bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Features of trastuzumab-related cardiac dysfunction: deformation analysis outside left ventricular global longitudinal strain
Authors: Nhat Giang M. , Hai Nguyen H. , Duc Vo T. , Tri Ho H. Q. , Hoa Chau N. 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundCancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction due to trastuzumab has been well-known for many years, and echocardiographic surveillance is recommended every 3 months in patients undergoing trastuzumab treatment, irrespective of the baseline cardiotoxicity risk. However, the potential harm and cost of overscreening in low- and moderate-risk patients have become great concerns.ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify the incidence of early cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) and the behaviours of left and right heart deformations during trastuzumab chemotherapy in low- and moderate-risk patients.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 110 anthracycline-naïve women with breast cancer and cardiovascular risk factors who were scheduled to receive trastuzumab. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS), and right ventricular and left atrial longitudinal strains were evaluated using echocardiography at baseline, before every subsequent cycle and 3 weeks after the final dose of trastuzumab. The baseline risk of CTRCD was graded according to the risk score proposed by the Heart Failure Association (HFA) Cardio-Oncology Working Group and the International Cardio-Oncology Society (ICOS). CTRCD and its severity were defined according to the current European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines.ResultsTwelve (10.9%) patients had asymptomatic CTRCD. All CTRCD occurred sporadically during the first 9 months of the active trastuzumab regimen in both low- and moderate-risk patients. While CTRCD was graded as moderate severity in 41.7% of patients and heart failure therapy was initiated promptly, no irreversible cardiotoxicity or trastuzumab interruption was recorded at the end of follow-up. Among the left and right heart deformation indices, only LV-GLS decreased significantly in the CTRCD group during the trastuzumab regimen.ConclusionsCTRCD is prevalent in patients with non-high-risk breast cancer undergoing trastuzumab chemotherapy. Low- and moderate-risk patients show distinct responses to trastuzumab. The LV-GLS is the only deformation index sensitive to early trastuzumab-related cardiac dysfunction.
Optimizing the construction of ecological networks in Beijing using a morphological spatial pattern analysis—minimal cumulative resistance model
Authors: Na Yueqi , Hong Zhujun , Ren Siyuan , Huang Kai 
Published: January 2024

Introduction: With the increasing fragmentation of landscapes caused by rapid urbanisation, constructing ecological networks strengthen the connectivity between fragmented habitat patches. As the capital of China, Beijing has a rapid development, resulting in a serious landscape fragmentation, and needing an urgent demand for this study to improve the ecological network system.Methods: In this study, we choose the elevation, slope, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and land use data of Beijing in 2020 as the data use. Morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) was used to identify ecological source areas for Beijing, Minimal cumulative resistance (MCR) and gravity models were used to construct ecological network, and stepping stones to improve it.Results: The core area of Beijing had the highest proportion (96.17%) of all landscape types, forest accounting for 82.01% thereof. Ten core areas were identified as ecological source areas. Forty-five ecological corridors (8 major and 37 ordinary) were constructed. The ecological corridors are mainly concentrated in the middle and eastern regions where ecological mobility is limited. Constructing stepping stones would help uphold the region’s ecological service functions and ecosystem balance. Twenty-nine stepping stones and 32 ecological obstacles were used to create the optimised ecological network, consisting of 171.Discussion: The results provide an optimised ecological model for Beijing and a reference constructing ecological spatial networks for the sustainable development of ecological environments in high-density urban areas.
