bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring menopausal disparities in cardiovascular risk factors: transitioning from the estrogen to the iron hypothesis
Authors: Ahanchi N , Quezada-Pinedo H , Marques-Vidal P , Muka T A U L A N 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Menopause is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality. Estrogen deficiency has been suggested as the main cause for this increased, but results are contradictory. An alternative hypothesis would be changes in iron biomarkers. Most previous studies have employed a cross-sectional design to evaluate the association between iron biomarkers and CVD risk factors (CVD-RFs). However, given the natural variability of iron levels, it is essential to incorporate repeated measurements of iron biomarkers for a more comprehensive assessment.

Goals
We aimed to explore the intra-variability of iron biomarkers over time.2) evaluate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between iron biomarkers [serum ferritin, transferrin saturation (TSAT), transferrin] and CVD risk factors (CVD-RFs) among women.

Method
Data from the prospective CoLaus|PsyCoLaus study, conducted in Switzerland. 10-year prospective (1482 women, mean age 58.83) analysis were conducted using multiple linear regression for the cross-sectional part and multilevel mixed models for the longitudinal part. Intraclass correlation (ICC) was utilized to assess the variability of outcomes and iron markers between surveys in the prospective analysis.

Results
Different iron biomarkers showed inconsistent associations with CVD-RFs in cross-sectional and prospective analyses. In the cross-sectional analysis, after multivariable adjustment, ferritin levels were positively associated with insulin, while transferrin levels were positively associated with glucose, insulin, total and HDL-cholesterol, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. No association between TSAT and CVD-RFs was found . In our study all iron biomarkers (serum Iron, serum ferritin, transferrin and TSAT) had a low reliability as defined by the ICC, especially in the transition group (figure 1). To mitigate these challenges, in our study we took advantage of repeated measures of iron biomarkers to correct for this low reliability and improve precision and the ability to capture changes over time In the prospective analysis, and contrary to the cross-sectional analysis, transferrin levels were negatively associated with glucose (β =-0.55, CI= -1.06; -0.04) and diastolic blood pressure (β =-7.14, CI= -15.6; -0.18). Similar findings were obtained after stratification on menopausal status.

Conclusion
The positive associations between ferritin and CVD-RFs observed in the cross-sectional study were inverted in the prospective study. This discrepancy could be due to the variability of iron biomarkers during lifetime. The substantial longitudinal variation of iron biomarkers suggests that multiple measurements of iron are necessary for longitudinal analyses.
Attainment of guideline recommended cholesterol goals in cardiovascular prevention results from a preventive cardio-rheuma clinic in norway
Authors: Sollerud E S , Ikdahl E I , Sexton J S , Eirheim A S E , Semb A G S 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
There is a large gap between the European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) guideline recommendations and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal attainment in routine clinical practice. Although it has been known for a decade that patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthropathy (SpA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are at high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), the increased risk is still present regardless of optimized anti-rheumatic medications.

Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate attainment of the 2019 ESC/EAS guideline recommended LDL-C goal in a high-risk patient population, patients with IJD.

Methods
Patients with IJD were referred to the Preventive Cardio-Rheuma clinic for an ASCVD risk evaluation between 2019 and 2023 were included. Primary and secondary prevention with lipid-lowering treatment were initiated in patients classified as high and very high risk. The LDL-C goals for patients with high and very high risk was 1.8 mmol/L and 1.4 mmol/L, respectively, or ≥ 50% LDL-C reduction from baseline. Lipid-lowering treatment was Atorvastatin 20-40 mg or Rosuvastatin 5-40 mg, mostly in a combination with Ezetimibe 10 mg. The patients were followed up until the LDL-C goals were attained, with the first lipid level control 1-3 months after lipid-lowering treatment initiation, before referral to general practitioner for follow-up.

