bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Anemia and Iron Parameters With Mortality Among Patients Undergoing Prevalent Hemodialysis in Taiwan: The AIM‐HD Study
Authors: Kuo Ko‐Lin , Hung Szu‐Chun , Tseng Wei‐Cheng , Tsai Ming‐Tsun , Liu Jia‐Sin , Lin Ming‐Huang , Hsu Chih‐Cheng , Tarng Der‐Cherng ,   the Taiwan Society of Nephrology Renal Registry Data System, Ou Shuo‐Ming , Yang Chih‐Yu , Lin Yao‐Ping , Lin Yi‐Sheng , Hung Szu‐Chun , Hung Tung‐Po 
Published: September 2018

Background
The Taiwan Health Insurance Bureau has conducted a bundled payment system for hemodialysis reimbursement since 1995. The maximum dose of erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents allowed by insurance is capped at 20 000 U of epoetin or 100 μg of darbepoetin alfa per month. Nephrologists have avoided the use of high dosages of erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents to achieve a hemoglobin level of 10 to 11 g/dL by iron supplementation. The clinical impact of these policies on patients’ outcomes is unknown. The authors aimed to assess the AIM‐HD (Association of Anemia, Iron parameters, and Mortality among the prevalent Hemodialysis patients) Study in Taiwan.

Methods and Results
The AIM‐HD study was conducted based on the Taiwan Renal Registry Data System. From 2001 to 2008, the authors enrolled 42 230 patients undergoing hemodialysis who were older than 20 years and had received hemodialysis for more than 12 months. Patient follow‐ups occurred until death or December 31, 2008. During a study period of 8 years, 12 653 (30.0%) patients died. After multivariate adjustment, the authors found that a hemoglobin level <10 g/dL was significantly associated with higher risk for all‐cause and cardiovascular deaths. Moreover, a serum ferritin level between 300 and 800 ng/mL and transferrin saturation value between 30% and 50% were associated with the lowest all‐cause mortality.

Conclusions
The authors recommend avoiding a low hemoglobin level and maintaining serum ferritin between 300 and 800 ng/mL and transferrin saturation between 30% and 50%, which were associated with lower risks of all‐cause mortality among patients undergoing hemodialysis receiving the restricted erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent doses but prompt intravenous iron supplementation in Taiwan.
Lower On‐Treatment Low‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Women and Men: Pooled Analysis of 10 ODYSSEY Phase 3 Alirocumab Trials
Authors: Vallejo‐Vaz Antonio J. , Ginsberg Henry N. , Davidson Michael H. , Eckel Robert H. , Cannon Christopher P. , Lee L. Veronica , Bessac Laurence , Pordy Robert , Letierce Alexia , Ray Kausik K. 
Published: September 2018

Background

In statin trials, men and women derived similar relative risk reductions in cardiovascular events per 39 mg/
dL
low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (
LDL
‐C) reduction. We explored whether lower
LDL
‐C levels and greater
LDL
‐C percentage reductions than those achieved with statins are associated with reduced major adverse cardiovascular event (
MACE
) rates in women as well as men.

Methods and Results

Data pooled from 10 phase 3
ODYSSEY
randomized trials (n=4983) comparing alirocumab with control (placebo/ezetimibe) were assessed for association between 39 mg/dL lower on‐treatment
LDL
‐C and percentage
LDL
‐C change from baseline, and
MACE
risk by sex, using multivariable Cox regression. Mean baseline
LDL
‐C was 135 mg/dL (women) and 121 mg/dL (men). Average on‐treatment
LDL
‐C levels with alirocumab, ezetimibe, and placebo were 71, 114, and 134 mg/dL, respectively, in women (n=1882) and 52, 93, and 122 mg/dL, respectively, in men (n=3090). Overall, 36.5% and 58.7% of women and men, respectively, achieved on‐treatment
LDL
‐C <50 mg/dL. Each 39 mg/dL lower
LDL
‐C was associated with a 33% and 22% lower risk of
MACE
in women (
P
=0.0209) and men (
P
=0.0307), respectively, with no significant between‐sex difference (
P
for heterogeneity=0.4597). Results were similar when analyzed per 50%
LDL
‐C reduction, 24% (
P
=0.1094) and 29% (
P
=0.0125) lower
MACE
risk in women and men, respectively (
P
for heterogeneity=0.7499). Alirocumab was generally well tolerated in both sexes.

