bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma amino acid profiling improves predictive accuracy of adverse events in patients with heart failure
Authors: Kouzu Hidemichi , Katano Satoshi , Yano Toshiyuki , Ohori Katsuhiko , Nagaoka Ryohei , Inoue Takuya , Takamura Yuhei , Ishigo Tomoyuki , Watanabe Ayako , Koyama Masayuki , Nagano Nobutaka , Fujito Takefumi , Nishikawa Ryo , Ohwada Wataru , Miura Tetsuji 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAimsThe clinical outcome of heart failure (HF) is complicated by the presence of multiple comorbidities including malnutrition and cachexia, and prediction of the outcome is still difficult in each patient. Metabolomics including amino acid profiling enables detection of alterations in whole body metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma amino acid profiling improves prediction of clinical outcomes in patients with HF.Methods and resultsWe retrospectively examined 301 HF patients (70 ± 15 years old; 59% male). Blood samples for measurements of amino acid concentrations were collected in a fasting state after stabilization of HF. Plasma amino acid concentrations were measured using ultraperformance liquid chromatography. Clinical endpoint of this study was adverse event defined as all‐cause death and unscheduled readmission due to worsening HF or lethal arrhythmia. During a mean follow‐up period of 380 ± 214 days, 40 patients (13%) had adverse events. Results of analyses of variable importance in projection score, a measure of a variable's importance in partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) showed that the top five amino acids being associated with adverse events were 3‐methylhistidine (3‐Me‐His), β‐alanine, valine, hydroxyproline, and tryptophan. Multivariate Cox‐proportional hazard analyses indicated that a high 3‐Me‐His concentration and low β‐alanine and valine concentrations were independently associated with adverse events. When HF patients were divided according to the cut‐off values of amino acids calculated from receiver operating characteristic curves, Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that event‐free survival rates were lower in HF patients with high 3‐Me‐His than in HF patients with low 3‐Me‐His (68% vs. 91%, P < 0.01). In a subgroup with high 3‐Me‐His, HF patients with low β‐alanine and those with low valine had significantly lower event‐free survival rates than did HF patients with high β‐alanine and those with high valine, respectively. On the other hand, Kaplan–Meier curves of event‐free survival rates did not differ between HF patients with and those without low β‐alanine and low valine in subgroups of patients with low 3‐Me‐His. Inclusion of both high 3‐Me‐His and low β‐alanine or low valine into the adjustment model including N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide improved the accuracy of prediction of adverse events after discharge. 3‐Me‐His concentration was associated with muscle mass and nutritional status.ConclusionsSimple measurement of 3‐Me‐His with either β‐alanine or valine improved the predictive ability for adverse events, indicating the utility of plasma amino acid profiling in risk stratification of hospitalized HF patients.
Clinical presentation and long‐term outcomes of infantile hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a European multicentre study
Authors: Norrish Gabrielle , Kolt Gali , Cervi Elena , Field Ella , Dady Kathleen , Ziółkowska Lidia , Olivotto Iacopo , Favilli Silvia , Passantino Silvia , Limongelli Giuseppe , Caiazza Martina , Rubino Marta , Baban Anwar , Drago Fabrizio , Mcleod Karen , Ilina Maria , McGowan Ruth , Stuart Graham , Bhole Vinay , Uzun Orhan , Wong Amos , Lazarou Laz , Brown Elspeth , Daubeney Piers E.F. , Lota Amrit , Delle Donne Grazia , Linter Katie , Mathur Sujeev , Bharucha Tara , Adwani Satish , Searle Jon , Popoiu Anca , Jones Caroline B. , Reinhardt Zdenka , Kaski Juan Pablo 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAimsChildren presenting with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in infancy are reported to have a poor prognosis, but this heterogeneous group has not been systematically characterized. This study aimed to describe the aetiology, phenotype, and outcomes of infantile HCM in a well‐characterized multicentre European cohort.Methods and resultsOf 301 children diagnosed with infantile HCM between 1987 and 2019 presenting to 17 European centres [male n = 187 (62.1%)], underlying aetiology was non‐syndromic (n = 138, 45.6%), RASopathy (n = 101, 33.6%), or inborn error of metabolism (IEM) (n = 49, 16.3%). The most common reasons for presentation were symptoms (n = 77, 29.3%), which were more prevalent in those with syndromic disease (n = 62, 61.4%, P < 0.001), and an isolated murmur (n = 75, 28.5%). One hundred and sixty‐one (53.5%) had one or more co‐morbidities. Genetic testing was performed in 163 (54.2%) patients, with a disease‐causing variant identified in 115 (70.6%). Over median follow‐up of 4.1 years, 50 (16.6%) underwent one or more surgical interventions; 15 (5.0%) had an arrhythmic event (6 in the first year of life); and 48 (15.9%) died, with an overall 5 year survival of 85%. Predictors of all‐cause mortality were an underlying diagnosis of IEM [hazard ratio (HR) 4.4, P = 0.070], cardiac symptoms (HR 3.2, P = 0.005), and impaired left ventricular systolic function (HR 3.0, P = 0.028).ConclusionsThis large, multicentre study of infantile HCM describes a complex cohort of patients with a diverse phenotypic spectrum and clinical course. Although overall outcomes were poor, this was largely related to underlying aetiology emphasizing the importance of comprehensive aetiological investigations, including genetic testing, in infantile HCM.
