bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tp‐e and (Tp‐e)/QT ratio as a non‐invasive risk factors for malignant ventricular arrhythmia in patients with idiopathic ventricular premature complexes
Authors: Zhao Donghua , Liang Bo , Peng Jian , Tang Liangyu , Su Rongbin , Luo Lingli , Deng Bin , Wang Shuyuan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate the role of Tp‐e and (Tp‐e)/QT ratio in differentiating benign ventricular premature complex (VPC) and malignant polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT).MethodsFrom January 2017 to December 2017, patients with documented polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) were consecutive included and classified as PVT/VF group. Sixty age‐ and sex‐matched healthy individuals were recruited as comparative control and subdivided into non‐VPC and VPC group. Clinical characteristics and Tp‐e and Tp‐e/QT ratio between the three groups were compared.ResultsTp‐e and (Tp‐e)/QT ratio were significantly higher in patients of PVT/VF group compared with the other two groups (P < .001). Episodes of syncope were more frequent in patients with PVT/VF (P < .05). The sensitivity and specificity of a Tp‐e interval ≥86 ms for malignant arrhythmias triggered by VPCs were 88% and 66%, respectively, while the sensitivity and specificity of the Tp‐e/QT ratio ≥0.24 were 82% and 70%, respectively. Five patients complained recurrence of syncope in the PVT/VF group and 1 patient died with mean follow‐up of 18 months.ConclusionTp‐e interval and the Tp‐Te/QT ratio is significantly increased in patients with PVT/VF and may be used as a novel non‐invasive marker of differentiating malignant and benign VPC.
Photocatalytic and electrocatalytic CO2 conversion: from fundamental principles to design of catalysts
Authors: Sun Zhuo , Dong Jiayu , Chen Chunguang , Zhang Shuping , Zhu Yuanzheng 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCarbon dioxide (CO2) is regarded as a major contributor to global warming and the climate crisis. To mitigate its negative impacts, a potential strategy is adopted, namely converting CO2 into renewable fuels or valuable chemicals. Because of the sluggish thermodynamic and kinetic processes, catalysts (photocatalysts or electrocatalysts) are essential during CO2 reduction. In this review, fundamental concepts, catalytic principles and reaction pathways related to photocatalysis and electrocatalysis for CO2 reduction are provided, along with a survey of the progress in the rational design of new photocatalysts and electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction. Discussions in the field are mainly focused on the design strategies of catalysts that have been introduced to increase visible light excitation, improve charge separation and enhance CO2 adsorption of photocatalysts and alter electronic and geometric properties of electrocatalysts. Finally, recommendations and outlook for improving the selectivity of CO2 reduction and in achieving efficient, stable and selective CO2 photocatalysts or electrocatalysts are pointed out. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Prenatal diagnosis of fibular aplasia‐tibial campomelia‐oligosyndactyly syndrome: Two case reports and review of the literature
Authors: Marinho Márcia , Nunes Sara , Lourenço Cátia , Melo Mónica , Godinho Cristina , Nogueira Rosete 
Published: December 2020

AbstractFibular aplasia‐tibial campomelia‐oligosyndactyly also known as FATCO syndrome is a rare condition characterized by fibular aplasia, shortening and anterior bowing of the lower limb at the tibia with overlying soft tissue dimpling and oligosyndactyly. Its etiology is currently unknown, but there is a male predominance. There are less than 30 cases reported in the literature but only three with prenatal diagnosis. We report two cases of FATCO syndrome with prenatal lower limb malformation diagnosis. Identification of the ultrasound findings of this condition in the prenatal stages allows an adequate parental counselling regarding the clinical features, prognosis, and potential treatments.
