bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The detrimental effect of microplastics on critical periods of development in the neuroendocrine system
Authors: Solleiro‐Villavicencio Helena , Gomez‐De León Carmen T. , Del Río‐Araiza Víctor H. , Morales‐Montor Jorge 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAs a result of human socio‐economic activity, industrial wastes have increased alarmingly. Plastic pollution is globally distributed across the world due to its properties of buoyancy and durability. Two broad classes of plastic‐related chemicals are of critical concern for human health—bisphenol‐A or BPA, and additives used in the synthesis of plastics, which are known as phthalates. Our exposure to them is ubiquitous because they are used in the production of materials that we use daily such as polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins, flooring, automotive parts, medical devices, dental sealants, and children's toys. Since these compounds are not covalently bound to the products, they easily leach from them, leading to high human exposure. Both, BPA and phthalates, are endocrine‐disruptor compounds (EDCs) with steroidogenic activity, and can bind to different receptors, such as estrogen, androgen, PPAR‐γ, and AhR. These pathways are part of the complex regulatory neuroendocrine network, since its cellular components not only express neuroendocrine receptors, but synthesize and respond to several hormones and other endocrine ligands. On the other hand, the effects of BPA and phthalates on neuroendocrine diseases have been poorly studied and the available data are inconclusive. This can be attributed to the enormous variety of animal models and the different doses used in experiments or levels found in humans. However, what is clear is that exposure to both EDCs during critical life stages induces many changes in the neuroendocrine system of exposed humans that are correlated with different reproductive and neurological diseases.
Superiority of continuous over intermittent intraoperative nerve monitoring in preventing vocal cord palsy
Authors: Schneider R , Machens A , Sekulla C , Lorenz K , Elwerr M , Dralle H 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
Continuous intraoperative nerve stimulation (IONM) with uninterrupted monitoring is likely better than intermittent IONM in preventing vocal cord palsy after thyroid surgery.

Methods
This was a comparative study of intermittent versus continuous IONM in patients with benign and malignant thyroid disease treated at a tertiary centre over 10 years. Early postoperative and permanent vocal cord palsy rates were estimated. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to quantify the contributions of clinical and histopathological variables to early postoperative and permanent vocal cord palsy.

Results
A total of 6029 patients were included, of whom 3139 underwent continuous and 2890 intermittent IONM. Based on nerves at risk (5208 versus 5024 nerves), continuous IONM had a 1·7-fold lower early postoperative vocal cord palsy rate than intermittent monitoring (1·5 versus 2·5 per cent). This translated into a 30-fold lower permanent vocal cord palsy rate (0·02 versus 0·6 per cent). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, continuous IONM independently reduced early postoperative vocal cord palsy 1·8-fold (odds ratio (OR) 0·56) and permanent vocal cord palsy 29·4-fold (OR 0·034) compared with intermittent IONM. One permanent vocal cord palsy per 75·0 early vocal cord palsies was observed with continuous IONM, compared with one per 4·2 after intermittent IONM. Early postoperative vocal cord palsies were 17·9-fold less likely to become permanent with continuous than intermittent IONM.

Conclusion
Continuous IONM is superior to intermittent IONM in preventing vocal cord palsy.
Berberine enhances L1 expression and axonal remyelination in rats after brachial plexus root avulsion
Authors: Chen Shuangxi , He Bing , Zhou Guijuan , Xu Yan , Wu Lin , Xie Yangzhi , Li Yihui , Chen Shuangqin , Huang Jianghua , Wu Heng , Xiao Zijian 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackground and PurposeEnhanced remyelination of the regenerated axons results in functional re‐innervation and improved functional motor recovery after brachial plexus root avulsion (BPRA). The neural cell adhesion molecule L1 (L1CAM, L1) regulates myelination and promotes regeneration after acute injury in the nervous system. Berberine (BBR) can exert neuroprotective roles against the lesion. Herein, we investigated whether berberine (BBR) can affect the expression of L1 and enhance the axonal remyelination in rats following BPRA.MethodsThe surgical procedures were performed to build the rat brachial plexus avulsion and re‐implantation model, and then, the rats were treated with BBR. After the rehabilitation for 12 weeks, the musculocutaneous nerves were collected for quantitative real‐time PCR, Western blot analysis, and histochemical and immunofluorescence staining.ResultsWe observed that, BBR treatment ameliorated the abnormal musculocutaneous nerve fibers morphology, up‐regulated the L1 expression, increased the myelination‐related genes, decreased the differentiated‐associated genes, and up‐regulated the phosphorylation of ERK.ConclusionThese results suggest that BBR may enhance L1 expression and promote axonal remyelination after spinal root avulsion.
