bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Screening for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements in non‐small‐cell lung cancer in New Zealand
Authors: McKeage Mark J. , Tin Tin Sandar , Khwaounjoo Prashannata , Sheath Karen , Dixon‐McIver Amanda , Ng Daniel , Sullivan Richard , Cameron Laird , Shepherd Philip , Laking George R. , Kingston Nicola , Strauss Magreet , Lewis Christopher , Elwood Mark , Love Donald R. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundLung cancer is a major cause of death in New Zealand. In recent years, targeted therapies have improved outcomes.AimTo determine the uptake of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) testing, and the prevalence, demographic profile and outcomes of ALK‐positive non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in New Zealand, where no national ALK‐testing guidelines or subsidised ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapies are available.MethodsA population‐based observational study reviewed databases to identify patients presenting with non‐squamous NSCLC over 6.5 years in northern New Zealand. We report the proportion tested for ALK gene rearrangements and the results. NSCLC samples tested by fluorescence in situ hybridisation were retested by next generation sequencing and ALK immunohistochemistry. A survival analysis compared ALK‐positive patients treated or not treated with ALK TKI therapy.ResultsFrom a total of 3130 patients diagnosed with non‐squamous NSCLC, 407 (13%) were tested for ALK gene rearrangements, and patient selection was variable and inequitable. Among those tested, 34 (8.4%) had ALK‐positive NSCLC. ALK‐positive disease was more prevalent in younger versus older patients, non‐smokers versus smokers and in Māori, Pacific or Asian ethnic groups than in New Zealand Europeans. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation, ALK immunohistochemistry and next generation sequencing showed broad concordance for detecting ALK–positive disease under local testing conditions. Among patients with ALK‐positive metastatic NSCLC, those treated with ALK TKI survived markedly longer than those not treated with ALK TKI (median overall survival 5.12 vs 0.55 years).ConclusionLung cancer outcomes in New Zealand may be improved by providing national guidelines and funding policy for ALK testing and access to subsidised ALK TKI therapy.
How important are spillovers from major emerging markets?
Authors: Huidrom Raju , Ayhan Kose M. , Matsuoka Hideaki , Ohnsorge Franziska L. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe seven largest emerging market economies—China, India, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Indonesia, and Turkey—constituted more than one‐quarter of global output and more than half of global output growth during 2010–2015. These emerging markets, which we call EM7, are also closely integrated with other countries, especially with other emerging and frontier markets (FMs). Given their size and integration, growth in EM7 could have significant cross‐border spillovers. We provide empirical estimates of these spillovers using a Bayesian vector autoregression model. We report three main results. First, spillovers from EM7 are sizeable: a 1 percentage point increase in EM7 growth is associated with an 0.9 percentage point increase in growth in other emerging and FMs and a 0.6 percentage point increase in world growth at the end of 3 years. Second, sizeable as they are, spillovers from EM7 are still smaller than those from G7 countries (group of seven of advanced economies). Specifically, growth in other emerging and FMs, and the global economy would increase by one‐half to three times more due to a similarly sized increase in G7 growth. Third, among the EM7, spillovers from China are the largest and permeate globally.
Review of the management of the Asian elephant Elephas maximus EEP: current challenges and future solutions
Authors: Schmidt H. , Kappelhof J. 
Published: July 2019

This article reviews the current situation in the Asian Elephant Elephas maximus European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Ex situ Programme (EEP). In recent years, developments in husbandry and gained knowledge about the reproductive biology of Asian elephants have contributed to increased breeding success and resulted in a mean of 15 births per year in the last 5 years. At the time of writing, the Asian elephant EEP population contains 307 individuals: 90.217 (♂♂.♀♀). Based on the life table for 1998–2018, most demographic parameters show healthy numbers [e.g. lambda (λ) = 1·025], while the population has retained 98·44% of the gene diversity. However, this EEP is also facing multiple challenges, such as the presence of subspecies, transport barriers between some EEP participants and the societal debate about the purpose of zoos. The growing number of male elephants in the EEP population appears to be the most immediate challenge. In the short term, the authors suggest that females could be managed to conceive for the first time at 8 years of age and adhere to an interbirth interval of 7 years. This would be an attempt to decrease the reproductive rate without compromising the future reproductive potential of the population. The authors also prescribe improving facilities for elephants to allow zoos to utilize a fission–fusion housing strategy, making it possible to house the increasing number of males appropriately over the longer term.
