bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term clinical outcomes of coronary artery bypass graft surgery compared to those of percutaneous coronary intervention with second generation drug eluting stents in patients with stable angina and an isolated lesion in the proximal left anterior descending artery
Authors: Matsoukis Ioannis L. , Karanasos Antonios , Patsa Chrysoula , Anousakis‐Vlachochristou Nikolaos , Triantafyllou Konstantinos , Kantzanou Maria , Drakopoulou Maria , Tsiamis Eleftherios , Latsios George , Synetos Andreas , Petridou Eleni Th , Tousoulis Dimitris , Toutouzas Konstantinos 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectivesWe compared the long‐term outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention with second‐generation drug‐eluting stents (PCI‐DES) and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) with the left internal mammary artery in stable angina patients with isolated single‐vessel proximal left anterior descending artery (pLAD) disease.BackgroundLong‐term outcomes of second‐generation PCI‐DES and CABG in isolated pLAD lesions have not been extensively studied.MethodsWe included 631 PCI‐DES patients and 379 CABG patients. Unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were derived for major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), their components (cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction [MI] not attributed to a non‐target vessel, target‐lesion revascularization), and patient‐related outcome (PRO, composed of all‐cause mortality, any MI, any revascularization).ResultsIn the unadjusted and adjusted analyses, no significant difference was observed between the two groups at follow‐up (mean:4.6 ± 2.5 years) for MACEs (HR: 1.45, 95% CI: 0.92–2.28, p = .11; HR:1.43, 95% CI: 0.91–2.26, p = .13), PRO (HR: 1.18, 95%CI: 0.86–1.61, p = .30; HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.86–1.62, p = .31), cardiac death (HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.46–2.05, p = .93; HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.36–1.72, p = .56) and MI (HR: 1.43, 95% CI: 0.49–4.13, p = .51; HR: 1.57, 95% CI: 0.53–4.64, p = .42). Compared with CABG, PCI‐DES had a borderline significantly greater risk of repeat revascularization (HR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.00–3.94, p = .05; HR: 1.95, 95% CI: 0.98–3.9, p = .06). Angina recurred more often after PCI (p < .001), whereas more arrhythmias developed after CABG (p = .02). PCI‐DES resulted in fewer in‐hospital complications (p < .001) and shorter hospitalizations (p < .001).ConclusionsThe long‐term clinical outcomes of second‐generation PCI‐DES and CABG in patients with stable angina and isolated pLAD disease were comparable.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for severe pure aortic regurgitation due to active aortitis
Authors: Ruggiero Rossella , Ponticelli Francesco , Giannini Francesco , Galvani Marcello 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAortitis is an uncommon systemic inflammatory disease affecting the aorta and its main branches. Severe aortic regurgitation (AR) represents a fearsome complication of aortitis and is associated with an increased mortality rate. Surgical aortic valve replacement represents the only treatment choice for these patients. However, it is associated with a higher risk of medium to long‐term complications such as prosthetic valve detachment. This is the first reported case where severe AR secondary to aortitis was managed with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). TAVI was safe and effective in this clinical setting and may be considered a viable alternative to high‐risk surgery in these complex patients.
Variable selection for proportional hazards models with high‐dimensional covariates subject to measurement error
Authors: Chen Baojiang , Yuan Ao , Yi Grace Y. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMethods of analyzing survival data with high‐dimensional covariates are often challenged by the presence of measurement error in covariates, a common issue arising from various applications. Conducting naive analysis with measurement‐error effects ignored usually gives biased results. However, relatively little research has been focused on this topic. In this article, we consider this important problem and discuss variable selection for proportional hazards models with high‐dimensional covariates subject to measurement error. We propose a penalized “corrected” likelihood‐based method to simultaneously address the measurement‐error effects and perform variable selection. We establish theoretical results including the consistency, the oracle property and the asymptotic distribution of the proposed estimator. Simulation studies are conducted to assess the finite sample performance of the proposed method. To illustrate the use of our method, we apply the proposed method to analyze a dataset arising from the breast cancer study.
