bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disrupted Blood‐Brain Barrier and Mitochondrial Impairment by Autotaxin–Lysophosphatidic Acid Axis in Postischemic Stroke
Authors: Bhattarai Susmita , Sharma Sudha , Ara Hosne , Subedi Utsab , Sun Grace , Li Chun , Bhuiyan Md. Shenuarin , Kevil Christopher , Armstrong William P. , Minvielle Miles T. , Miriyala Sumitra , Panchatcharam Manikandan 
Published: September 2021

Background
The loss of endothelial integrity increases the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage during ischemic stroke. Adjunct therapeutic targets for reperfusion in ischemic stroke are in need to prevent blood‐brain barrier disruption. Recently, we have shown that endothelial permeability is mediated by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), but the role of autotaxin, which produces LPA, remains unclear in stroke. We investigate whether autotaxin/LPA axis regulates blood‐brain barrier integrity after cerebral ischemia.

Methods and Results

Ischemic stroke was induced in mice by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 90 minutes, followed by 24‐hour reperfusion. The therapeutic efficacy of autotaxin/LPA receptor blockade was evaluated using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining, Evans blue permeability, infrared imaging, mass spectrometry, and XF24 analyzer to evaluate blood‐brain barrier integrity, autotaxin activity, and mitochondrial bioenergetics. In our mouse model of ischemic stroke, the mRNA levels of autotaxin were elevated 1.7‐fold following the cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) group compared with the sham. The enzymatic activity of autotaxin was augmented by 4‐fold in the I/R group compared with the sham. Plasma and brain tissues in I/R group showed elevated LPA levels. The I/R group also demonstrated mitochondrial dysfunction, as evidenced by decreased (
P
<0.01) basal oxygen consumption rate, mitochondrial ATP production, and spare respiratory capacity. Treatment with autotaxin inhibitors (HA130 or PF8380) or autotaxin/LPA receptor inhibitor (BrP‐LPA) rescued endothelial permeability and mitochondrial dysfunction in I/R group.

Conclusions
Autotaxin‐LPA signaling blockade attenuates blood‐brain barrier disruption and mitochondrial function following I/R, suggesting targeting this axis could be a new therapeutic approach toward treating ischemic stroke.
Ten‐Year Trends in Coronary Bifurcation Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Prognostic Effects of Patient and Lesion Characteristics, Devices, and Techniques
Authors: Lee Joo Myung , Lee Seung Hun , Kim Juwon , Choi Ki Hong , Park Taek Kyu , Yang Jeong Hoon , Song Young Bin , Hahn Joo‐Yong , Choi Jin‐Ho , Choi Seung‐Hyuk , Kim Hyo‐Soo , Chun Woo Jung , Nam Chang‐Wook , Hur Seung‐Ho , Han Seung Hwan , Rha Seung‐Woon , Chae In‐Ho , Jeong Jin‐Ok , Heo Jung Ho , Yoon Junghan , Lim Do‐Sun , Park Jong‐Seon , Hong Myeong‐Ki , Doh Joon‐Hyung , Cha Kwang Soo , Kim Doo‐Il , Lee Sang Yeub , Chang Kiyuk , Hwang Byung‐Hee , Choi So‐Yeon , Jeong Myung Ho , Hong Soon‐Jun , Koo Bon‐Kwon , Gwon Hyeon‐Cheol 
Published: September 2021

Background
Despite advances in devices and techniques, coronary bifurcation lesion remains a challenging lesion subset in the field of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We evaluate 10‐year trends in bifurcation PCI and their effects on patient outcomes.

Methods and Results

We analyzed 10‐year trends in patient/lesion characteristics, devices, PCI strategy, stent optimization techniques, and clinical outcomes using data from 5498 patients who underwent bifurcation PCI from 2004 to 2015. Clinical outcomes 2 years after the index procedure were evaluated in terms of target vessel failure (a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization) and a patient‐oriented composite outcome (a composite of all‐cause death, myocardial infarction, and any revascularization). During the 10‐year study period, patient and lesion complexity, such as multivessel disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and left main bifurcation, increased continuously (all
P
<0.001). The risk of target vessel failure or patient‐oriented composite outcome decreased continuously from 2004 to 2015 (target vessel failure: from 12.3% to 6.9%, log‐rank
P
<0.001; patient‐oriented composite outcome: from 13.6% to 9.3%, log‐rank
P
<0.001). The use of a second‐generation drug‐eluting stent and decreased target vessel failure risk in true bifurcation lesions were the major contributors to improved patient prognosis (interaction
P
values were <0.001 and 0.013, respectively).

