bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Production of Nanocellulose Crystal Derived from Enset Fiber Using Acid Hydrolysis Coupled with Ultrasonication, Isolation, Statistical Modeling, Optimization, and Characterizations
Authors: Beyan Surafel Mustefa , Amibo Temesgen Abeto , Prabhu S. Venkatesa , Ayalew Abraham Getahun
Published: October 2021

Currently, many scholars are looking for renewable biomass sources for the isolation of nanomaterials that have a sustainable property and are ecofriendly. Thus, effectively synthesize and characterization enset fiber nanocellulose using acid hydrolysis with sonication is focus of study. Additionally, process optimization for isolation of nanocellulose (CNCs) from raw enset fiber using RSM-CCD and characterizations of obtained CNCs was explored. The quadratic model was selected, and optimized values for CNCs yield (77.69%) that were acquired to be H2SO4: 51.6 wt. %, reaction temperature: 47°C, and time: 66.5 min. Chemical composition analysis, XRD, FTIR, PSA, SEM, and TGA were used for characterizing CNCs. The particle size distribution of CNCs is 66 nm. It has a crystalline index of 80.91% and excellent thermal stability. FTIR and chemical composition result indicated the reduction and removal of lignin and hemicellulose components that are usually available in the raw enset fibers. The SEM analysis reveals the structure and arrangement of the fiber bundles inside the raw material to nanocellulose. This property shows its endowing as a possibly consistent load-bearing material. This study could be given a noteworthy thought for designing and emerging CNC isolation, optimization, and industrial application.
Improving the Service Quality of Public Transit with Exclusive Bus Lanes: A Perspective from Passenger Satisfaction
Authors: He Linghui , Yang Dongyuan , Li Jian
Published: October 2021

Exclusive bus lanes have been widely regarded as an effective way to promote bus priority and improve the service quality, while they have not attracted more passengers to travel by bus in China. Also, more attention is usually paid to the infrastructure and facilities of exclusive bus lanes, but not much attention is paid to the passenger satisfaction of public transit with them. Therefore, this paper studies how to improve the service quality of public transit with exclusive bus lanes from a perspective of passenger satisfaction. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) was developed to investigate the mechanism of relationships between passenger satisfaction and the factors influencing the service quality of public transit with exclusive bus lanes. A total of 2087 respondents from Shanghai, China, participated in this study. Also, a comparison model of different groups using public transit including captive riders, choice riders, and captive by choice riders was established. Results show that passengers were dissatisfied with the current service of public transit with bus lanes, while they would prefer to take buses in the near future. In addition, travel environment, facilities, and convenience, rather than operational efficiency, had significant effects on passenger satisfaction. Through the comparison model, it was found that choice and captive by choice users might prefer public transit with bus lanes and captive users might be unable to bear the financial burden of private motorized travel. “Crowdedness in the buses on bus lanes during peak hours” especially for choice riders and “driving stability” especially for captive riders were the improvement direction for attracting more passengers to travel by bus. The results and the proposed policies of this study can benefit for the planning and operations of exclusive bus lanes in Shanghai and other similar cities around the world.
Diagnosis and Fault-Tolerant Control of Six-Phase Wind Turbine under Multiple Open-Switch Faults
Authors: Bolbolnia Rouhollah , Abbaszadeh Karim , Nasiri Mojtaba
Published: October 2021

A new open-switch fault diagnosis method is proposed in this paper for the six-phase AC-DC converter based on the difference between the phase current and the corresponding reference using an adaptive threshold. The single and multiple open-switch faults are detected without any additional equipment and complicated calculations since the proposed fault detection method is integrated with the hysteresis controller. The proposed fault-tolerant technique reduces the value of overcurrent and total harmonic distortion on the side phases of the faulty one, by changing the switching signal of one switch in its opposite phase in some regions. This technique is performed without adding any legs, switches, or triode for alternating currents to the circuit. Finally, the proposed fault-tolerant technique is evaluated by MATLAB simulation and the results show its effectiveness.
Circulating Tumor DNA in Stage III Colorectal Cancer, beyond Minimal Residual Disease Detection, toward Assessment of Adjuvant Therapy Efficacy and Clinical Behavior of Recurrences
Authors: Henriksen Tenna Vesterman , Tarazona Noelia , Frydendahl Amanda , Reinert Thomas , Gimeno-Valiente Francisco , Carbonell-Asins Juan Antonio , Sharma Shruti , Renner Derrick , Hafez Dina , Roda Desamparados , Huerta Marisol , Roselló Susana , Madsen Anders Husted , Løve Uffe S. , Andersen Per Vadgaard , Thorlacius-Ussing Ole , Iversen Lene Hjerrild , Gotschalck Kåre Andersson , Sethi Himanshu , Aleshin Alexey , Cervantes Andres , Andersen Claus Lindbjerg
Published: October 2021

Purpose:

Sensitive methods for risk stratification, monitoring therapeutic efficacy, and early relapse detection may have a major impact on treatment decisions and patient management for stage III colorectal cancer patients. Beyond assessing the predictive power of postoperative ctDNA detection, we explored the added benefits of serial analysis: assessing adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) efficacy, early relapse detection, and ctDNA growth rates.