Results
In total, 186 of the 320 referred patients (RA, n=166; SpA, n=80; PsA, n=74) were classified to high (n=20) and very high (n=166) risk of ASCVD. The mean±SD age was 55±11.2 years and baseline LDL-C was 3.3±1.0 mmol/L in the total study population. Approximately 49% of the referred patients had already established ASCVD and 58% of all patients had an indication for lipid-lowering treatment. There was a significant reduction in LDL-C from baseline to final consultation across diagnostic groups with a mean reduction of 1.97±1.10 mmol/L, 56% reduction (RA 55%, PsA 56%, SpA 57%), p&lt;0.001 (Figure 1) in patients assigned to lipid-lowering treatment. Approximately 85% attained recommended LDL-C levels, using a median (IQR) of 3 (2.0, 4.0) consultations, but of these, 16% only obtained ≥ 50% LDL-C reduction (Figure 2). Those who did not obtain LDL-C goals (15%) was either unwilling to take lipid-lowering medications, had comorbidity issues or intolerable side effects of treatment.

Conclusion
Recommended LDL-C goal attainment according to guidelines is achievable in a high proportion of patients with IJD on few consultations. These results indicate that frequent lipid follow-up consultations after treatment initiation may be the key to success in LDL-C goal attainment.
Cardiovascular risk of persons following plant-based diets - the study of vegetarians and vegans from a large urban area
Authors: Kwasniewska M , Grygorczuk O , Mrozik M , Rebowska E , Legocki S , Kaminska S , Jegier A , Lipert A , Polakowski G , Drygas W 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Data on cardiovascular risk among persons following plant-based diets in societes of Central Europe are scarce .

Purpose
The aim of the study is to assess selected cardiovascular risk factors in the group of vegetarians and vegans living in a large urban area of Poland. Special attention was paid to the differences between the group of vegetarian and vegan participants of the study.

Methods
The study was performed among a group of 150 men and women who were following a plant-based diet for at least 12 months (100 vegetarians, mean age 34,5 yrs and 50 vegans, mean age 33,2 yrs). All the participants were extensively reviewed, including detailed dietary recalls. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height and waist circumference. Microvascular endothelial function was evaluated by means of the reactive hyperemia index (RHI) using Endo-PAT2000 system. A set of traditional CVD biomarkers included measurements of total cholesterol LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglicerydes, glucose, hs-CRP.

Results
Vegetarians had higher total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations as compared with vegans (4,64 vs 4,28 and 2,71 vs 2,47 mmol/L, respectively), higher hsCRP (1,24 vs 0,77 mmol/L), glucose (4,87 vs 4,71 mmol/L), body mass index (23, 1 vs 21,9 kg/m2). Hypercholesterolemia was more often among vegetarians (40% of the studied group) than among vegans (one forth of the participants). Both groups had comparable mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (109/67 vs 109/66 mmHg) and endothelial function (RHI 2,1 and 2,2 , respectively).

Conclusions
Although plant-based diets are associated with relatively beneficial cardiovascular profile in the studied population from large urban area there are some abnormalities and differences between vegetarians and vegans. Vegan dietary model was associated with lower cardiovascular risk. The most important finding concerns high percentage of persons with elevated cholesterol concentrations, especially in vegetarians. Due to the growing popularity of diets with reduced animal products, there is a need to elaborate effective strategies regarding properly balanced plant-based nutrition models.
Lack of abnormal rise in blood pressure in obese subjects is associated with less structural and functional cardiovascular abnormalities
Authors: Mahneva O , Sheehan N , Theriault J , Sabatini A , El Shahawy M 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Abdominal adiposity has been reported to be associated with an abnormally elevated rise in blood pressure after exercise. Adults with both excess abdominal adiposity and an abnormal rise in blood pressure have been reported to be at higher risk for cardiovascular disease. However, some subjects may be metabolically healthy despite obesity. The purpose of this study is to see whether adults with obesity who exhibit a normal rise in blood pressure display any cardiovascular structural and functional abnormalities observed in obese adults with an abnormal rise in blood pressure.

