bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia in Systemic Sclerosis: Demographics and Disease Predictors
Authors: INGRAHAM KRISTIN M. , O’BRIEN MARIE S. , SHENIN MAX , DERK CHRIS T. , STEEN VIRGINIA D. 
Published: January 2010

Objectives.To evaluate patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who have gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE), to further characterize this disease association, and to identify factors that may predict which patients with SSc are at greatest risk for the development of GAVE.Methods.Patients with a diagnosis of both SSc and GAVE were identified from the Division of Rheumatology at Georgetown University and Thomas Jefferson University. A chart review was conducted to obtain the demographic data.Results.Twenty-eight patients were included in this analysis, including 17 with diffuse cutaneous (dcSSc) and 11 with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc). The mean disease duration at diagnosis with GAVE was 21.5 months for dcSSc and 84.3 months for lcSSc (p = 0.025). Seventy-six percent of patients with dcSSc developed GAVE within 18 months of first scleroderma symptom onset. Over half of patients with early GAVE also had rapidly progressive cutaneous disease. Only 4% had antitopoisomerase I antibody. Although only 1 patient was tested and had positive RNA polymerase (RNAP) III, RNAP III may be overrepresented in this GAVE population. Mean hematocrit levels were 23.8% in dcSSc and 29% in lcSSc.Conclusion.dcSSc is associated with earlier development of GAVE, as well as more severe anemia requiring more therapeutic interventions. Rapid progression of cutaneous disease may suggest earlier development of GAVE. Absence of antitopoisomerase I antibodies and presence of antibodies to RNAP III/speckled antinuclear antibody pattern may be useful to identify the subset of patients with SSc with increased risk for GAVE.
Erosions Are the Most Relevant Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features in Quantification of Sacroiliac Joints in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: WICK MARIUS C. , WEISS RÜDIGER J. , JASCHKE WERNER , KLAUSER ANDREA S. 
Published: January 2010

Objective.To determine the most relevant radiological features in quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of sacroiliac (SI) joints in patients with recent-onset ankylosing spondylitis (AS) versus patients with SI involvement due to other rheumatic diseases, or to degenerative SI pain.Methods.We retrospectively analyzed laboratory values, clinical data, and MRI of the SI joints of 179 patients admitted for evaluation of AS-suspicious SI pain. Standardized MRI sequences were performed at time of first presentation, then archived, and retrospectively quantitatively assessed using a modified SPARCC method for formal statistical comparisons.Results.Of all patients, 27 (15%) were diagnosed with definite AS. The remainder had SI involvement in other rheumatic diseases, HLA-B27– spondyloarthropathy, or nonspecific degenerative changes. While joint space irregularities, bone marrow edema, subcortical cysts, and contrast medium enhancement were found in MRI of all patients, these features were inconsistent, and only erosions were statistically significantly (p < 0.02) in patients diagnosed with AS. Only in AS, the presence of erosions and the quantitative SPARCC erosion subscore correlated to a statistically significant degree (p < 0.02) with laboratory levels of inflammation.Conclusion.Erosions alone, not bone marrow edema or contrast medium enhancement, are the most disease-specific measurable imaging findings in SI MRI of patients with AS.
Sensitivity to Change in Systemic Sclerosis of the McMaster-Toronto Arthritis Patient Preference Disability Questionnaire (MACTAR): Shift in Patient Priorities Over Time
Authors: NGUYEN CHRISTELLE , MOUTHON LUC , MESTRE-STANISLAS CAROLINE , RANNOU FRANCOIS , BÉREZNÉ ALICE , SANCHEZ KATHERINE , PAPELARD AGATHE , REVEL MICHEL , GUILLEVIN LOÏC , POIRAUDEAU SERGE 
Published: January 2010

Objective. To assess the sensitivity to change of the McMaster-Toronto Arthritis Patient Preference Disability Questionnaire (MACTAR) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and a shift in patient priorities over time.Methods. We assessed 49 patients with SSc (8 men) using the MACTAR in a prospective longitudinal study twice or more during annual meetings of the French patient association from 2004 to 2007. Patient-perceived improvement or worsening regarding health status was recorded. Sensitivity to change was assessed by the effect size (ES) and the standardized response mean (SRM) of the MACTAR.Results. The MACTAR global score was significantly increased at followup in the whole group of patients, and the ES and SRM values were −0.37 and −0.34, respectively. These values were similar to those observed for widely used outcome measures for SSc such as the Health Assessment Questionnaire. As defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, the 3 disability domains most often cited at baseline were mobility (7 activities, cited 17 times; 33.3% of patients), domestic life (4 activities, cited 17 times; 33.3% of patients), and community, social and civic life (3 activities, cited 10 times; 19.6% of patients). At followup, 40 patients had changed their first priority and 34 changed 3 priorities.Conclusion. The evolution in MACTAR global score over time for patients with SSc reflects longterm general feelings of deterioration. However, shifts in patient priorities are common and may influence the sensitivity to change of the instrument.
