bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
423 Prevalence and prognostic significance of atrial arrhythmias in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
Authors: De Luca Antonio , Cappelletto Chiara , Romani Simona , Perotto Maria , Gregorio Caterina , Barbati Giulia , Stolfo Davide , Merlo Marco , Sinagra Gianfranco 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Aims
Limited data are available concerning atrial arrhythmias (AA) role in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC). The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and incidence of AA in a large cohort of AC patients and to evaluate its association with clinical outcomes.

Methods and results
We retrospectively analysed 115 patients with definite diagnosis of ARVC, according to 2010 Task Force Criteria, enrolled in the Trieste Heart Muscle Disease Registry. Subjects were further classified into two phenotypic variants, based on ventricular involvement: right-dominant and biventricular form. Uni- and multivariable, extended Kaplan-Meier and cumulative incidence function analysis were performed, as appropriate, for the primary composite endpoint of death and heart transplant (HTx) and for the two distinct secondary endpoints of: (i) death, HTx and first heart failure (HF) hospitalization; (ii) first major ventricular arrhythmias (MVA). Mean age of patients at the time of enrollment was 39 ± 16 years and 80% were male. 73 patients (63%) had a right-dominant form, while 42 (37%) presented a biventricular involvement. AA occurred in the 26% of our study population at baseline or during a median follow-up of 214 months (IQR: 105–311), with a non-significant trend in higher cumulative incidence of AA in patients with biventricular form. At baseline, patients experiencing AA were older (44 ± 18 vs. 37 ± 15 years, P = 0.044) and had larger atrial dimensions, in particular of the right atrium (RA) (23, IQR: 19–27 vs. 18, IQR: 15–25 cm2, P &lt; 0.007). AA emerged as independently associated to death/HTx (HR 2.68, 95% CI: 1.02–7.05, P = 0.046) along with NYHA class &gt;2 (HR: 7.08, 95% CI: 2.50–20.1, P &lt; 0.001) and RA area (HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01–1.09, P = 0.011). Consistently, AA were also independently associated with the secondary endpoint of death/HTx/HF hospitalization (HR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.06–5.88, P = 0.036), together with NYHA &gt;2, the presence of biventricular involvement, higher RA and left atrium area. Finally, AA did not emerge as independently correlated to MVA during follow-up.

Conclusions
This observational long-term study suggests that AA were common in patients with AC and were independently associated with poor outcomes, mostly related to HF events. A prompt identification throughout the follow-up of AA appears relevant in improving the clinical management of AC patients.
403 Acute myopericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
Authors: Sciaccaluga Carlotta , D’Ascenzi Flavio , Cameli Matteo , Gallotta Milena , Menci Daniele , Antonelli Giovanni , Banchi Benedetta , Mochi Veronica , Valente Serafina , Focardi Marta 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Aims
Cases of myocarditis and myopericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been reported, especially after the second dose and in young males. Their course is generally benign, with symptoms onset after 24–72 h from the dose.

Methods and results
We report two cases of myopericarditis after the second dose of the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine in two young males, 20-years old and 21-years old. Both the patients were administered the vaccine on the same day. They both experienced fever on the same day of the vaccine and symptoms consistent with myopericarditis three days after the dose, which was confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance. Figure 1 summarizes the main non-invasive findings that suggested and confirmed the diagnosis of acute myopericarditis. The disease course was benign in both patients, and only one patient presented rare ventricular arrhythmias on the admission day. They were both discharged on the 9th day of the in-hospital stay.

