bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA‐122 contributes to lipopolysaccharide‐induced acute kidney injury via down‐regulating the vitamin D receptor in the kidney
Authors: He Jinrong , Du Jie , Yi Bin , Wang Jianwen , Zhang Hao , Li Yan Chun , Sun Jian 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundOur previous studies showed that vitamin D receptor (VDR) depletion promotes lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice, and renal VDR is down‐regulated in AKI, but the mechanism of VDR down‐regulation is unclear.MethodsNutritional vitamin D deficiency was induced by feeding mice a vitamin D‐deficient (VD‐D) diet. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with LPS (20 mg/kg) to establish LPS‐induced AKI. Levels of VDR and miR‐122 were measured both in vivo and in vitro. The associations between VDR and miR‐122 were analysed by dual‐luciferase reporter assays.ResultsCompared with vitamin D‐sufficient (VD‐S) mice, VD‐D mice developed more severe renal injury following LPS challenge. LPS induced a dramatic decrease in VDR expression and marked induction of miR‐122 both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, miR‐122 hairpin inhibitor alleviated LPS‐induced VDR down‐regulation whereas miR‐122 mimic directly suppressed VDR expression in HK‐2 cells. In luciferase reporter assays, miR‐122 mimic was able to suppress luciferase activity in 293T cells co‐transfected with a luciferase reporter that contains a putative miR‐122 target site from 3′UTR of the VDR transcript, but not when this site was mutated. Moreover, miR‐122 mimic significantly blocked paricalcitol‐induced luciferase activity in 293T cells co‐transfected with a VDRE‐driven luciferase reporter, whereas miR‐122 hairpin inhibitor enhanced paricalcitol's activity to suppress PUMA and caspase 3 activation induced by LPS in HK‐2 cells.ConclusionsCollectively, these studies provide evidence that miR‐122 directly targets VDR in renal tubular cells, which strongly suggest that miR‐122 up‐regulation in the kidney under LPS challenge contributes to kidney injury by down‐regulating VDR expression.
Increased motor variability facilitates motor learning in weight shift toward the paretic side during walking in individuals post‐stroke
Authors: Park Seoung Hoon , Hsu Chao‐Jung , Lin Jui‐Te , Dee Weena , Roth Elliot J. , Rymer William Z. , Wu Ming 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine whether applying “varied” versus constant pelvis assistance force mediolaterally toward the paretic side of stroke survivors during walking would result in short‐term improvement in weight shift toward the paretic side. Twelve individuals post‐stroke (60.4 ± 6.2 years; gait speed: 0.53 ± 0.19 m/s) were tested under two conditions (varied vs. constant). Each condition was conducted in a single separate session, which consisted of (a) treadmill walking with no assistance force for 1 min (baseline), pelvis assistance toward the paretic side for 9 min (adaptation), and then no force for additional 1 min (post‐adaptation), and (b) overground walking. In the “varied” condition, the magnitude of force was randomly changed across steps between 30% and 100% of the predetermined amount. In the abrupt condition, the magnitude of force was kept constant at 100% of the predetermined amount. Participants exhibited greater improvements in weight shift toward the paretic side (p < 0.01) and in muscle activity of plantar flexors and hip adductors of the paretic leg (p = 0.02) from baseline to late post‐adaptation period for the varied condition than for the constant condition. Motor variability of the peak pelvis displacement at baseline was correlated with improvement in weight shift toward the paretic side after training for the varied (R2 = 0.64, p = 0.01) and the constant condition (R2 = 0.39, p = 0.03). These findings suggest that increased motor variability, induced by applying the varied pelvis assistance, may facilitate motor learning in weight shift and gait symmetry during walking in individuals post‐stroke.
