bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between vitamin D and calcium intakes, breast microcalcifications, breast tissue age-related lobular involution and breast density
Authors: Clemenceau Alisson , Chang Sue-Ling , Hanna Mirette , Durocher Francine , Diorio Caroline 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Objective
To demystify the potential role of vitamin D and calcium intakes in breast carcinogenesis, we explored the association between these two nutrients and three biomarkers of breast cancer risk: the presence of microcalcifications, age-related lobular involution and breast density.

Methods
A total of 82 premenopausal and 79 postmenopausal women diagnosed with breast cancer completed a food frequency questionnaire to assess their total vitamin D and calcium intakes. Presence of microcalcifications was determined by reviewing pathology reports. Age-related lobular involution was assessed in nontumoral breast tissue on hematoxylin–eosin-stained slides and percent breast density was assessed by a computer-assisted method. Multivariate generalized linear models were used to evaluate associations between quartiles of vitamin D and calcium intakes and the biomarkers of breast cancer risk.

Results
Increasing quartiles of vitamin D intake were inversely associated with the presence of microcalcifications (fourth quartile [Q4] prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.55; P
trend = 0.021) and breast density (Q4-Q1 = −7.7%; P
trend = 0.023) in postmenopausal women, and positively associated with age-related lobular involution in women with microcalcifications (Q4 PR = 1.62; P
trend = 0.036). Increasing quartiles of calcium intake were inversely associated with microcalcifications among all (Q4 PR = 0.44), premenopausal (Q4 PR = 0.37) and postmenopausal women (Q4 PR = 0.38; P
trend < 0.014 for all). It was also inversely associated with breast density in women without microcalcification (Q4-Q1 = −8.3%; P
trend = 0.047), but positively associated with breast density in women with microcalcifications (Q4-Q1 = 10.0%; P
trend = 0.032).

Conclusions
Results suggest that the association between vitamin D and calcium intakes and breast cancer risk factors could be influenced by the presence of microcalcifications.
The severity of individual menopausal symptoms, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Cohort
Authors: Nudy Matthew , Aragaki Aaron K. , Jiang Xuezhi , Manson JoAnn E. , Allison Matthew A. , Shadyab Aladdin H. , Hodis Howard N. , Wild Robert A. , Robbins John A. , Liu Simin , Naughton Michelle J. , Dreibelbis Sarah , Gass Margery , Stefanick Marcia L. , Valdiviezo Carolina , Schnatz Peter F. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Objective
The aim of this study was to examine the association between common menopausal symptoms (MS) and long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality.

Methods
In an observational cohort of 80,278 postmenopausal women with no known CVD at baseline from the Women's Health Initiative, we assessed individual MS severity (mild vs none; moderate/severe vs none) for night sweats, hot flashes, waking up several times at night, joint pain or stiffness, headaches or migraines, vaginal or genital dryness, heart racing or skipping beats, breast tenderness, dizziness, tremors (shakes), feeling tired, forgetfulness, mood swings, restless or fidgety, and difficulty concentrating. Outcomes included total CVD events (primary) and all-cause mortality (secondary). Associations between specific MS, their severity, and outcomes were assessed during a median of 8.2 years of follow-up. All results were multivariable adjusted, and individual associations were Bonferroni corrected to adjust for multiple comparisons. A machine learning approach (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) was used to select the most parsimonious set of MS most predictive of CVD and all-cause mortality.

Results
The severity of night sweats, waking up several times at night, joint pain or stiffness, heart racing or skipping beats, dizziness, feeling tired, forgetfulness, mood swings, restless or fidgety, and difficulty concentrating were each significantly associated with total CVD. The largest hazard ratio (HR) for total CVD was found for moderate or severe heart racing or skipping beats (HR, 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-1.86). The individual severities of heart racing or skipping beats, dizziness, tremors (shakes), feeling tired, forgetfulness, mood swings, restless or fidgety, and difficulty concentrating were associated with increased all-cause mortality. Moderate or severe dizziness had the largest HR (1.58; 95% CI, 1.24-2.01). Multiple symptom modeling via least absolute shrinkage and selection operator selected dizziness, heart racing, feeling tired, and joint pain as most predictive of CVD, whereas dizziness, tremors, and feeling tired were most predictive of all-cause mortality.

