bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
No causal effect of tea consumption on cardiovascular diseases: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chen Lu , Sun Xingang , Zheng Liangrong 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundNumerous studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between tea consumption and the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD); however, no conclusive results have been achieved. We conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to elucidate the causal associations between tea consumption and several CVD outcomes, including coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), atrial fibrillation (AF), and heart failure (HF).MethodsIndependent single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genome-wide significantly associated with tea consumption were used as instrumental variables (IVs). Summary statistics for CVD outcomes were obtained from the corresponding genetic consortia and the FinnGen consortium. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary analytical method, and MR estimates from different data sources were combined using fixed-effects meta-analysis. Supplementary MR analyses, including the weighted median, MR-Egger, and the MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier methods, were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the results. Further MR analyses were repeated by including more genetic variants at a higher P-value threshold.ResultsWe found that genetically predicted tea consumption was not causally associated with any CVD outcomes in the IVW method using data from large genetic consortia [CAD: odds ratio (OR) = 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.91, 1.10, P = 0.997; MI: OR = 0.98, 95% CI, 0.90, 1.08, P = 0.751; AF: OR = 0.97, 95% CI, 0.92, 1.03, P = 0.350; HF: OR = 0.96, 95% CI, 0.88, 1.05, P = 0.401] or the FinnGen consortium (CAD: OR = 1.06, 95% CI, 0.96, 1.17, P = 0.225; MI: OR = 1.01, 95% CI, 0.89, 1.15, P = 0.882; AF: OR = 1.00, 95% CI, 0.88, 1.14, P = 0.994; HF: OR = 0.96, 95% CI, 0.88, 1.04, P = 0.362). The results were robust and consistent across meta-analysis, supplementary MR analyses, and analyses with more IVs included.ConclusionThis MR study revealed no causal association between tea consumption and four CVD outcomes, suggesting that tea consumption may not be beneficial for the primary prevention of CVD.
Pregnant outcomes of critically ill pregnant patients with pulmonary hypertension: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Lin , Qie Guoqiang , Yin Xiaoyu , Zhao Hongyan , Zhang Fusen , Wang Tao , Meng Mei , Sha Jing , Chu Yufeng 
Published: September 2022

ObjectiveTo identify the pregnancy outcomes and risk factors of critically ill pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients with intensive care unit (ICU) admission.MethodsThe multicenter, retrospective cohort study was performed on 60,306 parturients from January 2013 to December 2018 in China. Diagnosis of PH was based on the estimation of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) via echocardiography. Patients were stratified by sPAP into three groups, mild (30–50 mmHg), moderate (51–70 mmHg), and severe (&gt;70 mmHg). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of in-hospital death, heart failure, and sustained arrhythmias requiring treatment. The secondary outcome was fetal adverse clinical events (FACE), a composite of fetal/neonatal death, prematurity, small birth weight, and fetal distress.ResultsA total of 181 pregnant patients were enrolled, including 101 patients with mild PH, 31 with moderate PH, and 49 with severe PH. The maternal median age was 32 (27, 35) years and 37% were nulliparous. The MACE occurred in 59 (59/181, 32.6%) women, including in-hospital death in 13 (13/181, 7.2%), heart failure in 53 (53/181, 29.3%), and sustained arrhythmias in 7 (7/181, 3.9%). The incidence of FACE was as high as 66.3% (120/181). Compared with mild and moderate PH patients, patients with severe PH had a significantly higher mortality rate (22.4 vs. 1.51%, P &lt; 0.001) and MACE incidence (51.0 vs. 25.8%, P = 0.001). Although the incidence of FACE in severe PH was slightly higher than that in mild to moderate PH, there was no significant difference (69.4 vs. 65.1%, P = 0.724). PH complicated with left heart disease (OR = 4.365, CI: 1.306–14.591), elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level (OR = 1.051, CI:1.015–1.088), and sPAP level estimated by echocardiography (OR = 1.021; CI: 1.003–1.040) were independently associated with MACE in multivariable regression (P &lt; 0.05). Increased risk of FACE was noted for PH patients combined with eclampsia/preeclampsia (OR = 6.713; CI: 1.806–24.959).ConclusionThe incidence of MACE and FACE remained high in critically ill pregnant patients with PH, particularly moderate and severe PH in China. Further studies are warranted to identify subsets of women with PH at lower pregnant risks and seek more effective therapy to improve pregnancy outcomes.
