bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Pulmonary Function With Cognitive Decline in Older Adults: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study in China
Authors: Shang Xianwen , Scott David , Chan Roseanne Kimberley , Zhang Lei , He Mingguang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This study aimed to examine whether pulmonary function and cognition are independently associated at multiple time points. We included 8264 participants (49.9% women) aged 50–94 years at baseline from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study in our analysis. Participants were enrolled in 2011 and followed up in 2013 and 2015. Cognitive function was assessed through a face-to-face interview in each survey. Pulmonary function was assessed via peak expiratory flow. Pulmonary function and cognitive function decreased significantly with age in both genders. Individuals in quintile 5 of pulmonary function had a relative increase in immediate memory (β [95% CI]: 0.19 [0.09, 0.30]) and delayed memory (0.16 [0.04, 0.28]) during follow-up compared with those in quintile 1. In the repeated-measures analysis, each standard deviation increment of pulmonary function was associated with a 0.44 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.53), 0.12 (0.09, 0.15), 0.12 (0.08, 0.16), 0.08 (0.06, 0.11), and 0.10 (0.07, 0.14) higher increase in global cognitive score, immediate memory, delayed memory, orientation, and subtraction calculation, respectively. The inverse association between pulmonary function and cognitive decline during follow-up was more evident in women (p for interaction = .0333), low-educated individuals (p for interaction = .0002), or never smokers (p for interaction = .0412). In conclusion, higher baseline pulmonary function was independently associated with a lower rate of cognitive decline in older adults. The positive association between pulmonary function and cognition was stronger in women, lower-educated individuals, or never smokers.
Cardiometabolic Conditions and All-Cause Dementia Among American Indian and Alaska Native People
Authors: Goins R Turner , Winchester Blythe , Jiang Luohua , Grau Laura , Reid Maggie , Corrada Maria M , Manson Spero M , O’Connell Joan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundDiabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are modifiable lifestyle-related cardiometabolic conditions associated with dementia. Yet, little is known regarding these associations among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people. Thus, we examined the association of diabetes, hypertension, and CVD with all-cause dementia among AI/ANs aged 65 years and older.MethodThis was a cross-sectional analysis of the Indian Health Service Improving Health Care Delivery Data Project. Our study population was a 1:1 matched sample of 4 074 AI/ANs aged 65 years and older and Indian Health Service active users during fiscal year 2013. We employed International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnostic codes for all-cause dementia, hypertension, and CVD. Diabetes was measured with a validated algorithm to identify adults with diabetes that uses diagnoses, laboratory test results, and medication criteria.ResultsMultivariable analyses revealed that diabetes and CVD were associated with increased odds of all-cause dementia and hypertension was not. Cardiovascular disease types associated with all-cause dementia differed with cerebrovascular disease having the strongest association. Analyses stratified by gender revealed that diabetes and CVD were associated with increased odds of all-cause dementia for women and only CVD was associated with all-cause dementia for men.ConclusionsTraining and support of primary care clinicians, addressing cultural considerations, and ensuring inclusion of AI/ANs in research are steps that could help meet AI/AN people’s needs. Our findings underscore to the importance of improved management and control of diabetes and CVD, which may lead to the prevention of dementia among older AI/ANs.
Sarcopenia and Neuroscience: Learning to Communicate
Authors: Clark Brian C , Carson Richard G 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In the 1990s and early 2000s, the common definition for sarcopenia was age-related loss of skeletal muscle, and low levels of muscle mass were central to sarcopenia diagnosis. In more recent consensus definitions, however, low muscle strength displaces low muscle mass as a defining feature of sarcopenia. The change stems from growing evidence that muscle weakness is a better predictor of adverse health outcomes (eg, mobility limitations) than muscle mass. This evidence accompanies an emerging recognition that central neural mechanisms are critical determinants of age-related changes in strength and mobility that can occur independently of variations in muscle mass. However, strikingly little practical attention is typically given to the potential role of the central nervous system in the etiology or remediation of sarcopenia (ie, low muscle function). In this article, we provide an overview of some mechanisms that mediate neural regulation of muscle contraction and control, and highlight the specific contributions of neural hypoexcitability, dopaminergic dysfunction, and degradation of functional and structural brain connectivity in relation to sarcopenia. We aim to enhance the lines of communication between the domains of sarcopenia and neuroscience. We believe that appreciation of the neural regulation of muscle contraction and control is fundamental to understanding sarcopenia and to developing targeted therapeutic strategies for its treatment.
Racial Disparities in Cognitive Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: The Roles of Cumulative Stress Exposures Across the Life Course
Authors: Chen Ruijia , Weuve Jennifer , Misra Supriya , Cuevas Adolfo , Kubzansky Laura D , Williams David R 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
Racial disparities in cognitive function are well documented, but factors driving these disparities remain underexplored. This study aims to quantify the extent to which cumulative stress exposures across the life course explain Black–White disparities in executive function and episodic memory in middle-aged and older adults.

