bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The efficacy of left bundle branch area pacing compared with biventricular pacing in patients with heart failure: A matched case–control study
Authors: Wang Yao , Gu Kai , Qian Zhiyong , Hou Xiaofeng , Chen Xing , Qiu Yuanhao , Jiang Zeyu , Zhang Xinwei , Wu Hongping , Chen Minglong , Zou Jiangang 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundLeft bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) was reported to improve cardiac function by correcting complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB). Our study aimed to compare the efficacy of LBBAP and biventricular pacing (BIVP) in heart failure patients with CLBBB.MethodsTen patients prospectively underwent LBBAP (LBB‐CRT group) and 30 patients received BIVP (BIV‐CRT group) were matched using propensity score matching. LBBAP was achieved by the trans‐interventricular septum method. Echocardiography, electrocardiogram, NYHA classification, and blood B‐type natriuretic peptide concentration were evaluated at preimplantation and at 6‐month follow up. CRT response was defined as at least 15% decrease in left ventricular end‐systolic volume.ResultsIn the LBB‐CRT group, CLBBB were successfully corrected by LBBAP with no complications. QRS duration (QRSd) significantly decreased after implantation in both groups, and the decrease of QRSd in the LBB‐CRT group was significantly greater than that in the BIV‐CRT group (60.80 ± 20.09 vs. 33.00 ± 21.48 ms, p = .0009). The echocardiographic measurements including left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter, left ventricular end‐systolic diameter, and left ventricular ejection fraction significantly improved after 6 months in both groups. The response rate was significantly higher in LBB‐CRT group than BIV‐CRT group (100.00% vs. 63.33%, p = .038). The percentage of patients in New York Heart Association classification Grades I and II was significantly higher in the LBB‐CRT group compared with that in the BIV‐CRT group (median 1.5 vs. 2.0, p = .029) at 6‐month follow‐up.ConclusionsIt is effective and safe to correct CLBBB with LBBAP in heart failure patients. Compared with BIVP, LBBAP can better optimize electrical synchrony and improve cardiac function.
Serum miR‐92a‐1 is a novel diagnostic biomarker for colorectal cancer
Authors: Shi Ying , Liu Zhibao 
Published: June 2020

AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with high mortality. Abnormally expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) are considered novel biomarkers in cancer diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of miR‐92a‐1 in patients with CRC. Serum samples were collected from 148 patients pathologically diagnosed with CRC and 68 gender‐ and age‐matched healthy volunteers. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was used to measure serum miR‐92a‐1 level. Relationship between miR‐92a‐1 and clinicopathological features of CRC cases was analysed via chi‐square test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to estimate the diagnostic value of miR‐92a‐1 in CRC. Serum miR‐92a‐1 was significantly up‐regulated in CRC patients compared with healthy individuals (P < .001). Moreover, miR‐92a‐1 expression was correlated with TNM stage (P = .02), histological stage (P = .003), lymph node metastasis (P = .003) and distant metastasis (P < .001). ROC analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.914, suggesting high diagnostic accuracy of miR‐92a‐1 in ROC. The optimal cut‐off value was 1.485, with a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 95.6%. MiR‐92a‐1 is increased in CRC patients and correlated with aggressive clinical characteristics. Serum miR‐92a‐1 may be a potential diagnostic biomarker for CRC.
Alpinetin inhibits breast cancer growth by ROS/NF‐κB/HIF‐1α axis
Authors: Zhang Tao , Guo Shuai , Zhu Xinying , Qiu Jinxia , Deng Ganzhen , Qiu Changwei 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAlpinetin, the main active ingredient in the Chinese medicinal herb Alpinia katsumadai Hayata, has been found to have anticancer activity. However, the therapeutic efficacy of signalling cascades modulated by alpinetin remains unknown. Here, we showed that alpinetin provoked mitochondria‐associated apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner in breast cancer cells. Mechanistic investigations revealed that alpinetin dampens hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) signalling due to a lack of NF‐κB activation through reduced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, decreasing HIF‐1α transcription. In vivo, we also found alpinetin led to significant tumour regression by inhibiting NF‐κB pathway. Overall, our work uncovers a ROS/NF‐κB/HIF‐1α axis‐dependent mechanism underlying the anticancer effects of alpinetin and suggests that alpinetin could act as a novel therapeutic agent against breast cancer.
