bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combined amiodarone and digitalis therapy before heart transplantation is associated with increased post‐transplant mortality
Authors: Rivinius Rasmus , Helmschrott Matthias , Rahm Ann‐Kathrin , Darche Fabrice F. , Thomas Dierk , Bruckner Tom , Doesch Andreas O. , Ehlermann Philipp , Katus Hugo A. , Zitron Edgar 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimsAmiodarone and digitalis are frequently used drugs in patients with heart failure. Both have separately been linked to reduced post‐transplant survival, but their combined impact on mortality after HTX remains uncertain. This study investigated the effects of combined amiodarone and digitalis use before HTX on post‐transplant outcomes.Methods and resultsThis registry study analysed 600 patients receiving HTX at Heidelberg Heart Center between 1989 and 2016. Patients were stratified by amiodarone and digitalis use before HTX. Analysis included patient characteristics, medication, echocardiographic features, heart rates, permanent pacemaker implantation, atrial fibrillation, and post‐transplant survival including causes of death. One hundred eighteen patients received amiodarone before HTX (19.7%), hereof 67 patients with digitalis (56.8%) and 51 patients without digitalis before HTX (43.2%). Patients with and without amiodarone before HTX showed a similar 1 year post‐transplant survival (72.0% vs. 78.4%, P = 0.11), but patients with combined amiodarone and digitalis before HTX had a worse 1 year post‐transplant survival (64.2%, P = 0.01), along with a higher percentage of death due to transplant failure (P = 0.03). Echocardiographic analysis of these patients showed a higher percentage of an enlarged right ventricle (P = 0.02), left atrium (P = 0.02), left ventricle (P = 0.03), and a higher rate of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (P = 0.03). Multivariate analysis indicated combined amiodarone and digitalis use before HTX as a significant risk factor for 1 year mortality after HTX (hazard ratio: 1.69; 95% confidence interval: 1.02–2.77; P = 0.04).ConclusionsCombined pre‐transplant amiodarone and digitalis therapy is associated with increased post‐transplant mortality.
Heart and kidney transplant: should they be combined or subsequent?
Authors: Melvinsdottir Inga , Foley David P. , Hess Timothy , Gunnarsson Sverrir I. , Kohmoto Takushi , Hermsen Joshua , Johnson Maryl R. , Murray David , Dhingra Ravi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimsEnd‐stage heart failure patients often present with severe kidney failure and have limited treatment options. We compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes among end‐stage heart and kidney failure patients who underwent combined heart and kidney transplant (HKTx) with those who underwent kidney transplant after heart transplant (KAH).Methods and resultsAll patients from 2007–2016 who underwent combined HKTx (n = 715) and those who underwent KAH (n = 130) using the United Network for Organ Sharing database were included. Kaplan‑Meier curves and Cox models compared survivals and identified predictors of death. Number of combined HKTx performed annually in United States increased from 59 in 2007 to 146 in 2016 whereas KAH decreased from 34 in 2007 to 6 in 2016. Among KAH patients, average wait time for kidney transplant was 3.0 years, time to dialysis or to kidney transplant after heart transplant did not differ with varying severity of kidney disease at baseline (P for both >0.05). Upon follow‐up (mean 3.5 ± 2.7 years), 151 patients died. In multivariable models, patients who underwent combined HKTx had 4.7‐fold greater risk of death [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.4–9.4) than KAH patients upon follow up. A secondary analysis using calculation of survival only after kidney transplant for KAH patients still conferred higher risk for combined HKTx patients [hazard ratio (HR) 2.6 95% CI 1.33–5.15]. In subgroup analyses after excluding patients on dialysis (HR 3.99 95% CI 1.98–8.04) and analysis after propensity matching for age, gender, and glomerular filtration rate (HR 3.01 95% CI 1.40–6.43) showed similar and significantly higher risk for combined HKTx patients compared with KAH patients. Lastly, these results also remained unchanged after excluding transplant centres who performed only one type of procedure preferentially, i.e. HKTx or KAH (HR 4.70 95% CI 2.35–9.42).ConclusionsNational registry data show continual increase in combined HKTx performed annually in the United States but inferior survival compared with KAH patients. Differences in patient characteristics or level of kidney dysfunction at baseline do not explain these poor outcomes among HKTx patients compared with KAH patients. Consensus guidelines are greatly needed to identify patients who may benefit more from dual organ transplants.
