bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of New-Onset Persistent Left Bundle Branch Block on Reverse Cardiac Remodeling and Clinical Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Kim Kyu , Ko Young-Guk , Shim Chi Young , Ryu JiWung , Lee Yong-Joon , Seo Jiwon , Lee Seung-Jun , Cho Iksung , Hong Sung-Jin , Ahn Chul-Min , Kim Jung-Sun , Kim Byeong-Keuk , Hong Geu-Ru , Ha Jong-Won , Choi Donghoon , Hong Myeong-Ki 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundThe clinical implication of new-onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains controversial. We investigated the impact of new-onset persistent LBBB on reverse cardiac remodeling and clinical outcomes after TAVR.MethodsAmong 478 patients who had undergone TAVR for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis from 2011 to 2021, we analyzed 364 patients after excluding patients with pre-existing intraventricular conduction disturbance or a pacing rhythm before or during the indexed hospitalization for TAVR. Echocardiographic variables of cardiac remodeling at baseline and 1 year after TAVR were comprehensively analyzed. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure. Secondary outcomes were all-cause death and individual components of the primary outcome.ResultNew-onset persistent LBBB occurred in 41 (11.3%) patients after TAVR. The no LBBB group showed a significant increase in the left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and decreases in LV dimensions, the left atrial volume index, and LV mass index 1 year after TAVR (all p &lt; 0.001). However, the new LBBB group showed no significant changes in these parameters. During a median follow-up of 18.1 months, the new LBBB group experienced a higher incidence of primary outcomes [hazard ratio (HR): 5.03; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.60–9.73; p &lt; 0.001] and all-cause death (HR: 2.80; 95% CI: 1.38–5.69; p = 0.003). The data were similar after multivariable regression analysis.ConclusionNew-onset persistent LBBB after TAVR is associated with insufficient reverse cardiac remodeling and increased adverse clinical events.
Residual Pulmonary Vascular Resistance Increase Under Left Ventricular Assist Device Support Predicts Long-Term Cardiac Function After Heart Transplantation
Authors: Kakuda Nobutaka , Amiya Eisuke , Hatano Masaru , Tsuji Masaki , Bujo Chie , Ishida Junichi , Yagi Hiroki , Saito Akihito , Narita Koichi , Isotani Yoshitaka , Fujita Kanna , Ando Masahiko , Shimada Shogo , Kinoshita Osamu , Ono Minoru , Komuro Issei 
Published: June 2022

AimsWe compared hemodynamics and clinical events after heart transplantation (HTx) in patients stratified by the severity of residual pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation for bridge to transplantation.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed patients who had undergone HTx at the University of Tokyo Hospital. We defined the high PVR group as patients with PVR of &gt;3 Wood Units (WU) as measured by right heart catheterization performed 1 month after LVAD implantation.ResultsWe included 85 consecutive HTx recipients, 20 of whom were classified in the high PVR group and 65 in the low PVR group. The difference in PVR between the two groups became apparent at 2 years after HTx (the high PVR group: 1.77 ± 0.41 WU, the low PVR group: 1.24 ± 0.59 WU, p = 0.0009). The differences in mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), mean right arterial pressure (mRAP), and mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (mPCWP) tended to increase from the first year after HTx, and were all significantly higher in the high PVR group at 3 years after HTx (mPAP: 22.7 ± 9.0 mm Hg vs. 15.4 ± 4.3 mm Hg, p = 0.0009, mRAP: 7.2 ± 3.6 mm Hg vs. 4.1 ± 2.1 mm Hg, p = 0.0042, and mPCWP: 13.4 ± 4.5 mm Hg, 8.8 ± 3.3 mm Hg, p = 0.0040). In addition, pulmonary artery pulsatility index was significantly lower in the high PVR group than in the low PVR group at 3 years after HTx (2.51 ± 1.00 vs. 5.21 ± 3.23, p = 0.0033). The composite event including hospitalization for heart failure, diuretic use, and elevated intracardiac pressure (mRAP ≥ 12 mm Hg or mPCWP ≥ 18 mm Hg) between the two groups was significantly more common in the high PVR group. Residual high PVR was still an important predictor (hazard ratio 6.5, 95% confidence interval 2.0–21.6, and p = 0.0023) after multivariate Cox regression analysis.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that patients with residual high PVR under LVAD implantation showed the increase of right and left atrial pressure in the chronic phase after HTx.
