bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA profiling as a novel diagnostic tool for identification of patients with inflammatory and/or virally induced cardiomyopathies
Authors: Aleshcheva Ganna , Pietsch Heiko , Escher Felicitas , Schultheiss Heinz‐Peter 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAimsMicroRNAs (miRNAs) might be used as prospective biomarkers for the identification of unexplained heart failure caused by a viral and/or inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to identify and to evaluate prognostic miRNAs in serum of patients with inflammatory heart diseases diagnosed by endomyocardial biopsies.Methods and resultsAfter TaqMan® OpenArray® screening of 754 unique circulating miRNAs in serum of biopsy‐proven patients [184 patients with inflammatory and/or virally induced myocardial diseases (DCMi), 25 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and 25 healthy donors], we identified seven miRNAs of interest (P < 0.05). These data have been verified by single qRT–PCR assays in other biopsy‐proven patients (159 patients with viral and/or inflammatory myocardial diseases, 46 patients with DCM, and 60 healthy donors). The expression of let‐7f, miR‐197, miR‐223, miR‐93, and miR‐379 allowed us to differentiate between patients with a virus and/or inflammation and healthy donors (P < 0.05) with the specificity over 93%. Based on the expression of miR‐21 and miR‐30a‐5p, we could sort out patients with DCM from all other study groups (P < 0.05) with the specificity over 95%.ConclusionsThis miRNA profile provides for the first time a new non‐invasive diagnostic perspective to identify patients with intramyocardial inflammation and/or viral persistence only from single serum sample, independently of prescribed therapy and time of symptoms onset. It allows the early finding of those patients relevant for myocardial biopsy for exact diagnosis and further proscription of causal aetiology‐driven specific treatment.
Prognostic value of the H2FPEF score in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Ludwig Sebastian , Pellegrini Costanza , Gossling Alina , Rheude Tobias , Voigtländer Lisa , Bhadra Oliver D. , Linder Matthias , Kalbacher Daniel , Koell Benedikt , Waldschmidt Lara , Schirmer Johannes , Seiffert Moritz , Reichenspurner Hermann , Blankenberg Stefan , Westermann Dirk , Conradi Lenard , Joner Michael , Schofer Niklas 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAimsThe aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of the H2FPEF score in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (EF).Methods and resultsIn this multicentre study, a total of 832 patients from two German high‐volume centres, who received TAVI for severe AS and preserved EF (≥50%), were identified for calculation of the H2FPEF score. Patients were dichotomized according to low (0–5 points; n = 570) and high (6–9 points; n = 262) H2FPEF scores. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses were applied to assess the prognostic impact of the H2FPEF score. We observed a decrease in stroke volume index (−2.04 mL/m2/point) and mean transvalvular gradients (−1.14 mmHg/point) with increasing H2FPEF score translating into a higher prevalence of paradoxical low‐flow, low‐gradient AS among patients with high H2FPEF score. One year after TAVI, the rates of all‐cause (low vs. high H2FPEF score: 8.0% vs. 19.4%, P < 0.0001) and cardiovascular (CV) mortality (1.9% vs. 9.0%, P < 0.0001) as well as the rate of CV mortality or rehospitalization for congestive heart failure (6.4% vs. 23.2%, P < 0.0001) were higher in patients with high H2FPEF score compared with those with low H2FPEF score. After multivariable analysis, a high H2FPEF score remained independently predictive of all‐cause mortality [hazard ratio 1.59 (1.28–2.35), P = 0.018] and CV mortality or rehospitalization for congestive heart failure [hazard ratio 2.92 (1.65–5.15), P < 0.001]. Among the H2FPEF score variables, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, and elevated left ventricular filling pressure were the strongest outcome predictors.ConclusionsThe H2FPEF score serves as an independent predictor of adverse CV and heart failure outcome among TAVI patients with preserved EF. A high H2FPEF score is associated with the presence of paradoxical low‐flow, low‐gradient AS, the HFpEF in patients with AS. By identifying patients in advanced stages of HFpEF, the H2FPEF score might be useful as a risk prediction tool in patients with preserved EF scheduled for TAVI.
