bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of atrial programmed electrical stimulation techniques on unipolar electrogram morphology
Authors: Knops Paul , Schram‐Serban Corina , van der Does Lisette , Croes Marshall , Houben Richard , de Groot Natasja 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIntroductionIntra‐atrial conduction abnormalities are associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) and cause morphological changes of the unipolar atrial electrogram (U‐AEGM). This study examined the impact of different atrial programmed electrical stimulation (APES) protocols on U‐AEGM morphology to identify the most optimal APES protocol provoking conduction abnormalities.MethodsAPES techniques (14 protocols) were applied in 30 patients referred for an electrophysiology study, consisting of fixed rate, extra, and decremental stimuli at different frequencies. U‐AEGM morphologies including width, amplitude, and fractionation for patients without (control group) and with a history of AF (AF group) were examined during APES. In addition, sinus rhythm (SR) U‐AEGMs preceding different APES protocols were compared to evaluate the morphology stability over time.ResultsU‐AEGM morphologies during SR before the APES protocols were comparable (all P > .396). Atrial refractoriness was longer in the AF group compared to the control group (298 ± 48 vs 255 ± 33 ms; P ≤ .020), but did not differ between AF patients with and without amiodarone therapy (278 ± 48 vs 311 ± 40 ms; P ≥ .126). Compared to the initial SR morphology, U‐AEGM width, amplitude, and fractionation changed significantly during the 14 different APES protocols, particularly in the AF group. In both groups, U‐AEGM changes in morphology were most pronounced during fixed‐rate stimulation with extra stimuli (8S1‐S2 = 400‐250 ms).ConclusionAPES results in significant changes in U‐AEGM morphology, including width, amplitude, and fractionation. The impact of APES differed between APES sequence and between patients with and without AF. These findings suggest that APES could be useful to identify AF‐related conduction abnormalities in the individual patient.
Illness and two meanings of phenomenology
Authors: Crişan Horaţiu Traian , Copoeru Ion 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundWhen approaching medicine, phenomenology has at least two meanings that need to be distinguished in order to become relevant in its application to medical practice. Up to now, these two meanings have been overlapped by most of the scholarly literature. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to differentiate between them, thus endorsing their potential use in medical practice.MethodsThe first meaning was instituted by Edmund Husserl and views phenomenology as transcendental, ie, as a transcendental rigorous science based on the unravelling of transcendental subjectivity/intersubjectivity. The second takes it more as a narrative enterprise, ie, as a description of personal subjective experience, thus seeming closer to other approaches to disease which can be found both in philosophy and other fields. Nevertheless, both provide advantages and disadvantages when it comes to approaching illness.ResultsNeither of the two meanings can supersede the other and, consequently, neither of the two analogue forms of phenomenology can impose itself as the phenomenology of medicine.ConclusionIt is important to clarify the consequences of applying each of the two understandings of phenomenology to medicine in the context of its current development. Our present inquiry concerns not merely the disentanglement of the status of what today's scholarly literature calls phenomenology of medicine in relation to meanings of phenomenology, but also the limits of applying phenomenology to the field of medicine.
The filter‐feeding bivalve Mytilus chilensis capture pelagic stages of Caligus rogercresseyi: A potential controller of the sea lice fish parasites
Authors: Montory Jaime A. , Chaparro Oscar R. , Averbuj Andres , Salas‐Yanquin Luis P. , Büchner‐Miranda Joseline A. , Gebauer Paulina , Cumillaf Juan P. , Cruces Edgardo 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe copepod Caligus rogercresseyi is an ectoparasite of several salmonid species. The pumping activity of filter‐feeding molluscs could reduce the abundance of copepod dispersive larval stages in the water column. In this research, nauplius II and copepodid larvae of C. rogercresseyi were exposed to filtering mussels (Mytilus chilensis) of different sizes. These mussels were able to filter both larval stages, although they were more efficient in catching nauplius II. The fact that nauplius II were ingested more efficiently could be explained by their smaller size, lower swimming velocity (escape) and longer resting times between movements, when they were exposed to the influx of water around the inhalant area of the mussels. Larger mussels were more effective filtering C. rogercresseyi larvae due to their larger inhalant area and the related water influx. Additionally, the results suggest that larvae captured by the mussels can be incorporated into pseudofaeces or ingested and then released as part of the faeces. Thus, high concentrations of M. chilensis surrounding salmon farms may act as biological barriers, reducing the density of copepod dispersive larval stages and, thus, salmon infestations.
Detection of mites Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Cheyletus eruditus in flour using hyperspectral imaging system coupled with chemometrics
Authors: He Peihuan , Wu Yi , Wang Jingjing , Ren Yi , Ahmad Waqas , Liu Rui , Ouyang Qin , Jiang Hui , Chen Quansheng 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAn automatic method for detecting mites in flour has been established using hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system coupled with chemometrics. Reflectance differences among flour, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, and Cheyletus eruditus were relatively distinct. Majority of the shape features, including area, perimeter, the major, and minor axis in C. eruditus were remarkably larger than flour and T. putrescentiae. Textural features reached the level of the maximum significance except for contrast with one‐way analysis of variance. Images under the ant colony optimization (ACO) wavebands in random forests (RF) classification showed at least 89% recognition rates, better than the successive projections algorithm wavebands. Artificial neural networks (ANN) with ACO wavebands gave higher recognition accuracies in training and validation sets than RF. Further analysis verified hyperspectrum with ACO‐PCA‐ANN (PCA, principal component analysis), which showed over 98% accuracy. This study revealed the promising potential of HSI coupled with ACO‐PCA‐ANN as an accurate and rapid method for detecting mites in flour.Practical applicationsMite infection in flour is a global problem and an important research area related to stored food safety and quality control in the food industry. An effective classification method for mite contaminants with automated detection has not been previously established in the literature. Therefore, the current study reports an automated hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system coupled with chemometrics to detect mites Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Cheyletus eruditus in flour. This study revealed the promising potential of HSI coupled with ACO‐PCA‐ANN as an accurate and rapid method for detecting mites T. putrescentiae and C. eruditus in flour. We believe the knowledge gained in this research could be incorporated in the food storage and processing industry to promote the accuracy of detecting and identifying mites by using HSI system combined with chemometric algorithms.
Characterizing cognitive deficits and potential predictors in multiple sclerosis: A large nationwide study applying Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis in standard clinical care
Authors: Renner Alina , Baetge Sharon J. , Filser Melanie , Ullrich Sebastian , Lassek Christoph , Penner Iris‐Katharina 
Published: February 2020

