bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pacemaker Implantation Associated Myocardial Micro-Damage: A Randomised Comparison between Active and Passive Fixation Leads
Authors: Blažek Patrick , Ferri-Certić Jerko , Vražić Hrvoje , Lennerz Carsten , Grebmer Christian , Kaitani Kazuaki , Karch Martin , Starčević Boris , Semmler Verena , Kolb Christof 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFixation of the pacemaker leads during pacemaker implantation leads to an increase of cardiac Troponin T (cTnT) that can be interpreted as a sign of minimal myocardial damage. This trial evaluates whether the mechanism type of lead fixation influences the magnitude of cTnT release. Patients having a de-novo cardiac pacemaker implantation or a lead revision were centrally randomized to receive either a ventricular lead with an active (screw) or passive (tine) fixation mechanism. High-sensitive Troponin T (hsTnT) was determined on the day of the procedure beforehand and on the following day. 326 Patients (median age (IQR) 75.0 (69.0–80.0) years, 64% male) from six international centers were randomized to receive ventricular leads with an active (n = 166) or passive (n = 160) fixation mechanism. Median (IQR) hsTnT levels increased by 0.009 (0.004–0.021) ng/ml in the group receiving screw-in ventricular leads and by 0.008 (0.003–0.030) ng/ml in the group receiving tined ventricular leads (n.s.). In conclusion pacemaker implantations are followed by a release of hsTnT. The choice between active or passive fixation ventricular leads does not have a significant influence on the extent of myocardial injury and the magnitude of hsTnT release.
βArrestin2 Mediates Renal Cell Carcinoma Tumor Growth
Authors: Masannat Jude , Purayil Hamsa Thayele , Zhang Yushan , Russin Michelle , Mahmud Iqbal , Kim Wanju , Liao Daiqing , Daaka Yehia 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRenal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most lethal urological cancers worldwide. The disease does not present early clinical symptoms and is commonly diagnosed at an advanced stage. Limited molecular drivers have been identified for RCC, resulting in the lack of effective treatment for patients with progressive disease. Ubiquitous βArrestin2 (βArr2) is well established for its function in the desensitization and trafficking of G protein-coupled receptors. More recently, βArr2 has been implicated in the regulation of fundamental cellular functions, including proliferation and invasion. We used bioinformatic and genetic approaches to determine role of βArr2 in RCC tumor growth. Analysis of published human datasets shows that ARRB2 (gene encoding βArr2) expression is increased in RCC tumor compared to normal tissue and that high levels of ARRB2 correlate with worse patient survival. Experimentally, we show that knockout of ARRB2 decreases rate of RCC cell proliferation and migration in vitro and xenograft tumor growth in animals. Mechanistically, βArr2 regulates c-Src activity, Cyclin A expression and cell cycle progression that are involved in tumor growth. These results show that βArr2 is a critical regulator of RCC tumor growth and suggest its utility as a potential marker and drug target to treat advanced disease.
Investigation of Dietary Factors and Esophageal Cancer Knowledge: Comparison of Rural Residents in High- and Low-incidence Areas
Authors: Tian Dong , Mo Shuai-Jia , Han Lian-Kui , Cheng Liang , Huang Heng , Hao Shuai , Guan Ye-Lan , Jiang Kai-Yuan , Deng Jing-Ya , Feng Hu-Hao , Wen Hong-Ying , Fu Mao-Yong 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTo compare the differences in dietary status and knowledge of esophageal cancer (EC) between residents of high- and low-incidence areas. We investigated dietary conditions and EC knowledge among residents in high- and low-EC incidence areas (Yanting and Qingzhen counties). Residents in Yanting consumed more pickled vegetables, salted meat and barbecued food (P < 0.05). Analysis of the past ten-year trend in Yanting consumed fresh vegetables/fruits, beans, sauerkraut, hot food, and barbecued food had gradually increased, and the trend was less than that in Qingzhen County. However, the gradual increasing trend in consumption of pickled vegetables, pickled meat, and spicy food over the past 10 years was greater (P < 0.05). Drinking water in Yanting County was healthier than that in Qingzhen County (P < 0.05). In terms of EC knowledge, the proportions of residents in Yanting who had a clear understanding, knowledge or had heard of EC or knew the common causes, primary symptoms, therapeutic measures, preventive measures, and government interventions for EC were all higher than in Qingzhen (P < 0.05). Residents in Yanting had greater EC knowledge but more harmful dietary habits than those in Qingzhen.
