bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Medication use and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—a systematic review
Authors: Cui Can , Sun Jiangwei , McKay Kyla A. , Ingre Caroline , Fang Fang 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundStudying whether medications act as potential risk factors for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can contribute to the understanding of disease etiology as well as the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to summarize the existing evidence on the association between medication use and the subsequent ALS risk.MethodsA systematic review was conducted in Medline, Embase, and Web of Science from the date of database establishment to December 10, 2021. References of identified articles were further searched for additional relevant articles. Studies were included if (1) published in English, (2) explored medication use as exposure and development of ALS as outcome, and (3) the design was a human observational study. Clinical trials, reviews, comments, editorials, and case reports were excluded. Quality assessment was performed using a pre-validated tool for non-randomized studies, the Newcastle–Ottawa Assessment Scale (NOS).ResultsOf the 4760 studies identified, 25 articles, including 13 case–control studies, five nested case–control studies, six cohort studies, and one retrospective chart review, were included in the review. Among these studies, there were 22 distinct study populations that included 171,407 patients with ALS, seven classes of medication examined, and 23 studies with a NOS ≥ 5. There was a general lack of agreement between studies on the associations of cholesterol-lowering drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, antibiotics, oral contraceptives (OCs) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), antihypertensive drugs, antidiabetics, and drugs for psychiatric and neurological disorders with the subsequent risk of ALS. However, it appeared that statins, aspirin, OCs/HRT, antihypertensives, and antidiabetics were unlikely related to a higher risk of ALS. The positive associations noted for antibiotics, antidepressants, and skeletal muscle relaxants might be attributable to prodromal symptoms of ALS.ConclusionsThere is currently no strong evidence to link any medication use with ALS risk.
Pheochromocytoma with Takotsubo Syndrome and acute heart failure: a case report
Authors: Yang Lin , Zhang Yiying , Hu Yanqun , Yang Zhi 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundPheochromocytoma is a neuroendocrine tumor that can overproduce catecholamines. Heart failure and Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS) caused by excessive catecholamines are uncommon pheochromocytoma complications.Case presentationA 27-year-old woman was referred to our center for further preoperative assessment and adrenalectomy. She came to the emergency ward with the typical symptoms of acute coronary syndrome and heart failure, including chest stuffiness, dyspnea, epigastric pain, and diaphoresis. The high level of 24-hour urinary vanillylmandelic acid and abdominal computed tomography findings supported the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Transthoracic echocardiography showed diffuse hypokinesis of the left ventricular wall with an ejection fraction of 23%. All symptoms and left ventricular function recovered rapidly after left laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Histopathology findings confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Based on the above findings, we eventually diagnosed her with pheochromocytoma-induced TTS.ConclusionsThis is a rare case of pheochromocytoma without hypertension complicated by TTS and acute heart failure. A diagnosis of pheochromocytoma-induced TTS should be considered for patients presenting with uncommon heart failure, even in patients without hypertension. Standard treatment is the surgical removal of the adrenal mass.
Mu heavy chain disease with MYD88 L265P mutation: an unusual manifestation of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma
Authors: Baloda Vandana , Wheeler Sarah E. , Murray David L. , Kohlhagen Mindy C. , Vos Jeffrey A. , Yatsenko Svetlana A. , Agha Mounzer E. , Djokic Miroslav , Swerdlow Steven H. , Bailey Nathanael G. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Mu heavy chain disease is a rare lymphoid neoplasm characterized by vacuolated bone marrow plasma cells and secretion of defective mu immunoglobulin heavy chains. The biological basis of mu heavy chain disease is poorly understood.

Case presentation
We report a case of mu heavy chain disease with MYD88 L265P mutation and deletion of 6q, genetic aberrations that are both strongly associated with lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenström macroglobulinemia. Identification of the truncated mu immunoglobulin was facilitated by mass spectrometric analysis of the patient’s serum.