With the proposal of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) battery, the need to screen for cognitive deficits within standard clinical care of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been acknowledged. Data regarding how patient characteristics might predict low cognitive performance and therefore require particularly close monitoring is, however, limited so far. We investigated a large, nationwide patient cohort from ambulatory settings, representing the typical distribution of different subtypes, levels of physical disability, and disease durations. Besides cognitive testing with BICAMS, additional sampling of multiple demographics and clinical variables allowed us to characterize general and domain‐specific prevalence patterns of cognitive impairment (CI) as well as to delineate which factors are associated with cognitive performance. In a total of 1,094 patients, CI was present in 28% (using a conservative cut‐off of the 5th percentile below normative values), with information‐processing speed being most frequently affected. Impairment was overall higher in patients with primary progressive (PPMS) and secondary progressive MS than in patients with relapsing–remitting (RR)MS. Regression modelling revealed that disease subtype (i.e., PPMS), long disease duration, high physical disability, unemployment, low educational level, high age, male sex, and the absence of current disease‐modifying treatment were important predictors for worse BICAMS’ test performance. These results emphasize the importance of continuous cognitive assessment during regular neurological follow‐up visits, with a particular focus on patients being identified as high‐risk subjects for CI according to the reported factors.
Effect of hair restoration surgery on the scalp sensitivity
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad , Mohmand Mohammad Humayun 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundHair transplant procedure is a surgical procedure which affects the sensitivity of the scalp.ObjectivesTo compare scalp two‐point discrimination (2PD) values in healthy controls and patients who had hair transplant surgery.Patients/methodsThe comparative study was conducted in 25 healthy individuals and 25 patient who underwent hair transplant surgery (either strip surgery or FUE). An area was marked o scalp about 10 cm from the nasion. A caliper with 15 g weight was used. Both the prongs were ensured to be placed perpendicular to the skin. The contact time was only 2.0 seconds. An interval of 10 seconds was given before increasing the 2PD distance. In each measurement, the distance was increased by 1 mm. All the data were recorded and analyzed statistically using ANOVA test.ResultsThe mean age of the control group was 29.72 and 31.7 years in patients' group. The average 2PD score in controls was 12.76 and 17.80 mm in patients. The average 2PD score was found to be 17.7 in patients who had surgery less than 18 months ago as compared to the score of 17.6 in patients who had surgery more than 18 months ago (P > .05). The smokers had less sensitivity as compared to the nonsmokers (P < .05).ConclusionThe scalp sensitivity was found to be less than 39% in patients after hair transplant surgery.
P2P finance and the effectiveness of monetary controls
Authors: Wong Chin‐Yoong , Eng Yoke‐Kee 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe emergence of a decentralized peer‐to‐peer (P2P) platform that matches lending and borrowing without collateral requirement could have weakened the bank lending and balance sheet channels of monetary policy, calling monetary policy effectiveness into question. Through the perspective of a new Keynesian model expanded with a two‐sided P2P platform and group identity, we find that monetary policy can be financially destabilizing when firms have access to alternative unregulated financing instruments to dodge monetary grabs. Contractionary monetary policy that aims to disincentivize leverage could unintendedly end up with elevated debt leverage. Although the economy largely responds to productivity and investment shocks as intended by the policy, the responses become more volatile, indicating the weakening monetary grips on the economy.
First azole‐resistant Aspergillus fumigatus isolates with the environmental TR46/Y121F/T289A mutation in Iran
Authors: Ahangarkani Fatemeh , Puts Ynze , Nabili Mojtaba , Khodavaisy Sadegh , Moazeni Maryam , Salehi Zahra , Laal Kargar Melika , Badali Hamid , Meis Jacques F. 
Published: February 2020