Conclusions

The present analysis reinforces the notion that both sexes derive a similar cardiovascular benefit from
LDL
‐C lowering. Although women had slightly higher on‐treatment
LDL
‐C than men, both sexes showed a similar lower
MACE
risk with lower
LDL
‐C.
Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition Induces Renal Medullary Hypoxia in Conscious Rats
Authors: Emans Tonja W. , Janssen Ben J. , Joles Jaap A. , Krediet C.T. Paul 
Published: September 2018

Background

Renal hypoxia, implicated as crucial factor in onset and progression of chronic kidney disease, may be attributed to reduced nitric oxide because
nitric oxide
dilates vasculature and inhibits mitochondrial oxygen consumption. We hypothesized that chronic
nitric oxide
synthase inhibition would induce renal hypoxia.

Methods and Results

Oxygen‐sensitive electrodes, attached to telemeters, were implanted in either renal cortex (n=6) or medulla (n=7) in rats. After recovery and stabilization, baseline oxygenation (
pO
2
) was recorded for 1 week. To inhibit
nitric oxide
synthase, N‐ω‐nitro‐
l
‐arginine (L‐NNA; 40 mg/kg/day) was administered via drinking water for 2 weeks. A separate group (n=8), instrumented with blood pressure telemeters, followed the same protocol. L‐NNA rapidly induced hypertension (165±6 versus 108±3 mm Hg;
P
<0.001) and proteinuria (79±12 versus 17±2 mg/day;
P
<0.001). Cortical
pO
2
, after initially dipping, returned to baseline and then increased. Medullary
pO
2
decreased progressively (up to −19±6% versus baseline;
P
<0.05). After 14 days of L‐NNA, amplitude of diurnal medullary
pO
2
was decreased (3.7 [2.2–5.3] versus 7.9 [7.5–8.4];
P
<0.01), whereas amplitudes of blood pressure and cortical
pO
2
were unaltered. Terminal glomerular filtration rate (1374±74 versus 2098±122 μL/min), renal blood flow (5014±336 versus 9966±905 μL/min), and sodium reabsorption efficiency (13.0±0.8 versus 22.8±1.7 μmol/μmol) decreased (all
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

For the first time, we show temporal development of renal cortical and medullary oxygenation during chronic
nitric oxide
synthase inhibition in unrestrained conscious rats. Whereas cortical
pO
2
shows transient changes, medullary
pO
2
decreased progressively. Chronic L‐NNA leads to decreased renal perfusion and sodium reabsorption efficiency, resulting in progressive medullary hypoxia, suggesting that juxtamedullary nephrons are potentially vulnerable to prolonged nitric oxide depletion.
Local Production of Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor‐1 in the Coronary Circulation Is Associated With Coronary Endothelial Dysfunction in Humans
Authors: Corban Michel T. , Prasad Abhiram , Nesbitt Lisa , Loeffler Darrell , Herrmann Joerg , Lerman Lilach O. , Lerman Amir 
Published: September 2018

Background

Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (su
PAR
) is a proinflammatory biomarker associated with immune activation and fibrinolysis inhibition. Plasminogen activator inhibitor (
PAI
‐1) is associated with excessive fibrin accumulation, thrombus formation, and atherosclerosis. The relationship between cross‐coronary su
PAR
and
PAI
‐1 production and endothelial dysfunction remains unknown.

Methods and Results

Seventy‐nine patients (age 53±10 years, 75% women) with angina and normal coronary arteries or mild coronary artery disease (<40% stenosis) on angiogram underwent acetylcholine assessment of epicardial endothelial dysfunction (mid–left anterior descending coronary artery diameter decrease >20% after acetylcholine) and mircovascular endothelial dysfunction (coronary blood flow change <50% after acetylcholine). Simultaneous left main and coronary sinus su
PAR
and
PAI
‐1 levels were measured in each patient before acetylcholine administration, and cross‐coronary su
PAR
and
PAI
‐1 production rates were calculated. Patients’ characteristics, except for age (51±10 versus 57±9,
P
=0.02), and resting coronary hemodynamics were not significantly different between patients with (26%) versus without (74%) epicardial endothelial dysfunction. Patients’ characteristics and resting coronary hemodynamics were not significantly different between those with (62%) and those without (38%) mircovascular endothelial dysfunction. Patients with mircovascular endothelial dysfunction demonstrated local coronary su
PAR
production versus su
PAR
extraction in patients with normal microvascular function (median 25.8 [interquartile range 121.6, −23.7] versus −12.7 [52.0, −74.8] ng/min,
P
=0.03). Patients with epicardial endothelial dysfunction had higher median coronary
PAI
‐1 production rates compared with those with normal epicardial endothelial function (1224.7 [12 940.7, −1915.4] versus −187.4 [4444.7, −4535.8] ng/min,
P
=0.03).