Electrocardiographic and Echocardiographic Predictors of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Mandeş Leonard , Roşca Monica , Ciupercă Daniela , Călin Andreea , Beladan Carmen C. , Enache Roxana , Cuculici Andreea , Băicuş Cristian , Jurcuţ Ruxandra , Ginghină Carmen , Popescu Bogdan A. 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundPatients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have an increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to the general population, and left atrium (LA) remodeling is strongly correlated with the risk of AF. This prospective, monocentric study aimed to assess the role of LA electrocardiographic and echocardiographic (structural and functional) parameters in predicting the risk for incident AF in patients with HCM.Methods and ResultsThe study population consisted of 126 HCM patients in sinus rhythm (52.6 ± 16.2 years, 54 men), 118 of them without documented AF. During a median follow-up of 56 (7–124) months, 39 (30.9%) developed a new episode of AF. Multivariable analysis showed that LA booster pump function (assessed by ASr, HR = 4.24, CI = 1.84–9.75, and p = 0.038) and electrical dispersion (assessed by P wave dispersion – Pd, HR = 1.044, CI = 1.029–1.058, and p = 0.001), and not structural parameters (LA diameter, LA volume) were independent predictors of incident AF. Seventy-two patients had a LA diameter &lt; 45 mm, and 16 of them (22.2%) had an AF episode during follow-up. In this subgroup, only Pd emerged as an independent predictor for incident AF (HR = 1.105, CI = 1.059–1.154, and p = 0.002), with good accuracy (AUC = 0.89).ConclusionLeft atrium booster pump function (ASr) and electrical dispersion (Pd) are related to the risk of incident AF in HCM patients. These parameters can provide further stratification of the risk for AF in this setting, including in patients considered at lower risk for AF based on the conventional assessment of LA size.
Surface Velocities and Strain-Rates in the Euro-Mediterranean Region From Massive GPS Data Processing
Authors: Serpelloni Enrico , Cavaliere Adriano , Martelli Leonardo , Pintori Francesco , Anderlini Letizia , Borghi Alessandra , Randazzo Daniele , Bruni Sergio , Devoti Roberto , Perfetti Paolo , Cacciaguerra Stefano 
Published: June 2022

In this work we present and discuss new geodetic velocity and strain-rate fields for the Euro-Mediterranean region obtained from the analysis of continuous GNSS stations. We describe the procedures and methods adopted to analyze raw GPS observations from &gt;4000 stations operating in the Euro-Mediterranean, Eurasian and African regions. The goal of this massive analysis is the monitoring of Earth’s crust deformation in response to tectonic processes, including plate- and micro-plate kinematics, geodynamics, active tectonics, earthquake-cycle, but also the study of a wide range of geophysical processes, natural and anthropogenic subsidence, sea-level changes, and hydrology. We describe the computational infrastructure, the methods and procedures adopted to obtain a three-dimensional GPS velocity field, which is used to obtain spatial velocity gradients and horizontal strain-rates. We then focus on the Euro-Mediterranean region, where we discuss the horizontal and vertical velocities, and spatial velocity gradients, obtained from stations that have time-series lengths longer than 6 and 7 years, which are found to be the minimum spans to provide stable and reliable velocity estimates in the horizontal and vertical components, respectively. We compute the horizontal strain-rate field and discuss deformation patterns and kinematics along the major seismogenic belts of the Nubia-Eurasia plate boundary zone in the Mediterranean region. The distribution and density of continuous GNSS stations in our geodetic solution allow us to estimate the strain-rate field at a spatial scale of ∼27 km over a large part of southern Europe, with the exclusion of the Dinaric mountains and Balkans.
