bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Late-onset left atrial appendage occlusion device–related thrombus attributed to mitral bioprosthetic stenosis: a case report
Authors: Rana Aakash , Xu Jack , Alturkmani Hani , Dhar Gaurav , Vallurupalli Srikanth 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is an alternative to anticoagulation for stroke prevention in select patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study, we describe the case of a patient with delayed device-related thrombus (DRT) at 13 months post-LAAO in a setting of atrial stasis due to a worsening mitral bioprosthetic stenosis.

Case summary
A 69-year-old woman with a history of rheumatic mitral stenosis and regurgitation post-bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement (6 years prior) and paroxysmal AF was referred for percutaneous LAAO due to recurrent severe gastrointestinal bleeding while on anticoagulation. She underwent an uncomplicated LAAO, for which a 35 mm Watchman Flx device was used. Peri-procedural transoesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) at the time of implant showed thickened and calcified mitral bioprosthetic leaflets and a mild mitral stenosis. Her 45-day post-LAAO TEE showed a mild mitral stenosis and no peri-device leak or DRT. At 12 months, the patient had worsening exertional dyspnoea and pedal oedema. Her 12-month transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed a moderate mitral stenosis and LAAO remained free of DRT. Her symptoms were deemed secondary from a worsening mitral valve stenosis. Mitral valve-in-valve (MViV) replacement was planned because the patient was deemed a prohibitive risk for a redo surgical replacement. Transthoracic echocardiogram on the day of MViV showed a large thrombus on the LAAO device. MViV was postponed. After the patient completed 45 days of anticoagulation with warfarin, a repeat TTE was performed, which showed a resolution of DRT. Transcatheter MViV was performed successfully.

Discussion
This case demonstrates that increased stasis and left atrial dysfunction from prosthetic mitral stenosis can be a risk factor for late DRT after successful LAAO. The use of a LAAO occlusion device in the presence of a mitral bioprosthesis requires more frequent echocardiographic monitoring to assess both the function of the prosthesis and a delayed formation of thrombus. More studies need to be conducted to assess the safety of percutaneous LAAO devices in those with mitral bioprosthesis.
Accelerated hypertension following mavacamten introduction in severe obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with hypertension: a case report
Authors: Maurizi Niccolò , Antiochos Panagiotis , Muller Olivier , Wuerzner Gregory , Monney Pierre 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Mavacamten in Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials was well tolerated, reduced left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO), and improved exercise capacity and symptoms. However, due to its recent introduction in the market, there is limited evidence from real-world patients with severe/multiple comorbidities and/or who are exposed to potential treatment interactions. Hypertension is common in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), but its impact on the treatment of LVOTO is undefined.

Case summary
A 55-year-old man with severely obstructive symptomatic HCM and Grade I arterial hypertension underwent treatment with mavacamten 5 mg. He presented an accelerated hypertension from Day 10 of treatment. On admission, he reported improvement of his dyspnoea [New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II] and NT-pro BNP decreased to 1646 ng/L. Echocardiography showed a left ventricular ejection fraction of 60% with reduced systolic anterior motion and LVOTO (max 21 mmHg). Causes of secondary hypertension were excluded, and blood pressure (BP) was controlled by eplerenone and amlodipine introduction. Accelerated hypertension was concluded as a final diagnosis, and a potential causal link with the introduction of mavacamten was made. Evolution up to Day 135 proved a stabilization of the BP profile and of the LVOT gradient (max 36 mmHg) as well as improvement in functional capacity (NYHA Class I).

