bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short‐term and intermediate‐term performance and safety of left bundle branch pacing
Authors: Guo Jincun , Li Linlin , Meng Fanqi , Su Maolong , Huang Xinyi , Chen Simei , Li Qiang , Chang Dong , Cai Binni 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIntroductionLeft bundle branch pacing (LBBP) is a promising new method for patients with pacing indications. This study aims to evaluate the safety and feasibility of LBBP in a relatively longer time span.Methods and ResultsA total of 164 patients were recruited for LBBP in this study. Among these patients, 148 patients had pacing indications due to symptomatic bradycardia while the other 16 patients had indications for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). LBBP was successful in 89.0% (146/164) of all recruited patients. Intracardiac and surface electrographic parameters and image data were documented during the LBBP procedure. The mean paced QRS duration (pQRSD) and the mean stimulus to left ventricular activation time (stim‐LVAT) was 106.0 ± 12.9 ms and 64.4 ± 13.7 ms respectively. Left bundle branch (LBB) potentials were recorded in 89 patients. Forty‐three of whom had sick sinus syndrome (SSS), and 46 had atrioventricular block (AVB). The presence of LBB potential was more common in patients with SSS (82.7% vs 57.5%, P = .002). No significant differences in pQRSD, stim‐LVAT, or capture threshold were detected between patient groups with or without LBB potential. Patients were followed up at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the procedure. Pacing parameters and the echocardiographic data remained stable within a mean follow‐up period of 8.6 ± 4.3 months. No serious complication caused by this procedure was found in this study.ConclusionsSuccessful LBBP carried an aspect of short pQRSD and stim‐LVAT while the LBB potential was not the prerequisite and necessary feature. The LBBP procedure had a high success rate with satisfied and stable lead parameters during short and intermediate‐term observations.
Interleukin‐1β augments the angiogenesis of endothelial progenitor cells in an NF‐κB/CXCR7‐dependent manner
Authors: Fan Xia , He Luqing , Dai Qiaoxia , He Junhong , Chen Xiangjuan , Dai Xiaozhen , Zhang Chi , Sun Da , Meng Xue , Sun Shiyue , Huang Jiameng , Chen Jun , Lin Lin , Chen Liangmiao , Tan Yi , Yan Xiaoqing 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEndothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are able to trigger angiogenesis, and pro‐inflammatory cytokines have beneficial effects on angiogenesis under physiological and pathological conditions. C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 7 (CXCR‐7), receptor for stromal cell‐derived factor‐1, plays a critical role in enhancing EPC angiogenic function. Here, we examined whether CXCR7 mediates the pro‐angiogenic effects of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) in EPCs. EPCs were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and angiogenic capability was evaluated in vitro by Matrigel capillary formation assay and fibrin gel bead assay. IL‐1β elevated CXCR7 expression at both the transcriptional and translational levels in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner, and blockade of the nuclear translocation of NF‐κB dramatically attenuated the IL‐1β‐mediated up‐regulation of CXCR7 expression. IL‐1β stimulation significantly promoted EPCs tube formation and this effect was largely impaired by CXCR7‐siRNA transfection. IL‐1β treatment stimulated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) phosphorylation, and inhibition of Erk1/2 phosphorylation partially impaired IL‐1β‐induced tube formation of EPCs but without significant effects on CXCR7 expression. Moreover, blocking NF‐κB had no significant effects on IL‐1β‐stimulated Erk1/2 phosphorylation. These findings indicate that CXCR7 plays an important role in the IL‐1β‐enhanced angiogenic capability of EPCs and antagonizing CXCR7 is a potential strategy for inhibiting angiogenesis under inflammatory conditions.
