bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease: a multimodal approach
Authors: Agostinho Daniel , Simões Marco , Castelo-Branco Miguel 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Successively predicting whether mild cognitive impairment patients will progress to Alzheimer’s disease is of significant clinical relevance. This ability may provide information that can be leveraged by emerging intervention approaches and thus mitigate some of the negative effects of the disease. Neuroimaging biomarkers have gained some attention in recent years and may be useful in predicting the conversion of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease. We implemented a novel multi-modal approach that allowed us to evaluate the potential of different imaging modalities, both alone and in different degrees of combinations, in predicting the conversion to Alzheimer’s disease of mild cognitive impairment patients. We applied this approach to the imaging data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative that is a multi-modal imaging dataset comprised of MRI, Fluorodeoxyglucose PET, Florbetapir PET and diffusion tensor imaging. We included a total of 480 mild cognitive impairment patients that were split into two groups: converted and stable. Imaging data were segmented into atlas-based regions of interest, from which relevant features were extracted for the different imaging modalities and used to construct machine-learning models to classify mild cognitive impairment patients into converted or stable, using each of the different imaging modalities independently. The models were then combined, using a simple weight fusion ensemble strategy, to evaluate the complementarity of different imaging modalities and their contribution to the prediction accuracy of the models. The single-modality findings revealed that the model, utilizing features extracted from Florbetapir PET, demonstrated the highest performance with a balanced accuracy of 83.51%. Concerning multi-modality models, not all combinations enhanced mild cognitive impairment conversion prediction. Notably, the combination of MRI with Fluorodeoxyglucose PET emerged as the most promising, exhibiting an overall improvement in predictive capabilities, achieving a balanced accuracy of 78.43%. This indicates synergy and complementarity between the two imaging modalities in predicting mild cognitive impairment conversion. These findings suggest that β-amyloid accumulation provides robust predictive capabilities, while the combination of multiple imaging modalities has the potential to surpass certain single-modality approaches. Exploring modality-specific biomarkers, we identified the brainstem as a sensitive biomarker for both MRI and Fluorodeoxyglucose PET modalities, implicating its involvement in early Alzheimer’s pathology. Notably, the corpus callosum and adjacent cortical regions emerged as potential biomarkers, warranting further study into their role in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Whitexicans, or the racial politics of digital culture in Mexico
Authors: Llamas-Rodriguez Juan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
This article critically analyzes the term “whitexican,” a neologism (white + Mexican) used to provide satirical and/or critical commentary about the online behaviors of the White, wealthy classes in Mexico. I build on theories of race and language in Latin America to propose reading whitexican not only as a social media vernacular but also as a heuristic to examine more widespread struggles over class, race, and indigeneity as they take shape across new media platforms in Mexico. My analysis presents three related sources of evidence: user-generated content satirized by the Cosas de Whitexicans account, political cartoons that reference the term, and celebrity posts that use the term in anti-racist activism or that express backlash against it. Through this analysis, I demonstrate an emergent vernacular conception of Whiteness connected to yet distinct from US–European contexts and illustrate how online media interactions continue to shape the process of racialization in different national contexts.
Effects of genetics on odor perception: Can a quick smell test effectively screen everyone?
Authors: Hunter Stephanie R , Lin Cailu , Nguyen Ha , Hannum Mackenzie E , Bell Katherine , Huang Amy , Joseph Paule V , Parma Valentina , Dalton Pamela H , Reed Danielle R 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
SCENTinel, a rapid smell test designed to screen for olfactory disorders, including anosmia (no ability to smell an odor) and parosmia (distorted sense of smell), measures 4 components of olfactory function: detection, intensity, identification, and pleasantness. Each test card contains one of 9 odorant mixtures. Some people born with genetic insensitivities to specific odorants (i.e. specific anosmia) may fail the test if they cannot smell an odorant but otherwise have a normal sense of smell. However, using odorant mixtures has largely been found to prevent this from happening. To better understand whether genetic differences affect SCENTinel test results, we asked genetically informative adult participants (twins or triplets, N = 630; singletons, N = 370) to complete the SCENTinel test. A subset of twins (n = 304) also provided a saliva sample for genotyping. We examined data for differences between the 9 possible SCENTinel odors; effects of age, sex, and race on SCENTinel performance, test–retest variability; and heritability using both structured equation modeling and SNP-based statistical methods. None of these strategies provided evidence for specific anosmia for any of the odors, but ratings of pleasantness were, in part, genetically determined (h2 = 0.40) and were nominally associated with alleles of odorant receptors (e.g. OR2T33 and OR1G1; P &lt; 0.001). These results provide evidence that using odorant mixtures protected against effects of specific anosmia for ratings of intensity but that ratings of pleasantness showed effects of inheritance, possibly informed by olfactory receptor genotypes.
The impact of previous endoscopic treatments on functional outcome after cricotracheal resection
Authors: Evermann Matthias , Schweiger Thomas , Kranebitter Veronika , Roesner Imme , Aigner Clemens , Denk-Linnert Doris-Maria , Hoetzenecker Konrad 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Treatment options for benign subglottic stenosis include endoscopic techniques or open surgery. Although endoscopic treatment is less invasive, a considerable proportion of patients develop recurrent stenosis. Endoscopic pretreatments do not exclude patients from a later surgical repair; however, the impact of previous endoscopic treatment attempts on functional outcome after open surgery is unknown.

