bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exposure of female NZBWF1 mice to imiquimod-induced lupus nephritis at an early age via a unique mechanism that differed from spontaneous onset
Authors: Hayakawa Kunihiro , Fujishiro Maki , Yoshida Yuko , Kataoka Yuko , Sakuma Shota , Nishi Takuya , Ikeda Keigo , Morimoto Shinji , Takamori Kenji , Sekigawa Iwao 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory and representative autoimmune disease. Extremely complicated and multifactorial interactions between various genetic factors and individual susceptibility to environmental factors are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. Several studies have reported that mutation and activation of toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 are involved in the onset of autoimmunity, including SLE. Thus, we investigated the response of SLE-prone mice to continuous environmental factors, particularly TLR7 agonist exposure, and changes in their phenotypes. Female and male NZBWF1 (BWF1) mice were treated from 20 weeks of age with a TLR7 agonist, imiquimod (IMQ), 3 times weekly for up to 12 weeks. IMQ-exposed female BWF1 mice showed worsened lupus nephritis. However, autoantibody production was not enhanced in IMQ-exposed female BWF1 mice. The Th1 cytokine expression was upregulated in the kidney of IMQ-treated mice. In IMQ-exposed BWF1 mice, neutralization of IFN-γ suppressed early-phase lupus nephritis. Additionally, in male BWF1 mice IMQ exposure induced minor aggravation of lupus nephritis. These results suggest that the induction of aggravated lupus nephritis by TLR7 agonist exposure was related to the expression of IFN-γ via acute TLR7 signal-induced renal inflammation, and that the involvement of genetic factors associated with a predisposition to SLE is also essential. Thus, the activation of TLR7 signaling by exposure to environmental factors may upset the balance of factors that maintain SLE remission. We hypothesize that the inhibition of TLR7 signaling and IFN-γ signaling is effective for preventing the onset and flare and maintaining remission of lupus nephritis.
Differentiation of circulating monocytes into macrophages with metabolically activated phenotype regulates inflammation in dyslipidemia patients
Authors: Berenice Martínez-Shio Elena , Martín Cárdenas-Hernández Ángel , Jiménez-Suárez Verónica , Sherell Marín-Jáuregui Laura , Castillo-Martin del Campo Claudia , González-Amaro Roberto , Escobedo-Uribe Carlos D , Monsiváis-Urenda Adriana Elizabeth 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Macrophages are mediators of inflammation having an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, a pro-inflammatory subpopulation, known as metabolically activated macrophages (MMe), has been described in conditions of obesity and metabolic syndrome where they are known to release cytokines that can promote insulin resistance. Dyslipidemia represents an important feature in metabolic syndrome and corresponds to one of the main modifiable risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Circulating monocytes can differentiate into macrophages under certain conditions. They correspond to a heterogeneous population, which include inflammatory and anti-inflammatory subsets; however, there is a wide spectrum of phenotypes. Therefore, we decided to investigate whether the metabolic activated monocyte (MoMe) subpopulation is already present under dyslipidemia conditions. Secondly, we assessed whether different levels of cholesterol and triglycerides play a role in the polarization towards the metabolic phenotype (MMe) of macrophages. Our results indicate that MoMe cells are found in both healthy and dyslipidemia patients, with cells displaying the following metabolic phenotype: CD14varCD36+ABCA1+PLIN2+. Furthermore, the percentages of CD14++CD68+CD80+ pro-inflammatory monocytes are higher in dyslipidemia than in healthy subjects. When analysing macrophage differentiation, we observed that MMe percentages were higher in the dyslipidemia group than in healthy subjects. These MMe have the ability to produce high levels of IL-6 and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Furthermore, ABCA1 expression in MMe correlates with LDL serum levels. Our study highlights the dynamic contributions of metabolically activated macrophages in dyslipidemia, which may have a complex participation in low-grade inflammation due to their pro- and anti-inflammatory function.
The hyper-expression of NLRP4 characterizes the occurrence of macrophage activation syndrome assessing STING pathway in adult-onset Still’s disease
Authors: Ruscitti Piero , Berardicurti Onorina , Di Cola Ilenia , Di Muzio Claudia , Di Nino Elena , Giacomelli Roberto , Cipriani Paola 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
To assess stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway in patients with adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) who were complicated or not by macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), evaluating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and synovial tissues. The relative mRNA expression of key molecules of the STING pathway (i.e. CGAS, NLRP4, PKDC, STING1, XRCC5, and XRCC6) and interferon (IFN)-γ was assessed in PBMCs obtained from patients with AOSD, who were complicated or not by MAS, and healthy controls (HCs). A bulky RNA sequencing was performed in synovial tissues from two patients with AOSD. Finally, the ability of heavy ferritin subunit (FeH) to induce the expression of NLRP4 was evaluated in cultured macrophages. Twenty patients with AOSD were analysed. Out of them, seven patients were complicated by MAS. Assessing mRNA relative expression in PBMCs, STING1, NLRP4, XRCC6, and IFN-γ were significantly expressed in AOSD than HCs. The mRNA relative expression of CGAS, PKDC, and XRCC5 did not differ between patients and HCs. Furthermore, NLRP4 and IFN-γ resulted to be significantly increased in patients with AOSD complicated by MAS than others. By RNA-sequencing analysis, we observed that Nlrp4 gene was significantly up-regulated in patients with AOSD. Following the stimulation with FeH, an increased expression of NLRP4 was observed in cultured macrophages. In conclusion, an increased expression of some key molecules of STING pathway characterized patients with AOSD. In addition, our results suggested that a hyper-activity of NLRP4 may be observed in patients with MAS. Furthermore, FeH increased the expression of NLRP4 in cultured macrophages.
Performance scaling for structural MRI surface parcellations: a machine learning analysis in the ABCD Study
