bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatic Scavenger Receptor Class B Type 1 Knockdown Reduces Atherosclerosis and Enhances the Antiatherosclerotic Effect of Brown Fat Activation in APOE*3-Leiden.CETP Mice
Authors: Zhou Enchen , Li Zhuang , Nakashima Hiroyuki , Liu Cong , Ying Zhixiong , Foks Amanda C. , Berbée Jimmy F.P. , van Dijk Ko Willems , Rensen Patrick C.N. , Wang Yanan 
Published: February 2021

Objective:
Brown fat activation attenuates atherosclerosis development by accelerating triglyceride-rich lipoprotein turnover and/or stimulation of reverse cholesterol transport via the SRB1 (scavenger receptor class B type 1). The aim of this study was to investigate the specific role of hepatic SRB1 in the atheroprotective properties of brown fat activation.

Approach and Results:

APOE*3-Leiden.CETP
mice, a well-established model of human-like lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis, were treated with vehicle or adenoassociated virus serotype 8-short hairpin RNA, which decreased hepatic SRB1 protein levels by 40% to 55%. After 2 weeks, mice without or with hepatic SRB1 knockdown were treated with vehicle or the β3-adrenergic receptor agonist CL316 243 to activate brown fat for 4 weeks to determine HDL (high-density lipoprotein) catabolism and for 9 weeks to evaluate atherosclerosis. Surprisingly, hepatic SRB1 knockdown additively improved the beneficial effects of β3-adrenergic receptor agonism on atherosclerosis development. In fact, hepatic SRB1 knockdown per se not only increased HDL-cholesterol levels but also reduced plasma triglyceride and non-HDL-cholesterol levels, thus explaining the reduction in atherosclerosis development. Mechanistic studies indicated that this is due to increased lipolytic processing and hepatic uptake of VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) by facilitating VLDL-surface transfer to HDL.

Conclusions:
Hepatic SRB1 knockdown in a mouse model with an intact ApoE (apolipoprotein E)-LDLR (low density lipoprotein receptor) clearance pathway, relevant to human lipoprotein metabolism, reduced atherosclerosis and improved the beneficial effect of brown fat activation on atherosclerosis development, explained by pleiotropic effects of hepatic SRB1 knockdown on lipolytic processing and hepatic uptake of VLDL. Brown fat activation could thus be an effective strategy to treat cardiovascular disease also in subjects with impaired SRB1 function.
Observed Extreme Air–Sea Heat Flux Variations during Three Tropical Cyclones in the Tropical Southeastern Indian Ocean
Authors: Song Xiangzhou , Ning Chunlin , Duan Yongliang , Wang Huiwu , Li Chao , Yang Yang , Liu Jianjun , Yu Weidong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSix-month buoy-based heat flux observations from the poorly sampled tropical southeastern Indian Ocean are examined to document the extremes during three tropical cyclones (TCs) from December 2018 to May 2019. The most striking feature at the mooring site (16.9°S, 115.2°E) during the TCs is the extensively suppressed diurnal cycle of the net surface flux (Qnet), with a mean daytime (nighttime) reduction of 470 (131) W m−2, a peak decrease at approximately noon of 695 W m−2 and an extreme drop during TC Riley of 800 W m−2. The mean surface cooling in the daytime is primarily contributed by the 370 W m−2 decrease in shortwave radiation associated with the increased cloudiness. The air–sea turbulent heat fluxes increase by approximately 151 W m−2 in response to the enhanced wind speed under near-neutral boundary conditions. The daily mean rainfall-induced cooling is 8 W m−2, with a maximum magnitude of 90 W m−2. The mean values, seasonal variation, and synoptic variability of the characteristic heat fluxes are used to assess the new reanalysis data from ERA5 and MERRA2 and the analyzed OAFlux. The overall performance of the high-frequency net heat flux estimates at the synoptic scale is satisfactory, but the four flux components exhibit different quality levels. A serious error is that ERA5 and MERRA2 poorly represent TCs, and they show significant daily mean Qnet biases with opposite directions, −59 W m−2 (largely due to the overestimated latent heat with a bias of −76 W m−2) and 50 W m−2 (largely due to the overestimated shortwave radiation with a bias of 41 W m−2), respectively.
An Idealized Model Study of Eddy Energetics in the Western Boundary “Graveyard”
Authors: Yang Zhibin , Zhai Xiaoming , Marshall David P. , Wang Guihua 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRecent studies show that the western boundary acts as a “graveyard” for westward-propagating ocean eddies. However, how the eddy energy incident on the western boundary is dissipated remains unclear. Here we investigate the energetics of eddy–western boundary interaction using an idealized MIT ocean circulation model with a spatially variable grid resolution. Four types of model experiments are conducted: 1) single eddy cases, 2) a sea of random eddies, 3) with a smooth topography, and 4) with a rough topography. We find significant dissipation of incident eddy energy at the western boundary, regardless of whether the model topography at the western boundary is smooth or rough. However, in the presence of rough topography, not only the eddy energy dissipation rate is enhanced, but more importantly, the leading process for removing eddy energy in the model switches from bottom frictional drag as in the case of smooth topography to viscous dissipation in the ocean interior above the rough topography. Further analysis shows that the enhanced eddy energy dissipation in the experiment with rough topography is associated with greater anticyclonic, ageostrophic instability (AAI), possibly as a result of lee wave generation and nonpropagating form drag effect.
Correlations Between Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography and Histopathology in Preclinical Safety Assessment of Ocular Therapies
Authors: Zimmerman Annie , Boyd Ryan F. , Yekkala Krishna 
Published: February 2021

