bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel integrated 3D multidetector computed tomography and fluoroscopy fusion for left atrial appendage occlusion procedures
Authors: Roy A.K. , Horvilleur J. , Cormier B. , Cazalas M. , Fernandez L. , Patane M. , Neylon A. , Spaziano M. , Sawaya F.J. , Arai T. , Bouvier E. , Hovasse T. , Lefèvre T. , Chevalier B. , Garot P.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

This report demonstrates the application and feasibility of novel 3D‐MDCT real‐time fusion technology with fluoroscopy, for left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion procedures.

Background

A successful LAA occlusion procedure relies on multiple imaging modalities, including TEE or 3D‐MDCT, and fluoroscopy. Effectively integrating these imaging modalities may improve implantation safety and success. To our knowledge this technique has not been previously described for LAA occlusions.

Methods

This observational study compared clinical and procedural parameters for procedures performed with or without fusion integration. All patients had a pre‐procedural 3D‐MDCT for LAA measurements, along with 3D analyses of LAA morphology and surrounding structures. Using the image fusion software (Valve ASSIST 2, GE Healthcare, UK), landmarks were identified on fluoroscopy, and MDCT LAA anatomy outlines were then projected onto the real‐time fluoroscopy image during the procedure, to guide all steps of the intervention.

Results

A total of 57 patients underwent LAA occlusion, with 16 performed using fusion software. In comparison to the pre‐fusion group, reductions in contrast volume (21.0 ± 11.7 vs. 95.9 ± 80.5 ml, P < 0.001), procedure time (63.0 ± 22.0 vs. 87.3 ± 43.0 min, P = 0.01), and fluoroscopy time (6.2 vs. 8.3 min, P = 0.03) were observed. Incomplete sealing (0 vs. 14.6%, P = 0.16) and device deployment success (100 vs. 92.7%, P = 0.17) were not significantly different.

Conclusions

The addition of this novel fusion technology is safe and feasible. To optimize LAA procedural success, fusion integration may offer a promising addition, or alternative, to current imaging modalities. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Zero‐contrast percutaneous coronary intervention on calcified lesions facilitated by rotational atherectomy
Authors: Karimi Galougahi Keyvan , Mintz Gary S. , Karmpaliotis Dimitri , Ali Ziad A.
Published: March 2017

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) is challenging due to frequent presence of complex calcified lesions and the very high risk of contrast‐induced nephropathy (CIN). We report a strategy of “zero contrast” PCI, guided by intravascular imaging and physiology, performed in three patients with advanced CKD in whom severe calcification necessitated rotational atherectomy (RA) to facilitate and optimize PCI. This approach resulted in safe and successful PCI while preserving renal function. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of 5‐year outcomes of paclitaxel‐eluting and endeavor zotarolimus‐eluting stents in New York
Authors: Qian Feng , Zhong Ye , Hannan Edward L.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To evaluate long‐term outcomes in patients undergoing either paclitaxel‐eluting stents (PES) or endeavor zotarolimus‐eluting stents (E‐ZES) placement and to assess comparative effectiveness of PES vs. E‐ZES in different “off‐label” and “high‐risk” patient subgroups.

Background

PES and E‐ZES are frequently used in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). However, the long‐term comparative effectiveness of PES vs. E‐ZES in real practice is unknown.

Methods

We created a longitudinal database by linking the New York State (NYS) cardiac registries, the NYS hospital discharge file, the National Death Index, and the U.S. Census file for patients undergoing either PES or E‐ZES placement from July 2008 through December 2009. All‐cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), target lesion PCI (TLPCI), and target vessel coronary artery bypass graft (TVCABG) surgery were compared for 9,264 propensity score matched patients for a 5‐year follow‐up period using the Kaplan‐Meier method with further adjustment using Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

We did not detect significant differences between E‐ZES and PES (reference) in 5‐year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio : 1.02, 95% confidence interval : 0.91–1.14), AMI (AHR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.90–1.22), TLPCI (AHR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.86–1.13), and TVCABG (AHR, 1.07, 95% CI: 0.84–1.36). For six “off‐label” and two “high‐risk” subpopulations, we had similar findings for the two stent groups.

Conclusion

NYS observational data suggest that 5‐year outcomes are comparable in patients receiving either PES or E‐ZES placement, mirroring the findings of recent clinical trials. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A randomized comparison of modified subcutaneous “Z”‐stitch versus manual compression to achieve hemostasis after large caliber femoral venous sheath removal
Authors: Pracon Radoslaw , Bangalore Sripal , Henzel Jan , Cendrowska‐Demkow Iwona , Pregowska‐Chwala Barbara , Tarnowska Agnieszka , Dzielinska Zofia , Chmielak Zbigniew , Witkowski Adam , Demkow Marcin
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To compare subcutaneous “Z”‐stitch versus manual compression in attaining hemostasis after large bore femoral venous access, and to assess its impact on venous patency.

Background

Structural interventions increasingly require large caliber venous access, for which convenient, safe, and effective method of postprocedural hemostasis is needed. “Z”‐stitch has been introduced for this purpose in some centers but systematic data on its performance is limited.

Methods

This single center study randomized consecutive patients with femoral venous access sites requiring ≥10F sheaths to the “Z”‐stitch or manual compression for hemostasis in a 2:1 fashion. There were three co‐primary endpoints: time to hemostasis, time to ambulation, and a composite safety endpoint comprising vascular access site complications. Groin Doppler‐Duplex was performed with the stitch in place and after its removal.