Phytofabrication of cobalt oxide nanoparticles from Rhamnus virgata leaves extract and investigation of different bioactivities
Authors: Abbasi Banzeer Ahsan , Iqbal Javed , Khan Zaibunisa , Ahmad Riaz , Uddin Siraj , Shahbaz Amir , Zahra Syeda Anber , Shaukat Muzzafar , Kiran Farmeen , Kanwal Sobia , Mahmood Tariq 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe tunable cobalt oxide nanoparticles (CoONPs) are produced due to the phytochemicals present in Rhamnus virgata (RhV) leaf extract which functions as reducing and stabilization agents. The synthesis of CoONPs was confirmed using different analytical techniques: UV–Vis spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamics light scatterings (DLS), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X‐ray, and Raman spectroscopy analyses. Furthermore, multiple biological activities were performed. Significant antifungal and antibacterial potentials have been reported. The in vitro cytotoxic assays of CoONPs revealed strong anticancer activity against human hepatoma HUH‐7 (IC50: 33.25 μg/ml) and hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 (IC50: 11.62 μg/ml) cancer cells. Dose‐dependent cytotoxicity potency was confirmed against Leishmania tropica (KMH23); amastigotes (IC50: 58.63 μg/ml) and promastigotes (IC50: 32.64 μg/ml). The biocompatibility assay using red blood cells (RBCs; IC50: 4,636 μg/ml) has confirmed the bio‐safe nature of CoONPs. On the whole, results revealed nontoxic nature of RhV‐CoONPs with promising biological potentials.
Connection between the November snow cover over northeast Asia and the following January precipitation in southern China
Authors: Han Shuangze , Sun Jianqi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this paper, the connection between the November northeast Asian snow cover and the following winter precipitation over southern China is studied for the period of 1979–2014. The results indicate that, when there is more November snow cover over northeast Asia, the precipitation in southern China is depressed during the following January, and vice versa. Mechanism analysis suggests that the troposphere‐stratosphere interaction may play an important role in the delayed connection between the two. The more November snow cover over northeast Asia could enhance the vertical propagation of the wave activity, and it could also weaken the westerly winds over northern Asia in the troposphere by decreasing the meridional temperature gradient over the region. The persistent weakening of the tropospheric westerly winds is in favour of the upward propagation of the wave activity into the stratosphere in November and December, and the associated convergence anomalies of the E‐P flux in the stratosphere induce the weakened stratospheric polar vortex. Thereafter, the abnormal polar vortex propagates downward to the lower troposphere and produces a low pressure anomaly to the east of Lake Baikal during January. Such a low pressure anomaly tends to strengthen the southward invasion of the cold air to southern China, which is unfavourable for the precipitation there. This leading signal of the November snow cover over northeast Asia provides a potential source for the prediction of the January precipitation over southern China.
Physicochemical properties of dihydromyricetin and the effects of ascorbic acid on its stability and bioavailability
Authors: Sun Cui‐Cui , Li Ying , Yin Zhong‐Ping , Zhang Qing‐Feng 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDDihydromyricetin (DMY) is a natural dihydroflavonol with many bioactive effects. However, the physicochemical properties of DMY related to its bioavailability, especially its stability, are unclear.RESULTSThe effects of pH, temperature, metal ions and ascorbic acid (AA) on the stability of DMY were studied using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The bioavailability of DMY in the presence and absence of AA was compared. Dihydromyricetin was unstable in weak alkaline solutions, and the degradation was significantly accelerated in the presence of Cu2+ and Fe3+. The degradation process followed the first‐order kinetic model. The degradation rate constant (k) increased with increasing pH and temperature. The remaining DMY was only 49% of its initial concnentration after 4 h in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) at 37 °C. However, by supplementing with AA, the degradation of DMY was rarely occured within 6 h. The solubility of DMY at pH 3–5 was about 750 μg mL−1, slightly increasing to 853 μg mL−1 at pH 6. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that the bioavailability of DMY increased from 0.122% to 0.341% by supplementing with AA (10% of DMY).CONCLUSIONThe degradation of DMY is one reason for its poor bioavailability. The presence of AA could significantly improve the stability of DMY, and further improve its bioavailability in rats. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Land use types and topographic position affect soil aggregation and carbon management in the mountain agro‐ecosystems of the Indian Himalayas
