bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association Between β-Blocker Use and Mortality/Morbidity in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced, Midrange, and Preserved Ejection Fraction and Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Fu Edouard L. , Uijl Alicia , Dekker Friedo W. , Lund Lars H. , Savarese Gianluigi , Carrero Juan J. 
Published: October 2020

Background:
It is unknown if β-blockers reduce mortality/morbidity in patients with heart failure (HF) and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), a population underrepresented in HF trials.

Methods:

Observational cohort of HF patients with advanced CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
) from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry between 2001 and 2016. We first explored associations between β-blocker use, 5-year death, and the composite of cardiovascular death/HF hospitalization among 3775 patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and advanced CKD. We compared observed hazards with those from a control cohort of 15 346 patients with HFrEF and moderate CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60–30 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
), for whom β-blocker trials demonstrate benefit. Second, we explored outcomes associated to β-blocker among advanced CKD participants with preserved (HFpEF; N=2009) and midrange ejection fraction (HFmrEF; N=1514).

Results:
During a median follow-up of 1.3 years, 2012 patients had a subsequent HF hospitalization, and 2849 died in the HFrEF cohort, of which 2016 died due to cardiovascular causes. Among patients with HFrEF, β-blocker use was associated with lower risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio 0.85 [95% CI, 0.75–0.96]) and cardiovascular mortality/HF hospitalization (0.87 [0.77–0.98]) compared with nonuse. The magnitude of the associations was similar to that observed for HFrEF patients with moderate CKD. Conversely, no significant association was observed for β-blocker users in advanced CKD with HFpEF (death: 0.88 [0.77–1.02], cardiovascular mortality/HF hospitalization: 1.05 [0.90–1.23]) or HFmrEF (death: 0.95 [0.79–1.14], cardiovascular mortality/HF hospitalization: 1.09 [0.90–1.31]).

Conclusions:
In HFrEF patients with advanced CKD, the use of β-blockers was associated with lower morbidity and mortality. Although inconclusive due to limited power, these benefits were not observed in similar patients with HFpEF or HFmrEF.
Network Connections and the Emergence of the Hub-and-Spokes Alliance System in East Asia
Authors: Izumikawa Yasuhiro 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Why did the so-called hub-and-spokes alliance system emerge in East Asia after World War II instead of a multilateral alliance? Realists and constructivists offer various explanations, pointing to such factors as the United States' preference for bilateral alliances, the absence of a collective identity, and historical memories of Japanese imperialism. None of these explanations is satisfactory, however. Indeed, the historical record reveals that the United States sought a multilateral alliance in East Asia until the early 1960s. A theoretical model based on a social exchange network approach explains how a specific form of network can develop among potential allies. In East Asia, three U.S. allies—Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan—contributed to the emergence and shape of the hub-and-spokes system, which came into being as an unintended consequence of their interactions. The preferences and behavior of these allies proved at least as consequential as those of the United States in shaping this system. The implications of this finding could be significant for alliance politics in contemporary East Asia.
Forecasting Remote Atmospheric Responses to Decadal Kuroshio Stability Transitions
Authors: Siqueira L. , Kirtman B. P. , Laurindo L. C. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBased on observational estimates and global ocean eddy-resolving coupled retrospective initialized predictions, we show that Kuroshio Extension variability affects rainfall variability along the west coast of North America. We show that the teleconnection between the current undulations and downstream rainfall can lead to improved subseasonal to seasonal predictions of precipitation over California, and we demonstrate that capturing these teleconnections requires coupled systems with sufficient ocean resolution (i.e., eddy-resolving), especially over time scales longer than one season. The improved forecast skill is diagnosed in terms of 35 years of retrospective initialized ensemble forecasts with an ocean eddy-resolving and an ocean eddy-parameterized coupled model. Not only does the ocean eddy-resolving model show sensitivity to Kuroshio Extension variability in terms of western North America precipitation, but the ocean eddy-resolving forecasts also show improved forecast skill compared to the ocean eddy-parameterized model. The ocean eddy-parameterized coupled model shows no sensitivity to Kuroshio Extension variability. We also find near-decadal variability associated with a progression of a lower-tropospheric height dipole around the North Pacific and how these height anomalies lead to wind-driven Rossby waves that affect the eddy activity in the Kuroshio Extension with a time lag on the order of four years. This decadal-scale variability (~10 years) opens the possibility of multiyear predictability of western North American rainfall.
Die Sozialisation von Menschen und Dingen, zum Beispiel im Büro
Authors: Hemmati-Weber Minu 
Published: October 2020