Results

86 consecutive patients with 90 access sites were randomized. Mean age was 61.7 ± 19.1 years, 33.3% were men. Median sheath size was 14 F (range 10–22 F). Patients randomized to “Z”‐stitch achieved hemostasis quicker [<1 min vs. 12.0 (IQR 10.0–15.0) min, P < 0.001] and ambulated sooner [7.0 (IQR 4.0–12.0) vs. 16.0 (IQR 11.8–20.3) hr post procedure, P < 0.001] when compared with manual compression alone. The “Z”‐stitch reduced rates of access site complications (OR = 0.27, 95%CI 0.09–0.76, P = 0.01). All imaged veins were patent before and after stitch removal.

Conclusions

The “Z”‐stitch is a safe and effective method of achieving hemostasis after large bore femoral venous sheath removal and results in faster hemostasis, early patient ambulation and less access site complications, without compromising vein patency when compared with manual compression alone. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Aortic valvuloplasty via the radial artery: Case reports and review of the literature
Authors: Rau Elizabeth M. , El‐Hajjar Mohammad
Published: March 2017

The use of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) has increased with the development of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) to medically optimize patients prior to procedure. It has been traditionally done by a retrograde approach via the femoral artery or an antegrade approach via the femoral vein. Large sheaths have been required with traditional balloons which require large vessel access. Use of a low profile compliant valvuloplasty balloon has been demonstrated to have adequate BAV results with smaller sheath sizes. We review the literature and report two cases where low profile compliant valvuloplasty balloons were used to perform BAV via the radial artery in patients without adequate femoral arterial access. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Invasive characterization of atherosclerotic plaque in patients with peripheral arterial disease using near‐infrared spectroscopy intravascular ultrasound
Authors: Abbas Amr E. , Zacharias Sibin K. , Goldstein James A. , Hanson Ivan D. , Safian Robert D.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

We describe the characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) using near‐infrared spectroscopy‐intravascular ultrasound (NIRS‐IVUS)

Background

Imaging and autopsy studies have described atherosclerotic plaque in different vascular beds, including varying degrees of lipid, fibrosis, and calcification. Recently, NIRS has been validated as an accurate method for detecting lipid‐core plaque (LCP) in the coronary circulation. Invasive evaluation of plaque composition using NIRS‐IVUS has not been reported in different peripheral arterial circulations.

Methods

We performed invasive angiography and NIRS‐IVUS in consecutive PAD patients prior to percutaneous revascularization. Imaging evaluation included parameters from angiography, IVUS, and NIRS. NIRS‐IVUS findings were compared among different vascular beds with regard to the presence and extent of calcification and LCP.

Results

One hundred and forty‐nine lesions in 126 PAD patients were enrolled, including the internal carotid (n = 10), subclavian/axillary (n = 9), renal (n = 14), iliac (n = 35), femoropopliteal (n = 69), and infrapopliteal (n = 12) arteries. Plaque morphology was calcified in 132 lesions (89%) and fibrous in 17 lesions (11%). Calcification varied from 100% of renal artery stenoses to 55% of subclavian/axillary artery stenoses. LCP was present in 48 lesions (32%) and prevalence varied from 60% in carotid artery stenoses to 0% in renal artery stenoses (P < 0.005). LCP was only observed in fibrocalcific plaque, and was longitudinally and circumferentially surrounded by a more extensive degree of calcium.

Conclusions

NIRS‐IVUS in stable PAD patients demonstrates a high frequency of calcific plaque and statistically significant differences in the frequency of LCP in different arterial beds. LCP, when present in the peripheral circulation, is always associated with calcified plaque. The strong co‐localization of calcified plaque and LCP in severe PAD lesions may provide plaque‐stabilizing effects; further studies are needed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Subadventitial techniques for chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: The concept of “vessel architecture”
Authors: Azzalini Lorenzo , Carlino Mauro , Brilakis Emmanouil S. , Vo Minh , Rinfret Stéphane , Uretsky Barry F. , Karmpaliotis Dimitri , Colombo Antonio
Published: March 2017

Despite improvements in guidewire technologies, the traditional antegrade wire escalation approach to chronic total occlusion (CTO) recanalization is successful in only 60–80% of selected cases. In particular, long, calcified, and tortuous occlusions are less successfully approached with a true‐to‐true lumen approach. Frequently, the guidewire tracks into the subadventitial space, with no guarantee of distal re‐entry into the true lumen. The ability to manage the subadventitial space has been a key step in the tremendous improvement in success rates of contemporary CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), whether operating antegradely or retrogradely. A modern approach to CTO PCI involves understanding the concept of “vessel architecture,” which is based on the distinction between coronary structures (occlusive plaque, comprising the disrupted intima and media, and the outer adventitia) and extravascular space. The vessel architecture represents a safe work environment for guidewire and device manipulation. This review provides an anatomy‐based description of the concept of vessel architecture, along with a historical perspective of subadventitial techniques for CTO PCI, and outcome data of CTO PCI utilizing the subadventitial space. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Patient‐level meta‐analysis of 999 claudicants undergoing primary femoropopliteal nitinol stent implantation
Authors: Rocha‐Singh Krishna J. , Beckman Joshua A. , Ansel Gary , Lyden Sean P. , Schneider Peter , Mehta Manish , Dake Michael , Mullin Christopher M. , Jaff Michael R. ,   on behalf of VIVA Physicians, Inc
Published: March 2017