Effect of diethyl ether additive in Jatropha biodiesel‐diesel fuel blends on the variable compression ratio diesel engine performance and emissions characteristics at different loads and compression ratios
Authors: Varpe Bahusaheb R. , Kharde Yashwant R. , Rahman Kalyandurg Fazlur , Khidmatgar Abdulqhadar 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAn investigational analysis was performed to assess the effect of diethyl ether (DEE) that acts as an oxygenated additive in Jatropha biodiesel and diesel fuel blends on the performance enhancement and emission reduction of a variable compression ratio (CR) diesel engine. The DEE (10% vol) is added to different concentration levels of Jatropha biodiesel (B5, B10, and B20). The Jatropha biodiesel (JME) is prepared by the transesterification reaction and DEE is prepared through acid distillation of ethanol. The various tests were conducted by varying the loads at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (3, 6, 9, and 12 kg). The DEE was entirely miscible with diesel and Jatropha biodiesel, the addition of DEE increases the cetane and calorific value, kinematic viscosity of the fuel blends compared with neat diesel or Jatropha biodiesel. The results illustrate that at higher loads and CRs, the engine performance parameters such as brake thermal efficiency enhances and reduces the brake‐specific fuel consumption for DEE‐Jatropha biodiesel‐diesel fuel blends. Blend A3 (10% DEE + 20% JME + 70% diesel) demonstrated an overall improvement in the engine performance parameters and emission characteristics compared with A1, A2, and diesel fuel blends. It is concluded that the DEE‐JME‐diesel fuel blend is a promising source of fuel for diesel engine at maximum load.
Control of cellular adhesiveness in hyaluronic acid‐based hydrogel through varying degrees of phenol moiety cross‐linking
Authors: Bagheri Sara , Bagher Zohreh , Hassanzadeh Sajad , Simorgh Sara , Kamrava Seyed Kamran , Nooshabadi Vajihe Taghdiri , Shabani Ronak , Jalessi Maryam , Khanmohammadi Mehdi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCurrent hyaluronic acid‐based hydrogels often cause cytotoxicity to encapsulated cells and lack the adhesive property required for effective biomedical and tissue engineering applications. Provision of the cell‐adhesive surface is an important requirement to improve its biocompatibility. An aqueous solution of hyaluronic acid possessing phenolic hydroxyl (HA‐Ph) moieties is gellable via a horseradish peroxidase (HRP)‐catalyzed oxidative cross‐linking reaction. This study evaluates the effect of different degrees of cross‐linked Ph moieties on cellular adhesiveness and proliferation on the resultant enzymatically cross‐linked HA‐Ph hydrogels. Mechanical characterization demonstrated that the compression force of engineered hydrogels could be tuned in the range of 0.05–35 N by changing conjugated Ph moieties in the precursor formulation. The water contact angle and water content show hydrophobicity of hydrogels increased with increasing content of cross‐linked Ph groups. The seeded mouse embryo fibroblast‐like cell line and human cervical cancer cell line, on the HA‐Ph hydrogel, proved cell attachment and spreading with a high content of cross‐linked Ph groups. The HA‐Ph with a higher degree of Ph moieties shows the maximum degree of cell adhesion, spreading, and proliferation which presents this hydrogel as a suitable biomaterial for biomedical and tissue engineering applications.
Photochemistry in the strong coupling regime: A trajectory surface hopping scheme
Authors: Fregoni Jacopo , Corni Stefano , Persico Maurizio , Granucci Giovanni 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe strong coupling regime between confined light and organic molecules turned out to be promising in modifying both the ground state and the excited states properties. Under this peculiar condition, the electronic states of the molecule are mixed with the quantum states of light. The dynamical processes occurring on such hybrid states undergo several modifications accordingly. Hence, the dynamical description of chemical reactivity in polaritonic systems needs to explicitly take into account the photon degrees of freedom and nonadiabatic events. With the aim of describing photochemical polaritonic processes, in the present work, we extend the direct trajectory surface hopping scheme to investigate photochemistry under strong coupling between light and matter.
