bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Roles of arginine in fish nutrition and health: insights for future researches
Authors: Hoseini Seyyed Morteza , Ahmad Khan Mukhtar , Yousefi Morteza , Costas Benjamin 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAmino acids are important molecules in fish nutrition with critical roles in protein synthesis, immune function and health. Among the essential amino acids, arginine is one of the functional amino acids in animals. Arginine requirement in fish ranges between 3.0 and 8.1% of dietary protein. The amino acid involves in ureagenesis, immune function, antioxidant defence, somatotropic axis, stress responses and ammonia detoxification in fish. To have an extended insight about the current knowledge of arginine effects in fish, this article reviewed available data on arginine effects in different fish species. It covers variations in arginine requirements of different fish species, interaction of arginine with lysine and glutamine, modulation of ureagenesis and ammonia detoxification, modulation of insulin and growth hormone responses, cortisol response, modulation of antioxidant system, immune responses and disease resistance. This review indicates that rearing conditions and dietary ingredients may affect fish arginine requirement. In addition, there is a need for further data about the antioxidant effects of arginine under oxidative condition, its immunostimulant effects under pathogenic challenge, mechanisms of ammonia detoxification and cortisol response by arginine in different fish species.
Kilowatt-Scale Fuel Cell Systems Powered by Recycled Aluminum
Authors: Godart Peter , Fischman Jason , Hart Douglas 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Presented here is a novel system that uses an aluminum-based fuel to continuously produce electrical power at the kilowatt scale via a hydrogen fuel cell. This fuel has an energy density of 23.3 kW h/L and can be produced from abundant scrap aluminum via a minimal surface treatment of gallium and indium. These additional metals, which in total comprise 2.5% of the fuel’s mass, permeate the grain boundary network of the aluminum to disrupt its oxide layer, thereby enabling the fuel to react exothermically with water to produce hydrogen gas and aluminum oxyhydroxide (AlOOH), an inert and valuable byproduct. To generate electrical power using this fuel, the aluminum–water reaction is controlled via water input to a reaction vessel in order to produce a constant flow of hydrogen, which is then consumed in a fuel cell to produce electricity. As validation of this power system architecture, we present the design and implementation of two proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems that successfully demonstrate this approach. The first is a 3 kW emergency power supply, and the second is a 10 kW power system integrated into a BMW i3 electric vehicle.
Validity of a Smartphone Application and Chest Strap for Recording RR Intervals at Rest in Athletes
Authors: Pereira Reabias de A. , Alves José Luiz de B. , Silva João Henrique da C. , Costa Matheus da S. , Silva Alexandre S. 
Published: March 2020

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of the smartphone application (app) HRV Expert (CardioMood) and a chest strap (H10 Polar) for recording R-R intervals compared with electrocardiogram (ECG). Methods: A total of 31 male recreational runners (age 36.1 [6.3] y) volunteered for this study. R-R intervals were recorded simultaneously by the smartphone app and ECG for 5 minutes to analyze heart-rate variability in both the supine and sitting positions. Time-domain indexes (heart rate, mean R-R, SD of RR intervals, count of successive normal R-R intervals differing by more than 50 ms, percentage of successive normal R-R intervals differing by more than 50 ms, and root mean square of successive differences between normal R-R intervals), frequency-domain indexes (low frequency, normalized low frequency, high frequency, normalized high frequency, low-frequency to high-frequency ratio, and very low frequency), and nonlinear indexes (SD of instantaneous beat-to-beat variability and long-term SD of continuous R-R intervals) were compared by unpaired t test, Pearson correlation, simple linear regression, and Bland–Altman plot to evaluate the agreement between the devices. Results: High similarity with P value varying between .97 and 1.0 in both positions was found. The correlation coefficient of the heart-rate-variability indexes was perfect (r = 1.0; P = .00) for all variables. The constant error, standard error of estimation, and limits of agreement between ECG and the smartphone app were considered small. Conclusion: The smartphone app and chest strap provide excellent ECG compliance for all variables in the time domain, frequency domain, and nonlinear indexes, regardless of the assessed position. Therefore, the smartphone app replaces ECG for any heart-rate-variability analysis in runners.
