bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
End‐stage kidney disease patients from ethnic minorities and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Tabinor Matthew , Crowley Lisa Emma , Godlee Alexandra , Flanagan Daisy , Rashid Raja Muhammad , Baharani Jyoti , Ferro Charles Joseph , Eddington Helen 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIntroductionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) adversely affects patients who are older, multimorbid, and from Black, Asian or minority ethnicities (BAME). We assessed whether being from BAME is independently associated with mortality in end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients with COVID‐19.MethodsProspective observational study in a single UK renal center. A study was conducted between March 10, 2020 and April 30, 2020. Demographics, socioeconomic deprivation (index of multiple deprivation), co‐morbidities (Charlson comorbidity index [CCI]), and frailty data (clinical frailty score) were collected. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality. Data were censored on the 1st June 2020.FindingsOverall, 191 of our 3379 ESKD patients contracted COVID‐19 in the 8‐week observation period; 84% hemodialysis, 5% peritoneal dialysis, and 11% kidney transplant recipients (KTR). Of these, 57% were male and 67% were from BAME groups (43% Asian, 17% Black, 2% mixed race, and 5% other). Mean CCI was 7.45 (SD 2.11) and 3.90 (SD 2.10) for dialysis patients and KTR, respectively. In our cohort, 60% of patients lived in areas classified as being in the most deprived 20% in the United Kingdom, and of these, 77% of patients were from BAME groups. The case fatality rate was 29%. Multivariable cox regression demonstrated that BAME (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.22–4.61) was associated with all‐cause mortality after adjustment for age, deprivation, co‐morbidities, and frailty. Associations with all‐cause mortality persisted in sensitivity analyses in patients from South Asian (HR: 2.52, 95% CI: 1.24–5.12) and Black (HR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.04–5.67) ethnic backgrounds.DiscussionBAME ESKD patients with COVID‐19 are just over twice as likely to die compared to White patients, despite adjustment for age, deprivation, comorbidity, and frailty. This study highlights the need to develop strategies to improve BAME patient outcomes in future outbreaks of COVID‐19.
Trajectories of clinical and laboratory characteristics associated with COVID‐19 in hemodialysis patients by survival
Authors: Chaudhuri Sheetal , Lasky Rachel , Jiao Yue , Larkin John , Monaghan Caitlin , Winter Anke , Neri Luca , Kotanko Peter , Hymes Jeffrey , Lee Sangho , Wang Yuedong , Kooman Jeroen P. , Maddux Franklin , Usvyat Len 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIntroductionThe clinical impact of COVID‐19 has not been established in the dialysis population. We evaluated the trajectories of clinical and laboratory parameters in hemodialysis (HD) patients.MethodsWe used data from adult HD patients treated at an integrated kidney disease company who received a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) test to investigate suspicion of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection between May 1 and September 1, 2020. Nonparametric smoothing splines were used to fit data for individual trajectories and estimate the mean change over time in patients testing positive or negative for SARS‐CoV‐2 and those who survived or died within 30 days of first suspicion or positive test date. For each clinical parameter of interest, the difference in average daily changes between COVID‐19 positive versus negative group and COVID‐19 survivor versus nonsurvivor group was estimated by fitting a linear mixed effects model based on measurements in the 14 days before (i.e., Day −14 to Day 0) Day 0.ResultsThere were 12,836 HD patients with a suspicion of COVID‐19 who received RT‐PCR testing (8895 SARS‐CoV‐2 positive). We observed significantly different trends (p < 0.05) in pre‐HD systolic blood pressure (SBP), pre‐HD pulse rate, body temperature, ferritin, neutrophils, lymphocytes, albumin, and interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) between COVID‐19 positive and negative patients. For COVID‐19 positive group, we observed significantly different clinical trends (p < 0.05) in pre‐HD pulse rate, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and albumin between survivors and nonsurvivors. We also observed that, in the group of survivors, most clinical parameters returned to pre‐COVID‐19 levels within 60–90 days.ConclusionWe observed unique temporal trends in various clinical and laboratory parameters among HD patients who tested positive versus negative for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and those who survived the infection versus those who died. These trends can help to define the physiological disturbances that characterize the onset and course of COVID‐19 in HD patients.