Genetic parameters estimation in an Italian horse native breed to support the conversion from agricultural uses to riding purposes
Authors: Ablondi Michela , Summer Andrea , Vasini Matteo , Simoni Marica , Sabbioni Alberto 
Published: July 2019

AbstractHorses are nowadays mainly used for sport and leisure purposes, and several local breeds, traditionally used in agriculture, are exposed to the risk of extinction. The long‐term survival of local horse breeds depends on strategies to both monitor their genetic diversity and to find their sustainable role in the equine market. Thus, several local horse breeds need to adapt their breeding objective to allow a modernization process. The Bardigiano is an example of such horse breeds; we, therefore, studied the existing evaluation protocol from a genetic standpoint to assess the protocol's suitability to convert the Bardigiano from an agricultural to a riding horse. To this end, we estimated genetic parameters for four conformation measurements, ten grading traits and 23 linear traits. For conformation measurements, the heritabilities ranged from 0.31 for cannon bone circumference to 0.63 for height at withers. For conformation and attitude grading traits, the highest heritability (0.34) was estimated for development and the lowest (0.09) for gaits. The heritabilities for linear traits ranged from 0.05 for the leg straightness to 0.32 for the coat colour. Genetic correlations between linear traits and corresponding grading traits varied considerably, ranging from −0.42 to 0.98. This study showed that the current evaluation protocol in the Bardigiano horse is appropriate for genetic evaluation. Genetic parameters estimation can, in turn, be used to develop novel breeding values to help this conversion. Our study paves the way to optimize the Bardigiano horse breeding programme, and it may help several other local horse breeds experiencing similar issues.
Macroecology in the age of Big Data – Where to go from here?
Authors: Wüest Rafael O. , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Zurell Damaris , Alexander Jake M. , Fritz Susanne A. , Hof Christian , Kreft Holger , Normand Signe , Cabral Juliano Sarmento , Szekely Eniko , Thuiller Wilfried , Wikelski Martin , Karger Dirk Nikolaus 
Published: July 2019

AbstractRecent years have seen an exponential increase in the amount of data available in all sciences and application domains. Macroecology is part of this “Big Data” trend, with a strong rise in the volume of data that we are using for our research. Here, we summarize the most recent developments in macroecology in the age of Big Data that were presented at the 2018 annual meeting of the Specialist Group Macroecology of the Ecological Society of Germany, Austria and Switzerland (GfÖ). Supported by computational advances, macroecology has been a rapidly developing field over recent years. Our meeting highlighted important avenues for further progress in terms of standardized data collection, data integration, method development and process integration. In particular, we focus on (a) important data gaps and new initiatives to close them, for example through space‐ and airborne sensors, (b) how various data sources and types can be integrated, (c) how uncertainty can be assessed in data‐driven analyses and (d) how Big Data and machine learning approaches have opened new ways of investigating processes rather than simply describing patterns. We discuss how Big Data opens up new opportunities, but also poses new challenges to macroecological research. In the future, it will be essential to carefully assess data quality, the reproducibility of data compilation and analytical methods, and the communication of uncertainties. Major progress in the field will depend on the definition of data standards and workflows for macroecology, such that scientific quality and integrity are guaranteed, and collaboration in research projects is made easier.
