bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Ameliorates the Phenotype of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Through Its Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Authors: Elkholey Khaled , Niewiadomska Monika , Morris Lynsie , Whyte Seabrook , Houser Jeremy , Humphrey Mary Beth , Stavrakis Stavros 
Published: August 2022

Background:
A systemic proinflammatory state plays a central role in the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Low-level transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (LLTS) suppresses inflammation in animals and humans, mediated by an α7nAchR (alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor)-dependent pathway. We examined the effects of LLTS on cardiac function, inflammation, and fibrosis in the presence of α7nAchR pharmacological blockade in a rat model of HFpEF.

Methods:
Dahl salt-sensitive rats at 7 weeks of age were treated with high-salt diet for 6 weeks to induce HFpEF, followed by 4 weeks of (1) LLTS, (2) LLTS with the α7nAchR blocker methyllycaconitine, (3) sham, and (4) olmesartan. Blood pressure, cardiac function by echocardiography, heart rate variability, and serum cytokines were measured at 13 and 17 weeks of age. Cardiac fibrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and gene expression were determined at 17 weeks.

Results:
LLTS attenuated the increase in blood pressure; improved cardiac function; decreased inflammatory cytokines, macrophage infiltration, and fibrosis; and improved survival compared with other groups. Methyllycaconitine attenuated these effects, whereas olmesartan did not improve cardiac function or fibrosis despite maintaining similar blood pressure as LLTS. Heart rate variability was similarly improved in the LLTS and LLTS plus methyllycaconitine groups but remained low in the other groups. LLTS reversed the dysregulated inflammatory signaling pathways in HFpEF hearts.

Conclusions:
Neuromodulation with LLTS improved cardiac function in a rat model of HFpEF through its anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects. These results provide the basis for further clinical trials in humans.
Comparison of Unguided De-Escalation Versus Guided Selection of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kuno Toshiki , Fujisaki Tomohiro , Shoji Satoshi , Sahashi Yuki , Tsugawa Yusuke , Iwagami Masao , Takagi Hisato , Briasoulis Alexandros , Deharo Pierre , Cuisset Thomas , Latib Azeem , Kohsaka Shun , Bhatt Deepak L. 
Published: August 2022

Background:

The benefit of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for reducing ischemic events is greatest in the early period of acute coronary syndrome, and recent randomized controlled trials have investigated the unguided de-escalation strategy of changing potent P2Y
12
inhibitors to less potent or reduced-dose P2Y
12
inhibitors 1 month after acute coronary syndrome. However, it remains unclear which strategy is more effective and safer: the uniform unguided de-escalation strategy versus the personalized guided selection of DAPT with genotype or platelet function tests.

Methods:
PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central were searched for articles published from database inception to September 10, 2021. Randomized controlled trials investigating DAPT using clopidogrel, low-dose prasugrel, standard-dose prasugrel, ticagrelor, unguided de-escalation strategy, and guided selection strategy for patients with acute coronary syndrome were included. Hazard ratios and relative risk estimates were extracted from each study. The estimates were pooled using a random-effects network meta-analysis. The primary efficacy outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events, defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. The primary safety outcome was major or minor bleeding. Secondary outcomes were all-cause death, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, stent thrombosis, and major bleeding.

Results:
This study included 19 randomized controlled trials with 69 746 patients. Compared with guided selection of DAPT, unguided de-escalation of DAPT was associated with a decreased risk of the primary safety outcome (hazard ratio, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.33–0.72]) without increased risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.53–1.28]) or any secondary outcomes. The results were similar when the guided selection strategy was divided into platelet function–guided and genotype-guided strategies.