Role of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis with Coronary Calcification
Authors: YIU KAI-HANG , WANG SILUN , MOK MO-YIN , OOI GAIK CHENG , KHONG PEK-LAN , LAU CHU-PAK , LAI WING-HON , WONG LAI-YUNG , LAM KWOK-FAI , LAU CHAK-SING , TSE HUNG-FAT 
Published: January 2010

Objective.Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are prone to premature atherosclerosis. We hypothesize that depletion of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) related to RA can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.Methods.We studied coronary calcifications by multidetector computed tomography and their relationship with different subtypes of circulating EPC in 70 patients with RA and 35 age- and sex-matched controls (mean age 54.1 ± 10.2 yrs, 87% were women). The presence of coronary atherosclerosis was defined as an Agatston score ≥ 10. Four subpopulations of EPC were determined by flow cytometry on the basis of surface expression of CD34, CD133, and KDR antigen: CD34+, CD34/KDR+, CD133+, and CD133/KDR+ EPC, respectively.Results.Among those with RA, 15 patients (21%) had coronary atherosclerosis. The mean Agatston score was higher (61.8 ± 201.7 vs 0.14 ± 0.69; p = 0.01) and coronary atherosclerosis was more prevalent (21.4% vs 0%; p < 0.01) in patients with RA compared to controls. RA patients with coronary atherosclerosis were older (66.2 ± 6.9 vs 51.5 ± 16.2 yrs; p < 0.01), had higher prevalence of hypertension (46.7% vs 14.5%; p = 0.01), and had lower CD133/KDR+ (0.45% ± 0.28% vs 0.89% ± 0.81%; p < 0.01) and CD133+ EPC levels (0.74% ± 0.39% vs 1.22% ± 0.83%; p < 0.01), but similar CD34/KDR+ and CD34+ EPC levels (all p > 0.05) compared to those without. Multiple logistic regression revealed that older age (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.10–1.41, p < 0.01) and lower CD133/KDR+ EPC (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.00–0.97, p < 0.01) were independent predictors for coronary atherosclerosis in patients with RA.Conclusion.Our results demonstrated that RA patients with coronary atherosclerosis have significantly lower levels of CD133/KDR+ and CD133+ EPC than those without. In addition to older age, lower levels of circulating CD133/KDR+ EPC also predicted occurrence of coronary atherosclerosis in RA patients.
THE PROVENTRICULUS OF A GROUND BEETLE, CHLAENIUS SP. (COLEOPTERA, CARABIDAE)
Authors: Judd W. W. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe structure of the proventriculus of a ground beetle of the genus Chlaenius is described. It is similar to the proventriculi of ground bettles studied by other authors, in that its sclerotized intima is organized in the form of four longitudinal folds alternating with four longitudinal ridges.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Initiation of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Among Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Reynolds Kamika R. , Khosrow-Khavar Farzin , Dave Chintan V. 
