bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac magnetic resonance in giant cell myocarditis: a matched comparison with cardiac sarcoidosis
Authors: Pöyhönen Pauli , Nordenswan Hanna-Kaisa , Lehtonen Jukka , Syväranta Suvi , Shenoy Chetan , Kupari Markku 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAimsGiant cell myocarditis (GCM) is an inflammatory cardiomyopathy akin to cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). We decided to study the findings of GCM on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and to compare GCM with CS.Methods and resultsCMR studies of 18 GCM patients were analyzed and compared with 18 CS controls matched for age, sex, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and presenting cardiac manifestations. The analysts were blinded to clinical data. On admission, the duration of symptoms (median) was 0.2 months in GCM vs. 2.4 months in CS (P = 0.002), cardiac troponin T was elevated (&gt;50 ng/L) in 16/17 patients with GCM and in 2/16 with CS (P &lt; 0.001), their respective median plasma B-type natriuretic propeptides measuring 4488 ng/L and 1223 ng/L (P = 0.011). On CMR imaging, LV diastolic volume was smaller in GCM (177 ± 32 mL vs. 211 ± 58 mL, P = 0.014) without other volumetric or wall thickness measurements differing between the groups. Every GCM patient had multifocal late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in a distribution indistinguishable from CS both longitudinally, circumferentially, and radially across the LV segments. LGE mass averaged 17.4 ± 6.3% of LV mass in GCM vs 25.0 ± 13.4% in CS (P = 0.037). Involvement of insertion points extending across the septum into the right ventricular wall, the “hook sign” of CS, was present in 53% of GCM and 50% of CS.ConclusionIn GCM, CMR findings are qualitatively indistinguishable from CS despite myocardial inflammation being clinically more acute and injurious. When matched for LV dysfunction and presenting features, LV size and LGE mass are smaller in GCM.
Outcome after stage 1 palliation in non-hypoplastic left heart syndrome patients as a univentricular palliation
Authors: Schwarzbart Carina , Burri Melchior , Kido Takashi , Heinisch Paul Philipp , Vodiskar Janez , Strbad Martina , Cleuziou Julie , Hager Alfred , Ewert Peter , Hörer Jürgen , Ono Masamichi 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Studies focused on infants with univentricular heart undergoing stage I palliation other than the Norwood procedure remain a topic of great interest. This study evaluated the outcome of infants who underwent systemic to pulmonary shunt (SPS) or pulmonary artery banding (PAB).

METHODS
Infants who underwent SPS or PAB as stage I palliation between 1994 and 2019 were included. Survival and late systemic ventricular function were evaluated.

RESULTS
Out of 242 patients, 188 underwent SPS (77.7%) and 54 PAB (22.3%). Main diagnosis included tricuspid atresia, unbalanced atrioventricular septal defects, double inlet left ventricles and single ventricles with other morphology. Thirty-eight patients died before stage II palliation (15.7%). Stage II palliation was performed in 182 patients (75.2%), and mortality between stages II and III was 11 (5.6%). Stage III palliation was performed in 160 (66.1%) patients. Survival at 1, 5 and 15 years after stage I procedure was 81.9, 77.1 and 76.2%, respectively, and similar between both procedures (P = 0.97). Premature birth [P = 0.03, hazard ratio (HR) = 2.1], heterotaxy (P = 0.006, HR = 2.4) and dominant right ventricle (P = 0.015, HR = 2.2) were factors associated to mortality. Unbalanced atrioventricular septal defect (P = 0.005, HR = 4.6) was a factor associated to systemic ventricular dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS
In patients with univentricular heart who underwent SPS and PAB as stage I palliation, survival at 15 years was 76%, regardless of th chosen approach. Premature birth, heterotaxy and dominant right ventricle were associated to mortality.
Impact of PPAR-gamma activation on the durability of biological heart valve prostheses in hypercholesterolaemic rats
Authors: Assmann Anna Kathrin , Winnicki Vanessa , Sugimura Yukiharu , Chekhoeva Agunda , Barth Mareike , Assmann Alexander , Lichtenberg Artur , Akhyari Payam 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Hypercholesterolaemia and obesity are risk factors for the development of calcified aortic valve disease and common comorbidities in respective patients. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma activation has been shown to reduce the progression of native aortic valve sclerosis, while its effect on bioprosthetic valve degeneration is yet unknown. This project aims to analyse the impact of pioglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist, on the degeneration of biological aortic valve conduits in an implantation model in obese and hypercholesterolaemic rats.