Myocardial ultrastructure can augment genetic testing for sporadic dilated cardiomyopathy with initial heart failure
Authors: Saito Tsunenori , Sato Naoko Saito , Mozawa Kosuke , Adachi Akiko , Sasaki Yoshihiro , Nakamura Kotoka , Oka Eiichiro , Otsuka Toshiaki , Kodani Eitaro , Asai Kuniya , Mizuno Kyoichi , Shimizu Wataru , Gottlieb Roberta A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAimsThe aim of the present study was to consider whether the ultrastructural features of cardiomyocytes in dilated cardiomyopathy can be used to guide genetic testing.Methods and resultsEndomyocardial biopsy and whole‐exome sequencing were performed in 32 consecutive sporadic dilated cardiomyopathy patients [51.0 (40.0–64.0) years, 75% men] in initial phases of decompensated heart failure. The predicted pathogenicity of ultrarare (minor allele frequency ≤0.0005), non‐synonymous variants was determined using the American College of Medical Genetics guidelines. Focusing on 75 cardiomyopathy‐susceptibility and 41 arrhythmia‐susceptibility genes, we identified 404 gene variants, of which 15 were considered pathogenic or likely pathogenic in 14 patients (44% of 32). There were five sarcomeric gene variants (29% of 17 variants) found in five patients (16% of 32), involving a variant of MYBPC3 and four variants of TTN. A patient with an MYBPC3 variant showed disorganized sarcomeres, three patients with TTN variants located in the region encoding the A‐band domain showed sparse sarcomeres, and a patient with a TTN variant in encoding the I‐band domain showed disrupted sarcomeres. The distribution of diffuse myofilament lysis depended on the causal genes; three patients with the same TMEM43 variant had diffuse myofilament lysis near nuclei (P = 0.011), while two patients with different DSP variants had lysis in the peripheral areas of cardiomyocytes (P = 0.033).ConclusionsDerangement patterns of myofilament and subcellular distribution of myofilament lysis might implicate causal genes. Large‐scale studies are required to confirm whether these ultrastructural findings are related to the causative genes.
Capacity‐basedoptimization using whale optimization technique of a power distribution network
Authors: Simachew Bawoke , Khan Baseem , Guerrero Josep M. , Padmanaban Sanjeevikumar , Mahela Om Prakash , Alhelou Hassan Haes 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn the power distribution network, real power loss and voltage profile management are critical issues. By providing active and reactive power support, both of these issues can be managed. Distributed generation (DG) and capacitor bank (QG) can be utilized to solve these issues. Therefore, this paper utilized optimally placed and sized DG and capacitor (QG) to minimize losses and improve the voltage profile. The overall problem is optimized using an upgraded method of the fitness assignment and solution chasing based on the aggregate approach called multi‐objective whale optimization algorithm (MWOA). Wind and solar photovoltaic sources with biomass are utilized as the DG sources with their probabilistic outputs. The developed method is tested using two practical feeders of Bahir Dar city distribution network, Ethiopia. The results of loss minimization and voltage profile enhancement with MWOA are compared with multi‐objective particle swam optimization (MPSO) with an equal number of iterations to show the superiority of the developed method.
