Symptom network and quality of life of breast cancer patients receiving multimodal cancer treatment: Cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer patients experience symptoms and side effects from multimodal treatments, which often include menopausal symptoms resulting from cytotoxic chemotherapy or estrogen suppression therapy. This study aimed to explore the symptom network and clusters and its relationship to quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer patients who receive multimodal cancer treatment and experience treatment-related menopausal symptoms. METHODS: A correlational study was conducted. Breast cancer patients receiving multimodal cancer treatment and experiencing treatment-related menopausal symptoms were included while they were receiving radiation therapy (N = 250). Symptoms, functions and QoL were assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and BR45. Network analysis, principal component analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted. RESULTS: Fatigue was the most central symptom in the symptom-only network as well as in the network consisting of symptoms and QoL. Fatigue, systemic therapy side effects, appetite loss, and cognitive symptoms demonstrated significant associations with QoL. The cancer and treatment related symptom cluster consisted of fatigue, cognitive symptoms, emotional symptoms and systemic therapy side effects. Breast cancer therapy-specific symptoms, such as arm symptoms, skin mucosis symptoms, and breast symptoms, formed a cluster with pain. CONCLUSION: Fatigue was the most central symptom in breast cancer patients receiving multimodal cancer treatment and experiencing menopausal symptoms. Evaluation of fatigue and providing interventions to manage fatigue would contribute to improvement of QoL of breast cancer patients receiving multimodal cancer treatments. Future network analysis and symptom cluster studies should specify the population of interest and the treatment phase using comprehensive symptom evaluation tools.

Prognosis of Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) accounts for a small portion of thyroid carcinomas but contributes to a significant proportion of thyroid carcinoma-associated deaths. The clinicopathological prognostic factors and clinical outcomes of PDTC remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with PDTC after curative treatment. Methods: A comprehensive search was performed up to September 2023. We included studies investigating treatment outcomes in patients with PDTC who underwent initial surgery. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were extracted. In this meta-analysis, the enrolled PDTC histological criteria included 3rd, 4th, and 5th World Health Organization (WHO) and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) classification. A random-effects model was used for the pooled proportion analysis. Meta-regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the prognostic factors. Results: Twenty retrospective studies published between 2007 and 2023, including 1,294 patients, met all inclusion criteria. Studies that diagnosed PDTC based on various histological criteria including 3rd WHO (n=5), 4th WHO (n=12), 5th WHO (n=2), and MSKCC (n=1) were included. Overall, 5-year DFS and 5-year OS were 49.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 42.3 to 56.4) and 73.8% (95% CI, 66.5 to 79.9), with moderate heterogeneity of 58% and 55%, respectively. In meta-regression analysis, extrathyroidal extension (ETE) was a prognostic factor for OS. Conclusion: The meta-analysis of DFS and OS in patients with PDTC show the moderate heterogeneity with a variety of histological criteria. ETE appears to have a significant impact on OS, regardless of histological criteria.

Stimulative piezoelectric nanofibrous scaffolds for enhanced small extracellular vesicle production in 3D cultures.

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have great promise as effective carriers for drug delivery. However, the challenges associated with the efficient production of sEVs hinder their clinical applications. Herein, we report a stimulative 3D culture platform for enhanced sEV production. The proposed platform consists of a piezoelectric nanofibrous scaffold (PES) coupled with acoustic stimulation to enhance sEV production of cells in a 3D biomimetic microenvironment. Combining cell stimulation with a 3D culture platform in this stimulative PES enables a 49 fold increase in the production rate per cell with minimal deviations in particle size and protein composition compared with standard 2D cultures. We find that the enhanced sEV production is attributable to the activation and upregulation of crucial sEV production steps through the synergistic effect of stimulation and the 3D microenvironment. Moreover, changes in cell morphology lead to cytoskeleton redistribution through cell matrix interactions in the 3D cultures. This in turn facilitates intracellular EV trafficking, which impacts the production rate. Overall, our work provides a promising 3D cell culture platform based on piezoelectric biomaterials for enhanced sEV production. This platform is expected to accelerate the potential use of sEVs for drug delivery and broad biomedical applications.

