bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Targeted muscle reinnervation for a recurrent traumatic neuroma of the sural nerve: illustrative case
Authors: van Opijnen Mark P. , Hazelbag Hans Marten , de Ruiter Godard C. W. 
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND
Traumatic neuromata often recur after resection. Recently, targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) has been shown to be a promising alternative for the treatment of traumatic neuroma, also in nonamputees. This case shows that TMR can also be applied for this indication in recurrent traumatic neuroma.

OBSERVATIONS
A 55-year-old patient with a history of cerebral palsy presented with a painful swelling in his right knee, 40 years after multiple Achilles tendon surgeries for contractures. On imaging, the lesion was suspect for a traumatic neuroma of the posterior sural nerve. After two failed resections, TMR was performed by connecting the proximal end of the sural nerve to the motor branch of the lateral gastrocnemius muscle. During outpatient visits at 3, 6, and 12 months, the patient reported significantly less pain compared to before the TMR. He had no weakness of plantar flexion. Postoperative imaging, however, showed atrophy of the lateral gastrocnemius muscle.

LESSONS
This case shows that TMR can be a successful strategy to treat recurrent traumatic neuroma after previous failed transection of single neuromata in nonamputee cases. In the authors’ patient, TMR did not result in motor deficit, but more research is needed to investigate this consequence of TMR for this indication.
Comparative Study between Using Only Vaginal Misoprostol and Using Vaginal Misoprostol and Estradiol Cream for Induction of Labour: Randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mortada E. Ahmed , Fekria A. Salama , Amira Maher Ahmed Hassan , Gamal Rania 
Published: April 2022

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of vaginal misoprostol versus vaginal misoprostol and estradiol cream for ripening of the very unfavorable cervix in patients requiring induction of labor.

METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled trial conducted on 120 women with unfavorable cervix during the period from April 2021 to October 2021. Patients were randomized into two equal groups as follows; _GROUP I_ included 60 patients who were given only vaginal misoprostol 25 μg, and _GROUP II_ included 60 patients in which women were given vaginal misoprostol 25 μg with vaginal estradiol 150 mg.

RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (53.3%) in the misoprostol group and 38 patients (63.3%) in the estradiol group reached the active phase. According to the mode of delivery, 29 patients (48.3%) in the misoprostol and 24 patients (40%) in the estradiol group underwent cesarean section. The most common causes of CS were failed induction and fetal distress. With exception of the 1st minute Apgar score, no statistically significant difference in labor induction between both groups was reported.

CONCLUSION: We found that a combination between the misoprostol and estradiol does not achieve a significant difference in labor induction compared to vaginal misoprostol alone.
β-Cyclodextrin and Oligoarginine Peptide-Based Dendrimer-Entrapped Gold Nanoparticles for Improving Drug Delivery to the Inner Ear
Authors: Luo Jia , Lin XueXin , Li LiLing , Tan JingQian , Li Peng 
Published: April 2022

Here, we developed a safe and highly effective nanocarrier using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and oligoarginine peptide (Arg8)-modified dendrimer-entrapped gold nanoparticles (Au@CD-PAMAM-Arg8), with a diameter of 5 nm, for improved delivery of dexamethasone (Dex) to the inner ear. The properties and in vivo distribution of the Au@CD-PAMAM-Arg8 were assessed in vitro, and a streptomycin (SM) ototoxicity model was used in vivo. Flow cytometry analysis of HEIOC1 cells treated with Au@CD-PAMAM-Arg8 and Au @CD-PAMAM at different time intervals indicated that cell uptake efficiency of the drug delivery carrier Au@CD-PAMAM-Arg8 was higher than that of Au @CD-PAMAM. Au@CD-PAMAM-Arg8 carrying Dex (Au@CD-PAMAM-Arg8/Dex) were mainly distributed in hair cells, the spiral ganglion, lateral wall, and nerve fibers and had stronger protective effects on the inner ear than Dex administration alone. In vivo tracer tests revealed that tympanic injection was significantly more effective than posterior ear injection, muscle injection, and tail vein injection, whereas clinical retro-auricular injection could not increase the efficiency of drug delivery into the ear. Electrocochleography results showed that Au@CD-PAMAM-Arg8/Dex significantly improved hearing in C57/BL6 mice after SM exposure. These findings indicate that Au@CD-PAMAM-Arg8 may be the useful drug carriers for the treatment of inner ear diseases.
Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vivo Toxicological Evaluation of Copper (II) Oxide Containing Herbometallic Siddha Nanocomplex “Thamira Parpam”
Authors: Royapuram Parthasarathy Parameswari , Manikandamathavan Verasundaram M. , Chandronitha Chandranayagam , Vasanthi Hannah R. , Mohan Vasanth Kumar , Vijayakumar Venkataramanan , Shanmugam Rajeshkumar , Sekaran Saravanan , Unni Nair Balachandran , Chamundeeswari Duraipandian , Thyagarajan Sadras Panchatcharam 
Published: April 2022