Discussion
We hypothesize that rapid relief of excess afterload may induce alterations potentially leading to high BP in patients with impaired peripheral vascular resistances. Patients with severe obstructive HCM and hypertension should be given special attention during mavacamten titration and should self-monitor the BP during this phase.
War, the State and Local Office-Holders in Britain, 1689–1750
Authors: Smith Hannah 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Research on the British ‘fiscal-military state’ has placed great emphasis on the development of a financial infrastructure and professional bureaucracy in explaining Britain’s rise to superpower status in the eighteenth century. This article argues instead that, to appreciate fully the extent of the British state’s involvement in warfare, historians need to acknowledge the crucial and varied roles that local office-holders played in raising manpower for the army and supporting many of its requirements. Such an emphasis allows for a more nuanced understanding of the nature of the British fiscal-military state and the relations between centre and localities. This article illuminates the impact of war at a local level by examining how local office-holders, principally justices of the peace and parish constables, found and enlisted men into the army, secured deserters, intervened in mutinies, organised quarters for soldiers and transport for the army, and assisted former and injured soldiers and soldiers’ families. This work added to their burdens of office, it could jeopardise their authority and create bitter tensions within communities. Nevertheless, there was a high level of co-operation from local office-holders. The article analyses why local office-holders complied with the demands of central government and stresses their importance within the British ‘fiscal-military state’.
Atrial tachyarrhythmia prevention by Shensong Yangxin after catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation: the SS-AFRF trial
Authors: Huang He , Liu Yu , Shuai Wei , Jiang Chenyang , Zhang Menghe , Qu Xiufen , Zheng Wenqing , Yang Hao , Liu Fan , Yu Bo , Chen Manhua , Mu Bin , Yao Chen , Tang Yanhong , Huang Congxin , Ouyang Feifan , Jia Zhenhua 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background and Aims
Despite advances in technology and techniques, the recurrence rate of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) following catheter ablation remains high. The Shensong Yangxin (SSYX) capsule, a renowned traditional Chinese medicine formula, is used in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. This trial aimed to investigate whether the SSYX can improve clinical outcomes in patients who have undergone catheter ablation for persistent AF.

Methods
A multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted at 66 centres in China among 920 patients with persistent AF undergoing first ablation. Participants were randomized to oral SSYX, 1.6 g (.4 g/granule) thrice daily (n = 460), or matched placebo (n = 460) for 12 months. The primary endpoint was recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmias lasting for ≥30 s following a blanking period of 3 months. Secondary endpoints included time to first documented atrial tachyarrhythmias, AF burden, cardioversion, stroke/systemic embolism, changes in echocardiographic parameters, and quality-of-life (QoL) score. Analyses were performed according to the intention-to-treat principle.

Results
A total of 920 patients underwent randomization (460 assigned to SSYX group and 460 assigned to placebo group). During the follow-up of 12 months, patients assigned to SSYX had a higher event-free rate from recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmias when compared with the placebo group (12-month Kaplan–Meier event-free rate estimates, 85.5% and 77.7%, respectively; hazard ratio, .6; 95% confidence interval .4–.8; P = .001). Patients assigned to receive SSYX had a better QoL score at 12 months compared to those randomized to placebo. There was no significant difference in the incidence of serious adverse events between the two groups.