Conclusions
During the past decade of bifurcation PCI, patient and lesion characteristics, devices, PCI techniques, and patient prognosis have all significantly changed. Despite increased patient and lesion complexity, clinical outcomes after bifurcation PCI have improved, mainly because of better devices and more widespread adoption of procedural optimization techniques and appropriate treatment strategies.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifiers: NCT01642992 and NCT03068494.
Collagen‐Targeted Peptides for Molecular Imaging of Diffuse Cardiac Fibrosis
Authors: Ezeani Martin , Noor Asif , Alt Karen , Lal Sean , Donnelly Paul S. , Hagemeyer Christoph E. , Niego Be’eri 
Published: September 2021

Background
Cardiac fibrosis is the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in the heart, triggered by a cardiac insult, aging, genetics, or environmental factors. Molecular imaging of the cardiac extracellular matrix with targeted probes could improve diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. However, although this technology has been used to demonstrate focal scarring arising from myocardial infarction, its capacity to demonstrate extracellular matrix expansion and diffuse cardiac fibrosis has not been assessed.

Methods and Results
Here, we report the use of collagen‐targeted peptides labeled with near‐infrared fluorophores for the detection of diffuse cardiac fibrosis in the β2‐AR (β‐2‐adrenergic receptor) overexpressing mouse model and in ischemic human hearts. Two approaches were evaluated, the first based on a T peptide that binds matrix metalloproteinase‐2‐proteolyzed collagen IV, and the second on the cyclic peptide EP‐3533, which targets collagen I. The systemic and cardiac uptakes of both peptides (intravenously administered) were quantified ex vivo by near‐infrared imaging of whole organs, tissue sections, and heart lysates. The peptide accumulation profiles corresponded to an immunohistochemically‐validated increase in collagen types I and IV in hearts of transgenic mice versus littermate controls. The T peptide could encouragingly demonstrate both the intermediate (7 months old) and severe (11 months old) cardiomyopathic phenotypes. Co‐immunostainings of fluorescent peptides and collagens, as well as reduced collagen binding of a control peptide, confirmed the collagen specificity of the tracers. Qualitative analysis of heart samples from patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy compared with nondiseased donors supported the collagen‐enhancement capabilities of these peptides also in the clinical settings.

Conclusions
Together, these observations demonstrate the feasibility and translation potential of molecular imaging with collagen‐binding peptides for noninvasive imaging of diffuse cardiac fibrosis.
The backbone network of dynamic functional connectivity
Authors: Asadi Nima , Olson Ingrid R. , Obradovic Zoran 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTemporal networks have become increasingly pervasive in many real-world applications, including the functional connectivity analysis of spatially separated regions of the brain. A major challenge in analysis of such networks is the identification of noise confounds, which introduce temporal ties that are nonessential, or links that are formed by chance due to local properties of the nodes. Several approaches have been suggested in the past for static networks or temporal networks with binary weights for extracting significant ties whose likelihood cannot be reduced to the local properties of the nodes. In this work, we propose a data-driven procedure to reveal the irreducible ties in dynamic functional connectivity of resting-state fMRI data with continuous weights. This framework includes a null model that estimates the latent characteristics of the distributions of temporal links through optimization, followed by a statistical test to filter the links whose formation can be reduced to the activities and local properties of their interacting nodes. We demonstrate the benefits of this approach by applying it to a resting-state fMRI dataset, and provide further discussion on various aspects and advantages of it.
Atmospheric Convection as an Unstable Predator–Prey Process with Memory
Authors: Colin Maxime , Sherwood Steven C. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractHeuristic models and observational analyses of atmospheric convection often assume that convective activity, for example, rain rate, approaches some given value for any given large-scale (“macrostate”) environmental conditions, such as static stability and humidity. We present novel convection-resolving simulations in which the convective activity evolves in a fixed equilibrium mean state (“macrostate”). In this case, convective activity is unstable, diverging quasi exponentially away from equilibrium either to extreme or zero rain rate. Thus, almost any rain rate can coexist with an equilibrium profile: the model rain rate also depends on convective history. We then present a two-variable, predator–prey model motivated by this behavior, wherein small-scale (“microstate”) variability is produced by but also promotes convective precipitation, while macrostate properties such as CAPE promote but are consumed by convective precipitation. In this model, convection is influenced as much by its own history (via persistent microstate variability) as by its current environment. This model reproduces the simulated instability found above and could account for several lag relationships in simulated and observed convection, including its afternoon maximum over land and the well-known “quasi-equilibrium” balance at synoptic time scales between the forcing and response of key variables. These results point to a strong role for convective memory and suggest that basic strategies for observing, modeling, and parameterizing convective processes should pay closer attention to persistent variability on scales smaller than that of the grid box.
Evaluating Operational and Experimental HRRR Model Forecasts of Atmospheric River Events in California
Authors: English Jason M. , Turner David D. , Alcott Trevor I. , Moninger William R. , Bytheway Janice L. , Cifelli Robert , Marquis Melinda 
Published: September 2021

