bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climbing rice plants above the waterline: escape of freshwater snails from underwater predation by snail-eating specialists
Authors: Hayashi Masakazu , Sugiura Shinji 
Published: May 2020

AbstractFreshwater molluscs have physical defences such as shells to protect their inner soft bodies from underwater predators. However, some predators have specialized mouthparts that can destroy the snail’s tough and/or spiral shells. Therefore, these snails could have evolved specific defences against their specialist predators. We observed the freshwater snail Austropeplea ollula (Pulmonata: Lymnaeidae) frequently climbing rice plants above the water in paddy fields in Shimane, central Japan. We also found the beetle larvae of Hydrophilus acuminatus (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae), which are known as snail-eating specialists, in waters of the same paddy fields. We hypothesized that A. ollula climbs rice plants above the water to escape underwater predation by H. acuminatus and that the escape behaviour of snails may be specifically triggered by chemical cues from snail-eating specialists and/or killed conspecifics. To test both these hypotheses, we conducted laboratory experiments. The results demonstrated that chemical cues (e.g. body fluids) from killed conspecifics could trigger A. ollula to crawl above the waterline. Furthermore, chemical cues (e.g. scent and digestive enzymes) from H. acuminatus could promote the behaviour. Therefore, A. ollula can successfully escape from H. acuminatus by climbing the rice plants above the water.
Non-local network dynamics via fractional graph Laplacians
Authors: Benzi Michele , Bertaccini Daniele , Durastante Fabio , Simunec Igor 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe introduce non-local dynamics on directed networks through the construction of a fractional version of a non-symmetric Laplacian for weighted directed graphs. Furthermore, we provide an analytic treatment of fractional dynamics for both directed and undirected graphs, showing the possibility of exploring the network employing random walks with jumps of arbitrary length. We also provide some examples of the applicability of the proposed dynamics, including consensus over multi-agent systems described by directed networks.
Prediction of lymph node metastasis in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Wen , Liu Xiao-bo , Li Sheng-bao , Yang Zhi-hao , Tong Qiang 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
A less invasive endoscopic therapy has been used as a routine treatment for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC). However, lymph node metastasis (LNM) in SESCC limits the effectiveness of this medical procedure. This meta-analysis aimed to screen the risk factors for LNM in SESCC in Asia to provide evidence for clinicians in selecting treatment. We searched the main reference databases for research involving patients who received esophagectomy (open or minimally invasive) with lymph node dissection for SESCC. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Twenty studies including 3983 patients were obtained in this analysis. The meta-analysis showed that tumor size, macroscopic type of tumor, degree of differentiation, depth of tumor invasion, and lymphovascular involvement are risk factors of LNM in SESCC, whereas age, sex, and tumor location showed no association with LNM. Five variables were screened as predictive factors for LNM in SESCC. The incidence of LNM in SESCC is not rare, and the physicians must be careful when making clinical decisions.
Robotic transhiatal esophagectomy
Authors: Broderick Ryan C , Horgan Santiago , Fuchs Hans F 
Published: May 2020

SummaryHorgan et al. described the first robotic-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy in 2003. Although there is debate regarding the oncologic appropriateness of transhiatal versus thoracic approach to esophagectomy in malignancy, comparative data are still lacking. This paper with video describes step by step how and when to perform a transhiatal robotic-assisted resection in patients with esophageal cancer.
Sex-specific difference in the association between arterial stiffness and subclinical left ventricular dysfunction
Authors: Yoshida Yuriko , Nakanishi Koki , Daimon Masao , Ishiwata Jumpei , Sawada Naoko , Hirokawa Megumi , Kaneko Hidehiro , Nakao Tomoko , Mizuno Yoshiko , Morita Hiroyuki , Di Tullio Marco R , Homma Shunichi , Komuro Issei 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Aims
Increased arterial stiffness is one of the key mechanisms of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, the possible association between arterial stiffness and subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and its sex-specific difference remains unclarified. LV strain is emerging as a highly sensitive tool to unmask early LV abnormalities.