Safety of chronic high-dose calcium channel blockers exposure in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Wu Yan , Peng Fu-Hua , Gao Xin , Yan Xin-Xin , Zhang FengWen , Tan Jiang-Shan , Hu Song , Hua Lu 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundChronic calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are indicated in children with idiopathic/heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH/HPAH) and positive response to acute vasodilator challenge. However, minimal safety data are available on the long-term high-dose exposure to CCBs in this population.MethodsPatients aged 3 months to 18 years who were diagnosed with IPAH/HPAH and treated with CCB in the past 15 years were retrospectively reviewed. The maximum tolerated dose and the long-term safety of high-dose CCBs on the cardiovascular and noncardiovascular systems were assessed.ResultsThirty-two eligible children were enrolled in the study, with a median age of 9 (6–11) years old. Thirty-one patients were treated with diltiazem after diagnosis. The median maximum tolerated dose was 12.9 (9.8–16.8) mg/kg/day. Children younger than 7 years used higher doses than children in the older age group, 16.4 (10.5–28.5) mg/kg/day vs. 12.7 (6.6–14.4) mg/kg/day, P &lt; 0.05. Patients were followed up for a median period of 6.2 (2.6–10.8) years. One patient died from a traffic accident, and others showed a stable or improved WHO functional class status. Thirteen (40.6%) and 10 (31.3%) patients developed arrhythmias and hypotension. Nine (28.1%) patients had sinus bradycardia, five (21.9%) had first-degree or second-degree type II atrial-ventricular blocks, and two (6.3%) had second-degree type II atrial-ventricular blocks. Most of these arrhythmias were transient and relieved after CCB dose adjustment. The most reported noncardiovascular adverse effect was gingival hyperplasia (13, 40.6%), accompanied by different degrees of dental dysplasia. No liver or kidney dysfunction was reported.ConclusionDiltiazem was used in a very high dose for eligible children with IPAH/HPAH. The toxicity of long-term CCB use on the cardiovascular system is mild and controllable. Clinicians should also monitor the noncardiovascular adverse effects associated with drug therapy.
Functional hepatic deterioration determined by 13C-methacetin breath test is associated with impaired hemodynamics and late Fontan failure in adults
Authors: Schleiger Anastasia , Kramer Peter , Sallmon Hannes , Jentsch Niklas , Pileckaite Marta , Danne Friederike , Schafstedde Marie , Müller Hans-Peter , Müller Tobias , Tacke Frank , Jara Maximilian , Stockmann Martin , Berger Felix , Ovroutski Stanislav 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundDespite improved survival a substantial number of Fontan patients eventually develop late failure. Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) is the most frequent end-organ dysfunction. Although impaired hemodynamics and Fontan failure correlate with FALD severity, no association between hepatic functional metabolic impairment and Fontan hemodynamics has been established.HypothesisMetabolic liver function measured by liver maximum function capacity test (LiMAx®) correlates with Fontan hemodynamics and Fontan failure.MethodsFrom 2020 to 2022, 58 adult Fontan patients [median age: 29.3 years, IQR (12.7), median follow-up time after Fontan operation: 23.2 years, IQR (8.7)] were analyzed in a cross-sectional study. Hemodynamic assessment included echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and invasive hemodynamic evaluation. Fontan failure was defined based on commonly applied clinical criteria and our recently composed multimodal Fontan failure score.ResultsLiMAx® test revealed normal maximum liver function capacity in 40 patients (&gt;315 μg/h*kg). In 18 patients a mild to moderate impairment was detected (140–314 μg/h*kg), no patient suffered from severe hepatic deterioration (≤ 139 μg/kg*h). Fontan failure was present in 15 patients. Metabolic liver function was significantly reduced in patients with increased pulmonary artery pressure (p = 0.041. r = −0.269) and ventricular end-diastolic pressure (p = 0.033, r = −0.325), respectively. In addition, maximum liver function capacity was significantly impaired in patients with late Fontan failure (289.0 ± 99.6 μg/kg*h vs. 384.5 ± 128.6 μg/kg*h, p = 0.007).ConclusionMaximum liver function capacity as determined by LiMAx® was significantly reduced in patients with late Fontan failure. In addition, elevated pulmonary artery pressure and end-diastolic ventricular pressure were associated with hepatic functional metabolic impairment.
