bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MediYoga as a part of a self-management programme among patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation – a randomised study
Authors: Wahlström Maria , Rosenqvist Mårten , Medin Jörgen , Walfridsson Ulla , Rydell-Karlsson Monica 
Published: September 2019

Background: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is associated with impaired health-related quality of life. Yoga has been suggested to improve health-related quality of life among patients with heart failure and hypertension. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of MediYoga, in respect of health-related quality of life, blood pressure, heart rate, as well as N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide, among patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, compared with standard therapy or relaxation. Methods: Patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, n=132, were stratified for gender and randomised to MediYoga, a relaxation group or a control group, 44 patients per group with a 12-week follow-up. Health-related quality of life, blood pressure, heart rate and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide were assessed. Results: After 12 weeks, there were no differences in health-related quality of life between the groups. There were improvements in Short-Form Health Survey bodily pain, general health, social function, mental health and mental component summary scores within the MediYoga group ( p=0.014, p=0.037, p=0.029, p=0.030, p=0.019, respectively). No change was seen in the relaxation and control groups. Systolic blood pressure decreased in the MediYoga group (134±18 to 127±13) compared with the control group (126±17 to 127±15, p=0.041); no difference compared with the relaxation group (131±17 to 125±12). Diastolic blood pressure decreased in the MediYoga group (79±9 to 74 ±9) compared with the control group (76±9 to 79±8, p=0.005); no difference compared with the relaxation group (76±9 to 77±8). There were no differences in heart rate and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide between the groups after 12 weeks. Conclusions: MediYoga improves health-related quality of life and decreases blood pressure in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. MediYoga may be used as a part of a self-management programme among patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Zinc Finger Protein 521, Negatively Regulated by MicroRNA-204-5p, Promotes Proliferation, Motility and Invasion of Gastric Cancer Cells
Authors: Huan Chen , Xiaoxu Cai , Xifang Ren 
Published: September 2019

Objective: This study aims to investigate the expression, role, and detailed mechanism of microRNA-204-5p and zinc finger protein 521 in gastric cancer. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was adopted to detect the expressions of zinc finger protein 521 in 82 cases of gastric cancer tissues. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of zinc finger protein 521 in gastric cancer cells and adjacent cells. Moreover, the correlation between zinc finger protein 521 and the prognosis of patients were also evaluated. Cell Counting Kit 8 assay and colony formation assay were performed to figure out the impact of zinc finger protein 521 on the proliferation of gastric cancer cells. By conducting flow cytometry, the effect of zinc finger protein 521 on the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells was determined. The scratch wound healing assay and transwell invasion assay were carried out to determine the effect of zinc finger protein 521 on regulating the motility and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Ultimately, the targeting relationship and interaction between microRNA-204-5p and zinc finger protein 521 were verified by real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Results: Compared with adjacent cells, zinc finger protein 521 was highly expressed in gastric cancer cells, which was related to TNM stage ( P = .0388), tumor size ( P = .0168), and local lymph node metastasis ( P = .0024). Overexpressed zinc finger protein 521 can promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells and inhibit the apoptosis. Zinc finger protein 521 is a target gene of microRNA-106-5p, and there was a negative correlation between the expression of zinc finger protein 521 and microRNA-204-5p. Conclusion: Zinc finger protein 521 can arrest the apoptosis and enhance the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells via regulating microRNA-204-5p. Our study may provide novel clues for the treatment of patients with gastric cancer.
PTA and Stenting of Femoropopliteal Trunk With Cordis Smartflex Stent System: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Garriboli Luca , Miccoli Tommaso , Pruner Gianguido , Jannello Antonio Maria 
Published: September 2019