Conclusions
Myopericarditis is usually considered an uncommon adverse reaction after various vaccinations, reported also after the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Several explanations have been proposed, including an abnormal activation of the immune system leading to a pro-inflammatory cascade responsible for myocarditis development. The temporal aspect of these case reports is rather peculiar and it is useful to underscore that both vaccines belonged to the same batch of vaccines. However, despite these cases, vaccination against COVID-19 far outweighs the risk linked to COVID-19 infection and remains the best option to overcome this disease. 403 Figure
501 Investigating the epidemiology of cardiac amyloidosis: design of the ‘cardiac amyloidosis registry’ (CARRY)
Authors: Vergaro Giuseppe , Castiglione Vincenzo , Mandoli Giulia Elena , Aimo Alberto , Cappelli Francesco , Ambrosio Giuseppe , Olivotto Iacopo , Emdin Michele , Cameli Matteo 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Aims
Amyloidosis are a group of diseases characterized by the extracellular deposition of amyloid fibrils. The two most common forms of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) are caused by the accumulation of immunoglobulin light-chains (AL) or transthyretin (ATTR). While previously considered as a rare disease, increased awareness and recent advances in diagnostic tools have shown that prevalence of CA is likely underestimated. Nonetheless, large-scale population registries of CA, also focusing on the pathways leading to the final diagnosis, are still missing.

Methods and results
The Cardiac Amyloidosis RegistRY (CARRY) is an observational, prospective, multicentre study endorsed by the Italian Society of Cardiology (Sezione Regionale Tosco-Umbra), collecting data from in- and outpatients referred with the clinical suspicion of CA. Clinical, laboratory (including natriuretic peptides and high-sensitivity troponins), and echocardiographic data at enrollment will be collected. Detailed information about the diagnostic procedures up to the final diagnosis of either CA or mimicking conditions will be registered. Patients with a diagnosis of CA will be followed up, and the baseline assessment will be repeated at 1-year (Figure). Twenty centres in Tuscany and Umbria, including amyloidosis referral centres as well as second-level Hospitals, are contributing to the CARRY registry. A common, web-based, case report form is being used for data collection. Recruitment begun in July 2021 and will end in July 2022. The first interim analysis is planned in January 2022.

Conclusions
The CARRY registry is expected to give novel information on the epidemiology of CA, with a focus on the incidence and diagnostic pathways of CA in Tuscany and Umbria, setting the bases for a larger nationwide registry. Clarification of the epidemiology of CA through the data from the CARRY registry may prove useful in the next future for either clinicians and policy makers. FigureStudy flow chart of the CARRY registry.
596 Multidisciplinary in-depth investigation in a young athlete suffering from syncope caused by myocardial bridge
Authors: Brancaccio Mariarita , Cesaro Arturo , Monda Emanuele , D'Argenio Valeria , Casaburi Giorgio , Mazzaccara Cristina , Limongelli Giuseppe , Calabro Paolo , Lombardo Barbara , Scudiero Olga , Frisso Giulia 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Aims
Laboratory medicine along with genetic investigations are taking on an increasingly important role in monitoring athlete’s health conditions. Acute or intense exercise can lead to metabolic imbalances, muscle injuries, or can point up cardiovascular disorders.

Methods and results
This study aimed to monitor the health status of a basketball player, through an integrated approach including biochemical and genetic investigations and advanced imaging techniques, to shed light on the causes of recurrent syncope he experienced during exercise. Biochemical analyses showed that the athlete had abnormal iron, ferritin, and bilirubin levels. Coronary computed tomographic angiography highlighted the presence of an intramyocardial bridge, suggesting this may be the cause of the observed syncopes. The athlete was excluded from competitive activity. To understand if this cardiac malformation could be caused by an inherited genetic condition, both array-CGH and whole exome sequencing were performed. Array-CGH showed two intronic deletions involving MACROD2 and COMMD10 genes, which could be related to the congenital heart defect; the whole exome sequencing highlighted the genotype compatible with the Gilbert syndrome. However, no clear pathogenic mutations related to the patient’s cardiological phenotype were detected, even after applying machine learning methods.

Conclusions
This case highlights the importance and the need to provide exhaustive personalized diagnostic work-up for the athletes to cover the cause of their malaise, safeguarding their health. This multidisciplinary approach can be useful to create ad personam training and treatments, thus avoiding the appearance of diseases and injuries which, if underestimated, can become irreversible disorders and sometimes can lead to the death of the athlete.
799 Biventricular dysfunction and lung congestion in athletes on anabolic androgenic steroids: a speckle tracking and stress lung echocardiography analysis
Authors: Serio Alessandro , Iodice Franco , Sperlongano Simona , Di Vilio Alessandro , Radmilovic Juri , Gambardella Francesco , Picano Eugenio , D'andrea Antonello , Golino Paolo , Carbone Andreina 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Aims
The real effects of the chronic consumption of anabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS) on cardiovascular structures are subjects of intense debate. Aim of the study was to detect by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction at rest and during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) in athletes abusing AAS.