Adverse effects of tamoxifen treatment on bone mineral density in premenopausal patients with breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that adjuvant tamoxifen treatment for breast cancer in postmenopausal women decreased bone loss. However, the effects of adjuvant tamoxifen therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) in premenopausal patients with breast cancer remains uncertain. Tamoxifen would have a potential impact of premenopausal BMD on health. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess this in premenopausal women with primary breast cancer. METHODS: Through April 2020, studies reporting BMD changes of lumbar spine or hip in premenopausal women with primary breast cancer treated with adjuvant tamoxifen and tamoxifen plus chemotherapy or ovarian function suppression (OFS) were collected from EMBASE and PubMed. The meta-analysis was performed using random effects model of the standardized mean difference (SMD) of BMD in patients. RESULTS: A total of 1432 premenopausal patients were enrolled in eight studies, involving 198 patients treated with tamoxifen alone in three studies. After a 3-year median follow-up, adjuvant tamoxifen decreased the lumbar spinal and hip BMD by as much as an SMD of -1.17 [95% confidence interval (CI); -1.58 to -0.76)] and -0.66 (95% CI, -1.55 to 0.23), respectively. In subgroup analysis in patients treated adjuvant tamoxifen and tamoxifen plus chemotherapy or OFS according to follow-up duration, the bone change of < 3 years follow-up group was -0.03 SMD (95% CI, -0.47 to 0.41) and that of ≥ 3 years follow-up group was -1.06 SMD (95% CI, -1.48 to -0.64). Compared with patients who received tamoxifen alone, patients who received combination therapy with chemotherapy or OFS showed lesser bone loss at the lumbar spine. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis demonstrated that adjuvant tamoxifen therapy in premenopausal patients caused bone loss after 3 years of follow-up, especially at the lumbar spines. For a definite evaluation of the adverse effects of tamoxifen on bone, it is necessary to accumulate more relevant studies.

Association of Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy With Syncope and Pacemaker Implantation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Early rhythm control therapy mainly with antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) for new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) reduces major adverse cardiovascular events. However, negative dromotropic effects of AADs via ion channel blocking may cause bradyarrhythmias. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the association between AAD use and the risk of pacemaker implantation or syncope in patients with new-onset AF receiving early rhythm control therapy with AADs. METHODS: This study was based on data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service system. We screened all new-onset AF diagnoses that occurred from 2013 to 2019 and identified patients who were prescribed AADs within 1 year of AF diagnosis. The risk of pacemaker implantation or syncope was compared between AAD users and nonusers. RESULTS: A total of 770,977 new-onset AF cases were identified and 142,141 patients were prescribed AADs. After multivariate adjustment, use of AADs was associated with 3.5-, 2.0-, and 5.0-fold increased risk of pacemaker implantation or syncope, syncope, and pacemaker implantation, respectively. Propensity score-matched analysis revealed similar results, demonstrating a significant association between AAD use and the risk of pacemaker implantation or syncope. This association was consistent across various subgroups. Women were more susceptible to adverse effects of AADs than men. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed an association between AADs and risk of pacemaker implantation or syncope, a consistent finding across various subgroups. Precise evaluation of such risk should be undertaken before prescription of AADs.

Predicting postoperative lung function using ventilation SPECT/CT in patients with lung cancer.

Background: Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) has the advantage of assessing regional lung function. We aimed to investigate the potential of ventilation (SPECT/CT) for predicting postoperative lung function in patients with lung cancer. Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive patients with lung cancer who underwent lobectomy, preoperative ventilation, and perfusion SPECT/CT between January 2020 and December 2021. The percentage of predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppoFEV1%) and the percentage of predicted postoperative diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (ppoDLCO%) were calculated from the % counts of each scan based on anatomical segments for lobar function. Correlation tests were performed between the predicted lung function values and actual ppoFEV1% and ppoDLCO%. Results: Among the 47 patients, 29 men and 18 women aged 67.5±9.6 years were included. Moreover, 46 ventilation and 41 perfusion SPECT/CT scans were obtained. The pulmonary function on ventilation SPECT/CT strongly correlated with perfusion SPECT/CT (correlation coefficient r=0.939 for ppoFEV1%, P<0.001; r=0.938 for ppoDLCO%, P<0.001). Both ppoFEV1% and ppoDLCO% values obtained from the ventilation and perfusion scans strongly correlated with postoperative FEV1% and DLCO% (correlation coefficient, r=0.774 and r=0.768 for ventilation; r=0.795 and r=0.751 for perfusion, each P<0.001). Conclusions: Ventilation SPECT/CT was comparable to perfusion SPECT/CT in predicting postoperative lung function.