Association of injury related hospital admissions with commuting by bicycle in the UK: prospective population based study
Authors: Welsh Claire , Celis-Morales Carlos A , Ho Frederick , Lyall Donald M , Mackay Daniel , Ferguson Lyn , Sattar Naveed , Gray Stuart R , Gill Jason M R , Pell Jill P , Welsh Paul 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether bicycle commuting is associated with risk of injury.DesignProspective population based study.SettingUK Biobank.Participants230 390 commuters (52.1% women; mean age 52.4 years) recruited from 22 sites across the UK compared by mode of transport used (walking, cycling, mixed mode versus non-active (car or public transport)) to commute to and from work on a typical day.Main outcome measureFirst incident admission to hospital for injury.Results5704 (2.5%) participants reported cycling as their main form of commuter transport. Median follow-up was 8.9 years (interquartile range 8.2-9.5 years), and overall 10 241 (4.4%) participants experienced an injury. Injuries occurred in 397 (7.0%) of the commuters who cycled and 7698 (4.3%) of the commuters who used a non-active mode of transport. After adjustment for major confounding sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle factors, cycling to work was associated with a higher risk of injury compared with commuting by a non-active mode (hazard ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 1.30 to 1.61). Similar trends were observed for commuters who used mixed mode cycling. Walking to work was not associated with a higher risk of injury. Longer cycling distances during commuting were associated with a higher risk of injury, but commute distance was not associated with injury in non-active commuters. Cycle commuting was also associated with a higher number of injuries when the external cause was a transport related incident (incident rate ratio 3.42, 95% confidence interval 3.00 to 3.90). Commuters who cycled to work had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and death than those who did not. If the associations are causal, an estimated 1000 participants changing their mode of commuting to include cycling for 10 years would result in 26 additional admissions to hospital for a first injury (of which three would require a hospital stay of a week or longer), 15 fewer first cancer diagnoses, four fewer cardiovascular disease events, and three fewer deaths.ConclusionCompared with non-active commuting to work, commuting by cycling was associated with a higher risk of hospital admission for a first injury and higher risk of transport related incidents specifically. These risks should be viewed in context of the health benefits of active commuting and underscore the need for a safer infrastructure for cycling in the UK.
mHealth: providing a mindfulness app for women with chronic pelvic pain in gynaecology outpatient clinics: qualitative data analysis of user experience and lessons learnt
Authors: Ball Elizabeth , Newton Sian , Rohricht Frank , Steed Liz , Birch Judy , Dodds Julie , Cantalapiedra Calvete Clara , Taylor Stephanie , Rivas Carol 
Published: March 2020

ObjectivesTo determine whether a pre-existing smartphone app to teach mindfulness meditation is acceptable to women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and can be integrated into clinical practice within the National Health Service (NHS) CPP pathways, and to inform the design of a potential randomised clinical trial.DesignA prestudy patient and public involvement (PPI) group to collect feedback on the acceptability of the existing app and study design was followed by a three-arm randomised feasibility trial. In addition, we undertook interviews and focus groups with patients and staff to explore app usability and acceptability. We also obtained participant comments on the research process, such as acceptability of the study questionnaires.SettingTwo gynaecology clinics within Barts Health NHS, London, UK.ParticipantsPatients with CPP lasting ≥6 months with access to smartphone or personal computer and understanding of basic English.InterventionThe intervention was mindfulness meditation content plus additional pain module delivered by a smartphone app. Active controls received muscle relaxation content from the same app. Passive (waiting list) controls received usual care.Main outcome measuresThemes on user feedback, app usability and integration, and reasons for using/not using the app.ResultsThe use of the app was low in both active groups. Patients in the prestudy PPI group, all volunteers, were enthusiastic about the app (convenience, content, portability, flexibility, ease of use). Women contributing to the interview or focus group data (n=14), from a ‘real world’ clinic (some not regular app users), were less positive, citing as barriers lack of opportunities/motivation to use the app and lack of familiarity and capabilities with technology. Staff (n=7) were concerned about the potential need for extra support for them and for the patients, and considered the app needed organisational backing and peer acceptance.ConclusionThe opinions of prestudy PPI volunteers meeting in their private time may not represent those of patients recruited at a routine clinic appointment. It may be more successful to codesign/codevelop an app with typical users than to adapt existing apps for use in real-world clinical populations.Trial registration numberISRCTN10925965.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis and active cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bendary Ahmed , Ramzy Ahmed , Bendary Mohamed , Salem Mohamed 