Method
Data were drawn from the 2004–2006 wave of the Midlife Development in the United States Study (MIDUS 2) and the MIDUS Refresher study (N = 5,947; 5,262 White and 685 Black). Cumulative stress exposures were assessed by 10 stressor domains (ie, childhood stress, stressful life events in adulthood, financial stress, work psychological stress, work physical stress, work–family conflicts, neighborhood disorder, relationship stress, perceived inequality, and perceived discrimination). Cognitive function was assessed using the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone. Marginal structural models were used to quantify the proportion of the effect of race/ethnicity status on cognitive function mediated through cumulative stress exposures.

Results
After adjusting for age, sex, and sample, on average, Black participants had lower levels of executive function (difference: −0.83 SD units, 95% CI: −0.91, −0.75) and episodic memory (difference: −0.53 SD units, 95% CI: −0.60, −0.45) scores than White participants. Cumulative stress exposures accounted for 8.4% of the disparity in executive function and 13.2% of the disparity in episodic memory.

Conclusions
Cumulative stress exposures across the life course explained modest proportions of Black–White disparities in cognitive function in this large cross-sectional study.
The health and well-being impacts of a work integration social enterprise from a systems perspective
Authors: Joyce Andrew , Elmes Aurora , Campbell Perri , Moussa Batool , Suchowerska Roksolana , Barraket Jo , Carey Gemma 
Published: April 2021

