bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Stenting for Aortic Coarctation
Authors: Contrafouris Constantinos , Antonopoulos Constantine N. , Rammos Spyridon , Kanakis Meletios , Petsios Konstantinos , Kakisis John D. , Geroulakos George 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a congenital cardiovascular malformation involving narrowing of the thoracic aorta just distal to the left subclavian artery. The aim of our study was to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of endovascular treatment for CoA by using invasive aortic catheterization.
Methods All patients with CoA who underwent treatment by aortic stent implantation between September 1, 2003, and February 1, 2019, at the “Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center,” in Athens, Greece, were evaluated. Patients were treated with either bare (uncovered) Cheatham-Platinum (bCP) or covered Cheatham-Platinum (cCP) stent implantations. Invasive aortic pressure measurements were recorded before and after the endovascular intervention.
Results A total of 48, eight zig CP stents, comprising 24 bCP and 24 cCP stents were implanted in 47 patients. The mean aortic diameter (mm) at the CoA lesion increased from 9.7 ± 3.3 to 19.2 ± 2.9 mm (p <0.01) after the endovascular procedure. The invasive mean blood pressure (BP; mm Hg) from catheterization in the descending aorta increased (before = 114.2 ± 12.8 vs. after = 135.5 ± 28.1; p <0.01), while the invasive mean BP (mm Hg) from catheterization in the ascending aorta was decreased (before = 156.8 ± 25.0 vs. after = 138.4 ± 27.5; p <0.01) after the intervention. The mean aortic BP gradient decreased in both types of stents after intervention (BP gradient among patients with cCP stents = 30.9 +/− 23.6 mmHg and BP gradient among patients with bCP stents = 38.0 +/−23.1 mmHg). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two types of stents; p = 0.36.
Conclusions Invasive aortic catheterization provided evidence that endovascular stenting with either bare or covered stents is efficient in treating patients with CoA.
A Systematic Review of Acute Thoracic Aortic Dissections in Africa—The Need for a Registry
Authors: Yip Anthony , Libhaber Elena , Nam Penelope , Kleinloog Robert , Rampini Lorenzo , Hosking Catherine 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIn this systematic review, the available literature on the presentation and management of acute thoracic aortic dissections in Africa is examined. Though Africa has 17% of the world population, it accounts for approximately 1% of the available literature with much of our understanding coming from registries arising from the developed world, such as the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection. The literature from the African continent consists mainly of case reports, small case series, and few original studies. Case reports make an important contribution to our understanding of uncommon conditions but can skew our understanding of aortic dissections in this region by describing unusual presentations and management. In this review, we describe the available studies retrieved from large medical databases (Medline and Health Management Information Consortium) and motivate the need for national registries to provide a more accurate appreciation of the scope of the problem on this continent.
Dolichoarteriopathy of Common Carotid Artery: An Unusual Entity
Authors: Georgakarakos Efstratios , Fiska Aliki 
Published: December 2022

AbstractDolichoarterial disease of the carotid arteries refers to elongated arteries with tortuous, coiling, and kinking anatomy. This morphology is usually met in the elderly and not associated with atherosclerotic risk factors. Current practice reserves surgical correction only in symptomatic patients. Significant tortuosity index may be associated with stroke and poses extra difficulties to the endovascular passage of guidewires and catheters for the treatment of extra- and intracranial vascular lesions. This article presents a typical case of bilateral dolichoarteriopathy of the common carotid artery and stresses the need for further categorization of the particular morphology based on modern angiography techniques and three-dimensional reconstruction software.
Long-Term PAE Results: What Do We Know
Authors: Bilhim Tiago 
Published: December 2022

AbstractProstatic artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive technique with proven safety and efficacy to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In this review, we discuss the required level of evidence to implement and adopt treatment options for patients with LUTS due to BPO/BPH. Focus is given on the long-term (>3 years) data after PAE with reported outcomes including cohort sizes, follow-up times, reintervention rates (repeat PAE and prostatectomy), need for LUTS/BPO medical therapy, and improvements in International Prostate Symptom Score/quality of life score, peak flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual, prostate volume, and prostate-specific antigen. The durability of treatment effects after PAE and need for prostatic reinterventions need to be taken into consideration when discussing treatment options with patients and referring colleagues from other medical specialties. Developments in medical devices used for PAE have allowed for a continuous drop in unilateral PAE rates over the last 12 years and will probably play a role in optimizing technical and thus clinical outcomes for patients with LUTS due to BPH/BPO.