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a valuable noninvasive imaging tool that may be used to help evaluate the structural integrity of the retina and pharmacological or toxicological drug effects at multiple time points in preclinical toxicological studies. Although ocular histopathology is still considered the gold standard for assessment of retinal morphology, OCT provides enhanced in vivo monitoring of ocular structures and may be used to guide tissue trimming and the interpretation of histopathological changes. Methods: Twelve studies that involved intravitreal or subretinal test article administration in multiple laboratory animal species and employed both OCT and histopathologic assessment were identified. These data were compared to determine the degree of correlation for each identified abnormality. Results: Severity of observed OCT and histopathological changes ranged from minimal to severe, with moderate and severe changes having a higher rate of agreement between the 2 techniques. Changes to well-defined structures, including the retinal blood vessels, optic nerve, and retinal pigment epithelium, also showed a strong correlation. Conclusions: There was a strong correlation between OCT and histopathology in both intravitreal and subretinal injection studies, demonstrating the value of collaboration between the study ophthalmologist and pathologist and offering translatable means to monitor pharmacological or toxicological effects in preclinical toxicological studies.
The prognostic importance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in testicular cancer
Authors: Arıman Ahmet , Merder Erkan 
Published: February 2021

Purpose: Testicular cancer is mostly seen in young men. We planned this study that neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) would help us predict the prognosis of the patients, except known markers such as AFP, hCG, and LDH. Patients and Method: Between 2015 and 2020, we conducted our study on 152 patients undergoing radical orchiectomy in our clinic. We divided our patients into good, moderate, and poor prognostic groups. We also created a control group of healthy patients of similar ages. We evaluated the NLR results in preoperative peripheral blood statistically among these groups. Results: We found a significant difference between the control group and the patient group, and between the good and moderate/poor prognostic groups for preoperative NLR. Conclusion: This study created the opinion that preoperative NLR will help us predict the prognosis of patients.
Retinoblastoma in an older Hispanic child masquerading as pars planitis: A case report
Authors: Domínguez-Varela Irving Armando , Aguilera-Partida Jorge A , Dalvin Lauren A , Garza-Garza Lucas A , Thompson-García Leslie M , Barbosa-Quintana Álvaro , Ancona-Lezama David 
Published: February 2021

