bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Higher disease activity and lower renal function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis are associated with loss of muscle mass: results from a long‐term follow‐up study
Authors: Nogi Shinichi , Hashimoto Atsushi , Tohma Shigeto , Matsui Toshihiro 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundMuscle mass or strength is an important factor of activities of daily living in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there are few reports analysing the long‐term change in muscle mass in these patients. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of patient's background or disease activity of RA with change in muscle mass after 7 years.MethodsMuscle mass was measured in 101 female patients with RA in 2010. Among them, 79 patients underwent remeasurements in 2017. We examined the relationship between muscle mass at baseline in 2010 or changes in muscle mass (i.e., the difference between 2010 and 2017 or the ratio of 2017 to 2010) and the patients' background, disease activity of RA, treatment, or renal function. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors associated with loss of muscle mass. Muscle mass was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis.ResultsAt baseline in 2010, the age (mean ± SD) of 101 patients was 62.6 ± 9.8 years. Muscle mass measurements in 2010 showed a significantly negative correlation with patient age (r = −0.361, p < 0.001), Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ) (r = −0.461, p < 0.001), and Disease Activity Score (DAS)28‐CRP (r = −0.249, p = 0.013). Mean (±SD) muscle mass was not significantly different between 2010 (32.5 ± 3.4 kg) and 2017 (32.1 ± 3.8 kg). Changes in muscle mass (the difference or ratio) were negatively correlated with the mean value of DAS28‐CRP for 7 years (r = −0.281, p = 0.012 or r = −0.298, p = 0.010, respectively) and positively correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). However, they were not correlated with the use of glucocorticoids, age, or mHAQ. Logistic regression analysis showed that a mean DAS28‐CRP value for 7 years >2.6 (odds ratio (OR): 3.49; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2–11.1; p = 0.028) and eGFR≤80 in 2010 (OR: 3.42; 95% CI: 1.2–11.1; p = 0.030) was significantly associated with >5% loss of muscle mass after 7 years.ConclusionsPatients with higher disease activity of RA and lower renal function exhibited a tendency toward loss of muscle mass after 7 years.
Reduced muscle strength of knee extensors is a risk factor for silent lacunar infarcts among Japanese elderly people: the Bunkyo Health Study
Authors: Someya Yuki , Tamura Yoshifumi , Kaga Hideyoshi , Sugimoto Daisuke , Kadowaki Satoshi , Suzuki Ruriko , Aoki Shigeki , Hattori Nobutaka , Motoi Yumiko , Shimada Kazunori , Daida Hiroyuki , Ishijima Muneaki , Kaneko Kazuo , Nojiri Shuko , Kawamori Ryuzo , Watada Hirotaka 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundSilent lacunar infarcts (SLIs) are often incidentally diagnosed by brain magnetic resonance imaging in elderly people and are associated with the future onset of stroke, dementia, and frailty. While decreased muscle strength was reported as a risk factor for stroke, it is still unclear whether it also predisposes to SLI. In this study, we investigated the association between muscle strength and SLI in elderly subjects.MethodsThe subjects were 1536 elderly people aged 65–84 years without previous stroke events, living in an urban area of Tokyo, Japan, and recruited in the Bunkyo Health Study. Lacunar infarcts were defined by brain magnetic resonance imaging. Muscle strength of the knee extensors was measured using a dynamometer. After categorizing subjects by age and sex, we divided them into three groups based on muscle strength tertiles (High, Medium, and Low) and investigated the association between muscle strength and SLI.ResultsThe mean subject age was 73.0 ± 5.4 years, and 58.9% were female. The prevalence of SLI was 16.4% and was inversely associated with muscle strength (High, 12.3%; Medium, 17.7%; and Low, 19.3%; P for trend 0.003). After multivariate adjustment, the odds ratio for SLI was increased in the Medium and Low groups compared with the High group (High, 1.00 [reference]; Medium, 1.42 [95% confidence interval: 0.98–2.04]; and Low: 1.48 [1.02–2.14]), and the linear trend across the three groups was significant (P for trend 0.043).ConclusionsReduced knee extensor muscle strength is associated with SLI among Japanese elderly, independently of other established risk factors.
