bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term quality of life in octogenarians and nonagenarians with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation following WATCHMAN™ device implantation
Authors: Ramos Tuarez Fergie J. , Pino Jesus E. , Alrifai Abdulah , Kabach Mohamad , Donath Elie , Saona Jorge , Chavez Julio Grajeda , Diaz Ximena Torres , Jimenez Marcelo , Chait Robert 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the impact of WATCHMAN™ on quality of life (QoL) in octogenarians and nonagenarians.BackgroundQoL after WATCHMAN™ device in the elderly remains unknown.MethodsThis is a prospective and retrospective cohort study of patients that underwent WATCHMAN™ implantation in a tertiary cardiovascular center from April 1, 2015 to September 27, 2017. The primary outcome was a prospective assessment of QoL via the SF‐12v2 Health Survey (SF‐12v2) in those aged ≥80 and ≥90 years. Secondary outcomes include major bleeding, stroke, vascular complications, pericardial effusion, device related thrombus (DRT), prolonged length of stay (LOS), acute kidney injury (AKI), and recurrent hospitalizations.ResultsThis cohort of 151 patients included 48/151 (32%) females with a mean age of 80 ± 7.7 years. Mean CHA2DS2‐VASc was 4.38 ± 1.36 and mean HAS‐BLED was 3.27 ± 1.17. Octogenarians 65/81(80%) and nonagenarians 16/81(20%) comprised 81/151(54%) of patients (mean age 86 ± 4.3 years) from which 36/65 (55%) octogenarians and 10/16 (63%) nonagenarians completed SF‐12v2 evaluation at 22 ± 10 and 30 ± 10‐months. Octogenarians demonstrated enhanced physical component scores (PCS), and nonagenarians equal PCS versus the age‐adjusted norm (45.43 ± 9.84 versus 38.68 ± 11.04, P = 0.0003, and 41.26 ± 12.36 versus 38.68 ± 11.04, P = 0.6463, respectively). The mental component scores (MCS) of octogenarians and nonagenarians remained comparable (51.80 ± 9.56 and 48.97 ± 9.92 versus 50.06 ± 10.94, respectively, P = 0.4659). No stroke, vascular complications, pericardial effusions, or readmissions related to WATCHMAN™ occurred. No difference among patients <80, ≥80, and ≥90 years was found in major bleeding events, DRT, prolonged LOS, or AKI (P = 0.0569, 0.116, 0.498, and 0.795, respectively).ConclusionsOctogenarians and nonagenarians experience favorable long‐term QoL after WATCHMAN™, with acceptable bleeding risk and low incidence of procedure‐related complications.
Metal‐Ion Tuning in Triple‐Stranded Helicate‐Based Metallosupramolecules
Authors: Thi Le Van Cam , Mai Hien Duy , Kang Philjae , Yoo Hyojong 
Published: December 2018

AbstractEffective incorporation of multiple types of ligands in a given coordination structure provides structural complexity and functional diversity to the resultant coordination‐driven assembly. One of the most widely used synthetic approaches is the utilization of the molecular symmetry principle to combine multiple ligands and specific metallic centers in a preferred manner. The variation of metal ions can be helpful to understand the importance of symmetry for the generation of structurally hierarchical supramolecular platforms. We describe the synthesis and characterization of isostructural supramolecular helicates, [M8(PDA)6(AIP)3(DMF)6−x(H2O)x] (M=Ni (1), Co (2), and Mn (3); PDA=2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylate; AIP=5‐aminoisophthalate; x=0 for 1, and x=4 for 2 and 3). The effect of metal variation on the formation of supramolecular helicates and their solid‐state crystal packing are discussed. Despite the disparity in the ionic radii and distinct coordination‐geometry preferences of Co2+, Ni2+, and Mn2+, all metal centers engaged in the assembly with the heteroleptic ligands in the same manner to form isostructural supramolecular helicates.
