bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ventricular tachyarrhythmia detection by implantable loop recording in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction: the VIP‐HF study
Authors: van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , van Woerden Gijs , Gorter Thomas M. , van Empel Vanessa P.M. , Manintveld Olivier C. , Tieleman Robert G. , Maass Alexander H. , Vernooy Kevin , Westenbrink B. Daan , van Gelder Isabelle C. , Rienstra Michiel 
Published: July 2020

AimsThe primary aim of the VIP‐HF study was to examine the incidence of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTs) in heart failure (HF) with mid‐range (HFmrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Secondary aims were to examine the incidence of non‐sustained VTs, bradyarrhythmias, HF hospitalizations and mortality.Methods and resultsThis was an investigator‐initiated, prospective, multicentre, observational study of patients with HF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >40%. Patients underwent extensive phenotyping, after which an implantable loop recorder was implanted. We enrolled 113 of the planned 250 patients [mean age 73 ± 8 years, 51% women, New York Heart Association class II/III 54%/46%, median N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide 1367 (710–2452) pg/mL and mean LVEF 54 ± 6%; 75% had LVEF >50%]. Eighteen percent had non‐sustained VTs and 37% had atrial fibrillation on Holter monitoring. During a median follow‐up of 657 (219–748) days, the primary endpoint of sustained VT was observed in one patient. The incidence of the primary endpoint was 0.6 (95% confidence interval 0.2–3.5) per 100 person‐years. The incidence of the secondary endpoint of non‐sustained VT was 11.5 (7.1–18.7) per 100 person‐years. Five patients developed bradyarrhythmias [3.2 (1.4–7.5) per 100 person‐years], three were implanted with a pacemaker. In total, 23 patients (20%) were hospitalized for HF [16.3 (10.9–24.4) per 100 person‐years]. Fourteen patients (12%) died [8.7 (5.2–14.7) per 100 person‐years]; 10 due to cardiovascular causes, and four sudden deaths, one with implantable loop recorder‐confirmed bradyarrhythmias as terminal event, three others undetermined.ConclusionDespite the lower than expected number of included patients, the incidence of sustained VTs in HFmrEF/HFpEF was low. Clinically relevant bradyarrhythmias were more often observed than expected.
Determination of sulfa antibiotic residues in river and particulate matter by field‐amplified sample injection‐capillary zone electrophoresis
Authors: Li Xinghua , Yang Yuqin , Miao Junjie , Yin Zhendong , Zhai Yijing , Shi Hongmei , Li Zengning 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn the present research, field‐amplified sample injection–CZE (FASI–CZE) coupled with a diode array detector was established to determine trace level sulfa antibiotic. Sulfathiazole, sulfadiazine, sulfamethazine, sulfadimethoxine, sulfamethoxazole, and sulfisoxazole were selected as analytes for the experiments. The background electrolyte solution consisted of 70.0 mmol/L borax and 60.0 mmol/L boric acid (including 10% methanol, pH 9.1). The plug was 2.5 mmol/L borax, which was injected into the capillary at a pressure of 0.5 psi for 5 s. Then the sample was injected into the capillary at an injection voltage of –10 kV for 20 s. The electrophoretic separation was carried out under a voltage of +19 kV. The capillary temperature was maintained at 20˚C throughout the analysis, and six sulfonamides were completely separated within 35 min. Compared with pressure injection‐CZE, the sensitivity of FASI‐CZE was increased by 6.25–10.0 times, and the LODs were reduced from 0.2–0.5 to 0.02–0.05 μg/mL. The method was applied to the determination of sulfonamides in river water and particulate matter samples. The recoveries were 78.59–106.59%. The intraday and interday precisions were 2.89–7.35% and 2.77–7.09%, respectively. This provides a simpler and faster method for the analysis of sulfa antibiotic residues in environmental samples.
