bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Argipressin-norepinephrine association in the treatment of septic shock: the use of the polydistrectual resistance index as an assessment of vascular compliance
Authors: Barile Alessio , Mazzotta Barbara , Izzi Antonio , Mirabella Lucia , Cinnella Gilda , Paternoster Gianluca , Mincolelli Giuseppe , Recchia Andreaserena , Tonti Maria Pia , Manuali Aldo , Copetti Massimiliano , Restivo Luciano , D’Amora Mauro , Di Fazio Aldo , Innelli Pasquale , Del Gaudio Alfredo 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionThe hemodynamic management of septic patients involves initial fluid therapy, followed by the use of vasoconstrictors in case of treatment failure. The latest Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines suggest the synergistic use of argipressin in addition to norepinephrine when hemodynamic optimization is not achieved with norepinephrine alone.MethodsIn our single-center retrospective observational study, the primary endpoint is the safety of initial norepinephrine-argipressin association treatment, assessed through a reduction in Resistance Index. Our secondary endpoint includes the efficacy of this combination, measured by an increase in Mean Arterial Pressure and a reduction in Resistance Index as an indicator of organ perfusion. The Resistance Index (RI) is evaluated through Power Doppler ultrasound. RI is crucial for assessing multi-district vascular tone and multiorgan perfusion. Patients were categorized into three groups based on their treatment. In Group 1, we analyzed patients treated with norepinephrine alone in incremental doses; in Group 2, we analyzed patients receiving the initial norepinephrine-argipressin association treatment (norepinephrine 0.05 mcg/kg/min-argipressin 0.03 IU/min); in the third group (Group 3), we analyzed patients given argipressin (0.03 IU/min) after norepinephrine (&lt;0.10–0.25≥ mcg/kg/min) to stabilize their hemodynamics (MAP &gt; 65 mmHg). RI measurements were taken in the Renal Artery (ARE), Radial Artery (AR), Central Retinal Artery (CRA), and Superior Mesenteric Artery (AMS) at four different time points: T0 before vasopressor therapy, T1 at 1 h, T2 at 24 h, and T3 at 48 h after vasopressor infusion.ResultsA total of 48 patients were divided into three groups: 17 patients in Group 1, 16 in Group 2, and 15 in Group 3. In Group 1, an increase in Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) was observed, but there was an increase in RIs in the right CRI and left ARE. In Group 2, there was an improvement in MAP and a reduction in RIs in the right/left CRI, left ARE, AMS, and right AR. In Group 3, there was an increase in MAP and a reduction in RIs in the right/left CRI, left ARE, AMS, and right AR.ConclusionEarly norepinephrine-argipressin association treatment appears to be a valid strategy for hemodynamic optimization in this patient population.
N-rich chitosan-derived porous carbon materials for efficient CO2 adsorption and gas separation
Authors: Min Han , Zhang Ke , Guo Zhongya , Chi Fengyao , Fu Lili , Li Bin , Qiao Xueyi , Wang Shuang , Cao Shaokui , Wang Bing , Ma Qingxiang 
Published: December 2023

Capturing and separating carbon dioxide, particularly using porous carbon adsorption separation technology, has received considerable research attention due to its advantages such as low cost and ease of regeneration. In this study, we successfully developed a one-step carbonization activation method using freeze-thaw pre-mix treatment to prepare high-nitrogen-content microporous nitrogen-doped carbon materials. These materials hold promise for capturing and separating CO2 from complex gas mixtures, such as biogas. The nitrogen content of the prepared carbon adsorbents reaches as high as 13.08 wt%, and they exhibit excellent CO2 adsorption performance under standard conditions (1 bar, 273 K/298 K), achieving 6.97 mmol/g and 3.77 mmol/g, respectively. Furthermore, according to Ideal Adsorption Solution Theory (IAST) analysis, these materials demonstrate material selectivity for CO2/CH4 (10 v:90 v) and CO2/CH4 (50 v:50 v) of 33.3 and 21.8, respectively, at 1 bar and 298 K. This study provides a promising CO2 adsorption and separation adsorbent that can be used in the efficient purification process for carbon dioxide, potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions in industrial and energy production, thus offering robust support for addressing climate change and achieving more environmentally friendly energy production and carbon capture goals.
