bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Carotid Artery Plaque With Cardiovascular Events and Incident Coronary Artery Calcium in Individuals With Absent Coronary Calcification
Authors: Mehta Anurag , Rigdon Joseph , Tattersall Matthew C. , German Charles A. , Barringer Thomas A. , Joshi Parag H. , Sperling Laurence S. , Budoff Matthew J. , Bertoni Alain , Michos Erin D. , Blaha Michael J. , Stein James H. , Shapiro Michael D. 
Published: April 2021

Background:
Absence of coronary artery calcium (CAC) identifies asymptomatic individuals at low cardiovascular disease risk. Carotid artery plaque is a marker of increased risk, but its association with cardiovascular risk and incident CAC in people without CAC is unclear.

Methods:
Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants with CAC score of 0 at enrollment who also underwent carotid plaque measurement using B-mode ultrasonography were prospectively followed for incident coronary heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular disease events, and CAC (score >0 on up to 3 serial computed tomography scans). The association of carotid plaque presence and plaque score (Ln[score+1]) at baseline with cardiovascular events and incident CAC was evaluated with Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for demographics, risk factors, and statin use.

Results:
Among these 2673 participants (58 years, 64% women, 34% White, 30% Black, 24% Hispanic, and 12% Chinese), carotid plaque at baseline was observed in 973 (36%) and the median plaque score (range, 1–12) among those with plaque was 1. A total of 79 coronary heart disease, 80 stroke, and 151 cardiovascular disease events were observed during 16.1 years of follow-up. Carotid plaque presence and plaque score were independently associated with coronary heart disease risk (HRs, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.04–2.66]; and 1.48 [95% CI, 1.01–2.17], respectively) but not with stroke and cardiovascular disease risk. A total of 973 (36.4%) participants developed CAC over the evaluation period (median 9.3 years). Carotid plaque presence and plaque score were independently associated with incident CAC (HRs, 1.34 [95% CI, 1.18–1.54]; and 1.37 [95% CI, 1.21–1.54]), respectively.

Conclusions:
The presence and extent of carotid plaque are associated with long-term coronary heart disease risk and incident CAC among middle-aged asymptomatic individuals with an initial CAC score of 0.
Association Between Depression and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Hu Hui‐Lin , Chen Hao , Zhu Chun‐Yan , Yue Xin , Wang Hua‐Wei , Qian Gang , Zhai Chang‐Lin , He Chao‐Jie 
Published: April 2021

Background
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is considered to be the most common cause of sudden death in young people and is associated with an elevated risk of mood disorders. Depression has emerged as a critical risk factor for development and progression of coronary artery disease; however, the association between depression and HCM outcomes is less clear. We sought to examine the impact of depression on clinical outcomes in patients with HCM.

Methods and Results

Between January 2014 and December 2017, 820 patients with HCM were recruited and followed for an average of 4.2 years. End points were defined as sudden cardiac death (SCD) events and HCM‐related heart failure events. A Chinese version of the Structured Clinical Interview followed the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
Fifth Edition
and was used to diagnose depression. During the follow‐up period, SCD events occurred in 75 individuals (21.8 per 1000 person‐years), and HCM‐related heart failure events developed in 149 individuals (43.3 per 1000 person‐years). Kaplan–Meier cumulative incidence curves showed a significant association of depression disorders with SCD events (log‐rank
P
=0.001) and HCM‐related heart failure events (log‐rank
P
=0.005). A multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that depression was an independent predictor of SCD events and HCM‐related heart failure events (41.9 versus 21.7 per 1000 person‐years; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.9; 95% CI, 1.6–2.3;
P
<0.001; and 69.9 versus 38.6 per 1000 person‐years; HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.6–2.1;
P
<0.001, respectively).