Introduction: To report a case of a Hispanic girl with late-onset Retinoblastoma (Rb) who was misdiagnosed as a pars planitis prior to referral. Nearly 95% of all Rb cases are detected before age 5, and this patient was 8 years-old. Methods: Case report of a late-onset Retinoblastoma with anterior chamber (AC) involvement plus the presence of an Ahmed valve. The patient had a history of a couple of months of topical therapy comprising medication for glaucoma, systemic steroids, and a filtration surgery (Ahmed valve), after that a biopsy was performed prior to referral. Upon arrival at our clinic, we performed an examination under anesthesia (EUA) and a B-scan ultrasound (US). Results: Unilateral Retinoblastoma with an Ahmed valve in an AC filled with Rb seeds was diagnosed with the EUA and US in the left eye. An orbital exenteration with map biopsies of the left orbital cavity was performed with confirmation by histopathology of a poorly differentiated endophytic retinoblastoma with Bruch’s membrane invasion. Follow-up sessions were then arranged as well as subsequent systemic chemotherapy cycles. Conclusion: Given the rare incidence of retinoblastoma in children older than 5 years old, it can be easily mistaken for other differential diagnoses and treated with filtration surgeries that could put the patient’s life at risk. In this report, late-onset Rb diagnosis is highlighted as a differential diagnosis in children and adults with atypical uveitis, which required a multidisciplinary approach.
Sagittal Deformity Correction in a Patient Suffering From Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis Who Previously Underwent a Total Hip and Bilateral Knee Replacement
Authors: Garcia-Martin Victor , Verdejo-González Ana , Ruiz-Picazo David , Ramírez-Villaescusa José 
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Physiological aging frequently leads to degenerative changes and spinal deformity. In patients with hypolordotic fusions or ankylosing illnesses such as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis or ankylosing spondylitis, compensation mechanisms can be altered causing severe pain and disability. In addition, if a total hip replacement and/or knee replacement is performed, both pelvic and lower limbs compensation mechanisms could be damaged and prosthetic dislocation or impingement syndrome could be present. Pedicle subtraction osteotomy has proven to be the optimal correction technique for spinal deformation in patients suffering from a rigid spine. Case Presentation: A 70-year-old male patient with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis criteria and a rigid lumbar kyphosis, who previously underwent a total hip and knee replacement, had severe disability. We then performed corrective surgery by doing a pedicle subtraction osteotomy. The procedure and outcomes are presented here. Conclusion: In symptomatic patients with sagittal imbalance and a rigid spine, pedicle subtraction osteotomy can indeed correct spinal deformity and re-establish sagittal balance.
Hyperviscosity Retinopathy Due to Waldenström Macroglobulinemia: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Watson Julia A. , Olson Daniel J. , Zhang Alice Yang 
Published: February 2021

Purpose: This case report describes a case of hyperviscosity retinopathy secondary to the rare systemic hematologic malignant neoplasm Waldenström macroglobulinemia. Methods: Fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography were used as imaging modalities to characterize this pathology. Results: A 51-year-old man presented with hyperviscosity retinopathy and uniquely angiographically silent serous macular detachment. Over a 6-month period, he was treated with systemic and local therapies with little improvement in the hyperviscosity retinopathy, serous macular detachments, or visual acuity. Conclusions: Hyperviscosity retinopathy secondary to Waldenström macroglobulinemia presents a challenge to treating ophthalmologists given its rarity and the range of treatment responses described in the literature. Our patient’s lack of response to antivascular endothelial growth factor and normal findings in OCT angiography and fluorescein angiography suggested the mechanism of subretinal fluid accumulation was not vascular endothelial growth factor mediated. Visual prognosis was guarded.
Multilevel communication to improve well-being during a pandemic
Authors: Lewis Megan A , Uhrig Jennifer D , Poehlman Jon A , Southwell Brian G 
Published: February 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted existing crises and introduced new stressors for various populations. We suggest that a multilevel ecological perspective, one that researchers and practitioners have used to address some of public health’s most intransigent challenges, will be necessary to address emotional distress and mental health problems resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple levels of influence (individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy) each contribute (individually and in combination) to population health and individual well-being. We use the convergence strategy to illustrate how multilevel communication strategies designed to raise awareness, educate, or motivate informed decision-making or behavior change can address various sources of information surrounding a person to synergistically affect mental health outcomes. Looking ahead, dissemination and implementation researchers and practitioners will likely need to coordinate organizations and networks to speak in complementary and resonant ways to enhance understanding of complex information related to the pandemic, mitigate unnecessary anxiety, and motivate healthy behavior to support population mental health. Plain language abstract: The current COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the mental health and well-being of various populations. The pandemic also has compounded health disparities experienced by communities of color and magnified the vast treatment gaps they experience related to behavioral health and substance use treatment access. A multilevel approach to future communication interventions focused on mental health likely will be useful, as we need to know about and address interactions with health care professionals, mass media information sources, social networks, and community influences rather than solely trying to reach people with carefully crafted videos or advertisements. Implementation researchers and practitioners likely will need to coordinate organizations and networks to speak in complementary and resonant ways to support population mental health.
Expectation and dyspnoea: the neurobiological basis of respiratory nocebo effects
Authors: Vlemincx Elke , Sprenger Christian , Büchel Christian 
Published: February 2021