Etanercept treatment for pediatric toxic epidermal necrolysis induced by deflazacort: a case report and literature review.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a life-threatening mucocutaneous disorder commonly caused by drugs. TEN is often treated with corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), or cyclosporine; however, the efficacy of these treatments is controversial. Etanercept (a TNF-α antagonist) was proven to decrease skin-healing time in a randomized clinical trial. Herein, we report the case of a 44-month-old boy who developed TEN due to deflazacort as the probable culprit drug and was successfully treated with etanercept. The patient presented to the emergency department complaining of erythematous maculopapular rashes and vesicles all over the face and body, with vesicles on the hands, feet, and trunk. Symptoms started 4 days before presentation, with edema of the upper lip, which progressed to erythematous macules over the body. He was started on deflazacort for nephrotic syndrome 21 days before the visit. Approximately 20% of the body surface area (BSA) was covered by vesicular lesions. Under the diagnosis of Steven Johnson syndrome/TEN, deflazacort was discontinued, and intravenous dexamethasone (1.5 mg/kg/day), a 5-day course of IVIG (0.4 mg/kg/day), and cyclosporine (3 mg/kg/day) were administered. The lesions seemed to be stationary for 3 days, but on the 6th day of hospitalization, when IVIG was discontinued, the vesicular lesions progressed to approximately 60% of the BSA. Etanercept 0.8 mg/kg was administered subcutaneously. Lesions stopped progressing, and bullous lesions started epithelialization. However, on the 15th day, around 30% of the BSA was still involved; thus, a second dose of etanercept was administered. No acute or sub-acute complications were observed. In conclusion, the use of etanercept in children with TEN that is not controlled with conventional therapy is both effective and safe.

Alcohol and the risk of all-cause death, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac arrest.

The risk of having atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with alcohol intake. However, it is not clear whether sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and ventricular arrhythmia (VA) including ventricular tachycardia, flutter, or fibrillation have similar associations with alcohol. We aimed to evaluate the association of alcohol intake with all-cause death, new-onset AF, VA, and SCA using single cohort with a sufficient sample size. A total of 3,990,373 people without a prior history of AF, VAs, or SCA was enrolled in this study based on nationwide health check-up in 2009. We classified the participants into four groups according to weekly alcohol consumption, and evaluated the association of alcohol consumption with each outcome. We observed a significant association between mild (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.826; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.815-0.838) to moderate (HR = 0.930; 95% CI = 0.912-0.947) drinking with decreased risk of all-cause mortality. However heavy drinking (HR = 1.108; 95% CI = 1.087-1.129) was associated with increased all-cause death. The risk of new-onset AF was significantly associated with moderate (HR = 1.129; 95% CI = 1.097-1.161) and heavy (HR = 1.298; 95% CI = 1.261-1.337) drinking. However, the risk of SCA showed negative association with all degrees of alcohol intake: 20% (HR = 0.803; 95% CI = 0.769-0.839), 15% (HR = 0.853; 95% CI = 0.806-0.902), and 8% (HR = 0.918; 95% CI = 0.866-0.974) lower risk for mild, moderate, and heavy drinkers, respectively. Mild drinking was associated with reduced risk of VA with moderate and heavy drinking having no associations. In conclusion, the association between alcohol and various outcomes in this study were heterogeneous. Alcohol might have different influences on various cardiac disorders.