Derivatization‐free determination of aminoglycosides by CZE–UV in pharmaceutical formulations
Authors: Donegatti Tiago Augusto , Lobato Alnilan , Duek Eliana A. R. , Moreira Gonçalves Luís , Alves Pereira Elisabete 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAminoglycosides are a relevant class of antibiotics widely used by medics and veterinaries. There are a variety of reasons that make their determination relevant, such as quality control, environment and food contamination assessment, drug‐release studies, among others. The lack of a chromophore makes aminoglycoside spectrophotometric detection particularly challenging, often requiring derivatization. In this work, an indirect detection method, making use of imidazole as a probe, applying CZE was successfully tested. It did not require derivatization, which simplified the sample preparation. Suitable figures of merit were obtained; recoveries between 95 and 105%, adequate repeatability and precision, correlation coefficients (r) above 0.998, and limits of detection (LODs) of 3.2 and 11 mg/L for gentamicin and paromomycin, respectively. As a proof‐of‐concept, it was also applied in a simple controlled release experiment that was well fitted using the Hill equation.
Dissection of enzymatic kinetics and elucidation of detailed parameters based on the Michaelis‐Menten model. Kinetic and thermodynamic connections
Authors: Bonafe Carlos F. S. , de Lima Neto Daniel F. , Aguirre César A. P. , Vieira de Melo Silvio A. B. , Lima Wallisson Dos S. , Bispo Jose A. C. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA computational procedure based on the numerical integration of the Michaelis‐Menten model of enzyme action, free of any restrictions of steady‐state conditions and substrate/enzyme ratios is proposed. The original Michaelis‐Menten data for invertase (Michaelis and Menten, 1913, Biochem Z. 49:333‐369) were reanalyzed. The surface and contour plots that were generated for substrate, free enzyme, complex, and product confirmed the model's usefulness. All energy potentials G and the “conformational drift parameter” δ involved in the enzymatic reactions were determined. Our findings indicate that at so = 0.0052 M the enzyme‐substrate (ES) complex present an energy of dissociation of GE + S➔ES = 15.0 kJ/mol and as so increases to 0.333 M, the GE + S➔ES value decreases to 5.0 kJ/mol, thereby decreasing its presence in solution. Overall, the ability to determine G and δ for each transition suggests a relationship between kinetics and thermodynamics. The analysis proposed here can be directly applied to chemical and biological situations, as well as industrial processes.
Accurate modeling of the interaction of constrained floating structures and complex free surfaces using a new quasistatic mooring model
Authors: Martin Tobias , Kamath Arun , Bihs Hans 
Published: July 2020

SummaryA new approach for the coupled simulation of moored floating structures in a numerical wave tank using CFD is subject of this article. A quasistatic mooring model is derived by dividing the cable into finite elements and solve force equilibria in each time step. A successive approximation is applied to solve the problem most efficiently. Here, the unknown internal and external forces are separated, and the system is corrected iteratively using the intermediate results for the unit vectors until convergence is reached. An improved algorithm based on the directional ghost‐cell immersed boundary method is utilized for modeling floating objects in a three‐dimensional numerical wave tank. It is based on an implicit representation of the body on a stationary grid using a level set function. The motion of the rigid body is described using Euler parameters and Hamiltonian mechanics. Dynamic boundary conditions are enforced by modifying the ghost points in the vicinity of the structure. A special procedure for staggered grids is included in the article. The mooring model is coupled to the fluid‐structure interaction solver to simulate physically constrained floating bodies in waves. Several validation cases provide an overview of the accuracy of the mooring model and the floating algorithm. In addition, the comparison of the numerical results for the motion of a moored floating barge in regular waves with experiments is presented.
Consumption and physico‐chemical characteristics of smoked and smoked‐dried fish commonly produced in South Benin and contribution to recommended nutrient intakes
Authors: Iko Afé Ogouyôm Herbert , Assogba Mahunan François , Anihouvi Dona Gildas Hippolyte , Boukari Ben‐Sadek , Douny Caroline , Kpoclou Yénoukounmè Euloge , Amoussou Fagla Balbine , Igout Ahmed , Mahillon Jacques , Anihouvi Victor Bienvenu , Scippo Marie‐Louise , Hounhouigan Djidjoho J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe work aims to assess the consumption and the physico‐chemical characteristics of smoked fish and smoked‐dried fish commonly produced and consumed in the South Benin. The consumption data were obtained from a survey involving 250 consumers, conducted in selected production localities of the Southern part of Benin, where 36 samples of smoked fish and smoked‐dried fish were collected. The highest protein contents (dry matter) were recorded in Cypselurus cyanopterus (85.1 ± 2.3%) and Sphyraena barracuda (84.5 ± 4.2%), while the highest lipid contents were recorded in Scomber scombrus (39.0 ± 9.2%) and Ethmalosa fimbriata (22.1 ± 6.3%). Smoked and smoked‐dried fish produced in South Benin contained 0.1%–12.5% (of total fatty acids) eicosapentaenoic acid and 0.1%–33.2% docosahexaenoic acid, which are the most abundant omega 3 polyunsaturated acids in these fish products. The median consumption of smoked fish (60.2 g/day) and smoked‐dried fish (18.2 g/day) contributed for 112% (281.1 mg) and 72% (180.4 mg), respectively, to the adult daily recommended intake of sum of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (250 mg/day). The daily protein intake related to the consumption of smoked fish and smoked‐dried fish corresponded to 36% and 24%, respectively, of the recommended intake suggested by European Food Safety Authority (0.8 g/kg.bw/day).