Methods and results
115 top-level competitive bodybuilders were selected (70 males), including 65 athletes misusing AAS for at least 5 years (users), 50 anabolic-free bodybuilders (non-users), compared to 50 age- and sex-matched healthy sedentary controls. Standard Doppler echocardiography, STE analysis, and lung ultrasound at rest and at peak supine-bicycle ESE were performed. Athletes showed increased LV mass index, wall thickness, and RV diameters compared with controls, whereas LV ejection fraction was comparable within the groups. LA volume index, LV and RV strain, and LV E/Em were significantly higher in AAS users. Users showed more B-lines during stress (median 4.4 vs. 1.25 in controls and 1.3 in non-users, P &lt; 0.01 vs. users). By multivariable analyses, LV E/Ea (beta coefficient = 0.35, P &lt; 0.01), PASP (beta = 0.43, P &lt; 0.001) at peak effort, and number of weeks of AAS use per year (beta = 0.45, P &lt; 0.001) emerged as the only independent determinants of resting RV lateral wall peak systolic two-dimensional strain. In addition, a close association between resting RV myocardial function and VO2 peak during ESE was evidenced (P &lt; 0.001), with a powerful incremental value with respect to clinical and standard echocardiographic data.

Conclusions
STE represents a promising technique to assess RV myocardial function in athletes abusing steroids. AAS users showed a more impaired RV deformation, closely associated with reduced functional capacity during physical effort, and—during exercise—more pulmonary congestion.
4 Early diagnosis of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Maiello Maria , Cecere Annagrazia , Ciccone Marco Matteo , Palmiero Pasquale 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Aims
The most frequent cause of death among patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is heart failure, its high prevalence is independent by cardiovascular risk factors. An early diagnosis of heart failure risk may be done assessing left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) by Doppler echocardiography. Our study aimed to estimate the LV diastolic function in RA patients.

Methods and results
We enrolled 207 consecutive postmenopausal women (PMW) with normal electrocardiography, physical examination, and confirmed diagnosis of RA for over a year and 200 PMW free from RA as control group (CG). All women underwent to M-mode, two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography. Seventy-two women were affected by LVDD among 207 women with RA (34.8%), 46 among 200 women on CG (23%), Chi-squared 6.8, odds ratio 1.8, confidence interval (CI) 95%, P &lt; 0.0088. In our population of PMW the chance to be affected by LVDD is almost one and a half times. There were 70 women affected by LVDD among 72 hypertensive women with RA (97.2%), 32 women were affected by LVDD among 98 hypertensive women on CG (32.7%), Chi-squared 72.1, odds ratio 7.2, CI 95%, P &lt; 0.0088, Table II. Among hypertensive PMW of our population the chance to be affected by LVDD is more than triple. All LVDD subjects had abnormal diastole for all different degrees of severity.

Conclusions
We assess that PMW affected by RA have a significantly high incidence of LV diastolic dysfunction without clinical evidence of heart disease, the incidence is even higher if they are hypertensive, so we recommend a Doppler echocardiography examination for all women with a diagnosis of RA.
427 The role of virtual visits in cardiology: from the pandemic era to future perspectives
Authors: Mei Mariachiara , Di Iorio Martina , Bernardini Alessia , Magnocavallo Michele , Vetta Giampaolo , Piro Agostino , Giunta Giuseppe , Quaglione Raffaele , Chimenti Cristina , Trivigno Sara , Mitacchione Gianfranco , Fedele Francesco , Schiavone Marco , Forleo Giovanni Battista , Lavalle Carlo 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Aims
During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in-person visits were reduced to prevent potential risk of exposure. Virtual visits (VVs) represent an innovative model to take care of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of VV in the management of CIED patients.

