bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting night sleep in rotational shift workers in the Arctic
Authors: Shurkevich N , Vetoshkin AS , Simonyan AA , Gapon LI 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Our previous studies revealed that half of arterial hypertension (AH) patients had a flat type of non-dipper curve of blood pressure daily profile (BPDP).

Purpose
To study and differentiate the leading component of sleep disturbance in conditions of the Arctic rotational shift work and evaluate its relationship with the data of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).

Methods
In September 2019, 180 patients with AH, including 79 males (M), (gr. 1) aged 48.7 ± 8.3 years and 68 females (F), (gr. 2) aged 50.0 ± 6.7 years (p = 0.06) were simultaneously examined in Yamburg (68 N) settlement in the Arctic Watch. Groups did not differ in rotational shift work duration (16.9 ± 8.7 and 16.2 ± 8.3 years, p = 0.72). Analysis of sleep quality (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index - PSQI) with daytime sleepiness analysis (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) was carried out. Six components were investigated: 1 - subjective sleep (S) quality component; 2 - assessment of S latency; 3 - assessment of S duration; 4 – habitual S efficiency ; 5 – step disturbances of S; 6 - use of S medication; 7 - daytime S dysfunction with differentiation of global index (Global PSQI score). All individuals underwent ABPM with analysis of daily index of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure and BPDP.

Results
According to the survey, 22% had S disorders in M gr., 30% (24/81) in F gr., p = 0.23. Global assessment of S quality was also not dependent on gender: mode of assessment was 4 points (P), (24 individuals) in M, 5 P (17) in F (p = 0.91). Leading components of S quality disorder were the subjective S quality with 2 P, (16); the S latently had 2 P (11); the step disturbances of S had the 2 P (11) and the daytime S dysfunction had the 2 P (14) in M. In F, the 1st component (C)C (2 P – 13); the 2nd C - 2 P (16) prevailed and the 5th and the 7th C were less manifested. Moreover, F had S latency complaints oftener than M (p = 0.031). Analysis of interconnections with ABPM revealed "over dipper" BPDP in the 12.5%, "dipper" BPDP in 42.5% (51); "non dipper" BPDP in 41.7% (50); "night peaker" BPDP in 3.3%. In individuals with normal S quality, "dipper" BPDP prevailed (54%). At the same time, leading components did not have significant correlations with abnormal BPDP.

Conclusion
In conditions of rotational shift work in the Arctic, regardless of gender, sleep disturbances are more associated with poor habitual sleep efficiency and less associated with disturbances of BPDP. This is obviously explained by increased exhaustion due to the intense nature of rotational shift work in the Arctic region.
Is sedentary lifestyle a critical driver for hypertension burden in Sub-Saharan Africa?: evidence from a community-based population in Ghana and Nigeria
Authors: Okekunle A , Akpa O , Akinyemi R , Sarfo F , Ogbole G , Akpalu A , Wahab K , Obiako R , Komolafe M , Fawale B , Owolabi L , Ovbiagele B , Owolabi M 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): National Institute of Health (NIH)

OnBehalf
SIREN as part of the H3 Africa Consortium

Background
Hypertension is the principal risk factor for stroke events in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, international evidence on the significance of physical inactivity as a critical driver of hypertension risk in SSA is sparse.

Purpose
This study assessed determinants of hypertension risk among a stroke-free population in Ghana and Nigeria.

Methods
Participants were 4,267 stroke-free individuals recruited in the Stroke Investigative Research and Education Network study from Nigeria and Ghana. Data on sociodemographic, lifestyle, cardiovascular risk and blood pressure were collected using standard protocols. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90mmHg or a previous diagnosis or current use of antihypertensive medications. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for hypertension risk was estimated using logistic regression at P &lt; 0.05.