Conclusions

su
PAR
is released in coronary circulation of patients with mircovascular endothelial dysfunction and extracted in those with normal microvascular function. Cross‐coronary
PAI
‐1 release is higher in humans with epicardial endothelial dysfunction.
Did Einstein Really Say that? Testing Content Versus Context in the Cultural Selection of Quotations
Authors: Acerbi Alberto , Tehrani Jamshid J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe experimentally investigated the influence of context-based biases, such as prestige and popularity, on the preferences for quotations. Participants were presented with random quotes associated to famous or unknown authors (experiment one), or with random quotes presented as popular, i.e. chosen by many previous participants, or unpopular (experiment two). To exclude effects related to the content of the quotations, all participants were subsequently presented with the same quotations, again associated to famous and unknown authors (experiment three), or presented as popular or unpopular (experiment four). Overall, our results showed that context-based biases had no (in case of prestige and conformity), or limited (in case of popularity), effect in determining participants’ choices. Quotations preferred for their content were preferred in general, despite the contextual cues to which they were associated. We conclude discussing how our results fit with the well-known phenomenon of the spread and success (especially digital) of misattributed quotations, and we draw some more general implications for cultural evolution research.
Phosphorus spectroscopy in acute TBI demonstrates metabolic changes that relate to outcome in the presence of normal structural MRI
Authors: Stovell Matthew G , Mada Marius O , Carpenter T Adrian , Yan Jiun-Lin , Guilfoyle Mathew R , Jalloh Ibrahim , Welsh Karen E , Helmy Adel , Howe Duncan J , Grice Peter , Mason Andrew , Giorgi-Coll Susan , Gallagher Clare N , Murphy Michael P , Menon David K , Hutchinson Peter J , Carpenter Keri LH 
Published: September 2018

Metabolic dysfunction is a key pathophysiological process in the acute phase of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although changes in brain glucose metabolism and extracellular lactate/pyruvate ratio are well known, it was hitherto unknown whether these translate to downstream changes in ATP metabolism and intracellular pH. We have performed the first clinical voxel-based in vivo phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) in 13 acute-phase major TBI patients versus 10 healthy controls (HCs), at 3T, focusing on eight central 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 cm3 voxels per subject. PCr/γATP ratio (a measure of energy status) in TBI patients was significantly higher (median = 1.09) than that of HCs (median = 0.93) (p < 0.0001), due to changes in both PCr and ATP. There was no significant difference in PCr/γATP between TBI patients with favourable and unfavourable outcome. Cerebral intracellular pH of TBI patients was significantly higher (median = 7.04) than that of HCs (median = 7.00) (p = 0.04). Alkalosis was limited to patients with unfavourable outcome (median = 7.07) (p < 0.0001). These changes persisted after excluding voxels with > 5% radiologically visible injury. This is the first clinical demonstration of brain alkalosis and elevated PCr/γATP ratio acutely after major TBI. 31P MRS has potential for non-invasively assessing brain injury in the absence of structural injury, predicting outcome and monitoring therapy response.
Compression screws and buttress plate versus compression screws only for Hoffa fracture in Chinese patients: a comparative study
Authors: Lu* Bangbao , Zhao* Shushan , Luo Zhongwei , Lin Zhangyuan , Zhu Yong 
Published: September 2018

Objective To compare compression screws and buttress plate (CS plus BP) with compression screws only (CS) in treating patients with Hoffa fracture. Methods This retrospective study included Chinese patients with Hoffa fracture treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Radiographs and clinical outcomes (range of movement [ROM], bone union and Knee Society Score [KSS]) were compared between patients treated using CS plus BP versus CS only. Results At 4 months following surgery, significantly better outcomes were shown in the CS plus BP group ( n = 24) versus CS only group ( n = 21) regarding ROM (120.4 ± 5.2° versus 110 ± 7.1°) and KSS (85.5 ± 4.1 versus 79.7 ± 3.3). At the 12-month follow-up, significantly better outcomes were maintained in the CS plus BP versus CS only group regarding ROM (126.2 ± 7.4° versus 120.5 ± 8.2°) and KSS (88.3 ± 4.6 versus 84.2 ± 4.0). At the final follow-up, all patients had normal fracture healing and no malunion, nonunion or reduction loss. Conclusions Fixation with CS plus BP for Hoffa fracture is effective and reliable, and may provide more adequate stability and better outcomes versus CS only.
Tracking patients with chronic occipital headache after occipital nerve decompression surgery: A case series
Authors: Blake Pamela , Nir Rony-Reuven , Perry Carlton J , Burstein Rami 
Published: September 2018