Managing the aftermath: Scapegoating as crisis communication strategy
Authors: Moisio Risto , Capelli Sonia , Sabadie William 
Published: August 2020

AbstractShould firms struggling with a brand crisis use scapegoating, the assignment of blame to another entity? Across three studies, we offer evidence of the value of scapegoating. We show that when firms use scapegoating, they reduce consumers' attributions of a firm's crisis responsibility, controllability, and stability. Compared to other strategies, including no response, denial, apology, and justification, scapegoating is most effective at reducing these attributions. However, attributions of crisis controllability seem more influential in reducing a firm's crisis responsibility. Scapegoating also increases consumers' word‐of‐mouth (WOM) intentions more than the no response strategy, but not more than denial, apology, and justification. The effect of scapegoating, however, depends on the scapegoat type. Whereas using an underdog scapegoat such as a regular company employee or a small partner firm can backfire and result in negative WOM intentions, the use of topdog scapegoats seems to have more positive effects. When firms use topdog scapegoats, such as the top management of a large firm, negative WOM intentions likely decrease. This type of effect seems to occur due to a reduction in the firm's crisis responsibility that scapegoating engenders.
Prebiotic Origin of Pre‐RNA Building Blocks in a Urea “Warm Little Pond” Scenario
Authors: Menor Salván C. , Bouza Marcos , Fialho David M. , Burcar Bradley T. , Fernández Facundo M. , Hud Nicholas V. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractUrea appears to be a key intermediate of important prebiotic synthetic pathways. Concentrated pools of urea likely existed on the surface of the early Earth, as urea is synthesized in significant quantities from hydrogen cyanide or cyanamide (widely accepted prebiotic molecules), it has extremely high water solubility, and it can concentrate to form eutectics from aqueous solutions. We propose a model for the origin of a variety of canonical and non‐canonical nucleobases, including some known to form supramolecular assemblies that contain Watson‐Crick‐like base pairs.The dual nucleophilic‐electrophilic character of urea makes it an ideal precursor for the formation of nitrogenous heterocycles. We propose a model for the origin of a variety of canonical and noncanonical nucleobases, including some known to form supramolecular assemblies that contain Watson‐Crick‐like base pairs. These reactions involve urea condensation with other prebiotic molecules (e. g., malonic acid) that could be driven by environmental cycles (e. g., freezing/thawing, drying/wetting). The resulting heterocycle assemblies are compatible with the formation of nucleosides and, possibly, the chemical evolution of molecular precursors to RNA. We show that urea eutectics at moderate temperature represent a robust prebiotic source of nitrogenous heterocycles. The simplicity of these pathways, and their independence from specific or rare geological events, support the idea of urea being of fundamental importance to the prebiotic chemistry that gave rise to life on Earth.
Design Strategies of Photoacoustic Molecular Probes
Authors: Wang Shichao , Zhang Xuanjun 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPhotoacoustic (PA) probes have been developed very quickly and applied in broad areas in recent years. Most of them are constructed based on organic dyes with intrinsic near‐infrared (NIR) absorption properties. To increase PA contrast and improve imaging resolution and the sensitivity of detection, various methods for the design of PA probes have been developed. This minireview mainly focuses on the development and design strategies of activatable small‐molecule PA probes in four aspects: reaction‐cleavage, metal ion chelation, photoswitch, and protonation‐deprotonation. It highlights some key points of designing PA probes corresponding to their properties and applications. The challenges and perspectives for small‐molecule PA probes are also discussed.