Baseline characteristics of patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis according to previous systemic treatment exposure: the PROSE study population
Authors: Augustin M. , Dauden E. , Mrowietz U. , Konstantinou M.P. , Gerdes S. , Rissler M. , Gathmann S. , Sieder C. , Baeumer D. , Orsenigo R. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIntroductionPsoriatic disease is associated with considerable impairment of Quality of Life (QoL). The PROSE study (NCT02752776) examined the impact of secukinumab on patient‐reported outcomes in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis (PsO) stratified by previous exposure to systemic treatment.MethodsIn this prospective, non‐randomized, multicentre study, patients were categorized at baseline according to previous exposure to systemic treatment: naïve [naïve to any systemic treatment (N = 663)], conventional systemic [previously exposed to ≥1 conventional systemic therapy (N = 673)] and biologics [previously exposed to ≥1 biologic (N = 324)]. Baseline demographics including age, gender, race, body weight and body mass index, disease characteristics and patient‐reported QoL outcomes [Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Family DLQI (F‐DLQI)] of patients enrolled in the study are reported here.ResultsBaseline demographic characteristics were well balanced across the three subpopulations. Naïve patients had a shorter time since diagnosis (15.5 ± 12.1 years) compared with the conventional systemic (19.1 ± 12.5 years) and biologic patients (23.0 ± 12.5 years), and lower rates of psoriatic arthritis (6.6% vs. 17.4% and 27.8%, respectively). Metabolic syndrome (37.6‒43.5%), obesity (16.9‒19.1%), hyperlipidaemia (15.3‒21.9%) and diabetes mellitus (6.8‒14.2%) were reported at numerically higher rate in the biologic group. The mean PASI (19.7 ± 7.9), affected Body Surface Area (28.2 ± 15.3%) as well as the Investigator Global Assessment score (patients with score 4: 33.7%) indicated severe disease at baseline and were comparable for the three groups. QoL impairment was evident from mean DLQI (14.1 ± 7.1: naïve = 13.5 ± 6.8; conventional systemic = 14.3 ± 7.0; biologic = 14.8 ± 7.7) and mean F‐DLQI (11.5 ± 7.0: naïve = 11.3 ± 7.1; conventional systemic = 11.4 ± 6.7; biologic = 12.1 ± 7.7) also indicated derangement of QoL of patients and their families.ConclusionPatients naïve to systemic treatment had shorter disease journey compared with patients previously exposed to systemic treatments; despite this, the severe impact of disease on patient and family QoL outcomes can be as apparent in naïve patients as in systemically treated patients at baseline.
Fine‐tuning the composition of the cranberry weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) aggregation pheromone
Authors: Rodriguez‐Saona Cesar , Alborn Hans T. , Oehlschlager Cam , Calvo Carolina , Kyryczenko‐Roth Vera , Tewari Sunil , Sylvia Martha M. , Averill Anne L. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe cranberry weevil Anthonomus musculus Say is a key pest of highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) and cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) in the northeastern United States. Previous studies have reported A. musculus adult attraction to traps baited with the aggregation pheromone of the pepper weevil Anthonomus eugenii Cano, likely because these two weevils share similar pheromone blends that differ only in two components. The A. musculus aggregation pheromone contains (Z)‐2‐(3,3‐dimethylcyclohexylidene) ethanol (Z grandlure II), (Z)‐(3,3‐dimethylcyclohexylidene) acetaldehyde (grandlure III), (E)‐(3,3‐dimethylcyclohexylidene) acetaldehyde (grandlure IV) and (E)‐3,7‐dimethyl‐2,6‐octadien‐1‐ol (geraniol); whereas A. eugenii produces a pheromone blend that includes (E)‐2‐(3,3‐dimethylcyclohexylidene) ethanol (E grandlure II) and (E)‐3,7‐dimethyl‐2,6‐octadienoic acid (geranic acid) in addition to the four A. musculus pheromone components. Here, we hypothesized that differences in pheromone composition between these two species influence A. musculus adult attraction to its aggregation pheromone. To test this, we studied the response of A. musculus to its pheromone blend with and without E grandlure II and geranic acid, a commercial A. eugenii pheromone lure and a no‐lure control in highbush blueberry and cranberry fields in New Jersey and Massachusetts, respectively. Regardless of crop type, A. musculus adults were more attracted to their four‐component pheromone blend and the blend plus geranic acid than the commercial A. eugenii pheromone and the no‐lure controls. The A. musculus pheromone blend plus E grandlure II and the A. eugenii pheromone blend also captured more A. musculus adults than the no‐lure control but not compared to the commercial A. eugenii pheromone. Further analysis showed that A. musculus adults are significantly (~27%) less attracted to their pheromone blend if it contains E grandlure II, although the addition of geranic acid did not affect their response. These findings may help guide future efforts towards the development of behaviour‐based tools to monitor and manage A. musculus.