Background The therapeutic benefit of nerve decompression surgeries for chronic headache/migraine are controversial. Aim To provide clinical characteristics of headache type and treatment outcome of occipital nerve decompression surgery. Methods A retrospective review of clinical records. Inclusion criteria were evidence of chronic occipital headache with and without migrainous features and tenderness of neck muscles, occipital allodynia, and inadequate response to prophylactic drugs. Results Surgical decompression of the greater and lesser occipital nerves provided complete and extended (3–6 years) relief of new daily persistent headache in case 3 (46 year old female), and of chronic post-traumatic headache in cases 4 and 6 (35 and 30 year old females, respectively), partial relief of chronic headache/migraine in cases 1 and 2 (41 year old female and 36 year old male), and no relief of episodic (cases 3 and 4) or chronic migraine (case 5, 52 year old male), or chronic tension-type headache (case 7, 31 year old male). Conclusions As a case series, this study cannot test a hypothesis or determine cause and effect. However, the complete elimination of new daily persistent headache and post-traumatic headache, and the partial elimination of chronic headache/migraine in two patients – all refractory to other treatment approaches – supports and justifies the effort to continue to generate data that can help determine whether decompression nerve surgeries are beneficial in the treatment of certain types of chronic headache.
A pilot study examining the profile of older people on clozapine
Authors: Benbow Jen , Wand Anne PF , Simpson Brett 
Published: September 2018

Objective: The primary aim was to comprehensively describe the characteristics of a cohort of older people taking clozapine. Method: Participants aged ⩾ 60 had a geriatric assessment including full medical, medication and social history. Standardized screening tools for cognition, function, comorbidity and antipsychotic side effects were administered and descriptive statistics utilized. Results: Thirteen patients were eligible to participate and 10 were assessed. The mean age was 69 years. The mean clozapine dose was 309 mg/day and mean duration of use was 10 years. All participants had executive dysfunction, and half had cognitive impairment. The mean number of co-morbid conditions was five. Seven people met the criteria for polypharmacy. Eight people experienced moderate–severe antipsychotic-related side-effects. The majority demonstrated impaired physical functioning. Conclusions: This cohort of older people taking clozapine experienced considerable morbidity, functional and cognitive impairment. We suggest routine screening of cognition and function in clozapine patients aged ⩾ 60 years. Those screening positive should be considered for further assessment by Older Person’s Mental Health Services and/or a Geriatric Medicine service.
Haematological and morphological evaluation of feline whole blood units collected for transfusion purposes
Authors: Spada Eva , Perego Roberta , Baggiani Luciana , Proverbio Daniela 
Published: September 2018

Objectives Despite the increasing availability of feline blood collected and stored for transfusion purposes, few studies have been performed on feline blood units. The aim of this prospective in vitro study was to evaluate haematological and morphological changes in feline blood cells in whole blood units between collection and end of storage. Methods Haematological examination (red blood cells [RBCs], haemoglobin, haematocrit, red cell distribution width, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, mean cell haemoglobin, white blood cells [WBCs] and platelet [PLT] count) was performed on 40 non-leukoreduced feline whole blood units at the time of collection (day[D]0) and after storage (D35). The blood was collected into citrate–phosphate–dextrose–adenine anticoagulant-preservative solution using an open system in a veterinary blood bank and stored for 35 days at 4 ± 2°C. Twenty of these feline whole blood units were also analysed for blood cell morphology (normal RBCs, macrocytes, echinocytes, spherocytes, schistocytes, lysed RBCs, RBCs with Heinz bodies and recognisable WBC and PLT count). Differences between the two examination times were statistically analysed. Results There was a statistically significant decrease in WBC and PLT counts after storage at D35 ( P <0.0001 for both). The most significant cellular morphological changes after storage were an increase in echinocyte count ( P = 0.0001), and lysed RBCs ( P <0.0001), and a decrease in normal RBCs ( P <0.0001). Recognisable WBCs – mainly lymphocytes – were present at the end of storage. Conclusions and relevance This study showed that significant morphological changes occur in RBCs in feline blood units during storage for 35 days. In vivo studies are required to establish if these changes could affect the ability of stored RBCs to circulate and provide adequate oxygen delivery after transfusion.
The Pathological Features of Colorectal Cancer Determine the Detection Performance on Blood ctDNA
Authors: He Na , Song Lele , Kang Qian , Jin Peng , Cai Guoxiang , Zhou Jinfeng , Zhou Guangpeng , Sheng Jianqiu , Cai Sanjun , Wang Jianming , Han Xiaoliang , Nie Yongzhan , Wu Kaichun 
Published: September 2018