Influence of the drifts on the double‐peaked emission profile of the visible light in the upper divertor region of EAST
Authors: Guo Jin , Lu Zhiyuan , Jia Guozhang , Ruan Xinglei , Xu Yuchen , Mao Shifeng , Yang Jianhua , Wang Yumin , Meng Lingyi , Yang Qingquan , Xu Guosheng , Ye Minyou 
Published: March 2022

AbstractA novel double‐peaked emission profile has been observed by the visible light imaging system in EAST. In the upper divertor region, two emission peaks in the high‐field side (HFS) scrape‐off layer (SOL) and near the X‐point are identified by tomographic reconstruction. In our previous SOLPS‐ITER simulation work, the emission peaks in the HFS SOL and near the X‐point are attributed to the carbon deposition on the HFS baffle and the dome of the upper tungsten divertor, respectively. The appearance of the emission peak near the X‐point when the outer target is attached was understood by analysing the carbon transport in the private flux region (PFR). However, the simulated intensity of the emission peak in the HFS SOL is lower by one order of magnitude than that in the PFR, while they are at the similar level in the experiment. In this work, the influence of the drifts is further studied by SOLPS‐ITER simulations. Under the favourable toroidal field condition, the HFS SOL plasma transits to the detachment regime. The chemical sputtering of the carbon deposited on the inner baffle increases significantly, as well as the emission intensity of the peak in the HFS SOL. Meanwhile, the C2+ density peak in the PFR decreases due to the E × B drift towards inner target. The emission intensity in the PFR near the X‐point, therefore, decreases moderately. As a result, the intensities of the two emission peaks become comparable, which matches better with the experiment.
The phylogeny of the Anderson's White‐bellied Rat (Niviventer andersoni) based on complete mitochondrial genomes
Authors: Liu Shu‐Jing , Li Fu‐Li , Zhou Ji‐Hua , Lv Ji‐Zhou , Tan Zhong‐Yang , Zhang Yun‐Zhi , Ge Xing‐Yi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe phylogenetic structure of the genus Niviventer has been studied based on several individual mitochondrial and nuclear genes, but the results seem to be inconsistent. In order to clarify the phylogeny of Niviventer, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of white‐bellied rat (Niviventer andersoni of the family Muridae) by next‐generation sequencing. The 16,291 bp mitochondrial genome consists of 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein‐coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes, and one noncoding control region (D‐Loop). Phylogenetic analyses of the nucleotide sequences of all 13 PCGs, PCGs minus ND6, and the entire mitogenome sequence except for the D‐loop revealed well‐resolved topologies supporting that N. andersoni was clustered with N. excelsior forming a sister division with N. confucianus, which statistically rejected the hypothesis based on the tree of cytochrome b (cytb) gene that N. confucianus is sister to N. fulvescens. Our research provides the first annotated complete mitochondrial genome of N. andersoni, extending the understanding about taxonomy and mitogenomic evolution of the genus Niviventer.
Large‐diameter trees affect snow duration in post‐fire old‐growth forests
Authors: Teich Michaela , Becker Kendall M. L. , Raleigh Mark S. , Lutz James A. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractSnow duration in post‐fire forests is influenced by neighbourhoods of trees, snags, and deadwood. We used annually resolved, spatially explicit tree and tree mortality data collected in an old‐growth, mixed‐conifer forest in the Sierra Nevada, California, that burned at low to moderate severity to calculate 10 tree neighbourhood metrics for neighbourhoods up to 40 m from snow depth and snow disappearance sampling points. We developed two linear mixed models, predicting snow disappearance timing as a function of tree neighbourhood, litter density, and simulated incoming solar radiation, and two multiple regression models explaining variation in snow depth as a function of tree neighbourhood. Higher densities of post‐fire large‐diameter snags within 10 m of a sampling point were related to higher snow depth (indicating reduced snow interception). Higher densities of large‐diameter trees within 5 m and larger amounts of litter were associated with shorter snow duration (indicating increased longwave radiation emittance and accelerated snow albedo decay). However, live trees with diameters >60 cm within 10 m of a snow disappearance sampling point were associated with a longer‐lasting spring snowpack. This suggests that, despite the local effects of canopy interception and emitted longwave radiation from boles of large trees, shading from their canopies may prolong snow duration over a larger area. Therefore, conservation of widely spaced, large‐diameter trees is important in old‐growth forests because they are resistant to fire and can enhance the seasonal duration of snowmelt.
