bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Global longitudinal strain for prediction of ventricular arrhythmia in patients with heart failure
Authors: Nikoo Mohammad Hossein , Naeemi Razieh , Moaref Alireza , Attar Armin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimsCurrently, the ejection fraction [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)] is the main criterion used for implanting implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) for primary prevention. However, many of ICD receivers would not have an event and do not have any gains from the device. Consequently, improving the discrimination strategies is needed. Here, we aimed at assessing the role of global longitudinal strain (GLS) for such purpose.Methods and resultsSeventy ischaemic or dilated cardiomyopathy cases characterized by LVEF ≤ 40% with a previously implanted ICD were enrolled. LVEF and GLS amounts were evaluated using 3D echocardiography. The occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias was checked by analysing the ICD history. Mean follow‐up period of patients was 1.8 ± 0.6 years. There was a significant difference in the amount of GLS in arrhythmic cases compared with non‐arrhythmic ones (−6.97 ± 3.06 vs −11.82 ± 4.25; P < 0.001). This difference was found in both ischaemic and dilated cardiomyopathy groups. A GLS below −10 cm/s could predict the occurrence of a ventricular event by 90% specificity and 72.2% sensitivity (area under the curve = 0.84, P < 0.001). While 27.39 (69.2%) patients with GLS below −10 cm/s had a ventricular event, only 3.31 (9.6%) of the patients with GLS above −10 had an event) P < 0.001). Those patients with a GLS ≥ 17 cm/s never experienced a ventricular arrhythmia.ConclusionsGlobal longitudinal strain is a more accurate predictor of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with reduced LVEF. Whether it may help in selecting more appropriate patients for ICD implantation or not should be evaluated within a randomized trial in the future.
Sacubitrilat reduces pro‐arrhythmogenic sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ leak in human ventricular cardiomyocytes of patients with end‐stage heart failure
Authors: Eiringhaus Jörg , Wünsche Christoph M. , Tirilomis Petros , Herting Jonas , Bork Nadja , Nikolaev Viacheslav O. , Hasenfuss Gerd , Sossalla Samuel , Fischer Thomas H. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimsInhibition of neprilysin and angiotensin II receptor by sacubitril/valsartan (Val) (LCZ696) reduces mortality in heart failure (HF) patients compared with sole inhibition of renin–angiotensin system. Beneficial effects of increased natriuretic peptide levels upon neprilysin inhibition have been proposed, whereas direct effects of sacubitrilat (Sac) (LBQ657) on myocardial Ca2+ cycling remain elusive.Methods and resultsConfocal microscopy (Fluo‐4 AM) was used to investigate pro‐arrhythmogenic sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ leak in freshly isolated murine and human ventricular cardiomyocytes (CMs) upon Sac (40 μmol/L)/Val (13 μmol/L) treatment. The concentrations of Sac and Val equalled plasma concentrations of LCZ696 treatment used in PARADIGM‐HF trial. Epifluorescence microscopy measurements (Fura‐2 AM) were performed to investigate effects on systolic Ca2+ release, SR Ca2+ load, and Ca2+‐transient kinetics in freshly isolated murine ventricular CMs. The impact of Sac on myocardial contractility was evaluated using in toto‐isolated, isometrically twitching ventricular trabeculae from human hearts with end‐stage HF. Under basal conditions, the combination of Sac/Val did not influence diastolic Ca2+‐spark frequency (CaSpF) nor pro‐arrhythmogenic SR Ca2 leak in isolated murine ventricular CMs (n CMs/hearts = 80/7 vs. 100/7, P = 0.91/0.99). In contrast, Sac/Val treatment reduced CaSpF by 35 ± 9% and SR Ca2+ leak by 45 ± 9% in CMs put under catecholaminergic stress (isoproterenol 30 nmol/L, n = 81/7 vs. 62/7, P < 0.001 each). This could be attributed to Sac, as sole Sac treatment also reduced both parameters by similar degrees (reduction of CaSpF by 57 ± 7% and SR Ca2+ leak by 76 ± 5%; n = 101/4 vs. 108/4, P < 0.01 each), whereas sole Val treatment did not. Systolic Ca2+ release, SR Ca2+ load, and Ca2+‐transient kinetics including SERCA activity (kSERCA) were not compromised by Sac in isolated murine CMs (n = 41/6 vs. 39/6). Importantly, the combination of Sac/Val and Sac alone also reduced diastolic CaSpF and SR Ca2+ leak (reduction by 74 ± 7%) in human left ventricular CMs from patients with end‐stage HF (n = 71/8 vs. 78/8, P < 0.05 each). Myocardial contractility of human ventricular trabeculae was not acutely affected by Sac treatment as the developed force remained unchanged over a time course of 30 min (n trabeculae/hearts = 3/3 vs. 4/3).ConclusionThis study demonstrates that neprilysin inhibitor Sac directly improves Ca2+ homeostasis in human end‐stage HF by reducing pro‐arrhythmogenic SR Ca2+ leak without acutely affecting systolic Ca2+ release and inotropy. These effects might contribute to the mortality benefits observed in the PARADIGM‐HF trial.