Condensed Abstract

The factors that impact the clinical effectiveness of bare nitinol stents in claudicants with symptomatic femoropopliteal atherosclerosis are incompletely known. The authors analyzed variables that may influence stent durability and provide a benchmark for their effectiveness. Data analyzed from six studies (999 patients) included baseline noninvasive hemodynamic tests, angiographic characteristics, ultrasound defined stent patency and target lesion revascularization through 12‐months. Baseline ankle‐brachial index and lesion length predicted stent patency and target lesion revascularization and when combined interacted significantly to better predict outcomes. This meta‐analysis provides an important comparator against which emerging therapies that treat claudicants with femoropopliteal atherosclerosis can be assessed.

Subject Code

Peripheral Artery Disease

Background

The performance of bare metal nitinol stents in patients with symptomatic femoropopliteal peripheral artery disease (PAD) is not well defined.

Methods

Patient‐level data from six large prospective trials sponsored by medical device manufacturers was abstracted and analyzed to identify a cohort of patients with claudication and femoropopliteal artery occlusive disease. Twelve‐month binary patency and target lesion revascularization (TLR) rates were primary outcomes. Stent patency was assessed by duplex ultrasonography (DUS) and TLR was a clinically driven intervention. To characterize the effects of patient characteristics on the outcomes, meta‐regression was performed via mixed effects logistic regression models with patient‐level covariates.

Results

About 999 patients were analyzed; the mean ABI was 0.68 ± 0.18, the mean lesion length was 84 ± 53 mm, the mean lesion stenosis was 78%, and nearly two thirds of patients had mild to severe calcification. The mean Rutherford clinical category was 2.7 ± 0.6 and ranged from 2.6 to 2.8 in all studies. The 12‐month patency across all studies was 69.8% and TLR rates ranged from 9.2% to 19.7%. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that baseline ABI and baseline target lesion length predicted both primary patency and TLR. Further, these two variables interacted significantly to better predict TLR outcomes when used in combination.

Conclusion

The 12‐month clinical effectiveness of bare nitinol stents to treat patients with symptomatic femoropopliteal PAD is acceptable and is impacted by clinical and lesion‐specific characteristics. These data provide an important and useful benchmark to compare the clinical benefit of emerging endovascular PAD therapies. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of coronary plaque morphology assessed by optical coherence tomography on cardiac troponin elevation in patients with non‐ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Lee Tetsumin , Murai Tadashi , Isobe Mitsuaki , Kakuta Tsunekazu
Published: March 2017

Objectives

This study aimed to use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to study the relationship between plaque morphology prior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and post‐PCI cardiac troponin (cTn) elevations in patients with non‐ST‐segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE‐ACS). Furthermore, the relationship between these findings and the adverse cardiac events during follow‐up was assessed.

Background

Association between post‐PCI cTn elevations and OCT findings in NSTE‐ACS patients is unclear.

Methods

We evaluated 167 patients with stable or falling cTn values after admission who underwent PCI. Periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) was defined as an cTn increase of more than 70× upper limit of normal (ULN) in troponin‐negative patients before PCI, or more than new 70× ULN elevation from the previous nadir level in pre‐PCI troponin‐positive patients. Clinical and OCT findings were compared between patients with (n = 48, 29%) and without (n = 119, 71%) PMI.

Results

PMI was associated with age, prior PCI, low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), OCT‐derived thin‐cap fibroatheroma (TCFA), plaque rupture, and lipid length. In multivariable analysis, TCFA (odds ratio [OR], 2.88; P = 0.011), eGFR (OR, 0.97, P = 0.003), and lipid length (OR, 1.12, P = 0.020) were independent predictors of PMI. At a median follow‐up of 38 months, event‐free survival was significantly worse in patients with PMI (log‐rank test χ2 = 6.47, P = 0.011).

Conclusions

OCT analysis showed that PMI occurs more frequently in lesions with TCFA in NSTE‐ACS patients, and may identify patients having a higher risk of adverse cardiac events during follow‐up. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Monocular diplopia‐associated migraine‐like headache induced by nicotine withdrawal
Authors: He Xiaoping , Munaf Alvina , Idrisov Evgeny , Everett George , Saikaly Sami K. , Kim Esther , Abusaada Khalid , Hsu Vincent
Published: March 2017

Key Clinical Message

We describe an extremely rare case of migraine‐associated monocular diplopia developed in a 23‐year‐old man after sudden cessation of smoking. The physical examination and brainMRIscan were unremarkable. The symptoms resolved after starting nicotine patch. We reviewed the literature and discussed the diagnosis and possible mechanism of this phenomenon.
Resorcinarene‐Based Facial Glycosides: Implication of Detergent Flexibility on Membrane‐Protein Stability
Authors: Hussain Hazrat , Du Yang , Tikhonova Elena , Mortensen Jonas S. , Ribeiro Orquidea , Santillan Claudia , Das Manabendra , Ehsan Muhammad , Loland Claus J. , Guan Lan , Kobilka Brian K. , Byrne Bernadette , Chae Pil Seok
Published: March 2017