Warming induces divergent stomatal dynamics in co‐occurring boreal trees
Authors: Dusenge Mirindi E. , Ward Eric J. , Warren Jeffrey M. , Stinziano Joseph R. , Wullschleger Stan D. , Hanson Paul J. , Way Danielle A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractClimate warming will alter photosynthesis and respiration not only via direct temperature effects on leaf biochemistry but also by increasing atmospheric dryness, thereby reducing stomatal conductance and suppressing photosynthesis. Our knowledge on how climate warming affects these processes is mainly derived from seedlings grown under highly controlled conditions. However, little is known regarding temperature responses of trees growing under field settings. We exposed mature tamarack and black spruce trees growing in a peatland ecosystem to whole‐ecosystem warming of up to +9°C above ambient air temperatures in an ongoing long‐term experiment (SPRUCE: Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments). Here, we report the responses of leaf gas exchange after the first two years of warming. We show that the two species exhibit divergent stomatal responses to warming and vapor pressure deficit. Warming of up to 9°C increased leaf N in both spruce and tamarack. However, higher leaf N in the warmer plots translate into higher photosynthesis in tamarack but not in spruce, with photosynthesis being more constrained by stomatal limitations in spruce than in tamarack under warm conditions. Surprisingly, dark respiration did not acclimate to warming in spruce, and thermal acclimation of respiration was only seen in tamarack once changes in leaf N were considered. Our results highlight how warming can lead to differing stomatal responses to warming in co‐occurring species, with consequent effects on both vegetation carbon and water dynamics.
Difficulty in activities of daily living and falls in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A cross‐sectional study with nondialysis controls
Authors: Matsufuji Shota , Shoji Tetsuo , Yano Yoshiaki , Tamaru Asako , Tsuchikura Shoko , Miyabe Mizuki , Kishimoto Hiroshi , Tsujimoto Yoshihiro , Emoto Masanori 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionImpaired activities of daily living (ADL) and falls are important issues in hemodialysis patients. So far, information is limited regarding self‐reported difficulty with ADL (ADL difficulty) in hemodialysis patients. Then, we compared the degree of ADL difficulty and the prevalence of fallers between hemodialysis patients and a nondialyzed control group. Also, the possible association between ADL difficulty and falls was examined.MethodsThis was a single center, cross‐sectional study including two groups of outpatients aged 50 years or older; 209 prevalent hemodialysis patients, and 139 nonrenal patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and/or dyslipidemia (control group). ADL difficulty score was evaluated by a 48‐item questionnaire including six subscales of ADLs namely locomotion, eating, toileting, dressing, bathing, and grooming. Experience of falls in the previous year period was examined by a questionnaire.FindingsThe two groups did not differ significantly in age or sex. The hemodialysis group had a higher median (interquartile range) total score of ADL difficulty than the control group [10 (2–39) vs. 2 (0–10); p < 0.001] and a higher prevalence of fallers (73/209, 34.9% vs. 16/139, 11.5%; p < 0.001). In multivariable‐adjusted linear regression analyses, history of falls was independently associated with a higher score of ADL difficulty for total or each of the six subscales.DiscussionThe hemodialysis patients had a significantly higher ADL difficulty and a higher prevalence of fallers than the control group. Self‐reported ADL difficulty and falls were closely linked regardless of the patient group.
Surgical treatment for prostatic utricle cyst in children: A single‐center report of 15 patients
Authors: Dai Li‐Na , He Rong , Wu Shao‐Feng , Zhao Hai‐Teng , Sun Jie 
Published: March 2021

ObjectivesTo report our single‐center experience of the management of children with prostatic utricle cysts.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 15 children who were incidentally found to have a prostatic utricle cyst and were admitted to our department between October 2013 and August 2020. Clinical characteristics and management were collected and catalogued.ResultsRecurrent genitourinary tract infections were the most frequent complaint, and two‐thirds of patients also had hypospadias. A connection between the posterior urethra and the prostatic utricle cyst was found in all cases. Two patients directly had their progressively enlarging prostatic utricle cyst resected laparoscopically. Endoscopic techniques were used in 13 patients, two of whom underwent laparoscopic excision for repeated symptoms. The mean (range) follow‐up period was 34.9 (2–82) months. No recurrences were observed in four patients who underwent prostatic utricle cyst excision and eight patients who received endoscopic treatment. Three patients had recurrent symptoms after endoscopic treatment and were managed by nonsurgical treatment.ConclusionsProstatic utricle cyst is a rare disease which can cause recurrent genitourinary tract infections. Extra attention should be paid to evaluation for prostatic utricle cyst in children with external genital anomalies. Retrograde urethrogram and magnetic resonance imaging are useful tools with which to distinguish prostatic utricle cyst from other cystic lesions that are located in the midline pelvis in male patients. Individualized treatment is appropriate when considering fertility preservation, recurrences and malignancy. Laparoscopic excision is feasible for symptomatic and large prostatic utricle cyst. Regular long‐term monitoring is recommended for all patients with prostatic utricle cyst.
