bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fractionated busulfan myeloablative conditioning improves survival in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Oran Betül , Saliba Rima M. , Mehta Rohtesh S. , Alousi Amin M. , Marin David , Valdez Ben C. , Chen Julianne , Bashir Qaiser , Ciurea Stefan O. , Olson Amanda L. , Hosing Chitra , Kebriaei Partow , Rezvani Katy , Shpall Elizabeth J. , Champlin Richard E. , Andersson Borje S. , Popat Uday R. 
Published: January 2021

BackgroundA myeloablative conditioning regimen can be safely given to older patients and those with comorbidities without increasing nonrelapse mortality (NRM) by fractionating the dose of intravenous busulfan. How this approach compares in efficacy with traditional, nonfractionated, lower dose regimens is unknown.MethodsOutcomes were compared in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome who received either myeloablative, fractionated busulfan (f‐Bu) dosed to achieve an area under the curve of 20,000 μmol per minute (f‐Bu20K) over 2 weeks (n = 84) or a standard, nonfractionated, lower busulfan dose regimen of 16,000 μmol per minute (Bu16K) over 4 days (n = 78). Both groups also received fludarabine 40 mg/m2 intravenously for 4 days. Graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis was tacrolimus and methotrexate. Patients in the Bu16K group who had unrelated donors also received antithymocyte globulin. The primary endpoint was progression‐free survival.ResultsRoughly one‐half of the patients were aged >65 years, approximately 40% had poor‐risk cytogenetics, approximately 40% of those with AML were not in complete remission, and approximately 40% had a comorbidity index >3. At 2 years, progression‐free survival was significantly improved in the f‐Bu20K group compared with the Bu16K group (45% vs 24%, respectively; hazard ratio [HR], 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4‐0.8; P = .004). This was because of a significant reduction in progression (34% vs 59%, respectively; HR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3‐0.8; P = .003) without any increase in NRM (21% vs 15%, respectively; HR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.7‐3; P = .3), which resulted in improved overall survival (51% vs 31%, respectively; HR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.3‐0.9; P = .01).ConclusionsA myeloablative, fractionated busulfan regimen reduces relapse and improves survival without increasing NRM in older patients with AML and myelodysplastic syndrome.
Rheumatoid arthritis CD14+ monocytes display metabolic and inflammatory dysfunction, a phenotype that precedes clinical manifestation of disease
Authors: McGarry Trudy , Hanlon Megan M. , Marzaioli Viviana , Cunningham Clare C , Krishna Vinod , Murray Kieran , Hurson Conor , Gallagher Phil , Nagpal Sunil , Veale Douglas J , Fearon Ursula 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIntroductionThis study investigates the metabolic activity of circulating monocytes and their impact on pro‐inflammatory responses in RA and explores whether this phenotype is already primed for inflammation before clinical manifestations of disease.MethodsBlood was collected and CD14+ monocytes isolated from healthy control donors (HC), individuals at‐risk (IAR) and RA patients. Monocyte frequency in blood and synovial tissue was assessed by flow cytometry. Inflammatory responses and metabolic analysis ± specific inhibitors were quantified by RT‐PCR, Western blot, migration assays, Seahorse‐XFe‐technology, mitotracker assays and transmission electron microscopy. Transcriptomic analysis was performed on HC, IAR and RA synovial tissue.ResultsCD14+ monocytes from RA patients are hyper‐inflammatory following stimulation, with significantly higher expression of cytokines/chemokines than those from HC. LPS‐induced RA monocyte migratory capacity is consistent with increased monocyte frequency in RA synovial tissue. RA CD14+ monocytes show enhanced mitochondrial respiration, biogenesis and alterations in mitochondrial morphology. Furthermore, RA monocytes display increased levels of key glycolytic enzymes HIF1α, HK2 and PFKFB3 and demonstrate a reliance on glucose consumption, blockade of which abrogates pro‐inflammatory mediator responses. Blockade of STAT3 activation inhibits this forced glycolytic flux resulting in metabolic reprogramming and resolution of inflammation. Interestingly, this highly activated monocytic phenotype is evident in IAR of developing disease, in addition to an enhanced monocyte gene signature observed in synovial tissue from IAR.ConclusionRA CD14+ monocytes are metabolically re‐programmed for sustained induction of pro‐inflammatory responses, with STAT3 identified as a molecular regulator of metabolic dysfunction. This phenotype precedes clinical disease onset and may represent a potential pathway for therapeutic targeting early in disease.