SummaryBackgroundAzole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus is an emerging problem and reported from all continents. As triazole antifungals are the mainstay of therapy in the management of invasive aspergillosis, azole‐resistant A fumigatus has become a major medical concern and with complicated clinical management.ObjectiveScreening of environmental presence of azole‐resistant A fumigatus in Iran.MethodsCompost from Northern Iran, collected between 2017 and 2018, was screened for the presence of azole‐resistant A fumigatus with azole‐containing agar. Phenotypic MICs were obtained from selected, molecularly confirmed isolates. cyp51A gene sequencing and genotyping of azole‐resistant isolates were done.ResultsAmong 300 compost samples, three A fumigatus isolates had high voriconazole MICs (≥16 mg/L) and harboured the TR46/Y121F/T289A mutation in the cyp51A gene. Microsatellite typing of these isolates showed that two strains had the same allele across all nine examined microsatellite loci and were genotypically related to Indian azole‐resistant strains. The other isolate had a different genotype.ConclusionThis is the first report of A fumigatus with TR46/Y121F/T289A mutation from the region. Monitoring and surveillance of antifungal susceptibility of clinical A fumigatus is warranted in Iran and elsewhere in the region.
Evaluation of respiratory complications in patients with X‐linked and autosomal recessive agammaglobulinemia
Authors: Fekrvand Saba , Yazdani Reza , Olbrich Peter , Azizi Gholamreza , Shirzadi Rohola , Modaresi Mohammadreza , Sohani Mahsa , Delavari Samaneh , Kalantari Arash , Shariat Mansoureh , Shafiei Alireza , Lu Na , Hassanpour Gholamreza , Rahimi Hajiabadi Maziar , Ashournia Parisa , Razaghian Anahita , Asgharyan Marzieh , Shahraki‐Ghadimi Zahra , Rouhani Roja , Hoda Fallah Fatemeh , Rezaei Nima , Abolhassani Hassan , Aghamohammadi Asghar 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundCongenital agammaglobulinemia is the first primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by a defect in B lymphocyte development and subsequently decreased immunoglobulin levels. These patients are prone to suffer from recurrent infections mostly involving the respiratory tract. In this study, we aimed to describe in detail respiratory tract complications as the most prominent clinical feature among agammaglobulinemic patients.MethodsA total number of 115 patients were included. Demographic, clinical, and genetic data were collected from the patients’ medical records. Among the available patients, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and/or high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were performed.ResultsRespiratory tract complications (85.2%) especially pneumonia (62.6%) were the most prominent clinical features in our cohort. Among patients with abnormal PFT results (N = 19), a mixed respiratory pattern was observed in 36.8%. HRCT was carried out in 29 patients; Bhalla scoring‐based evaluation of these patients indicated excellent (44.8%), followed by good (34.5%) and mild (20.7%) results. Bronchiectasis was found in 13 patients undergoing HRCT (44.8%). We found significant inverse correlations between the Bhalla score and incidence rate of pneumonia, as well as the presence of bronchiectasis. Patients with abnormal PFT results had statistically significant higher bronchiectasis frequency and lower Bhalla scores compared to those with normal results. Forty‐one patients were deceased, and here, respiratory failure was the most common cause of death (45.5%).ConclusionHigh prevalence of respiratory tract infections among agammaglobulinemic patients and subsequent progression to permanent lung damage highlights the importance of implementing respiratory evaluation as part of routine follow‐up program of agammaglobulinemic patients. Physicians should be aware of this and regularly monitor the respiratory function of these patients to allow for timely diagnosis and treatment initiation aiming to improve patients’ prognosis and quality of life.
Seed dispersal and realized gene flow of two forest orchids in a fragmented landscape
Authors: Kotilínek M. , Těšitelová T. , Košnar J. , Fibich P. , Hemrová L. , Koutecký P. , Münzbergová Z. , Jersáková J. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Species with vast production of dust‐like windborne seeds, such as orchids, should not be limited by seed dispersal. This paradigm, however, does not fit recent studies showing that many sites suitable for orchids are unoccupied and most seeds land close to their maternal plant. To explore this issue, we studied seed dispersal and gene flow of two forest orchid species, Epipactis atrorubens and Cephalanthera rubra, growing in a fragmented landscape of forested limestone hills in southwest Bohemia, Czech Republic.

