bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Game Involvement on Attention to Ads: Exploring Influencing Factors of Visual Attention to Game Ads on Instagram Stories
Authors: Huang Yi-Ting , Gong An-Di
Published: August 2024

Instagram Stories advertising has the advantages of precise targeting, diverse advertising formats, and a wide range of users; it has, thus, become an important medium for mobile game marketing. To find the most effective ad designs for mobile games on Instagram Stories, this study applied the stimulus‐organism‐response (S‐O‐R) theory to investigate how game involvement and ad designs affect users’ visual attention. Visual attention is an important physiological indicator of advertising effectiveness, and eye‐tracking technology can accurately assess consumers’ visual attention. This study applied eye‐tracking technology to 80 participants, grouped as follows: high‐involvement gamers, low‐involvement gamers, and nongamers. This study used the eye movement indicators for first fixation duration (FFD) and total fixation duration (TFD) to, respectively, evaluate the attentional salience and hold of mobile game ads. The ads were presented in three formats (5 s video, 15 s video, and 5 s image) with two types of content (gameplay and game characters). Results showed that the mobile game ads on Stories exerted the highest attentional hold on high‐involvement gamers. In terms of ad format, video ads offered a higher attentional hold and attentional salience. In terms of ad content, ads that introduced game characters resulted in better attentional salience; however, ads that introduced gameplay exerted better attentional hold for nongamers. This study examined both individual differences in media users and ad design to provide recommendations for the personalization of mobile game ads for social media. For example, ads designed for a high‐involvement gamer should incorporate more diverse and complex information. In addition, we found that when the marketing goal is the promotion of game characters, image ads are the most appropriate format.
Survival and Disease Progression in Older Adult Patients With Cirrhosis: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Al-Smadi Khaled , Qureshi Ammar , Buitrago Michelle , Ashouri Besher , Kayali Zeid
Published: August 2024

Background: Cirrhosis incidence in older adult patients has been increasing with limited data on their survival. This study is aimed at investigating the survival and disease progression in older adult patients with cirrhosis compared to younger patients.

Methods: This is a retrospective single‐center study. Patients aged above 50 with a confirmed diagnosis of cirrhosis based on biopsy, FibroSure test, splenomegaly, and low platelets < 120 × 109/L) or imaging findings including FibroScan were included. Patients with active substance abuse, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), prior spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), variceal hemorrhage, model for end‐stage liver disease‐Na (MELD − Na) ≥ 20, had liver transplantation, malignancy except for squamous cell carcinoma, and other comorbidities such as congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and end‐stage kidney disease with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 30 were excluded. Patients’ records from the liver clinic were reviewed and demographics, laboratory, and compensation and decompensation status were collated. Patients were separated into two groups based on age 50–64 years and age ≥ 65. The primary endpoint was death, and the secondary endpoint was disease progression measured by the baseline to 12‐month increase in MELD‐Na score. The Kaplan–Meier analysis was conducted to compare the survival between the two groups. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for poor survival.

Results: A total of 191 patients diagnosed with cirrhosis met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. There were 80 patients aged 50–64 years and 111 patients aged ≥ 65 years. Significantly shorter survival times were seen among patients aged ≥ 65 years compared to those aged 50–64 years (73.3 ± 4.8 vs. 151.5 ± 22.7; p < .001). Age of diagnosis ≥ 65 years (p < 0.001), male gender (p = .013), body mass index (BMI) < 30 (p = 0.005), and decompensation (p = 0.008) were found to be independent risk factors for poor survival. MELD‐Na scores increased significantly in 12 months of follow‐up from baseline, but only in patients with decompensated cirrhosis (p = 0.013).

Conclusions: Cirrhotic patients aged ≥ 65 years have significantly poor survival compared to younger patients. A prospective study is needed to further investigate the effect of age and obesity on survival and disease progression in older adult patients with cirrhosis.
Study on the Electronic Structures and Optical Properties in Four Directions of Si‐NWs Modified by Oxygen Atoms
Authors: Wu Xue-Ke , Zhang Song , Tang Yan-Lin
Published: August 2024

In this work, the first‐principles study based on density functional theory was applied to investigate the geometries, electronic structures, and optical properties in four directions of the Si‐NWs surface, which are modified by oxygen atoms. The results show that the geometries, band structures, and optical properties of the Si‐NWs are affected by the modification of oxygen atoms. The Si─Si bonds adjacent to the region modified by oxygen atoms elongate, the cell volumes decrease, while the energy gaps of Si‐NWs narrow. Evident impurity bands appear on the energy bands of the modified Si‐NWs, forming S═O double bonds. A blue shift of the perpendicular component spectra of the dielectric constant relative to parallel spectra can be observed for Si [100]‐NW, Si [111]‐NW, and Si [112]‐NW. At the same time, the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function spectra of all Si‐NWs are red‐shifted after the modification by oxygen atoms, and the spectra of Si [111]‐NWs forming Si═O double bonds are the most significant red‐shifted. These results can provide a theoretical reference for preparing nano‐silicon optoelectronic materials and devices.
Application of Grape Stems Extract to Increase the Antioxidant Capacity of Whiskey
Authors: Kazak Anatoliy , Grishin Yurij , Johnson Joel B. , Oleinikov Nikolay , Rudenko Marina , Mayorova Angela , Dorofeeva Anna , Frolova Kristina
Published: August 2024