METHODS
All patients, who received a cricotracheal resection (CTR) between January 2017 and June 2023 at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, were included in this retrospective study. Patient characteristics, surgical variables and postoperative outcome including a detailed functional assessment were analysed.

RESULTS
A total of 65 patients received a CTR during the study period, of which 40 were treatment naïve and 25 had a median of 2 (range 1–9) endoscopic pretreatments. Less-invasive voice-sparing CTR or standard CTR were more often possible in treatment-naïve patients. In contrary, pretreated patients regularly required extended procedures (P = 0.049). Three or more endoscopic treatments resulted in a significantly lower mean fundamental frequency (F0) after open repair (P = 0.048). In addition, a trend towards smaller mean sound pressure levels, a higher voice handicap index, higher impairments in RBH scores (roughness, breathing and hoarseness) and a higher dysphagia severity index was found in pretreated patients. The respiratory outcome after surgery was comparable between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS
Multiple endoscopic pretreatments lead to worse voice quality after CTR. The impact of prior endoscopic treatment before surgical repair should be considered when discussing treatment options with patients suffering from subglottic stenosis.
Effect of myocardial bridging on preoperative atrial fibrillation and survival in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Nie C , Lu Z Y , Zhu C S , Meng Y H , Wang S Y 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Myocardial bridging (MB) was associated with various arrhythmia forms, however, the relationship between MB and preoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) remains unknown.

Method
We recruited 968 consecutive patients with oHCM who underwent surgical myectomy, including 144 patients with MB and 822 patients without MB.

Result
Patients with MB were much younger (43.6 vs. 48.8 years, p &lt; 0.001), more likely to have palpitation (37.4% vs. 25.5%, p = 0.003), had a lower incidence of hypertension (14.6% vs. 27.9% p = 0.001), a higher prevalence of AF (26.4% vs. 11.5%, p &lt;0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of MB was independently associated with AF (Odds ratio [OR] 3.73; 95% Confidential interval [CI] 2.32-5.98, p &lt; 0.001). In subgroup analysis, compared to patients with MB on the middle left anterior descending coronary (LAD), those with MB on the proximal LAD had a higher likelihood to develop AF (OR 4.22; 95% CI 1.40-12.68, p = 0.01). Moreover, MB compression (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.04-1.08, p = 0.013) and MB length (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.004-1.11, p = 0.034) were independently associated with a higher prevalence of AF after adjusting for age and left atrial diameter. Of 144 patients with MB, 100 of them underwent unroofing or coronary artery bypass graft. Compared to patients without MB, those with MB had a longer perfusion time (108.5±40.7 vs. 96.7±37.3, p&lt;0.001) and cross-clamp time (75.2±28.3 vs.64.7±26.9, p&lt;0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed no difference in all-cause death, new-onset AF and composite endpoints between patients with and without MB.