Conclusions
Depression is common among patients with HCM. The diagnosis of depression is significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of SCD events and heart failure events in patients with HCM.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea as a Risk Factor for Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Geer Jacqueline H. , Falcone Guido J. , Vanent Kevin N. , Leasure Audrey C. , Woo Daniel , Molano Jennifer R. , Sansing Lauren H. , Langefeld Carl D. , Pisani Margaret A. , Yaggi Henry K. , Sheth Kevin N. 
Published: April 2021

Background and Purpose:
To determine whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) risk, we assessed premorbid OSA exposure of patients with nontraumatic ICH and matched controls.

Methods:
Ethnic/Racial Variations of Intracerebral Hemorrhage is a multicenter, case-control study evaluating risk factors for ICH that recruited 3000 cases with ICH and 3000 controls. OSA status was ascertained using the Berlin Questionnaire as a surrogate for premorbid OSA. We performed logistic regression analyses to evaluate the association between OSA and ICH.

Results:
Two thousand and sixty-four (71%) cases and 1516 (52%) controls were classified as having OSA by the Berlin Questionnaire. Cases with OSA were significantly more likely to be male and have hypertension, heart disease, hyperlipidemia, and higher body mass index compared with those without OSA. OSA was more common among cases compared with controls (71% versus 52%, odds ratio, 2.28 [95% CI, 2.05–2.55]). In a multivariable logistic regression model, OSA was associated with increased risk for ICH (odds ratio, 1.47 [95% CI, 1.29–1.67]).

Conclusions:
OSA is a risk factor for ICH.
Interpretation of Aerosol Effects on Precipitation Susceptibility in Warm Clouds Inferred from Satellite Measurements and Model Evaluation over Northeast Asia
Authors: Park Shin-Young , Kim Cheol-Hee 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPrecipitation susceptibility (So), a parameter of aerosol–cloud–precipitation interaction over Northeast Asia during the Korea–United States Air Quality (KORUS-AQ) campaign, was analyzed using the Clouds from Advanced Very High-Resolution Radiometer Extended (CLAVR-x) satellite data and WRF-Chem model. As Northeast Asia is one of the areas with the highest aerosol emissions, this study is expected to explore more elaborate aerosol–cloud linkages. Our results obtained from satellite data showed that So increased as the atmospheric condition became stable and humid, and the shift of the water conversion process to precipitation occurred in the LWP range of 300–500 g m−2. The So exhibited a maximum value of 0.61 at an LWP of 350 g m−2, where the dominance of the cloud water conversion process changed from autoconversion to accretion. In the aerosol–cloud relation, the susceptibility of the cloud-drop effective radius showed a negative response to the cloud droplet number concentration (Nd) regardless of the environmental conditions, whereas the LWP versus Nd relationship was highly dependent on the meteorological conditions. The WRF-Chem produced higher So values than those of the satellite data by factors of 2.4–3.3; the simulated results exhibited differences in shape, range, and amplitude. The overestimation of So was mainly due to the high precipitation rate under low-LWP conditions as compared to the satellite observations. This result is associated with the initiation and intensity of precipitation, considering both autoconversion and accretion. Our modeling results were verified during KORUS-AQ, which implied that the aerosol–cloud relationship might be elucidated by improved microphysical parameterization schemes based on more detailed measurements such as aircraft-based observations.
Management of Multiple Head and Neck Paragangliomas With Assistance of a 3-D Model
Authors: Li Lifeng , Xu Hongbo , Chen Xiaohong , Yu Zhenya , Zhou Jing , Mydlarz Wojciech K. , London Nyall R. 
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Extirpation of multiple head and neck paragangliomas carries challenge due to close anatomic relationships with critical neurovascular bundles. Objectives: This study aims to assess whether the application of 3-D models can assist with surgical planning and treatment of these paragangliomas, decrease surgically related morbidity and mortality. Methods: Fourteen patients undergoing surgical resection of multiple head and neck paragangliomas were enrolled in this study. A preoperative 3-D model was created based on radiologic data, and relevant critical anatomic relationships were preoperatively assessed and intraoperatively validated. Results: All 14 patients presented with multiple head and neck paragangliomas, including bilateral carotid body tumors (CBT, n = 9), concurrent CBT with glomus jugulare tumors (GJT, n = 4), and multiple vagal paragangliomas (n = 1). Ten patients underwent genomic analysis and all harbored succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit D (SDHD) mutations. Under guidance of the 3-D model, the internal carotid artery (ICA) was circumferentially encased by tumor on 5 of the operated sides, in 4 (80%) of which the tumor was successfully dissected out from the ICA, whereas ICA reconstruction was required on one side (20%). Following removal of CBT, anterior rerouting of the facial nerve was avoided in 3 (75%) of 4 patients during the extirpation of GJT with assistance of a 3-D model. Two patients developed permanent postoperative vocal cord paralysis. There was no vessel rupture or mortality in this study cohort. Conclusion: The 3-D model is beneficial for establishment of a preoperative strategy, as well as planning and guiding the intraoperative procedure for resection of multiple head and neck paragangliomas.
Molecularly targeted nanoparticles: an emerging tool for evaluation of expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end products in a murine model of peripheral artery disease
Authors: Woźniak Marcin , Konopka Christian J. , Płoska Agata , Hedhli Jamila , Siekierzycka Anna , Banach Maciej , Bartoszewski Rafal , Dobrucki Lawrence W. , Kalinowski Leszek , Dobrucki Iwona T. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Molecular imaging with molecularly targeted probes is a powerful tool for studying the spatio-temporal interactions between complex biological processes. The pivotal role of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), and its involvement in numerous pathological processes, aroused the demand for RAGE-targeted imaging in various diseases. In the present study, we evaluated the use of a diagnostic imaging agent for RAGE quantification in an animal model of peripheral artery disease, a multimodal dual-labeled probe targeted at RAGE (MMIA-CML).