Evaluation of diastole by echocardiography for detecting early cardiac dysfunction: an outcome study
Authors: Kuznetsova Tatiana , Cauwenberghs Nicholas , Sabovčik František , Kobayashi Yukari , Haddad Francois 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAimsTimely detection of subclinical left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDDF) is of importance for precise risk stratification of asymptomatic subjects. Here, we evaluated the prevalence of LVDDF and its prognostic significance in the general population using two grading approaches: the 2016 ASE/EACVI recommendations and population‐derived, age‐specific criteria.Methods and resultsWe randomly recruited 1407 community‐dwelling participants (mean age, 51.2 years; 51.1% women; 53.5% with cardiovascular risk factors). We measured left heart dimensions, strain, tricuspid regurgitation, transmitral blood flow, and mitral annular tissue velocities using conventional echocardiography and Doppler imaging. We utilized these measurements to grade of LVDDF according to the 2016 recommendations and population‐derived, age‐specific approach. According to the 2016 recommendations, 26 subjects (1.85%) were classified as having the advanced stage (Grade 2), whereas in 109 participants (7.75%) diastolic function was indeterminate. When applying the population‐derived criteria, the prevalence of advanced LVDDF was 17.9% (n = 252). During the follow‐up period (8.4 years), 100 participants experienced adverse cardiac events. After full adjustment, we did not observe any significant differences in the risk of events between subjects with indeterminate or any grade of LVDDF and subjects with normal diastolic function when classified according to the 2016 recommendation (P ≥ 0.25). In contrast, the adjusted risks of adverse cardiac events (HR = 1.28; P = 0.0045) were significantly elevated in participants with LVDDF when classified according to the population‐derived criteria.ConclusionsOur study underscored the importance of considering age‐ and population‐derived thresholds in LVDDF grading in subjects at high cardiovascular risk which led to a better risk stratification and outcome prediction.
Relation of left atrial overload indices with prognostic endpoints in heart failure and preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Hoshida Shiro , Tachibana Koichi , Shinoda Yukinori , Minamisaka Tomoko , Seo Masahiro , Yano Masamichi , Hayashi Takaharu , Nakagawa Akito , Nakagawa Yusuke , Tamaki Shunsuke , Yamada Takahisa , Yasumura Yoshio , Sotomi Yohei , Hikoso Shungo , Nakatani Daisaku , Sakata Yasushi ,   OCVC‐Heart Failure Investigators
Published: March 2022

AbstractAimsConsiderable variation in the relationships between the indices of left atrial (LA) volume and pressure could possibly affect the selection of medications or efforts to improve the prognoses of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We aimed to clarify the association between the prognostic endpoint and LA overload indices in elderly patients with HFpEF.Methods and resultsWe analysed 898 patients with HFpEF hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure (men/women: 406/492). Blood tests and transthoracic echocardiography were performed before discharge. The primary endpoint was re‐admission for heart failure or all‐cause mortality. Stroke volume (SV)/left atrial volume (LAV), an index for LA volume overload, was a significant prognostic factor of re‐admission for heart failure in the multivariable Cox hazard analysis adjusted for comorbidities [hazard ratio (HR) 0.616, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.430–0.882, P = 0.008]. Additionally, the ratio of diastolic elastance (Ed) to arterial elastance (Ea), an index for LA pressure overload, was also significant (HR 1.444, 95% CI 1.014–2.058, P = 0.041). Furthermore, Ed/Ea, but not SV/LAV, was a significant prognostic factor of all‐cause mortality (HR 1.594, 95% CI 1.102–2.306, P = 0.013).ConclusionsThe index of LA overload for prognosis may differ according to the different endpoints in elderly patients with HFpEF.
