bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term follow‐up of patients supported with the HeartWare left ventricular assist system
Authors: Al Masri Eyad , Al Shakaki Mosab , Welp Henryk , Scherer Mirela , Dell’Aquila Angelo M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe aim of the present study is to report our long‐term experience with the HeartWare Ventricular Assist System (HVAD). Between July 2009 and February 2018, a total of 103 patients (mean age 50.0 ± 14.4, range 28‐74 years; 22 females) received HVAD implantation in a single center institution. A total of 26 (25.4%) patients were in cardiogenic shock preoperatively and received extracorporeal life support (ECLS) prior to HVAD implantation. The aim of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation was bridge to transplantation (BT) in 59 (57.3%), destination therapy (DT) in 28 (27.2%), and bridge to decision in 16 (15.5%). There were 211.1 total patient years of support. Mean survival was 2.05 ± 2.14 years. Kaplan‐Meier analysis showed an overall survival rate of 69.7%, 56.7%, 46.0%, and 25.0% at 1, 2, 4, and 8 years, respectively. A total of 23 patients (22.3%) died during the hospital stay. Of them 65.2% (15 patients) were preoperatively in cardiogenic shock (INTERMACS 1). Sub‐analysis of the BT patients showed a mean survival of 2.45 ± 2.29 years with a survival rate of 85.1%, 75.1%, 67.2%, and 44.8% at 1, 2, 4, and 8 years, respectively. Among them, 20 patients received heart transplantation on follow‐up. Mean survival of DT patients was 2.18 ± 1.91 years with a survival rate of 67.9%, 49.0%, and 25.1% at 1, 2, and 4 years, respectively. At latest follow‐up in September 2018, 26 patients (25.24%) were still on LVAD. A total of five patients completed 6 years on LVAD, of them two were supported over 8 years. The most common adverse event reported was gastrointestinal bleeding requiring rehospitalization (0.161 EPPY). A total of 19 patients reported disabling stroke. Pump thrombosis was diagnosed in six patients (5.8%) (0.02 EPPY), of them four patients underwent pump exchange. To the best of our knowledge, this is the longest experience with HVAD reported so far. Patients supported with an HVAD show a satisfactory long‐term survival. Further multicenter evaluations are needed to confirm these single‐center results.
Diabetic eye screening with variable screening intervals based on individual risk factors is safe and effective in ophthalmic practice
Authors: Estil Svein , Steinarsson Ægir Þór , Einarsson Stefan , Aspelund Thor , Stefánsson Einar 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPurposeTo test in a ‘real world’ diabetic eye‐screening programme, a computer‐based personal risk evaluation for progression to sight‐threatening diabetic retinopathy. Screening intervals were individualized, and clinical outcomes, safety and cost‐effectiveness documented.MethodsThe RETINARISK algorithm was used in an ophthalmology clinic in Norway. The diabetes cohort was divided on voluntary basis into two groups: one with variable screening intervals based on their personal risk profile and the other group with conventional fixed interval diabetic eye screening. Compliance, clinical outcomes, safety and health economics were evaluated. A total of 843 diabetic patients participated in the program 2014–2019. A total of 63 had type 1 and 780 type 2 diabetes. A total of 671 patients had no diabetic retinopathy at baseline and 171 had retinopathy.ResultsA total of 444 (53%) diabetic patients were included in the personal risk profile program and 399 in the fixed interval group. The RETINARISK algorithm calculated 563 screening intervals for the variable interval group, which was 23 ± 16 months (mean ± SD), compared to 14 ± 5 months for the group with fixed screening intervals. Due to selection bias, the two groups could not be directly compared. We did not experience any delay in detecting diabetic retinal changes when using the personal risk profile program.ConclusionThe RETINARISK algorithm was safe and effective in a diabetic screening program in an ophthalmology clinic over 5 years. The use of the program reduces the mean frequency of screening visits and liberates valuable time in ophthalmic practice to be used on high‐risk diabetic patients or other patient groups.