Association of temporal change in body mass index with sudden cardiac arrest in diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Underweight imposes significant burden on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, less is known about the impact of serial change in body weight status measured as body mass index (BMI) on the risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). This study investigated the association between SCA and temporal change in BMI among patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Based on Korean National Health Insurance Service database, participants with diabetes mellitus who underwent health examination between 2009 and 2012 and had prior health examination data (four years ago, 2005-2008) were retrospectively analyzed. BMI was measured at baseline (2005-2008) and 4-year follow-up health examination (2009-2012). Patients were classified in four groups according to the body weight status and its temporal change: sustained non-underweight, sustained underweight, previous underweight, and newly developed underweight. Primary outcome was defined as occurrence of SCA. RESULTS: A total of 1,355,746 patients with diabetes mellitus were included for analysis, and SCA occurred in 12,554 cases. SCA was most common in newly developed underweight (incidence rate = 4.45 per 1,000 person-years), followed by sustained underweight (incidence rate = 3.90), previous underweight (incidence rate = 3.03), and sustained non-underweight (incidence rate = 1.34). Adjustment of covariates resulted highest risk of SCA in sustained underweight (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.60, 95% confidence interval [2.25-3.00], sustained non-underweight as a reference), followed by newly developed underweight (2.42, [2.15-2.74]), and previous underweight (2.12, [1.77-2.53]). CONCLUSIONS: In diabetes mellitus, sustained underweight as well as decrease in body weight during 4-year follow-up imposes substantial risk on SCA. Recovery from underweight over time had relatively lower, but yet increased risk of SCA. Both underweight and dynamic decrease in BMI can be associated with increased risk of SCA.

Identification of concealed cardiomyopathy using next-generation sequencing-based genetic testing in Korean patients initially diagnosed with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation.

AIMS: Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) is a disease in which the cause of ventricular fibrillation cannot be identified despite comprehensive clinical evaluation. This study aimed to investigate the clinical yield and implications of genetic testing for IVF. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was based on the multi-centre inherited arrhythmia syndrome registry in South Korea from 2014 to 2017. Next-generation sequencing-based genetic testing was performed that included 174 genes previously linked to cardiovascular disease. A total of 96 patients were clinically diagnosed with IVF. The mean age of the onset was 41.2 ± 12.7 years, and 79 patients were males (82.3%). Of these, 74 underwent genetic testing and four (5.4%) of the IVF probands had pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants (each having one of MYBPC3, MYH7, DSP, and TNNI3). All pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were located in genes with definite evidence of a cardiomyopathy phenotype, either hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSION: Next-generation sequencing-based genetic testing identified pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 5.4% of patients initially diagnosed with IVF, suggesting that genetic testing with definite evidence genes of cardiomyopathy may enable molecular diagnosis in a minority of patients with IVF. Further clinical evaluation and follow-up of patients with IVF with positive genotypes are needed to unveil concealed phenotypes, such as the pre-clinical phase of cardiomyopathy.

Clinical and Genetic Features of Korean Inherited Arrhythmia Probands.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Inherited arrhythmia (IA) is a more common cause of sudden cardiac death in Asian population, but little is known about the genetic background of Asian IA probands. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and analyze the genetic underpinnings of IA in a Korean cohort. METHODS: This study was conducted in a multicenter cohort of the Korean IA Registry from 2014 to 2017. Genetic testing was performed using a next-generation sequencing panel including 174 causative genes of cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: Among the 265 IA probands, idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) and Brugada Syndrome (BrS) was the most prevalent diseases (96 and 95 cases respectively), followed by long QT syndrome (LQTS, n=54). Two-hundred-sixteen probands underwent genetic testing, and 69 probands (31.9%) were detected with genetic variant, with yield of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant as 6.4%. Left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly lower in genotype positive probands (54.7±11.3 vs. 59.3±9.2%, p=0.005). IVF probands showed highest yield of positive genotype (54.0%), followed by LQTS (23.8%), and BrS (19.5%). CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in clinical characteristics and genetic yields among BrS, LQTS, and IVF. Genetic testing did not provide better yield for BrS and LQTS. On the other hand, in IVF, genetic testing using multiple gene panel might enable the molecular diagnosis of concealed genotype, which may alter future clinical diagnosis and management strategies.