Methods and results
We examined 1155 participants free of overt cardiovascular disease who underwent extensive cardiovascular examination. Speckle-tracking echocardiography was employed to assess LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and circumferential strain (GCS), and arterial stiffness was assessed by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). Mean age was 62 ± 12 years, and 56% were men. CAVI as continuous variable was associated with abnormal LVGLS (&gt;−18.6%) independent of cardiovascular risk factors and echocardiographic parameters [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.23, P = 0.027] but not with LVGCS. In sex-stratified analysis, more pronounced association between quartiles of CAVI and abnormal LVGLS was observed in women than in men (unadjusted OR = 6.43 in women and 2.46 in men for upper quartile vs. lower quartile; both P &lt; 0.01). CAVI was significantly associated with abnormal LVGLS independent of cardiovascular risk factors in both sexes. However, after further adjustment for LV mass index and diastolic parameters, the independent association persisted only in women (adjusted OR 1.67, P = 0.007), but not in men (adjusted OR 1.14, P = 0.227).

Conclusion
Increased arterial stiffness was independently associated with decreased LVGLS even without overt cardiovascular disease; a sex-specific pattern exists in the alteration of vascular-ventricular coupling, which might partially explain the greater susceptibility to HFpEF in women.
Clinical presentation, management, and 6-month outcomes in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy: an ESC EORP registry
Authors: Sliwa Karen , Petrie Mark C , van der Meer Peter , Mebazaa Alexandre , Hilfiker-Kleiner Denise , Jackson Alice M , Maggioni Aldo P , Laroche Cecile , Regitz-Zagrosek Vera , Schaufelberger Maria , Tavazzi Luigi , Roos-Hesselink Jolien W , Seferovic Petar , van Spaendonck-Zwarts Karin , Mbakwem Amam , Böhm Michael , Mouquet Frederic , Pieske Burkert , Johnson Mark R , Hamdan Righab , Ponikowski Piotr , Van Veldhuisen Dirk J , McMurray John J V , Bauersachs Johann 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Aims
We sought to describe the clinical presentation, management, and 6-month outcomes in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) globally.

Methods and results
In 2011, &gt;100 national and affiliated member cardiac societies of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) were contacted to contribute to a global registry on PPCM, under the auspices of the ESC EURObservational Research Programme. These societies were tasked with identifying centres who could participate in this registry. In low-income countries, e.g. Mozambique or Burkina Faso, where there are no national societies due to a shortage of cardiologists, we identified potential participants through abstracts and publications and encouraged participation into the study. Seven hundred and thirty-nine women were enrolled in 49 countries in Europe (33%), Africa (29%), Asia-Pacific (15%), and the Middle East (22%). Mean age was 31 ± 6 years, mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 31 ± 10%, and 10% had a previous pregnancy complicated by PPCM. Symptom-onset occurred most often within 1 month of delivery (44%). At diagnosis, 67% of patients had severe (NYHA III/IV) symptoms and 67% had a LVEF ≤35%. Fifteen percent received bromocriptine with significant regional variation (Europe 15%, Africa 26%, Asia-Pacific 8%, the Middle East 4%, P &lt; 0.001). Follow-up was available for 598 (81%) women. Six-month mortality was 6% overall, lowest in Europe (4%), and highest in the Middle East (10%). Most deaths were due to heart failure (42%) or sudden (30%). Re-admission for any reason occurred in 10% (with just over half of these for heart failure) and thromboembolic events in 7%. Myocardial recovery (LVEF &gt; 50%) occurred only in 46%, most commonly in Asia-Pacific (62%), and least commonly in the Middle East (25%). Neonatal death occurred in 5% with marked regional variation (Europe 2%, the Middle East 9%).

Conclusion
Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a global disease, but clinical presentation and outcomes vary by region. Just under half of women experience myocardial recovery. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a disease with substantial maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Left-sided accessory pathways successfully ablated from the aortomitral continuity region: distinctive atrial activation patterns and anatomic concerns
Authors: Li Meng-Meng , Long De-Yong , Sang Cai-Hua , Jiang Chen-Xi , Guo Xue-Yuan , Zhao Xin , Li Song-Nan , Wang Wei , Tang Ri-Bo , Li Jing-Ye , Dai Wen-Li , Kong Xiang-Yi , Zuo Song , Ning Man , Li Xu , Wu Jia-Hui , Dong Jian-Zeng , Du Xin , Ma Chang-Sheng 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Aims
Accessory pathways (APs) successfully ablated at the aortomitral continuity (AMC) were sporadically reported but relevant data are very limited. We aimed to describe the electrophysiological characteristics of AMC-AP and the related anatomy.