Conclusion
Among postmenopausal women with no known CVD at baseline, the severity of specific individual MS was significantly associated with incident CVD and mortality. Consideration of severe MS may enhance sex-specific CVD risk predication in future cohorts, but caution should be applied as severe MS could also indicate other health conditions.
Effects of an Education Program for Home Blood Pressure Measurements in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kishita Shingo , Hyakuta Takeshi 
Published: October 2022

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Stroke patients must review their previous lifestyle and take daily actions to control risk factors for recurrence.METHODS: A nonblind, randomized controlled trial was conducted in stroke patients to determine whether an education program intervention would alter behavior concerning home blood pressure measurements. This prospective, randomized controlled trial recruited 48 inpatients with stroke randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 24) or a usual care group (n = 24). The intervention involved 5 face-to-face support or telephone support sessions over 6 months to provide information regarding home blood pressure measurements and to confirm patient behavior using a textbook, a blood pressure recording form, and a blood pressure measurement device.RESULTS: There were no significant differences at baseline between the intervention and usual care groups. The median rate of performing home blood pressure measurements at 12 months was significantly higher in the intervention group (100.0% [99.1%-100.0%], n = 24) than the control group (62.5% [27.7%–87.5%], n = 24) (P< .001). The rates of home blood pressure measurements (at 1, 3, and 7 months after registration) were also significantly higher in the intervention group. Seven months after registration, home blood pressure values (systolic blood pressure) were significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group (P= .025). In contrast, there was no significant difference at 1, 3, or 12 months after registration.CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that although the rate of home blood pressure measurements in both groups decreased, the rate was higher in the intervention group compared with the usual care group, indicating that the intervention was effective.
Gastric submucosal mass lesions
Authors: Desai Nikita , Monsrud Ashley , Willingham Field F. 
Published: October 2022

Purpose of review
Gastric submucosal mass lesions are a collection of tumours that arise in the stomach and are deep to the mucosal layer. Distinct from gastric epithelial carcinomas, these tumours are generally more indolent. They are often found incidentally on upper endoscopy. Most often they present as smooth protuberant masses covered by normal intact gastric mucosa. The majority are asymptomatic. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is frequently employed to further characterize the lesions. EUS can be diagnostic of some lesions, such as lipomas, and can be used to guide fine needle aspiration to diagnose others. Adding to the traditional management approaches of observation and surgical resection, numerous new and emerging endoscopic therapies are now being used to resect these gastric tumours.

Recent findings
This review focuses on evolving strategies in the diagnosis and management of submucosal mass lesions. Although surgical intervention was once the lone option for intervention, there are an increasing number of endoscopic therapies. There have also been advancements in neoadjuvant therapies and in distinguishing the malignant potential of submucosal mass lesions.

Summary
Gastric submucosal lesions are common. EUS is frequently indicated in the evaluation and diagnosis. For tumours for which observation is not recommended, novel endoscopic therapies may offer less invasive management options.
Intracerebral Hemorrhage Segmentation on Noncontrast Computed Tomography Using a Masked Loss Function U-Net Approach
Authors: Coorens Nadine A. , Lipman Kevin Groot , Krishnam Sanjith P. , Tan Can Ozan , Alic Lejla , Gupta Rajiv 
Published: October 2022

Objective
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume is a strong predictor of outcome in patients presenting with acute hemorrhagic stroke. It is necessary to segment the hematoma for ICH volume estimation and for computerized extraction of features, such as spot sign, texture parameters, or extravasated iodine content at dual-energy computed tomography. Manual and semiautomatic segmentation methods to delineate the hematoma are tedious, user dependent, and require trained personnel. This article presents a convolutional neural network to automatically delineate ICH from noncontrast computed tomography scans of the head.