Summary
Recent research has drawn upon the social determinants of health (SDH) framework to attempt to systematize the relationship between social enterprise and health. In this article, we adopt a realist evaluation approach to conceptualize social enterprises, and work integration social enterprises in particular, as ‘complex interventions’ that necessarily produce differential health outcomes for their beneficiaries, communities and staff. Drawing upon the findings from four social enterprises involving a range of methods including 93 semi-structured interviews with employees, managers and enterprise partners, together with participant observation, we demonstrate that these health outcomes are influenced by a limitless mix of complex and dynamic interactions between systems, settings, spaces, relationships and organizational and personal factors that cannot be distilled by questions of causality and attribution found in controlled trial designs. Given the increased policy focus on the potential of social enterprises to affect the SDH, this article seeks to respond to evidence gaps about the mechanisms and contexts through which social enterprises promote or constrain health outcomes, and thereby provide greater clarity about how research evidence can be used to support the social enterprise sector and policy development more broadly.
Snord116 Post-transcriptionally Increases Nhlh2 mRNA Stability: Implications for Human Prader-Willi Syndrome
Authors: Kocher Matthew A , Huang Fenix W , Le Erin , Good Deborah J 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The smallest genomic region causing Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) deletes the non-coding RNA SNORD116 cluster; however, the function of SNORD116 remains a mystery. Previous work in the field revealed the tantalizing possibility that expression of NHLH2, a gene previously implicated in both obesity and hypogonadism, was downregulated in PWS patients and differentiated stem cells. In silico RNA: RNA modeling identified several potential interaction domains between SNORD116 and NHLH2 mRNA. One of these interaction domains was highly conserved in most vertebrate NHLH2 mRNAs examined. A construct containing the Nhlh2 mRNA, including its 3’-UTR, linked to a c-myc tag was transfected into a hypothalamic neuron cell line in the presence and absence of exogenously-expressed Snord116. Nhlh2 mRNA expression was upregulated in the presence of Snord116 dependent on the length and type of 3’UTR used on the construct. Furthermore, use of actinomycin D to stop new transcription in N29/2 cells demonstrated that the upregulation occurred through increased stability of the Nhlh2 mRNA in the 45 minutes immediately following transcription. In silico modeling also revealed that a single nucleotide variant (SNV) in the NHLH2 mRNA could reduce the predicted interaction strength of the NHLH2:SNORD116 diad. Indeed, use of an Nhlh2 mRNA construct containing this SNV significantly reduces the ability of Snord116 to increase Nhlh2 mRNA levels. For the first time, these data identify a motif and mechanism for SNORD116-mediated regulation of NHLH2, clarifying the mechanism by which deletion of the SNORD116 snoRNAs locus leads to PWS phenotypes.
Ancient and modern mitogenomes from Central Argentina: new insights into population continuity, temporal depth and migration in South America
Authors: García Angelina , Nores Rodrigo , Motti Josefina M B , Pauro Maia , Luisi Pierre , Bravi Claudio M , Fabra Mariana , Gosling Anna L , Kardailsky Olga , Boocock James , Solé-Morata Neus , Matisoo-Smith Elizabeth A , Comas David , Demarchi Darío A 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe inverted triangle shape of South America places Argentina territory as a geographical crossroads between the two principal peopling streams that followed either the Pacific or the Atlantic coasts, which could have then merged in Central Argentina (CA). Although the genetic diversity from this region is therefore crucial to decipher past population movements in South America, its characterization has been overlooked so far. We report 92 modern and 22 ancient mitogenomes spanning a temporal range of 5000 years, which were compared with a large set of previously reported data. Leveraging this dataset representative of the mitochondrial diversity of the subcontinent, we investigate the maternal history of CA populations within a wider geographical context. We describe a large number of novel clades within the mitochondrial DNA tree, thus providing new phylogenetic interpretations for South America. We also identify several local clades of great temporal depth with continuity until the present time, which stem directly from the founder haplotypes, suggesting that they originated in the region and expanded from there. Moreover, the presence of lineages characteristic of other South American regions reveals the existence of gene flow to CA. Finally, we report some lineages with discontinuous distribution across the Americas, which suggest the persistence of relic lineages likely linked to the first population arrivals. The present study represents to date the most exhaustive attempt to elaborate a Native American genetic map from modern and ancient complete mitochondrial genomes in Argentina and provides relevant information about the general process of settlement in South America.
Comparison between robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for mediastinal and hilar lymph node dissection in lung cancer surgery
Authors: Haruki Tomohiro , Takagi Yuzo , Kubouchi Yasuaki , Kidokoro Yoshiteru , Nakanishi Atsuyuki , Nozaka Yuji , Oshima Yuki , Matsui Shinji , Nakamura Hiroshige 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Lymph node dissection (LND) with robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) in lung cancer surgery has not been fully evaluated. The aim of this study was to compare LND surgical results between video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and RATS.

METHODS
We retrospectively compared perioperative parameters, including the incidence of LND-associated complications (chylothorax, recurrent and/or phrenic nerve paralysis and bronchopleural fistula), lymph node (LN) counts and postoperative locoregional recurrence, among 390 patients with primary lung cancer who underwent lobectomy and mediastinal LND by RATS (n = 104) or VATS (n = 286) at our institution.