MiR‐155 promotes interleukin‐1β‐induced chondrocyte apoptosis and catabolic activity by targeting PIK3R1‐mediated PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Fan Zhiyong , Liu Yinghui , Shi Zhengliang , Deng Kai , Zhang Hua , Li Qiutong , Cao Shuxing , Li Shentai , Zhang Hongliang 
Published: June 2020

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease characterized by progressive cartilage degradation, in which elevated chondrocyte apoptosis and catabolic activity play an important role. MicroRNA‐155 (miR‐155) has recently been shown to regulate apoptosis and catabolic activity in some pathological circumstances, yet, whether and how miR‐155 is associated with OA pathology remain unexplored. We report here that miR‐155 level is significantly up‐regulated in human OA cartilage biopsies and also in primary chondrocytes stimulated by interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), a pivotal pro‐catabolic factor promoting cartilage degradation. Moreover, miR‐155 inhibition attenuates and its overexpression promotes IL‐1β‐induced apoptosis and catabolic activity in chondrocytes in vitro. We also demonstrate that the PIK3R1 (p85α regulatory subunit of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)) is a target of miR‐155 in chondrocytes, and more importantly, PIK3R1 restoration abrogates miR‐155 effects on chondrocyte apoptosis and catabolic activity. Mechanistically, PIK3R1 positively regulates the transduction of PI3K/Akt pathway, and a specific Akt inhibitor reverses miR‐155 effects on promoting chondrocyte apoptosis and catabolic activity, phenocopying the results obtained via PIK3R1 knockdown, hence establishing that miR‐155 promotes chondrocyte apoptosis and catabolic activity through targeting PIK3R1‐mediated PI3K/Akt pathway activation. Altogether, our study discovers novel roles and mechanisms of miR‐155 in regulating chondrocyte apoptosis and catabolic activity, providing an implication for therapeutically intervening cartilage degradation and OA progression.
Clinical features of subungual melanoma according to the extent of Hutchinson’s nail sign: a retrospective single‐centre study
Authors: Sohng C. , Han M.H. , Park D. , Park K.D. , Jang Y.H. , Lee W.J. , Lee S.J. , Kim J.Y. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundHutchinson’s nail sign (HS) is among the diagnostic criteria for subungual melanoma (SUM). However, there is minimal evidence supporting the overall clinical significance of HS in SUM.ObjectivesTo identify clinicopathological features of SUM according to the extent of HS.MethodsRetrospective cohort study was performed with consecutive SUM patients at a single centre from January 2006 to December 2017. The extent of HS was defined by the number of affected nail folds (range 0–4). Comparison groups were organized as follows: patients with HS (affecting ≥1 nail folds) vs. without HS; patients with HS affecting ≥2 nail folds vs. HS affecting <2 nail folds; patients with HS affecting ≥3 nail folds vs. HS affecting <3 nail folds. Clinicopathological characteristics of SUM were compared between the groups.ResultsSixty‐one SUM patients were included. Forty‐six (75.4%) exhibited HS; 22 (47.8%) on a toe and 24 (52.2%) on a finger. In multivariate analysis, nail destruction [hazard ratio (HR), 10.00; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.61–38.30; P = 0.001] was significantly associated with the presence of HS and amputation was significantly associated with HS affecting ≥2 nail folds (HR, 4.75; 95% CI, 1.36–16.61; P = 0.015). High T stage (HR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.20–2.85; P = 0.005, Fig. 2) was significantly associated with HS appearing in ≥3 nail folds.ConclusionBesides its value of detecting SUM, HS provides useful clinical information. The number of nail folds exhibiting HS could be a useful clinical clue for planning therapeutic strategies for SUM.