The recent steady demand for products with increased antioxidant properties largely determines the direction of research in the field of creating high‐quality products with increased biological value. Insufficient knowledge of the antioxidant activity and potential biological value of whiskey makes this area of research relevant and in demand. This study presents the results of an analysis of the influence of distillate aging conditions on the phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of whiskey, obtained using coulometric, chromatographic, and amperometric methods of analysis. During the study, samples of whiskey with increased antioxidant capacity were obtained based on the use of alcoholic extracts of grape stems of the Vitis vinifera species. The data obtained as a result of the study can be used in the future both to improve the efficiency of methods for monitoring and regulating the circulation of alcoholic products based on the developed methodology for determining antioxidant capacity and to contribute to the creation of a new type of alcoholic products with an increased content of bioavailable biologically active substances and antioxidant capacity.
Higher Dimensional Kadomtsev–Petviashvili Equation: New Collision Phenomena
Authors: Ismael Hajar F. , Younas Usman , Sulaiman Tukur Abdulkadir , Murad Muhammad Amin S. , Shah Nehad Ali , Ahmed Shams Forruque
Published: August 2024

This article analyzes the dynamics of waves to a new higher dimensional Kadomtsev−Petviashvili equation. The higher dimensional Kadomtsev−Petviashvili equation and its expansions have attracted a great deal of scientific interest during the past few decades. Several nonlinear phenomena in a range of domains, like the dynamics of long waves with modest amplitudes in oceans and plasma physics, are studied using this family. In this study, we successfully apply the Hirota bilinear method with the adoption of several test strategies. A set of results like breather, two‐wave, and lump periodic solutions are secured. To visually depict the output, a variety of graphs featuring distinct shapes are produced in response to appropriate parameter values. The computational complexities and results emphasize the transparency, effectiveness, and ease of the technique, indicating the method’s applicability to many kinds of both static and dynamic nonlinear equations regarding evolutionary phenomena in computational physics, as well as other practical domains and research fields.
Table S3 from Estrogen Receptor Blockade Potentiates Immunotherapy for Liver Metastases by Altering the Liver Immunosuppressive Microenvironment
Authors: Benslimane Yasmine , Amalfi Kevin , Lapin Sara , Perrino Stephanie , Brodt Pnina
Published: August 2024

qPCR primer sequences.
Figure S4 from Estrogen Receptor Blockade Potentiates Immunotherapy for Liver Metastases by Altering the Liver Immunosuppressive Microenvironment
Authors: Benslimane Yasmine , Amalfi Kevin , Lapin Sara , Perrino Stephanie , Brodt Pnina
Published: August 2024

Lymphocytes flow cytometry analyses in FC1199 tumor model. Shown are the lymphocytes flow cytometry analysis of lymphocytes in FC1199 pancreatic liver metastasis model at Day 8 post-tumor injection in SHAM-control, OVX, and OVX + E2 mice (n=4).
Figure S3 from Estrogen Receptor Blockade Potentiates Immunotherapy for Liver Metastases by Altering the Liver Immunosuppressive Microenvironment
Authors: Benslimane Yasmine , Amalfi Kevin , Lapin Sara , Perrino Stephanie , Brodt Pnina
Published: August 2024

In situ hybridization by RNAscope controls. Shown in the top panels are the RNAscope positive and negative controls, shown in the bottom panels are the immunofluorescence staining for the CD3 antibody mouse IgG1 isotype control and the donkey anti-mouse AF488 secondary antibody alone.
Figure S2 from Estrogen Receptor Blockade Potentiates Immunotherapy for Liver Metastases by Altering the Liver Immunosuppressive Microenvironment
Authors: Benslimane Yasmine , Amalfi Kevin , Lapin Sara , Perrino Stephanie , Brodt Pnina
Published: August 2024

NKT and CD8+ T cells analyses. Shown in (a) are the multiplex cytokine array results validation at the mRNA expression. Shown in (b) are the flow cytometry gating strategy for the analysis of CCL5 and CCR5 in NKT and CD8+ T cells (n=3-4).
Table S5 from The Tumor Microbiome as a Predictor of Outcomes in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Dravillas Caroline E. , Coleman Samuel S. , Hoyd Rebecca , Caryotakis Griffin , Denko Louis , Chan Carlos H.F. , Churchman Michelle L. , Denko Nicholas , Dodd Rebecca D. , Eljilany Islam , Hardikar Sheetal , Husain Marium , Ikeguchi Alexandra P. , Jin Ning , Ma Qin , McCarter Martin D. , Osman Afaf E.G. , Robinson Lary A. , Singer Eric A. , Tinoco Gabriel , Ulrich Cornelia M. , Zakharia Yousef , Spakowicz Daniel , Tarhini Ahmad A. , Tan Aik Choon
Published: August 2024

Correlations between microbe abundances and MSigDB Hallmark gene sets average Z scores
Table S3 from The Tumor Microbiome as a Predictor of Outcomes in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Dravillas Caroline E. , Coleman Samuel S. , Hoyd Rebecca , Caryotakis Griffin , Denko Louis , Chan Carlos H.F. , Churchman Michelle L. , Denko Nicholas , Dodd Rebecca D. , Eljilany Islam , Hardikar Sheetal , Husain Marium , Ikeguchi Alexandra P. , Jin Ning , Ma Qin , McCarter Martin D. , Osman Afaf E.G. , Robinson Lary A. , Singer Eric A. , Tinoco Gabriel , Ulrich Cornelia M. , Zakharia Yousef , Spakowicz Daniel , Tarhini Ahmad A. , Tan Aik Choon
Published: August 2024

