bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
There is more than just longitudinal strain: Prognostic significance of biventricular circumferential mechanics
Authors: Tolvaj Máté , Fábián Alexandra , Tokodi Márton , Lakatos Bálint , Assabiny Alexandra , Ladányi Zsuzsanna , Shiida Kai , Ferencz Andrea , Schwertner Walter , Veres Boglárka , Kosztin Annamária , Szijártó Ádám , Sax Balázs , Merkely Béla , Kovács Attila 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionDespite the significant contribution of circumferential shortening to the global ventricular function, data are scarce concerning its prognostic value on long-term mortality. Accordingly, our study aimed to assess both left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) global longitudinal (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) using three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) to determine their prognostic importance.MethodsThree hundred fifty-seven patients with a wide variety of left-sided cardiac diseases were retrospectively identified (64 ± 15 years, 70% males) who underwent clinically indicated 3DE. LV and RV GLS, and GCS were quantified. To determine the prognostic power of the different patterns of biventricular mechanics, we divided the patient population into four groups. Group 1 consisted of patients with both LV GLS and RV GCS above the respective median values; Group 2 was defined as patients with LV GLS below the median while RV GCS above the median, whereas in Group 3, patients had LV GLS values above the median, while RV GCS was below median. Group 4 was defined as patients with both LV GLS and RV GCS below the median. Patients were followed up for a median of 41 months. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.ResultsFifty-five patients (15%) met the primary endpoint. Impaired values of both LV GCS (HR, 1.056 [95% CI, 1.027–1.085], p &lt; 0.001) and RV GCS (1.115 [1.068–1.164], p &lt; 0.001) were associated with increased risk of death by univariable Cox regression. Patients with both LV GLS and RV GCS below the median (Group 4) had a more than 5-fold increased risk of death compared with those in Group 1 (5.089 [2.399–10.793], p &lt; 0.001) and more than 3.5-fold compared with those in Group 2 (3.565 [1.256–10.122], p = 0.017). Interestingly, there was no significant difference in mortality between Group 3 (with LV GLS above the median) and Group 4, but being categorized into Group 3 versus Group 1 still held a more than 3-fold risk (3.099 [1.284–7.484], p = 0.012).DiscussionThe impaired values of both LV and RV GCS are associated with long-term all-cause mortality, emphasizing the importance of assessing biventricular circumferential mechanics. Reduced RV GCS is associated with significantly increased risk of mortality even if LV GLS is preserved.
Acute changes in myocardial tissue characteristics during hospitalization in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Shanmuganathan Mayooran , Kotronias Rafail A. , Burrage Matthew K. , Ng Yujun , Banerjee Abhirup , Xie Cheng , Fletcher Alison , Manley Peter , Borlotti Alessandra , Emfietzoglou Maria , Mentzer Alexander J. , Marin Federico , Raman Betty ,   Oxford Acute Myocardial Infarction (OxAMI) investigators, Tunnicliffe Elizabeth M. , Neubauer Stefan , Piechnik Stefan K. , Channon Keith M. , Ferreira Vanessa M. 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundPatients with a history of COVID-19 infection are reported to have cardiac abnormalities on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) during convalescence. However, it is unclear whether these abnormalities were present during the acute COVID-19 illness and how they may evolve over time.MethodsWe prospectively recruited unvaccinated patients hospitalized with acute COVID-19 (n = 23), and compared them with matched outpatient controls without COVID-19 (n = 19) between May 2020 and May 2021. Only those without a past history of cardiac disease were recruited. We performed in-hospital CMR at a median of 3 days (IQR 1–7 days) after admission, and assessed cardiac function, edema and necrosis/fibrosis, using left and right ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, RVEF), T1-mapping, T2 signal intensity ratio (T2SI), late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and extracellular volume (ECV). Acute COVID-19 patients were invited for follow-up CMR and blood tests at 6 months.ResultsThe two cohorts were well matched in baseline clinical characteristics. Both had normal LVEF (62 ± 7 vs. 65 ± 6%), RVEF (60 ± 6 vs. 58 ± 6%), ECV (31 ± 3 vs. 31 ± 4%), and similar frequency of LGE abnormalities (16 vs. 14%; all p &gt; 0.05). However, measures of acute myocardial edema (T1 and T2SI) were significantly higher in patients with acute COVID-19 when compared to controls (T1 = 1,217 ± 41 ms vs. 1,183 ± 22 ms; p = 0.002; T2SI = 1.48 ± 0.36 vs. 1.13 ± 0.09; p &lt; 0.001). All COVID-19 patients who returned for follow up (n = 12) at 6 months had normal biventricular function, T1 and T2SI.ConclusionUnvaccinated patients hospitalized for acute COVID-19 demonstrated CMR imaging evidence of acute myocardial edema, which normalized at 6 months, while biventricular function and scar burden were similar when compared to controls. Acute COVID-19 appears to induce acute myocardial edema in some patients, which resolves in convalescence, without significant impact on biventricular structure and function in the acute and short-term. Further studies with larger numbers are needed to confirm these findings.