We used a combination of seed trapping and plant genotyping methods (microsatellite DNA markers) to quantify short‐ and long‐distance dispersal, respectively. In addition, seed production of both species was estimated.

We found that most seeds landed very close to maternal plants (95% of captured seeds were within 7.2 m) in both species, and dispersal distance was influenced by forest type in E. atrorubens. In addition, C. rubra showed clonal reproduction (20% of plants were of clonal origin) and very low fruiting success (only 1.6% of plants were fruiting) in comparison with E. atrorubens (25.7%). Gene flow was frequent up to 2 km in C. rubra and up to 125 km in E. atrorubens, and we detected a relatively high dispersal rate among regions in both species.

Although both species occupy similar habitats and have similar seed dispersal abilities, C. rubra is notably rarer in the study area. Considerably low fruiting success in this species likely limits its gene flow to longer distances and designates it more sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Origin of the cultivated passion fruit Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and genomic relationships among species of the subgenera Decaloba and Passiflora
Authors: Silva G. S. , Souza M. M. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa is the most economically important species in the genus Passiflora. However, the origin of this yellow form of passion fruit remains unclear, being suggested as a hybrid (P. edulis f. edulis × P. ligularis) or wild mutant.

Here, the origin and genomic relationships of P. edulis f. flavicarpa with some related species in the genus Passiflora (subgenera Decaloba and Passiflora) were investigated using genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). Genomic DNA of 18 species was used as probe, which was hybridized onto chromosomes of P. edulis f. flavicarpa.

Of all genomic DNA probes tested, none allowed us to identify a specific chromosome set in P. edulis f. flavicarpa. Conversely, probes from the subgenus Passiflora, P. edulis f. edulis, P. alata, P. cincinnata, P. coccinea, P. nitida and P. vitifolia, produced intense and uniform hybridizations on all chromosomes of P. edulis f. flavicarpa. Moreover, probes from P. ligularis, P. foetida and P. sublanceolata produced more intense hybridizations in the terminal region of four chromosomes, corresponding to the DNAr 45S locus, and also dispersed, less intense, hybridization across all chromosomes. Probes from the subgenus Decaloba, P. biflora, P. capsularis, P. cervii, P. coriacea, P. micropetala, P. morifolia, P. rubra and P. suberosa, produced hybridizations restricted to the DNAr 45S sites.