Authors: Hahn Sage , Owens Max M , Yuan DeKang , Juliano Anthony C , Potter Alexandra , Garavan Hugh , Allgaier Nicholas 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The use of predefined parcellations on surface-based representations of the brain as a method for data reduction is common across neuroimaging studies. In particular, prediction-based studies typically employ parcellation-driven summaries of brain measures as input to predictive algorithms, but the choice of parcellation and its influence on performance is often ignored. Here we employed preprocessed structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study® to examine the relationship between 220 parcellations and out-of-sample predictive performance across 45 phenotypic measures in a large sample of 9- to 10-year-old children (N = 9,432). Choice of machine learning (ML) pipeline and use of alternative multiple parcellation-based strategies were also assessed. Relative parcellation performance was dependent on the spatial resolution of the parcellation, with larger number of parcels (up to ~4,000) outperforming coarser parcellations, according to a power–law scaling of between 1/4 and 1/3. Performance was further influenced by the type of parcellation, ML pipeline, and general strategy, with existing literature-based parcellations, a support vector-based pipeline, and ensembling across multiple parcellations, respectively, as the highest performing. These findings highlight the choice of parcellation as an important influence on downstream predictive performance, showing in some cases that switching to a higher resolution parcellation can yield a relatively large boost to performance.
The Executive-Led Planning Regime of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Authors: Jhaveri Swati 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
This paper considers the distribution and accountability of planning powers in the urban planning regime of the Hong Kong SAR. This paper identifies the power holders who are charged with steering urban planning, with a view to demonstrating that despite the existence of a multi-actor and consultative process, there is a still a concentration of power on planning matters in particular organs of the executive branch of government. It is not unusual for planning powers to be concentrated in the executive branch of government: however, in the Hong Kong context it is the particular concentration of powers in a small circle of power holders within the executive branch that might need reform. The discussion concludes with sketching out possible ways of dispersing power, within and outside the executive branch, to enhance the legitimacy of the planning regime, without compromising its efficacy.
Lower marine productivity increases agonistic interactions between sea lions and fur seals in Northern Pacific Patagonia
Authors: Montalva Felipe , Pavés Hector , Pérez-Venegas Diego , Barrientos E Karin G , Valencia Carola , Miranda-Urbina Diego , Seguel Mauricio 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Interspecific interactions are key drivers of individual and population-level fitness in a wide range of animals. However, in marine ecosystems, it is relatively unknown which biotic and abiotic factors impact behavioral interactions between competing species. We assessed the impact of weather, marine productivity, and population structure on the behavioral agonistic interactions between South American fur seals (SAFSs), Arctocephalus australis, and South American sea lions (SASLs), Otaria byronia, in a breeding colony of SAFS. We hypothesized that agonistic interactions between SAFSs and SASLs respond to biotic and abiotic factors such as SAFS population structure, marine productivity, and weather. We found that SASL and SAFS interactions almost always resulted in negative impacts on the social structure or reproductive success of the SAFS colony. SASL adult males initiated stampedes of SAFS and/or abducted and predated SAFS pups. Adult SAFS males abundance and severe weather events were negatively correlated with agonistic interactions between species. However, proxies for lower marine productivity such as higher sea surface temperature and lower catches of demerso-pelagic fish were the most important predictors of more frequent agonistic interactions between SAFS and SASL. Under the current scenario of decline in marine biomass due to global climate change and overfishing, agonistic interactions between competing marine predators could increase and exacerbate the negative impacts of environmental change in these species.
A Fiscal Constitutional Crisis: Tax Avoidance and Evasion in Inter-war Britain
Authors: Scott Peter 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Inter-war Britain witnessed rising tax avoidance and evasion, reflecting a combination of elite opposition to higher tax rates and the almost complete absence of any effective legal or reputational sanctions against tax evaders. Legal tax avoidance carried little social stigma and even illegal evasion rarely led to criminal prosecution or public censure, on account of the confidential, non-judicial procedure by which cases were resolved. This paper explores how a combination of elite opposition to higher tax rates, a growing judicial ideology (especially in the higher courts) based around protecting ‘civil liberties’ (essentially construed in terms of private property rights), and an ambiguous stance on tax avoidance among policy-makers, created the conditions for the rapid growth of tax avoidance. This in turn fostered a booming tax avoidance industry that became a persistent feature of the British tax environment. The paper also explores the wider political economy of tax avoidance and evasion and how a political philosophy shared by leading judges, right-wing ‘anti-waste’ movements, some Conservative politicians, and many wealthy taxpayers, formed a precursor of neo-liberal political philosophy. Finally, it charts the changed tax climate of the late 1930s, when the growing threat of total war aligned the interests of the wealthy with those of the rest of society and allowed policy-makers to present tax payment as a patriotic duty. In this context, collective liberty and an ideology of ‘fair shares’ eclipsed the rhetoric of the rights of the propertied individual, thereby undermining the legitimacy of tax avoidance.
Real-time inequality and the welfare state in motion: evidence from COVID-19 in Spain
Authors: Aspachs Oriol , Durante Ruben , Graziano Alberto , Mestres Josep , Montalvo Jose G , Reynal-Querol Marta 
Published: February 2022

