bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urine N‐terminal pro b‐type natriuretic peptide is predictive of heart failure‐related emergency department visits
Authors: Chen Ju‐Yi , Lee Shuenn‐Yuh , Tsai Wei‐Chuan , Lin Chia‐Yu , Shieh Meng‐Dar , Ciou Ding‐Siang 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimsEmergency department (ED) visits for decompensated heart failure (HF) are frequent and associated with poor long‐term outcomes in patients with HF. Serum N‐terminal pro b‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) is widely used to assist diagnosis and predict clinical outcomes in HF patients. Few studies have investigated the use of urine NT‐proBNP as an HF biomarker. This study aims to assess the value of urine NT‐proBNP for predicting ED visits for decompensated HF as compared with that of serum NT‐proBNP.Methods and resultsThis study included 122 HF patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (<50%). Serum and urine NT‐proBNP levels were measured. Baseline data included demographics, comorbidities, and co‐medications. Medical records were used to determine the incidence of visits to the ED for decompensated HF during the 3 months following the last visit. We observed significantly higher levels of both serum and urine NT‐proBNP in patients with subsequent ED visits than in those without. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that urine NT‐proBNP/creatinine ratio (OR, 1.031; 95% CI, 1.001–1.061; P = 0.046) but not serum NT‐proBNP was an independent factor associated with subsequent ED visits. According to receiver‐operating characteristic‑area under the curve analysis, the optimal cut‐off value of urine NT‐proBNP/creatinine ratio for predicting subsequent heart‐failure related ED visits was 0.272 pg/μg Cr (area under the curve, 0.675; P = 0.011).ConclusionsFor HF patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, a single measurement of urinary NT‐proBNP/creatinine ratio is predictive of subsequent ED visits for decompensated HF. This non‐invasive and easy measurement may be a clinically useful tool for monitoring clinical outcomes and identifying a subset of patients at higher risk of ED visits within a short time.
Young patients with heart failure: clinical characteristics and outcomes. Data from the Swedish Heart Failure, National Patient, Population and Cause of Death Registers
Authors: Basic Carmen , Rosengren Annika , Alehagen Urban , Dahlström Ulf , Edner Magnus , Fu Michael , Novak Masuma , Zverkova Sandström Tatiana , Schaufelberger Maria 
Published: July 2020

AimsThe prevalence and hospitalizations of patients with heart failure (HF) aged <55 years have increased in Sweden during the last decades. We aimed to compare characteristics of younger and older patients with HF, and examine survival in patients <55 years compared with matched controls.Methods and resultsAll patients ≥18 years in the Swedish Heart Failure Register from 2003 to 2014 were included. Data were merged with National Patient and Cause of Death Registers. Among 60 962 patients, 3752 (6.2%) were <55 years, and were compared with 7425 controls from the Population Register. Compared with patients ≥55 years, patients <55 years more frequently had registered diagnoses of obesity, dilated cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, and an ejection fraction <40% (9.8% vs. 4.7%, 27.2% vs. 5.5%, 3.7% vs. 0.8%, 67.9% vs. 45.1%, respectively; all P < 0.001). One‐year all‐cause mortality was 21.2%, 4.2%, and 0.3% in patients ≥55 years, patients <55 years, and controls <55 years, respectively (all P < 0.001). Patients <55 years had a five times higher mortality risk compared with controls [hazard ratio (HR) 5.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.45–6.74]; the highest HR was in patients 18–34 years (HR 38.3, 95% CI 8.70–169; both P < 0.001). At the age of 20, the estimated life‐years lost was up to 36 years for 50% of patients, with declining estimates with increasing age.ConclusionPatients with HF <55 years had different comorbidities than patients ≥55 years. The highest mortality risk relative to that of controls was among the youngest patients.