Drawn from life: Cocreating narrative and graphic vignettes of lived experience with people affected by dementia
Authors: Capstick Andrea , Dennison Alison , Oyebode Jan , Healy Lesley , Surr Claire , Parveen Sahdia , Sass Cara , Drury Michelle 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe growing literature on Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) and dementia identifies specific problems related to the influence that involvement has on research outcomes, over‐reliance on family members as proxies and lack of representation of seldom‐heard groups. Adaptations to the PPIE process are therefore needed to make possible the involvement of a broader spectrum of people living with dementia.ObjectiveThis study aimed to adapt the PPIE process to make participation in cocreation by people living with dementia accessible and meaningful across a spectrum of cognitive abilities.DesignNarrative elicitation, informal conversation and observation were used to cocreate three vignettes based on PPIE group members' personal experiences of dementia services. Each vignette was produced in both narrative and graphic formats.ParticipantsNine people living with dementia and five family members participated in this study.ResultsUsing enhanced methods and outreach, it was possible to adapt the PPIE process so that not only family members and people with milder cognitive difficulties could participate, but also those with more pronounced cognitive problems whose voices are less often heard.ConclusionsMaking creative adaptations is vital in PPIE involving people living with dementia if we wish to develop inclusive forms of PPIE practice. This may, however, raise new ethical issues, which are briefly discussed.Patient or Public ContributionPeople with dementia and their families were involved in the design and conduct of the study, in the interpretation of data and in the preparation of the manuscript.
Integrated corrosion‐resistant system for AZ31B Mg alloy via plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) and sol‐gel processes
Authors: Merino Emilia , Durán Alicia , Castro Yolanda 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this work, an integrated system that combines anodizing process with the deposition of a hybrid SiO2 sol‐gel coating was developed with the aim of improving the corrosion resistance of AZ31B Mg alloy. The optimization of the anodizing conditions using an alkaline electrolyte (NaOH) modified with different concentrations of sodium metasilicate pentahydrate was explored together with the preparation and deposition of a SiO2 sol obtained by hydrolysis and condensation of TEOS (tetraethoxysilane), GPTMS (3‐Glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane), colloidal SiO2 nanoparticles, and 1‐Methylimidazole (MI). The surface morphology, coating thickness, and composition were evaluated. The anodized coatings thickness was between 1.1 and 1.7 μm with composition corresponding to magnesium oxide and low silicon content. The corrosion performance was tested in 3.5% NaCl solution. The results revealed a good corrosion resistance behavior after the anodizing of the Mg alloys. However, the best corrosion resistance was reached when the porous PEO layer was sealed with a hybrid silica sol‐gel film. A decrease in the corrosion current density of three orders of magnitude is observed between Mg alloy (1.54E‐06 A/cm2) and multilayer system (2.80E‐8 A/cm2). Moreover, the polarization resistance for 8AF+SG samples showed a quite high value (31546.8 Ω cm2) compared to Mg alloy (207.3 Ω cm2).
Internal control material weakness and CEO recruitment
Authors: Khurana Inder K. , Kyung Hoyoun 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPrior research finds that internal control material weakness (ICMW) reduces the reliability of financial reporting numbers, imposes costs on firms and affects firm performance. Given these effects, we examine two research questions: Does the disclosure of ICMW hamper a firm's ability to hire high‐ability CEOs? Consequentially, does it also impact CEO contracting in terms of the compensation offered to newly hired CEOs? We provide three key findings. First, we find firms that disclose ICMW are more likely to appoint CEOs with lower managerial ability relative to firms that do not disclose ICMW. Second, we find ICMW firms offer lower compensation to new CEOs, suggesting that the pay offered is commensurate with the ability of the CEO recruited. However, the negative relation between ICMW and compensation is attenuated for individual CEOs with relatively higher abilities. Further analyses reveal that some high‐ability CEOs do take positions at ICMW firms, but these ICMW firms pay a premium to hire them, which contributes to greater dispersion and disparity in pay among the top‐five executives. Overall, our results point to ICMW imposing labor market consequences in terms of firm recruitment of high‐ability CEOs.
Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in HFpEF patients—A propensity‐score‐matched analysis
Authors: Rattka Manuel , Kühberger Anna , Pott Alexander , Stephan Tilman , Weinmann Karolina , Baumhardt Michael , Aktolga Deniz , Teumer Yannick , Bothner Carlo , Scharnbeck Dominik , Rottbauer Wolfgang , Dahme Tillman 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are both common conditions associated with high morbidity and mortality, especially if they coexist. Catheter ablation (CA) for AF has been shown recently to induce reverse remodeling and improve symptoms in HFpEF patients. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of AF patients with HFpEF, who either underwent CA for AF or received medical therapy only.Methods and ResultsWe included all AF patients with HFpEF according to current guidelines treated at our hospital between 2013 and 2018. Out of 6614 AF patients, we identified 127 with confirmed HFpEF. After applying propensity score matching to balance patient groups, 43 patients treated by CA and 43 patients receiving medical treatment were compared. Patients in the CA group underwent a mean of 1.5 ± 0.8 ablation procedures. Arrhythmia recurrence occurred significantly less frequently in the CA group (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.25–0.87; p = .016). The primary endpoint, a composite of heart failure hospitalization and death, was reduced significantly by CA compared to medical therapy (HR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.13–0.67; p = .003). This was driven by a decrease in heart failure hospitalization. Clinical and echocardiographic parameters of HFpEF improved significantly only after CA. Remarkably, reassessment of diagnostic HFpEF criteria at the end of follow‐up demonstrated HFpEF resolution in 15 out of 43 patients (35%) treated by CA and only 4 out of 43 patients (9%) treated medically (p = .008).ConclusionCatheter ablation for AF in HFpEF patients in comparison to medical therapy decreases heart failure hospitalization, heart failure symptoms, and improves diastolic function. AF ablation should be considered in patients with HFpEF and concomitant AF.
Acute and chronic effects of endocardial radiofrequency ablation of septal hypertrophy in HOCM
Authors: Lawrenz Thorsten , Lawin Dennis , Radke Kristin , Stellbrink Christoph 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIntroductionEndocardial radiofrequency ablation of septal hypertrophy (ERASH) is an alternative to alcohol septal ablation (ASA) or surgical myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Several studies have confirmed that septal radiofrequency ablation leads to a significant reduction in the left ventricular outflow tract gradient.ObjectivesWe aimed to report the outcomes of 41 patients who underwent ERASH with a focus on severe complications.MethodsSince 2004, 41 patients with HOCM (age: 58.2 ± 13 years) underwent ERASH at our institution. ERASH was performed, since ASA was ineffective (26 patients) or not possible (15 patients).ResultsThe left ventricular outflow tract and the right ventricular septum were ablated in 26 and 15 patients, respectively. ERASH resulted in a significant reduction in acute gradient during the session and the results persisted during the 6‐month follow‐up (67% gradient reduction at rest and 73% after provocation, p = .0002). Pacemaker dependency after ERASH was 29% and pericardial tamponade occurred in two patients. In four patients, ERASH induced a paradoxical increase in obstruction (PIO), beginning suddenly at 30 min after the procedure and leading to lethal shock in one patient. PIO was not observed after ERASH from the right ventricular aspect.ConclusionMorbidity and mortality after ERASH were higher than those after ASA. PIO, a life‐threatening complication, was observed in 9% of the patients. Our data indicate that ERASH might be considered in patients who are not candidates for surgical myectomy or ASA.
