bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early impairment of left ventricular longitudinal and radial deformation in primary mitral regurgitation
Authors: Memis H , Mihalcea D , Mihaila S , Balinisteanu A , Vinereanu D 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Grant TE 137/2020
Background. In primary mitral regurgitation (PMR) left ventricular (LV) remodeling is an adaptive process with prognostic significance.
Aim. To characterize LV deformation parameters related to PMR severity for a better understanding of LV pathophysiology, in patients with mild to severe PMR and preserved LV ejection fraction (EF).
Methods. 48 patients (56 ± 14 years, 42% men) with PMR (mild - 12 patients, moderate - 12 patients, severe - 24 patients) and 50 age and sex matched-controls (56 ± 12 years, 48% men) were analyzed by 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D STE) for LV endo, mid, and epicardial longitudinal strain (LS); endo, mid, and epicardial circumferential strain (CS); and radial strain (RS). LV volumes and EF, and LA volumes and emptying fraction (EmF) were measured by 3D echocardiography. MR severity was quantified by vena contracta (VC), PISA radius, MR regurgitant volume, and EROA measurements, according to the 2021 ESC guidelines.
Results. 3D LVEF had no significant difference between PMR patients and controls (p= 0.11). From control subjects to mild, moderate, and severe PMR, there was a progressive reduction of LS and RS (Figures 1 and 2), but not of CS. By 2D STE multilayer analysis, when compared to controls, PMR patients had decreased endo-, mid-, and epi-LS (p &lt; 0.04), with a compensatory increase of endo-LS in mild PMR (Figure 2). Basal, middle, and apical segments LS decreased similarly and progressively from control subjects to PMR patients (p &lt; 0.01). In addition, in patients with PMR only LS, but not RS or CS, correlated with MR severity (PISA radius, VC, and MR regurgitant volume: r= -0.43, r= -0.32, r= -0.38, all p &lt; 0.01), and LA function (EmF: r = -0.41, p &lt; 0.01).
Conclusion. When compared to normal subjects, patients with PMR and preserved LVEF have altered LV longitudinal and radial deformation, with preserved circumferential strain. All longitudinal layers and all LV segments were similarly affected. Only longitudinal strain correlates with MR severity and atrial function. Our study suggests that a comprehensive evaluation of the LV deformation should be included in the assessment of patients with PMR, in order to identify early stages of LV dysfunction, starting even from mild MR. Abstract Figure. LV deformation - PMR vs controls Abstract Figure. Multilayer LS in PMR patients
Phenotypic clustering of patients with newly diagnosed coronary artery disease using cardiovascular magnetic resonance and coronary computed tomography angiography
Authors: Pezel T , Unterseeh T , Hovasse T , Asselin A , Lefevre T , Chevalier B , Neylon A , Benamer H , Champagne S , Sanguineti S , Toupin S , Garot P , Garot J 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

BACKGROUND
Epidemiological characteristics and prognostic profiles of patients with newly diagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD) are heterogeneous. Thus, providing individualized cardiovascular (CV) risk stratification and tailored prevention is crucial.

PURPOSE
Phenotypic unsupervised clustering integrating clinical, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) data was used to unveil pathophysiological differences between subgroups of patients with newly diagnosed CAD.

