bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 and Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Omidi Fatemeh , Hajikhani Bahareh , Kazemi Seyyedeh Neda , Tajbakhsh Ardeshir , Riazi Sajedeh , Mirsaeidi Mehdi , Ansari Ali , Ghanbari Boroujeni Masoud , Khalili Farima , Hadadi Sara , Nasiri Mohammad Javad 
Published: June 2021

Background: Cardiomyopathies (CMPs) due to myocytes involvement are among the leading causes of sudden adolescent death and heart failure. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there are limited data available on cardiac complications in patients with COVID-19, leading to severe outcomes.Methods: We conducted a systematic search in Pubmed/Medline, Web of Science, and Embase databases up to August 2020, for all relevant studies about COVID-19 and CMPs.Results: A total of 29 articles with a total number of 1460 patients were included. Hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and ischemic heart disease were the most reported comorbidities among patients with COVID-19 and cardiomyopathy. In the laboratory findings, 21.47% of patients had increased levels of troponin. Raised D-dimer levels were also reported in all of the patients. Echocardiographic results revealed mild, moderate, and severe Left Ventricular (LV) dysfunction present in 17.13, 11.87, and 10% of patients, respectively.Conclusions: Cardiac injury and CMPs were common conditions in patients with COVID-19. Therefore, it is suggested that cardiac damage be considered in managing patients with COVID-19.
Triglyceride–Glucose Index and Extracellular Volume Fraction in Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Yang Shaomin , Du Yongxing , Liu Ziwei , Zhang Rong , Lin Xiaoxin , Ouyang Yufeng , Chen Haixiong 
Published: June 2021

Background: The triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index had been proposed as a reliable surrogate marker of insulin resistance. We aimed to evaluate the association between TyG index and myocardial fibrosis, which was quantified by extracellular volume (ECV) fraction using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) examination, and their prognostic value in patients with heart failure (HF).Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 103 hospitalized HF patients were included. ECV fraction was calculated using CMR measurements and T1 mapping. TyG index was calculated using fasting triglyceride and blood glucose. The primary outcome events were defined as all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization during follow-up.Results: During the median follow-up of 12.3 months, 39 patients (37.9%) experienced primary outcome events and had higher levels of TyG index, N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and ECV fraction compared with those without events. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the TyG index was the significant factor determined for ECV fraction (rpartial = 0.36, P = 0.01). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, presence of diabetes [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01–1.62], higher TyG index (HR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.03–4.01), ECV fraction (HR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.04–2.88), and NT-proBNP (HR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.08–4.20) were independent risk factors for the primary outcome events.Conclusions: TyG index is a novel biomarker of myocardial fibrosis in HF patients and can be considered as a useful risk stratification metric in the management of HF.
RETRACTED: Oncological Effects and Prognostic Value of AMAP1 in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Li Jiao , Tian Shan , Guo Yingyun , Dong Weiguo 
Published: June 2021

PurposeWe examined the diagnostic significance, prognostic value, and potential function of AMAP1 in gastric cancer (GC).MethodsComprehensive bioinformatic analysis was conducted to investigate differential expression of AMAP1 mRNA and protein in GC. Meta-analyses were utilized to determine the overall prognostic correlation of AMAP1 mRNA in patients with GC. A panel of vitro assays was applied to assess target microRNA and AMAP1 protein in GC cell lines and tissues, respectively.ResultsAMAP1 mRNA and protein levels were upregulated in GC specimens, compared to matched normal tissues. AMAP1 mRNA exhibited promising results regarding differential diagnosis of GC and normal tissue. Meta-analysis based on the TCGA and GEO databases revealed that high AMAP1 mRNA abundance was associated with poor overall survival (HR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.06–1.89) and was correlated with reduced progression-free survival (HR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.51–2.36) in GC patients. Moreover, AMAP1 was negatively correlated with miR-192-3p (r = −0.3843; P &lt; 0.0001). A dual-luciferase assay revealed that miR-192-3p targeted AMAP1. Levels of miR-192-3p were significantly higher in GC tissues and GC cells than in normal tissues and cells. Moreover, AMAP1 silencing resulted in reduced GC proliferation, migration, and invasion.ConclusionAMAP1 is a novel oncogene in GC and is negatively correlated with by miR-192-3p. AMAP1 may act as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of GC.
Short- and Long-Lived Autoantibody-Secreting Cells in Autoimmune Neurological Disorders
Authors: Zografou C. , Vakrakou A. G. , Stathopoulos P. 
Published: June 2021