METHODS
Cryopreserved allogenic rat aortic valve conduits (n = 40) were infrarenally implanted into Wistar rats on high-fat (34.6%) diet. One cohort was treated with pioglitazone (75 mg/kg chow; n = 20, group PIO) and compared to untreated rats (n = 20, group control). After 4 or 12 weeks, conduits were explanted and analysed by (immuno-)histology and real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS
A significantly decreased intima hyperplasia occurred in group PIO compared to control after 4 (P = 0.014) and 12 weeks (P = 0.045). Calcification of the intima was significantly decreased in PIO versus control at 12 weeks (P = 0.0001). No significant inter-group differences were shown for media calcification after 4 and 12 weeks. Echocardiographically, significantly lower regurgitation through the implanted aortic valve conduit was observed in PIO compared to control after 4 (P = 0.018) and 12 weeks (P = 0.0004). Inflammatory activity was comparable between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS
Systemic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma activation decreases intima hyperplasia and subsequent intima calcification of cryopreserved allografts in obese, hypercholesterolaemic recipients. Additionally, it seems to inhibit functional impairment of the implanted aortic valve. Further preclinical studies are required to determine the long-term impact of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonists on graft durability.
Volume–outcome relationship in adrenal surgery from 2009-2017 in Germany—a retrospective study
Authors: Uttinger Konstantin L , Reibetanz Joachim , Diers Johannes , Baum Philip , Pietryga Sebastian , Hendricks Anne , Schütze Leon , Baumann Nikolas , Wiegering Verena , Lock Johann , Dischinger Ulrich , Seyfried Florian , Fassnacht Martin , Germer Christoph-Thomas , Wiegering Armin 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Objective
Adrenal resections are rare procedures of a heterogeneous nature. While recent European guidelines advocate a minimum annual caseload for adrenalectomies (6 per surgeon), evidence for a volume–outcome relationship for this surgery remains limited.

Design
A retrospective analysis of all adrenal resections in Germany between 2009 and 2017 using hospital billing data was performed. Hospitals were grouped into three tertiles of approximately equal patient volume.

Methods
Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analyses were applied to identify a possible volume–outcome relationship (complications, complication management, and mortality).

Results
Around 17 040 primary adrenal resections were included. Benign adrenal tumors (n = 8,213, 48.2%) and adrenal metastases of extra-adrenal malignancies (n = 3582, 21.0%) were the most common diagnoses. Six hundred and thirty-two low-volume hospitals performed an equal number of resections as 23 high-volume hospitals (median surgeries/hospital/year 3 versus 31, P &lt; .001). Complications were less frequent in high-volume hospitals (23.1% in low-volume hospitals versus 17.3% in high-volume hospitals, P &lt; .001). The most common complication was bleeding in 2027 cases (11.9%) with a mortality of 4.6% (94 patients). Overall in-house mortality was 0.7% (n = 126). Age, malignancy, an accompanying resection, complications, and open surgery were associated with in-house mortality. In univariate analysis, surgery in high-volume hospitals was associated with lower mortality (OR: 0.47, P &lt; .001). In a multivariate model, the tendency remained equal (OR: 0.59, P = .104). Regarding failure to rescue (death in case of complications), there was a trend toward lower mortality in high-volume hospitals.