METHODS
Between 2008 and 2020, consecutive patients with newly diagnosed obstructive CAD on CCTA and further referred for vasodilator stress CMR were followed for the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined by cardiovascular death or nonfatal myocardial infarction. A cluster analysis was performed on clinical, CCTA and CMR variables, and associations between phenogroups and outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS
Of 2,210 patients who underwent CMR, 2,015 (46% male, mean 70 ± 12 years) completed follow-up (median 6.8[IQR 5.9-9.2] years); 277 experienced a MACE (13.7%). Three mutually exclusive and clinically distinct phenogroups (PG) were identified based upon unsupervised hierarchical clustering of principal components: [PG1] CAD in elderly patients with few traditional risk factors; [PG2] women with metabolic syndrome, calcified plaques on CCTA and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF); and [PG3] younger male smokers with proximal noncalcified plaques on CCTA, myocardial scar and reduced LVEF. Using survival analysis, the occurrence of MACE, cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality (all p &lt; 0.001) differed among the three PG, PG3 having the worse prognosis. In each PG, inducible ischemia was associated with MACE (PG1, HR = 3.09, 95%CI, 1.70-5.62; PG2, HR = 3.62, 95%CI, 2.31-5.70; PG3, HR = 3.55, 95%CI, 2.30-5.49; all p &lt; 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
Cluster analysis of clinical, CCTA and CMR variables identified 3 phenogroups of patients with newly diagnosed CAD that were associated with distinct clinical and prognostic profiles. Inducible ischemia assessed by stress CMR remained associated with the occurrence of MACE within each phenogroup. Abstract Figure. Cluster analysis: Biplot representation Abstract Figure. Kaplan Meier curves by Phenogroups
Intracoronary thrombus assessment with cardiac computed tomography angiography in a deferred stenting strategy
Authors: Montes A , Pozo Osinalde E , Bastante T , Cecconi A , Garcia-Guimaraes M , Rivero F , De Rueda C , Rojas Gonzalez A , Olivera MJ , Salamanca J , De Agustin JA , Caballero P , Aguilar Torres R , Jimenez Borreguero LJ , Alfonso Manterola F 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background.
Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is precise in non-invasive coronary atherosclerosis characterization but its value in the diagnosis of intracoronary thrombus remains unknown. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CCTA for intracoronary thrombus and stenosis detection in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with high thrombus burden selected for a deferred stenting (DS) strategy.

Methods.
We systematically performed a CCTA in consecutive DS patients 24 hours before the scheduled repeated coronary angiography that also included optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. Intracoronary thrombus and residual stenosis were blindly and independently evaluated by both non-invasive and invasive diagnostic tests. Agreement was determined per lesion using weighted Kappa (K) coefficient and absolute intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). A stratified analysis according to OCT-detected thrombus burden was also performed.

Results.
Thirty lesions in 28 consecutive patients with a large thrombus burden were analyzed. Concordance between CCTA and repeated coronary angiography in thrombus detection was good (K= 0.554; p&lt; 0.001), but both showed a poor agreement with OCT. CCTA needed &gt;11.5% thrombus burden on OCT to obtain adequate diagnostic accuracy. The lesions detected by angiography were more frequently classified as red thrombus (76.5 vs 33.3%; p= 0.087) on OCT. CCTA showed an excellent concordance with coronary angiography in diameter stenosis (ICC= 0.85; p&lt; 0.001), and was able to identify all the patients with severe residual stenosis.

Conclusion.
CCTA is able to assess intracoronary thrombus. Although CCTA showed just a good concordance with angiography in thrombus detection, the agreement in residual stenosis was excellent. Thus, in patients with a high-thrombus burden CCTA may substitute repeat angiography in patients considered for DS. Abstract Figure.
Temporal and spatial microbiome dynamics across natural populations of the social spider Stegodyphus dumicola
Authors: Busck Mette M , Lund Marie B , Bird Tharina L , Bechsgaard Jesper S , Bilde Trine , Schramm Andreas 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Host–symbiont interactions may form obligatory or facultative associations that are context dependent. Long-term studies on microbiome composition from wild populations should assess the temporal and spatial dynamics of host–microbe associations. We characterized the temporal and spatial variation in the bacterial microbiome composition in six populations of the social spider Stegodyphus dumicola for 2.5 years, using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of whole spiders. Individuals within a nest exhibit highly similar microbiomes, which remain stable over several generations and are not predictably affected by seasonal variation in temperature or humidity. This stability in nest microbiome is likely due to social transmission, whereas drift-like processes during new nest foundations explain variation in host microbiomes between nests. This is supported by the lack of obligate symbionts (i.e. no symbionts are present in all spider individuals). Quantitative PCR analyses showed that the bacterial load of individual spiders is stable in healthy nests but can increase dramatically in perishing nests. These increases are not driven by specific bacterial taxa but likely caused by loss of host immune control under deteriorating conditions. Spider nests show an annual survival rate of approximately 45%, but nest death is not correlated to microbiome composition, and the bacteria found in S. dumicola are not considered to be high virulence pathogens.
Relationship Between Adipokines, Cognition, and Brain Structures in Old Age Depending on Obesity
Authors: Ha Junghee , Kwak Seyul , Kim Keun You , Kim Hyunjeong , Cho So Yeon , Kim Minae , Lee Jun-Young , Kim Eosu 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Background
Adipokines such as leptin and adiponectin are associated with cognitive function. Although adiposity crucially affects adipokine levels, it remains unclear whether the relationship between adipokines and cognition is influenced by obesity.