Ab initio results for the plasmon dispersion and damping of the warm dense electron gas
Authors: Hamann Paul , Vorberger Jan , Dornheim Tobias , Moldabekov Zhandos A. , Bonitz Michael 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWarm dense matter (WDM) is an exotic state on the border between condensed matter and dense plasmas. Important occurrences of WDM include dense astrophysical objects, matter in the core of our Earth, and matter produced in strong compression experiments. As of late, x‐ray Thomson scattering has become an advanced tool to diagnose WDM. The interpretation of the data requires model input for the dynamic structure factor S(q, ω) and the plasmon dispersion ω(q). Recently, the first ab initio results for S(q, ω) of the homogeneous warm dense electron gas were obtained from path integral Monte Carlo simulations (Dornheim et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 121, 255001, 2018). Here, we analyse the effects of correlations and finite temperature on the dynamic dielectric function and the plasmon dispersion. Our results for the plasmon dispersion and damping differ significantly from the random‐phase approximation and from earlier models of the correlated electron gas. Moreover, we show when commonly used weak damping approximations break down and how the method of complex zeroes of the dielectric function can solve this problem for WDM conditions.
Metabarcoding of fecal DNA shows dietary diversification in wolves substitutes for ungulates in an island archipelago
Authors: Roffler Gretchen H. , Allen Jennifer M. , Massey Aimee , Levi Taal 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAlthough ungulates are the main prey of wolves (Canis lupus) throughout their range, substantial dietary diversity may allow wolves to persist even when ungulates are declining or rare. Alexander Archipelago wolves (Canis lupus ligoni) inhabit distinct mainland and island biogeographic units, each with a unique assemblage of available prey. We quantified biogeographic variability in wolf diets across the archipelago using DNA metabarcoding of prey in 860 wolf scats collected during 2010–2018 in 12 study sites. We hypothesized that wolves would increase their dietary diversity and niche breadth as the proportion of ungulate species in their diets decreased, but that this could be mediated by the availability of coastal resources. Application of DNA metabarcoding achieved fine taxonomic resolution of prey remains and identified 55 diet items representing species from 42 genera and 29 families, many previously undetected in coastal wolf diets. Overall, ungulates made up the largest proportion of wolf diets but were also most variable between study sites (occurrence per item index [O/I] = 0.130–0.851). On islands, Sitka black‐tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus) were the most consumed ungulate species, whereas moose (Alces alces) and mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) contributed more to mainland wolf diets. Wolves responded to biogeographical variation in availability of their primary prey by altering their foraging patterns. Wolves increased the number and diversity of species consumed and widened their dietary niche as the proportion of ungulates in their diet declined rather than prey switch to one or few individual diet items. Across all study sites combined, beaver (Castor canadensis; O/I = 0.125), marine mammals (O/I = 0.113), and black bears (Ursus americanus; O/I = 0.067) were important alternate prey. In areas where ungulates had become scarce, sea otters (Enhydra lutris) were particularly important, in one case even becoming the primary diet item suggesting that the ongoing expansion of sea otter populations postreintroduction restores an important food source for these cryptic predators. Here, we show extensive variation in the diet of wolves and elucidate regional consumer–resource interactions across an archipelagic landscape.
