bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrogram‐guided endomyocardial biopsy yield in patients with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis and relation to outcomes
Authors: Ezzeddine Fatima M. , Kapa Suraj , Rosenbaum Andrew , Blauwet Lori , Deshmukh Abhishek J. , AbouEzzeddine Omar F. , Maleszewski Joseph J. , Asirvatham Samuel J. , Bois John P. , Schirger John A. , Chareonthaitawee Panithaya , Siontis Konstantinos C. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectiveEndomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is a useful diagnostic tool though the yield may be limited in many myocardial diseases. Data on the diagnostic yield and prognostic significance of EMB guided by abnormal electrograms (EGM‐Bx) in suspected cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) are scarce.MethodsSeventy‐nine patients (mean age: 56 ± 12 years; 61% men) with suspected CS based on clinical and imaging features underwent right or left ventricular EGM‐Bx guided by electroanatomic mapping. Tissue samples were obtained from sites with abnormal EGMs and/or abnormal cardiac imaging. The diagnostic yield of EGM‐Bx was evaluated in reference to histopathologic analysis. Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and transplantation‐free survival were compared between patients with positive and negative EGM‐Bx for CS.ResultsA total of 254 samples were obtained from abnormal EGM sites, and 126 samples from normal EGM sites guided by pre‐procedure imaging findings. Abnormal histopathology was noted in 65 (26%) and 10 (8%) samples from abnormal and normal EGM sites, respectively. Histopathology confirmed CS in 16 (20%) patients, while an alternative tissue diagnosis emerged in 10 (13%) patients. Abnormal EGMs at the biopsy site had sensitivity 89% and specificity 33% for a histopathologic diagnosis of CS. LVAD and transplantation‐free survival were not significantly associated with the EGM‐Bx result (log‐rank p = .91).ConclusionIn patients with suspected CS, abnormal EGM‐Bx has high sensitivity and low specificity for establishing a definite CS diagnosis. Consideration of substrate abnormalities apparent on preprocedural imaging as an adjunct for selection of biopsy sites may further improve EGM‐Bx yield.
Evaluation of putative CSF biomarkers in paediatric spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients before and during treatment with nusinersen
Authors: Johannsen Jessika , Weiss Deike , Daubmann Anne , Schmitz Leonie , Denecke Jonas 
Published: July 2021

AbstractSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder leading to immobilization and premature death. Currently, three alternative therapeutic options are available. Therefore, biomarkers that might reflect or predict the clinical course of the individual patient with treatment are of great potential use. Currently, the antisense oligonucleotide nusinersen is the prevalent and longest validated therapy for SMA. We analysed CSF candidate biomarkers for degenerative CNS processes (namely phosphorylated heavy chain (pNf‐H), light‐chain neurofilaments (NfL), total tau protein (T‐Tau), neurogranin, β‐secretase BACE‐1 and alpha‐synuclein) in 193 CSF samples of 44 paediatric SMA types 1, 2 and 3 patients before and under nusinersen treatment and related them to standardized clinical outcome scores in a single‐centre pilot study. pNf‐H and NfL correlated with disease severity and activity, emphasizing their relevance as marker of neuronal loss and clinical outcome. T‐Tau was significantly correlated with motor function scores in SMA type 1 making it an interesting marker for treatment response. Additionally, baseline T‐Tau levels were elevated in most SMA patients possibly reflecting the extension of neuronal degeneration in paediatric‐onset SMA. Further investigations of these CSF proteins might be beneficial for paediatric SMA subtypes and treatment modalities as an indicator for clinical outcome and should be analysed in larger cohorts.