“Thamira parpam” (TP), a copper-based herbometallic oxide (copper (II) oxide) nanodrug has been used in Siddha medicine for centuries because of its anti-ulcerogenic property. However, the physicochemical properties and in vivo toxicity of TP still remain elusive. Rigorous clinical translation requires deciphering these vital properties. We have synthesized TP following a gold standard protocol in the traditional Siddha methodology. We assessed the size, phase, elemental constituents, and thermal stability of TP by SEM and TEM, XRD, EPR, and EDAX analyses, respectively. The results depicted the conversion of metallic copper into copper (II) oxide in the final stages of TP preparation and exhibited nanodimensions ranging between 10 and 50 nm. The XPS spectra revealed the presence of oxygen-deficient state and a carbonaceous coating was found on the surface of TP using TEM analysis. In vivo safety was studied in rat toxicity models by adopting OECD guidelines. Body weight changes, feed, and water intake were unaltered upon TP administration. Hematological, biochemical profiling, and histopathological findings also suggested its nontoxic nature with no abnormalities in major organs and its functions. Interestingly, we found that the metal toxicity could have been subdued because of the carbonaceous coating around the nanoparticle copper (II) oxide, confirming that the drug is safe at a low dose. Overall, our study has enlightened the safety of TP supporting the use of Siddha formulations.
Microfluidic Reproduction of Dynamic Bioreactor Environment Based on Computational Lifelines
Authors: Ho Phuong , Täuber Sarah , Stute Birgit , Grünberger Alexander , von Lieres Eric 
Published: April 2022

The biotechnological production of fine chemicals, proteins and pharmaceuticals is usually hampered by loss of microbial performance during scale-up. This challenge is mainly caused by discrepancies between homogeneous environmental conditions at laboratory scale, where bioprocesses are optimized, and inhomogeneous conditions in large-scale bioreactors, where production takes place. Therefore, to improve strain selection and process development, it is of great interest to characterize these fluctuating conditions at large-scale and to study their effects on microbial cells. In this paper, we demonstrate the potential of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of large-scale bioreactors combined with dynamic microfluidic single-cell cultivation (dMSCC). Environmental conditions in a 200 L bioreactor were characterized with CFD simulations. Computational lifelines were determined by combining simulated turbulent multiphase flow, mass transport and particle tracing. Glucose availability for Corynebacterium glutamicum cells was determined. The reactor was simulated with average glucose concentrations of 6 g m−3, 10 g m−3 and 16 g m−3. The resulting computational lifelines, discretized into starvation and abundance regimes, were used as feed profiles for the dMSCC to investigate how varying glucose concentration affects cell physiology and growth rate. In this study, each colony in the dMSCC device represents a single cell as it travels through the reactor. Under oscillating conditions reproduced in the dMSCC device, a decrease in growth rate of about 40% was observed compared to continuous supply with the same average glucose availability. The presented approach provides insights into environmental conditions observed by microorganisms in large-scale bioreactors. It also paves the way for an improved understanding of how inhomogeneous environmental conditions influence cellular physiology, growth and production.
Sol-Gel Combustion-Assisted Electrostatic Spray Deposition for Durable Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Cathodes
Authors: Lee Jongseo , Bang Sehee , Lee Wonyoung 
Published: April 2022

The chemical instability of perovskite oxides containing Sr is a critical issue for the long-term operation of solid oxide fuel cells. In this study, we demonstrate a remarkable improvement in the chemical and electrochemical stability of a heterostructured La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-δ (LSC)-Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 (GDC) electrode. Electrostatic spray deposition was employed to fabricate heterostructured nanoparticles in a single step with a coaxial nozzle supplying the LSC powders in the core nozzle and the GDC precursors in the shell nozzle. Moreover, the reducing fuel added to the GDC precursor solution induced the sol-gel combustion reaction in the droplet to form a uniform nanocrystalline GDC coating with high surface coverage. The high surface coverage of GDC on the LSC more significantly improved long-term stability compared with than of the bare LSC cathode at a constant current density of 1 A/cm2 at 600°C for 100 h.
Sociometric Status in Bullying Perpetrators: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cañas Elizabeth , Estevez Estefania , Estevez Jesus F. 
Published: April 2022