Methods
PAMAM dendrimer was conjugated with Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) modified albumin to synthesize the RAGE-targeted probe. A control untargeted agent carried native non-modified human albumin (HSA). Bifunctional p-SCN-Bn-NOTA was used to conjugate the 64Cu radioisotope. Surgical right femoral artery ligation was performed on C57BL/6 male mice. One week after femoral artery ligation, mice were injected with MMIA-CML or MMIA-HSA labeled with 64Cu radioisotope and 60 min later in vivo microPET-CT imaging was performed. Immediately after PET imaging studies, the murine hindlimb muscle tissues were excised and prepared for gene and protein expression analysis. RAGE gene and protein expression was assessed using real-time qPCR and Western blot technique respectively. To visualize RAGE expression in excised tissues, microscopic fluorescence imaging was performed using RAGE-specific antibodies and RAGE-targeted and -control MMIA.

Results
Animals subjected to PET imaging exhibited greater MMIA-CML uptake in ischemic hindlimbs than non-ischemic hindlimbs. We observed a high correlation between fluorescent signal detection and radioactivity measurement. Significant RAGE gene and protein overexpression were observed in ischemic hindlimbs compared to non-ischemic hindlimbs at one week after surgical ligation. Fluorescence microscopic staining revealed significantly increased uptake of RAGE-targeted nanoparticles in both ischemic and non-ischemic muscle tissues compared to the control probe but at a higher level in ischemic hindlimbs. Ischemic tissue exhibited explicit RAGE dyeing following anti-RAGE antibody and high colocalization with the MMIA-CML targeted at RAGE.

Conclusions
The present results indicate increased expression of RAGE in the ischemic hindlimb and enable the use of multimodal nanoparticles in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models, creating the possibility for imaging structural and functional changes with a RAGE-targeted tracer.
Role of non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging in pre-surgical evaluation of renal masses in renal impairment patients
Authors: Zaytoun Osama M. , Darweesh Reda M. , Gaber Salma A. , Ibrahim Rafik M. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
The aim of this work is to study the role of non-contrast MRI in pre-surgical evaluation of renal masses in renal impairment patients as confirmed by both intraoperative and histopathological findings. Intraoperative and histopathological findings were correlated with radiological data.