The Effect of Sperm DNA Fragmentation on In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes for Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Wang Huan , Li Hui , Zhu Jing , Xu Jianmin , Jiang Yuqing , Chen Wenhui , Sun Yingpu , Yang Qingling 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disease in reproductive women associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. In modern society, people pay more attention to the female factor, but it is uncertain whether sperm quality is another factor affecting pregnancy outcomes of patients with PCOS.MethodThe effect of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) on oocyte fertilization, embryonic development, and pregnancy outcomes for patients with PCOS who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment was studied. A total of 141 PCOS patients and 332 control patients undergoing IVF treatment were recruited from January 2017 to December 2019. All female patients were designated into two groups according to the Rotterdam criteria. Each group was divided into two sets, DNA fragmentation index (DFI) ≤15% and DFI &gt; 15%, on the basis of sperm DFI.ResultThere were no differences in basic clinical characteristics between couples with a sperm DFI ≤ 15% or DFI &gt; 15%. For control patients, no differences were observed in IVF outcomes. However, for PCOS patients, although there were no differences in the fertilization (60.4% vs. 59.9%, p = 0.831), high-quality embryo (68.5% vs. 67.9% p = 0.832), clinical pregnancy (78.4% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.148), and abortion (12.5% vs. 11.5%, p = 1.000) rates, a significantly lower high-quality blastocyst formation rate (26.3% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.023) was observed for couples with a sperm DFI &gt; 15% compared with a sperm DFI ≤ 15%.ConclusionFor PCOS patients undergoing IVF, oocytes fertilized using sperm with higher DFI led to a lower high-quality blastocyst formation rate but had no influence on fertilization, high-quality embryo, clinical pregnancy, and miscarriage rates.
Abnormal Activation of Tryptophan-Kynurenine Pathway in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Wang Siyu , Mu Liangshan , Zhang Chunmei , Long Xiaoyu , Zhang Yurong , Li Rong , Zhao Yue , Qiao Jie 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundWomen with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) suffer from dysfunctional metabolism and studies have reported increased levels of tryptophan in patients with PCOS. However, the changes of downstream metabolites in tryptophan catabolism pathways remain unclear.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study that included 200 PCOS patients and 200 control women who were recruited from the Reproductive Medicine Center of Peking University Third Hospital from October 2017 to June 2019. The PCOS patients and the control group were further divided into subtypes of normal weight and overweight/obesity. Fasting blood samples from all subjects were collected on days 2~3 of a natural menstrual cycle or when amenorrhea for over 40 days with follicle diameter not exceeding 10 mm. The plasma levels of tryptophan metabolites were quantitatively determined by the liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer, including tryptophan, serotonin, kynurenine, kynurenic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine, and quinolinic acid.ResultsThe tryptophan-kynurenine pathway was dysregulated in women with PCOS, along with significantly elevated levels of tryptophan, serotonin, kynurenine, kynurenic acid, and quinolinic acid. Moreover, levels of tryptophan, kynurenine, and kynurenic acid were positively correlated with luteinizing hormone, anti-Müllerian hormone, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR. tryptophan, and kynurenine and quinolinic acid had an obvious association with C-reactive protein levels. Furthermore, logistic regression showed that tryptophan, serotonin, kynurenine, kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid were all associated significantly with the increased risk of PCOS with the adjustment for potential confounding factors. Additionally, tryptophan, kynurenine, and kynurenic acid had good diagnostic performances for PCOS, and their combination exhibited higher sensitivity and specificity to diagnostic efficiency, with the area under the ROC curve of 0.824 (95% CI 0.777-0.871), which was comparable to the endocrine indicators.Conclusion (s)The tryptophan-kynurenine pathway was abnormally activated in PCOS patients.