Introduction: The aim of this study is to describe our experience in the treatment of femoropopliteal occlusive disease with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) followed by stenting with S.M.A.R.T. Flex vascular stent system. Materials and Methods: From June 2014 to October 2018, 80 patients were treated at our Institution for intermittent claudication, critical, or acute limb ischemia due to total occlusion or long diffused lesions of the femoropopliteal segment. Main study end points are primary patency, target lesion revascularization, and stent fractures; secondary end points are major amputation rate, procedure-related bleeding, incidence of intrastent restenosis, and primary assisted patency after reintervention. Results: Mean follow-up time was 21 months (range 2-48 months). Primary patency rate was 80% (64 patients of 80), with mean covered lesion length of 8.2 cm. The deployment of a single stent was obtained for 57 (89%) patients, with a mean stent length of 9.86 cm. Of 80 patients, 2 (2.5%) had early stent occlusion within first 48 hours after the procedure, while 4 (5%) of 80 patients experienced stent occlusion within first 6 months. Of 80 patients, 6 (7.5%) had an intrastent restenosis detected at duplex ultrasound with a primary-assisted patency after simple re-PTA procedures of 83.3% at 12 months. Discussion: In the literature, primary patency after PTA and stenting of the femoropopliteal trunk seems to be related to several variables, such as number of stents used, specific stent length, diameters, type and length of lesions, type of pathology (if acute or chronic), and number of preoperatory patent below-the-knee vessels. In this study, we try to analyze each single factor in order to understand their role in predisposing specific stent restenosis. Conclusions: S.M.A.R.T. Flex vascular stent system has shown good results in terms of primary patency in the treatment of calcified lesions both at SFA and at popliteal level. However, in our experience, stent patency seems to be significantly poorer in patients presenting with acute limb ischemia associated with chronic atherosclerotic disease as well as for lesions located in the mid-distal part of the popliteal artery and both when number of stents increases or number of runoff vessel decreases.
ACL Size and Notch Width Between ACLR and Healthy Individuals: A Pilot Study
Authors: Wang Hsin-Min , Shultz Sandra J. , Ross Scott E. , Henson Robert A. , Perrin David H. , Schmitz Randy J. 
Published: September 2019

Background: Given the relatively high risk of contralateral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in patients with ACL reconstruction (ACLR), there is a need to understand intrinsic risk factors that may contribute to contralateral injury. Hypothesis: The ACLR group would have smaller ACL volume and a narrower femoral notch width than healthy individuals after accounting for relevant anthropometrics. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging data of the left knee were obtained from uninjured (N = 11) and unilateral ACL-reconstructed (N = 10) active, female, collegiate-level recreational athletes. ACL volume was obtained from T2-weighted images. Femoral notch width and notch width index were measured from T1-weighted images. Independent-samples t tests examined differences in all measures between healthy and ACLR participants. Results: The ACLR group had a smaller notch width index (0.22 ± 0.02 vs 0.25 ± 0.01; P = 0.004; effect size, 1.41) and ACL volume (25.6 ± 4.0 vs 32.6 ± 8.2 mm3/(kg·m)−1; P = 0.025; effect size, 1.08) after normalizing by body size. Conclusion: Only after normalizing for relevant anthropometrics, the contralateral ACLR limb had smaller ACL size and narrower relative femoral notch size than healthy individuals. These findings suggest that risk factor studies of ACL size and femoral notch size should account for relevant body size when determining their association with contralateral ACL injury. Clinical Relevance: The present study shows that the method of the identified intrinsic risk factors for contralateral ACL injury could be used in future clinical screening settings.
Palliative Care in Patients With High-Grade Gliomas in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Rosenberg Jon , Massaro Allie , Siegler James , Sloate Stacey , Mendlik Matthew , Stein Sherman , Levine Joshua 
Published: September 2019