Experience with negative‐pressure wound therapy with instillation in complex infected orthopaedic wounds
Authors: Elhessy Ahmed H. , Chaudhry Arif R. , Hammouda Ahmed I. , Giacobbe Shawn D. , Gesheff Martin G. , Conway Janet D. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractChronic exudative wounds are frequently seen in hospitalised patients, consuming hospital resources and leading to increased morbidity. Negative‐pressure therapy (NPWT) with topical instillation “NPWTi” may be used to improve the wound healing process, with the unique features (removal of wound exudate, edema reduction, promotion of tissue perfusion and granulation tissue formation, as well as drawing the edges of the wound to facilitate, in addition to the cyclic cleansing mechanism). This report is a descriptive study of our experience with NPWTi on complex infected orthopaedic wounds as a potential method to decrease the need for multiple surgical debridements required for the closure of such wounds. A prospective observational study was conducted. Twenty patients with complex infected orthopaedic wounds were enrolled in our study. These patients were consulted by the Bone and Joint Infection Service and enrolled to receive NPWTi intraoperatively and to be used during their inpatient stay. Twenty patients with 20 complex infected lower limb wounds were included in our study. Of all the 20 wounds, the etiology was post‐surgical in 80% (n = 16) and post‐traumatic in 20% (n = 4). None of the patients received previous treatment with conventional NPWT before participation in the study. There were 11 males (55%) and 9 females (45%) with an average age of 57 years (22‐83). All wounds were located in the lower limbs, with 25% leg (n = 5), 20% thigh (n = 4), 20% knee (n = 4), 20% foot (n = 4), 10% heel (n = 2), and 5% ankle (n = 1). The average length of treatment with NPWTi was 5.2 days (2‐10). Successful wound closure within 6 weeks was achieved in 65% of the cases (n = 13). Of the closed wounds (n = 13), 54% (n = 7) were closed primarily and 46% (n = 6) were closed by secondary procedures (skin graft or skin flap). NPWTi is still considered a novel technique that can be used in the management of complex wounds, and the goal of this prospective study is to report our experience with NPWTi in the management of complex infected orthopaedic lower limb wounds. Randomised control studies with optimally matched wounds comparing NPWTi to the conventional methods of treatment are warranted.
Efficacy of a combination of hypnosis and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for chronic non‐cancer pain: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tonye‐Geoffroy Louise , Mauboussin Carlos Stéphanie , Tuffet Sophie , Fromentin Hélène , Berard Laurence , Leblanc Judith , Laroche Françoise 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundChronic non‐cancer pain, which persists for at least three months, seriously affects quality of life. Chronic non‐cancer pain patients are usually managed by a multidisciplinary team using pharmacological and non‐pharmacological strategies. Nurses perform transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and hypnosis, which are widely used in France for the treatment of chronic pain in pain departments.ObjectiveTo assess pain relief at three months, comparing a simultaneous combination of hypnosis and TENS (intervention) with TENS alone (control).DesignRandomized controlled trial.MethodsPatients aged 18–80 years, suffering from chronic peripheral neuropathic and/or nociceptive non‐cancer pain were included (September 2013 to May 2017) and followed for six months. The primary outcome was the pain intensity difference (by visual analog scale score) between month 3 and baseline. The secondary outcomes, assessed at months 3 and 6, were SF36 score, analgesics consumption and number of TENS sessions performed at home (last seven days).ResultsSeventy‐two patients were included, suffering from a combination of chronic non‐cancer nociceptive and neuropathic pain, with a mean pain intensity of about sixty out of a hundred. The results show an important pain reduction (forty percent) in both groups at 3 months. No significant difference was observed between the control and intervention groups. Similarly, SF36 score, change in analgesic intake and patient compliance did not differ significantly between groups.ConclusionsThis is the first randomized controlled study showing a decrease of pain intensity and a high level of compliance with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation alone or associated to hypnosis. The combination does not seem to be more efficient than transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation alone. Chronic non‐cancer pain remains a major issue and a substantial proportion of patients do not appear to benefit from interventions.ImpactThis study increases our understanding of the combination of two non‐pharmacological methods in chronic non‐cancer pain patients. The combination of the two non‐pharmacological strategies did not appear to be more efficient than one alone. Further research on non‐pharmacological treatments targeting to patient's characteristics are needed to find appropriate strategies in patients with complex multidimensional pain conditions.Clinical Trial Number: NCT01944150 (Sept. 17, 2013).