LncRNA GACAT1 induces tongue squamous cell carcinoma migration and proliferation via miR‐149
Authors: Wang Xueling , Gong Zuode , Ma Long , Wang Qibao 
Published: August 2021

AbstractRecent studies have observed that lncRNAs (long non‐coding RNAs) are involved in the progression of various tumours including tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Recently, a new lnRNA, GACAT1, has been firstly identified in gastric cancer. However, its potential role in TSCC remains unknown. In this reference, we observed that GACAT1 was overexpressed in TSCC samples and cell lines. Of 25 TSCC specimens, GACAT1 expression was overexpressed in 18 patients (18/25, 72%) compared to non‐tumour specimens. Ectopic expression of GACAT1 induced cell growth and migration and promoted epithelial to mesenchymal transition in TSCC. In addition, ectopic expression of GACAT1 decreased miR‐149 expression in SCC1 cell. We observed that miR‐149 expression was down‐regulated in TSCC cell lines. Moreover, we observed that GACAT1 expression was negatively correlated with miR‐149 expression. GACAT1 overexpression induced TSCC cell growth and migration via regulating miR‐149 expression. These data provided that GACAT1 played an oncogenic role in the progression of TSCC partly through modulating miR‐149 expression.
Targeting hexokinase 2 increases the sensitivity of oxaliplatin by Twist1 in colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Bo , Chan Sze‐Hoi , Liu Xue‐Qi , Shi Yuan‐Yuan , Dong Zhao‐Xia , Shao Xin‐Rong , Zheng Li‐Yuan , Mai Zhi‐Ying , Fang Tian‐Liang , Deng Li‐Zhi , Zhou Di‐Sheng , Chen Shu‐Na , Li Miao , Zhang Xing‐Ding 
Published: August 2021

AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most malignant tumour worldwide, with high mortality and recurrence. Chemoresistance is one of the main factors leading to metastasis and poor prognosis in advanced CRC patients. By analysing the Gene Expression Omnibus data set, we found higher hexokinase 2 (HK2) expression levels in patients with metastatic CRC than in those with primary CRC. Moreover, we observed higher enrichment in oxaliplatin resistance‐related gene sets in metastatic CRC than in primary CRC. However, the underlying relationship has not yet been elucidated. In our study, HK2 expression was significantly elevated in CRC patients. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed multi‐drug resistance and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathways related to high HK2 expression. Our results showed that knockdown of HK2 significantly inhibited vimentin and Twist1 expression and promoted TJP1 and E‐cadherin expression in CRC cells. Additionally, transcriptional and enzymatic inhibition of HK2 by 3‐bromopyruvate (3‐bp) impaired oxaliplatin resistance in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, HK2 interacts with and stabilized Twist1 by preventing its ubiquitin‐mediated degradation, which is related to oxaliplatin resistance, in CRC cells. Overexpression of Twist1 reduced the apoptosis rate by HK2 knockdown in CRC cells. Collectively, we discovered that HK2 is a crucial regulator that mediates oxaliplatin resistance through Twist1. These findings identify HK2 and Twist1 as promising drug targets for CRC chemoresistance.