Methods
We screened 244 obese subjects for cardiovascular disease risk assessment utilizing the ASCVD risk assessment score, previously published. The ASCVD assessment includes 10 tests, 3 of which are cardiac, and 7 of which are vascular. Additional testing included CT scan for coronary artery calcium score and epicardial fat volume utilizing Siemens Somatom Definition 64. The 244 subjects were divided into 2 groups: those with normal (122 subjects) and those with an abnormal rise in blood pressure (122 subjects) as defined as a blood pressure rise of &gt;30 mmHg post-exercise. Results are shown in Table 1. Due to the prominent effect of age on CVD risk factors, subjects were further stratified into age &lt;60 and age ≥60 categories (98 and 25 subjects, respectively). Results are shown in Table 2.

Results
1. As shown in Table 1:.
a) Obese adults with normal rise in blood pressure are found to have a lower prevalence of impaired small artery elasticity (C2), elevated systolic blood pressure, and elevated CRP.
b) Obese adults with abnormal rise in blood pressure may exhibit higher vascular risks regarding C2, systolic blood pressure, and CRP levels, but otherwise are not significantly different from obese subjects with normal blood pressure rise with regards to cardiovascular risk.
2. As shown in Table 2, older subjects are at greater risk of having impaired small artery elasticity and elevated CRP.

Conclusions
Obesity is a major cardiovascular risk factor, specifically when defined as elevated waist circumference. When combined with elevated blood pressure rise post-exercise and or aging, obesity may result in significant cardiovascular complications. We recommend intervention with weight management strategies. Early detect to protect!
Exercise as a means of preventing musculoskeletal problems in musicians, a systematic review
Authors: Dimopoulou M , Dimopoulos S 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Introduction
The lifetime prevalence of performance related musculoskeletal disorders in musicians is reported to reach a very high rate (93%) and many times affect the music performance, playing efficacy, the quality of their work or their career progression. It can also have a significant financial burden on the musicians as well as on the organizations/orchestras.

Purpose
This systematic review summarizes the evidence available from randomized clinical trials investigating the effect of exercise in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in musicians.

Methods
The search was performed in the PubMed database and the specialized Journal of Medical Problems of Performing Artists, Science & Medicine, Inc. until March 2022. The keywords used were decided by Mesh terms. Studies that had titles and abstracts related to exercise or prevention programs in musicians to reduce or treat PRMDs were selected for detailed analysis. Exclusion and inclusion criteria were used for the final outcome. A qualitative assessment was also carried out with the PEDro scale.

Results
Of the 1050 articles found, 138 were selected by title for relevance and their abstracts were studied. Of these 22 randomized studies were selected for full reading. The criteria of the systematic review were met by 7 articles, which were examined in detail. Parallel searches were conducted with different combinations of keywords to cross-reference the selected randomized studies. Three clinical studies showed a reduction in the frequency of musculoskeletal disorders and a reduction in pain and symptom intensity with a statistically significant difference. Two clinical studies have had a positive effect on physical effectiveness. A control group in one study showed significant statistical significance in aerobic capacity. The same clinical study had a positive effect on the playing performance of the instrument. Another clinical study showed reduced inability related to music performance in both groups. Three clinical studies had an educational intervention together with the exercise intervention. No clinical research was found to assess the health costs of musculoskeletal disorders in musicians.

Conclusions
This systematic review provided evidence for the effect of exercise training in preventing musculoskeletal disorders in musicians. Prevention programs with exercise intervention had significant clinical value such as reducing the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders in intensity, frequency and pain as well as improving their functional capacity and their quality of musical performance. Additional clinical randomized control studies are necessary with a larger number of participants and duration of follow-up of the results to confirm the above findings.
The water imbalance of skeletal muscle and muscle weakness in patients with heart failure
Authors: Nakamura K , Kinugasa Y , Sota T , Hirai M , Kato M , Yamamoto K 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Aims
A high extracellular water (ECW) to intracellular water (ICW) ratio of skeletal muscle as assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis is reportedly associated with loss of muscle strength. However, the validity of this index for heart failure (HF), which is likely associated with changes in the water distribution, is unclear.