MnO/N‐Doped Mesoporous Carbon as Advanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalyst for Zinc–Air Batteries
Authors: Ding Jieting , Ji Shan , Wang Hui , Brett Dan J. L. , Pollet Bruno G. , Wang Rongfang 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe development of alternative electrocatalysts exhibiting high activity in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is vital for the deployment of large‐scale clean energy devices, such as fuel cells and zinc–air batteries. N‐doped carbon materials offer a promising platform for the design and synthesis of electrocatalysts due to their high ORR activity, high surface area, and tunable porosity. In this study, materials in which MnO nanoparticles are entrapped in N‐doped mesoporous carbon (MnO/NC) were developed as electrocatalysts for the ORR, and their performances were evaluated in zinc–air batteries. The obtained carbon materials had large surface area and high electrocatalytic activity toward the ORR. The carbon compounds were fabricated by using NaCl as template in a one‐pot process, which significantly simplifies the procedure for preparing mesoporous carbon materials and in turn reduces the total cost. A primary zinc–air battery based on this material exhibits an open‐circuit voltage of 1.49 V, which is higher than that of conventional zinc–air batteries with Pt/C (Pt/C cell) as ORR catalyst (1.41 V). The assembled zinc–air battery delivered a peak power density of 168 mW cm−2 at a current density of about 200 mA cm−2, which is higher than that of an equivalent Pt/C cell (151 mW cm−2 at a current density of ca. 200 mA cm−2). The electrocatalytic data revealed that MnO/NC is a promising nonprecious‐metal ORR catalyst for practical applications in metal–air batteries.
Effects of lignite dewatering treatment on the surface behaviour and NO emission characteristics during the combustion process
Authors: Zhao Yaying , Zhao Guangbo , Sun Rui , Wang Zhuozhi , Liu Hui 
Published: December 2018

AbstractHailaer lignite (HLE) with a uniform particle size distribution (3–6 mm) was employed to investigate the parameters of the low‐temperature dewatering process influencing the emission of gaseous pollutants (NOx) during their combustion process. The combustion of HLE original/dried samples obtained from a COMBDry drying system were carried out in a fixed bed horizontal furnace under an air atmosphere at the reaction temperature of 1100 °C. The dewatering treatment led to the enhancement of the relative amount of the volatile and fixed carbon content in the upgraded coal sample. The deconvolution of the Raman spectra of each sample showed that the increased degree of drying led to an enhancement of the defects in aromatic structures, indicating an enhancement in the number of active sites or oxygen‐containing complexes on particle surface. The devolatilization and combustion experimental results showed the following: (1) with the increase in the degree of drying, more HCN and NH3 were released during the devolatilization process, and both HCN and NH3 molecules had positive effects on the consumption of NO under high temperature conditions; (2) due to the enhancement of the specific surface area and total amount of surface active sites (Cf) after the drying treatment, the combustion and reduction reactivity of the dried HLE samples increased significantly; and (3) the conversion ratio of fuel‐N to NO during the combustion process decreased significantly with the increase of the degree of dewatering. Therefore, it could be concluded that the removal of moisture content in lignite particles in advance had positive effects on lignite high efficiency combustion with low NO emission.
Relation of left atrial appendage closure devices to topographic neighboring structures using standardized imaging by cardiac computed tomography angiography
Authors: Lindner Simon , Behnes Michael , Wenke Annika , Sartorius Benjamin , Dieker Wulf , Ansari Uzair , Akin Muharrem , Bertsch Thomas , Mashayekhi Kambis , Vogler Nils , Haubenreisser Holger , Schoenberg Stefan O. , Borggrefe Martin , Akin Ibrahim 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundAlthough left atrial appendage (LAA) anatomy and topographic relations are well understood, little is known about the impairment of neighboring structures (NBS) by an implanted left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device. This prospective longitudinal observational study for the first time describes distances of implanted LAA closure (LAAC) devices to NBS using a standardized imaging protocol of cardiac computed tomography angiography (cCTA).HypothesiscCTA imaging is an eligible tool for post‐implantation evaluation of LAAC devices and their relation to neighboring structures.MethodscCTA data sets of consecutive patients 6 months after successful LAAC were acquired on a third generation dual‐source CT system and reconstructed with a slice thickness of 0.5 mm. The standardized multi‐planar reconstruction LAA occluder view for post‐implantation evaluation (LOVE) algorithm was used to measure the distances to NBS in relation to LAA morphology and implanted LAAC devices.ResultsA total of 48 patients (median age 80 years, 25% female) were included. Left upper pulmonary vein and circumflex artery were generally closest to occlusion devices (median 2.9 and 2.8 mm, respectively). AMPLATZER AMULET devices were closer to the mitral valve annulus than WATCHMAN devices (6.6 mm (inter quartile range [IQR] 4.9‐8.6) vs 10.9 mm (IQR 7.4‐14.0), P = 0.001). Distances to the left upper pulmonary vein were affected by LAA morphology, with cauliflower type having the closest proximity (1.7 mm [IQR 1.0‐3.4], P = 0.048).ConclusionA standardized cCTA imaging protocol is an eligible tool to accurately measure distances to NBS. Left upper pulmonary vein and circumflex artery are closest to LAAC devices and could thus be most prone to impairment.
Myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia after receipt of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factors in older patients with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Calip Gregory S. , Moran Kellyn M. , Sweiss Karen I. , Patel Pritesh R. , Wu Zhaoju , Adimadhyam Sruthi , Lee Todd A. , Ko Naomi Y. , Quigley John G. , Chiu Brian C.‐H. 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundGranulocyte colony‐stimulating factors (G‐CSFs), which are used for the prevention of complications from chemotherapy‐related neutropenia, are linked to the risk of developing second primary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between using a specific G‐CSF agent and the risk of MDS/AML among older patients with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of adults aged >65 years who were diagnosed with first primary NHL between 2001 and 2011. With data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare–linked database, adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for the risk of MDS/AML associated with the receipt of G‐CSF(filgrastim and pegfilgrastim) in Cox proportional‐hazards models, which were stratified according to treatment accounting for confounding by indication.ResultsAmong 18,245 patients with NHL patients who had a median follow‐up of 3.5 years, 56% received chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy, and G‐CSF was most commonly used in those who received rituximab plus multiple chemotherapy regimens (77%). Subsequent MDS/AML diagnoses were identified in 666 patients (3.7%). A modest increased risk of MDS/AML was observed with the receipt of G‐CSF (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.01‐1.62) and a trend was observed with increasing doses (Ptrend < .01). When specific agents were analyzed, an increased risk of MDS/AML was consistently observed with filgrastim (≥10 doses: HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.25‐2.23), but not with pegfilgrastim (≥10 + doses: HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.84‐1.45).ConclusionsA higher of MDS/AML was observed in patients with NHL risk among those who received G‐CSF that was specific to the use of filgrastim (≥10 doses), but not pegfilgrastim. Neutropenia prophylaxis is an essential component of highly effective NHL treatment regimens. The differential risk related to the types of G‐CSF agents used warrants further study given their increasing use and newly available, US Food and Drug Administration–approved, biosimilar products.
Generation of Pancreatic Ductal Organoids and Whole‐Mount Immunostaining of Intact Organoids
Authors: Rezanejad Habib , Lock Jennifer Hollister , Sullivan Brooke A , Bonner‐Weir Susan 
Published: December 2018

AbstractTraditionally, studies of cells and tissues have been performed on isolated primary cells or immortalized cell lines by culturing them in 2D culture dishes or flasks. However, a caveat regarding 2D culture is that the cells poorly recapitulate their in vivo counterparts, mainly due to a lack of 3D cell‐cell and cell–extracellular matrix interactions. In recent years, the development of in vitro organoids as 3D culture has gained substantial attention as a model to study different tissues. In adults, pancreatic ductal cells are considered as a source of stem or progenitor cells, so developing new methods to study ductal cells would be useful. Here, we provide a protocol to isolate mouse pancreatic ductal cells and a cost‐effective protocol to generate 3D organoid structures from such ductal cells. Additionally, we have devised a protocol for immunostaining of intact whole organoids without sectioning. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Combinatorial Utilization of Murine Embryonic Stem Cells and In Vivo Models to Study Human Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Zakariyah Abeer , Rajgara Rashida , Shelton Michael , Blais Alexandre , Skerjanc Ilona S. , Burgon Patrick G. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractWe have established an in vitro model of the human congenital heart defect (CHD)–associated mutation NKX2.5 R141C. We describe the use of the hanging drop method to differentiate Nkx2.5R141C/+ murine embryonic stem cells (mESCs) along with Nkx2.5+/+ control cells. This method allows us to recapitulate the early stages of embryonic heart development in tissue culture. We also use qRT‐PCR and immunofluorescence to examine samples at different time points during differentiation to validate our data. The in vivo model is a mouse line with a knock‐in of the same mutation. We describe the isolation of RNA from embryonic day 8.5 (E8.5) embryos and E9.5 hearts of wild‐type and mutant mice. We found that the in vitro model shows reduced cardiomyogenesis, similar to Nkx2.5R141C/+ embryos at E8.5, indicating a transient loss of cardiomyogenesis at this time point. These results suggest that our in vitro model can be used to study very early changes in heart development that cause CHD. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Monte Carlo simulation of microparticle motion in vacuum gap
