bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma levels of amyloid beta 1-40 are associated with ultrasonographic morphological characteristics related with carotid plaque vulnerability in individuals without cardiovascular disease
Authors: Delialis D I M I T R , Angelidakis L , Georgiopoulos G , Aivalioti E , Mavraganis G , Tual-Chalot S , Sopova K , Bampatsias D , Maneta E , Dimopouou A M , Patras R , Konstantaki C , Papaioannou M , Stellos K , Stamatelopoulos K 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Amyloid-beta (1-40) (Αb40), a proinflammatory and pro-atherosclerotic peptide, is associated with concurrent subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and with major adverse cardiac events in both primary and secondary prevention settings conferring additive and reclassification value over traditional risk factors and risk scores. This evidence supports the hypothesis that Ab40 could be a biomarker of ASCVD. However, mechanistic data on the association of Αb40 with in vivo morphological characteristics of atherosclerosis related with plaque vulnerability are not available.

Purpose
To examine the association of Ab40 levels with characteristics of the carotid artery wall in the general population.

Methods
In the settings of the Athens Vascular registry, subjects without clinically overt ASCVD were consecutively recruited (n=301). Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis was assessed by ultrasonography and the images were subsequently analyzed using a dedicated software (AMS v3.03). The sum and maximal area of atherosclerotic plaques (PLQ) and the minimum echogenicity using grey scale median (GSM) of intima-media thickness (IMT, IMT_GSM) and atherosclerotic plaques (PLQ_GSM) were used as the main endpoints of the analysis. Αb40 was measured in plasma samples.

Results
Subjects with Ab40 levels in the highest tertile had higher prevalence of male sex, presence of carotid plaque atherosclerosis, higher sum and maximal PLQ are and lower GFR HDL-C levels and lower PLQ_GSM (p&lt;0.05 for all). Ab40 in the highest vs. lower tertile was associated with higher sum and maximal plaque area (b-coefficient= 22.9 95% CI: 0.72, 45.1, p=0.43 and b-coefficient= 10.5 95% CI: 1.77, 19.3, p=0.019, for sum and maximal plaque area, respectively) after adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors and GFR (core model). Moreover, Ab40 in the highest tertile was associated with decreased GSM of both IMT and PLQ in the carotid arteries (b-coefficient= -6.0 95% CI: -9.6, -2.36, p=0.001, for IMT and b-coefficient= -8.66 95% CI: -16.5, -0.79, p=0.31, for PLQ) after adjustment for the core model.

Conclusion
In individuals without clinically overt ASCVD, higher levels of Ab40 are associated with the larger atherosclerotic burden and with ultrasonographic characteristics related to higher plaque vulnerability. These findings suggest a mechanistic background for the established association of Ab40 with major adverse cardiovascular events.
Impact of a multimorbidity-focused national general practice chronic disease programme on cardiovascular risks factors
Authors: Reilly O O , Gallagher J , Mcconnaghy D , Kelly S , Mckeogh S , Crowley G , Healy P , Mcdonald K , Brien S O 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Introduction
Multimorbidity occurs in adults of all ages, but the number and complexity of comorbid conditions commonly increases with advancing age. Therefore cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older adults typically occurs in a context of multimorbidity. Current clinical practice and research mainly target single disease-specific care that does not embrace the complexities imposed by concurrent conditions. A national chronic disease programme focused on multimorbid patients was developed, with funding based on process rather than outcome measures. The conditions included were chronic coronary syndromes, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, transient ischaemic attacks, stroke, diabetes, COPD and asthma. This report focuses on the initial results of this programme.

Methods
The programme commenced in March 2020 and analysis occurred based on patients returned by January 2022. The programme involved general practice teams providing a maximum of two visits to eligible patients every 12 months. The visit structure was supported by adaptation of the electronic health record returns depending on the conditions involved. The programme was introduced on a phased basis so that only those over 65 years were included in this analysis. Among all programme participants who had three visits, data on risk factors such as smoking, alcohol, physical activity, weight, blood pressure (BP), and lipid control were collected. HbA1c was also collected in those with diabetes.