As a membrane‐mimetic system, detergent micelles are popularly used to extract membrane proteins from lipid environments and to maintain their solubility and stability in an aqueous medium. However, many membrane proteins encapsulated in conventional detergents tend to undergo structural degradation during extraction and purification, thus necessitating the development of new agents with enhanced properties. In the current study, two classes of new amphiphiles are introduced, resorcinarene‐based glucoside and maltoside amphiphiles (designated RGAs and RMAs, respectively), for which the alkyl chains are facially segregated from the carbohydrate head groups. Of these facial amphiphiles, two RGAs (RGA‐C11 and RGA‐C13) conferred markedly enhanced stability to four tested membrane proteins compared to a gold‐standard conventional detergent. The relatively high water solubility and micellar stability of the RGAs compared to the RMAs, along with their generally favourable behaviours for membrane protein stabilisation described here, are likely to be, at least in part, a result of the high conformational flexibility of these glucosides. This study suggests that flexibility could be an important factor in determining the suitability of new detergents for membrane protein studies.
Influence of Different Baffle Variations on the Effectiveness of Multi‐Stage Agitated Vessels
Authors: Heyter Alexander , Wollny Stefan
Published: March 2017

Die Ermittlung der Leistungskennzahl als Auslegungsparameter für mehrstufige Rührsysteme ist stark von den geometrischen Randbedingungen abhängig. Insbesondere bei axial fördernden Rührern ist aufgrund ihrer Interaktion der Abstand der Rührerebenen zueinander von Bedeutung. Des Weiteren zeigen unterschiedliche Bewehrungszustände eine Auswirkung auf den resultierenden Leistungseintrag. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird ein mehrstufiges axiales Rührsystem systematisch untersucht. Unter Variation der Bewehrung erfolgt eine Charakterisierung hinsichtlich des Leistungseintrages sowie des Homogenisierverhaltens.
Modification of KNO3 on the reducibility and reactivity of Fe2O3‐based oxygen carriers for chemical‐looping combustion of methane
Authors: Cheng Xianming , Li Kongzhai , Wei Yonggang , Zhu Xing , Tian Dong
Published: March 2017

This work presented a comparative study on the Fe2O3‐based oxygen carriers modified by different potassium salts (i.e. KNO3, K3PO4, KOH, K2CO3) for chemical looping combustion of methane (CLC with methane). The effect of Al2O3 support on the reactivity of Fe2O3 was also investigated. The Fe2O3‐based oxygen carriers were prepared by a co‐precipitation method and the potassium salts were added via an incipient wetness impregnation method. The obtained oxygen carriers were characterized by XRD, XPS, H2‐TPR, and CH4‐TPR technologies. It was found that the presence of KNO3 could improve the reducibility of the Fe2O3‐based oxygen carrier in the surface, resulting in relatively high selectivity towards CO2 during the CLC with methane. The content of KNO3 also affected the reactivity of oxygen carriers, and 10 % KNO3/Fe2O3 sample showed the best activity. Moreover, it was also demonstrated that the addition of Al2O3 support into the 10 % KNO3/Fe2O3 oxygen carrier could improve its redox performance, and the stability of 10 % KNO3/Fe2O3/Al2O3 was proved to be favourable after twenty successive cycles for CLC with methane.
Assessment of Ex Vivo Transport Function in Isolated Rodent Brain Capillaries
Authors: Chan Gary N.Y. , Cannon Ronald E.
Published: March 2017

The blood‐brain barrier plays an important role in neuroprotection; however, it can be a major obstacle for drug delivery to the brain. This barrier primarily resides in the brain capillaries and functions as an interface between the brain and peripheral blood circulation. Several anatomical and biochemical elements of the blood‐brain barrier are essential to regulate the permeability of nutrients, ions, hormones, toxic metabolites, and xenobiotics into and out of the brain. In particular, high expression of ATP‐driven efflux transporters at the blood‐brain barrier is a major obstacle in the delivery of CNS pharmacotherapeutics to the brain. The complete understanding of these elements can offer insights on how to modulate barrier functions for neuroprotection against CNS drug toxicity and to enhance drug delivery to the brain. In the literature, preclinical models of the blood‐brain barrier are widely utilized to predict drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics properties in the brain. In addition, these models are essential tools to investigate cellular mechanisms and novel interventions that alter barrier function and permeability. This unit presents procedures to isolate fresh and viable rodent brain capillaries for the assessment of ex vivo transport activity at the blood‐brain barrier. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A measurement‐based approach with accuracy evaluation and its applications to circuit analysis and synthesis
Authors: Oliveira Vilma A. , Alzate Ricardo , Bhattacharyya Shankar P.
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we evaluate a useful general model for linear direct current (DC) networks, containing design parameters, multiple inputs and outputs. The outputs are rational multivariate functions of the parameters and linear functions of the inputs. For an unknown linear system, the unknown coefficients of these functions can be determined by taking a suitable number of measurements and solving a set of linear equations constructed from selected measurement data. The rational functions are useful to support the design such that outputs can be constrained to a desired interval. An interesting result was the particular case where the parameter varied is located at the output terminal. This is an alternative way to estimate the Thévenin equivalent of a circuit. Real data are in general noisy with accuracy dependent on the tolerance of components and on the measurement device used. We present a detailed analysis of the application of the measurement‐based approach under real experiments. Initially, a resistive DC circuit case is presented, and the results are verified by simulation and experimental laboratory data. Finally, practical circuits, such as a conditioning signal stage with an operational amplifier, and a boost DC–DC converter are considered. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incident microalbuminuria and complement factor mannan‐binding lectin‐associated protein 19 in people with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes
Authors: Østergaard J.A. , Thiel S. , Hoffmann‐Petersen I.T. , Hovind P. , Parving H.‐H. , Tarnow L. , Rossing P. , Hansen T.K.
Published: March 2017