AbstractImproved forecasts of atmospheric river (AR) events, which provide up to half the annual precipitation in California, may reduce impacts to water supply, lives, and property. We evaluate quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPF) from the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh model version 3 (HRRRv3) and version 4 (HRRRv4) for five AR events that occurred in February–March 2019 and compare them to quantitative precipitation estimates (QPE) from Stage IV and Mesonet products. Both HRRR versions forecast spatial patterns of precipitation reasonably well, but are drier than QPE products in the Bay Area and wetter in the Sierra Nevada range. The HRRR dry bias in the Bay Area may be related to biases in the model temperature profile, while integrated water vapor (IWV), wind speed, and wind direction compare reasonably well. In the Sierra Nevada range, QPE and QPF agree well at temperatures above freezing. Below freezing, the discrepancies are due in part to errors in the QPE products, which are known to underestimate frozen precipitation in mountainous terrain. HRRR frozen QPF accuracy is difficult to quantify, but the model does have wind speed and wind direction biases near the Sierra Nevada range. HRRRv4 is overall more accurate than HRRRv3, likely due to data assimilation improvements, and possibly physics improvements. Applying a neighborhood maximum method impacted performance metrics, but did not alter general conclusions, suggesting closest gridbox evaluations may be adequate for these types of events. Improvements to QPF in the Bay Area and QPE/QPF in the Sierra Nevada range would be particularly useful to provide better understanding of AR events.
Reading Development in Children With Nonsyndromic Cleft Palate With or Without Cleft Lip: Meta-analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Lancaster Hope Sparks , Lien Kari M. , Haas Jordan , Ellis Paige , Scherer Nancy J. 
Published: September 2021

Objective We conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review of literature comparing pre-reading and general reading in school-age children with nonsyndromic cleft palate with or without cleft lip (NSCP/L) to their peers without NSCP/L. Methods Our literature search identified 1238 possible records. After screening we identified 11 samples for inclusion for systematic review and eight for meta-analysis. We compared 292 children with NSCP/L to 311 peers for 23 pre-reading effect sizes and 17 general reading effect sizes (EFg). We conducted a random-effects metaregression using robust variance estimation. Results On average school-age children with NSCP/L scored lower on pre-reading (EFg = −0.36) and general reading measures (EFg = −0.38) compared to their peers. We conducted post-hoc analyses on phonological awareness and word decoding effect sizes; children with NSCP/L performed lower on phonological awareness (EFg = −0.22) and word decoding (EFg = −0.39) compared to their peers. There was weak evidence that hearing status and/or speech-language functioning might moderate reading development. There was limited evidence that age or socioeconomic status moderated reading development. However, samples did not consistently report several characteristics that were coded for this project. Conclusions Our findings suggest that school-age children with NSCP/L have persistent reading problems. Further research is needed to explore reading development in children with NSCP/L, as well as the relationships among hearing, speech, language, and reading development.
Tessier 3 and 4 Clefts and Choanal Atresia: An Unusual Association?
Authors: Tonello Cristiano , Martins Danilo Augusto Nery dos Passos , Baptista Marco Antônio Ferraz de Barros , Mondelli Felipe , Kokitsu Nakata Nancy Mizue , Feitosa Leonardo Bezerra , Alonso Nivaldo 
Published: September 2021