Evidence of evolution towards left midventricular obstruction in severe Anderson–Fabry cardiomyopathy
Authors: Graziani Francesca , Lillo Rosa , Panaioli Elena , Spagnoletti Gionata , Pieroni Maurizio , Ferrazzi Paolo , Camporeale Antonia , Verrecchia Elena , Sicignano Ludovico Luca , Manna Raffaele , Crea Filippo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAimsIn Fabry cardiomyopathy, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction mimicking hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a very rare finding, with few cases reported and successfully treated with cardiac surgery. In our population of patients with Fabry disease and severe left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) at the time of diagnosis, we observed an evolution towards a midventricular obstructive phenotype.Methods and resultsWe present a case series of three classically affected Fabry male patients with significant diagnostic delay and severe cardiac involvement (maximal wall thickness >20 mm) at first evaluation. All patients developed midventricular obstructive form over time despite prompt initiation and optimal compliance to enzyme replacement therapy. The extension and distribution of the LVH, involving the papillary muscles, was the main mechanism of obstruction, unlike the asymmetric septal basal hypertrophy and the mitral valve abnormalities commonly seen as substrate of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.ConclusionsFabry cardiomyopathy can evolve over time towards a midventricular obstructive form due to massive LVH in classically affected men with significant diagnostic delay and severe LVH before enzyme replacement therapy initiation. This newly described cardiac phenotype could represent an adverse outcome of the disease.
An empirical comparison of univariate versus multivariate methods for the analysis of brain–behavior mapping
Authors: Ivanova Maria V. , Herron Timothy J. , Dronkers Nina F. , Baldo Juliana V. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLesion symptom mapping (LSM) tools are used on brain injury data to identify the neural structures critical for a given behavior or symptom. Univariate lesion symptom mapping (ULSM) methods provide statistical comparisons of behavioral test scores in patients with and without a lesion on a voxel by voxel basis. More recently, multivariate lesion symptom mapping (MLSM) methods have been developed that consider the effects of all lesioned voxels in one model simultaneously. In the current study, we provide a much‐needed systematic comparison of several ULSM and MLSM methods, using both synthetic and real data to identify the potential strengths and weaknesses of both approaches. We tested the spatial precision of each LSM method for both single and dual (network type) anatomical target simulations across anatomical target location, sample size, noise level, and lesion smoothing. Additionally, we performed false positive simulations to identify the characteristics associated with each method's spurious findings. Simulations showed no clear superiority of either ULSM or MLSM methods overall, but rather highlighted specific advantages of different methods. No single method produced a thresholded LSM map that exclusively delineated brain regions associated with the target behavior. Thus, different LSM methods are indicated, depending on the particular study design, specific hypotheses, and sample size. Overall, we recommend the use of both ULSM and MLSM methods in tandem to enhance confidence in the results: Brain foci identified as significant across both types of methods are unlikely to be spurious and can be confidently reported as robust results.
Dysregulation of tissue and serum microRNAs in organ transplant recipients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Geusau Alexandra , Borik‐Heil Liliane , Skalicky Susanna , Mildner Michael , Grillari Johannes , Hackl Matthias , Sunder‐Plassmann Raute 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMicro RNAs (miRNAs) are considered as promising biomarkers for skin cancer. By next generation sequencing (NGS), we measured and compared miRNA expression profiles of tumor, peri‐lesional, and control tissue of immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients (OTR), suffering from localized cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Out of 490 miRNAs detected in cSCC tissue, 23 significantly regulated miRNAs were selected for quantitative targeted analysis in serum samples of our patients and control sera from OTR without cSCC. Two onco‐miRNAs (mir‐1290, mir‐1246), previously identified as crucial drivers for tumor initiation and cancer progression, were significantly and exclusively upregulated in both tumor tissue and serum. This finding suggests that miRNA dysregulation in cSCC tissue is reflected in serum even in patients without advanced disease and highly differentiated cSCCs.