Background

Evidence links the lectin pathway of complement activation to diabetic kidney disease. Upon carbohydrate‐recognition by pattern‐recognition molecules, eg, mannan‐binding lectin (MBL), the MBL‐associated serine protease (MASP‐2) is activated and initiates the complement cascade. The MASP2 gene encodes MASP‐2 and the alternative splice product MBL‐associated protein 19 (MAp19). Both MAp19 and MASP‐2 circulate in complex with MBL. We tested the hypothesis that MAp19 and MASP‐2 concentrations predict the risk of incident microalbuminuria.

Methods

Baseline MAp19 and MASP‐2 were measured in 270 persons with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes tracked for incidence of persistent microalbuminuria in a prospective observational 18‐year‐follow‐up study.

Results

Seventy‐five participants (28%) developed microalbuminuria during follow‐up. MBL‐associated protein 19 concentrations were higher in participants that later progressed to microalbuminuria as compared with those with persistent normoalbuminuria (268 ng/mL [95% CI, 243‐293] vs 236 ng/mL [95% CI, 223‐250], P = .02). Participants with MAp19 concentration within the highest quartile of the cohort had an increased risk of microalbuminuria as compared with participants with MAp19 concentration within the combined lower 3 quartiles in unadjusted Cox analysis, hazard ratio 1.86 ([95% CI, 1.17‐2.96], P = .009). This remained significant in adjusted models, eg, adjusting for age, sex, HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, urinary albumin excretion, smoking, serum creatinine, and serum cholesterol. MBL‐associated serine protease concentration was not associated with incidence of microalbuminuria.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the results show an association between baseline MAp19 concentration and the incidence of microalbuminuria in an 18‐year‐follow‐up study on persons with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes.
Lixisenatide as add‐on treatment among patients with different β‐cell function levels as assessed by HOMA‐β index
Authors: Bonadonna Riccardo C. , Blonde Lawrence , Antsiferov Mikhail , Berria Rachele , Gourdy Pierre , Hatunic Mensud , Mohan Viswanathan , Horowitz Michael
Published: March 2017

Background

The effect of lixisenatide—a prandial once‐daily glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist—on glycaemic control in patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), stratified by baseline β‐cell function, was assessed.

Methods

The 24‐week GetGoal‐M, ‐P and ‐S trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of lixisenatide in combination with oral antidiabetic agents. This post hoc analysis used data from patients receiving lixisenatide in these trials, divided into matched cohorts by propensity scoring, and stratified according to baseline homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function (HOMA‐β) index levels, high HOMA‐β: > median HOMA‐β (28.49%); low HOMA‐β: ≤ median.

Results

The matched “low” and “high” HOMA‐β index cohorts (N = 546 patients) had comparable baseline parameters. Mean change from baseline in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was −0.85% and −0.94% for low and high HOMA‐β cohorts, respectively (P = .2607). Reductions from baseline in fasting plasma glucose (FPG; −0.77 vs −1.04 mmol/L; P = .1496) and postprandial plasma glucose (PPG; −5.82 vs −5.61 mmol/L; P = .7511) were similar in the low versus high HOMA‐β index cohorts. Reduction in body weight was significantly greater in the low versus high HOMA‐β index cohort (–2.06 vs –1.13 kg, respectively; P = .0006).

Conclusions

In patients with T2DM, lixisenatide was associated with reduction in HbA1c and improvements in both FPG and PPG, regardless of β‐cell function, indicating that lixisenatide is effective in reducing hyperglycaemia, even in patients with more advanced stages of T2DM and poor residual β‐cell function.
Oral absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of icaritin in rats by Q‐TOF and UHPLC–MS/MS
Authors: Zhang Shuang‐Qing , Zhang Shi‐Zhong
Published: March 2017

Icaritin (ICT) displays numerous pharmacological activities for the treatment of various cancers, osteoporosis, inflammation, and angiocardiopathy. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of ICT still remain unknown. ICT was administered to rats at 2 mg/kg for intravenous injection or 40 mg/kg for oral route. Major metabolite of ICT was identified using quadrupole time‐of‐flight (Q‐TOF), and ICT and its major metabolite were quantified in plasma, tissues, urine, faeces, and bile by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). A total of 24 metabolites of ICT in plasma were identified and mono C‐7 glucuronide glucuronidated icaritin (GICT) was the major metabolite of ICT after oral administration. The absolute bioavailability of ICT was 4.33% although ICT was rapidly absorbed into the blood. For oral administration, concentrations of GICT at various time points was 6.38–8.81‐fold higher than those of ICT, and the area under the curve (AUC) of GICT was about 8‐fold higher than that of ICT, while AUC values of ICT and GICT were almost equal for intravenous injection. Approximately 65.7% ICT and 42.7% GICT were distributed in liver and kidney, respectively. Unabsorbed ICT was mainly excreted as the parent form in faeces with at least 60% of administered dose during 24 h, whereas absorbed ICT was predominantly excreted as GICT from urine with 2.74% of administered dose accounting for 63.28% of absorbed drug. ICT was rapidly absorbed into the blood although a large amount of ICT remained unabsorbed, and then rapidly and mainly metabolized to GICT. ICT mainly distributed in liver, while GICT predominantly distributed in kidney. Absorbed ICT and GICT were predominantly excreted via urine, and unabsorbed ICT was mainly excreted as the parent form in faeces. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving our understanding of thein vivomodelling of psychotic disorders: A protocol for a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bahor Zsanett , Nunes‐Fonseca Cristina , Thomson Lindsay D.G. , Sena Emily S. , Macleod Malcolm R.
Published: March 2017