Efficacy of acupuncture for hypertension in the elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Tianyi , Li Hangyu , Feng Shixing , Wang Junqi , Qin Wanli , Zhang Yuan , Sun Wen , Wang Chenlu , Cai Xuanyi , Han Dongran , Liu Jialin , Liu Yixing 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundHypertension has now developed into a major public health problem worldwide. Under the existing antihypertensive drug treatment paradigm, problems such as decreasing drug resistance and increasing drug side effects can occur for elderly patients. Acupuncture, a core technique in the non-pharmacological treatment of Chinese medicine, plays an important role in the treatment of elevated blood pressure.ObjectiveThis study aimed to systematically evaluate the effect of acupuncture alone or in combination with antihypertensive drugs on the efficiency of reducing blood pressure and controlling blood pressure in elderly patients with hypertension.MethodsArticles of randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for hypertension in the elderly published before November 2022 were searched in 7 databases. The methodological quality of the literature was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. The primary outcome was the efficiency rate of blood pressure reduction, and the secondary outcome was the change in blood pressure after treatment.ResultsThis study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials with a total of 1,466 subjects. Among the primary outcome—efficiency rate, acupuncture-only treatment (RR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.03–1.20, P &lt; 0.01) and acupuncture combined with antihypertensive drug treatment (RR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.06–1.31, P &lt; 0.01) were significantly different compared with drugs-only treatment. Among the secondary outcomes, SBP (MD: −4.85, 95% CI: −10.39 to −0.69, P = 0.09) and DBP (MD: −1.45, 95% CI: −5.35 to 2.45, P = 0.47) show no significant difference between acupuncture-only treatment and drug-only treatment. Compared to drugs-only treatment, acupuncture plus drugs has more significant efficiency in lowering SBP (MD: −9.81, 95% CI: −13.56 to −6.06, P &lt; 0.01) and DBP (MD: −7.04, 95% CI: −10.83 to −3.24, P &lt; 0.01).ConclusionFor elderly patients with hypertension, acupuncture-only treatment has the same efficiency and antihypertensive effect compared to drug therapy and acupuncture plus drugs outperforms drugs-only treatment. If the patients receive therapy with less frequency per week and longer duration, there will be a more obvious antihypertensive effect. Due to the methodological defects in the included study and the limited sample size of this paper, more well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed for verification.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022376407, PROSPERO (CRD42022376407).
Long-term QT prolongation in monkeys after doxorubicin administration at doses similar to breast cancer therapy
Authors: Bodziock George M. , Meléndez Giselle C. 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundStudies in small animals and human patients have suggested that anthracyclines may prolong cardiac repolarization, or at least inhibit repolarization reserve, predisposing to QT prolongation and dangerous arrhythmias such as Torsades de pointes. This association in humans is difficult to confirm due to multiple confounding variables such as the presence of other medications and concurrent illness.ObjectivesIdentify a long-term association between anthracycline administration and repolarization prolongation in nonhuman primates, which can be measured as prolonged QT/QTc intervals on surface electrocardiogram.MethodsFive female African Green monkeys (AGMs) aged 13 ± 1 years received Doxorubicin (Dox) at doses similar to women treated for breast cancer (30–60 mg/m2/biweekly IV, total cumulative dose: 240 mg/m2) and underwent 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) before and 15 weeks after the final dose of Dox treatment. A blinded paired analysis was performed on ECG derived heart rate (HR), QRS, QT and QT corrected for HR (QTc) interval durations.ResultsAfter Dox, all monkeys exhibited increased QT (BL: 323.2 ± 27.4 ms vs. Post-Dox: 366.4 ± 18.7 ms, p = 0.002) and QTc (BL: 440.2 ± 22.8 ms vs. Post-Dox: 500.8 ± 22.0 ms, p = 0.009) intervals, without any significant changes in HR or QRS duration (p = 0.92 and p = 0.47 respectively).ConclusionsAGMs treated with Dox exhibited long-term QT and QTc prolongation, along with the expected cardiotoxicity (LVEF decrease). While similar findings were shown in small animal studies, confounders make human association difficult to prove. Our finding provides a valuable intermediary step, showing direct effect of Dox on repolarization in nonhuman primates.
