bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
60-GHz Half-Mode Substrate-Integrated Waveguide Bandpass Filter in 0.15-μm GaAs Technology
Authors: Liu Xu-Juan , Wu Wen , Xu Kai-Da , Guo Ying-Jiang , Chen Qiang 
Published: November 2021

A compact 60-GHz on-chip bandpass filter (BPF) is presented using gallium arsenide (GaAs) technology. The miniaturization is achieved by the half-mode substrate-integrated waveguide (HMSIW) structure. Finally, a prototype of the BPF is fabricated and tested to validate the proposed idea, whose simulated and measured results are in good agreement. The measurements show that it has a center frequency at 58.6 GHz with a bandwidth of 17.9%, and the minimum insertion loss within the passband is 1.2 dB. The chip, excluding the feedings, is only about 0.38λg × 0.58λg, where λg is the guided wavelength at the center frequency.
Antihypertensive Treatment and Central Arterial Hemodynamics: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Cheng Yi-Bang , Xia Jia-Hui , Li Yan , Wang Ji-Guang 
Published: November 2021

Background: Antihypertensive treatment may have different effects on central arterial hemodynamics. The extent of the difference in effects between various antihypertensive drugs remains undefined.Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that explored the effects of antihypertensive agents on both central and peripheral systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP) or central augmentation index, with a special focus on the comparison between newer [renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) inhibitors and calcium-channel blockers (CCBs)] and older antihypertensive agents (diuretics and β- and α-blockers).Results: In total, 20 studies (n = 2,498) were included. Compared with diuretics (10 studies), β-blockers (16 studies), or an α-blocker (1 study), RAS inhibitors (21 studies), and CCBs (6 studies) more efficaciously (P &lt; 0.001) reduced both central and peripheral SBP by a weighted mean difference of −5.63 (−6.50 to −4.76 mmHg) and −1.97 mmHg (−2.99 to −0.95 mmHg), respectively. Compared with older agents, the newer agents also more efficaciously (P &lt; 0.001) reduced central PP (−3.27 mmHg; −4.95 to −1.59 mmHg), augmentation index (−6.11%; −7.94 to −4.29) and augmentation (−3.35 mmHg; −5.28 to –1.42 mmHg) but not peripheral PP (p ≥ 0.09). Accordingly, the newer agents reduced central-to-peripheral PP amplification significantly less than the older agents (0.11 mmHg; 0.05 to 0.17 mmHg; P &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: Newer agents, such as RAS inhibitors and CCBs, were significantly more efficacious than older agents in their effects on central hemodynamics.
Resilience, Cardiological Outcome, and Their Correlations With Anxious-Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients With an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
Authors: Isella Celeste , Gasparini Alessandra , Lucca Giulia , Ielmini Marta , Caselli Ivano , Poloni Nicola , Dajelli Ermolli Carlo , Caravati Fabrizio , Castiglioni Battistina , De Ponti Roberto , Callegari Camilla 
Published: November 2021

Background: Resilience is proven as a protective factor against the development of psychiatric disorders, and it has gained clinical relevance in the development and progression of cardiovascular pathology. The authors performed a longitudinal study on patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) with the primary aim to highlight the possible existence of a correlation between individual resilience capacity, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and quality of life in terms of outcomes. The secondary aim was to analyze the differences between patients with major cardiac events in the follow-up and patients without cardiac events with respect to the previous variables.Materials and Methods: A total of 80 patients enrolled in the Cardiology Unit were evaluated at T0 and during the follow-up through the following scales: the 14-item Resilience Scale (RS-14), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Version (WHOQOL-Bref).Results: A significant linear correlation between resilience and all the areas of quality of life at T0, T1, and T2 emerged. A negative correlation between resilience and anxiety and depressive symptoms emerged, as well as between depression and anxiety and quality of life. Patients with cardiac events during the follow up have shown a worse quality of life and the onset of anxiety-depressive symptoms over time, without changes to the resilience scores. Patients without cardiac events showed an increasing trend in resilience scores.Discussion: Given the speed and simplicity of use of the RS-14 scale, it seems promising to further investigate the real clinical usefulness of this instrument in the cardiology field.
Factors That Influence Adherence to Medication in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD)
Authors: Halling Tim , Akkermann Steffen , Löffler Friederike , Groh Adrian , Heitland Ivo , Haefeli Walter Emil , Bauersachs Johann , Kahl Kai G. , Westhoff-Bleck Mechthild 
Published: November 2021