Conclusions
Treatment with SSYX following radiofrequency catheter ablation for persistent AF reduced the incidence of recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmias and led to clinically significant improvements in QoL during a 12-month follow-up in a Chinese population.
In vivo dissection of the mouse tyrosine catabolic pathway with CRISPR-Cas9 identifies modifier genes affecting hereditary tyrosinemia type 1
Authors: Rivest Jean-François , Carter Sophie , Goupil Claudia , Antérieux Pénélope , Cyr Denis , Ung Roth-Visal , Dal Soglio Dorothée , Mac-Way Fabrice , Waters Paula J , Paganelli Massimiliano , Doyon Yannick 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations (pathogenic variants) in fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase, an enzyme involved in tyrosine degradation. Its loss results in the accumulation of toxic metabolites that mainly affect the liver and kidneys and can lead to severe liver disease and liver cancer. Tyrosinemia type 1 has a global prevalence of approximately 1 in 100,000 births but can reach up to 1 in 1,500 births in some regions of Québec, Canada. Mutating functionally related “modifier’ genes (i.e. genes that, when mutated, affect the phenotypic impacts of mutations in other genes) is an emerging strategy for treating human genetic diseases. In vivo somatic genome editing in animal models of these diseases is a powerful means to identify modifier genes and fuel treatment development. In this study, we demonstrate that mutating additional enzymes in the tyrosine catabolic pathway through liver-specific genome editing can relieve or worsen the phenotypic severity of a murine model of tyrosinemia type 1. Neonatal gene delivery using recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors expressing Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 under the control of a liver-specific promoter led to efficient gene disruption and metabolic rewiring of the pathway, with systemic effects that were distinct from the phenotypes observed in whole-body knockout models. Our work illustrates the value of using in vivo genome editing in model organisms to study the direct effects of combining pathological mutations with modifier gene mutations in isogenic settings.
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging Detects Anatomical and Functional Changes in Rat Cervical Spine Microvasculature With Normal Aging
Authors: Harmon Jennifer N , Chandran Preeja , Chandrasekaran Abarajithan , Hyde Jeffrey E , Hernandez Gustavo J , Reed May J , Bruce Matthew F , Khaing Zin Z 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Normal aging is associated with significant deleterious cerebrovascular changes; these have been implicated in disease pathogenesis and increased susceptibility to ischemic injury. Although these changes are well documented in the brain, few studies have been conducted in the spinal cord. Here, we utilize specialized contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging to investigate age-related changes in cervical spinal vascular anatomy and hemodynamics in male Fisher 344 rats, a common strain in aging research. Aged rats (24–26 months, N = 6) exhibited significant tortuosity in the anterior spinal artery and elevated vascular resistance compared to adults (4–6 months, N = 6; tortuosity index 2.20 ± 0.15 vs 4.74 ± 0.45, p &lt; .05). Baseline blood volume was lower in both larger vessels and the microcirculation in the aged cohort, specifically in white matter (4.44e14 ± 1.37e13 vs 3.66e14 ± 2.64e13 CEUS bolus area under the curve, p &lt; .05). To elucidate functional differences, animals were exposed to a hypoxia challenge, whereas adult rats exhibited significant functional hyperemia in both gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) (GM: 1.13 ± 0.10-fold change from normoxia, p &lt; .05; WM: 1.16 ± 0.13, p &lt; .05), aged rats showed no response. Immunohistochemistry revealed reduced pericyte coverage and activated microglia behavior in aged rats, which may partially explain the lack of vascular response. This study provides the first in vivo description of age-related hemodynamic differences in the cervical spinal cord.
Resilience and Hassles Trajectories Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kurth Maria L , Segerstrom Suzanne C , Chandler Kelly D , Hooker Karen , Aldwin Carolyn M 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Despite higher physical vulnerability to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), older adults reported less psychological stress than younger and midlife adults during the pandemic. However, little is known about age differences in stress within later life, and most COVID-19 studies have been cross-sectional. We examined weekly hassles exposure and severity trajectories and whether these trajectories differed by age, resilience factors (higher trait resilience and education), and vulnerability factors (identifying as a woman, being a person of color, and having chronic health conditions).

Methods
Community-dwelling adults aged 50+ in Oregon (Mage = 71.1, standard deviation = 7.3; 74% women, 89% non-Hispanic White) completed weekly online surveys across 8 weeks (April 28–June 22, 2020) during the COVID-19 stay-at-home mandate. A 2-part model estimated how age, resilience, and vulnerability factors predicted weekly odds of any hassle exposure and level of severity.

Results
Across time, hassles exposure decreased and the rate of severity declined, but these patterns differed by age and other demographics. The old-old (estimated at age 78) remained stable in odds of any exposure, whereas the young-old (estimated at age 64) evidenced a J-shaped curve; age did not moderate the severity slopes. Furthermore, both resilience factors were associated with exposure trajectories, whereas vulnerability factors (race/ethnicity and chronic illness) were associated with levels of hassles severity.