Real-world outcomes from a series of patients with late onset Pompe disease who switched from alglucosidase alfa to avalglucosidase alfa
Authors: Carter Chris , Boggs Tracy , Case Laura E. , Kishnani Priya 
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Pompe disease is an inherited, progressive neuromuscular disorder caused by deficiency of lysosomal acid α-glucosidase and accumulation of glycogen in tissues, resulting in cellular dysfunction, muscle damage, and functional disabilities. Enzyme replacement therapy with alglucosidase alfa (Myozyme/Lumizyme) has led to better outcomes, but many patients have plateaued or declined despite treatment. The second-generation ERT avalglucosidase alfa (Nexviazyme) was designed to have enhanced cellular uptake via the conjugation of additional bis-mannose-6-phosphate residues. There have been trials comparing the efficacy of alglucosidase and avalglucosidase, but there remains a need for more real-world data on patients who switched from alglucosidase to avalglucosidase.Methods: A chart review was conducted on n = 15 patients with late-onset Pompe disease followed at a single center who switched from alglucosidase to avalglucosidase and continued for at least 6 months.Results: A total of n = 8/15 patients received alglucosidase for more than 3 years prior to switching, and n = 7/15 received it for more than 5 years prior to switching. There were statistically significant improvements in CK, Hex4, and AST with mean differences of −104.8 U/L, −3.0 mmol/molCr, and −14.7 U/L, respectively, post-switch. 6-Minute Walk Test; comfortable gait speed; Gait, Stairs, Gower, Chair; and Quick Motor Function Test scores improved or stabilized in most patients post-switch (n = 8/12, n = 11/12, n = 9/12, n =7/11, respectively). Of n = 7 patients with pulmonary function testing, n = 4/7 had improved upright FVC. Patient-reported outcomes revealed improvements in dyspnea (n = 4/4), physical function (n = 3/4), fatigue (n = 2/3), and lower back pain (n = 3/3). Avalglucosidase was well tolerated without infusion-associated reactions, and all n = 7 patients on home infusions continued receiving ERT at home. Anti-drug antibodies were seen in n = 9/10 of patients on alglucosidase and n = 8/13 of those on avalglucosidase, with titers below 12,800 in a majority of patients. We also present the first outcome data for a patient with LOPD who is non-ambulatory and a full-time wheelchair user; she demonstrated meaningful improvements in quality of life and motor function with the switch.Discussion: In summary, improved outcomes were seen in most patients, with a subset whose decline persisted. This study presents evidence that switching from alglucosidase to avalglucosidase may be associated with improved outcomes in certain patients with LOPD.
Causal relationship between human blood metabolites and risk of ischemic stroke: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: He Menghao , Xu Chun , Yang Renyi , Liu Lijuan , Zhou Desheng , Yan Siyang 
Published: January 2024

Background: Ischemic stroke (IS) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Previous studies have reported associations between metabolic disorders and IS. However, evidence regarding the causal relationship between blood metabolites and IS lacking.Methods: A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis (MR) was used to assess the causal relationship between 1,400 serum metabolites and IS. The inverse variance-weighted (IVW) method was employed to estimate the causal effect between exposure and outcome. Additionally, MR-Egger regression, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode approaches were employed as supplementary comprehensive evaluations of the causal effects between blood metabolites and IS. Tests for pleiotropy and heterogeneity were conducted.Results: After rigorous selection, 23 known and 5 unknown metabolites were identified to be associated with IS. Among the 23 known metabolites, 13 showed significant causal effects with IS based on 2 MR methods, including 5-acetylamino-6-formylamino-3-methyluracil, 1-ribosyl-imidazoleacetate, Behenoylcarnitine (C22), N-acetyltyrosine, and N-acetylputrescine to (N (1) + N (8))-acetate,these five metabolites were positively associated with increased IS risk. Xanthurenate, Glycosyl-N-tricosanoyl-sphingadienine, Orotate, Bilirubin (E,E), Bilirubin degradation product, C17H18N2O, Bilirubin (Z,Z) to androsterone glucuronide, Bilirubin (Z,Z) to etiocholanolone glucuronide, Biliverdin, and Uridine to pseudouridine ratio were associated with decreased IS risk.Conclusion: Among 1,400 blood metabolites, this study identified 23 known metabolites that are significantly associated with IS risk, with 13 being more prominent. The integration of genomics and metabolomics provides important insights for the screening and prevention of IS.