Numerical simulation and experimental verification of plasma jet development in gas gap switch
Authors: DONG Bingbing , GUO Zhiyuan , ZHANG Zelin , WEN Tao , XIANG Nianwen 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Plasma jet triggered gas gap switch has obvious advantages in fast control switch. The development of the plasma in the ambient medium is the key factor affecting the triggering conduction of the gas switch. However, the plasma jet process and its characteristic parameters are complicated and the existing test methods cannot fully characterize its development laws. In this work, a two-dimensional transient fluid calculation model of the plasma jet process of the gas gap switch is established based on the renormalization-group k-ε turbulence equation. The results show that the characteristic parameters and morphological evolution of the plasma jet are basically consistent with the experimental results, which verifies the accuracy of the simulation model calculation. The plasma jet is a long strip with an initial velocity of 1.0 km·s−1 and develops in both axial and radial directions. The jet velocity fluctuates significantly with axial height. As the plasma jet enters the main gap, the pressure inside the trigger cavity drops by 80%, resulting in a rapid drop in the jet velocity. When the plasma jet head interacts with the atmosphere, the two-phase fluid compresses each other, generating a forward-propelled pressure wave. The plasma jet heads flow at high velocity, a negative pressure zone is formed in the middle part of the jet, and the pressure peak decreases gradually with height. As the value of the inlet pressure increases, the characteristic parameters of the plasma jet increase. The entrainment phenomenon is evident, which leads to an increase in the pressure imbalance of the atmospheric gas medium, leading to a significant Coandǎ effect. Compared with air, the characteristic parameters of a plasma jet in SF6 are lower, and the morphological evolution is significantly suppressed. The results of this study can provide some insight into the mechanism of action of the switch jet plasma development process.
Association of Waist Circumference with the Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: a Nationwide Cohort Study of 10 Million Individuals in Korea
Authors: Je Yeonjin , Han Kyungdo , Chun Jaeyoung , Kim Yuna , Kim Jie-Hyun , Hoon Youn Young , Park Hyojin , Pil Im Jong , Sung Kim Joo 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Background and Aims
Metabolic syndrome may share the pathophysiology of adipose tissue dysregulation and inadequate immune response with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. We determined the association of abdominal obesity [AO] with the risk of developing IBD.

Methods
We conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Services database. A total of 10 082 568 participants of the 2009 national health screening programme were enrolled. Newly diagnosed Crohn’s disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC] were identified using the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision and specialized national codes for rare intractable diseases. Waist circumference [WC] was classified into six groups and compared with the reference values of 85.0–89.9 cm for men and 80.0–84.9 cm for women. AO was defined as a WC of ≥90 cm for men and ≥85 cm for women.

Results
During a median follow-up of 9.3 years, the incidence rates of CD and UC were 2.11 and 8.40 per 100 000 person-years, respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, lifestyle behaviours, income and body mass index [BMI], the increase in baseline WC was significantly associated with the risk of developing CD, but not UC, compared to the references. The risk of developing CD in subjects with AO increased significantly compared to those without AO [adjusted hazard ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.21–1.61], regardless of obesity based on BMI.

Conclusions
Individuals with AO bore an increased risk of developing CD proportional to WC, but not UC, suggesting that visceral adiposity is related to the pathophysiology of CD.
OLDER ADULT PERSPECTIVES ON AGEISM DURING COVID-19: A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Authors: De Fries Carson , Ingle Pilar , Schilz Matthew , Steward Andrew , Baker Emma , Hasche Leslie 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there has been a reported surge of ageism toward older adults. Research demonstrates that events perpetuating negative attitudes towards older adults can increase ageism and associated negative outcomes. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore how older adults navigated experiences of ageism and their social relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews with adults ages 60 and older were conducted between February and April of 2021 over Zoom. Data were coded using an iterative, inductive approach and thematic analysis was performed to draw themes from the data. A total of 24 participants ages 61-80 (mean = 70.6) were interviewed. Most participants identified as white (n = 19) female (n = 14), retired (n = 21) and had at least a bachelor’s degree (n = 22). Findings showed that participants experienced ongoing ageism but did not report ageist experiences associated specifically with COVID-19. Ageist experiences, unrelated to COVID-19, as shared by participants included assumptions about older adults’ (in)ability to use technology, ageism in professional settings, and feelings that ageism is an inevitable part of growing older. Future research should examine the impact of intersectionality on this topic within more diverse populations and explore potential differences that may have occurred throughout different stages of the pandemic.
