bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revascularization in “no option” patients with refractory angina: Frequency, etiology and outcomes
Authors: Sharma Rahul , Tradewell Michael , Kohl Louis P. , Garberich Ross F , Traverse Jay H. , Poulose Anil , Brilakis Emmanouil S , Arndt Theresa , Henry Timothy D
Published: August 2018

Background

A significant proportion of patients with complex, advanced coronary artery disease have refractory angina (RA) despite maximal pharmacological therapy and are deemed suboptimal candidates for revascularization. These patients are frequently termed “no‐option” patients. However, despite this designation, many subsequently undergo coronary revascularization. We sought to determine the incidence, etiology and outcome of revascularization in “no‐option” patients.

Methods and Results

We examined a comprehensive, prospective RA database to identify 342 of 1363 (25.1%) patients who subsequently underwent revascularization after a median interval of 2.2 years from the “no‐option” diagnosis. Coronary revascularization was achieved by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (n = 274, 20.1%), coronary bypass graft surgery (n = 44, 3.2%) or both (n = 24, 1.8%). During a median follow‐up of 5.1 years, patients who underwent revascularization had lower annual mortality (2% vs. 4.4%, P < .001). Detailed paired angiographic records were available for 181 PCI patients with a combined 302 lesions. Of these interventions, 48% were for a new lesion, 31% for an existing lesion and 21% for restenosis. The location was a native vessel in 77% and a bypass graft in 23%.

Conclusions

The “no‐option” or non‐revascularizable designation is frequently based on angiography at a single time‐point. However, coronary artery disease is a progressive and dynamic process and new lesions often develop in such patients. Given the association between revascularization and better survival, careful consideration should be given to repeat revascularization in patients with refractory angina previously classified as “no‐option”.
Clinical case report on treatment of Listeria monocytogenes meningoencephalitis: Intrathecal injection
Authors: Pan Xu‐Biao , Wang Zhi‐Xin , Ma Ming‐He , Wang Hong‐Bin , Gan Gui‐Fen , Fan Hai‐Ning
Published: August 2018

Key Clinical Message

This article mainly reports the process of clinical diagnosis and treatment of a misdiagnosed Listeria monocytogenes meningoencephalitis. The patient's condition is aggravated because of the ineffective prophase therapy. In the later stage, we were mainly through combined antibiotics and given proper routes of administration, so that patient can recover quickly.
Recent Advances in Zeolite‐like Cluster Organic Frameworks
Authors: Lin Li‐Dan , Zhao Dan , Li Xin‐Xiong , Zheng Shou‐Tian
Published: August 2018

During the past decade, research on the design and synthesis of zeolite‐like metal–organic frameworks (ZMOFs) has developed greatly. As an important subclass of ZMOFs, zeolite‐like cluster organic frameworks (ZCOFs) built from 4‐connected metal‐cluster secondary building units (SBUs) and appropriate linear organic ligand bridges have attracted sustained interest, because such materials not only integrate the merits of inorganic zeolites, ZMOFs, and metal clusters, including interesting topologies, high surface areas, extra‐large cavities and channels, structural tunability, and unique physicochemical properties from various metal clusters, but also open up a new avenue to design and fabricate hybrid zeolite‐like materials that have many potential applications in material sciences. In this review, recent developments in ZCOFs are summarized by classifying the ZCOFs into four categories according to the composition of the SBUs: 1) ZCOFs based on metal–halide cluster SBUs, 2) ZCOFs based on metal–oxygen cluster SBUs, 3) ZCOFs based on metal–chalcogen cluster SBUs, and 4) ZCOFs based on mixed types of metal‐cluster SBUs. Besides, challenges associated with the design and synthesis of ZCOFs and the vast potential of this area are also discussed.
PIDA‐Mediated Formal Olefinic C=C Bond Cleavage of α‐Oxo‐Ketene N,N‐Acetals toward Substituted Oxazolines
Authors: Guo Tenglong , Huang Fei , Jiang Quanbin , Yu Zhengkun
Published: August 2018

The hypervalent iodine reagent PhI(OAc)2 (PIDA) mediated the formal oxidative C=C bond cleavage and subsequent cyclization of internal olefins, that is, α‐oxo‐ketene N,N‐acetals, which afforded substituted oxazolines. Isothiazoline derivatives were obtained from the reactions of α‐thioxo‐ketene N,N‐acetals with PIDA under the same conditions. Hydrolysis of the resultant oxazoline derivatives led to highly functionalized oxazolones. A plausible mechanism was proposed based upon the formation of isothiazoline‐type intermediates.
Prediction and Experimental Validation of Co‐Solvent Influence on Michaelis Constants: A Thermodynamic Activity‐Based Approach
Authors: Wangler Anton , Böttcher Dominik , Hüser Aline , Sadowski Gabriele , Held Christoph
Published: August 2018

