bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bilateral lung transplantation for pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension: perioperative management and one-year follow-up
Authors: Jack Thomas , Carlens Julia , Diekmann Franziska , Hasan Hosan , Chouvarine Philippe , Schwerk Nicolaus , Müller Carsten , Wieland Ivonne , Tudorache Igor , Warnecke Gregor , Avsar Murat , Horke Alexander , Ius Fabio , Bobylev Dmitry , Hansmann Georg 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundBilateral lung transplantation (LuTx) remains the only established treatment for children with end-stage pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Although PAH is the second most common indication for LuTx, little is known about optimal perioperative management and midterm clinical outcomes.MethodsProspective observational study on consecutive children with PAH who underwent LuTx with scheduled postoperative VA-ECMO support at Hannover Medical School from December 2013 to June 2020.ResultsTwelve patients with PAH underwent LuTx (mean age 11.9 years; age range 1.9–17.8). Underlying diagnoses included idiopathic (n = 4) or heritable PAH (n = 4), PAH associated with congenital heart disease (n = 2), pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (n = 1), and pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (n = 1). The mean waiting time was 58.5 days (range 1–220d). Three patients were bridged to LuTx on VA-ECMO. Intraoperative VA-ECMO/cardiopulmonary bypass was applied and VA-ECMO was continued postoperatively in all patients (mean ECMO-duration 185 h; range 73–363 h; early extubation). The median postoperative ventilation time was 28 h (range 17–145 h). Echocardiographic conventional and strain analysis showed that 12 months after LuTx, all patients had normal biventricular systolic function. All PAH patients are alive 2 years after LuTx (median follow-up 53 months, range 26–104 months).ConclusionLuTx in children with end-stage PAH resulted in excellent midterm outcomes (100% survival 2 years post-LuTx). Postoperative VA-ECMO facilitates early extubation with rapid gain of allograft function and sustained biventricular reverse-remodeling and systolic function after RV pressure unloading and LV volume loading.
Effect of hypertriglyceridemia on left ventricular global longitudinal strain in patients with coronary heart disease in Jilin Province, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Na Lin , Cui Wenjing , Li Xinqi , Chang Jing , Xue Xin 
Published: June 2023

AimsUsing speckle tracking technology to investigate the effect of hypertriglyceridemia on the global longitudinal strain(GLS) of the left ventricle in patients with coronary heart disease in the early stage, and to explore the value of myocardial strain in early identification of cardiac dysfunction in patients with coronary heart disease in the pre-heart failure stage.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 138 participants was conducted in Jilin Province, China. Basic clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic data were obtained for all patients. Myocardial strain parameters were compared between the hypertriglyceridemia and normal triglyceride level groups and the effect of hypertriglyceridemia on early left ventricular global longitudinal strain impairment in coronary heart disease patients was evaluated.ResultsThe overall longitudinal strain of the left ventricle was smaller in the hypertriglyceridemia group than in the normal triglyceride group. After the multivariate Logistic regression model adjusting for the influence of confounding factors, the results remained stable.ConclusionsThe risk of impairment of global longitudinal strain of the left ventricle in patients with coronary heart disease is positively correlated with triglyceride levels, and hypertriglyceridemia maybe an independent risk factor affecting early cardiac dysfunction in the pre-heart failure stage of patients with coronary heart disease.