Decadal variability of precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau modulated by the 11-year solar cycle over the past millennium
Authors: Hu Ying , Sun Weiyi , Liu Jian , Chen Deliang , Ning Liang , Peng Zhenghan 
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Knowledge of precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as the “Asian water tower”, is crucial for water resource management, infrastructure planning, and disaster mitigation. However, the decadal variability of Tibetan Plateau precipitation in response to the 11-year solar cycle remains unknown.Methods: Here, we used observational data obtained between 1901 and 2013, together with proxy-based reconstructions of the past five centuries, and discovered a notable summer wet condition over the central‒southern Tibetan Plateau, accompanied by a dry condition over the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, during peaks in the 11-year solar cycle. Using an ensemble mean of four solar-only sensitivity experiments from the Community Earth System Model Last Millennium Ensemble (CESM‒LME), we further demonstrated that the 11-year solar cycle can induce this anomalous pattern of a wet central‒southern and dry southeastern Tibetan Plateau.Results and discussion: The modeling results indicated that, under a solar maximum, a substantial surface warming occurs over the Asian continent, especially the Tibetan Plateau region; this causes an anomalous Tibetan Plateau–Indian Ocean thermal contrast, which enhances the Indian summer monsoon. The additional Tibetan Plateau heating also enhances and causes a northward shift of the South Asian High, which further intensifies the Indian summer monsoon. The enhanced Indian summer monsoon transports water vapor to the northern Indian continent, which rises upon reaching the central‒southern Tibetan Plateau, substantially increasing precipitation. Meanwhile, a negative Pacific Decadal Oscillation-like sea surface temperature pattern occurs under a solar maximum, leading to a large-scale anticyclonic anomaly over the Yangtze River basin, southeastern Tibetan Plateau, and southern Japan, substantially decreasing precipitation in these regions.
Student voice in higher education diversity policies: A systematic review
Authors: Resch Katharina 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionDiversity is considered central to the capacity of higher education institutions to thrive in an increasingly diverse society. Accordingly, diversity policies are developed and initiated to benefit students from diverse backgrounds. However, little is known about how students themselves assess these diversity policies (student voice).MethodsThe systematic review described in this paper hence seeks to provide an overview of empirical evidence on student voice of diversity policies in higher education, looking thereby at corresponding studies published between 2000 and 2020. Of the 1,090 studies identified in the screening process, 21 were included in the final analysis.ResultsTwo thematic strands emerged in the thematic analysis: diversity policies aiming at opening access to higher education and the representation of student voice.DiscussionThe review concludes with specific policy and research recommendations in this field.