Crossing boundaries in conservation: land ownership and habitat influence the occupancy of an at‐risk small mammal
Authors: Ceradini Joseph , Keinath Douglas , Abernethy Ian , Andersen Mark , Wallace Zach 
Published: January 2021

AbstractEcological research is critical for informing management of at‐risk species, for example, by identifying what drives occupancy of species across landscapes. However, restricting research to public land and omitting private land, as commonly occurs in ecological research, can bias inferences because important drivers of population and community patterns may vary with land ownership. We conducted a landscape‐scale study of a species of conservation concern, white‐tailed prairie dog (WTPD; Cynomys leucurus), across multiple land ownerships in Wyoming. We quantified how WTPD occupancy varied with both land ownership and biotic and abiotic factors. We established a baseline occupancy rate for WTPD in Wyoming, and quantified how this baseline would have been biased if we had restricted our study to public land. We surveyed 440 sites throughout the Wyoming range of WTPD, which included sites on public (275), private (80), checkerboard (55), and Wind River Indian Reservation (30) land. We found that WTPD occupancy varied significantly with land ownership and elevation, with WTPD being four times as likely to occupy private as public land at the median study area elevation. This difference in occupancy may have been driven by variation in habitat quality between ownership types, but we could not definitively determine the underlying cause. Regardless of land ownership, WTPD occupancy increased with bare ground, but also when recent plant biomass (as estimated by NDVI) was higher than a site’s long‐term average biomass. In other words, WTPD tended to occupy sparsely vegetated sites, but occupancy increased with short‐term increases in biomass. The strong land ownership effect illustrates how study area delineation in relation to land ownership can influence research inferences and management actions, and why it is counterproductive to presuppose that certain land ownerships contain low‐quality habitat. Ecologically, the variation in occupancy resulting from long‐term site conditions, such as overall density of vegetation, relative to short‐term site conditions, such as changes in plant biomass, can be used to improve long‐term population monitoring for WTPD.
Plant functional groups and species contribute to ecological resilience a decade after woodland expansion treatments
Authors: Freund Stephanie M. , Newingham Beth A. , Chambers Jeanne C. , Urza Alexandra K. , Roundy Bruce A. , Cushman J. Hall 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWoody plant expansions are altering ecosystem structure and function, as well as fire regimes, around the globe. Tree‐reduction treatments are widely implemented in expanding woodlands to reduce fuel loads, increase ecological resilience, and improve habitat, but few studies have measured treatment outcomes over long timescales or large geographic areas. The Sagebrush Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP) evaluated the ecological effects of prescribed fire and cut‐and‐leave treatments in sagebrush communities experiencing tree expansion in North American cold desert shrublands. We used 10 yr of data from the SageSTEP network to test how treatments interacted with pre‐treatment tree dominance, soil climate, and time since treatment to affect plant functional groups and dominant species. Non‐sprouting shrub (Artemisiaspp.), sprouting shrub, perennial graminoid, and annual grass responses depended on tree dominance and soil climate, and responses were related to the dominant species' life‐history traits. Sites with warm and dry soils showed increased perennial graminoid but reducedArtemisiashrub cover across the tree dominance gradient after prescribed burning, while sites with cool and moist soils showed favorable post‐burn responses for both functional types, particularly at low to moderate tree dominance. Cut‐and‐leave treatments sustained or increased native perennial plant functional groups and experienced smaller increases in exotic annual plants in both soil climates across the tree dominance gradient. Both treatments reduced biocrust cover. Selecting appropriate tree‐reduction treatments to achieve desired long‐term outcomes requires consideration of dominant species, site environmental conditions, and the degree of woodland expansion. Careful selection of management treatments will reduce the likelihood of undesirable consequences to the ecosystem.