Preparation of hierarchical LiNixCoyMnzO2 from solvothermal [NixCoyMnz](OH)2 via regulating the ratio of Ni, Co, and Mn and its excellent properties for lithium‐ion battery cathode
Authors: Liu Xinran , Wang Xinlu , Yue Bin , Liu Guixia , Yu Wensheng , Dong Xiangting , Wang Jinxian 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe ternary‐layered oxide (LiNixCoyMnzO2) has become the most promising cathode material for lithium‐ion batteries due to the advantages of higher discharge platform, better conductivity, and higher theoretical capacity. The [NixCoyMnz](OH)2 with different ratios of nickel, cobalt, and manganese (NCM) was prepared by solvothermal method, and then ternary cathode material LiNixCoyMnzO2 was obtained by mixing lithium and calcining. In this paper, ternary cathode materials with different ratios of NCM were prepared by the solvothermal method. The structure and morphology of the materials were analyzed by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy. The effects of the ratio on the electrochemical properties of the materials were investigated by constant current charge and discharge test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test. The synthesized lithium‐nickel‐cobalt‐manganese oxide belongs to the hexagonal system and has an α‐NaFeO2 layered structure, which is an R‐3m space group. The NCM ternary cathode materials with different morphologies were obtained by changing the ratio of NCM. The sample with NCM ratio of 5:3:2 has a unique sheet‐like spherical shape and has the best rate performance.
Ptk2b deletion improves mice folliculogenesis and fecundity via inhibiting follicle loss mediated by Erk pathway
Authors: Cong Yanyan , Wu Haibo , Bian Xuejiao , Xie Qin , Lyu Qifeng , Cui Junqi , Suo Lun , Kuang Yanping 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPtk2b has been found playing critical roles in oocyte maturation and subsequent fertilization in vitro. But what is the exact in vivo function in reproduction still elusive. Here, by constructing Ptk2b mutant mice, we found Ptk2b was not essential for mice fertility, unexpectedly, contrary to previously reported in vitro findings, we found Ptk2b ablation significantly improved female fecundity. Follicle counting indicated that the number of primordial follicles and growing follicles in matured mice was significantly increased in the absence of Ptk2b, whereas the primordial follicle formation showed no defects. We also found this regulation was in an autophosphorylation independent pathway, as autophosphorylation site mutant mice (PTK2BY402F) show no phenotype in female fertility. Further biochemistry studies revealed that Ptk2b ablation promotes folliculogenesis via Erk pathway mediate follicle survival. Together, we found a novel biological function of Ptk2b in folliculogenesis, which could be potentially used as a therapeutic target for corresponding infertility.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease mortality in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: A nationwide, registry‐based cohort study
Authors: Liapis Konstantinos , Vrachiolias Georgios , Papadopoulos Vasileios , Kourakli Alexandra , Galanopoulos Athanasios G. , Papoutselis Menelaos , Papageorgiou Sotirios G. , Diamantopoulos Panagiotis T. , Pappa Vassiliki , Viniou Nora‐Athina , Vassilakopoulos Theodoros P. , Hatzimichael Eleftheria , Bouronikou Eleni , Ximeri Maria , Pontikoglou Charalambos , Panayiotidis Panayiotis , Karakatsanis Stamatis , Vardi Anna , Symeonidis Argiris , Kotsianidis Ioannis 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCardiovascular disease (CVD) emerges as a major cause of death in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), but predictors of fatal CVD and the effect of MDS‐specific treatments on CVD mortality remain largely unknown. In an analysis involving 831 patients with MDS with known causes of death, we noted an independent association of lower risk MDS, age >70 years, pre‐existing CVD, and treatment with erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents with a higher risk of death from CVD. If externally validated, these simple risk factors could increase clinicians’ awareness toward CVD complications and guide early introduction of intensive monitoring and preventive interventions in MDS patients.