Discussion
There were age differences in patterns of hassles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, resilience and vulnerability factors also showed complex patterns, underscoring the need for future studies to focus on age differences in well-being in later life.
Does Religion Mitigate the Effect of Neighborhood Disorder on Cognitive Decline?: Evidence From a National Longitudinal Study of U.S. Older Adults
Authors: Lee Haena , Choi Yeon Jin , Jung Jong Hyun 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Objectives
This paper examines whether perceived neighborhood disorder is associated with trajectories of cognitive functioning and whether religion mitigates this association among U.S. older adults.

Methods
Data are drawn from the 2006–2016 Health and Retirement Study (N = 12,669). Religious belief and religious attendance are assessed as potential moderators. Growth curve models are used to estimate trajectories of cognitive functioning over time.

Results
We find that perceived neighborhood disorder is associated with lower cognitive functioning at baseline; however, religious belief mitigates the impact of perceived neighborhood disorder on the level of cognitive functioning. For instance, individuals with high religious belief, despite experiencing high perceived neighborhood disorder, show better cognitive functioning at baseline compared to those with high disorder but low belief. While frequent religious attendance is associated with higher cognitive functioning at baseline, it does not moderate the impact of perceived neighborhood disorder on cognitive functioning.

Discussion
This study underscores the protective role of religious belief against cognitive aging in the face of neighborhood disorder, suggesting that personal faith may provide a cognitive reserve or coping mechanism. Our findings also imply that the absence of religious belief, combined with high perceived neighborhood disorder, may produce a compounded negative impact on cognitive aging.
Relationship between Cole–Cole model parameters in permittivity and conductivity formulation
Authors: Limbrock Jonas K , Kemna Andreas 
Published: August 2024

