bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography–computed tomography findings in a first series of 10 patients with polyarteritis nodosa
Authors: Fagart Alexandre , Machet Thomas , Collet Guillaume , Quéméneur Thomas , Ben Ticha Rim , Verstraete Marion , Le Gouellec Noémie , Demailly Franck , Rousselin Clémentine 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Objective
18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT (FDG-PET/CT) is widely used in patients with large vessel vasculitis. The benefits of FDG-PET/CT in PAN has only ever been assessed in three case reports. Our aim was to describe FDG-PET/CT findings in 10 patients with newly diagnosed PAN.

Methods
This was a retrospective study of patients with PAN who underwent FDG-PET/CT at diagnosis between 2017 and 2020. The FDG-PET/CT data were analysed retrospectively.

Results
Ten patients were included: nine men and one woman with a median age of 67 years (range 43–78). PAN was diagnosed according to ACR criteria in nine patients and histologically in one. All patients had high CRP levels (median 223 mg/l). The main FDG-PET/CT abnormality was increased tracer uptake in the muscles, particularly in the connective tissue (perimysium, epimysium) (n = 7), and in linear (n = 5) or focal (n = 2) patterns. Increased FDG uptake in large-diameter vessels was observed in four patients, in the humeral (n = 4), femoral (n = 1) and common interosseous arteries (n = 1). Nine patients had bone marrow FDG uptake and six had splenic FDG uptake. Three had synovitis and three had lymph node uptake. One patient had subcutaneous FDG uptake with a ‘leopard skin’ appearance.

Conclusions
FDG-PET/CT seems to be a useful non-invasive imaging technique for diagnosing PAN, particularly in patients with non-specific systemic features. Tracer uptake in muscular connective tissue seems to be a recurrent sign in patients with PAN and may be pathognomonic.
The burden of psoriasis in patients with early psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Kasiem Fazira R , Kok Marc R , Luime Jolanda J , Tchetverikov Ilja , Wervers Kim , Korswagen Lindy-Anne , Denissen Nastasja H A M , Goekoop-Ruiterman Yvonne P M , van Oosterhout Maikel , Fodili Faouzia , Hazes Johanna M W , Vis Marijn ,   CICERO
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Psoriasis impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in PsA patients. However, this is not adequately measured with a general HRQoL questionnaire. The aim of this study was to quantify the degree of psoriasis evolution in PsA patients over the first year of follow-up and to evaluate whether the impact of psoriasis on HRQoL can be adequately measured with a dermatology-specific HRQoL questionnaire.

Methods
Data were used from PsA patients in the Dutch south west Early Psoriatic Arthritis cohort. Psoriasis severity was measured with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Dermatology-specific HRQoL was assessed with the Skindex-17 questionnaire. We used a Sankey diagram to illustrate the evolution of psoriasis severity during the first year of follow-up. To assess the association between psoriasis severity and the symptoms and psychosocial subscale of the Skindex-17, a linear regression analysis with hierarchical variable selection and zero-inflated negative binominal regression analysis were performed, respectively.

Results
We included 644 patients; 109 (17%) patients had no psoriasis (PASI = 0), 456 (71%) had mild psoriasis (PASI &lt; 7), 56 (9%) had moderate psoriasis (PASI 7–12) and 23 (4%) had severe psoriasis (PASI &gt; 12). Psoriasis severity did not fluctuate much during the first year. PASI was significantly associated with both subscales of the Skindex-17 at baseline and 12 months.