Methods
This prospective study included 20 patients comprising 25 renal masses. The data were collected in a period from April 2018 to September 2019. All patients underwent partial or radical nephrectomy by the same surgeon.

Results
Based on MRI findings, 9 masses (36%) and 8 masses (32%) were found to be associated with collecting system invasion and perinephric fat invasion, respectively. Histopathological assessment confirmed only 6 cases (24%) with collecting system invasion and 7 cases (28%) demonstrated perinephric fat. Seven masses (28%) had intralesional hemorrhage detected by MRI and confirmed by pathological findings. The MRI detected 6 cases (24%) with lymph nodes invasion, while the histopathological assessment confirmed lymphatic invasion in 7 cases (28%). Only 2 cases (8%) had vascular invasion detected by preoperative MRI and confirmed by histopathology and surgery. The final histopathological examination confirmed 20 malignant neoplasms (80%: RCC = 18, leiomyosarcoma = 2), 3 benign neoplasms (12%: angiomyolipoma = 1, oncocytoma = 2) and 2 non-neoplastic benign masses (8%: renal abscess = 1, xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis = 1).

Conclusion
Non-contrast MRI is a crucial imaging tool in renal impairment patients who cannot be examined with contrast-enhanced CT or MRI. It assesses the extent of the renal sinus fat and the perinephric fat invasion.
Bracken growth, toxin production and transfer from plant to soil: a 2-year monitoring study
Authors: García-Jorgensen Daniel B. , Diamantopoulos Efstathios , Kisielius Vaidotas , Rosenfjeld Mette , Rasmussen Lars H. , Strobel Bjarne W. , Hansen Hans Chr. B. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) produces several toxic glycosides, of which ptaquiloside (PTA) is the most well documented. PTA is released from bracken to soil and leaches to surface water and to groundwater. This study presents the first comprehensive monitoring study of bracken biomass, PTA content in the biomass, release by precipitation and concentrations in soil solution at 50 cm depth. Laboratory experiments were carried out to estimate the degradation kinetics of PTA in different soil horizons and moisture contents.

Results
The PTA concentration in bracken was highest at the earliest development stages of the plant, i.e., May, declining through the growing season until negligible contents at senescence. The maximum seasonal PTA content in the canopy peaked in early summer, with values up to 1600 mg m−2. Results show that on average 0.2% of the PTA present in the canopy is washed per mm of incident rain, resulting in up to 13.1 mg PTA m−2 being washed off during single rain events. Once in the soil, PTA dissipates rapidly showing a half-lives ranging from 3.3 to 73 h with observed degradation rates showing a tenfold decrease with soil depths increasing from top soil to 25 cm soil depth. Concentrations of PTA in soil solution were positively correlated with the content of PTA in the canopy, with maximum pore water concentrations up to 4,820 ng L−1 during a pulse event taking place in July 2019.

Conclusions
The production of PTA in bracken was found to be proportional to biomass growth, while the mass of PTA being released is a function of volume and intensity of precipitation, as well as the bracken development stage. Leaching of PTA takes place in the form of pulses linked to precipitation events, with concentrations in the soil solution exceeding levels which are known to pose a risk to human health.
Current concepts in the diagnosis and management of antiphospholipid syndrome and ocular manifestations
Authors: Uludag Gunay , Onghanseng Neil , Tran Anh N. T. , Hassan Muhammad , Halim Muhammad Sohail , Sepah Yasir J. , Do Diana V. , Nguyen Quan Dong 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAntiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder associated with obstetrical complications, thrombotic complications involving both arteries and veins, and non-thrombotic manifestations affecting multiple other systems presenting in various clinical forms. Diagnosis requires the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. The exact pathogenesis of APS is not fully known. However, it has recently been shown that activation of different types of cells by antiphospholipid antibodies plays an important role in thrombosis formation. Ocular involvement is one of the important clinical manifestations of APS and can vary in presentations. Therefore, as an ophthalmologist, it is crucial to be familiar with the ocular findings of APS to prevent further complications that can develop. Furthermore, the ongoing identification of new and specific factors contributing to the pathogenesis of APS may provide new therapeutic options in the management of the disease in the future.
Macular vascular changes in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus by optical coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Liu Guodong , Wang Fang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Retinal capillary is vulnerable to diabetes, whether gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) eyes without clinical retinopathy have capillary abnormalities has not been well studied. To observe the microvasculature changes in eyes of GDM women compared with normoglycemic pregnant women and non-pregnant women by optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A).