Background: Palliative care improves quality of life in patients with malignancy; however, it may be underutilized in patients with high-grade gliomas (HGGs). We examined the practices regarding palliative care consultation (PCC) in treating patients with HGGs in the neurological intensive care unit (NICU) of an academic medical center. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to the NICU from 2011 to 2016 with a previously confirmed histopathological diagnosis of HGG. The primary outcome was the incidence of an inpatient PCC. We also evaluated the impact of PCC on patient care by examining its association with prespecified secondary outcomes of code status amendment to do not resuscitate (DNR), discharge disposition, 30-day mortality, and 30-day readmission rate, length of stay, and place of death. Results: Ninety (36% female) patients with HGGs were identified. Palliative care consultation was obtained in 16 (18%) patients. Palliative care consultation was associated with a greater odds of code status amendment to DNR (odds ratio [OR]: 18.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.01-65.73), which remained significant after adjustment for confounders (OR: 27.20, 95% CI: 5.49-134.84), a greater odds of discharge to hospice (OR: 24.93, 95% CI: 6.48-95.88), and 30-day mortality (OR: 6.40, 95% CI: 1.96-20.94). Conclusion: In this retrospective study of patients with HGGs admitted to a university-based NICU, PCC was seen in a minority of the sample. Palliative care consultation was associated with code status change to DNR and hospice utilization. Further study is required to determine whether these findings are generalizable and whether interventions that increase PCC utilization are associated with improved quality of life and resource allocation for patients with HGGs.
Abi1 loss drives prostate tumorigenesis through activation of EMT and non-canonical WNT signaling
Authors: Nath Disharee , Li Xiang , Mondragon Claudia , Post Dawn , Chen Ming , White Julie R. , Hryniewicz-Jankowska Anita , Caza Tiffany , Kuznetsov Vladimir A. , Hehnly Heidi , Jamaspishvili Tamara , Berman David M. , Zhang Fan , Kung Sonia H. Y. , Fazli Ladan , Gleave Martin E. , Bratslavsky Gennady , Pandolfi Pier Paolo , Kotula Leszek 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Prostate cancer development involves various mechanisms, which are poorly understood but pointing to epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) as the key mechanism in progression to metastatic disease. ABI1, a member of WAVE complex and actin cytoskeleton regulator and adaptor protein, acts as tumor suppressor in prostate cancer but the role of ABI1 in EMT is not clear.

Methods
To investigate the molecular mechanism by which loss of ABI1 contributes to tumor progression, we disrupted the ABI1 gene in the benign prostate epithelial RWPE-1 cell line and determined its phenotype. Levels of ABI1 expression in prostate organoid tumor cell lines was evaluated by Western blotting and RNA sequencing. ABI1 expression and its association with prostate tumor grade was evaluated in a TMA cohort of 505 patients and metastatic cell lines.

Results
Low ABI1 expression is associated with biochemical recurrence, metastasis and death (p = 0.038). Moreover, ABI1 expression was significantly decreased in Gleason pattern 5 vs. pattern 4 (p = 0.0025) and 3 (p = 0.0012), indicating an association between low ABI1 expression and highly invasive prostate tumors. Disruption of ABI1 gene in RWPE-1 cell line resulted in gain of an invasive phenotype, which was characterized by a loss of cell-cell adhesion markers and increased migratory ability of RWPE-1 spheroids. Through RNA sequencing and protein expression analysis, we discovered that ABI1 loss leads to activation of non-canonical WNT signaling and EMT pathways, which are rescued by re-expression of ABI1. Furthermore, an increase in STAT3 phosphorylation upon ABI1 inactivation and the evidence of a high-affinity interaction between the FYN SH2 domain and ABI1 pY421 support a model in which ABI1 acts as a gatekeeper of non-canonical WNT-EMT pathway activation downstream of the FZD2 receptor.