Published: May 2024

ImportanceThe influence of race and ethnicity on initiation of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is relatively understudied in Medicare data.ObjectiveTo investigate disparities in the initiation of DOACs compared with warfarin by race, ethnicity, and social vulnerability.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis retrospective cohort study used a 50% sample of Medicare fee-for-service data from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2019 (mean patient enrollment duration, 7.7 years). Analysis took place between January 2023 and February 2024. A cohort of older adults (aged ≥65 years) with atrial fibrillation who newly initiated warfarin or DOACs (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban) was identified.ExposurePatients were classified as non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe likelihood of starting use of DOACs compared with warfarin was modeled, adjusting for race, ethnicity, age, sex, county-level social vulnerability, and other clinical factors.ResultsAmong 950 698 anticoagulation initiations, consisting of 680 974 DOAC users and 269 724 warfarin users (mean [SD] age, 78.5 [7.6] years; 52.6% female), 5.2% were Black, 4.3% were Hispanic, and 86.7% were White. During the 10-year study period, DOAC use increased for all demographic groups. After adjustment, compared with White patients, Black patients were 23% less likely (adjusted odds ratio [AOR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.75-0.79) and Hispanic patients were 13% less likely (AOR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.85-0.89) to initiate DOAC use. Disparities in DOAC initiation were greatest among Black patients in the earlier years but attenuated during the study period. For instance, in 2010, the OR of Black patients initiating DOACs was 0.54 (95% CI, 0.50-0.57), attenuating linearly over time to 0.69 by 2013 (95% CI, 0.65-0.74) and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.78-0.89) by 2017. By 2019, these differences became nonsignificant (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.99-1.18).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cohort study of Medicare patients with atrial fibrillation, Black and Hispanic patients were less likely to initiate DOACs for atrial fibrillation, although these differences diminished over time. Identifying the factors behind these early disparities is crucial for ensuring equitable access to novel therapies as they emerge for Black and Hispanic populations.
Long-Term Cardiovascular Outcomes in Children and Adolescents With Hypertension
Authors: Robinson Cal H. , Hussain Junayd , Jeyakumar Nivethika , Smith Graham , Birken Catherine S. , Dart Allison , Dionne Janis , Garg Anika , Kandasamy Sujane , Karam Sabine , Marjerrison Stacey , South Andrew M. , Thabane Lehana , Wahi Gita , Zappitelli Michael , Chanchlani Rahul 
Published: May 2024

ImportanceHypertension affects 6% of all children, and its prevalence is increasing. Childhood hypertension tracks into adulthood and is associated with subclinical cardiovascular disease; however, there is a lack of evidence linking childhood hypertension to cardiovascular outcomes, which may contribute to underdiagnosis and undertreatment.ObjectiveTo determine the long-term associated risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) among children diagnosed with hypertension.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis was a population-based, retrospective, matched cohort study conducted from 1996 to 2022. The study included all children (aged 3-18 years) alive in Ontario, Canada, from 1996 to 2021, who were identified using provincial administrative health databases. Children with prior kidney replacement therapy were excluded.ExposureIncident hypertension diagnosis, identified by validated case definitions using diagnostic and physician billing claims. Each case was matched with 5 controls without hypertension by age, sex, birth weight, maternal gestational hypertension, prior comorbidities (chronic kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular surgery), and a propensity score for hypertension.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was MACE (a composite of cardiovascular death, stroke, hospitalization for myocardial infarction or unstable angina, or coronary intervention). Time to MACE was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression.ResultsA total of 25 605 children (median [IQR] age, 15 [11-17] years; 14 743 male [57.6%]) with hypertension were matched to 128 025 controls without hypertension. Baseline covariates were balanced after propensity score matching, and prior comorbidities were uncommon (hypertension vs control cohort: malignancy, 1451 [5.7%] vs 7908 [6.2%]; congenital heart disease, 1089 [4.3%] vs 5408 [4.2%]; diabetes, 482 [1.9%] vs 2410 [1.9%]). During a median (IQR) of 13.6 (7.8-19.5) years of follow-up, incidence of MACE was 4.6 per 1000 person-years in children with hypertension vs 2.2 per 1000 person-years in controls (hazard ratio, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.9-2.2). Children with hypertension were at higher associated risk of stroke, hospitalization for myocardial infarction or unstable angina, coronary intervention, and congestive heart failure, but not cardiovascular death, compared with nonhypertensive controls.Conclusions and RelevanceChildren diagnosed with hypertension had a higher associated long-term risk of MACE compared with controls without hypertension. Improved detection, follow-up, and control of pediatric hypertension may reduce the risk of adult cardiovascular disease.
