bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk assessment in PAH using quantitative CMR tricuspid regurgitation: relation to heart catheterization
Authors: Hedström Erik , Bredfelt Anna , Rådegran Göran , Arheden Håkan , Ostenfeld Ellen 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAimsImproved risk stratification is of value for decision making in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Right heart catheterization combined with quantitative tricuspid regurgitation (TR) by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) may provide this. The aims were to study: (i) to what extent quantitative TR is associated with event‐free survival; (ii) how quantitative TR is related to known prognostic markers in PAH; and (iii) to what extent quantitative TR and right atrial pressure determine right atrial dilation.Methods and resultsFifty patients (63 ± 17 years) with PAH referred for CMR were included. Volumes and pulmonary artery flow by CMR and pressure and vascular resistance by right heart catheterization were obtained. Composite outcome was lung transplantation or death. Four transplantations and 27 deaths occurred over a median of 2.7 years. A trend towards higher hazard ratio was shown for TR volume (TRV; 2.1, 95% CI 1.0–4.4) and TR fraction (TR%; 1.6, 95% CI 0.8–3.3) above median. TRV and TR% correlated with right ventricular (RV) end‐diastolic (TRV r = 0.50; TR% r = 0.39) and end‐systolic (TRV r = 0.35; TR% r = 0.30) volumes, pulmonary vascular resistance (TRV r = 0.28; TR% r = 0.43), N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (TRV r = 0.65; TR% r = 0.68), cardiac index (TRV r = −0.32; TR% r = −0.54), pulmonary artery stroke volume (TRV r = −0.32; TR% r = −0.58) and effective RV ejection fraction by pulmonary artery quantitative flow (TRV r = −0.56; TR% r = −0.69), but not RVEF. Both TR% and right atrial pressure determined right atrial volumes (r2 = 0.38; r2 = 0.48).ConclusionsA clear trend towards worse outcome with larger TRV or TR% was shown; however, the number of events was insufficient for significant outcome differences. Prognostic value of quantitative TR should be investigated in a larger multicentre cohort. Effective RV ejection fraction may be considered an improved measure of RV function in PAH.
EEG findings in acutely ill patients investigated for SARS‐CoV‐2/COVID‐19: A small case series preliminary report
Authors: Galanopoulou Aristea S. , Ferastraoaru Victor , Correa Daniel J. , Cherian Koshi , Duberstein Susan , Gursky Jonathan , Hanumanthu Rajani , Hung Christine , Molinero Isaac , Khodakivska Olga , Legatt Alan D. , Patel Puja , Rosengard Jillian , Rubens Elayna , Sugrue William , Yozawitz Elissa , Mehler Mark F. , Ballaban‐Gil Karen , Haut Sheryl R. , Moshé Solomon L. , Boro Alexis 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveAcute encephalopathy may occur in COVID‐19‐infected patients. We investigated whether medically indicated EEGs performed in acutely ill patients under investigation (PUIs) for COVID‐19 report epileptiform abnormalities and whether these are more prevalent in COVID‐19 positive than negative patients.MethodsIn this retrospective case series, adult COVID‐19 inpatient PUIs underwent EEGs for acute encephalopathy and/or seizure‐like events. PUIs had 8‐channel headband EEGs (Ceribell; 20 COVID‐19 positive, 6 COVID‐19 negative); 2 more COVID‐19 patients had routine EEGs. Overall, 26 Ceribell EEGs, 4 routine and 7 continuous EEG studies were reviewed. EEGs were interpreted by board‐certified clinical neurophysiologists (n = 16). EEG findings were correlated with demographic data, clinical presentation and history, and medication usage. Fisher's exact test was used.ResultsWe included 28 COVID‐19 PUIs (30‐83 years old), of whom 22 tested positive (63.6% males) and 6 tested negative (33.3% male). The most common indications for EEG, among COVID‐19‐positive vs COVID‐19‐negative patients, respectively, were new onset encephalopathy (68.2% vs 33.3%) and seizure‐like events (14/22, 63.6%; 2/6, 33.3%), even among patients without prior history of seizures (11/17, 64.7%; 2/6, 33.3%). Sporadic epileptiform discharges (EDs) were present in 40.9% of COVID‐19‐positive and 16.7% of COVID‐19‐negative patients; frontal sharp waves were reported in 8/9 (88.9%) of COVID‐19‐positive patients with EDs and in 1/1 of COVID‐19‐negative patient with EDs. No electrographic seizures were captured, but 19/22 COVID‐19‐positive and 6/6 COVID‐19‐negative patients were given antiseizure medications and/or sedatives before the EEG.SignificanceThis is the first preliminary report of EDs in the EEG of acutely ill COVID‐19‐positive patients with encephalopathy or suspected clinical seizures. EDs are relatively common in this cohort and typically appear as frontal sharp waves. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and evaluate the potential direct or indirect effects of COVID‐19 on activating epileptic activity.