SUMMARY
G. Montalvo and Marta Reynal-Querol?&gt;Official statistics on economic inequality are only available at low frequency and with considerable delay. This makes it challenging to assess the impact on inequality of fast-unfolding crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, and to rapidly evaluate and tailor policy responses. We propose a new methodology to track income inequality at high frequency using anonymized data from bank records for over three million account holders in Spain. Using this approach, we analyse how inequality evolved between February and November 2020 (compared to the same months of 2019). We first show that the wage distribution in our data matches very closely that from official labour surveys. We then document that, in the absence of government intervention, inequality would have increased dramatically, mainly due to job losses and wage cuts experienced by low-wage workers. The increase in pre-transfer inequality was especially pronounced among the young and the foreign-born, and in regions more dependent on services. Public transfers and unemployment insurance schemes were effective at providing a safety net to the most affected segments of the population and at offsetting most of the increase in inequality. Increased inequality is primarily driven by differential changes in employment rate. Indeed, using individual-level regressions, we find that, over the course of the pandemic, the probability of being employed decreased drastically for workers in the lower part of the pre-COVID wage distribution, young cohorts and foreign-born.
Learning curve of visually-guided laser balloon ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Kondo Y , Nakano M , Kajiyama T , Nakano M , Kobayashi Y 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
The visually-guided laser balloon (VGLB) is a compliant, variable-diameter balloon that delivers laser energy around the pulmonary vein (PV) ostium under real-time endoscopic visualization. However, limited data exist in Japan thus far. Therefore, we determined the safety, efficacy, and learning curve of the VGLB for PV isolation.