SUMMARY
For the analysis of spectral induced polarization (SIP) measurements and for the description of frequency-dependent electrical relaxation responses, so-called Cole–Cole models (CCMs) are widely used. Typically, CCM formulations in terms of complex electrical conductivity or complex electrical resistivity are used in geophysical applications. The differences between these model descriptions, in particular between the respective time constants, and their conversion have been studied. A third variant of the model is formulated in terms of complex permittivity, commonly used in materials science. In general, all these model formulations can be used equivalently for fitting SIP data, which, however, results in differing values for some of the model parameters. For a meaningful comparison of CCM parameters of different samples or measurements, it is necessary that they are based on the same model formulation. In this work, the relationships between the Debye model (DM) and CCM parameters in the formulation for complex permittivity and complex conductivity are studied. A direct analytical conversion is possible for generalized DM formulations, both in single- and multi-term model formulations, resulting in relationships between the respective relaxation time distributions (RTDs). Such a direct conversion for CCM formulations is not possible. We however derived an approximate relationship between $\log$-normal RTD and CCM formulations and respective permittivity and conductivity parameter values. Our study also highlights the significance of using consistent model formulations when experimental data are compared in terms of DM or CCM parameters, as parameters used to predict ice temperature are incorrect if the conductivity time constant is used to predict the temperature from interpolation of a permittivity time constant-temperature relationship.
Developing community resilience in the face of COVID-19: case study from the Estrie region, Canada
Authors: Shareck Martine , Badji Marie Suzanne , Picard Karine , Allaire Jean-François , Roy Philippe , Généreux Mélissa , Lévesque Julie , Lapierre-Fortin Émanuèle 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic undeniably impacted population health and several aspects of community organization, including service delivery and social cohesion. Intersectoral collaboration and equity, two key dimensions of community resilience, proved central to an effective and equitable response to the pandemic. Yet the factors that enabled or constrained communities’ capacity to enact intersectoral collaboration and equity-focused action in such times of urgency and uncertainty remain poorly understood. This descriptive qualitative study aimed to (1) describe the processes through which intersectoral collaboration and equity-focused action were deployed during the first wave of COVID-19 and (2) identify factors enabling and constraining these processes. We conducted semi-directed interviews with 35 representatives of the governmental, institutional, and public and third sectors from four municipal regional counties of the Estrie region (Québec, Canada). We coded detailed interview notes following a codebook thematic analysis approach. We identified three processes through which intersectoral collaboration and equity-focused action were deployed: (1) networking; (2) adaptation, creation and innovation; and (3) human-centred action. Examples of levers which supported the deployment of these processes included capitalizing on pre-existing networks, adapting practices and services, and investing in solidarity and mutual aid. The influencing factors we describe represent concrete targets for resilience-building action. Although focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, our findings are relevant to other types of health, social, environmental or economic crises, and may guide health promotion and community development practitioners towards more effective community resilience-building responses.
Validating the short-version European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire for community-dwelling older adults in Japan
Authors: Matsuo Rika , Fujita Kimie , Miyazono Mami , Miyasaka Keiko , Yamanaka Tomi , Yakushiji Kanako , Nagai Atsushi 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) is available in multiple languages, and shortened versions have also been developed. This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the short version of the questionnaire (HLS-Q12) developed for community-dwelling older adults in Japan. The HLS-Q12 was developed using 12 of the 47 items of the Japanese version of the HLS-EU-Q47. In this study, the survey was conducted by distributing self-administered questionnaires to community-dwelling individuals aged 65 years and older who consented to participate; their responses were collected by mail. The correlation between the HLS-Q12 and the HLS-EU-Q47 was tested to assess criterion validity. To test construct validity, nine novel hypotheses were proposed. We also conducted a confirmatory factor analysis of the HLS-Q12. Based on a resurvey after 5–7 days, test–retest reliability was examined using interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland–Altman analysis. In total, 118 individuals provided valid responses to the questionnaire. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient between the HLS-Q12 and the HLS-EU-Q47 was r = 0.98 (p &lt; 0.001), and eight of the nine hypotheses were supported. The ICC was 0.96 (p &lt; 0.001), and the 95% limit of agreement was −0.26 ± 5.9, suggesting no systematic error. Thus, the Japanese version of the HLS-Q12 was found to be reliable with high criterion validity and reproducibility. Hence, the HLS-Q12 is a useful scale for measuring health literacy among older adults in Japan.
Lynch syndrome-associated and sporadic microsatellite unstable colorectal cancers: different patterns of clonal evolution yield highly similar tumours
Authors: Martin Samantha , Katainen Riku , Taira Aurora , Välimäki Niko , Ristimäki Ari , Seppälä Toni , Renkonen-Sinisalo Laura , Lepistö Anna , Tahkola Kyösti , Mattila Anne , Koskensalo Selja , Mecklin Jukka-Pekka , Rajamäki Kristiina , Palin Kimmo , Aaltonen Lauri A 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Microsatellite unstable colorectal cancer (MSI-CRC) can arise through germline mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes in individuals with Lynch syndrome (LS), or sporadically through promoter methylation of the MMR gene MLH1. Despite the different origins of hereditary and sporadic MSI tumours, their genomic features have not been extensively compared. A prominent feature of MMR-deficient genomes is the occurrence of many indels in short repeat sequences, an understudied mutation type due to the technical challenges of variant calling in these regions. In this study, we performed whole genome sequencing and RNA-sequencing on 29 sporadic and 14 hereditary MSI-CRCs. We compared the tumour groups by analysing genome-wide mutation densities, microsatellite repeat indels, recurrent protein-coding variants, signatures of single base, doublet base, and indel mutations, and changes in gene expression. We show that the mutational landscapes of hereditary and sporadic MSI-CRCs, including mutational signatures and mutation densities genome-wide and in microsatellites, are highly similar. Only a low number of differentially expressed genes were found, enriched to interferon-γ regulated immune response pathways. Analysis of the variance in allelic fractions of somatic variants in each tumour group revealed higher clonal heterogeneity in sporadic MSI-CRCs. Our results suggest that the differing molecular origins of MMR deficiency in hereditary and sporadic MSI-CRCs do not result in substantial differences in the mutational landscapes of these tumours. The divergent patterns of clonal evolution between the tumour groups may have clinical implications, as high clonal heterogeneity has been associated with decreased tumour immunosurveillance and reduced responsiveness to immunotherapy.