Influence of HIV‐1 V2 sequence variability on bacterial translocation in antiretroviral naïve HIV‐1 infected patients
Authors: Balena Flavia , Bavaro Davide F. , Volpe Anna , Lagioia Antonella , Angarano Gioacchino , Monno Laura , Saracino Annalisa 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHIV‐1 V2 domain binds α4β7, which assists lymphocyte homing to gut‐associated lymphoid tissue. This triggers bacterial translocation, thus contributing to immune activation. We investigated whether variability of V2 179‐181binding site could influence plasma levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14), markers of microbial translocation/immune activation. HIV gp120 sequences from antiretroviral naïve patients were analyzed for V2 tripeptide composition, length, net charge, and potential N‐linked‐glycosylation sites. LPS and sCD14 plasma levels were quantified. Clinical/immuno‐virologic data were retrieved. Overall, 174 subjects were enrolled, 8% with acute infection, 71% harboring a subtype B. LDV179‐181 was detected in 41% and LDI in 27%. No difference was observed between levels of LPS or sCD14 according to different mimotopes or according to other sequence characteristics. By multivariable analysis, only acute infection was significantly associated with higher sCD14 levels. In conclusion, no association was observed between V2 tripeptide composition and extent of bacterial translocation/immune activation.
Clinical and virologic features of hepatitis E virus infection at a university hospital in Japan between 2000 and 2019
Authors: Sato Naoto , Watanabe Shunji , Miura Kouichi , Morimoto Naoki , Takaoka Yoshinari , Nomoto Hiroaki , Isoda Norio , Nagashima Shigeo , Takahashi Masaharu , Okamoto Hiroaki , Yamamoto Hironori 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe clinical and virologic features of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection seem to vary among regions even in developed countries. However, we have little information on the diversity of HEV infection. Here, we investigated the characteristics of 26 patients in our hospital located in Tochigi prefecture, 90 km north of Tokyo, between 2000 and 2019. The reported number of patients with acute hepatitis E is increasing in Japan because measurement of IgA‐class anti‐HEV antibody was commercially available from 2011. In contrast, the numbers at our hospital were 1.5/y and 1.0/y in 2000 to 2011 and 2012 to 2019, respectively. This is attributed to the fact that we have been investigating HEV as a cause of unknown hepatitis before 2011. Among isolated HEV subgenotypes, including 3a, 3b, 4b, 4c, and 4d, all three patients with subgenotype 4c infection presented acute liver failure. Four HEV strains shared more than or equal to 99% identity within the 412‐nucleotide partial sequence, in which the time and place of HEV infection varied, except for one intrafamilial infection. In addition, some strains were similar to HEV strains isolated far from Tochigi prefecture. In conclusion, the number of patients with acute hepatitis E was not increasing at Jichi Medical University Hospital and some strains were found to circulate in Japan.
Developing a sensitive HBV genotyping assay for HBV DNA suppressed patients using both DNA and RNA sequencing
Authors: Liu Yang , May Lindsey , Liu Xinan , Martin Ross , Svarovskaia Evguenia , Gaggar Anuj , Mo Hongmei , Feierbach Becket 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes impact treatment outcomes and disease progression. The current genotyping methods have limitations in patients with low HBV viral load. In this study, a more sensitive assay has been developed for determining the HBV genotype in HBV DNA suppressed patients. Fifty‐five serum samples from 55 chronic hepatitis B patients (HBeAg−, n = 20; HBeAg+, n = 35) across genotypes A to H with long‐term nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) treatment were collected. All samples had HBV DNA less than 29 IU/mL. Total nucleic acid (viral DNA and RNA) was extracted and a 341 bp amplicon located at HBV S gene overlapping with reverse transcriptase domain of polymerase (pol/RT) was amplified via real time (RT)‐nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by population sequencing. HBV genotype was determined by phylogenetic analysis. The assay successfully amplified HBV S/RT gene from 53 of 55 (96.4%) patient serum samples. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the genotypes of all the 53 PCR positive samples matched the historical genotypes as determined by INNO‐LiPA or RT sequence from the corresponding baseline samples. This assay was able to accurately determine HBV genotype irrespective of baseline genotype, HBeAg status, or duration of viral suppression. The ability to determine genotype in virally suppressed patients may facilitate the evaluation of novel treatment agents for HBV in this patient population.