The hybrid origin of P. edulis f. flavicarpa could not be supported based on the GISH results, and it is suggested that this species is conspecific with P. edulis f. edulis, because the probe with DNA of this form hybridized strongly throughout the target genome. The other putative parent species, P. ligularis, showed only a distant relationship with the target genome. The results also suggest that species of the subgenus Passiflora share many repetitive sequences and that the relationship between subgenera Decaloba and Passiflora is very distant.
Behaviour and reproductive performance of Nigerian native chickens subjected to different mating ratios for a short term
Authors: Iyasere Oluwaseun Serah , Adeuyi David Oluwatowo , Alade Rasheed Adebayo , Durosaro Samuel Olutunde , Wheto Mathew , Ogunbanjo Olajide James , Oyakhilome Lucky Ebhodage , Emmanuel Samuel , Daramola James Olamitibo 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTo date, there is no reported standard mating ratio for Nigerian native chickens despite their large population in the country. This study investigated the effect of mating ratio on behaviour, semen quality and level of stress. Sixty‐three (9 cocks and 54 hens) sexually matured birds were randomly assigned to three mating ratios (MR) of 1 cock to 3 hens (1C:3H), 1 cock to 6 hens (1C:6H) and 1 cock to 9 hens (1C:9H), and each MR was replicated three times. Each cock spent 2 weeks in a particular MR before it was moved to another. By the 6th week, all cocks had experienced the three mating ratios. Behaviour of the hens and sexual behaviour of the cocks were observed in the morning and evening, respectively, for 6 weeks. At the end of 2nd week in each MR, semen samples were collected and evaluated for motility, morphology, liveability and concentration, and blood samples were also taken from the cocks to determine the heterophil/lymphocyte (H:L) ratio, an indicator of stress. There was also no significant effect of mating ratio on the fertility of eggs and hatchability of the chicks. The number of hen–hen aggression instances, frequency of visits to the nest box and duration of nesting was not influenced by the mating ratio. However, the duration of nest seeking was higher at 1C:3H and lower at 1C:9H. A mating ratio of 1C:9H is therefore recommended for farmers interested in raising Nigerian native chickens.
The role of the most favored nation principle of the GATT/WTO in the New Trade model
Authors: Suwanprasert Wisarut 
Published: February 2020

AbstractI study the impact of the most favored nation (MFN) principle of the GATT/WTO on bilateral trade agreements in the New Trade model. The paper offers four main predictions. First, a bilateral trade agreement without external tariff adjustments hurts the outside country, while a bilateral trade agreement under MFN benefits the outside country. Second, the MFN principle may cause a free‐rider problem. Third, a Pareto‐improving bilateral trade agreement under MFN does not exist if initial tariffs and the elasticity of substitution are sufficiently low. This suggests that the MFN principle may prevent bilateral trade agreements in the future when tariffs are already low and that the definition of “like products” in the MFN rule is welfare improving only if it covers only goods that are closely substituted. Fourth, in the future when tariffs are low, multilateral negotiations and preferential trade areas will become more desirable. Using a calibrated 10‐region 33‐industry model, I show that around 30% of bilateral trade agreements that would be agreed upon in the absence of the MFN rule could not be agreed upon if the MFN rule is imposed.
Failure of multiplex meningitis/encephalitis (ME) NAT during cryptococcal meningitis in solid organ recipients
Authors: Pilmis Benoit , Bougnoux Marie‐Elizabeth , Guery Romain , Senghor Yaye , Le Monnier Alban , Lanternier Fanny , Bretagne Stephane , Alanio Alexandre , Lortholary Olivier 
Published: February 2020

AbstractCryptococcal meningitis is a severe cause of central nervous system infections among immunocompromised solid organ transplant (SOT) patients. While new diagnostic methods as multiplex meningitis/encephalitis (ME) NAT (nucleic acid test) are increasingly used as a first‐line tool in hospital practice, data in HIV‐negative patients including SOT remain scarce. We report here false‐negative results of multiplex NAT among SOT patients with proven cryptococcal meningitis.