Persistent mitral regurgitation after left ventricular assist device: a clinical conundrum
Authors: Cruz Rodriguez Jose B. , Chatterjee Arka , Pamboukian Salpy V. , Tallaj Jose A. , Joly Joanna , Lenneman Andrew , Aryal Sudeep , Hoopes Charles W. , Acharya Deepak , Rajapreyar Indranee 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAimsPersistent mitral valve regurgitation (MR) after continuous flow left ventricular assist device implantation (cfLVAD) is associated with pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure with variable effects on survival across published studies. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and predictors of persistent MR at 6‐month follow‐up after cfLVAD implantation and its impact on survival, haemodynamics, right ventricular function, and morbidity.Methods and resultsWe performed a retrospective review of all adult cfLVAD recipients from January 2012 to June 2017 at a single tertiary university hospital with follow‐up until April 2019. Primary outcome was to compare survival between patients with no‐to‐mild compared with persistent moderate‐to‐severe MR at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included right heart failure (RHF), length of stay, re‐hospitalizations, and composite of death, transplant, and pump exchange during the length of follow‐up. Final analytic sample was 111 patients. The incidence of persistent moderate or severe MR at 6 months was 26%. Significant predictors of persistent MR at 6 months were left atrium dimension and volume. The group with persistent moderate‐to‐severe MR at 6 months had higher incidence of RHF at 6 months (45% vs. 25%, P = 0.04). There was no difference in survival at 1 year between the groups (no‐to‐mild MR 85.5%, moderate‐to‐severe MR 87.9%, Wilcoxon P‐value = 0.63). There was no difference in re‐hospitalizations, length of stay, composite of death, transplant, or pump exchange during the length of follow‐up between the comparison groups.ConclusionsPersistent moderate‐to‐severe MR after cfLVAD implantation is present in one fourth of patients and is associated with increased incidence of RHF, higher mean pulmonary pressure, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure with no effect on 1 year survival. Increased left atrium size was associated with persistent moderate‐to‐severe MR at 6 months.
Biomorphic NiO/Ni with a Regular Pore‐Array Structure as a Supercapacitor Electrode Material
Authors: Tong Xiangzhi , Zhou Dongcheng , Qiu Mingjun , Zhou Yisong , Ai Yanli , Guo Xingmei , Zhang Junhao , Cai Yibing , Kong Qinghong 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPromoting the electronic conductivity and constructing regular porous structures are of high importance for increasing the electrochemical performance of oxides as supercapacitor electrodes. Herein, a simple biotemplating method is explored to synthesize NiO/Ni with regular pore‐array structures. The specific capacitance of the biomorphic NiO/Ni (381.4 F g−1 at 1 A g−1) is higher than that of the nontemplated NiO sample (251.2 F g−1 at 1 A g−1). Moreover, good rate capability and cycling stability are also demonstrated. The enhanced electrochemical performance should be attributed to the improved electronic conductivity of hybridized NiO/Ni component and the efficient mass/charge transport in the biomorphic pore‐array architecture.
Synthesis of Quinoline‐4‐carboxamides and Quinoline‐4‐carboxylates via a Modified Pfitzinger Reaction of N‐Vinylisatins
Authors: Mijangos Marco V. , Amador‐Sánchez Yoarhy A. , Miranda Luis D. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA synthetic approach for the accelerated assembly of quinoline‐4‐carboxamide and quinoline‐4‐carboxylate nuclei is presented. The methodology is based on the rearrangement of N‐vinylisatins promoted by different types of amines (or ethanol) in a Pfitzinger‐type mechanism that, in turn, builds the quinoline ring system. The reaction took place only by heating the starting materials in ethanol, without any additive.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of radiofrequency procedures on innervation to the shoulder joint for relieving chronic pain
Authors: Pushparaj Hemkumar , Hoydonckx Yasmine , Mittal Nimish , Peng Philip , Cohen Steven P. , Cao Xingshan , Bhatia Anuj 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveStudies have reported relief of chronic shoulder pain with non‐ablative pulsed neuromodulatory (pRF) or ablative radiofrequency (aRF) procedures on innervation of the shoulder joint but interpretation of these reports is hampered by inconsistent indications, anatomic targets and follow‐up. This systematic review was conducted to synthesize the existing literature on procedures employing pRF or aRF for treating chronic shoulder pain.Databases and Data TreatmentMEDLINE and other medical literature databases were reviewed up to 31 December 2019 for publications on pRF or aRF procedures on shoulder joint innervation to relieve chronic pain. Data on analgesic and functional outcomes measured at any time point following the interventions were extracted. Existing knowledge on innervation of the shoulder joint with