bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sexual Dysfunction and the Impact of Beta-Blockers in Young Males With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Dai Yuxiang , Mei Zhendong , Zhang Shuning , Shali Shalaimaiti , Ren Daoyuan , Xu Lili , Gao Wei , Chang Shufu , Zheng Yan , Qian Juying , Yao Kang , Ge Junbo 
Published: July 2021

Objective: We aimed to assess the association of erectile dysfunction (ED) with the extent of coronary atherosclerosis, and to examine whether revascularization and medication use have an impact on ED status in patients with early onset of coronary artery disease (EOCAD).Methods: International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) was used to evaluate sexual function in 296 male patients with EOCAD (age, 39.9 ± 4.8 years), and 354 male controls (age, 40.6 ± 4.4 years). The extent of coronary atherosclerosis was measured by Gensini score. Endothelial function was evaluated by two vasomotor indexes including endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) by ELISA.Results: ED was more frequent (57.8 vs. 31.1%, P &lt; 0.001) and serious (IIEF-5 score:17.7 ± 6.0 vs. 21.6 ± 5.0, P &lt; 0.001) among EOCAD patients than that among controls. IIEF-5 score was negatively correlated with Gensini score (r = −0.383, P &lt; 0.001). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the presence of ED (EOCAD vs. controls) was 1.88 [95% confidential interval (CI), 1.12-3.18]. However, ET-1 and NO attenuated the association between ED and EOCAD (adjusted OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 0.84-2.80). IIEF-5 score increased after coronary revascularization in patients not on beta-blockers (18.71 ± 4.84 vs. 17.59 ± 6.05, P &lt; 0.001) as compared with baseline, while stayed unchanged in the subgroup using beta-blockers (17.82 ± 5.12 vs. 17.70 ± 5.98, P = 0.09).Conclusions: ED was common in patients with EOCAD, and associated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction may be a pathophysiologic mechanism underlying both ED and EOCAD. Coronary revascularization confers a benefit in ED amelioration, while this effect did not appear in patients using beta-blocker.
The Seismicity of Lipari, Aeolian Islands (Italy) From One-Month Recording of the LIPARI Array
Authors: Di Luccio Francesca , Persaud Patricia , Cucci Luigi , Esposito Alessandra , Carniel Roberto , Cortés Guillermo , Galluzzo Danilo , Clayton Robert W. , Ventura Guido 
Published: July 2021

Seismic activity in volcanic settings could be the signature of processes that include magma dynamics, hydrothermal activity and geodynamics. The main goal of this study is to analyze the seismicity of Lipari Island (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea) to characterize the dynamic processes such as the interaction between pre-existing structures and hydrothermal processes affecting the Aeolian Islands. We deployed a dense seismic array of 48 autonomous 3-component nodes. For the first time, Lipari and its hydrothermal field are investigated by a seismic array recording continuously for about a month in late 2018 with a 0.1–1.5 km station spacing. We investigate the distribution and evolution of the seismicity over the full time of the experiment using self-organized maps and automatic algorithms. We show that the sea wave motion strongly influences the background seismic noise. Using an automatic template matching approach, we detect and locate a seismic swarm offshore the western coast of Lipari. This swarm, made of transient-like signals also recognized by array and polarization analyses in the time and frequency domains, is possibly associated with the activation of a NE-SW fault. We also found the occurrence of hybrid events close to the onshore Lipari hydrothermal system. These events suggest the involvement of hot hydrothermal fluids moving along pre-existing fractures. Seismological analyses of one month of data detect signals related to the regional tectonics, hydrothermal system and sea dynamics in Lipari Island.
The Optimal Cutoff Value of Z-scores Enhances the Judgment Accuracy of Noninvasive Prenatal Screening
Authors: Zhou Lingna , Zhang Bin , Liu Jianbing , Shi Ye , Wang Jing , Yu Bin 
Published: July 2021