Should prenatal chromosomal microarray analysis be offered for isolated ventricular septal defect? A single-center retrospective study from China
Authors: Cheng Ken , Zhou Hang , Fu Fang , Lei Tingying , Li Fucheng , Huang Ruibin , Wang You , Yang Xin , Li Ru , Li Dongzhi , Liao Can 
Published: September 2022

ObjectiveTo evaluate the utility of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) in fetuses with isolated ventricular septal defect (VSD) and to explore the favorable factors for predicting spontaneous closure of defects.MethodsThe study included 436 singleton pregnancies seen at a referral prenatal diagnosis center, between January 2016 and May 2020, of which 168 fetuses with isolated VSD were diagnosed in the prenatal setting. VSD was classified as an isolated VSD whether it had ultrasound soft markers or not. All patients underwent testing employing quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) and CMA as the first-line genetic detection strategies, mainly in amniotic fluid and umbilical blood samples. Rates of chromosomal abnormalities were compared by subgroups of isolated VSD (muscular or perimembranous). Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to predict the independent determinants of spontaneous closure by 2 years.ResultsOverall, the CMA identified clinically significant copy number variations (CNVs) in 7/168 (4.2%) fetuses and variants of unknown significance (VOUS) in 15/168 (8.9%). Muscular and perimembranous VSDs were found in 53.6 and 46.4%, respectively. Clinically significant relevant subchromosomal aberrations were revealed in seven (9.0%) perimembranous VSDs compared with none in 90 muscular defects (P &lt; 0.01). The median initial size of the defect in the muscular VSDs was 2.2(1.8–2.7) mm, as compared to that of 2.8 (2.2–3.2) mm in the perimembranous VSDs group (p = 0.000). In muscular vs. perimembranous VSDs, spontaneous closure occurred more frequently and earlier [40.0 vs. 15.4% in utero (p = 0.000), 61.1 vs. 30.8% at 1-year (p = 0.000), and 75.6 vs. 42.3% at 2-year (P = 0.000)]. Postnatal surgical closure was warranted in 4/90 (4.4%) of the infants with muscular VSDs, as compared to 29/71 (40.8%) with perimembranous defects (p = 0.000). Furthermore, isolated muscular type VSD, smaller defect size, and maternal age of less than 35 years are all positive predictors of spontaneous closure of the defects.ConclusionThis study highlighted the value of microarray for unbalanced subchromosomal abnormalities in fetuses with isolated VSD, particularly in the perimembranous defects. The detection of an isolated muscular VSD prenatally may be considered a benign or likely benign finding; in contrast, for perimembranous VSD, a prenatal CMA should be offered.
Study on the development options of tight sandstone oil reservoirs and their influencing factors
Authors: Li Yongming , Huang Yitao , Ma Hanwei , Chang Cheng , Xie Weiyang 
Published: September 2022

The research area of tight sandstone oil reservoirs was selected, a numerical model of the oil reservoir was developed, and a study of the development options and influencing factors was carried out to analyze the influence of different development methods, physical and engineering parameters on the development dynamics. Study shows that the two main factors limiting the efficient development of tight sandstone reservoirs are reservoir properties and formation energy. Fractured horizontal well injection huff and puff development can effectively improve reservoir physical properties and timely replenish formation energy, which is suitable for the development of such oil reservoirs. In dense sandstone reservoirs, its impact on production capacity is also relatively small when the permeability ratio is small. Due to both gravity and reservoir physical properties, the permeability ratio increases, the cumulative oil production of positive rhythm reservoirs decreases and that of reverse rhythm reservoirs increases, and the location of high-quality reservoirs in the upper part of producing wells is conducive to increasing the final recovery rate. A lower oil to water viscosity ratio can significantly increase the swept volume and improve development effect. Hydrophilic reservoirs can reduce the injection pressure and increase the spread range, effectively improving the problem of inability to inject, and improving reservoir hydrophilicity through surface activators can increase reservoir recovery. The water injection rate determines the recovery rate of formation energy. Generally, the faster the rate, the higher the cumulative oil production. Therefore, the rate of water injection should be increased as much as possible, taking into account construction conditions and economic evaluation. Additionally, the effect of water injection on the development effect is different at different stages, so the appropriate timing of water injection is very important to the water injection huff and puff development effect, and the use of early water injection in this research area is not conducive. Soaking can promote pressure and fluid redistribution and improve water injection huff and puff development effect, but soaking for a long time can lead to reservoir contamination and reduce crude oil production, so the preferred time for a soaking is about 20 days.