Non-dipping blood pressure pattern is associated with higher risk of new-onset diabetes in hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea: UROSAH data
Authors: Luo Qin , Li Nanfang , Zhu Qing , Yao Xiaoguang , Wang Menghui , Heizhati Mulalibieke , Cai Xintian , Hu Junli , Abulimiti Ayinigeer , Yao Ling , Li Xiufang , Gan Lin 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveImpairment of circadian blood pressure (BP) patterns has been associated with cardiovascular risks and events in individuals with hypertension and in general populations, which are more likely to be found in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of non-dipping BP pattern with new-onset diabetes in hypertensive patients with OSA, based on Urumqi Research on Sleep Apnea and Hypertension (UROSAH) data.Materials and methodsThis retrospective cohort study included 1841 hypertensive patients at least 18 years of age, who were diagnosed with OSA without baseline diabetes and had adequate ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) data at enrollment. The exposure of interest for the present study was the circadian BP patterns, including non-dipping and dipping BP pattern, and the study outcome was defined as the time from baseline to new-onset diabetes. The associations between circadian BP patterns and new-onset diabetes were assessed using Cox proportional hazard models.ResultsAmong 1841 participants (mean age: 48.8 ± 10.5 years, 69.1% male), during the total follow-up of 12172 person-years with a median follow-up of 6.9 (inter quartile range: 6.0-8.0) years, 217 participants developed new-onset diabetes with an incidence rate of 17.8 per 1000 person-years. The proportion of non-dippers and dippers at enrollment in this cohort was 58.8% and 41.2%, respectively. Non-dippers were associated with higher risk of new-onset diabetes compared with dippers (full adjusted hazard ratio [HR]=1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-2.06, P=0.005). Multiple subgroup and sensitivity analyses yielded similar results. We further explored the association of systolic and diastolic BP patterns with new-onset diabetes separately, and found that diastolic BP non-dippers were associated with higher risk of new-onset diabetes (full adjusted HR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.12-2.10, P=0.008), whereas for systolic BP non-dippers, the association was nonsignificant after adjusted the confounding covariates (full adjusted HR=1.35, 95% CI: 0.98-1.86, P=0.070).ConclusionsNon-dipping BP pattern is associated with an approximately 1.5-fold higher risk of new-onset diabetes in hypertensive patients with OSA, suggesting that non-dipping BP pattern may be an important clinical implication for the early prevention of diabetes in hypertensive patients with OSA.
Combination model of neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein ratio and system inflammation response index is more valuable for predicting peripheral arterial disease in type 2 diabetic patients: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Song Yi , Zhao Ying , Shu Yan , Zhang Liyin , Cheng Wenzhuo , Wang Li , Shu Meng , Xue Baorui , Wang Ruonan , Feng Ziyun , Yin Yao , Yu Fangyang , Jin Si 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundNeutrophil/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (NHR), monocyte/HDL ratio (MHR), lymphocyte/HDL ratio (LHR), platelet/HDL ratio (PHR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), system inflammation response index (SIRI), and aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI) have been recently investigated as novel inflammatory markers. Herein, the correlation was investigated between these inflammatory biomarkers and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.MethodsIn this retrospective observational study, the hematological parameter data of 216 T2DM patients without PAD (T2DM-WPAD) and 218 T2DM patients with PAD (T2DM-PAD) at Fontaine stages II, III or IV stage had been collected. Differences in NHR, MHR, LHR, PHR, SII, SIRI, and AISI were analyzed, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the diagnostic potential of these parameters.ResultsThe levels of NHR, MHR, PHR, SII, SIRI and AISI in T2DM-PAD patients were significantly higher than in T2DM-WPAD patients (P &lt; 0.001). They were correlated with disease severity. Further, multifactorial logistic regression analyses showed that higher NHR, MHR, PHR, SII, SIRI, and AISI might be independent risk factors for T2DM-PAD (P &lt; 0.001). The areas under the curve (AUCs) of the NHR, MHR, PHR, SII, SIRI, and AISI for T2DM-PAD patients was 0.703, 0.685, 0.606, 0.648, 0.711, and 0.670, respectively. The AUC of the NHR and SIRI combined model was 0.733.ConclusionThe levels of NHR, MHR, PHR, SII, SIRI, and AISI were higher in T2DM-PAD patients, and they were independently linked with its clinical severity. The combination model of NHR and SIRI was most valuable for predicting T2DM – PAD.