ObjectiveTo evaluate the accuracy of Z-scores of noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS) in predicting 21, 18 trisomy, and X chromosome aneuploidy.MethodsA total of 39,310 prenatal women were recruited for NIPS from September 2015 to September 2020. Interventional prenatal diagnosis was applied to verify the diagnosis of NIPS-positive results. Logistic regression analysis was employed to relate the Z-scores to the positive predictive value (PPV) of NIPS-positive results. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, we calculated the optimal cutoff value of Z-scores to predict fetal chromosome aneuploidy. According to the cutoff value, NIPS-positive results were divided into the medium Z-value (MZ) and high Z-value (HZ) groups, and PPV was calculated to access the accuracy of Z-scores.ResultsA total of 288 effective values of Z-scores were used as the final data set. The logistics regression analysis revealed that Z-scores were significantly associated with true-positive results for 21 trisomy (T21) and 18 trisomy (T18) (P &lt; 0.05), whereas the same was not observed for X chromosome aneuploids (P &gt; 0.05). The optimal cutoff value of the Z-score for T21, T18, XO, XXX, and XXY indicated by ROC curve analysis were 5.79, 6.05, −9.56, 5.89, and 4.47, and the area under the curve (AUC) were 0.89, 0.80, 0.48, 0.42, and 0.45, respectively. PPV in the HZ group was higher than that in the MZ group, and the application of the cutoff value reduced the false discovery rate (FDR), which was only 2.9% in the HZ group compared with 61.1% in the MZ group for T21 and T18. The difference in total PPV between the MZ and HZ groups for X chromosome aneuploids was statistically significant. Moreover, the PPV for XXX and XXY seemed to increase with Z-scores but not for XO.ConclusionThe Z-score is helpful for the accurate judgment of NIPS results and for clinical prenatal counseling. Especially for T21 and T18, Z-scores have an excellent clinical association, which is superior to that seen with X chromosome aneuploids. In addition, using Z-scores to judge NIPS results offers a certain reference value for XXX and XXY but not for XO.
Presence of Vessel Wall Hyperintensity in Unruptured Arteriovenous Malformations on Vessel Wall Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Pilot Study of AVM Vessel Wall “Enhancement”
Authors: Eisenmenger Laura B. , Junn Jacqueline C. , Cooke Daniel , Hetts Steven , Zhu Chengcheng , Johnson Kevin M. , Manunga Jesse M. , Saloner David , Hess Christopher , Kim Helen 
Published: July 2021