Methods
We enrolled 171 participants and divided them into participants with obesity and without obesity to explore the effect of obesity on the relationship between adipokines and cognition. In addition to plasma levels of leptin and adiponectin, multidomain cognitive functions and brain structures were assessed using neuropsychological testing and magnetic resonance imaging. Association between levels of these adipokines and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was then assessed by logistic regression.

Results
We found that cognitive function was negatively associated with leptin levels and leptin-to-adiponectin ratio (LAR). Such correlations between leptin and cognitive domains were prominent in participants with obesity but were not observed in those without obesity. Leptin levels were associated with lower hippocampal volumes in participants with obesity. A significant interaction of leptin and obesity was found mostly in the medial temporal lobe. Both leptin and LAR were positively associated with insulin resistance and inflammation markers in all participants. Of note, LAR was associated with a higher risk of AD after adjusting for demographic variables, Apolipoprotein E genotype, and body mass index.

Conclusions
Obesity might be a factor that determines how adipokines affect brain structure and cognition. Leptin resistance might influence the relationship between adipokines and cognition. In addition, LAR rather than each adipokine levels alone may be a better indicator of AD risk in older adults with metabolic stress.
Frailty Risk in Older Adults Associated With Long-Term Exposure to Ambient PM2.5 in 6 Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Guo Yanfei F , Ng Nawi , Kowal Paul , Lin Hualiang , Ruan Ye , Shi Yan , Wu Fan 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Background
A series of studies have explored the health effects of long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 among older adults. However, few studies have investigated the adverse effect of long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 on frailty, and the results are inconclusive. This study sought to investigate the associations between long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 and frailty in 6 low- and middle-income countries.

Methods
We included an analytical sample of 34 138 individuals aged 50 and older from the Study on global AGEing and adult health Wave 1 (2007/2010). Air pollution estimates were generated using a standard methodology derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer observations and Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer instruments from the Terra satellite, along with simulations from the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model. A 3-level hierarchical logistic model was used to evaluate the association between frailty index and long-term PM2.5 exposure at 3 levels (individual, province, and country).

Results
In rural areas, each 10 μg/m3 increase in ambient PM2.5 was associated with a 30% increase in the odds of frailty (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.21–1.39) after adjusting for various potential confounding factors. The gender-stratified analysis showed that the association seemed to be slightly stronger in men (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.18–1.46) than in women (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.07–1.36) in rural areas.