Detection of ripeness grades of berries using an electronic nose
Authors: Aghilinategh Nahid , Dalvand Mohammad Jafar , Anvar Adieh 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe estimation of ripeness is a significant section of quality determination since maturity at harvest can affect sensory and storage properties of fruits. A possible tactic for defining the grade of ripeness is sensing the aromatic volatiles released by fruit using electronic nose (e‐nose). For detection of the five ripeness grades of berries (whiteberry and blackberry), the e‐nose machine was designed and fabricated. Artificial neural networks (ANN), principal components analysis (PCA), and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were applied for pattern recognition of array sensors. The best structure (10–11‐5) can classify the samples in five classes in ANN analysis with a precision of 100% and 88.3% for blackberry and whiteberry, respectively. Also, PCA analysis characterized 97% and 93% variance in the blackberry and whiteberry, respectively. The least correct classification for whiteberry was observed in the LDA method.
Differential Outcomes and Clinical Challenges of NAFLD With Extreme Obesity
Authors: Arnouk Joud , Rachakonda Vikrant P. , Jaiyeola Diana , Behari Jaideep 
Published: July 2020

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with obesity. The prevalence of extreme obesity, defined as body mass index (BMI) of 50 kg/m2 or higher, is rising more rapidly than overall obesity. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and performance of noninvasive fibrosis assessment tools in NAFLD with or without extreme obesity. A retrospective analysis was performed in 304 patients with NAFLD with extreme obesity and compared them to patients with NAFLD with BMI of 40 kg/m2 or less, matched for age, gender, race, and liver fibrosis stage. The mean age of the NAFLD with extreme obesity cohort was 55.9 years, BMI 55 kg/m2, and 49.7% had cirrhosis at initial evaluation. Baseline cirrhosis and coronary artery disease were associated with increased risk of death, and dyslipidemia with decreased risk of mortality. Age, insulin use, hypertension, albumin and platelet count were associated with cirrhosis. Fifteen percent of patients had weight‐loss surgery, but this was not associated with survival or risk of cirrhosis. Of the 850 abdominal ultrasound scans performed in 255 patients, 24.1% were deemed suboptimal for hepatocellular carcinoma screening. The mean NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) in the extreme obesity cohort, versus a propensity‐matched cohort with BMI of 40 kg/m2 or less, was significantly different for both low fibrosis (F0‐F2) (0.222 vs. −1.682, P < 0.0001) and high fibrosis (F3‐F4) (2.216 vs. 0.557, P < 0.001). Conclusion: NAFLD with extreme obesity is associated with increased risk of liver‐related and overall mortality. Accurate noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis, low rates of weight loss surgery, and high failure rate of ultrasound were identified as clinical challenges in this population.
Should we screen patients with hematologic malignancies for COVID‐19?
Authors: Rassy Elie , Khoury‐Abboud Rita‐Maria , Ibrahim Nathalie , Assi Tarek , Samra Bachar , Hanna Colette , Karak Fadi El , Ghosn Marwan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic has posed several challenges to the hematology community to re‐organize the medical care of patients with hematologic malignancies. Whereas the oncology societies favored a more or less conservative approach which considered the possibility of delaying treatment administration on a case‐by‐case basis, the hematology community guidelines were less stringent and recommended adequate individualized regimens. As countries are de‐escalating the lockdown and the medical community is unable to foresee the end of the current outbreak will and whether the pandemic would eventually come back as a seasonal infection, there is interest in screening of patients with hematology malignancies with COVID‐19 instead of limiting access to curative treatments. The rapidly accumulating knowledge about COVID‐19 allows a better understanding of the diagnostic tools that may be potentially used in screening. Herein, we briefly review the pathophysiology of COVID‐19, the rationale of screening of patients with hematologic malignancies, tools for screening, and available guidelines.