Methods
A total of 52 consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were prospectively enrolled and divided into 3 groups (T1 = 15 patients, T2 = 15 patients, T3 = 22 patients). All patients underwent PV isolation by 2 operators using the VGLB. The operators were experienced in radiofrequency and cryothermal procedures, but not in laser ablations.

Results
Tables show the acute clinical results. Reversible phrenic nerve palsy occurred in 3.8%, with a trend towards a lower complication rate with increasing experience.

Conclusions
The VGLB was safe and effective for PV isolation, even for operators without any previous experience. Procedure time decreased after a learning curve of 30 cases. Abstract Figure. Procedural data and isolation rates
Impact of preprocedural upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for pulmonary vein isolation - single-center experience of 400 patients
Authors: Grosse Meininghaus D , Kleemann T 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction
Mucosal esophageal lesions (ELs) are reported in 10-40% after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and may be precursors of (almost always lethal) atrio-esophageal fistula (AEF). Although mechanisms of lesion progression are not completely understood, inflammation (e.g. by acidic reflux) is thought to be a major contributor. However, ELs may also be preexisting or due to mechanical instrumentation rather than ablation-induced, and these lesions are not prone to progression. On the other hand, preexisting reflux-induced esophagitis might facilitate lesion generation during ablation.
Therefore, esophagogastroscopy (EGD) before PVI might reveal important information regarding preexisting vulnerability that needs to be considered/is relevant for ablation procedure planning.

Purpose
(1) To study the incidence of preexisting esophageal and upper gastrointestinal pathology detected by EGD in patients undergoing PVI. (2) To assess the impact of preprocedural EGD on procedure planning.

Methods
All consecutive patients undergoing PVI (radiofrequency energy PVI or cryoablation) had routine pre- and post-procedural EGD. The preexisting EGD-findings were analyzed with regard to their impact on PVI planning, postprocedural ELs, and additional endoscopic workup.

Results
From 08/2018 to 08/2021, 396 patients (66 ± 9 years, 58% male) were included. During preprocedural EGD, 207 patients (52%) had esophageal and extraesophageal abnormalities.
In 57 patients, the findings influenced the procedure strategy (e.g. in the presence of inflammation of the lower third of the esophagus, maximum power at the posterior left atrial wall was reduced from 25 to 20 Watts). 9/29 patients with new ELs in postprocedural EGD had preexisting esophagitis.
Ablation was postponed for five patients, thereof two with candida esophagitis, two with gastral and one with duodenal ulcer, respectively). 16 patients received further endoscopic workup with identification of a gastric carcinoma in one. Endoscopic ultrasound identified a patient with a pancreatic head neoplasia. There were no procedure-related complications of EGDs.
Discussion and Conclusion
In an unselected cohort, preprocedural EGD showed incidental findings in a half of the patients, and one-fourth of these were considered to be relevant for procedural aspects of PVI. Of particular interest is the absence of inflammation of the esophageal wall. Ulcer do not affect the safety of the PVI directly, but have impact on anticoagulation issues. EGD before PVI merits consideration. Abstract Figure. EGD-findings before PVI
Oral antithrombotic prescription patterns among hospitalized adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Soco M L , Junia A T 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy reduces stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. Despite extensive recommendations regarding the use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs), available data shows that they remain underutilized. Additionally, data on OAC prescription patterns in relation to stroke and bleeding risk scores are scarce; more so in low to middle income countries. The aim of this study was to describe the antithrombotic prescription patterns among Filipino patients with non-valvular AF.