Der Beitrag erläutert eine theoretische Konzeption der Beziehungen von Menschen und Dingen, i.e. Gebäuden, Räumen, Möbeln, Arbeitsmitteln usw., und bezieht sich v.a. auf die Situation in Büros. Aus verschiedenen theoretischen Perspektiven werde ich herausarbeiten, daß und wie die Dinge, von denen wir umgeben sind, uns beeinflussen. Dieser Einfluß ist sowohl sozialisatorisch als auch aktuell verhaltenssteuernd. Und: Die Einflüsse der Dingwelt sind ebenso wichtig wie soziale Einflüsse – obwohl die Bedeutung dinglicher Ambiente gemeinhin unterschätzt wird. Ausgehend von einer Definition der Personen als Sujet-Subjekte (Meyer-Drawe 1990) beschreibe ich die Dinge als Kultur-Objekte, die auf mehrfache Weise beeinflussende Funktionen haben, auch am Arbeitsplatz. Die Beziehungen von Menschen und Dingen definiere ich als transaktionale Relationen; dieses Relationskonzept erlaubt die begriffliche Fassung der wechselseitigen Bedingtheit und Verschränkung von Menschen und Dingen. Die Erläuterung der Abhängigkeit unserer Selbst- und Weltkonzepte von der dinglichen Umgebung verweist noch einmal auf die große Bedeutung der Dinge. Die genannten theoretischen Zugänge legen es jeweils nahe, den Einfluß der Dingwelt als fundamental und als letztlich nicht aufhebbar zu begreifen: Wir können diesen Einfluß ent-decken, nicht aber abstreifen. Der Beitrag schließt mit einigen Überlegungen zu der Frage, ob und wie Personen sich von organisationalen Zwängen, wie sie auch dinglich vermittelt werden, emanzipieren können – am Beispiel der Mitbestimmung bei der Gestaltung von Büroräumen. Die theoretischen Darstellungen werden anhand eines idealtypischen Fallbeispiels jeweils illustriert.
Gene expression profile predicts response to the combination of tosedostat and low-dose cytarabine in elderly AML
Authors: Visani Giuseppe , Loscocco Federica , Dennis Mike , Zuffa Eliana , Candoni Anna , Sensi Alberto , Giannini Barbara , Musuraca Gerardo , Mianulli Anna Maria , Clavio Marino , Rocchi Marco , Gibellini Davide , Navari Mohsen , Gilkes Amanda , Piccaluga Pier Paolo , Isidori Alessandro 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Tosedostat is an orally administered metalloenzyme inhibitor with antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activity against hematological and solid human cancers. Clinical activity has been demonstrated in relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Thirty-three elderly patients with AML (median age, 75 years) received 120 mg tosedostat orally once daily combined with subcutaneous low-dose cytarabine (20 mg twice per day for 10 days, up to 8 cycles), until disease progression. Induction mortality was 12%. According to an intention-to-treat analysis, the complete remission (CR) rate was 48.5%, and thus the primary end point of the study was reached (expected CR, 25%). The partial remission rate was 6.1%, with an overall response rate of 54.5%. Furthermore, 4 of 33 patients had stable disease (median: 286 days). The median progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were 203 days and 222 days, respectively. Responding patients had a longer median OS than nonresponding patients (P = .001). A microarray analysis performed in 29 of 33 patients identified 188 genes associated with clinical response (CR vs no CR). Three of them (CD93, GORASP1, CXCL16) were validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, which correctly classified 83% of the patients. Specifically, CR achievement was efficiently predicted by the gene expression patterns, with an overall accuracy exceeding 90%. Finally, a negative predictive value of 100% was validated in an independent series, thus representing the first molecular predictor for clinical response to a specific combination drug treatment for AML. This trial has been registered at the European Medicines Agency and on the European Clinical Trials Database (https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu) as #2012-000334-19.
Impaired natural killer cell counts and cytolytic activity in patients with severe COVID-19
Authors: Osman Mohammed , Faridi Rehan M. , Sligl Wendy , Shabani-Rad Meer-Taher , Dharmani-Khan Poonam , Parker Arabesque , Kalra Amit , Tripathi Minal Borkar , Storek Jan , Cohen Tervaert Jan Willem , Khan Faisal M. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The global pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–driven coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused unprecedented human death and has seriously threatened the global economy. Early data suggest a surge in proinflammatory cytokines in patients with severe COVID-19, which has been associated with poor outcomes. We recently postulated that the inflammatory response in patients with severe COVID-19 disease is not inhibited by natural killer (NK) cells, resulting in a “cytokine storm.” Here, we assessed the NK-cell functional activity and the associated cytokines and soluble mediators in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Significantly impaired NK-cell counts and cytolytic activity were observed in COVID-19 patients when compared with healthy controls. Also, cytokines like interleukin 12 (IL12), IL15, and IL21 that are important for NK-cell activity were not detected systematically. Serum concentrations of soluble CD25 (sCD25)/soluble IL2 receptor α (sIL2-Rα) were significantly elevated and were inversely correlated with the percentage of NK cells. Impaired NK-cell cytolytic activity together with other laboratory trends including elevated sCD25 were consistent with a hyperinflammatory state in keeping with macrophage-activation syndrome. Our findings suggest that impaired counts and cytolytic activity of NK cells are important characteristics of severe COVID-19 and can potentially facilitate strategies for immunomodulatory therapies.
Nasal high-flow oxygenversusnoninvasive ventilation in acute exacerbation of COPD: protocol for a randomised noninferiority clinical trial
Authors: Papalampidou Athanasia , Bibaki Eleni , Boutlas Stylianos , Pantazopoulos Ioannis , Athanasiou Nikolaos , Moylan Melanie , Vlachakos Vasileios , Grigoropoulos Vasileios , Eleftheriou Konstantinos , Daniil Zoe , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos , Kalomenidis Ioannis , Zakynthinos Spyros , Ischaki Eleni 
Published: October 2020

