase in the extent of burned area in 2020 but only within forested regions in the northwest. We argue that the abrupt changes in Syria’s fire activity were driven by the complex interactions among conflict, migration, land use, and climate. On one side, the ongoing conflict leads to a drastic increase in the number of accidental and deliberate fires and reduced capacity for fire response. On the other side, years of insecurity, widespread displacement, and economic instability left no choice for locals other than exploiting fires to remove natural vegetation for expanding farming, logging, and charcoal trading. The loss of agricultural production and natural vegetation to fire can have serious implications for food security, soil property, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, which can further exacerbate the already unstable economy and make ongoing violence even more intense.
Low and High Broadband Spectral Models of Atmospheric Pressure Fluctuation
Authors: Marty Julien , Doury Benoit , Kramer Alfred 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis paper presents new low and high power spectral density models for pressure fluctuations at the Earth’s surface over the frequency range of (10−5– 8) Hz. Previously proposed models often included limitations, such as a much narrower frequency range, the inclusion of erroneous and non-calibrated data or recorded data not deconvolved from the measurement system responses. The progress recently made with response modeling and field calibration of pressure fluctuation measurement systems now allows to propose more realistic power spectral density models over an extremely large frequency band. This paper describes how the data were selected, processed, and analyzed to obtain the final global models. In addition, the intermediate results allow the characterization of several atmospheric mechanisms, such as gravity wave saturation, limits of the buoyancy and acoustic cut-off frequencies or wind turbulence modes. The two proposed low and high power spectral density models are planned to be used for a wide range of applications, including assessing the quality of measured pressure fluctuations, verifying the validity of modeled pressure fluctuations and supporting the design, testing and calibration of a new generation of measurement systems. The models presented in this paper are made available to the scientific community.
A rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the analysis of urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) that incorporates a 13C-labelled internal standard
Authors: Grant Kirsten M , Livie Craig , Smith Karen , Leung Chui Ha , Johnston Susan 
Published: July 2021

Background Urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) is a first-line investigation for gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours that secrete serotonin. It also has clinical utility for monitoring disease progression and therapeutic response. Aim To develop and validate a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid that incorporates a supported liquid extraction and 13C-labelled internal standard. Methods Samples were diluted in ammonium acetate containing a 13C-labelled internal standard (5-hydroxyindole-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-13C6-3-acetic acid). Supported liquid extraction was performed followed by chromatographic separation using the 2.1 × 30 mm CORTECS® UPLC® T3 column. Mass spectrometry detection (Waters Xevo TQ-XS) was performed in electrospray positive mode using the transitions 192.3 > 146.4 m/z (quantifier) and 192.3 > 118.4 m/z (qualifier) for 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and 198.2 > 152.4 m/z for 13C-5-HIAA. Results A well-defined 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid peak was observed at 0.8 min with a run time of 2.4 min. The assay was linear (r2 > 0.99) to 382  µmol/L, with a lower limit of quantification of 5.3  µmol/L (CV <15%). Analysis of 29 external quality assurance samples showed good agreement between our method and the UKNEQAS method mean (4.7% positive bias). The intra- and inter-assay precision was within acceptable limits, and the assay was stable up to 96 h postextraction with minimal carryover. Conclusion We have developed a robust LC-MS/MS method with semi-automated extraction that offers an improved run time and performance over the existing, labour-intensive, HPLC method. The method was quick, precise, showed good agreement with UKNEQAS external quality assurance material and is in routine service for clinical samples.
Epiglottitis in Patients With Preexisting Autoimmune Diseases: A Nationwide Case–Control Study in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Cheng-Ming , Tsai Ming-Shao , Yang Yao-Hsu , Lin Ko-Ming , Wang Yun-Ting , Huang Shu-Yi , Lin Meng-Hung , Huang Ethan I. , Chang Geng-He , Liu Chia-Yen , Tsai Yao-Te 
Published: July 2021