Co‐solvents are known to influence the Michaelis constant
of enzyme‐catalyzed reactions. In the literature, co‐solvent effects on
are usually explained by interactions between enzyme and co‐solvent. Very recent works replaced substrate concentrations with thermodynamic activities to separate enzyme–co‐solvent from substrate–co‐solvent interactions This yields the thermodynamic‐activity‐based Michalis constant
. In this work, this approach was extended to alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)‐catalyzed reduction of acetophenone (ACP), a two‐substrate reaction. It was experimentally found that polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 increased
of ACP and decreased
of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). To predict
values, non‐covalent interactions between substrates and reaction media were taken into account by electrolyte perturbed‐chain statistical associating fluid theory (ePC‐SAFT) modelling. In contrast to experimental
values, their activity‐based pendants
were independent of co‐solvent. To further verify the approach, the reduction of 2‐pentanone catalyzed by the same ADH was investigated. Interestingly, the addition of PEG caused a decrease of both
of 2‐pentanone and
of NADH. Based on
values obtained from
in co‐solvent‐free conditions and activity coefficients from ePC‐SAFT, the influence of the co‐solvent on
was quantitatively predicted. Thus, the approach known for pseudo one‐substrate reactions was successfully transferred to two‐substrate reactions. Furthermore, the advantage of thermodynamic activities over concentrations in the field of enzyme kinetics is highlighted.
Edoxaban Management in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures (EMIT‐AF/VTE)—Trial design
Authors: Colonna Paolo , von Heymann Christian , Santamaria Amparo , Matsushita Yasuyuki , Unverdorben Martin
Published: August 2018

Non‐vitamin K dependent oral anticoagulants (NOAC) are now widely used in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) for stroke prevention and in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) for the treatment and secondary prevention of the disease. Among NOAC, edoxaban demonstrated noninferiority to warfarin for stroke prevention in NVAF and for VTE treatment, with superior safety. EMIT‐AF/VTE (Edoxaban Management in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures) (NCT02950168) is a multicenter, prospective, and noninterventional registry study designed to collect detailed information on the periprocedural management of patients with NVAF and VTE receiving edoxaban. The primary objective of EMIT‐AF/VTE is to document the periprocedural management of patients receiving edoxaban and to collect data on safety and other outcomes in these patients. The primary safety outcome is the rate of major bleeding. Other assessments include the evaluation of efficacy outcomes, periprocedural dosing, and timing of edoxaban. The observation period will start 5 days prior to the procedure and end 30 days post‐procedure. EMIT‐AF/VTE will aim to prospectively enroll up to approximately 1400 procedures from Europe. Enrollment commenced in December 2016 and will be completed in July 2018. As of July 2018, before database lock and with several procedure forms still temporarily inserted, a preliminary number of 1204 patients have been enrolled, who underwent a total of 1453 procedures. The prospective EMIT‐AF/VTE registry program will expand the knowledge of periprocedural management of patients with NVAF and VTE receiving edoxaban in clinical practice.
Prospective study of germline genetic testing in incident cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Brand Randall , Borazanci Erkut , Speare Virginia , Dudley Beth , Karloski Eve , Peters Mary Linton B. , Stobie Lindsey , Bahary Nathan , Zeh Herbert , Zureikat Amer , Hogg Melissa , Lee Kenneth , Tsung Allan , Rhee John , Ohr James , Sun Weijing , Lee James , Moser A. James , DeLeonardis Kim , Krejdovsky Jill , Dalton Emily , LaDuca Holly , Dolinsky Jill , Colvin Arlene , Lim Cynthia , Black Mary Helen , Tung Nadine
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in 32 cancer susceptibility genes in individuals with newly diagnosed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A key secondary objective was to evaluate how often PGVs would have been undetected with existing genetic testing criteria.

METHODS

From May 2016 through May 2017, this multicenter cohort study enrolled consecutive patients aged 18 to 89 years with histologically confirmed PDAC diagnosed within the previous 12 weeks. Demographics, medical histories, and 3‐generation pedigrees were collected from participants who provided samples for germline DNA analysis.

RESULTS

Four hundred nineteen patients were deemed eligible, 302 were enrolled, and 298 were included in the final cohort. Clinically actionable variants were reported in 29 PDAC patients (9.7%), with 23 (7.7%) having a PGV associated with an increased risk for PDAC. Six of 23 individuals (26%) with PDAC‐associated gene mutations did not meet currently established genetic testing criteria. According to guideline‐based genetic testing, only 11 of the 23 PGVs (48%) in known PDAC genes would have been detected. Six additional patients (2%) had PGVs associated with an increased risk for other cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support the significant prevalence of PGVs associated with PDAC and the limitations of current paradigms for selecting patients for genetic testing, and they thereby lend support for universal germline multigene genetic testing in this population.
Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 4 is expressed in vasopressinergic neurons within the magnocellular subdivision of the rat paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
Authors: Shenton F.C. , Pyner S.
Published: August 2018

