bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Initial Experience in Transvenous Implantation of a Left Ventricular Lead With a Novel Venogram Balloon Catheter
Authors: Duan Jiangbo , Yang Dandan , He Jinshan , Li Xuebin , Wang Long , Wu Cuncao , Li Ding , Ze Feng , Yuan Cuizhen , Zhou Jingliang , Zhou Xu 
Published: June 2022

AimThe most challenging and time-consuming stage of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device implantation is coronary sinus (CS) cannulation and left ventricular epicardial electrode implantation. This paper reports the initial clinical experience of CS cannulation and left ventricular lead implantation guided by a novel venogram balloon catheter (Lee’s venogram balloon catheter).Methods and ResultsConsecutive patients eligible for CRT were deemed suitable for this novel venogram balloon catheter. Parameters such as left ventricular lead implantation time, procedure time, and fluoroscopy time were recorded. CS cannulation with LV lead implantation guided by Lee’s venogram balloon catheter was successful in all 5 patients, including 4 challenging cases. The total fluoroscopy and procedural durations were 5.0 ± 3.0 and 57.4 ± 12.5 min, respectively. No adverse catheter-related events occurred during the procedures.ConclusionThis initial study of an innovative venogram balloon catheter demonstrated that it greatly facilitated CS cannulation and successful LV lead placement in all patients undergoing CRT system implantation. This significantly shortened the learning curve and showed a decrease in left ventricular lead implantation time, procedure time, and fluoroscopy time.
Pemafibrate Prevents Rupture of Angiotensin II-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Amioka Naofumi , Miyoshi Toru , Yonezawa Tomoko , Kondo Megumi , Akagi Satoshi , Yoshida Masashi , Saito Yukihiro , Nakamura Kazufumi , Ito Hiroshi 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundAbdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening disease that lacks effective preventive therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pemafibrate, a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonist, on AAA formation and rupture.MethodsExperimental AAA was induced by subcutaneous angiotensin II (AngII) infusion in ApoE–/– mice for 4 weeks. Pemafibrate (0.1 mg/kg/day) was administered orally. Dihydroethidium staining was used to evaluate the reactive oxygen species (ROS).ResultsThe size of the AngII-induced AAA did not differ between pemafibrate- and vehicle-treated groups. However, a decreased mortality rate due to AAA rupture was observed in pemafibrate-treated mice. Pemafibrate ameliorated AngII-induced ROS and reduced the mRNA expression of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the aortic wall. Gelatin zymography analysis demonstrated significant inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity by pemafibrate. AngII-induced ROS production in human vascular smooth muscle cells was inhibited by pre-treatment with pemafibrate and was accompanied by an increase in catalase activity. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of catalase or PPARα significantly attenuated the anti-oxidative effect of pemafibrate.ConclusionPemafibrate prevented AAA rupture in a murine model, concomitant with reduced ROS, inflammation, and extracellular matrix degradation in the aortic wall. The protective effect against AAA rupture was partly mediated by the anti-oxidative effect of catalase induced by pemafibrate in the smooth muscle cells.