Methods
A model combining a U-Net architecture with a masked loss function was trained on standard noncontrast computed tomography images that were down sampled to 256 × 256 size. Data augmentation was applied to prevent overfitting, and the loss score was calculated using the soft Dice loss function. The Dice coefficient and the Hausdorff distance were computed to quantitatively evaluate the segmentation performance of the model, together with the sensitivity and specificity to determine the ICH detection accuracy.

Results
The results demonstrate a median Dice coefficient of 75.9% and Hausdorff distance of 2.65 pixels in segmentation performance, with a detection sensitivity of 77.0% and specificity of 96.2%.

Conclusions
The proposed masked loss U-Net is accurate in the automatic segmentation of ICH. Future research should focus on increasing the detection sensitivity of the model and comparing its performance with other model architectures.
Rheum-CoV-2 Vaccination Case Series
Authors: VanDerVeer Seth J. , Maier Kyle D. , Hill Erica M. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Objectives
In this case series, we present 5 cases of autoimmune rheumatic disease onset shortly after receiving mRNA vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods
We identified 5 patients from Brooke Army Medical Center who developed new manifestations of rheumatic disease following the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations. All patients were initially seen in primary care and then referred to rheumatology for further evaluation and management. Clinical data were obtained through review of the electronic medical record.

Results
Three cases involve elderly women with insidious onset of symmetric wrist and hand polyarthritis with seropositivity for rheumatoid factor. One case involves an elderly woman with a subacute onset of lower extremity–predominant, symmetric polyarthritis. One case involves an elderly man with insidious onset of bilateral shoulder and hip stiffness and arthralgias in the setting of elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and a rapid response to glucocorticoid therapy.

Conclusion
Whether there exists a causal or contributory relationship between COVID-19 mRNA vaccination and the development of autoimmune rheumatic disease remains to be determined. Ultimately, further research is needed to establish if there is a true connection between the two.
“The Double S” Technique: Subfascial Dissection and Temporalis Muscle Splitting to Prevent Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak and Maximize Surgical Exposure
Authors: Graziano Francesca , Scalia Gianluca , Paolini Federica , Umana Giuseppe E. , Maugeri Rosario , Iacopino Domenico G. , Nicoletti Giovanni F. 
Published: October 2022

Background:
Middle cranial fossa surgery commonly is approached either performing a subtemporal or a pterional craniotomy. To maximize a basitemporal region exposure, an adjunctive bone drilling could be required. In these cases, a watertight dura and temporalis muscle closure are mandatory.

Objective:
To describe a modified temporalis muscle dissection in middle cranial fossa surgery to increase basitemporal region exposure while assuring a safe and effective closure thus avoiding cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage.

Methods:
A total of 8 patients have been enrolled. Five pterional and 3 subtemporal approaches were performed. In all cases, the novel subfascial muscle dissection and temporalis muscle splitting technique named “the double S technique,” was performed to cut up the temporal muscle.

Results:
In all cases, a subgaleal drainage was used and removed within 48 hours. No cases of postoperative CSF leak or hematoma collection were reported.

Conclusions:
The double S technique is a safe and effective alternative to enhance the basitemporal region exposure while avoiding the potential, common risk of CSF leak.
Iodoform Gauze Packing is an Alternative Therapy for Postoperative Parotid Fistula
Authors: Hao Xing , Lv Kun 
Published: October 2022

Surgery-related salivary fistula is the result of intraoperative or postoperative parotid gland damage and extravasation of fluid secreted by acinar into the interstitial space. Most are treated conservatively. Local injection of botulinum toxin is an effective method, but it is relatively expensive and not available in some hospitals. In clinical practice, the authors observed that packing iodoform gauze from the fistula toward the parotid gland can quickly stop postoperative salivary fistula in several patients. This method is simple and easy to implement, and the effect is quick. The disappearance of the salivary fistula was observed on the next day after packing the iodoform gauze. Iodoform gauze packing is an alternative therapy for postoperative parotid fistula. It can be used in areas where botulinum toxin is not available.
Quantifying the mechanical properties of yeastCandida albicansusing atomic force microscopy-based force spectroscopy
Authors: Jones Christopher R. , Zhang Zhenyu Jason , Tsai Hung-Ji 
Published: October 2022