Changes in plasma osmolality can drive changes in the output from brain centres known to control cardiovascular homeostasis, such as the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). Within the PVN hypotonicity reduces the firing rate of parvocellular neurons, a neuronal pool known to be involved in modulating sympathetic vasomotor tone. Also present in the PVN is the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 4 (TRPV4) ion channel. Activation of TRPV4 within the PVN mimics the reduction in firing rate of the parvocellular neurons but it is unknown if these neurons express the channel. We used neuronal tracing and immunohistochemistry to investigate which neurons expressed the TRPV4 ion channel protein and its relationship with neurons known to play a role in plasma volume regulation. Spinally projecting preautonomic neurons within the PVN were labelled after spinal cord injection of FluoroGold (FG). This was followed by immunolabelling with anti‐TRPV4 antibody in combination with either anti‐oxytocin (OXT) or anti‐vasopressin (AVP). The TRPV4 ion channel was expressed on 63% of the vasopressinergic magnocellular neurosecretory cells found predominantly within the posterior magnocellular division of the PVN. Oxytocinergic neurons and FG labelled preautonomic neurons were present in the same location, but were distinct from the TRPV4/vasopressin expressing neurons. Vasopressinergic neurons within the supraoptic nucleus (SON) were also found to express TRPV4 and the fibres extending between the SON and PVN. In conclusion within the PVN, TRPV4 is well placed to respond to changes in osmolality by regulating vasopressin secretion, which in turn influences sympathetic output via preautonomic neurons.
A transmurally heterogeneous orthotropic activation model for ventricular contraction and its numerical validation
Authors: Barbarotta Luca , Rossi Simone , Dedè Luca , Quarteroni Alfio
Published: August 2018

Models for cardiac mechanics require an activation mechanism properly representing the stress‐strain relations in the contracting myocardium. In this paper, we propose a new activation model that accounts for the transmural heterogeneities observed in myocardial strain measurements. In order to take the anisotropy of the active mechanics into account, our model is based on an active strain formulation. Thanks to multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient tensor, in this formulation, the active strains orthogonal to the fibers can be naturally described. We compare the results of our novel formulation against different anisotropic models of the active contraction of the cardiac muscle, as well as against experimental data available in the literature. We show that with the currently available models, the strain distributions are not in agreement with the reported experimental measurements. Conversely, we show that our new transmurally heterogeneous orthotropic activation model improves the accuracy of shear strains related to in‐plane rotations and torsion.
Estimating distemper virus dynamics among wolves and grizzly bears using serology and Bayesian state‐space models
Authors: Cross Paul C. , van Manen Frank T. , Viana Mafalda , Almberg Emily S. , Bachen Daniel , Brandell Ellen E. , Haroldson Mark A. , Hudson Peter J. , Stahler Daniel R. , Smith Douglas W.
Published: August 2018

Many parasites infect multiple hosts, but estimating the transmission across host species remains a key challenge in disease ecology. We investigated the within and across host species dynamics of canine distemper virus (CDV) in grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) and wolves (Canis lupus) of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). We hypothesized that grizzly bears may be more likely to be exposed toCDVduring outbreaks in the wolf population because grizzly bears often displace wolves while scavenging carcasses. We used serological data collected from 1984 to 2014 in conjunction with Bayesian state‐space models to infer the temporal dynamics ofCDV. These models accounted for the unknown timing of pathogen exposure, and we assessed how different testing thresholds and the potential for testing errors affected our conclusions. We identified three mainCDVoutbreaks (1999, 2005, and 2008) in wolves, which were more obvious when we used higher diagnostic thresholds to qualify as seropositive. There was some evidence for increased exposure rates in grizzly bears in 2005, but the magnitude of the wolf effect on bear exposures was poorly estimated and depended upon our prior distributions. Grizzly bears were exposed toCDVprior to wolf reintroduction and during time periods outside of known wolf outbreaks, thus wolves are only one of several potential routes for grizzly bear exposures. Our modeling approach accounts for several of the shortcomings of serological data and is applicable to many wildlife disease systems, but is most informative when testing intervals are short.CDVcirculates in a wide range of carnivore species, but it remains unclear whether the disease persists locally within theGYEcarnivore community or is periodically reintroduced from distant regions with larger host populations.
Changes to the water repellency and storage of different species of deadwood based on decomposition rate in a temperate climate
Authors: Błońska Ewa , Klamerus‐Iwan Anna , Łagan Sylwia , Lasota Jarosław
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the changes to the physical properties and water repellency (WR) of deadwood depending on the species and rate of decomposition. An innovative element of this study is the measurement of droplets' contact angle to the surface of the wood. Five species of trees at three different stages of decomposition were selected for the present study. The deadwood Silver Fir (Abies alba), Common Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), Common Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Common Alder (Alnus glutinosa), and Common Aspen (Populus tremula) were selected. The WR of the wood was determined based on water drop penetration time; and the surface free energy (SFE) was determined based on the measured angles. Moreover, Owens–Wendt and Van Oss–Chaudhury–Good models were used to determine SFE. The advancement of deadwood decomposition can be determined by observing the physical changes to the wood. Marked changes in density, moisture, porosity, and weight loss in subsequent stages of degradation were found in the wood of all tested species. Changes to the physical properties of wood result in changes to its WR and wettability. As the degree of decomposition increases, different species of wood may absorb water more quickly, and the surface of the wood may become more hydrophilic. Our results indicate that deadwood increases water storage in forest ecosystems. Assuming that deadwood covers approximately 5.7 m3/ha in a Polish forest, total water storage could increase from 0.8 to 4.7 m3/ha depending on the wood species and decomposition rate.
Performance analysis of chaotic FSO communication system under different weather conditions
Authors: Niaz Ambreen , Qamar Farhan , Ali Mudassar , Farhan Romana , Islam Muhammad Khawar
Published: August 2018