Cues such as odours that do notper seevoke bronchoconstriction can become triggers of asthma exacerbations. Despite its clinical significance, the neural basis of this respiratory nocebo effect is unknown.We investigated this effect in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study involving 36 healthy volunteers. The experiment consisted of an experience phase in which volunteers experienced dyspnoea while being exposed to an odorous gas (“Histarinol”). Volunteers were told that Histarinol induces dyspnoea by bronchoconstriction. This was compared with another odorous gas which did not evoke dyspnoea. Dyspnoea was actually induced by a concealed, resistive load inserted into the breathing system. In a second, expectation phase, Histarinol and the control gas were both followed by an identical, very mild load. Respiration parameters were continuously recorded and participants rated dyspnoea intensity after each trial.Dyspnoea ratings were significantly higher in Histarinol compared with control conditions, both in the experience and in the expectation phase, despite identical physical resistance in the expectation phase. Insula fMRI signal matched the actual load,i.e.a significant difference between Histarinol and control in the experience phase, but no difference in the expectation phase. The periaqueductal gray showed a significantly higher fMRI signal during the expectation of dyspnoea. Finally, Histarinol-related deactivations during the expectation phase in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex mirrored similar responses for nocebo effects in pain.These findings highlight the neural basis of expectation effects associated with dyspnoea, which has important consequences for our understanding of the perception of respiratory symptoms.
Combining pulmonary and cardiac computed tomography biomarkers for disease-specific risk modelling in lung cancer screening
Authors: Schreuder Anton , Jacobs Colin , Lessmann Nikolas , Broeders Mireille J.M. , Silva Mario , Išgum Ivana , de Jong Pim A. , Sverzellati Nicola , Prokop Mathias , Pastorino Ugo , Schaefer-Prokop Cornelia M. , van Ginneken Bram 
Published: February 2021

ObjectivesCombined assessment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), COPD and lung cancer may improve the effectiveness of lung cancer screening in smokers. The aims were to derive and assess risk models for predicting lung cancer incidence, CVD mortality and COPD mortality by combining quantitative computed tomography (CT) measures from each disease, and to quantify the added predictive benefit of self-reported patient characteristics given the availability of a CT scan.MethodsA survey model (patient characteristics only), CT model (CT information only) and final model (all variables) were derived for each outcome using parsimonious Cox regression on a sample from the National Lung Screening Trial (n=15 000). Validation was performed using Multicentric Italian Lung Detection data (n=2287). Time-dependent measures of model discrimination and calibration are reported.ResultsAge, mean lung density, emphysema score, bronchial wall thickness and aorta calcium volume are variables that contributed to all final models. Nodule features were crucial for lung cancer incidence predictions but did not contribute to CVD and COPD mortality prediction. In the derivation cohort, the lung cancer incidence CT model had a 5-year area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 82.5% (95% CI 80.9–84.0%), significantly inferior to that of the final model (84.0%, 82.6–85.5%). However, the addition of patient characteristics did not improve the lung cancer incidence model performance in the validation cohort (CT model 80.1%, 74.2–86.0%; final model 79.9%, 73.9–85.8%). Similarly, the final CVD mortality model outperformed the other two models in the derivation cohort (survey model 74.9%, 72.7–77.1%; CT model 76.3%, 74.1–78.5%; final model 79.1%, 77.0–81.2%), but not the validation cohort (survey model 74.8%, 62.2–87.5%; CT model 72.1%, 61.1–83.2%; final model 72.2%, 60.4–84.0%). Combining patient characteristics and CT measures provided the largest increase in accuracy for the COPD mortality final model (92.3%, 90.1–94.5%) compared to either other model individually (survey model 87.5%, 84.3–90.6%; CT model 87.9%, 84.8–91.0%), but no external validation was performed due to a very low event frequency.ConclusionsCT measures of CVD and COPD provides small but reproducible improvements to nodule-based lung cancer risk prediction accuracy from 3 years onwards. Self-reported patient characteristics may not be of added predictive value when CT information is available.
Diffusion capacity abnormalities for carbon monoxide in patients with COVID-19 at 3-month follow-up
Authors: Qin Wei , Chen Shi , Zhang Yunxia , Dong Fen , Zhang Zhu , Hu Bingzhu , Zhu Ziyang , Li Fajiu , Wang Xiaojiang , Wang Yimin , Zhen Kaiyuan , Wang Jing , Wan YuLei , Li Hongbo , Elalamy Ismaïl , Li Chenghong , Zhai Zhenguo , Wang Chen 
Published: February 2021