Methods and results
We performed a prospective study including all CIED patients who received a VV from July 2020 to July 2021. Blood pressure, arterial oxygen saturation, heart rate, and body weight were registered by the patient. Moreover, we sent to the patient a questionnaire to evaluate the patients’ satisfaction about VV. We enrolled 182 patients in the study period. The mean age of patients was 70.2 ± 13.5 years-old and the majority (61.1%) was male. In two cases, VVs were not performed due to technical issues. Overall, 70.9% of patients utilized a smartphone, while 20.1% and 9% used, respectively, a tablet or a personal computer. The mean duration of VV was 27.8 ± 7.8 min. Patients helped by a caregiver were 64 (35.2%). One urgent/emergent in-person visit was performed in a patient with acute heart failure. Overall, VV was preferred to in-person evaluation.

Conclusion
VV is a safe and feasible approach to follow-up CIED patients. A high degree of patient satisfaction was reached after VV. The use of VV has promising potential and should be implemented beyond COVID-19 period and integrated in the healthcare system as a new model of care.
229 Long-term clinical and echocardiographic outcome following TAVR in patients with severe aortic stenosis and different transvalvular flow state
Authors: Fusini Laura , Muratori Manuela , Tamborini Gloria , Ali Sarah Ghulam , Gripari Paola , Mantegazza Valentina , Roberto Maurizio , Trabattoni Piero , Agrifoglio Marco , Bartorelli Antonio , Alamanni Francesco , Pontone Gianluca , Pepi Mauro 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Aims
Haemodynamic classifications of severe aortic stenosis (AS) have important prognostic implications, with low flow state (defined on the basis of a stroke volume index, SVi&lt;35 mL/m2) known to be a predictor of worse prognosis. As transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become widely used for patients with severe AS, issues were raised concerning its efficacy in patients with different haemodynamic classifications combining transvalvular flow state and pressure gradients. In fact, data on TAVR outcomes in patients with low gradient (LG) AS are limited and in some cases controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and long-term clinical and echocardiographic outcome of TAVR in patients with different transvalvular flow-gradient patterns.

Methods
In this single centre study, 1078 patients (mean age 81±7 years) with severe symptomatic AS (AVA&lt;1 cm2) undergoing TAVR were categorized according to flow-gradient patterns as follow: 867 patients (80%) with normal flow-high gradient (NF-HG: mean transaortic gradient DP mean&gt;40 mmHg), 94 (9%) with paradoxical low flow LG (pLF-LG: DP mean&lt;40 mmHg, ejection fraction EF &gt; 50%, and SVi&lt;35 mL/m2), and 117 (11%) classical LF-LG (DP mean&lt;40 mmHg, EF &lt; 50%, SVi&lt;35 mL/m2).

Results
TAVR was feasible in all AS subtypes with similar rate of unsuccessful procedure (1.3% NF-HG, 1.1% pLF-LG, 0% LF-LG P=470). Valvular function after TAVR was excellent over time with respect to aortic pressure gradient (mean and peak) and aortic valve area regardless of flow state group (Figure A). Overall, intraoperative (P=957) and 30-day mortality (P=817) did not differ significantly among the 3 groups. Longer follow-up showed that, compared to NF-HG patients, pLF-LG had similar all-cause mortality rate [HR 1.35(0.95–1.90), P=0.094] up to 5 years and LF-LG had a significant higher mortality rate [HR 1.89(1.43–2.49), P&lt;0.001],(Figure B). Moreover, LF-LG patients had higher rehospitalization for heart failure (NF-HG: 3%, pLF-LG: 6%, LF-LG 10%, P=0.001).