Genetic Manipulation of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Other Corynebacterium Species
Authors: Chang Chungyu , Nguyen Minh Tan , Ton‐That Hung 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis article describes several established approaches for genetic manipulation of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the causative agent of diphtheria that is known to have provided key evidence for Koch's postulates on the germ theory. First, it includes a detailed gene deletion method that generates nonpolar, in‐frame, markerless deletion mutants, utilizing the levansucrase SacB as a counter‐selectable marker. Second, it provides a thorough protocol for rescuing deletion mutants using Escherichia coli–Corynebacterium shuttle vectors. Finally, a Tn5 transposon mutagenesis procedure is described. In principle, these protocols can be used for other Corynebacterium species, including Corynebacterium glutamicum and Corynebacterium matruchotii. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLCBasic Protocol 1: Gene deletion in Corynebacterium diphtheriaeBasic Protocol 2: Complementation of a mutant strainBasic Protocol 3: Tn5 transposon mutagenesis of Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Simultaneous Assessment of Circadian Rhythms and Sleep in Mice Using Passive Infrared Sensors: A User's Guide
Authors: Brown Laurence A. , Banks Gareth T. , Horner Neil , Wilcox Sian L. , Nolan Patrick M. , Peirson Stuart N. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe 24‐hr cycle of activity and sleep provides perhaps the most familiar example of circadian rhythms. In mammals, circadian activity rhythms are generated by a master biological clock located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). This clock is synchronized (entrained) to the external light environment via light input from retinal photoreceptors. However, sleep is not a simple circadian output and also is regulated by a homeostatic process whereby extended wakefulness increases the need for subsequent sleep. As such, the amount and distribution of sleep depends upon the interaction between both circadian and homeostatic processes. Moreover, the study of circadian activity and sleep is not confined only to these specialized fields. Sleep and circadian rhythm disruption is common in many conditions, ranging from neurological and metabolic disorders to aging. Such disruption is associated with a range of negative consequences including cognitive impairment and mood disorders, as well as immune and metabolic dysfunction. As circadian activity and sleep are hallmarks of normal healthy physiology, they also provide valuable welfare indicators. However, traditional methods for the monitoring of circadian rhythms and sleep in mice can require separate specialized resources as well as significant expertise. Here, we outline a low‐cost, non‐invasive, and open‐source method for the simultaneous assessment of circadian activity and sleep in mice. This protocol describes both the assembly of the hardware used and the capture and analysis of data without the need for expertise in electronics or data processing. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol: Assembly of a PIR system for basic activity and sleep recordingsAlternate Protocol: Data collection using Raspberry PiSupport Protocol: Circadian analysis using PIR sensors
Using CRISPR/ttLbCas12a for in planta Gene Targeting in A. thaliana
Authors: Merker Laura , Schindele Patrick , Puchta Holger 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCRISPR/Cas systems enable gene editing through the induction of site‐specific DNA double‐strand breaks (DSB). However, the nature of the induced modification highly depends on the mechanism used for DNA DSB repair. Non‐homologous end joining (NHEJ)‐mediated targeted mutagenesis induced by CRISPR/Cas is an already standardly applied tool, which can lead to various different kinds of mutations at a specific genomic site. Nevertheless, precise genome modification using homologous donor sequences is still challenging in plants. Applications depending on the less frequent homologous recombination (HR) require further improvements to create an attractive and efficient tool for general application in plants. Focusing on this issue, we developed the in planta gene targeting (ipGT) system, which is based on the simultaneous excision of a stably integrated, homologous donor sequence and the induction of a DSB within the target site. In recent years, several improvements were achieved enhancing gene targeting (GT) frequencies. After the successful application of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) and Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 (SaCas9) for ipGT, we were able to further improve the system using Lachnospiraceae bacterium Cas12a (LbCas12a), which also enables cleavage in T‐rich regions. Most recently, we tested an improved, temperature‐tolerant version of LbCas12a (ttLbCas12a) for ipGT and were able to further increase GT efficiencies. Here, we describe the experimental procedure of the recently published ipGT system using ttLbCas12a in Arabidopsis thaliana in detail. © 2020 The Authors.Basic Protocol 1: Construction of CRISPR/ttLbCas12a expression vector to analyze ipGT efficienciesBasic Protocol 2: Achieving heritable GT plants
Luminescent Thermometers: From a Library of Europium(III) β‐Diketonates to a General Model for Predicting the Thermometric Behaviour of Europium‐Based Coordination Systems
Authors: Carlotto Alice , Babetto Luca , Carlotto Silvia , Miozzi Massimo , Seraglia Roberta , Casarin Maurizio , Bottaro Gregorio , Rancan Marzio , Armelao Lidia 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe front cover artwork is provided by the Functional Molecules and Inorganic Nanosystems Lab at ICMATE‐CNR and University of Padova (Italy). The image shows a europium luminescent molecular thermometer (LMT) with a maze on the background. It symbolizes the dead‐ends behind the design of new Eu‐LMTs for which we propose a predictive tool, named ThesEuS, developed from a library of Eu(III)‐β‐diketonates, in order to get out of the maze. Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/cptc.2020000116.