Model performance of 31 published gene expression signatures for predicting immunotherapy treatment response
Table S1 from The Tumor Microbiome as a Predictor of Outcomes in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Dravillas Caroline E. , Coleman Samuel S. , Hoyd Rebecca , Caryotakis Griffin , Denko Louis , Chan Carlos H.F. , Churchman Michelle L. , Denko Nicholas , Dodd Rebecca D. , Eljilany Islam , Hardikar Sheetal , Husain Marium , Ikeguchi Alexandra P. , Jin Ning , Ma Qin , McCarter Martin D. , Osman Afaf E.G. , Robinson Lary A. , Singer Eric A. , Tinoco Gabriel , Ulrich Cornelia M. , Zakharia Yousef , Spakowicz Daniel , Tarhini Ahmad A. , Tan Aik Choon
Published: August 2024

The list of published gene signatures compared between treatment responders and non-responders and to tumor microbe abundances.
Figure S4 from The Tumor Microbiome as a Predictor of Outcomes in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Dravillas Caroline E. , Coleman Samuel S. , Hoyd Rebecca , Caryotakis Griffin , Denko Louis , Chan Carlos H.F. , Churchman Michelle L. , Denko Nicholas , Dodd Rebecca D. , Eljilany Islam , Hardikar Sheetal , Husain Marium , Ikeguchi Alexandra P. , Jin Ning , Ma Qin , McCarter Martin D. , Osman Afaf E.G. , Robinson Lary A. , Singer Eric A. , Tinoco Gabriel , Ulrich Cornelia M. , Zakharia Yousef , Spakowicz Daniel , Tarhini Ahmad A. , Tan Aik Choon
Published: August 2024

Comparison with TCGA for microbes most significantly enriched in response groups
Figure S2 from The Tumor Microbiome as a Predictor of Outcomes in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Dravillas Caroline E. , Coleman Samuel S. , Hoyd Rebecca , Caryotakis Griffin , Denko Louis , Chan Carlos H.F. , Churchman Michelle L. , Denko Nicholas , Dodd Rebecca D. , Eljilany Islam , Hardikar Sheetal , Husain Marium , Ikeguchi Alexandra P. , Jin Ning , Ma Qin , McCarter Martin D. , Osman Afaf E.G. , Robinson Lary A. , Singer Eric A. , Tinoco Gabriel , Ulrich Cornelia M. , Zakharia Yousef , Spakowicz Daniel , Tarhini Ahmad A. , Tan Aik Choon
Published: August 2024

16 gene signatures where high Z-scores are associated with ICI responsiveness in this cohort (FDR < 0.05)
Figure 2 from The Tumor Microbiome as a Predictor of Outcomes in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Dravillas Caroline E. , Coleman Samuel S. , Hoyd Rebecca , Caryotakis Griffin , Denko Louis , Chan Carlos H.F. , Churchman Michelle L. , Denko Nicholas , Dodd Rebecca D. , Eljilany Islam , Hardikar Sheetal , Husain Marium , Ikeguchi Alexandra P. , Jin Ning , Ma Qin , McCarter Martin D. , Osman Afaf E.G. , Robinson Lary A. , Singer Eric A. , Tinoco Gabriel , Ulrich Cornelia M. , Zakharia Yousef , Spakowicz Daniel , Tarhini Ahmad A. , Tan Aik Choon
Published: August 2024

Immune-related gene expression associates with the response to ICIs. A, Gene expression differences between the tumors responsive (right) and nonresponsive (left) to ICI treatment. Significantly different genes after FDR correction are colored and labeled. B and C, GSEA comparing responders vs. the nonresponders using the Hallmark gene set and TIMEx cell types. FDR < 0.1 was used as the cutoff. D, Mann–Whitney comparison of responders and nonresponders for signatures reaching the 0.05 FDR threshold.
Abstract 7: Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia Using Extracorporeal Cooling Method In Comatose Survivors After Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Soga Taketomo , Nagao Ken , Kikushima Kimio , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Tachibana Eizo , Mukoyama Takeo , Tominaga Yoshiteru , Tada Katushige , Chiba Nobutaka , Ishii Mituru , Kasai Asuka
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND
Although therapeutic hypothermia using external cooling methods can improve the chance of neurological recovery, the neurological benefit is limited to about a half of unconscious adult patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation (VF). We conducted a prospective preliminary study of therapeutic mild hypothermia using extracorporeal cooling methods, and compared the outcome of this study with that of patients treated with normothermia from the SOS-KANTO study.

METHODS
The criteria for entry these studies was the same as the European hypothermia study (

N. Engl. J. Med

2002
;
346
:
549
–56

), except initial cardiac rhythm. The protocol of the hypothermia was as follows: Core temperature was monitored by the bladder temperature until a pulmonary-artery catheter was placed. Intravenous infusion of 1,500~2,000ml of extracellular fluid at 4 degrees centigrade over 30 minutes was immediately initiated after emergency room arrival.Subsequently, patients were cooled to a target temperature of 34 degrees centigrade with the use of an extracorporeal cooling device (KTEK-3, Kawasumi-Co, JAPAN) within 2 hours after the ROSC, and this temperature was maintained precisely for 24 hours when collapse-to-ROSC interval was within 20 minutes, 48 hours when that interval was 20 to 30 minutes, and 72 hours when that interval was more than 30 minutes. The primary endpoint was a favorable neurological outcome at the time of hospital discharge.