Concomitant treatment of atrial fibrillation during mitral valve surgery
Authors: Halas Monika , Kruse Jane , McCarthy Patrick M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionSurgical management of atrial fibrillation (AF) is a well‐established method of preventing complications and late mortality in patients presenting with AF before mitral valve (MV) surgery. However, despite a substantial body of evidence and a Class I recommendation to apply surgical ablation (SA) concomitant to MV surgery, the utilization of SA remains low.MethodsIn this study, we sought to summarize the current trends in the SA of AF during MV surgery and update the medical community on its advantages, including perioperative mortality and morbidity, freedom from AF, as well as long‐term survival and stroke rates.ResultsThe data indicate that SA can be added with no increased risk (and perhaps a reduction in perioperative risk) and improved late survival compared to patients with AF left untreated during MV surgery.DiscussionInconsistent application of SA may be related to inaccurate perceptions regarding the complexity of the procedure itself, extended cross‐clamp and bypass times with attendant increased risks, views that it is ineffective, and increased need for an early pacemaker.ConclusionEducation in the proper performance of SA, including careful placement of the lesions and attainment of the full transmural effect, contributes to procedure success. Propagating the safety and positive outcomes may also address the concerns.
Delayed pericardial effusion after left atrial appendage closure with the LAmbre device: Importance of a fully open umbrella
Authors: Xiao Fangyi , Chen Yanyan , Chen Yihe , Zhou Xiaodong , Wu Xinlei , Chen Xiao , Wang Liangguo , Fang Ying , Su Lan , Huang Weijian 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionWe aimed to investigate whether a modified implantation method facilitating a fully open umbrella can reduce the pericardial effusion/pericardial tamponade (PE/PT) rate after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with the LAmbre device compared with the conventional method (CM) in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).Methods and ResultsPatients with NVAF who received either isolated LAAC or combined catheter ablation and LAAC using the LAmbre device at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2018 to December 2019 were enrolled. CM was used for device implantation in the initial 59 patients, while a modified method (MM) was used in the remaining 165 patients. Successful implantation was achieved in 98.3% of patients in the CM group and 98.8% in the MM group. A higher rate of a fully open umbrella (98.8% vs. 69%, p < .001), less requirement for recapture (46% vs. 62.1%, p = .036), and a lower incidence of delayed PE/PT (1.2% vs. 8.6%, p = .005) were found in the MM group compared with the CM group. All of the five delayed PT events occurred in patients with combined treatment. An umbrella that was not fully open was the only factor associated with delayed PE/PT events in a multivariable Cox model.ConclusionsLAAC with the LAmbre device using an MM significantly increases the rate of a fully open umbrella and decreases the requirement for recapture and the incidence of delayed PE/PT. This method is more effective in patients with combined treatment.
