bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of uric acid-lowering therapy in patients with essential arterial hypertension
Authors: Gruszka Krystian , Drożdż Tomasz , Wojciechowska Wiktoria , Jankowski Piotr , Terlecki Michał , Bijak Magdalena , Hering Dagmara , Bilo Grzegorz , Drożdż Dorota , Rajzer Marek 
Published: February 2022

Objectives
Asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AHU) is elevated serum uric acid (UA) without symptoms. This study aimed to determine the effects of AHU treatment with allopurinol on selected hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) indices in patients with uncomplicated essential arterial hypertension (AH).

Methods
Patients aged 30–70 years with AHU and AH grade 1–2 with adequate blood pressure (BP) control, without previous urate-lowering therapy (ULT), were divided into two groups: (a) ULT (receiving allopurinol) and (b) control (age- and sex-matched patients without ULT). Both received a UA-lowering diet. BP (office, 24 h and central), echocardiographic parameters, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and lab tests [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)] were measured at baseline and at 6 months follow-up.

Results
Of 100 participants, 87 (44 ULT, 43 controls) completed the study. At 6 months follow-up, there was a greater reduction in serum UA concentration in the ULT group than in the control group. Patients receiving allopurinol had significant reductions in office systolic and diastolic BP, central systolic BP, pulse pressure, IMT (0.773 ± 0.121 vs. 0.752 ± 0.13 mm, P = 0.044) and hs-CRP (3.36 ± 2.73 vs. 2.74 ± 1.91 mg/L, P = 0.028) compared to controls. Multivariate regression analysis revealed the independent relationship between reduction in IMT and UA lowering (P < 0.026).

Conclusion
In patients with AH and AHU, treatment with allopurinol leads to improvement in BP control and reduction in HMOD intensity, in particular IMT. The decrease in hs-CRP concentration associated with ULT may have a beneficial effect on a patient’s long-term prognosis.
Anxiety is associated with higher blood pressure rise induced by cuff inflation
Authors: Xie Feng , Wu Yanqing , Liu Huan , Yu Zuozhong , Xu Jinsong , Su Hai 
Published: February 2022

Subjects
To assess whether anxiety is associated with a higher rise of blood pressure induced by cuff inflation.

Methods
At first, intro-aortic blood pressure was continuously record before cuff inflation as baseline value in 234 patients underwent coronary angiography, then the cuff was inflated to 200 mmHg and the intro-aortic blood pressure was record again as cuff inflation blood pressure. According to anxiety score, the patients were divided into anxiety group, subanxiety group, and nonanxiety group. The difference between the baseline blood pressure and the cuff inflation blood pressure was calculated as cuff inflation-induced blood pressure elevation. When the difference ≥10 mmHg, cuff inflation-induced blood pressure elevation was diagnosed.

Results
The cuff inflation systolic blood pressure (134.9 ± 22.4 versus 131.6 ± 22.3  mmHg, P < 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (80.5 ± 11.9 versus 78.4 ± 11.6 mmHg, P < 0.01) were significantly higher than the baseline values, thus the mean cuff inflation-induced blood pressure elevation on systolic blood pressure was 3.3 ± 4.7 mmHg and that on diastolic blood pressure was 2.1 ± 4.9 mmHg. The anxiety subgroup had significantly higher percentage increase-systolic blood pressure and percentage increase-diastolic blood pressure levels (4.5 ± 3.1% and 5.6 ± 6.3%) than the nonanxiety subgroup (1.9 ± 3.3% and 2.0 ± 6.5%), meanwhile these values in the subanxiety subgroup were higher (3.2 ± 4.1% and 3.4 ± 5.7%) than the nonanxiety subgroup.