Fine particle transport dynamics in response to wood additions in a small agricultural stream
Authors: Drummond Jennifer , Wright‐Stow Aslan , Franklin Paul , Quinn John , Packman Aaron 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWood additions to streams can slow water velocities and provide depositional areas for bacteria and fine particles (e.g., particulate organic carbon and nutrients sorbed to fine sediment), therefore increasing solute and particle residence times. Thus, wood additions are thought to create biogeochemical hotspots in streams. Added wood is expected to enhance in‐stream heterogeneity, result in more complex flow paths, increase natural retention of fine particles and alter the geomorphic characteristics of the stream reach. Our aim was to directly measure the impact of wood additions on fine particle transport and retention processes. We conducted conservative solute and fluorescent fine particle tracer injection studies in a small agricultural stream in the Whatawhata catchment, North Island of New Zealand in two reaches—a control reach and a reach restored 1‐year earlier by means of wood additions. Fine particles were quantified in surface water to assess reach‐scale (channel thalweg) and habitat‐scale (near wood) transport and retention. Following the injection, habitat‐scale measurements were taken in biofilms on cobbles and by stirring streambed sediment to measure fine particles available for resuspension. Tracer injection results showed that fine particle retention was greater in the restored compared to the control reach, with increased habitat‐scale particle counts and reach‐scale particle retention. Particle deposition was positively correlated with cobble biofilm biomass. We also found that the addition of wood enhanced hydraulic complexity and increased the retention of solute and fine particles near the wood, especially near a channel spanning log. Furthermore, particles were more easily remobilized from the control reach. The mean particle size remobilized after stirring the sediments was ~5 μm, a similar size to both fine particulate organic matter and many microorganisms. These results demonstrate that particles in this size range are dynamic and more likely to remobilize and transport further downstream during bed mobilization events.
Enhancement of infiltration rate of clogged porous beds in the vicinity of dams in arid zones by the roots of indigenous Ziziphus spina‐christ trees
Authors: Al‐Maktoumi Ali , Kacimov Anvar , Al‐Busaidi Hamed , Al‐Ismaily Said , Al‐Mayahi Ahmed , Al‐Khanbashi Salim , Al‐Sulaimi Abdulla 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSiltation of reservoir beds of recharge dams in arid climates seriously diminishes dams' storage capacity, lessens infiltration and deep percolation rates, increases water loss via evaporation, and ultimately lowers the recharge efficiency to the underlying unconfined aquifer. This study explores possibilities for enhancing the infiltration rate of a silt‐clogged recharge‐dam bed by cultivation of the Christ's thorn tree (Ziziphus spina‐christ), locally known as Sidr, as a hydro‐ecoengineering technique. We experimentally quantified the effect of this indigenous tree on the infiltration rates and moisture dynamics in soil tanks and pots. Descriptive statistics and a two‐way‐repeated‐measures analysis at p < .05 were used to compare the effects of the Christ's thorns' roots and plant growth over time on the infiltration rate of silty loam soils (sediments) in the pots and tanks. The Christ's thorn trees significantly increased the steady state infiltration rate of the sediments by 1.9–5.9 times and by 1.7–3.3 times compared to the control (bare soil) in the tank and pot experiments, respectively (p < .05). This study demonstrates the possibility of applying hydro‐ecoengineering techniques for improving the infiltration rate and hence the recharge efficiency of recharge dams in arid areas.