AbstractFungi can adapt to a wide range of environmental stress in the wild and host milieu by employing their plastic genome and great diversity in morphology. Among different adaptive strategies, mechanical stimuli, such as changes in osmotic pressure, surface remodelling, hyphal formation, and cell divisions, could guide the physical cues into physiological responses through complex signalling network. While fungal pathogens require a pressure-driven force to expand and penetrate host tissues, quantitatively studying the biophysical properties at the host-fungal interface is critical to understand the development of fungal diseases. Microscopy-based techniques have enabled researchers to monitor the dynamic mechanics on fungal cell surface in responses to the host stress and antifungal drugs. Here, we describe a label-free, high-resolution method based on atomic force microscopy, with a step-by-step protocol to measure the physical properties in human fungal pathogenCandida albicans.
TRB3 augments IL1β-TLR4 signaling by engaging Flightless-homolog 1
Authors: Gonuguntla Sumati , Humphrey Rohan K. , Gorantla Akshita , Hao Ergeng , Jhala Ulupi S. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractSignaling via IL1β and TLR4 receptors (IL1R-TLR4) plays a crucial role in cytokine and fatty acid-induced beta cell inflammation, in type 1 and type 2 diabetes respectively. IL1R-TLR4 share signaling mechanisms via a common, cytoplasmic, toll-like-receptor domain to activate proinflammatory JNK and IKK kinases. We have previously reported that in response to IL1β, pancreatic islets isolated from TRB3 knockout (TRB3KO) mice show attenuated kinetics of activation for MAP3K MLK3, and JNK stress kinases. Here we report that similar to MLK3 and JNK, TRB3KO islets also show a decrease in amplitude and duration of IL1β/LPS-stimulated TAK1 and IKK phosphorylation. Thus, loss of TRB3 attenuates both pathways critically required for a full-blown, cytokine-inducible, proapoptotic response in beta cells. TRB3KO islets display a sharp decrease in cytokine-induced beta cell death, accompanied by a decrease in select downstream NFkB targets, most notably, inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS/NOS2), a well-characterized mediator of beta cell dysfunction and death. In order to better understand the molecular basis of TRB3-enhanced IL1R-TLR4 signaling, we interrogated the TRB3 interactome and identified Flightless-homolog 1 (Fli1), an immunomodulatory, actin-binding, leucine-rich-repeat protein, as a novel TRB3-interaction factor. TRB3 binds and disrupts Fli1-dependent sequestration of MyD88, thereby increasing availability of this proximal adaptor to participate in IL1R-TLR4 signaling. Fli1 forms a multiprotein complex that can disconnect IL1R-TLR4 from MyD88, resulting in a brake on assembly of downstream signaling complexes. By interacting with Fli1, TRB3 lifts the brake on IL1R-TLR4 signaling to augment the proinflammatory response in beta cells.
Network-based hub biomarker discovery for glaucoma
Authors: Zhang Xueli , Ma Shuo , Shang Xianwen , Zhang Xiayin , Kong Lingcong , Jason Ha , Huang Yu , Zhu Zhuoting , Liu Shunming , Kiburg Katerina , Shi Danli , Wang Yueye , Bao Yining , Lai Hao , Wang Wei , Hu Yijun , Zhao Ke , Hu Guang , Liang Huiying , Yu Honghua , Zhang Lei , He Mingguang 
Published: October 2022

