bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of temperature changes on patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Shuka N , Cabeli A , Dado E , Hasimi E , Kondi L , Qordja M , Simaku A , Begaj B , Goda A 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
There are few studies about changes in temperature as a risk factor instability of atheromatous plaque and Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). It is the first study in our country.

Purpose
To evaluate the impact of temperature on patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Methods
This is a retrospective, observational, analytical study conducted in a single-center, in the period January-December 2018. We included patients with the diagnosis of ACS, hospitalized in CCU, who performed emergency coronary angiography. Data were collected retrospectively using patient records from archived files at the Statistics Center. Data on atmospheric parameters, measured at the weather monitoring station, were obtained from the National Meteorological Service database (average daily temperature in each district of the country). The number of inhabitants for the respective districts is taken from the National Institute of Statistics.

Results
The study included 1165 patients. A significant association was found between the number of ACS per day with temperature changes (r=-0.13, p&lt;0.01). The highest number of ACS was in October 10.4%, whereas the lowest number was in January 10.6%, with a significant decreasing trend during May-June and the peak in October (p=0.04). Significant changes in the average monthly values of temperature were accompanied by a statistically significant increase in the number of cases as occurred in March-April and October-November. (p≤0.05) A statistically significant relationship was observed between seasonal changes in temperature with the number of cases with ACS. The autumn season prevails with 27.9% of the total cases, followed by the spring season with 25.6%, the summer season with 24.2%, and the winter season with 22.3%, (p = 0.04). Most cases in the cold period (November-March) occurred on days with statistically significant changes in Temperature.

Conclusion
The study notes an important relationship between seasonal, monthly, and daily changes of temperatures, in relation to the frequency of cases with Acute Coronary Syndrome.
Optimising screening of intermediate to high-risk asymptomatic sportsmen with exercise electrocardiogram. The SEEPRED study
Authors: Hupin D , Oriol M , Roche F 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
The importance of exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) is still controversial in the prevention of cardiovascular events among sportsmen. The aim of this study was to assess the relevance of exercise ECG as a significant prognostic marker for cardiovascular events when any CVD risk factors are present.

Methods
The SEEPRED cohort study included leisure time asymptomatic sportsmen over 35 years old, referred from 2011 to 2016 in the Sports Medicine Unit of our university hospital. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and atrial fibrillation were collected 5 years after exercise ECG using a phone questionnaire.
Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to predict positive exercise ECG, suspected and confirmed silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) and cardiovascular events.

Results
Of the cohort of 2457 sportsmen (1898 men; mean age 50.2 ± 9.4 years; physical activity level 29.4 ± 25.1 MET-h/week), 1482 (60%) had at least one cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor and 52 (2%) had a SCORE&gt;5%. A total of 256 exercise ECGs (10%) were defined as positive, most of them due to SMI (n = 196; 8%). SMI was an indication for coronary angiography in 43 cases, leading to 33 documented SMIs (1%), including 23 significant stenoses requiring revascularization. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, having at least 2 CVD risk factors was independently associated with (1) positive exercise ECG [OR=1.80 (CI 95%: 1.29-2.52), p=0.0006], with (2) suspected SMI [OR=2.57 (CI 95%: 1.10-6.02), p=0.0304], with (3) confirmed SMI [OR=8.20 (CI 95%: 3.46-19.46), p&lt;0.0001] and with (4) cardiovascular events (MACE or atrial fibrillation) [OR=6.95 (CI 95%: 3.49-13.81), p&lt;0.0001].

Conclusions
The study supports the European recommendations for the use of exercise ECG in evaluation of asymptomatic leisure time sportsmen over 35 years. Having at least 2 CVD risk factors was the best predictors for presence of coronary lesions at risk for events.
Facilitators and barriers to centre- and home-based exercise training in breast cancer patients - a swiss tertiary centre experience
Authors: Schneider C , Reimann S , Schmid J , Bernhard J , Campbell KL , Wilhelm M , Eser P 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Swiss Cancer Research

Background
Exercise is an effective therapy for cancer patients to reduce fatigue and to improve health-related quality of life and physical function. Yet, cancer patients often do not meet physical activity guidelines.