Impact of urban greening on microclimate and air quality in the urban canopy layer: Identification of knowledge gaps and challenges
Authors: Ernst M. , Le Mentec S. , Louvrier M. , Loubet B. , Personne E. , Stella P. 
Published: September 2022

Growing urbanization leads to microclimate perturbations and in particular to higher temperatures inside the city as compared to its rural surroundings, a phenomenon known as the urban heat island. Although it exists at several scales, this study focused only on the urban canopy layer, where inhabitants live. A bibliometric study was performed to describe and understand the relationships between strategies of urban greening and canopy layer urban heat island modification in terms of air quality and microclimate. Science mapping of 506 bibliographical resources was performed through co-word and co-citation analysis. A subset of forty-four articles related to microclimate and air quality modelling was extracted and synthesized. This analysis showed scientific papers were polarized into microclimate or air quality studies without strong links between both, implying small collaboration between these fields. There is need for studies coupling microclimate and air pollution modelling to assess vegetation’s impacts at city scale.Systematic Review Registration: [website], identifier [registration number].
Case report: A novel CASK mutation in a Chinese female child with microcephaly with pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia
Authors: Xie Guilan , Zhang Yan , Yang Wenfang , Yang Liren , Wang Ruiqi , Xu Mengmeng , Sun Landi , Zhang Boxing , Cui Xiaoyi 
Published: September 2022

Objective: Microcephaly with pontine and cerebellar hypoplasia (MICPCH) is a rare X-linked dominant genetic disease, and most MICPCHs are ascribed to CASK mutations, while few are revealed in Chinese patients. This study aims to identify the pathogenic mutation in a Chinese proband with MICPCH.Methods: A 3-year-old female Chinese proband with MICPCH and her parents were included. Clinical data were collected from the medical records and recalled by the proband’s mother. Whole genome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were used to find the pathogenic mutation of MICPCH.Results: The proband presented with postnatal progressive microcephaly, cerebellar hypoplasia, intellectual disability, motor and language development retardation and limb hypertonia. Genetic analysis indicated that there was a novel compound heterozygote nonsynonymous mutation, c.755T&gt;C(p.Leu252Pro) in exon8 of CASK gene in the proband, but not in her parents. This CASK mutation has not been reported in other databases.Conclusion: This study broadens the mutation spectrum of the CASK gene and is of great value for precise prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling.
RETRACTED: Leukocyte telomere length and obesity in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kahrizi Mohammad Saeed , Patra Indrajit , Jalil Abduladheem Turki , Achmad Harun , Alesaeidi Samira , Al-Gazally Moaed E. , Alesaeidi Sogol 
Published: September 2022

Background: Several studies have revealed the negative effects of adiposity on telomere length shortening. However, the results of the studies assessing the negative relationship between obesity and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) are not consistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis are aimed to pool the results of articles assessing the relationship between obesity and LTL among children and adolescents.Methods: To retrieve the related studies, four online databases including PubMed, Embase, ProQuest, and Scopus were searched until May 2022. Observational studies evaluating the relationship between obesity and LTL among apparently healthy children and adolescents (aged ≤18 years) were included in the study. We considered the studies that had reported a mean ± standard deviation of LTL. The random-effects model was used to assess the pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) and a 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: The search yielded seven studies from an initial 3,403 records identified. According to the results of seven articles with 4,546 participants, obesity was associated with LTL shortening among children and adolescents (WMD = −0.081; 95% CI: −0.137 to −0.026; p = 0.004; I2 = 99.9%). Also, no publication bias was observed. According to the results of subgrouping, significant results were only attributed to the studies conducted in Europe, with high quality scores, among overweight and obese adolescents, with a baseline LTL lower than 1, and performed in community-based school settings. Also, according to the subgrouping and meta-regression results, the obesity definition criteria and baseline LTL were the possible sources of between-study heterogeneity.Conclusion: We observed shorter LTL among overweight and obese children and adolescents. To obtain more reliable results, further longitudinal prospective studies with large sample sizes and more consistent and accurate definitions of obesity are required.