The patterns and possible causes of global geographical variation in the body size of the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum)
Authors: Jiang Tinglei , Wang Jing , Wu Hui , Csorba Gabor , Puechmaille Sébastien J. , Benda Petr , Boireau Josselin , Toffoli Roberto , Courtois Jean‐Yves , Nyssen Pierrette , Colombo Raphael , Feng Jiang 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAimGeographical variations in endotherm body size (e.g. Bergmann's rule/James's rule and Allen's rule) have long been tested. However, the patterns and causes of geographical variation in body size within bat species, especially within widespread hibernating species, are little known. Here, we evaluated the possible causes of geographical size variation patterns in the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), a bat species widely distributed across the Palearctic.LocationPalearctic.MethodsWe collected body size data (body mass and forearm length) from 1,172 adult bats via direct measurements or from the literature. We used high‐resolution environmental data for the sampled sites. We applied multiple linear regressions and an information‐theoretic approach on separate female and male datasets to estimate the support for various hypotheses.ResultsTemperature and latitude failed to predict body mass in both females and males. The best model showed that populations with longer forearms in both sexes were associated with higher mean temperatures (in the warmest quarter) and lower mean temperatures (in the coldest quarter). The independent contribution of these temperature parameters to forearm length in both sexes was higher than that of all other variables.Main conclusionThe observed relationship between temperature and body mass was not consistent with James's rule, and thus failed to support the heat conservation hypothesis. Our results are consistent with the predictions of Allen's rule and indicated that direct heat dissipation from the wing may be the most likely mechanism underlying geographical variation in forearm length. We suggest that the evaluation of the relative importance of multiple causal mechanisms may improve our understanding of patterns of geographical variation in endotherms.
Long term performance and safety of His bundle pacing: A multicenter experience
Authors: Zanon Francesco , Abdelrahman Mohamed , Marcantoni Lina , Naperkowski Angela , Subzposh Faiz A , Pastore Gianni , Baracca Enrico , Boaretto Graziano , Raffagnato Paola , Tiribello Antonella , Dandamudi Gopi , Vijayaraman Pugazhendhi 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIntroductionSeveral single‐center short‐term studies have demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and positive clinical outcomes of permanent His bundle pacing (HBP). We performed a retrospective study to evaluate long‐term technical and safety performances of HBP in a large population of pacemaker patients from two different centers.Methods and ResultsThe analysis includes 844 patients (345 female, mean age = 75 ± 9 years) who underwent successful permanent HBP for pacemaker indications from 2004 to 2016. The main endpoints were long term electrical performances including pacing threshold, sensing, impedance, and freedom from pacing related complications. The pacing indication was AV Block in 348 (41.2%) patients, sinus node disease in 147 (17.4%), any bradycardia indication in patients with atrial fibrillation in 335 (39.7%) patients and need for cardiac resynchronization therapy in 14 (1.7%) patients. Mean pacing capture thresholds and sensed R waves were 1.6 V and 5.8 mV, respectively at implant and 2.0 V and 6.1 mV at chronic follow‐up. During the median follow up of 3 years (interquartile range = 1‐6 years), HBP was free of any complication in 91.6% of patients. In the first 368 patients, HBP was achieved using a deflectable curve delivery system, while in 476 using the fixed curve sheath. A significant difference was found in the thresholds (2.4 ± 1.0 V and 1.7 ± 1.1 V, P < .001, respectively) and complications (11.9% and 4.2%, P < .001, respectively) between the two groups.ConclusionsPermanent HBP was safe and effective during long‐term follow‐up. The fixed curved delivery sheath offered significantly better electrical parameters and reliability over time. The results of this multicenter study are consistent with recent studies.