Experimental Design:

We recruited 168 patients with stage III colorectal cancer treated with curative intent at Danish and Spanish hospitals between 2014 and 2019. To quantify ctDNA in plasma samples (n = 1,204), 16 patient-specific somatic single-nucleotide variants were profiled using multiplex-PCR, next-generation sequencing.

Results:

Detection of ctDNA was a strong recurrence predictor postoperatively [HR = 7.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.7–13.5; P < 0.001] and directly after ACT (HR = 50.76; 95% CI, 15.4–167; P < 0.001). The recurrence rate of postoperative ctDNA-positive patients treated with ACT was 80% (16/20). Only patients who cleared ctDNA permanently during ACT did not relapse. Serial ctDNA assessment after the end of treatment was similarly predictive of recurrence (HR = 50.80; 95% CI, 14.9–172; P < 0.001), and revealed two distinct rates of exponential ctDNA growth, slow (25% ctDNA-increase/month) and fast (143% ctDNA-increase/month; P < 0.001). The ctDNA growth rate was prognostic of survival (HR = 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1–6.7; P = 0.039). Serial ctDNA analysis every 3 months detected recurrence with a median lead-time of 9.8 months compared with standard-of-care computed tomography.

Conclusions:

Serial postoperative ctDNA analysis has a strong prognostic value and enables tumor growth rate assessment. The novel combination of ctDNA detection and growth rate assessment provides unique opportunities for guiding decision-making.

See related commentary by Morris and George, p. 438
IgE-Based Therapeutic Combination Enhances Antitumor Response in Preclinical Models of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Markov Spas Dimitrov , Caffrey Thomas C. , O'Connell Kelly A. , Grunkemeyer James A. , Shin Simon , Hanson Ryan , Patil Prathamesh P. , Shukla Surendra K. , Gonzalez Daisy , Crawford Ayrianne J. , Vance Krysten E. , Huang Ying , Eberle Kirsten C. , Radhakrishnan Prakash , Grandgenett Paul M. , Singh Pankaj K. , Madiyalakan Ragupathy , Daniels-Wells Tracy R. , Penichet Manuel L. , Nicodemus Christopher F. , Poole Jill A. , Jaffee Elizabeth M. , Hollingsworth Michael A. , Mehla Kamiya
Published: October 2021

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents 3% of all cancer cases and 7% of all cancer deaths in the United States. Late diagnosis and inadequate response to standard chemotherapies contribute to an unfavorable prognosis and an overall 5-year survival rate of less than 10% in PDAC. Despite recent advances in tumor immunology, tumor-induced immunosuppression attenuates the immunotherapy response in PDAC. To date, studies have focused on IgG-based therapeutic strategies in PDAC. With the recent interest in IgE-based therapies in multiple solid tumors, we explored the MUC1-targeted IgE potential against pancreatic cancer. Our study demonstrates the notable expression of FceRI (receptor for IgE antibody) in tumors from PDAC patients. Our study showed that administration of MUC1 targeted-IgE (mouse/human chimeric anti-MUC1.IgE) antibody at intermittent levels in combination with checkpoint inhibitor (anti-PD-L1) and TLR3 agonist (PolyICLC) induces a robust antitumor response that is dependent on NK and CD8 T cells in pancreatic tumor-bearing mice. Subsequently, our study showed that the antigen specificity of the IgE antibody plays a vital role in executing the antitumor response as nonspecific IgE, induced by ovalbumin (OVA), failed to restrict tumor growth in pancreatic tumor-bearing mice. Utilizing the OVA-induced allergic asthma-PDAC model, we demonstrate that allergic phenotype induced by OVA cannot restrain pancreatic tumor growth in orthotopic tumor-bearing mice. Together, our data demonstrate the novel tumor protective benefits of tumor antigen-specific IgE-based therapeutics in a preclinical model of pancreatic cancer, which can open new avenues for future clinical interventions.
Selectively Targeting Tumor Hypoxia With the Hypoxia-Activated Prodrug CP-506
Authors: van der Wiel Alexander M.A. , Jackson-Patel Victoria , Niemans Raymon , Yaromina Ala , Liu Emily , Marcus Damiënne , Mowday Alexandra M. , Lieuwes Natasja G. , Biemans Rianne , Lin Xiaojing , Fu Zhe , Kumara Sisira , Jochems Arthur , Ashoorzadeh Amir , Anderson Robert F. , Hicks Kevin O. , Bull Matthew R. , Abbattista Maria R. , Guise Christopher P. , Deschoemaeker Sofie , Thiolloy Sophie , Heyerick Arne , Solivio Morwena J. , Balbo Silvia , Smaill Jeff B. , Theys Jan , Dubois Ludwig J. , Patterson Adam V. , Lambin Philippe
Published: October 2021

Hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAP) are a promising class of antineoplastic agents that can selectively eliminate hypoxic tumor cells. This study evaluates the hypoxia-selectivity and antitumor activity of CP-506, a DNA alkylating HAP with favorable pharmacologic properties. Stoichiometry of reduction, one-electron affinity, and back-oxidation rate of CP-506 were characterized by fast-reaction radiolytic methods with observed parameters fulfilling requirements for oxygen-sensitive bioactivation. Net reduction, metabolism, and cytotoxicity of CP-506 were maximally inhibited at oxygen concentrations above 1 μmol/L (0.1% O2). CP-506 demonstrated cytotoxicity selectively in hypoxic 2D and 3D cell cultures with normoxic/anoxic IC50 ratios up to 203. Complete resistance to aerobic (two-electron) metabolism by aldo-keto reductase 1C3 was confirmed through gain-of-function studies while retention of hypoxic (one-electron) bioactivation by various diflavin oxidoreductases was also demonstrated. In vivo, the antitumor effects of CP-506 were selective for hypoxic tumor cells and causally related to tumor oxygenation. CP-506 effectively decreased the hypoxic fraction and inhibited growth of a wide range of hypoxic xenografts. A multivariate regression analysis revealed baseline tumor hypoxia and in vitro sensitivity to CP-506 were significantly correlated with treatment response. Our results demonstrate that CP-506 selectively targets hypoxic tumor cells and has broad antitumor activity. Our data indicate that tumor hypoxia and cellular sensitivity to CP-506 are strong determinants of the antitumor effects of CP-506.
Molecular Characteristics of Repotrectinib That Enable Potent Inhibition of TRK Fusion Proteins and Resistant Mutations
Authors: Murray Brion W. , Rogers Evan , Zhai Dayong , Deng Wei , Chen Xi , Sprengeler Paul A. , Zhang Xin , Graber Armin , Reich Siegfried H. , Stopatschinskaja Shanna , Solomon Benjamin , Besse Benjamin , Drilon Alexander
Published: October 2021

NTRK chromosomal rearrangements yield oncogenic TRK fusion proteins that are sensitive to TRK inhibitors (larotrectinib and entrectinib) but often mutate, limiting the durability of response for NTRK+ patients. Next-generation inhibitors with compact macrocyclic structures (repotrectinib and selitrectinib) were designed to avoid resistance mutations. Head-to-head potency comparisons of TRK inhibitors and molecular characterization of binding interactions are incomplete, obscuring a detailed understanding of how molecular characteristics translate to potency. Larotrectinib, entrectinib, selitrectinib, and repotrectinib were characterized using cellular models of wild-type TRKA/B/C fusions and resistance mutant variants with a subset evaluated in xenograft tumor models. Crystal structures were determined for repotrectinib bound to TRKA (wild-type, solvent-front mutant). TKI-naïve and pretreated case studies are presented. Repotrectinib was the most potent inhibitor of wild-type TRKA/B/C fusions and was more potent than selitrectinib against all tested resistance mutations, underscoring the importance of distinct features of the macrocycle structures. Cocrystal structures of repotrectinib with wild-type TRKA and the TRKAG595R SFM variant elucidated how differences in macrocyclic inhibitor structure, binding orientation, and conformational flexibility affect potency and mutant selectivity. The SFM crystal structure revealed an unexpected intramolecular arginine sidechain interaction. Repotrectinib caused tumor regression in LMNA–NTRK1 xenograft models harboring GKM, SFM, xDFG, and GKM + SFM compound mutations. Durable responses were observed in TKI-naïve and -pretreated patients with NTRK+ cancers treated with repotrectinib (NCT03093116). This comprehensive analysis of first- and second-generation TRK inhibitors informs the clinical utility, structural determinants of inhibitor potency, and design of new generations of macrocyclic inhibitors.
Self-Efficacy Is a Modifiable Factor Associated with Frailty in Those with Minor Stroke: Secondary Analysis of 200 Cohort Respondents
Authors: Aminu Abodunrin Quadri , Wondergem Roderick , Van Zaalen Yvonne , Pisters Martijn
Published: October 2021

Background: Owing to the improvement in acute care, there has been an increase in the number of people surviving stroke and living with its impairments. Frailty is common in people with stroke and has a significant impact on the prognosis after stroke. To reduce frailty progression, potentially modifiable factors should be identified. Increasing levels of self-efficacy influence both behaviour and physical functioning, and therefore it could be a potential target to prevent frailty. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study that involved the secondary analysis of the RISE data to examine the relationship between self-efficacy and frailty. The RISE study is a longitudinal study that consists of 200 adults aged 18+ years after their first stroke event. Data were collected from the respondents at 3 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months after their discharge from the hospital. Frailty was assessed using the multidimensional frailty index with scores ranging from 0 to 1, and self-efficacy was assessed using the SESx scale, which was dichotomized as low/moderate or high. Frailty trajectories were examined using the repeated linear model. The generalized estimating equation was used to examine the relationship between self-efficacy and frailty at baseline and in the future (6–24 months). The B coefficients were reported at 95% CI before and after adjusting for potential confounders (age, gender, stroke severity, education, and social support). Results: A total of 200 responses were analysed, and the mean age of the respondents was 67.78 ± 11.53. Females made up 64% of the sample, and the mean frailty score at baseline was 0.17 ± 0.09. After adjusting for confounders, respondents with low self-efficacy had an approximately 5% increase in their frailty scores at baseline and in the 24-month follow-up period compared to those with high self-efficacy. Conclusion: The result from this study showed that self-efficacy was significantly associated with frailty after stroke. Our findings suggest that self-efficacy may play a role in frailty progression among stroke survivors.
Women and Stroke: Different, yet Similar
Authors: Mitta Nandini , Sreedharan Sapna Erat , Sarma Sankara P. , Sylaja Padmavathy N.
Published: October 2021