Factors affecting connectivity and sediment yields following wildfire and post‐fire salvage logging in California's Sierra Nevada
Authors: Olsen Will H. , Wagenbrenner Joseph W. , Robichaud Peter R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSediment delivery following post‐fire logging is a concern relative to water quality. While studies have assessed the effect of post‐fire logging on sediment yields at different spatial scales, none have explicitly identified sediment sources. Our goal was to quantify post‐fire and post‐salvage logging sediment yields and use rill patterns to identify sediment sources. We measured the extent and type of logging disturbance, length of rills per unit area or “rill density”, ground cover, and sediment yields in nine logged and five control small catchments or “swales”, 0.09 to 0.81 ha, for 5 years after the 2013 Rim Fire in California's Sierra Nevada. The logged swales had a mean ground disturbance of 31%. After the first wet season following logging, there was no difference in either mean rill density (0.071 and 0.088 m m−2, respectively) or mean transformed, normalized sediment yields between the control and logged swales. Untransformed mean sediment yields across three sites ranged from 0.11–11.8 and 1.1–3.2 Mg ha−1 for the controls and salvage‐logged swales, respectively. Rill density was strongly related to sediment yield and increased significantly with the amount of high‐traffic skid trail disturbance in logged swales. Rill density was not significantly related to the amount of bare soil despite a significant relationship between sediment yields and bare soil. Rills usually initiated in bare soil and frequently connected high traffic skid trails to the drainage network after being diverted by waterbars. Rill connectivity and sediment yields decreased in control and logged swales where vegetation or other surface cover was high, suggesting this cover disconnected rills from the drainage network. Increasing ground cover on skid trails and between areas disturbed by post‐fire logging and stream channels may reduce sediment yields as well as the hydrologic connectivity between hillslopes and the drainage network.
Probiotics for Parkinson's disease: Current evidence and future directions
Authors: Tan Ai Huey , Hor Jia Wei , Chong Chun Wie , Lim Shen‐Yang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe gut–brain axis is a hot topic in Parkinson's disease (PD). It has been postulated that gut pathogens and dysbiosis can contribute to peripheral inflammatory states or trigger downstream metabolic effects that exacerbate the neurodegenerative process in PD. Several preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated disrupted intestinal permeability, intestinal inflammation, altered gut microbiome, and reduced fecal short‐chain fatty acids in PD. In this regard, microbial‐directed therapies such as probiotics are emerging as potential therapeutic options. Probiotic supplementation is postulated to confer a variety of health benefits due to the diverse functions of these live microorganisms, including inhibition of pathogen colonization, modulation/“normalization” of the microbiome and/or its function, immunomodulatory effects (e.g. reducing inflammation), and improved host epithelial barrier function. Interestingly, several PD animal model studies have demonstrated the potential neuroprotective effects of probiotics in reducing dopaminergic neuronal degeneration. Notably, two randomized placebo‐controlled trials have provided class I evidence for probiotics as a treatment for constipation in PD. However, the effects of probiotics on other PD aspects, such as motor disability and cognitive function, and its long‐term efficacy (including effects on PD drug absorption in the gut) have not been investigated adequately. Further targeted animal and human studies are also warranted to understand the mechanisms of actions of probiotics in PD and to tailor probiotic therapy based on individual host profiles to improve patient outcomes in this disabling disorder.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Viscosification of Amidosulfobutaine and Zwitterionic Gemini Surfactants
Authors: Mansha Muhammad , Ullah Nisar , Kalgaonkar Rajendra A. , Baqader Nour 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe viscoelastic surfactants (VES)‐based acid diverters are frequently used to divert acid flow from high‐permeability layers into low‐permeability for enhanced overall productivity of the treated well. In general, an optimum VES‐based system possesses advantages of decrease in absorption loss, damage of reservoir, and improved adaptability of active agents to high salinity. Herein, we report the synthesis of three new zwitterionic gemini surfactants (1–3) and previously known amidosulfobutaine (C18AMP3SB) has been accomplished for the investigation of diverting acid performance. The synthesis of these surfactants was achieved by the amidation of the acid chlorides of commercially available fatty acids with 3‐(dimethylamino)‐1‐propylamine followed by subsequent reactions with appropriate sultone or ethyl 4‐bromobutanoate. The synthesized surfactants were well characterized by spectroscopic methods including IR and NMR spectroscopy. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results suggested that surfactants (1–3) and C18AMP3SB possess excellent thermal stability, with no appreciable loss of mass up to 300°C. The viscosity measurements of the neat surfactants (1–3) and C18AMP3SB were performed under various temperatures, in the presence of different concentration of calcium chloride salt with the aid shear viscosimetry. The analysis revealed that the viscosity of neat C18AMP3SB increases with increase in concentration of CaCl2. With 10% CaCl2 solution, the viscosity was increased from 7.5 to 33.55 cPs, whereas in 20% CaCl2 the viscosity reached to 102 cPs with rise in temperature from ambient to 90°C. Moreover, the viscosity of neat surfactants (1–3) did not exhibit any appreciable viscosity change under the experimental conditions. However, the mixture of surfactants (1–3) each in combination with C18AMP3SB (1:1) displayed significant upsurge in the viscosity, up to more than 10 folds.