Incidence and short‐term outcomes of surgical bailout after transcatheter mitral valve repair with the MitraClip system
Authors: Isogai Toshiaki , Saad Anas M. , Shekhar Shashank , Ahuja Keerat Rai , Abdelfattah Omar M. , Gad Mohamed M. , Burns Daniel J.P. , Yun James J. , Krishnaswamy Amar , Kapadia Samir R. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectivesThis study sought to investigate the incidence and outcomes of surgical bailout (SB) after transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) with MitraClip.BackgroundTMVr poses a risk of serious procedural complications, possibly requiring urgent open surgery for SB. However, little is known about the risk of SB cases after TMVr.MethodsWe retrospectively identified patients who underwent TMVr using the Nationwide Readmissions Database 2014–2017. SB was defined as open thoracotomy for heart and aorta during the same hospitalization. Annual hospital volume was defined as the annual number of TMVr cases in each hospital in each year.ResultsAmong 15,032 eligible patients, SB was required in 214 (1.42%), of whom 134 (62.6%) underwent mitral valve surgery (113 replacements; 21 repairs). The incidence of SB was decreasing significantly over the 4 years (5.26% in 2014; 0.43% in 2017; ptrend < .001). There was a significant nonlinear, inverse association of annual hospital volume with the incidence of SB. In‐hospital death (15.0 vs. 2.1%; p < .001) and other in‐hospital adverse events were significantly more frequent in patients with than without SB, whereas the 30‐day readmission rate was similar (13.2 vs. 15.1%; p = .572). After adjustment for patient and hospital characteristics, SB was significantly associated with higher in‐hospital mortality (odds ratio = 6.67, 95% confidence interval = 4.35, 10.23, p < .001).ConclusionsThis study suggests that although the incidence of SB after TMVr is decreasing, SB is required more frequently in lower‐volume hospitals and carries high in‐hospital mortality. Further efforts are needed to understand the reasons for SB and improve outcomes in patients needing SB.
Transcatheter mitral valve repair in patients with chronic liver disease: Insights from the national inpatient sample
Authors: Khan Muhammad U. , Khan Muhammad Z. , Khan Safi U. , Kaluski Edo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate contemporary national trends of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilization in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) and co‐existing chronic liver disease (CLD) undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR).MethodsThe National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to assess trends in patients undergoing TMVR between January 2012 and December 2017. Propensity match analysis was done to compare it to subjects without underlying CLD. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of in‐hospital mortality.ResultsOf 15,270 patients undergoing TMVR, 569 (3.7%) had coexisting CLD. Patients with CLD had a higher proportion of males (61.3 vs 52.6%; p < .01), congestive heart failure (6.9 vs 1.0%; p < .01), renal failure (42.2 vs 36.7%; p < .01), and peripheral vascular disease (19.3 vs 12.5%; p < .01). After propensity matching subjects with CLD had significantly higher hospital mortality (19.8 vs 4.6%; p < .01), acute kidney injury (46.1 vs 37.8%; p < .01), cardiogenic shock (25.4 vs 12.1%; p < .01), mechanical ventilation (26.3 vs 14.0; p < .01), pneumothorax (6.6 vs <2%.; p < .01), length of stay (5 vs 9 days), and average cost of hospitalization (209,573 vs 250,587 $; p < .01). Over the years, in‐hospital mortality in patients receiving TMVR has improved in both patients with (from 33.3 in 2013 to 22.2% in 2017) and without CLD (from 2.7 in 2011 to 1.6% in 2017).ConclusionPatients with MR undergoing TMVR, with coexisting CLD bear substantially higher comorbidities, complication rates, and inpatient mortality compared with those without CLD. A favorable temporal trend of in‐hospital mortality among these subjects is noteworthy.