Conclusions:
Compared with guided selection of DAPT, unguided de-escalation of DAPT decreased bleeding without increasing ischemic events in patients after acute coronary syndrome. If a strategy of de-escalation is chosen, these findings do not support the routine use of personalized guiding tests.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/
; Unique identifier: CRD42021273082.
Validation of two novel primers for the promising amplification of the mitogenomic Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (COI) barcoding region in Artemia aff. sinica (Branchiopoda, Anostraca)
Authors: Asem Alireza , Fu Chun-Zheng , Yang Ning , Eimanifar Amin , Cao Ying , Wang Pei-Zheng , Shen Chun-Yang 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Due to the lack of a taxonomic key for the identification of Artemia species, molecular markers have been increasingly used for phylogenetic studies. The mtCOI marker is a regularly considered marker for the molecular systematics of Artemia populations. The proposed universal and specific primers have mostly failed to amplify the Artemia aff. sinica mtCOI marker, and on the whole, the successfully amplified products of the PCR were inefficient, primarily through the representation of poly-peak or incomplete sequences. We presumed that if a forward primer could be developed regarding the joint regions of the last part of the previous gene (tRNATyr) and the beginning of the target gene mtCOI, the sequence could be relevant to the target-sequence of mtCOI. Thus, here, we describe a new set of primers, which could be used to amplify the mtCOI barcoding region of Artemia aff. sinica Cai, 1989, with a high performance of sequencing. The new primer set worked well also for other Artemia bisexual species, as well as for parthenogenetic populations. It is recommended that joint regions between the previous/next gene(s) and the target marker, could be aimed at when designing specific primers for other markers and taxa.
Promotion of Cooperation between the Communist Party of China and the Tanzania’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi in the New Era
Authors: Li Guaiqiong 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has put forward new thoughts, new ideas and new measures to guide the Party’s international work. The Communist Party of China (CPC) takes the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (“一带一路”倡议) as the starting point and the construction of ‘Community with Shared Future for Mankind’ (“人类命运共同体”) as the strategic goal to carry out the party’s diplomacy. At the same time, the proposal for a ‘China-Africa Community with a Shared Future’ (“中非命运共同体”) also puts forward new requirements for Sino-African political party exchanges. As a political party with the longest ruling time in Africa, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has a long history of friendly exchanges with the CPC. The long-standing inter-party relations between CPC and CCM is the political guarantee of Sino-Tanzanian friendship as well as an important part of Sino-Africa political party cooperation. Even before the CCM was founded, the CPC has started exchanges with TANU, CCM’s predecessor, after that, relations between CCM and CPC have gone through different stages, with some new contents and features appearing in each stage. From Mao Zedong’s Three Worlds Theory to Deng Xiaoping’s judgment on the theme of ‘Peace and Development’ and then to Xi Jinping’s ‘Community with Shared Future for Mankind’. In 2017, with Xi Jinping’s announcement at the 19th National Congress of the CPC that Socialism with Chinese Characteristics has entered a new era, the CPC’s foreign exchanges has also entered a new era, so has the inter-party exchanges between the CPC and CCM. In view of the fact that the initiator and advocate of world party diplomacy is the CPC, this article will take the perspective of the CPC and the Chinese official narrative to analyze the new tasks and opportunities facing the cooperation between CPC and CCM in the new era, especially in the complicated international context of a world undergoing changes unseen in a century.
Association Between Triglycerides, High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, and Their Ratio With the Pulse Wave Velocity in Adults From the ELSA-Brasil Study
Authors: Lelis Deborah de Farias , Cunha Roberto S. , Santos Raul D. , Sposito Andrei C. , Griep Rosane Härter , Barreto Sandhi Maria , Molina Maria del Carmen B. , Schmidt Maria Inês , Duncan Bruce B. , Bensenor Isabela , Lotufo Paulo Andrade , Mill José Geraldo , Baldo Marcelo Perim 
Published: August 2022