Synthesis and Determination of Critical Micelle Concentration of Betainthioates Surfactants
Authors: Khalfallah Ali , Mazzouzi Salma 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTwo series of monotailed and bolaphiles surfactants having quaternary ammonium bromide polar head have been synthesized and characterized. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the synthesized cationic surfactants was determined by conductimetric method. According to CMC values, the increase in alkyl chain length leads to a decrease in CMC and the bola‐type exhibits a higher CMC than their counterpart's monotailed.
Effect of benzothiadiazole treatment on quality and anthocyanin biosynthesis in plum fruit during storage at ambient temperature
Authors: Huan Chen , Xu Qihang , Shuling Shen , Dong Jingxian , Zheng Xiaolin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDPlums tend to experience a reduction in fruit quality due to ripening and they deteriorate quickly during storage at room temperature. Benzothiadiazole (BTH) is a plant elicitor capable of inducing disease resistance in many crops. In this study, the effect of BTH treatment on fruit ripening, fruit quality, and anthocyanin biosynthesis in ‘Taoxingli’ plum was investigated.RESULTSThe results showed that BTH treatment could accelerate fruit ripening without affecting the incidence of fruit decay or the shelf life. Benzothiadiazole treatment improved the quality and consumer acceptability of ‘Taoxingli’ plums during storage by increasing the sweetness, red color formation, and the concentration of healthy antioxidant compounds. The BTH treatment could also effectively promote the biosynthesis of anthocyanin by enhancing the enzyme activities of phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL), dihydroflavonol 4‐reductase (DFR), anthocyanidin synthase (ANS), and uridine diphosphate flavonoid 3‐O‐glucosyltransferase (UFGT) and up‐regulating the gene expressions of PsPAL, PsCHI, PsDFR, PsANS, and PsUFGT during storage.CONCLUSIONBenzothiadiazole treatment could be a potential postharvest technology for improving fruit quality and consumer acceptability in harvested plum fruit. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Polyethyleneimine‐modified magnetic carbon nanotubes as solid‐phase extraction adsorbent for the analysis of multi‐class mycotoxins in milk via liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Nan , Qiu Jing , Qian Yongzhong 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPolyethyleneimine‐modified magnetic multi‐walled carbon nanotubes were developed to extract 10 mycotoxins. Simple modification of polyethyleneimine was achieved on the magnetic substrate by using an epoxy‐containing silane agent as a linker. The resultant magnetic adsorbent was integrated with reverse phase and anion exchange interaction sites. Under optimal extraction conditions, only 20.0 mg adsorbent was used to extract the mycotoxins from 50.0 mL loading solution. The maximum adsorption capacities of the adsorbent toward the mycotoxins ranged from 4.9 to 10.2 mg/g. Adsorption and desorption were completed within 3.0 and 2.0 min, respectively. The adsorbent could be used for six repeated runs without evident change in extraction performance. The adsorbent combined with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was applied further to analyze the mycotoxins in milk. The absolute recoveries of the 10 mycotoxins ranged from 88.3 to 103.5% with relative standard deviations that ranged from 2.4 to 6.5%, and their limits of detection were 0.003 to 0.442 μg/kg. The proposed adsorbent has great potential in the routine analysis of mycotoxins in ordinary analytical chemistry laboratory.
