bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autoimmune Valvular Carditis Requires Endothelial Cell TNFR1 Expression
Authors: Faragher Jessica L. , Auger Jennifer L. , Osinski Victoria , Meier Lee A. , Engelson Brianna J. , Firulyova Maria M. , Gonzalez-Torres Mayra I. , Brombacher Frank , Zaitsev Konstantin , Marath Aubyn , Binstadt Bryce A. 
Published: April 2023

Background:
Inflammation is a key driver of cardiovascular pathology, and many systemic autoimmune/rheumatic diseases are accompanied by increased cardiac risk. In the K/B.g7 mouse model of coexisting systemic autoantibody-mediated arthritis and valvular carditis, valve inflammation depends on macrophage production of TNF (tumor necrosis factor) and IL-6 (interleukin-6). Here, we sought to determine if other canonical inflammatory pathways participate and to determine whether TNF signaling through TNFR1 (tumor necrosis factor receptor 1) on endothelial cells is required for valvular carditis.

Methods:
We first asked if type 1, 2, or 3 inflammatory cytokine systems (typified by IFNγ, IL-4, and IL-17, respectively) were critical for valvular carditis in K/B.g7 mice, using a combination of in vivo monoclonal antibody blockade and targeted genetic ablation studies. To define the key cellular targets of TNF, we conditionally deleted its main proinflammatory receptor, TNFR1, in endothelial cells. We analyzed how the absence of endothelial cell TNFR1 affected valve inflammation, lymphangiogenesis, and the expression of proinflammatory genes and molecules.

Results:
We found that typical type 1, 2, and 3 inflammatory cytokine systems were not required for valvular carditis, apart from a known initial requirement of IL-4 for autoantibody production. Despite expression of TNFR1 on a wide variety of cell types in the cardiac valve, deleting TNFR1 specifically on endothelial cells protected K/B.g7 mice from valvular carditis. This protection was accompanied by reduced expression of VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule), fewer valve-infiltrating macrophages, reduced pathogenic lymphangiogenesis, and diminished proinflammatory gene expression.

Conclusions:
TNF and IL-6 are the main cytokines driving valvular carditis in K/B.g7 mice. The interaction of TNF with TNFR1 specifically on endothelial cells promotes cardiovascular pathology in the setting of systemic autoimmune/rheumatic disease, suggesting that therapeutic targeting of the TNF:TNFR1 interaction could be beneficial in this clinical context.
Cross-Sectional Gene-Smoking Interaction Analysis in Relation to Subclinical Atherosclerosis-Results From the IMPROVE Study
Authors: Maitusong Buamina , Laguzzi Federica , Strawbridge Rona J. , Baldassarre Damiano , Veglia Fabrizio , Humphries Steve E. , Savonen Kai , Kurl Sudhir , Pirro Matteo , Smit Andries J. , Giral Philippe , Silveira Angela , Tremoli Elena , Hamsten Anders , de Faire Ulf , Gigante Bruna , Leander Karin ,   on behalf of the IMPROVE Study group
Published: April 2023

Background:
Smoking is associated with carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT). However, knowledge about how genetics may influence this association is limited. We aimed to perform nonhypothesis driven gene-smoking interaction analyses to identify potential genetic variants, among those included in immune and metabolic platforms, that may modify the effect of smoking on carotid intima-media thickness.

Methods:

We used baseline data from 1551 men and 1700 women, aged 55 to 79, included in a European multi-center study. Carotid intima-media thickness maximum, the maximum of values measured at different locations of the carotid tree, was dichotomized with cut point values ≥75, respectively. Genetic data were retrieved through use of the Illumina Cardio-Metabo- and Immuno- Chips. Gene-smoking interactions were evaluated through calculations of Synergy index (S). After adjustments for multiple testing,
P
values of <2.4×10
−7
for S were considered significant. The models were adjusted for age, sex, education, physical activity, type of diet, and population stratification.

Results:
Our screening of 207 586 SNPs available for analysis, resulted in the identification of 47 significant gene-smoking synergistic interactions in relation to carotid intima-media thickness maximum. Among the significant SNPs, 28 were in protein coding genes, 2 in noncoding RNA and the remaining 17 in intergenic regions.