Conclusion
MB and its location, length, and compression degree were independently associated with an increased risk of preoperative AF in adult oHCM patients, which suggested that whether MB needed surgical treatment during septal myectomy should be considered.
Indexed right and left atrial volumes together provide incremental value more than left atrium volume alone in af patients
Authors: Boyuk F , Wenli G , Zhu C , Zhang J , Yan C , Wu M , Yiu K H 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Atrial fibrillation is the most common rhythm disorder in the world. Determining the pathoanatomical effects of atrial fibrillation will enable us to better understand the disease process.

Purpose
According to our hypothesis, adding indexed right atrial volume parameters to the indexed left atrial volume measurement can provide incremental information.

Method
A total of 416 patients were included in the study. After the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, in addition to routine echocardiographic parameters, Indexed Systolic Left Atrial Volume Area Length (LA Esv AL), Left Atrial Volume Simpson (LA Esv Mod), Indexed Systolic Right Atrial Volume Area Length (RA Esv AL), Right Atrial Volume Simpson (RA Esv Mod) measurements were also performed . Patients have been followed about 12 years from the index case. Cluster analysis was performed according to similarity of echocardiographic parameters and demographic parameters. As a result of the analysis, patients were divided into two clusters. The cut-off values of the variables (age and echo parameters) that were significant between clusters were analyzed with ROC curve. Youden J index was used to determine cut-off values. Hazard Ratio was calculated by performing Cox regression analysis for death, heart failure and stroke according to the determined cut-off values.

Results
A total of 413 patients were included in the study (mean age 69.93± 12.14 years). The average follow-up period was 10 years. 281 patient experienced adverse event (death, stroke, heart failure). After adjustment several parameters (age, LVEF and comorbidities ) enlargement of LA Esv Mod and RA Esv Mod together was associated with stroke than one atrial enlargement alone (Picture 1); adjusted HR, 4,31 [95% CI, 2,03-9,17; P &lt; .001] , for death; LA Esv AL and RA Esv AL was associated with endpoint (Picture 2); HR, 6,41 [95% CI, 4,03-10,2; P &lt; .001] , for heart failure LA Esv AL and RA Esv AL was associated with end point; HR, 7,26 [95% CI, 4,33-12,19; P &lt; .001]. LA and RA volume enlargement was found better predictiv than LA atrial volume alone.

Conclusion
In patients with atrial fibrillation, left atrial enlargement accompanied by right atrial enlargement are associated with long-term poor outcomes. This study shows that indexed right atrial volume measurement has an incremental value when combined with the left atrial volume measurement in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Does endothelial function differ among sexes in patients with diabetes or kidney disease?
Authors: Renier M , Michielsen M , Vandecruys M , Decorte E , Van Craenenbroeck A H , Cornelissen V 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background/introduction
Endothelial dysfunction is a known driver of disease progression in both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and kidney disease. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), representing endothelium-dependent nitric oxide-mediated dilation in response to increased shear stress, is considered gold standard to quantify macrovascular dysfunction non-invasively. As evidence is mounting that men are more likely to suffer from macrovascular dysfunction than women, we hypothesized that this would be reflected in patient populations with T2DM and/or kidney disease.

Purpose
To assess gender differences in macrovascular dysfunction, as measured by FMD, in patients with T2DM and/or kidney disease.

Methods
Preliminary baseline data was collected from two ongoing randomized controlled trials in patients with T2DM and in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) 3 months post-transplantation. FMD was assessed with the semi-automated UNEX EF device under standardized conditions. Biochemical analyses were done using routine techniques. Images were manually analyzed by a single researcher (MR) using PCAnalysis software (version 1.0.14).