Age, Pulse, Urea, and Albumin Score: A Tool for Predicting the Short-Term and Long-Term Outcomes of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Ma Chun-Ming , Wang Ning , Su Quan-Wei , Yan Ying , Wang Si-Qiong , Ma Cui-Hua , Liu Xiao-Li , Dong Shao-Chen , Lu Na , Yin Li-Yong , Yin Fu-Zai 
Published: June 2022

ObjectiveThe predictive performances of CURB-65 and pneumonia severity index (PSI) were poor in patients with diabetes. This study aimed to develop a tool for predicting the short-term and long-term outcomes of CAP in patients with diabetes.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 531 CAP patients with type 2 diabetes. The short-term outcome was in-hospital mortality. The long-term outcome was 24-month all-cause death. The APUA score was calculated according to the levels of Age (0-2 points), Pulse (0-2 points), Urea (0-2 points), and Albumin (0-4 points). The area under curves (AUCs) were used to evaluate the abilities of the APUA score for predicting short-term outcomes. Cox regression models were used for modeling relationships between the APUA score and 24-month mortality.ResultsThe AUC of the APUA score for predicting in-hospital mortality was 0.807 in patients with type 2 diabetes (P&lt;0.001). The AUC of the APUA score was higher than the AUCs of CURB-65 and PSI class (P&lt;0.05). The long-term mortality increased with the risk stratification of the APUA score (low-risk group (0-1 points) 11.5%, intermediate risk group (2-4 points) 16.9%, high risk group (≥5 points) 28.8%, P&lt;0.05). Compared with patients in the low-risk group, patients in the high-risk group had significantly increased risk of long-term death, HR (95%CI) was 2.093 (1.041~4.208, P=0.038).ConclusionThe APUA score is a simple and accurate tool for predicting short-term and long-term outcomes of CAP patients with diabetes.
Gait Parameters and Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients With Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Zhenchao , Peng Si , Zhang Honghong , Sun Hong , Hu Ji 
Published: June 2022

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and gait abnormality in diabetic patients.MethodsRelated research concerning the gait of diabetic patients with and without DPN was collected and analyzed by searching PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Statistical analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsTwenty-one studies were included in this meta-analysis, consisting of 499 diabetic neuropathy patients and 467 diabetes controls without neuropathy. Meta-analysis results showed lower gait velocity, shorter stride length, longer stride time, longer stance time, and higher maximum knee extension moment in the DPN group, compared with their counterparts.ConclusionAmong diabetic patients, those complicated with DPN possess lower gait velocity, shorter stride length, longer stride time, longer stance time, and higher maximum knee extension moment.
Using a Modified Langmuir Equation to Estimate the Influence of Organic Materials on Phosphorus Adsorption in a Mollisol From Northeast, China
Authors: Wang Zini , Hou Liyuan , Liu Zhenjuan , Cao Ning , Wang Xiaoli 
Published: June 2022

The use of organic materials has been increasing due to improving soil fertility by affecting phosphorus (P) adsorption and desorption behavior of soils. However, previous studies ignored the influences of increased P concentrations in equilibrium solutions caused by P released from applied organic materials in bath P adsorption experiments. To eliminate these influences, a modified Langmuir equation was applied to describe P adsorption properties in dairy manure composts and biosolids-incubated soils. The adsorption and desorption trends shifted around the initial P concentration of 70 mg/L. The fitted parameter of correlation coefficients showed that the modified Langmuir model fitted well for the adsorption data covering only the lower initial P concentrations (0–70 mg P/L) and covering the whole P concentrations applied in the present study (0–400 mg/L). For the fitted results covering the whole P concentrations, adding organic materials generally decreased both the Γmax (maximum adsorption capacity for P) and the MABC (maximum adsorption buffering capacity), except for the 20-g/kg biosolids incubation, indicating that the number of adsorption sites for P decreased as the organic materials applied, and the binding energy for the P adsorption to the soil also decreased to some extent with some fluctuation as reflected by K values which represent adsorption strength. Higher DOC content, lower molecular weight, and higher humic acid might result in the higher Γmax of 20-g/kg biosolids incubated soil. The linear equations are described well for P desorption. The constant a value of slope in a linear equation reflects the P desorption capacity of soils increased due to the application of organic materials, especially in high P concentrations with a value of 0.45 for the control soil increased to 1.02 for 10-g/kg biosolids treated soil. Thus, it would be important to control the P application amounts when the application of P fertilizers to the soils with organic materials applied, as the effects of organic materials on P adsorption and desorption characteristics were more efficient at high P concentrations.
