bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The association between thrombotic and inflammatory biomarkers and lower‐extremity peripheral artery disease
Authors: Celebi Savas , Berkalp Berkten , Amasyali Basri 
Published: May 2020

AbstractLower‐extremity peripheral artery disease (LEAD) is associated with increased rates of mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations among inflammatory and thrombotic markers and lower‐extremity peripheral disease. A total of 280 patients were enrolled in this study. Of these patients, 152 patients had LEAD on peripheral angiography that was performed because of suspected lower‐extremity peripheral disease based on history, physical examination, and non‐invasive tests. The control group consisted of 128 patients without LEAD on peripheral angiography. Patients with LEAD were classified according to trans‐atlantic inter‐society consensus (TASC) II classification. Subsequently, patients in TASC A to B were defined as having mild to moderate peripheral artery disease, and those in TASC C to D were defined as having advanced peripheral artery disease. Thrombotic and inflammatory markers, such as the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the high‐sensitivity C (hs‐C) reactive protein level, the monocyte‐to‐high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol ratio, the fibrinogen to albumin ratio (FAR), and whole‐blood viscosity at high shear rate (HSR) and low shear rate (LSR), were evaluated in this population. The NLR, the monocyte‐to‐high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol ratio, the FAR, and whole‐blood viscosity, both at a LSR and a HSR, were significantly higher in patients with lower‐extremity peripheral disease compared with patients without lower‐extremity peripheral disease. We determined that lower‐extremity peripheral disease severity was correlated with the NLR, monocyte‐to‐high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol ratio, FAR, whole‐blood viscosity at LSR, and whole‐blood viscosity at HSR (r = 0.719, P = .004; r = 0.25, P = .008; r = 0.691, P = .002; r = 0.546, P < .001; and r = 0.448, P = .001, respectively). However hs‐C reactive protein levels were similar between patients with or without LEAD (2.47 ± 1.32 1.61 ± 0.91 P = .685). In addition, there was no correlation between the severity of LEAD and hs‐C reactive levels. In this study, we determined that the levels of inflammatory and thrombotic biomarkers are elevated in peripheral artery disease, and these levels predict disease severity.
High‐pressure structural stability, equation of state, and thermal expansion behavior of cubic HfO2
Authors: Irshad K. A. , Srihari Velaga , Kumar D. Sanjay , Ananthasivan K. , Jena Hrudananda 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe structural stability, equation of state, and thermal expansion behavior of nanocrystalline cubic HfO2, an ultra‐high‐temperature ceramic, have been investigated using X‐ray diffraction at extreme conditions of pressures and temperatures. High‐pressure studies show that the cubic structure is stable up to 26.2 GPa, while the high‐temperature studies show the stability of the cubic structure up to 600°C. The Rietveld structure refinement of the high‐pressure data reveals the progressive transition of secondary monoclinic phase to the cubic phase at higher pressures. The phase progression is accompanied by incompressibility along the b axis and a large compressibility along the c axis of the monoclinic structure. The second‐order Birch‐Murnaghan equation of state fit to the unit cell volume data yielded a bulk modulus of 242(16) GPa for the cubic structure. A linear thermal expansion value of αa(c) = 8.80(15) × 10−6°C−1 and a volume thermal expansion value of αv = 26.5(4) × 10−6°C−1 have been determined from the in situ high‐temperature X‐ray diffraction studies. The results are discussed by comparing with the high‐pressure and high‐temperature behavior of isostructural ZrO2. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental report on the structural stability of cubic HfO2 at high pressures.
Left atrial diverticula: Innocent bystanders or wolves in sheep's clothing?