Purpose
To understand why recommendations are not met, we aimed at identifying facilitators and barriers to supervised, centre-based exercise within a cardio-oncologic rehabilitation (CORE) programme and to unsupervised, home-based exercise as well as strategies used to manage these barriers.

Methods
Breast cancer patients who had completed a CORE programme at a Swiss tertiary centre were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with subsequent thematic analysis.

Results
Of 37 eligible breast cancer patients, 19 patients (mean age 48.9±9.7 years) participated to our invitation. Facilitators for centre-based exercise were social support, committedness and provision of structured exercise. Barriers towards centre-based exercise included physical and environmental barriers, while psychological barriers were reported predominantly for home-based exercise. Strategies to manage barriers included the adaptation of training circumstances, behaviour change strategies and strategies to deal with side effects.

Conclusions
Our results support the importance of providing CORE programmes and suggest that a special focus should be directed at the transition from supervised to self-organized exercise in order to enhance long-term exercise participation.
Information needs and information seeking behavior in patients receiving cardiac rehabilitation
Authors: Tenbult - Van Limpt N , Van Asten I , Brouwers R , Spee RF , Brini A , Kemps HMC 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
In Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR), education is an important element of interventions that aims to reduce the risk of new cardiovascular diseases. Previous research showed that in order to be effective, information provided by medical professionals should be tailored to the information needs of the individual patient. However, knowledge on determinants of specific information needs is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the variability in information needs among participants and the determinants of information needs on lifestyle behaviour, psychological wellbeing and medication after an acute coronary event or revascularization procedure.

Methods
Patients entering the CR program for the first time following myocardial infarction (MI) and / or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary bypass (CABG) were instructed to complete questionnaires on (1) the level and type of information needs about nutrition, physical activity, smoking, psychological well-being and medication, (2) information seeking behaviour and (3) potential determinants of information needs (i.e., socio-demographic characteristics, level of health literacy, illness perceptions, anxiety, depression, type D personality and quality of life).

Results
259 patients were included. The mean age was 65 years, 76% of the study population was male, 58% was diagnosed with MI and 63% undergone a PCI (63%). The majority of patients (63%) indicated the need for information on at least one of the 4 topics (i.e., nutrition, physical activity, medication, psychological well-being), with considerable inter-individual variation. Gender, employment and socio-economic status, level of anxiety and illness perception were found to be significant predictors for the information needs, based on multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Conclusion
This study showed that there was a need for information in the majority of the patients with considerable inter-individual variability with respect to the topics. Whereas diagnosis was not related to the preference for specific information topics, characteristics as gender, employment, socio-economic status, anxiety and illness perception were selected as independent predictors of information needs. These results underline the need for personalized information strategies.
Endothelin-1 negatively correlates with functional capacity in patients with breast cancer receiving first line anthracycline-based chemotherapy
Authors: Anggraeni VY , Ambari AM , Dwiputra B , Radi B , Hutajulu SH , Hardianti MS , Mumpuni H , Kusumastuti DA , Hartopo AB 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Endothelial dysfunction caused by anthracycline is one of the key mechanism of chemotherapy induced cardiomyopathy that ultimately resulted in heart remodeling and exercise limitations. An endothelial molecular factor Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is known to be extremely important in vasoconstriction and angiogenesis. Interestingly, ET-1 concentration is also altered in vascular injury following anthracycline administration suggesting a distinct association. Nonetheless, the correlation between ET-1 and functional capacity in chemotherapy induced cardiomyopathy remained largely unknown.

Purpose
To elucidate correlation between ET-1 serum concentration with left ventricular (LV) function and functional capacity using echocardiography and 6 minute walk test (6MWT) following anthracycline-based chemotherapy in patient with breast cancer.