Conclusions:
Through nonhypothesis-driven analyses of gene-smoking interactions, several significant results were observed. These may stimulate further research on the role of specific genes in the process that determines the effect of smoking habits on the development of carotid atherosclerosis.
Morphological and molecular characterisation of Talanema maculatum sp. n. (Dorylaimida, Qudsianematidae) from Iran
Authors: Asgari Mohsen , Mohammadlou Mahsa , Eskandari Ali , Abolafia Joaquín , Peña-Santiago Reyes 
Published: April 2023

Summary
A new species of the genus Talanema, T. maculatum sp. n., collected in a natural enclave of Iran, is characterised on the basis of morphological and molecular data. It is distinguishable by its 1.82-2.20 mm long body, lip region offset by constriction and 20-23 μm wide with perioral liplets, odontostyle 21.5-28 μm long, guiding ring double, neck 394-525 μm long, pharyngeal expansion occupying 44-49% of the total neck length, uterus tripartite and 308-441 μm long or 5.1-6.8 body diam., vulva transverse (V = 54-58), presence of abundant cuticle irregularities at the perivulval area, tail similar in both sexes, conical with a dorsal concavity (31-45 μm, c = 46-71, c′ = 0.9-1.1), spicules 70-75 μm long, and 14-18 shortly spaced ventromedian supplements ending at level of the anterior end of spicules, with hiatus. Molecular analysis of 28S-rDNA gene confirms the monophyly of Talanema and the difficulties in elucidating its external evolutionary relationships.
Evaluating the one-time chair stand test for predicting the coronavirus disease severity in patients during hospital admission: a cohort study in Japan
Authors: Ishihara Atsushi , Yoshizane Takashi , Mori Teruki , Sasaki Yui , Hosokawa Takahiro , Suzuki Jun , Tsuzuku Akifumi , Asano Fumihiro , Noda Toshiyuki 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to understand whether the one-time chair stand test (CS-1) is useful for predicting the severity of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in 101 patients admitted to the hospital with acute respiratory failure.

Methods
This single-centered, prospective observational cohort study enrolled 101 critically ill adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who underwent the CS-1 as a dynamic evaluation tool in clinical practice between late April 2020 and October 2021. Data on demographic characteristics, symptoms, laboratory values, computed tomography findings, and clinical course after admission were collected. Furthermore, the data was compared, and the association between the intubation and non-intubation groups was determined. We also calculated the cutoff point, area under the curve (AUC), and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the change in oxygen saturation (ΔSpO2) during the CS-1.

Results
Thirty-three out of 101 patients (33%) were intubated during hospitalization. There was no significant difference in the resting SpO2 (93.3% versus 95.2%, P = 0.22), but there was a significant difference in ΔSpO2 during the CS-1 between the intubation and non-intubation groups (10.8% versus 5.5%, P < 0.01). In addition, there was a significant correlation between hospitalization and ΔSpO2 during the CS-1 (ρ = 0.60, P < 0.01). The generated cutoff point was calculated as 9.5% (AUC = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.88–1.00).

Conclusion
For COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure, the CS-1 performed on admission was useful for predicting the severity of COVID-19. Furthermore, the CS-1 can be utilized as a remote and simple evaluation parameter. Thus, it could have potential clinical applications in the future.
Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in the resuscitation from extreme metabolic acidosis (pH < 6.5) after drowning cardiac arrest: a case report
Authors: Chai Yueyang , Zhang Xinyi , Liu Hong 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
Resuscitation in drowning victim with cardiac arrest is difficult because of severe metabolic acidosis and multiple organ dysfunction. There is insufficient evidence to support that veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is beneficial for patient.

Case presentation
A 44-year-old female was trapped under river when she attempted to rescue her drowning father. Furthermore, she underwent a loss of consciousness, with extreme metabolic acidosis, hypothermia and hypotension. Hence, the VV-ECMO, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and other resuscitative infusion were required. In this case, the patient did not experience any complication or neurologic deficit and reaching a complete recovery after 21 days of hospitalization.

Conclusions
Our case adds further concerns in supporting a patient with extreme metabolic acidosis (pH < 6.5) and hypothermia after severe drowning cardiac arrest, including extracorporeal life support, renal support, targeted temperature management, cerebral resuscitation, etc., due to the reversible nature of this condition.
Persistent incisional pain at 1 year after craniotomy: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Phoowanakulchai Sirima , Ida Mitsuru , Naito Yusuke , Kawaguchi Masahiko 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
There have been few reports on persistent incisional pain at 1 year after craniotomy. Hence, this study aimed to explore the distribution of pain at 1 year after elective craniotomy and its related factors.

Methods
This retrospective study included data prospectively collected to assess postoperative functional disability. We included patients aged > 55 years at the time of recruitment for our initial study and who had complete data regarding the pain numeric rating scale (NRS) score at 1 year post craniotomy. The primary outcome was the pain NRS score, which was assessed at the postanesthetic clinic as well as at 3 months and 1 year after craniotomy. Multivariable negative binomial regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between the pain NRS score at 1 postoperative year and 12 clinically meaningful covariates. These included the Short Form-8 scores for bodily pain and mental health, with higher scores indicating better health.