Amplification of acidic protease virulence gene (aprV2) in samples from footrot lesions did not help in diagnosis of clinical virulent footrot in affected sheep flocks in New South Wales
Authors: Collins AM , Bowring BG 
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveOvine footrot is a contagious bacterial disease that reduces meat and wool production and can trigger on‐farm quarantine in New South Wales. Field diagnosis is based on the prevalence and severity of foot lesions, environmental conditions and flock history. The study evaluated whether a PCR assay or gelatin gel test for virulence in Dichelobacter nodosus isolated from hoof material could aid in the clinical diagnosis of virulent footrot.MethodsA quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) used for diagnosis of virulent footrot in some Australian states was evaluated on 218 hoof swabs taken from 44 sheep flocks from 36 NSW properties, quantifying both the aprV2 positive and aprB2 positive acidic protease genotypes of D. nodosus.DesignThe same flocks/swabs were used to evaluate test agreement between the aprV2/B2 qPCR and the gelatin gel test, and a multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors critical for field diagnosis of virulent footrot.ResultsOnly fair to moderate agreement (kappa test) and significant disagreement (McNemar's) was shown between the gelatin gel test and the ratio of aprV2 positive to total D. nodosus. The proportion of aprV2 positive D. nodosus was not significantly different between foot lesions scores of increasing severity. Field diagnosis of virulent footrot was best explained by the prevalence of score 4 and 5 lesions, wet and warm environmental conditions, and recent footrot diagnosis.ConclusionAlthough the apr2 gene could differentiate between benign and virulent strains of D. nodosus, the apr2 qPCR was of minimal use for field diagnosis of virulent footrot, where disease expression relies on host genetics, immunity and environmental conditions.
Using Mesoproterozoic sedimentary geochemistry to reconstruct basin tectonic geography and link organic carbon productivity to nutrient flux from a Northern Australian large igneous Province
Authors: Yang Bo , Collins Alan S. , Cox Grant M. , Jarrett Amber J. M. , Denyszyn Steven , Blades Morgan L. , Farkaš Juraj , Glorie Stijn 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe Beetaloo Sub‐basin, northern Australia, is considered the main depocentre of the 1,000‐km scale Mesoproterozoic Wilton package of the greater McArthur Basin – the host to one of the oldest hydrocarbon global resources. The ca. 1.40–1.31 Ga upper Roper Group and the latest Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic unnamed group of the Beetaloo Sub‐basin, together, record ca. 500 million years of depositional history within the North Australia Craton. Whole‐rock shale Sm–Nd and Pb isotope data from these sediments reveal sedimentary provenance and their evolution from ca. 1.35 to 0.85 Ga. Furthermore, these data, together with shale major/trace elements data from this study and pyrolysis data from previous publications, are used to develop a dynamic tectonic geography model that links the organic carbon production and burial to an enhanced weathering of nutrients from a large igneous province. The ca. 1.35–1.31 Ga Kyalla Formation of the upper Roper Group is composed of isotopically evolved sedimentary detritus that passes up, into more isotopically juvenile Pb values towards the top of the formation. The increase in juvenile compositions coincides with elevated total organic carbon (TOC) contents of these sediments. The coherently enriched juvenile compositions and TOC the upper portions of the Kyalla Formation are interpreted to reflect an increase in nutrient supply associated with the weathering of basaltic sources (e.g. phosphorous). Possible, relatively juvenile, basaltic sources include the Wankanki Supersuite in the western Musgraves and the Derim Derim–Galiwinku large igneous province (LIP). The transition into juvenile, basaltic sources directly before a supersequence‐bounding unconformity is here interpreted to reflect uplift and erosion of the Derim Derim–Galiwinku LIP, rather than an influx of southern Musgrave sources. A new baddeleyite crystallisation age of 1,312.9 ± 0.7 Ma provides both a tight constraint on the age of this LIP, along with its associated magmatic uplift, as well as providing a minimum age constraint for Roper Group deposition. The unconformably overlying lower and upper Jamison sandstones are at least 300 million years younger than the Kyalla Formation and were sourced from the Musgrave Province. An up‐section increase in isotopically juvenile compositions seen in these rocks is interpreted to document the progressive exhumation of the western Musgrave Province. The overlying Hayfield mudstone received detritus from both the Musgrave and Arunta regions, and its isotopic geochemistry reveals affinities with other early Neoproterozoic basins (e.g. Amadeus, Victoria and Officer basins), indicating the potential for inter‐basin correlations.