Methods
This is a prospective study that involves 19 female participants diagnosed with breast cancer (stage IIA-IV) receiving first line chemotherapy with 4-8 cycles of anthracycline-based regiments. Baseline pre-chemotherapy characteristics, ET-1 serum concentration, echocardiography and 6MWT, followed by post-chemotherapy evaluation were measured. Additionally, 6MWT were also performed at 6 months and 12 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Results
ET-1 serum significantly increased post-chemotherapy (1.521±0.57 vs 1.817±0.52 pg/mL, p=0.0169) in comparison with baseline. 6MWT distance was decreased after initial pre-chemotherapy measurement (372.5±84.23), 366.8±51.96 and 358.5±51.97 post-chemotherapy and 6 months after chemotherapy completion respectively. Moreover, post-chemotherapy LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly lower in high ET-1 group (≥ 1.817 pg/mL) as compared to patients with low ET-1 (70.39±3.75 vs 65.80±2.49, p=0.0465) regardless comparable baseline LVEF. In addition, Pearson’s correlation test displayed a tendency of negative correlation between post chemotherapy ET-1 with 6MWT distance post-chemotherapy and 6 months after chemotherapy completion (r = -0.264, p=0.2745, 95% CI = -0.64-0.22 and r = -0.172, p=0.4803, 95% CI = -0.58-0.3).

Conclusion
Collectively, these findings strongly suggest that ET-1 may serve as a novel biomarker to predict compromised functional capacity in cancer patients underwent chemotherapy, arguably requires further investigations.
Self-care among men with chronic heart failure - need for educational interventions?
Authors: Wisnicka A , Wisnicki K , Lomper K , Uchmanowicz I 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction
Heart failure (HF) is one of the biggest problems in cardiology and public health. The long-term risk of developing HF symptoms in a person aged 55 years is 33% for men. Self-care is a key element of therapeutic process of patients with HF.

Purpose
To assess the level of self-care among men with chronic heart failure.

Methods
The study was conducted among 80 men diagnosed with chronic heart failure (mean age 58 years). A self-administered questionnaire and analysis of medical records were used to collect baseline sociodemographic and clinical data. Self-care was assessed using the standardized European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale- EHFScBS-9.

Results
Patients in NYHA class II constituted the vast majority (71.25%), mean LVEF in the study group was 43.5%, and mean disease duration was 3 years. The most common comorbidities were ischemic heart disease (72.5%), hypertension (70%) and diabetes mellitus (60%). The most commonly reported non-pharmacological treatments for NS were fluid restriction (45%), moderate physical activity (42.50%) and daily weight control (41.25%). The EHFSc-9 questionnaire score averaged 50.31 points out of 100 possible (SD = 26.52).

Conclusions
Patients with HF have unsatisfactory self-care outcomes. There is a need to implement interventions based on patient-tailored health education.
Hemodynamic forces in olympic athletes assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance: a new non-invasive screening tool?
Authors: Filomena D , Monosilio S , Birtolo L I , Penza M , Lemme E , Squeo M R , Di Gioia G , Tonti G , Pedrizzetti G , Fedele F , Gualdi G , Spataro A , Pelliccia A , Di Giacinto B , Maestrini V 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Non-invasive evaluation of left ventricular hemodynamic forces (HDFs) by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) is a promising tool to improve systolic and diastolic evaluation. No data are available on athletic population.

Purpose
To provide the range of normal values of HDFs in Olympic athletes and to evaluate the possible influence of different sport categories.

Methods
A group of Olympic athletes evaluated prior the Olympic games with unremarkable cardiovascular pre-participation screening tests underwent CMR without contrast administration. A group of sedentary subjects was enrolled as a control group. Cine-images were post-processed by a feature-tracking based software to estimate HDFs. HDFs were measured in apex-base (AB) and latero-septal (LS) directions, over the entire heartbeat, in systole and diastole. Athletes were divided in subgroups according to ESC sport classification for comparison. They were also divided according to the ejection fraction (EF ≤ or &gt;53%).