BackgroundNoninvasive ventilation (NIV) is considered as the first-line treatment for acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) complicated by respiratory acidosis. Recent studies demonstrate a role of nasal high-flow oxygen (NHF) in AECOPD as an alternative treatment in patients intolerant to NIV or with contraindications to it.AimThe study aimed to evaluate whether NHF respiratory support is noninferior compared to NIV in respect to treatment failure, defined as need for intubation or change to alternative treatment group, in patients with AECOPD and mild-to-moderate acute or acute-on-chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure.MethodsWe designed a multicentre, prospective, randomised trial on patients with AECOPD, who have pH<7.35 but >7.25 andPaCO2 >45 mmHg, in whom NIV is indicated as a first-line treatment. According to power analysis, 498 participants will be required for establishing noninferiority of NHF compared to NIV. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive NIV or NHF. Treatment will be adjusted to maintainSpO2between 88%–92% for both groups. Arterial blood gases, respiratory variables, comfort, dyspnoea score and any pulmonary or extrapulmonary complications will be assessed at baseline, before treatment initiation, and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48 h, then once daily from day 3 to patient discharge, intubation or death.ConclusionGiven the increasing number of studies demonstrating the physiological effects of NHF in COPD patients, we hypothesise that NHF respiratory support will be noninferior to NIV in patients with AECOPD and mild-to-moderate acute or acute on chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure.
Rhinovirus-16 increases ATP release in A549 cells without concomitant increase in production
Authors: Atkinson Samantha K. , Morice Alyn H. , Sadofsky Laura R. 
Published: October 2020