Results
186,210 people were enrolled in the programme by January 2022. 13% of patients who were current smokers ceased smoking between first and third programme visits. In those who had inadequate physical activity levels at their first visit, almost 30% had achieved adequate physical activity levels by their third visit. Of those who had increased, high risk or harmful alcohol consumption patterns at visit one, 8.3% had become non-drinkers and 58.7% had normal drinking patterns by visit three. There was a population drop of a mean of 1mmHg in BP during the programme. Of those with elevated BP at visit one, 43.4% had a BP &lt;140/90 mmHg at visit three. The mean LDL cholesterol of the cohort was 2.2 mmol/L. In those with diabetes and ischaemic heart disease, 49% had an LDL cholesterol &lt;1.8mmol/l. By visit three, 23% of those with an LDL cholesterol initially above target subsequently had an LDL level &lt;1.8 mmol/L. The mean HbA1c in people with diabetes was 53.5 mmol/mol. 40% of those with a HbA1c &gt;64mmol/mol reduced this level between first and third visits. 81% of patients had received influenza vaccination. 75% of patients had received a pneumococcal vaccine.

Conclusion
Despite the COVID 19 pandemic a general practice based multimorbidity focused chronic disease management programme had significant impact on cardiovascular risk factors.
Potential lifetime benefit of applying two-step ESC prevention strategy
Authors: Van Trier T , Snaterse M , Hageman S H J , Ter Hoeve N , Sunamura M , Deckers J , Martens F M A C , Visseren F L J , Dorresteijn J A N , Scholte Op Reimer W J M , Peters R J G , Jorstad H T 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
The 2021 ESC Prevention guideline recommends a two-step strategy for risk management in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We estimated the potential lifetime benefit of complete implementation of this approach, compared to current practice.

Methods
In a pooled cohort (N=1,937) of coronary patients &gt;45 years, lifetime risk for recurrent events and gained event-free years with STEP 1 and STEP 2 were estimated using the SMART-REACH model. For all patients, STEP 1 included non-smoking, the use of antiplatelet therapy and specific targets for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C&lt;1.8 mmol/L) and systolic blood pressure (SBP&lt;140 mmHg), with use of diabetic medication if indicated. In patients with residual lifetime risk &gt;30%, STEP 2 included stricter targets (LDL-C&lt;1.4 mmol/L and SBP&lt;130 mmHg) and intensified treatments (colchicine and dual antiplatelet therapy).

Results
With current treatment following a coronary event, 196 (10%) of patients (20% women, mean age 64) met targets of STEP 1 and 46 (2%) of STEP 2, indicating a lifetime risk of 52% [interquartile range (IQR) 45-59]. Implementing STEP 1 would lower lifetime risk to 37% [IQR 28-45] (Fig 1) and result in a gain of 3.2 [IQR 1.4-5.9] years without events (Fig 2). Intensified STEP 2 treatment was indicated in 70% (median residual risk 41% [36-48]), resulting in lifetime risk in all patients of 26% [21-31] and 5.5 [3.8-8.1] event-free years.

Conclusion
A two-step (residual) risk reduction strategy in ASCVD patients has the potential to lower lifetime risk of recurrent events and to approximately add three event-free years per step to their lifetime.Decrease in lifetime risk per stepGain of event-free years per step
The determinant role of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol on the recovery of left ventricle ejection fraction after acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Cordero A , Escribano D , Flores E , Quintanilla M A , Martinez Rey-Ranal E , Munoz-Villalba M P , Selva A , Galan F , Munoz-Garcia N , Padro T , Vilahur G , Lopez-Ayala J M , Badimon L 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) have been associated to lower atherosclerosis-associated cardiovascular disease. Patients admitted for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) usually have low levels of HDLc.

Methods
Between 2015 and 2020 a total of 1,794 patients were admitted from an ACS; 75 (4.23%) died within the hospitalization, 619 (36.0%) were discharged having a LVEF &lt;0.50 from whom 562 (90.79%) had an echocardiogram available within the first 12 months after discharge. We evaluated the evolution of LVEF and assessed the percentage of patients with postdischarge LVEF &gt;0.35 or &gt;0.50. Multivariate analyses were performed by competing risk regression considering all-cause mortality as a competing event and adjusted by risk factors, age, medical treatment at discharge and revascularization; results are presented as sub-hazard ratio (sHR).