Authors: Meena Vijay Singh , Ghosh Birendra Nath , Singh Raman Jeet , Bhattacharyya Ranjan , Sharma N. K. , Alam N. M. , Meena Sunita Kumari , Mishra P. K. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe impacts of land use and topographic position can be evaluated through the carbon management index (CMI) that conceptualizes the carbon lability and soil aggregation. Soil aggregation patterns, carbon pools, and carbon management of the soil system not only affect the distribution of the mineral fraction of the soil but also the organic components. This study was conducted with the objectives of investigating soil carbon pools, soil aggregation, and CMI under seven land use types (dense forest, mixed forest, scrub forest, horticulture, agri‐horticulture, irrigated, and rainfed cropping systems) under three topographic positions (summit, slope, and gully) in the mountain agro‐ecosystem, of the Indian Himalayas. A total of 405 composite soil samples [7 land use types and 3 topographic positions and 21, 18, 33, 9, 12, 24, and 18 replications for the dense forest, mixed forest, scrub forest, horticulture, agri‐horticulture, irrigated, and rainfed cropping systems, respectively] were collected for laboratory analyses. It was observed that the dense forest land use type has the highest Walkley–Black carbon (WBC), soil aggregation, total carbon (TC), and CMI values, while significantly (p < .05) lowest amount was observed with rainfed land use system. Land use type had minimum effect on nonlabile carbon (NLC), lability of carbon (LC), lability index (LI), and carbon pool index (CPI) of the agro‐ecosystem. We conclude that the CMI value was in the range of ~31 to 88%, 24 to 82%, and 23 to 74% for summit, slope, and gully topographic positions of land use types, respectively. An average CMI was significantly (p < .05) the highest in the dense forest (~48%) followed by scrub forest and mixed forest (~43 and 40%, respectively). Meanwhile, irrigated land use had significant (p < .05) lowest CMI (~25%). Overall, results indicated that land use types and topographic positions significantly influenced with lability of the carbon. These results suggest that restoration of degraded rainfed and irrigated agriculture lands to agri‐horticulture, dense, mixed, and scrub forest lands decrease in intensity of land use could increase carbon and soil aggregation sustainability in the study area as well as other similar mountainous agro‐ecosystems.
Apathy Induced by Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zoon Thomas J.C. , van Rooijen Geeske , Balm Georgina M.F.C. , Bergfeld Isidoor O. , Daams Joost G. , Krack Paul , Denys Damiaan A.J.P. , de Bie Rob M.A. 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTApathy, the loss of motivation, is a common problem in Parkinson's disease (PD) and often observed following deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN). The aim of this meta‐analysis was to determine the occurrence of apathy following STN DBS in literature. Relevant articles were searched in PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Web of Sciences electronic databases. Studies were included if they reported apathy scores pre‐ and post‐DBS or the cross‐sectional difference between PD patients receiving STN DBS and patients receiving medication only. Thirty‐three articles were included in the meta‐analyses from 6,658 screened articles by two authors independently. A total of 1,286 patients were included with a mean age (±standard deviation [SD]) of 58.4 ± 8.5 years and a disease duration of 11.0 ± 5.8 years. The apathy score measured by means of the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES), Starkstein Apathy Scale (SAS), and the Lille Apathy Rating Scale (LARS) was significantly higher after DBS than pre‐operatively (g = 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.19–0.48, P < 0.001). An equal, significant difference in severity of apathy was found between STN DBS and medication only (g = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.03–0.65; P = 0.004). Statistical heterogeneity was moderately high, but the effects stood strong after multiple analyses and were independent of tapering off dopaminergic medication. The findings of this meta‐analysis indicate that apathy is increased after STN DBS compared to the pre‐operative state and to medication only (systematic review registration number: PROSPERO CRD42019133932). © 2020 Universiteit van Amsterdam. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A tool for patient‐specific prediction of delivery discrepancies in machine parameters using trajectory log files
Authors: Chuang Kai‐Cheng , Giles William , Adamson Justus 