Authors: Ejiri Haruki , Kumada Akiko , Hidaka Kunihiko , Donen Taiki , Kokura Kentaro 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBreakdown voltages of vacuum gaps become lower when the gaps are contaminated by metallic and ceramic microparticles. In this paper, the motion of the microparticles in the gap is simulated using Monte Carlo method in order to evaluate the effect of parameters upon motion and the removal time of the microparticles. As the parameters, we focused on the material of the microparticle, the frequency, the peak value of the applied voltage, the gap length, and the diameter of the lower and upper electrodes. It turned out that the maximum time needed to remove all microparticles could be expressed as multiple regression function. It is suggested that the reliability of the microparticle removal can be increased by spark conditioning with opening/closing operation.
Phenoxy‐Alkyl Maleates as Phase‐Selective Organogelators for Gelation of Edible Oils
Authors: Kumar Bijari A. , Nayak Rati R. 
Published: December 2018

Phase selective gelation may solve environmental problems such as water pollution and fire accidents during oil storage, a major problem for aquatic bodies. The objective of this work is to synthesize a series of phenoxy‐alkyl maleates (n‐PAM) oleogelators with homologous alkyl chain lengths for efficient phase selective gelation. The n‐PAM molecules are found to form oleogel in various edible oils among which sunflower oil shows best gelation. The gelation behavior increases with an increase in alkyl chain length of the n‐PAM gelators as observed from their low minimum gelation concentration (MGC) values. Oleogels thermal stability is examine through tube inversion method and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The rheological studies suggest that the oleogel of sunflower oil is mechanically stable and show typical viscoelastic properties. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) study of the gels shows sheet‐like morphology. Furthermore, the n‐PAM gelators exhibit quick phase selective gelation of edible oils at low MGC. Both the edible oil and gelator are quantitatively regained from recovered oleogel by employing the vacuum distillation. It is believed that these n‐PAMs could aid in reducing the environmental impacts of oil spills.Practical Applications: The phenoxy‐alkyl maleates gelators present in the MS show gelation ability in various edible oils at low minimum gelation concentration. These molecules also form efficient phase selective gelation with edible oils. Both oil and gelator can be recovered through vacuum distillation and gelator can be reused multiple times. Thus, all these advantages strongly point that out their bright future, in particular in edible oil spill recovery, could aid in reducing the environmental impacts from oil spills.Herein, the synthesized phenoxy alkyl maleate derivatives are reported as separators of edible oil from the oil‐water biphasic mixture. Initially, the gelator is solubilized in the biphasic mixture by heating. Later, gelation ability is observed by tube inversion method. From the phase selective gel, oil and gelator are separated through a distillation method. The recovered gelator can be reused in oil recovery process. This application may find use in oil recovery from waste plant of edible oil industries.
Air inside a dishwasher: Odour characterization and strategy for measuring odour changes
Authors: Ontañón Ignacio , Téllez Juan , Ferreira Vicente , Escudero Ana 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe use of home appliances can cause various problems. In the case of dishwashers, the generation of bad odours is one of the most serious problems for users. Odours inside dishwashers are mainly caused by the presence of food residues. A study using gas chromatography‐olfactometry (GC‐O has been carried out to establish how different food residues produce differences in the odours found in dishwashers. A total of 49 compounds were identified in the 109 odour zones detected. Dimethyl trisulfide and methanethiol/dimethyl sulfide were the most significant compounds in most of the situations studied. Some of these compounds were selected to generate an ‘odorous atmosphere’ that was subjected to chemical and sensory analysis. Treatments for the elimination of odours, designed to alter the odours, were applied to this atmosphere before performing chemical (GC‐MS) and sensory analyses. The sensory analysis was carried out to determine the intensity and hedonic tone of the odorous atmosphere. Differences between treatments were found.