As B cells differentiate into antibody-secreting cells (ASCs), short-lived plasmablasts (SLPBs) are produced by a primary extrafollicular response, followed by the generation of memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs) in germinal centers (GCs). Generation of IgG4 antibodies is T helper type 2 (Th2) and IL-4, -13, and -10-driven and can occur parallel to IgE, in response to chronic stimulation by allergens and helminths. Although IgG4 antibodies are non-crosslinking and have limited ability to mobilize complement and cellular cytotoxicity, when self-tolerance is lost, they can disrupt ligand-receptor binding and cause a wide range of autoimmune disorders including neurological autoimmunity. In myasthenia gravis with predominantly IgG4 autoantibodies against muscle-specific kinase (MuSK), it has been observed that one-time CD20+B cell depletion with rituximab commonly leads to long-term remission and a marked reduction in autoantibody titer, pointing to a short-lived nature of autoantibody-secreting cells. This is also observed in other predominantly IgG4 autoantibody-mediated neurological disorders, such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and autoimmune encephalitis with autoantibodies against the Ranvier paranode and juxtaparanode, respectively, and extends beyond neurological autoimmunity as well. Although IgG1 autoantibody-mediated neurological disorders can also respond well to rituximab induction therapy in combination with an autoantibody titer drop, remission tends to be less long-lasting and cases where titers are refractory tend to occur more often than in IgG4 autoimmunity. Moreover, presence of GC-like structures in the thymus of myasthenic patients with predominantly IgG1 autoantibodies against the acetylcholine receptor and in ovarian teratomas of autoimmune encephalitis patients with predominantly IgG1 autoantibodies against the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) confers increased the ability to generate LLPCs. Here, we review available information on the short-and long-lived nature of ASCs in IgG1 and IgG4 autoantibody-mediated neurological disorders and highlight common mechanisms as well as differences, all of which can inform therapeutic strategies and personalized medical approaches.
Prevalence of Celiac Disease in Patients With Turner Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Al-Bluwi Ghada S. M. , AlNababteh Asma H. , Östlundh Linda , Al-Shamsi Saif , Al-Rifai Rami H. 
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Celiac disease (CD) is a multifactorial autoimmune disorder, and studies have reported that patients with Turner syndrome (TS) are at risk for CD. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify the weighted prevalence of CD among patients with TS and determine the weighted strength of association between TS and CD.Methods: Studies published between January 1991 and December 2019 were retrieved from four electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. Eligible studies were identified and relevant data were extracted by two independent reviewers following specific eligibility criteria and a data extraction plan. Using the random-effects model, the pooled, overall and subgroup CD prevalence rates were determined, and sources of heterogeneity were investigated using meta-regression.Results: Among a total of 1,116 screened citations, 36 eligible studies were included in the quantitative synthesis. Nearly two-thirds of the studies (61.1%) were from European countries. Of the 6,291 patients with TS who were tested for CD, 241 were diagnosed with CD, with a crude CD prevalence of 3.8%. The highest and lowest CD prevalence rates of 20.0 and 0.0% were reported in Sweden and Germany, respectively. The estimated overall weighted CD prevalence was 4.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3–5.9, I2, 67.4%). The weighted serology-based CD prevalence in patients with TS (3.4%, 95% CI, 1.0–6.6) was similar to the weighted biopsy-based CD prevalence (4.8%; 95% CI, 3.4–6.5). The strength of association between TS and CD was estimated in only four studies (odds ratio 18.1, 95% CI, 1.82–180; odds ratio 4.34, 95% CI, 1.48–12.75; rate ratio 14, 95% CI, 1.48–12.75; rate ratio 42.5, 95% CI, 12.4–144.8). Given the lack of uniformity in the type of reported measures of association and study design, producing a weighted effect measure to evaluate the strength of association between TS and CD was unfeasible.Conclusion: Nearly 1 in every 22 patients with TS had CD. Regular screening for CD in patients with TS might facilitate early diagnosis and therapeutic management to prevent adverse effects of CD such as being underweight and osteoporosis.
CT Quantification of COVID-19 Pneumonia at Admission Can Predict Progression to Critical Illness: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Pang Baoguo , Li Haijun , Liu Qin , Wu Penghui , Xia Tingting , Zhang Xiaoxian , Le Wenjun , Li Jianyu , Lai Lihua , Ou Changxing , Ma Jianjuan , Liu Shuai , Zhou Fuling , Wang Xinlu , Xie Jiaxing , Zhang Qingling , Jiang Min , Liu Yumei , Zeng Qingsi 
Published: June 2021