Relation between vitamin D and impulse behaviours in patients with eating disorder: a pilot observational study
Authors: Todisco Patrizia , Meneguzzo Paolo , Vogazianos Paris , Garolla Alice , Antoniades Athos , Tozzi Federica 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveThere is growing evidence that vitamin D levels have a role not only in bone health and energy metabolism, but also for supporting nervous system and brain functions, including impulsivity. Impulsive behaviours are considered characteristics of great relevance in patients with Eating Disorders (ED) both for the course of the illness and for the treatment. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between impulsive behaviours and vitamin D in patients with ED.Method236 patients with a diagnosis of ED, consecutively recruited at an ED ward between 2014 and 2018, were enrolled. Patients were classified as impulsive or non‐impulsive based on the presence of clinically relevant impulsive behaviours.ResultsImpulsive patients were found to have statistically significant lower levels of vitamin D than non‐impulsive (p = .007). A threshold value of 20.4 ng/ml for discriminating impulsive from non‐impulsive patients was found.DiscussionThis hypothesis generating study partially confirmed a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and impulsive behaviours in ED spectrum mediated by body weight, even if results were not confirmed after corrected by obesity. No definitive conclusion may be taken on whether the effect is reduced due to the loss of power. Future directions are discussed.
Estimating the timescale of fluvial response to anthropogenic disturbance using two generations of dams on the South River, Massachusetts, USA
Authors: Dow Samantha , Snyder Noah P. , Ouimet William B. , Martini Anna M. , Yellen Brian , Woodruff Jonathan D. , Newton Robert M. , Merritts Dorothy J. , Walter Robert C. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCenturies‐long intensive land‐use change in the north‐eastern United States provides the opportunity to study the timescale of geomorphic response to anthropogenic disturbances. In this region, forest‐clearing and agricultural practices following EuroAmerican settlement led to deposition of legacy sediment along valley bottoms, including behind mill dams. The South River in western Massachusetts experienced two generations of damming, beginning with mill dams up to 6‐m high in the eighteenth–nineteenth century, and followed by construction of the Conway Electric Dam (CED), a 17‐m‐tall hydroelectric dam near the watershed outlet in 1906. We use the mercury (Hg) concentration in upstream deposits along the South River to constrain the magnitude, source, and timing of inputs to the CED impoundment. Based on cesium‐137 (137Cs) chronology and results from a sediment mixing model, remobilized legacy sediment comprised% of the sediment load in the South River prior to 1954; thereafter, from 1954 to 1980s, erosion from glacial deposits likely dominated (63 ± 14%), but with legacy sediments still a substantial source (37 ± 14%). We also use the CED reservoir deposits to estimate sediment yield through time, and find it decreased after 1952. These results are consistent with high rates of mobilization of legacy sediment as historic dams breached in the early twentieth century, and suggest rapid initial response to channel incision, followed by a long decay in the second half of the century, that is likely dependent on large flood events to access legacy sediment stored in banks. Identifying sources of sediment in a watershed and quantifying erosion rates can help to guide river restoration practices. Our findings suggest a short fluvial recovery time from the eighteenth–nineteenth century to perturbation during the first half of the twentieth century, with subsequent return to a dominant long‐term signal from erosion of glacial deposits, with anthropogenic sediment persisting as a secondary source. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of new products and reaction kinetics for myricetin in DMEM via an in situ UPLC–MS–MS analysis