Kidney Normothermic Machine Perfusion Can Be Used as a Preservation Technique and a Model of Reperfusion to Deliver Novel Therapies and Assess Inflammation and Immune Activation
Authors: Mellati Azita , Lo Faro Letizia , Dumbill Richard , Meertens Pommelien , Rozenberg Kaithlyn , Shaheed Sadr , Snashall Corinna , McGivern Hannah , Ploeg Rutger , Hunter James 
Published: June 2022

Ischaemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is an inevitable process in transplantation and results in inflammation and immune system activation. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) has anti-inflammatory properties. Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) can be used to deliver therapies and may help in assessing the effects of IRI and immunity. This study investigated the effects of AAT on IRI and inflammation in pig kidneys when administered during preservation, followed by normothermic reperfusion (NR) with autologous whole blood, as a surrogate for transplant. Two different models were used to deliver AAT or placebo to paired slaughterhouse pig kidneys: Model 1: 7-h static cold storage (SCS) + 3-h NR (n = 5 pairs), where either AAT (10 mg/ml) or placebo was delivered in the flush following retrieval; Model 2: 4-h SCS + 3-h NMP + 3-h NR (n = 5 pairs), where either AAT or placebo was delivered during NMP. Injury markers and cytokines levels were analysed in the perfusate, and heat shock protein 70 KDa (HSP-70) was analysed in biopsies. AAT delivered to kidneys showed no adverse effects on perfusion parameters. HSP-70 fold changes were significantly lower in the AAT group during NMP (P &lt; 0.01, paired t-test) but not during NR. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) fold changes were significantly higher in the AAT group during NR model 1 (p &lt; 0.05, two-way ANOVA). In contrast to the AAT group, significant upregulation of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) between t = 90 min and t = 180 min and interleukin-8 (IL-8) between baseline and t = 90 min was observed in the control group in NR model 2 (p &lt; 0.05, Tukey’s multiple comparison test). However, overall inflammatory cytokines and injury markers showed similar levels between groups. Delivery of AAT to pig kidneys was safe without any detrimental effects. NMP and NR provided excellent methods for comparison of inflammation and immune activation in the delivery of a novel therapy.
Induction Strategies in Lung Transplantation: Alemtuzumab vs. Basiliximab a Single-Center Experience
Authors: Furukawa Masashi , Chan Ernest G. , Ryan John P. , Hyzny Eric J. , Sacha Lauren M. , Coster Jenalee N. , Pilewski Joseph M. , Lendermon Elizabeth A. , Kilaru Silpa D. , McDyer John F. , Sanchez Pablo G. 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundInduction therapy is used in about 80% of lung transplant centers and is increasing globally. Currently, there are no standards or guidelines for the use of induction therapy. At our institution, we have two induction strategies, basiliximab, and alemtuzumab. The goal of this manuscript is to share our experience and practice since this is an area of controversy.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 807 lung transplants performed at our institution between 2011 and 2020. Indications for the use of the basiliximab protocol were as follows: patients over the age of 70 years, history of cancer, hepatitis C virus or human immunodeficiency virus infection history, and cytomegalovirus or Epstein-Barr virus (donor positive/ recipient negative). In the absence of these clinical factors, the alemtuzumab protocol was used.Results453 patients underwent alemtuzumab induction and 354 patients underwent basiliximab. There were significant differences in delayed chest closure (24.7% alemtuzumab vs 31.4% basiliximab, p = 0.037), grade 3 primary graft dysfunction observed within 72 hours (19.9% alemtuzumab vs 29.9% basiliximab, p = 0.002), postoperative hepatic dysfunction (8.8% alemtuzumab vs 14.7% basiliximab, p = 0.009), acute cellular rejection in first year (39.1% alemtuzumab vs 53.4% basiliximab, p &lt; 0.001). The overall survival rate of the patients with alemtuzumab induction was significantly higher than those of the patients with basiliximab induction (5 years survival rate: 64.1% alemtuzumab vs 52.3%, basiliximab, p &lt; 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed lower 5-year survival for basiliximab induction (HR = 1.41, p = 0.02), recipient cytomegalovirus positive (HR = 1.49, p = 0.01), postoperative hepatic dysfunction (HR = 2.20, p &lt; 0.001), and acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy (HR = 2.27, p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionsIn this single center retrospective review, there was a significant difference in survival rates between induction strategies. This outcome may be attributable to differences in recipient characteristics between the groups. However, the Alemtuzumab group experienced less episodes of acute cellular rejection within the first year.