AGING-RELATED ADIPOSE REMODELING AND DYSFUNCTION
Authors: Wang Qiong (Annabel) 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Aging is associated with insulin resistance, cardiovascular dysfunction, and many other chronic metabolic disorders, significantly shortening healthspan and lifespan. Fat (adipose) tissue, as the major site for energy storage, maintains whole-body energy homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Adipose tissue has extraordinary plasticity, and it was not until recently that fat tissue remodeling during aging is considered to play an essential role in aging-associated metabolic disorders. Benefiting from recent technology advances, especially the single-cell technology and comprehensive genetic mouse models, we are beginning to unmask how adipose tissue remodels during aging cellularly and molecularly. This symposium features internationally-renowned aging research scientists whose work focuses on how aging remodels adipose tissues and how adipose tissue is vital for healthy aging and longevity. We will hear from Philipp Scherer from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, who will present his research on the impact of adipocyte-derived factors on Healthspan and Lifespan; Hei Sook SUL from the University of California Berkeley will discuss “Aging dependent changes in adipose precursors”; Annabel Wang from the City of Hope will introduce her recent discovery of a new type of adipocyte progenitor cell that promotes aging-related visceral adiposity; and lastly, Gina Wade from the University of Wisconsin-Madison who will talk about “Regulation of aging energy expenditure by plasma lipid signaling”. Attendees will learn about the latest breakthroughs in adipose tissue aging, and the role of adipose tissue in maintaining and restoring metabolic health in aged individuals.
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES TO PAIN ASSESSMENT AND FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: Kuzmik Ashley 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe the optimal way to measure pain among older hospitalized patients with dementia and evaluate the factors that influence pain. The PAINAD is described as a reliable and valid observation measure of pain in this population based on Rasch analysis and was invariant to gender or racial biases. Using this measure and a protocol for observation of pain, pain and associated factors were obtained on the first 112 participants from 6 hospitals in the FFC-AC-EIT study. For descriptive purposes and to guide interventions, factors that were associated with pain were tested. The following factors explained 61% of the variance: functional focused care activities performed, delirium, and quality of care interactions. Those that performed more functional activities, had less delirium, and had higher (more positive) quality of care interactions were less likely to have pain. The findings also supported the use of the PAINAD.
CAN SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT OFFSET THE GENETIC RISK OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION AMONG OLDER ADULTS?
Authors: Wu Chenkai , Sheng Chen 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The interrelatedness between social determinants of health impedes researchers to identify important social factors for cardiovascular health. Additionally, it remains largely unknown whether a derivable social environment could offset the genetic risk for cardiovascular events. We developed a polysocial score approach to quantify the aggregate effect of social factors on myocardial infarction (MI). We also examined the association of polysocial score and polygenic risk scores (PGS), and their interaction, on MI. Data are from the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal cohort of a nationally representative sample of Black and White Americans with pre-calculated PGS for MI (N=6,036). We included 24 social factors from five categories (economic stability, neighborhood environment, education, community, and social context, and healthcare system) and used forward stepwise regression to screen for important ones. Polysocial score was created using 14 social factors and was classified as low (&lt; 28), intermediate (29-39), and high (40+). The incidence of MI was 4.5, 8.5, 10.5 per 1000 person-years among Whites with a low, intermediate, and high PGS, respectively; no graded association was found among Blacks. Polysocial score stratified the rate of MI in each tertile of PGS among Whites. We found a significant additive interaction between PGS and polysocial score. The difference in MI rate was 10.3 per 1000 person-years among individuals with a high genetic risk, while the difference significantly reduced to 3.5 per 1000 person-years among those with a low genetic risk. Desirable social environment could possibly offset the increased risk of MI associated with genetics among Whites.
Uncovering hidden genetic diversity: allelic resolution of insect and spider silk genes
Authors: Frandsen Paul B. , Hotaling Scott , Powell Ashlyn , Heckenhauer Jacqueline , Kawahara Akito Y. , Baker Richard H. , Hayashi Cheryl Y. , Ríos-Touma Blanca , Holzenthal Ralph , Pauls Steffen U. , Stewart Russell J. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractArthropod silk is vital to the evolutionary success of hundreds of thousands of species. The primary proteins in silks are often encoded by long, repetitive gene sequences. Until recently, sequencing and assembling these complex gene sequences has proven intractable given their repetitive structure. Here, using high-quality long-read sequencing, we show that there is extensive variation—both in terms of length and repeat motif order—between alleles of silk genes within individual arthropods. Further, this variation exists across two deep, independent origins of silk which diverged more than 500 million years ago—(1) the insect clade containing caddisflies and butterflies and (2) spiders. This remarkable convergence in previously overlooked patterns of allelic variation across multiple origins of silk suggests mechanisms for the generation and maintenance of structural protein-coding genes. Future genomic efforts to connect genotypes to phenotypes should account for such allelic variation.