RESULTS
A total of 566 patients were enrolled; 30 were treated with the hypothermia and 539 were treated with the normothermia. Among patients with VF/VT as an initial cardiac rhythm, 17 of the 22 (77.3%) patients in the hypothermia group had a favorable neurological outcome, as compared with 80 of 207 (38.6%) patients in the normothermia group (p<0.001). In addition among patients with PEA or asystole, the hypothermia group was associated with an improvement of a favorable neurological outcome compared with the normothermia group (25% vs 7%, p=0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
Extracorporeal cooling method may be a preferable approach to mild therapeutic hypothermia in comatose survivors after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with either VF/VT or PEA/asystole.
Abstract 1662: Heparin Cofactor II Deficiency Causes Accelerated Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis in Mice
Authors: Aihara Ken-ichi , Azuma Hiroyuki , Akaike Masashi , Ikeda Yasumasa , Yagi Shusuke , Iwase Takashi , Sumitomo Yuka , Sata Masataka , Kato Shigeaki , Matsumoto Toshio
Published: August 2024

(Background) Enhanced thrombin generation has been recognized as one of major risk factors in the development of thrombosis and atherosclerosis. Heparin cofactor II (HCII) is a serine protease inhibitor that specifically inhibits thrombin action at the site of injured vascular wall. We previously reported that a high level of plasma HCII activity reduces incidences of in-stent restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention and carotid plaque (

Circulation

2004
;
109
:
461
–5, 2761–5

). However, it is not clear what role HCII plays in the development of thrombosis and atherosclerosis.

(Methods and Results) HCII homozygous mutant mice we generated were embryonic lethal. Therefore, we employed HCII heterozygous mutant (HCII+/−) mice in this study. No structural differences in the femoral artery and aortic root between HCII+/+ mice and HCII+/− mice were observed, whereas prominent neointimal hyperplasia (2.2+/−0.3 mm2 in HCII+/+ mice vs 3.4+/−0.4 mm2 in HCII+/− mice, p<0.05) and higher incidence of arterial occlusion due to thrombosis (20% in HCII+/+ mice vs 40% in HCII+/−mice, p<0.05) were noted in HCII+/− mice after femoral artery wire denudation injury. Whole blood aggregation was enhanced in HCII+/− mice compared to that in HCII+/+ mice. Next, we generated HCII+/− ApoE−/− mice and found that the double-mutant mice manifested lower plasma total cholesterol level than that in HCII+/+ ApoE−/ − mice (298+/−18 mg/dl in HCII+/+ ApoE−/ − mice vs 257+/−18 mg/dl in HCII+/− ApoE−/ − mice, p<0.05). However, atherosclerotic plaque area (1.1+/−0.3 mm2 in HCII+/+ ApoE−/ − mice vs 2.1+/−0.4 mm2 in HCII+/− ApoE−/ −mice, p<0.05), protease activated receptor 1, a major thrombin receptor, and F4/80, a marker of macrophage-positive cells, were significantly increased in the aortic root of HCII+/− ApoE−/ −mice compared to those in HCII+/+ ApoE−/ − mice.

(Conclusions) HCII has protective roles against the formation of thrombosis and atherosclerosis induced by mechanical and metabolic vascular stresses. Therefore, HCII may be a novel therapeutic target for atherothrombosis.
Abstract 2383: Evaluation of a Multigenic Model of Stroke Risk in a Prospective Study of Patients with type 2 Diabetes: Results from the Go-DARTS Study
Authors: Proia Anna Silvia , Palmer Colin N , Doney Alexander S , Kimber Charlotte , Morris Andrew D , Flex Andrea , Gaetani Eleonora , Pola Paolo , Pola Roberto
Published: August 2024

Background

Recently, in a case-control study, we showed that history of ischemic stroke is significantly associated with genetic profiles determined by the combination of single polymorphisms of gene encoding inflammatory molecules (

Flex et al.,

Stroke

2004
;
35
:
2270
–5

). Following this observation, we investigated the influence of this multigenic model on stroke susceptibility in a large population-based prospective study.

Methods

This is a prospective study of 2,147 individuals with type 2 diabetes. Patients were part of the Go-DARTS Study, which is a sub-population of the large prospective diabetes register known as the DARTS (Diabetes Audit Research in Tayside Scotland) study, a continuously expanding region-wide register of subjects with diabetes containing clinical data on over 97% of patients in the Tayside region of Scotland. The following inflammatory single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were investigated, using the Taqman-based allelic discrimination assay: IL-6 -174 G/C, MCP-1 A2518G, ICAM-1 E469K, E-selectin Ser128Arg, MMP-3 5A/6A. The end-point of the study was the occurrence of non-fatal or fatal stroke. The mean follow-up was 6.2 years.

Results

During the period of observation, 108 strokes occurred. When considered alone, none of the investigated gene variants increased the risk for stroke, although the ICAM-1 polymorphism demonstrated a significant association with stroke in smokers (HR 2.6, P=0.02). However, when polymorphisms were evaluated in association, the incidence of stroke increased progressively according to the number of SNPs concomitantly carried by a given individual, from 1.0% in subjects bearing no risk variations to 10.8% in subjects with four pro-inflammatory genotypes. Among these individuals, the risk of developing stroke over the follow-up period exhibited a 13-fold increase compare to that observed in subjects with no risk variations.

Conclusions

This a large prospective cohort study providing evidence that pro-inflammatory genetic profiles, determined by the concomitant presence of inflammation-associated gene polymorphisms, increase the risk of stroke. This model might be used as template to test the synergistic role of multiple gene variations in the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract 3145: High-resolution, High Frame-rate Strain Imaging for Early Myocardial Infarction Detection
Authors: Luo Jianwen , Fujikura Kana , Matsunaga Iwao , Homma Shunichi , Konofagou Elisa E
Published: August 2024

Background
: Myocardial elastography (

Konofagou EE et al,

Ultrasound Med. Biol.

2002
;
28
:
475
–482

) is a novel technique for noninvasively imaging regional myocardial function.

Methods
: In vivo experiments were performed in anesthetized, nine normal and seven post-infarction (one day post-LAD ligation) mice using a high-resolution (30 MHz) ultrasound system (Vevo 770, VisualSonics Inc.). Radio-frequency signals and the associated electrocardiogram (ECG) were simultaneously acquired. Using an ECG triggering technique, an ultrafast frame rate of 8000 frames/s was achieved that resulted in high-quality strain estimation. The strains during the entire cardiac cycle were imaged using an elastographic technique.