Effects of three different methods used during heel lance procedures on pain level in term neonates
Authors: Yilmaz Diler , Inal Sevil 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAimThis study aims to experimentally determine effects of three different methods (swaddling; swaddling and holding; swaddling, holding and breastfeeding) used during heel lancing on pain levels in healthy term neonates.MethodsThis study was a prospective, randomized controlled trial. The sample of newborns (n = 160) were allocated to the groups (group 1, control; group 2, swaddling; group 3, swaddling and holding; group 4, swaddling, holding and breastfeeding) by blocked randomization. The study data were obtained using an information form, and the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS).ResultsThe procedural pain scores of group 4 were lower than group 1, group 2 and group 3. Both the total crying time and the first calming time of the groups swaddling, holding and breastfeeding, were shorter than the swaddling, swaddling and holding and the control group.ConclusionsAs a result, all the three methods are effective in reducing the pain felt during heel lancing in the newborn. However, swaddling, holding and breastfeeding is more effective than the other methods.
The limited liability effect: Implications for anticompetitive horizontal mergers
Authors: Franck Bernard , Le Pape Nicolas 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWe consider an industry including both leveraged and unleveraged firms engaged in a sequential decision‐making process. At the first stage a firm and its bank, considering the production cost uncertainty and the probability distribution of the random shock, evaluate a bankruptcy risk; at the second stage firms engage in Cournot competition. By introducing an additional upstream stage we examine how incentives to merge with competitors are altered when shareholders of leveraged firms are protected by the limited liability. We demonstrate that a merger increases the probability of bankruptcy for the merged firm if the merger involves only leveraged firms, but this probability decreases if the merger involves at least one unleveraged firm. The welfare loss associated with anticompetitive effects of mergers is lower when the coalition gathers unleveraged firms rather than leveraged ones. Consequently, we argue that in evaluating proposed mergers Competition Authorities should take into account the financial structure of both merging firms and outsiders.
LncRNA‐01126 inhibits the migration of human periodontal ligament cells through MEK/ERK signaling pathway
Authors: Zhu Yiting , Ai Rongshuang , Ding Zhiqiang , He Qian , Zhang Xinxin , Dong Yilin , He Yujuan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveAccumulating findings revealed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial regulator molecules in the progression of periodontitis. This study aimed to investigate the biological roles and mechanisms of lncRNA‐01126 in the progression of periodontitis.Materials and MethodsRT‐qPCR was used to detect the levels of lncRNA‐01126 in gingival tissues and human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). Cell transfection experiments were performed to knock down or overexpress the level of lncRNA‐01126 in hPDLCs. Cell Counting Kit‐8, wound‐healing assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometric analysis were used to evaluate the function of lncRNA‐01126 in the progression of periodontitis. Finally, the signaling pathway was assessed by western blot.ResultsLncRNA microarray discovered that lncRNA‐01126 was the most significantly increased lncRNA in periodontitis patients. LncRNA‐01126 markedly increased in the gingival tissues of periodontitis mice and in the hPDLCs treated with lipopolysaccharide of Porphyromonas Gingivalis (LPS‐PG). Furthermore, in vitro experiments showed that lncRNA‐01126 dramatically suppressed the migration of hPDLCs through MEK/ERK signaling pathway.ConclusionLncRNA‐01126 plays a crucial role in inhibiting the migration of hPDLCs through MEK/ERK signaling pathway.