RESULTS
The median total dissected LN numbers significantly differed between the RATS and the VATS groups (RATS: 18, VATS: 15; P &lt; 0.001). They also significantly differed in right upper zone and hilar (#2R + #4R + #10L) (RATS: 12, VATS: 10; P = 0.002), left lower paratracheal and hilar (#4L + #10L) (RATS: 4, VATS: 3; P = 0.019), aortopulmonary zone (#5 + #6) (RATS: 3, VATS: 2; P = 0.001) and interlobar and lobar (#11 + #12) LNs (RATS: 7, VATS: 6; P = 0.041). The groups did not significantly differ in overall nodal upstaging (P = 0.64), total blood loss (P = 0.69) or incidence of LND-associated complications (P = 0.77).

CONCLUSIONS
In this comparison, it was suggested that more LNs could be dissected using RATS than VATS, especially in bilateral superior mediastinum and hilar regions. Accumulation of more cases and longer observation periods are needed to verify whether RATS can provide the acceptable quality of LND and local control of lung cancer.
The Ross–Konno operation for neonates and infants with severe aortic incompetence following treatment for critical aortic stenosis
Authors: Hebala Muhammed , Rao Vinay , Jaber Osama , Congiu Stefano , Bentham Jamie , Thomson John , van Doorn Carin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Aortic valve stenosis in neonates and infants is associated with congestive cardiac failure, and balloon or surgical valvuloplasty provides relief of stenosis. Occasionally severe aortic insufficiency necessitates urgent aortic valve replacement. We reviewed our experience with the Ross–Konno procedure in patients &lt;1 year.

METHODS
Between October 2013 and May 2020, 36 patients underwent balloon (34) or surgical (2) aortic valvuloplasty for aortic stenosis. Six patients subsequently underwent a Ross–Konno procedure. The median age at operation was 55 (27–116) days and weight was 4.25 (2.5–12) kg. All patients were in severe cardiac failure and had a small aortic annulus with Z-score −3.1 (−1 to −4.4).

RESULTS
There were no early or late deaths. At the latest follow-up at 39 (13–60) months, ventricular function had improved in all patients and no patient was on anti-failure medication. On echocardiography, there wasno more than trivial aortic regurgitation and no left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. One patient required right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit replacement and one patient had homograft stenting.

CONCLUSIONS
Despite the severe preoperative haemodynamic compromise, the urgent Ross–Konno procedure was associated with excellent operative survival and recovery of ventricular function. The need for reintervention to the pulmonary conduit remains a cause for concern.
Total aortic arch replacement using the J-graft open stent graft for distal aortic arch aneurysm: report from two centres in Japan
Authors: Tsutsumi Koji , Ishida Osamu , Yamanaka Nozomu , Hayashi Kanako , Hashizume Kenichi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The open-style stent graft technique has been changing the strategy for true distal arch aneurysms extending to the descending aorta. Our mid-term results of surgical repair using a J-graft open stent graft are presented.

METHODS
Between May 2015 and June 2020, 69 patients with a distal arch aneurysm (53 males, median age 74 years) underwent total arch replacement combined with J-graft open stent deployment. All 59 surviving patients were followed for a median follow-up period of 1.8 (0.6–3.6) years.

RESULTS
Antegrade deployment was successfully performed in all patients without any difficulties. The deployed device was securely fixed at the target area, and it initiated thrombus formation. The diameter of the excluded aneurysm was decreased in 54 patients (91.5%) during the follow-up period. There were no type I endoleaks, but there were 3 type II endoleaks; 2 of the 3 type II endoleaks disappeared during the follow-up period. Additional endovascular operations were performed in 3 patients. There were 10 in-hospital deaths (14.5%), and the incidences of stroke, spinal cord injury and distal embolism were 11.6%, 5.8% and 2.9%, respectively. The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 84.8% and 79.4%, respectively, and the 1- and 3-year freedom from reintervention rates were 97.2% and 81.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
The J-graft open stent graft was easy to deploy, and it could shift the distal anastomosis to a more proximal side. The mid-term performance of this device was good. It has the potential to provide one-stage repair.
Does anatomical location-based metastatic lymph node density affect prognosis in lung cancer patients?
Authors: Aksoy Yunus , Çıtak Necati , Obuz Çiğdem , Metin Muzaffer , Sayar Adnan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The newly proposed N subclassification (new-N) was compared with the combined anatomical location and ratio of the number of metastatic lymph nodes to the total number of resected lymph nodes (anatomic-LNR) in terms of prognosis in resected lung cancer patients.