Conclusion:
Cuff inflation can induce a transient rise of intro-aortic blood pressure. Anxiety is associated with higher cuff inflation-induced blood pressure elevation.
Prognostic significance of sarcopenia in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with lenvatinib
Authors: Dong Dong , Shi Jin-Yu , Shang Xiao , Liu Bo , Xu Wei-Ling , Cui Guo-Zhen , Wang Nan-Ya 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Our study investigated the correlation between sarcopenia and clinical outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with lenvatinib. We retrospectively evaluated 40 consecutive patients with unresectable HCC receiving lenvatinib between November 2018 and May 2020 at the First Hospital of Jilin University. Skeletal muscle mass was measured before treatment initiation. Prognostic significance was assessed with univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated for patients with and without sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was present in 23/40 patients (57.5%). After a median follow-up of 9.2 months, patients with sarcopenia had significantly worse OS and PFS compared with those without sarcopenia (OS: 8.4 months [m] vs 14.7 m, P = .02; PFS: 4.2 m vs 9.0 m, P = .04). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models identified presence of sarcopenia as an independent risk factor for shorter OS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.257; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.083–0.794; P = .02). In subgroup analysis, sarcopenia was associated with worse survival than non-sarcopenic patients, irrespective of age, Barcelona clinic liver cancer stage, or albumin–bilirubin grade. Our results show sarcopenia may be a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with HCC receiving lenvatinib. Management of sarcopenia is a vital factor for improving survival outcomes in patients with HCC.
Timely identification and successful treatment of acute fatty liver of pregnancy without obvious clinical symptoms
Authors: Cao Weiping , Chen Tingmei , Jiang Wen , Geng Yinping , Xie Bing , Wang Qin , Wang Xinzhi 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Rationale:
Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare and potentially fatal complication that occurs in the third trimester or early postpartum period. The diagnosis of AFLP is based on typical clinical and laboratory features and imaging examinations.

Patient concerns:
Case 1: a 25-year-old pregnant woman was hospitalized for threatened preterm birth at gestation of 35weeks and 2 days gestation. Laboratory tests revealed liver dysfunction, coagulopathy, hypoglycemia, hypoproteinemia, leukocytosis, and elevated creatinine and uric acid levels. Case 2: a 28-year-old (nulliparous) became pregnant after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer at 29 weeks and 1 days’ gestation and came to the obstetric ward for vaginal bleeding. At 34 weeks and 1 day, laboratory investigations showed high serum creatinine, uric acid, liver dysfunction, coagulopathy, and hypoglycemia.

Diagnoses:
Two patients did not show obvious clinical symptoms, while the ultrasound findings confirmed a diagnosis of AFLP.

Interventions:
Immediate delivery and comprehensive supportive treatment are the most important methods for the treatment of AFLP.

Outcomes:
The 2 patients and their babies were discharged from the hospital in a good condition.

Lessons:
Special attention should be paid to mothers with AFLP after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. The clinical presentation of AFLP is variable, hence laboratory features and ultrasound examination may be important methods for screening for AFLP.
Excessive Oxygen Supplementation in the First Day of Mechanical Ventilation Is Associated With Multiple Organ Dysfunction and Death in Critically Ill Children*
Authors: Balcarcel Daniel R. , Coates Bria M. , Chong Grace , Sanchez-Pinto L. Nelson 
Published: February 2022

OBJECTIVES:
To determine if greater cumulative exposure to oxygen despite adequate oxygenation over the first 24 hours of mechanical ventilation is associated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome at 7 days and inhospital mortality in critically ill children.

DESIGN:
Retrospective, observational cohort study.

SETTING:
Two urban, academic PICUs.

PATIENTS:
Patients less than 18 years old who required mechanical ventilation within 3 days of admission between 2010 and 2018 (Lurie Children’s Hospital) or 2010 and 2016 (Comer Children’s Hospital).

INTERVENTIONS:
None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
There were 5,406 mechanically ventilated patients, of which 960 (17.8%) had multiple organ dysfunction syndrome on day 7 of admission and 319 died (5.9%) during their hospitalization. Cumulative exposure to greater amounts of supplemental oxygen, while peripheral oxygen saturation was 95% or more during the first 24 hours of mechanical ventilation was independently associated with an increased risk of both multiple organ dysfunction syndrome on day 7 and inhospital mortality after adjusting for confounders. Patients in the highest quartile of cumulative oxygen exposure had an increased odds of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome on day 7 (adjusted odds ratio, 3.9; 95% CI, 2.7–5.9) and inhospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1–2.9), when compared with those in the lowest quartile of cumulative oxygen exposure after adjusting for age, presence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome on day 1 of mechanical ventilation, immunocompromised state, and study site.