Improved Functional Assessment of Ischemic Severity Using 3D Printed Models
Authors: Kolli Kranthi K. , Jang Sun-Joo , Zahid Abdul , Caprio Alexandre , Alaie Seyedhamidreza , Moghadam Amir Ali Amiri , Xu Patricia , Shepherd Robert , Mosadegh Bobak , Dunham Simon 
Published: June 2022

ObjectiveTo develop a novel in vitro method for evaluating coronary artery ischemia using a combination of non-invasive coronary CT angiograms (CCTA) and 3D printing (FFR3D).MethodsTwenty eight patients with varying degrees of coronary artery disease who underwent non-invasive CCTA scans and invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) of their epicardial coronary arteries were included in this study. Coronary arteries were segmented and reconstructed from CCTA scans using Mimics (Materialize). The segmented models were then 3D printed using a Carbon M1 3D printer with urethane methacrylate (UMA) family of rigid resins. Physiological coronary circulation was modeled in vitro as flow-dependent stenosis resistance in series with variable downstream resistance. A range of physiological flow rates (Q) were applied using a peristaltic steady flow pump and titrated with a flow sensor. The pressure drop (ΔP) and the pressure ratio (Pd/Pa) were assessed for patient-specific aortic pressure (Pa) and differing flow rates (Q) to evaluate FFR3D using the 3D printed model.ResultsThere was a good positive correlation (r = 0.87, p &lt; 0.0001) between FFR3D and invasive FFR. Bland-Altman analysis revealed a good concordance between the FFR3D and invasive FFR values with a mean bias of 0.02 (limits of agreement: −0.14 to 0.18; p = 0.2).Conclusions3D printed patient-specific models can be used in a non-invasive in vitro environment to quantify coronary artery ischemia with good correlation and concordance to that of invasive FFR.
Triglyceride-Glucose Index and Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance in Young Adulthood and Risk of Incident Congestive Heart Failure in Midlife: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study
Authors: Zeng Xianghui , Han Dunzheng , Zhou Haobin , Xue Yuting , Wang Xiao , Zhan Qiong , Bai Yujia , Huang Xingfu , Zeng Qingchun , Zhang Hao , Ma Zhuang , Ren Hao , Xu Dingli 
Published: June 2022

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the association between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index/homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) within young adults and congestive heart failure (CHF), and to explore whether TyG index can replace HOMA-IR as a surrogate marker for IR in predicting the risk of CHF.MethodsA total of 4,992 participants between the ages of 18 and 30 years were enrolled from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) investigation [from 1985 to 1986 (year 0)]. A Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was conducted for assessing correlations between baseline TyG index/HOMA-IR and CHF events, together with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve employed for scrutinizing TyG index/HOMA-IR and the risk of CHF.ResultsDuring the 31-year follow-up period, 64 (1.3%) of the 4,992 participants developed CHF. In multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for confounding factors for CHF, an increased risk of CHF was associated with a per-unit increase in the TyG index [hazard ratio (HR) 2.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7–4.7] and HOMA-IR (HR 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1–1.3). A Kaplan–Meier curve analysis showed that participants in the TyG index and HOMA-IR index Q4 group had a higher risk of CHF than those in the Q1 group. The area under curve (AUC) for the TyG index and HOMA-IR consisted of 0.67 (95% CI, 0.6–0.742) and 0.675 (95% CI, 0.604–0.746), respectively. There were no significant differences between the TyG index and HOMA-IR for AUC (p = 0.986).ConclusionThe higher TyG index and HOMA-IR are independent risk factors for CHF. The TyG index can replace HOMA-IR in young adulthood as a surrogate marker for IR to predict the risk of CHF.
Optical Dating of Quartz Grains From the Minjiang Fluvial Terraces in the Sonpan Area on the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Han Ye-Song , Zhang Jia-Fu , Liu Geng-Nian , Cui Zhi-Jiu 
Published: June 2022

The fluvial terraces along the banks of the Minjiang River are very important for understanding the tectonic activities of the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau and have been widely investigated. However, the reliability of the ages previously reported for the terraces needs further evaluation. In this study, the Minjiang River terraces in the Sonpan area from Hongqiaoguan to the Songpan town were investigated and dated using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) techniques on quartz grains. Seven strath terraces (T1–T7) were recognized based on the exposures of fluvial sediment and the elevation of bedrock strath, and two of them have been reported by previous studies. The terrace deposits and overlying loess were sampled for OSL dating. The samples exhibited a large scatter inDe, even for loess samples, which could be attributed to poor bleaching at deposition. However, the OSL ages obtained using the minimum age model were underestimated, and those obtained using the central age model are considered relatively reliable based on stratigraphic and geomorphological consistency and the comparison of the ages between stratigraphically parallel samples. The results show that the loess samples overlying fluvial terrace sediments were deposited later than terrace formation and their OSL ages cannot represent the terrace formation ages. The T1, T3, T4, T5, and T6 terraces were dated to 13.5 ± 0.6, 29.0 ± 1.7, 48.0 ± 3.3, 44.3 ± 5.2 and 63.8 ± 4.7 ka, respectively. The T4 and T5 terraces may be the same terrace with a weighted mean age of 46.9 ± 2.8 ka. The ages of the T2 and T7 terraces were inferred to be ∼20 and ∼80 ka, respectively, based on the relationship between strath ages and elevations of the other terraces. The mean bedrock river incision rates were calculated to be 1.2 ± 0.1 mm/a for the time period of 64 ka for the T6 terrace—14 ka for the T1 terrace, and 0.15 mm/a for the past 14 ka.
Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Accumulation Is an Independent Risk Factor of Urinary Stone in Young People
Authors: Ye Zixing , Xiao He , Liu Guanghua , Qiao Yi , Zhao Yi , Ji Zhigang , Fan Xiaohong , Li Rongrong , Wang Ou 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundUrinary stones usually start at a young age and tend to recur. Therefore, preventing stone occurrence and recurrence in young people is crucial. We aimed to investigate the association between subcutaneous adipose tissue, visceral adipose tissue, and stone episodes in young people.MethodsWe retrospectively studied patients aged below 40 years with kidney or ureteral stones. Data on demographic and metabolic characteristics, urolithiasis history, subcutaneous fat area (SFA), and visceral fat area (VFA) were collected. We evaluated the association between SFA or VFA and the occurrence or recurrence of stone episodes using binary logistic regression and Poisson regression analyses.ResultsIn total, 120 patients were included. Abdominal obesity, overweight or obesity, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, SFA, and VFA increased with the number of stone episodes (all p &lt; 0.05). The increase in SFA was independently associated with episode occurrence (p = 0.015). Patients with an SFA &gt; 97 cm2 had a higher risk of episode occurrence. SFA and VFA accumulation were independently associated with episode recurrence (all p &lt; 0.05), and SFA had a stronger association than VFA did.ConclusionsIn young people, SFA accumulation is an independent and early risk factor for the occurrence and recurrence of stone episodes. Subcutaneous fat could be a convenient and effective indicator to assess the risk of stone episodes before the development of metabolic disorders.
Anesthesia and Outcome of 33 Surgeries in 24 Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2A (MEN2A) Patients: A National Rare Disease Center’s Experience
Authors: Li Yaohan , Jin Di , Shen Le , Huang Yuguang 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundMultiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) is a rare syndrome that presents as medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, and hyperparathyroidism. Experience is lacking in the anesthetic management of patients with this syndrome, particularly in those who present with pheochromocytoma receiving nonpheochromocytoma resection. We aimed to share our experience with the anesthetic management of MEN2A patients.MethodWe retrospectively enrolled 24 MEN2A patients who had received different types of surgery at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2021. All the medical records were reviewed and analyzed.ResultIn total, 33 surgeries were performed in 24 MEN2A patients, with 20 surgeries comprising pheochromocytoma resection in 17 patients. Most of these patients who had received pheochromocytoma resection had typical hemodynamic changes during surgery and anesthesia. Regarding the other 13 nonpheochromocytoma resections in 13 patients, 10 were performed in patients without pheochromocytoma, and 3 surgeries were performed with either functional primary (1, bilateral tumor whose patient refused adrenalectomy) or metastatic pheochromocytoma (2, unresectable and malign tumors developed years after bilateral adrenalectomy). Regarding the latter 3 patients, 1 showed hypertension and tachycardia during anesthesia induction, 1 showed tachycardia during surgery and the other showed stability during surgery. Patients who had received pheochromocytoma resection (n=17) required longer postoperative hospital stays than those who had received nonpheochromocytoma resection without pheochromocytoma (n=10) (5.8 ± 1.8 vs. 4.3 ± 1.6; P = 0.031).ConclusionsWhenever MEN2A patients are diagnosed with pheochromocytoma, surgical resection of the pheochromocytoma remains the primary choice for MEN2A treatment. Nonpheochromocytoma surgeries performed with existing pheochromocytoma could be risky and require full caution and preparation.