Methods and results
This study involved eight (male/female = 3/5, mean age 42.6 ± 10.5 years) patients with left-sided AP successfully ablated in the AMC region. The retrograde atrial activation sequence was analysed and compared via recordings at the His-bundle (HB), coronary sinus (CS), and roving catheter during tachycardia, and the peak of QRS from the same cardiac circle used as time reference. Of the eight patients, two received prior ablations. During tachycardia, the activation time at the proximal CS (CSp), lateral CS (CSl), and HB region averaged 120 ± 26 ms, 124 ± 29 ms, and 117 ± 21 ms following the reference, respectively (P = 0.86). The latest atrial activation was recorded in the posterior CS which averaged 135 ± 25 ms following the reference. Placing the ablation catheter to AMC via retrograde approach was attempted in all cases but stable positioning achieved in none. Via transseptal approach, the ablation catheter could be easily placed at the AMC and recorded the earliest retrograde atrial activations with 60 ± 27 ms earlier than the relatively ‘earliest’ CS/HB recordings, and ablation at this site successfully eliminated AP conduction. No patients had recovered AP conduction after at least 12-month follow-up.

Conclusion
AMC-AP is featured by recording comparable retrograde atrial activation times at CSp, CSl, and HB with the latest recordings at the posterior CS. Stable placement and successful ablation in the AMC via retrograde aortic approach was difficult but can be achieved via transseptal approach.
Timing and evolution of advanced conduction disturbances in patients with right bundle branch block undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Muntané-Carol Guillem , del Val David , Junquera Lucía , Faroux Laurent , Delarochellière Robert , Paradis Jean-Michel , Mohammadi Siamak , Kalavrouziotis Dimitri , Dumont Eric , Philippon François , Rodés-Cabau Josep 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimsThis study sought to determine the timing and evolution over time of advanced conduction disturbances (CDs) in patients with baseline right bundle branch block (RBBB) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).Methods and resultsOne hundred and ten consecutive patients with pre-existing RBBB were included (out of 1341, 8.2%). All arrhythmias during the hospitalization period were recorded. Follow-up was performed at 30 days, 1 year, and yearly thereafter. Conduction recovery and ventricular pacing percentage (VPP) was evaluated at 30 days in those patients with permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI). Sixty-one (55.5%) patients suffered advanced CDs [97% complete or high-degree atrioventricular block (CHB/HAVB)], and the vast majority (98%) occurred within the first 3 days post-procedure (intraprocedural: 85%). Fifty-two (47.3%) patients had PPMI (vs. 11.0% in non-RBBB patients, P &lt; 0.001). Ventricular pacing percentage at 1 month was higher in patients with persistent-intraprocedural CHB/HAVB compared to those with transient-intraprocedural or post-procedural CHB/HAVB [99 (interquartile range, IQR 97–100)% vs. 72 (IQR 30–99)%, P = 0.02]. Complete recovery (VPP &lt; 1%) was observed in only one patient (2%) with CHB/HAVB. After hospital discharge, no symptomatic bradyarrhythmias or sudden death occurred within 30 days. Patients with pre-existing RBBB exhibited a higher risk of PPMI at 4-year follow-up (26% vs. 8% in non-RBBB patients, P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionIn patients with pre-existing RBBB, the vast majority of advanced CDs occurred within the 3 days following TAVR, and most did not recover at 1-month, particularly those with intra-procedural persistent CHB/HAVB. These results should help to determine the hospitalization length and timing of PPMI in RBBB patients undergoing TAVR.
Got Selenium?
Authors: Oremland Ronald S 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACT‘There's antimony, arsenic, aluminum, selenium, and hydrogen, and oxygen, and nitrogen and rhenium’—so begins ‘The Elements’ song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcS3NOQnsQM), whereby Tom Lehrer (Fig. 1) assiduously deconstructed the many painstaking decades of research effort by scores of scientists in assembling the Periodic Table as primarily based upon the atomic numbers of the elements. Lehrer instead opted for his imaginative rhyme, with its musical meter purloined from the patter song of Major General Stanley ("I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General’) as in the Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta ‘The Pirates of Penzance’. By some coincidence, however, three of the four named in the first stanza are Group 15 and 16 elements with which I have considerable microbiological research experience. Only one is missing (tellurium). Hence, by futzing with Lehrer's ‘libretto’ to suit my own needs for this issue of FEMS, I would pose the following introductory re-rearrangement: ‘There's antimony, arsenic, selenium, tellurium, and cadmium, and chromium, and calcium and curium’. While this may (or may not) sit well with Mr Lehrer, who at the time of this writing is still living, I hope it does not cause further discomfiture to the collective eternal peace of Professor Dimitri Mendeleev, Sir William Schwenk Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan. Nonetheless, I will use this preface to take departure for the primary subject of this manuscript, namely our efforts on selenium, which is where it all got started.