Evidence for genetic isolation and local adaptation in the field cricket Gryllus campestris
Authors: Tregenza Tom , Rodríguez‐Muñoz Rolando , Boonekamp Jelle J. , Hopwood Paul E. , Sørensen Jesper Givskov , Bechsgaard Jesper , Settepani Virginia , Hegde Vinayaka , Waldie Callum , May Emma , Peters Caleb , Pennington Zinnia , Leone Paola , Munk Emil M. , Greenrod Samuel T. E. , Gosling Joe , Coles Harry , Gruffydd Rhodri , Capria Loris , Potter Laura , Bilde Trine 
Published: August 2021

AbstractUnderstanding how species can thrive in a range of environments is a central challenge for evolutionary ecology. There is strong evidence for local adaptation along large‐scale ecological clines in insects. However, potential adaptation among neighbouring populations differing in their environment has been studied much less. We used RAD sequencing to quantify genetic divergence and clustering of ten populations of the field cricket Gryllus campestris in the Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain, and an outgroup on the inland plain. Our populations were chosen to represent replicate high and low altitude habitats. We identified genetic clusters that include both high and low altitude populations indicating that the two habitat types do not hold ancestrally distinct lineages. Using common‐garden rearing experiments to remove environmental effects, we found evidence for differences between high and low altitude populations in physiological and life‐history traits. As predicted by the local adaptation hypothesis, crickets with parents from cooler (high altitude) populations recovered from periods of extreme cooling more rapidly than those with parents from warmer (low altitude) populations. Growth rates also differed between offspring from high and low altitude populations. However, contrary to our prediction that crickets from high altitudes would grow faster, the most striking difference was that at high temperatures, growth was fastest in individuals from low altitudes. Our findings reveal that populations a few tens of kilometres apart have independently evolved adaptations to their environment. This suggests that local adaptation in a range of traits may be commonplace even in mobile invertebrates at scales of a small fraction of species' distributions.
Evolution of male genitalia in theDrosophila repletaspecies group (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
Authors: Stefanini Manuel I. , Gottschalk Marco S. , Calvo Natalia S. , Soto Ignacio M. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractTheDrosophila repletagroup comprises more than one hundred species that inhabit several environments in the Neotropics and use different hosts as rearing and feeding resources. Rather homogeneous in their external morphology, they are generally distinguished by the male genitalia, seemingly their fastest evolving morphological trait, constituting an excellent model to study patterns of genital evolution in the context of a continental adaptive radiation. Although much is known about the evolution of animal genitalia at population level, surveys on macroevolutionary scale of this phenomenon are scarce. This study used a suite of phylogenetic comparative methods to elucidate the macroevolutionary patterns of genital evolution through deep time and large continental scales. Our results indicate that male genital size and some aspects of shape have been evolving by speciational evolution, probably due to the microevolutionary processes involved in species mate recognition. In contrast, several features of the aedeagus shape seemed to have evolved in a gradual fashion, with heterogeneous evolutionary phenotypic rates among clades. In general, the tempo of the evolution of aedeagus morphology was constant from the origin of the group until the Pliocene, when it accelerated in some clades that diversified mainly in this period. The incidence of novel ecological conditions in the tempo of aedeagus evolution and the relationship between species mate recognition and speciation in theDrosophila repletagroup are discussed.
A rapid LAMP‐based colorimetric assay with quick DNA extraction for on‐site identification of Drosophila suzukii Matsumura
Authors: Wang Xiaoxue , Liu Bo , Zhang Yue , Zhai Yifan , Ullah Farman , Li Zhihong 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), distributes in most soft‐skinned fruit areas in China, is an economically important pest of fresh cherries during Sino‐European trade and is considered a quarantine pest in A2 list by European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization. Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is an accurate, quick and convenient molecular identification method, applied to distinguish D. suzukii from other fruit flies. This method can be used for inspection in the field, and at the points of entry (POEs), because its results can be detected with the naked eye due to colour changes. In our study, first, we reported a simple and fast LAMP colorimetric detection method for molecular identification of D. suzukii. We designed primer sets for D. suzukii based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequences. The specificity and sensitivity of the primers were tested by using target and non‐target fruit flies in the family Drosophilidae and Tephritidae, usually intercepted during the Sino‐European cherry trade. Second, for detection in the field and at POEs, the adoption of a quick DNA extraction method could save the total time of LAMP identification to about 90 min. Taken together, this accurate, quick and convenient LAMP‐based colorimetric identification assay combined with a quick DNA extraction method could visually detect clearly with just one portable heating device, which will be useful for rapid on‐site identification and inspection for D. suzukii by the quarantine department.