Purpose: High-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI) could provide a way to identify high risk arteriovenous malformation (AVM) features. We present the first pilot study of clinically unruptured AVMs evaluated by high-resolution VW-MRI.Methods: A retrospective review of clinically unruptured AVMs with VW-MRI between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018 was performed documenting the presence or absence of vessel wall “hyperintensity,” or enhancement, within the nidus as well as perivascular enhancement and evidence of old hemorrhage (EOOH). The extent of nidal vessel wall “hyperintensity” was approximated into five groups: 0, 1–25, 26–50, 51–75, and 76–100%.Results: Of the nine cases, eight demonstrated at least some degree of vessel wall nidus “hyperintensity.” Of those eight cases, four demonstrated greater than 50% of the nidus with hyperintensity at the vessel wall, and three cases had perivascular enhancement adjacent to nidal vessels. Although none of the subjects had prior clinical hemorrhage/AVM rupture, of the six patients with available susceptibility weighted imaging to assess for remote hemorrhage, only two had subtle siderosis to suggest prior sub-clinical bleeds.Conclusion: Vessel wall “enhancement” occurs in AVMs with no prior clinical rupture. Additional studies are needed to further investigate the implication of these findings.
The Role of Circulating Tumor DNA in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Haowei , Zhou Fei , Qiao Meng , Li Xuefei , Zhao Chao , Cheng Lei , Chen Xiaoxia , Zhou Caicun 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundThe use of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to reflect clinical benefits of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients during immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy remains controversial. This study aimed to determine the association of pre-treatment and early dynamic changes of ctDNA with clinical outcomes in advanced NSCLC patients treated with ICIs.MethodsElectronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane) were systematically searched to include relevant studies published in English up to November 2020. The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and the secondary outcome was objective response rate (ORR) with RECIST criteria.ResultsA total of 1017 patients from 10 studies were identified. The baseline ctDNA levels (detected versus not detected) showed no significant association with clinical outcomes regarding OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93-1.51), PFS (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.80-1.21), and ORR (odds ratio [OR], 0.89; 95% CI, 0.54-1.46). Interestingly, when taken early longitudinal assessment of ctDNA into consideration, the early reduction of the concentration of ctDNA was associated with significant improvements of OS (HR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.10-0.35), PFS (HR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.22-0.41) and ORR (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.03-0.18). Further subgroup analyses revealed that the reduction magnitude did not significantly impact the association between ctDNA and clinical outcomes, suggesting that both patients with decreased ctDNA or a ≥50% reduction of ctDNA was associated with improved OS, PFS and ORR.ConclusionEarly reduction of ctDNA was associated with improved OS, PFS and ORR in advanced NSCLC patients treated with ICIs.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, CRD42021226255.
Cardiovascular Toxicity Induced by Chronic Vincristine Treatment
Authors: Herradón Esperanza , González Cristina , González Antonio , Uranga Jose Antonio , López-Miranda Visitación 
Published: July 2021

Vincristine is an effective anticancer agent for treating leukemias, lymphomas, and other solid tumors. Vincristine’s better-known severe side effects include bone marrow depression, hyponatremia, peripheral neuropathy, and gastrointestinal distress. In recent years, cardiovascular damage also has been described during vincristine treatments. However, the vascular toxicity induced by vincristine is little studied. The aim of the present is to evaluate whether these alterations remain after the suspension of chemotherapy treatment (sequelae) and the possible mechanisms involved in this vascular damage. Adult male Wistar rats were used. The animals were divided into four treatment groups: two groups of saline (0.9% NaCl; saline, sequelae saline) and two groups of vincristine (100 μg/kg; vincristine, sequelae vincristine). Saline or vincristine was administered intraperitoneally in two cycles of 5 days each, leaving a rest period between cycles of 2 days. The final cumulative vincristine dose administered was 1 mg/kg. Sequelae groups correspond to 2 weeks after stopping treatment with the antitumor agent. At the end of the different experimental protocols, cardiac and vascular functions were analyzed. Alterations in the expression of different proteins in the cardiovascular tissues were also investigated. Chronic treatment with vincristine did not produce significant changes in basal cardiac function but provoked significant endothelial dysfunction in the aorta and a significant decrease in the mesenteric contractile function. These cardiovascular functional alterations disappeared 2 weeks after the suspension of chemotherapy treatment. Vincristine treatment caused a significant increase in the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthases (eNOS and iNOS), and connexin 43 in cardiac tissue. In the aorta, the chronic treatment with vincristine caused a slight non-significant increase in TNFα expression, a significant increase in eNOS and iNOS, and a significant decrease in connexin 43. After 2 weeks of vincristine treatment (sequelae group), the expression of TNFα increased and eNOS and iNOS expressions disappeared, but a significant decrease in the expression of connexin 43 was still observed in the aorta. In mesenteric arteries, similar data to those found in the aorta were observed. In conclusion, chronic treatment with vincristine causes functional alterations in the vascular function of both conductance and resistance vessels and changes in the expressions of TNFα, eNOS, iNOS, and connexin 43 in cardiovascular tissues, implicating direct toxicity during its treatment. These functional alterations are transitory and disappear after the suspension of its treatment.
The Role of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Under Hypoxia
Authors: Hofmann Elena , Soppert Josefin , Ruhl Tim , Gousopoulos Epameinondas , Gerra Simona , Storti Gabriele , Tian Yuan , Brandhofer Markus , Schweizer Riccardo , Song Seung-Yong , Lindenblatt Nicole , Pallua Norbert , Bernhagen Jürgen , Kim Bong-Sung 
Published: July 2021