Results
Mean (standard deviation) age was 65.61 (12.16), 21.% were males, 28.6% had DM and 51% were discharged after an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). During the ACS, LVEF was 43.19 (11.12) and 33.92% had LVEF ≤0.35. Mean HDLc was 40.73 (13.94) mg/dL and no differences were observed in patients with LVEF 0.35 or &lt;0.20.
Median time to postdischarge echocardiogram was 200 days (IQ range 90-295). Postdischarge LVEF was 48.61 (12.83), 54.8% had LVEF &gt;0.50 and 14.41% had LVEF ≤0.35. Eleven patients died before having a postdischarge echocardiogram.
Patients with postdischarge LVEF &lt;0.50 had the same age and sex but had more frequently STEMI (56.13 vs. 47.71%; p=0.048), Killip class &gt;I (47.43% vs. 25.82%; p&lt;0.01), lower LVEF at the ACS (37.24 (0.58) vs. 48.17 (0.58); p&lt;0.01) and specially LVEF&lt;0.35 (45.68% vs. 20.19%; p&lt;0.01). Patients who had postdischarge LVEF &lt;0.50 had lower HDLc (38.19 (0.79) vs 41.11 (0.70) mg/dL; p&lt;0.01) and lower LDLc (85.64 (37.64) vs. 97.45 (35.95) mg/dL; p&lt;0.001) and glomerular filtration rate (73.47(24.57) vs. 78.54 (20.60) ml/min/1.72m2; p&lt;0.001); no differences were observed in triglycerides, hemoglobin or C-reactive protein. The competing risk regression identified an independent predictive value of HDLc for LVEF improvement (figure). HDLc &gt;40 mg/dL in the ACS was independently associated to higher probability of postdischarge LVEF &gt;0.50 (sHR: 1.28 95% CI 1.07-1.53; p&lt;0.001).

Conclusions
HDLc levels, measured during an ACS hospitalization, predict LVEF recovery in patients discharged with LVEF &lt;0.50.
European and US guideline-based statin eligibility, genetically predicted coronary artery disease, and the risk of major coronary events
Authors: Park H , Kim D H , You S C , Jang E S , Yu H T , Kim T H , Kim D M , Sung J H , Pak H N , Lee M H , Yang P S , Joung B Y 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Objectives
To investigate whether polygenic risk score for coronary artery disease (CAD-PRS) can guide the initiation of lipid-lowering treatment as well as deferral beyond the statin eligibility criteria.

Methods
311,799 individuals aged 40 to 73 years and free of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and lipid-lowering treatment at baseline were included from the UK Biobank. Participants were categorized by statin eligibility using the European and US guidelines on statin use.

Results
For a median (IQR) follow-up of 11.9 (11.2-12.6) years, 8,196 individuals experienced major coronary events. CAD-PRS added to European-SCORE2 and US-PCE models identified 18% and 12% of individuals with class II indication for statin use whose risk of major coronary events were same or higher than the average risk of those with class I indication and 16% and 12% of individuals with class I indication whose major coronary event risks were same or lower than the average risk of those with class II indication. For ASCVD events, CAD-PRS added to European-SCORE2 and US-PCE models resulted in a net reclassification improvement of 13.6% (95% CI 11.8 to 15.5) and 14.7% (95% CI 13.1 to 16.3) among class I indicated, 10.8% (95% CI 9.6 to 12.0) and 15.3% (95% CI 13.2 to 17.5) among class II indicated, and 0.9% (95% CI 0.6 to 1.3) and 3.6% (95% CI 3.0 to 4.2) among class III indicated individuals.