Severity of subjective forgetfulness is associated with high dietary intake of copper in Japanese senior women: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Odai Tamami , Terauchi Masakazu , Suzuki Risa , Kato Kiyoko , Hirose Asuka , Miyasaka Naoyuki 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis study investigated the relationship between subjective forgetfulness and the dietary intake of various nutrients in middle‐aged and senior women. A cross‐sectional study of the first‐visit records of 245 Japanese women aged 40 or over was performed. The severity of subjective forgetfulness was classified according to the Menopausal Health‐Related Quality of Life Questionnaire: none and mild (“unforgetful”) or moderate and severe (“forgetful”). Dietary consumption of nutrients was estimated using the brief‐type self‐administered diet history questionnaire. The associations between the severity of subjective forgetfulness and intake of 43 major nutrients were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis separately performed for two age groups: middle‐aged (40–54 years, N = 166) and senior (55 years or over, N = 79). No nutrients were found to be significantly associated with subjective forgetfulness in the middle‐aged group. In senior women, a significant positive relationship between the intake of copper and forgetfulness was found (adjusted odds ratio per 10 mg/kJ increase in copper intake: 1.25; 95% confidence interval: 1.08–1.50). Thus, high copper intake is positively associated with the severity of forgetfulness in Japanese senior women. Reducing copper consumption could help improve this symptom in this population.
Effect of ball milling on the thermal conductivity and viscosity of Indian coal fly ash nanofluid
Authors: Kanti Praveen , Sharma K. V. , Ramachandra C. G. , Minea Alina Adriana 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe present study investigates the effect of ball milling on thermal conductivity and viscosity of stable nanofluid of fly ash from Indian coal. The particle size of fly ash decreased from micron size to 89, 55.5, and 11.5 nm with reduction by 55, 90, and 434 times, respectively, due to ball milling for 30, 40, and 60 hours. The surfactant Triton X‐100 was used to attain stability of 0.1% and 0.5% volume concentration of fly ash nanofluid. The samples were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential analysis. The outcome reveals that the thermal conductivity of fly ash nanofluid increases with temperature, volume concentration, and reduction in particle size. A maximum enhancement in thermal conductivity of 11.9% with 11.5‐nm nanofluid sample and 5.4% with 89‐nm nanofluid sample for 0.5% concentration at 60°C is observed. The viscosity of fly ash nanofluid increases with concentration and varies inversely with particle size and temperature. A difference of 1.6% in viscosity is observed between the values obtained with 11.5 and 89 nm nanofluid samples for 0.5% concentration at 30°C.
Stability and thermophysical properties of fly ash nanofluid for heat transfer applications
Authors: Kanti Praveen , Sharma K. V. , Ramachandra C. G. , Panitapu Bhramara 
Published: July 2020

AbstractImproving the performance of heat transfer fluids is altogether significant. The best approach for improving the thermal conductivity is the addition of nanoparticles to the base fluid. In the present study, specific heat, dynamic viscosity, and thermal conductivity of water‐based Indian coal fly ash stable nanofluid for 0.1% to 0.5% volume concentration in the temperature range of 30 to 60°C has been investigated. To evaluate an average particle diameter of 11.5 nm, the fly ash nanoparticles were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Using zeta potential, the stability of nanofluid in the presence of surfactant Triton X‐100 was tested. Thermal conductivity and viscosity of fly ash nanofluid increased, while specific heat decreased as volume concentration increased. The effect of temperature on the fly ash nanofluid was directly proportional to its thermal conductivity and specific heat and inversely proportional to viscosity.
Carbon quantum dots‐embedded electrospun antimicrobial and fluorescent scaffold for reepithelialization in albino wistar rats
Authors: Kanagasubbulakshmi Sankaralingam , Lakshmi Krishnasamy , Kadirvelu Krishna 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA prosthetic scaffold development using fluorescent nanofiber is reported for an enhanced reepithelialization in wistar albino rats. In this study, a novel approach was followed to construct the biocompatible fluorescent nanofiber that will be helpful to monitor the tissue regeneration process. Here, a multifunctional carbon quantum dots (CQDs)‐embedded electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber was fabricated and characterized using standard laboratory techniques. The biodegradation ability was assessed by simulated body fluid thereby analyzing porosity and water absorption capacity of the material. The fluorescent scaffold was tested for cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity using bacterial and fibroblast cells and fluorescent stability was analyzed by bioimaging of animal and bacterial cells. Tissue regeneration capability of the developed scaffold was evaluated using wistar albino rats. Unlike biomicking scaffolds, the CQDs‐embedded PAN‐based substrate has given dual support by enhancing reepithelialization without growth factors and acted as an antimicrobial agent to provide contamination free tissue regeneration. Scaffolds were examined by using histostaining techniques and scanning electron microscopy to observe the reepithelialization in the regenerated tissues. The novel approach for developing infection free soft tissue regeneration was found to be phenomenal in scaffold development.