Objective:Innovative operative and interventional procedures have improved survival in congenital heart disease (CHD), and today more than 90% of these children reach adulthood. Consequently, adherence and psychosocial issues are becoming increasingly important because non-adherence to treatment recommendations worsens morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify factors modifying adherence to medication in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD).Methods:This cross-sectional study included 451 outpatients (female 47.9%, average age ± SD: 37.9 ± 12 years) from the ACHD department, who completed a questionnaire assessing medication non-adherence and individual barriers to treatment. Further assessments included psychological well-being (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale; HADS), childhood traumatization, sociodemographic, and clinical data. Binary logistic regression analysis calculated the impact of these factors on drug adherence.Results:Of the 451 patients 162 participants (35.9%) reported to be non-adherent. In univariate analysis non-adherence to treatment was associated with smoking (P= &lt; 0.001) and internet addiction (P= 0.005). Further factors negatively influencing adherence were the presence of depressive symptoms (P= 0.002), anxiety (P= 0.004), and childhood traumatization (p= 0.002). Factors positively associated with adherence were older age (P= 0.003) and more advanced heart disease as indicated by NYHA class (P= 0.01), elevated NT-proBNP (P= 0.02), device therapy (P= 0.002) and intermittent arrhythmias (P= 0.01). In multivariate analysis especially psychopathological factors such as depression (P= 0.009), anxiety (P= 0.032) and childhood traumatization (P= 0.006) predicted non-adherence.Conclusion:Adherence is a critical issue in the long-term management of ACHD. Identifying modifiable factors that worsen adherence offers the opportunity for targeted interventions. Depressive symptoms, anxiety, and adverse childhood experiences are amenable to psychosocial interventions, as well as cigarette smoking. Our study suggests that a multimodal and interdisciplinary treatment concept for the long-term management of adults with congenital heart disease could be beneficial. Whether it will further improve morbidity and mortality, should be assessed in prospective interventions.
The Associations Between Access to Recreational Facilities and Adherence to the American Heart Association's Physical Activity Guidelines in US Adults
Authors: Andrade Larissa , Geffin Ryan , Maguire Mark , Rodriguez Pura , Castro Grettel , Alkhatib Ahmad , Barengo Noël C. 
Published: November 2021

Physical activity decreases the risk of long-term health consequences including cardiac diseases. According to the American Health Association (AHA), adults should perform at least 75 min of vigorous physical activity (PA) or 150 min of moderate PA per week to impact long-term health. Results of previous studies are varied and have yet to integrate perceived access to facilities with AHA PA guidelines. We investigated whether access to free or low-cost recreational facilities was associated with meeting the AHA PA guidelines.Methodology: This cross-sectional study utilized data extracted from the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) database collected in 2017 (n = 1,750). The main exposure variable was access to free or low-cost recreational facilities. The main outcome variable was meeting the AHA guidelines of 150 min moderate PA or 75 min vigorous PA per week. Covariates included age, sex, level of education, overall health, BMI, ethnicity, hours of work per week, income, and time living at current address. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analysis were used to calculate measures of odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: Of the 1,750 included participants, 61.7% (n = 1,079) reported to have access to recreational facilities. Of those with access to facilities, 69.9% met AHA PA guidelines while 30.4% did not. After adjusting for covariates, participants who reported access to recreational facilities were 42% more likely to meet AHA PA guidelines compared with participants who did not (adjusted OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.14–1.76). Secondary results suggest that healthier individuals were more likely to have met AHA PA guidelines.Conclusions: Having access to free or low-cost recreational facilities such as parks, walking trails, bike paths and courts was associated with meeting the AHA PA guidelines. Increasing prevalence and awareness of neighborhood recreational facilities could assist in access to these facilities and increase the ability of individuals to meet AHA PA guidelines. Future research should determine which types of recreational facilities impact physical activity strongest and discover methods of increasing their awareness.
Pure Laparoscopic vs. Open Right Hepatectomy in Living Liver Donors: Bench-Surgery Time
Authors: Hong Kwangpyo , Hong Suk Kyun , Han Eui Soo , Suh Sanggyun , Hong Su young , Lee Jeong-Moo , Choi YoungRok , Yi Nam-Joon , Lee Kwang-Woong , Suh Kyung-Suk 
Published: November 2021

Background: Recently, there have been several reports on pure laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy (PLDRH), but the effect of pure laparoscopy on bench surgery has not been evaluated. This study aimed to compare bench-surgery time between PLDRH and conventional donor right hepatectomy (CDRH).Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 758 live liver donors between January 2012 and December 2019. We divided the patients into two groups: between January 2012 and September 2015, when we exclusively performed CDRH, and between March 2016 and December 2019, when PLDRH was standardized. We excluded all other types of graft donor hepatectomy, laparoscopic assisted donor hepatectomy, and cases with no recorded data.Results: In total, 267 donors were included in the PLDRH group and were compared with 247 donors in the CDRH group. Similar proportions of graft vascular variations were observed between the two groups. The mean bench-surgery time was longer in the PLDRH group than in the CDRH group (49.3 ± 19.9 vs. 39.5 ± 17.5 min; P &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: The bench-surgery time was longer in the PLDRH group than the CDRH group, regardless of whether the vascular network was reconstructed. Expertise in bench-surgery as well as donor surgery and recipient surgery is mandatory for PLDRH to be safe and feasible.
Evaluation of Pre-operative Biopsy, Surgical Procedures and Oncologic Outcomes in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (UTUC)
Authors: Koll Florestan J. , Meisenzahl Eva , Haller Bernhard , Maisch Philipp , Kirchhoff Florian , Horn Thomas , Gschwend Jürgen E. , Schmid Sebastian C. 
Published: November 2021

Purpose: Discordance between pre-operative biopsy and final pathology for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (UTUC) is high and optimal management remains controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of pre-operative biopsy, to identify prognostic factors and to evaluate the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on survival and oncologic outcome in UTUC.Methods: We analyzed records of patients receiving surgical treatment for UTUC. Pathology of pre-operative biopsy was compared to surgical specimen. We used Kaplan-Meier method to estimate survival probabilities and Cox's proportional hazards models to estimate the association between covariates and event times. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). A matched-pair analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy.Results: 151 patients underwent surgical treatment (28% open, 36% laparoscopic, 17% robotic radical nephroureterectomy; 14% segmental ureteral resections and 5% palliative nephrectomy) for UTUC and were included in the analysis. Upstaging from &lt;pT1 in endoscopic biopsy to ≥pT1 in final pathology occurred in 61% of patients and upgrading from low-grade to high-grade occurred in 30% of patients. Five-year OS was 59.5%. In the univariate Cox-regression model pathological stage, grade, lymphovascular invasion and positive surgical margins were associated with OS. Matched pair analysis for stage (&lt;pT3; ≥pT3; pN+) and age revealed a significant survival benefit for adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 0.40, 0.14–0.77, p &lt; 0.018) in this cohort.Conclusion: UTUC is often underestimated in pre-operative biopsy, and it is associated with significant mortality. Pathological stage and grade, lymphovascular invasion and lymph node metastases are predictors of oncologic outcome and survival.
A Greener HPTLC Approach for the Determination of β-Carotene in Traditional and Ultrasound-Based Extracts of Different Fractions of Daucus carota (L.), Ipomea batatas (L.), and Commercial Formulation
Authors: Alqarni Mohammed H. , Alam Prawez , Alam Aftab , Ali Abuzer , Foudah Ahmed I. , Alshehri Sultan , Ghoneim Mohammed M. , Shakeel Faiyaz 
Published: November 2021

Various analytical approaches for determining β-carotene in vegetable crops and commercial dosage forms have been documented. However, neither the qualitative nor quantitative environmental safety and greener aspects of the literature analytical methodologies of β-carotene analysis have been assessed. As a result, the goal of this research is to develop and validate a reversed-phase “high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)” approach for determining β-carotene in traditional (TE) and ultrasound-assisted (UBE) extracts of different fractions of Daucus carota (L.), Ipomea batatas (L.), and commercial formulation. The greener mobile phase for β-carotene analysis was a ternary mixture of ethanol, cyclohexane, and ammonia (95:2.5:2.5, v v v−1). The detection of β-carotene was done at a wavelength of 459 nm. In the 25–1000 ng band−1 range, the greener reversed-phase HPTLC approach was linear. Other validation factors for β-carotene analysis, including as accuracy, precision, robustness, and sensitivity, were likewise dependable. The contents of β-carotene were found to be maximum in hexane: acetone (50:50%) fractions of TE and UBE of D. carota and I. batatas compared to their acetone and hexane fractions. The amount of β-carotene in hexane: acetone (50:50%) portions of TE of D. carota, I. batatas and commercial formulation A was estimated to be 10.32, 3.73, and 6.73 percent w w−1, respectively. However, the amount of β-carotene in hexane: acetone (50:50%) portions of UBE of D. carota, I. batatas and commercial formulation A was estimated to be 11.03, 4.43, and 6.89 percent w w−1, respectively. The greenness scale for the proposed HPTLC strategy was calculated as 0.81 using the “analytical GREEnness (AGREE)” method, indicating that the proposed HPTLC methodology has good greenness. The UBE approach for extracting β-carotene outperformed the TE procedure. These results indicated that the greener reversed-phase HPTLC approach can be utilized for the determination of β-carotene in different vegetable crops, plant-based phytopharmaceuticals, and commercial products. In addition, this approach is also safe and sustainable due to the utilization of a greener mobile phase compared to the toxic mobile phases utilized in literature analytical approaches of β-carotene estimation.
Chemical Composition of the Red Sea Green Algae Ulva lactuca: Isolation and In Silico Studies of New Anti-COVID-19 Ceramides
Authors: Eltamany Enas E. , Elhady Sameh S. , Goda Marwa S. , Aly Omar M. , Habib Eman S. , Ibrahim Amany K. , Hassanean Hashim A. , Abdelmohsen Usama Ramadan , Safo Martin K. , Ahmed Safwat A. 
Published: November 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 responsible for the ongoing pandemic which has claimed the lives of millions of people. This has prompted the scientific research community to act to find treatments against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that include safe antiviral medicinal compounds. The edible green algae U. lactuca. is known to exhibit diverse biological activities such as anti-influenza virus, anti-Japanese encephalitis virus, immunomodulatory, anticoagulant, antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Herein, four new ceramides in addition to two known ones were isolated from Ulva lactuca. The isolated ceramides, including Cer-1, Cer-2, Cer-3, Cer-4, Cer-5 and Cer-6 showed promising antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 when investigated using in silico approaches by preventing its attachment to human cells and/or inhibiting its viral replication. Cer-4 and Cer-5 were the most effective in inhibiting the human angiotensin converting enzyme (hACE)–spike protein complex which is essential for the virus to enter the human host. In addition to this, Cer-4 also showed an inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 protease (Mpro) that is responsible for its viral replication and transcription. In this study, we also used liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectroscopy (LC-ESI-HRMS) to identify several metabolites of U. lactuca, including metabolites such as fatty acids, their glyceride derivatives, terpenoids, sterols and oxysterols from the organic extract. Some of these metabolites also possessed promising antiviral activity, as previously reported.
Intracellularly Released Cholesterol from Polymer-Based Delivery Systems Alters Cellular Responses to Pneumolysin and Promotes Cell Survival
Authors: Kammann Tobias , Hoff Jessica , Yildirim Ilknur , Shkodra Blerina , Müller Tina , Weber Christine , Gräler Markus H. , Maus Ulrich A. , Paton James C. , Singer Mervyn , Traeger Anja , Schubert Ulrich S. , Bauer Michael , Press Adrian T. 
Published: November 2021