The association between personalities, alternative breeding strategies and reproductive success in dunnocks
Authors: Holtmann Benedikt , Lara Carlos E. , Santos Eduardo S. A. , Gillum Joanne E. , Gemmell Neil J. , Nakagawa Shinichi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAlthough consistent between‐individual differences in behaviour (i.e. animal personality) are ubiquitous in natural populations, relatively few studies have examined how personalities influence the formation of social relationships. Yet, behavioural characteristics of both sexes might be key when it comes to pair‐bond formation, and cooperation with partners to successfully rear offspring. We here use a wild population of dunnocks (Prunella modularis) to first investigate whether individuals mate nonrandomly (i.e. assortative mating) with regard to four behavioural traits—flight‐initiation distance (FID), provisioning, activity and vigilance—that differ in repeatability and have previously been associated with mating patterns and fitness in other species. Second, we test whether an individual's FID is associated with variability in the dunnocks' mating system (i.e. monogamous pairs vs. polygamous groups). Finally, we determine whether FID and provisioning of males and females associate with their reproductive success. We found no statistical support for assortative mating in FID between males and females. Interestingly, in polygamous groups, co‐breeding males differed in their FIDs with dominant alpha males having significantly shorter FIDs compared with subordinate beta‐males. Moreover, there was evidence for assortative mating in provisioning for alpha males and females in polygamous groups. We also found that male provisioning influenced reproductive success of both sexes, whereas female provisioning rates only positively correlated with her own but not their partner(s) reproductive output. Our results suggest that personality differences may have important implications for social relationships, the emergence of different mating patterns and ultimately reproductive success within populations.
Development of reproductive potential in protogynous coral reef fishes within Philippine no‐take marine reserves
Authors: Bucol Abner A. , Abesamis Rene A. , Stockwell Brian L. , Lowe Jake R. , Russ Garry R. 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACTEmpirical evidence for increases in the reproductive potential (egg output per unit area) of coral reef fish in no‐take marine reserves (NTMRs) is sparse. Here, we inferred the development of reproductive potential in two species of protogynous reef fishes, Chlorurus bleekeri (Labridae: Scarinae) and Cephalopholis argus (Epinephelidae), inside and outside of Philippine NTMRs. We estimated key reproductive parameters and applied these to species‐specific density and length data from 17 NTMRs (durations of protection 0–11 years) and paired fished sites (controls) in a space‐for‐time substitution approach. For C. argus, we also used density and length data collected almost annually over 29 years from a NTMR and an adjacent control at Apo Island. The results suggest that C. bleekeri can develop 6.0 times greater reproductive potential in NTMRs than controls after 11 years of protection, equivalent to approximately 582,000 more eggs produced 500 m−2 inside NTMRs. Enhancement of reproductive potential in C. argus was not evident after 11 years in the space‐for‐time substitution. At Apo Island NTMR, reproductive potential of C. argus increased approximately 6‐fold over 29 years but NTMR/control ratios in reproductive potential decreased through time (from 3.2 to 2.4), probably due to spillover of C. argus from the NTMR to the control. C. argus was estimated to produce approximately 113,000 more eggs 500 m−2 inside Apo Island NTMR at the 29th year of protection. Ratios of reproductive potential between NTMR and controls in C. bleekeri and C. argus were often greater than corresponding ratios in density or biomass. The study underscores the importance of species‐specific reproductive life history traits that drive variation in the development of larval fish subsidies that originate from NTMRs.
Self‐Injury and Domestic Violence in Young Adults During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Trajectories, Precursors, and Correlates
Authors: Steinhoff Annekatrin , Bechtiger Laura , Ribeaud Denis , Murray Aja Louise , Hepp Urs , Eisner Manuel , Shanahan Lilly 
Published: July 2021

We examined the longitudinal course of, and pre‐ and during‐pandemic risk factors for, self‐injury and domestic physical violence perpetration in young adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Data came from a Swiss longitudinal study (N = 786, age ˜22 in 2020), with one prepandemic (2018) and four during‐pandemic assessments (2020). The prevalence of self‐injury did not change between April (during the first Swiss national lockdown) and September 2020 (postlockdown). Domestic violence perpetration increased temporarily in males. Prepandemic self‐injury was a major risk factor for during‐pandemic self‐injury. Specific living arrangements, pandemic‐related stressor accumulation, and a lack of adaptive coping strategies were associated with during‐pandemic self‐injury and domestic violence. Stressor accumulation had indirect effects on self‐injury and domestic violence through negative emotions.