Conclusion
In a large sample of community-based older adults from 6 middle-income countries, we found evidence that long-term PM2.5 exposure was associated with frailty in rural areas.
DNA Damage in Circulating Hematopoietic Progenitor Stem Cells as Promising Biological Sensor of Frailty
Authors: Grasselli Chiara , Bombelli Silvia , Eriani Stefano , Domenici Giulia , Galluccio Riccardo , Tropeano Chiara , De Marco Sofia , Bolognesi Maddalena M , Torsello Barbara , Bianchi Cristina , Antolini Laura , Rossi Fabio , Mazzola Paolo , Leoni Valerio , Bellelli Giuseppe , Perego Roberto A 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Frailty is an age-related syndrome that exposes individuals to increased vulnerability. Although it is potentially reversible, in most cases it leads to negative outcomes, including mortality. The different methods proposed identify frailty after the onset of clinical manifestations. An early diagnosis might make it possible to manage the frailty progression better. The frailty pathophysiology is still unclear although mechanisms, in particular, those linked to inflammation and immunosenescence, have been investigated. A common feature of several clinical aspects involved in senescent organisms is the increase of oxidative stress, described as one of the major causes of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage accumulation in aged cells including the adult stem cell compartment. Likely, this accumulation is implicated in frailty status. The oxidative status of our frail, pre-frail, and non-frail population was characterized. In addition, the DNA damage in hematopoietic cells was evidenced by analyzing the peripheral blood mononuclear cell and their T lymphocyte, monocyte, circulating hematopoietic progenitor stem cell (cHPSC) subpopulations. The phosphorylation of C-terminal of histone H2AX at amino acid Ser 139 (γ-H2AX), which occurs at the DNA double-strand break focus, was evaluated. In our frail population, increased oxidative stress and a high level of DNA damage in cHPSC were found. This study may have potential implications because the increment of DNA damage in cHPSC could be suggestive of an organism impairment preceding the evident frailty. In addition, it may open the possibility for attenuation of frailty progression throughout specific drugs acting on preventing DNA damage or removing damaged cells
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Affect the Phenotype and Disease Course of Coexisting Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis
Authors: Attauabi Mohamed , Wewer Mads Damsgaard , Bendtsen Flemming , Seidelin Jakob Benedict , Burisch Johan 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Background
It is unclear whether inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) affect the phenotype and severity of co-occurring immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). We aimed to investigate the characteristics of IMIDs in relation to co-occurring IBD.

Methods
We conducted a systematic review of Medline and EMBASE databases from inception to September 2020. We identified studies reporting the phenotype, severity, or disease course of IMIDs among patients with or without co-occurring IBD. A meta-analysis was conducted using random effects models.

Results
The electronic search yielded 13 220 studies that we narrowed down to 73 eligible studies for full-text review, including 42 on primary sclerosing cholangitis, 12 on axial spondyloarthropathies, and 8 studies on psoriasis. In primary sclerosing cholangitis, IBD was associated with less frequent involvement of extrahepatic bile ducts (risk ratio [RR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33-0.75), longer liver transplantation–free survival (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.60-0.82), and no increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma (RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.59-1.31). Patients with axial spondyloarthropathies and co-occurring IBD were characterized by an increased risk of dactylitis (RR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.24-3.42), a lower Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index (mean difference [MD] = -2.28; 95% CI, -3.26 to -1.30), and better Schober’s test results (MD = 1.07; 95% CI, 0.64-1.49). Psoriasis and co-occurring IBD was associated with reduced disease severity (RR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02-1.96) and less frequent presentation in nails (RR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.05-0.42), with no apparent impact on psoriatic arthritis (RR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.27-3.31).

Conclusions
This systematic review with meta-analysis found IBD is associated with a distinct disease phenotype among the IMIDs investigated. Our findings emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary approaches to patients with co-occurring IMIDs and IBD.
Fecal Calprotectin Is a Predictor of Need for Rescue Therapy in Hospitalized Severe Colitis
Authors: Sasidharan Saranya , Sasson Alexa N , Shannon Kevin M , Ananthakrishnan Ashwin N 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Background
Up to one-third of patients hospitalized for acute severe colitis secondary to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) do not adequately respond to intravenous steroids. There is an unmet need to identify a useful predictor for rescue treatment in this cohort of patients.

Aims
The aim of this study was to assess the predictive efficacy of fecal calprotectin in identifying the need for medical or surgical therapy in patients with acute severe colitis.