Molecular study of drought response in the Mediterranean conifer Pinus pinaster Ait.: Differential transcriptomic profiling reveals constitutive water deficit‐independent drought tolerance mechanisms
Authors: de María Nuria , Guevara María Ángeles , Perdiguero Pedro , Vélez María Dolores , Cabezas José Antonio , López‐Hinojosa Miriam , Li Zhen , Díaz Luís Manuel , Pizarro Alberto , Mancha José Antonio , Sterck Lieven , Sánchez‐Gómez David , Miguel Célia , Collada Carmen , Díaz‐Sala María Carmen , Cervera María Teresa 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAdaptation of long‐living forest trees to respond to environmental changes is essential to secure their performance under adverse conditions. Water deficit is one of the most significant stress factors determining tree growth and survival. Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.), the main source of softwood in southwestern Europe, is subjected to recurrent drought periods which, according to climate change predictions for the years to come, will progressively increase in the Mediterranean region. The mechanisms regulating pine adaptive responses to environment are still largely unknown. The aim of this work was to go a step further in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying maritime pine response to water stress and drought tolerance at the whole plant level. A global transcriptomic profiling of roots, stems, and needles was conducted to analyze the performance of siblings showing contrasted responses to water deficit from an ad hoc designed full‐sib family. Although P. pinaster is considered a recalcitrant species for vegetative propagation in adult phase, the analysis was conducted using vegetatively propagated trees exposed to two treatments: well‐watered and moderate water stress. The comparative analyses led us to identify organ‐specific genes, constitutively expressed as well as differentially expressed when comparing control versus water stress conditions, in drought‐sensitive and drought‐tolerant genotypes. Different response strategies can point out, with tolerant individuals being pre‐adapted for coping with drought by constitutively expressing stress‐related genes that are detected only in latter stages on sensitive individuals subjected to drought.
Major histocompatibility complex variation is similar in little brown bats before and after white‐nose syndrome outbreak
Authors: Yi Xueling , Donner Deahn M. , Marquardt Paula E. , Palmer Jonathan M. , Jusino Michelle A. , Frair Jacqueline , Lindner Daniel L. , Latch Emily K. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWhite‐nose syndrome (WNS), caused by the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), has driven alarming declines in North American hibernating bats, such as little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus). During hibernation, infected little brown bats are able to initiate anti‐Pd immune responses, indicating pathogen‐mediated selection on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. However, such immune responses may not be protective as they interrupt torpor, elevate energy costs, and potentially lead to higher mortality rates. To assess whether WNS drives selection on MHC genes, we compared the MHC DRB gene in little brown bats pre‐ (Wisconsin) and post‐ (Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Pennsylvania) WNS (detection spanning 2014–2015). We genotyped 131 individuals and found 45 nucleotide alleles (27 amino acid alleles) indicating a maximum of 3 loci (1–5 alleles per individual). We observed high allelic admixture and a lack of genetic differentiation both among sampling sites and between pre‐ and post‐WNS populations, indicating no signal of selection on MHC genes. However, post‐WNS populations exhibited decreased allelic richness, reflecting effects from bottleneck and drift following rapid population declines. We propose that mechanisms other than adaptive immunity are more likely driving current persistence of little brown bats in affected regions.