Effects of empagliflozin on right ventricular adaptation to pressure overload
Authors: Axelsen Julie S. , Nielsen-Kudsk Anders H. , Schwab Janne , Ringgaard Steffen , Nielsen-Kudsk Jens Erik , de Man Frances S. , Andersen Asger , Andersen Stine 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundRight ventricular (RV) failure is the prime cause of death in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Novel treatment strategies that protect the RV are needed. Empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor, shows cardioprotective effects on the left ventricle in clinical and preclinical studies, but its direct effects on RV remain elusive. We investigated the effects of empagliflozin on RV dysfunction induced by pulmonary trunk banding (PTB).MethodsMale Wistar rats (116 ± 10 g) were randomized to PTB or sham surgery. One week after surgery, PTB animals received empagliflozin mixed into the chow (300 mg empagliflozin/kg chow; PTB-empa, n = 10) or standard chow (PTB-control, n = 10). Sham rats (Sham, n = 6) received standard chow. After five weeks, RV function was evaluated by echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and invasive pressure-volume measurements.ResultsPTB caused RV failure evident by decreased cardiac output compared with sham. PTB-empa rats had a 49% increase in water intake compared with PTB-control yet no differences in hematocrit or blood glucose. Treatment with empagliflozin decreased RV end-systolic pressures without any changes in RV cardiac output or ventricular-arterial coupling (Ees/Ea). The decrease in RV end-systolic pressure was complemented by a slight reduction in RV cross sectional area as a sign of reduced hypertrophy. Load-independent measures of RV systolic and diastolic function were not affected in PTB-empa rats compared with PTB-control.ConclusionEmpagliflozin treatment reduced RV end-systolic pressure in RV failure induced by pressure overload. Further studies are needed to elucidate whether this simply relates to a diuretic effect and/or additional independent beneficial RV effects.
Emergency transvenous temporary pacing during rotational atherectomy
Authors: Schwarz Konstantin , Mascherbauer Julia , Schmidt Elisabeth , Zirkler Martina , Lamm Gudrun , Vock Paul , Kwok Chun Shing , Borovac Josip Andelo , Mousavi Roya Anahita , Hoppe Uta C. , Leibundgut Gregor , Will Maximilian 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundRotational atherectomy (RA) during percutaneous coronary intervention may cause transient bradycardia or a higher-degree heart block. Traditionally, some operators use prophylactic transvenous pacing wire (TPW) to avoid haemodynamic complications associated with bradycardia.ObjectiveWe sought to establish the frequency of bail-out need for emergency TPW insertion in patients undergoing RA that have received no upfront TPW insertion.MethodsWe performed a single-centre retrospective study of all patients undergoing RA between October 2009 and October 2022. Patient characteristics, procedural variables, and in-hospital complications were registered.ResultsA total of 331 patients who underwent RA procedure were analysed. No patients underwent prophylactic TPW insertion. The mean age was 73.3 ± 9.1 years, 71.6% (n = 237) were male, while nearly half of the patients were diabetic [N = 158 (47.7%)]. The right coronary artery was the most common target for RA (40.8%), followed by the left anterior descending (34.1%), left circumflex (14.8%), and left main stem artery (10.3%). Altogether 20 (6%) patients required intraprocedural atropine therapy. Emergency TPW insertion was needed in one (0.3%) patient only. Eight (2.4%) patients died, although only one (0.3%) was adjudicated as being possibly related to RA-induced bradycardia. Five patients (1.5%) had ventricular fibrillation arrest, while nine (2.7%) required cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Six (1.8%) procedures were complicated by coronary perforation, two (0.6%) were complicated by tamponade, while 17 (5.1%) patients experienced vascular access complications.ConclusionsBail-out transvenous temporary pacing is very rarely required during RA. A standby temporary pacing strategy seems reasonable and may avoid unnecessary TPW complications compared with routine use.