Methods
This retrospective, cross-sectional study included adult patients with non-valvular AF admitted from January to December 2019 in a single center. The antithrombotic therapy prescribed was reviewed for patterns according to the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED risk scores. Creatinine clearance was also calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation to determine the dose appropriateness of prescribed NOACs.

Results
We reviewed the records of 503 patients, and 302 were included in the study. Of these, 143 (47.35%), 61 (20.19%), 78 (25.83%) and 20 (6.62%) patients were on anticoagulant therapy alone, antiplatelet therapy alone, combination therapy, and no therapy, respectively. A total of 210 (69.54%) patients were prescribed with NOACs, of which 52.8% were dosed appropriately and 41.43% were underdosed. Among patients with high stroke risk but with low bleeding risk, only 39.63% were prescribed with an appropriately dosed NOAC. Thirty-three percent were given an underdosed NOAC while 16.28% received only antiplatelets and 4.65% received no antithrombotic therapy. Patients with low bleeding risk accounted for the majority of NOAC underdosage rates. Furthermore, 59 (20.48%) patients were prescribed with antiplatelets alone despite being stratified as having a high stroke risk. Warfarin use was also documented in 11 (3.64%) patients. Although accounting for only a minority, overdosed NOACs were observed among patients with high bleeding risk.

Conclusion
Over two-thirds of the patients with non-valvular AF were initiated on NOACs but only one-half received the appropriate dose. Rivaroxaban monotherapy or in combination with clopidogrel were the most frequently used agents. Antiplatelet therapy and underdosed NOACs constituted one-half of the antithrombotic therapy prescribed in high risk patients. The prescription patterns observed show that although the rate of NOAC use was high, a significant proportion of patients were still given suboptimal antithrombotic treatment. Abstract Figure. Baseline characteristics Abstract Figure. Antothrombotic therapy
Clustering analysis based on automated electrocardiographic measurements to identify prognostically distinct phenotypes in patients hospitalized for heart failure: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chan J S K , Zhou J , Li A , Tan M , Wong W T , Ciobanu A , Gkouziouta A , Letsas K , Liu T , Liu Y , Zhang Q , Tse G 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Heart failure (HF) is a heterogeneous disease with complex structural and electrophysiological derangements of the heart. Attempts to classify HF from the electrophysiological perspective are lacking.

Purpose
To use electrocardiographic (ECG) data for phenotypic classification of patients with HF.

Methods
In this retrospective cohort study, all adult patients hospitalized for HF during 2010-2016 at a tertiary center were included. Automated measurements of the first ECG obtained during the index admission were recorded. K-means clustering using premorbid conditions and selected ECG measurements were used to classify the cohort into four mutually exclusive clusters. The primary (all-cause and cardiovascular mortality) and secondary (ventricular arrhythmia (VA)) outcomes were compared between clusters using Cox regression analysis.

Results
In total, 2849 patients (1363 males, age 75.1 ± 13.4 years) were included. Over a mean follow-up period of 5.37 ± 4.10 years, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality occurred in 2071 (72.7%) and 600 (21.1%) patients respectively, while VA occurred in 110 patients (3.9%). Cluster 1 was characterised by a low heart rate and low ventricular activation time (VAT). Cluster 2 was characterised by old age, low absolute QRS area, and high QTc and QT dispersion. Cluster 3 was characterised by young age, and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and few had history of VA. Cluster 4 was characterised by wide QRS, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, high VAT, and high absolute T wave area. Cluster 4 had the highest and cluster 1 the lowest risks of all-cause (hazard ratio (HR) 2.96 [1.09, 1.50], p = 0.003; Figure A) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 2.90 [1.15, 2.11], p = 0.004; Figure B). Meanwhile, cluster 2 had the highest risk of VA (HR 2.23 [1.09, 3.85], p = 0.025; Figure C) while clusters 1 and 3 similarly had the lowest risks.

Conclusion
HF presents with clinically and electrophysiologically distinct phenotypes. Clustering analysis is useful in identifying HF phenotypes which are prognostically significant. Abstract Figures A, B, and C