Authors: Cao Hui , Yi Lunzhao , Zhong Jiayi , Högger Petra , Wang Mingfu , Prieto Miguel‐Angel , Simal‐Gandara Jesus , Xiao Jianbo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMyricetin, with its pyrogallol B‐ring, is evidently instable in DMEM (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's) medium at 37°C. However, the underlying mechanism of this instability is not clear yet. Herein, the reaction products of myricetin in DMEM were investigated via an in situ UPLC–MS–MS analysis. Myricetin was mixed with prewarmed DMEM in an autosampler screw top vial for UPLC. Immediately, a 50‐µl sample was automatically injected every 50 min. Myricetin was highly stable in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) when kept at 37°C for 2 weeks. Myricetin was very unstable in DMEM at 37°C and largely converted to new products A (m/z = 635.07) and B (m/z = 633.05) within 1 min. Another new product, C (m/z = 469.04), was detected after the fourth injection (150 min). Myricetin was much more stable in DMEM at 4°C as compared to 37°C. There was a minor conversion of myricetin to the new product A (m/z = 635.07) within 1.0 min, but it subsequently increased until the sixth injection (250 min), and disappeared after the fifteenth injection (700 min). In summary, myricetin first formed a dimer A (m/z = 635.07) and then was oxidized to B (m/z = 633.05), which was finally degraded to C (m/z = 469.04) in DMEM. This process was significantly affected by the temperature, and low temperature is helpful to detect the unstable products.
On the economics and the future prospects of battery electric vehicles
Authors: Ajanovic Amela , Haas Reinhard 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCurrently, the electrification of passenger cars is seen as one of the key strategies for heading toward a sustainable transport system. Of special interest are battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which can enable significant emission reductions if electricity used is produced from renewable energy sources. However, mainly due to their high investment costs (retail purchase price) of BEVs, they are currently not economically competitive with conventional fossil‐fueled vehicles without different supporting policy measures. This paper analyzes current costs and future prospects for BEVs compared to conventional petrol cars looking at the total costs of ownership. Furthermore, the future prospects are investigated considering technological learning for BEVs, CO2 taxes for fuels, and various other policy framework conditions such as rebates for the purchase of the BEVs. The major conclusions are as follows: (i) to improve the economics of BEVs, a very important aspect is the introduction of CO2‐based fuel taxes; (ii) regarding economics, the second important aspect is the reduction of the investment costs of the BEVs due to technological learning, especially of the battery; (iii) in addition, the introduction of CO2‐based registration taxes for the purchase of passenger cars makes sense; (iv) subsidies or rebates for the purchase of a BEV maybe a measure successful in the short term and helpful to stimulate technological learning; (v) by far, the highest uncertainty regarding the future prospects of BEVs is how fast technological learning will take place, especially for the battery, and how the future development of batteries will be. © 2020 The Authors. Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo characterization of emerging white matter microstructure in the fetal brain in the third trimester
Authors: Jaimes Camilo , Machado‐Rivas Fedel , Afacan Onur , Khan Shadab , Marami Bahram , Ortinau Cynthia M. , Rollins Caitlin K. , Velasco‐Annis Clemente , Warfield Simon K. , Gholipour Ali 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe third trimester of pregnancy is a period of rapid development of fiber bundles in the fetal white matter. Using a recently developed motion‐tracked slice‐to‐volume registration (MT‐SVR) method, we aimed to quantify tract‐specific developmental changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotropy (FA), and volume in third trimester healthy fetuses. To this end, we reconstructed diffusion tensor images from motion corrected fetal diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data. With an approved protocol, fetal MRI exams were performed on healthy pregnant women at 3 Tesla and included multiple (2–8) diffusion scans of the fetal head (1–2 b = 0 s/mm2 images and 12 diffusion‐sensitized images at b = 500 s/mm2). Diffusion data from 32 fetuses (13 females) with median gestational age (GA) of 33 weeks 4 days were processed with MT‐SVR and deterministic tractography seeded by regions of interest corresponding to 12 major fiber tracts. Multivariable regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of GA with volume, FA, and ADC for each tract. For all tracts, the volume and FA increased, and the ADC decreased with GA. Associations reached statistical significance for: FA and ADC of the forceps major; volume and ADC for the forceps minor; FA, ADC, and volume for the cingulum; ADC, FA, and volume for the uncinate fasciculi; ADC of the inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculi, ADC of the inferior longitudinal fasciculi; and FA and ADC for the corticospinal tracts. These quantitative results demonstrate the complex pattern and rates of tract‐specific, GA‐related microstructural changes of the developing white matter in human fetal brain.