Psychosis represents a set of symptoms against which current available treatments are not universally effective and are often accompanied by adverse side effects. Clinical management could potentially be improved with a greater understanding of the underlying biology and subsequently with the introduction of novel treatments. Since many clinical drug candidates are identified throughin vivomodelling, a deeper understanding of the pre‐clinical field, might help us understand why translation of results from animal models to inform mental health clinical practice has so far been weak. We set out to give a shallow, but broad unbiased overview of experiments looking at thein vivomodelling of psychotic disorders using a systematic review and meta‐analysis. This protocol describes the exact methodology we propose to follow in order to quantitatively review both studies characterizing a model and those experiments that investigate the effects of novel therapeutic options. We are interested in assessing the prevalence of the reporting of measures to reduce risk of bias, and the internal and external validity of the animal models and outcome measures used to validate these models. This generation of strong empirical evidence has the potential to identify areas for improvement, make suggestions for future research avenues, and ultimately inform what we think we know to improve the current attrition rate between bench and bedside in psychosis research. A review like this will also support the reduction of animal numbers used in research and the refinement of experiments to maximize their value in informing the field.
Intensive agriculture and insect prey availability influence oxidative status and return rates of an aerial insectivore
Authors: Stanton Rebecca , Clark Robert G. , Morrissey Christy A.
Published: March 2017

Birds breeding in agricultural landscapes contend with potential reductions in prey availability that may alter behavior and incur physiological costs. Individuals may need to increase foraging intensity, producing elevated reactive oxygen species involved in oxidative damage. Food scarcity or low food quality may also reduce levels of diet‐derived antioxidants. Here, we tested whether short‐term changes in insect biomass on agricultural sites produce changes in the oxidative status of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), with the potential to influence return rates. We sampled 368 adult and 374 nestling swallows at five agricultural cropland and grassland‐dominated sites over three years from 2012 to 2014. Blood plasma was assessed for antioxidant capacity (OXY) and reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), a marker for oxidative damage. Overall, males appeared to have higher oxidative damage and therefore oxidative stress (calculated as the ratio between ROMs and OXY) than females. Consistent with our hypothesis, aerial insect biomass was a strong predictor of oxidative status in swallows. Adult plasma antioxidants were higher with greater insect biomass, while nestling plasma antioxidants, oxidative damage, and oxidative stress exhibited negative relationships with insect biomass. Annual return rates of adults were predicted by site type, age, fledging success, and oxidative status. In 2013, adult return rates were higher at grassland sites (41%) than at cropland sites (25%) and birds with lower plasma antioxidants the previous year were more likely to return. In 2014, adults were more likely to return if they had fledged more nestlings the previous season and if they had lower levels of oxidative damage the previous year. We conclude that even subtle changes in insect prey availability in agricultural landscapes caused by pesticides, intense cropping, and natural habitat loss can play a key role in swallow oxidative status, with subsequent effects on local return rates.
Isoform localization of Dectin‐1 regulates the signaling quality of anti‐fungal immunity
Authors: Fischer Mike , Müller Jörg P. , Spies‐Weisshart Bärbel , Gräfe Christine , Kurzai Oliver , Hünniger Kerstin , Hochhaus Andreas , Scholl Sebastian , Schnetzke Ulf
Published: March 2017

Dectin‐1 is recognized as a major receptor for fungal ß‐glucans and contributes to anti‐fungal immunity. Human monocyte populations express Dectin‐1 isoforms A and B, which differ by the presence of a stalk region and its N‐linked glycosylation site. Here, we analyzed the expression of both isoforms in human monocyte‐derived cells. The cellular localization on cell lines stably expressing either Dectin‐1 isoform A or B was studied by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Intracellular protein signaling and cytokine production were analyzed by immunoblotting and cytometric bead array, respectively. Monocyte‐derived cells showed cell type‐specific expression of the two isoforms. Glycosylated Dectin‐1 isoform A was predominantly localized at the cell surface, non‐glycosylated isoform B was retained intracellularly. Inhibition of glycosylation resulted in efficient abrogation of cell surface expression of isoform A. Signaling quality following Dectin‐1 stimulation was reduced in isoform B cells. Differential isoform specific cytokine secretion was observed by cytometric bead array. We show here that n‐glycosylation of Dectin‐1 is crucial for its cell surface expression and consequently signal transduction. Taken together, unique cytokine secretion and varying expression levels of human Dectin‐1 isoforms on monocyte‐derived cells may indicate distinct isoform usage as a cell type‐specific mechanism of regulating anti‐fungal immunity.
Synthesis and curing performance of a novel bio‐based epoxy monomer from soybean oil
Authors: Li Yantao , Yang Liting , Zhang Hui , Tang Zijian
Published: March 2017