CONCLUSIONS:
Greater cumulative exposure to excess supplemental oxygen in the first 24 hours of mechanical ventilation is independently associated with an increased risk of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome on day 7 of admission and inhospital mortality in critically ill children.
Interference of Known or Suspected Endometriosis in Reporting FDG PET/CT Performed in Another Indication
Authors: Balogova Sona , Daraï Emile , Noskovicova Lucia , Lukac Ludovit , Talbot Jean-Noël , Montravers Françoise 
Published: February 2022

Introduction
Endometriosis is a common gynecologic condition that may be visualized on 18F-FDG PET/CT and mimic lesions of malignancy. We analyzed the interference of known or suspected endometriosis in reporting 18F-FDG PET/CT performed in another indication.

Results
The PET/CT images of 18 women with known (n = 15) or suspected (n = 3) endometriosis were analyzed. Based on clinical follow-up and results of other imaging, biopsy, and/or postsurgical histology, the presence of lesions of endometriosis at the time of 18F-FDG PET/CT was confirmed in 13 of 18 patients (72%). The per-patient positivity rate of 18F-FDG PET/CT was 8/18 (44%; 95% confidence interval, 22%–69%). The patient-based detection rate of 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with confirmed lesions of endometriosis was 8/13 (62%; confidence interval, 32%–86%). On per-lesion/site basis, 18F-FDG PET/CT detected 11 of 20 sites (55%) of endometriosis. The SUVmax of these lesions/sites ranged between 1.8 and 5.3 (median, 3.8). In 9 of 18 patients (50%), a total of 13 non–endometriosis-related lesions/sites were detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT; their SUVmax ranged between 2.7 and 23 (median, 9.4).

Conclusion
The interference of known or suspected endometriosis in reporting 18F-FDG PET/CT performed in another indication was limited but possible and should be kept in mind, even in postmenopausal women, as the oldest patient with 18F-FDG–positive endometriosis was aged 63 years. The lesions of endometriosis showed inconstant 18F-FDG uptake with overlap of SUVmax with low-grade malignancies. In our series, the greatest SUVmax value of lesion of endometriosis was 5.3, somewhat higher than the threshold of 4 previously proposed for identification of malignant transformation of endometriosis.
A Clinical Case of Delayed Posttraumatic Frontal Sinus Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage Management Via External Surgical Approach
Authors: Chrysouli Konstantina , Papanikolaou Vasileios , Chrysovergis Aristeidis , Kyrodimos Efthymios , Giotakis Evangelos 
Published: February 2022

Abstract:
Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea is frequently encountered after a fracture of the skull base. Individual fractures of the posterior wall of the frontal sinus after brain injury are uncommon. The authors present a case of a 33-year-old man with a distant history of skull base injury after a traffic accident, 12 years ago. He presented with intermittent rhinorrhea and reported 2 episodes of bacterial meningitis the last 7 years since the injury. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage was confirmed with β2-transferrin testing. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a small defect of the posterior and superior wall of the left frontal sinus and an ipsilateral meningoencephalocele.
Finally, there was a communication between intracranial space and frontal sinus that caused meningitis.
A coronal incision and frontal craniotomy with preservation of anterior pericranium was performed (frontal sinus cranialization using osteoplastic flap). In order to determine the precise margins of the frontal sinus and allow an accurate anterior table bone osteotomy and complete exposure of the sinus, the authors used a coronal view of skull X-ray. Scissors are then used to cut along the margins of the sinus. An “R” is scratched into the right side of template to record orientation. The template was sterilized and brought onto the surgical field and then placed over the left sinus
An external surgical approach (anterior table bone osteotomy) with the modern technique of osteoplastic flap access was performed. An elevator was used to separate the dura from the posterior table along the entire margin of the defect. Meningoplasty (cauterization of the meningoencephalocele) and closure of the osseous defect was followed. The authors repaired the defect of the posterior wall of the left frontal sinus using a combination of underlay and overlay technique. Femoral fascia from right thigh and fibrin glue were placed in order to cover the leak of the posterior wall of the left frontal sinus, respectively.
Patients who present with a short or/ and distant history of traumatic brain injury should be evaluated for complication of a cerebrospinal fluid leak.
Bypass Surgery Management of Complex Proximal and Distal Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysms
Authors: Zhao Haijun , Tong Xiaoguang 
Published: February 2022

Background:
For the complex posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms, standard microsurgical or endovascular technical options were not feasible. To determine the efficacy and outcomes of bypass surgery for complex PICA aneurysms, the authors herein review our recent surgical experience for complex PICA aneurysms.