Results
Mean age was 55.9 ± 14.7 and 1.8% were physically inactive. Mean SBP and DBP were 135.8 ± 24.2mmHg and 82.7 ± 14.3mmHg respectively, and 56.7% had hypertension. Factors associated with hypertension were physical inactivity (OR: 9.09; 95%CI: 4.03, 20.53), being diabetic (OR: 2.70; 95%CI: 1.91, 3.82), being older than 60years (OR: 2.22; 95%CI: 1.78, 2.77) and family history of cardiovascular diseases (OR: 2.02; 95%CI: 1.59, 2.56) and elevated waist circumference (OR: 1.01; 95%CI: 1.00, 1.02).
Conclusion(s): Physical inactivity was the leading risk factor for hypertension in this population. Community-oriented interventions promoting physical activity should help in the control of hypertension among sub-Saharan African population.
Blood pressure level and laboratory indicators of disease severity in patients with arterial hypertension and COVID-19
Authors: Popov K , Novitskiy A , Shvarts Y 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.
Background. Many patients with COVID-19 suffer from arterial hypertension and have marked variations in blood pressure (BP) during the acute period of infection. The reasons for such changes are poorly understood.
Purpose. To assess the relationship between the level of BP and the severity of changes in the main clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with arterial hypertension and with a moderate course of COVID-19 at the stage of the height of the disease.
Materials and methods. The study included 86 hospitalized patients with verified coronavirus disease of moderate severity: 46 of them were male, the median age was 65 years. Patients received adequate hypertension therapy for a long time. After hospitalization, treatment was adjusted if necessary. The level of laboratory parameters in the acute period of the disease was determined, including the electrolytes, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, ferritin, general blood test, etc. BP measured daily. The relationship between laboratory parameters and BP level was evaluated by nonparametric correlation using the Spearman coefficient and multivariate analysis based on the "generalized nonlinear model".
Results. In 67.44% of patients with hypertension, an elevated BP level (&gt;140/90) was observed against the background of moderate COVID-19. There was a significant negative correlation between the levels of CRP and BP throughout the stay in the hospital, the most significant is the 5th day of hospitalization. At the same time, a slightly stronger relationship is observed with diastolic BP (r = -0.4425) than with systolic BP (r = -0.3525). A similar trend is observed in all BP measurements. Besides, a negative correlation was found between potassium levels and BP values. The strongest association of potassium levels is with systolic BP on the day of hospitalization (r = -0.4850) and diastolic pressure on the 1st day of hospitalization (r = -0.3561). Multivariate analysis confirmed independent and reliable "influence" of CRP (p = 0.00018) and potassium (p = 0.03921) as independent predictors of diastolic pressure.
Conclusions. Most patients with hypertension and moderate COVID-19 have elevated BP levels. There is a statistically significant negative relationship between the values of BP and levels of CRP and potassium. The obtained data may correspond to the existing hypothesis about the significant role of the kinin–kallikrein system in the pathogenesis of COVID-19.
Pulmonary embolism during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Silva BV , Rodrigues T , Cunha N , Brito J , Alves Da Silva P , Silverio Antonio P , Couto Pereira S , Aguiar Ricardo I , Rigueira J , Mendonca C , Abreu A 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
During the COVID-19 pandemic many countries have imposed lockdown restrictions to movement. Since the 18th of March in Portugal, thousands of people have been confined to their homes. While hospital admissions for COVID-19 patients increased exponentially, admissions for non-COVID-19 patients decreased dramatically. However, it remains unclear whether lockdown-related immobility can contribute to the increased incidence of pulmonary embolism.

Purpose
To compare the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) during the lockdown period (Abril 1 to May 31, 2020) compared to the reference period in 2019.

Methods
Retrospective study of consecutive outpatients who presented to the emergency department and underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) due to suspicion of PE.

Results
Compared to the same period of 2019, the lockdown period was associated with a significant increase in PE diagnosis (29 versus 18 patients). PE patients during lockdown were older (median age 71 years; interquartile range [IQR][60-85] versus 59 years [44-76]; p = 0.046) and have lower prevalence of active cancer (14% versus 33% in the reference period). Women represent 55% (n = 16) of patients in lockdown group (versus 50% in 2019 group). Clinical probability (GENEVA score) was similar in both groups (median score 2.72 in lockdown group and 2.50 in reference group, p = 0.452). None of the patients with PE was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Conclusion
We have observed a marked increase (62%) in PE diagnosis during lockdown period compared to the reference period, which can be explained by the reduction in physical activity due to teleworking and closure of gyms and sports activities.
These data reinforce the importance of promoting physical activity programs at home. The role of pharmacological or mechanical thromboprophylaxis in this scenario remains unclear.
Association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with coronary artery calcification progression: a systematic review
Authors: Koulaouzidis G , Charisopoulou D 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Several studies have demonstrated the association of coronary artery calcification (CAC) with non alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). The aim of this systematic review is to assess the association of NAFLD with the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis, reflected as the dynamic changes in CAC score(CACs) over time.

Methods
Electronic and manual searches retrieved 578 potentially relevant publications. The initial screening resulted in removing 486 papers according to title and abstract. By reviewing the full articles, 53 papers were further excluded and eventually, 5 studies were included in this review.