Published: March 2020

BackgroundPatients with severe aortic stenosis and concomitant active cancer (AC) are considered high-risk patients and usually are not allowed to undergo surgical valve replacement. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be an attractive option for them; however, little is known about the outcomes of TAVR in this subset of complex patients.Methods and resultsIn this meta-analysis, Medline, Cochrane Library and Scopus databases were searched (anytime up to April 2019) for studies evaluating the outcomes of TAVR in patients with or without AC. We assessed pooled estimates (with their 95% CIs) of the risk ratio (RR) for the all-cause mortality at the 30-day and 1-year follow-ups, a 4-point safety outcome (any bleeding, stroke, need for a pacemaker and acute kidney injury) and a 2-point efficacy outcome (device success and residual mean gradient (mean difference)). Three studies (5162 patients) were included. Of those patients, a total of 368 (7.1%) had AC. Apart from a significantly higher need for a postprocedural pacemaker (RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.58, p=0.01), TAVR in patients with AC resulted in similar outcomes for safety and efficacy at the 30-day follow-up compared with those without AC. Patients with AC experienced similar rates of the all-cause mortality at the 30-day follow-up compared with those without (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.59, p=0.76); however, the all-cause mortality was significantly higher in patients with AC at the 1-year follow-up (RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.33, p=0.0006). This mortality difference was independent of cancer stage (advanced or limited) at the 30-day follow-up but not at the 1-year follow-up; only patients with limited cancer stages showed similar all-cause mortality rates compared with those without cancer at the 1-year follow-up (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.91, p=0.37).ConclusionTAVR in patients with AC is associated with similar 30-day and potentially worse 1-year outcomes compared with those in patients without AC. The 1-year all-cause mortality appears to be dependent on the cancer stage. Involving a specialised oncologist who usually considers cancer stage in the decision-making process and applying additional preoperative scores such as frailty indices might refine the risk assessment process among these patients.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019120416.
Greater aortic inflammation and calcification in abdominal aortic aneurysmal disease than atherosclerosis: a prospective matched cohort study
Authors: Joshi Nikhil V , Elkhawad Maysoon , Forsythe Rachael O , McBride Olivia M B , Rajani Nikil K , Tarkin Jason M , Chowdhury Mohammed M , Donoghue Emma , Robson Jennifer M J , Boyle Jonathan R , Fryer Tim D , Huang Yuan , Teng Zhongzhao , Dweck Marc R , Tawakol Ahmed A , Gillard Jonathan H , Coughlin Patrick A , Wilkinson Ian B , Newby David E , Rudd James H F 
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveUsing combined positron emission tomography and CT (PET-CT), we measured aortic inflammation and calcification in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), and compared them with matched controls with atherosclerosis.MethodsWe prospectively recruited 63 patients (mean age 76.1±6.8 years) with asymptomatic aneurysm disease (mean size 4.33±0.73 cm) and 19 age-and-sex-matched patients with confirmed atherosclerosis but no aneurysm. Inflammation and calcification were assessed using combined 18F-FDG PET-CT and quantified using tissue-to-background ratios (TBRs) and Agatston scores.ResultsIn patients with AAA, 18F-FDG uptake was higher within the aneurysm than in other regions of the aorta (mean TBRmax2.23±0.46 vs 2.12±0.46, p=0.02). Compared with atherosclerotic control subjects, both aneurysmal and non-aneurysmal aortae showed higher 18F-FDG accumulation (total aorta mean TBRmax2.16±0.51 vs 1.70±0.22, p=0.001; AAA mean TBRmax2.23±0.45 vs 1.68±0.21, p<0.0001). Aneurysms containing intraluminal thrombus demonstrated lower 18F-FDG uptake within their walls than those without (mean TBRmax2.14±0.43 vs 2.43±0.45, p=0.018), with thrombus itself showing low tracer uptake (mean TBRmaxthrombus 1.30±0.48 vs aneurysm wall 2.23±0.46, p<0.0001). Calcification in the aneurysmal segment was higher than both non-aneurysmal segments in patients with aneurysm (Agatston 4918 (2901–8008) vs 1017 (139–2226), p<0.0001) and equivalent regions in control patients (442 (304-920) vs 166 (80-374) Agatston units per cm, p=0.0042).ConclusionsThe entire aorta is more inflamed in patients with aneurysm than in those with atherosclerosis, perhaps suggesting a generalised inflammatory aortopathy in patients with aneurysm. Calcification was prominent within the aneurysmal sac, with the remainder of the aorta being relatively spared. The presence of intraluminal thrombus, itself metabolically relatively inert, was associated with lower levels of inflammation in the adjacent aneurysmal wall.