Open‐tubular nanoelectrochromatography (OT‐NEC): gel‐free separation of single stranded DNAs (ssDNAs) in thermoplastic nanochannels
Authors: Amarasekara Charuni A. , Athapattu Uditha S. , Rathnayaka Chathurika , Choi Junseo , Park Sunggook , Soper Steven A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractElectrophoresis or electrochromatography carried out in nanometer columns (width and depth) offers some attractive benefits compared to microscale columns. These advantages include unique separation mechanisms that are scale dependent, fast separation times, and simpler workflow due to the lack of a need for column packing and/or wall coatings to create a stationary phase. We report the use of thermoplastics, in this case PMMA, as the substrate for separating single‐stranded DNAs (ssDNAs). Electrophoresis nanochannels were created in PMMA using nanoimprint lithography (NIL), which can produce devices at lower cost and in a higher production mode compared to the fabrication techniques required for glass devices. The nanochannel column in PMMA was successful in separating ssDNAs in free solution that was not possible using microchip electrophoresis in PMMA. The separation could be performed in <1 s with resolution >1.5 when carried out using at an electric field strength of 280 V/cm and an effective column length of 60 μm (100 nm × 100 nm, depth and width). The ssDNAs transport through the PMMA column was driven electrokinetically under the influence of an EOF. The results indicated that the separation was dominated by chromatographic effects using an open tubular nano‐electrochromatography (OT‐NEC) mode of separation. Interesting to these separations was that no column packing was required nor a wall coating to create the stationary phase; the separation was affected using the native polymer that was UV/O3 activated and an aqueous buffer mobile phase.
Comparative assessment of volatiles in juices and essential oils from minor Citrus fruits (Rutaceae)
Authors: Giovanelli Silvia , Ciccarelli Daniela , Giusti Giulia , Mancianti Francesca , Nardoni Simona , Pistelli Luisa 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCitrus Essential Oils (CEOs) from the peel of six minor Citrus fruits (C. bergamia ‘Castagnaro,’ ‘Fantastico,’ and ‘Femminello,’ C. × myrtifolia, C. mitis, and C. japonica) were obtained by hydrodistillation and cold hand pressing of the flavedo to investigate their volatile constituents and antimycotic activities. The volatile compounds present in the juices of the same fruits, obtained by manual squeezing of the endocarps, were evaluated by direct immersion and Solid Phase Micro Extraction. Monoterpenes were identified as the main class of components in all the six CEOs. Limonene was the most abundant compound, while BEOs (Bergamot Essential Oils) changed its composition according to the different extraction method and the fruit varieties. Non‐metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) of the matrix taxa x chemical compounds showed that five chemical compounds had a significant discriminative function among the samples: high amounts of limonene characterized the cluster of C japonica, C. × myrtifolia, and C mitis, while the group of three cultivars of C bergamia differed in its predominance of linalool and linalyl acetate. Furfural and 4‐terpineol were identified in the highest amounts in the Citrus juices analyzed by direct immersion. BEO obtained by hydrodistillation of C bergamia ‘Fantastico’ was the most active in the antifungal tests. The antimycotic activity of C japonica EOs against dermatophytic species was also demonstrated. Based on our results, the use of these products would appear an interesting alternative in producing topical herbal products for the treatment of affected animals or for the purpose of environmental fungal control.