Atherogenic dyslipidemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and the triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein (TG/HDL-C) ratio with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), a marker of vascular stiffness. Anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical data from 13,732 adults were used to assess this association. Individuals within the third TG/HDL-C tertile presented worse anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical profiles as compared with the participants in the lower TG/HDL-C tertile. There was a linear association between TG, HDL-C, and TG/HDL-C ratio and cf-PWV in both men and women (stronger in women). After adjustment for confounders, lower levels of HDL-C were associated with increased cf-PWV in men (9.63 ± .02 m/s) and women (8.90 ± .03 m/s). However, TG was not significantly associated with cf-PWV after adjustment, regardless of sex. An increased TG/HDL-C ratio is associated with higher cf-PWV only in women (9.01 ± .03 m/s), but after adjustment for HDL-C levels, the association was non-significant (8.99 ± .03 m/s). These results highlight the stronger association of HDL-C with arterial stiffness, and that the association of TG/HDL-C with cf-PWV is dependent on HDL-C.
Restarting Therapeutic Antibiotics Following Postoperative Prophylaxis in Head and Neck Microvascular Free Tissue Transfer
Authors: Plonowska‐Hirschfeld Karolina A. , Zebolsky Aaron L. , Lindeborg Michael M. , McNeill Christian , Knott P. Daniel , Seth Rahul , Park Andrea M. , Heaton Chase M. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo determine factors associated with restarting therapeutic antibiotics within 30 days of head and neck microvascular free tissue transfer (HN‐MFTT).Study DesignRetrospective study of consecutive HN‐MFTTs performed from January 2015 to July 2020.SettingTertiary academic medical center.MethodsThirty‐day postoperative antibiotic use and post–HN‐MFTT surgical and medical complications were assessed. Univariable analyses and multivariable logistic regression were used to evaluate risk factors associated with restarting antibiotics.Resultsoverall 482 patients with 501 HN‐MFTTs were stratified by duration of prophylaxis: ≤24 hours (n = 136, 27.1%), 25‐72 hours (n = 54, 10.8%), and >72 hours (n = 311, 62.1%). Antibiotics were restarted in 199 patients (209 procedures, 42%). The most common indications for antibiotic reinitiation were flap recipient site infection (n = 59, 28%); hospital‐acquired pneumonia (n = 44, 21%); and wound dehiscence, fluctuance, or change in quality of drain output (n = 44, 21%). Shorter antibiotic prophylaxis (≤24 hours) (odds ratio [OR], 1.95; 95% CI, 1.2‐3.0; P = .003), osteocutaneous flaps (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.3‐3.4; P = .001), and prior immunotherapy/chemotherapy (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.2‐4.3; P = .01) were associated with reinitiation of antibiotics for surgical infections. Restarting antimicrobials for nosocomial infections was associated with aerodigestive defects (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.1‐5.2; P = .019), cardiovascular disease (OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.5‐5.9; P = .001), and medical comorbidities approximated by American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 or 4 (OR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.5‐5.4; P = .002).ConclusionAerodigestive reconstruction, 24‐hour postoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis, American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 and 4, prior chemotherapy/immunotherapy, cardiovascular disease, and osteocutaneous flaps are associated with reinitiation of antibiotics within 30 days of HN‐MFTT.
Association between sagittal spinal alignment and mechanical complications after primary total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review
Authors: Susanna Hiltunen , Jussi Repo , Teemu Karjalainen , Kati Kyrölä 
Published: August 2022

Objective Total hip arthroplasty (THA) affects pelvic posture and spinal alignment. These postural changes may further predispose patients to mechanical complications (MCs) after THA. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review to investigate whether any high-quality studies have assessed the association between sagittal spinal alignment and MCs after primary THA. Methods Inclusion criteria for studies were adult patients (age ≥18 years), primary THA, pre- and postoperative spinopelvic standing sagittal radiographs acquired preoperatively and at a minimum of 6-month follow-up, measurements of spinopelvic parameters, and reporting of possible MCs after THA. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Results Six articles met the inclusion criteria. Although several studies confirmed the importance of spinal alignment when planning THA, these mainly investigated pelvic mobility as a risk factor for THA dislocation. Radiological follow-up imaging practices varied, and studies focused on different individual spinopelvic parameters. Conclusion Based on our study findings, no conclusions can be drawn regarding the association between sagittal spinal alignment and MCs after primary THA. Further research is needed to improve our knowledge of the connection between MCs after THA and sagittal spinal alignment.
Augmented Renal Clearance in the Hematology and Oncology Populations: A Scoping Review for Pharmacists
Authors: Nelson Nicholas R. , Mendoza Chelsea , Rhoney Denise H. 
Published: August 2022