Conclusions
We provided evidence that TAVR is an effective procedure in all patients with severe AS regardless of transvalvular flow-gradient patterns. A careful haemodynamic classifications of severe AS is of utmost importance for identifying patients who benefits the most from TAVR procedure.
Effects of mannan oligosaccharides andLactobacillus mucosaeon growth performance, immune response, and gut health of weanling pigs challenged withEscherichia colilipopolysaccharides
Authors: Li Yanshuo S , San Andres Joice V , Trenhaile-Grannemann Melanie D , van Sambeek Dana M , Moore Kelly C , Winkel Shana M , Fernando Samodha C , Burkey Thomas E , Miller Phillip S 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAddition of pre- and probiotics may confer growth and health benefits when added to the diet of pigs. To determine the effects of feeding mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) and Lactobacillus mucosae (LM) as prebiotic and probiotic sources in weanling pigs under immune challenge, 96 weaned pigs were randomly allotted to 16 experimental pens within a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Control diets with or without 0.1% yeast-derived MOS were randomly assigned to pens and 109 cfu/pig LM broth or a control broth were top-dressed daily. Pigs were fed one of four dietary treatments (control, MOS, LM, and MOS+LM) in Phases I and II (days 0 to 7 and days 7 to 21 postweaning, respectively) and a common diet during Phase III (days 21 to 35 postweaning). On day 14, all pigs were challenged with 100 µg/kg body weight (BW) Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) via intraperitonial injection. Feed disappearance and pig BW were measured weekly. Blood and fecal samples were collected weekly, and additional blood samples were collected on days 1 and 3 post-LPS challenge. On days 15 and 21, one pig per pen was euthanized for collection of ileal mucosa and duodenal and ileal tissue samples. From days 0 to 14, feeding LM decreased gain-to-feed ratio (G:F; P &lt; 0.05). An interaction between LM and MOS was observed for G:F on days 14 to 21 (P &lt; 0.05); G:F in LM (715 g/kg) was greater compared with MOS+LM (P &lt; 0.05; 600 g/kg) and control (P &lt; 0.10; 615 g/kg), but was not different (P &gt; 0.10) from MOS (674 g/kg). After pigs were fed a common diet (days 21 to 35), G:F was decreased (P &lt; 0.05) in the LM treatment groups. Pigs fed diets that included MOS had increased serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G on days 1 and 3 post-LPS challenge and 2 wk after removal of treatments (P &lt; 0.05) and on days 14 and 21 postweaning (P &lt; 0.10) compared with pigs fed diets without MOS. On day 15, mucosal immunoglobulin G was increased (P &lt; 0.05) in control vs. MOS and LM groups. Circulating IL-1β in control and MOS+LM pigs increased (P &lt; 0.05) on day 1 post-LPS challenge but did not change (P &gt; 0.10) in MOS and LM groups. On day 15, pigs fed LM had decreased (P &lt; 0.05) ileal crypt depth compared with pigs fed the control diet. On day 21, fecal propionate and butyrate tended to be lower (P &lt; 0.10) in pigs fed MOS vs. control and MOS+LM diet. These preliminary findings suggest that feeding LM alone improved feed efficiency and ileal morphological structure during the first week of LPS challenge; additionally, feeding LM and MOS may have beneficial effects relative to immune biomarkers.
Mathematical Modeling of Population Dynamics of Trogoderma granarium (Coleoptera: Dermistidae)
Authors: Rajendran Vignesh , Jian Fuji , Fields Paul G , Jayas Digvir S 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts, is one of the economically important quarantine pests that mainly feeds on food grain and proteinaceous materials. Its total development time lasts approximately 40–45 d under favorable environmental conditions. Extreme temperatures, high relative humidity (RH), high larval densities, or low food quality can induce a larval diapause, where the insect can survive for up to a few years, occasionally feeding and molting. Ecological modeling is a helpful tool to study the population dynamics of biological systems. Physi-Biological age method is based on temperature-driven development rate, and factors such as RH and food quality were considered as multipliers. The objective of this study was to develop mathematical models to calculate the survival and development of adults, eggs, larvae, pupae, and oviposition and diapause under different environmental conditions such as temperature, RH, and food quality. Algorithms were developed to simulate the population dynamics for each day and coded in C++. The developed models were validated against the literature data and evaluated using linear regression, R2, and MSE. Population dynamics were simulated under Canadian grain storage conditions, and the developed models predicted that the diapausing larvae survived the extremely cold conditions found in Canadian grain. In contrast, other stages did not survive. The surviving larvae developed to pupae and adults, and females began laying eggs once the temperature became warmer in the grain bins.