Shorter respiratory event duration is related to prevalence of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Guo Junwei , Dai Lu , Luo Jinmei , Huang Rong , Xiao Yi 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a heterogeneous sleep disorder often comorbid with metabolic diseases, and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is one of them. Although apnea hypopnea index (AHI) is currently the diagnostic criteria for OSA severity, a controversial relationship between AHI and T2DM has been found. On the other hand, the duration of apnea–hypopnea events has been shown to be a useful metric for predicting mortality. This study aimed to test whether average respiratory event duration was associated with prevalence of T2DM.MethodsPatients referred to the sleep clinic were recruited in the study. Baseline clinical characteristics and polysomnography parameters including average respiratory event duration were collected. The association of average respiratory event duration with the prevalence of T2DM was evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.ResultsA total of 260 participants were enrolled, and 92 (35.4%) had T2DM. Univariate analysis revealed that age, body mass index (BMI), total sleep time, sleep efficiency, history of hypertension, and shorter average respiratory event duration were associated with T2DM. In multivariate analysis, only age and BMI remained significant. While average respiratory event duration was insignificant in multivariate analysis, subtype event analysis showed that shorter average apnea duration was both significant in univariate (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92–0.98) and multivariate analyses (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91–0.99). Neither average hypopnea duration nor AHI was associated with T2DM. Significant association (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.12–1.25) was observed between shorter average apnea duration and lower respiratory arousal threshold after multivariate adjustment. However, causal mediation analysis revealed no mediating effect of arousal threshold on average apnea duration and T2DM.ConclusionThe average apnea duration may be a useful metric in the diagnosis of OSA comorbidity. Shorter average apnea duration indicating poor sleep quality and augmented autonomic nervous system responses might be the potential pathological mechanisms leading to T2DM.
Effect of salt stress on the biomass productivity and potential bioenergy feedstock of Graesiella emersonii KNUA204 isolated from Ulleungdo Island, South Korea
Authors: Do Jeong-Mi , Yeo Hee-Tae , Suh Ho Seong , Yoon Ho-Sung 
Published: February 2023

Microalgae are versatile, profitable, and promising sources of bioenergy and high-value products, having various applications in the biotechnology industry. Herein, G. emersonii KNUA204 was isolated from Ulleungdo Island, South Korea, and exposed to stressors, i.e., MgCl2 (75 and 150 mM) and NaCl (200 and 400 mM), to investigate improvement in its biomass productivity and feasibility of the application of biomass. Treatment with mild MgCl2 (75 mM) afforded the highest specific growth rate (μ = 0.13 d−1), dry cell weight (3 g L−1), and total carbohydrate content (29.87%). Although all salt treatments decreased chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, treatment with high NaCl concentration (400 mM) afforded the highest zeaxanthin content (0.3 mg g−1). The proximate and ultimate analyses of biomass following treatment with 150 mM MgCl2 revealed 93.85% volatile matter and 22.55 MJ kg−1 calorific value, respectively, indicating that Graesiella emersonii KNUA204 can be potentially used as bioenergy feedstock. The biodiesel quality was established based on the fatty acid methyl ester profiles, and MgCl2 treatment increased the cetane number more than the control. Therefore, the treatment of G. emersonii KNUA204 with MgCl2 during cultivation could provide a microalgae-based bioenergy feedstock with high productivity.
Population structure and diversity of the needle pathogen Dothistroma pini suggests human-mediated movement in Europe
Authors: van der Nest Ariska , Wingfield Michael J. , Sadiković Dušan , Mullett Martin S. , Marçais Benoit , Queloz Valentin , Adamčíková Katarina , Davydenko Kateryna , Barnes Irene 
Published: February 2023

Dothistroma needle blight (DNB) is an important disease of Pinus species that can be caused by one of two distinct but closely related pathogens; Dothistroma septosporum and Dothistroma pini. Dothistroma septosporum has a wide geographic distribution and is relatively well-known. In contrast, D. pini is known only from the United States and Europe, and there is a distinct lack of knowledge regarding its population structure and genetic diversity. The recent development of 16 microsatellite markers for D. pini provided an opportunity to investigate the diversity, structure, and mode of reproduction for populations collected over a period of 12 years, on eight different hosts in Europe. In total, 345 isolates from Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Romania, Western Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Ukraine were screened using microsatellite and species-specific mating type markers. A total of 109 unique multilocus haplotypes were identified and structure analyses suggested that the populations are influenced by location rather than host species. Populations from France and Spain displayed the highest levels of genetic diversity followed by the population in Ukraine. Both mating types were detected in most countries, with the exception of Hungary, Russia and Slovenia. Evidence for sexual recombination was supported only in the population from Spain. The observed population structure and several shared haplotypes between non-bordering countries provides good evidence that the movement of D. pini in Europe has been strongly influenced by human activity in Europe.