Microglia modulate hippocampal synaptic transmission and sleep duration along the light/dark cycle
Authors: Corsi Giorgio , Picard Katherine , di Castro Maria Amalia , Garofalo Stefano , Tucci Federico , Chece Giuseppina , del Percio Claudio , Golia Maria Teresa , Raspa Marcello , Scavizzi Ferdinando , Decoeur Fanny , Lauro Clotilde , Rigamonti Mara , Iannello Fabio , Ragozzino Davide Antonio , Russo Eleonora , Bernardini Giovanni , Nadjar Agnès , Tremblay Marie Eve , Babiloni Claudio , Maggi Laura , Limatola Cristina 
Published: September 2021

AbstractMicroglia, the brain's resident macrophages, actively contribute to the homeostasis of cerebral parenchyma by sensing neuronal activity and supporting synaptic remodeling and plasticity. While several studies demonstrated different roles for astrocytes in sleep, the contribution of microglia in the regulation of sleep/wake cycle and in the modulation of synaptic activity in the different day phases has not been deeply investigated. Using light as a zeitgeber cue, we studied the effects of microglial depletion with the colony stimulating factor‐1 receptor antagonist PLX5622 on the sleep/wake cycle and on hippocampal synaptic transmission in male mice. Our data demonstrate that almost complete microglial depletion increases the duration of NREM sleep and reduces the hippocampal excitatory neurotransmission. The fractalkine receptor CX3CR1 plays a relevant role in these effects, because cx3cr1GFP/GFP mice recapitulate what found in PLX5622‐treated mice. Furthermore, during the light phase, microglia express lower levels of cx3cr1 and a reduction of cx3cr1 expression is also observed when cultured microglial cells are stimulated by ATP, a purinergic molecule released during sleep. Our findings suggest that microglia participate in the regulation of sleep, adapting their cx3cr1 expression in response to the light/dark phase, and modulating synaptic activity in a phase‐dependent manner.
Spatiotemporal changes in diffusivity and anisotropy in fetal brain tractography
Authors: Machado‐Rivas Fedel , Afacan Onur , Khan Shadab , Marami Bahram , Velasco‐Annis Clemente , Lidov Hart , Warfield Simon K. , Gholipour Ali , Jaimes Camilo 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPopulation averaged diffusion atlases can be utilized to characterize complex microstructural changes with less bias than data from individual subjects. In this study, a fetal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) atlas was used to investigate tract‐based changes in anisotropy and diffusivity in vivo from 23 to 38 weeks of gestational age (GA). Healthy pregnant volunteers with typically developing fetuses were imaged at 3 T. Acquisition included structural images processed with a super‐resolution algorithm and DTI images processed with a motion‐tracked slice‐to‐volume registration algorithm. The DTI from individual subjects were used to generate 16 templates, each specific to a week of GA; this was accomplished by means of a tensor‐to‐tensor diffeomorphic deformable registration method integrated with kernel regression in age. Deterministic tractography was performed to outline the forceps major, forceps minor, bilateral corticospinal tracts (CST), bilateral inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculus (IFOF), bilateral inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), and bilateral uncinate fasciculus (UF). The mean fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) was recorded for all tracts. For a subset of tracts (forceps major, CST, and IFOF) we manually divided the tractograms into anatomy conforming segments to evaluate within‐tract changes. We found tract‐specific, nonlinear, age related changes in FA and MD. Early in gestation, these trends appear to be dominated by cytoarchitectonic changes in the transient white matter fetal zones while later in gestation, trends conforming to the progression of myelination were observed. We also observed significant (local) heterogeneity in within‐tract developmental trajectories for the CST, IFOF, and forceps major.