Objectives: The role of autoimmune diseases on the risk for acute epiglottitis remains uncertain. This study aimed to delineate the association between epiglottitis and autoimmune diseases using population database. Methods: A population-based retrospective study was conducted to analyze claims data from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database collected over January, 2000, to December, 2013. Results: In total, 2339 patients with epiglottitis were matched with 9356 controls without epiglottitis by sex, age, socioeconomic status, and urbanization level. The correlation between autoimmune diseases and epiglottitis was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Compared with controls, patients with epiglottitis were much more likely to have preexisting Sjögren syndrome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.14-4.91; P = .021). In addition, polyautoimmunity was associated with increased risk of epiglottitis (aOR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.14-3.80; P = .018), particularly in those aged >50 years (aOR: 2.61; 95% CI: 1.21-5.66; P = .015). Conclusions: Among autoimmune diseases, we verify the association between epiglottitis and Sjögren syndrome in Taiwan. Furthermore, we present the novel discovery that patients with epiglottitis have an increased risk of polyautoimmunity, particularly those aged >50 years.
Subjective Cognitive Complaints in Unaffected First-Degree Relatives of Schizophrenia Patients: Relation to Cognitive Performance, Psychotic Experiences, and Social Functioning
Authors: Baliga Sachin P , Kedare Jahnavi S , Mankar Utkarsh J , Kamath Ravindra M 
Published: July 2021

Background: Neurocognitive deficits are well-documented in patients of schizophrenia and their first-degree relatives (FDRs). Metacognitive awareness of these deficits, called neurocognitive insight (NI), has been found to be poor in schizophrenia patients but has not been assessed in their FDRs. This study evaluated NI and its relationship with objective cognitive performance, a history of psychotic experiences (PEs), and social functioning in unaffected FDRs. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient department of a tertiary care teaching hospital. A total of 100 FDRs were assessed for PEs and evaluated for subjective cognitive complaints (SCC), objective cognitive performance, and social functioning using the Subjective Scale to Investigate Cognition in Schizophrenia, neurocognitive tests from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences battery, and SCARF Social Functioning Index, respectively. Results: Compared to normative data, episodic memory was the most commonly impaired domain (up to 72% of participants), followed by working memory, attention, and executive function. There was no correlation between SCC and neuropsychological test scores in the corresponding cognitive domains, implying poor NI. 15% of participants had a lifetime history of PEs. This group had significantly higher SCC as compared to those without PEs (U = 0.366, P = 0.009, r = 0.26). A regression analysis showed that the FDRs’ social functioning reduced by 0.178 units for each unit increase in SCC [F (1,98) = 5.198, P = 0.025]. Conclusion: Similar to schizophrenia patients, FDRs also have poor NI. The severity and progression of SCC could be explored as a possible marker for screening and monitoring FDRs at an ultrahigh risk for psychosis. Importantly, even in unaffected FDRs, SCC could affect socio-occupational functioning and need further research.
Effectiveness of Social Skills Training Groups in Persons with Severe Mental Illness: A Pre–Post Intervention Study
Authors: Aruldass Priyadarshini , Sekar Thamarai Selvi , Saravanan Srikrithika , Samuel Reema , Jacob K. S. 
Published: July 2021

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a social skills training program provided at the occupational therapy unit of a tertiary care center in India. Methods: The study used a pre–post interventional design where 101 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder, between 18 and 60 years, who provided written informed consent, were assessed on the Vellore Assessment of Social Performance (VASP) during the first week of attendance (baseline). Subsequently, they were enrolled in a six-session social skills group training program for two weeks. They were assessed on the VASP after one week (midterm assessment) and at the end (posttest) of the intervention. A follow-up assessment was done two weeks after cessation of the intervention. The participants were also scored on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) at four time points. Results: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences in the VASP scores between time points, that is, F(baseline, midterm) = −4.34 and P = 0.001; F (baseline, postgroup) = −6.92 and P = 0.001; and F (baseline, follow-up) = −8.71 and P = 0.001. The correlation between the BPRS and VASP scores was also significant at each time point. Conclusion: The social skills group training protocol seems to be effective and feasible for the Indian population. Since conducting multicenter clinical trials might not always be possible in resource-constrained settings, this study might be considered preliminary evidence for context-specific, peer-/family-supported social skills training.
Relationship between peripapillary choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer in young people with myopia
Authors: Cui Dongmei , Hou Xincen , Li Jinlin , Qu Xiaoli , Yu Tao , Song Aiping 
Published: July 2021