Numerous studies have analyzed the relationship between sociometric status and bullying but it is difficult to reach a consensus regarding this issue.ObjectiveThe present study carried out a systematic review on the sociometric status of adolescent bullies.DesignThe bibliographic search was carried out in the mainly databases.ResultsThe findings of 29 studies selected defend three positions. First, bullying is associated with the popular status in their peer group. Second, rejected or unpopular adolescents tend to perpetrate bullying as a response to the frustration generated by their status. Finally, other group the perpetrators of bullying is among these two poles.ConclusionsThe students' sociometric status is necessary for designing bullying intervention programs at school.
Circulating Autoantibodies Recognizing Immunodominant Epitopes From Human Apolipoprotein B Associate With Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, but Not With Atherosclerotic Disease
Authors: Marchini Timoteo , Malchow Sara , Caceres Lourdes , El Rabih Abed Al Hadi , Hansen Sophie , Mwinyella Timothy , Spiga Lisa , Piepenburg Sven , Horstmann Hauke , Olawale Tijani , Li Xiaowei , Mitre Lucia Sol , Gissler Mark Colin , Bugger Heiko , Zirlik Andreas , Heidt Timo , Hilgendorf Ingo , Stachon Peter , von zur Muehlen Constantin , Bode Christoph , Wolf Dennis 
Published: April 2022

RationaleAtherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of large arteries that involves an autoimmune response with autoreactive T cells and auto-antibodies recognizing Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), the core protein of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Here, we aimed to establish a clinical association between circulating human ApoB auto-antibodies with atherosclerosis and its clinical risk factors using a novel assay to detect auto-antibodies against a pool of highly immunogenic ApoB-peptides.Methods and ResultsTo detect polyclonal IgM- and IgG-antibodies recognizing ApoB, we developed a chemiluminescent sandwich ELISA with 30 ApoB peptides selected by an in silico assay for a high binding affinity to MHC-II, which cover more than 80% of known MHC-II variants in a Caucasian population. This pre-selection of immunogenic self-peptides accounted for the high variability of human MHC-II, which is fundamental to allow T cell dependent generation of IgG antibodies. We quantified levels of ApoB-autoantibodies in a clinical cohort of 307 patients that underwent coronary angiography. Plasma anti-ApoB IgG and IgM concentrations showed no differences across healthy individuals (n = 67), patients with coronary artery disease (n = 179), and patients with an acute coronary syndrome (n = 61). However, plasma levels of anti-ApoB IgG, which are considered pro-inflammatory, were significantly increased in patients with obesity (p = 0.044) and arterial hypertension (p &lt; 0.0001). In addition, patients diagnosed with the metabolic syndrome showed significantly elevated Anti-ApoB IgG (p = 0.002). Even when normalized for total plasma IgG, anti-ApoB IgG remained highly upregulated in hypertensive patients (p &lt; 0.0001). We observed no association with triglycerides, total cholesterol, VLDL, or LDL plasma levels. However, total and normalized anti-ApoB IgG levels negatively correlated with HDL. In contrast, total and normalized anti-ApoB IgM, that have been suggested as anti-inflammatory, were significantly lower in diabetic patients (p = 0.012) and in patients with the metabolic syndrome (p = 0.005).ConclusionUsing a novel ELISA method to detect auto-antibodies against ApoB in humans, we show that anti-ApoB IgG associate with cardiovascular risk factors but not with the clinical appearance of atherosclerosis, suggesting that humoral immune responses against ApoB are shaped by cardiovascular risk factors but not disease status itself. This novel tool will be helpful to develop immune-based risk stratification for clinical atherosclerosis in the future.
Enhancing Palliative Care for Patients With Advanced Heart Failure Through Simple Prognostication Tools: A Comparison of the Surprise Question, the Number of Previous Heart Failure Hospitalizations, and the Seattle Heart Failure Model for Predicting 1-Year Survival
Authors: Blum Moritz , Gelfman Laura P. , McKendrick Karen , Pinney Sean P. , Goldstein Nathan E. 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundScore-based survival prediction in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) is complicated. Easy-to-use prognostication tools could inform clinical decision-making and palliative care delivery.ObjectiveTo compare the prognostic utility of the Seattle HF model (SHFM), the surprise question (SQ), and the number of HF hospitalizations (NoH) within the last 12 months for predicting 1-year survival in patients with advanced HF.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data from a cluster-randomized controlled trial of advanced HF patients, predominantly with reduced ejection fraction. Primary outcome was the prognostic discrimination of SHFM, SQ (“Would you be surprised if this patient were to die within 1 year?”) answered by HF cardiologists, and NoH, assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Optimal cut-offs were calculated using Youden’s index (SHFM: &lt;86% predicted 1-year survival; NoH ≥ 2).ResultsOf 535 subjects, 82 (15.3%) had died after 1-year of follow-up. SHFM, SQ, and NoH yielded a similar area under the ROC curve [SHFM: 0.65 (0.60–0.71 95% CI); SQ: 0.58 (0.54–0.63 95% CI); NoH: 0.56 (0.50–0.62 95% CI)] and similar sensitivity [SHFM: 0.76 (0.65–0.84 95% CI); SQ: 0.84 (0.74–0.91 95% CI); NoH: 0.56 (0.45–0.67 95% CI)]. As compared to SHFM, SQ had lower specificity [SQ: 0.33 (0.28–0.37 95% CI) vs. SHFM: 0.55 (0.50–0.60 95% CI)] while NoH had similar specificity [0.56 (0.51–0.61 95% CI)]. SQ combined with NoH showed significantly higher specificity [0.68 (0.64–0.73 95% CI)].ConclusionSQ and NoH yielded comparable utility to SHFM for 1-year survival prediction among advanced HF patients, are easy-to-use and could inform bedside decision-making.
Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcomes in Women With Heart Disease
Authors: Quien Mary M. , Hausvater Anaïs , Maxwell Susan M. , Weinberg Catherine R. 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundWomen with infertility and heart disease (HD) are increasingly seeking assisted reproductive technology (ART). There is only one other study that examines the safety profile of ART in this population. This study aims to evaluate the cardiac, reproductive, and obstetric outcomes of ART in women with HD.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective case-control study of women with underlying congenital or acquired HD who underwent ART at a single University fertility center from 1/2010–3/2019. Women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF), oocyte cryopreservation (OC) or embryo banking (EB) with HD were included. Cases were matched 3:1 with age-, cycle type- and cycle start date- matched controls without HD. Outcomes included cardiovascular (CV), reproductive, and obstetric complications during or following ART.ResultsTwenty women with HD were included. 15 (75%) had congenital HD, 1 (5%) had valvular disease, 1 (5%) had acquired cardiomyopathy, and 3 (15%) had arrhythmias. 90% were New York Heart Association class I. 55% of HD cases were modified WHO (mWHO) risk classification 1-2, 40% were mWHO 2-3 or 3, 5% were mWHO 4. Cases underwent 25 IVF, 5 OC, and 5 EB cycles and were compared with 79 controls who underwent 174 cycles. No CV complications or deaths occurred amongst cases following ART or pregnancy. There was no difference in risk of ART or obstetric outcomes amongst cases versus controls.ConclusionFor women with HD in this small, low -risk cohort, ART posed few risks that were similar in frequency to healthy controls.
Effect of Early Pharmacologic Cardioversion vs. Non-early Cardioversion in the Patients With Recent-Onset Atrial Fibrillation Within 4-Week Follow-Up Period: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tang Yan , Wang Yujie , Sun Xuejing , Shi Yunmin , Liu Suzhen , Jiang Weihong , Yuan Hong , Lu Yao , Cai Jingjing , Wu Junru 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundWhether early pharmacologic cardioversion is necessary for recent-onset atrial fibrillation is still controversial. Current meta-analyses were limited to evaluating the effects within 24 h without sufficient considering longer follow-up outcomes. We aimed to compare the effect of early pharmacologic cardioversion and non-early cardioversion in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation within 4-weeks of follow-up.MethodsWe searched the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Clinicaltrialsregister. eu for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before November 2021 comparing early pharmacologic cardioversion and non-early cardioversion in recent-onset atrial fibrillation and synthesized data in accordance with PRISMA-Systematic Reviews and Network Meta-Analysis (NMA). Early pharmacological cardioversion referred to immediate cardioversion with antiarrhythmic drugs (i.e., amiodarone, propafenone, flecainide, tedisamil, vernakalant, vanoxerine, and sotalol) upon admission, while non-early cardioversion involved the administration of rate-control or placebo medication without immediate cardioversion.Results16 RCTs with 2,395 patients were included. Compared to non-early cardioversion, a systematic review showed that early pharmacologic cardioversion resulted in a higher probability of sinus rhythm maintenance within 24 h (odds ratios [OR] 2.50, 95% credible interval [CrI] 1.76 to 3.54) and 1-week (2.50, 1.76 to 3.54), however, there was no significant difference in sinus rhythm maintenance within 4-weeks (1.37, 0.90 to 2.09). In subgroup analysis, the Bayesian NMA revealed that vernakalant may be successful in sinus rhythm maintenance within both 24 h (3.55, 2.28 to 5.55) and 1-week (2.72, 1.72 to 4.31). The results were consistent with the frequentist NMA.ConclusionsNon-early pharmacologic cardioversion may not be inferior to early cardioversion within a 4-week follow-up period in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation. The evidence remains insufficient to determine which antiarrhythmic agent is optimal in the longer run. Further high-quality relevant RCTs are necessary.Clinical Trial RegistrationPROSPERO CRD42020166862.
Involvement of Polyamines From Cardiac Mast Cells in Myocardial Remodeling Induced by Pressure Overload Through Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Opening
Authors: Xiong Xiaolan , Li Junming , Zhang Shizhong , Jia Xiaoli , Xiao Chao 
Published: April 2022