Effects of sterilization methods on pomegranate juice evaluated by descriptive sensory analysis and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry through partial least‐squares regression
Authors: Tian Honglei , Lu Cong , Zhan Ping , Wang Peng , Zhao Yu , Tian Peng 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the effects of different sterilization methods on the flavor characteristics and volatile compounds of pomegranate (PG) juice. We analyzed three PG samples, namely conventional‐pasteurized, high‐temperature short‐time‐treated, and ultrasonic‐sterilized (US) juice samples. Fresh‐pressed PG (FJ) sample was used as the control. A total of 33 volatile compounds and six sensory attributes (floral, fruity, earthy/musty, sweet, green, and cooked flavor) of PG samples were analyzed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry and quantitative descriptive sensory analysis. Results revealed differences in the samples’ sensory profiles. Compared with thermal‐sterilization methods, the low temperature and relatively mild sterilization conditions of US considerably preserved the amount of volatile compounds. Partial least‐squares regression (PLSR) was performed to identify the relationships among sensory attributes, volatile compounds, and sterilization methods. Results showed that limonene, linalool, hexanal, and 6‐methyl‐5‐hepten‐2‐one contributed greatly to the key aroma of FJ and US. Meanwhile, p‐Cymene, (E)‐2‐nonenal, naphthalene, and benzothiazole were significantly correlated with the cooked flavor after thermal sterilization. PLSR further confirmed that compared with thermal‐sterilization methods, US may be more beneficial in preserving the volatile compound amount and sensory profiles of PG juice.
Evaluating shared genetic influences on nonsyndromic cleft lip/palate and oropharyngeal neoplasms
Authors: Howe Laurence J. , Hemani Gibran , Lesseur Corina , Gaborieau Valérie , Ludwig Kerstin U. , Mangold Elisabeth , Brennan Paul , Ness Andy R. , St Pourcain Beate , Davey Smith George , Lewis Sarah J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIt has been hypothesised that nonsyndromic cleft lip/palate (nsCL/P) and cancer may share aetiological risk factors. Population studies have found inconsistent evidence for increased incidence of cancer in nsCL/P cases, but several genes (e.g., CDH1, AXIN2) have been implicated in the aetiologies of both phenotypes. We aimed to evaluate shared genetic aetiology between nsCL/P and oral cavity/oropharyngeal cancers (OC/OPC), which affect similar anatomical regions. Using a primary sample of 5,048 OC/OPC cases and 5,450 controls of European ancestry and a replication sample of 750 cases and 336,319 controls from UK Biobank, we estimate genetic overlap using nsCL/P polygenic risk scores (PRS) with Mendelian randomization analyses performed to evaluate potential causal mechanisms. In the primary sample, we found strong evidence for an association between a nsCL/P PRS and increased odds of OC/OPC (per standard deviation increase in score, odds ratio [OR]: 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04, 1.13; p = .000053). Although confidence intervals overlapped with the primary estimate, we did not find confirmatory evidence of an association between the PRS and OC/OPC in UK Biobank (OR 1.02; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.10; p = .55). Mendelian randomization analyses provided evidence that major nsCL/P risk variants are unlikely to influence OC/OPC. Our findings suggest possible shared genetic influences on nsCL/P and OC/OPC.
Sequential changes in histone modifications shape transcriptional responses underlying microglia polarization by glioma
Authors: Maleszewska Marta , Steranka Aleksandra , Smiech Magdalena , Kaza Beata , Pilanc Paulina , Dabrowski Michal , Kaminska Bozena 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACTMicroglia, resident myeloid cells of the central nervous system (CNS), act as immune sentinels that contribute to maintenance of physiological homeostasis and respond to any perturbation in CNS. Microglia could be polarized by various stimuli to perform dedicated functions and instigate inflammatory or pro‐regenerative responses. Microglia and peripheral macrophages accumulate in glioblastomas (GBMs), malignant brain tumors, but instead of initiating antitumor responses, these cells are polarized to the pro‐invasive and immunosuppressive phenotype which persists for a long time and contributes to a “cold” immune microenvironment of GBMs. Molecular mechanisms underlying this long‐lasting “microglia memory” are unknown. We hypothesized that this state may rely on epigenetic silencing of inflammation‐related genes. In this study, we show that cultured microglia pre‐exposed to glioma‐conditioned medium (GCM) acquire a “transcriptional memory” and display reduced expression of inflammatory genes after re‐stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Unstimulated microglia have unmethylated DNA and active histone marks at selected gene promoters indicating chromatin accessibility. Adding GCM increases expression and enzymatic activity of histone deacetylases (Hdac), leading to erasure of histone acetylation at tested genes. Later inflammatory genes acquire repressive histone marks (H3K27 trimethylation), which correlates with silencing of their expression. GCM induced genes acquire active histone marks. Hdac inhibitors block GCM‐induced changes of histone modifications and restore microglia ability to initiate effective inflammatory responses. Altogether, we show a scenario of distinct histone modifications underlying polarization of microglia by glioma. We demonstrate contribution of epigenetic mechanisms to glioma‐induced “transcriptional memory” in microglia resulting in the tumor‐supportive phenotype.