Methods
GDM women, age-matched normoglycemic pregnant women and non-pregnant women were included in this study. All subjects were examined by OCT-A, vascular density and macular foveal parameters were measured automatically.

Results
Thirty eight non-pregnant women (NC group), thirty pregnant women without GDM (PC group), and thirty one GDM women (GDM group) were included in this study. There was a significant reduction of vascular density in superficial capillary layer, but an increase in deep capillary layer in PC and GDM groups (P < 0.001). When in terms of the average vascular density, the difference was insignificant among these three groups. Although all the measurements were similar between PC and GDM groups, more capillary “dropout” changes were detected in GDM group. Unexpectedly, the abnormal changes of central macular thickness thinning and foveal avascular zone enlargement seen during pregnancy were improved when compared to PC group.

Conclusions
The changes of vascular density implied the redistribution of capillary network from superficial to deep layer under pregnancy and GDM states. Although the transient hyperglycemia aggravates the changes of capillary “dropout”, GDM group revealed the improvement of central macular thickness thinning and foveal avascular zone enlargement during pregnancy.
The opioid crisis is driving mortality among under-served people living with HIV in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Salters Kate A. , Parent Stephanie , Nicholson Valerie , Wang Lu , Sereda Paul , Pakhomova Tatiana E. , Kibel Mia , Chau William , Closson Kalysha , Parashar Surita , Barrios Rolando , Montaner Julio S. G. , Hogg Robert S. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Introduction
Universal provision of effective antiretroviral medication has been essential to reduce mortality, increase longevity, and reduce onward transmission of HIV. This study aims to illuminate persistent threats to the health and longevity of under-served PLWH in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Methods
Between 2007 and 2010, 1000 PLWH across BC were enrolled in the Longitudinal Investigation into Supportive and Ancillary health services (LISA) study and completed a cross-sectional survey on their HIV-care experiences and healthcare engagement. The sample generally reflects an under-served population of PLWH. A linkage to the provincial Vital Statistics registry is used in this analysis in order to examine overall mortality and cause-specific mortality trends; probability of death was modeled using logistic regression for participants with ongoing clinical monitoring (n = 910).

Results
By June 2017, 208 (20.8%) participants had died. The majority of deaths 57 (27.4%) were attributed to drug-related complications or overdoses, 39 (18.8%) were attributed to HIV-related complications, and 36 (17.3%) to non-AIDS-defining malignancies. We observed elevated odds of death among PLWH who smoked tobacco (aOR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.38, 3.23), were older (aOR: 1.06 per one-year increase, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.08), indicated heavy alcohol consumption (aOR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.22), and reported unstable housing (aOR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.37, 2.80); while higher CD4 cell count was protective (aOR: 0.87 per 100-unit increase, 95% CI: 0.79, 0.94) as was male gender), though non-significant (aOR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.49, 1.07).

Conclusions
Overdose is - the leading cause of mortality among a cohort of under-served PLWH in BC, Canada. Public health efforts to end the HIV epidemic and support the health and well-being of PLWH are being thwarted by persistent health inequities and the enormous and persistent risks facing people who use drugs. Integrated low-barrier primary care is essential for supporting under-served PLWH, and safe drug supply is needed to support PLWH who use drugs.