Methods:
The authors retrospectively reviewed our experience of extracranial-intracranial bypass and intracranial-intracranial bypass surgery in treatment of proximal and distal complex PICA aneurysms at our institution from 2016 to 2020.

Results:
Twelve patients harboring 12 complex PICA aneurysms received bypass surgery at our institution. Seven (58.3%) patients with proximal PICA aneurysms underwent extracranial-intracranial bypass. Five (41.7%) patients with distal PICA aneurysms accepted intracranial-intracranial bypass. The postoperative symptom improvement: Of the 6 patients with preoperative hypoperfusion or ischemic of the cerebellar hemisphere, the symptom resolved in 5 patients, improved in 1 patient, of 5 patients with preoperative mass effect, the symptom resolved in 5 patients. During the follow-up period, ten patients had a modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 0 to 1, and 1 patient had an mRS score of 2. One patient had an mRS score of 3. The long-term graft patency rate was 91.7%. All patients had no recurrence of intracranial aneurysm.

Conclusions:
Base on the complexity of anatomy structure and the vascular architecture, an individualized strategy was proposed for each patient. The use of different types of bypass procedures (occipital artery-PICA end-to-end bypass, PICA-PICA end-to-end anastomosis, and/or occipital artery graft) can safely and effectively manage these complex PICA aneurysms.
Zygoma Augmentation With 3D Printed Bioactive Glass-Ceramic Implant
Authors: Jo Hyunmi , Lee Ui-Lyong 
Published: February 2022

Abstract:
Zygoma, which is located at the middle third of the face, has a significant impact on the facial impression with its volume and prominence. CaO-SiO2-P2O5-B2O3 glass-ceramics (BGS-7) has been reported as a new alternative of nonresorbable bone grafting material, which has bioactivity of inducing human osteoblast between bone and implant, resulting integration to the bone. Furthermore, its chemical characteristics are similar to bone, resulting in radiopacity with no metallic artifact on the radiographic images. With the development of Computer aided design-Computer aided manufacturing technology, BGS-7 can be manufactured into a patient-specific design.
During follow-up periods, 3D printed BGS-7 implant did not displace from the initial recipient site. By cone-beam computed tomography evaluation, a gap between bone and BGS-7 was filled with the radiopacity, which implied bony fusion. Consequently, this clinical case shows that the BGS-7 implant could be an effective and safe graft material for zygoma bone defects.
Genomic signatures of host-specific selection in a parasitic plant
Authors: Bellis Emily S. , von Münchow Clara S. , Kronberger Alan , Odero Calvins O. , Kelly Elizabeth A. , Xia Tian , Huang Xiuzhen , Wicke Susann , Runo Steven M. , dePamphilis Claude W. , Lasky Jesse R. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTPremiseParasitic plants and their hosts are model systems for studying genetic variation in species interactions across environments. The parasitic plant Striga hermonthica (witchweed) attacks a range of cereal crop hosts in Africa and exhibits substantial variation in performance on different host species. Some of this variation is due to local adaptation, but the genetic basis of specialization on certain hosts is unknown.MethodsTo identify genomic regions that are strongly differentiated between parasites attacking different host species, we present an alignment-free analysis of S. hermonthica population diversity using whole genome sequencing (WGS) data for 68 individuals from western Kenya. We validate our findings with germination experiments and analyses based on a de novo assembled draft genome.ResultsReference-free and reference-based analyses suggest that only a small portion of the S. hermonthica genome is strongly differentiated by host species in populations from western Kenya. Analysis of host-associated k-mers implicated genes involved in development of the parasite haustorium (a specialized structure used to establish vascular connections with host roots) and a potential role of chemocyanins in molecular host-parasitic plant interactions. Conversely, no phenotypic or genomic evidence was observed suggesting host-specific selection on parasite response to strigolactones, hormones exuded by host roots and required for parasite germination.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the utility of WGS for plant species with large, complex genomes and no available reference. Contrasting with theory emphasizing the role of early recognition loci for host specificity, our findings support host-specific selection on later interaction stages, recurring each generation after homogenizing gene flow.
Millennium-old Pathogenic Mendelian Mutation Discovery for Multiple Osteochondromas from a Gaelic Medieval Graveyard
Authors: Jackson Iseult , Mattiangeli Valeria , Cassidy Lara M , Murphy Eileen , Bradley Daniel G 
Published: February 2022