Conclusions
Mu heavy chain disease has been described as similar to chronic lymphocytic leukemia; however, the frequency of lymphocytosis in mu heavy chain disease has not been previously reported. We reviewed all previously published mu heavy chain disease reports and found that lymphocytosis is uncommon in the entity. This finding, along with the emerging genetic feature of recurrent MYD88 mutation in mu heavy chain disease, argues that at least a significant subset of cases are more similar to lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma than to chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Outcome of necrotizing fasciitis and Fournier's gangrene with and without hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a retrospective analysis over 10 years
Authors: Mladenov Assen , Diehl Katharina , Müller Oliver , von Heymann Christian , Kopp Susanne , Peitsch Wiebke K. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) require immediate radical debridement, broad-spectrum antibiotics and intensive care. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may be performed adjunctively, but unequivocal evidence for its benefits is still lacking.

Methods
We performed a retrospective single-center study including 192 patients with necrotizing fasciitis or Fournier's gangrene to assess in-hospital mortality and outcome dependent on patient, disease and treatment characteristics with or without HBOT.

Results
The in-hospital mortality rate was 27.6%. Factors associated with increased mortality according to multivariate analysis were higher age, affection of multiple or problem localizations (odds ratio (OR) = 2.88, P = 0.003), ineligibility for HBOT despite clinical indication (OR = 8.59, P = 0.005), pathogens in blood cultures (OR = 3.36, P = 0.002), complications (OR = 10.35, P < 0.001) and sepsis/organ dysfunction (OR = 19.58, P < 0.001). Factors associated with better survival included vacuum-assisted wound closure (OR = 0.17, P < 0.001), larger number of debridements (OR = 0.83, P < 0.001) and defect closure with mesh graft (OR = 0.06, P < 0.001) or flap (OR = 0.09, P = 0.024). When participants were stratified into subgroups without requirement of HBOT (n = 98), treated with HBOT (n = 83) and ineligible for HBOT due to contraindications (n = 11), the first two groups had similar survival rates (75.5% vs. 73.5%) and comparable outcome, although patients with HBOT suffered from more severe NSTI, reflected by more frequent affection of multiple localizations (P < 0.001), sepsis at admission (P < 0.001) and intensive care treatment (P < 0.001), more debridements (P < 0.001) and a larger number of antibiotics (P = 0.001). In the subgroup ineligible for HBOT, survival was significantly worse (36.4%, P = 0.022).

Conclusion
These results point to a benefit from HBOT for treatment of NSTI in critically ill patients.
The MCP2 and the wrist plus two extensor compartments are the most affected and responsive joints/tendons out of the US7 score in patients with rheumatoid arthritis-an observational study
Authors: Podewski A. F. , Glimm A. M. , Fischer I. , Bruyn G. A. W. , Hanova P. , Hammer H. B. , Aga A. B. , Haavardsholm E. A. , Ramiro S. , Burmester G. R. , Backhaus M. , Ohrndorf S. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundThere is no international consensus on an optimal ultrasound score for monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on patient-level yet. Our aim was to reassess the US7 score for the identification of the most frequently pathologic and responsive joint/tendon regions, to optimize it and contribute to an international consensus. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the impact of disease duration on the performance of the score.MethodsRA patients were assessed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of starting/changing DMARD therapy by the US7 score in greyscale (GS) and power Doppler (PD). The frequency of pathologic joint/tendon regions and their responsiveness to therapy were analyzed by Friedman test and Cochrane-Q test respectively, including the comparison of palmar vs. dorsal regions (chi-square test). The responsiveness of different reduced scores and the amount of information retained from the original US7 score were assessed by standardized response means (SRM)/linear regression. Analyses were also performed separately for early and established RA.ResultsA total of 435 patients (N = 138 early RA) were included (56.5 (SD 13.1) years old, 8.2 (9.1) years disease duration, 80% female). The dorsal wrist, palmar MCP2, extensor digitorum communis (EDC) and carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendons were most frequently affected by GS/PD synovitis/tenosynovitis (wrist: 45%/43%; MCP2: 35%/28%; EDC: 30%/11% and ECU: 25%/11%) and significantly changed within 6 months of therapy (allp ≤0.003 by GS/PD). The dorsal vs. palmar side of the wrist by GS/PD (p < 0.001) and the palmar side of the finger joints by PD (p < 0.001) were more frequently pathologic. The reduced US7 score (GS/PD: palmar MCP2, dorsal wrist, EDC and ECU, only PD: dorsal MCP2) showed therapy response (SRM 0.433) after 6 months and retained 76% of the full US7 score’s information.No major differences between the groups of early and established RA could be detected.ConclusionsThe wrist, MCP2, EDC, and ECU tendons were most frequently pathologic and responsive to therapy in both early and established RA and should therefore be included in a comprehensive score for monitoring RA patients on patient-level.
Investigating the power of eyes open resting state EEG for assisting in dementia diagnosis
Authors: Jennings Jack L. , Peraza Luis R. , Baker Mark , Alter Kai , Taylor John-Paul , Bauer Roman 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Introduction
The differentiation of Lewy body dementia from other common dementia types clinically is difficult, with a considerable number of cases only being found post-mortem. Consequently, there is a clear need for inexpensive and accurate diagnostic approaches for clinical use. Electroencephalography (EEG) is one potential candidate due to its relatively low cost and non-invasive nature. Previous studies examining the use of EEG as a dementia diagnostic have focussed on the eyes closed (EC) resting state; however, eyes open (EO) EEG may also be a useful adjunct to quantitative analysis due to clinical availability.