Color determination with no‐match‐templates using two different tooth color scales—An in vitro evaluation
Authors: Bratner Siegfried , Hannak Wolfgang , Boening Klaus , Klinke Thomas 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectivesVisual shade selection is the most commonly used method in dentistry and a challenge for every dentist. However, differences to natural tooth color and the differences of each shade guide are well known. The aim of this paper is to investigate the suitability of two different color scales for determining the color of no‐match templates.Materials and methodsVolunteers (N = 76) selected a shade color of a no‐match template with two shade guides (VITA Classical shade guide (VC) and VITA Linearguide 3D‐Master (V3D LG), both Vita Zahnfabrik). The neutral grey background was laterally illuminated with a color differentiation lamp (Dialite, Eickhorst GmbH). For the volunteers’ accuracy, the triangle's area was used which are emerge by the color coordinates of a template (LTaTbT) and the color coordinates of the two decisions (L1a1b1 and L2a2b2). Statistical software was used to evaluate the differences in ΔE00 with α = .01.ResultsA deviation in the median of ΔE00 of 7.6 (V3D LG, first choice) to 6.6 (VC, second choice) was detected, while U test showed no significant differences in the median for both color scales. But the triangle's area generated by both shade decisions and tooth color with V3D LG was significant smaller (14.2) then VC (19.2) (P ≤ .001).ConclusionsWhen comparing both results no significant difference in the subject's shade selection and the shade guides was detected. The new evaluation strategy using the size of the triangle's areas proves the superiority of the V3D LG due to a better distribution of the tooth color shades within the color space.
Remarkably Complex Microbial Community Composition in Bromeliad Tank Waters Revealed by eDNA Metabarcoding
Authors: Simão Taiz L.L. , Utz Laura R.P. , Dias Raquel , Giongo Adriana , Triplett Eric W. , Eizirik Eduardo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTo investigate patterns of biotic community composition at different spatial scales and biological contexts, we used environmental DNA metabarcoding to characterize eukaryotic and prokaryotic assemblages present in the phytotelmata of three bromeliad species (Aechmea gamosepala, Vriesea friburgensis, and Vriesea platynema) at a single Atlantic Forest site in southern Brazil. We sampled multiple individuals per species and multiple tanks from each individual, totalizing 30 samples. We observed very high levels of diversity in these communities, and remarkable variation across individuals and even among tanks from the same individual. The alpha diversity was higher for prokaryotes than eukaryotes, especially for A. gamosepala and V. platynema samples. Some biotic components appeared to be species‐specific, while most of the biota was shared among species, but varied substantially in frequency among samples. Interestingly, V. friburgensis communities (which were sampled at nearby locations) tended to be more heterogeneous across samples, for both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. The opposite was true for V. platynema, whose samples were more broadly spaced but whose communities were more similar to each other. Our results indicate that additional attention should be devoted to within‐individual heterogeneity when assessing bromeliad phytotelmata biodiversity, and highlight the complexity of the biotic assemblages gathered in these unique habitats.
Effect of pulsed electric fields processing on physiochemical properties and bioactive compounds of apricot juice
Authors: Rahaman Abdul , Zeng Xin‐An , Farooq Muhammad Adil , Kumari Ankita , Murtaza Mian Anjum , Ahmad Nabeel , Manzoor Muhammad Faisal , Hassan Sadia , Ahmad Zahoor , Bo‐Ru Chen , Jinjing Zhan , Siddeeg Azhari 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pulsed electric fields (PEF) on bioactive compounds and physiochemical properties present in apricot juice. In which 0, 7, and 14 kV/cm of PEF intensity were applied to treat the juices with a flow rate of 40 ml/min, frequency of 1 kHz at 25 ± 2°C for 500 μs. Thereafter the phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidant volatile compounds, and physiochemical properties of juice were analyzed. Furthermore, the change in functional groups of biological compounds was investigated by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. Results indicated no significant change in pH, °Brix, and color in PEF treated sample even at increased PEF intensities as compared to untreated. A significant increase in cloud value, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity of the PEF treated sample was observed. A decrease in the browning index was observed as compared to unprocessed samples. The little variation in biological compounds was observed in PEF treated sample.Practical ApplicationsNowadays, researchers are paying more attention to non‐thermal techniques for the processing of food products, which could enhance the nutritional profile and shelf life stability of food products. PEF retains the heat‐sensitive bioactive constituents, extends the shelf life in order to achieve the fresh like quality of liquid products. This research proved that PEF treatment significantly increased the cloud value, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, and helps to retain the bioactive compounds present in apricot juice. Furthermore, this present research would also provide valuable data that can be helpful for food industries to design and select PEF technology to process the liquid‐based food product like fruit juice.