Objective: Early identification of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with worse outcomes may benefit clinical management of patients. We aimed to quantify pneumonia findings on CT at admission to predict progression to critical illness in COVID-19 patients.Methods: This retrospective study included laboratory-confirmed adult patients with COVID-19. All patients underwent a thin-section chest computed tomography (CT) scans showing evidence of pneumonia. CT images with severe moving artifacts were excluded from analysis. Patients' clinical and laboratory data were collected from medical records. Three quantitative CT features of pneumonia lesions were automatically calculated using a care.ai Intelligent Multi-disciplinary Imaging Diagnosis Platform Intelligent Evaluation System of Chest CT for COVID-19, denoting the percentage of pneumonia volume (PPV), ground-glass opacity volume (PGV), and consolidation volume (PCV). According to Chinese COVID-19 guidelines (trial version 7), patients were divided into noncritical and critical groups. Critical illness was defined as a composite of admission to the intensive care unit, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, shock, or death. The performance of PPV, PGV, and PCV in discrimination of critical illness was assessed. The correlations between PPV and laboratory variables were assessed by Pearson correlation analysis.Results: A total of 140 patients were included, with mean age of 58.6 years, and 85 (60.7%) were male. Thirty-two (22.9%) patients were critical. Using a cutoff value of 22.6%, the PPV had the highest performance in predicting critical illness, with an area under the curve of 0.868, sensitivity of 81.3%, and specificity of 80.6%. The PPV had moderately positive correlation with neutrophil (%) (r = 0.535, p &lt; 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.567, p &lt; 0.001), d-Dimer (r = 0.444, p &lt; 0.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (r = 0.495, p &lt; 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (r = 0.410, p &lt; 0.001), lactate dehydrogenase (r = 0.644, p &lt; 0.001), and urea nitrogen (r = 0.439, p &lt; 0.001), whereas the PPV had moderately negative correlation with lymphocyte (%) (r = −0.535, p &lt; 0.001).Conclusions: Pneumonia volume quantified on initial CT can non-invasively predict the progression to critical illness in advance, which serve as a prognostic marker of COVID-19.
Pandemic Worry and Preventive Health Behaviors During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Li Minghui , Lv Gang , Hsieh Stephanie , Shao Rongjie , Yuan Jing 
Published: June 2021