Influences of product pH and salinity on the retronasal threshold values of capsaicin
Authors: Chon Seoyeong , Kim Mina K. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the retronasal threshold values of capsaicin with regard to changes in product pH and salinity. Retronasal threshold testing was conducted using five series of the ascending three‐alternative forced‐choice method on water‐based matrices with varying pH and salinity levels. Overall, retronasal BET values of capsaicin tended to decrease with increases of pH in a water‐based model system, and the retronasal BET value of capsaicin at a pH of 6 was significantly lower than the BET values at other pH levels (p < .05). This result suggests lower capsaicin concentration is required for human to detect capsaicin‐related spiciness at pH 6 than the capsaicin concentration at pH 4.0–5.5. No significant differences in BET values of capsaicin were detected at salinity levels of 1.0–2.0% with 0.18 mg/L (p > .05). No significant differences were observed in BET values of capsaicin at salinity levels of 2.5–3.5%, which corresponded to capsaicin concentrations of 0.42 (2.5%), 0.40 (3.0%), and 0.30 mg/L (3.5%). Retronasal BET values for capsaicin at 2.5–3.5% salinity were significantly higher than those at 1.0–2.0%, suggesting that capsaicin‐related spiciness of low capsaicin concentrations may be better recognized at salinity ranges of 1.0–2.0% than at higher salinity values (2.5–3.5%).Practical ApplicationsCapsaicin is well known for its spicy perception in kimchi. Analysis of the spiciness of kimchi has been heavily dependent on instrumental analysis of capsaicin content. However, a gap exists between the instrumental analysis results and the perceived spiciness intensity of kimchi products by humans. This study investigated different pH and salinity ranges similar to those found in commercially available kimchi in Korea and determined the retronasal thresholds of capsaicin. Results suggest a difference in retronasal threshold values of capsaicin according to product pH and salinity, and this finding may explain the disparity between the instrumental analysis of capsaicin and the perceived spiciness intensity in kimchi by humans.
Cloning, tissue distribution and functional characterization of the donkey (Equus asinus) oligopeptide transporter 2
Authors: Zhou Miaomiao , Liu Guiqin , Liu Wenqiang , Zhu Mingxia , Wang Changfa 
Published: July 2021

AbstractOligopeptide transporter 2 (PepT2) is an important transporter of oligopeptides. In the present study, we describe the molecular cloning, tissue distribution and functional characterization of a donkey (Equus asinus) PepT2. The cloned cDNA sequence was 2202 bp at full length, encoding a 733 amino acid peptide with a molecular weight of 81.9 kDa and a theoretical pI of 8.92. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the deduced peptide sequence possessed all the characteristic features of PepT2. The expression of PepT2 in the kidney and lung was significantly higher than that observed in the ileum, duodenum, jejunum, spleen, liver, heart and stomach. Functional characterization by heterologous expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells showed that the uptake of β‐Ala‐Lys‐N‐7‐amino‐4‐methylcoumarin‐3‐acetic acid (β‐Ala‐Lys‐AMCA) by donkey PepT2‐Chinese hamster ovary cells was dependent on time, pH and substrate concentration, with a low Km value of 91.51 ± 14.14 μM and a maximum velocity of 41.37 ± 2.193 pmol/min/mg protein. In the present study, for the first time, the expression and functional characteristics of donkey PepT2 were evaluated, the results of which provide new insights and a better understanding of its crucial role in oligopeptide transport in donkeys.