Introduction Until recently, interest in renal function has focused on impairment to limit drug toxicity and increase medication safety. Augmented renal clearance (ARC) has been increasingly studied in multiple patient populations, including oncology, and could lead to decreased drug efficacy from faster elimination resulting in subtherapeutic concentrations. This scoping review sought to summarize ARC literature in cancer and identify areas of research to better inform pharmacy practitioners. Data Sources Electronic databases were searched for English articles related to augmented/enhanced renal function/clearance following a framework for scoping reviews. Data Synthesis Fourteen articles were analyzed, divided according to article objective: descriptive studies or ARC’s impact on pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics. ARC was most defined as creatinine clearance >130 mL/min/1.73 m2, reported in 10%-100% of patients. Febrile neutropenia in adult and pediatric patients, and age <50-65 years, hematologic malignancy, and lower serum creatinine in adult patients were notable risk factors for ARC. The impact of ARC has only been evaluated with antimicrobial agents consistently resulting in lower than anticipated trough levels. Identified gaps include: elucidation of ARC’s mechanism and associated biomarkers, an inclusive ARC definition for relative renal enhancement, and study of additional drug classes to ascertain the breadth of ARC impact on drug therapy. Conclusions ARC is proving to be a frequent phenomenon in patients with cancer which pharmacists could play a vital role. Further research is needed to better understand the impact of ARC in patient care and a potential need to stage ARC based on degree of renal enhancement to establish specific drug dosing recommendations.
Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in pregnant women from Durban, South Africa
Authors: Mabaso Nonkululeko , Ngobese Bongekile , Tinarwo Partson , Abbai Nathlee 
Published: August 2022

Introduction The Sub–Saharan African region has some of the world’s highest prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These infections are considered a major public health concern. Previous studies on the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection in Sub-Saharan Africa have reported rates ranging from 3.1% to 36.8% in pregnant women. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors associated with C. trachomatis infection in pregnant women. Methods This study included 735 stored clinical samples that were collected from pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban from 2018 -2021. C. trachomatis was detected using the Applied BiosystemsTM TaqMan® Assays from stored DNA samples. Results A total of 81/735 (11%) samples tested positive for C. trachomatis infection. The overall median (Q1-Q3) age of the women was 29.0 years (24.0–35.0). The majority of the women who tested positive for C. trachomatis were younger, median (Q1-Q3) age 26.0 years (23.0–32.0) vs 30.0 years (25.0–35.0) for the negative women ( p < .001). Of the positive women, 96.3% were unmarried ( p=0.014). Older women were less likely to test positive for C. trachomatis infection (OR: 0.93; 95% CI 0.89–0.96 p = .001). Women who were married (OR: 0.25; 95% CI 0.06–0.70; p = .022), co-habiting with their partner (OR: 0.60; 95% CI 0.36–0.98; p = .048) and started having sex at older than 15 years (OR:0.26; 95% CI 0.09–0.87; p = .018) were less likely to test positive for C. trachomatis compared to their counterparts. Conclusion This study showed that behavioural and clinical factors were associated with prevalent infections. In order to reduce prevalent infections, stronger risk reduction counselling messages need to be provided from the educational and public health sector.
Development of a Scale to Measure Psychosocial Risks and Protective Factors in Adolescents
Authors: Ashmitha Praballa , Annalakshmi Narayanan 
Published: August 2022