Methods and Results
This study involved 190 patients with HF. The total ECW and ICW of both upper and lower extremities were measured, and a high ECW/ICW ratio was defined as an ECW/ICW ratio higher than the median (≥0.636 for men, ≥0.652 for women). Low muscle strength was defined as reduced handgrip strength according to the criteria established by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. Patients with a high ECW/ICW ratio had a lower handgrip strength and 6-minute walk distance than those with a low ECW/ICW ratio (p &lt; 0.05). An increasing ECW and/or decreasing ICW was associated with a higher ECW/ICW ratio and a lower handgrip strength (p &lt; 0.05). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, a high ECW/ICW ratio and low skeletal muscle mass were independently associated with low muscle strength (p &lt; 0.05).

Conclusion
A high ECW/ICW ratio in limb muscles, i.e., the water imbalance of increasing ECW and/or decreasing ICW, is useful in assessing muscle quality in patients with HF.
Statins for secondary prevention of coronary artery disease in patients aged 80 years or older: a nation-wide propensity score-based analysis
Authors: Jug B , Furlan T , Furlan T , Ravnikar T , Ravnikar T , Farkas Lainscak J , Farkas Lainscak J , Lainscak M , Lainscak M , Fras Z , Fras Z , Novakovic M , Novakovic M , Dosenovic Bonca P , Dosenovic Bonca P 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Patients with established coronary artery disease are recommended statin therapy for secondary prevention, but randomised trials rarely include individuals above 80 years of age. Therefore, we sought to assess the impact of statin therapy on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalisations in a nation-wide cohort of patients hospitalised for coronary artery disease aged 80 years or older.
Patients hospitalised for coronary artery disease (acute and chronic coronary syndromes; ICD diagnoses I20.x, I21.x, and I25.x) were retrospectively identified by linking the national hospital database, medicines reimbursement claims, and the national mortality registry, using unique patient identifiers. Patient aged 80 years or more were included, with follow-up time of 5 years. The impact of statin prescription at discharge on clinical outcomes (all-cause mortality and/or cardiovascular hospitalisations) was assessed by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression model with inverse probability of treatment weights, calculated using covariate-balancing propensity scores. A landmark period of 30 days post-discharge was used to address survival bias.
We included 5 ,618 patients with coronary artery disease aged 80 years or more; 2,973 were prescribed a statin within 30 days from discharge. Median age was 83 years (IQR 81–86 years), 49% were men, 42% had chronic coronary syndromes, 25% had heart failure, 27% had atrial fibrillation, 22% had diabetes mellitus, 63% had arterial hypertension, 6.7% had depression. After inverse probability of treatment weighting, uptake of statin therapy was associated with a 11.2% reduction in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalisations (HR 0.89, 95%CI 0.82-0.97, p&lt;0.001). See Figure 1.
In conclusion, statin therapy in patients with coronary artery disease aged 80 years or older is associated with a moderate reduction in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular rehospitalisations.
Pollen products collected from honey bee hives experiencing minor stress have altered fungal communities and reduced antimicrobial properties
Authors: Fernandes Kenya E , Frost Elizabeth A , Kratz Madlen , Carter Dee A 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Fungi are increasingly recognized to play diverse roles within honey bee hives, acting as pathogens, mutualists, and commensals. Pollen products, essential for hive nutrition, host significant fungal communities with potential protective and nutritional benefits. In this study, we profile the fungal communities and antifungal properties of three pollen products from healthy and stressed hives: fresh pollen collected by forager bees from local plants; stored pollen packed into the comb inside the hive; and bee bread, which is stored pollen following anaerobic fermentation used for bee and larval nutrition. Using amplicon sequencing, we found significant differences in fungal community composition, with hive health and sample type accounting for 8.8% and 19.3% of variation in beta diversity, respectively. Pollen and bee bread extracts had species-specific antimicrobial activity and inhibited the fungal hive pathogens Ascosphaera apis, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus fumigatus, and the bacterial hive pathogen Paenibacillus larvae. Activity was positively correlated with phenolic and antioxidant content and was diminished in stressed hives. The plant source of pollen determined by amplicon sequencing differed in stressed hives, suggesting altered foraging behaviour. These findings illustrate the complex interplay between honey bees, fungal communities, and hive products, which should be considered in hive management and conservation.
Political Settlement and China’s Overseas Operation: The Case of Ethiopia
Authors: Cao Ruixing , Noesselt Nele 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Political settlement analysis (PSA) has become a common approach scholars use to study socioeconomic differences among African countries. However, less attention has been given to how political settlement influences how African countries interact with their foreign counterparts. In this article, we illustrate the impact of political settlement on foreign policy by analyzing Ethiopia’s interactions with China. As one of China’s closest economic partners in Africa, Ethiopia, with its long-standing ethnic cleavages and political instability in the last few years, represents an ideal case for this topic. We find that the evolving political settlement in Ethiopia has greatly influenced the official engagements between the two countries. Over time, various Chinese actors have also developed a more nuanced understanding of the political dynamics of Ethiopia and the associated risks of investing in the country. Our study contributes to an emerging literature that emphasizes the power of local agencies in influencing China–Africa relations.
Double-Edged Sword: A Positive Brain Scan Result Heightens Confidence in an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis But Also Leads to Higher Stigma Among Older Adults in a Vignette-Based Experiment
Authors: Stites Shana D , Lee Brian N , Largent Emily A , Harkins Kristin , Sankar Pamela , Krieger Abba , Brown Rebecca T 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using brain scans and other biomarker tests will be essential to increasing the benefits of emerging disease-modifying therapies, but AD biomarkers may have unintended negative consequences on stigma. We examined how a brain scan result affects AD diagnosis confidence and AD stigma.