In vitro and in vivo study on the osseointegration of BCP‐coated versus uncoated nondegradable thermoplastic polyurethane focal knee resurfacing implants
Authors: Jeuken Ralph M. , Roth Alex K. , Peters Marloes J.M. , Welting Tim J.M. , van Rhijn Lodewijk W. , Koenen Jac , Peters Ruud J.R.W. , Thies Jens C. , Emans Pieter J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractFocal knee resurfacing implants (FKRIs) are intended to treat cartilage defects in middle‐aged patients. Most FKRIs are metal‐based, which hampers follow‐up of the joint using magnetic resonance imaging and potentially leads to damage of the opposing cartilage. The purpose of this study was to develop a nondegradable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) FKRI and investigate its osseointegration. Different surface roughness modifications and biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) coating densities were first tested in vitro on TPU discs. The in vivo osseointegration of BCP‐coated TPU implants was subsequently compared to uncoated TPU implants and the titanium bottom layer of metal control implants in a caprine model. Implants were implanted bilaterally in stifle joints and animals were followed for 12 weeks, after which the bone‐to‐implant contact area (BIC) was assessed. Additionally, 18F‐sodium‐fluoride (18F‐NaF) positron emission tomography PET/CT‐scans were obtained at 3 and 12 weeks to visualize the bone metabolism over time. The BIC was significantly higher for the BCP‐coated TPU implants compared to the uncoated TPU implants (p = .03), and did not significantly differ from titanium (p = .68). Similar 18F‐NaF tracer uptake patterns were observed between 3 and 12 weeks for the BCP‐coated TPU and titanium implants, but not for the uncoated implants. TPU FKRIs with surface modifications could provide the answer to the drawbacks of metal FKRIs.
The practical integration of a hybrid model of ultrasound‐guided peripheral venous access in a large apheresis center
Authors: Barth David , Nemec Rosaleen M. , Cho Dennis D. , Slomer Adam , Cojocari Eduard , Kim Kyuho , McLean Lianne D. , Patriquin Christopher J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundApheresis treatments require adequate venous access using peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheterization or central venous catheters (CVC). Ultrasound‐guided PIV (USGPIV) can be used to decrease the need of CVC insertions for apheresis procedures.MethodA hybrid model of USGPIV and standard of care (SOC) for PIV access was developed. Nurses performed USGPIV on all patients considered for PIV access if felt SOC PIV access was not possible. Information was collected regarding nurses’ confidence with access, number of attempts required, site of access, complications, and need for CVC.ResultsIn all, 226 PIV access attempts were made during a 2‐month period. All apheresis procedure types were represented. A total 65% were accessed by SOC and 35% by USGPIV. USGPIV was successful on first try on 90% draw/inlet access and 87% successful on first try on return access. Access above the antecubital fossa was required in 31% of USGPIV for draw/inlet veins, and 22% of return veins. Nurses’ confidence with accessing PIV was increased by USGPIV, based on 7‐point Likert scale assessments. During the recording period, 2/226 (0.9%) apheresis procedures required a CVC. In a separate cohort of only hematopoietic progenitor cell collections, CVC insertion was required in 44/238 (18.5%) patients, in 7 months prior to adoption of USGPIV and 5/152 (3.3%) patients in 7 months following adoption of USGPIV.ConclusionA hybrid model of using SOC and USGPIV for PIV access for apheresis procedures resulted in decreased need for CVC access, high levels of successful initial access attempts, and increased nursing confidence in PIV access.
Molecular allergen sensitization of Aspergillus fumigatus between allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and A fumigatus‐sensitized asthma in Guangzhou, Southern China
Authors: Luo Wenting , Hu Haisheng , Wu Zehong , Wei Nili , Huang Huimin , Zheng Peiyan , Liu Yong , Sun Baoqing 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundFew studies have assessed the sensitization of mycotic allergens and Aspergillus fumigatus molecular allergens. This study aimed to investigate the relationships of A fumigatus components and mycotic allergens in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) patients and A fumigatus (Af)‐sensitized asthma patients.MethodsSerum sIgE levels of Penicillium chrysogenum, Cladosporium herbarum, Mucor racemosus, Candida albicans, Alternaria alternata, Helminthosporium halodes, and A fumigatus allergen components (Asp f 1, Asp f 2, Asp f 3, Asp f 4, and Asp f 6) were measured via the ImmunoCAP assay in 18 ABPA and 54 Af‐sensitized asthma patients in Guangzhou city, China.Results94.44% of ABPA patients and 87.04% of Af‐sensitized asthma patients were co‐sensitized to at least one other fungal allergen. The positive rates of Asp f 1 (88.89% vs 59.26%, P < .05), Asp f 2 (66.67% vs 33.33%, P < .05), Asp f 4 (61.11% vs 33.33%, P < .05), and Asp f 6 (66.67% vs 14.81%, P < .001) in ABPA patients were higher than those in Af‐sensitized asthma patients. IgE levels of Asp f 1 (P < .05), Asp f 4 (P < .05), and Asp f 6 (P < .001) were higher in ABPA patients than in Af‐sensitized asthma patients. Optimal scale analysis showed that ABPA was more relevant to Af components (Cronbach's alpha = 90.7%).ConclusionThe A fumigatus components and their relationships with various mycotic allergens were different in ABPA and Af‐sensitized asthma patients. This finding may help local doctors in the diagnosis and immunotherapy of fungal allergies.