A novel bio‐based epoxy monomer (EP) was obtained from the reaction of modify soybean oil and epichlorohydrin (ECH). And EP blended with bisphenol‐A epoxy oligomer (DGEBA) to form the epoxy networks using triethylene tetramine as curing agent. The weight fraction of EP affects the performance of epoxy networks have been studied. The structures of the monomers and networks were studied by Fourier transformation infrared spectrometer (FTIR), and were consistent with the theoretical structures. Thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry analysis (DSC) were used to determine the thermal properties of the epoxy networks, indicating that glass transition temperature (Tg) and thermal stability decreased with increasing EP content. Mechanical properties analysis showed that the elongation at break and impact strength of the epoxy networks increased with the increasing EP content, while the tensile strength decreased. Dynamic non‐isothermal curing test and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed that there was no obvious phase separation and formed homogeneous crosslinking network structure. The properties of the epoxy networks were hard and brittle in low EP content, and presented strong flexible or soft flexible in high EP content.

Practical applications:Soybean oil is one of the most interesting environmental resources for the synthesis of monomers, because of the aliphatic chain and functional groups contribute as a primary element to the backbone of polymer. It has received much attention as a renewable resource to replace petroleum resource for preparing chemicals and polymers, due to its environmental advantages, renewable and economic. The bio‐based epoxy resin can be used to modify the commercial bisphenol‐A epoxy resin to overcome the weaknesses of brittleness of the cured networks. As a novel epoxy monomer, it can be used in many fields which the traditional epoxy resins were used, such as paint, coatings, adhesives, electronic materials, and structural materials. Also, it can be used as a modifier to modify other industrial epoxy resins, due to the flexible aliphatic chain structure and low viscosity property. The bio‐based may degrade after discarding and come into environmental cycle.

Soybean oil has received much attention as a renewable resource to replace petroleum resource for preparing chemicals and polymers, due to its environmental advantages, renewable and economic. In this paper, a novel polyols is derived from soybean oil and used for the preparation of aliphatic epoxy monomer. And then the bio‐based epoxy monomer is used to modify the commercial bisphenol‐A epoxy oligomer to overcome the weaknesses of brittleness of the cured networks. The epoxy monomer and epoxy networks prepared from soybean oil are environmentally friendly materials. It may degrade after discarding and come into environmental cycle.
A stable and convenient protein electrophoresis titration device with bubble removing system
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Fan Liu‐Yin , Li Wen‐lin , Cong Feng‐Song , Zhong Ran , Chen Jing‐Jing , He Yu‐Chen , Xiao Hua , Cao Cheng‐Xi
Published: March 2017

Moving reaction boundary titration (MRBT) has a potential application to immunoassay and protein content analysis with high selectivity. However, air bubbles often impair the accuracy of MRBT, and the leakage of electrolyte greatly decreases the safety and convenience of electrophoretic titration. Addressing these two issues a reliable MRBT device with modified electrolyte chamber of protein titration was designed. Multiphysics computer simulation was conducted for optimization according to two‐phase flow. The single chamber was made of two perpendicular cylinders with different diameters. After placing electrophoretic tube, the resident air in the junction next to the gel could be eliminated by a simple fast electrolyte flow. Removing the electrophoretic tube automatically prevented electrolyte leakage at the junction due to the gravity‐induced negative pressure within the chamber. Moreover, the numerical simulation and experiments showed that the improved MRBT device has following advantages: (i) easy and rapid setup of electrophoretic tube within 20 s; (ii) simple and quick bubble dissipates from the chamber of titration within 2 s; (iii) no electrolyte leakage from the two chambers: and (iv) accurate protein titration and safe instrumental operation. The developed technique and apparatus greatly improves the performance of the previous MRBT device, and providing a new route toward practical application.
DNA dielectrophoresis: Theory and applications a review
Authors: Viefhues Martina , Eichhorn Ralf
Published: March 2017

Dielectrophoresis is the migration of an electrically polarizable particle in an inhomogeneous electric field. This migration can be exploited for several applications with (bio)molecules or cells. Dielectrophoresis is a noninvasive technique; therefore, it is very convenient for (selective) manipulation of (bio)molecules or cells. In this review, we will focus on DNA dielectrophoresis as this technique offers several advantages in trapping and immobilization, separation and purification, and analysis of DNA molecules. We present and discuss the underlying theory of the most important forces that have to be considered for applications with dielectrophoresis. Moreover, a review of DNA dielectrophoresis applications is provided to present the state‐of‐the‐art and to offer the reader a perspective of the advances and current limitations of DNA dielectrophoresis.
Modeling and designing of the solar thermal parabolic trough concentrator and its environmental effects
Authors: Yilmaz Saban , Riza Ozcalik Hasan , Dincer Furkan
Published: March 2017