Genome-wide association studies of seedling quantitative trait loci against salt tolerance in wheat
Authors: Khan Rao Waqar Ahmad , Khan Rao Sohail Ahmad , Awan Faisal Saeed , Akrem Ahmed , Iftikhar Arslan , Anwar Farhana Naureen , Alzahrani Hind A. S. , Alsamadany Hameed , Iqbal Rana Khalid 
Published: September 2022

Salinity is one of the significant factors in decreasing wheat yield and quality. To counter this, it is necessary to develop salt-tolerant wheat varieties through conventional and advanced molecular techniques. The current study identified quantitative trait loci in response to salt stress among worldwide landraces and improved varieties of wheat at the seedling stage. A total of 125 landraces and wheat varieties were subjected to salt treatment (50, 100, and 150 mM) with control. Morphological seedling traits, i.e., shoot length, root length, and fresh and dry shoot and root weights for salinity tolerance were observed to assess salt tolerance and genetic analysis using SNP data through DArT-seq. The results showed that, at the seedling stage, 150 mM NaCl treatment decreased shoot length, root length, and fresh and dry weights of the shoot and root. The root length and dry root weight were the most affected traits at the seedling stage. Effective 4417 SNPs encompassing all the chromosomes of the wheat genome with marker density, i.e., 37%, fall in genome B, genome D (32%), and genome A (31%). Five loci were found on four chromosomes 6B, 6D, 7A, and 7D, showing strong associations with the root length, fresh shoot weight, fresh root weight, and dry root weight at the p &lt; 0.03 significance level. The positive correlation was found among all morphological traits under study.
Antiplatelet therapy for patients with COVID-19: Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies and randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zong Xiaolong , Wang Xiao , Liu Yaru , Li Zhenyu , Wang Weiding , Wei Dianjun , Chen Zhuqing 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundHyperinflammation and coagulopathy are hallmarks of COVID-19 and synergistically contribute to illness progression. Antiplatelet agents have been proposed as candidate drugs for COVID-19 treatment on the basis of their antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory properties. A systematic review and meta-analysis that included early observational studies and recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to summarize and compare evidence on this issue.MethodsPubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched to identify studies published up to Nov 7, 2021, and the results of registered clinical trials were followed up to Mar 30, 2022. We included RCTs and observational studies assessing the effect of antiplatelet therapy in adult patients with COVID-19. Data on baseline patient characteristics, interventions, controls, and outcomes were extracted by two independent reviewers. The primary outcome was mortality. Data were pooled using a random-effects model.ResultsTwenty-seven studies were included, of which 23 observational studies were pooled in a meta-analysis, and the remaining four RCTs (ACTIV-4B, RECOVERY, ACTIV-4a, and REMAP-CAP) were narratively synthesized. Based on 23 observational studies of 87,824 COVID-19 patients, antiplatelet treatment favors a lower risk of mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61–0.85; I2 = 87.0%, P &lt; 0.01]. The narrative synthesis of RCTs showed conflicting evidence, which did not support adding antiplatelet therapy to the standard care, regardless of the baseline illness severity and concomitant anticoagulation intensity.ConclusionWhile the rationale for using antiplatelet treatment in COVID-19 patients is compelling and was supported by the combined result of early observational studies, evidence from RCTs did not confirm this approach. Several factors that could explain this inconsistency were highlighted alongside perspectives on future research directions.