Defibrotide modulates pulmonary endothelial cell activation and protects against lung inflammation in pre-clinical models of LPS-induced lung injury and idiopathic pneumonia syndrome
Authors: Klein Orly R. , Ktena Yiouli P. , Pierce Elizabeth , Fu Han-Hsuan , Haile Azeb , Liu Chen , Cooke Kenneth R. 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionA multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) workshop convened by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in 2015 identified acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and complications of allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) as contributors to MODS in pediatric patients. Pulmonary dysfunction also remains a significant complication of allo-BMT. Idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS) defines non-infectious, acute, lung injury that occurs post-transplant. Injury and activation to endothelial cells (ECs) contribute to each form of lung inflammation.MethodsTwo murine models were employed. In an ARDS model, naïve B6 mice receive an intravenous (i.v.) injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In the established model of IPS, naïve B6D2F1 mice receive lethal total body irradiation followed by BMT from either allogeneic (B6) or syngeneic (B6D2F1) donors. Lung inflammation was subsequently assessed in each scenario.ResultsIntravenous injection of LPS to B6 mice resulted in enhanced mRNA expression of TNFα, IL-6, Ang-2, E-, and P-selectin in whole lung homogenates. The expression of Ang-2 in this context is regulated in part by TNFα. Additionally, EC activation was associated with increased total protein and cellularity in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Similar findings were noted during the development of experimental IPS. We hypothesized that interventions maintaining EC integrity would reduce the severity of ARDS and IPS. Defibrotide (DF) is FDA approved for the treatment of BMT patients with sinusoidal obstruction syndrome and renal or pulmonary dysfunction. DF stabilizes activated ECs and protect them from further injury. Intravenous administration of DF before and after LPS injection significantly reduced mRNA expression of TNFα, IL6, Ang-2, E-, and P-selectin compared to controls. BALF showed decreased cellularity, reflecting less EC damage and leak. Allogeneic BMT mice were treated from day -1 through day 14 with DF intraperitoneally, and lungs were harvested at 3 weeks. Compared to controls, DF treatment reduced mRNA expression of TNFα, IL6, Ang-2, E-, and P- selectin, BALF cellularity, and lung histopathology.ConclusionThe administration of DF modulates EC injury in models of ARDS and IPS. Cytokine inhibition in combination with agents that stabilize EC integrity may be an attractive strategy for patients in each setting.
Frequency, pattern and predictors of cognitive impairments in patients with Parkinson’s disease using the Community Screening Instrument for Dementia
Authors: Ogbimi Ewere Marie , Akemokwe Fatai Momodu , Ogunrin Olubunmi 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder complicated by cognitive dysfunctions which are associated with increased caregiver burden, pressure on community health facilities, and mortality in affected patients. Most of the data concerning cognitive dysfunctions in PD are from studies conducted in Europe and North America, but there is paucity of data from Sub-Saharan Africa.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to determine the frequency, pattern and predictors of cognitive impairments amongst patients with Parkinson’s disease.Materials and methodsThis was a cross sectional case control study carried out at a tertiary health facility in South-south Nigeria. Participants with PD were consecutively recruited from the neurology outpatient clinics. Demographic and disease-specific data were obtained with the use of a pre-tested questionnaire. Cognitive performance of thirty patients with PD were compared with thirty demographically matched controls using the Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSID). CSID was already validated among Nigerians.ResultsThe frequency of cognitive impairment using the CSID was 50% for PD patients (3.3% for controls). Poor cognitive performance was observed across several cognitive domains including language, executive dysfunction, psychomotor speed, and constructional apraxia among PD patients. The independent predictors of the overall cognitive impairment in patients with PD determined by logistic regression analysis include recall deficiency (p = 0.007), impairment with naming (p = 0.044), apraxia (p = 0.003), Hoen&amp;Yahr staging (p = 0.046), UPDRS score (p = 0.015) and age at presentation (p = 0.014).ConclusionCognitive impairments occur more frequently in patients with PD compared to controls. This study also demonstrated the predictive role of severity of disease based on Hoehn &amp;Yahr staging and UPDRS score, and presence of recall deficiency, poor naming ability and apraxia.