Background: Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are multipotent mesenchymal stem cells characterized by their strong regenerative potential and low oxygen consumption. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multifunctional chemokine-like cytokine that is involved in tissue hypoxia. MIF is not only a major immunomodulator but also is highly expressed in adipose tissue such as subcutaneous adipose tissue of chronic non-healing wounds. In the present study, we investigated the effect of hypoxia on MIF in ASCs isolated from healthy versus inflamed adipose tissue.Methods: Human ASCs were harvested from 17 patients (11 healthy adipose tissue samples, six specimens from chronic non-healing wounds). ASCs were treated in a hypoxia chamber at &lt;1% oxygen. ASC viability, MIF secretion as well as expression levels of MIF, its receptor CD74, hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1α (HIF-1α) and activation of the AKT and ERK signaling pathways were analyzed. The effect of recombinant MIF on the viability of ASCs was determined. Finally, the effect of MIF on the viability and production capacity of ASCs to produce the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β was determined upon treatment with recombinant MIF and/or a blocking MIF antibody.Results: Hypoxic treatment inhibited proliferation of ASCs derived from healthy or chronic non-healing wounds. ASCs from healthy adipose tissue samples were characterized by a low degree of MIF secretion during hypoxic challenge. In contrast, in ASCs from adipose tissue samples of chronic non-healing wounds, secretion and expression of MIF and CD74 expression were significantly elevated under hypoxia. This was accompanied by enhanced ERK signaling, while AKT signaling was not altered. Recombinant MIF did stimulate HIF-1α expression under hypoxia as well as AKT and ERK phosphorylation, while no effect on ASC viability was observed. Recombinant MIF significantly reduced the secretion of IL-1β under hypoxia and normoxia, and neutralizing MIF-antibodies diminished TNF-α and IL-1β release in hypoxic ASCs.Conclusions: Collectively, MIF did not affect the viability of ASCs from neither healthy donor site nor chronic wounds. Our results, however, suggest that MIF has an impact on the wound environment by modulating inflammatory factors such as IL-1β.
Perceived Stress and Smartphone Addiction in Medical College Students: The Mediating Role of Negative Emotions and the Moderating Role of Psychological Capital
Authors: Wang Wenbo , Mehmood Anam , Li Ping , Yang Zhaonan , Niu Jinbao , Chu Haiyun , Qiao Zhengxue , Qiu Xiaohui , Zhou Jiawei , Yang Yanjie , Yang Xiuxian 
Published: July 2021

Background: Many studies have confirmed the existence of an extremely close relationship between smartphone addiction and perceived stress. However, the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying the association between perceived stress and smartphone addiction in medical college students remain largely unexplored.Methods: A questionnaire was distributed among a total of 769 medical college students in Heilongjiang Province, China. Participants completed measures of perceived stress, smartphone addiction, negative emotions, and psychological capital. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to test the correlations between variables. The analysis of a moderated mediation model was performed using Hayes’s PROCESS macro.Results: Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated that perceived stress (r = 0.18, p &lt; 0.01) and negative emotions (r = 0.31, p &lt; 0.01) were positively correlated with smartphone addiction, and psychological capital was negatively correlated with smartphone addiction (r = −0.29, p &lt; 0.01). The moderated mediation analysis indicated that negative emotions partially mediated the association between perceived stress and smartphone addiction [mediation effect accounted for 33.3%, SE = 0.10, 95% CI = (0.10, 0.24)], and the first stage of the mediation process was significantly moderated by psychological capital [moderated mediation = −0.01, SE = 0.01, 95% CI = (−0.01, −0.00)].Conclusion: Negative emotions play a mediating role between perceived stress and smartphone addiction, and psychological capital plays an important moderating role in the first stage of the mediation process.
The Impact of Persistent Irritability on the Medication Treatment of Paediatric Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Baweja Raman , Waschbusch Daniel A. , Pelham William E. , Pelham William E. , Waxmonsky James G. 
Published: July 2021