Background and Aim: Methylated SEPT9 is a novel circulating tumor DNA marker for colorectal cancer, while the effects of various colorectal cancer clinicopathological factors on its detection performance have not been fully evaluated. This study aims to investigate the significance of the clinicopathological factors on methylated SEPT9 performance in a symptomatic endoscopy cohort, with a specific focus on colorectal cancer. Methods: A total of 1160 participants were recruited in this study, including 300 patients with colorectal cancer, 122 patients with adenoma, 103 patients with hyperplastic polyps, 568 normal participants (no evidence of disease), and 67 patients with other gastrointestinal diseases. Peripheral blood samples of these participants were collected from 3 Chinese hospitals, and the methylated SEPT9 level was measured using the Epi proColon 2.0 assay. Results: Cancer stage, size, and invasion depth were positively correlated with the detection sensitivity, while no difference in sensitivity was identified among cancers at various locations. Infiltrative colorectal cancer exhibited higher sensitivity than ulcerative and protrude colorectal cancer, while no difference in sensitivity was observed among assessed histological types. The colorectal cancer differentiation showed a clear correlation with the cancer stage, and moderate and poorly differentiated colorectal cancer exhibited higher sensitivity than well-differentiated colorectal cancer. Furthermore, colorectal cancer with distal metastasis (M1) showed higher sensitivity than those without any metastasis, while colorectal cancer with lymph node metastasis (N1 and N2) did not show statistical significance compared to those without it. Finally, local vessel or nerve invasion did not affect the sensitivity. Conclusion: Factors that reflect the colorectal cancer intrinsic properties, including cancer stage, size, invasion depth, classification, differentiation, and metastasis, exhibited significant effect on the mSEPT9 detection performance.
Opposite relations of epicardial adipose tissue to left atrial size in paroxysmal and permanent atrial fibrillation
Authors: Psychari Stavroula N , Tsoukalas Dionysios , Varvarousis Dimitrios , Papaspyropoulos Anastasios , Gkika Eleni , Kotsakis Athanasios , Paraskevaidis Ioannis A , Iliodromitis Efstathios K 
Published: September 2018

Objectives: Atrial fibrillation has been associated with obesity in epidemiological studies. Epicardial adipose tissue is an ectopic fat depot in the proximity of atria, with endocrine and inflammatory properties that is implicated in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation. Inflammation also has a role in atrial arrhythmogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential relations of epicardial adipose tissue to left atrial size and to adiponectin and the pro-inflammatory mediators, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6 in paroxysmal and permanent atrial fibrillation. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 103 atrial fibrillation patients, divided into two subgroups of paroxysmal and permanent atrial fibrillation, and 81 controls, in sinus rhythm. Echocardiography was used for estimation of epicardial adipose tissue and left atrial size and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and adiponectin were measured in all subjects. Results: Atrial fibrillation patients had significantly larger epicardial adipose tissue compared with controls (0.43 ± 0.17 vs 0.34 ± 0.17 cm, p = 0.002). Atrial fibrillation presence was independently related to epicardial adipose tissue thickness ( b = 0.09, p = 0.002). Opposite associations of epicardial adipose tissue with left atrial volume existed in atrial fibrillation subgroups; in the paroxysmal subgroup, epicardial adipose tissue was directly related to left atrial volume ( R = 0.3, p = 0.03), but in the permanent one the relation was inverse ( R = −0.7, p < 0.0001). Adiponectin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 were elevated in both atrial fibrillation groups. Only interleukin-6 was related to epicardial adipose tissue size. Conclusion: Opposite associations of epicardial adipose tissue with left atrial size in paroxysmal and permanent Atrial fibrillation and elevated inflammatory markers, suggest a role of epicardial adipose tissue and inflammation in the fibrotic and remodeling process.