Results
Four studies were from South Korea, while one study was from USA.
VanWagner et al(1) showed that NAFLD participants had increased prevalence of CAC progression compared to those without NAFLD, 37.9% vs. 26.0% respectively, p &lt; 0.001.
Sung et al(2) showed that in 592 (27.2%) participants, CACs increased from baseline; while in the rest 1583 subjects, CACs did not change or improved during follow-up, p &lt; 0.001.
Park et al(3) noticed that more subjects with NAFLD than without showed CAC progression(48.8% vs. 38.4% respectively;p &lt; 0.001. But in subjects without calcification at baseline, NAFLD significantly affected the development of calcification after adjusting for traditional metabolic risk factors. However, in subjects with baseline CAC, NAFLD did not affect progression.
Sinn et al(4) found that the annual rate of CAC progression in subjects with and without NAFLD were 22% and 17% respectively, p &lt; 0.001. The association between NAFLD and CAC progression was observed both in subjects with CACs = 0 and in those with CACs &gt; 0 at baseline.
In the study by Cho et al(5) CAC progression was seen in 28.3% of subjects with NALFD, and in 18.6% of subjects in the control group.

Conclusion
In our review, we found that NAFLD is associated with the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis as it was expressed by the CAC.
Development of AI-based method to detect the subtle ECG deviations from the population ECG norm
Authors: Chaikovsky I , Popov A , Fogel D , Kazmirchyk A 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Academy of Science of Ukraine

Background
Electrocardiogram (ECG) is still the primary source for the diagnostic and prognostic information about cardiovascular diseases. The concept of "normal ECG" parameters is crucial for the reliable diagnosis, since it provides reference for the ECG under examination. With the development of new methods and tools for ECG feature extraction and classification based on artificial intelligence (AI), it becomes possible to identify subtle changes in the heart activity to detect possible abnormalities at the early stage.
The challenge of this work is to identify the deviations in ECG of clinically healthy persons from the conditional "population" norm .

Methods
The normal ECG is described as a feature vector composed of the time-magnitude parameters of signal-averaged ECG (SAECG). To define the subjects that possibly have variations from the "population" norm, the outlier detection approach is proposed: first the cloud of the vectors , constructed from the set of normal ECG"s , obtained from young, clinically similar healthy persons was created in feature space. Then, a particular ECG is considered deviant and requires the attention of the clinician when it is considered an outlier of the cloud of normal ECGs.
In the experiment, SAECGs from the group of 139 young subjects (male, age 18-28 years) with no reported cardiovascular problems are used to extract 34 features from SAECG leads (magnitudes and durations of ECG waves, duration of ECG segments, etc.). ECGs were routinely previewed by qualified physicians, and no obvious anomalies were noticed. The Isolation Forest anomaly detection method is used with variable numbers of trees and different contamination parameters.

Results
The ratio of outliers were changed from 5 to 10% (7-12 subjects) with various numbers of estimator trees. Seven outlier SAECGs were repeatedly appearing for various settings. Out of these, 4 subjects were the oldest persons in group examined , and 3 others had a rare ventricular premature beats during routine ECG examination.

Conclusion
The proposed method is promising for application in routine and express ECG tests since it is able to quantify the subtle deviations from the normal ECG group.
Prediction of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk
Authors: Pogosova N , Kachanova NP , Yufereva YM , Sokolova OY , Koltunov IE , Vygodin VA , Arutyunov AA 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Coronary atherosclerosis has a long subclinical period. It’s early detection may offer a possibility of timely initiation of preventive interventions

Purpose
To develop a diagnostic rule for detection of patients (pts) with high probability of subclinical atherosclerosis among those with high or very high cardiovascular (CV) risk.

Methods
This cross-sectional study enrolled 52 pts (32 men [62%]), aged 40 to 65 years [mean age 54.6 ± 8.0]) with high or very high CV risk (5-9 and ≥10% by The Systematic Coronary Risk Estimation Scale [SCORE], respectively). All participants underwent cardiac computed tomography (CT) angiography and calcium scoring. Traditional risk factors (RFs) (family history of premature CVD, smoking, overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, lipids parameters (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides) and lipids-related markers (apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, ApoB/ApoA1 ratio), biomarkers of inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs CRP], fibrinogen), indicator carbohydrate metabolism (glucose), ankle-brachial index, stress-test, carotid plaques according to ultrasound were evaluated in all pts. Psychological RFs were evaluated using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and DS-14 for type D personality.

Results
All pts were divided into 2 groups according to the CT angiography results: pts in the main group (n = 21) had any non-obstructive lesions or calcium score &gt;0, pts in the control group (n = 31) had intact coronary arteries. The groups did not differ in age or gender. 26 multiple linear logistic models for any subclinical atherosclerosis were developed based on obtained diagnostic features. Taking into account R-square = 0.344 (p = 0.0008), the best fitting model was follows:
subclinical coronary atherosclerosis= -1.576 + 0.234 x SCORE ≥5% + 0.541 x hs CRP &gt;2 g/l + 0.015 x heart rate (bpm) + 0.311 family history of premature CVD.
The developed algorithm had sensitivity of 63% and specificity of 80%.