Objective: As schools are preparing for onsite learning, it is urgently needed to characterize the extent of pandemic worry and to examine predictors of adopting preventive health behaviors of hand washing, face mask wearing, and maintaining social distance among student pharmacists.Methods: An online survey was sent to 326 student pharmacists in the United States. Pandemic worry was measured using a seven-point Likert scale ranging from extremely not afraid of, to extremely afraid of getting COVID-19. The health belief model (HBM) was the theoretical framework of this study. Preventive health behaviors and components of the HBM were also measured using seven-point Likert scales (one indicated extremely unlikely; seven indicated extremely likely). Multivariable linear regression models were used to identify predictors of each behavior.Results: A medium level of pandemic worry (M = 4.2, SD = 1.92) was identified and females reported a higher pandemic worry. Respondents reported that they were extremely likely to wash their hands (M = 6.8, SD = 0.48) and maintain social distance (M = 6.6, SD = 0.92), but were moderately unlikely to wear face masks (M = 2.2, SD = 1.51). Determinants of face mask wearing included pandemic worry, perceived benefits, cue to action, self-efficacy, and being of an Asian American. Perceived barriers were negatively associated with face mask wearing.Conclusion: Strategies should be implemented to reduce the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic among student pharmacists. Predictors identified in this study should be incorporated in efforts to improve face mask wearing. Continued monitoring of pandemic worry and preventive health behaviors is of great significance when universities and colleges are for onsite learning.
Characterization of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Impairment in Middle-Aged and Older Persons With HIV in Lima, Peru
Authors: Diaz Monica M. , Zacarías Marcela Gil , Sotolongo Patricia , Sanes María F. , Franklin Donald J. , Marquine María J. , Cherner Mariana , Cárcamo Cesar , Ellis Ronald J. , Lanata Serggio , García Patricia J. 
Published: June 2021

Background: With widespread use of antiretroviral medications, people living with HIV (PWH) are living longer worldwide, increasing their risk of developing neurocognitive impairment (NCI). The proportion of Peruvians over age 60 is expected to increase to 25% of the population by 2050, including PWH. Therefore, the problem of aging and NCI, especially in the setting of HIV infection, is uniquely pressing. We sought to study the rates of and risk factors associated with NCI among middle-aged and older PWH in Lima, Peru.Materials and Methods: Sociodemographic, medical (infectious and non-infectious), and psychiatric comorbidity and laboratory data were collected. We administered a brief neuropsychological battery evaluating seven cognitive domains affected in HIV-associated NCI and a depression screening. Cognitive test raw scores were converted to T-scores that were demographically adjusted. Descriptive statistics were performed together with regression (unadjusted and adjusted) analyses to determine potential risk factors for NCI among PWH.Results: This was a cross-sectional study in which 144 PWH aged ≥40 years attending a large HIV clinic in Lima, Peru, were recruited from September 2019 to March 2020. Mean age was 51.6 ± 7.7 years, and mean years of education were 14.0 ± 3.1 with 15% females. Median [interquartile range (IQR)] current CD4 and nadir CD4 were 554 (371, 723) and 179 (83, 291), respectively, and 10% currently had AIDS. The prevalence of NCI was 28.5%, and many demonstrated difficulty with attention and working memory (70%). One-quarter of PWH had mild depression or worse on Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9 ≥ 5). In bivariate analyses, neither a depression history nor a higher PHQ-9 score correlated with NCI. No other non-communicable medical or psychiatric comorbidity nor HIV characteristic was predictive of NCI. Having a positive lifetime history of hepatitis B infection, pulmonary tuberculosis, or syphilis increased risk of NCI (PR 1.72; 95% CI 1.04–2.86) in unadjusted analyses, but not in adjusted analyses.Conclusions: NCI among older Peruvians with HIV was found to be highly prevalent with levels consistent with prior reports of HIV-associated NCI worldwide. Common latent HIV-associated co-infections, including latent syphilis, hepatitis B infection, or pulmonary tuberculosis, may increase the risk of NCI among middle-aged and older PWH in Peru.
Quality of Life Following Cochlear Implantation in Patients With Menière's Disease
Authors: Sanchez-Cuadrado Isabel , Calvino Miryam , Morales-Puebla Jose Manuel , Gavilán Javier , Mato Teresa , Peñarrocha Julio , Prim Maria Pilar , Lassaletta Luis 
Published: June 2021