A Score to differentiate Takotsubo syndrome from non-ST-elevation myocardial nfarction in women at the bedside
Authors: Looi Jen-Li , Poppe Katrina , Lee Mildred , Gilmore Jill , Webster Mark , To Andrew , Kerr Andrew J 
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveA score to distinguish Takotsubo syndrome (TS) from acute coronary syndrome would be useful to facilitate appropriate patient investigation and management. This study sought to derive and validate a simple score using demographic, clinical and ECG data to distinguish women with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) from NSTE-TS.MethodsThe derivation cohort consisted of women with NSTE-TS (n=100) and NSTEMI (n=100). Logistic regression was used to derive the score using ECG values available on the postacute ward round on day 1 post-hospital admission. The score was then temporally validated in subsequent consecutive patients with NSTE-TS (n=40) and NSTEMI (n=70).ResultsThe five variables in the score and their relative weights were: T-wave inversion in ≥6 leads (+3), recent stress (+2), diabetes (−1), prior cardiovascular disease (−2) and ST-depression in any lead (−3). When calculated using ECG values obtained at admission, discrimination between conditions was very good (area under the curve (AUC) 0.87 95% CI 0.83 to 0.92). The optimal score cut-point of ≥1 to predict NSTE-TS had 73% sensitivity and 90% specificity. When applied to the validation cohort at admission, AUC was 0.82 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.90) and positive and negative predictive values were 78% and 81%, respectively. On day 1 post-admission, AUC was 0.92 (95% CI 0.87 to 0.97), with positive and negative predictive values of 77% and 91%, respectively.ConclusionThis NSTE-TS score is easy to use and may prove useful in clinical practice to distinguish women with NSTE-TS from NSTEMI. Further validation in external cohorts is needed.
Note on the mass–radius relations for spherical compact objects in general relativity with semi-classical corrections
Authors: Nussupbekov Ayan , Malafarina Daniele 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe consider the effects that modifications to general relativity (GR) at high densities may have on the structure of spherical compact objects. Such effects can be modeled via semi-classical corrections that are manifest in an additional effective (i.e. non-physical) term in the energy momentum tensor. In particular, we consider two kinds of effective corrections that are quadratic in the density: one inspired by loop quantum gravity (LQG) and one inspired by Einstein–Cartan Theory (ECT). For both corrections, we consider two standard toy models of compact objects, one with polytropic equation of state and the other described by the MIT-bag model. We show that the LQG-inspired corrections can produce objects with greater radius and total mass, while the ECT-inspired corrections produce objects that are smaller and less massive than their counterparts in GR.
17 MeV Atomki anomaly from short-distance structure of spacetime
Authors: Nam Cao H. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAn anomaly observed recently in the $$^8 \hbox {Be}$$8Be nuclear transition by the Atomki collaboration hints at a weakly-coupled, light new gauge boson with a mass of about 17 MeV. In this paper, we propose that this new gauge boson comes from a short-distance structure of the spacetime, rather than from an extension of the Standard Model through adding an extra $$\mathrm {U}(1)$$U(1) gauge symmetry. The dominant contribution to the relevant matrix element of the $$^8 \hbox {Be}$$8Be nuclear transition is given by the axial couplings. In order to account for the $$^8 \hbox {Be}$$8Be anomaly and satisfy the current experimental constraints, the coupling constant of the new gauge boson should be about $${\mathcal {O}}(10^{-4}{-}10^{-5})$$O(10-4-10-5). Our theoretical model allows understanding the origin of the smallness of the coupling constant, which is still missing or being incompletely understood in the models at which the new gauge boson has the axial couplings.