Real‐World Treatment Patterns, Clinical Outcomes, and Symptom Burden in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis Prescribed Ixekizumab in the United States
Authors: Rohekar Sherry , Vadhariya Aisha , Ross Sarah , Malatestinic William , Janos Boris , Massey Nicola , Hughes Megan , Weatherby Sarah , Birt Julie , Sebba Anthony 
Published: May 2024

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to describe the real‐world characteristics and clinical status of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) currently prescribed ixekizumab.MethodsData were drawn from the Adelphi PsA Plus Disease Specific Programme (DSP), a cross‐sectional survey conducted in the United States between September 2021 and March 2022. Rheumatologists provided data for their next five consulting patients currently receiving ixekizumab, including demographic and clinical characteristics, disease severity, treatment history, reasons for treatment choice, satisfaction with current treatment, and current and historic symptom burden. Patients voluntarily completed questionnaires, providing perceptional data on symptom burden and satisfaction with current treatment.ResultsOverall, 68 rheumatologists provided data on 275 patients with PsA, 90 of whom completed the voluntary questionnaire. Patients had been prescribed ixekizumab for a mean of 11.7 (SD 10.6) months. Clinical characteristics, disease severity, and symptom burden of patients with PsA improved significantly from ixekizumab initiation to the most recent consultation, including symptom burden, tender and swollen joint counts, and body surface area affected by psoriasis (all P < 0.001). Both rheumatologists and patients were satisfied with ixekizumab treatment and reported improvements in pain and fatigue. Improvements were noted after more than three months of ixekizumab treatment duration and regardless of whether the patients had prior exposure to an advanced therapy or were treatment naïve.ConclusionOur results indicate that ixekizumab was efficacious in the treatment of PsA in real‐world clinical practice, complementing efficacy data from randomized controlled clinical trials. The results of this study may assist rheumatologists and their patients in making informed treatment choices.
All‐Optical Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Waveguide Switches Based on Photothermal Effect of Au‐MOF Composites
Authors: Cui Anqi , Miao Xiaoya , Yue Jian , Sun Xiangyi , Yu Qidong , Zhang Daming , Zhang Tong , Fei Teng , Chen Changming 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this study, all‐optical organic–inorganic hybrid waveguide switches are proposed based on the photothermal effect of Au‐MOF composites. The embedded waveguide structure is directly defined using SiO2grooves on a silicon substrate. Self‐synthesized Au‐MOF/PMMA and SiO2‐TiO2network grafting PMMA are used as the core and cladding materials, respectively. The organic–inorganic hybrid shielding layer is formed using an oxygen ion etching process to avoid corrosion from the cladding solvent. A directional coupling switching structure is designed and fabricated. The switching time of the all‐optical device is 500 µs, the photothermal tuning sensitivity is 19.10 nm mW−1, the driving optical power consumption is 0.67 mW, and the extinction ratio is close to 9.83 dB. This technique is desirable for photothermal control of light in an all‐optical signal‐processing network.
Dual Doping of B and Fe Activated Lattice Oxygen Participation for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Reaction Activity in Alkaline Freshwater and Seawater
Authors: Pan Yajuan , Wang Zhichong , Wang Kaixuan , Ye Qing , Shen Baoshou , Yang Fangshe , Cheng Yongliang 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe exploitation of highly activity oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is critical for the application of electrocatalytic water splitting. Triggering the lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM) is expected to provide a promising pathway to overcome the sluggish OER kinetics, however, effectively enhancing the involvement of lattice oxygen remains challenging. In this study, the fabrication of B, Fe co‐doped CoP (B, Fe─CoP) nanofibers is reported, which serve as highly efficient OER electrocatalyst through phosphorization and boronation treatment of Fe‐doped Co3O4 nanofibers. Experimental results combined with theoretical calculations reveal that simultaneous incorporation of both B and Fe can more effectively trigger the participation of lattice oxygen in CoFe oxyhydroxides reconstructed from B, Fe─CoP nanofibers compared to incorporating only B or Fe. Therefore, the optimized B, Fe─CoP nanofibers exhibit superb OER activity with low overpotentials of 361 and 376 mV at 1000 mA cm−2 in alkaline freshwater and alkaline natural seawater, respectively. The present work provides significant guidelines and innovative design concepts for the development of OER electrocatalysts following the LOM pathway.