Background: The impact of gender on acute ischemic stroke, in terms of presentation, severity, etiology, and outcome, is increasingly getting recognized. Here, we analyzed the gender-related differences in etiology and outcome of ischemic stroke in South India. Methods: Patients with first ever ischemic stroke within 1 week of onset presenting to the Comprehensive Stroke Care Centre, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, India, were included in our study. Clinical and risk factor profile was documented. The stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at onset, and stroke subtype classification was done using Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Ischemic Stroke criteria. The 3-month functional outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) with excellent outcome defined as an mRS ≤2. Results: Of the 742 patients, 250 (33.7%) were females. The age, clinical profile, and rate of reperfusion therapies did not differ between the genders. Women suffered more severe strokes (mean NIHSS 9.5 vs. 8.4, p = 0.03). While large artery atherosclerosis was more common in men (21.3% vs. 14.8%, p = 0.03), cardioembolic strokes secondary to rheumatic heart disease were more common in women (27.2% vs. 19.7%, p = 0.02). Men had a better 3-month functional outcome compared to women (68.6% vs. 61.2%, p = 0.04), but was not statistically significant after adjusting for confounders. Conclusion: Our data, from a single comprehensive stroke unit from South India, suggest that stroke in women are different, yet similar in many ways to men. Guideline-based treatment can result in comparable short-term outcomes, irrespective of admission stroke severity.
Efeitos da suplementação com vitamina E na cicatrização de feridas induzidas em Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Iwashita Marina  Keiko Pieroni , Engracia Filho Jair Rodini , Claudiano Gustavo da Silva , Yunis Aguinaga Jefferson , Ozório Rodrigo Otavio de Almeida , Moraes Julieta Rodini Engrácia de
Published: October 2021

No presente estudo, o efeito da suplementação com vitamina E de 450 mg / kg de dieta foi avaliado no processo de cicatrização induzida de feridas em tilápias do Nilo, Oreochromis niloticus. Os peixes foram distribuídos em 18 tanques (N=10), sendo 9 tanques com dieta não suplementada e os outros 9 tanques suplementados com 450 mg de vitamina E por 60 dias. Posteriormente, os peixes foram anestesiados e a epiderme e derme foram removidas cirurgicamente. Nos tempos pré- determinado de 3, 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias após a ferida foi analisado a taxa de retração cicatricial, a aparência das feridas e a histomorfometria das células mucosas, dos cromatóforos, das células inflamatórias, a revascularização, a presença de fibroblastos, de fibras de colágeno e escamas. A taxa de retração da ferida foi significativamente maior nos peixes suplementados. As maiores concentrações de células inflamatórias, mucosas e cromatóforos, bem como a produção e organização das fibras de colágeno, resultaram em uma maior taxa de retração. Concluímos que a dieta de suplementação melhora aspectos específicos do processo de cicatrização cutânea em peixes de tilápia do Nilo.
Effect of Long-Term Marine ɷ-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in Randomized Controlled Trials of Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gencer Baris , Djousse Luc , Al-Ramady Omar T. , Cook Nancy R. , Manson JoAnn E. , Albert Christine M.
Published: October 2021

Background:

Some, but not all, large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of marine ɷ-3 fatty acids supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes have reported increased risks of atrial fibrillation (AF). The potential reasons for disparate findings may be dose-related.

Methods:

The MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched for articles and abstracts published between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2020, in addition to a meta-analysis of large cardiovascular RCTs published in 2019. RCTs of cardiovascular outcomes of marine ɷ-3 fatty acids that reported results for AF, either as a prespecified outcome, an adverse event, or a cause for hospitalization, with a minimum sample size of 500 patients and a median follow-up of at least 1 year were included. RCTs specifically examining shorter-term effects of ɷ-3 fatty acids on recurrent AF in patients with established AF or postoperative AF were not included. The hazard ratio (HR) for the reported AF outcomes within each trial was meta-analyzed using random effects model with Knapp-Hartung adjustment and evaluated a dose-response relationship with a meta-regression model.

Results:

Of 4049 screened records, 7 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Of those, 5 were already detected in a previous meta-analysis of cardiovascular RCTs. Among the 81 210 patients from 7 trials, 58 939 (72.6%) were enrolled in trials testing ≤1 g/d and 22 271 (27.4%) in trials testing >1 g/d of ɷ-3 fatty acids. The mean age was 65 years, and 31 842 (39%) were female. The weighted average follow-up was 4.9 years. In meta-analysis, the use of marine ɷ-3 fatty acid supplements was associated with an increased risk of AF (n=2905; HR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.07–1.46];
P
=0.013). In analyses stratified by dose, the HR was greater in the trials testing >1 g/d (HR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.04–2.15];
P
=0.042) compared with those testing ≤1 g/d (HR, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.03–1.22];
P
=0.024;
P
for interaction <0.001). In meta-regression, the HR for AF increased per 1 g higher dosage of ɷ-3 fatty acids dosage (HR, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.06–1.15];
P
=0.001).