Comprehending the cuproptosis and cancer-immunity cycle network: delving into the immune landscape and its predictive role in breast cancer immunotherapy responses and clinical endpoints
Authors: Liu Xiangwei , Xu Feng , Zhao Kunkun , Liu Yunfei , Ye Guolin , Zhang Xin , Qu Yanyu 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundThe role of cuproptosis, a phenomenon associated with tumor metabolism and immunological identification, remains underexplored, particularly in relation to the cancer-immunity cycle (CIC) network. This study aims to rigorously examine the impact of the cuproptosis-CIC nexus on immune reactions and prognostic outcomes in patients with breast cancer (BC), striving to establish a comprehensive prognostic model.MethodsIn the study, we segregated data obtained from TCGA, GEO, and ICGC using CICs retrieved from the TIP database. We constructed a genetic prognostic framework using the LASSO-Cox model, followed by its validation through Cox proportional hazards regression. This framework’s validity was further confirmed with data from ICGC and GEO. Explorations of the tumor microenvironment were carried out through the application of ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT algorithms, as well as machine learning techniques, to identify potential treatment strategies. Single-cell sequencing methods were utilized to delineate the spatial distribution of key genes within the various cell types in the tumor milieu. To explore the critical role of the identified CICs, experiments were conducted focusing on cell survival and migration abilities.ResultsIn our research, we identified a set of 4 crucial cuproptosis-CICs that have a profound impact on patient longevity and their response to immunotherapy. By leveraging these identified CICs, we constructed a predictive model that efficiently estimates patient prognoses. Detailed analyses at the single-cell level showed that the significance of CICs. Experimental approaches, including CCK-8, Transwell, and wound healing assays, revealed that the protein HSPA9 restricts the growth and movement of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, our studies using immunofluorescence techniques demonstrated that suppressing HSPA9 leads to a notable increase in ceramide levels.ConclusionThis research outlines a network of cuproptosis-CICs and constructs a predictive nomogram. Our model holds great promise for healthcare professionals to personalize treatment approaches for individuals with breast cancer. The work provides insights into the complex relationship between the cuproptosis-CIC network and the cancer immune microenvironment, setting the stage for novel approaches to cancer immunotherapy. By focusing on the essential gene HSPA9 within the cancer-immunity cycle, this strategy has the potential to significantly improve the efficacy of treatments against breast cancer.
Effectiveness and cost of integrated cognitive and balance training for balance and falls in cerebellar ataxia: a blinded two-arm parallel group RCT
Authors: Winser Stanley J. , Chan Anne Y. Y. , Whitney Susan L. , Chen Cynthia H. , Pang Marco Y. C. 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundIn patients with cerebellar ataxia (CA), dual-tasking deteriorates the performance of one or both tasks.ObjectiveEvaluate the effects of 4 weeks of cognitive-coupled intensive balance training (CIBT) on dual-task cost, dynamic balance, disease severity, number of falls, quality of life, cognition and cost among patients with CA.MethodsThis RCT compared CIBT (Group 1) to single-task training (Group 2) among 32 patients with CA. The intervention included either dual-task (CIBT) or single-task training for 4 weeks followed by 6 months of unsupervised home exercises. Dual-task timed up-and-go test (D-TUG) assessed dual-task cost of the physical and cognitive tasks. Assessment time points included baseline 1 (Week 0:T1), baseline 2 (Week 6:T2), post-intervention (Week 10:T3), and follow-up (Week 34:T4).ResultsCompared to single-task training CIBT improved the dual-task cost of physical task [MD −8.36 95% CI (−14.47 to −2.36, p &lt; 0.01), dual-tasking ability [−6.93 (−13.16 to −0.70); p = 0.03] assessed using D-TUG, balance assessed using the scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARAbal) [−2.03 (−4.04 to −0.19); p = 0.04], visual scores of the SOT (SOT-VIS) [−18.53 (−25.81 to −11.24, p ≤ 0.01] and maximal excursion [13.84 (4.65 to 23.03; p ≤ 0.01] of the Limits of Stability (LOS) in the forward direction and reaction time in both forward [−1.11 (−1.42 to −0.78); p &lt; 0.01] and right [−0.18 (0.05 to 0.31); p &lt; 0.01] directions following 4 weeks of training. CIBT did not have any additional benefits in reducing the number of falls, or improving disease severity, quality of life and cognition. The mean cost of intervention and healthcare costs for 7 months was HKD 33,380 for CIBT group and HKD 38,571 for single-task training group.ConclusionWe found some evidence to support the use of CIBT for improving the dual-tasking ability, dual-task cost of physical task and dynamic balance in CA. Future large fully-powered studies are needed to confirm this claim.Clinical trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04648501, identifier [Ref: NCT04648501].