UHRF2 promotes intestinal tumorigenesis through stabilization of TCF4 mediated Wnt/β‐catenin signaling
Authors: Li Liang , Duan Qiuhui , Zeng Zhiyang , Zhao Jindong , Lu Jiawei , Sun Jialiang , Zhang Jiqin , Siwko Stefan , Wong Jiemin , Shi Tieliu , Zhang Xueli , Liu Mingyao , Chen Jinlian , Li Dali 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntestinal tumors mainly originate from transformed crypt stem cells supported by Wnt signaling, which functions through downstream critical factors enriched in the intestinal stem/progenitor compartment. Here, we show Uhrf2 is predominantly expressed in intestinal crypts and adenomas in mice and is transcriptionally regulated by Wnt signaling. Upregulated UHRF2 correlates with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients. Although loss of Uhrf2 did not affect intestinal homeostasis and regeneration, tumor initiation and progression were inhibited, leading to a markedly prolonged life span in Uhrf2 null mice on an ApcMin background. Uhrf2 deficiency also strongly reduced primary tumor organoid formation suggesting impairment of tumor stem cells. Moreover, ablation of Uhrf2 suppressed tumor cell proliferation through downregulation of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Mechanistically, Uhrf2 directly interacts with and sumoylates Tcf4, a critical intranuclear effector of the Wnt pathway. Uhrf2 mediated SUMOylation stabilized Tcf4 and further sustained hyperactive Wnt signaling. Together, we demonstrate that Wnt‐induced Uhrf2 expression promotes tumorigenesis through modulation of the stability of Tcf4 for maintaining oncogenic Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. This is a new reciprocal feedforward regulation between Uhrf2 and Wnt signaling in tumor initiation and progression.
Improving pharmaceutical care education in Uganda through sustainable experiential programs and research
Authors: Bohan KarenBeth H. , Flores Emily K. , Rajab Kalidi , Nambatya Winnie , Nicol Melanie R. , Crowe Susie J. , Manning Dana H. , Eneh Prosperity , Adome Richard Odoi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis paper details collaboration in elective global health Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) between six schools of pharmacy, four in the United States (U.S.) and two in Uganda. This collaboration was initiated to build capacity within Uganda to advance pharmacy practice by strengthening pharmaceutical care education and research, and to provide benefits in the global and public health education and research for U.S. students and each partner University. Makerere University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda sought out collaborations to improve pharmacy education in Uganda and alleviate shortages in faculty they have experienced in expanding pharmacy training. In response to this need, Wilkes University, Binghamton University, the University of Minnesota, and East Tennessee State University developed faculty‐led APPEs to help model and teach the principles of clinical pharmaceutical care. These faculty‐led APPEs occur in various Ugandan locations throughout the year and incorporate Ugandan and U.S. students as co‐learners. Ugandan and U.S. faculty act as co‐facilitators of didactic, experiential, and research learning experiences. APPE activities include modeling the provision of pharmaceutical care, interprofessional patient care on inpatient wards, joint didactic lectures and case presentations, skills laboratory sessions, and research components. Developed to serve the needs of both the U.S. and Ugandan partners, the elective global health APPEs to Uganda have grown to be sustainable, mutually beneficial collaborations between the six schools of pharmacy and the Ugandan partners. Formal and informal communications between all of the entities involved have helped support continuity of these programs. We recommend such initiatives to other countries and institutions desiring to improve training for pharmaceutical care to advance pharmacy practice.