Conclusion
Psoriasis severity in PsA patients is mostly mild but impacts HRQoL when measured using a dermatology-specific HRQoL questionnaire. For optimal management of PsA patients, we recommend rheumatologists acquire information on skin burden by using a dermatology-specific HRQoL questionnaire.
Theta-gamma coupling during REM sleep depends on breathing rate
Authors: Hammer Maximilian , Schwale Chrysovalandis , Brankačk Jurij , Draguhn Andreas , Tort Adriano B L 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Temporal coupling between theta and gamma oscillations is a hallmark activity pattern of several cortical networks and becomes especially prominent during REM sleep. In a parallel approach, nasal breathing has been recently shown to generate phase-entrained network oscillations which also modulate gamma. Both slow rhythms (theta and respiration-entrained oscillations) have been suggested to aid large-scale integration but they differ in frequency, display low coherence, and modulate different gamma sub-bands. Respiration and theta are therefore believed to be largely independent. In the present work, however, we report an unexpected but robust relation between theta-gamma coupling and respiration in mice. Interestingly, this relation takes place not through the phase of individual respiration cycles, but through respiration rate: the strength of theta-gamma coupling exhibits an inverted V-shaped dependence on breathing rate, leading to maximal coupling at breathing frequencies of 4–6 Hz. Noteworthy, when subdividing sleep epochs into phasic and tonic REM patterns, we find that breathing differentially relates to theta-gamma coupling in each state, providing new evidence for their physiological distinctiveness. Altogether, our results reveal that breathing correlates with brain activity not only through phase-entrainment but also through rate-dependent relations with theta-gamma coupling. Thus, the link between respiration and other patterns of cortical network activity is more complex than previously assumed.
Inhibition of testosterone synthesis induced by oral TiO2 NPs is associated with ROS-MAPK(ERK1/2)-StAR signaling pathway in SD rat
Authors: Liu Shanji , Tang Yizhou , Chen Bolu , Zhao Yu , Aguilar Zoraida P , Tao Xueying , Xu Hengyi 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have been widely used in food, medical, and other fields; their reproductive toxicity has been reported in numerous studies. However, the relevant toxicity mechanism still requires further exploration. In this paper, the effect of oral exposure to 500 mg/kg TiO2 NPs (anatase and rutile) in adult male SD rats was studied over 3 and 7 days. Results showed that the total sperm count and testosterone level of 7 days of exposure in serum decreased in the experimental group. Testicular tissue lesions, such as disappearance of Leydig cells, disorder of arrangement of spermatogenic cells in the lumen of convoluted seminiferous tubules, and disorder of arrangement of germ cells, were observed. Meanwhile, the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR; the key factors of testosterone synthesis), MAPK (ERK1/2), and phosphorylated ERK1/2 in testes of SD rats after exposure to TiO2 NPs for 7 days decreased, while the malondialdehyde content increased and superoxide dismutase activity decreased in serum. The present study showed that TiO2 NPs could cause reproductive toxicity. Notably, anatase is more toxic than rutile. In addition, exposure to 500 mg/kg TiO2 NPs for 7 days inhibited testosterone synthesis in male rat, which may be related to the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-MAPK (ERK1/2)-StAR signal pathway. Warning that the use of TiO2 NPs should be regulated.
High-Energy Transsyndesmotic Ankle Fracture Dislocation—Injury Characteristics, Radiographic Outcomes, and Factors Affecting the Rate of Posttraumatic Arthritis in Logsplitter Injuries
Authors: Sidhu Sahil Prabhnoor , Atwan Yousif , Cavanagh Joseph , Sidhu Veer Sohail , Del Balso Christopher , Schemitsch Emil H. , Sanders David W. , Lawendy Abdel R. 
Published: July 2021

Objectives:
To investigate patient demographics, injury characteristics, radiographic outcomes, and identify risk factors for developing posttraumatic arthritis in high-energy transsyndesmotic ankle fracture dislocations or “logsplitter” injuries.

Design:
Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:
Academic level one trauma center.

Patients/Participants:
Twenty-seven adult patients with logsplitter injuries.

Intervention:
All patients were treated with open reduction internal fixation, with possible addition of syndesmosis screw(s) and deltoid repair.

Main Outcome Measurements:
The rate of posttraumatic arthritis at one year along with rate and reasons for reoperation.

Results:
Twenty-seven patients were included with a mean follow-up of 14.5 ± 12.5 months. At one-year postoperative, 14 of the 20 patients (70%) demonstrated posttraumatic arthritis. Two patients (7.4%) went onto fusion. The reoperation rate was 51.9%. There was no significant difference in the arthritis rate with the number of syndesmosis screws used, quality of reduction, or addition of deltoid repair.

Conclusions:
The logsplitter injury is one with devastating outcomes and high rates of arthritis; it should be considered separately from conventional ankle fractures. The role of deltoid repair remains unclear. Further study of this injury pattern is required.