The development of allometric systems of equations for compatible area-based LiDAR-assisted estimation
Authors: Yang Ting-Ru , Kershaw John A , Ducey Mark J 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is used to estimate tree, stand and forest characteristics across large geographic areas. In most analyses, several independent LiDAR-based allometric equations are built to predict various forest attributes. When each forest attribute is estimated independently, there is potential for predictions of forest attributes that are not mathematically or biologically consistent. Combined allometric equations can be considered a system of equations describing the stand structure. Mathematically compatible and biologically meaningful estimates can be derived by estimating key structural variables and solving for other components, rather than estimating each forest attribute separately and independently. In this study, we propose the development of a system of allometric equations describing the relationship between volume per unit area, Lorey’s average height, basal area, quadratic mean diameter (QMD) and density. The system of allometric equations is derived from extensive field data. Key structural attributes are predicted using LiDAR metrics, and the remaining structural variables are solved for using the system of allometric equations. Predictions of structural attributes from the system of allometric equations are compared with predictions from independent LiDAR-derived prediction equations. Results showed that applying the systems approach can provide reasonable and compatible estimates with lower required sample sizes, especially when multiple attributes need to be considered simultaneously. Testing the portability of the systems approach in more complex stand structures and across different LiDAR acquisitions will be required in the future.
ThewclYgene ofEscherichia coliserotype O117 encodes an α1,4-glucosyltransferase with strict acceptor specificity but broad donor specificity
Authors: Kocev Alexander , Melamed Jacob , Torgov Vladimir , Danilov Leonid , Veselovsky Vladimir , Brockhausen Inka 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe O antigen of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli serotype O117 consists of repeating units with the structure [-D-GalNAcβ1-3-L-Rhaα1-4-D-Glcα1-4-D-Galβ1-3-D-GalNAcα1-4]n. A related structure is found in E. coli O107 where Glc is replaced by a GlcNAc residue. The O117 and O107 antigen biosynthesis gene clusters are homologous and reveal the presence of four putative glycosyltransferase (GT) genes, wclW, wclX, wclY and wclZ, but the enzymes have not yet been biochemically characterized. We show here that the His6-tagged WclY protein expressed in E. coli Lemo21(DE3) cells is an α1,4-Glc-transferase that transfers Glc to the Gal moiety of Galβ1-3GalNAcα-OPO3-PO3-phenoxyundecyl as a specific acceptor and that the diphosphate moiety of this acceptor is required. WclY utilized UDP-Glc, TDP-Glc, ADP-Glc, as well as UDP-GlcNAc, UDP-Gal or UDP-GalNAc as donor substrates, suggesting an unusual broad donor specificity. Activity using GDP-Man suggested the presence of a novel Man-transferase in Lemo21(DE3) cells. Mutations of WclY revealed that both Glu residues of the Ex7E motif within the predicted GT domain are essential for activity. High GlcNAc-transferase (GlcNAc-T) activities of WclY were created by mutating Arg194 to Cys. A triple mutant identical to WclY in E. coli O107 was identified as an α1,4 GlcNAc-T. The characterization of WclY opens the door for the development of antibacterial approaches.
The Centre-Quotient Property and Weak Centrality forC*-Algebras
Authors: Archbold Robert J , Gogić Ilja 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe give a number of equivalent conditions (including weak centrality) for a general $C^*$-algebra to have the centre-quotient property. We show that every $C^*$-algebra $A$ has a largest weakly central ideal $J_{wc}(A)$. For an ideal $I$ of a unital $C^*$-algebra $A$, we find a necessary and sufficient condition for a central element of $A/I$ to lift to a central element of $A$. This leads to a characterisation of the set $V_A$ of elements of an arbitrary $C^*$-algebra $A$, which prevent $A$ from having the centre-quotient property. The complement $\textrm{CQ}(A):= A \setminus V_A$ always contains $Z(A)+J_{wc}(A)$ (where $Z(A)$ is the centre of $A$), with equality if and only if $A/J_{wc}(A)$ is abelian. Otherwise, $\textrm{CQ}(A)$ fails spectacularly to be a $C^*$-subalgebra of $A$.
Associations of types of primary care facilities with adult vaccination and cancer screening in Japan
Authors: Aoki Takuya , Fukuhara Shunichi 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Objective
To examine the association between primary care facility types and the quality of preventive care, especially adult vaccination and cancer screening, with a focus on the differences between community clinics and hospitals.