ObjectiveTo evaluate pulmonary function and clinical symptoms in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors within 3 months after hospital discharge, and to identify risk factors associated with impaired lung function.Methods and materialCOVID-19 patients were prospectively followed-up with pulmonary function tests and clinical characteristics for 3 months following discharge from a hospital in Wuhan, China between January and February 2020.Results647 patients were included. 87 (13%) patients presented with weakness, 63 (10%) with palpitations and 56 (9%) with dyspnoea. The prevalence of each of the three symptoms were markedly higher in severe patients than nonsevere patients (19%versus10% for weakness, p=0.003; 14%versus7% for palpitations, p=0.007; 12%versus7% for dyspnoea, p=0.014). Results of multivariable regression showed increased odds of ongoing symptoms among severe patients (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1–2.6; p=0.026) or patients with longer hospital stays (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00–1.05; p=0.041). Pulmonary function test results were available for 81 patients, including 41 nonsevere and 40 severe patients. In this subgroup, 44 (54%) patients manifested abnormal diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (68% severeversus42% nonsevere patients, p=0.019). Chest computed tomography (CT) total severity score >10.5 (OR 10.4, 95% CI 2.5–44.1; p=0.001) on admission and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.4–15.5; p=0.014) were significantly associated with impairedDLCO. Pulmonary interstitial damage may be associated with abnormalDLCO.ConclusionPulmonary function, particularlyDLCO, declined in COVID-19 survivors. This decrease was associated with total severity score of chest CT >10.5 and ARDS occurrence. Pulmonary interstitial damage might contribute to the impariedDLCO.
Medium-term impact of COVID-19 on pulmonary function, functional capacity and quality of life
Authors: Anastasio Fabio , Barbuto Sarah , Scarnecchia Elisa , Cosma Paolo , Fugagnoli Alessandro , Rossi Giulio , Parravicini Mirco , Parravicini Pierpaolo 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide, having a dramatic impact on healthcare systems. The aim of this study is to evaluate mid-term clinical impact of COVID-19 on respiratory function.Methods379 patients were evaluated 4 months after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnosis. Patients were divided in two groups based on the presence of pneumonia during COVID-19. Clinical conditions, quality of life, symptomatology, 6-min walk test, pulmonary function test with spirometry and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide were analysed. Data were compared to clinical evolution during COVID-19 (development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, need of invasive mechanical ventilation, partial oxygen saturation (SpO2)/inspiratory oxygen fraction (FIO2) ratio and pneumonia severity index (PSI)).ResultsAfter a median 135 days, 260 (68.6%) out of 379 patients referred at least one symptom. Patients who developed pneumonia during COVID-19 showed lowerSpO2at rest (p<0.001),SpO2during 6-min walk test (p<0.001), total lung capacity (p<0.001), airway occlusion pressure after 0.1 s (P0.1) (p=0.02),P0.1/maximal inspiratory pressure ratio (p=0.005) and higher Borg category-ratio scale (p=0.006) and modified Medical Research Council breathlessness scale (p=0.003), compared to patients without pneumonia.SpO2/FIO2ratio and PSI during SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were directly associated with mid-term alteration ofSpO2at rest (p<0.001) and during 6-min walk test (p<0.001), residual volume (p<0.001), total lung capacity (p<0.001 and p=0.003, respectively) and forced vital capacity (p=0.004 and p=0.03, respectively).ConclusionLung damage during COVID-19 correlates to the reduction of pulmonary function 4 months after acute infection.