The “lend a hand” external bypass technique: External radial to femoral bypass for antegrade perfusion of an ischemic limb with occlusive large bore sheath ‐ A novel and favorable approach
Authors: Lichaa Hady 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAn occlusive large bore sheath is a frequently encountered situation in cases of cardiogenic shock (CS) requiring mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Resultant acute limb ischemia could be a catastrophic complication which significantly affects the prognosis of an already sick patient population. A novel, yet simple, technique using the radial artery, instead of the ipsilateral or contralateral common femoral artery (CFA), as a donor vessel of an external bypass which provides antegrade perfusion to a limb with an occlusive large bore sheath is hereby described. Radial access (RA) has been shown to improve mortality in acute coronary syndrome; however, it is sometimes avoided by some operators in CS cases due to the possible appropriate need for MCS. This technique offers a substitution of a second CFA access for a RA in order to provide adequate ipsilateral limb perfusion. Hence, one can start a CS case with a default RA and perform peripheral angiography after diagnostic cardiac catheterization. If the peripheral vasculature is inappropriate for MCS, the patient would have already benefited from the mortality advantage of RA. If obstructive PAD is absent, then an occlusive Impella sheath can be placed in a CFA after antegrade ipsilateral superficial femoral artery (SFA) access is obtained for an external radial to femoral bypass, while the PCI is performed through the Impella sheath according to the single access PCI technique. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of this new approach are described and compared with each of the traditionally known external and internal femoral bypass techniques.
Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on interventional cardiology training in the United States
Authors: Shah Samit , Castro‐Dominguez Yulanka , Gupta Tanush , Attaran Robert , Byrum Graham Vance , Taleb Adam , Pettyjohn Amanda , Bartel Robert C , Szerlip Molly , Henry Timothy D. , Mahmud Ehtisham , Applegate Robert J 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectivesWe sought to determine the effect of COVID‐19 related reduction in elective cardiac procedures and acute coronary syndrome presentations on interventional cardiology (IC) training.BackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic has significantly disrupted healthcare in the United States, including cardiovascular services. The impact of COVID‐19 on IC fellow training in the United States has not been assessed.MethodsThe Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) surveyed IC fellows training in both accredited and advanced non‐accredited programs, as well as their program directors (PD).ResultsResponses were received from 135 IC fellows and 152 PD. All respondents noted reductions in procedural volumes beginning in March 2020. At that time, only 43% of IC fellows had performed >250 PCI. If restrictions were lifted by May 15, 2020 78% of IC fellows believed they would perform >250 PCI, but fell to only 70% if restrictions persisted until the end of the academic year. 49% of IC fellows felt that their procedural competency was impaired by COVID‐19, while 97% of PD believed that IC fellows would be procedurally competent at the end of their training. Most IC fellows (65%) noted increased stress at work and at home, and many felt that job searches and/or existing offers were adversely affected by the pandemic.ConclusionThe COVID‐19 pandemic has substantially affected IC training in the United States, with many fellows at risk of not satisfying current program procedural requirements. These observations support a move to review current IC program requirements and develop mitigation strategies to supplement gaps in education related to reduced procedural volume.
High‐Pressure Operando UV‐Vis Micro‐Spectroscopy of Coke Formation in Zeolite‐based Catalyst Extrudates during the Transalkylation of Aromatics
Authors: Verkleij Suzanna P. , Whiting Gareth T. , Parres Esclapez Sonia , Li Shiwen , Mertens Machteld M. , Janssen Marcel , Bons Anton‐Jan , Burgers Martijn , Weckhuysen Bert M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe performance of zeolite‐based catalyst extrudates can be largely influenced by the choice of binder material. To investigate these binder effects in zeolite‐based catalyst extrudates in more detail, high spatiotemporal resolution techniques need to be further developed and employed. In this work, we present a new methodology to investigate binder effects in catalyst extrudates at different reaction pressures using operando UV‐vis diffuse reflectance (DR) micro‐spectroscopy coupled with on‐line gas chromatography. We have studied mm‐sized zeolite H‐ZSM‐5‐containing extrudates with either Al2O3 or SiO2 binder material, during the transalkylation of toluene with 1,2,4‐trimethylbenzene at 450 °C and at a pressure of either 1 or 5 bar. Using this technique, it was revealed that the binder material significantly influenced catalyst deactivation at different reaction pressures. By subsequent mapping of the cross sections of the cylindrical catalyst extrudates using UV‐vis micro‐spectroscopy, it was shown that the SiO2‐bound extrudate formed poly‐aromatic coke molecules homogeneously throughout the entire extrudate, whereas for the Al2O3‐bound extrudate a coke ring formed that moved inwards with increasing reaction time. Notably, the developed methodology is not limited to the transalkylation reaction, and can also be used to gain more insight into binder effects during a variety of important catalytic reactions.