Endocuff‐assisted colonoscopy versus cap‐assisted colonoscopy for adenoma detection rate: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Li Ai , Yang Jing‐Ze , Yang Xiao‐Xiao , Feng Bing‐Cheng , Zhang Ming‐Ming , Qu Jun‐Yan , Zhou Ru‐Chen , Wang Peng , Li Li‐Xiang , Zuo Xiu‐Li , Li Yan‐Qing 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackground and AimsAdd‐on devices have been widely used in clinical practice. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to compare the adenoma detection rate between Endocuff‐assisted colonoscopy (EAC) and cap‐assisted colonoscopy (CAC).MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases were searched. Outcomes included adenoma detection rate, cecal intubation rate, cecal intubation time, and withdrawal time. Dichotomous data were pooled to obtain the odds ratio or risk ratio. Continuous data were pooled using the mean difference.ResultsOf the 240 articles reviewed, six randomized controlled trials were included, with a total of 1994 patients. In the meta‐analysis, no statistical difference in adenoma detection rate was detected between EAC and CAC (47.0% vs 45.1%; P = 0.33). EAC significantly improved detection rate of diminutive adenomas/polyps compared with CAC (P = 0.01). Cecal intubation was achieved in 96.5% in EAC group and 97.9% in CAC group (P = 0.04). Besides, no statistical difference was found in cecal intubation time (P = 0.86), withdrawal time (P = 0.88), small adenomas/polyps (P = 0.60), or large adenomas/polyps (P = 0.95).ConclusionEAC and CAC have their respective merits. EAC significantly improve the detection of diminutive adenomas/polyps. CAC was better in cecal intubation rate.
Trends in Older Adultsʼ Knowledge of Medicare Advantage Benefits, 2010 to 2016
Authors: Ankuda Claire K. , Moreno Jaison , McKendrick Karen , Aldridge Melissa D. 
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESThe Medicare Advantage (MA) program insures a rapidly growing proportion of older adults, and may be more appealing due to lower cost sharing. However, the extent to which older adults are informed of their plan benefits and how plan knowledge has changed over time is unclear. We evaluated temporal trends and characteristics associated with not knowing MA coverage for dental, vision, and nursing home (NH) services.DESIGNLongitudinal cohort study.SETTINGMedicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS), 2010 to 2016.PARTICIPANTSAdults aged 65 years or older enrolled in MA plans and not in Medicaid.MEASUREMENTSInsurance knowledge was determined from separate items asking if individuals had coverage through their MA plan for dental, vision, and NH care. Responses were dichotomized between responding yes/no and not knowing. Demographic, clinical, and functional characteristics were assessed from the MCBS.RESULTSThe proportion of older adults in MA who did not know if their plan covered NH care increased from 38.0% in 2010 to 45.5% in 2016. However, proportions of not knowing dental benefits decreased from 6.4% in 2010 to 3.4% in 2016 and not knowing vision benefits decreased from 8.2% in 2010 to 5.9% in 2016. We found significant associations of race, education, income, region, and disability with knowledge of MA benefits.CONCLUSIONSAs enrollment in MA plans has grown, older adults in MA plans increasingly report that they know their plan’s vision and dental benefits, although they decreasingly know about NH care. Older adults from racial and ethnic minority groups, with lower levels of education and income and who reside in certain regions or have functional disability, are less likely to know their plan benefits. This may imply decreasing preparedness for future long‐term care needs. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:2343–2347, 2020.
Linking service provision to material cycles: A new framework for studying the resource efficiency–climate change (RECC) nexus
Authors: Pauliuk Stefan , Fishman Tomer , Heeren Niko , Berrill Peter , Tu Qingshi , Wolfram Paul , Hertwich Edgar G. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMaterial production accounts for 23% of all greenhouse gas emissions. More efficient use of materials—through decoupling of services that support human well‐being from material use—is imperative as other emission mitigation options are expensive. An interdisciplinary scientific assessment of material efficiency and its links to service provision, material cycle management, and climate policy is needed to identify effective strategies and help design the policy framework required for their implementation. We present the resource efficiency–climate change (RECC) mitigation framework, a first step toward such a comprehensive assessment. RECC is based on dynamic material flow analysis and links the services provided (individual motorized transport and shelter) to the operation of in‐use stocks of products (passenger vehicles and residential buildings), to their expansion and maintenance, and to their material cycles to model mitigation strategies and analyze trade‐offs for environmental impacts along the products’ life cycle. A key innovation of RECC is the upscaling of product archetypes with different degrees of material and energy efficiency, which are simulated with engineering tools. We utilize RECC with augmented storylines of the shared socioeconomic pathways to describe future service demand and associated material requirements. Ten material efficiency strategies at different stages of the material cycle can be assessed by ramping up their implementation rates to the identified technical potentials. RECC provides scenario results for the life cycle impacts of ambitious service–material decoupling concurrent with energy system decarbonization, giving detailed insights on the RECC mitigation nexus to policy‐makers worldwide.