Design
Multicenter cross-sectional study.

Setting
A primary care practice-based research network in Japan (25 primary care facilities).

Participants
Adult outpatients for whom the participating facility serves as their usual source of care.

Intervention
None.

Main Outcome Measures
Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination delivery and performance of colorectal, breast and cervical cancer screening.

Results
Data collected from 1725 primary care outpatients were analyzed. After adjustment of possible confounders and clustering within facilities, hospital-based practices were significantly associated with poorer uptake of influenza [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42–0.96] and pneumococcal vaccines (aOR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.40–0.75) and colorectal cancer screening (aOR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.39–0.88) compared with clinic-based practices. In contrast, the associations of types of primary care facilities with uptake of breast and cervical cancer screening were not statistically significant.

Conclusions
Differences in the performance of adult vaccination and cancer screening raised concerns about the provision of preventive care at hospital-based compared with clinic-based primary care practices. Efforts to improve preventive care at hospital-based primary care practices should help to promote equalization of the quality of primary care. Further study is needed on the comparisons of other quality indicators among different structures of primary care facilities.
Non-electrophilic TRPA1 agonists, menthol, carvacrol and clotrimazole, open epithelial tight junctions via TRPA1 activation
Authors: Mukaiyama Minagi , Usui Takeo , Nagumo Yoko 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Activation of the transient receptor potential A1 channel (TRPA1) by electrophilic agonists was reported to induce the opening of tight junctions (TJs). Because compounds that increase TJ permeability can be paracellular permeability enhancers, we investigated the effect of non-electrophilic TRPA1 activators, including food ingredients (menthol and carvacrol) and medication (clotrimazole), on epithelial permeability. We show that all three compounds induced increase of the permeability of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated dextran (4 kDa) and decrease of transepithelial electrical resistance, accompanied by Ca2+ influx and cofilin activation in epithelial MDCK II monolayers. These phenotypes were attenuated by pretreatment of a TRPA1 antagonist, suggesting TRPA1-mediated opening of TJs. These results suggest that non-electrophilic TRPA1 activators with established safety can be utilized to regulate epithelial barriers.
Unusual presentation of rare complication following endoscopic gastroplasty: case report
Authors: Alqahtani Awadh , Aljohani Emad 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
A 35-years-old female post-endoscopic gastroplasty presented to the emergency department complaining of epigastric abdominal pain. The abdominal examination showed epigastric and tenderness. On abdomen computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan she had small bowel obstruction with twisting of mesenteric vessel. The patient taken to the operating room for diagnostic laparoscopy and proceed, laparoscopic examination showed proximal dilatation of small intestine with collapse of distal part of jejunum, the obstruction identified, as fibrous band originating from the stomach to the proximal part of jejunum, this band caused by suture penetrating the stomach wall, which is going with the previous history of the endoscopic gastroplasty, reduction of the internal hernia done by releasing of the fibrous band, the herniated segment was healthy. Internal hernia can present with variety of complications. To the best of our knowledge from the literature review, this is the first case to be reported as internal abdominal hernia secondary to endoscopic gastroplasty.