Effects of Non‐Ionic Surfactants on the Rheological, Electrical and Electrochemical Properties of Highly Loaded Silicon Suspension Electrodes for Semi‐Solid Flow Batteries
Authors: Wu Yuanyuan , Cao Defu , Bai Xiaojie , Liu Hao , Hao Huiying , Xing Jie , Dong Jingjing , Liao Libing 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSilicon‐based suspension electrodes represent one of the most promising candidates as negolyte to replace lithium metal for high energy density semi‐solid flow batteries (SSFBs). Nevertheless, it remains a critical challenge to obtain Si‐based negolyte with highly loaded active material and low viscosity, which are essential for its practical application. Here, the effects of two common non‐ionic surfactants – polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and Triton X‐100 (TX‐100) – on rheological, electrical and electrochemical properties of highly loaded Si (30 vol % Si) negolyte were systemically studied. It was found that the viscosity is effectively decreased by introducing steric and/or depletion interactions when adding a certain amount of non‐ionic surfactant polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), while good electrochemical performance of the Si negolyte was maintained. An optimal Si negolyte (adding 0.4 wt % PVP) with a low viscosity of 240 mPa s at a shear rate of 40 s−1 (i. e. about five times lower than the PVP‐free suspension) exhibits a high reversible capacity (ca. 1300 mAh/g) and stable cycling performance (>100 cycles) with a high coulombic efficiency (>98 %). In contrast, TX‐100 can react with lithium salt in the electrolyte and is not suitable to decrease the viscosity of Si negolyte. The highly loaded Si negolyte with low viscosity reported in the present work is promising for practical high energy density lithium‐free SSFBs.
Tailoring a Dress to Single Protein Molecules: Proteins Can Do It Themselves through Localized Photo‐Polymerization and Molecular Imprinting
Authors: Bossi Alessandra Maria , Haupt Karsten 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMolecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (MIP NPs) are antibody‐like recognition materials prepared by a template‐assisted synthesis. MIP NPs able to target biomolecules, like proteins, are under the spotlight for their great potential in medicine, but efficiently imprinting biological templates is still very challenging. Here we propose generating a molecular imprint in single NPs, by photochemically initiating the polymerization from individual protein templates. In this way, each protein molecule tailors itself its own “polymeric dress”. For this, the template protein is covalently coupled with a photoinitiator, Eosin Y. Irradiated with light at 533 nm, the Eosin moiety acts as an antenna and transfers energy to a co‐initiator (an amine), which generates a radical and initiates polymerization. As a result, a polymer network is forming only around the very template molecule, producing cross‐linked NPs of 50 nm, with single binding sites showing high affinity (KD 10−9 m) for their biological target, and selectivity over other proteins.
Melamine–Barbiturate Supramolecular Assembly as a pH‐Dependent Organic Radical Trap Material
Authors: Shilovskikh Vladimir V. , Timralieva Alexandra A. , Nesterov Pavel V. , Novikov Alexander S. , Sitnikov Petr A. , Konstantinova Elizaveta A. , Kokorin Alexander I. , Skorb Ekaterina V. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn the last two decades, a large number of self‐assembled materials were synthesized and they have already found their way into large‐scale industry and science. Hydrogen‐bond‐based supramolecular adducts are found to have unique properties and to be perfect host structures for trapping target molecules or ions. Such chemical systems are believed to resemble living matter and can substitute a living cell in a number of cases. Herein, a report on an organic material based on supramolecular assembly of barbituric acid and melamine is presented. Surprisingly, the structure is found to host and stabilize radicals under mild conditions allowing its use for biological applications. The number of free radicals is found to be easily tuned by changing the pH of the environment and it increases when exposed to light up to a saturation level. We describe a preparation method as well as stability properties of melamine–barbiturate self‐assembly, potentiometric titration, and hydrogen ions adsorption data and EPR spectra concerning the composite.