Human rhinovirus (RV) is the most common cause of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and chronic airway disease exacerbation. Cough is present in 50–80% of URTI cases, accompanied by heightened airway hypersensitivity, yet no effective treatment currently exists for this infectious cough. The mechanism by which RV causes cough and airway hypersensitivity in URTI is still unknown despite recent advances in potential therapies for chronic cough.The effect of RV-16 infection (MOI 1) on intracellular ATP stores and ATP release in A549 alveolar epithelial cells was measured.RV-16 infection was found to significantly increase (by 50% from basal at 24 h) followed by decrease (by 50% from basal at 48 and 72 h) intracellular ATP concentrations, while increasing ATP release (from 72 h) independently of secondary stimulation. This effect was mimicked by intercellular adhesion molecule 1 receptor binding alone through ultraviolet-inactivated sham control. In addition, RV-16-infected cells became more sensitive to secondary stimulation with both hypotonic and isotonic solutions, suggestive of a hypersensitive response. These responses were not mediatedviaincreased TRPV4 or pannexin-1 whole-cell expression as determined by Western blotting. Interestingly, the increased ATP release seen was not a result of increased mitochondrial ATP production.Thus, this is the first report demonstrating that RV-16 infection of airway epithelial cells causes hypersensitivity by increasing ATP release. These finding provide a novel insight into the process by which viruses may cause cough and identify a potential target for treatment of viral and post-viral cough.
Aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of moderate-to-severe haemoptysis in a North American academic centre
Authors: Quigley Nicholas , Gagnon Sébastien , Fortin Marc 
Published: October 2020

Significant haemoptysis is a frightening event for patients and clinicians alike. There is a paucity of contemporary literature on the subject.A retrospective analysis of hospitalisations for haemoptysis of more than 50 mL·day−1in a tertiary referral centre during a 5-year period was performed. Patient's characteristics, haemoptysis aetiology, management and outcome were individually recorded. The aim of this study was to detail the causes of moderate (50–200 mL·day−1) to severe (>200 mL·day−1) haemoptysis along with the diagnostic measures and treatment options used in their management in a 21st century, tertiary-care North American centre.A total of 165 hospitalisations for moderate-to-severe haemoptysis were included in the analysis. Lung cancer (30.3%) and bronchiectasis (27.9%) proved to be most frequent aetiologies. Computed tomography (CT) imaging and bronchoscopy were complementary in identifying the source of bleeding. Bronchial artery embolisation (BAE) was the most common treatment approach (61.8%) and resulted in initial bleeding control in 73.5% of cases. In-hospital mortality was 13.9%, varying from 3.3% in the moderate group to 24.7% in the severe group. Despite being the favoured approach in patients with more severe bleeding, initial BAE therapy was associated with a trend towards lower mortality compared to initial non-BAE therapy.In summary, lung cancer and bronchiectasis were the main causes of moderate-to-severe haemoptysis in our population, CT and bronchoscopy are complementary in identifying the source of bleeding, bleeding volume is associated with outcomes and BAE is a key management tool.
Current symptom-based risk scores for stable coronary artery disease evaluation are not applicable in COPD patients
Authors: Beyer Christoph , Pizzini Alex , Boehm Anna , Loeffler-Ragg Judith , Weiss Guenter , Feuchtner Gudrun , Bauer Axel , Friedrich Guy , Plank Fabian 
Published: October 2020