Results
Twenty-six subjects, 13 with T2DM and 12 KTRs were included. As expected, patients with T2DM had a higher BMI, higher HbA1c but higher eGFR compared to KTRs (Table 1). Compared to KTRs, patients with T2DM presented with a significantly worse FMD (FMD= 4.50% [IQR=5.77] vs 10.88% [6.48]). Overall, no significant difference in FMD between men and women was found (p=0.11), but higher values could be observed in females (FMD= 9.08% [IQR=6.97] vs 4.50% [7.88]). As depicted in Figure 2 this tendency was also observed in the two subgroups: KTR (M: FMD = 9.07% [IQR=9.62] | F: 11.92% [ 5.16]) and T2DM (M: FMD = 3.90% [IQR=5.00%] | F: 07.09% [6.83]).

Conclusion(s)
Although no significant differences in vascular function between sexes were detected, our preliminary data showed a tendency for higher FMD-values in women; both in T2DM and KTRs. This supports the statement that male subjects seem to suffer more from macrovascular dysfunction. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying pathways via which sex impacts the disease process in T2DM and kidney disease and to evaluate how personalized preventive lifestyle measures might differentially impact on outcome.
Peak oxygen uptake impairment in childhood cancer survivors treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy: a systematic-review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fyfe E , Weinkauf K , Hewitt D , Wang J , Kennedy M , Pituskin E , La Gerche A , Haykowsky M J , Foulkes S 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Exposure to cardiotoxic therapies such as anthracycline chemotherapy places childhood cancer survivors (CCS) at markedly increased risk of heart failure and cardiovascular mortality. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) is an objective marker of cardiovascular function that is a strong predictor of incident heart failure and cardiovascular mortality. However, the degree of VO2peak impairment in CCS is yet to be definitively established.

Purpose
To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing VO2peak and cardiac function in CCS treated with anthracycline chemotherapy versus age-matched non-cancer controls (CON).

Methods
A systematic search was performed using Embase, Scopus, MEDLINE, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus databases to identify cross-sectional studies comparing VO2peak (primary outcome) and resting cardiac function in CCS versus CON. Studies were included if i) participants were childhood cancer survivors (≤18 years old when cancer was diagnosed) exposed to anthracycline-based chemotherapy; ii) assessments were performed after completing adjuvant therapy; iii) reported VO2peak assessed from a maximal exercise test with expired gas analysis. Studies were excluded if they i) reported no original data; ii) did not include a healthy non-cancer control group; iii) reported duplicate data; iv) were not available in English. Values for CCS and CON were compared using a fixed-effects model, with results reported as weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the difference between CCS relative to CON. Heterogeneity was determined using the I2 statistic.

Results
2026 studies were identified, of which 18 unique case-control studies reporting peak VO2 in CCS (n=786, 44% female, mean age: 16 yrs, mean time post-therapy: 2.7 yrs) and CON (n=1379, 50% female, mean age: 16 yrs) were included in the meta-analysis. Childhood cancer survivors had markedly lower VO2peak (WMD: -7.08 mL/kg/min; 95% CI: -7.75 to -6.42, I2: 79%). Resting left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was the only measure of cardiac function with a sufficient number of studies for meta-analysis (n=5 studies). In contrast to VO2peak, there was only a small decrement in resting LVEF (WMD: -1.6%; 95% CI: -2.6 to -0.6; I2: 49%), and the mean resting LVEF for CCS was in the normal range in all studies (Range: 61.4% to 72.0%).

Conclusion
Despite negligible differences in resting cardiac function, CCS have a marked reduction in VO2peak that may explain their increased risk of heart failure and cardiovascular mortality. Incorporating measures of VO2peak into cardiac surveillance may improve the identification of CCS at risk of future cardiovascular events who may benefit from therapies (eg. exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation) to address impairment in VO2peak. Figure 1Pooled results for VO2peak Figure 2Pooled results for resting LVEF
Cardiovascular risk factors among undocumented and documented Chinese immigrants living in Italy
Authors: Pellegrino A , Calabrese M , Vacirca I , Boddi M , Modesti P A 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Cardio-metabolic diseases are highly prevalent among ethnic minority groups in Europe. However, information on health needs of undocumented immigrants, especially regarding risk factors, are lacking.