Authors: Veen Danny , Bruning Tobias A. , de Groot Natasja M. S. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe finding of left atria diverticula (LAD) on cardiac computed tomography images obtained from patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) referred for pulmonary vein isolation is not uncommon. Prior studies reporting on LAD do not always provide definitions of LAD resulting in confusion with other anatomical structures such as left atrial accessory appendages (LAAA) and atrial aneurysms. The aim of this review is to identify an accurate definition of LAD and to describe distinctive properties between LAD and other left atrial structures, such as LAAA and aneurysms. Also, the relation between LAD and development of atrial tachyarrhythmias is discussed.MethodsPubMed was searched for studies reporting on atrial aneurysms, left atrial diverticula, left atrial accessory appendages and atrial congenital aneurysms, resulting in 36 papers.ResultsLAD can be distinguished from LAAA by taking into account embryologic origins of the left atrium and their locations, resulting in the following definitions: (a) LAAA are contractile, trabeculated structures with circumscriptive ostia and narrow necks, originating from the primitive atria, (b) LAD are contractile, sac like structures with either smooth or trabeculated inner surfaces, circumscriptive ostia, narrow necks, and variable morphologies, originating from the embryologic common pulmonary vein, that incorporates into the LA, and (c) atrial aneurysms are non‐contractile structures with wide necks and sac like bodies. There are no differences in prevalences of LAD between patients with sinus rhythm and AF.ConclusionThe pathophysiology of LAD is not yet fully understood. It is unlikely, that LAD are related to the development of atrial tachycardia's and AF by either being a source of ectopic activity or being part of an arrhythmogenic substrate. No differences in LAD prevalences between patients with sinus rhythm and AF have been found. Thus, it is unlikely that LAD could potentially be wolves in sheep's clothing.
Slow whole left atrial conduction velocity after pulmonary vein isolation predicts atrial fibrillation recurrence
Authors: Kurata Naoya , Masuda Masaharu , Kanda Takashi , Asai Mitsutoshi , Iida Osamu , Okamoto Shin , Ishihara Takayuki , Nanto Kiyonori , Tsujimura Takuya , Matsuda Yasuhiro , Hata Yousuke , Mano Toshiaki 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundAtrial conduction velocity may represent atrial fibrillation (AF) substrate after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). To elucidate the association between whole left atrial conduction velocity (LACV) and AF recurrence after PVI.Methods and ResultsThis observational study enrolled 279 patients (147 paroxysmal and 132 persistent AF) who underwent PVI alone as an initial AF ablation procedure. After PVI, the left atrium was mapped with a 20‐pole multielectrode in conjunction with the CARTO3 system during 100‐ppm right atrial pacing. Left atrial conduction distance and conduction time were calculated from the start to the end of the propagation wave front in the left atrium. LACVs on the anterior and posterior routes were calculated as conduction distance divided by conduction time. Anterior and posterior LACVs were slower in patients with AF recurrence than in those without (anterior, 0.79 [0.71, 0.86] vs 0.96 [0.90, 1.06] m/s, P < .001; posterior, 0.99 [0.89, 1.14] vs 1.10 [1.00, 1.29] m/s, P < .001). AF recurrence was best predicted by anterior LACV with a cut‐off value of 0.87 m/s (sensitivity 87%, specificity 81%, and predictive accuracy 84%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that a slow anterior LACV <0.87 m/s was an independent predictor of AF recurrence with an adjusted hazard ratio of 11.8 (6.36‐22.0). Patients with anterior low‐voltage areas demonstrated slower anterior LACV than those without low‐voltage areas (0.89 [0.71, 1.00] vs 0.94 [0.87, 1.05] m/s, P < .001).ConclusionA slow anterior LACV was an excellent predictor of AF recurrence after PVI.
ARRB1 ameliorates liver ischaemia/reperfusion injury via antagonizing TRAF6‐mediated Lysine 6‐linked polyubiquitination of ASK1 in hepatocytes
Authors: Xu Xiaoliang , Zhang Zechuan , Lu Yijun , Sun Qikai , Liu Yang , Liu Qiaoyu , Tian Wenfang , Yin Yin , Yu Hailong , Sun Beicheng 
Published: May 2020

AbstractHepatic ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major clinical problem during liver surgical procedures, which usually lead to early transplantation failure and higher organ rejection rate, and current effective therapeutic strategies are still limited. Therefore, in‐depth exploring of the molecular mechanisms underlying liver I/R injury is key to the development of new therapeutic methods. β‐arrestins are multifunctional proteins serving as important signalling scaffolds in numerous physiopathological processes, including liver‐specific diseases. However, the role and underlying mechanism of β‐arrestins in hepatic I/R injury remain largely unknown. Here, we showed that only ARRB1, but not ARRB2, was down‐regulated during liver I/R injury. Hepatocyte‐specific overexpression of ARRB1 significantly ameliorated liver damage, as demonstrated by decreases in serum aminotransferases, hepatocellular necrosis and apoptosis, infiltrating inflammatory cells and secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines relative to control mice, whereas experiments with ARRB1 knockout mice gotten opposite effects. Mechanistically, ARRB1 directly interacts with ASK1 in hepatocytes and inhibits its TRAF6‐mediated Lysine 6‐linked polyubiquitination, which then prevents the activation of ASK1 and its downstream signalling pathway during hepatic I/R injury. In addition, inhibition of ASK1 remarkably abolished the disruptive effect result from ARRB1 deficiency in liver I/R injury in vivo, indicating that ASK1 was required for ARRB1 function in hepatic I/R injury. In conclusion, we proposed that ARRB1 is a novel protective regulator during liver I/R injury, and modulation of the regulatory axis between ARRB1 and ASK1 could be a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent this pathological process.