Results
93 elite athletes (33% power, 33% mixed, 33% endurance) were enrolled. HDFs in AB and LS direction were 20.5%± 4.3 and 2.9%± 0.7 in the entire heartbeat, 32.6% ± 7 and 3.6%± 1 in systole, 11%± 4.1 and 2.3%± 0.8 in diastole. Comparing athletes of different sport category and sedentary controls no significant differences were found between groups (Table). Comparing athletes with ejection fraction (EF) £ 53% and &gt; 53%, the former showed lower values of AB-HDFs assessed in the entire heartbeat and in systole (18.9 ± 4.6 % vs 20.9 ± 4.1; p= 0.024 and 29.6 ± 6.3 vs 33.3 ± 7; p= 0.024, respectively), but within the normal range.

Conclusion
We provide normal range for HDFs assessed by CMR in elite athletes and no differences were observed between sedentary controls and athletes involved in different sport categories. Comparing athletes with low-normal and normal ejection fraction, the former showed lower values of AB-HDFs but within the normal range.
Covid-19 survivors may have deterioration in frontal plane qrs-t angle and the other electrocardiogram parameters
Authors: Kuyumcu M S , Ulusan S 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
COVID-19 infection is known to damage myocardial tissue and increase arrhythmic events. However, the data in the literature on permanent attachments are limited. In our study, we planned to investigate possible arrhythmic damages in COVID-19 survivors using the frontal plane QRS-T [f(QRS)-T] angle and some other ECG parameters.

Patients & Methods
269 patients who recovered from COVID-19 between April 2020 and January 2021 were included into the study. Pre-admission electrocardiograms and first-month outpatient clinic control ECGs of the patients were compared.

Results
After COVID-19, left bundle branch block (p&lt;0.001), right bundle branch block (p&lt;0.001), right bundle branch block (p&lt;0.001), atrial fibrillation (p&lt;0.001) rates had increased. Prolongation was detected in QRS duration (p&lt;0.001), QT interval (p=0.014), adjusted QT interval (p =0.007) and Tpe interval (p=0.012). F(QRS)-T angle (p&lt;0.001) and fragmented QRS rate (p&lt;0.001) were increased.

Conclusions
It was observed in our study that; even if patients survive after COVID-19, permanent deterioration in ECG parameters may occur.
Pleiotropic Enhancers are Ubiquitous Regulatory Elements in the Human Genome
Authors: Laiker Ian , Frankel Nicolás 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Enhancers are regulatory elements of genomes that determine spatio-temporal patterns of gene expression. The human genome contains a vast number of enhancers, which largely outnumber protein-coding genes. Historically, enhancers have been regarded as highly tissue-specific. However, recent evidence has demonstrated that many enhancers are pleiotropic, with activity in multiple developmental contexts. Yet, the extent and impact of pleiotropy remain largely unexplored. In this study we analyzed active enhancers across human organs based on the analysis of both eRNA transcription (FANTOM5 consortium data sets) and chromatin architecture (ENCODE consortium data sets). We show that pleiotropic enhancers are pervasive in the human genome and that most enhancers active in a particular organ are also active in other organs. In addition, our analysis suggests that the proportion of context-specific enhancers of a given organ is explained, at least in part, by the proportion of context-specific genes in that same organ. The notion that such a high proportion of human enhancers can be pleiotropic suggests that small regions of regulatory DNA contain abundant regulatory information and that these regions evolve under important evolutionary constraints.
Enhanced Taste Recognition Following Subacute Treatment With The Dopamine D2/D3 Receptor Agonist Pramipexole in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Kaltenboeck Alexander , Halahakoon Don Chamith , Harmer Catherine J , Cowen Philip , Browning Michael 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Background
Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) show impaired performance in taste recognition tests, which suggests a possible dopaminergic influence on gustatory functioning. To experimentally test this hypothesis, we assessed whether pharmacological manipulation of dopaminergic signaling in healthy volunteers can affect performance in a standardized taste recognition test.