Conclusions
ABI1 controls prostate tumor progression and epithelial plasticity through regulation of EMT-WNT pathway. Here we discovered that ABI1 inhibits EMT through suppressing FYN-STAT3 activation downstream from non-canonical WNT signaling thus providing a novel mechanism of prostate tumor suppression.
Delivering maternal mental health through peer volunteers: a 5-year report
Authors: Atif Najia , Bibi Amina , Nisar Anum , Zulfiqar Shaffaq , Ahmed Ikhlaq , LeMasters Katherine , Hagaman Ashley , Sikander Siham , Maselko Joanna , Rahman Atif 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundMaternal depression affects one in five women in low-and middle income countries (LMIC) and has significant economic and social impacts. Evidence-based psychosocial interventions delivered by non-specialist health workers are recommended as first-line management of the condition, and recent studies on such interventions from LMIC show promising results. However, lack of human resource to deliver the interventions is a major bottle-neck to scale-up, and much research attention has been devoted to ‘task-sharing’ initiatives. Apeer-deliveredversion of the World Health Organization’s Thinking Healthy Programme for perinatal depression in Pakistan and India showed clinical, functional and social benefits to women at 3 months postpartum. The programme has been iteratively adapted and continually delivered for 5 years in Pakistan. In this report, we describe the extended intervention and factors contributing to the peers’ continued motivation and retention, and suggest future directions to address scale-up challenges.MethodsThe study was conducted in rural Rawalpindi. We used mixed methods to evaluate the programme 5 years since its initiation. The competency of the peers in delivering the intervention was evaluated using a specially developed Quality and Competency Checklist, an observational tool used by trainers to rate a group session on key areas of competencies. In-depth interviews explored factors contributing to the peer volunteers’ continued motivation and retention, as well as the key challenges faced.ResultsOur key findings are that about 70% of the peer volunteers inducted 5 years ago continued to be part of the programme, retaining their competency in delivering the intervention, with only token financial incentives. Factors contributing to sustained motivation included altruistic aspirations, enhanced social standing in the community, personal benefits to their own mental health, and the possibility for other avenues of employment. Long-term challenges included demotivation due to lack of certainty about the programme’s future, increased requirement for financial incentivisation, the logistics of organising groups in the community, and resistance from some families to the need for ongoing care.ConclusionsThe programme, given the sustained motivation and competence of peer volunteers in delivering the intervention, has the potential for long-term sustainability in under-resourced settings and a candidate for scale-up.
Enhancing enzymatic digestibility of waste wheat straw by presoaking to reduce the ash-influencing effect on autohydrolysis
Authors: Tang Wei , Wu Xinxing , Huang Chen , Huang Caoxing , Lai Chenhuan , Yong Qiang 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
The acid buffering capacity of high free ash in waste wheat straw (WWS) has been revealed to be a significant hindrance on the efficiency of autohydrolysis pretreatment. Previous researches have mainly relied on washing to eliminate the influence of ash, and the underlying mechanism of the ash influencing was not extensively investigated. Presently, studies have found that cations can destroy the acid buffering capacity of ash through cation exchange. Herein, different cations were applied to presoak WWS with the aim to overcome the negative effects of ash on autohydrolysis efficiency, further improving its enzymatic digestibility.

Results
Results showed that cations can be adsorbed on the surface of the material by electrostatic adsorption to change the acid buffering capacity of WWS. The acid buffering capacity of 120 mM Fe2+ presoaked WWS is reduced from 226.3 mmol/pH-kg of original WWS to 79.3 mmol/pH-kg. This reduced the autohydrolysis pretreatment medium pH from 5.7 to 3.8 and promoted the removal of xylan from 61.7 to 83.7%. In addition, the enzymatic digestibility of WWS was enhanced from 49.7 to 86.3% by presoaking with 120 mM Fe2+ solution. The relationship between enzymatic accessibility and hydrophobicity with enzymatic digestibility of the autohydrolyzed WWS was analyzed.