Conclusions
The created diagnostic model diagnostic model suggests the presence of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in patients with high / very high CV risk with a high degree of probability. This easy-to-use method can be used in routine clinical practice to improve risk stratification and management choices in high-risk pts.
Family history of premature coronary artery disease is not associated with coronary artery calcification
Authors: Koulaouzidis G , Charisopoulou D 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Controversy exists regarding the association of family history(FH) of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) with coronary artery calcification (CAC). The purpose of this study was to assess the potential association between family history of premature CAD (&lt;55 years in first-degree male relatives and &lt;65 years in first-degree female relatives) and CAC.

Methods
A retrospective study of 3613 asymptomatic individuals who underwent assessment of CAC score (CACs) according with the Agatston method. Individuals were selected based on the presence or absence of FH of premature CAD. Individuals with history of hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or obesity (BMI&gt; 30), smokers (current or previous) were excluded. Furthermore, we excluded subjects with late-onset family history of CAD (&gt;55 years in first-degree male relatives and &gt;65 years in first-degree female relatives).

Results
Mean age of the cohort was 50.4 ± 9.5 year (74.6% males) and 15.6% reported FH in a parent, sibling or both (prevalence was 12.8% in parents only, 1.9% in siblings only and 0.9% in both parents and siblings). The prevalence of CAC was similar in individuals with FH (35%) and those without (36%), p = 0.2; with no difference in the mean CACs between the two groups, p = 0.4 (Table 1). Individuals with FH in parents only or siblings only had a similar incidence of CAC compared to those without FH (p = 0.9 and 0.7, respectively), with no difference in the mean CACs, p= 0.9 in both. Additionally, the incidence of CAC was not different in individuals with FH in both parents and siblings compared to those without FH (p= 0.1) and again there was no difference in the mean CACs (p = 0.6).

Conclusion
In asymptomatic individuals with none of the conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis, there was no relationship between the incidence and extent of CAC and the presence of FH of premature CAD.
CAC distribution based on FH of CAD No FH Yes FH FH in parents only FH in siblings FH in both Number 3047 566 464 68 34 Males 74.8% 73.3% 74.3% 69.1% 67.7% Age (mean ± SD) 52 ± 9.6 46.9 ± 8.2 46.6 ± 8.1 49.5 ± 8.4 47.3 ± 8.2 Prevalence of CAC 35% 36% 35.2% 36.7% 41% Log-transformed CACs (± SD) 0.5 ± 0.8 0.5 ± 0.8 0.5 ± 0.8 0.5 ± 0.8 0.7 ± 0.9
Cardio-ankle vascular index in persons with prediabetes and diabetes mellitus in a population sample of Western Siberia of the Russian Federation
Authors: Sumin AN , Bezdenezhnykh N , Bezdenezhnykh AV , Artamonova GV 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases”
The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in the presence of pre-diabetes and diabetes mellitus in the population sample of the Russian Federation, as well as to investigate the factors associated with pathological CAVI in these subjects.

Methods
1628 (age 25-64 years) were recruited in a observational cross-sectional study ESSE-RF in the period from 2012 to 2013. The standard protocol of the ESSE-RF has been extended with additional study of CAVI. The final sample included 1617 people, they are divided into 3 groups: group 1 - patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 272), group 2 - patients with prediabetes - IFG, IGT or their combination (n = 44), and group 3 - persons without CMD (n = 1301).

Results
The median CAVI was higher in diabetes and pre-diabetes groups (p = 0.009 and p &lt;0.001, respectively, compared with group without CMD). Pathological CAVI (≥9.0) was detected in 16.8% of diabetes patients, in 15.9% of those with prediabetes, and in 9.0% of those without CMD (p &lt;0.001 when comparing diabetes group and group without CMD). The groups with diabetes and prediabetes also did not differ in factors affecting the level of arterial wall stiffness (gender, blood pressure, age, dyslipidemia, uric acid level). According to the result of the correlation analysis in the general sample, CAVI positively correlated with age (p &lt;0.001), male sex (p &lt;0.001), type 2 diabetes (p &lt;0.001), prediabetes (p = 0.002), waist circumference (p &lt;0.001), visceral obesity (p &lt;0.001), total cholesterol (p &lt;0.001), triglycerides (p &lt;0.001), LDL cholesterol (p &lt;0.001), and with the inverse correlation - with glomerular filtration rate (GFR, p &lt;0.001). In multivariate analysis, age and the presence of arterial hypertension were independently associated with pathological CAVI in the groups of patients with CMD, and in the group without CMD, in addition to these factors - a decrease in GFR.

Conclusions
In the population sample of the Russian Federation, the CAVI index values in the prediabetes and diabetes patients were higher than in the normoglycemia persons. The groups with diabetes and prediabetes also did not differ in factors affecting the level of arterial wall stiffness. Since the identified disorders of arterial stiffness in prediabetes are similar to those in diabetes, their identification is important to prevent further cardiovascular complications.