Level of Evidence:
Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Corneal Endothelial Cell Changes After Femtosecond Laser–Assisted Cataract Surgery in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients
Authors: Kang Kyoung Hae , Song Mi Yeon , Kim Kook Young , Hwang Kyu Yeon , Kwon Young A , Koh Kyungmin 
Published: July 2021

Objective:
To compare corneal endothelial cell changes after femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) in diabetic and nondiabetic patients.

Methods:
This retrospective study included patients with cataract who underwent FLACS performed by a single surgeon between August 2018 and November 2020. Changes in corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), hexagonality, coefficient of variation in cell size (CV), and central corneal thickness (CCT) at baseline and at the 1-month and 3-month postoperative follow-ups were investigated by dividing the patients into diabetic and nondiabetic groups.

Results:
We included 75 patients (60% men, mean age: 57.7±11.4 years, range: 27–80 years) in the analysis: 31 diabetic patients (64% men, mean age: 58.7±11.9 years, range: 27–79 years) and 44 nondiabetic patients (56% men, mean age: 57.1±11.3 years, range: 34–80 years). No differences were observed between the two groups as regards preoperative and intraoperative parameters, the mean postoperative ECD, hexagonality, and CV. At 1 month postoperatively, the CCT was significantly greater in the diabetic group (P=0.034); however, at 3 months, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.927).

Conclusions:
Changes in postoperative corneal endothelial cells were comparable between patients with and without diabetes after FLACS. Femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery seems to cause less damage to the corneal endothelium in diabetic patients because it uses less phacoemulsification energy.
Implantation of an Artificial Endothelial Layer for Treatment of Chronic Corneal Edema
Authors: Auffarth Gerd U. , Son Hyeck-Soo , Koch Matthias , Weindler Jan , Merz Patrick , Daphna Ofer , Marcovich Arie L. , Augustin Victor A. 
Published: July 2021

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to describe a novel device that may serve as an alternative to Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) for the treatment of chronic corneal edema.

Methods:
The EndoArt (EyeYon Medical, Israel) is a flexible, 50-μm thin artificial endothelial layer that matches the cornea's posterior curvature and functions as a fluid barrier at the posterior stroma, replacing the diseased endothelium. Similar to a DMEK approach, it is implanted into the anterior chamber, carefully positioned on the posterior stroma, and secured using an air–gas mixture. Two patients with chronic corneal edema resulting from endothelial decompensation underwent implantation of the new artificial lamella.

Results:
In patient 1, the central corneal thickness (CCT) decreased from 730 μm preoperatively to 593 μm at 1 day postoperatively. In patient 2, the CCT decreased from 761 μm preoperatively to 487 μm at 1 day postoperatively. Both patients reported high satisfaction and an overall brighter visual quality. Although dislocation of the lamella occurred in both cases, the CCT was promptly restored after a repositioning procedure and remained stable at the 17-month follow-up (CCT of 526 and 457 μm for patients 1 and 2, respectively). In contrast to DMEK donor tissue, the artificial lamella is sufficiently robust to allow easy intraocular manipulation without the risk of damaging the implant. It is easily removable and does not require any immunosuppressive treatment because of its nonbiological nature.

Conclusions:
Implantation of the EndoArt led to rapid corneal deturgescence and CCT restoration, presenting a possible option for patients with chronic corneal edema.
“Doing What Only I Can Do”
Authors: Mikkelsen Marta Kramer , Michelsen Hanne , Nielsen Dorte Lisbet , Vinther Anders , Lund Cecilia Margareta , Jarden Mary 
Published: July 2021

Background
Sparse evidence exists regarding the feasibility and patients’ experiences of exercise programs among older cancer populations.

Objective
The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of older patients with advanced cancer who participated in a 12-week supervised and multimodal exercise program in a hospital setting.

Methods
Individual interviews were conducted with 18 participants (≥65 years) with advanced cancer who completed the intervention program regardless of compliance rate. In addition, written evaluation questionnaires were collected. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results
Three main themes were identified: (1) Motivated to strengthen body and mind, with the subthemes “Doing what only I can do” and “Reaching goals with support from healthcare professionals and peers”; (2) Exercise as an integrated part of the treatment course; and (3) Overcoming undeniable physical limitations.

Conclusions
The participants experienced several benefits from participation, including physical improvements, increased energy, reduction of symptoms, and improved social engagement. Goal setting, being positively pushed and cheered on, and integration of fun games increased motivation. In contrast, being pushed beyond physical limitations and experiencing severe symptoms were experienced as barriers toward exercising. Adherence to the exercise program was facilitated by coordinating a tailored program with medical appointments and receiving comprehensive support and guidance.

Implications for Practice
Multimodal exercise programs seem to be beneficial for older patients with advanced cancer and should be coordinated with oncological treatment in combination with targeted support and advice on symptom management.
Reactive Arthritis After Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Therapy
Authors: Taniguchi Yoshinori , Nishikawa Hirofumi , Kimata Takahito , Yoshinaga Yasuhiko , Kobayashi Shigeto , Terada Yoshio 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Reactive arthritis (ReA) is a sterile arthritis that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals secondary to an extra-articular infection, usually of the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract. Sterile arthritis associated with instillation of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (iBCG) therapy used for bladder cancer can also be included under ReA based on the pathogenic mechanism. Similar to spondyloarthritis, HLA-B27 positivity is a known contributor to the genetic susceptibility underlying iBCG-associated ReA. Other genetic factors, such as HLA-B39 and HLA-B51, especially in Japanese patients, can also be involved in the pathophysiology of iBCG-associated ReA. The frequencies of ReA- and ReA-related symptoms are slightly different between Japanese and Western studies. Proper understanding of possible complications, their epidemiology and pathogenesis, and their management is important for the rheumatologist when noting symptomatic patients using iBCG. Herein, we will review the most current information on ReA after iBCG therapy.
Estimation of COVID-19 recovery and decease periods in Canada using machine learning algorithms
Authors: Paul Subhendu , Lorin Emmanuel 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACTWe derive a novel model escorted by large scale compartments, based on a set of coupled delay differential equations with extensive delays, in order to estimate the incubation, recovery and decease periods of COVID-19, and more generally any infectious disease. This is possible thanks to machine learning algorithms applied to publicly available database of confirmed corona cases, recovered cases and death toll. In this purpose, we separate i) the total cases into 14 groups corresponding to 14 incubation periods, ii) the recovered cases into 406 groups corresponding to a combination of incubation and recovery periods, and iii) the death toll into 406 groups corresponding to a combination of incubation and decease periods. In this paper, we focus on recovery and decease periods and their correlation with the incubation period. The estimated mean recovery period we obtain is 22.14 days (95% Confidence Interval(CI): 22.00 to 22.27), and the 90th percentile is 28.91 days (95% CI: 28.71 to 29.13), which is in agreement with statistical supported studies. The bimodal gamma distribution reveals that there are two groups of recovered individuals with a short recovery period, mean 21.02 days (95% CI: 20.92 to 21.12), and a long recovery period, mean 38.88 days (95% CI 38.61 to 39.15). Our study shows that the characteristic of the decease period and the recovery period are alike. From the bivariate analysis, we observe a high probability domain for recovered individuals with respect to incubation and recovery periods. A similar domain is obtained for deaths analyzing bivariate distribution of incubation and decease periods.
1H-NMR metabolomics-based surrogates to impute common clinical risk factors and endpoints
Authors: Bizzarri D. , Reinders M.J.T. , Beekman M. , Slagboom P.E. ,   BBMRI-NL, van den Akker E.B. 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACTMissing or incomplete phenotypic information can severely deteriorate the statistical power in epidemiological studies. High-throughput quantification of small-molecules in bio-samples, i.e. ‘metabolomics’, is steadily gaining popularity, as it is highly informative for various phenotypical characteristics. Here we aim to leverage metabolomics to impute missing data in clinical variables routinely assessed in large epidemiological and clinical studies. To this end, we have employed ∼25,000 1H-NMR metabolomics samples from 28 Dutch cohorts collected within the BBMRI-NL consortium, to create 19 metabolomics-based predictors for clinical variables, including diabetes status (AUC5-Fold CV = 0.94) and lipid medication usage (AUC5-Fold CV = 0.90). Subsequent application in independent cohorts confirmed that our metabolomics-based predictors can indeed be used to impute a wide array of missing clinical variables from a single metabolomics data resource. In addition, application highlighted the potential use of our predictors to explore the effects of totally unobserved confounders in omics association studies. Finally, we show that our predictors can be used to explore risk factor profiles contributing to mortality in older participants. To conclude, we provide 1H-NMR metabolomics-based models to impute clinical variables routinely assessed in epidemiological studies and illustrate their merit in scenarios when phenotypic variables are partially incomplete or totally unobserved.