Systematic review and meta-analysis of the interventional effects of resveratrol in a rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Zhang Dong-Ze , Jia Ming-Yang , Wei Hong-Yu , Yao Ming , Jiang Li-Hong 
Published: January 2024

Objective: To evaluate the intervention effect of resveratrol on rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods: The relevant studies on the intervention of resveratrol on rat models of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury were searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang and China Science and Technology Journal Database from the start of database establishment to January 2023. Data were extracted from studies that met the inclusion criteria. The results included electrocardiogram (ECG) and myocardial injury markers: ST changes, cardiac troponin I (cTn-I), cardiac troponin T (cTn-T), creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); hemodynamic indicators: heart rate (HR), left ventricular diastolic pressure (LVDP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), maximum rate of increase of left ventricular pressure (+dp/dtmax), maximum rate of decrease of left ventricular pressure (−dp/dtmax); oxidative damage indicators: nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA); inflammatory factors: tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6); apoptosis index: B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), BCL2-Associated X (Bax), cardiomyocyte apoptosis index (AI); heart tissue structure: myocardial infarction size. Finally, a meta-analysis of these results was conducted. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the SYRCLE Bias Risk tool.Results: A total of 43 studies were included in the meta-analysis, and the quality of the included studies was assessed. It was found that the evidence quality of these 43 studies was low, and no study was judged to have low risk bias in all risk assessments. The results showed that resveratrol could reduce ST segment, cTn-I, cTn-T, CK, CK-MB, LDH, LVEDP, ROS, MDA, TNF-α, IL-6, AI levels and myocardial infarction size. HR, LVDP, LVSP, +dp/dtmax, NO, Bcl-2, and SOD levels were increased. However, resveratrol had no significant effect on -dp/dtmax and Bax outcome measures.Conclusion: Resveratrol can reduce ST segment in rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, alleviate myocardial injury, improve ventricular systolic and diastolic ability in hemodynamics, reduce inflammatory response and oxidative damage, and reduce myocardial necrosis and apoptosis. Due to the low quality of the methodologies included in the studies, additional research is required.
Kidney derived apolipoprotein M and its role in acute kidney injury
Authors: Bisgaard Line S. , Christensen Pernille M. , Oh Jeongah , Torta Federico , Füchtbauer Ernst-Martin , Nielsen Lars Bo , Christoffersen Christina 
Published: January 2024

Aim: Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is mainly expressed in liver and in proximal tubular epithelial cells in the kidney. In plasma, apoM associates with HDL particles via a retained signal peptide and carries sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a small bioactive lipid. ApoM is undetectable in urine from healthy individuals but lack of megalin receptors in proximal tubuli cells induces loss of apoM into the urine. Besides this, very little is known about kidney-derived apoM. The aim of this study was to address the role of apoM in kidney biology and in acute kidney injury.Methods: A novel kidney-specific human apoM transgenic mouse model (RPTEC-hapoMTG) was generated and subjected to either cisplatin or ischemia/reperfusion injury. Further, a stable transfection of HK-2 cells overexpressing human apoM (HK-2-hapoMTG) was developed to study the pattern of apoM secretion in proximal tubuli cells.Results: Human apoM was present in plasma from RPTEC-hapoMTG mice (mean 0.18 μM), with a significant increase in plasma S1P levels. In vitro apoM was secreted to both the apical (urine) and basolateral (blood) compartment from proximal tubular epithelial cells. However, no differences in kidney injury score was seen between RPTEC-hapoMTG and wild type (WT) mice upon kidney injury. Further, gene expression of inflammatory markers (i.e., IL6, MCP-1) was similar upon ischemia/reperfusion injury.Conclusion: Our study suggests that kidney-derived apoM is secreted to plasma, supporting a role for apoM in sequestering molecules from excretion in urine. However, overexpression of human apoM in the kidney did not protect against acute kidney injury.