Free space optics (FSO) is a competent technology for wireless communication providing solutions to bandwidth, cost, and portability challenges in radio frequency communication. This paper presents a numerical approach for securing information in free space by using chaos produced through semiconductor lasers. Laser rate equations are applied to model chaos generated by semiconductor laser, followed by chaos masking scheme to hide the message signal inside the generated chaos before transmission. As FSO communication link availability and efficiency is a major concern in different atmospheric conditions, therefore fog, rain, and haze conditions are analyzed and compared for FSO communication‐based on Q‐factor and eye diagram patterns. The results are further studied for both FSO communication models, ie, with and without applying chaos masking scheme.
Second‐order fading statistics of massive‐MIMO vehicular radio communication channels
Authors: Waseer Waleed Iqbal , Junaid Nawaz Syed , Gulfam Sardar M. , Mughal M. Junaid
Published: August 2018

This paper presents an intensive study on the fading statistics of massive multiple‐input–multiple‐output vehicular communication channels. A geometry‐based channel model is proposed, where both ends of the link are considered to be equipped with large‐scale three‐dimensional antenna arrays, whereas the scattering volumes in their vicinity are modeled as flexible (ie, shiftable, scalable, and rotatable) along all the dimensions to adapt various dynamic vehicle‐to‐everything radio propagation scenarios. Both ends of the link are modeled as flexible to be static or mobile in different directions and with independent velocities, to adapt both the vehicle‐to‐vehicle and vehicle‐to‐infrastructure scenarios. Joint and marginal three‐dimensional angle‐of‐arrival and angle‐of‐departure statistics of the channel are studied. The analysis is further extended from plain angle‐of‐arrival/angle‐of‐departure statistics to the characterization of dispersion of energy in the angular domain by using various notable angular spread quantifiers. A correlation between the received signals on two different antenna elements of the array, at two different time instants, on two distinct frequencies, and at two different spatial positions along the node mobility route is thoroughly investigated. This analysis is further extended to analytically study the Doppler spectrum characteristics and second‐order fading statistics of the channel. The considered second‐order fading statistics quantifiers are fading rate variance, level crossing rate, average fade duration, and coherence distance. The impact of various physical (eg, link distance, direction, and speed of node mobility), geometric (eg, shape and orientation of scattering volume), and antenna (eg, beam pattern, beam width, and beam switching) parameters on the angular spread, received signal correlations, Doppler spectrum characteristics, and second‐order fading statistics of the channel is thoroughly investigated. The conducted analysis is highly significant for devising efficient interference mitigation methods, error correction codes, modulation schemes, antenna beams, and receiver designs for emerging massive multiple‐input–multiple‐output vehicle‐to‐vehicle communication links, which, in turn, serves the purpose of efficient spectrum utilization.
The effect of age and smoking on the hippocampus and memory in late middle age
Authors: Hawkins Keith A. , Emadi Nazli , Pearlson Godfrey D. , Taylor Beth , Khadka Sabin , King Diana , Blank Karen
Published: August 2018

From middle age the hippocampus atrophies at an accelerating rate. Factors that further this acceleration may hasten memory decline and the onset of memory disorder. We studied associations between smoking history, age, ApoE e4 genotype, vascular risk factors, hippocampal volume, and cognition in 67 middle‐aged subjects (mean age = 56 years) who were offspring of parents with dementia. Subjects underwent isotropic T1‐weighted 3 T MRI brain scanning with FreeSurfer volumetric data extraction for the hippocampus, a neuropsychological assessment battery, extensive medical data collection, and ApoE genotyping. ApoE e4, vascular risk variables, and alcohol history were unrelated to hippocampal volume. Hippocampal volume correlated negatively with age and positively with memory performance, but not with global cognition. Aging diminished hippocampal volume by 0.52% per year. Female subjects (only two males smoked) with a heavy smoking history (≥ 9.5 pack‐years; n = 11) exhibited hippocampal volumes that were 7.4% smaller than the volumes of females (n = 37) with a light or no smoking history. In our sample by late middle age, a history of moderate to heavy smoking is associated with hippocampal atrophy equivalent to 12 years of aging. Since only a small number of subjects within the sample have a smoking history, validation of this finding in larger samples is desirable.
Meta‐analysis of the use of amniotic membrane to prevent recurrence of intrauterine adhesion after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis
Authors: Zheng Fei , Zhu Bin , Liu Yumo , Wang Ruifeng , Cui Yuechong
Published: August 2018

Background

Various adjuvant therapies have failed to improve clinical symptoms and pregnancy rates among patients with moderate‐to‐severe intrauterine adhesion.

Objectives

To evaluate the ability of amniotic membrane to prevent the recurrence of intrauterine adhesion after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis.

Search strategy

The Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed databases were searched for articles published before December 31, 2017, using the terms: (“amnion”) and (“intrauterine adhesions” or “Asherman syndrome” or “IUA” or “endometrial injury” or “uterine adhesion” or “hysteroscopic” or “hysteroscopic adhesiolysis”).