Aim To study the characteristics and relationship between peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and choroidal thickness in young people with myopia. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 92 cases (52 myopia, 40 emmetropia) regarding age, sex, refractive power, axial length (AL), and intraocular pressure. Peripapillary RNFL and choroidal thicknesses were measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in six sectors. Differences in thicknesses between the two groups were compared by single-factor analysis. Results RNFL was thickest in the inferotemporal sector (157.3 ± 19.66 µm) and thinnest in the nasal sector (58.78 ± 18.41 µm). Peripapillary choroid was thickest in the superonasal sector (176.37 ± 33.92 µm) and thinnest in the inferotemporal sector (131.79 ± 25.22 µm). The RNFL was thinner in the myopia group (99.04 ± 8.23 µm) vs the emmetropia group (103.25 ± 8.32 µm); significantly different in the superotemporal and inferonasal sectors. Peripapillary choroid thickness in the myopia group (148.65 ± 26.64 µm) was lower vs the emmetropia group (160.88 ± 29.06 µm); significantly different in the nasal, inferonasal, and inferotemporal sectors. RNFL thickness was negatively correlated with choroidal thickness in the nasal sector (r = −0.288). Conclusion Peripapillary RNFL and choroidal thicknesses showed regional distributions. RNFL was negatively correlated with PCT in the nasal sector, possibly related to eye axis growth and choroidal compensation.
Clinical application of laparoscopy combined with choledochoscopy in patients with bilioenteric anastomotic stricture with access via the jejunal loops
Authors: Zhu Yi , Li Jinhai , Xie Minjie , Jin Jing , Lou Jianying 
Published: July 2021

Objective Bilioenteric anastomotic stricture is a serious complication following choledochojejunostomy. Some patients develop intrahepatic lithiasis and biliary tract infection without dilation of the intrahepatic bile duct. The present study was performed to investigate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopy combined with choledochoscopy in patients with bilioenteric anastomotic stricture with access via the jejunal loops. Methods The data of 10 patients (7 men and 3 women; mean age, 60.8 ± 9.7 years; age range, 51–76 years) with potential bilioenteric anastomotic stricture without dilation of the intrahepatic bile duct from January 2015 to December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Results All 10 patients underwent surgery, and their clinical parameters were recorded. The mean surgery time was 181.5 ± 35.4 minutes, and the mean estimated blood loss was 32.0 ± 15.5 mL. No patients developed serious complications during the perioperative period. The short-term outcome analysis at 12 months indicated that the stenosis had been effectively dilated and that the liver function had improved. Conclusions The results of the present study demonstrated that laparoscopy combined with choledochoscopy with access via the jejunal loops is feasible in the treatment of bilioenteric anastomotic stricture and intrahepatic lithiasis.
Ultra-High Field 7-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Electroencephalography Findings in Epilepsy
Authors: Salehi Fateme , Nadeem Ibrahim M. , Kwan Benjamin Y. M. , Mirsattari Seyed M. , Lee Donald H. , Burneo Jorge G. , Steven David , Hammond Robert , Peters Terry M. , Khan Ali R. 
Published: July 2021

Purpose: Assessment of patients for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) surgery requires multimodality input, including EEG recordings to ensure optimal surgical planning. Often EEG demonstrates abnormal foci not detected on 1.5T MRI. Ultra-high field MRI at 7T provides improved resolution of the brain. We investigated the utility of 7T MRI to detect potential anatomical abnormalities associated with EEG changes. Methods: Ultra-high field data were acquired on a 7T MRI scanner for 13 patients with history of drug resistant TLE who had had EEG telemetry recordings. Qualitative evaluation of 7T imaging for presence of focal abnormalities detected on EEG was performed. Correlation of 7T MRI findings with EEG recordings of focal slowing or interictal epileptic spikes (IEDs), and seizures was performed. Results: Assessment of 7T MRI demonstrated concordance with TLE as determined by the multidisciplinary team in 61.5% of cases (n = 8). Among these, 3 patients exhibited supportive abnormal 7T MRI abnormalities not detected by 1.5T MRI. In patients who underwent surgery, 72.7% had concordant histopathology findings with 7T MRI findings (n = 8). However, qualitative assessment of 7T images revealed focal anatomical abnormalities to account for EEG findings in only 15.4% of patients (n = 2). Other regions that were found to have localized IEDs in addition to the lesional temporal lobe, included the contralateral temporal lobe (n = 5), frontal lobe (n = 3), and parieto-occipital lobe (n = 2). Conclusion: Ultra-high field 7T MRI findings show concordance with clinical data. However, 7T MRI did not reveal anatomical findings to account for abnormalities detected by EEG.