This study compares the efficacy and tolerability of central nervous system (CNS) stimulants in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with and without prominent irritability (IRR) over the course of 30 months. This is a secondary analysis of a study examining growth patterns in medication naïve children with ADHD subsequently treated with CNS stimulants (predominantly OROS-Methylphenidate, up to 54 mg per day) for 30 months. Participants had to meet full diagnostic criteria for ADHD and been treated with CNS stimulants for under 30 days. Children were classified as IRR if they were rated as pretty much or very much on either of the “often angry” or easily annoyed” items plus “lose temper,” items of the Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale (DBDRS). Structured ratings of ADHD symptoms, impairment, side effects, and symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) were collected every 2–12 weeks for the duration of the study. Medication use was measured by pill count and parent report. The IRR group comprised 28% of all participants. The IRR group had significantly higher levels of ADHD and ODD symptoms, impairment, and side effects ratings at baseline. In the IRR group, ODD symptoms, emotional lability, and impairment significantly decreased for participants with higher medication use. Total side effects increased for non-IRR participants with higher medication use. Emotional side effects decreased for IRR participants with higher medication use. Central nervous system stimulants were a tolerable and efficacious treatment in treatment naïve youth with ADHD with irritability.Clinical Trials Registration: NCT01109849
Online Gambling's Associations With Gambling Disorder and Related Problems in a Representative Sample of Young Swiss Men
Authors: Marmet Simon , Studer Joseph , Wicki Matthias , Khazaal Yasser , Gmel Gerhard 
Published: July 2021

Background and Aims: Internet gambling has recently grown in popularity, but relatively little is known about how online and the combination of online and offline (mixed) gambling are associated with gambling disorder (GD) and related problems. The present research examined in a cohort study sample of young Swiss men how their gambling activities and gambling-related problems differed across the spectrum from offline to online gambling.Sample: A general-population based sample from the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (C-SURF), consisting of 5,352 young Swiss men (mean age 28.26 years old).Measures: The spectrum from exclusively offline to almost exclusively online (&gt;90% of gambling money spent online) gambling was measured using one question about the proportion of gambling money spent online. Total money gambled and time spent on gambling were also assessed. GD severity (range 0–9) was measured using items reflecting the nine DSM-5 GD criteria. The number of gambling-related problems (e.g., financial difficulties, range 0–10), other addictive disorders and mental health problems were also inquired about.Methods: We estimated a generalised linear model using a count model (negative binomial link function) for GD severity and gambling-related problems associated with the amounts and proportions of money gambled online and offline.Results: The number of GD criteria were associated with money gambled online (IRR [95%CI] = 2.81 [2.43, 3.24]) and offline (IRR = 2.68 [2.40, 3.00]). This was also found for the number of gambling-related problems (IRR = 2.43 [2.13, 2.79] and IRR = 2.89 [2.59, 3.23]). Compared with exclusively-offline gamblers, mixed gamblers (26–90% of money gambled online) showed the highest levels of GD symptoms and gambling-related problems, followed by the almost-exclusively-online gamblers (≥91% money gambled online) and, overall, these associations were still significant after adjustment for overall involvement in gambling (time spent and money gambled). Levels of other addictive disorders and mental health problems were higher among mixed gamblers than among offline-only gamblers, but levels among almost-exclusively-online gamblers were not.Conclusions: Symptoms of gambling disorder and gambling related problems are highest among gamblers engaging in both offline and online gambling. Prevention efforts need to target the combination of offline and online gambling.