Background: Resilience among adolescents can best be understood by examining the risk and protective factors in the lives of at-risk adolescents. A standardized tool to identify adolescent psychosocial risk and protective factors may help better understand the strengths, vulnerabilities, and the potential for resilience among adolescents. Hence, the present study aims to identify and measure the risk and protective factors in the lives of adolescents. Methods: A sequential exploratory mixed-methods design was used to develop a tool that measures risk and protective factors among adolescents. The qualitative study explored psychosocial risk and protective factors among high-risk adolescents using 4 major domains: individual, family, school, and community. To develop the tool, prisoners (N = 12), caregivers of the prisoners’ children (N = 12), teachers of the prisoners’ children (N = 12), and prison authorities (N = 12) were interviewed about their experiences with prisoners’ children. The interview data were analyzed, and items reflecting the risk and protective factors in the lives of the adolescent children of incarcerated parents were generated. The item pool consisting of 239 items was administered to a sample of 312 rural adolescent students. To validate the risk factors scale and protective factors scale, self-report scales measuring behavior problems, adjustment, well-being, and positivity were used. Results: The new tool developed to measure the risk and protective factors for adolescent psychosocial development was found to have adequate test-retest reliability, content validity, convergent validity, and divergent validity. Conclusion: In this study, a scale to identify psychosocial risk and protective factors was developed and standardized. The tool will be helpful to psychologists and counselors working with adolescents to understand the risks and protective factors present in their lives and design interventions to nurture resilience in them.
Understanding the Mechanism of Drug Transfer and Retention of Drug-Coated Balloons
Authors: Villar-Matamoros Estefanny , Stokes Lauren , Lloret Alyssa , Todd Meagan , Tillman Bryan W. , Yazdani Saami K. 
Published: August 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of varying inflation parameters on paclitaxel delivery and retention using a commercially available DCB. Background: Drug-coated balloons (DCB) have become the standard treatment for peripheral artery disease. Clinical data suggest that varying DCB delivery parameters directly impact patient outcome. Differences in delivery parameters can potentially alter the retention of the drug coating on DCBs. Methods: Harvested porcine carotid arteries were utilized in an ex vivo pulsatile flow bioreactor system. The DCBs were then deployed at a DCB-to-artery ratio of 1:1 or 1.25:1, an inflation time of 30 seconds or 1 minute and transit time of 30 seconds or 3 minutes. The amount of drug retention in arterial tissue was evaluated by pharmacokinetic analysis at 1 hour and 1 day post DCB deployment. Results: Arterial paclitaxel levels were found to be less at an inflation ratio of 1:1 with 3-minute transit time as compared to 30 seconds of transit time at 1 hour (12.3 ± 1.6 ng/mg vs. 391 ± 139 ng/mg, P = .036). At 1-day, DCBs deployed at a ratio of 1:1 resulted in less drug retention as compared to 1.25:1 (61.3 ± 23.1 ng/mg vs. 404 ± 195 ng/mg, P = .013). Conclusion: Arterial paclitaxel retention is reduced with extended transit times and sub-optimal expansion of the balloon. Optimization of delivery parameters can serve as an effective strategy to enhance clinical DCB outcomes.
How does the COVID-19 pandemic impact medication adherence of patients with chronic disease?: A systematic review
Authors: Ruksakulpiwat Suebsarn , Zhou Wendie , Niyomyart Atsadaporn , Wang Tongyao , Kudlowitz Aaron 
Published: August 2022

Objective To determine how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts patients with chronic disease medication adherence. Methods Four electronic databases, PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and CINAHL Plus Full Text, were searched for literature between 2019 and 2021. Abstracts and later full texts were independently screened by the authors of this review using inclusion and exclusion criteria to determine relevance to our study. Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools were used to assess the quality of included texts. Relevant information and data from the included texts were extracted into tables for data synthesis and analysis. Results Ten studies met the study criteria, the most popular study design was cross-sectional design (n = 9, 90.0%), others were case series (n = 1, 10.0%). Barriers to medication adherence and facilitators of medication adherence were the major two themes that participants reported regarding the impact of COVID-19 on medication adherence. Moreover, these two main themes have been organized in sub-themes that are dealt with in-depth. Discussion Our results could heighten healthcare providers, stakeholders, and policy leaders’ awareness of providing appropriate support for chronic disease patients, especially regarding medication adherence. Future research incorporating programs that support patients’ needs is recommended.