Clinical characteristics of non‐ICU hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and liver injury: A retrospective study
Authors: Xie Hansheng , Zhao Jianming , Lian Ningfang , Lin Su , Xie Qunfang , Zhuo Huichang 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackground & AimsCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has raised world concern for global epidemic since December, 2019. Limited data are available for liver function in COVID‐19 patients. We aimed to investigate the risk factors related to liver injury in the COVID‐19 patients.MethodsA retrospective study was performed in non‐ICU Ward at Jinyintan Hospital from February 2, 2020 to February 23, 2020. Consecutively confirmed COVID‐19 discharged cases were enrolled. The clinical characteristics of patients with liver injury and without liver injury were compared.ResultsA total of 79 COVID‐19 patients were included. 31.6%, 35.4% and 5.1% COVID‐19 patients had elevated levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and bilirubin respectively. Median value of ALT, AST and bilirubin for entire cohort was 36.5 (17.5 ~ 71.5) U/L, 34.5 (25.3 ~ 55.3) U/L and 12.7 (8.1 ~ 15.4) mmol/L respectively. There were no significant differences in age, previous medical history and symptoms between the two groups. Males were more likely to have liver injury when infected with COVID‐19 (P < .05); compared with patients without liver injury, patients with liver injury had increased levels of white blood cell counts, neutrophils, CRP and CT score (P < .05) and had a longer length of stay (P < .05). Logistic regression analyses suggested that the extent of pulmonary lesions on CT was a predictor of liver function damage (P < .05).ConclusionsLiver injury is common in non‐ICU hospitalized COVID‐19 patients. It may be related to systemic inflammation. Intense monitoring and evaluation of liver function in patients with severe pulmonary imaging lesions should be considered.
Do Apprenticeships Pay? Evidence for England
Authors: Cavaglia Chiara , McNally Sandra , Ventura Guglielmo 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe importance of apprenticeships for early labour market transitions varies across countries and over time. In recent times, there has been a policy drive to increase the number of people undertaking apprenticeships in England. This is regarded as important for addressing poor productivity. We investigate whether there is a positive return to undertaking an apprenticeship for young people. We use detailed administrative data to track recent cohorts of young school leavers as they transition to the labour market. Our results suggest that apprenticeships lead to a positive average earnings return (at least in the short run), although there is stark variation between sectors. This is an important driver of the gender gap in earnings.
Ideal endotracheal tube insertion depth in neonates with a birthweight less than 750 g
Authors: Takeuchi Syusuke , Arai Junichi , Nagafuji Motomichi , Hinata Ayako , Kamakura Tae , Hoshino Yusuke , Yukitake Yoshiya 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundAppropriate management of the endotracheal tube (ETT) insertion depth is important. The depth calculated using Tochen’s formula is overestimated in extremely‐low‐ birthweight infants, particularly those with a birthweight <750 g. Gestational age has been shown to be particularly useful in the Neonatal Resuscitation Program, 7th edition.5 However, a randomized trial for estimating the ETT insertion depth failed to show the advantage of using gestational age over birthweight.6 Therefore, we aimed to estimate the appropriate ETT insertion depth in neonates weighing <750 g.MethodsThis was a single‐center, retrospective observational study including neonates weighing <750 g who required intubation. The appropriate depth was determined by adjusting the distance between the actual ETT position and the area from the first to the second thoracic vertebra on the radiograph. Correlations between gestational age and physique were investigated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. We examined small‐for‐ gestational‐age (SGA) infants and non‐SGA infants separately.ResultsForty neonates were enrolled in this study. The mean gestational age and birthweight were 26.3 weeks and 620 g respectively. Twenty infants were SGA. The ETT position was deep in 35 of 40 cases, with the strongest correlation between weight and ETT insertion depth. The correlation with gestational age was not observed in this study.ConclusionsOur study showed that the ideal ETT insertion depth at birth correlates with birthweight in neonates weighing <750 g. Therefore, determination by gestational age may not be feasible in populations with a high proportion of SGA infants.
The interplay between attention and long‐term memory in affective habituation
Authors: Ferrari Vera , Mastria Serena , Codispoti Maurizio 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPrevious studies have consistently shown that repeated exposure to emotional stimuli leads to a reduction in cortical and autonomic responses (affective habituation). These findings emerge from studies conducted within a single experimental session, preventing the possibility of disentangling short‐term from long‐term habituation effects. The present study investigated whether affective habituation reflects a short‐living learning process, or a more stable change involving long‐term memory. Participants went through a first habituation phase consisting of 80 repetitions of the same set of emotional and neutral pictures, when event‐related potentials and oscillatory activity were measured (Session 1). Crucially, after a 1‐day interval, the same participants were exposed to a second habituation phase with the same stimuli that had been seen before. Results showed that the attenuation of the late positive potential (LPP) affective modulation prompted throughout repetitions of Session 1 remained unchanged after a 1‐day interval, and this between‐session habituation effect, which was specific to repeated exemplars, was consistent across different emotional contents. Alpha desynchronization was clearly enhanced for pictures of erotica and mutilation and this modulatory pattern remained fairly stable over repetitions. Altogether, these findings suggest that LPP affective habituation is not a short‐living learning process, but, rather, reflects a strengthened long‐term memory representation of specific repeated stimuli.