Introduction Craniofacial clefts are rare congenital anomalies that might involve both soft tissue and skeletal components. The association of Tessier cleft number 3 and 4 with choanal atresia appears to be unusual and only few clinical cases have been reported in published literature. Objectives Report a series of 13 cases of choanal atresia in patients with Tessier numbers 3 or 4 clefts and the literature review on this topic. Methods A literature review was undertaken via PUBMED database before April 2020 addressing the association between Tessier numbers 3 or 4 clefts and choanal atresia. Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with both comorbidities at a tertiary hospital expertised in craniofacial anomalies. Results Literature review yielded 10 studies describing the relationship between choanal atresia and Tessier 3 and 4 facial clefts. We identified 98 patients diagnosed with medial oro-ocular facial clefts (Tessier 3 and 4) and 119 with choanal atresia at our institution over a 20 years time period. Altogether, 13 individuals were diagnosed with both malformations, 3 patients with number 3 cleft, and 10 patients with number 4 cleft. It represents 13.26% of the cases. Conclusion This study highlights the features of Tessier 3 and 4 facial clefts associated with choanal atresia. Although the publications regarding this association are very scarce, the authors present the largest series of cases of Tessier number 3 and 4 clefts with choanal atresia showing that association between these conditions could be not so unusual.
Theoretical model and dynamic wave-amplification effect of the high intensity Helmholtz sound source
Authors: Qiao Zhenghui , Cheng Mei , Jin Yawei 
Published: September 2021

Helmholtz sound source consists of Helmholtz resonator and speaker and belongs to a new type of high-intensity sound source. It has potential industrial advantage in the aerodynamic acoustic application for the large amplitude wave. Based on the lumped parameter principle of acoustic impedance, an acoustic theoretical model is suggested. The model reveals the amplification regulation of the sound source on the acoustic wave. Through the acoustic theoretical computation, a dynamic amplification and an amplification limitation are analyzed. The wave-amplification effect attributes to the parameter regulation of the macro, micro, and dynamic-varied sizes of the sound source. The repetitive motion of the vibrating membrane of speaker causes three working states of balance, squeeze, and stretch. The three states act as specific boundary conditions and demonstrate as three different theoretical curves. The theoretical boundary curves codetermine an experimental curve, which essentially limits the practical amplification effect. Nevertheless, the amplification gain of sound pressure amplitude reaches up to 1.8 times, and the potential maximum amplitude reaches up to 3600 Pa (164 dB). The two quantitative characteristics indicate the maximum capability of the sound source on wave-amplification effect. The control sensitivity of the complicated impedance parameters on wave amplification is 0.26 Pa/Hz. The acoustic theoretical model is valuable in the series aspects of the industrial design, manufacture, and application of the sound source. Especially, the theoretical innovation lays the foundation of solid to these aspects.
Acquired Esophageal Strictures in Children: Morphometric and Immunohistochemical Analyses
Authors: Collins Margaret H. , Alexander Eileen S. , Martin Lisa J. , Grotjan Tommie M. , Mukkada Vincent A. , Sheil Amy , Abonia Juan P. , Putnam Philip E. , Rothenberg Marc E. 
Published: September 2021