Conclusions:

In RCTs examining cardiovascular outcomes, marine ɷ-3 supplementation was associated with an increased risk of AF. The risk appeared to be greater in trials testing >1 g/d.
Inpatient Versus Outpatient Acute Venous Thromboembolism Management: Trends and Postacute Healthcare Utilization From 2011 to 2018
Authors: Lutsey Pamela L. , Walker Rob F. , MacLehose Richard F. , Norby Faye L. , Evensen Line H. , Alonso Alvaro , Zakai Neil A.
Published: October 2021

Background

Acute outpatient management of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is perceived to be as safe as inpatient management in some settings. How widely this strategy is used is not well documented.

Methods and Results

Using MarketScan administrative claims databases for years 2011 through 2018, we identified patients with
International Classification of Diseases
(
ICD
) codes indicating incident VTE and trends in the use of acute outpatient management. We also evaluated healthcare utilization and hospitalized bleeding events in the 6 months following the incident VTE event. A total of 200 346 patients with VTE were included, of whom 50% had evidence of PE. Acute outpatient management was used for 18% of those with PE and 57% of those with DVT only, and for both DVT and PE its use increased from 2011 to 2018. Outpatient management was less prevalent among patients with cancer, higher Charlson comorbidity index scores, and whose primary treatment was warfarin as compared with a direct oral anticoagulant. Healthcare utilization in the 6 months following the incident VTE event was generally lower among patients managed acutely as outpatients, regardless of initial presentation. Acute outpatient management was associated with lower hazard ratios of incident bleeding risk for both patients who initially presented with PE (0.71 [95% CI, 0.61, 0.82]) and DVT only (0.59 [95% CI, 0.54, 0.64]).

Conclusions

Outpatient management of VTE is increasing. In the present analysis, it was associated with lower subsequent healthcare utilization and fewer bleeding events. However, this may be because healthier patients were managed on an outpatient basis.
Association of Global Coagulation Profiles With Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Atherosclerosis: A Sex Disaggregated Analysis From the BioHEART‐CT Study
Authors: Kott Katharine A. , Morel‐Kopp Marie‐Christine , Vernon Stephen T. , Takagi Yuki , Di Bartolo Belinda A. , Peter Karlheinz , Yang Jean Y. , Grieve Stuart M. , Ward Christopher , Figtree Gemma A.
Published: October 2021

Background

Although the association between dysregulated coagulation and atherosclerosis is well recognized, individual assays have been of minimal value in understanding disease susceptibility. Here we investigated the association of global coagulation profiles with coronary artery disease with consideration of sex differences.

Methods and Results

The study included patients from the BioHEART‐CT (The BioHEART Study: Assessing Patients With Suspected Cardiovascular Disease for New Disease Markers and Risk Factors) biobank who had computed tomography coronary angiograms scored for coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and Gensini score. The cohort included 206 adult patients who were referred for clinically indicated computed tomography coronary angiography and had a median of 2 major cardiac risk factors; 50% were women and the average age was 62.6 years (±9.9 years). The overall hemostatic potential (OHP) and calibrated automated thrombography generation assays were performed on platelet‐poor plasma. CACS and Gensini score in men were significantly correlated in bivariate analysis with measures from the OHP assay, and regression models predicting disease severity by CACS or Gensini score were improved by adding the OHP assay variables in men but not in women. The calibrated automated thrombography generation assay demonstrated a more hypercoagulable profile in women than in men. The OHP assay showed hypercoagulable profiles in women with hyperlipidemia and men with obesity.

Conclusions

The OHP assay identified hypercoagulable profiles associated with different risk factors for each sex and was associated with CACS and Gensini score severity in men, emphasizing the associations between increased fibrin generation and reduced fibrinolysis with cardiac risk factors and early atherosclerosis.

Registration Information

www.anzctr.org.au
. Identifier: ACTRN12618001322224.
Impact of Center Volume on Outcomes in Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock: A CULPRIT‐SHOCK Substudy
Authors: Schrage Benedikt , Zeymer Uwe , Montalescot Gilles , Windecker Stephan , Serpytis Pranas , Vrints Christiaan , Stepinska Janina , Savonitto Stefano , Oldroyd Keith G. , Desch Steffen , Fuernau Georg , Huber Kurt , Noc Marko , Schneider Steffen , Ouarrak Taoufik , Blankenberg Stefan , Thiele Holger , Clemmensen Peter
Published: October 2021

Background

Little is known about the impact of center volume on outcomes in acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between center volume, treatment strategies, and subsequent outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Methods and Results

In this subanalysis of the randomized CULPRIT‐SHOCK (Culprit Lesion Only PCI Versus Multivessel PCI in Cardiogenic Shock) trial, study sites were categorized based on the annual volume of acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock into low‐/intermediate‐/high‐volume centers (<50; 50–100; and >100 cases/y). Subjects from the study/compulsory registry with available volume data were included. Baseline/procedural characteristics, overall treatment, and 1‐year all‐cause mortality were compared across categories. n=1032 patients were included in this study (537 treated at low‐volume, 240 at intermediate‐volume, and 255 at high‐volume centers). Baseline risk profile of patients across the volume categories was similar, although high‐volume centers included a larger number of older patients. Low‐/intermediate‐volume centers had more resuscitated patients (57.5%/58.8% versus 42.2%;
P
<0.01), and more patients on mechanical ventilation in comparison to high‐volume centers. There were no differences in reperfusion success despite considerable differences in adjunctive pharmacological/device therapies. There was no difference in 1‐year all‐cause mortality across volume categories (51.1% versus 56.5% versus 54.4%;
P
=0.34).