Successful extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postoperative cardiopulmonary failure in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: case reports and literature reviews
Authors: Hong Song-Ming , Chen Xiu-Hua , Zhou Si-Jia , Hong Jun-Jie , Zheng Yi-Rong , Chen Qiang , Huang Jin-Xi 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionCongenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a structural defect caused by inadequate fusion of the pleuroperitoneal membrane that forms the diaphragm, allowing peritoneal viscera to protrude into the pleural cavity. Up to 30% of newborns with CDH require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. As with all interventions, the risks and benefits of ECMO must be carefully considered in these patients. Cardiopulmonary function has been shown to worsen rather than improve after surgical CDH repair. Even after a detailed perioperative assessment, sudden cardiopulmonary failure after surgery is dangerous and requires timely and effective treatments.MethodThree cases of cardiopulmonary failure after surgical CDH treatment in newborns have been reported. ECMO support was needed for these three patients and was successfully discontinued. We report our treatment experience.ConclusionECMO is feasible for the treatment of postoperative cardiopulmonary failure in newborns with CDH.
Role of endogenous and exogenous antioxidants in risk of six cancers: evidence from the Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhu Jiahao , Lian Jie , Wang Xin , Wang Ren , Pang Xiangyi , Xu Benjie , Wang Xing , Li Chenyang , Ji Shengjun , Lu Haibo 
Published: June 2023

Background: Although oxidative stress is known to contribute to cancer, and endogenous and exogenous antioxidants are thought to prevent tumorigenesis by suppressing oxidative stress-induced DNA damage, antioxidants have also been reported to show negative effects on tumor formation, necessitating characterization of the causal associations between antioxidants and cancer risk.Methods: In this study, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, primarily inverse-variance weighted MR, was used to assess the causal effect of six endogenous and five exogenous diet-derived antioxidants on the risk of six cancers. MR-Egger intercept test and Cochran’s Q statistic were utilized to assess pleiotropy and heterogeneity, respectively.Results: For endogenous antioxidants, a bidirectional two-sample MR analysis was conducted. Our findings suggested that serum albumin has a negative causal association with the risk of prostate cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.68–0.91, p = 0.001]. The risks of the six cancers showed no significant associations with endogenous antioxidants in the converse MR analysis. For exogenous antioxidants, the unidirectional two-sample MR analysis exhibited a nominal relationship between the serum retinol level and non-small-cell lung cancer risk (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.11–0.76, p = 0.011).Conclusions: Thus, our study revealed the protective effects of genetic susceptibility to high circulating albumin levels on prostate cancer, providing potential targeted interventions for prostate cancer prevention.
Critical action to redress systemic oppression: a person-centered approach
Authors: Vierra Kristin , Barrita Aldo , Wong-Padoongpatt Gloria , Robnett Rachael D. 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionIn 2020, public outcry against police brutality prompted many social media users to post black squares and use the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter (BLM). Many of the people who posted these squares were engaging in performative action in the sense that they failed to engage with BLM’s history and core principles. Drawing from a critical action framework, the current research seeks to more deeply understand what drives people to engage in more versus less impactful forms of action to resist systemic oppression.MethodsWe employed a mixed-methods and person-centered methodological approach with the goal of providing nuanced information about factors that distinguish among individuals who engage in different forms of action. Participants were 359 undergraduates who reported that they engaged in some form of action to support BLM.FindingsLatent profile analysis identified three subgroups (i.e., latent classes) in the larger sample, which we labeled (1) intentional action, (2) intermediate action, and (3) passive action. Participants in each latent class differed from one another in their sociopolitical attitudes, sociodemographic background, and level of action to support BLM. Through the qualitative coding process, the research team unearthed three overarching themes and a range of subthemes that help to explain why the members of each class engaged in different forms of action.DiscussionWe conclude by proposing a flexible intervention that may motivate individuals to engage in critical action to support BLM.