Results
: High-resolution strain images (elastograms) clearly depicted all cardiac events including left-ventricular (LV) contraction, LV relaxation, atrial contraction and isovolumic phase in both normal and infarcted mice. The strain images showed a mechanical contrast of up to 10 times (p = 0.02) between normal and infarcted myocardia. Preliminary statistical results from normal mice (n = 9; p = 0.01) and infarcted mice (n = 7; p = 0.02) showed the cumulative strains during systole were equal to 0.56 ± 0.13 and −0.04 ± 0.32, respectively (see Fig. 1

).

Conclusion
: Myocardial elastography can provide strain information at both high temporal and spatial resolution, and is capable of accurately characterizing normal myocardial function as well as detecting and localizing early myocardial infarction in vivo.
Abstract 3640: Cardiac Atrophy in Women After 8 Weeks of Bed Rest Deconditioning
Authors: Dorfman Todd A , Tillery Tommy , Peshock Ronald M , Hastings Jeff , Schneider Suzanne M , Macias Brandon R , Hargens Alan R , Levine Benjamin D
Published: August 2024

Background
: Chronic exposure to microgravity by bed rest or spaceflight induces cardiac atrophy which leads to reduced standing stroke volume and orthostatic intolerance. However despite the fact that orthostatic intolerance appears worse in female astronauts as well as patient populations, most previous high resolution studies of cardiac morphology after microgravity were performed only in men. Since female athletes have less physiological hypertrophy than male athletes, we reasoned that they also might have less physiological cardiac atrophy after bed rest.

Methods
: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 24 healthy young women (32.1± 4yr.) to measure LV and RV mass, volumes and morphology accurately before and after 60 days of −6° head down tilt (HDT) bed rest. Subjects were matched and then randomly assigned to sedentary bed rest (N=8) or 2 control groups consisting of a) exercise training using supine treadmill running within lower body negative pressure plus resistive training (N=8); or b) protein supplementation (N=8; 0.6g/kg increase in protein long chain amino acids).

Results
: After sedentary bed rest without nutritional protein supplementation, there were significant reductions in LV (2.2 ± 0.2 to 2.0 ± 0.2 g/kg, P=0.001) and RV masses (0.8 ± 0.1 to 0.6 ± 0.1 g/kg, P<0.001), similar to what has been observed previously in men (8.0%

Perhonen
2001
;

JAP

91
:
645
–653

). In contrast, there were significant increases in LV (1.9 ± 0.4 to 2.3 ± 0.3 g/kg, P<0.001) and RV masses (0.7 ± 0.1 to 0.8 ± 0.2 g/kg, P=0.002) in the exercise trained controls. Protein supplementation led to an intermediate phenotype with no change in LV or RV mass after bed rest.

Conclusions
: Cardiac atrophy occurs in women similar to men following sedentary long term HDT bed rest. However, exercise training and to a lesser extent protein supplementation prevent the cardiac atrophy associated with microgravity simulated by strict bed rest.
Abstract 163: Protein Phosphatase Type 1 Induces Depressed Cardiac Function Via Microtubule Network Densification
Authors: Cheng Guangmao , Shunmugavel Anandakumar , Gallien Thomas N , DePaoli-Roach Anna A , Cooper George
Published: August 2024

Type 1 protein phosphatase (PP1), a major cardiac Ser/Thr protein phosphatase isotype, is hyperactivated in the failing heart. Activated PP1 may induce cardiac dysfunction, at least in part through effects on calcium metabolism. A second abnormality of the failing heart is increased density of the cardiocyte microtubule (MT) network, caused in part by increased binding of microtubule-associated protein 4 (MAP4) to MTs. This abnormality is known to cause contractile dysfunction via viscous loading in severe pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy and failure. Since increased PP1 activity could dephosphorylate MAP4, which enhances MAP4 affinity for microtubule and thus microtubule assembly and stability, our hypothesis is that active PP1 may be causally linked to depressed cardiac function via microtubule network densification. To test this idea, we used transgenic mice having cardiac-restricted overexpression of the catalytic subunit of PP1 (

Mol Cell Biol.

2002
;
22
:
4124
–35

), wherein myocardial PP1 activity is increased ~3-fold. In these mice, the polymerized fraction of cardiac αβ-tubulin heterodimers was 1.5-fold higher than in same-strain WT controls. Consistent with this, microtubule network density via confocal microscopy was substantially greater in transgenic versus WT cardiocytes. To determine the effects of active PP1 on cardiac MT stability, colchicine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) was given to the mice. At 4 hours, the polymerized αβ-tubulin heterodimer fraction was significantly increased in PP1 overexpressing cardiocytes. Thus, increased activity of PP1 appears to increase MAP4 microtubule affinity, which in turn generates a dense network of stabilized microtubules. This cytoskeletal abnormality, which inhibits cardiac contraction, represents a second potential mechanism for the deleterious effects of PP1 overactivity on the heart.
Abstract 1851: Safety of Aprotinin in CABG Patients: Results of the VA MultiCenter Prospective Randomized ROOBY Trial
Authors: Zenati Marco , Sonel Ali , Bjerke Richard , Shroyer Laurie , Collins Joseph
Published: August 2024

Background and Hypothesis
: Recently published evidence from an international registry (

JAMA

2007
;
297
:
471
–479

) associated the use of aprotinin during CABG with increased mortality (20.8%) compared with controls (12.7%) and recommended discontinuation of the clinical use of aprotinin as unsafe. Because evidence from registries is generally inferior compared to prospective multicenter randomized trials, we sought to determine if there was increased mortality with the use of aprotinin in a large, prospective randomized CABG trial in the United States. Based on a large body of available literature on the use of antifibrinolytic agents during CABG, we hypothesized that the use of aprotinin would not be associated with excessive mortality in the ROOBY Trial.