Effectiveness of direct acting antiviral agents for hepatitis C virus related recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma patients who had multiple courses of recurrence
Authors: Ohki Takamasa , Sato Koki , Kondo Mayuko , Goto Eriko , Sato Takahisa , Kondo Yuji , Akamatsu Masatoshi , Sato Shinpei , Yoshida Hideo , Koike Yukihiro , Obi Shuntaro 
Published: July 2021

AbstractEradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) using direct acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has been reported to alter liver function and reduce the recurrence rate after curative treatment in naïve hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, it is not well known whether administration of DAAs had favourable effect on HCC patients with multiple courses of recurrence. We retrospectively extracted 146 HCV‐related HCC (C‐HCC) patients who received curative treatment using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) followed by eradication treatment with DAA between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2017. We also extracted 184 C‐HCC patients who were curatively treated using RFA without HCV eradication treatment between 1 January 2009 and 31 July 2014 as controls. We used propensity score matching method and adjusted following factors between the 2 groups: age, sex, liver function, number of recurrence times, tumour diameter and tumour numbers. We finally enrolled 47 C‐HCC patients with eradication of HCV, and 47 C‐HCC patients without HCV eradication as controls. Primary end point was time to curative treatment failure. We defined time to curative treatment failure as the interval from curative treatment initiation to premature discontinuation of this type of therapy. Their clinical data, time to curative treatment failure and overall survival were compared. We also assessed the prognostic values of time to curative treatment failure and overall survival using multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. The median age was 74.8 years, 60 patients (63.8%) were male, and 81 patients (86.2%) were Child‐Pugh class A. The median tumour number was 1, tumour diameter was 20 mm, and frequency of recurrence was 3 times. There were no significant differences about patients’ backgrounds between the 2 groups. The cumulative time to curative treatment failure rates of patients who received DAA were 93.6% and 73.2% at 1 and 3 years, respectively; those of controls were 72.5%, and 37.1% (p < .01). Multivariate analysis indicated that eradication with DAAs (HR 0.23, 95% CI; 0.12–0.43, p < .01) and DCP >50 mAU/ml (HR 2.62, 95% CI; 1.45–4.74, p < .01) as independent factors contributed to time to curative treatment failure. The cumulative overall survival rates of patients who received DAAs were 93.6% and 72.6% at 1 and 3 years, respectively; those of controls were 72.8% and 37.4% (p < .01). Multivariate analysis indicated that eradication with DAAs (HR 0.32, 95% CI; 0.17–0.60, p < .01) and frequency of recurrence times (HR 1.20 per 1 time, 95% CI; 1.01–1.42, p = .038) as independent factors related to overall survival. Eradication of HCV using DAAs prolonged not only time to curative treatment failure but also overall survival even in C‐HCC patients with multiple courses of recurrence.
Robust replication of volatility and hybrid derivatives on jump diffusions
Authors: Carr Peter , Lee Roger , Lorig Matthew 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe price and replicate a variety of claims written on the log price and quadratic variation of a risky asset, modeled as a positive semimartingale, subject to stochastic volatility and jumps. The pricing and hedging formulas do not depend on the dynamics of volatility process, aside from integrability and independence assumptions; in particular, the volatility process may be non‐Markovian and exhibit jumps of unknown distribution. The jump risk may be driven by any finite activity Poisson random measure with bounded jump sizes. As hedging instruments, we use the underlying risky asset, a zero‐coupon bond, and European calls and puts with the same maturity as the claim to be hedged. Examples of contracts that we price include variance swaps, volatility swaps, a claim that pays the realized Sharpe ratio, and a call on a leveraged exchange traded fund.
Severity of spleep apnea syndrome and life‐threatening tachyarrhythmias in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator
Authors: Bencardino Gianluigi , Vitulano Nicola , Bisignani Antonio , Gabrielli Francesca Augusta , Pelargonio Gemma , Narducci Maria Lucia , Perna Francesco , Pinnacchio Gaetano , Comerci Gianluca , Lanza Gaetano Antonio , Massetti Massimo , Crea Filippo 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundSleep apnea syndrome (SAS) has been reported to be associated with a higher incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to investigate whether in SAS patients receiving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) the severity of SAS was associated with the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias; (2) to assess whether changes in nocturnal apnoic/hypopnoic episodes may favor the occurrence of life‐threatening arrhythmias, that is, sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT)/fibrillation (VF), requiring ICD intervention.MethodsWe enrolled 46 patients with documented SAS at polysomnography (apnea/hypopnea index [AHI] > 5) who also had a left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35% and, according to primary prevention indications, implanted an ICD (Boston Scientific Incepta) able to daily monitor apnoic/hypopnoic episodes occurring during sleep. Patients were followed at 3‐month intervals.ResultsAt a mean follow‐up of 18 months, 21 episodes of sustained VT/FV requiring ICD intervention were documented in eight patients (17.4%). Baseline AHI was significantly higher in patients with compared to those without ICD intervention. ICD interventions, however, were not preceded by any worsening of apnoic/hypopnoic episodes. The respiratory disturbance index (RDI) of the week during the event, indeed, was not different from that recorded during the previous 2 weeks (25.4 ± 11, 25.6 ± 10 and 25.1 ± 10, respectively; p = .9).ConclusionsIn patients with SAS who received an ICD for primary prevention of sudden death, those with ICD interventions showed a more severe form of the disease at baseline. ICD interventions, however, were not preceded by any significant changes in SAS severity.
The COVID‐19 vaccine and interventional procedures: Exploring the relationship between steroid administration and subsequent vaccine efficacy
Authors: Chow Robert M. , Rajput Kanishka , Howie Benjamin A. , Varhabhatla Narayana 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectiveCollate available evidence and provide guidance on whether to delay steroid injections after receiving a vaccine, and whether to delay vaccination if a recent steroid injection has been administered, leaving formal recommendations to various national societies.MethodsA literature search was performed to identify information pertinent to steroid administration and the subsequent downstream effects on vaccine efficacy. The search was initiated on December 20, 2020, and the terms used were (steroid OR cortisone OR dexamethasone) AND (vaccine). The studies were limited to articles in the English language.ResultsSix studies specifically addressed the effect of steroids on vaccine efficacy. Three of the 6 studies indicated that steroids could be used during the peri‐vaccine period without significant suppression of the immune response. One study associated intra‐articular steroid injections with an increased risk of developing influenza even when vaccinated. The remaining 2 studies had mixed findings. One study showed that patients who received dexamethasone, but not prednisolone were able to mount an immune response resulting in increased IgG. Another study showed that vaccine efficacy was maintained if patients were on continuous steroids or steroids after vaccination, but not if they stopped steroids prior to vaccination.ConclusionsAlthough there is no shared consensus in the studies reviewed, all but one study noted scenarios in which patients receiving steroids can still be successfully vaccinated.
Risky‐choice framing and rational decision‐making
Authors: Fisher Sarah A. , Mandel David R. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis article surveys the latest research on risky‐choice framing effects, focusing on the implications for rational decision‐making. An influential program of psychological research suggests that people's judgements and decisions depend on the way in which information is presented, or ‘framed’. In a central choice paradigm, decision‐makers seem to adopt different preferences, and different attitudes to risk, depending on whether the options specify the number of people who will be saved or the corresponding number who will die. It is standardly assumed that such responses violate a foundational tenet of rational decision‐making, known as the principle of description invariance. We discuss recent theoretical and empirical research that challenges the dominant ‘irrationalist’ narrative. These approaches typically pay close attention to how decision‐makers represent decision problems (including their interpretation of numerical quantifiers or predicate choice) and they highlight the need for a more robust characterization of the description invariance principle. We conclude by indicating avenues for future research that could bring us closer to a complete—and potentially rationalizing—explanation of framing effects.
Subterranean successes: Durable regulation and regulatory endowments
Authors: Heimer Carol A. , Kuo Elsinore 
Published: July 2021

AbstractScholars sometimes criticize durable regulatory systems for being costly, inefficient, ineffective, and inequitable. This article reassesses regulation, arguing that a mis‐categorization of types of regulatory activity has led critics astray. More specifically, the article observes that regulation “hardened” by being built into infrastructure often ceases to be seen as regulation and its benefits are therefore inappropriately omitted from assessments of regulatory accomplishments. Hardening into one or another durable form can create two important benefits: durable regulation moves some items off the agenda of regulators, conserving resources for other regulatory work; durable regulation also creates regulatory endowments, preserving key bargains struck at the time infrastructure was created and reducing future opportunities for capture. Such endowments can then become the foundation for other regulatory work. Examples from the regulation of drinking water in the United States and brief discussions of road safety and disability regulation illustrate the argument.