Methods
The study used a vignette-based experiment with a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial design of main effects: a brain scan result as positive or negative, treatment availability and symptom stage. We sampled 1,283 adults ages 65 and older between June 11and July 3, 2019. Participants (1) rated their confidence in an AD diagnosis in each of four medical evaluations that varied in number and type of diagnostic tools and (2) read a vignette about a fictional patient with varied characteristics before completing the Modified Family Stigma in Alzheimer’s Disease Scale (FS-ADS). We examined mean diagnosis confidence by medical evaluation type. We conducted between-group comparisons of diagnosis confidence and FS-ADS scores in the positive versus negative brain scan result conditions and, in the positive condition, by symptom stage and treatment availability.

Results
A positive versus negative test result corresponds with higher confidence in an AD diagnosis independent of medical evaluation type (all p &lt; .001). A positive result correlates with stronger reactions on 6 of 7 FS-ADS domains (all p &lt; .001).

Discussion
A positive biomarker result heightens AD diagnosis confidence but also correlates with more AD stigma. Our findings inform strategies to promote early diagnosis and clinical discussions with individuals undergoing AD biomarker testing.
Electrical conductivity of the suboceanic upper mantle constrained by satellite-derived tidal magnetic fields: three-dimensional inversion, validation and interpretation
Authors: Šachl L , Knopp O , Velímský J 
Published: June 2024

SUMMARY
We present the first 3-D upper-mantle conductivity models obtained by an inversion of the satellite-derived tidally induced magnetic fields (TIMFs). We primarily use the M$_2$ period, but the potential benefit of the O$_1$ period is also inspected. The inverse-problem solution is found using the recently developed frequency-domain, spherical harmonic finite-element method based on the adjoint approach. We tested two different TIMF data sets derived from the satellite measurements of the Swarm mission and two different regularizations; the solution is either required to be sufficiently smooth or reasonably close to the a priori 3-D conductivity model WINTERC-e Wd-emax. The reconstructed conductivity models are locally compared with the 1-D conductivity profiles from other studies. If we use one of the available TIMF data sets, the smooth reconstructed model gravitates towards Wd-emax and the TIMF-adjusted Wd-emax model is closer to the reference conductivity profiles than the original Wd-emax model. Finally, we use the obtained 3-D conductivity distributions to calculate the corresponding 3-D water distribution in the upper mantle using thermodynamical and compositional models coupled to the electrical-conductivity laboratory measurement of individual mantle constituents.