Methods
We extracted spectral properties from EEG signals recorded under research study protocols (1024 Hz sampling rate, 10:5 EEG layout). The data stems from a total of 40 dementia patients with an average age of 74.42, 75.81 and 73.88 years for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD), respectively, and 15 healthy controls (HC) with an average age of 76.93 years. We utilised k-nearest neighbour, support vector machine and logistic regression machine learning to differentiate between groups utilising spectral data from the delta, theta, high theta, alpha and beta EEG bands.

Results
We found that the combination of EC and EO resting state EEG data significantly increased inter-group classification accuracy compared to methods not using EO data. Secondly, we observed a distinct increase in the dominant frequency variance for HC between the EO and EC state, which was not observed within any dementia subgroup. For inter-group classification, we achieved a specificity of 0.87 and sensitivity of 0.92 for HC vs dementia classification and 0.75 specificity and 0.91 sensitivity for AD vs DLB classification, with a k-nearest neighbour machine learning model which outperformed other machine learning methods.

Conclusions
The findings of our study indicate that the combination of both EC and EO quantitative EEG features improves overall classification accuracy when classifying dementia types in older age adults. In addition, we demonstrate that healthy controls display a definite change in dominant frequency variance between the EC and EO state. In future, a validation cohort should be utilised to further solidify these findings.
The role of the aging microenvironment on the fate of PDGFRβ lineage cells in skeletal muscle repair
Authors: Lu Aiping , Tseng Chieh , Guo Ping , Gao Zhanguo , Whitney Kaitlyn E. , Kolonin Mikhail G. , Huard Johnny 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundDuring aging, perturbation of muscle progenitor cell (MPC) constituents leads to progressive loss of muscle mass and accumulation of adipose and fibrotic tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) give rise to adipocytes and fibroblasts that accumulate in injured and pathological skeletal muscle through constitutive activation of platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs). Although the role of the PDGFRα has been widely explored, there is a paucity of evidence demonstrating the role of PDGFRβ in aged skeletal muscle.MethodsIn this study, we investigated the role of PDGFRβ lineage cells in skeletal muscle during aging by using Cre/loxP lineage tracing technology. The PDGFR-Cre mice were crossed with global double-fluorescent Cre reporter mice (mTmG) that indelibly marks PDGFRβ lineage cells. Those cells were analyzed and compared at different ages in the skeletal muscle of the mice.ResultsOur results demonstrated that PDGFRβ lineage cells isolated from the muscles of young mice are MPC-like cells that exhibited satellite cell morphology, expressed Pax7, and undergo myogenic differentiation producing myosin heavy chain expressing myotubes. Conversely, the PDGFRβ lineage cells isolated from muscles of old mice displayed MSC morphology with a reduced myogenic differentiation potential while expressing adipogenic and fibrotic differentiation markers. PDGFRβ lineage cells also gave rise to newly regenerated muscle fibers in young mice after muscle injury, but their muscle regenerative process is reduced in old mice.ConclusionsOur data suggest that PDGFRβ lineage cells function as MPCs in young mice, while the same PDGFRβ lineage cells from old mice undergo a fate switch participating in adipose and fibrotic tissue infiltration in aged muscle. The inhibition of fate-switching in PDGFRβ lineage cells may represent a potential approach to prevent fibrosis and fatty infiltration in skeletal muscle during the aging process.