Selection criteria

Randomized controlled trials of amniotic membrane therapy after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis.

Data collection and analysis

Four studies were included in the meta‐analysis (300 patients in total). Dichotomous outcomes were expressed as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Continuous variables were expressed as mean difference.

Main results

Amniotic membrane increased menstrual blood volume after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis (mean difference 6.15, 95% CI 4.20–8.11; P<0.001). By contrast, this treatment did not affect the rates of intrauterine adhesion recurrence (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.61–1.16; P=0.290); pregnancy (RR 1.40, 95% CI 0.78–2.50; P=0.260); or spontaneous abortion (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.38–1.99; P=0.750).

Conclusions

The use of amniotic membrane increased menstrual blood volume but failed to improve other measures assessed in the current meta‐analysis.
Electrochemical behavior of horseradish peroxidase on WS2 nanosheet‐modified electrode and electrocatalytic investigation
Authors: Niu Yanyan , Zou Ruyi , Yones Hamza Abdalla , Li Xiaobao , Li Xiaoyan , Niu Xueliang , Chen Yong , Li Pan , Sun Wei
Published: August 2018

In this paper, a WS2 nanosheet was modified on the surface of a carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE), and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was further fixed on the electrode with a Nafion film. Direct electrochemistry and bioelectrocatalysis of HRP incorporated on the modified electrode were investigated in detail. On Nafion/HRP/WS2/CILE, a pair of well‐defined quasi‐reversible redox peaks appeared on the cyclic voltammogram, indicating that the presence of the WS2 nanosheet on the electrode surface could provide a specific interface with large surface area for HRP and its direct electron transfer rate was greatly enhanced. The formal potential (E0) obtained was –0.179 V, which was the typical feature of heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) in HRP. The electron transfer coefficient (α) and the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (ks) of HRP were calculated as 0.44 and 1.01 s–1, respectively. This HRP‐modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of trichloroacetic acid and NaNO2 with a wide linear range and low detection limit. Real samples were detected by this proposed method, indicating the successful fabrication of a new third‐generation electrochemical enzyme sensor utilizing the WS2 nanosheet.
Effect of CCNB1 silencing on cell cycle, senescence, and apoptosis through the p53 signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhang Xuan , Li Xun , Meng Wen‐Bo , Bai Zhong‐Tian , Rui Shao‐Zhen , Wang Zheng‐Feng , Zhou Wen‐Ce , Jin Xiao‐Da
Published: August 2018

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a serious malignancy with high mortality and poor prognosis due to nonspecific incipient symptoms and early metastasis. Also, increasing evidence indicates that a panel of genes is newly identified in the pathogenesis of PC. As is a regulatory subunit, elevated cyclin B1 (CCNB1) expression has been detected in different cancers including PC. This study is designed to investigate the effects of CCNB1 silencing on cell cycle, senescence, and apoptosis through the p53 signaling pathway in PC. PC tissues and normal pancreatic tissues were collected. Cells were transfected and assigned into different groups. The expressions of CCNB1, p53, MDM2, Bax, caspase‐9, caspase‐3, and p21 in tissues and cells were detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. β‐Galactosidase staining, MTT assay, and flow cytometry were conducted to test cell senescence, proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis. PC tissues showed higher expressions of CCNB1 and MDM2 and lower expressions of Bax, caspase‐9, caspase‐3, and p21. Cells transfected with shCCNB1 had lower expressions of CCNB1 and MDM2, whereas higher expressions of Bax, caspase‐9, caspase‐3, p53, and p21. The shCCNB1 group had decreased proliferation and S‐phase cell proportion and increased apoptosis, senescence, and G0/G1‐phase cell proportion. The PFT‐α group showed higher expressions of MDM2 and lower expressions of Bax, caspase‐9, caspase‐3, p53, and p21. The PFT‐α group had increased proliferation and S‐phase cell proportion and declined apoptosis, senescence, and G0/G1‐phase cell proportion. CCNB1 silencing inhibits cell proliferation and promotes cell senescence via activation of the p53 signaling pathway in PC.
Progesterone maintains the status of granulosa cells and slows follicle development partly through PGRMC1
Authors: Yuan Xiao‐Hua , Yang Chun‐Rong , Wang Xi‐Ning , Zhang Li‐Li , Gao Xiao‐Rui , Shi Zi‐Yun
Published: August 2018

Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) mediates antimitotic and antiapoptotic actions of progesterone in granulosa cells, which indicates that PGRMC1 may play a key role in maintaining the status of granulosa cells. The current study investigated the effects of progesterone on intracellular signaling involved in differentiation, follicle development, inflammatory responses, and antioxidation, and determined the role of PGRMC1 in these processes. Our results demonstrated that progesterone slowed follicle development and inhibited p‐ERK1/2, p‐p38, caspase‐3, p‐NF‐κB, and p‐IκB‐α signals involved in differentiation, steroidogenesis, and inflammatory responses in granulosa cells. Progesterone inhibited the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and the cholesterol side‐chain cleavage enzyme and decreased pregnenolone production. A PGRMC1 inhibitor and a PGRMC1 small interfering RNA ablated these inhibitory effects of progesterone. Interfering with PGRMC1 functions also decreased cellular antioxidative effects induced by an oxidant. These results suggest that PGRMC1 might play a critical role in maintaining the status of granulosa cells and balancing follicle numbers.
Identification of key gene modules and pathways of human glioma through coexpression network
Authors: Shi Tianming , Chen Jianchun , Li Jing , Yang Bing‐Yin , Zhang Qiao‐Lin
Published: August 2018