Discharged COVID‐19 patients testing positive again for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA: A minireview of published studies from China
Authors: Han Zhiyong , Battaglia Fortunato , Terlecky Stanley R 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, one potential cause of concern is that some discharged COVID‐19 patients are testing positive again for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) RNA. To better understand what is happening and to provide public health policy planners and clinicians timely information, we have searched and reviewed published studies about discharged patients testing positive again for the SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA. Our search found 12 reports, all of which described patients in China. Our review of these reports indicates the presence of discharged patients who remain asymptomatic but test positive. However, it is unclear whether they are contagious because a positive reverse transcriptase – polymerase chain reaction (RT‐ PCR) test does not necessarily indicate the presence of replicating and transmissible virus. Our review suggests the need for timely, parallel testing of different samples, including, for example, fecal specimens, from COVID‐19 patients before and after they are discharged from hospitals.
On future flood magnitudes and estimation uncertainty across 151 catchments in mainland China
Authors: Gu Lei , Yin Jiabo , Zhang Hongbo , Wang Hui‐Min , Yang Guang , Wu Xushu 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAs atmospheric moisture holding capacity is positively dependent on temperatures, a large intensification of precipitation extremes is projected under foreseeable climate warming. Flooding that is mainly attributed to extreme storms usually accounts for an ambitious target in weather‐related hazard mitigation over China. Previous works seldom focused on flooding evolution patterns under climate change at a national scale, and fewer flooding projections considered the estimation uncertainty sourced from limited samples. This study systematically projected changes in flood quantiles based on annual maximum series and seasonality and also evaluated the variations of sampling uncertainty for 151 catchments over mainland China under the emission scenario of representative concentration pathway (RCP) 8.5. In order to project future streamflow series, the bias‐corrected outputs of six global climate models (GCMs) were input into a best‐performing hydrological model, which was selected from four calibrated hydrological models based on the KGE criteria. The Pearson type‐III (P‐III) distribution and L‐moments (L‐M) method were employed to derive the flood quantiles for different return periods during historical (1961–2005) and future (2056–2100) periods, and the bootstrapping method was applied to estimate the sampling uncertainty. A regression trend method was used to track the variations of flood seasonality in the context of climate warming. Our results project earlier flood timing and larger flood quantiles for most catchments in future period than those in the historical period, despite being accompanied by substantial spatial variations. We also project that the sampling uncertainty in estimating flood quantiles is increased in a warming future. Many catchments are exposed to dramatic changes in both flood quantile and estimation uncertainty by over 50%, while only a few catchments are projected to have decreasing flood risks. These results suggest an urgent need to improve the functionality of early warning systems and increase societal resilience to warming climates over China.
High‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection fingerprints as chemical descriptors to authenticate the origin, variety and roasting degree of coffee by multivariate chemometric methods
Authors: Núñez Nerea , Martínez Clara , Saurina Javier , Núñez Oscar 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDCoffee is one of the most popular beverages around the world, consumed as an infusion of ground roasting coffee beans with a characteristic taste and flavor. Two main varieties, Arabica and Robusta, are produced worldwide. Furthermore, interest of consumers in quality attributes related to coffee production region and varieties is increasing. Thus, it is necessary to encourage the development of simple methodologies to authenticate and guarantee the coffee origin, variety and roasting degree, aiming to prevent fraudulent practices.RESULTSC18 high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC‐FLD) fingerprints obtained after brewing coffees without any sample treatment other than filtration (i.e. considerably reducing sample manipulation) were employed as sample chemical descriptors for subsequent coffee characterization and classification by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares regression‐discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA). PLS‐DA showed good classification capabilities regarding coffee origin, variety and roasting degree when employing HPLC‐FLD fingerprints, although overlapping occurred for some sample groups. However, the discrimination power increased when selecting HPLC‐FLD fingerprinting segments richer in discriminant features, which were deduced from PLS‐DA loading plots. In this case, excellent separation was observed and 100% classification rates for both PLS‐DA calibrations and predictions were obtained (all samples were correctly classified within their corresponding groups).CONCLUSIONHPLC‐FLD fingerprinting segments were3 found to be suitable chemical descriptors for discriminating the origin (country of production), variety (Arabica and Robusta) and roasting degree of coffee. Therefore, HPLC‐FLD fingerprinting can be proposed as a feasible, simple and cheap methodology to address coffee authentication, especially for developing coffee production countries. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry