bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bayesian network meta‐analysis comparing cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation, and antiarrhythmic drugs as initial therapies for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Elsayed Mahmoud , Abdelfattah Omar M. , Sayed Ahmed , Prasad Rohan Madhu , Barakat Amr F. , Elgendy Islam Y. , Andrade Jason , Jared Bunch Thomas , Thosani Amit , Saliba Walid I. , Wazni Oussama M. , Hussein Ayman A. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundAntiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) and catheter ablation are first line treatments of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), however, there exists a paucity of data regarding the potential benefit of different catheter ablation technologies versus AADs as an early rhythm strategy.ObjectiveTo assess the safety and efficacy of cryoablation versus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) versus AADs as a first line therapy of PAF.MethodsMEDLINE, Embase, Scopus and CENTRAL were searched to retrieve randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing cryoablation, RFA or AADs to one another as first line therapies for atrial fibrillation (AF). The primary outcome was overall freedom from arrhythmia recurrence (AF, atrial flutter [AFL], atrial tachycardia). Secondary outcomes included freedom from symptomatic arrhythmia recurrence, hospitalization, and serious adverse events. A random‐effects Bayesian network meta‐analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% credible intervals (CrI).ResultsSix RCTs (N = 1212) met the inclusion criteria (605 AADs, 365 Cryoablation, and 245 RFA). Compared with AADs, overall recurrence was reduced with RFA (OR: 0.31; 95% CrI: 0.10–0.71) and cryoablation (OR: 0.39; 95% CrI: 0.16–1.00). Comparing ablation (cryoablation and RFA) with AADs in respect to freedom from symptomatic AF recurrence, neither cryoablation (OR: 0.35; 95% CrI: 0.06–1.96) nor RFA (OR: 0.34; 95% CrI: 0.07–1.27) resulted in statistically significant reductions individually compared to AADs, though pooled ablation with both technologies showed lower odds of arrhythmia recurrence (OR: 0.35; 95% CrI: 0.13–0.79). In terms of serious adverse events rates, neither cryoablation (OR: 0.77; 95% CrI: 0.44–1.39) nor RFA (OR: 1.45; 95% CrI: 0.67–3.23) were significantly different to AADs. RFA resulted in a statistically significant reduction in hospitalizations compared to AAD (OR: 0.08; 95% CrI: 0.01–0.99), whereas cryoablation did not (OR: 0.77; 95% CrI: 0.44–1.39). The surface under the cumulative ranking curve showed RFA to be the most effective treatment at reducing overall rates of recurrence, symptomatic recurrence and hospitalizations; whereas cryoablation was most likely to reduce serious adverse events.ConclusionCryoablation and RFA are both effective and safe first line therapies for AF compared to AADs, with RFA being the most effective at reducing recurrences.
Relationship between luminal esophageal temperature and volume of esophageal injury during RF ablation: In silico study comparing low power‐moderate duration vs. high power‐short duration
Authors: Pérez Juan J. , González‐Suárez Ana , Maher Timothy , Nakagawa Hiroshi , d'Avila Andre , Berjano Enrique 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo model the evolution of peak temperature and volume of damaged esophagus during and after radiofrequency (RF) ablation using low power‐moderate duration (LPMD) versus high power‐short duration (HPSD) or very high power‐very short duration (VHPVSD) settings.MethodsAn in silico simulation model of RF ablation accounting for left atrial wall thickness, nearby organs and tissues, as well as catheter contact force. The model used the Arrhenius equation to derive a thermal damage model and estimate the volume of esophageal damage over time during and after RF application under conditions of LPMD (30 W, 20 s), HPSD (50 W, 6 s), and VHPVSD (90 W, 4 s).ResultsThere was a close correlation between maximum peak temperature after RF application and volume of esophageal damage, with highest correlation (R2 = 0.97) and highest volume of esophageal injury in the LPMD group. A greater increase in peak temperature and greater relative increase in esophageal injury volume in the HPSD (240%) and VHPSD (270%) simulations occurred after RF termination. Increased endocardial to esophageal thickness was associated with a longer time to maximum peak temperature (R2 > 0.92), especially in the HPSD/VHPVSD simulations, and no esophageal injury was seen when the distances were >4.5 mm for LPMD or >3.5 mm for HPSD.ConclusionLPMD is associated with a larger total volume of esophageal damage due to the greater total RF energy delivery. HPSD and VHPVSD shows significant thermal latency (resulting from conductive tissue heating after RF termination), suggesting a requirement for fewer esophageal temperature cutoffs during ablation.
Aggressive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in a hydroxyurea‐ and ruxolitinib‐pretreated patient with polycythaemia vera
Authors: Gambichler T. , Stockfleth E. , Susok L. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractHydroxyurea and ruxolitinib are frequently used to treat myeloproliferative disorders, including polycythaemia vera, and chronic treatment is associated with many cutaneous adverse effects such as the development of aggressive non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). We report an 85‐year‐old man with a history of hydroxyurea‐ and ruxolitinib‐treated polycythaemia vera who was referred for the management of progressively growing tumours on his scalp. Histopathology of the largest scalp lesion revealed a partly desmoplastic cutaneous squamous carcinoma with perineural invasion. Initial imaging revealed metastatic disease in cervical lymph nodes, bones and lungs. The scalp lesions were successfully treated with bleomycin‐based electrochemotherapy. Under initial systemic therapy using four cycles of cetuximab, metastatic disease progressed. Following the approval by the health insurance, compassionate use of pembrolizumab monotherapy was initiated. After three cycles of pembrolizumab, however, metastatic disease further progressed and the patient finally died from global respiratory insufficiency. The present case exemplifies the cutaneous adverse effects of long‐term hydroxyurea and ruxolitinib therapy, frequently resulting in highly aggressive NMSCs that are usually not responsive to systemic treatments even such as immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Evaluating the strength of western honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies fed pollen substitutes over winter
Authors: Noordyke Emily R. , van Santen Edzard , Ellis James D. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWestern honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) need good nutrition to combat multiple stressors. Beekeepers often feed artificial protein diets (i.e. pollen substitutes) when their colonies lack natural pollen resources. However, it is unclear whether pollen substitutes improve honey bee colony strength and health during pollen dearths and when no pollen stores are available, as can occur during late fall and winter. We fed 56 managed honey bee colonies one of two commercially available pollen substitutes (AP23® and MegaBee®) or no diet (control) over the late fall and winter in north‐central Florida under a simulated pollen dearth and when the colonies lacked pollen stores. We determined the change in adult bee mass and the final brood mass of each colony throughout the feeding period. On average, colonies in each of the three treatment groups experienced a loss in total adult bee mass during the feeding period, which is typical of colonies during winter. Nevertheless, colonies that received AP23 lost significantly less adult bee mass than did control colonies, with colonies that received MegaBee having a loss in adult bee mass intermediate to those of the other two groups. The AP23 and MegaBee colonies had significantly greater brood mass than did control colonies. When accounting for total change in colony biomass (adult bee mass + brood mass), the AP23 group lost significantly less mass than did control colonies, with the MegaBee colonies having a mass loss intermediate to those of the other two groups. Colonies consumed significantly more AP23 than they consumed MegaBee. Collectively, our data suggest that it may be beneficial for beekeepers in warm climates to feed pollen substitutes to stressed honey bee colonies over winter to lessen the loss in total colony biomass.
Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination delivery in older Hispanic populations in the United States
Authors: Heintzman John , Hwang Jun , Quiñones Ana R. , Guzman Cirila Estela Vasquez , Bailey Steffani R. , Lucas Jennifer , Giebultowicz Sophia , Chan Brian , Marino Miguel 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIntroductionNational reports suggest that Hispanic patients may underutilize influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, although studies sometimes conflict on this point. A clearer picture of adult immunization utilization in older Hispanic patients is necessary to ensure equity in adult vaccinations.MethodsUsing electronic health records from 648 community health centers (CHCs) across 21 states, we compared English‐preferring Hispanic patients, Spanish‐preferring Hispanic patients, and Non‐Hispanic White (NHW) adults aged ≥50 years across five outcomes between 2012–2017: (1) Odds of ever receiving pneumococcal vaccination after age 65, (2) Odds of ever receiving ≥2 pneumococcal vaccinations for those ≥65, (3) odds of vaccination between the ages of 50 and 64 for those with diabetes or heart disease, (4) odds of influenza vaccine, and (5) annual rate of influenza vaccination.ResultsOf our total study sample (N = 143,869), 85,562 were age 50–64 during the entire study period, and 65,977 were ≥65 at some point during the study period. In patients aged 50–64, Spanish‐preferring Hispanic patients were more likely to have ever had an influenza vaccination (covariate‐adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.29–1.37), had higher rates of annual influenza vaccination (covariate‐adjusted rate ratio [aRR] = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.38–1.44), and higher odds of pneumococcal vaccination (aOR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.76–1.98) than NHW patients. These findings were similar in Spanish‐preferring Hispanic patients ≥65. English‐preferring Hispanics ≥65 were less likely than NHW patients to ever have an influenza vaccination (aOR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.85–0.98) and to have ever received at least one (aOR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.86–0.99) or two (aOR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.77–0.95) pneumococcal vaccine doses.ConclusionsIn a multistate CHC network, Spanish‐preferring Hispanic patients were more likely to receive influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations than NHW patients; older English‐preferring Hispanic patients were often less likely than NHW patients to receive these vaccinations. In vaccine initiatives, English‐preferring Hispanic patients may be at higher risk of vaccination inequity.
Streptococcus anginosus group infections in hospitalised children and young people
Authors: Ismail Khairul , Hughes Ian , Moloney Susan , Grimwood Keith 
Published: December 2021

AimThe Streptococcus anginosus group (SAG) comprises three bacterial species colonising the mouth and gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts and capable of serious pyogenic infections. Although well‐described in adults, studies in children are limited. Here, we characterise paediatric SAG infections from a single Australian centre.MethodsHospitalised patients aged ≤18 years with positive SAG cultures from January 2009 to December 2019 were identified from Pathology Queensland's Gold Coast Laboratory database and their medical records were reviewed.ResultsTwo‐hundred children (62% male), median age 12 years (interquartile range 6–16), with positive SAG cultures were identified. Overall, 90% received intravenous antibiotics, 89% underwent surgical drainage, 23% were readmitted and 15% required additional surgery. The most common sites were the abdomen (39%), soft tissues (36%) and head and neck regions (21%). Since 2011, Pathology Queensland reported SAG at the species level (n = 133). Of these, S. anginosus was the most prevalent (39%), then S. constellatus (34%) and S. intermedius (27%). Compared with the other two species, S. intermedius was most commonly associated with head and neck infections (relative risk (RR) = 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4–3.5), while S. constellatus (RR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.4) and S. anginosus (RR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.0–2.0) were each associated with a higher risk of intra‐abdominal infection than S. intermedius. Since February 2015, the number of children admitted with SAG‐associated intra‐abdominal infection per 1000 hospitalisations increased by 29% annually compared with an annual decline of 8% in previous years.ConclusionsSAG infections occur at various anatomical sites. Despite antibiotics and surgical management, almost one‐quarter are re‐hospitalised for further treatment.
Evaluation of various sample sources for the cytologic diagnosis ofCytauxzoon felis
Authors: Sleznikow Casey R. , Granick Jennifer L. , Cohn Leah A. , Nafe Laura A. , Rendahl Aaron , Burton Erin N. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundCytauxzoon felisis a life‐threatening protozoan disease of cats. Identification of schizont‐laden macrophages is a point‐of‐care diagnostic test for acute cytauxzoonosis.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe primary objective determined cytologic agreement between sample types to diagnose acute cytauxzoonosis. The secondary objective evaluated novices' ability to identify cytauxzoon organisms in blood films and tissue aspirates.AnimalsThirty‐eight cats with suspected acute cytauxzoonosis and 5 controls examined postmortem.MethodsCases were prospectively submitted and collected. Blood film, lymph node, and splenic aspirates were blindly reviewed for sample quality, presence of schizont‐laden macrophages, and agreement between sample types. A subset of cases and controls were evaluated by 12 blinded novice observers to determine sensitivity and specificity for identifying organisms in various sample types.ResultsAcute cytauxzoonosis diagnosis was made on at least 1 sample type in 28/38 cats. Schizont‐laden macrophages were seen on 33% (10/30) of blood films, 56% (19/34) lymph node aspirates, 77% (26/34) splenic aspirates. Schizont‐laden macrophages were more likely seen on splenic than lymph node aspirates (McNemar's,P = .03) or blood film (McNemar's,P = <.001). Novice observers were more likely to agree with experts when identifying schizont‐laden macrophages in splenic aspirates (sensitivity = 77.1%, specificity = 94.4%) versus lymph node aspirates (sensitivity = 52.8%, specificity = 96.4%) or blood films (sensitivity = 41.7%, specificity = 96.9%).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceSchizont‐laden macrophages are most frequently identified in spleen, even by novice observers. If the diagnosis of acute cytauxzoonosis cannot be confirmed via blood film, then splenic, followed by peripheral lymph node aspirates can be considered.
Business cycles, financial conditions, and nonlinearities
Authors: Mendieta‐Muñoz Ivan , Sündal Doğuhan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractUsing a Bayesian threshold vector autoregression model for the US economy, this paper tests whether nonlinear dynamics can arise from the endogenous interactions between traditional business cycles, depicted by investment decisions, profitability levels and aggregate demand levels, and financial conditions, depicted by credit market conditions, thus considering that the latter are important sources of instability and possible nonlinear propagators of other shocks. The results support the characterization of nonlinear dynamics in the transmission of shocks since there is evidence of asymmetric responses of the variables across two different regimes of financial stress, responding more strongly during loose financial conditions.
Tacrolimus‐induced acute pancreatitis and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in pediatric kidney transplant recipient
Authors: Mazumder Mastakim Ahmed , Gulati Sanjeev , Narula Ajit Singh , Shehwar Durre , Mir Ishrat Majid 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundCalcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) are often associated with abnormalities in glucose and lipid metabolism. Tacrolimus is the most potent CNI which is nowadays used almost universally as a part of triple‐drug immunosuppression after kidney transplantation. Tacrolimus can cause islet cell damage and decrease in insulin secretion which can lead to post‐transplant diabetes mellitus and rarely diabetic ketoacidosis. Although rare, acute pancreatitis has also been implicated by a few case reports to be associated with tacrolimus. However, tacrolimus‐induced acute pancreatitis has not been reported in pediatric kidney transplant recipient till date.Case DescriptionWe report the first case of tacrolimus‐induced acute pancreatitis in association with hypertriglyceridemia and DKA in a child early after kidney transplant. The patient was managed with supportive treatment, and tacrolimus was stopped for three days and then switched to cyclosporine‐based regimen. The patient became euglycemic within 8 weeks of switching to cyclosporine and did not have any recurrence of pancreatitis.ConclusionTacrolimus‐induced pancreatitis is rare in the setting of kidney transplants and prompt diagnosis and management can lead to a successful outcome.