Cardiac perforation due to a fracture of a recalled Accufix bipolar active fixation pacing lead 29 years after implantation: A case report
Authors: Kimura Takashi , Kitamura Takeshi , Tokioka Sayuri , Takahashi Masao , Hojo Rintaro , Fukamizu Seiji 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe Accufix bipolar active fixation atrial pacing lead (Model 330‐801; Telectronics) can have mechanical complications due to a fracture of its J retention wire. An 80‐year‐old man had the Accufix atrial pacing lead implanted 29 years prior, and surgical removal was required because a part of the lead was perforating the apex of the right ventricle. Regular follow‐up examinations are recommended to eliminate the possibility of protrusion and detachment of the J retention wire, even if the clinical course after implantation is stable for a prolonged period.
Efficacy of catheter ablation for premature ventricular contractions in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Assis Fabrizio R. , Sharma Apurva , Daimee Usama A. , Murray Brittney , Tichnell Crystal , Agafonova Julia , James Cynthia A. , Calkins Hugh , Tandri Harikrishna 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundPremature ventricular contractions (PVCs) may be found in any stage of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and have been associated with the risk of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT).ObjectiveTo investigate the role of PVC ablation in ARVC patients.MethodsWe studied consecutive ARVC patients who underwent PVC ablation due to symptomatic high PVC burden. Mean daily PVC burden and antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) use were assessed before and after the procedure. Complete long‐term success was defined as more than 80% reduction in PVC burden off of membrane‐active AADs.ResultsEight patients (37 ± 15 years; 4 males) underwent PVC ablation. The mean daily PVC burden before ablation ranged from 5.4% to 24.8%. A total of 7 (87.5%) patients underwent epicardial ablation. Complete acute elimination of PVCs was achieved in 4 (50%) patients (no complications). The mean daily PVC burden variation ranged from an 87% reduction to a 26% increase after the procedure. Over a median follow‐up of 345 days (range: 182–3004 days), only one (12.5%) patient presented complete long‐term success, and 6 (75%) patients either maintained or increased the need for Class I or Class III AADs. A total of 2 (25%) patients experienced sustained VT for the first time following the ablation procedure, requiring repeat ablation. No death or heart transplantation occurred.ConclusionPVC ablation was not associated with a consistent reduction of the PVC burden in ARVC patients with symptomatic, frequent PVCs. PVC ablation may be reserved for highly symptomatic patients who failed AADs. Additional investigation is required to improve the efficacy of PVC ablation in ARVC patients.
Accuracy of the novel Peguero Lo‐Presti criterion for electrocardiographic detection of left ventricular hypertrophy in a black African population
Authors: Nyaga Ulrich Flore , Boombhi Jerôme , Menanga Alain , Mokube Morike , Ndomo Mevoula Carine Sandrine , Kingue Samuel , Noubiap Jean Jacques 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe diagnostic accuracy of the electrocardiogram for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is limited. Recently, Peguero and collaborators proposed a novel voltage criterion for its detection with reportedly higher accuracy than the commonly used Cornell and Sokolow‐Lyon criteria. While studies done in various populations have confirmed it, there are no available data from black African populations. We conducted a cross‐sectional study in a population from Cameroon to compare the Peguero‐Lo Presti criterion to the older Cornell, Sokolow‐Lyon, and Cornell product criteria, pertaining to their sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), with echocardiography as the reference standard. The study population consisted of 238 participants (54.2% female) with a mean age of 58 (SD 13) years. On echocardiography, the prevalence of LVH was 45.3% (n = 108). The sensitivity was 48.14%, 63.89%, 63.89%, and 67.29% for the Sokolow‐Lyon, Peguero‐Lo Presti, Cornell, and Cornell product criteria, respectively. The specificity was 73.84%, 75.97%, 79.23%, and 82.31% for the Peguero‐Lo Presti, Cornell product, Cornell, and Sokolow‐Lyon criteria, respectively. The overall accuracy of the Peguero‐Lo Presti (AUC = 0.689) was not significantly different from that of the Cornell (AUC = 0.714), the Cornell product (AUC = 0.717), and the Sokolow‐Lyon (AUC = 0.652) (all p ˃ .05). Hypertension and gender influenced the agreement between ECG criteria and echocardiography in the detection of LVH. In conclusion, in this black African population, Peguero‐Lo Presti was not significantly more or less accurate than Cornell or Sokolow‐Lyon.