Ecological network analysis of urban–industrial ecosystems
Authors: Morris Zackery B. , Weissburg Marc , Bras Bert 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSustainability of urban areas is paramount in the coming years as cities continue to grow in population and resource consumption. A number of methods to model cities have been developed, including material flow analysis and urban metabolism, but these accounting methods do not fully analyze the complex network dynamics present within cities. Ecological network analysis (ENA) provides a new perspective into these urban areas by using metrics designed for analysis of natural ecosystems. This study analyzes 29 urban–industrial ecosystems using ENA, comparing the networks to each other as well as comparing them to previously analyzed eco‐industrial parks and natural food webs. It is found that these systems perform similar to other human‐designed systems, which consistently lack in ecological performance when compared with the natural ecosystems. Additionally, the impact of specific actor types within these networks is shown indicating the importance of industry, agriculture, and the natural environment. Finally, the types of networks are determined to affect the ecological metrics, with the more linear‐based energy networks having the worst performance. This new dataset of ecologically analyzed networks provides a deeper understanding of urban networks and their infrastructure, while providing useful information on how to potentially improve their sustainability.
Insulin restores the neurochemical effects of nicotine in the mesolimbic pathway of diabetic rats
Authors: Cruz Bryan , Carcoba Luis M. , Flores Rodolfo J. , Espinoza Evangelina J. , Nazarian Arbi , O’Dell Laura E. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis study examined whether insulin modulates the neurochemical effects of nicotine in the mesolimbic pathway of diabetic rats. The rats received vehicle or streptozotocin (STZ) to induce hypoinsulinemia. A subset of STZ‐treated rats was implanted with insulin pellets that rapidly normalized glucose levels. Two‐weeks later, dialysis probes were implanted into the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ipsilateral ventral tegmental area (VTA). The next day, dialysate samples were collected during baseline and then following systemic administration of nicotine. Samples were also collected following intra‐VTA administration of the gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor antagonist, bicuculline. Dopamine, GABA, glutamate, and acetylcholine (ACh) levels were assessed using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). The results revealed that vehicle‐treated rats displayed a nicotine‐induced increase in NAc dopamine levels. In contrast, STZ‐treated rats did not display any changes in NAc dopamine following nicotine administration, an effect that was likely related to a concomitant increase in GABA and decrease in glutamate levels in both the NAc and VTA. Intra‐VTA administration of bicuculline increased NAc dopamine in vehicle‐treated rats, and this effect was absent in STZ‐treated rats. Vehicle‐treated rats displayed a nicotine‐induced increase in ACh levels in the NAc (but not VTA), an effect that was lower in the NAc of STZ‐treated rats. Insulin supplementation normalized the neurochemical effects of nicotine in the NAc and VTA of STZ‐treated rats, suggesting that insulin modulates the neurochemical effects of nicotine in the mesolimbic pathway of diabetic rats.
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Financial capability and investment management of Chinese households: An application of hybrid item response theory
Authors: Chiang Tsun‐Feng 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis study estimates Chinese individuals' financial capability and analyzes the association between financial capability and household investment management. By applying a novel hybrid item response theory to data from the China Family Panel Studies, this study finds that more than 70% of Chinese individuals have financial capability around the average level, and less than 12% of individuals have financial capability far below the average. For two of the components of financial capability, desirable behaviors and perceived financial knowledge, however, more than half of Chinese individuals are below the average. The primary finding on whether financial capability predicts investment management is that individuals with higher financial capability are more likely to take control of household investment alone than to share investment decisions with spouses.