Expression and roles of GRAS gene family in plant growth, signal transduction, biotic and abiotic stress resistance and symbiosis formation—a review
Authors: Khan Y. , Xiong Z. , Zhang H. , Liu S. , Yaseen T. , Hui T. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe GRAS (derived from GAI, RGA and SCR) gene family consists of plant‐specific genes, works as a transcriptional regulator and plays a key part in the regulation of plant growth and development. The past decade has witnessed significant progress in understanding and advances on GRAS transcription factors in various plants. A notable concern is to what extent the mechanisms found in plants, particularly crops, are shared by other species, and what other characteristics are dependent on GRAS transcription factor (TFS)‐mediated gene expression. GRAS are involved in many processes that are intimately linked to plant growth regulation. However, GRAS also perform additional roles against environmental stresses, allowing plants to function more efficiently. GRAS increase plant growth and development by improving several physiological processes, such as phytohormone, biosynthetic and signalling pathways. Furthermore, the GRAS gene family plays an important role in response to abiotic stresses, e.g. photooxidative stress. Moreover, evidence shows the involvement of GRAS in arbuscule development during plant–mycorrhiza associations. In this review, the diverse roles of GRAS in plant systems are highlighted that could be useful in enhancing crop productivity through genetic modification, especially of crops. This is the first review to report the role and function of the GRAS gene family in plant systems. Furthermore, a large number of studies are reviewed, and several limitations and research gaps identified that must be addressed in future studies.
Leaf trait modification in European beech trees in response to climatic and edaphic drought
Authors: Weithmann G. , Schuldt B. , Link R. M. , Heil D. , Hoeber S. , John H. , Müller‐Haubold H. , Schüller L.‐M. , Schumann K. , Leuschner C. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractLeaf morphological and physiological traits control the carbon and water relations of mature trees and are determinants of drought tolerance, but it is not well understood how they are modified in response to water deficits.We analysed five sun‐canopy leaf traits (mean leaf size (LS), specific leaf area (SLA), Huber value (HV), water potential at turgor loss point (Ψtlp) and foliar carbon isotope signature (δ13C)) in European beech (Fagus sylvaticaL.) across three precipitation gradients sampled in moist (2010), dry (2019) and very dry (2018) summers, and tested their response to short‐term water deficits (climatic water balance (CWB) preceding sample collection) and long‐term water availability (mean annual precipitation (MAP), plant‐available soil water capacity (AWC) and neighbourhood competition).Across the 34 sites, LS varied seven‐fold (3.9−27.0 cm2), SLA four‐fold (77.1−306.9 cm²·g−1) and HV six‐fold (1.0−6.65 cm2·m−2). In the 2018 dataset, LS showed a negative and HV a positive relationship to MAP, which contradicts relations found in multi‐species samples. AverageΨtlpranged from −1.90 to −2.62 MPa and decreased across the sites with decreasing CWB in the month prior to measurement, as well as with decreasing MAP and AWC in 2019. Studied leaf traits varied considerably between years, suggesting that mast fruiting and the severe 2018 drought caused the formation of smaller leaves.We conclude that sun‐canopy leaf traits of European beech exhibit considerable plasticity in response to climatic and edaphic aridity, and that osmotic adjustment may be an important element in the drought response strategy of this anisohydric tree species.
Silencing mark H3K27me3 is differently reprogrammed in bovine embryos with distinct kinetics of development
Authors: Ispada Jessica , Milazzotto Marcella Pecora 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe kinetics of the first cleavages is a predictor of blastocyst development and implantation. For bovine embryos, this attribute was previously related to distinct metabolic, molecular and epigenetic profiles, including DNA and histone modifications. In the present work, we described the dynamics of trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3) in fast and slow developing embryos and verified if this epigenetic mark was also influenced by the speed of the first cleavages. In vitro‐produced bovine embryos were classified as fast (4 or more cells) or slow (2 cells) at 40 hr post fertilization (hpf) and either collected or cultured until 96 hpf or 186 hpf. Immunofluorescence analysis was performed in these three time points and showed that although both groups presented the same levels of H3K27me3 at 40 hpf, slow embryos presented a pronounced increase in this mark at 186 hpf when compared to fast embryos, resulting in blastocysts with remarkable differences in H3K27me3 levels. In conclusion, the increased levels of this repressive histone post‐translation modification (PTM) might be an attempt of slow embryos to promote gene expression control and chromatin integrity, since it was already reported that these embryos present reduced levels of other epigenetic repressive marks as DNA methylation and trimethylation of lysine 9 on histone H3 (H3K9me3).