Glioma causes great harm to people worldwide. Systemic coexpression analysis of this disease could be beneficial for the identification and development of new prognostic and predictive markers in the clinical management of glioma. In this study, we extracted data sets from the Gene Expression Omnibus data set by using “glioma” as the keyword. Then, a coexpression module was constructed with the help of Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis software. Besides, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed on the genes in these modules. As a result, the critical modules and target genes were identified. Eight coexpression modules were constructed using the 4,000 genes with a high expression value of the total 141 glioma samples. The result of the analysis of the interaction among these modules showed that there was a high scale independence degree among them. The GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that there was a significant difference in the enriched terms and degree among these eight modules, and module 5 was identified as the most important module. Besides, the pathways it was enriched in, hsa04510: Focal adhesion and hsa04610: Complement and coagulation cascades, were determined as the most important pathways. In summary, module 5 and the pathways it was enriched in, hsa04510: Focal adhesion and has 04610: Complement and coagulation cascades, have the potential to serve as biomarkers for patients with glioma.
Multi‐functional microbial fuel cells for power, treatment and electro‐osmotic purification of urine
Authors: Gajda Iwona , Greenman John , Santoro Carlo , Serov Alexey , Atanassov Plamen , Melhuish Chris , Ieropoulos Ioannis A
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

In this work, a small‐scale ceramic microbial fuel cell (MFC) with a novel type of metal–carbon‐derived electrocatalyst containing iron and nicarbazin (Fe‐NCB) was developed, to enhance electricity generation from neat human urine. Substrate oxidation at the anode provides energy for the separation of ions and recovery from urine without any chemical or external power additions.

RESULTS

The catalyst was shown to be effective in clear electrolyte synthesis of high pH, compared with a range of carbon‐based metal‐free materials. Polarisation curves of tested MFCs showed up to 53% improvement (44.8 W m−3) in performance with the use of Fe‐NCB catalyst.

Catholyte production rate and pH directly increased with power performance while the conductivity decreased showing visually clear extracted liquid in the best‐performing MFCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Iron based catalyst Fe‐NCB was shown to be a suitable electrocatalyst for the air‐breathing cathode, improving power production from urine‐fed MFCs. The results suggest electrochemical treatment through electro‐osmotic drag while the electricity is produced and not consumed. Electro‐osmotic production of clear catholyte is shown to extract water from urine against osmotic pressure. Recovering valuable resources from urine would help to transform energy intensive treatments to resource production, and will create opportunities for new technology development. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
A system using patient‐specific 3D‐printed molds to spatially align in vivo MRI with ex vivo MRI and whole‐mount histopathology for prostate cancer research
Authors: Wu Holden H. , Priester Alan , Khoshnoodi Pooria , Zhang Zhaohuan , Shakeri Sepideh , Afshari Mirak Sohrab , Asvadi Nazanin H. , Ahuja Preeti , Sung Kyunghyun , Natarajan Shyam , Sisk Anthony , Reiter Robert , Raman Steven , Enzmann Dieter
Published: August 2018

Background

Patient‐specific 3D‐printed molds and ex vivo MRI of the resected prostate have been two important strategies to align MRI with whole‐mount histopathology (WMHP) for prostate cancer (PCa) research, but the combination of these two strategies has not been systematically evaluated.

Purpose

To develop and evaluate a system that combines patient‐specific 3D‐printed molds with ex vivo MRI (ExV) to spatially align in vivo MRI (InV), ExV, and WMHP in PCa patients.

Study Type

Prospective cohort study.

Population

Seventeen PCa patients who underwent 3T MRI and robotic‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP).

Field Strength/Sequences

T2‐weighted turbo spin‐echo sequences at 3T.

Assessment

Immediately after RALP, the fresh whole prostate specimens were imaged in patient‐specific 3D‐printed molds by 3T MRI and then sectioned to create WMHP slides. The time required for ExV was measured to assess impact on workflow. InV, ExV, and WMHP images were registered. Spatial alignment was evaluated using: slide offset (mm) between ExV slice locations and WMHP slides; overlap of the 3D prostate contour on InV versus ExV using Dice's coefficient (0 to 1); and 2D target registration error (TRE, mm) between corresponding landmarks on InV, ExV, and WMHP. Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation (SD).

Statistical Testing

Differences in 2D TRE before versus after registration were compared using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test (P < 0.05 considered significant).

Results

ExV (duration 115 ± 15 min) was successfully incorporated into the workflow for all cases. Absolute slide offset was 1.58 ± 1.57 mm. Dice's coefficient was 0.865 ± 0.035. 2D TRE was significantly reduced after registration (P < 0.01) with mean (±SD of per patient means) of 1.9 ± 0.6 mm for InV versus ExV, 1.4 ± 0.5 mm for WMHP versus ExV, and 2.0 ± 0.5 mm for WMHP versus InV.