Ibrutinib for improved chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell production for chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients
Authors: Fan Fuli , Yoo Hyeon Joo , Stock Sophia , Wang Lei , Liu Yibin , Schubert Maria‐Luisa , Wang Sanmei , Neuber Brigitte , Hückelhoven‐Krauss Angela , Gern Ulrike , Schmitt Anita , Müller‐Tidow Carsten , Dreger Peter , Schmitt Michael , Sellner Leopold 
Published: July 2020

AbstractChimeric antigen receptor T (CART) cells targeting CD19 have shown promising results in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, efficacy seems to be inferior compared to diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma or acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Impaired T‐cell fitness of CLL patients may be involved in treatment failure. Less‐differentiated naïve‐like T cells play an important role in CART expansion and long‐term persistence in vivo. These cells are sparse in CLL patients. Therefore, optimization of CART cell production protocols enriching less differentiated T cell subsets may overcome treatment resistance. The B‐cell receptor inhibitor ibrutinib targeting Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is approved for the treatment of CLL. Besides BTK, ibrutinib additionally inhibits interleukin‐2‐inducible T‐cell kinase (ITK) which is involved in T‐cell differentiation. To evaluate the effect of ibrutinib on CART cell production, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from nine healthy donors and eight CLL patients were used to generate CART cells. T‐cell expansion and phenotype, expression of homing and exhaustion makers as well as functionality of CART cells were evaluated. CART cell generation in the presence of ibrutinib resulted in increased cell viability and expansion of CLL patient‐derived CART cells. Furthermore, ibrutinib enriched CART cells with less‐differentiated naïve‐like phenotype and decreased expression of exhaustion markers including PD‐1, TIM‐3 and LAG‐3. In addition, ibrutinib increased the cytokine release capacity of CLL patient‐derived CART cells. In summary, BTK/ITK inhibition with ibrutinib during CART cell culture can improve yield and function of CLL patient‐derived CART cell products.
Cancer associates with risk and severe events of COVID‐19: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tian Yehong , Qiu Xiaowei , Wang Chengxiang , Zhao Jianxin , Jiang Xin , Niu Wenquan , Huang Jinchang , Zhang Fengyu 
Published: July 2020

AbstractEvidence is mounting to indicate that cancer patients may have more likelihood of having coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) but lack consistency. A robust estimate is urgently needed to convey appropriate information to the society and the public, in the time of ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis through a comprehensive literature search in major databases in English and Chinese, and two investigators conducted publication selection and data extraction independently. A meta‐analysis was used to obtain estimates of pooled prevalence of cancer in patients with COVID‐19 and determine the association of cancer with severe events, after assessment of potential heterogeneity, publication bias, and correction for the estimates when necessary. Total 38 studies comprising 7094 patients with COVID‐9 were included; the pooled prevalence of cancer was estimated at 2.3% (95% confidence limit [CL] [0.018, 0.029]; P < .001) overall and 3.2% (95% CL [0.023, 0.041]; P < .001) in Hubei province; the corresponding estimates were 1.4% and 1.9% after correction for publication bias; cancer was significantly associated with the events of severe cases (odds ratio [OR] = 2.20, 95% CL [1.53, 3.17]; P < .001) and death (OR = 2.97, 95% CL [1.48, 5.96]; P = .002) in patients with COVID‐19, there was no significant heterogeneity and a minimal publication bias. We conclude that cancer comorbidity is associated with the risk and severe events of COVID‐19; special measures should be taken for individuals with cancer.
Liquid biopsies: Potential and challenges
Authors: Heidrich Isabel , Ačkar Lucija , Mossahebi Mohammadi Parinaz , Pantel Klaus 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe analysis of tumor cells or tumor cell products obtained from blood or other body fluids (“liquid biopsy” [LB]) provides a broad range of opportunities in the field of oncology. Clinical application areas include early detection of cancer or tumor recurrence, individual risk assessment and therapy monitoring. LB allows to portray the entire disease as tumor cells or tumor cell products are released from all metastatic or primary tumor sites, providing comprehensive and real‐time information on tumor cell evolution, therapeutic targets and mechanisms of resistance to therapy. Here, we focus on the most prominent LB markers, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor‐derived DNA (ctDNA), in the blood of patients with breast, prostate, lung and colorectal cancer, as the four most frequent tumor types in Europe. After a brief introduction of key technologies used to detect CTCs and ctDNA, we discuss recent clinical studies on these biomarkers for early detection and prognostication of cancer as well as prediction and monitoring of cancer therapies. We also point out current methodological and biological limitations that still hamper the implementation of LB into clinical practice.