Kin affiliation, socio-sexual and mating preference in the female Microtus ochrogaster in a multiple socio-sexual preference test
Authors: Ferreira-Nuño Armando , Young Larry J. , Morales Otal Adriana , Camacho Francisco , Díaz Néstor F. , Paredes Raúl G. , Prado Alberto , Cruz Benites Antonio , Portillo Wendy 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionThe prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) is a socially monogamous species that, after cohabitation with mating, forms an enduring pair bond. It has been suggested that female prairie voles avoid mating with fathers and siblings to prevent inbreeding depression. However, controlled laboratory tests of preferences involving males with varying degree of relatedness have not been conducted.MethodsTo address this, we employed a multiple socio-sexual preference arena consisting of four adjacent cylinders arranged in a closed circle. In each cylinder, we placed a male of varying relatedness to the experimental female (i.e., father, sibling, first-degree cousin, and unrelated males) and registered their behavior for five hours. Male socio-sexual preference was determined by the proportion of time spent in each male's chamber, which can be driven by affiliative preferences for the father and sibling and sexual attraction for the cousin and unrelated males. Mating preference was analyzed as the frequency of mating with each male. We hypothesized that receptive females would show sexual attraction and mating preferences for the unrelated males and cousins and affiliative preferences for the fathers and siblings.ResultsOur analyses showed that females spent more time with first-degree cousins and mated more often with them compared to unrelated males, siblings, or fathers. However, complete inbreeding avoidance was not observed, and some females mated with siblings, fathers, or both.DiscussionAlthough our results did not support the hypothesis, they are consistent with other studies that have argued that mating with first-degree cousins optimizes the costs and benefits associated with inbreeding and outbreeding.
Immunoproteomics reveal increased serum IgG3/5 binding to Dermatophagoides and yeast protein antigens in severe equine asthma in a preliminary study
Authors: Schnabel Christiane L. , Jentsch Maria-Christin , Lübke Sabrina , Kaiser-Thom Sarah , Gerber Vinzenz , Vrtala Susanne , Huang Huey-Jy , Rhyner Claudio , Wagner Bettina , Hoffmann Ralf , Volke Daniela  
Published: December 2023

IntroductionSevere equine asthma (SEA) is a common, chronic respiratory disease of horses characterized by hyperreactivity to hay dust which has many similarities to severe neutrophilic asthma in humans. SEA-provoking antigens have not been comprehensively characterized, but molds and mites have been suggested as relevant sources. Here, we identified relevant antigen candidates using immunoproteomics with IgG isotype-binding analyses.MethodsProteins from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting (2D immunoblots) resulting in a characteristic pattern of 440 spots. After serum incubation, antibody (Ig)-binding of all Ig (Pan-Ig) and IgG isotypes (type-2-associated IgG3/5, type-1-associated IgG4/7) was quantified per each spot and compared between asthmatic and healthy horses’ sera (n=5 per group).ResultsIg binding differences were detected in 30 spots. Pan-Ig binding was higher with asthmatics compared to healthy horses’ sera on four spots, and IgG3/5 binding was higher on 18 spots. Small IgG4/7 binding differences were detected on 10 spots with higher binding with asthmatics’ sera on four but higher binding with healthy horses’ sera on six spots. Proteins from the spots with group differences including mite and yeast proteins were identified by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The latter likely originated from the feeding substrate of the Der p culture. Prioritized antigen candidates amongst the proteins identified were Der p 1, Der p 11, group 15 allergens, myosin heavy chain, and uncharacterized Der p proteins. Additionally, yeast enolases, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and heat shock proteins were prioritized. Eleven antigen candidates were tested for confirmation by ELISAs using the respective proteins separately. Differences in asthmatics vs. healthy horses’ serum Ig binding to Der p 1, Der p 18, and three yeast enzymes (enolase, ADH, and PGK) confirmed these as promising antigens of immune responses in SEA.DiscussionAntigens with relevance in SEA were newly identified by immunoproteomics, and yeast antigens were considered for SEA for the first time. Serum IgG3/5 binding to relevant antigens was increased in SEA and is a novel feature that points to increased type-2 responses in SEA but requires confirmation of the corresponding cellular responses.
Combined application of nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and silicon improves growth and fatty acid composition in marine epiphytic diatoms
Authors: Yang Miao , Xu Xin-Yue , Hu Han-Wen , Zhang Wei-Dong , Ma Jing-Yi , Lei Heng-Ping , Wang Qing-Zhi , Xie Xi , Gong Zheng 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionMarine epiphytic diatoms are natural diets for multiple marine invertebrates, including sea cucumbers, sea urchins, etc. They also act as bioindicators in marine waters to assess water quality of coastal ecosystems. Material and methodsWe isolated three strains of Navicula and two strains of Nitzschia from macroalgal epiphytes. Combined concentrations of four macroelements, five trace metals, and three vitamins in f/2 medium were optimized for these diatoms using single-factor and orthogonal tests. Results and discussionThe biomass productivities for 4-L enlarged cultures of the five isolated diatoms in their exclusively optimized f/2 media all increased by nearly 10-fold relative to f/2 medium, and that of Navicula-1 and Nitzschia-2 reached the highest, i.e., 29.52 ± 1.98 and 30.68 ± 2.84 g m-2 d-1, respectively. Moreover, the relative abundance of C20:5n3 in the exclusively optimized f/2 medium-cultured Navicula-1 notably rose by 24%, and that in Nitzschia-2 held stable at &gt; 25%. Thus, Navicula-1 and Nitzschia-2 were screened out with outstanding growth traits and improved fatty acid compositions at high levels of combined nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and silicon. The two diatoms have potential for becoming quality diets for marine aquaculture, and ideal candidates for effective nutrient removal.