Characterisation of key genotypic and phenotypic traits of clinical cystic fibrosisStaphylococcus aureusisolates
Authors: Mossop Micaela , Robinson Luca , Jiang Jhih-Hang , Peleg Anton Y. , Blakeway Luke V. , Macesic Nenad , Perry Audrey , Bourke Stephen , Ulhuq Fatima R. , Palmer Tracy 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACTIntroductionOne third of people with CF in the UK are co-infected by bothStaphylococcus aureusandPseudomonas aeruginosa. Chronic bacterial infection in CF contributes to the gradual destruction of lung tissue, and eventually respiratory failure in this group.Gap StatementThe contribution ofS. aureusto cystic fibrosis (CF) lung decline in the presence or absence ofP. aeruginosais unclear. Defining the molecular and phenotypic characteristics of a range ofS. aureusclinical isolates will help further understand its pathogenic capabilities.AimOur objective was to use molecular and phenotypic tools to characterise twenty-five clinicalS. aureusisolates collected from mono- and coinfection withP. aeruginosafrom people with CF at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne.MethodologyGenomic DNA was extracted and sequenced. Multilocus sequence typing was used to construct phylogeny from the seven housekeeping genes. A pangenome was calculated using Roary. and cluster of Orthologous groups were assigned using eggNOG-mapper which were used to determine differences within core, accessory, and unique genomes. Characterisation of sequence type, clonal complex,agrandspatypes was carried out using PubMLST, eBURST, AgrVATE and spaTyper, respectively. Antibiotic resistance was determined using Kirby Bauer disk diffusion tests. Phenotypic testing of haemolysis was carried out using ovine red blood cell agar plates and mucoid phenotypes visualised using Congo red agar.ResultsClinical strains clustered closely based onagrtype, sequence type and clonal complex. COG analysis revealed statistically significant enrichment of COG families between core, accessory and unique pangenome groups. The unique genome was significantly enriched for replication, recombination and repair, and defence mechanisms. The presence of known virulence genes and toxins were high within this group, and unique genes were identified in 11 strains. Strains which were isolated from the same patient all surpassed average nucleotide identity thresholds, however, differed in phenotypic traits. Antimicrobial resistance to macrolides was significantly higher in the coinfection group.ConclusionThere is huge variation in genetic and phenotypic capabilities ofS. aureusstrains. Further studies on how these may differ in relation to other species in the CF lung may give insight into inter-species interactions.Data summaryThe assembled GenBank (gbk) files for all clinical isolates in this study have been deposited in ENA under the study accession PRJEB56184, accession numbers for each of the twenty-five clinical isolates have been provided in Table S1. The reference strains were collected from the NCBI BioSample database (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/biosample): MRSA_252 (NC_002952.2), HO 5096 0412 (NC_017763.1), ST398 (NC_017333.1) and NCTC8325 (NC_007795.1).
A system for inducible mitochondria-specific protein degradationin vivo
Authors: Sanyal Swastika , Kouznetsova Anna , Björkegren Camilla 
Published: December 2022

AbstractTargeted protein degradation systems developed for eukaryotes employ cytoplasmic machineries to perform proteolysis. This has prevented mitochondria-specific analysis of genome maintaining proteins that localize to both mitochondria and nucleus. Here, we present an inducible mitochondria-specific protein degradation system inSaccharomyces cerevisiaebased on theMesoplasma florumLon (mf-Lon) protease and its corresponding ssrA tag (called PDT). We show that mitochondrially targeted mf-Lon protease efficiently and selectively degrades a PDT-tagged reporter protein localized to the mitochondrial matrix. The degradation can be induced by depleting adenine from the medium and tuned by altering the promoter strength of theMF-LONgene. Finally, we demonstrate that mf-Lon degrades endogenous, dually localized proteins inside mitochondria. In summary, our system is an efficient tool for analysis of intricate mitochondria-nuclear crosstalk essential for proper mitochondrial function.One-Sentence SummaryMitochondria-specific protein degradation of dually localized proteins
Human-caused wolf mortality persists for years after discontinuation of hunting
Authors: Oliynyk Roman Teo 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBy the mid-20th century, wolves were nearly extinct in the lower 48 states, with a small number surviving in northern Minnesota. After wolves were placed on the endangered species list in 1973, the northern Minnesota wolf population increased and stabilized by the early 2000s. A wolf trophy hunt was introduced in 2012–2014 and then halted by a court order in December 2014. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources collected wolf radiotelemetry data for the years 2004–2019. Statistical analysis showed that wolf mortality remained close to constant from 2004 until the initiation of the hunt, and that mortality doubled with the initiation of the first hunting and trapping season in 2012, remaining at a nearly constant elevated level through 2019. Notably, average annual wolf mortality increased from 21.7% before wolf hunting seasons (10.0% by human causes and 11.7% natural causes) to 43.4% (35.8% by human causes and 7.6% natural causes). The fine-grained statistical trend implies that human-caused mortality increased sharply during the hunting seasons, while natural mortality initially dropped. While gradually diminishing after the discontinuation of the hunt, human-caused mortality remained high, which could indicate a lasting shift in human attitudes and post-hunt changes in wolf behavior and wolf pack composition.