Published: December 2020

PurposeMultileaf collimator (MLC) delivery discrepancy between planned and actual (delivered) positions have detrimental effect on the accuracy of dose distributions for both IMRT and VMAT. In this study, we evaluated the consistency of MLC delivery discrepancies over the course of treatment and over time to verify that a predictive machine learning model would be applicable throughout the course of treatment. Next, the MLC and gantry positions recorded in prior trajectory log files were analyzed to build a machine learning algorithm to predict MLC positional discrepancies during delivery for a new treatment plan. An open source tool was developed and released to predict the MLC positional discrepancies at treatment delivery for any given plan.MethodsTrajectory log files of 142 IMRT plans and 125 VMAT plans from 9 Varian TrueBeam linear accelerators were collected and analyzed. The consistency of delivery discrepancy over patient‐specific quality assurance (QA) and patient treatment deliveries was evaluated. Data were binned by treatment site and machine type to determine their relationship with MLC and gantry angle discrepancies. Motion‐related parameters including MLC velocity, MLC acceleration, control point, dose rate, and gravity vector, gantry velocity and gantry acceleration, where applicable, were analyzed to evaluate correlations with MLC and gantry discrepancies. Several regression models, such as simple/multiple linear regression, decision tree, and ensemble method (boosted tree and bagged tree model) were used to develop a machine learning algorithm to predict MLC discrepancy based on MLC motion parameters.ResultsMLC discrepancies at patient‐specific QA differed from those at patient treatment deliveries by a small (mean = 0.0021 ± 0.0036 mm, P = 0.0089 for IMRT; mean = 0.0010 ± 0.0016 mm, P = 0.0003 for VMAT) but statistically significant amount, likely due to setting the gantry angle to zero for QA in IMRT. MLC motion parameters, MLC velocity and gravity vector, showed significant correlation (P < 0.001) with MLC discrepancy, especially MLC velocity, which had an approximately linear relationship (slope = −0.0027, P < 0.001, R2 = 0.79). Incorporating MLC motion parameters, the final generalized model trained by data from all linear accelerators can predict MLC discrepancy to a high degree of accuracy with high correlation (R2 = 0.86) between predicted and actual MLC discrepancies. The same prediction results were found across different treatment sites and linear accelerators.ConclusionWe have developed a machine learning model using trajectory log files to predict the MLC discrepancies during delivery. This model has been a released as a research tool in which a DICOM‐RT with predicted MLC positions can be generated using the original DICOM‐RT file as input. This tool can be used to simulate radiotherapy treatment delivery and may be useful for studies evaluating plan robustness and dosimetric uncertainties from treatment delivery.
Alternating unbalanced SSFP for 3D mapping of the human brain
Authors: Lee Hyunyeol , Wehrli Felix W. 
Published: December 2020

PurposeMeasuring the transverse‐relaxation rate provides valuable information in quantitative evaluation of tissue microstructure, for example, in terms of oxygenation levels. Here, we propose an alternating unbalanced SSFP pulse sequence for rapid whole‐brain 3D mapping.MethodsUnlike currently practiced, spin echo–based measurement techniques, the proposed method alternates between SSFP‐FID and SSFP‐ECHO modes for rapid 3D encoding of transverse relaxation rates expressed as R2 + and R2. Z‐shimming gradients embedded into multi‐echo trains of each SSFP module are designed to achieve relative immunity to large‐scale magnetic‐field variations (ΔB0). Appropriate models for the temporal evolution of the two groups of SSFP signals were constructed with ΔB0‐induced modulations accounted for, leading to ΔB0‐corrected estimation of R2, , and (= R2 + ). Additionally, relative magnetic susceptibility (Δχ) maps were obtained by quantitative susceptibility mapping of the phase data. Numerical simulations were performed to optimize scan parameters, followed by in vivo studies at 3 T in 7 healthy subjects. Measured parameters were evaluated in six brain regions, and subjected to interparameter correlation analysis.ResultsThe resultant maps of and additionally derived R2, , and Δχ all demonstrated the expected contrast across brain territories (eg, deep brain structures versus cortex), with the measured values in good agreement with previous reports. Furthermore, regression analyses yielded strong linear relationships for the transverse relaxation parameters (, R2, and ) against Δχ.ConclusionResults suggest feasibility of the proposed method as a practical and reliable means for measuring , R2, , and Δχ across the entire brain.