ABSTRACTGlaucoma is an optic neuropathy, and the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. However, the early detection of glaucoma remains challenging as chronic forms of glaucoma remain largely asymptomatic until considerable irreversible visual field deficits have ensued. Thus, biomarkers that facilitate early diagnosis and treatment for patients with a high risk of progression are critical. Network medicine approaches can be useful in identifying key relationships and important biomolecules for complex diseases. In this paper, we identified several hub biomarkers/drug targets for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis for glaucoma and explored their associations for glaucoma based on human disease-biomarker and disease-target-drug networks. These results were verified by text-mining and genomic/epidemiology data. We also predicted the new application of BMP1 and MMP9 to diagnose glaucoma and confirm the theory of hub biomarkers with multiple clinical applications. Further, relevant pivotal pathways (regulation of the multicellular organismal process, regulation of localisation, and cytoplasmic vesicle for biomarkers; signal transduction and developmental process for targets) for these hub biomolecules were discovered, which may be foundations for future biomarker and drug target prediction for glaucoma. In conclusion, based on complex networks, hub biomolecules, essential pathways, and close diseases were identified for glaucoma in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
Altered Neural Oscillations Underlying Visuospatial Processing in Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI)
Authors: Federici Alessandra , Bennett Christopher R. , Bauer Corinna M. , Manley Claire E. , Ricciardi Emiliano , Bottari Davide , Merabet Lotfi B. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractVisuospatial processing deficits are commonly observed in individuals with cerebral visual impairment (CVI) and even in cases where visual acuity and visual field functions are intact. CVI is a brain-based visual disorder associated with the maldevelopment of central visual pathways and structures. However, the neurophysiological basis underlying higher-order perceptual impairments in this condition has not been clearly identified, which in turn posits limits on rehabilitative interventions. Using combined eye tracking and electroencephalography (EEG) recordings, we assessed the profile and performance of visual search on a naturalistic virtual reality (VR)-based task. Participants with CVI and controls with neurotypical development were instructed to search, locate, and fixate a specific target placed among surrounding distractors at two levels of task difficulty. Analyzing evoked (time or phase-locked) and induced (not time or phase-locked) components of EEG activity allowed for feedforward and feedback processing mechanisms to be uncovered. We found that visual search performance in CVI was impaired compared to age-matched controls with neurotypical development (as indexed by outcomes of success rate, reaction time, and gaze error). Analysis of neural oscillations across a broad frequency band [4-55 Hz] revealed markedly reduced early-onset evoked theta [4-6 Hz] activity (within 0.5 sec) regardless of task difficulty. Moreover, while induced alpha activity increased with task difficulty in controls, this modulation was absent in the CVI group providing a potential neural correlate for their deficits with visual search and distractor suppression. Finally, CVI participants also showed an overall delayed and sustained induced gamma response [30-45 Hz]. We conclude that impaired visual search performance in CVI is associated with substantial alterations across a wide range of neural oscillation frequencies. This includes both evoked and induced components related to feedforward and feedback processing and implicating local and distributed levels of neural processing.
Current Practices in Stroke Systems of Care: An International Survey of Progressive Stroke System Processes
Authors: Ehrlich Matthew E , Shah Shreyansh , Kolls Brad J , Roettig Mayme , Monk Lisa , Graffagnino Carmelo 
Published: October 2022

ABSTRACTBackground and AimsGuidelines by the AHA/ASA recommend the development of stroke systems of care yet do not provide specifics as to how this should be done. As a first step in developing a regional stroke system of care in the “Stroke Belt” we sought to understand how high performing stroke systems across the world were organized in order to identify best practices and opportunities for meaningful system improvement.MethodsAn 81-question survey was developed to examine current practices in high-performing stroke systems. Twenty stroke centers worldwide were invited to participate. The survey encompassed all aspects of stroke systems of care from acute care and EMS practices to IT and discharge. Data analysis was conducted using REDCap internal analytic tools.ResultsNine of 20 invited centers (45%) completed the questionnaire. Responding centers reported annual averages (median) of 750 ischemic strokes (range 350-1444) and 125 (100-501) hemorrhagic strokes, 150 (60-440) IV alteplase administrations, and 55 (12-130) endovascular thrombectomy procedures. At all 9 systems, EMS providers are trained in identifying stroke and utilize prehosptial stroke scales. Six (66.7%) reported destination protocols based on stroke severity involving bypass to endovascular thrombectomy capable (EVT-C) centers. All centers report expedited referral hospital transfer processes for neurointervention. Five (55.6%) centers reported patients with confirmed large vessel occlusions bypass the emergency department and are transported directly to the neurointerventional suite.ConclusionsThis international survey reveals useful practice patterns and processes used by progressive stroke systems. This information will be integrated into our regional system of care quality improvement program.