METHODS
Between 2005 and 2018, 961 patients who underwent lung cancer resection were catergorized into the pN1-single (N1a; n = 281), pN1-multiple (N1b; n = 182), pN2-single with skip metastasis (N2a1; n = 116), pN2-single with N1 metastasis (N2a2; n = 222) and pN2-multiple (N2b; n = 160) groups based on new-N. The optimal cut-off points for survival in pN1 and pN2 patients were determined using the best sensitivity and specificity scores, calculated using receiver operating characteristic analysis.

RESULTS
The difference in survival between N1a and N1b patients was statistically significant (P = 0.001), but there was no significant difference in the survival rates of N1b and N2a1 (P = 0.52). The survival curves for N2a1 and N2a2 patients almost overlapped (P = 0.143). N2a2 patients showed a better survival rate than N2b patients, with no significant difference (P = 0.132). The cut-off points for LNR were 0.10 and 0.25 for pN1 and pN2 patients, respectively, according to receiver operating characteristic analysis for survival. Based on receiver operating characteristic analysis, pN patients were categorized into the N1-lowLNR (n = 232), N1-highLNR (n = 231), N2-lowLNR (n = 266) and N2-highLNR (n = 232) groups. The 5-year survival rate was 62.9%, 49.8%, 41.1% and 27.1% for N1-lowLNR, N1-highLNR, N2-lowLNR and N2-highLNR, respectively (P &lt; 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
LowLNR is associated with better survival than highLNR in resected lung cancer patients. Anatomic-LNR shows a high discriminatory power for prognosis.
How does childhood maltreatment influence cardiovascular disease? A sequential causal mediation analysis
Authors: Soares Ana G , Howe Laura D , Heron Jon , Hammerton Gemma , Rich-Edwards Janet , Magnus Maria C , Halligan Sarah L , Fraser Abigail 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
Childhood maltreatment has been consistently associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the mechanisms of this relationship are not yet fully understood. We explored the relative contribution of anxiety/depression, smoking, body mass index (BMI) and inflammation (C-reactive protein, CRP) to the association between childhood maltreatment and CVD in men and women aged 40–69 years in the UK.

Methods
We used data from 40 596 men and 59 511 women from UK Biobank. To estimate the indirect effects of childhood maltreatment (physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and emotional and physical neglect) on incident CVD via each of the mediators, we applied a sequential mediation approach.

Results
All forms of maltreatment were associated with increased CVD risk [hazard ratios (HRs) ranging from 1.09 to 1.27]. Together, anxiety/depression, smoking, BMI and inflammation (indexed by CRP) mediated 26–90% of the association between childhood maltreatment and CVD, and the contribution of these mediators differed by type of maltreatment and sex. Anxiety/depression mediated the largest proportion of the association of sexual abuse, emotional abuse and emotional neglect with CVD (accounting for 16–43% of the total effect), especially in women. In men, BMI contributed the most to the indirect effect of associations of physical abuse and physical neglect with CVD; in women, anxiety/depression and BMI had similar contributions.

Conclusions
These findings add to the understanding of how childhood maltreatment affects CVD risk and identify modifiable mediating factors that could potentially reduce the burden of CVD in people exposed to maltreatment in early life.
Trivial multiple zeta values in Tate algebras
Authors: Gezmiş O , Pellarin F 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe study trivial multiple zeta values in Tate algebras. These are particular examples of the multiple zeta values in Tate algebras introduced by the second author. If the number of variables involved is “not large” in a way that is made precise in the paper, we can endow the set of trivial multiple zeta values with a structure of module over a non-commutative polynomial ring with coefficients in the rational fraction field over ${\mathbb{F}}_q$. We determine the structure of this module in terms of generators and we show how in many cases, this is sufficient for the detection of linear relations between Thakur’s multiple zeta values.