Gene rearrangements of MLL and RUNX1 sporadically occur in normal CD34+ cells under cytokine stimulation
Authors: Harada Yuka , Shingai Naoki , Ding Ye , Sadato Daichi , Hayashi Yoshihiro , Yamaguchi Masaki , Okuyama Yoshiki , Shimoyama Tatsu , Ohashi Kazuteru , Harada Hironori 
Published: March 2020

AbstractGene rearrangements of MLL/KMT2A or RUNX1 are the major cause of therapy‐related leukemia. Moreover, MLL rearrangements are the major cause of infant leukemia, and RUNX1 rearrangements are frequently detected in cord blood. These genes are sensitive to topoisomerase II inhibitors, and various genes have been identified as potential fusion partners. However, fetal exposure to these inhibitors is rare. Therefore, we postulated that even a proliferation signal itself might induce gene rearrangements in hematopoietic stem cells. To test this hypothesis, we detected gene rearrangements in etoposide‐treated or non–treated CD34+ cells cultured with cytokines using inverse PCR. In the etoposide‐treated cells, variable‐sized rearrangement bands were detected in the RUNX1 and MLL genes at 3 hours of culture, which decreased after 7 days. However, more rearrangement bands were detected in the non–treated cells at 7 days of culture. Such gene rearrangements were also detected in peripheral blood stem cells mobilized by cytokines for transplantation. However, none of these rearranged genes encoded the leukemogenic oncogene, and the cells with rearrangements did not expand. These findings suggest that MLL and RUNX1 rearrangements, which occur with very low frequency in normal hematopoietic progenitor cells, may be induced under cytokine stimulation. Most of the cells with gene rearrangements are likely eliminated, except for leukemia‐associated gene rearrangements, resulting in the low prevalence of leukemia development.
The Bedouins in the Palestinian–Zionist struggle at the beginning of the British Mandate: 1920–1929
Authors: Suwaed Muhammad 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis article presents the causal factors behind the Arab riots of the 1920s and the reasons some of the Bedouin tribes joined that struggle. It provides an overview of the “Events,” as Zionist historiographers termed the riots—the developing conflict between the Palestinians and the Jews, the methods and resources used by both parties, as well as the responses of the British authorities—from the local, national, and regional perspectives, especially in the political arena. It investigates the political stances that emerged among the local Bedouin tribes regarding the Zionist–Palestinian struggle and the reasons for the diversity of stances: while some tribes took an active part in the events on the Palestinian side, others remained neutral and a few tribes even chose to ally with the Jews, or at least warn them of forthcoming attacks. These different stances consolidated during this period, affecting the events and outcomes of the Great Palestinian revolt that took place in 1936–1939, as well as the conduct of these groups during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.
Treatment of avulsed immature permanent teeth in Beijing China: A retrospective comparison between 2008 and 2015
Authors: Zhang Lili , Zhang Xin , Gong Yi 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackground/AimsThe diagnosis and treatment of dental trauma are developing rapidly in China. Therapeutic methods used to treat immature avulsed teeth remain a unique challenge in the clinical setting. The aim of this study was to compare the differences in the survival rate and management of avulsed teeth over two distinct periods.Materials and MethodsForty immature permanent avulsed teeth of 34 patients (28 boys, 6 girls) were included in this study between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2009 (group 1, 17 teeth), and 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2015 (group 2, 23 teeth). The patients’ mean age was 8.8 (range 7‐11) years. The follow‐up period ranged from 1.5 to 10 years (group 1/group 2, 1.5‐10/1.5‐3 years). Variables such as extra‐alveolar time and storage media, stage of root development, splinting type, splinting duration, endodontic treatment and management of complications were studied. The variables were analysed in relation to post‐operative pulp outcomes and periodontal healing.ResultsPulp extirpation was performed in 36 teeth within 0‐14 weeks (mean: 1.6 + 2.0). The incidence of ankylosis‐related (replacement) resorption was 30.5% and that of infection‐related (inflammatory) resorption was 22.5%. Pulp survival rate curves differed significantly between the two periods, indicating improvement (P < .05). Splinting type had changed between the study periods to more flexible splints. The use of storage media prior to replantation had also improved. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression showed a cumulative survival rate of 82.5% at 3 years and 29.4% at 10 years.ConclusionA significant improvement was observed in the management and prognosis of avulsed teeth between 2008 and 2015.