Conclusions
CAD-PRS may guide statin initiation as well as deferral among individuals with class I and class II indication for statin use as defined by the European and US guidelines. However, the CAD-PRS had little clinical utility among individuals who were not eligible for statins.
Distinguishing left ventricular hypertrophy from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in adolescents: a longitudinal observation study
Authors: Forså Marianne I , Smedsrud Marit K , Haugaa Kristina H , Bjerring Anders W , Früh Andreas , Sarvari Sebastian I , Landgraff Hege W , Hallén Jostein , Edvardsen Thor 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Aims
Echocardiographic characteristics to distinguish physiological left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy from pathology are warranted in early adolescent athletes. This study aimed to explore the phenotype, progression, and potential grey zone of LV hypertrophy during adolescence in athletes and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) genotype–positive patients.

Methods and results
In this longitudinal observation study, we compared seventy-six 12-year-old athletes with 55 age-matched and sex-matched HCM genotype–positive patients. Echocardiographic parameters were evaluated by using paediatric reference values (Z-scores). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy genotype–positive patients were included if they had no or mild LV hypertrophy [maximum wall thickness &lt;13 mm, Z-score &lt;6 for interventricular septum diameter (ZIVSd), or posterior wall thickness]. We collected clinical data, including data on cardiac events. The mean follow-up-time was 3.2 ± 0.8 years. At baseline, LV hypertrophy was found in 28% of athletes and 21% of HCM genotype–positive patients (P = 0.42). Septum thickness values were similar (ZIVSd 1.4 ± 0.9 vs. 1.0 ± 1.3, P = 0.08) and increased only in HCM genotype–positive patients {ZIVSd progression rate −0.17 [standard error (SE) 0.05], P = 0.002 vs. 0.30 [SE 0.10], P = 0.001}. Left ventricular volume Z-scores (ZLVEDV) were greater in athletes [ZLVEDV 1.0 ± 0.6 vs. −0.1 ± 0.8, P &lt; 0.001; ZLVEDV progression rate −0.05 (SE 0.04), P = 0.21 vs. −0.06 (SE 0.04), P = 0.12]. Cardiac arrest occurred in two HCM genotype–positive patients (ages 13 and 14), with ZIVSd 8.2–11.5.

Conclusion
Left ventricular hypertrophy was found in a similar proportion in early adolescence but progressed only in HCM genotype–positive patients. A potential grey zone of LV hypertrophy ranged from a septum thickness Z-score of 2.0 to 3.3. Left ventricular volumes remained larger in athletes. Evaluating the progression of wall thickness and volume may help clinicians distinguish physiological LV hypertrophy from early HCM.
The main genetic locus associated with the evolution of gamecocks is centered on ISPD
Authors: Bendesky Andres , Brew Joseph , Francis Kerel X , Tello Corbetto Enrique F , González Ariza Antonio , Nogales Baena Sergio , Shimmura Tsuyoshi 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Chickens were domesticated &gt;4,000 years ago, probably first for fighting them and only later as a source of food. Fighting chickens, commonly known as gamecocks, continue to be bred throughout the world, but the genetic relationships among geographically diverse gamecocks and with nongame chickens are not known. Here, we sequenced the genomes of 44 geographically diverse gamecocks and 62 nongame chickens representing a variety of breeds. We combined these sequences with published genomes to generate the most diverse chicken genomes dataset yet assembled, with 307 samples. We found that gamecocks do not form a homogeneous group, yet they share genetic similarities that distinguish them from nongame chickens. Such similarities are likely the result of a common origin before their local diversification into, or mixing with nongame chickens. Particularly noteworthy is a variant in an intron of the isoprenoid synthase domain containing gene (ISPD), an extreme outlier present at a frequency of 89% in gamecocks but only 4% in nongame chickens. The ISPD locus has the strongest signal of selection in gamecocks, suggesting it is important for fighting performance. Because ISPD variants that are highly prevalent in gamecocks are still segregating in nongame chickens, selective breeding may help reduce its frequency in farm conditions in which aggression is not a desired trait. Altogether, our work provides genomic resources for agricultural genetics, uncovers a common origin for gamecocks from around the world and what distinguishes them genetically from chickens bred for purposes other than fighting, and points to ISPD as the most important locus related to fighting performance.
Meal kit subscription services and opportunities to improve family vegetable consumption
Authors: Fraser Kylie , Love Penelope , Laws Rachel , Campbell Karen J , Spence Alison 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Popular commercial meal kit subscription services (MKSSs) may support families to overcome barriers to cooking and eating at home, and facilitate improved vegetable consumption. The global meal kit market has expanded rapidly creating a gap in our understanding of the health-promoting potential of MKSSs. This paper describes the contemporary MKSS market in Australia and provides a vegetable-specific content analysis of a sample of recipes. A 1-week subscription was purchased for all Australian-based MKSSs (n = 9) and websites were systematically reviewed to document key characteristics and recipe features. Vegetable content of all available recipes within a 1-week period were analysed. Our findings highlight the rapid expansion and evolution of MKSS market offerings over the past decade and their potential to support family vegetable consumption. Across all analysed recipes (n = 179), MKSSs provided a median of 2.5 vegetable serves per person (range 0.7–7.5 serves) and a median of 3 different types of vegetables from 2 vegetable subgroups (i.e. dark green, red and orange, starchy, legumes and all other vegetables). This suggests that MKSSs may support family vegetable consumption if families select recipes with a greater number and variety of vegetables. However, an opportunity remains for MKSSs to improve both vegetable quantity and variety to positively influence population health. Further research is required to describe how families use meal kits promoting a greater understanding of their potential to improve family nutrition.
ASAS-NANP symposium: Mathematical Modeling in Animal Nutrition: The power of identifiability analysis for dynamic modeling in animal science:a practitioner approach
Authors: Muñoz-Tamayo Rafael , Tedeschi Luis O 
Published: November 2023