Present knowledge, attitude, practice, and fear level of Bangladeshi people towards covid-19 after a year of the pandemic situation: a web-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Rupok Tahsin Ahmed , Dey Sunandan , Agarwala Rashni , Islam Md. Nurnobi , Bostami Bayezid 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn the earlier phase of the pandemic situation, the governments of Bangladesh badly suffered to adhere their people to preventive measures probably due to less knowledge and attitude towards covid-19. To tackle the second wave of coronavirus, the governments again enforced an array of preventive measures, but still encountering the same problem after a year of the pandemic situation. In an attempt to find out the reasons behind this, our study aimed to assess the present knowledge, attitude, practice, and fear level of the people. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 15th to 25th April 2021. A total of 402 participants met all the inclusion criteria and were considered for performing all statistical analyses (Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Multiple logistic regression, Spearman rank-order correlation). Out of 402 participants, more than 90% participants were students and all were adults aged 16 to 30. 84.6%, 65.7%, 54%, and 21.6% participants had more adequate knowledge, more positive attitude, more frequent practice, and moderate to high fear towards covid-19, respectively. Knowledge, attitude, practice, and fear were interrelated directly or indirectly. It was found knowledgeable participants were more likely to have more positive attitude (OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.14-3.95, P < 0.05) and very less fear (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.02-3.82, P < 0.05). More positive attitude was found as a good predictor of more frequent practice (OR = 4.33, 95% CI = 2.66-7.04, P < 0.001), and very less fear had same negative impact on both attitude (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.25-0.91, P < 0.05) and practice (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.27-0.85, P < 0.05). Our findings reflect that knowledge level has elevated but attitude level subsided, and practice level stayed same as was in the earlier phase of pandemic and people are no longer panicked.
Integrative Metabolomic and Proteomic Signatures Define Clinical Outcomes in Severe COVID-19
Authors: Buyukozkan Mustafa , Alvarez-Mulett Sergio , Racanelli Alexandra C. , Schmidt Frank , Batra Richa , Hoffman Katherine L. , Sarwath Hina , Engelke Rudolf , Gomez-Escobar Luis , Simmons Will , Benedetti Elisa , Chetnik Kelsey , Zhang Guoan , Schenck Edward , Suhre Karsten , Choi Justin J. , Zhao Zhen , Racine-Brzostek Sabrina , Yang He S. , Choi Mary E. , Choi Augustine M.K. , Cho Soo Jung , Krumsiek Jan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe novel coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has ravaged global healthcare with previously unseen levels of morbidity and mortality. To date, methods to predict the clinical course, which ranges from the asymptomatic carrier to the critically ill patient in devastating multi-system organ failure, have yet to be identified. In this study, we performed large-scale integrative multi-omics analyses of serum obtained from COVID-19 patients with the goal of uncovering novel pathogenic complexities of this disease and identifying molecular signatures that predict clinical outcomes. We assembled a novel network of protein-metabolite interactions in COVID-19 patients through targeted metabolomic and proteomic profiling of serum samples in 330 COVID-19 patients compared to 97 non-COVID, hospitalized controls. Our network identified distinct protein-metabolite cross talk related to immune modulation, energy and nucleotide metabolism, vascular homeostasis, and collagen catabolism. Additionally, our data linked multiple proteins and metabolites to clinical indices associated with long-term mortality and morbidity, such as acute kidney injury. Finally, we developed a novel composite outcome measure for COVID-19 disease severity and created a clinical prediction model based on the metabolomics data. The model predicts severe disease with a concordance index of around 0.69, and furthermore shows high predictive power of 0.83-0.93 in two previously published, independent datasets.