Conclusions

In this study of patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock, considerable differences in adjunctive medical and mechanical support therapies were observed. However, we could not detect an impact of center volume on reperfusion success or mortality.
Angiostatic Peptide, Endostatin, Predicts Severity in Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease–Associated Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Daly Caroline M. , Griffiths Megan , Simpson Catherine E. , Yang Jun , Damico Rachel L. , Vaidya R. Dhananjay , Williams Monica , Brandal Stephanie , Jone Pei‐Ni , Polsen Cassandra , Ivy D. Dunbar , Austin Eric D. , Nichols William C. , Pauciulo Michael W. , Lutz Katie , Nies Melanie K. , Rosenzweig Erika B. , Hirsch Russel , Yung Delphine , Everett Allen D.
Published: October 2021

Background

Endostatin, an angiogenic inhibitor, is associated with worse pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) outcomes in adults and poor lung growth in children. This study sought to assess whether endostatin is associated with disease severity and outcomes in pediatric PAH.

Methods and Results

Serum endostatin was measured in cross‐sectional (N=160) and longitudinal cohorts (N=64) of pediatric subjects with PAH, healthy pediatric controls and pediatric controls with congenital heart disease (CHD) (N=54, N=15), and adults with CHD associated PAH (APAH‐CHD, N=185). Outcomes, assessed by regression and Kaplan‐Meier analysis, included hemodynamics, change in endostatin over time, and transplant‐free survival. Endostatin secretion was evaluated in pulmonary artery endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Endostatin was higher in those with PAH compared with healthy controls and controls with CHD and was highest in those with APAH‐CHD. In APAH‐CHD, endostatin was associated with a shorter 6‐minute walk distance and increased mean right atrial pressure. Over time, endostatin was associated with higher pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance index, right ventricular dilation, and dysfunction. Endostatin decreased with improved hemodynamics over time. Endostatin was associated with worse transplant‐free survival. Addition of endostatin to an NT‐proBNP (N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide) based survival analysis improved risk stratification, reclassifying subjects with adverse outcomes. Endostatin was secreted primarily by pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

Conclusions

Endostatin is associated with disease severity, disease improvement, and worse survival in APAH‐CHD. Endostatin with NT‐proBNP improves risk stratification, better predicting adverse outcomes. The association of elevated endostatin with shunt lesions suggests that endostatin could be driven by both pulmonary artery flow and pressure. Endostatin could be studied as a noninvasive prognostic marker, particularly in APAH‐CHD.
Effect of Religious Fasting in Ramadan on Blood Pressure: Results From LORANS (London Ramadan Study) and a Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Al‐Jafar Rami , Zografou Themeli Maria , Zaman Sadia , Akbar Sharmin , Lhoste Victor , Khamliche Ahlam , Elliott Paul , Tsilidis Konstantinos K. , Dehghan Abbas
Published: October 2021

Background

Ramadan fasting is practiced by hundreds of millions every year. This ritual practice changes diet and lifestyle dramatically; thus, the effect of Ramadan fasting on blood pressure must be determined.

Methods and Results

LORANS (London Ramadan Study) is an observational study, systematic review, and meta‐analysis. In LORANS, we measured systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 85 participants before and right after Ramadan. In the systematic review, studies were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and Scopus from inception to March 3, 2020. We meta‐analyzed the effect from these studies and unpublished data from LORANS. We included observational studies that measured SBP and/or DBP before Ramadan and during the last 2 weeks of Ramadan or the first 2 weeks of the month after. Data appraisal and extraction were conducted by at least 2 reviewers in parallel. We pooled SBP and DBP using a random‐effects model. The systematic review is registered with PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; CRD42019159477). In LORANS, 85 participants were recruited; mean age was 45.6±15.9 years, and 52.9% (
n
=45) of participants were men. SBP and DBP after Ramadan fasting were lower by 7.29 mm Hg (−4.74 to −9.84) and 3.42 mm Hg (−1.73 to −5.09), even after adjustment for potential confounders. We identified 2778 studies of which 33 with 3213 participants were included. SBP and DBP after/before Ramadan were lower by 3.19 mm Hg (−4.43 to −1.96, I
2
=48%) and 2.26 mm Hg (−3.19 to −1.34, I
2
=66%), respectively. In subgroup analyses, lower blood pressures were observed in the groups who are healthy or have hypertension or diabetes but not in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Conclusions