Water‐induced disintegration behaviour of Malan loess
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Fan Nannan , Li Yanrong , He Shengdi , Guo Dingyi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe Malan loess is a greyish yellow unstratified sediment with uniform lithology, large pores and loose texture. The Malan loess is sensitive to water due to its porous and metastable structure. Water‐induced disintegration is the main cause of soil loss in the Loess Plateau of China and the primary evolutionary driving force of the loess landform. A series of laboratory tests is conducted on undisturbed cylindrical Malan loess samples to understand their disintegration behaviour further and examine potential influencing factors. Results show that the Malan loess experiences primary and secondary disintegration stages. The primary disintegration occurs very fast and terminates in an average of 40 s. Approximately 78% of the soil disintegrates in this stage. The disintegration velocity (V) and percentage (Df) in the primary stage demonstrate high correlation with the dry density, clay mineral content and CaCO3 content. Specifically, Df increases while V decreases with the increase of dry density or clay content. Df decreases while V increases with the increase of CaCO3. The concentration of ions, including Cl−, SO42−, CO32−, HCO3−, Ca2+, K+, Na+ and Mg2+, and the organic matter content do not exhibit a clear relationship with Df and V. In addition, the pore structure influences the Malan loess disintegration. The soil with evenly distributed small pores is subjected to gradual disintegration from outside to inside without abrupt failure, while that with large pipes disintegrates abruptly in large pieces.
Approximation of Caputo‐Prabhakar derivative with application in solving time fractional advection‐diffusion equation
Authors: Singh Deeksha , Sultana Farheen , Pandey Rajesh K. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis work aims to numerically approximate the Caputo‐Prabhakar derivative and use this approximation for solving the time‐fractional advection‐diffusion equation defined in Caputo‐Prabhakar sense which is widely used in fluid dynamics. In this approach, we approximate the time‐fractional derivative of the mentioned equation by two schemes, namely and , using linear and quadratic interpolation functions, respectively. The convergence order of the two schemes is , , respectively, for . The analytical error bounds for the two schemes are also discussed. Then, these schemes are applied to solve the time‐fractional advection‐diffusion equation defined in the Caputo‐Prabhakar sense numerically. We will prove the solvability and stability of the proposed methods. Numerical examples validate the analytical results. With the reference of an example, we have shown that the schemes work well for the fractional diffusion equation also.
Treatment de‐escalation for HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Petrelli Fausto , Luciani Andrea , Ghidini Antonio , Cherri Sara , Gamba Paolo , Maddalo Marta , Bossi Paolo , Zaniboni Alberto 
Published: March 2022

AbstractHuman Papillomavirus (HPV) related oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) carries a better prognosis compared with HPV‐counterparts, thereby pushing the adoption of de‐intensification treatment approaches as new strategies to preserve superior oncologic outcomes while minimizing toxicity. We evaluated the effect of treatment de‐intensification in terms of overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), locoregional and distant control (LRC and DM) by selecting prospective or retrospective studies, providing outcome data with reduced intensification versus standard curative treatment in HPV+ OPC patients, with a systematic analysis till September 2020. The primary outcome of interest was OS. Secondary endpoints were PFS, LRC, and DM expressed as HR. A total of 55 studies (from 1393 screened references) were employed for quantitative synthesis for 38 929 patients. Among n = 48 studies with data available, de‐intensified treatments reduced OS in HPV+ OPCs (HR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.17–1.52; p < 0.01). In de‐escalated treatments, PFS was also decreased (HR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.65–2.69; p < 0.01). Compared with standard treatments, reduced intensity approaches were associated with reduced locoregional and distant disease control (HR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.75–3.59; p < 0.01; and HR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.25–2.9; p < 0.01). Chemoradiation improved survival in a definitive curative setting compared with radiotherapy alone (HR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.16–1.75; p < 0.01). When adjuvant treatments were compared, standard and de‐escalation strategies provided similar OS. In conclusion, in patients with HPV+ OPC, de‐escalation treatments should not be widely and agnostically adopted in clinical practice, as therein lies a concrete risk of offering a sub‐optimal treatment to patients.