Impact of pulmonary artery pressure on recurrence after catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: The pulmonary veins play a major role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) and may be affected by cardiac remodeling due to pulmonary vascular dysfunction. It remains to be determined whether pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) is associated with the recurrence of AF after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). Methods: Consecutive patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF who underwent RFCA, including wide circumferential pulmonary vein isolation, were analyzed. Systolic PAP was measured using transthoracic echocardiography, and clinical outcomes were compared between patients with PAP <35 mmHg and those with PAP ≥35 mmHg. Results: Among 2,379 patients (mean age 56.7 ± 10.6 years, 77% men), 1,893 (79.6%) had PAP <35 mmHg and 486 (20.4%) had PAP ≥35 mmHg. During the median follow-up of 25.4 months, in patients with paroxysmal AF (n = 1,294), the recurrence rate was significantly greater in the PAP ≥35 mmHg group than in the PAP <35 mmHg group (35.1% vs. 23.8%, log-rank p = 0.008). However, in patients with persistent AF (n = 1,085), the recurrence rate was not significantly different between the two groups (52.2% vs. 49.7%, log-rank p = 0.409). Multivariate analysis using Cox regression showed that PAP ≥35 mmHg was significantly associated with clinical recurrence (hazard ratio 1.19, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.40, p = 0.027). Conclusion: This study showed that a higher PAP was associated with an increased risk of recurrence after RFCA in patients with paroxysmal AF, suggesting a mechanism by which a pulmonary vascular pathology may cause impairment of the pulmonary veins and remodeling of the left atrium.

ßPix Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor Regulates Regeneration of Injured Peripheral Axons.

Axon regeneration is essential for successful recovery after peripheral nerve injury. Although growth cone reformation and axonal extension are crucial steps in axonal regeneration, the regulatory mechanisms underlying these dynamic processes are poorly understood. Here, we identify ßPix (Arhgef7), the guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rac1 GTPase, as a regulator of axonal regeneration. After sciatic nerve injury in mice, the expression levels of ßPix increase significantly in nerve segments containing regenerating axons. In regrowing axons, ßPix is localized in the peripheral domain of the growth cone. Using ßPix neuronal isoform knockout (NIKO) mice in which the neuronal isoforms of ßPix are specifically removed, we demonstrate that ßPix promotes neurite outgrowth in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons and in vivo axon regeneration after sciatic nerve crush injury. Activation of cJun and STAT3 in the cell bodies is not affected in ßPix NIKO mice, supporting the local action of ßPix in regenerating axons. Finally, inhibiting Src, a kinase previously identified as an activator of the ßPix neuronal isoform, causes axon outgrowth defects in vitro, like those found in the ßPix NIKO neurons. Altogether, these data indicate that ßPix plays an important role in axonal regrowth during peripheral nerve regeneration.

Cancer coping self-efficacy, symptoms and their relationship with quality of life among cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: Cancer coping self-efficacy refers to an individual's confidence in dealing with challenges from cancer-related events, and a positive association with quality of life (QoL) has been demonstrated. Considering unresolved physical and psychological symptoms at the survivorship phase, which are known to worsen QoL, the association between cancer coping self-efficacy and QoL needs to be evaluated controlling for known contributing factors of QoL. This study aimed to describe cancer survivors' cancer coping self-efficacy, symptoms and their relationship with QoL. METHODS: A descriptive correlational study was conducted. Participants were cancer survivors who completed intended treatment except for hormone therapy (N = 240). Cancer coping self-efficacy, symptoms, and QoL were measured. To evaluate the association of cancer survivors' cancer coping self-efficacy with QoL, correlation and multiple regression analysis were conducted. RESULTS: Cancer coping self-efficacy demonstrated a significant positive association with QoL. Symptoms had a significant negative association with QoL. Fully active cancer survivors demonstrated significantly better QoL than those with functional deterioration. Self-efficacy for using spiritual coping had a significant positive association with QoL, along with symptoms and functional status, which explained 37.5% of QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer survivors' QoL was related to spiritual coping self-efficacy, symptoms and functional status. Improving spiritual coping self-efficacy and managing symptoms reflecting survivors' functional status need to be integrated into survivorship care.

Prediction of Amyloid ß-Positivity with both MRI Parameters and Cognitive Function Using Machine Learning.