Multi-scale convolutional recurrent neural network for psychiatric disorder identification in resting-state EEG
Authors: Yan Weizheng , Yu Linzhen , Liu Dandan , Sui Jing , Calhoun Vince D. , Lin Zheng 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundAccurate classification based on affordable objective neuroimaging biomarkers are important steps toward designing individualized treatment.MethodsIn this work, we investigated a deep learning classification model, multi-scale convolutional recurrent neural network (MCRNN), to explore psychiatric disorder-related biomarkers by leveraging the spatiotemporal information of resting-state EEG (rsEEG) using a multiple psychiatric disorder database containing 327 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar, major depressive disorders, and healthy controls. All subjects were mapped to a shared low-dimensional subspace for intuitively interpreting the inter-relationship and separation of psychiatric disorders.ResultsPsychiatric disorders were identified using rsEEG with high accuracy ranged from 78.6 to 91.3% in patient vs. controls two-class classification, and 68.2% in four-class classification. The control-to-schizophrenia trajectory interpretated by the model was consistent with the disease severity in clinical observation.ConclusionThe MsRNN demonstrated a capability in extracting discriminative rsEEG biomarkers for psychiatric disorder classification, indicating its potential to facilitate our understanding of psychiatric disorders and monitoring interventions.
Determinants, inequalities, and spatial patterns of diarrhea in the Peruvian under-five population: findings from nationally representative survey data
Authors: Hernández-Vásquez Akram , Vargas-Fernández Rodrigo , Turpo Cayo Efrain Y. 
Published: June 2023

ObjectiveTo determine the associated factors, decompose the socioeconomic inequalities, and analyze the spatial distribution of childhood diarrhea in Peru.MethodsA cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using data from the National Demographic and Family Health Survey 2021. The dependent variable was the presence of diarrhea in the last two weeks. Three types of analysis were performed: (i) to evaluate the associated factors, generalized linear models of the Poisson family with logarithmic link were applied and prevalence ratios with their 95% confidence intervals were reported; (ii) for the analysis of inequalities, a decomposition of the Erreygers concentration index was performed using a generalized linear model; and (ii) a spatial autocorrelation analysis, hot spot analysis and cluster and outlier analysis were performed.ResultsA total of 18,871 children under 5 years of age were included. The prevalence of diarrhea in this population was 10.0%. Determinants such as being aged 0–23 months, being male, belonging to the poorest, poorer and rich wealth index, and residing in the Highlands and Jungle increased the probability of presenting diarrhea. In the decomposition analysis, diarrhea had a pro-poor orientation, with the greatest contributors were age 0–23 months, belonging to the poorest and poorer wealth indexes, and residing in the Highlands and Jungle. Spatial analysis showed that the highest concentrations and occurrence of this event were observed in departments of the Highlands and Jungle.ConclusionGovernment institutions seeking to reduce the numbers and burden of childhood diarrhea should focus their strategies on promoting hygiene measures and improving access to water and sanitation services, especially in poor populations living in the Peruvian Highlands and Jungle.
Measuring the importance of influencing factor for COVID-19 vaccination intention in China
Authors: Su Yue , Li Sijia , Xue Jia , Li Ang , Zhu Tingshao 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundVaccination is considered an effective approach to deter the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, vaccine hesitancy is a common issue that makes immunization programs more challenging. To promote vaccination in a targeted and efficient way, this study aims to develop and validate a measurement tool for evaluating the importance of influencing factors related to COVID-19 vaccination intention in China, and to examine the demographic differences.MethodsIn study 1, we developed a Factor Importance Evaluation Questionnaire (FIEQ) based on semi-structured interview results and used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to explore its factor structure. In study 2, we verified the four-factor structure of FIEQ by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). We then administered FIEQ to Chinese participants and conducted a student t-test and analysis of variance to examine the differences in the importance evaluation of factors based on gender and educational level.ResultsIn study 1, we developed a four-factor construct and retained 20 items after EFA (N = 577), with acceptable reliability (alpha = 0.87) and validity. In study 2, we found that the model fit was good (χ2 = 748.03 (162), p &lt; 0.001, GFI = 0.949, RMSEA = 0.049, SRMR = 0.048, AGFI = 0.934), and reliability was acceptable (alpha = 0.730) (N = 1,496). No gender difference was found in factor importance. However, individuals with different educational levels reported significantly different importance evaluations of three factors, including perceived benefits and social norms (F = 3.786, p = 0.005), perceived influences from reference groups (F = 17.449, p &lt; 0.001), and perceived risks (F = 2.508, p = 0.04).ConclusionThis study developed and validated FIEQ for measuring the importance of influencing factors related to the COVID-19 vaccination intention in Chinese participants. Moreover, our findings suggest that the educational level may play a role in how individuals evaluate the importance of factors. This study provides insights into the concerns that individuals have regarding vaccination and offers potentially effective and targeted strategies for promoting COVID-19 vaccination.