In situ TPU/graphene nanocomposites: Correlation between filler aspect ratio and phase morphology
Authors: Rohm Kristen , Solouki Bonab Vahab , Manas‐Zloczower Ica 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAn in situ polymerization method to prepare thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU)/graphene and TPU/graphite composites have been studied to clarify the influence of intrinsic filler properties and dispersion level on the morphology and properties of the TPU. Two types of graphene, one high‐aspect ratio and one low, and graphite flake at various loadings were studied. Rotational rheology experiments on the suspensions of filler in polyol were used to characterize the agglomeration level of the filler after the dispersive mixing step and an effective aspect ratio reflective of the dispersion level was obtained. Variations in the glass transition temperature and thermal transitions of the TPU composites were related to the agglomeration level and intrinsic filler properties.
Variability in care for children with severe acute asthma in Latin America
Authors: Monteverde‐Fernandez Nicolas , Diaz‐Rubio Franco , Vásquez‐Hoyos Pablo , Rotta Alexandre T. , González‐Dambrauskas Sebastián ,   for the LARed Network
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundCare variability for children with severe acute asthma has been well documented in high‐income countries, yet data from low‐ and middle‐income regions are lacking. We sought to characterize the magnitude of practice variability in the care of Latin American children to identify opportunities for standardization of care.MethodsA cross‐sectional study performed through a retrospective analysis of contemporaneously collected data of children with severe acute asthma admitted to a center contributing to the LARed Network registry between May 2017 and May 2019. Centers were grouped by geographic location: Atlantic (AT), South Pacific (SP), and North Central (NC).ResultsAmong 434 children, most received care in hospitals in the AT group (54% [235/434]), followed by the NC (23% [101/434]) and SP (23% [98/434]) groups. The majority of children in the AT (92% [215/235]) and SP (91% [89/98]) groups received nebulized salbutamol/albuterol, while metered‐dose inhalers were preferred in the NC group (72% [73/101]). There was a wide variation in the use of antibiotics: AT (57% [135/235]), SP (48% [47/98]), and NC (14% [14/101]). The same was true for ipratropium bromide: AT (67% [157/235]), SP (90% [88/98]), and NC (17% [17/101]), and aminophylline: AT (57% [135/235]), NC (5% [5/101]), and SP (0% [0/98]). High‐flow nasal cannula was the preferred respiratory support modality in the AT (60% [141/235]) and NC (40% [40/101]) groups, while bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) use was more common in the SP group (80% [78/98]).ConclusionWe identified significant variability in care for severe acute asthma. Our findings will help to inform the design of future studies, quality improvement initiatives, and development of practice guidelines within Latin America.
A confidence function‐based posterior probability design for phase II cancer trials
Authors: Shan Minghua 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSingle‐arm one‐ or multi‐stage study designs are commonly used in phase II oncology development when the primary outcome of interest is tumor response, a binary variable. Both two‐ and three‐outcome designs are available. Simon two‐stage design is a well‐known example of two‐outcome designs. The objective of a two‐outcome trial is to reject either the null hypothesis that the objective response rate (ORR) is less than or equal to a pre‐specified low uninteresting rate or to reject the alternative hypothesis that the ORR is greater than or equal to some target rate. Three‐outcome designs proposed by Sargent et al. allow a middle gray decision zone which rejects neither hypothesis in order to reduce the required study size. We propose new two‐ and three‐outcome designs with continual monitoring based on Bayesian posterior probability that meet frequentist specifications such as type I and II error rates. Futility and/or efficacy boundaries are based on confidence functions, which can require higher levels of evidence for early versus late stopping and have clear and intuitive interpretations. We search in a class of such procedures for optimal designs that minimize a given loss function such as average sample size under the null hypothesis. We present several examples and compare our design with other procedures in the literature and show that our design has good operating characteristics.