Conclusions
The results showed that the acid buffering capacity of the high free ash was detrimental for the autohydrolysis efficiency of WWS. After WWS was presoaked with different cations, the acid buffering capacity of ash was weakened by cation exchange and electrostatic adsorption, which improved the autohydrolysis efficiency. The results expound that the enzymatic digestibility of WWS can be enhanced through presoaking to reduce the ash-influencing effect on autohydrolysis.
Petrophysical properties of the Muschelkalk from the Soultz-sous-Forêts geothermal site (France), an important lithostratigraphic unit for geothermal exploitation in the Upper Rhine Graben
Authors: Heap Michael J. , Kushnir Alexandra R. L. , Gilg H. Albert , Violay Marie E. S. , Harlé Pauline , Baud Patrick 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The Muschelkalk, composed of Triassic limestones, marls, dolomites, and evaporites, forms part of the Permo-Triassic cover of sedimentary rocks that directly overlies the fractured granitic reservoir used for geothermal energy exploitation in the Upper Rhine Graben. Petrophysical data for this lithostratigraphic unit are sparse, but are of value for reservoir prospection, stimulation, and optimisation strategies at existing and prospective geothermal sites throughout the Upper Rhine Graben. To this end, we present here a systematic microstructural, mineralogical, and petrophysical characterisation of the Muschelkalk core (from the Middle to Lower Muschelkalk; from a depth of ~ 930 to ~ 1001 m) from exploration borehole EPS-1 at Soultz-sous-Forêts (France). First, we assessed the microstructure and mineral content of samples from six depths that we consider represent the variability of the available core. The majority of the core is composed of fine-grained, interbedded dolomites and marls; however, anhydrite and a dolomitic sandstone bank were found in the Upper and Lower Muschelkalk core, respectively. A larger suite of samples (from fifteen depths, including the six depths chosen for microstructural and mineral content analysis) were then characterised in terms of their petrophysical properties. The matrix porosity of the measured Muschelkalk samples is low, from ~ 0.01 to ~ 0.1, and their matrix permeability is below the resolution of our permeameter (≪ 10−18 m2). P-wave velocity, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, specific heat capacity per unit volume, Young’s modulus, and uniaxial compressive strength range from 2.60 to 5.37 km/s, 2.42 to 5.72 W/mK, 1.19 to 2.46 mm2/s, 1.63 to 2.46 MJ/m3 K, 9.4 to 39.5 GPa, and 55.1 to 257.6 MPa, respectively. Therefore, and despite the narrow range of porosity, the petrophysical properties of the Muschelkalk are highly variable. We compare these new data with those recently acquired for the Buntsandstein unit (the Permo-Triassic unit immediately below the Muschelkalk) and thus provide an overview of the petrophysical properties of the two sedimentary units that directly overly the fractured granitic reservoir.
Procalcitonin and C-Reactive Protein As Markers of Bacteremia in Patients With Febrile Neutropenia Who Receive Chemotherapy for Acute Leukemia: A Prospective Study From Nepal
Authors: Shilpakar Ramila , Paudel Bishnu Dutta , Neupane Prakash , Shah Aarati , Acharya Bibek , Dulal Soniya , Wood Lori Anne , Shahi Rukmani , Khanal Usha , Poudyal Bishesh Sharma 
Published: September 2019

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of the biomarkers procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with febrile neutropenia (FN) undergoing chemotherapy for acute leukemia. METHODS We conducted a prospective, observational study in patients who developed FN while undergoing chemotherapy for acute leukemia. PCT and CRP were obtained in patients who presented with FN. Blood cultures also were obtained. The primary goals were to evaluate the ability of PCT and CRP to predict bacteremia in patients with FN. The secondary goals were to assess the prognostic role of PCT and CRP and to assess the microbiologic profile and culture sensitivity patterns in the study population. RESULTS A total of 124 episodes of FN that involved 67 patients with acute leukemia occurred in the study. PCT was superior to CRP in the prediction of bacteremia. The median PCT level in the bacteremia group was 3.25 ng/mL compared with 0.51 ng/mL in the group without bacteremia ( P < .01). The median values of CRP in the bacteremia and without-bacteremia groups were 119.3 mg/L and 94.5 mg/L, respectively ( P = .07). There were no differences in median PCT and CRP in patients who died and those who improved. Of the 42 positive cultures, Gram-negative bacteremia was common (86%), and Escherichia coli was the most frequent organism isolated. Carbapenem resistance was seen in 39% of positive cultures. CONCLUSION PCT is an effective biomarker to predict bacteremia in patients with FN undergoing chemotherapy for acute leukemia.