Edaravone inhibits procaspase‐3 denitrosylation and activation through FasL‐Trx2 pathway in KA‐induced seizure
Authors: Hao Lingyun , Dong Ling , Yu Qiuxing , Shen Wen , Wei Xuewen 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPrevious studies have demonstrated that excessive free radicals play an essential role in the initiation and progression of epilepsy and that a novel exogenous free radical scavenger edaravone (Ed) exerts some neuroprotective effects on seizure‐induced neuronal damage. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the possible molecular mechanisms of Ed associated with procaspase‐3 denitrosylation and activation through the FasL‐Trx2 pathway in seizures rats. In this study, we investigated the effects of Ed on the regulation of the combination of Fas ligand/Fas receptor and the major components of the death‐inducing signaling complex (DISC) in the hippocampus of kainic acid (KA)‐treated Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Treatment with Ed can attenuate the increased expression of FasL induced by KA and prevent procaspase‐3 denitrosylation and activation via suppression of the FasL‐Trx2 signaling pathway, which alleviates the neuronal damage in seizures. These results provide experimental evidence that Ed functions by preventing the denitrosylation and activation of procaspase‐3 and that Ed acts as a therapeutic option for epilepsy.
Mineral‐hosted biofilm communities in the continental deep subsurface, Deep Mine Microbial Observatory, SD, USA
Authors: Casar Caitlin P. , Kruger Brittany R. , Flynn Theodore M. , Masterson Andrew L. , Momper Lily M. , Osburn Magdalena R. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDeep subsurface biofilms are estimated to host the majority of prokaryotic life on Earth, yet fundamental aspects of their ecology remain unknown. An inherent difficulty in studying subsurface biofilms is that of sample acquisition. While samples from marine and terrestrial deep subsurface fluids have revealed abundant and diverse microbial life, limited work has described the corresponding biofilms on rock fracture and pore space surfaces. The recently established Deep Mine Microbial Observatory (DeMMO) is a long‐term monitoring network at which we can explore the ecological role of biofilms in fluid‐filled fractures to depths of 1.5 km. We carried out in situ cultivation experiments with single minerals representative of DeMMO host rock to explore the ecological drivers of biodiversity and biomass in biofilm communities in the continental subsurface. Coupling cell densities to thermodynamic models of putative metabolic reactions with minerals suggests a metabolic relationship between biofilms and the minerals they colonize. Our findings indicate that minerals can significantly enhance biofilm cell densities and promote selective colonization by taxa putatively capable of extracellular electron transfer. In turn, minerals can drive significant differences in biodiversity between fluid and biofilm communities. Given our findings at DeMMO, we suggest that host rock mineralogy is an important ecological driver in deep continental biospheres.
H3K27me3 demethylase UTX regulates the differentiation of a subset of bipolar cells in the mouse retina
Authors: Umutoni Daisy , Iwagawa Toshiro , Baba Yukihiro , Tsuhako Asano , Honda Hiroaki , Aihara Makoto , Watanabe Sumiko 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDi‐ and trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me2/3) is a critical gene repression mechanism. We previously showed that down‐regulation of the H3K27 demethylase, Jumonji domain‐containing protein 3 (JMJD3), resulted in a reduced number of protein kinase C (PKC)α‐positive rod ON‐bipolar cells. In this work, we focused on the role of another H3K27 demethylase, ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat X chromosome (UTX), in retinal development. UTX was expressed in the retinal progenitor cells of the embryonic mouse retina and was observed in the inner nuclear layer during late retinal development and in the mature retina. The short hairpin RNA‐mediated knockdown of Utx in a mouse retinal explant led to a reduced number of PKCα‐positive rod ON‐bipolar cells. However, other retinal subtypes were unaffected by this knockdown. Using a retina‐specific knockout of Utx in mice, the in vivo effects of UTX down‐regulation were examined. Again, the number of PKCα‐positive rod ON‐bipolar cells was reduced, and no other apparent phenotypes, including retinal progenitor proliferation, apoptosis or differentiation, were observed. Finally, we examined retina‐specific Utx and Jmjd3 double‐knockout mice and found that although the number of rod ON‐bipolar cells was reduced, no additional effects from the loss of Utx and Jmjd3 were observed. Taken together, our data show that UTX contributes to retinal differentiation in a lineage‐specific manner.