Causal role of lateral prefrontal cortex in mental effort and fatigue
Authors: Soutschek Alexander , Tobler Philippe N. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is well‐known for its role in exerting mental work, however the contribution of DLPFC for deciding whether or not to engage in effort remains unknown. Here, we assessed the causal role of DLPFC in effort‐based decision making. We disrupted functioning of DLPFC with noninvasive brain stimulation before participants repeatedly decided whether to exert mental effort in a working memory task. We found the same DLPFC subregion involved in mental effort exertion to influence also effort‐based decisions: First, it enhanced effort discounting, suggesting that DLPFC may signal the capacity to successfully deal with effort demands. Second, a novel computational model integrating the costs of enduring effort into the effort‐based decision process revealed that DLPFC disruption reduced fatigue after accumulated effort exertion, linking DLPFC activation with fatigue. Together, our findings indicate that in effort‐based decisions DLPFC represents the capacity to exert mental effort and the updating of this information with enduring time‐on‐task, informing theoretical accounts on the role of DLPFC in the motivation to exert mental effort and the fatigue arising from it.
Pluripotency transcription factor Nanog and its association with overall oral squamous cell carcinoma progression, cisplatin‐resistance, invasion and stemness acquisition
Authors: Kashyap Tanushree , Nath Nidhi , Mishra Prajna , Jha Arpita , Nagini Siddavaram , Mishra Rajakishore 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundCisplatin‐resistant oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells acquire stem‐like characteristics and are difficult to treat. Nanog is a transcription factor and needed for maintenance of pluripotency, but its transcription‐promoting role in OSCC progression and cisplatin resistance is poorly understood.MethodsHere, 110 fresh human tissue specimens of various stages, including invasive (N1‐3)/chemoradiation‐resistant OSCC samples, cisplatin‐resistant (CisR‐SCC‐4/‐9) OSCC cells/parental cells, photochemical ECGC, and siRNA (Nanog) were used.ResultsNanog overexpression was associated with overall progression, chemoresistance, and invasion of OSCC. Nanog recruitment to c‐Myc, Slug, E‐cadherin, and Oct‐4 gene promoter was observed. Positive correlation of Nanog protein expression with c‐Myc, Slug, cyclin D1, MMP‐2/‐9, and Oct‐4 and negative correlation with E‐cadherin gene expression were found. Knockdown of Nanog and treatment of epicatechin‐3‐gallate reversed cisplatin resistance and diminished invasion/migration potential.ConclusionNanog directly participated in the regulation of Slug, E‐cadherin, Oct‐4, and c‐Myc genes, causing cisplatin resistance/recurrence of OSCC.
Optogenetic “low‐theta” pacing of the septohippocampal circuit is sufficient for spatial goal finding and is influenced by behavioral state and cognitive demand
Authors: Mouchati Philippe R. , Kloc Michelle L. , Holmes Gregory L. , White Sheryl L. , Barry Jeremy M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHippocampal theta oscillations show prominent changes in frequency and amplitude depending on behavioral state or cognitive demands. How these dynamic changes in theta oscillations contribute to the spatial and temporal organization of hippocampal cells, and ultimately behavior, remain unclear. We used low‐theta frequency optogenetic stimulation to pace coordination of cellular and network activity between the medial septum (MS) and hippocampus during baseline and MS stimulation while rats were at rest or performing a spatial accuracy task with a visible or hidden goal zone. Hippocampal receptivity to pan‐neuronal septal stimulation at low‐theta frequency was primarily determined by speed and secondarily by task demands. Competition between artificial and endogenous field potentials at theta frequency attenuated hippocampal phase preference relative to local theta, but the spike‐timing activity of hippocampal pyramidal cells was effectively driven by artificial septal output, particularly during the hidden goal task. Notwithstanding temporal reorganization by artificial theta stimulation, place field properties were unchanged and alterations to spatial behavior were limited to goal zone approximation. Our results indicate that even a low‐theta frequency timing signal in the septohippocampal circuit is sufficient for spatial goal finding behavior. The results also advance a mechanistic understanding of how endogenous or artificial somatodendritic timing signals relate to displacement computations during navigation and spatial memory.