Results
We analyzed data from 102 patients. The mean (95% confidence interval) pain NRS scores at the three measurement points were 2.8 (2.3–3.3), 1.2 (0.8–1.6), and 0.6 (0.3–0.8), respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that preoperative bodily pain (risk ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.88–0.98) and the pain NRS score at the postanesthetic clinic (risk ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.14–1.52) were associated with the risk of persistent pain at 1 postoperative year.

Conclusions
The pain score at 1 year after elective craniotomy was minor; however, preoperative bodily pain and postoperative pain scores were significantly related factors.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aortic valve replacement procedures in Germany
Authors: Heidenreich Adrian , Stachon Peter , Oettinger Vera , Hilgendorf Ingo , Heidt Timo , Rilinger Jonathan , Zehender Manfred , Westermann Dirk , von zur Mühlen Constantin , Kaier Klaus 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
COVID-19 has caused the deferral of millions of elective procedures, likely resulting in a backlog of cases. We estimate the number of postponed surgical aortic valve replacement (sAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures during the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany.

Methods
Using German national records, all isolated TAVR and sAVR procedures between 2007 and 2020 were identified. Using weekly TAVR and sAVR procedures between 2017 and 2019, we created a forecast for 2020 and compared it with the observed number of procedures in 2020.

Results
In Germany, a total of 225,398 isolated sAVR and 159,638 isolated TAVR procedures were conducted between 2007 and 2020 that were included in our analysis. The reduction in all AVR procedures (sAVR and TAVR) for the entire year 2020 was 19.07% (95%CI: 15.19–22.95%). During the first wave of the pandemic (week 12–21), the mean weekly reduction was 32.06% (23.44–40.68%) and during the second wave of the pandemic (week 41–52), the mean weekly reduction was 25.58% (14.19–36.97%). The number of sAVR procedures decreased more than the number of TAVR procedures (24.63% vs. 16.42% for the entire year 2020).

Conclusion
The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a substantial postponing of AVR procedures in Germany. Postponing was higher for sAVR than for TAVR procedures and less pronounced during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Associations between polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications with risk of falls among the elderly in Saudi Arabia
Authors: S. AlHarkan Khalid , Alsousi Safaa , AlMishqab Mujtaba , Alawami Majd , Almearaj Jaffar , Alhashim Hassan , Alamrad Hassan , M. Alghamdi Layla , Almansour Abdulelah , AlOmar Reem S. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
Falls are dangerous to the health of older adults and can impact their functional status leading to frailty. The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) among older adults may lead to adverse health outcomes and increase the risk of falls. Polypharmacy increases the incidence of falls. Beers criteria by the American Geriatric Society is one of the many criteria used to detect PIMs. It assesses the appropriateness of drug prescriptions (i.e., correct dose, duration, and indications) to ensure the safety of these drugs, reducing drug interactions and decreasing the hazards of side effects. This epidemiological study aims to explore the association between polypharmacy and Beers criteria with the risk of falls in the elderly.

Method
A total of 387 outpatients aged 60 or older were interviewed in person. The patients were recruited from the University Hospital and the Family and Community Medicine Center in Khobar city, Saudi Arabia, between the period of November 2021 to March 2022. All patients were able to walk independently. The survey began by collecting patients’ demographics, gathering medication history, and asking three key questions to detect the risk of falls which was developed by the Center of Disease Control (CDC). Polypharmacy (defined as concurrent use of five or more medications) and PIMs (defined as use of one or more medications in the Beers list) were examined against risk of falls in the elderly. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate adjusted Odds Ratios (ORs).

Result
A total of 387 patients participated in the study; 62% were male, and most participants belonged to the 60 < 65 years age category (47.80%). Among all patients, 55% had a high risk of falling, and 21% of patients had fell during the past year. Polypharmacy applied to 50.90% of all patients, while Beers criteria positive group applied to 51.42%. Risk of falls and prior falls were associated with polypharmacy both before and after adjustment.

Conclusion
The results showed a significant association between risk of falls with polypharmacy and PIMs, and more than half of our study population had a high risk of falls. Of those at a higher risk, one out of five had indeed experienced a fall in the last 12 months. Higher rates of falls were associated with older aged patients, lower educational levels, female gender, and cardiovascular medications.
Molecular epidemiology of Bartonella quintana endocarditis in patients from Israel and Eastern Africa
Authors: Sato Shingo , Shapira Lev , Tasher Diana , Maruyama Soichi , Giladi Michael 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
Bartonella quintana is an important cause of culture-negative endocarditis. Although humans have been considered as its only reservoir, recent studies showed that macaque species are also reservoirs of B. quintana. Based on multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) B. quintana strains have been classified into 22 sequence types (STs), with 7 STs exclusively found in humans. Data regarding the molecular epidemiology of B. quintana endocarditis is limited to only 3 STs identified in 4 patients from Europe and Australia. We studied B. quintana endocarditis acquired in Eastern Africa or Israel to investigate the genetic diversity and clinical relatedness of B. quintana from distinct geographic regions.