Evidence‐based practice guideline on integrative medicine for stroke 2019
Authors: Ni Xiaojia , Lin Hao , Li Hui , Liao Wenjing , Luo Xufei , Wu Darong , Chen Yaolong , Cai Yefeng ,   Evidence‐based Practice Guideline on Integrative Medicine for Stroke working team, Neurology Chapter of China Association of Chinese Medicine, Neurology Committee of Guangdong Provincial Association of Chinese Medicine, and Stroke Committee of Guangdong Provincial Association of Chinese Integrative Medicine
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveStroke is the leading cause of death and disability in China. Chinese medicine integrated with conventional medicine is now widely used in the prevention and treatment of stroke. A clinical practice guideline for the application of integrative medicine in stroke is urgently needed.MethodsThis guideline was developed following the methodology and procedures recommended in the World Health Organization Handbook for Guideline Development and the Guideline Development Handbook for Diagnosis and Therapy of Integrative Medicine. The quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were evaluated using the GRADE approach. The guideline followed the RIGHT statement and AGREE II was consulted to ensure its quality.ResultsA multidisciplinary working team was established. Eleven research questions from 15 clinical questions were identified by questionnaire surveys, face‐to‐face meetings, and analyzed by the working team. Fourteen recommendations regarding integrative medicine for ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and complications of stroke were formulated from systematic reviews of the benefits, harms, cost‐effectiveness, quality of evidence, the values and preferences of patients and their family members, feedback on proposed recommendations from medical practitioners from a variety of disciplines, and a face‐to‐face consensus meeting.ConclusionsThis guideline focuses on clinical treatments that are specific to integrative medicine for stroke and can be used at all levels in medical institutions and rehabilitation facilities. The end‐users of the guideline are most likely to be medical practitioners, including Chinese herbal medicine specialists, acupuncturists, integrative medicine practitioners, physicians, physical therapists, and clinical pharmacists.
Effect of phytosphingosine on staining resistance and microhardness of tooth enamel
Authors: Amorim Ayodele Alves , de Arruda Carolina Noronha Ferraz , Vivanco Rocio Geng , Bikker Floris , de Pires‐de‐Souza Fernanda Carvalho Panzeri 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the protective effect of phytosphingosine (PHS) against staining on dental enamel.Materials and MethodsNinety‐six specimens of bovine teeth (6 mm × 6 mm × 2 mm) were cut, and initial color (Easyshade, VITA), microhardness (HMV‐2, Shimadzu) and fluorescence (Matlabs software, Matworks) measurements were performed. Specimens were separated into four groups according to the treatments: Distilled water (control); Human saliva (HS); PHS; PHS + HS. Specimens (n = 6) were submitted to staining procedures: Distilled water (immersion for 30 days—control); Coffee (15 minutes, twice a day/for 15 days); Black tea (as described for Coffee) and cigarette smoke (20 cigarettes/sample). Final measurements were performed, and data were analyzed (Color—CIEDE2000, fluorescence—2‐way ANOVA, Tukey, and microhardness—Kruskal‐Wallis Dunn, P < .05).ResultsCoffee caused the highest color change (ΔE00), followed by black tea, regardless of the treatment employed. Distilled water and cigarette smoke produced similar color changes (P > .05) for the groups control (water = 1.0 + − 0.5/ cigarette = 2.3 0.3) and PHS (water = 0.8 0.4/ cigarette = 2.3 0.4). PHS + HS demonstrated intermediate means than PHS and HS when stained with coffee and tea. After treatments, the least fluorescence alterations occurred for the groups treated with distilled water and cigarette, regardless of the treatment, with no difference (P > .05) between them. There was a significant difference (P < .05) on microhardness between all the groups, as PHS + HS > PHS > HS > Distilled water.ConclusionsIt was concluded that PHS treatment did not protect the staining of the enamel by coffee and tea, but increased the microhardness, both in the presence and absence of a salivary pellicle.Practical ImplicationsPhytoshingosine is a novel agent and considered a promising component for anti‐biofilm and anti‐erosion properties by the formation of a diffusion barrier on the dental enamel. In line, PHS might be considered for anti‐staining purposes.