Genetic Polymorphisms and Kidney Stones Around the Globe: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Mohammadi Abdolreza , Shabestari Alireza Namazi , Baghdadabad Leila Zareian , Khatami Fatemeh , Reis Leonardo Oliveira , Pishkuhi Mahin Ahmadi , Kazem Aghamir Seyed Mohammad 
Published: June 2022

Objective: This study explores associations between recurrent kidney stones and genetic polymorphisms.Methods: Meta-analysis of polymorphisms in renal stone cases versus control groups. Four electronic databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Web of Science) were searched up to 30 May 2021, using the keywords: “kidney stone” or “kidney calculi,” or “urolithiasis” or “nephrolithiasis” or “urinary calculi” and “genome” or “genetic” or “mutation” or “single nucleotide polymorphism.” Forrest plots, ORs, 95% CI, Chi-square (χ2)-test, and index of heterogeneity (I2) were calculated. Only studies with Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS) ≥ 6 were included for quality control, and Funnel, Begg’s, and Eager’s plots assessed publication bias. PROSPERO: CRD42022250427.Results: Among 7,671 searched articles, 72 were included. Polymorphisms in VDR (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.06–1.36), CASR (OR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.01–1.52), Osteopontin (OR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.09–1.74), and Urokinase genes (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.02–2.28) showed a significant association with risk of urinary stone formation, while Klotho gene showed a protective effect (OR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.57–0.99). The VDR gene polymorphism was frequent in Asians, whereas CASR polymorphism was frequent in European and North American populations.Conclusion: Multifactorial nature of the stone formation, emphasizing the role of environmental factors, might explain contradictory results in the literature. While polymorphisms in VDR, CASR, Osteopontin, and Urokinase genes were associated with urinary stone formation, the Klotho gene showed a protective effect.
Discovery of Notch Pathway-Related Genes for Predicting Prognosis and Tumor Microenvironment Status in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Sun Xianchao , Xin Shiyong , Li Weiyi , Zhang Ying , Ye Lin 
Published: June 2022

Background: Notch signaling is a key regulator of immune cell differentiation and linked to autoimmune diseases, tumorigenesis and tumor-induced immunomodulation. An abnormally activated Notch signaling pathway contributes to almost all of the key features of cancer, including tumor angiogenesis, stemness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Consequently, we investigated Notch pathway-related genes for developing prognostic marker and assessing immune status in bladder cancer.Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were utilized to analyze RNA-seq data for bladder cancer. Cluster subtypes were identified using the NMF algorithm. In order to establish a prognostic risk signature, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) and Cox regression analysis was utilized. GSEA was carried out to investigate the molecular mechanisms. Immune cell infiltration levels in bladder cancer were calculated using the CIBERSORT algorithm. External clinical tissue samples were used to validate the expression levels of signature genes.Results: Based on the NMF algorithm, bladder cancer samples were divided into two cluster subtypes and displayed different survival outcome and immune microenvironment. A six-gene risk signature (DTX3L, CNTN1, ENO1, GATA3, MAGEA1, and SORBS2) was independent for prognosis and showed good stability. The infiltration of immune cells and clinical variables were significantly different among the risk groups of patients. Response to immunotherapy also differed between different risk groups. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of the signature genes were verified in tissue samples by qRT-PCR.Conclusion: We established a 6-gene signature associated with Notch pathway in bladder cancer to effectively predict prognosis and reflect immune microenvironment status.