Effect of a neck compression collar on cardiorespiratory and cerebrovascular function in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
Authors: Nardone Massimo , Guzman Juan , Harvey Paula J. , Floras John S. , Edgell Heather 
Published: March 2020

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is accompanied by reduced brain blood flow, autonomic dysfunction, and orthostatic intolerance. We hypothesized that wearing a neck compression collar would attenuate orthostatic symptoms, increase brain blood flow, and influence autonomic reflexes. Ten participants with POTS (9 women, age: 36 ± 10) underwent two trials of supine rest, paced deep breathing (6 breaths/min), Valsalva maneuver (40 mmHg for 15 s), and 70° upright tilt. For one trial, participants wore a neck compression device (Q30 Innovations). Blood pressure, heart rate (HR), brain blood flow velocity, stroke volume, respiratory rate, and end-tidal gases were continuously measured. The Vanderbilt Orthostatic Symptom Score was compiled at the end of tilt. The use of the collar reduced the orthostatic symptom score of participants with POTS during upright tilt (26.9 ± 12.5 to 18.7 ± 13.1, P = 0.04). Collar compression in the supine condition reduced the low-frequency domain of HR variability (60 ± 18 to 51 ± 23 normalized units, P = 0.04) and increased the change in HR (15 ± 5 to 17 ± 6 bpm, P = 0.02) and E:I ratio (1.2 ± 0.1 to 1.3 ± 0.1, P = 0.01) during paced deep breathing. Throughout tilt, wearing the collar reduced respiratory rate (baseline: 13 ± 3 to 12 ± 4 breath/min; tilt: 18 ± 5 to 15 ± 5 breath/min; main effect of collar P = 0.048), end-tidal oxygen (baseline: 115 ± 5 to 112 ± 5 mmHg; tilt: 122 ± 10 to 118 ± 11 mmHg; main effect of collar P = 0.026). In participants with POTS, wearing the Q-collar reduced orthostatic symptoms, increased the HR response to deep breathing, and decreased resting ventilation. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We found that using a neck compression collar alleviated orthostatic symptoms in upright posture in participants with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). This could be due to compression of the baroreceptors and subsequent changes in autonomic function. Indeed, we observed increased heart rate responsiveness to paced deep breathing and reductions of respiratory rate and end-tidal O2 (suggesting reduced ventilation). Further, wearing the collar reduced mean blood velocity in the brain during Valsalva perhaps due to higher brain blood volume.
The supine position improves but does not normalize the blunted pulmonary capillary blood volume response to exercise in mild COPD
Authors: Ross Bryan A. , Brotto Andrew R. , Fuhr Desi P. , Phillips Devin B. , van Diepen Sean , Bryan Tracey L. , Stickland Michael K. 
Published: March 2020

Patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) demonstrate resting pulmonary vascular dysfunction as well as a blunted pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO) and pulmonary capillary blood volume (VC) response to exercise. The transition from the upright to supine position increases central blood volume and perfusion pressure, which may overcome microvascular dysfunction in an otherwise intact alveolar-capillary interface. The present study examined whether the supine position normalized DLCO and VC responses to exercise in mild COPD. Sixteen mild COPD participants and 13 age-, gender-, and height-matched controls completed DLCO maneuvers at rest and during exercise in the upright and supine position. The multiple [Formula: see text]-DLCO method was used to determine DLCO, VC, and membrane diffusion capacity (DM). All three variables were adjusted for alveolar volume (DLCOAdj, VCAdj, and DMAdj). The supine position reduced alveolar volume similarly in both groups, but oxygen consumption and cardiac output were unaffected. DLCOAdj, DMAdj, and VCAdj were all lower in COPD. These same variables all increased with upright and supine exercise in both groups. DLCOAdj was unaffected by the supine position. VCAdj increased in the supine position similarly in both groups. DMAdj was reduced in the supine position in both groups. While the supine position increased exercise VCAdj in COPD, the increase was of similar magnitude to healthy controls; therefore, exercise VC remained blunted in COPD. The persistent reduction in exercise DLCO and VC when supine suggests that pulmonary vascular destruction is a contributing factor to the blunted DLCO and VC response to exercise in mild COPD. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease demonstrate a combination of reversible pulmonary microvascular dysfunction and irreversible pulmonary microvascular destruction.