Consequences of chronic frequent premature atrial contractions: Association with cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac structural changes
Authors: Gunda Sampath , Akyeampong Daniel , Gomez‐Arroyo Jose , Jovin Daniel G. , Kowlgi Narayan G. , Kaszala Karoly , Tan Alex Y. , Koneru Jayanthi N. , Kron Jordana , Ellenbogen Kenneth A. , Huizar Jose F. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIntroductionFrequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) can cause cardiomyopathy (CM). Postextrasystolic potentiation (PESP) and irregularity have been in implicated as triggers of PVC‐CM. Because both phenomena can also be found in premature atrial contractions (PACs), it is speculated that frequent PACs have similar consequences.Methods and resultsA single‐center, retrospective study included all consecutive patients undergoing a 14‐day Holter monitors (November 2014 to October 2016). Patients were divided into four groups by ectopy burden group 1 (<1%) and remaining by tertiles (group 2‐4). Echocardiographic and arrhythmic data were compared between PAC and PVC burdens. In addition, a translational PAC animal model was used to assess the chronic effects of frequent PACs. A total 846 patients were reviewed. In contrast to PVCs, we found no difference in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), end‐systolic and end‐diastolic dimensions and presence of CM (LVEF <50%) between different PAC groups. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that only PVC burden predicted low EF (odds ratio, 1.1; confidence interval, 1.03‐1.13; P = .001). While there was a weak correlation between PAC burden and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) episodes and atrial fibrillation (AF) burden (r = 0.19; P < .001), there was no correlation between PAC burden and LVEF or CM. Finally, atrial bigeminy in our animal model did not significantly decrease LVEF after 3 months.ConclusionPAC burden is associated with increased AF and SVT episodes. In contrast to a high PVC burden, a high PAC burden is not associated with CM. Our findings suggest that heart rate irregularity and/or PESP may play a minimal role in the pathophysiology of PVC‐CM.
Association between prolonged P wave duration and left atrial scarring in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Chen Qiong , Mohanty Sanghamitra , Trivedi Chintan , Gianni Carola , Della Rocca Domenico G. , Canpolat Ugur , Burkhardt John David , Sanchez Javier E. , Hranitzky Patrick , Gallinghouse Gerald Joseph , Al‐Ahmad Amin , Horton Rodney , Di Biase Luigi , Natale Andrea 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundWe evaluated the association of P wave duration (PWD) with left atrial scar (LAS) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).MethodsConsecutive patients with PAF undergoing their first catheter ablation were screened and only those in sinus rhythm at baseline were included in the analysis. A standard 12‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was performed in all and three‐dimensional voltage mapping of the left atrium was generated for identification of low‐voltage areas (≤0.2 mV) before the procedure.ResultsIn total, 411 patients with PAF were included in this study of which 181 had LASs (scar group), while 230 had no scar (nonscar group). In the scar group, patients were older (65.5 ± 8.8 vs 59.7 ± 11.7 years; P < .001), the proportion of female was higher (47.5% vs 37.4%; P = .04) and left atrial (LA) diameter (4.1 ± 0.6 vs 3.9 ± 0.6 cm; P < .001) was larger compared with the nonscar group. There was no significant difference in terms of hypertension, sleep apnea, and diabetes between the two groups. When comparing ECG characteristics between the two groups, PWD was significantly longer in the scar group (122.9 ± 18.5 and 116.9 ± 28.0 ms; P = .01). A multivariate analysis was performed, after adjustment of age, sex, LA diameter, PWD ≥ 120 ms was found to be an independent predictor of LA scarring (OR: 1.69, p‐value: 0.02).ConclusionIn the current series, prolonged PWD was found to be independently associated with LA scarring in PAF, even after adjustment for age, sex, and LA diameter.
Sex‐specific efficacy and safety of cryoballoon versus radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: du Fay de Lavallaz Jeanne , Clerc Olivier , Pudenz Christiane , Illigens Ben , Kühne Michael 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackground: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a growing healthcare burden, for which pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using cryoballoon (CB) or radiofrequency (RF) represent attractive therapies. Women are at higher risk of recurrence after AF ablation and present a specific complications profile. Therefore, a systematic catheter‐specific assessment of pulmonary vein isolation is urgently needed in women.Objective: Systematically assessing the sex‐specific efficacy/safety of CB vs RF ablation.Methods: We performed a structured database search of the scientific literature for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational prospective studies (OPS) comparing CB and RF ablation efficacy at 1 year. We investigated the reporting of sex‐specific analyses and assessed the comparative sex‐specific efficacy, safety and procedural characteristics of CB vs RF using random‐effect meta‐regression accounting for the proportion of enrolled women.Results: Twenty‐three studies were included (18 OPS and 5 RCTs) for a total of 13 509 patients. Sex‐specific outcomes by ablation device were reported in two and sex‐specific regression in four studies, none of which took the ablation device into account. Meta‐regression accounting for the proportion of enrolled women showed no significant difference in outcomes between RF or CB.Conclusion: The sex‐specific reporting in trials comparing CB to RF is extremely low. A quantitative meta‐regression using the percentage of enrolled women as sex‐specific indicator did not show any difference between CB and RF but acknowledging the low percentage of enrolled women and the lack of sex‐specific data, further research including patient‐level data is urgently needed to draw more definitive conclusions.