Conclusions
The annual caseload of adrenal resections varies considerably among German hospitals. Our findings suggest that surgery in high-volume centers is advantageous for patient outcomes although fatal complications are rare.
Food insecurity, diet and mental distress among resource insecure students during COVID-19
Authors: Kopels Miriam C , Roulette Casey J 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackground and objectivesIt is well documented that college student populations are vulnerable to food insecurity and other adverse environmental conditions. Additionally, exposure to environmental adversity can have deleterious, long-term effects on physical and mental health. This study applies evolutionary life history theory to examine the relationship between environmental adversity, mental distress and diet among resource insecure university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodologyStructured and semi-structured surveys were used to assess perceptions of environmental adversity (including mortality risk, food insecurity and resource availability; and changes in these factors over the course of COVID-19), mental distress, diet and use of campus support services. Participants included 51 college students recruited through an economic crisis center located at a large public university in southern California.ResultsMost students were experiencing mental distress and food insecurity, and food insecurity and other components of adversity increased during COVID-19. Food insecurity was significantly associated with both perceived extrinsic mortality risk and mental distress, whereas mental distress was significantly associated with reduced dietary quality and caloric intake. Use of two or more campus support resources and/or living with family or rent free disrupted the associations of food insecurity with extrinsic mortality risk and mental distress.Conclusion and ImplicationThis study contributes to a growing body of applied evolutionary frameworks concerned with the health and wellbeing of economically vulnerable populations. It also provides novel insights informed by life history theory into interventions and recommendations for improving support services for financially insecure college students.
Microbial survival mechanisms within serpentinizing Mariana forearc sediments
Authors: Mullis Megan M , Selwyn Jason D , Kevorkian Richard , Tague Eric D , Castro Hector F , Campagna Shawn R , Lloyd Karen G , Reese Brandi Kiel 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Marine deep subsurface sediment is often a microbial environment under energy-limited conditions. However, microbial life has been found to persist and even thrive in deep subsurface environments. The Mariana forearc represents an ideal location for determining how microbial life can withstand extreme conditions including pH 10–12.5 and depleted nutrients. The International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 366 to the Mariana Convergent Margin sampled three serpentinizing seamounts located along the Mariana forearc chain with elevated concentrations of methane, hydrogen, and sulfide. Across all three seamount summits, the most abundant transcripts were for cellular maintenance such as cell wall and membrane repair, and the most abundant metabolic pathways were the Entner–Doudoroff pathway and tricarboxylic acid cycle. At flank samples, sulfur cycling involving taurine assimilation dominated the metatranscriptomes. The in situ activity of these pathways was supported by the detection of their metabolic intermediates. All samples had transcripts from all three domains of Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya, dominated by Burkholderiales, Deinococcales, and Pseudomonales, as well as the fungal group Opisthokonta. All samples contained transcripts for aerobic methane oxidation (pmoABC) and denitrification (nirKS). The Mariana forearc microbial communities show activity not only consistent with basic survival mechanisms, but also coupled metabolic reactions.
Yield prediction through integration of genetic, environment, and management data through deep learning
Authors: Kick Daniel R , Wallace Jason G , Schnable James C , Kolkman Judith M , Alaca Barış , Beissinger Timothy M , Edwards Jode , Ertl David , Flint-Garcia Sherry , Gage Joseph L , Hirsch Candice N , Knoll Joseph E , de Leon Natalia , Lima Dayane C , Moreta Danilo E , Singh Maninder P , Thompson Addie , Weldekidan Teclemariam , Washburn Jacob D 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Accurate prediction of the phenotypic outcomes produced by different combinations of genotypes, environments, and management interventions remains a key goal in biology with direct applications to agriculture, research, and conservation. The past decades have seen an expansion of new methods applied toward this goal. Here we predict maize yield using deep neural networks, compare the efficacy of 2 model development methods, and contextualize model performance using conventional linear and machine learning models. We examine the usefulness of incorporating interactions between disparate data types. We find deep learning and best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) models with interactions had the best overall performance. BLUP models achieved the lowest average error, but deep learning models performed more consistently with similar average error. Optimizing deep neural network submodules for each data type improved model performance relative to optimizing the whole model for all data types at once. Examining the effect of interactions in the best-performing model revealed that including interactions altered the model's sensitivity to weather and management features, including a reduction of the importance scores for timepoints expected to have a limited physiological basis for influencing yield—those at the extreme end of the season, nearly 200 days post planting. Based on these results, deep learning provides a promising avenue for the phenotypic prediction of complex traits in complex environments and a potential mechanism to better understand the influence of environmental and genetic factors.
Transition in availability of improved sanitation facilities and its effect on diarrhoeal disease in India: evidence from longitudinal data
Authors: Brahmanandam N , Bharambe Milind Sadashiv 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
Poor sanitation, such as open defecation, is a major public health concern in India, causing diarrhoea and other infectious diseases. So far, few studies have linked poor sanitation with diarrhoea using longitudinal data. In this context, this study assesses the transition in availability of household sanitation facilities and its effect on diarrhoeal morbidity.