SummaryOnly a limited number of genetic diseases are diagnosable in archaeological individuals and none have had causal mutations identified in genome-wide screens. Two individuals from the Gaelic Irish Medieval burial ground of Ballyhanna, Co. Donegal, showed evidence of bone tumors consistent with the autosomal dominant condition multiple osteochondromas. Genome sequencing of the earlier individual uncovered a missense mutation in the second exon of EXT1, a specific lesion that has been identified in several modern patients. The later individual lacked this but displayed a novel frameshift mutation leading to a premature stop codon and loss of function in the same gene. These molecular confirmations of a paleopathological diagnosis within a single rural ancient context are surprisingly disjunct, given the observation of clusters of this disease in modern isolated populations and a de novo mutation rate of only 10%.
SdiA, a Quorum Sensing Transcriptional Regulator, Enhanced the Drug Resistance of Cronobacter sakazakii and Suppressed its Motility, Adhesion and Biofilm Formation
Authors: Cheng Chuansong , Yan Xiaotong , Liu Binxiong , Jiang Tao , Zhou Ziwen , Zhang Dongwei , Wang Huayan , Chen Dengyuan , Li Changcheng , Fanga Ting 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACTCronobacter sakazakii is a common foodborne pathogen, and the mortality rate of its infection is as high as 40-80%. Quorum sensing is a regulation system of bacterial density-dependent multigene expression and is an important regulatory mechanism involved in adhesion, biofilm formation and virulence. C. sakazakii contains a QS signal molecular receiver, which is the LuxR receptor homolog SdiA, but its regulatory mechanism in C. sakazakii QS has not been defined. Here, we further determined the effect of SdiA on the QS system of C. sakazakii. The SdiA gene in C. sakazakii was knocked out by gene editing technology, and the biological characteristics of the ΔsdiA gene deletion strain of C. sakazakii were studied, followed by transcriptome analysis to elucidate its effects. The results suggested that SdiA enhanced the drug resistance of C. sakazakii but diminished its motility, adhesion and biofilm formation ability and had no effect on its growth. Transcriptome analysis showed that the deletion of the SdiA gene upregulated the expression levels of D-galactose operon genes (including dgoR, dgoK, dgoA, dgoD and dgoT) and flagella-related genes (FliA and FliC) in C. sakazakii and downregulated the expression levels of related genes in the type VI secretion system (VasK gene was downregulated by 1.53-fold) and ABC transport system (downregulated by 1.5-fold), indicating that SdiA was related to the physiological metabolism of C. sakazakii. The results of this study may be useful for clarifying the pathogenic mechanism of C. sakazakii and provide a theoretical basis for controlling bacterial infection.IMPORTANCECronobacter sakazakii, as an emerging opportunistic foodborne pathogen, was associated with sepsis, meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates and infants, with a mortality rate of 40-80%. Quorum sensing plays an important regulatory role in the pathogenicity of C. sakazakii. Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanism of QS in C. sakazakii remains unknown. Here, we studied the QS transcriptional regulator SdiA of C. sakazakii. We revealed the regulatory mechanisms of SdiA in C. sakazakii cell adhesion, motility, biofilm formation and drug resistance. It was helpful to further explore the function of the SdiA gene, revealing the pathogenic mechanism of C. sakazakii. It will also provide a new target for therapeutic interventions targeting the pathogenicity of C. sakazakii and developing quorum-sensing inhibitors.