relevance to RF procedures was also synthesized.ResultsIn all, 42 publications, 7 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 35 observational studies, case series or reports were identified. Thirty‐six of these publications were on pRF procedure and 29 of these reported procedures exclusively targeting the suprascapular nerve. A meta‐analysis of the seven RCTs evaluating pRF indicated no analgesic benefit or functional improvement with this treatment over conventional medical management. Case series and reports on aRF indicate a potential for analgesic benefit but the quality of this evidence was low.ConclusionsRF treatments targeting the sensory innervation of the shoulder joint affected by degenerative conditions have the potential to reduce pain but the current evidence does not suggest analgesic or functional benefit (GRADE certainty of evidence—low). Studies of high methodological quality are required to further investigate the role of these interventions.SignificanceThis is a comprehensive review of literature on pulsed (non‐ablative) and ablative radiofrequency (RF) procedures for chronic shoulder pain. The systematic review and meta‐analysis of 7 trials found that pulsed RF for chronic shoulder pain provided similar analgesia and functional improvement as conservative medical management at three months after the procedures. The case series and reports on ablative RF for shoulder pain indicate possible analgesic benefit but their quality was low. This review highlights the need for studies of a high quality on ablative RF treatments for chronic shoulder pain.
Clustering‐based adaptive ground motion selection algorithm for efficient estimation of structural fragilities
Authors: Kim Taeyong , Kwon Oh‐Sung , Song Junho 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTo accurately predict the seismic demands of structural systems, a proper set of ground motions representing the seismic hazard of a given site is needed. In general, such a set includes a large number of ground motions, and thus may result in high computational cost. To address this computational challenge without compromising the accuracy of structural fragility, this paper proposes a clustering‐based algorithm that can select a representative subset of ground motions adaptively from a given set of ground motions. First, critical features of ground motions that significantly affect seismic demands of the structural system are identified by Lasso regression of seismic responses of various single degree of freedom systems on existing intensity measures of ground motions. Second, ground motions are selected adaptively based on the hierarchical clustering of the critical features until the fragility curve converges. Applications to a reinforced concrete building and steel moment‐resisting frames demonstrate the improved efficiency and wide applicability of the proposed method. The results of the numerical examples confirm the robust performance of the proposed algorithm against various ground motions, structural types, and definitions of the limit‐states. The proposed algorithm enables us to obtain structural fragilities using a significantly reduced number of ground motions while keeping consistency with the available ground motion set.
Moving Toward Standardized Toxicity Testing Procedures with Particulates by Dietary Exposure of Gammarids
Authors: Götz Astrid , Imhof Hannes K. , Geist Juergen , Beggel Sebastian 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Ecotoxicological effect assessment of particulate materials and sparingly soluble substances is an emerging field. Current standard toxicity tests of aquatic organisms are based on soluble substances which are added to the aqueous phase. Although soluble substances distribute homogeneously, particles can form aggregates, resulting in inhomogeneous distribution and unpredictable exposure. Therefore, test scenarios need to be adapted to overcome these uncertainties. We present a dietary particle exposure tool for the toxicity testing of sparingly soluble substances or particles in combination with a standardizable food source for gammarids based on decomposition and consumption tablets (DECOTABs). Four food supplements in the DEOCOTAB formulation were compared to test their influence on the energy reserves of gammarids. Although feeding rate was constant for most supplements, mortality and energy reserves revealed clear differences. Tabs supplemented with algae-based phyll or animal protein–based trout food best met all of the requirements. Fluorescent plastic microparticles (10–65 µm) were homogenously distributed and stable in the DECOTABs. Constant feeding was observed, and the number of ingested microparticles by Gammarus roeseli was quantified in relation to the consumed food. The developed method provides a realistic and methodologically reliable uptake from the oral pathway and allows the quantification of inner exposition via feeding rate, providing a promising tool for standardized dietary exposure scenarios with particles. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1463–1476. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.