Long non‐coding RNA H19 is responsible for the progression of lung adenocarcinoma by mediating methylation‐dependent repression of CDH1 promoter
Authors: Gao Li‐Ming , Xu Shu‐Feng , Zheng Yue , Wang Ping , Zhang Ling , Shi Shan‐Shan , Wu Tong , Li Yang , Zhao Jing , Tian Qi , Yin Xiao‐Bo , Zheng Lei 
Published: July 2019

AbstractLung adenocarcinoma is a common histologic type of lung cancer with a high death rate globally. Increasing evidence shows that long non‐coding RNA H19 (lncRNA H19) and CDH1 methylation are involved in multiple tumours. Here, we tried to investigate whether lncRNA H19 or CDH1 methylation could affect the development of lung adenocarcinoma. First, lung adenocarcinoma tissues were collected to detect CDH1 methylation. Then, the regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA H19 were detected mainly in concert with the treatment of overexpression of lncRNA H19, siRNA against lncRNA H19, overexpression of CDH1 and demethylating agent A‐5az in lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell. The expression of lncRNA H19 and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐related factors as well as cell proliferation, sphere‐forming ability, apoptosis, migration and invasion were detected. Finally, we observed xenograft tumour in nude mice so as to ascertain tumorigenicity of lung adenocarcinoma cells. LncRNA H19 and methylation of CDH1 were highly expressed in lung adenocarcinoma tissues. A549 cells with silencing of lncRNA H19, overexpression of CDH1 or reduced CDH1 methylation by demethylating agent 5‐Az had suppressed cell proliferation, sphere‐forming ability, apoptosis, migration and invasion, in addition to inhibited EMT process. Silencing lncRNA H19 could reduce methylation level of CDH1. In vivo, A549 cells with silencing lncRNA H19, overexpression of CDH1 or reduced CDH1 methylation exhibited low tumorigenicity, reflected by the smaller tumour size and lighter tumour weight. Taken together, this study demonstrates that silencing of lncRNA H19 inhibits EMT and proliferation while promoting apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cells by inhibiting methylation of CDH1 promoter.
Addition of antibacterial agent effect on color stability of composites after immersion of different beverages
Authors: Tuncdemir Makbule T. , Gulbahce Nilgun 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of antibacterial agents to composites on color changes after immersion of these composites in different beverages.Materials and MethodsComposite resins containing antibacterial agents (bioactive glass [BAG] and nano‐zinc silicium [NZS]) and a control group (no agent) were produced. The treatment groups were as follows: control, BAG, NZS, and BAG + NZS. Forty‐eight disc‐shaped specimens (8 mm in diameter and 2‐mm thick) were prepared, with 12 specimens in each group. Color measurements were measured before and after immersion of the specimens in staining solutions (tea, coffee, and water) for 1, 7, and 30 days. The color measurements were repeated, and changes were calculated using the CIEDE2000 (ΔE00) formula.ResultsColor differences were analyzed using a two‐way analysis of variance and Tukey's tests. Significant differences were observed among the composite groups and solutions after all days in all the groups (P < .05).ConclusionsThe addition of the antibacterial agents did not reduce color changes. Color changes of the specimens immersed in coffee were greater than those of the specimens immersed in the other beverages, with the highest color change observed in the BAG groups.Clinical SignificanceThe results provide information on the color stability of composite resins containing BAG and NZS and the staining potential of drinks commonly consumed in daily life. In terms of esthetic dentistry, BAG and NZS containing composites should be used in the posterior region, where there is a high risk of caries due to coloration.