Data Conclusion

The proposed system combines patient‐specific 3D‐printed molds with ExV to achieve spatial alignment between InV, ExV, and WMHP with mean 2D TRE of 1–2 mm.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:270–279.
Pacemaker‐mediated arrhythmias
Authors: Alasti Mohammad , Machado Colin , Rangasamy Karthikeyan , Bittinger Logan , Healy Stewart , Kotschet Emily , Adam David , Alison Jeff
Published: August 2018

Pacemakers can be directly involved in initiating or sustaining different forms of arrhythmia. These can cause symptoms such as dyspnea, palpitations, and decompensated heart failure. Early detection of these arrhythmias and optimal pacemaker programming is pivotal. The aim of this review article is to summarize the different types of pacemaker‐mediated arrhythmias, their predisposing factors, and mechanisms of prevention or termination.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy outcomes in patients under nonoptimal medical therapy
Authors: Alvarez‐Alvarez Belén , García‐Seara Javier , Martínez‐Sande Jose L. , Rodríguez‐Mañero Moisés , Fernández López Xesús A. , González‐Melchor Laila , Agra Bermejo Rosa M. , Iglesias‐Alvarez Diego , Sampedro Francisco Gude , Díaz‐Louzao Carla , González‐Juanatey José R.
Published: August 2018

Background

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is indicated in symptomatic heart failure (HF) patients after achieving optimal medical therapy (OMT). However, many patients may not be under OMT when the CRT device is implanted. Here, we evaluate the long‐term benefits of CRT in symptomatic HF patients receiving or not OMT.

Methods

We investigated the effect of OMT on HF developing or death in 328 consecutive patients with a CRT device implanted between 2005 and 2015 in a single tertiary center. After the CRT implant, we categorized the patients into three groups: no OMT, OMT at baseline and after 1 year of follow‐up, and OMT only at the 1‐year follow‐up but not at baseline. We used multivariate Cox proportional hazards model to determine the effect of OMT on clinical outcomes.

Results

One hundred and twenty‐two patients (37.2%) received OMT prior to CRT. OMT at baseline was not associated with a reduced risk of death or HF (HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.50‐1.02; P = 0.067) compared with no‐basal‐OMT patients. After CRT, patients without OMT had a higher risk of death or HF than patients who received OMT in follow‐up (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.07‐2.78, P = 0.025), and the risk of the patients who received OMT at baseline and at the 1‐year follow‐up was similar to that of the patients who achieved OMT at the 1‐year follow‐up (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.54‐1.50, P = 0.682).

Conclusion

Basal OMT prior to CRT is not associated with better outcomes in terms of HF/death compared with no basal OMT. The subgroup of patients who achieved OMT at the 1‐year follow‐up exhibited a reduced risk of HF and death compared with patients who did not.
Genetic lineage tracing of targeted cell populations during enthesis healing
Authors: Moser Helen L. , Doe Anton P. , Meier Kristen , Garnier Simon , Laudier Damien , Akiyama Haruhiko , Zumstein Matthias A. , Galatz Leesa M. , Huang Alice H.
Published: August 2018

Rotator cuff supraspinatus tendon injuries are clinically challenging due to the high rates of failure after surgical repair. One key limitation to functional healing is the failure to regenerate the enthesis transition between tendon and bone, which heals by disorganized scar formation. Using two models of supraspinatus tendon injury in mouse (partial tear and full detachment/repair), the purpose of the study was to determine functional gait outcomes and identify the origin of the cells that mediate healing. Consistent with previous reports, enthesis injuries did not regenerate; partial tear resulted in a localized scar defect adjacent to intact enthesis, while full detachment with repair resulted in full disruption of enthesis alignment and massive scar formation between tendon and enthesis fibrocartilage. Although gait after partial tear injury was largely normal, gait was permanently impaired after full detachment/repair. Genetic lineage tracing of intrinsic tendon and cartilage/fibrocartilage cells (ScxCreERT2 and Sox9CreERT2, respectively), myofibroblasts (αSMACreERT2), and Wnt‐responsive stem cells (Axin2CreERT2) failed to identify scar‐forming cells in partial tear injury. Unmineralized enthesis fibrocartilage was strongly labeled by Sox9CreERT2 while Axin2CrERT2 labeled a subset of tendon cells away from the skeletal insertion site. In contrast to the partial tear model, Axin2CreERT2 labeling showed considerable contribution of Axin2lin cells to the scar after full detachment/repair. Clinical Significance: Clinically relevant models of rotator cuff tendon injuries in mouse enable the use of genetic tools; lineage tracing suggests that distinct mechanisms of healing are activated with full detachment/repair injuries versus partial tear. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:3275–3284, 2018.
Energy and Protein Requirements in Children Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery: Current Problems and Future Direction
Authors: Zhang Jian , Cui Yan‐Qin , Ma, MD Ze‐Ming , Luo Yi , Chen Xin‐Xin , Li Jia
Published: August 2018