ACTIVITY STRATEGIES, AGENCY PROBLEMS, AND BANK RISK
Authors: Tran Dung V. , Hassan M. Kabir , Girerd‐Potin Isabelle , Louvet Pascal 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe investigate whether diversification affects bank risk taking in the U.S. banking industry, and whether this relation is partially explained by agency theory. Our results show that U.S. banks with a relatively high share of noninterest income become riskier when moving toward non‐interest‐income‐generating activities, especially activities from investment banking, proprietary trading, and so on. Diversification not only affects conditional average risk, but also the dispersion of risk. Moreover, diversified banks that received assistance from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) become riskier than diversified nonrecipients after TARP capital injections. Our main findings are robust to a battery of robustness tests. The results are partially explained under agency frameworks related to poor corporate governance.
Modeling and mass transfer performance of Dioscorea alata L. slices drying in convection air dryer
Authors: Zhu Aishi , Zhao Junzi , Wu Yuanfeng 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe drying experiments of Dioscorea alata L. slices were implemented in order to study the thin‐layer drying characteristics and kinetic in hot air forced convection tunnel dryer. The influences of temperatures, velocity, and slice thickness on the drying behavior were researched. Six commonly thin‐layer drying models were used to fit the experimental data to express the mass transfer characteristics. The fitting degree between models and experiment data was analyzed. The effective diffusion coefficients (Deff) and activation energy (Ea) were estimated. The air temperature, air velocity, and sample slice thickness had significant influence on drying time, dehydration rate, and Deff. The drying process had a momentary accelerating rate stage and a long falling rate stage; the Logarithmic model had good degree of fitting with all experiments data; and Arrhenius equation could be well expressed the relationship of Deff and drying temperature. The drying process of hot air thin layer of Dioscorea alata L. can be better described by the Logarithmic model. At the range of research conditions, the Deff value ranged from 4.77 × 10−10 m2/s to 8.90 × 10−10 m2/s; the Ea value was 20.74 kJ/mol.Practical ApplicationsPostharvest processing and storage of agricultural products is very important, and drying is a traditional and practical technology. The common drying method is heat drying. This research discussed the thin‐layer drying of Dioscorea alata L. with hot air and obtained the appropriate drying conditions, applicable drying model, and relevant parameters, which could provide reference to select the drying conditions and design the drying equipment for practical application.
Research on apple origin classification based on variable iterative space shrinkage approach with stepwise regression–support vector machine algorithm and visible‐near infrared hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Tian Yan , Sun Jun , Zhou Xin , Wu Xiaohong , Lu Bing , Dai Chunxia 
Published: May 2020

AbstractEffective classification of apples from different origins is important for horticultural processing and management in mechanized products. To obtain effective characteristic wavelengths and reduce operation time of the classification of apples produced in different areas, a method combining a variable iterative space shrinkage approach with stepwise regression (VISSA‐SR) was proposed. The whole apple sphere was chosen as the region of interest for visible‐near infrared (Vis–NIR) spectral acquisition. Savitzky–Golay smoothing, standard normalized variable, multiplicative scatter correction, and detrending were used to preprocess the spectral data, with their respective effects compared. VISSA, SR, and VISSA‐SR were applied to extract the feature wavelengths. Furthermore, support vector machine (SVM) was utilized in the construction of the identification models. The modeling results demonstrated that a VISSA‐SR‐SVM model based on detrending spectral preprocessing performed best, exhibiting calibration and prediction accuracy rates of 100% and 97.14%, and a modeling time of 131.96 s. The proposed VISSA‐SR algorithm could obtain characteristic wavelength effectively and reduce modeling process operation time. The optimal algorithm combined with Vis–NIR hyperspectral imaging could effectively non‐destructively identify apples from different regions.Practical ApplicationsIt is important to classify the apples from different regions through nondestructive testing. In order to effectively realize the rapid nondestructive testing of apples produced in different areas, the optimal algorithm combined with Vis–NIR hyperspectral imaging was adopted in this study. VISSA‐SR algorithm is proposed to obtain effective characteristic wavelength and reduce operation time. It is proved that VIS–NIR hyperspectral imaging technology is a feasible and effective method to identify apples from different regions.