Background: Menière's disease (MD) is a disorder characterized by auditory and vestibular dysfunction that significantly deteriorates patients' quality of life (QoL). In addition to the management of vestibular symptoms, some patients with bilateral hearing loss meet criteria for cochlear implantation (CI).Objectives: (1) To assess hearing results and QoL outcomes following CI in patients with MD. (2) To compare these results to a matched control group of patients who had undergone CI. (3) To analyse differences in MD patients who have undergone simultaneous or sequential labyrinthectomy or previous neurectomy.Methods: A retrospective analysis of a study group of 18 implanted patients with MD and a matched control group of 18 implanted patients without MD, who had CI at a tertiary referral center. Hearing and speech understanding were assessed via pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and disyllabic perception tests in quiet. QoL was assessed via the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ), the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12), and the Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI19). The impact of MD ablative surgeries was analyzed in the study group (MD group).Results: Mean pre-operative PTA thresholds were significantly lower in the MD group (103 vs. 121 dB). A significant improvement in hearing outcomes was observed following CI in both groups (p &lt; 0.001), with a maximum Speech Discrimination Score of 64 and 65% disyllables at 65 dB for the MD and control group, respectively. Subjective outcomes, as measured by the NCIQ, GBI, SSQ12, and HISQUI19 did not significantly differ between groups. In the MD group, despite achieving similar hearing results, QoL outcomes were worse in patients who underwent simultaneous CI and labyrinthectomy compared to the rest of the MD group. Post-operative NCIQ results were significantly better in patients who had undergone a previous retrosigmoid neurectomy when compared to those who had undergone only CI surgery in the subdomains “basic sound perception” (p = 0.038), “speech” (p = 0.005), “activity” (p = 0.038), and “social interactions” (p = 0.038).Conclusion: Patients with MD and severe hearing loss obtain hearing results and QoL benefits similar to other CI candidates. Delayed CI after labyrinthectomy or vestibular neurectomy can be performed with similar or better results, respectively, to those of other cochlear implanted patients. Patients who undergo simultaneous CI and labyrinthectomy may achieve similar hearing results but careful pre-operative counseling is needed.
Long-Term Outcome of Enterprise Stenting for Symptomatic ICAS in a High-Volume Stroke Center
Authors: Cui Rongrong , Yan Long , Kang Kaijiang , Yang Ming , Yu Ying , Mo Dapeng , Gao Feng , Wang Yongjun , Lou Xin , Miao Zhongrong , Ma Ning 
Published: June 2021

Background and Purpose: The Enterprise stent has been used for treating intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS), but its long-term outcome remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy of the Enterprise stent used for patients with symptomatic ICAS due to hypoperfusion.Method: Patients with symptomatic ICAS due to hypoperfusion treated with the Enterprise stents from a high-volume stroke center were evaluated. The successful recanalization was defined as the Modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) ≥ 2b. The stroke and neurological death that occurred within 72 h after the procedure as well as long-term clinical and imaging outcomes were analyzed.Results: Overall, 130 patients with 130 ICAS treated with the Enterprise stent were included in our study. The successful recanalization rate was 100%. The mean pre- and postprocedural stenosis was 82.9 ± 8.9% vs. 15.1 ± 8.4%. Periprocedural complications occurred in 5 (3.8%) patients within 72 h after the procedure. Clinical follow-up data were available in 125 (96.2%) patients (median, 24 months) and any stroke or neurological death was encountered in 6 (4.8%) patients. Angiographic follow-up data was obtained from 118 (90.8%) patients (median, 13.5 months). In addition, 1-year in-stent restenosis (&gt;70%) was found in 17 (14.4%) patients, and among them, 4 (23.5%) patients were symptomatic.Conclusion: Deployment of Enterprise stent is safe for ICAS. The short-term and long-term outcomes were acceptable, but the efficacy of the Enterprise stent needs to be further evaluated in future studies.