Background Esophageal strictures (ES) in children are not well characterized pathologically. We report unique histopathologic analyses of resected acquired ES and control esophagi (CE). Methods Muscle layer thicknesses were measured in intact well-oriented areas; inflammatory cells were counted in the most inflamed high power field (hpf). Sections were stained with relevant antibodies. Results were expressed as median, lower and upper quartiles. Wilcoxon Rank Sums non-parametric test was used to compare groups; P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results All ES (N = 10) showed focal replacement of lamina propria, muscularis mucosa and submucosa by actin+ fibers emanating from muscularis propria. Compared to CE (N = 8), ES displayed significantly thickened muscularis mucosa and propria, and increased mast cells (tryptase- and chymase-positive), and eosinophils in muscle layers (all P ≤ 0.01). Matrix proteins periostin and fibronectin were identified in the muscle layers of CE, and in the extracellular matrix in areas of disrupted architecture in ES. Conclusions Compared to CE, acquired ES in children show significant structural alterations, including obliterative muscularization, inflammatory cell mural infiltrates, and extracellular matrix protein deposits. Therapies targeting connective tissue expansion, mast cells, eosinophils and inflammation may be beneficial to treat ES.
Ophthalmologists perceived usefulness of Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) for evaluating the mental health of patients with chronic eye diseases
Authors: AlSwailem Samar , Fortini Stefania , Ahmed Anwar , Mariotti Silvio P , Shahwan Sami , Khandekar Rajiv 
Published: September 2021

Purpose: To evaluate the awareness of ophthalmologists about assessing the mental health of patients and usefulness of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) survey. Methods: This web-based survey was performed in 2020 at an eye hospital in Saudi Arabia. Participants included ophthalmologists and physicians. Participants were queried on the need to assess mental health of patients, usefulness of the screening tool, and barriers to assessment. Their responses were graded on a Likert scale and Rasch analysis was performed. Results: Of the 100 participants, 72 were aware of assessing mental health of eye patients and 82 expressed about limited skills for such assessment. The median score for perceived usefulness of the PHQ-9 as screening tool to suspect depression was −1.0 (inter quartile range, −1.0: 0.0) [Mean Rasch score = −0.735]. The median score of perceived usefulness for the GAD-7 as screening tool to suspect anxiety was −1.0 (inter quartile range, −1.0: 0.0) [Mean Rasch score = −0.695]. The PHQ-9 related score was significantly correlated to “30–39 years” age group (Kruskal Wallis p = 0.04) and non-Saudi professionals (Mann Whitney p = 0.005). The GAD-7 related score was significantly correlated to non-Saudi professionals (Mann Whitney p = 0.04). The mental health related score was significantly and negatively correlated to the “40–59 years” age group (Kruskal Wallis p = 0.04). Conclusions: Although awareness of mental health assessment was high, eyecare professionals felt with inadequate training for performing the screening. PHQ-9 seems to be more acceptable to screen for depression than GAD-7 for screening anxiety.
Superficial mycosis, at the site or distant to the surgical site, appears to predispose patients to bacterial periprosthetic joint infections
Authors: Lin Feitai , Li William T , Fuentes-Rivera Lorena , Parvizi Javad 
Published: September 2021

Background: It is traditionally believed that presence of fungal infection in the nail or skin of patients is a risk factor for subsequent infection. The literature is devoid of any evidence to confirm or refute this belief. This study examined a possible relationship between the presence of superficial skin or nail mycoses and subsequent periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Methods: This is a single-centre, retrospective study of patients who underwent primary TJA between 2000 and 2018. 55 patients with superficial mycoses of skin or nail, at the time of arthroplasty were identified and a variable number matching with up to a 1:5 ratio was performed with 182 patients undergoing TJA who had no superficial mycosis. The groups were further divided into knee and hip TJA. The outcome of TJA in the cohorts was compared. Results: Preoperative demographics were similar between the 2 groups. The incidence of PJI in patients undergoing TKA within a year was significantly higher in patients with superficial mycosis at 8.6% (3/35) compared to 0% (0/120) in patients without mycosis. However, all infections were caused by bacterial species and none were fungal. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the presence of superficial mycosis had a strong correlation with development of PJI postoperatively in our TKA cohort. Conclusions: Identification of fungal infection (mycosis) of skin and nail in patients awaiting TJA is important. These patients appear to have a higher risk for developing bacterial PJI than those without fungal infections. Further study is needed to determine if treatment of these patients prior to arthroplasty stands to reverse the high risk for PJI that these patients carry.