Methods
: The prospective randomized ROOBY Trial enrolled >2,200 patients over five years at 18 VA cardiac surgery centers in the United States. A planned sub analysis was carried out on 1,750 CABG patients with one year follow up using collected data on the antifibrinolytic agent use.

Results
: Aprotinin was used during CABG (either on- or off-pump) by the majority of the centers participating in ROOBY (11/18=61%). One-year mortality for the aprotinin group was 3.2% and the mortality for the control group of patients receiving either no anti-bleeding agents or one of 2 lysine analog antifibrinolytics (aminocaproic acid or tranexamic acid) was 3.5% (p=.59). In addition, the rate of myocardial infarction at one year was similar in the 2 groups (aprotinin 3.2% vs 3.27% for the controls; p=NS). The rate of repeat revascularization at one year was slightly higher in the control group (4.05%) compared to the aprotinin group (2.6%).

Conclusion
: In the planned sub analysis of the prospective randomized ROOBY trial, no excessive mortality or morbidity was found to be associated with the use of aprotinin and the recommendation for discontinuation of clinical use of aprotinin in CABG appears unjustified. Adherence to the revised FDA indications for use of aprotinin during CABG should be emphasized.
Abstract 2571: Two-dimensional Ultrasound Speckle Tracking Imaging is Useful in Assessing the Magnitudes of Inertia Force of Late Systolic Aortic Flow and Left Ventricular Elastic Recoil
Authors: Wakami Kazuaki , Ohte Nobuyuki , Nagata Takahiro , Asada Kaoru , Fukuta Hidekatsu , Sakata Seiichiro , Mukai Seiji , Kobayashi Kenji , Kimura Genjiro
Published: August 2024

We previously reported that an absence of inertia force (IF) of late systolic aortic flow is one of the causes of diastolic dysfunction through the loss of left ventricular (LV) elastic recoil in patients with coronary artery disease. Preserved LV apical wall motion is substantial to give IF to the aortic flow (

JACC

2006
;
48
:
983

). A novel 2-dimensional ultrasound speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) enables us to assess local LV myocardial function. We investigated whether LV longitudinal systolic strain, especially in apical region, obtained using 2D-STI had a relation with IF.

Methods: Study subjects were consecutive 59 patients who underwent diagnostic cardiac catheterization and 2D-STI (Velocity Vector Imaging, Siemens) on the same day. Thirty three of them had prior myocardial infarction (18 anterior wall, 9 infero-posterior wall, 2 lateral wall, and 4 combined). Five were diagnosed as dilated cardiomyopathy. The remaining 21 had no localized LV wall motion abnormality (8 stable angina pectoris, 2 exercise test abnormality, 2 atypical chest pain, and 9 reevaluation after coronary intervention). Longitudinal LV strain was measured on the sample line set along the endocardium in the both apical 4- and 2-chamber views. Zero strain was set at end-diastole. Strain profiles were obtained in 6 segments on each view. Then, an LV strain value at end-systole (Ses) in each patient was obtained as an average value from these strain profiles. LV pressure was obtained using a catheter-tipped micromanometer. From the recorded pressure waves, first derivative of LV pressure (dP/dt) and a time constant τof LV pressure decay during isovolumic relaxation were calculated. From LV pressure-dP/dt relationships (phase loop), IF was determined.

Results: The mean Ses had significant correlations both with the time constant τ(r=-0.74, p<0.0001) and with the IF (r=0.67, p<0.0001). Furthermore, the mean Ses at the LV apical region had much closer correlations both with the time constant τ(r=-0.77, p<0.0001) and with the IF (r=0.80, p<0.0001).

Conclusion: These findings indicate that the magnitudes of IF and LV elastic recoil could be noninvasively estaimated by Ses obtained using 2D-STI. LV apical wall motion abnormality has a strong impact on LV early diastolic function.
Deux généalogies politiques Shang : systèmes sacrificiels et tensions mémorielles
Authors: Boileau Gilles
Published: August 2024

Cet article analyse les évolutions historiques du zhouji 周祭, un cycle sacrificiel Shang dédié à des ancêtres non royaux et royaux, mis en place sous le règne du roi Zu Jia 祖甲. Les références à l’anthropologie permettent alors de faire un certain nombre d’observations portant sur les structures des lignages Shang : ces cycles prenaient en compte à la fois les modes divers de transmission du pouvoir royal et les relations établies par le truchement de mariages entre les différentes branches des plus importants lignages de la dynastie. Nous avons également examiné un autre cycle autour d’un sacrifice (beng 祊) commencé sous le règne de Wen Ding 文丁, de portée plus restreinte et visant à légitimer une transmission père-fils du pouvoir monarchique. La comparaison entre ces deux cycles permet d’entrevoir les tensions existant entre les lignages. En conclusion, nous tentons de relier ces tensions à l’essence du pouvoir monarchique sous les Shang et plus généralement.
Descriptions of three new species of Philodinida (Rotifera, Bdelloidea) from Korea
Authors: SONG MIN OK , LEE CHANG-HO
Published: August 2024