Methods
We used two waves of longitudinal data from the India Human Development Survey, conducted in 2004–2005 and 2011–2012, and based on 34 131 followed-up households using a two-stage stratified random sampling method. In the first stage, multinomial logistic regression was used to assess socio-economic factors contributing to the transition in the availability of household sanitation facilities. In the second stage, multivariate linear regression was performed to examine the effect of the change in the availability of household sanitation facilities on the prevalence of diarrhoeal morbidity. All the analysis in this study was carried out by using Stata version 13 software.

Results
The findings reveal that the practice of open defecation was continued to be higher among lower socio-economic households than better-off socio-economic households in both 2004–2005 and 2011–2012. The proportion of household members who fell sick due to diarrhoea morbidity has decreased significantly (β=−0.06, p&lt;0.04) among households that switched from open defecation in 2004–2005 to improved sanitation facilities in 2011–12, compared to households that continued to practice open defecation in both periods (2004–2005 and 2011–2012). The share of household members who fell sick due to diarrhoeal morbidity was significantly lower (β=−0.09, p&lt;0.001) among the households who adopted improved toilet facilities in both periods (2004–2005 and 2011–2012) as compared with the households who continued to defecate openly in both periods, net of other covariates.

Conclusions
Our findings show that there is a need to strengthen existing policies focusing on lower socio-economic groups to improve sanitation and eliminate its related diseases. In particular, the ongoing ‘Clean India Mission’ should play a critical role in promoting sanitation for all.
Leukocyte surface expression of the endoplasmic reticulum chaperone GRP78 is increased in severe COVID-19
Authors: Angeles-Floriano Tania , Sanjuan-Méndez Adriana , Rivera-Torruco Guadalupe , Parra-Ortega Israel , Lopez-Martinez Briceida , Martinez-Castro Jesús , Marin-Santiago Sergio , Alcántara-Hernández Carolina , Martínez-Martínez Araceli , Márquez-González Horacio , Klünder-Klünder Miguel , Olivar-López Victor , Zaragoza-Ojeda Montserrat , Arenas-Huertero Francisco , Torres-Aguilar Honorio , Medina-Contreras Oscar , Zlotnik Albert , Valle-Rios Ricardo 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Hyperinflammation present in individuals with severe COVID-19 has been associated with an exacerbated cytokine production and hyperactivated immune cells. Endoplasmic reticulum stress leading to the unfolded protein response has been recently reported as an active player in inducing inflammatory responses. Once unfolded protein response is activated, GRP78, an endoplasmic reticulum–resident chaperone, is translocated to the cell surface (sGRP78), where it is considered a cell stress marker; however, its presence has not been evaluated in immune cells during disease. Here we assessed the presence of sGRP78 on different cell subsets in blood samples from severe or convalescent COVID-19 patients. The frequency of CD45+sGRP78+ cells was higher in patients with the disease compared to convalescent patients. The latter showed similar frequencies to healthy controls. In patients with COVID-19, the lymphoid compartment showed the highest presence of sGRP78+ cells versus the myeloid compartment. CCL2, TNF-α, C-reactive protein, and international normalized ratio measurements showed a positive correlation with the frequency of CD45+sGRP78+ cells. Finally, gene expression microarray data showed that activated T and B cells increased the expression of GRP78, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors acquired sGRP78 upon activation with ionomycin and PMA. Thus, our data highlight the association of sGRP78 on immune cells in patients with severe COVID-19.
Prognostic analysis of radiotherapy for cervical lymph node recurrence after curative resection of thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chu Jinjin , Wang Fan 
Published: January 2023