Long‐Term Safety and Clinical Effects of Nilotinib in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Pagan Fernando L. , Wilmarth Barbara , Torres‐Yaghi Yasar , Hebron Michaeline L. , Mulki Sanjana , Ferrante Dalila , Matar Sara , Ahn Jaeil , Moussa Charbel 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundNilotinib is US Food and Drug Administration–approved for leukemia, and this open‐label study investigated the safety, tolerability, and potential clinical effects of nilotinib in medically optimized patients with Parkinson's disease.ObjectivesSafety and tolerability were the primary objectives, and clinical outcomes were exploratory.MethodsA total of 63 patients completed a 15‐month phase 2, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study and were rerandomized 1:1 into an open‐label study of nilotinib 150 mg versus 300 mg for 12 months.ResultsNilotinib was safe and tolerated, and no adverse effects seemed to be related to the drug, and no differences in adverse events were observed between groups. Exploratory clinical outcomes showed that nilotinib 300 mg was remarkably stable from baseline to 27 months using partial and total Unified Parkinson's Disease Scale (UPDRS). Nilotinib 150 mg versus 300 mg, significantly declined using partial or the sum of UPDRS Parts I and II. There was no significant difference in nilotinib 150 mg versus 300 mg using UPDRS Part III (on levodopa) and total UPDRS Parts I to III. Subgroup analysis showed that late‐start nilotinib 150 mg significantly worsened using the sum of UPDRS Parts II + III and total UPDRS Parts I to III compared with late‐start nilotinib 300 mg. Quality of life using the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire in nilotinib 150 mg significantly declined between 15 and 27 months compared with nilotinib 300 mg, and there was no change in cognition using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment between groups.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that nilotinib is safe and tolerated in Parkinson's disease. The exploratory clinical data will inform an adequately powered larger study to evaluate the efficacy of nilotinib 300 mg in Parkinson's disease. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Fasciculation frequency at the biceps brachii and brachialis muscles is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease burden and activity
Authors: Avidan Reuven , Fainmesser Yaara , Drory Vivian E. , Bril Vera , Abraham Alon 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntroductionFasciculations are most commonly seen in the biceps brachii muscle in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this study we have explored the association between fasciculation frequency in a single location—biceps brachii and brachialis muscles (BB), and disease burden and activity.MethodsSonographic muscle studies were performed in 90 ALS patients, 47 of whom were seen in subsequent follow‐up. The association between fasciculations frequency at the BB and ALS Functional Rating Scale—Revised (ALSFRS‐R) and manual muscle testing (MMT) scores was determined.ResultsHigh fasciculation frequency at the BB, where detection rate was the highest, was associated with shorter disease duration, greater muscle thickness, higher MMT scores, and faster rate of decline in ALSFRS‐R initially, and MMT subsequently.DiscussionHigh fasciculation frequency at the BB as determined by sonography, is associated with less impairment at time of examination, and a more active disease with a more rapid progression.
The Media as a Source of Weight Stigma for Pregnant and Postpartum Women
Authors: Nippert Kathryn E. , Tomiyama A. Janet , Smieszek Stephanie M. , Incollingo Rodriguez Angela C. 
Published: November 2020

ObjectiveThe media often contain weight‐stigmatizing material. However, little is known about pregnant and postpartum women’s experiences with media‐based weight stigma.MethodsTwo studies investigated weight stigma in the media from multiple perspectives. Study 1 analyzed open‐response examples of weight‐stigmatizing experiences coming from the media, broadly defined, from 123 pregnant and postpartum women (from a larger sample of 501). Study 2 identified online news‐media articles about pregnancy and weight published during the study 1 data collection period (August to November 2017).ResultsStudy 1 revealed that weight stigma was common and frequent in media, manifesting across three themes: (1) ideal appearance of pregnant bodies, (2) pressure to quickly “bounce back” after birth to a prepregnancy appearance, and (3) media praising celebrities for achieving either of the previous themes. Study 2 identified 33 articles. A content analysis revealed that women with overweight or obesity were rarely portrayed in images. Additionally, discussion of weight was often negative, focusing on adverse maternal–child health consequences. Finally, media‐communicated ideals for weight and weight loss were often unrealistic and did not reference medical guidelines.ConclusionsThis work is the first to document that online news media are a pervasive and potentially distressing source of pregnancy‐related weight stigma, suggesting much‐needed reform in media guidelines.