Reconstructing continental‐scale variation in soil δ15N: a machine learning approach in South America
Authors: Sena‐Souza João Paulo , Houlton Benjamin Z. , Martinelli Luiz Antônio , Bielefeld Nardoto Gabriela 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSoil nitrogen isotope composition (δ15N) is an essential tool for investigating ecosystem nitrogen balances, plant–microbe interactions, ecological niches, animal migration, food origins, and forensics. The advancement of these applications is limited by a lack of robust geospatial models that are capable of capturing variation in soil δ15N (i.e., isotopic landscapes or isoscapes). Due to the complexity of the nitrogen cycle and general scarcity of isotopic information, previous approaches have reconstructed regional to global soil δ15N patterns via highly uncertain linear regression models. Here, we develop a new machine learning approach to ascertain a finer‐scale understanding of geographic differences in soil δ15N, using the South American continent as a test case. We use a robust training set spanning 278 geographic locations across the continent, spanning all major biomes. We tested three different machine learning methods: cubist, random forest (RF), and stochastic gradient boosting (GBM). 10‐fold cross‐validation revealed that the RF method outperformed both the cubist and GBM approaches. Variable importance analysis of the RF framework pointed to biome type as the most crucial auxiliary variable, followed by soil organic carbon content, in determining the model performance. We thereby created a biogeographic boundary map, which predicted an expected multiscale spatial pattern of soil δ15N with a high degree of confidence, performing substantially better than all previous approaches for the continent of South America. Therefore, the RF machine learning framework showed to be a great opportunity to explore a broad array of ecological, biogeochemical, and forensic issues through the lens of soil δ15N.
Comparative Study of Metallocene Modified Gold Nanoparticles Polymer Electrodes for Effective Determination of Dopamine
Authors: Atta Nada F. , Galal Ahmed , Hassan Samar H. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHere in we present a gold nanoparticles‐poly (3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) modified with metallocene (ferrocene carboxylic acid (FC1), ferrocene (FC2) or cobaltocene (CC)) composites based electrochemical sensors for sensitive determination of dopamine (DA). Higher electron transfer and electrocatalytic activity towards DA are obtained with FC1. The presence of ferrocenium ions enhances the charge exchange rate and the carboxyl groups enhance the electronic conduction in the composite. DA is determined in presence of uric and ascorbic acids with excellent resolution and sensitivity. DA is determined in urine samples with limit of detection 19.6 nM, in the range of 4 to 160 μM.
Phase II study of de‐intensified intensity‐modulated radiotherapy and concurrent carboplatin/5‐fluorouracil in lateralized p16‐associated oropharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Bahig Houda , Lambert Louise , Filion Edith , Soulières Denis , Guertin Louis , Ayad Tareck , Christopoulos Apostolos , Bissada Eric , Alizadeh Moein , Bélair Manon , Nguyen‐Tan Phuc Felix 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPurposeTo assess cancer control and patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) after de‐intensified intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in lateralized p16‐associated oropharyngeal cancer (p16‐OPC).MethodsLateralized p16‐OPC treated with radiotherapy and concurrent Carboplatin/5‐fluorouracil between 2011 and 2014 were enrolled. De‐intensified IMRT consisted in elective neck dose of 43.2 Gy/24 fractions and omission of contralateral retropharyngeal/level IV nodes. PROs were assessed using the EORTC QLC‐C30 and QLQ‐HN35 scales.ResultsTwenty‐nine patients were included. Median follow‐up was 44 months. As per AJCC 7th Ed, 7%, 83% and 10% of patients had stage III, IVa and IVb. 5‐year locoregional control and overall survival rates were 100% and 100%, respectively. Rates of acute were 52% and 35%, respectively. At 2 years post‐treatment, 50% and 14% of patients had grade 1 xerostomia and dysgueusia, respectively. Most PROs scores returned to baseline within 8 months post‐treatment.ConclusionDe‐intensified IMRT was associated with excellent cancer outcomes, and rapid recovery of PROs in lateralized p16‐OPC.