Research approaches to networked employment services: A systematic review
Authors: Andreassen Tone A. , Breit Eric , Saltkjel Therese 
Published: April 2020

AbstractResearch on networked services aimed at the (re)employment of groups marginalised from the labour market has gained momentum in different scholarly traditions (e.g., public administration, healthcare and social policy), but the topic remains somewhat fragmented. In this paper, we systematise and synthesise this research with the aim of outlining distinct research approaches, facilitating increased cross‐disciplinary understandings and promoting interdisciplinary research. Based on a systematic review of the literature (1990–2018, n = 273), we highlight four dominant research approaches: rehabilitation, disability, welfare and governance. We show that these research approaches involve distinct conceptualisations of labour market inclusion, networked services and the target groups. Nevertheless, the research approaches also apply similar terms and concepts (e.g., partnership, collaboration) but with different (more or less implicit) connotations, which lead to fragmentation. We do not suggest that there be a unified use of concepts across traditions; however, we argue for the necessity of increased awareness of the similarities and differences between these research traditions in order to increase understanding of the networked employment services available to marginalised groups.
Ethyl methanesulfonate mutant library construction in Gossypium hirsutum L. for allotetraploid functional genomics and germplasm innovation
Authors: Lian Xin , Liu Yan , Guo Huihui , Fan Yijie , Wu Jianfei , Guo Haixia , Jiao Chengzhi , Tang Zhengmin , Zhang Li , Fan Yupeng , Gou Zhongyuan , Zhang Changyu , Li Tongtong , Zeng Fanchang 
Published: April 2020

SUMMARYAs the gene pool is exposed to both strain on land resources and a lack of diversity in elite allotetraploid cotton, the acquisition and identification of novel alleles has taken on epic importance in facilitating cotton genetic improvement and functional genomics research. Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) is an excellent mutagen that induces genome‐wide efficient mutations to activate the mutagenic potential of plants with many advantages. The present study established, determined and verified the experimental procedure suitable for EMS‐based mutant library construction as the general reference guide in allotetraploid upland cotton. This optimized method and procedure are efficient, and abundant EMS mutant libraries (approximately 12 000) in allotetraploid cotton were successfully obtained. More than 20 mutant phenotypes were observed and screened, including phenotypes of the leaf, flower, fruit, fiber and plant architecture. Through the plants mutant library, high‐throughput and high‐resolution melting technology‐based variation evaluation detected the EMS‐induced site mutation. Additionally, based on overall genome‐wide mutation analyses by re‐sequencing and mutant library assessment, the examination results demonstrated the ideal quality of the cotton EMS‐treated mutant library constructed in this study with appropriate high mutation density and saturated genome. What is more, the collection is composed of a broad repertoire of mutants, which is the valuable resource for basic genetic research and functional genomics underlying complex allotetraploid traits, as well as cotton breeding.
UK national study of barriers to renal transplantation in children
Authors: Kim Ji Soo , Marlais Matko , Balasubramanian Ramnath , Muorah Mordi , Inward Carol , Smith Graham C , Reynolds Ben C , Yadav Pallavi , Morgan Henry , Shenoy Mohan , Tse Yincent , Hussain Farida , Grylls Sarah , Kessaris Nicos , Sinha Manish D , Marks Stephen D 
Published: April 2020

Aims
To investigate access to paediatric renal transplantation and examine potential barriers within the process.

Methods
Cross-sectional, multicentre, observational study where paediatric nephrology centres in the UK were requested to provide data on transplantation plans for all children (<18 years) with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).

Results
308 children with ESKD were included in this study from 12 out of 13 UK paediatric nephrology centres. 139 (45%) were being prepared for living donor transplantation and 82 (27%) were listed for deceased donor transplantation. The most common cited factors delaying transplantation from occurring in children were disease factors (36%), donor availability (27%) and size of the child (20%). Psychosocial factors were listed as a barrier in 19% of children.

Conclusions
In this study we have documented the main barriers to renal transplantation in children. Some identified factors may be modifiable through local or national intervention, including donor availability and patient psychosocial factors.