Health beliefs and attitudes toward Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination in Portugal: a study using a mixed-method approach
Authors: Santos Ana João , Kislaya Irina , Matias-Dias Carlos , Machado Ausenda 
Published: January 2024

IntroductionVaccination is one of the most effective population strategies to prevent infectious diseases and mitigate pandemics, and it is important to understand vaccine uptake determinants since vaccine hesitancy has been increasing for the past few decades. The Health Belief Model (HBM) has been widely used for understanding vaccination behavior. The current study aimed to assess influenza vaccine (IV) non-uptake and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination, two important respiratory diseases with similar symptoms, and routes of transmission in the Portuguese population.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using a panel sample of randomly chosen Portuguese households. A total of 1,050 individuals aged 18 years and over responded to a telephone or online questionnaire. Through a mixed-method approach, we employed thematic content analysis to describe reasons for not taking the IV, considering the HBM dimensions, and quantitative statistical analysis to estimate IV and COVID-19 vaccine coverage.ResultsThe IV uptake for the overall population was 30.7% (CI 95%: 26.5, 35.2). Susceptibility was found to be a main factor for IV non-uptake, followed by barriers, such as stock availability and fear of adverse effects. The uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine was very high in the study population (83.1%, CI 95%: 13.6%−20.9%). There was a high perception of COVID-19-associated severity and fear of the consequences. Individuals who reported IV uptake seemed to perceive a higher severity of COVID-19 and a higher benefit of taking the COVID-19 vaccine for severe complications.DiscussionThus, the population does not seem to consider influenza to be a health risk, as opposed to COVID-19, which is considered to be a possibly severe disease. The association between IV uptake and COVID-19 perceptions highlights that an overall attitude toward vaccination in general may be an important individual determinant.
Influence of Pregnancy on Sexual Desire in Pregnant Women and Their Partners: Systematic Review
Authors: Fernández-Carrasco Francisco Javier , Batugg-Chaves Cirenia , Ruger-Navarrete Azahara , Riesco-González Francisco Javier , Palomo-Gómez Rocío , Gómez-Salgado Juan , Rodriguez Diaz Luciano , Vázquez-Lara María Dolores , Fagundo-Rivera Javier , Vázquez-Lara Juana Maria 
Published: January 2024

Objectives: Pregnancy is a stage in which different physical and psychological changes take place that can affect the sexuality of the couple. The aim of the study is to identify how the physical and psychological changes derived from pregnancy affect the sexual desire of women and men.Methods: A systematic review of the literature was carried out in five databases, from which a total of 16,126 documents were obtained. After applying the PRISMA selection criteria, a total of 19 documents were selected.Results: Levels of sexual desire fluctuate during pregnancy, being the second trimester of gestation the period in which desire is at its highest and in which physical limitations and emotional changes decrease. Women have lower levels of sexual desire in the first trimester, while men have the lowest levels of desire in the third trimester.Conclusion: Pregnancy is a stage marked by physiological and psychological changes that modify several areas, including sexuality. Healthcare professionals should promote a healthy sexuality, avoiding the appearance of fears or sexual dysfunctions caused by the changes that occur during pregnancy.