Echo Time‐Dependence of Observed Lung T1 in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis and Correlation With Clinical Metrics
Authors: Triphan Simon M.F. , Stahl Mirjam , Jobst Bertram J. , Sommerburg Olaf , Kauczor Hans‐Ulrich , Schenk Jens‐Peter , Alrajab Abdulsattar , Eichinger Monika , Mall Marcus A. , Wielpütz Mark O. 
Published: July 2020

BackgroundNoninvasive monitoring of early abnormalities and therapeutic intervention in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease using MRI is important. Lung T1 mapping has shown potential for local functional imaging without contrast material. Recently, it was discovered that observed lung T1 depends on the measurement echo time (TE).PurposeTo examine TE‐dependence of observed T1 in patients with CF and its correlation with clinical metrics.Study TypeProspective.PopulationIn all, 75 pediatric patients with CF (8.6 ± 6.1 years, range 0.1–23 years), with 32 reexamined after 1 year.Field Strength/SequencePatients were examined at 1.5T using an established MRI protocol and a multiecho inversion recovery 2D ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequence for T1(TE) mapping at five TEs including TE1 = 70 μs.AssessmentMorphological and perfusion MRI were assessed by a radiologist (M.W.) with 11 years of experience using an established CF‐MRI scoring system. T1(TE) was quantified automatically. Clinical data including spirometry (FEV1pred%) and lung clearance index (LCI) were collected.Statistical TestsT1(TE) was correlated with the CF‐MRI score, clinical data, and LCI.ResultsT1(TE) showed a different curvature in CF than in healthy adults: T1 at TE1 was shorter in CF (1157 ms ± 73 ms vs. 1047 ms ± 70 ms, P < 0.001), but longer at TE3 (1214 ms ± 72 ms vs. 1314 ms ± 68 ms, P < 0.001) and later TEs. The correlations of T1(TE) with patient age (ρTE1‐TE5 = −0.55, −0.44, −0.24, −0.30, −0.22), and LCI (ρTE1‐TE5 = −0.43, −0.42, −0.33, 0.27, −0.22) were moderate at ultra‐short to short TE (P < 0.001) but decreased for longer TE. Moderate but similar correlations at all TE were found with MRI perfusion score (ρTE1‐TE5 = −0.43, −0.51, −0.47, −0.46, −0.44) and FEV1pred% (ρTE1‐TE5 = +0.44, +0.44, +0.43, +0.40, +0.39) (P < 0.05).Data ConclusionTE should be considered when measuring lung T1, since observed differences between CF and healthy subjects strongly depend on TE. The different variation of correlation coefficients with TE for structural vs. functional metrics implies that TE‐dependence holds additional information which may help to discern effects of tissue structural abnormalities and abnormal perfusion.Level of Evidence2Technical Efficacy Stage1 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2020;52:1645–1654.