A taxonomic study on bdelloid rotifers collected from terrestrial habitats such as mosses and leaf litter at two different locations in Korea resulted in three new species, Habrotrocha changhoi n. sp., H. microcornis n. sp. and Philodina undulata n. sp. Habrotrocha changhoi n. sp. is easily distinguished from its congeners by five small dorsal humps on preanal pseudosegment. The most significant diagnostic characteristic of Habrotrocha microcornis n. sp. is the tiny spurs with very wide interspace, which is about 4–5 times as wide as spur base width. Habrotrocha changhoi n. sp. and H. microcornis n. sp. are the first new Habrotrocha species from Korea. The most prominent characteristics that distinguish Philodina undulata n. sp. from its congeners are the first trunk pseudosegment expanded anteriorly in feeding as well as the plump trunk that has wavy lateral margins and abruptly tapers to rump in feeding. Here these three new species are described in detail and illustrated. In addition, the partial sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (CO1) for these three new species are provided here.
Neocordulia maurocostai sp. nov. (Odonata, Anisoptera: Oxygastridae), a new species of Emerald dragonfly from western Pantepui region, Venezuela
Authors: MARMELS JÜRG DE
Published: August 2024

The new species is described and illustrated from two males (holotype: Venezuela, Amazonas State, Serranía del Cuao, Caño Negro, 1440 m elevation, 5.087°N, 67.438°W, deposited in the MIZA Odonata collection, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Faculty of Agronomy, Maracay). The new species differs from all other species so far known mainly in structure of posterior hamulus and cercus. The subgenus Mesocordulia May, 1992 is formally elevated to generic rank different from Neocordulia Selys, 1882.
Revision of Neoperla minor Chu with a new synonym and a new species of Neoperla Needham (Plecoptera: Perlidae)
Authors: ZENG LIANG-LIANG , HUO QING-BO , DU YU-ZHOU
Published: August 2024

Neoperla yao Stark, 1987 is placed as a junior synonym of N. minor Chu, 1929. Neoperla moae sp. nov., from Zhejiang, China and misidentified previously as N. minor, is redescribed and proposed as new to science in this paper.
The Moderating Effect of Digital Literacy on the Digital Financial Services and Financial Behaviour of Manufacturing MSMEs
Authors: Vijayakumar Vivek , Chandrasekar K.
Published: August 2024

This study explores the moderating effect of digital literacy on the relationship between digital financial services and financial behaviour in the context of manufacturing MSMEs. It highlights the transformative impact of digital financial services, including expanded access to formal financial services, financial inclusion, simplified payment processes, and improved credit accessibility for MSMEs. The study emphasizes the importance of digital literacy in effectively utilizing digital technologies and accessing digital financial services, which in turn influences financial behaviour, specifically in terms of savings, financing, and investment decisions. Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model and Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC) theories, the research investigates the complex interplay among digital financial services, PBC, and financial behaviour among manufacturing MSME owners. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and financial institutions to enhance digital financial services and promote financial activities among MSMEs. Overall, this study underscores the significance of digital literacy and its role in empowering MSMEs and facilitating their financial growth in the digital era.
The effect of acute social isolation on neural molecular responses in components of the social decision-making network
Authors: Lopes Patricia C. , Chang Madeleine , Holloway Faith , Fatusin Biola , Patel Sachin , Siemonsma Chandler , Kindel Morgan
Published: August 2024

Prolonged or chronic social isolation has pronounced effects on animals, ranging from altered stress responses, increased anxiety and aggressive behaviour, and even increased mortality. The effects of shorter periods of isolation are much less well researched; however, short periods of isolation are used routinely for testing animal behaviour and physiology. Here, we studied how a 3 h period of isolation from a cagemate affected neural gene expression in three brain regions that contain important components of the social decision-making network, the hypothalamus, the nucleus taeniae of the amygdala, and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, using a gregarious bird as a model (zebra finches). We found evidence suggestive of altered neural activity, synaptic transmission, metabolism, and even potentially pain perception, all of which could create cofounding effects on experimental tests that involve isolating animals. We recommend that the effects of short-term social isolation need to be better understood and propose alternatives to isolating animals for testing.
Cardiovascular risk factors among Roma and non-Roma populations in underprivileged settlements
Authors: Andréka Lilla , Csenteri-Bárdos Orsolya , Szőllősi Gergő József , Andréka Péter , Jancsó Zoltán , Vajer Péter
Published: August 2024

Background

The ‘Taking the screening tests close to the people’ program offers cardiovascular screening to the inhabitants of underprivileged settlements. This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular risk factors of underprivileged populations, including individuals who described themselves as belonging to the Roma population.

Methods

During the program, we collected information about demographic features, lifestyle and current illnesses. A general health assessment (body weight, height, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose) and cardiovascular examination were performed. We analysed data on both Roma and non-Roma groups and used Pearson’s chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression models to analyse the factors that contribute to the onset of comorbidities, with a special focus on ethnicity.

Results

Data from 6211 participants were processed. Based on self-reports, the non-Roma population consisted of 5352 respondents (1364 men (25.5%) and 3988 women (74.5%)), and the Roma population comprised 859 respondents (200 men (23.3%) and 659 women (76.7%)). A total of 91.2% (4849) of the non-Roma population and 92.5% (788) of the Roma population exercised less than 3 h per week (p < 0.001). Of the non-Roma population, 71.7% (3512) had a body mass index above 25 kg/m2, while the corresponding figure was 72.4% (609) in the Roma population (p = 0.709). The median body mass index was 28.0 (24.6–31.9) in the non-Roma population and 28.8 (24.5–33.0) in the Roma population (p < 0.001). The prevalence of active smokers was 28.7% (1531) in the non-Roma population and 60.3% (516) in the Roma population (p < 0.001). The prevalence of hypertension was 54.9% (2824) in the non-Roma population and 49.8% (412) in the Roma population (p < 0.001). The prevalence of diabetes was 11.5% (95) in the Roma population and 12.2% (619) in the non-Roma population (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