Our study suggests beneficial effects of Ramadan fasting on blood pressure independent of changes in weight, total body water, and fat mass and supports recommendations for some governmental guidelines that describe Ramadan fasting as a safe religious practice with respect to blood pressure.
Impact of Diastolic Interventricular Septal Flattening on Clinical Outcome in Patients With Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation
Authors: Omori Taku , Maeda Mika , Kagawa Shunsuke , Uno Goki , Rader Florian , Siegel Robert J. , Shiota Takahiro
Published: October 2021

Background

Little is known about the impact of diastolic interventricular septal flattening on the clinical outcome in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation. This study sought to evaluate the association of diastolic interventricular septal flattening with clinical outcome in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively studied 407 patients who underwent 2‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography and were diagnosed with severe tricuspid regurgitation between January 2014 and December 2015. Cardiovascular events were defined as cardiovascular death or admission for heart failure. The magnitude of interventricular septal flattening was calculated by the eccentricity index (EI) of the left ventricle, and hemodynamic parameters were obtained from transthoracic echocardiography. During follow‐up (median, 200 days; interquartile range, 35–1059), 117 of the patients experienced cardiovascular events. By multivariate analysis including potential covariates, EI at end‐diastole and left ventricular ejection fraction were independent predictors of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 5.33 [1.63–17.41]; hazard ratio, 0.98 [0.97–0.99], respectively). An EI of 1.2 at end‐diastole was the optimal cutoff value for identifying poor hemodynamic status defined as cardiac index ≤2.2 L/min per m
2
and right atrial pressure 15 mm Hg, both on transthoracic echocardiography. Patients with D‐shaped left ventricle defined as EI ≥1.2 at end‐diastole showed worse outcomes than those without (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.80 [1.18–2.74]).

Conclusions

Increasing EI at end‐diastole was strongly associated with worse outcomes in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation. Furthermore, the presence of D‐shaped left ventricle defined as EI ≥1.2 at end‐diastole provides prognostic value for cardiovascular events.
Factors affecting the fitness of an entomopathogenic nematode (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora SUP strain) for use in biocontrol in a horticultural area of Argentina
Authors: Eliceche Daiana P. , Rosales Matias N. , Achinelly María F.
Published: October 2021

The optimum conditions for storage, infectivity and multiplication of the nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora SUP strain, isolated from horticultural soils in Argentina, were determined for later use in biocontrol. This strain was able to kill Tenebrio molitor larvae (over 90%) at 16 and 25°C, after 7 and 4 days, respectively, with mortality being significantly higher at 25°C. No infectivity was reported at 4 and 11°C. Higher concentrations (over 150 infective juveniles (IJ) insect−1) produced higher percentages of mortality. However, increasing inoculum density reduced offspring production and increased emergence time. Storage density between 2500 and 7500 IJ ml−1 had no effect on survival of IJ. Survival of IJ maintained at 4 and 16°C was around 80% after 4 weeks storage and 30% after 32 weeks. However, at 25°C, a 60% IJ survival was observed at 4 weeks, decreasing to around 10% after 16 weeks and with no survival at 24 weeks. An overall significant decrease in virulence was observed after 90 and 120 days of storage but this was more pronounced at a storage temperature of 4°C than at 16 and 25°C. IJ stored at 4°C had reduced virulence after 90 and 120 days, but not after 60 days. This study provides useful information about some fundamental environmental conditions influencing important nematode traits of the species H. bacteriophora.
Policy Preferences Influence Vote Choice When A New Party Emerges: Evidence from the 2017 French Presidential Election
Authors: Guntermann Eric , Lachat Romain
Published: October 2021

A common explanation for electoral victories is that the winning candidate adopted issue positions that appealed to voters, implying that citizens’ choices are based on policy preferences. However, it is not straightforward to determine the causal direction between citizens’ issue preferences and their party choice. An alternative possibility, strongly supported by prior research, is that voters adopt the positions of the parties they vote for to rationalize their votes. The 2017 French presidential election offers a unique opportunity to address that question, as it saw the victory of a candidate who was not backed by one of the established parties. Using panel data, we show that policy preferences measured prior to Macron’s emergence as a candidate led voters with a particular bundle of preferences to support him. We conclude that policy preferences clearly do matter to vote choice and that this effect is most visible when a new party emerges.
International Tourism and Infectious Disease Transmission Nexus: A Cross-Country and Regional Study
Authors: Selvanathan Eliyathamby A. , Jayasinghe Maneka , Selvanathan Saroja
Published: October 2021

The relationship between pandemics and travel is an essential element in understanding health security and global change. Using cross-country COVID-19 confirmed cumulated cases and deaths data for 165 countries as of 3rd February 2021, this study investigates the impact of tourism, the experience of SARS and Swine flu, and several other socio-economic variables on the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic at the global and regional level. The results reveal that (1) the higher the volume of inbound and outbound tourism, the higher the number of reported COVID-19 cases and deaths at the global as well as at the regional level; (2) the impact of tourism on COVID-19 cases and deaths varies across regions, and; (3) countries that have experience in handling SARS or Swine flu pandemics have been able to reduce COVID-19 cases and deaths significantly, in particular, the countries in the Asia Pacific region.
Contemporary Art and Event-Based Social Theory
Authors: Bohn Cornelia
Published: October 2021