Gray-white matter boundary Z-score and volume as imaging biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Tian Yunan , Oh Jang-Hoon , Rhee Hak Young , Park Soonchan , Ryu Chang-Woo , Cho Ah Rang , Jahng Geon-Ho 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionAlzheimer’s disease (AD) presents typically gray matter atrophy and white matter abnormalities in neuroimaging, suggesting that the gray-white matter boundary could be altered in individuals with AD. The purpose of this study was to explore differences of gray-white matter boundary Z-score (gwBZ) and its tissue volume (gwBTV) between patients with AD, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and cognitively normal (CN) elderly participants.MethodsThree-dimensional T1-weight images of a total of 227 participants were prospectively obtained from our institute from 2006 to 2022 to map gwBZ and gwBTV on images. Statistical analyses of gwBZ and gwBTV were performed to compare the three groups (AD, MCI, CN), to assess their correlations with age and Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), and to evaluate their effects on AD classification in the hippocampus.ResultsThis study included 62 CN participants (71.8 ± 4.8 years, 20 males, 42 females), 72 MCI participants (72.6 ± 5.1 years, 23 males, 49 females), and 93 AD participants (73.6 ± 7.7 years, 22 males, 71 females). The AD group had lower gwBZ and gwBTV than CN and MCI groups. K-MMSE showed positive correlations with gwBZ and gwBTV whereas age showed negative correlations with gwBZ and gwBTV. The combination of gwBZ or gwBTV with K-MMSE had a high accuracy in classifying AD from CN in the hippocampus with an area under curve (AUC) value of 0.972 for both.ConclusiongwBZ and gwBTV were reduced in AD. They were correlated with cognitive function and age. Moreover, gwBZ or gwBTV combined with K-MMSE had a high accuracy in differentiating AD from CN in the hippocampus. These findings suggest that evaluating gwBZ and gwBTV in AD brain could be a useful tool for monitoring AD progression and diagnosis.
Age-related impairments and influence of visual feedback when learning to stand with unexpected sensorimotor delays
Authors: Rasman Brandon G. , van der Zalm Christian , Forbes Patrick A. 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundWhile standing upright, the brain must accurately accommodate for delays between sensory feedback and self-generated motor commands. Natural aging may limit adaptation to sensorimotor delays due to age-related decline in sensory acuity, neuromuscular capacity and cognitive function. This study examined balance learning in young and older adults as they stood with robot-induced sensorimotor delays.MethodsA cohort of community dwelling young (mean = 23.6 years, N = 20) and older adults (mean = 70.1 years, N = 20) participated in this balance learning study. Participants stood on a robotic balance simulator which was used to artificially impose a 250 ms delay into their control of standing. Young and older adults practiced to balance with the imposed delay either with or without visual feedback (i.e., eyes open or closed), resulting in four training groups. We assessed their balance behavior and performance (i.e., variability in postural sway and ability to maintain upright posture) before, during and after training. We further evaluated whether training benefits gained in one visual condition transferred to the untrained condition.ResultsAll participants, regardless of age or visual training condition, improved their balance performance through training to stand with the imposed delay. Compared to young adults, however, older adults had larger postural oscillations at all stages of the experiments, exhibited less relative learning to balance with the delay and had slower rates of balance improvement. Visual feedback was not required to learn to stand with the imposed delay, but it had a modest effect on the amount of time participants could remain upright. For all groups, balance improvements gained from training in one visual condition transferred to the untrained visual condition.ConclusionOur study reveals that while advanced age partially impairs balance learning, the older nervous system maintains the ability to recalibrate motor control to stand with initially destabilizing sensorimotor delays under differing visual feedback conditions.