We found a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, a lack of physical activity and an remarkably high smoking rate in the studied underprivileged population. Both type 2 diabetes and hypertension were more common among people living in underprivileged settlements than in the general Hungarian population. People living in underprivileged settlements need more attention in primary care.
Artemisinin pre-treatment fore cisplatin dosage enhances high grade urothelial carcinoma treatment in male albino mice via reverse gene expression modulation of FGFR3, HRAS, P53 and KDM6A
Authors: Botrous Silvia , Elmaghraby Ayaat , Achy Samar El , Mustafa Yehia , Abdel-Rahman Salah
Published: August 2024

Background

Urinary bladder cancer, is the 10th most common global cancer, diagnosed in over 600,000 people causing 200,000 deaths annually. Artemisinin and its derivatives are safe compounds that have recently been proven to possess potent anti-tumor effects in vivo, through inhibition of cancer cell growth. The aim of this study is to assess the efficiency of artemisinin as a cancer treatment alone and as a pre-treatment fore cisplatin therapy for high grade urothelial carcinoma.

Methods

Sixty male albino mice were divided into six groups, and BBN was used to induce urinary bladder cancer. Blood samples were tested for renal functions and complete blood counts, kidney and urinary bladder tissues were harvested for histopathological examination. Total RNAs from urinary bladder tissues was collected, and gene expression of FGFR3, HRAS, P53, and KDM6A was quantified using qRT-PCR.

Results

Compared to the induced cancer group, the results revealed that FGFR3 expression levels were down-regulated in the induced cancer group treated by artemisinin only and the induced cancer group pre-treated with artemisinin prior to cisplatin by ~ 0.86-fold and 0.4-folds, respectively, aligning with HRAS down-regulation by ~ 9.54-fold and 9.05-fold, respectively. Whereas, P53 expression levels were up-regulated by ~ 0.68-fold and 0.84-fold, respectively, in parallel with KDM6A expression, which is up-regulated by ~ 0.95-folds and 5.27-folds, respectively. Also, serum creatinine and urea levels decreased significantly in the induced cancer group treated by artemisinin alone and the induced cancer group pre-treated with artemisinin prior to cisplatin, whereas the induced cancer group treated by cisplatin their levels increased significantly. Moreover, Hb, PLT, RBC, and WBC counts improved in both cancer groups treated by artemisinin alone and pre-treated with artemisinin prior to cisplatin. Histologically, in kidney tissues, artemisinin pre-treatment significantly reduced renal injury caused by cisplatin. While Artemisinin treatment for cancer in bladder tissues reverted invasive urothelial carcinoma to moderate urothelial dysplasia.

Conclusions

This study indicates that artemisinin demonstrated a significant effect in reversal of the multi-step carcinogenesis process of high grade urothelial carcinoma and could enhance the effect of cisplatin therapy using artemisinin pre-treatment.
The association of circulating systemic inflammation with premature death and the protective role of the Mediterranean diet: a large prospective cohort study of UK biobank
Authors: Liu ShiJian , Yang Ruiming , Zuo Yingdong , Qiao Conghui , Jiang Wenbo , Cheng Weilun , Wei Wei , Liu Zijie , Geng Yiding , Dong Ying
Published: August 2024

Background

Although previous studies have identified specific circulating inflammatory markers associated with the risk of mortality, they have often overlooked the broader impact of a comprehensive inflammatory response on health outcomes. This study aims to assess the association between circulating systemic inflammation and age-related hospitalization and premature death, as well as explore the potential mediating effects of various dietary patterns on these associations.

Methods

A total of 448,574 participants enrolled in the UK Biobank study were included. Circulating C-reactive protein(CRP), white blood cell count(WBC), platelet count(Plt), and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio(NLR) were measured, which were used to establish a weighted systemic inflammatory index of inflammation index(INFLA-Score). Dietary intake information was documented through 24-hour dietary recalls, and dietary pattern scores including Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension(DASH), Mediterranean(MED), and Healthy Eating Index-2020(HEI-2020) were calculated. Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed to assess the associations between INFLA-Score and age-related disease hospitalization, cause-specific and all-cause premature death.

Results

During a median follow-up of 12.65 years, 23,784 premature deaths were documented. After adjusting for multiple covariates, higher levels of CRP, WBC, NLR, and INFLA-Score were significantly associated with increased risks of age-related disease hospitalization(HRCRP=1.19; 95%:1.17–1.21; HRWBC=1.17; 95%:1.15–1.19; HRNLR=1.18; 95%:1.16–1.20; HRINFLA−Score=1.19; 95%:1.17–1.21) and premature death(HRCRP=1.68; 95%:1.61–1.75; HRWBC=1.23; 95%:1.18–1.27; HRNLR=1.45; 95%:1.40–1.50; HRINFLA−Score=1.58; 95%:1.52–1.64). Compared to the lowest INFLA-Score group, the highest INFLA-Score group was associated with increased values of whole-body and organ-specific biological age, and had a shortened life expectancy of 2.96 (95% CI 2.53–3.41) and 4.14 (95% CI 3.75–4.56) years at the age of 60 years in women and men, respectively. Additionally, we observed no significant association of the INFLA-Score with aging-related hospitalization and premature death among participants who were more adhering to the Mediterranean (MED) dietary pattern(HRAging−related hospitalization=1.07; 95%:0.99–1.16;HRPremature death=1.19; 95%:0.96–1.47).

Conclusion

A higher INFLA-Score was correlated with an increased risk of age-related hospitalization and premature death. Nevertheless, adherence to a Mediterranean (MED) diet may mitigate these associations.