National screening for anxiety and depression in Saudi Arabia 2022
Authors: Alhabeeb Abdulhameed Abdullah , Al-Duraihem Rashed Abdullah , Alasmary Saeed , Alkhamaali Zaied , Althumiri Nora A. , BinDhim Nasser F. 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundMental health disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), represent a significant public health concern in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to provide a recent mental health screening prevalence, including anxiety and depression screening in the general public and to explore the associated risk factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted, employing a phone interview survey with 6,015 participants, using a quota sampling strategy to ensure equal representation of both sexes and administrative regions. The study assessed the prevalence of MDD and GAD risk and examined demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors associated with these mental health disorders.ResultsThe national prevalence of people at risk of MDD and GAD were found to be 12.7 and 12.4%, respectively. Low diagnosis and treatment rates were observed, with only 1.5 and 0.5% of participants currently diagnosed and treated for depression and anxiety, respectively. Risk factors for MDD and GAD included female sex, lower education and income levels, smoking, and waterpipe use. Protective factors included physical activity, participation in volunteering activities and the practice of daily hobbies in the last 30 days.ConclusionThe relatively high prevalence of MDD and GAD risk and low diagnosis and treatment rates in Saudi Arabia emphasize the need for increased mental health promotion, early detection, and treatment accessibility. The study highlights the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors and fostering protective factors through targeted interventions. Future research should focus on longitudinal associations, potential mediators and moderators, and the development of culturally appropriate and evidence-based interventions to enhance mental health outcomes in the region.
The bovine nasal fungal community and associations with bovine respiratory disease
Authors: Centeno-Martinez Ruth Eunice , Mohan Suraj , Davidson Josiah Levi , Schoonmaker Jon P. , Ault Aaron , Verma Mohit S. , Johnson Timothy A. 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionEffective identification and treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is an ongoing health and economic issue for the dairy and beef cattle industries. Bacteria pathogens Pasteurellamultocida, Mycoplasmabovis, Mannheimia haemolytica, and Histophilus somni and the virus Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1), Bovine parainfluenza-3 virus (BPIV-3), Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), Bovine adenovirus 3 (BAdV3), bovine coronavirus (BoCV) and Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) have commonly been identified in BRD cattle; however, no studies have investigated the fungal community and how it may also relate to BRD.MethodsThe objective of this study was to understand if the nasal mycobiome differs between a BRD-affected (n = 56) and visually healthy (n = 73) Holstein steers. Fungal nasal community was determined by using Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequencing.ResultsThe phyla, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, and the genera, Trichosporon and Issatchenkia, were the most abundant among all animals, regardless of health status. We identified differences between healthy and BRD animals in abundance of Trichosporon and Issatchenkia orientalis at a sub-species level that could be a potential indicator of BRD. No differences were observed in the nasal fungal alpha and beta diversity between BRD and healthy animals. However, the fungal community structure was affected based on season, specifically when comparing samples collected in the summer to the winter season. We then performed a random forest model, based on the fungal community and abundance of the BRD-pathobionts (qPCR data generated from a previous study using the same animals), to classify healthy and BRD animals and determine the agreement with visual diagnosis. Classification of BRD or healthy animals using ITS sequencing was low and agreed with the visual diagnosis with an accuracy of 51.9%. A portion of the ITS-predicted BRD animals were not predicted based on the abundance of BRD pathobionts. Lastly, fungal and bacterial co-occurrence were more common in BRD animals than healthy animals.DiscussionThe results from this novel study provide a baseline understanding of the fungal diversity and composition in the nasal cavity of BRD and healthy animals, upon which future interaction studies, including other nasal microbiome members to further understand and accurately diagnose BRD, can be designed.