Purpose: To investigate the MRI markers for the prediction of amyloid ß (Aß)-positivity in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), and to evaluate the differences in MRI markers between Aß-positive (Aß [+]) and -negative groups using the machine learning (ML) method. Materials and Methods: This study included 139 patients with MCI and AD who underwent amyloid PET-CT and brain MRI. Patients were divided into Aß (+) (n = 84) and Aß-negative (n = 55) groups. Visual analysis was performed with the Fazekas scale of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and cerebral microbleeds (CMB) scores. The WMH volume and regional brain volume were quantitatively measured. The multivariable logistic regression and ML using support vector machine, and logistic regression were used to identify the best MRI predictors of Aß-positivity. Results: The Fazekas scale of WMH (p = 0.02) and CMB scores (p = 0.04) were higher in Aß (+). The volumes of hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and precuneus were smaller in Aß (+) (p < 0.05). The third ventricle volume was larger in Aß (+) (p = 0.002). The logistic regression of ML showed a good accuracy (81.1%) with mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and regional brain volumes. Conclusion: The application of ML using the MMSE, third ventricle, and hippocampal volume is helpful in predicting Aß-positivity with a good accuracy.

Simple fabrication of an electrospun polystyrene microfiber filter that meets N95 filtering facepiece respirator filtration and breathability standards.

During the global spread of COVID-19, high demand and limited availability of melt-blown filtration material led to a manufacturing backlog of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs). This shortfall prompted the search for alternative filter materials that could be quickly mass produced while meeting N95 FFR filtration and breathability performance standards. Here, an unsupported, nonwoven layer of uncharged polystyrene (PS) microfibers was produced via electrospinning that achieves N95 performance standards based on physical parameters (e.g., filter thickness) alone. PS microfibers 3-6 µm in diameter and deposited in an ~5 mm thick filter layer are favorable for use in FFRs, achieving high filtration efficiencies (≥97.5%) and low pressure drops (≤15 mm H2O). The PS microfiber filter demonstrates durability upon disinfection with hydroxyl radicals (•OH), maintaining high filtration efficiencies and low pressure drops over six rounds of disinfection. Additionally, the PS microfibers exhibit antibacterial activity (1-log removal of E. coli) and can be modified readily through integration of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) during electrospinning to enhance their activity (≥3-log removal at 25 wt% AgNP integration). Because of their tunable performance, potential reusability with disinfection, and antimicrobial properties, these electrospun PS microfibers may represent a suitable, alternative filter material for use in N95 FFRs.

Obesity Is Indirectly Associated with Sudden Cardiac Arrest through Various Risk Factors.

Although obesity is a well-established risk factor of cardiovascular event, the linkage between obesity and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is not fully understood. Based on a nationwide health insurance database, this study investigated the impact of body weight status, measured by body-mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, on the SCA risk. A total of 4,234,341 participants who underwent medical check-ups in 2009 were included, and the influence of risk factors (age, sex, social habits, and metabolic disorders) was analyzed. For 33,345,378 person-years follow-up, SCA occurred in 16,352 cases. The BMI resulted in a J-shaped association with SCA risk, in which the obese group (BMI ≥ 30) had a 20.8% increased risk of SCA compared with the normal body weight group (18.5 ≤ BMI < 23.0) (p < 0.001). Waist circumference showed a linear association with the risk of SCA, with a 2.69-fold increased risk of SCA in the highest waist circumference group compared with the lowest waist circumference group (p < 0.001). However, after adjustment of risk factors, neither BMI nor waist circumference was associated with the SCA risk. In conclusion, obesity is not independently associated with SCA risk based on the consideration of various confounders. Rather than confining the findings to obesity itself, comprehensive consideration of metabolic disorders as well as demographics and social habits might provide better understanding and prevention of SCA.