Clinical implications of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features diagnostic criteria in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A case control study
Authors: Tomassetti Sara , Ravaglia Claudia , Puglisi Silvia , Wells Athol U. , Ryu Jay H. , Bosi Marcello , Dubini Alessandra , Piciucchi Sara , Girelli Francesco , Parronchi Paola , Lavorini Federico , Rosi Elisabetta , Luzzi Valentina , Cerinic Marco Matucci , Poletti Venerino 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundA subgroup of IPF patients can meet IPAF criteria (features suggesting an underlying autoimmune process without fulfilling established criteria for a CTD). This study was aimed to evaluate whether IPAF/IPF patients compared to IPF patients differ in clinical profile, prognosis and disease course.MethodsThis is a retrospective, single center, case–control study. We evaluated 360 consecutive IPF patients (Forlì Hospital, between 1/1/2002 and 28/12/2016) and compared characteristics and outcome of IPAF/IPF to IPF.ResultsTwenty-two (6%) patients met IPAF criteria. IPAF/IPF patients compared to IPF were more frequently females (N = 9/22, 40.9% vs. N = 68/338, 20.1%, p = 0.02), suffered more frequently from gastroesophageal reflux (54.5% vs. 28.4%, p = 0.01), and showed a higher prevalence of arthralgias (86.4% vs. 4.8%, p &lt; 0.0001), myalgias (14.3% vs. 0.3%, p = 0.001) and fever (18.2% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.002). The serologic domain was detected in all cases (the most frequent were ANA in 17 and RF in nine cases) and morphologic domain (histology features) was positive in 6 out of 10 lung biopsies (lymphoid aggregates). Only patients with IPAF/IPF evolved to CTD at follow-up (10/22, 45.5%; six rheumatoid arthritis, one Sjögren’s and three scleroderma). The presence of IPAF was a positive prognostic determinant (HR 0.22, 95% CI 0.08–0.61, p = 0.003), whereas the isolated presence of circulating autoantibody did not impact prognosis (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.67–1.49, p = 0.99).ConclusionThe presence of IPAF criteria in IPF has a major clinical impact correlating with the risk of evolution to full blown-CTD during follow-up and identifying a subgroup of patients with a better prognosis.
Video-capillaroscopy, a promising tool for the clinical evaluation of patients with chronic venous insufficiency
Authors: Carpentier Patrick H. , Trolliet Corine , Cornu-Thénard André , Chamberod Rémy , Laurès Jérôme , Noilhetas Janick , Chauvin Eric 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundThe cutaneous microangiopathy plays a key role in the development of the skin clinical lesions of venous insufficiency. Capillaroscopy allows a non-invasive observation of the superficial skin capillaries of the lower leg, which have previously been shown to be altered in patients with advanced venous disease. As it is now available in a friendly, easy to handle way through modern video devices, we report our findings in a short series of patients with C3–C5 chronic venous disorders using this technique.MethodsA total of 21 patients with venous insufficiency (C3–C5 on at least one leg) underwent a capillaroscopic examination of both legs and pictures recorded from the sites of the most severe venous skin lesions. This was performed with a CapXview handheld video-capillaroscope (×100 magnification), allowing easy manual measurement of maximum capillary bulk diameter and capillary density.ResultsDramatic changes in capillary density, size, and shape were easily observed at the site of the venous skin lesions. A significant negative linear relationship was found between capillary density and the “C” classes (r = −0.45; P &lt; 0.001). A significant negative correlation was also found between capillary density and bulk diameter (r = −0.52; P &lt; 0.001). The area under the ROC curve for the mathematical prediction of venous skin changes by capillary density was 0.842, which shows the strength of the link between the microvascular and the clinical status.ConclusionVideo-capillaroscopy allows a direct observation of the cutaneous venous microangiopathy and provides the possibility to measure capillary density which allows its quantification. This simple to use technique shows the potential for a more precise follow-up and treatment evaluation of the cutaneous consequences of venous disease, which remains to be further investigated.