Comparison of Biparametric and Multiparametric MRI for Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer Detection With PI‐RADS Version 2.1
Authors: Tamada Tsutomu , Kido Ayumu , Yamamoto Akira , Takeuchi Mitsuru , Miyaji Yoshiyuki , Moriya Takuya , Sone Teruki 
Published: July 2020

BackgroundBiparametric MRI (bpMRI) without dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI (DCE‐MRI) results in an elimination of adverse events, shortened examination time, and reduced costs, compared to multiparametric MRI (mpMRI). The ability of bpMRI to detect clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC) with the Prostate Imaging and Reporting Data System version 2.1 (PI‐RADS v2.1) compared to standard mpMRI has not been studied extensively.PurposeTo compare the interobserver reliability and diagnostic performance for detecting csPC of bpMRI and mpMRI using PI‐RADS v2.1.Study TypeRetrospective.PopulationIn all, 103 patients with elevated prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels who underwent mpMRI and subsequent MRI‐ultrasonography fusion‐guided prostate‐targeted biopsy (MRGB) with or without prostatectomy.Field Strength/SequencesT2‐weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), and DCE‐MRI at 3T.AssessmentThree readers independently assessed each suspected PC lesion, assigning a score of 1–5 for T2WI, a score of 1–5 for DWI, and positive and negative for DCE‐MRI according to PI‐RADS v2.1 and determined the overall PI‐RADS assessment category of bpMRI (T2WI and DWI) and mpMRI (T2WI, DWI, and DCE‐MRI). The reference standard was MRGB or prostatectomy‐derived histopathology.Statistical TestingStatistical analysis was performed using the kappa statistic and McNemar and Delong tests.ResultsOf the 165 suspected PC lesions in 103 patients, 81 were diagnosed with csPC and 84 with benign conditions. Interobserver variability of PI‐RADS assessment category showed good agreement for bpMRI (kappa value = 0.642) and mpMRI (kappa value = 0.644). For three readers, the diagnostic sensitivity was significantly higher for mpMRI than for bpMRI (P < 0.001 to P = 0.016, respectively), whereas diagnostic specificity was significantly higher for bpMRI than for mpMRI (P < 0.001 each). For three readers, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was higher for bpMRI than for mpMRI; however, the difference was significant only for Reader 1 and Reader 3 (Reader 1: 0.823 vs. 0.785, P = 0.035; Reader 2: 0.852 vs. 0.829, P = 0.099; and Reader 3: 0.828 vs. 0.773, P = 0.002).Data ConclusionFor detecting csPC using PI‐RADS v2.1, the interobserver reliability and diagnostic performance of bpMRI was comparable with those of mpMRI.Level of Evidence4Technical Efficacy Stage2
Conformally mapped polynomial chaos expansions for Maxwell's source problem with random input data
Authors: Georg Niklas , Römer Ulrich 
Published: July 2020

AbstractGeneralized Polynomial Chaos (gPC) expansions are well established for forward uncertainty propagation in many application areas. Although the associated computational effort may be reduced in comparison to Monte Carlo techniques, for instance, further convergence acceleration may be important to tackle problems with high parametric sensitivities. In this work, we propose the use of conformal maps to construct a transformed gPC basis, in order to enhance the convergence order. The proposed basis still features orthogonality properties and hence, facilitates the computation of many statistical quantities such as sensitivities and moments. The corresponding surrogate models are computed by pseudo‐spectral projection using mapped quadrature rules, which leads to an improved cost accuracy ratio. We apply the methodology to Maxwell's source problem with random input data. In particular, numerical results for a parametric finite element model of an optical grating coupler are given.
Climatology of atmospheric rivers in the Asian monsoon region
Authors: Liang Ju , Yong Yangyang 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe climatology of atmospheric rivers (ARs) and their roles on precipitation extremes have been extensively researched over western North America and Europe, yet ARs in Asia, especially for those affecting the densely populated countries including Bangladesh, China, India, Thailand and Vietnam are not adequately understood. Here, the climatological characteristics of landfalling ARs, including their frequency and intensity, in the Asian monsoon region for the period 1979–2017 are investigated using the ECMWF ERA‐Interim reanalysis dataset. The inter‐annual variability of landfalling ARs associated with the combination of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation (QBO) is presented. The results suggest frequent AR activities over southern India, Indochina Peninsula, southern China, Korea and Japan from May to September. ARs are found to contribute up to 44% of the total summer precipitation over the coastal regions of East Asia and up to 36% in South Asia. Also, ARs are associated with up to 68% of the summer extreme precipitation amount in East Asia and 52–56% in South Asia. The connection between ARs and extreme precipitation is partly explained by the increased precipitation efficiency when ARs occur, indicating a stronger ability of the atmospheric dynamical factors to deplete moisture and generate strong precipitation. The analyses of the combined ENSO–QBO effects on ARs show that ARs in the subtropics tend to become less frequent in the years preceded by an El Niño event due to the weakening of the low‐level monsoonal flows associated with the weakened land–sea thermal contrast and upper‐level tropical easterly jet, and such modulations tend to become more significant under the easterly phase of QBO.