Perceptions and Experiences of Health Care Workers on Accountability Mechanisms for Enhancing Quality Improvement in the Delivery of Maternal Newborns and Child Health Services in Mkuranga, Tanzania
Authors: August Francis , Nyamhanga Tumaini , Kakoko Deodatus , Nathanaeli Sirili , Frumence Gasto 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundMaternal mortality estimates globally show that by 2017 there were still 211 deaths per 100,000 live births; more strikingly, 99% of them happen in low and middle-income countries, including Tanzania. There has been insufficient progress in improving maternal and newborn health despite the efforts to strengthen the health systems, to improve the quality of maternal health in terms of training and deploying human resources for health, constructing health facilities, and supplying medical products. However, fewer efforts are invested in enhancing accountability toward the improvement of the quality of maternal health care. This the study was conducted to explore the perceptions of healthcare workers regarding accountability mechanisms for enhancing quality improvement in the delivery of maternal newborn and child health services in Tanzania.MethodsWe adopted phenomenology as a study design to understand how health workers perceive accountability and data were collected using semi-structured interviews. We then used thematic analysis to analyze themes and sub- themes.ResultsThe study revealed four categories of perceptions namely, differences in the conceptualization of accountability and accountability mechanisms, varied opinions about the existing accountability mechanisms, perceived the usefulness of accountability mechanisms, together with perceived challenges in the enforcement of accountability mechanisms.ConclusionPerceived variations in the understanding of accountability among healthcare workers signaled a proper but fragmented understanding of accountability in maternal care. Accountability mechanisms are perceived to be useful for enhancing hard work in the provision of maternal health services. Moreover, inadequate motivation resulting from health system bottlenecks tend to constrain enforcement of accountability in the provision of maternal care services. Thus, we recommend that the government should deal with health system constraints and enforce regular monitoring and supervision.
Pan-Cancer and Single-Cell Analysis Reveals CENPL as a Cancer Prognosis and Immune Infiltration-Related Biomarker
Authors: Feng Ziyang , Chen Yu , Cai Changjing , Tan Jun , Liu Ping , Chen Yihong , Shen Hong , Zeng Shan , Han Ying 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundCentromere protein L (CENPL) is an important member of the centromere protein (CENP) family. However, the correlation between CENPL expression and cancer development and immune infiltration has rarely been studied. Here, we studied the role of CENPL in pan-cancer and further verified the results in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) through in vitro experiments.MethodsThe CENPL expression level was studied with TIMER 2.0 and Oncomine databases. The potential value of CENPL as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in pan-cancer was evaluated with the TCGA database and GEPIA. The CENPL mutation character was analyzed using the cBioPortal database. The LinkedOmics and CancerSEA databases were used to carry out the function analysis of CENPL. The role of CENPL in immune infiltration was studied using the TIMER and TISIDB websites. Moreover, the expression of CENPL was detected through RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the infiltration level of CD8+ T cells. Cell proliferation was detected by EdU and CCK8. A flow cytometer was used to analyze the influence of CENPL in cell cycle and apoptosis.ResultsCENPL was increased in most of the cancers. The upregulation and mutation of CENPL were associated with a poorer prognosis in many cancers. The results showed a significant positive correlation between CENPL and myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) infiltration and a negative correlation between CENPL and T-cell NK infiltration in most of the cancers. CENPL regulated cell proliferation and cell cycle, and was negatively correlated with the inflammation level of LUAD. The in vitro experiments suggested that CENPL was increased in LUAD tissue and cell lines. There was a negative correlation between CENPL expression and CD8+ T-cell infiltration. The knockdown of CENPL significantly suppressed the expression of CDK2 and CCNE2, and induced G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis of LUAD.ConclusionsCENPL may function as a potential biomarker and oncogene in pan-cancer, especially LUAD. Furthermore, CENPL was associated with immune cell infiltration in pan-cancer, providing a potential immune therapy target for tumor treatment.