Being Underweight Is Associated with Increased Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death in People with Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) can cause various atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease including sudden cardiac death (SCD). The impact of being underweight on the risk of SCD in people with DM remains to be revealed. We aimed to evaluate the risk of SCD according to body-mass index (BMI; kg/m2) level in DM population. METHODS: We used a nationwide healthcare insurance database to conduct this study. We identified people with DM among those who underwent nationwide health screening during 2009 to 2012. Medical follow-up data was available until December 2018. RESULTS: A total of 2,602,577 people with DM with a 17,851,797 person*year follow-up were analyzed. The underweight group (BMI < 18.5) showed 2.4-fold increased risk of SCD during follow-up (adjusted-hazard ratio [HR] = 2.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.26-2.56; p < 0.001). When normal-BMI group (18.5 ≤ BMI < 23) was set as a reference, underweight group (adjusted-HR = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.88-2.14) showed even higher risk of SCD compared with the obesity group (BMI ≥ 30; adjusted-HR = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.84-0.94). When BMI was stratified by one unit, BMI and SCD risk showed a U-curve association with the highest risk observed at low BMI levels. The lowest risk was observed in 27 ≤ BMI < 28 group. The association between being underweight and increased SCD risk in DM people was maintained throughout various subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Being underweight is significantly associated with an increased risk of SCD in the DM population. A steep rise in the risk of SCD was observed as the BMI level decreased below 23. The lowest risk of SCD was observed in 27 ≤ BMI < 28 group.

Long-term increase in fasting blood glucose is associated with increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with various cardiovascular complications, including sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Furthermore, the severity of DM, as assessed by fasting blood glucose (FBG), is associated with the risk of SCA. However, whether long-term changes in FBG influence on SCA risk remains to be determined. METHODS: This study used sequential nationwide health screening data from 2009 and 2011. FBG was measured at each health screening, and ΔFBG was calculated as FBG in 2011-FBG in 2009. RESULTS: Overall, 2,801,153 people were analyzed, and the mean follow-up duration was 6.33 years. Compared with the euglycemic group (- 20 ≤ ΔFBG < 20), the 20 ≤ ΔFBG < 40, 40 ≤ ΔFBG < 100, and ΔFBG ≥ 100 groups had increased SCA risks of 25% (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-1.35; p < 0.001), 66% (adjusted HR = 1.66; 95% CI 1.49-1.86; p < 0.001), and 2.9-fold (adjusted HR = 2.85; 95% CI 2.37-3.44; p < 0.001), respectively. The association between ΔFBG and SCA was maintained in people with DM but not in people without DM. However, sex, age, blood pressure, and presence of heart failure did not affect the association between ΔFBG and SCA. A decrease in ΔFBG over time was not associated with reduced risk of SCA: the adjusted HR was 1.11 (95% CI 0.98-1.27; p = 0.113) for the ΔFBG < -40 group and 1.12 (95% CI 1.03-1.22; p = 0.009) for the - 40 ≤ ∆FBG < - 20 group. CONCLUSIONS: A long-term increase in ΔFBG can be associated with increased risk of SCA in people with DM. However, a long-term decrease in ΔFBG was not associated with reduced risk of SCA. Actions to prevent increase in FBG can have significant effects on public health in terms of SCA prevention.

Association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and sudden cardiac arrest in people with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia measured as low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol is an established risk factor of cardiovascular disease, which is more pronounced in diabetes population. Less is known about the association of LDL-cholesterol level and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) risk in diabetes mellitus patients. This study investigated the association of LDL-cholesterol level and SCA risk in diabetes population. METHODS: This study was based on Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Patients who received general examination from 2009 to 2012 and diagnosed as type 2 diabetes mellitus were analyzed. Primary outcome was defined as SCA event identified with International Classification of Disease code. RESULTS: A total of 2,602,577 patients were included, with total follow-up duration of 17,851,797 person * year. Mean follow-up duration was 6.86 years, and 26,341 SCA cases were identified. Overall incidence of SCA was highest in the lowest LDL-cholesterol group (< 70 mg/dL) and decreased in a linear manner as LDL-cholesterol rises, till 160 mg/dL. Adjustment of covariates resulted in U-shape association, with highest risk of SCA in the highest LDL-cholesterol group (≥ 160 mg/dL) followed by lowest LDL-cholesterol group (< 70 mg/dL). In subgroup analysis, U-shape association between SCA risk and LDL-cholesterol was more pronounced in male, non-obese people, and those who did not use statins. CONCLUSIONS: In people with diabetes, the association between SCA and LDL-cholesterol level was U-shaped with highest and lowest LDL-cholesterol group having higher risk of SCA than others. Low LDL-cholesterol level can be a surrogate marker for increased risk of SCA in people with diabetes mellitus and this paradoxical association should be recognized and extended to clinical preventive measures.