Methods
Physically and mentally healthy volunteers (n = 40, age 18–43 years) were randomly allocated to treatment with either pramipexole or placebo using a double-blind, parallel-group design. After 12 to 15 days of treatment (dose titrated up from 0.25 mg/d of pramipexole salt to 1.0 mg/d), taste recognition performance was assessed using a standardized and validated assay (taste strip test). Additionally, visual analogue scale ratings of subjective pleasantness and disgustingness of taste samples were obtained.

Results
Compared with the placebo group, participants receiving pramipexole showed significantly higher total recognition accuracy (medianpramipexole = 14.0, medianplacebo = 13.0, U = 264.5, P = .04). This was driven by a higher sensitivity for taste in the pramipexole group. Exploratory analysis of pleasantness and disgustingness ratings of appetitive (sweet) vs aversive (bitter) stimuli suggested that pramipexole treatment was associated with overall blunted hedonic responses, but this effect did not survive the inclusion of nausea (a side effect of treatment) as a covariate in the analysis.

Conclusions
Healthy volunteers who received subacute pramipexole treatment exhibited higher taste recognition performance compared with the placebo group. This finding is consistent with a proposed role of the dopaminergic system in gustatory functioning and could have important theoretical and clinical implications.
Specific Components Associated With the Endothelial Glycocalyx Are Lost From Brain Capillaries in Cerebral Malaria
Authors: Hempel Casper , Milner Dan , Seydel Karl , Taylor Terrie 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundCerebral malaria (CM) is a rare, but severe and frequently fatal outcome of infection with Plasmodium falciparum. Pathogenetic mechanisms include endothelial activation and sequestration of parasitized erythrocytes in the cerebral microvessels. Increased concentrations of glycosaminoglycans in urine and plasma of malaria patients have been described, suggesting involvement of endothelial glycocalyx.MethodsWe used lectin histochemistry on postmortem samples to compare the distribution of multiple sugar epitopes on cerebral capillaries in children who died from CM and from nonmalarial comas.ResultsN-acetyl glucosamine residues detected by tomato lectin are generally reduced in children with CM compared to controls. We used the vascular expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and mannose residues on brain capillaries of CM as evidence of local vascular inflammation, and both were expressed more highly in CM patients than controls. Sialic acid residues were found to be significantly reduced in patients with CM. By contrast, the levels of other sugar epitopes regularly detected on the cerebral vasculature were unchanged, and this suggests specific remodeling of cerebral microvessels in CM patients.ConclusionsOur findings support and expand upon earlier reports of disruptions of the endothelial glycocalyx in children with severe malaria.
Funding Precarity and Women's Peace Work in Colombia, Nepal, and Northern Ireland
Authors: Boer Cueva Alba , Giri Keshab , Hamilton Caitlin , Shepherd Laura J 
Published: May 2022

AbstractCivil society supports peace work in many ways, including through education, advocacy, health outreach, data gathering, expertise- and experience-sharing, event-running, community mobilization, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding. However, there are limited funds available to support this work, even though key development, peace, and security actors, including the United Nations Secretary-General, have acknowledged that developing the capacity of civil society to support peacebuilding efforts required increased investment. Scarcity of funding has created important political dynamics that affect the work that civil society can do. This study uses a qualitative semi-structured interview design to elicit information about donor funding dynamics and imperatives from expert research informants across three conflict-affected countries: Colombia, Nepal, and Northern Ireland. We explore funding dynamics, various organizational features that influence mobilization strategies, and the impact of COVID-19 on women's civil society groups working on peacebuilding. We argue that, while it is an ongoing concern, scarcity of funding is not the only inhibitor to effective peace work. Donor priorities, and embedded assumptions about the value of peace work—largely undertaken by women and women-led organizations—also challenge the viability of continued efforts toward sustainable peace.