Pharyngocutaneous fistulas after total laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy: Place of video‐fluoroscopic swallowing study
Authors: Carsuzaa Florent , Capitaine Anne‐Laure , Ferrié Jean‐Claude , Apert Vincent , Tonnerre Denis , Frasca Denis , Dufour Xavier 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundSpecify place of video‐fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFS) in the decision of oral refeeding after total pharyngolaryngectomy.MethodsAt postoperative day 7, a blue dye testing was performed. If negative, a VFS was performed looking for a blind fistula. If this exam was negative, oral refeeding was started, but if a blind fistula was observed, cervical compression bandage was performed.ResultsIn 186 patients, a VFS was performed for 142 patients with negative blue dye testing. It was negative for 98 patients (69%) and positive for 44 patients (31%) (blind fistula). Patients had a probability of 7.1% to have a secondary pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) if the VFS was negative, and 15.9% if it was positive. No risk factor for the development of a secondary PCF or a blind fistula emerged from our analysis.ConclusionVFS should be performed before any oral refeeding in all patients operated with a total pharyngolaryngectomy.
Evaluation of in vitro corrosion behavior of zinc–hydroxyapatite and zinc–hydroxyapatite–iron as biodegradable composites
Authors: Pathak Dayanidhi Krishana , Pandey Pulak Mohan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractZinc (Zn) based biomaterials have been emerged as one of the capable biodegradable materials for biomedical applications because of the ideal degradation properties. In the present work, corrosion kinetics of Zn–hydroxyapatite (HA), and Zn–HA–iron (Fe) materials developed using microwave sintering process were investigated. The effect of the inclusion of HA and Fe in Zn on corrosion properties have been evaluated in the simulated body fluid solution. Further, the wettability test of the developed composites was performed to confirm the hydrophilic nature of the surface of all samples. Zn‐3HA was found to have better hydrophilicity as compared to other samples. Increased corrosion rate and pH of Zn‐5HA‐2Fe samples were attributed to the addition of HA and Fe in the Zn matrix. The corrosion rate and weight loss rate from electrochemical and immersion testing of all samples were found in the order from highest to lowest: Zn‐5HA‐2Fe > Zn‐3HA > Zn‐3HA‐2Fe > Zn. The highest cell viability nearly 100% was obtained for Zn‐3HA samples, whereas other samples also showed sufficient biocompatibility to be utilized for biomedical applications.
Novel three‐dimensional bioglass functionalized gelatin nanofibrous scaffolds for bone regeneration
Authors: Zheng Xiao , Liu Yu , Liu Yangxi , Pan Yining , Yao Qingqing 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe clinical use of FDA‐approved bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are impeded by high costs, super‐high dosage requirement, short half‐life, and other undesirable side effects. Therefore, designing a biomaterial that can promote new bone formation without using exogenous BMPs is highly desirable in clinical applications. In the present work, a new kind of nanofibrous scaffold composed of gelatin and 45S5 bioglass (GF/45S5 BG) was prepared through thermally induced phase separation method together with the particle leach technique (TIPS&P). In addition to the significantly higher mechanical strength, the composite scaffolds (GF/45S5 BG) significantly increased osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in vitro compared with the neat scaffold (GF) without adding other biological agents, for example, BMPs or hormones. Most importantly, our in vivo studies also indicated that GF/45S5 BG scaffolds could directly promote ectopic bone regeneration in SD rats without exogenous BMP2. In summary, both in vitro and in vivo results indicated that the novel 45S5 bioglass functionalized GF nanofibrous scaffold is a promising alternative for bone tissue engineering.