In light of the sociological insight that it is left to the art system what counts as art, new artistic forms inevitably alter the prevailing concept of art. The article examines how artistic morphogenesis occurs in a twofold manner in the case of contemporary art: as self-referential process through new form combinatorics or asynchronous artistic operations whose artworks elude the gaze, and as other-referential relation. One of the main features of contemporary art lies in its strong reference to the present, based on a conception of operative time. Time is not understood as a sequence of past, present, future, but rather as the linking of respective presences. Contemporary art shares this understanding of time with event-based social theories. This is analysed as other-referential act of synchronization within the art system with its societal environment. Empirical evidence is provided by select works of art and by self-descriptions of the art system.
Computing views, remodeling environments
Authors: Carlsson Moa
Published: October 2021

This article traces the development and expansion of early computer systems for analyzing views at three state-owned agencies in the United States and Great Britain: the US Forest Service, the Central Electricity Generating Board of England and Wales, and the Greater London Authority. Following the technology over four decades, from 1968 to 2012, the article traces assumptions incorporated into initial programs and propagated through to the present. These programs were designed to address questions about visual environments and proximities by numerical calculations alone, without the need for field observations. Each historical episode provides unique insights into the role of abstraction and calculation in the production of landscapes and the built environment, and shows how computer-generated view data became an important currency in planning control, not primarily for aesthetic but for financial and political reasons.
School-Bus Taking for Students with Disabilities: Who’s On-Board?
Authors: Gottfried Michael A. , Ozuna Christopher S. , Lloydhauser Michael L.
Published: October 2021

Taking the school bus has long been an integral part of the school experience in the U.S. However, not much is known about how school transportation relates to getting to school each day, particularly for students with disabilities. This study used ECLS-K: 2011 to explore two issues. First, we examined what characteristics are associated with taking the school bus, comparing students with and without disabilities. Second, we evaluated the link between taking the school bus and absenteeism for these groups. In the first set of findings, school bus taking is differentiated by student and family characteristics, as well as by urbanicity. We find no major differences in characteristics associated with taking the bus between students with disabilities and students without. As for the second set of findings, students with more common disability diagnoses had fewer absences compared to both students without disabilities as well as those with lower incidence diagnoses, suggesting that taking the bus is related to better attendance behaviors for some students with disabilities. Implications are discussed.
Pharmacotherapy for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: What’s Up and Coming in the Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Pipeline?
Authors: Elder Mary J. , Ashjian Emily J.
Published: October 2021

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin hormone, is known to lower glucose levels, suppress glucagon secretion, and slow gastric emptying. These properties make GLP-1 an ideal target in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). There are many FDA-approved GLP-1 agonists on the market today, several of which have demonstrated benefit beyond improving glycemic control. Given the beneficial effects of GLP-1 agonists in patients with T2DM, new drugs are in development that combine the mechanism of action of GLP-1 receptor agonism with novel mechanisms and with drugs that promote GLP-1 secretion. These agents are designed to improve glycemic control and target greater body weight reduction. This article discusses new GLP-1 drugs in the pipeline for the treatment of T2DM.
Guidance and control with fixed-time convergence for an interception missile
Authors: Cui Lei , Jin Nan , Zong Yantao
Published: October 2021

This article deals with the problem of partial integrated guidance and control (IGC) design with fixed-time convergence. First of all, two new fixed-time stability systems are proposed, and a novel nonsingular terminal sliding mode with fixed-time convergence is constructed by switching the exponential term of system state variables, which can realize the transition from finite-time convergence to fixed-time convergence. Concurrently, in order to solve the singular problem of terminal sliding mode, a continuous piecewise function is used in the sliding mode surface design. Then, a novel nonsingular terminal sliding mode control with fixed-time convergence is proposed for partial IGC design; that is, the upper-bound of convergence time is independent of the initial states of both missile and target and can be set in advance. In addition, a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) is used to adaptively estimate and compensate for the uncertainties caused by the target’s maneuvering, so that the design of fixed-time sliding mode controller does not need to know any information about the target maneuver in advance, which enables the proposed controller to be better with robustness. Finally, the effectiveness and merits of the proposed control strategy are shown by the numerical simulation results based on the nonlinear longitudinal model of missile.
Vibration fault identification of a turbojet engine based on cepstrum analysis
Authors: Huang Jingjing , Zhang Xijun
Published: October 2021

A vibration fault identification method based on vibration state characteristics of a turbojet engine and cepstrum analysis technology was proposed in this paper, and the application of cepstrum in vibration analysis of an aero-engine was also discussed. The vibration data of the turbojet engine in three different test cases of 0.8 rated state, max power state, and afterburning state were analyzed using the cepstrum analysis method. The periodic components and the characteristics of multi-component side-frequency complex signals in the dense overtone vibration signals were separated and extracted, which reflected the sensitivity of the positions of the compressor casing and the turbine casing to the harmonic vibration components of high- and low-pressure rotors and the characteristic difference of different vibration parts. Thus, effective identification of vibration faults was achieved. The results shows that the cepstrum analysis technique applied to the vibration analysis of the turbojet engine can better identify the sideband components of the frequency domain modulated signal and enhance the recognition capability of the fault frequency component, which is helpful to identify the engine vibration fault quickly and accurately.