Zero‐mass flux and Cattaneo–Christov heat flux through a Prandtl non‐Newtonian nanofluid in Darcy–Forchheimer porous space
Authors: Reddy M. G. , Vijayakumari P. , Kumar K. G. , Shehzad S. A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe Darcy–Forchheimer Prandtl fluid flow due to moving sheet is described here. The familiar energy transfer model, namely, the Cattaneo–Christov model of heat transportation, is adopted under thermal radiation phenomenon. The Prandtl non‐Newtonian nanofluid is accounted as a functioning fluid. The functioning fluid flows in Darcy–Forchheimer porosity space. The boundary‐layer and similarity variables are executed to reframe the mathematical expressions into simplified and single independent variable. Numerical solutions of nonlinear dimensionless expressions are calculated. The variations of distinct constraints on important quantities are demonstrated through tabular and pictorial forms. It is visualized that the velocity of non‐Newtonian nanofluid is enhanced significantly by incrementing the elastic parameter. Improving the thermophoretic and Brownian movement parametric values leads to higher profile of Prandtl nanofluid temperature.
Numerical simulation of mixed convective 3D flow of a chemically reactive nanofluid subject to convective Nield's conditions with a nonuniform heat source/sink
Authors: Faisal Muhammad , Ahmad Iftikhar , Javed Tariq 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe present investigation aims to explore the influence of a mixed convection and nonuniform heat source/sink on unsteady flow of a chemically reactive nanofluid driven by a bidirectionally expandable surface. Convective heat transport phenomenon is used to maintain the temperature of the surface. Moreover, zero mass flux is also accounted at the surface such that the fraction of nanomaterial maintains itself on strong retardation. The governing nonlinear set of partial differential equations is transformed into a set of ordinary differential equations via a suitable combination of variables. The Keller‐Box scheme has been incorporated to make a numerical inspection of the transformed problem. The spectacular impacts of the pertinent constraints on thermal and concentration distributions are elucidated through various plots. Graphical outcomes indicate that the thermal state of nanomaterial and nanoparticles concentration are escalated for elevated amounts of Biot number, porosity parameter and nonuniform heat source/sink constraints. Furthermore, it is also seen that escalating amounts of unsteady parameter, temperature controlling indices, Prandtl number, and expansion ratio parameter reduce the thermal and concentration distributions. Numerical results for the rate of heat transference have been reported in tabular form. The grid independence approach is used to verify the convergence of the numerical solution and the CPU run time is also obtained to check the efficiency of the numerical scheme adopted for finding the solution.
Turboexpander wheel design for helium liquefaction plant
Authors: Rajmane Swapnil N. , Gupta Manoj K. , Sahu Anant K. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA turboexpander wheel, that is, turbine, is one of the critical components for a helium liquefaction plant. It helps to provide the cooling effect required for the liquefaction. The percentage of liquefaction depends upon the effective design of the turbine. The present work includes the design of a radial turbine for the intended power output of approximately 1.5 kW, with input conditions of 40‐g/s mass flow rate at inlet, inlet total pressure of 14 bar, inlet temperature of 40 K, and outlet static pressure of 6 bar. The pressure values are taken to be absolute. Inlet conditions are selected on the basis of required refrigeration effect of approximately 1 kW. The outlet static pressure of 6 bar is maintained to avoid the turbulence, which may occur due to expansion for high pressure ratios. The present work involves the design and optimization of a turbine on the basis of the mean line analysis, initiating with the assumption of values for total‐to‐static efficiency. As per mean line design concept, a one‐dimensional flow is considered for this analysis and the mean values of different parameters are considered at different sections. Losses are considered as the main constraint in design and it is desirable to get optimum net power. Besides, it is also desirable to achieve values for other design parameters in a specified range.