Cholesterol is highly abundant within all human body cells and modulates critical cellular functions related to cellular plasticity, metabolism, and survival. The cholesterol-binding toxin pneumolysin represents an essential virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae in establishing pneumonia and other pneumococcal infections. Thus, cholesterol scavenging of pneumolysin is a promising strategy to reduce S. pneumoniae induced lung damage. There may also be a second cholesterol-dependent mechanism whereby pneumococcal infection and the presence of pneumolysin increase hepatic sterol biosynthesis. Here we investigated a library of polymer particles varying in size and composition that allow for the cellular delivery of cholesterol and their effects on cell survival mechanisms following pneumolysin exposure. Intracellular delivery of cholesterol by nanocarriers composed of Eudragit E100–PLGA rescued pneumolysin-induced alterations of lipid homeostasis and enhanced cell survival irrespective of neutralization of pneumolysin.
Genomic Insights into Denitrifying Methane-Oxidizing Bacteria Gemmobacter fulva sp. Nov., Isolated from an Anabaena Culture
Authors: Jin Long , Jin Chun-Zhi , Lee Hyung-Gwan , Lee Chang Soo 
Published: November 2021

The genus Gemmobacter grows phototrophically, aerobically, or anaerobically, and utilizes methylated amine. Here, we present two high-quality complete genomes of the strains con4 and con5T isolated from a culture of Anabaena. The strains possess sMMO (soluble methane monooxygenase)-oxidizing alkanes to carbon dioxide. Functional genes for methane-oxidation (prmAC, mimBD, adh, gfa, fdh) were identified. The genome of strain con5T contains nirB, nirK, nirQ, norB, norC, and norG genes involved in dissimilatory nitrate reduction. The presence of nitrite reductase gene (nirK) and the nitric-oxide reductase gene (norB) indicates that it could potentially use nitrite as an electron acceptor in anoxic environments. Taxonomic investigations were also performed on two strains through polyphasic methods, proposing two isolates as a novel species of the genus Gemmobacter. The findings obtained through the whole genome analyses provide genome-based evidence of complete oxidation of methane to carbon dioxide. This study provides a genetic blueprint of Gemmobacter fulva con5T and its biochemical characteristics, which help us to understand the evolutionary biology of the genus Gemmobacter.
An Autochthonous Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Metapopulation Exploited for Two-Step Pyrite Biooxidation Improves Au/Ag Particle Release from Mining Waste
Authors: Jiménez-Paredes Andrea E. , Alfaro-Saldaña Elvia F. , Hernández-Sánchez Araceli , García-Meza J. Viridiana 
Published: November 2021

Pyrite bio-oxidation by chemolithotrophic acidophile bacteria has been applied in the mining industry to bioleach metals or to remove pyritic sulfur from coal. In this process, it is desirable to use autochthonous and already adapted bacteria isolated directly from the mining sites where biomining will be applied. Bacteria present in the remnant solution from a mining company were identified through cloning techniques. For that purpose, we extracted total RNA and performed reverse transcription using a novel pair of primers designed from a small region of the 16S gene (V1–V3) that contains the greatest intraspecies diversity. After cloning, a high proportion of individuals of the strains ATCC-23270 (NR_074193.1 and NR_041888.1) and DQ321746.1 of the well-known species Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans were found, as well as two new wild strains of A. ferrooxidans. This result showed that the acidic remnant solution comprises a metapopulation. We assayed these strains to produce bioferric flocculant to enhance the subsequent pyrite bio-oxidation, applying two-stage chemical–bacterial oxidation. It was shown that the strains were already adapted to a high concentration of endogenous Fe2+ (up to 20 g·L−1), increasing the volumetric productivity of the bioferric flocculant. Thus, no preadaptation of the community was required. We detected Au and Ag particles originally occluded in the old pyritic flotation tailings assayed, but the extraction of Au and Ag by cyanidation resulted in ca. 30.5% Au and 57.9% Ag.