An innovative Azadirachta indica gum‐mediated synthesis of cocoon‐shaped nano‐AgHAp from Lamellidens marginalis shells
Authors: Ponnusamy Saravanakumar , Sadhasivam Sutha , Louis Kavitha , Periasamy Manoravi , Dhanaraj Gopi 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this work, the evaluations of noble nanoparticles for the structural and morphological characteristics are focused. The control of desired particles size and morphology for hydroxyapatite (HAp) and Ag‐substituted hydroxyapatite (AgHAp) derived from Lamellidens marginalis shells using Azadirachta Indica (AI) gum as a potential surfactant for the synthesis of stable nanoparticles are reported. The morphological change with respect to the concentration of AI gum is analyzed. The functional group (FTIR) and crystallographic (XRD) characterization of the HAp and AgHAp nanoparticles confirm the presence of HAp with desired apatite functional peaks. The morphological evaluation (FE‐SEM) exhibited the formation of cocoon‐shaped nanoparticles for the AI gum‐medicated synthesis. Higher AI gum concentration reduces the particle size along with the formation of unique surface morphology. The average diameter of the synthesized AgHAp nanoparticles was found to be ≤30 nm which is revealed from HR‐TEM. The bacterial investigation against bacterial strains substantiates the higher resistance of bacterial growth for Staphylococcus aureus was observed than Escherichia coli for the AgHAp particles. Hence, embedding silver nanoparticles in the HAp is an efficient approach to enhance the long‐term antibacterial effect of the orthopedic and dental applications.
Why income lacks to ensure household food security: Needs and challenges identified by consumers from a rural community, South Africa
Authors: de Beer Hanli , Harmse Janice , Mielmann Annchen 
Published: March 2020

AbstractInadequate supply of healthy food impacts negatively on household food consumption and consumers’ well‐being. Disproportionate income distribution in South African households results in several households that lack daily consumption of adequate healthy foods and reliance on low‐cost staple foods. Households are confronted by various challenges, and reliance on highly processed staple foods is a public health concern. This study aimed to gain an understanding of the challenges and needs experienced by households with different food security statuses. A convergent mixed methods design was employed to collect data from income‐earning households. The first quantitative phase obtained data on aspects of household food security employing interviewer‐administered questionnaires while the face‐to‐face qualitative phase aimed to gain a better understanding of the challenges participants experience with food choices. The ethical aspects followed throughout the study ensured the continued safety of participants as well as the integrity of accumulated data. Households had experienced insufficient food supply to such an extent that the household was at risk of becoming food insecure or actually insecure among medium and high‐income groups. Food insecure households indicated a significantly higher consumption of food, which they do not necessarily prefer, limited portion sizes and they borrowed money to purchase food. Households in the middle‐income group applied this coping behaviour. It is thus clear that income alone is not enough to ensure food security. Participants indicated a need for budgeting and basic food knowledge. Promoting self‐production, skills and knowledge regarding basic food needs may play a significant role to support households’ food consumption and improve household food security. Future developments must aim at sustainable intervention programmes to support household food utilization and management to enhance consumers’ well‐being through education.
Density functional theory and machine learning guided search for RE2Si2O7 with targeted coefficient of thermal expansion
Authors: Ayyasamy Mukil V. , Deijkers Jeroen A. , Wadley Haydn N.G. , Balachandran Prasanna V. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDensity functional theory (DFT) calculations and machine learning (ML) methods are used to establish a relationship between the crystal structures of rare‐earth (RE) disilicates (RE2Si2O7) and their coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The DFT total energy data predict the presence of several energetically competing crystal structures, which is rationalized as one of the reasons for observing polymorphism. An ensemble of support vector regression models is trained to rapidly predict the CTE as a function of RE2Si2O7 crystal chemistry. Experiments subsequently validated the structure and CTE predictions for Sm2Si2O7.