Tri‐typing of hepatitis B‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure defined by the World Gastroenterology Organization
Authors: Tang Xiaoting , Qi Tingting , Li Beiling , Li Hai , Huang Zuxiong , Zhu Zhibin , Tu Minghan , Gao Jie , Zhu Congyan , Jiang Xiuhua , Yu Xutong , Lu Guanting , Xiong Ming , He Qinjun , Zhou Fuyuan , Wen Weiqun , Chen Jinjun , Hou Jinlin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackground and AimTri‐typing of acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF), as proposed by the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO), has not been validated in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). We aim to compare the three types of ACLF patients in clinic characteristics.MethodsHospitalized ACLF patients with chronic hepatitis B from five hepatology centers were retrospectively selected and grouped according to the WGO classification. For each group, we investigated laboratory tests, precipitating events, organ failure, and clinical outcome.ResultsCompared with type‐B (n = 262, compensated cirrhosis) and type‐C (n = 129, decompensated cirrhosis) ACLF, type‐A patients (n = 195, non‐cirrhosis) were associated with a younger age, the highest platelet counts, the highest aminotransferase levels, and the most active HBV replications. HBV reactivation were more predominant in type‐A, while bacterial infections in type‐B and type‐C ACLF cases. Liver failure (97.4%) and coagulation failure (86.7%) were most common in type‐A compared with type‐B or type‐C ACLF patients. Kidney failure was predominantly identified in type‐C subjects (41.9%) and was highest (23/38, 60.5%) in grade 1 ACLF patients. Furthermore, type‐C ACLF showed the highest 28‐day (65.2%) and 90‐day (75.3%) mortalities, compared with type‐A (48.7% and 54.4%, respectively) and type‐B (48.4% and 62.8%, respectively) ACLF cases. Compared with type‐A (11.7%) ACLF patients, the increased mortality from 28 to 90 days was higher in type‐B (31.6%) and type‐C (37.5%).ConclusionTri‐typing of HBV‐related ACLF in accordance with the WGO definition was able to distinguish clinical characteristics, including precipitating events, organ failure, and short‐term prognosis in ACLF patients.
β‐Arrestin1 is involved in hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis via extracellular signal‐regulated kinase‐mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Xu Xuan , Lei Yiming , Zhou Haoxiong , Guo Yunwei , Liu Huiling , Jiang Jie , Yang Yidong , Wu Bin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackground and AimHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant disease worldwide. It is implicated in high cancer‐related mortality rates in humans. β‐Arrestin1 (ARRB1) has been demonstrated to be related to the development of several cancers, while the relationship between ARRB1 and metastasis in HCC is unknown.MethodsA tissue microarray of 68 tissues from HCC patients with or without metastasis was collected. Wild‐type and ARRB1 knockout mice were used to examine the role of ARRB1 in metastasis in vivo. The level of ARRB1 in HCC tissues, mouse liver tissues, and cell lines was determined by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Migration, invasion, and motility capacities of HCC cells were determined by transwell assay and wound healing assay. Vein injection of nude mice model was used to reveal the metastatic abilities of HCC cell lines. For the mechanism study, we investigated the effects of ARRB1 on the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in HCC.ResultsWe reveal that ARRB1 accelerates metastasis in HCC and that ARRB1 deficiency inhibits hepatocarcinogenesis and reverses EMT in mice. ARRB1 regulates HCC cell migration and invasion and suppresses HCC metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, we show that ARRB1 promotes EMT through the phosphorylation of ERK1/2.ConclusionsOur data suggest that ARRB1 promotes HCC invasion and metastasis through p‐ERK1/2‐mediated EMT and that suppression of ARRB1 or p‐ERK1/2 may offer potential therapeutic targets for HCC therapy.