Concentrating solar power (CSP) system is a favorable application because of its potential to constantly generate large‐scale electricity. Today, there are many CSP plants in the world. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze these systems in detail. To measure the efficiencies of these systems, a model is created and a microsystem is experimentally tested. As a result, the gas boiler modeled in this study generates a monthly amount of 3.222,317 kWh, and the collector generates a monthly amount of 1.709,8 kWh. In addition, we also analyzed the CO2 emission status, and CO2 emission reduction was calculated as 5.279,6 kg, demonstrating the environment‐friendly nature of the system. This study introduces a model of CSP plant prior installation. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 967–974, 2017
An investigation of two‐stage thermophilic and mesophilic fermentation process for the production of hydrogen and methane from palm oil mill effluent
Authors: Krishnan Santhana , Singh Lakhveer , Sakinah Mimi , Thakur Sveta , Nasrul Mohd , Otieno Andrew , Wahid Zularisam A.
Published: March 2017

The two‐stage process of combined hydrogen and methane production with the recirculation of digestate sludge using palm oil mill effluent as substrate was investigated. During the first stage, an up‐flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB) was operated at thermophilic conditions [hydraulic retention time (HRT)−2 days, organic loading rate −75 gCOD L−1d−1] for hydrogen production. The operation performance at short HRT and low pH was useful to separate the acidogenesis from methanogenesis. The effluents from UASB reactor containing mainly acetate and butyrate were fed into a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) for methane production under the mesophilic temperature at two different HRTs (5 and 3 days). Both UASB and CSTR reactors were operated for 120 days continuously and a stable production of the hydrogen and methane was obtained simultaneously. The total hydrogen and methane yields obtained were 215 L H2 kgCOD−1 and 320 L CH4 kgCOD−1, respectively with the total COD removal efficiency of 94% in the two stage process. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 895–902, 2017
Evaluation of thermal performance of single pass earth–air heat exchanger in heating mode
Authors: Deldan Namgial , Rajan Aggarwal , Hans Vishavjeet S. , Kaushal Arun
Published: March 2017

The earth–air heat exchanger (EAHE) system in single pass mode pass was installed at the research field of Soil and Water Engineering Department, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India (75°88′E & 30°95′N). The soil temperature upto depth of 3.5 m was monitored prior to study. It consists of 42 m single polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe of 0.25 m diameter buried at 3.5 m depth. The thermister 2k temperature sensors and Dl2 data logger were used for data recording for study period from October 2014 to February 2015. The air was circulated by belt driven force drive centrifugal blower (radial blade) attached with three phase 10 hp motor. The air velocity was further regulated with the gate valve located at inlet of blower. The EAHE was operated at velocity ranging from 2.3 to 24 m/s under open and closed system to evaluate its thermal parameters, viz., heating potential, coefficient of performance (COP), and tube efficiency. The temperature difference between EAHE inlet and outlet increased as the velocity decreased. The maximum mean heating potential and COP were obtained at 14 m/s. The maximum and minimum tube efficiencies were obtained at 2.3 and 24 m/s, respectively. The temperature difference between greenhouse and ambient under closed system was higher than open despite higher value of heating potential, COP, and tube efficiency. Therefore, it reveals that thermal parameters of EAHE are not proportional to performance of greenhouse coupled with EAHE. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1253–1261, 2017
Preparation of hybrid porous carbon using black liquor lignin impregnated with steelmaking slag and its performance in SO2 removal
Authors: Sun Yong , Sun Guangzhi , Sage Valérie , Sun Zhi , Zhang Jing‐ping , Zhang Lian
Published: March 2017

A hybrid porous adsorbent was produced by mixing black liquor lignin (BL) with basic oxygen furnace steelmaking slag (SS) followed by carbonization at 860°C for removal of trace sulfur dioxide (SO2) from air. The effects of BL percentage, carbonization temperature, carbonization duration and the binary combined effect of each individual process parameter on the removal of SO2 have been statistically analyzed. The optimal preparation conditions were 48% = BL/(BL + SS), carbonized at 860°C for 50 minutes (labeled BL‐SS‐48‐860‐50). The crystallite CaO and MgO phases remained in the hybrid matrix. A carbonization temperature over 800°C facilitated gasification reaction between the carbon matrix and the CO2 emitted from the decomposition of calcium and magnesium carbonate, which led to the pore formation and enlargement in the carbon matrix. The prepared hybrid adsorbent showed good SO2 removal performance. The kinetic model demonstrated satisfying results in predicting SO2 adsorption kinetics with good prediction within a relative large range of SO2 inlet concentration. The mass transfer coefficient k = 537 (s−1) was obtained by fitting the model to the experimental breakthrough curve. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1417–1427, 2017
The Environmental Liabilities of a Bankruptcy Estate
Authors: Linna Tuula
Published: March 2017

The conflict between the bankruptcy creditors and the environmental responsibilities of a bankruptcy estate is discussed globally. The creditors' receivables are usually included in the protection of property rights regulated by Constitution. On the other hand, one can ask whether the bankruptcy estate is breaking the law as an operator by refusing to abolish the harmful environmental pollution. The bankruptcy estate is deemed to be an operator when it has the legal and factual possibility of taking the necessary environmental actions. Accordingly, the costs of the environmental measures taken by authorities instead of the bankruptcy estate must be paid with a super priority from the assets of the bankruptcy estate. Instead, the question concerning the priority status of private environmental damages is a political matter. The argumentation presented in the article may contribute new legislation concerning the environmental liabilities of bankruptcy estates. Copyright © 2017 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.