Neuroinflammation in the central nervous system: Symphony of glial cells
Authors: Yang Qiao‐qiao , Zhou Jia‐wei 
Published: December 2018

AbstractNeuroinflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) is an important subject of neuroimmunological research. Emerging evidence suggests that neuroinflammation is a key player in various neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases and CNS injury. Neuroinflammation is a complex and well‐orchestrated process by various groups of glial cells in CNS and peripheral immune cells. The cross‐talks between various groups of glial cells in CNS neuroinflammation is an extremely complex and dynamic process which resembles a well‐orchestrated symphony. However, the understanding of how glial cells interact with each other to shape the distinctive immune responses of the CNS remains limited. In this review, we will discuss the joint actions of glial cells in three phases of neuroinflammation, including initiation, progression, and prognosis, the three movements of the symphony, as the role of each type of glial cells in neuroinflammation depends on the nature of inflammatory cues and specific course of diseases. This perspective of glial cells in neuroinflammation might provide helpful clues to the development of the early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of the various CNS diseases.
Astrocyte‐targeted IL‐10 production decreases proliferation and induces a downregulation of activated microglia/macrophages after PPT
Authors: Recasens Mireia , Shrivastava Kalpana , Almolda Beatriz , González Berta , Castellano Bernardo 
Published: December 2018

AbstractWhen central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis is altered, microglial cells become rapidly activated, proliferate and release a broad range of molecules. Among the plethora of molecules involved in the regulation of microglial activation, cytokines are considered crucial. Although production of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) has been demonstrated after different types of CNS injuries and associated with protective functions, the specific role played by IL‐10 modulating microglial cells remains unclear. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of transgenic astrocyte IL‐10 production on microglial activation associated with axonal anterograde degeneration. To address it, the hippocampal area subjected to perforant pathway transection (PPT) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry and protein microarray in transgenic (GFAP‐IL10Tg) mice and their corresponding wild types (WT) littermates. Our results demonstrated increased microglial/macrophages density in nonlesioned and PPT‐lesioned GFAP‐IL10Tg animals when compared with nonlesioned and lesioned WT, respectively. This increase was not due to proliferation, as GFAP‐IL10Tg mice showed a reduced proliferation of microglial cells, but was related to an increased population of CD11b+/CD45high monocyte/macrophages. Despite this higher number, the microglia/macrophage population in transgenic animals displayed a downregulated phenotype characterized by lower MHCII, ICOSL, and CD11c. Moreover, a sustained T‐cell infiltration was found in transgenic animals. We strongly suggest these modifications must be associated with indirect effects derived from the influence of IL‐10 on astrocytes and/or neurons, which express IL‐10R. We finally suggested that TGF‐β produced by astrocytes, along with IL‐2 and CXCL10 might be crucial molecules mediating the effects of transgenic IL‐10.
miR‐223 promotes regenerative myeloid cell phenotype and function in the demyelinated central nervous system
Authors: Galloway Dylan A. , Blandford Stephanie N. , Berry Tangyne , Williams John B. , Stefanelli Mark , Ploughman Michelle , Moore Craig S. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn the injured central nervous system, myeloid cells, including macrophages and microglia, are key contributors to both myelin injury and repair. This immense plasticity emphasizes the need to further understand the precise molecular mechanisms that contribute to the dynamic regulation of myeloid cell polarization and function. Herein, we demonstrate that miR‐223 is upregulated in multiple sclerosis (MS) patient monocytes and the alternatively‐activated and tissue‐regenerating M2‐polarized human macrophages and microglia. Using miR‐223 knock‐out mice, we observed that miR‐223 is dispensable for maximal pro‐inflammatory responses, but is required for efficient M2‐associated phenotype and function, including phagocytosis. Using the lysolecithin animal model, we further demonstrate that miR‐223 is required to efficiently clear myelin debris and promote remyelination. These results suggest miR‐223 constrains neuroinflammation while also promoting repair, a finding of important pathophysiological relevance to MS as well as other neurodegenerative diseases.