Purpose
To investigate prevalence, awareness and treatment of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia in a large cohort of undocumented and documented (registered with National Health Service, NHS) Chinese immigrants living in Italy.

Methods
Present study was a population-based, cross-sectional study. Chinese first-generation immigrants of a community resident in Italy underwent blood pressure (BP) measurement, blood tests (fasting glucose, FG, and total cholesterol, TC), and anthropometric measurements. Hypertension was diagnosed for BP≥140/90 mmHg at two visits, and/or BP-lowering medication use; type 2 diabetes for FG≥126 mg/dL at two visits, and/or glucose lowering drugs use; hypercholesterolemia for TC≥240 mg/dL and/or statins use. Undocumented and documented immigrants were compared via logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, central obesity, and education level.

Results
A large proportion of investigated Chinese immigrants (3435) were undocumented (1766, 51% with 1669, 49% registered with NHS). At logistic regression analysis, prevalence of hypertension was similar between the two groups, while prevalence of diabetes and hypercholesterolemia was higher among undocumented immigrants, despite having a younger age and a lower prevalence of central obesity. Registration to NHS was associated with a higher awareness and prevalence of treated subjects for hypertension and diabetes. More precisely, registered immigrants were 6 times more treated for type 2 diabetes than undocumented migrants. A small minority of subjects were treated with statins independently of NHS registration.

Conclusion
Undocumented immigrants seem to represent a large proportion of the Chinese immigrant population living in Italy. They had lower levels of awareness and rate of treatment for hypertension and type 2 diabetes than immigrants registered with the NHS. Acute treatment for stroke and myocardial infarction is guaranteed to all subjects regardless of NHS registration in Italy as in the majority of European countries. Health policies targeting this hard-to-reach population must be improved.
Effectiveness of chronic disease self-management program for older adults with cardiovascular disease
Authors: Olszewski R , Watros K , Brzezinski J , Manczak M , Owoc J , Dobrucka I , Borkowska A , Majka K , Jaciubek M , Jeziorski K 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
As the population ages, the prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) is expected to increase significantly. Non-pharmacological methods are increasingly being sought to manage cardiovascular disease in the presence of other chronic diseases. The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) originating over at Stanford University is a group-based education and support program that teaches people with chronic diseases how to manage their conditions and improve their quality of life.

Purpose
Evaluation of the effectiveness of the 6-week CDSMP workshops among individuals with CVD and chronic illnesses as well as the identification of potential areas for improvement and dissemination of the program.

Methods
The effectiveness of the workshops was assessed by conducting surveys before the workshops and immediately after the end of the 6-week workshops. The following tools were used to assess the effectiveness: visual analogue scale VAS for the level of pain, fatigue and sleep problems, Mini-COPE questionnaire, The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scales developed by the authors of the program. The results are presented as median and interquartile range (IQR). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze the values before and after the workshops.

Results
A 64-pts with CVD (60% hypertension) a mean age of 70 years. The participants were predominantly female (90%) and male (10%).The study proved the effectiveness of the workshops. All three indicators measured on an analogue scale improved after 6 weeks of workshops. Pain level decreased from 5 (IQR: 2-6) to 3 (IQR:1-5), p=0.022; fatigue level decreased from 6 (IQR: 4-8) to 5 (IQR: 3-6), p=0.052 and sleep problems from 6 (IQR: 2-7) to 3 (IQR: 1-5), p &lt;0.001. In the Mini-COPE questionnaire, the greatest change was noted in the ability of looking for advice and help from others (p=0.009). There was also a statistically significant decrease in the overall PHQ-9 value: before the workshops the median was 7 (IQR: 3-11), and after the workshops 6 (IQR: 3-9), p=0.034. As for the Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy questionnaire, participants achieved the greatest benefits in the domains of: disease management at a general level, coping with symptoms of the disease and coping with difficult emotions and depressive moods.

Conclusion
The CDSMP can be a valuable tool for managing these complex issues and improving the health and well-being of older adults with CVD and chronic illnesses.