Transient asystole related to carbon dioxide embolism during transoral endoscopic parathyroidectomy vestibular approach
Authors: Aygun Nurcihan , Sarıdemir Demet , Bas Koray , Tunca Fatih , Arici Cumhur , Uludag Mehmet 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundRarely, during the endoscopic thyroidectomy, carbon dioxide (CO2) embolism may occur.MethodsCase 1: A 65‐year‐old female who was seen with prolonged fatigue and generalized bone pain was diagnosed primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) based on her preoperative biochemical profile. Transoral endoscopic parathyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOEPVA) was planned.Case 2: A 52‐year‐old male patient was seen with weakness and hepatosteatosis and was diagnosed PHPT based on the laboratory workup. TOEPVA was planned.ResultsAfter subplatysmal dissection with vascular tunnel probe, both of the patients developed severe bradycardia and hypotension leading to asystole during the CO2 insufflation. The possibility of CO2 embolism was considered and insufflation was terminated. After a successful cardiac massage, sinus rhythm returned.ConclusionTOEPVA may develop CO2 embolism leading to asystole during the CO2 insufflation.
Influence of particle size on thermal conductivity and dynamic viscosity of water‐based Indian coal fly ash nanofluid
Authors: Kanti Praveen , Sharma K. V. , Raja Sekhar Y. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of particle size on thermal conductivity (TC) and dynamic viscosity of stable water‐based Indian coal fly ash nanofluid. Coal fly ash particles with an average particle size of 114, 89, 55.5, 30.36, and 11.5 nm were considered in the present study under the temperature range of 30–60°C with 0.5 vol% concentration at a pH range of 7.5–9. These nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscope for morphology, dynamic light scattering was used to assess the average particle size, and zeta potential (ζ) for the stability of nanofluid samples. The difference in maximum TC enhancement between 11.5 and 114 nm sample was 9.4% at a temperature of 60°C and a volume concentration of 0.5%. Also, the maximum viscosity enhancement was 13.3% at a temperature of 30°C and the same volume concentration of 11.5 nm sample. The experimental results noticed that stability, TC, and dynamic viscosity increase with a reduction in particle size. Also, TC increases, whereas viscosity decreases with temperature increment.
Racial/ethnic differences in postmenopausal breast cancer risk by hormone receptor status: The multiethnic cohort study
Authors: Sarink Danja , White Kami K. , Loo Lenora W.M. , Wu Anna H. , Wilkens Lynne R. , Le Marchand Loïc , Park Song‐Yi , Setiawan V. Wendy , Merritt Melissa A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThere are racial/ethnic differences in the incidence of hormone receptor positive and negative breast cancer. To understand why these differences exist, we investigated associations between hormone‐related factors and breast cancer risk by race/ethnicity in the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) Study. Among 81 511 MEC participants (Native Hawaiian, Japanese American, Latina, African American and White women), 3806 estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and 828 ER− incident invasive breast cancers were diagnosed during a median of 21 years of follow‐up. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to calculate associations between race/ethnicity and breast cancer risk, and associations between hormone‐related factors and breast cancer risk by race/ethnicity. Relative to White women, ER+ breast cancer risk was higher in Native Hawaiians and lower in Latinas and African Americans; ER− disease risk was higher in African Americans. We observed interaction with race/ethnicity in associations between oral contraceptive use (OC; Pint .03) and body mass index (BMI; Pint .05) with ER+ disease risk; ever versus never OC use increased risk only in Latinas and positive associations for obese versus lean BMI were strongest in Japanese Americans. For ER‐ disease risk, associations for OC use, particularly duration of use, were strongest for African Americans (Pint .04). Our study shows that associations of OC use and obesity with ER+ and ER− breast cancer risk differ by race/ethnicity, but established risk factors do not fully explain racial/ethnic differences in risk. Further studies are needed to identify factors to explain observed racial/ethnic differences in breast cancer incidence.