The anti‐HIV drug nelfinavir mesylate (Viracept) is a potent inhibitor of cell fusion caused by the SARSCoV‐2 spike (S) glycoprotein warranting further evaluation as an antiviral against COVID‐19 infections
Authors: Musarrat Farhana , Chouljenko Vladimir , Dahal Achyut , Nabi Rafiq , Chouljenko Tamara , Jois Seetharama D. , Kousoulas Konstantin G. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS CoV‐2) is the causative agent of the coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Coronaviruses enter cells via fusion of the viral envelope with the plasma membrane and/or via fusion of the viral envelope with endosomal membranes after virion endocytosis. The spike (S) glycoprotein is a major determinant of virus infectivity. Herein, we show that the transient expression of the SARS CoV‐2 S glycoprotein in Vero cells caused extensive cell fusion (formation of syncytia) in comparison to limited cell fusion caused by the SARS S glycoprotein. Both S glycoproteins were detected intracellularly and on transfected Vero cell surfaces. These results are in agreement with published pathology observations of extensive syncytia formation in lung tissues of patients with COVID‐19. These results suggest that SARS CoV‐2 is able to spread from cell‐to‐cell much more efficiently than SARS effectively avoiding extracellular neutralizing antibodies. A systematic screening of several drugs including cardiac glycosides and kinase inhibitors and inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) entry revealed that only the FDA‐approved HIV protease inhibitor, nelfinavir mesylate (Viracept) drastically inhibited S‐n‐ and S‐o‐mediated cell fusion with complete inhibition at a 10‐μM concentration. In‐silico docking experiments suggested the possibility that nelfinavir may bind inside the S trimer structure, proximal to the S2 amino terminus directly inhibiting S‐n‐ and S‐o‐mediated membrane fusion. Also, it is possible that nelfinavir may act to inhibit S proteolytic processing within cells. These results warrant further investigations of the potential of nelfinavir mesylate to inhibit virus spread at early times after SARS CoV‐2 symptoms appear.
Protective effect of ginsenoside Rk1, a major rare saponin from black ginseng, on cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity in HEK‐293 cells
Authors: Hu Jun‐Nan , Xu Xing‐Yue , Jiang Shuang , Liu Ying , Liu Zhi , Wang Ying‐Ping , Gong Xiao‐Jie , Li Ke‐Ke , Ren Shen , Li Wei 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCisplatin, as one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents, its clinical use is limited by serious side effect of nephrotoxicity. Cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity is closely related to apoptosis induction and activation of caspase. The present study aimed to explore the potential protective effect of ginsenoside Rk1 (Rk1), a rare ginsenoside generated during steaming ginseng, on cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity and the underlying mechanisms in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK‐293) cells. Our results showed that the reduced cell viability induced by cisplatin could significantly recover by Rk1. Furthermore, glutathione (GSH) as an oxidative index, was elevated and the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly decreased after Rk1 treatment compared to the cisplatin group. Additionally, Rk1 can also decrease the ROS fluorescence expression and increase the protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) compared to the cisplatin group, which suggested a suppression of oxidative response. More importantly, the cisplatin‐induced elevated protein levels of Bax, cleaved caspase‐3, cleaved caspase‐9, and decreased protein level of Bcl‐2 were reversed after treatment with Rk1. Our results elucidated the possible protective mechanism of Rk1 for the first time, which may involve in its anti‐oxidation and anti‐apoptosis effects.
Infection control measures of a Taiwanese hospital to confront the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Chang Ya‐Ting , Lin Chun‐Yu , Tsai Ming‐Ju , Hung Ching‐Tzu , Hsu Chia‐Wen , Lu Po‐Liang , Hou Ming‐Feng 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe World Health Organization announced the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak a pandemic on 12 March 2020. Although being in proximity to China, the original epicenter of the COVID‐19 outbreak, Taiwan has maintained a low number of COVID‐19 cases despite its close social ties and heavy traffic between Taiwan and China. Containment strategies executed by the Taiwanese government have attracted global attention. Similarly, in‐hospital settings, high alertness and swift responses to the changing outbreak situation are necessary to ensure hospital staff members' safety so they can continue to save patients' lives. Herein, we present infection control measures that can be adopted in hospital settings that were executed in a Taiwanese hospital to confront the COVID‐19 pandemic, including emergency preparedness and responses from the hospital administration, education, surveillance, patient flow arrangement, the partition of hospital zones, and the prevention of a systemic shutdown by using the “divided cabin, divided flow” strategy. The measures implemented by a Taiwan hospital during the COVID‐19 pandemic may not be universally applicable in every hospital. Nonetheless, the presented infection control methods have been practically executed and can be referenced or modified to fit each hospital's unique condition.