Methods
Eleven patients with B. quintana endocarditis, 6 from Eastern Africa and 5 from Israel, were studied. DNA was extracted from cardiac tissue or blood specimens and analyzed by MLST based on 9 genetic loci. An evolutionary relationship between STs was visualized by a minimum spanning tree. A phylogenetic tree was constructed with the concatenated sequences (4271 bp) of the 9 loci using the maximum-likelihood method.

Results
Six strains were classified into previously described STs while 5 strains were identified for the first time and classified into new STs 23–27 which clustered with the previously reported STs 1–7 from human strains found in Australia, France, Germany, the USA, Russia, and the former Yugoslavia, without indication of geographical structuring. ST2 was the most prevalent ST, found in 5 of 15 patients with endocarditis (33.3%). ST26 appears to be a primary founder of the human lineage.

Conclusions
The new and previously reported human STs form a single human lineage, clearly separated from the other 3 B. quintana lineages of cynomolgus, rhesus, and Japanese macaques. From evolutionary perspectives, these findings support the assumption that B. quintana has co-evolved with host species to form a host-speciation pattern. ST26 is suggested herein as a primary founder of the human lineage and may be key to explore where B. quintana had first originated; ST2 is a dominant genetic type associated with B. quintana endocarditis. To confirm these findings, additional worldwide molecular epidemiological studies are required.
Repeated spontaneous remission of acute myeloid leukemia in response to various infections: a case report
Authors: Imataki Osamu , Ishida Tomoya , Kida Jun-ichiro , Uemura Makiko , Fujita Haruyuki , Kadowaki Norimitsu 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a progressive hematological malignancy that can be fatal when left untreated. However, spontaneous remission is rarely observed in the presence of infectious diseases.

Case presentation
We treated an 80-year-old woman with AML who spontaneously underwent remission after infections. Spontaneous remission was observed after each of three independent clinical infections caused by different pathogens—nontuberculous Mycobacterium infection, pulmonary aspergillosis, and Escherichia coli bacteremia. All infections were treated promptly with antimicrobials. Mycobacterium avium infection was treated with azithromycin, rifampin, and ethambutol. Pulmonary aspergillosis was treated with itraconazole followed by voriconazole. E. coli infection was treated with meropenem. During each infectious episode, leukemic cells disappeared from the patient’s peripheral blood and pancytopenia improved without routine blood transfusion. These clinical effects lasted for several months. The patient has survived for > 2 years beyond the median survival time of end-stage AML. Thus, this case represents an immunological antileukemic effect of systemic infections.

Conclusions
We have discussed a common mechanism of spontaneous remission of AML without chemotherapy, clinically exhibited by infection immunology. We believe that infections exert a limited immunological effect against AML, which may prolong survival among elderly individuals with AML.
Exploring the experience of family caregivers of children with medical complexity during COVID-19: a qualitative study
Authors: Pitch Natalie , Davidson Laura , Mekhuri Samantha , Patel Richa , Patel Selvi , Ambreen Munazzah , Amin Reshma 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background and objectives
Children with medical complexity have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated changes in healthcare delivery. The primary objective of this study was to gain a thorough understanding of the lived experiences of family caregivers of children with medical complexity during the pandemic.

Methods
We conducted semi-structured interviews with family caregivers of children with medical complexity from a tertiary pediatric hospital. Interview questions focused on the aspects of caregiving for children with medical complexity, impact on caregiver mental and physical well-being, changes to daily life secondary to the pandemic, and experiences receiving care in the healthcare system. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was achieved. Interviews were audio recorded, deidentified, transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed using content analysis.

Results
Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interviews revealed three major themes and several associated subthemes: (1) experiences with the healthcare system amid the pandemic (lack of access to healthcare services and increased hospital restrictions, negative clinical interactions and communication breakdowns, virtual care use); (2) common challenges during the pandemic (financial strain, balancing multiple roles, inadequate homecare nursing); and (3) the pandemic’s impact on family caregiver well-being (mental toll, physical toll).

Conclusions
Family caregivers of children with medical complexity experienced mental and physical burden due to the intense nature of their caregiving responsibilities that were exacerbated during the pandemic. Our results highlight key priorities for the development of effective interventions to support family caregivers and their children.