Diabetes medications and risk of HCC
Authors: Plaz Torres Maria Corina , Jaffe Ariel , Perry Rachel , Marabotto Elisa , Strazzabosco Mario , Giannini Edoardo G. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a recognized risk factor for HCC in patients with liver disease, independent from the etiology of their liver disease. Hence, prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its underlying cause, insulin resistance, should be considered a treatment target for patients with liver disease. The drug armamentarium for diabetes is wide and consists of agents with insulin‐sensitizing activity, agents that stimulate insulin secretion, insulin itself, and agents that reduce gastrointestinal and urinary glucose absorption. From an endocrinology perspective, the main goal of treatment is the achievement of euglycemia; however, in patients at risk of, or with known underlying liver disease, the choice of diabetic medication as it relates to potential hepatic carcinogenesis remains complex and should be carefully considered. In the last decade, increasing evidence has suggested that metformin may reduce the risk of HCC, whereas evidence for other classes of diabetic medications, particularly some of the newer agents including the sodium glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists, is fewer and often inconsistent. In this review, we aim to summarize the current evidence on the potential effects of the most widely used diabetic agents on liver cancer tumorigenesis.
Sarcopenia HIBA score predicts sarcopenia and mortality in patients on the liver transplant waiting list
Authors: Mauro Ezequiel , Diaz Juan Manuel , Garcia‐Olveira Lucrecia , Spina Juan Carlos , Savluk Lorena , Zalazar Fernanda , Saidman Julia , De Santibañes Martin , Pekolj Juan , De Santibañes Eduardo , Crespo Gonzalo , Abraldes Juan G. , Gadano Adrían 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Sarcopenia is a prevalent condition that predicts prognosis in patients awaiting liver transplantation (LT). The gold standard for the diagnosis of sarcopenia is the assessment of the muscular area at L3 with computed tomography (CT) scan (skeletal muscle index [SMI]), but the routine use of CT scan is limited in clinical practice. Thus, we designed a single‐center observational study aimed to evaluate the clinical factors associated with the presence of sarcopenia by SMI, and to build a score capable of predicting or excluding the presence of sarcopenia in patients on the LT waiting list (WL). Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to establish the factors independently associated with sarcopenia, and the Sarcopenia Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (HIBA) score was built from the resulting model after internal validation analysis by bootstrapping and correction for optimism. The predictive capability of mortality on the WL was evaluated with competing risk regression analysis. A total of 215 patients with cirrhosis on the LT WL were included. The independent factors associated with the presence of sarcopenia were male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 6.09, p < 0.001), body mass index (OR: 0.74, p < 0.001), Child Pugh (OR: 1.44, p < 0.001), and the ratio creatinine/Cystatin C (OR: 0.03, p = 0.007). The Sarcopenia HIBA score constructed with these variables showed an area under the curve of 0.862. During follow‐up, 77 (36%) patients underwent LT, 46 (21%) died, and 92 (43%) remained alive. After adjusting for Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease–Sodium, Sarcopenia HIBA score was an independent predictor of WL mortality (subhazard ratio: 1.19; 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.40; p = 0.042). Sarcopenia HIBA score is an easy‐to‐use, objective, and reliable diagnostic and predictive tool that can be useful to improve the prognostic evaluation and allow identifying a group of patients with a higher risk of death while awaiting LT.