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases are arguably the most important comorbidity in patients with COPD. Despite an increased prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in COPD patients, there are no dedicated diagnostic recommendations.ObjectivesWe investigated whether COPD patients receive adequate primary evaluation of CAD despite overlapping symptoms.MethodsIn total, 302 patients with COPD who underwent invasive coronary angiography (ICA) were retrospectively matched (for age, body mass index and cardiovascular risk factors) with 302 patients without functional lung diseases. Quality and onset of symptoms prior to ICA were documented, and individual patients’ pretest probabilities according to European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines were calculated. Endpoints were delay of ICA referral after symptom onset and clinical outcome, defined as subsequent revascularisation.ResultsMean delay between symptom onset and ICA was 19.9±22.0 months in COPD patients compared to 8.3±12.7 months in the control group (p<0.0001). COPD patients had a lower rate of typical chest pain (25.2%versus38.1%, p=0.0009), and dyspnoea only (18.2%versus26.8%, p=0.015). Sub-analysis of Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grades revealed an incremental delay with increasing COPD severity: GOLD 1: 16.1±17.3 months; GOLD 2: 17.6±22.1 months; GOLD 3: 20.1±21.3 months; and GOLD 4: 24.2±23.4 months. Overall significant CAD prevalence (>70% stenosis) was 35.3%; the revascularisation rate increased with higher pretest probability for the control group but decreased for patients with COPD GOLD 1–4.ConclusionPatients with COPD are insufficiently evaluated for CAD due to overlapping symptoms. Current CAD risk scores for stable chest pain appear inappropriate for patients with COPD.
Birth preparedness complication readiness and determinants among pregnant women: a community-based survey from Ethiopia
Authors: Ananche Teshale Abosie , Wodajo Legesse Tadesse 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Maternal death related to obstetric complications remains a great challenge in developing countries. Since these complications are not consistently predictable, it is important to plan different preventive approaches to overcome them when. As the information on birth preparedness, complication readiness, and predictors were limited in the study area, we conducted this study.

Methods
A Cross-sectional study involving 396 pregnant women was conducted from 1st April to 1st May 2018. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Descriptive, binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted in SPSS for windows version 20. P values < 0.05 were considered significant.

Results
Of 361 women interviewed (91% response rate), birth preparedness and complication readiness were present in 24.10% (87/361) of women. Maternal factors, age 18–19 (AOR = 0.18; 95% CI (0.04,0.94)), 20–34 (AOR = 0.40; 95% CI (0.20,0.78)), education, not able to read/write (AOR = 0.36;95% CI (0.15,0.85),read/write (AOR = 0.41;95% CI (0.19,0.89)), Muslim religion (AOR = 0.40; 95% CI (0.18,0.85)) income ETB, < 1000 (AOR = 0.21; 95% CI (0.07,0.67)),1000–2000, (AOR = 0.38; 95% CI (0.19,0.76)), and the mothers’ knowledge on key danger signs of postpartum (AOR = 0.48; 95% CI (0.26,0.90)) were independent predictors of birth preparedness and complication readiness.

Conclusions
Educational status, age, religion, family income, and knowledge of obstetric danger signs were significantly associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness. The Government and other health sector partners should work to improve women’s education, income, and focus on young age groups on pregnancy danger signs.
Assessment of the anti-virulence potential of extracts from four plants used in traditional Chinese medicine against multidrug-resistant pathogens
Authors: Pu Zhonghui , Tang Huaqiao , Long Nana , Qiu Min , Gao Mingxiang , Sun Fenghui , Dai Min 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Multidrug-resistant pathogens are resistant to many antibiotics and associated with serious infections. Amomum tsaoko Crevost et Lemaire, Sanguisorba officinalis, Terminalia chebula Retz and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge, are all used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) against multidrug-resistant pathogens, and the purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial and anti-virulence activity of extracts derived from them.

Methods
The antibacterial activity of ethanol and aqueous extracts from these four plants was examined against several multi-drug resistant bacterial strains, and their anti-virulence potential (including quorum quenching activity, biofilm inhibition, and blocking production of virulence factor δ-toxin) was assessed against different S. aureus strains. The chemical composition of the most effective extract was determined by LC-FTMS.

Results
Only extracts from S. officinalis and A. tsaoko were shown to exhibit limited growth inhibition activity at a dose of 256 μg·mL-1. The S. officinalis ethanol extract, the ethanol and aqueous extract of A. tsaoko, and the aqueous extract of S. miltiorrhiza all demonstrated quorum quenching activity, but didn’t significantly inhibit bacterial growth. The ethanol extract of S. officinalis inhibited bacterial toxin production and biofilm formation at low concentrations. Chemical composition analysis of the most effective extract of S. officinalis showed that it mainly contained saponins.

Conclusions
The most active extract tested in this study was the ethanol root extract of S. officinalis. It inhibited δ-toxin production and biofilm formation at low concentrations and saponins may be its key active components. While the four plants showed no direct antibacterial effects, their anti-virulence properties may be key to fighting bacterial infections.