Land, sugar and pastoralism in Ethiopia: Comparing the impact of the Omo-Kuraz sugar projects on local livelihoods and food (in) security in the lower Omo Valley
Authors: Gebeyehu Adane Kebede , Abbink Jon 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThis study assesses the impact of a large, state-sponsored sugar plantation scheme on agro-pastoralists’ livelihoods and local land use change in southern Ethiopia, specifically in the lower Omo Valley. The study compares the local perceptions on the ongoing Omo-Kuraz sugar project — sugar cane plantations and a cane-crushing factory — and describes how it has affected local communities’ environmental and livelihood strategies vis-à-vis the alleged ‘new development opportunities’. Focus group discussion, key informant interviews, and field observations were applied to get in-depth information about the socio-economic and environmental impacts of large scale land acquisitions. The results show that the implementation of large scale land acquisitions in the lower Omo Valley has put enormous pressure on local land use and land management systems. The Omo-Kuraz I and II projects, started in 2011, neither met the stated economic purposes of the then Ethiopian federal government nor satisfied the pastoral communities’ needs. The LSAI project is still highly contentious among the local community, the project office, and the local government. Our study recommends that shifting the perspective towards the local agro-pastoralists’ activities, understanding their views and ways of ‘using’ the environment, and creating a broader consultation platform with them may create opportunities for cooperation and synergy to optimize benefits and sustainably adapt the development project to the local context.
Beneficial effects of Cyclosporine A in combination with Nortriptyline on germ cell-specific apoptosis, oxidative stress and epididymal sperm qualities following testicular ischemia/reperfusion in rats: a comparative study
Authors: Yazdani Iraj , Majdani Raheleh , Ghasemnejad-berenji Morteza , Dehpour Ahmad Reza 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Testicular torsion is a pathological condition which needs emergency surgical intervention. However, after surgical reperfusion, oxidative stress factors cause to germ cell apoptosis. The study was planned to evaluate the efficacy of simultaneous use of Cyclosporine A (CsA) and Nortriptyline (Nort) to repair testicular damages in an experimental torsion/detorsion (T/D) rat model.

Methods
Male rats (n = 112) were allocated into 7 groups 16 each in; (Group 1); Control group, (Group 2); T/D group, (Group 3–4); CsA 1 and 5 mg/kg, (Group 5–6); Nort 2 and 10 mg/kg and (Group 7); concurrent group, CsA (1 mg/kg) + Nort (2 mg/kg). Right uni-lateral torsion was inducted by twisting testis 720 degrees in the clockwise direction for 1 h. For short-term and mid-term studies, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activities, caspase-3 level, histopathological changes and germ cell apoptosis were evaluated. Moreover, in long-term investigation, semen analysis was performed.

Results
After T/D induction, testis abnormalities both functional and structural were appeared. Pre- and post-treatment with CsA and Nort, separately, reduced MDA and caspase-3 levels, normalized antioxidant levels, ameliorate tissue injury and improved sperm criteria.