Methods
We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study including patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) who were hospitalized for severe exacerbation of colitis. The primary outcome was the need for in-hospital medical or surgical rescue therapy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of rescue therapy.

Results
Our study included 147 patients with UC. One-third (33%) required rescue therapy, and 13% underwent colectomy. Patients requiring rescue therapy had significantly higher fecal calprotectin (mean 1748 mcg/g vs 1353 mcg/g, P = .02) compared with those who did not. A fecal calprotectin &gt;800 mcg/g independently predicted the need for inpatient medical rescue therapy (odds ratio, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.12-6.12). An admission calprotectin &gt;800 mcg/g independently predicted surgery within 3 months (odds ratio, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.01-8.17).

Conclusions
Fecal calprotectin levels may serve as a useful noninvasive predictor of medical and surgical risk in individuals with UC presenting with acute severe colitis. This approach can facilitate earlier therapeutic interventions and improve outcomes.
Effects of harvest date and growth stage on triticale forages in the southwest United States: agronomic characteristics, nutritive value, energy density, and in vitro disappearance of dry matter and fiber
Authors: Coblentz Wayne K , Ottman Michael J , Kieke Burney A 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Recently, there has been increased interest in including triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) or other winter cereals within forage programs throughout the southwest United States. Our objectives were to screen 14 diverse triticale cultivars for agronomic and nutritive characteristics with specific emphasis on identifying normal, as well as deviant, responses to the calendar date and plant maturity for forages seeded in December and harvested from late February throughout May at Maricopa, AZ. Fourteen cultivars were established in a randomized complete block design with each cultivar represented within each of three field blocks. Plots were clean tilled and established on December 18, 2018, and then harvested at 2-wk intervals beginning on February 27 and ending May 23, 2019. Across all harvest dates, forage (N = 315) energy density (NEL) exhibited strong negative correlations with growth stage (r =  −0.879), plant height (r =  −0.913), head weight (r =  −0.814), and estimated dry matter (DM) yield (r =  −0.886) but was positively associated with percentages of leaf (r = 0.949), and weakly associated with percentages of the stem (r = 0.138). Through April 10, similar correlations were observed within individual harvest dates (N = 45) for growth stage, leaf percentage, and plant height but not for stem or head-weight percentages. Within later harvest dates, only sporadic correlations with NEL were observed. Primarily cubic regression relationships for neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, 30- and 48-h in vitro disappearance of DM and fiber, and NEL were fit for the mean or typical cultivar using both days from February 1 and growth stage as independent variables. Coefficients of determination (R2 ≥ 0.860) in all cases indicated a good fit for the polynomial models. For NEL, deviation from the typical cultivar when days from February 1 was used as the independent regression variable was largely affected by cultivar maturation rate. When the growth stage was substituted as the independent variable, plant height, stem percentage beginning at anthesis, and low grain-head percentage were associated with the maximum negative deviant cultivar (Merlin Max). The 0.23 Mcal/kg difference between maximum positive and negative deviant cultivars at a common late-boot/early-heading stage of growth suggests that some attention should be placed on cultivar selection as well as forage inventory needs and overall cropping goals.
Function of m6A and its regulation of domesticated animals’ complex traits
Authors: Mi Siyuan , Shi Yuanjun , Dari Gerile , Yu Ying 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most functionally important epigenetic modification in RNA. The m6A modification widely exists in mRNA and noncoding RNA, influences the mRNA processing, and regulates the secondary structure and maturation of noncoding RNA. Studies showed the important regulatory roles of m6A modification in animal’s complex traits, such as development, immunity, and reproduction-related traits. As an important intermediate stage from animal genome to phenotype, the function of m6A in the complex trait formation of domestic animals cannot be neglected. This review discusses recent research advances on m6A modification in well-studied organisms, such as human and model organisms, and introduces m6A detection technologies, small-molecule inhibitors of m6A-related enzymes, interaction between m6A and other biological progresses, and the regulation mechanisms of m6A in domesticated animals’ complex traits.