AbstractTo identify efficacy and prognosis of radiotherapy (RT) for cervical lymph node recurrence (CLNR) in thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (TESCC) after curative resection. The clinical data from 65 patients were retrospectively analyzed. The Kaplan–Meier method was employed to analyze the survival of patients. The Cox proportional hazards model was then exploited for multivariate analysis. The median overall survival (OS) was 20 months; one-year, two-year, three-year and five-year survival rates were 68.3%, 47.3%, 33.4% and 10.6%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 14 months. Univariate analysis indicated that time from surgery to recurrence, number of recurrent lymph nodes and dose of RT were significant prognostic factors, whereas multivariate analysis showed that number of recurrent lymph nodes and radiation dose were independent factors. RT was an effective salvage treatment for patients with CLNR after surgery. Those patients who showed single lymph node recurrence and who were exposed to ≥60 Gy of RT experienced a favorable prognosis.
The ampulla of Vater: A potential target for metastatic melanoma?
Authors: Armany David , Gosal Preet , Adams Stuart 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Malignant melanomas are aggressive cancers that can prove to be fatal, with Australia harbouring the highest incidence of skin cancers worldwide. Surprisingly, as little as 13.4% of patients undergoing surgical resection of high-risk melanomas remain disease-free after 2 years, with 31.6% showing evidence of distant spread. Although rare, secondary tumours of the ampulla of Vater have been documented, with the most common primaries involving breast, renal and melanoma cancers. We report the case of a malignant melanoma of the ampulla of Vater occurring in a patient 4-year post-surgical resection of a Stage II melanoma manifesting as acute pancreatitis with obstructive jaundice. Given the rarity of secondary ampullary tumours, metastatic melanoma should always be considered in patients with obstructive jaundice and a history of melanoma resection. In the absence of distant disease, surgery may be considered after consensus at multidisciplinary team meetings and after consideration of the patient preference.
Chylothorax following transsternal total thymectomy: a case report
Authors: Kato Fumiaki , Tomita Masaki , Shimmura Kohei , Yoshizumi Hideyuki , Sato Toshihiko 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Herein, we report a case of chylothorax following total thymectomy. A 46-year-old woman having an anterior mediastinal tumor underwent a thymectomy via median sternotomy. Seven days after surgery, there was no massive pleural effusion. However, on post-operative day 17, a right massive pleural effusion was detected, and it was diagnosed as chylothorax. She was successfully treated with conservative therapy. Chylothorax following thymectomy is a very rare complication.
Elucidating the unknown transcriptional responses and PHR1-mediated biotic and abiotic stress tolerance during phosphorus limitation
Authors: Scheible Wolf-Rűdiger , Pant Pooja , Pant Bikram D , Krom Nick , Allen Randy D , Mysore Kirankumar S 
Published: January 2023

AbstractPhosphorus (P) limitation in the majority of world soils is a major constraint for plant growth and crop productivity. RNA sequencing was used to discover novel P-responsive gene transcripts (PRGTs) in leaves and roots of Arabidopsis. Hisat StringTie and the Cufflinks TopHat transcript assembler were used to analyze reads and identify 1074 PRGTs with a &gt;5-fold altered abundance during P limitation. Interestingly, 60% of these transcripts were not previously reported. Among the novel PRGTs, 106 were from unannotated genes, and some were among the most P-responsive, including At2g36727 which encodes a novel miRNA. Annotated novel PRGTs encode transcription factors, miRNAs, small signaling peptides, long non-coding RNAs, defense-related proteins, and transporters, along with proteins involved in many biological processes. We identified several genes that undergo alternative splicing during P limitation, including a novel miR399-resistant splice variant of PHOSPHATE2 (PHO2.2). Several novel P-responsive genes were regulated by PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE1 (PHR1), PHR1-LIKE 1 (PHL1), and PHO2. We discovered that P-limited plants show increased resistance to pathogens and drought stress mediated by PHR1–PHL1. Identification of novel P-responsive transcripts and the discovery of the influence of P limitation on biotic and abiotic stress adds a significant component to our understanding of plant P signaling.