ObjectivePolyamines mainly contain spermine (SPM), spermidine (SPD), and putrescine (PUT). Many research results suggest that polyamines participate in cell proliferation, differentiation, and the regulation of gene expression, and have a close relationship with the occurrence and development of many diseases. However, the role and possible mechanisms of action of polyamines from cardiac mast cells in myocardial remodeling induced by pressure overload remain to be elucidated.MethodsPressure overload was induced by abdominal aortic constriction (AAC). Toluidine blue staining was used to visualize mast cells in cardiac tissue. The polyamine content of cardiac tissue was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) was determined by the Ca2+-induced swelling of isolated cardiac mitochondria, measured as a reduction in A520.ResultsCompared with sham rats, the cardiac mast cell density, the polyamine content (PUT, SPB, and SPM), and myocardial MPTP opening in rats with AAC were significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05), and were accompanied by increased myocardial fibrosis and heart weight/body weight ratio. Intraperitoneal injection of polyamines mimicked these results, and these effects were reversed by cromolyn sodium, a mast cell stabilizer (P &lt; 0.05). Myocardial MPTP opening increased in rats with AAC (P &lt; 0.05), and the three polyamines also increased myocardial MPTP opening (P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionMast cell-derived polyamines are involved in pressure overload-induced myocardial remodeling by increasing opening of the MPTP.
Exploring the Causal Effects of Circulating ST2 and Galectin-3 on Heart Failure Risk: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Wang Xizhi , Wang Xingchen , Zhu Jun , Liu Yu , Zhuang Lenan , Zhang Zhe , Zhong Danfeng , Zhang Wenbin , Lai Dongwu 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundHeart failure (HF), primarily caused by conditions such as coronary heart disease or cardiomyopathy, is a global health problem with poor prognosis and heavy burden on healthcare systems. As biomarkers of myocardial injury and fibrosis, suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) and galectin-3 were recommended for prognosis stratification in HF guidelines. However, the causality between these two mediators and HF remains obscure. This study aimed to explore the causal relationship of genetically determined ST2 and galectin-3 with the risk of HF.MethodsWe used the two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method, incorporating available genome-wide association summary statistics, to investigate the causal association of ST2 and galectin-3 with HF risk. We applied inverse-variance weighted analysis as the main method of analysis.ResultsIn our final MR analysis, 4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ST2 and galectin-3, respectively, were identified as valid instrumental variables. Fixed-effect inverse variance weighted (IVW) analysis indicated that genetically predicted ST2 and galectin-3 were not causally associated with HF risk 3. [odds ratio (OR) = 0.9999, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.9994–1.0004, p = 0.73; OR = 1.0002, 95% CI = 0.9994–1.0010, p = 0.60, respectively]. These findings were robust in sensitivity analyses, including MR-Egger regression and leave-one-out analysis.ConclusionThis MR study provided no evidence for the causal effects of ST2 and galectin-3 on HF risk.