Tin Halide Perovskite Epitaxial Films on Gold Surfaces: Atomic Structure and Stability
Authors: Abbasli Madad , Hieulle Jeremy , Schrage Jenny , Wilks Dina , Samad Abdus , Schwingenschlögl Udo , Redinger Alex , Busse Carsten , Ohmann Robin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractTin‐based halide perovskite solar cells can be efficient and environmentally friendly substitutions to lead‐based halide perovskite solar cells, but they have a drawback due to oxidation from Sn2+ to Sn4+. Using vacuum deposition, epitaxially aligned CsSnBr3 ultrathin films are prepared on Au(111) and Au(100) and characterized with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), low‐energy electron diffraction (LEED), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). By co‐evaporation of the precursor molecules CsBr and SnBr2, few monolayers of perovskite are obtained. On Au(111), CsSnBr3 grows in three differently oriented domains due to the hexagonal symmetry of the substrate. On Au(100), which has square symmetry, identical to CsSnBr3, but with about half the lattice constant of the perovskite, a (2×2) superstructure is observed. The perovskite is terminated with the (001) facet showing a square surface structure in agreement with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Chemical analysis is performed in ultra‐high vacuum (UHV) conditions and no indication of a tin oxidation state higher than Sn2+ is found in the films. However, after exposure to air, rapid and severe changes in the films are observed, highlighting the importance of preparing tin perovskites in a controlled environment to maintain their stability and avoid oxidation‐related issues.
Chemical Interface Structures in CdS/RbInSe2/Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin‐Film Solar Cell Stacks
Authors: Bombsch Jakob , Kodalle Tim , Garcia‐Diez Raul , Hartmann Claudia , Félix Roberto , Ueda Shigenori , Wilks Regan G. , Kaufmann Christian A. , Bär Marcus 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPerformance‐enhancing heavy alkali‐based post‐deposition treatments (PDT) of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGSe) thin‐film solar cells absorbers often induce the formation of a Rb‐ In‐Se phase on the CIGSe absorber. Co‐evaporation of an interfacial RbInSe2 (RISe) layer between buffer and absorber can also benefit cell performance. A detailed analysis of the chemical interface structures in CdS/RISe/CIGSe layer stacks is performed using hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES). For comparison, stacks without RISe and based on RbF PDT CIGSe absorbers are also studied. When aiming for the direct co‐evaporation of a RISe layer on the CIGSe absorber, the formation of an additional In‐Se phase is found. For the RbF PDT CIGSe absorbers, the study only finds small amounts of Rb and no indication for a RISe layer formation. Examining layer stacks prepared via additional chemical bath deposition (CBD) of CdS reveals a clear impact of the presence of Rb (or of Rb‐containing species) on the CIGSe surface. In these cases, an increase of the induction/coalescence period is found at the beginning of the CBD buffer layer growth process and the formation of Cd─Se bonds; thereafter, a more compact CdS layer growth is observed.
High‐Performance Microfluidic Techniques toward Nanostructuration of BODIPY and BOPHY Based CPPs Hybrid Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Production
Authors: Palenzuela‐Rebella Sandra , Naranjo Teresa , Gomez‐Mendoza Miguel , Barawi Mariam , Liras Marta , de la Peña O´Shea Víctor A. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHere, the use of high‐performance microfluidic techniques (HPMT) is reportedto afford conjugated porous polymer (CPPs) with smaller particle size and narrower particle size dispersion than the obtained by miniemulsion methodology. Specifically, polymers based on BODIPY or BOPHY dyes are synthesized by HPMT conditions and conventional miniemulsion conditions. The polymer textural properties from HPMT are notably improved, giving rise to high‐quality thin films that are photoelectrochemically characterized. Furthermore, hybrid materials of CPPs synthesized by HPMT and TiO2 inorganic semiconductor revealed enhanced photocatalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The most active hybrid UN_IEP‐7@T‐10 photocatalyst, containing 10 wt% polymer loading, achieved a hydrogen evolution rate of 3.10 mmol g−1 h−1 (ƺ = 1.13%), which is threefold higher than that of its non‐nanostructured from bulk synthesis, two‐times greater than its nanostructured by conventional miniemulsion techniques and even surpassed by 39‐times the performance of bare TiO2. It is noteworthy that both photoluminescence lifetime (τPL) and transient lifetime (τT) are not affected by the nanoestructuration of CPPs, which agrees with the preservation of the chemical structure by both synthetic methodologies. The employment of HPMT as nanostructuration strategy clearly supports the obtaining of more processable polymers for a wide range of energy applications.