Colon fibroblasts from Pirc rats (F344/NTac‐Apcam1137) exhibit a proliferative and inflammatory phenotype that could support early stages of colon carcinogenesis
Authors: Tortora Katia , Margheri Francesca , Luceri Cristina , Mocali Alessandra , Ristori Sara , Magnelli Lucia , Caderni Giovanna , Giovannelli Lisa 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe role of fibroblast APC mutation in carcinogenesis is not clear. Apc+/− colon fibroblasts have been previously characterized: however, little is known about their behavior at very early‐stage of colon carcinogenesis. We cultured colon mucosa fibroblasts (PCF, Apc+/−) of Pirc rats (F344/NTac‐Apcam1137) at an early stage of tumorigenesis, in absence of preneoplastic lesions, and of age‐matched wt (WCF): DNA damage levels, inflammatory phenotype and the expression of known markers of CAFs were analyzed. The latter were also assessed by microarray analysis on colon normal mucosa of Pirc and wt animals. PCF exhibited higher proliferative rates (P < .001) and delayed replicative senescence onset (P < .05) compared to WCF, along with a lower level of oxidative DNA damage (P < .05). Furthermore, a constitutively higher expression of COX‐2 and sensitivity to inflammatory stimuli was found in PCF compared to WCF (P < .05), accompanied by higher invasive capability (P < .05) and presence of cytoplasmic chromatin foci (cytoplasmic chromatin foci, P < .05). However, they neither expressed CAFs markers (α‐SMA, IL‐6) nor responded to CAFs activating stimuli (TGF‐β). Accordingly, CAFs markers and activating stimuli resulted down‐regulated in Pirc normal mucosa compared to wt, whereas DNA damage response and tolerance pathways were overexpressed. These data show for the first time that a proliferative and inflammatory phenotype characterizes Apc+/− colon fibroblasts since very early stages of colon tumorigenesis, and indicate a role of Apc mutation in driving fibroblast phenotypic alterations that could support the establishment of a protumorigenic environment. Early pharmacological targeting of these dysfunctions might impact on tumor prevention in FAP patients.
Effects of increasing credit limit in digital microlending: A study of airtime lending in East Africa
Authors: Shema Alain 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe recent decade has witnessed a significant increase in digital micro‐lending in Africa, boosted by the surge in popularity of mobile phones and, especially, mobile money. Starting with airtime and cash lending through mobile money, numerous other products are now offered, including prepaid electricity vouchers. However, these innovative loan products are often hampered by a lack of credit history from customers. Thus, lenders resort to issuing small loan amounts that are expanded as customers make timely repayments. Research from the credit card industry shows that increasing credit limits can lead to increased indebtedness and spending. Working with an airtime lender, this experimental study finds that people with increased credit limits behave similarly to credit cardholders, by increasing their borrowing. However, this increased borrowing negatively affects their repayment rate and long‐term usage of communication services. Additionally, customers' characteristics, such as their borrowing experience, influence their responses to increases in credit limits. Based on the results of this experimental study, we present key recommendations for digital micro‐lenders to minimize the potential negative impacts of increasing credit limits. We also discuss the use of randomized experiments as a research method in ICTD studies.
Three‐dimensional printing of cell‐laden microporous constructs using blended bioinks
Authors: Somasekhar Likitha , Huynh Nicholas D. , Vecheck Amy , Kishore Vipuil , Bashur Chris A. , Mitra Kunal 
Published: September 2021

AbstractHydrogels such as alginate and gelatin have shown potential as biomaterials in various three‐dimensional (3D) bioprinting applications. However, parameters such as viscosity, porosity, and printability influence the performance of hydrogel‐based biomaterials, and there are limited characterization studies conducted on the behavior of these constructs. In this work, a syringe‐based extrusion bioprinter was used to print 3D constructs with bioink composed of various concentrations of alginate and gelatin along with fibrinogen and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Instead of crosslinking the gelatin, the gelatin was left uncrosslinked to provide microporosity within the system that can impact the cellular response. Mechanical and biochemical characterization was performed to evaluate the structural stability and integrity of the printed constructs along with viability of embedded cells. Bioprinted constructs of a higher total concentration of alginate and gelatin yielded better stability and structural integrity after culture. More importantly, higher amounts of gelatin (i.e., 1:9 instead of 2:3 alginate:gelatin) were shown to improve printability, which is different than most studies that instead use alginate to improve printability. In addition, higher amounts of gelatin impacted the changes in surface morphological features of the constructs after incubation, and ultimately improved biocompatibility with our system. Overall, this study demonstrated that an uncrosslinked gelatin system can provide flexible printing parameters and surface morphologies, but careful control over the printing parameters may be required. The bioink concentration of 10% (w/v) with minimum alginate and higher gelatin concentration exhibited the best printability, cell survival, and viability.