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is 1 of the most common congenital malformations, and considerable numbers of infants and young children with CHD undergo cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. It has been increasingly realized that perioperative nutrition support plays an important role in improving clinical outcomes. The purpose of this review, by searching PubMed, was to examine the nutrition conditions in perioperative children with CHD and the main problems in nutrition management in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU), based on which future directions were proposed. We found that preoperative poor nutrition status is common. This limited reserve of energy and protein is further compounded by the complex metabolic alterations with hypermetabolism, hypercatabolism, and hypoanabolism in the early postoperative course. Knowledge about energy and protein metabolism and requirements in children after cardiopulmonary bypass remains very limited. The current nutrition recommendations in the CICU are based on little evidence. Insufficient energy and protein supply to meet demands remains a norm in the immediate postoperative period. The commonly used predictive equations do not provide accurate estimate of energy requirement in individual patients during the highly dynamic postoperative course. Indirect calorimetry can provide the best estimate of energy requirements for children with CHD in the CICU. Measurement of nitrogen balance is the recommended method to determine the minimal protein requirement. During the early postoperative period, daily measurements of resting energy expenditure using indirect calorimetry and nitrogen balance in each individual child are essential to optimize energy and protein supply to meet requirements.
The Gut Microbiome in Patients with Intestinal Failure: Current Evidence and Implications for Clinical Practice
Authors: Neelis Esther , de Koning Barbara , Rings Edmond , Wijnen René , Nichols Ben , Hulst Jessie , Gerasimidis Konstantinos
Published: August 2018

Intestinal failure (IF) is the reduction of gut function or mass below a minimum needed to absorb nutrients and fluids, such that patients are dependent on parenteral nutrition (PN). Patients with IF have an altered gut microbiome. Our aim was to review and evaluate the current evidence on gut microbiome and its metabolic activity, as well as its association with disease characteristics in adults and children with IF. We performed a PubMed literature search for articles published after 2000 using the following terms: intestinal, microbiome, microbiota, short‐chain fatty acids, short bowel syndrome, and PN. Literature search was restricted to human studies only. The gut microbiome diversity is remarkably reduced, and community structure is altered with a noticeable overabundance of Proteobacteria, especially the Enterobacteriaceae family. A substantial increase in Lactobacillus level is often reported in patients with IF. Gut microbiome characteristics have been associated with poor growth, liver disease, D‐lactic acidosis, and duration of intestinal adaptation. Differences in microbiome characteristics have been found between patients receiving PN and those whose guts have adapted and have been weaned off PN. Future research with prospective sample collection should explore the value of the gut microbiome as a biomarker to guide clinical practice and as a modifiable therapeutic target to optimize outcomes of patients with IF.
Comparison of medication history interview conducted via telephone with interview conducted face‐to‐face for elective surgical patients
Authors: Canning Martin L. , Vale Cassandra , Wilczynski Hollie , Grima Geoffrey
Published: August 2018

Aim

To evaluate whether medication history‐taking via telephone interview is an alternative to face‐to‐face medication history‐taking in elective surgical patients planned for admission after surgery.

Method

Patients undergoing elective surgery who were planned for post‐procedure admission during an 8‐week period between February and March 2015 were eligible for enrolment. A semi‐structured, scripted medication history interview was performed via telephone on the working day prior to the booked admission date for patients who met the inclusion criteria. Blinded comparator face‐to‐face histories were documented post‐operatively as per standard practice. Discrepancies identified were risk stratified via consensus by a panel of three pharmacists.

Results

Sixty‐four patients received a telephone history interview and comparator face‐to‐face interview. The average number of medications was 4.47 for phone history versus 4.64 for face‐to‐face interview (p = 0.247). The average time to conduct a phone history interview was 5.8 min (standard deviation 3.89 min) compared to 6.69 min (standard deviation 5.01 min) (p = 0.176) for interviews conducted face‐to‐face. Omission or documented error of a regular prescription medication occurred with four patients (6.25%). Two errors were deemed clinically significant with the potential to cause moderate discomfort or clinical deterioration.

Conclusion

Medication history interviews via telephone are a suitable alternative to face‐to‐face medication history‐taking in low‐risk elective surgical patients who are unable or not required to attend an elective procedures admission clinic.
Detection of microscopic traces of explosive residues on textile fabrics by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Videira‐Quintela Diogo , Zapata Félix , García‐Ruiz Carmen
Published: August 2018

Direct or cross‐contamination of explosive residues on clothing is of high occurrence when handling explosive materials, leading to physically trapped particles between the fibres. In this work, the detection and identification of trace amounts of organic explosives, inorganic explosives, and oxidizing salts trapped between the fibres of dyed and undyed synthetic and natural textile clothing fabrics were studied using two (desktop and portable) confocal Raman microscopes. The results show that, despite the contribution of the textile fabric in terms of fluorescence and vibrational bands coming from the fibres and dyes, detection and identification of the explosive/oxidizing salt particles trapped on highly interfering surfaces was possible. Limits of detection were estimated in the nanogram/picogram range depending on the explosive and fabric. However, problems involving the burning of either some explosive particles or dark cloth textiles were verified, which can cause a destruction of the sample. Also, the analysis of improvised homemade explosives (potassium nitrate mixed with 10 different fuel substances) was studied to evaluate possible interferences.