Conclusion
The antioxidant and anti-apoptotic characteristics of CsA and Nort and their protective effects have been shown in our study. Concurrent administration of CsA and Nort in selected low-dose indicated a significant positive effect as compared to the individual drug interventions on the reversal of T/D induced oxidative stress in short-term, apoptosis, and histologic changes in mid-term, as well as semen criteria in the long-term appraisal.
A curious case of pulmonary hypertension in a child
Authors: Ahmed A. Shaheer , Divani Gaurav Kumar , Gupta Shivank 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Pulmonary hypertension in young children can be due to a myriad of conditions. Few aetiologies of pulmonary hypertension are potentially reversible. An extensive workup for the cause of pulmonary hypertension is a must before attributing it to idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. We describe an uncommon aetiology of pulmonary hypertension in a young boy.

Case presentation
A 12-year-old child, with past history of tubercular pleural effusion, presented with dyspnoea on exertion and easy fatiguability for 2 years. He was evaluated elsewhere and was being treated as primary pulmonary hypertension with pulmonary vasodilators. The child was revaluated since the clinical features were not completely favouring the diagnosis. On detailed evaluation, a diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis was made. He was referred for pericardiectomy.

Conclusions
Constrictive pericarditis presenting with severe pulmonary hypertension without congestive symptoms is very rare. In patients presenting with pulmonary hypertension, always look for a reversible cause before labeling them as idiopathic PAH.
Harmonic calibration of quadrature phase interferometry
Authors: Ferrero Baptiste , Bellon Ludovic 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
The two output signals of quadrature phase interferometers allow to benefit both from the high sensitivity of interferometry (working inside a fringe) and from an extended input range (counting fringes). Their calibration to reach a linear output is traditionally performed using Heydemann’s correction, which involves fitting one output versus the other by an ellipse. Here we present two alternative methods based on the linear response of the measurement to a sinusoidal input in time, which enables a direct calibration with an excellent linearity. A ten fold improvement with respect to the usual technique is demonstrated on an optical interferometer measuring the deflection of scanning force microscopy cantilevers.
Revisiting quantum relativistic effects from phase transition by the catastrophe theory
Authors: Wu Jiu Hui , Zhou Kejiang , Yang Shao Kun 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
In this paper we start from the Schrödinger equation to revisit some classical quantum mechanics from the perspective of phase transition process. Here the relativistic effect of particles moving at high speed can be regarded as the phase transition process when the velocity variable increases. Considering that the catastrophe theory could describe qualitatively any phase transition process, we adopt the simplest folding catastrophe type as the potential function in the Schrödinger equation to obtain a revised Schrödinger relativistic equation through the dimensionless analysis first, and then further to derive out the steady-state Klein-Gordon equation and Dirac relativistic equation gradually. These results reveal that the quantum relativistic effect could be considered as the phase transition process, which could be described by adopting the catastrophe models as the potential function in the classical Schrödinger equation.
Development of the relativistic runaway avalanches in the lower atmosphere above mountain altitudes
Authors: Chilingarian A. , Hovsepyan G. , Karapetyan T. , Sargsyan B. , Zazyan M. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe comparative analysis of three thunderstorms on Aragats in May 2021 demonstrates that relativistic runaway electron avalanches (RREAs) can reach very low altitudes above the Earth’s surface on mountain altitudes. RREAs which reach the Earth’s surface are registered by the particle detectors as thunderstorm ground enhancements (TGEs) —large enhancements of electron and gamma ray fluxes, sometimes exceeding the fair-weather background fluxes up to a hundred times. By comparing the energy spectra of electrons and gamma rays it is possible to estimate the height above the ground where an RREA terminates and avalanche particles exit the accelerating field. For the several TGEs registered on Aragats, this estimate varied between 50 and 150 meters. The threshold electric field can reachon heights of. When a lightning’s active zone is above particle detectors RREAs last tens of seconds to a few minutes, until lightning flashes terminate electron acceleration. If the lightning activity is far from the detector site, TGEs are extended for a few tens of minutes and smoothly decay and TGE has a more or less symmetrical shape.