AbstractConstructing dynamic mathematical models of biological systems requires estimating unknown parameters from available experimental data, usually using a statistical fitting procedure. This procedure is usually called parameter identification, parameter estimation, model fitting, or model calibration. In animal science, parameter identification is often performed without analytic considerations on the possibility of determining unique values of the model parameters. These analytical studies are related to the mathematical property of structural identifiability, which refers to the theoretical ability to recover unique values of the model parameters from the measures defined in an experimental setup and use the model structure as the sole basis. The structural identifiability analysis is a powerful tool for model construction because it informs whether the parameter identification problem is well-posed (i.e., the problem has a unique solution). Structural identifiability analysis is helpful to determine which actions (e.g., model reparameterization, choice of new data measurements, and change of the model structure) are needed to render the model parameters identifiable (when possible). The mathematical technicalities associated with structural identifiability analysis are very sophisticated. However, the development of dedicated, freely available software tools enables the application of identifiability analysis without needing to be an expert in mathematics and computer programming. We refer to such a non-expert user as a practitioner for hands-on purposes. However, a practitioner should be familiar with the model construction and software implementation process. In this paper, we propose to adopt a practitioner approach that takes advantage of available software tools to integrate identifiability analysis in the modeling practice in the animal science field. The application of structural identifiability implies switching our regard of the parameter identification problem as a downstream process (after data collection) to an upstream process (before data collection) where experiment design is applied to guarantee identifiability. This upstream approach will substantially improve the workflow of model construction toward robust and valuable models in animal science. Illustrative examples with different levels of complexity support our work. The source codes of the examples were provided for learning purposes and to promote open science practices.
Left-sided cholecystitis in a patient with situs inversus totalis, complicated by portal venous malformations
Authors: Suvarna Rishabh , Gupta Ankit , Amtul Nasira 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare autosomal recessive anomaly in which the thoracoabdominal viscerae are laterally transposed, introducing unique challenges in surgical scenarios. Only a few reports have demonstrated the treatment of cholecystitis in situs inversus, much less so in the context of portal vascular anomalies. We present the case of a 41-year-old female presenting to the emergency department with right upper quadrant pain, and subsequently found to have left-sided cholecystitis complicated by SIT with portal venous malformations on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and abdominal computed tomography. Initially, she was referred for open cholecystectomy however due to the lack of symptoms and the presence of a tortuous recanalized portal vein presenting multiple thrombotic complications, an expectant approach was adopted. Thus, imaging remains the gold-standard to diagnose SIT and consideration of all congenital risk factors to cholecystectomy is crucial to avoid post-operative complications.