Obesity-induced Endothelial Dysfunction is Prevented by Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Inhibition
Authors: Wang Hui , Wang Qian , Venugopal Jessica , Wang Jintao , Kleiman Kyle , Guo Chiao , Eitzman Daniel T. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEndothelial dysfunction precedes atherosclerosis and may constitute a critical link between obesity-related inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been shown to promote vascular damage in murine models of autoimmune disease and atherosclerosis. The impact of NETs towards endothelial dysfunction associated with obesity is unknown. Using a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model, this study investigated whether the inhibition or degradation of NETs could reduce the endothelial dysfunction observed in DIO mice. Following induction of DIO, there were elevated plasma concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and impairment of mesenteric arteriolar vasorelaxation in response to acetylcholine as measured by pressure myography. A marker of NET formation, cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP), was markedly increased in mesenteric arterial walls of DIO mice compared to mice on standard chow. Prevention of NET formation with Cl-amidine or dissolution of NETs with DNase restored endothelium-dependent vasodilation to the mesenteric arteries of DIO mice. These findings suggest an instrumental role for NETs in obesity-induced endothelial dysfunction.
Pupil dilation reflects the time course of emotion recognition in human vocalizations
Authors: Oliva Manuel , Anikin Andrey 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe processing of emotional signals usually causes an increase in pupil size, and this effect has been largely attributed to autonomic arousal prompted by the stimuli. Additionally, changes in pupil size were associated with decision making during non-emotional perceptual tasks. Therefore, in this study we investigated the relationship between pupil size fluctuations and the process of emotion recognition. Participants heard human nonverbal vocalizations (e.g., laughing, crying) and indicated the emotional state of the speakers as soon as they had identified it. The results showed that during emotion recognition, the time course of pupil response was driven by the decision-making process. In particular, peak pupil dilation betrayed the time of emotional selection. In addition, pupil response revealed properties of the decisions, such as the perceived emotional valence and the confidence in the assessment. Because pupil dilation (under isoluminance conditions) is almost exclusively promoted by norepinephrine (NE) release from the locus coeruleus (LC), the results suggest an important role of the LC-NE system during emotion processing.
Laparoscopic Organopexy with Non-mesh Genital (LONG) Suspension: A Novel Uterine Preservation Procedure for the Treatment of Apical Prolapse
Authors: Long Cheng-Yu , Wang Chiu-Lin , Ker Chin-Ru , Juan Yung-Shun , Tsai Eing-Mei , Lin Kun-Ling 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTo assess whether our novel uterus-sparing procedure- laparoscopic organopexy with non-mesh genital(LONG) suspension is an effective, safe, and timesaving surgery for the treatment of apical prolapse. Forty consecutive women with main uterine prolapse stage II or greater defined by the POP quantification(POP-Q) staging system were referred for LONG procedures at our hospitals. Clinical evaluations before and 6 months after surgery included pelvic examination, urodynamic study, and a personal interview to evaluate urinary and sexual symptoms with overactive bladder symptom score(OABSS), the short forms of Urogenital Distress Inventory(UDI-6) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire(IIQ-7), and the Female Sexual Function Index(FSFI). After follow-up time of 12 to 30 months, anatomical cure rate was 85%(34/40), and the success rates for apical, anterior, and posterior vaginal prolapse were 95%(38/40), 85%(34/40), and 97.5%(39/40), respectively. Six recurrences of anterior vaginal wall all suffered from significant cystocele (stage3; Ba>+1) preoperatively. The average operative time was 73.1 ± 30.8 minutes. One bladder injury occurred and was recognized during surgery. The dyspareunia domain and total FSFI scores of the twelve sexually-active premenopausal women improved postoperatively in a significant manner (P < 0.05). The results of our study suggest that LONG suspension is an effective and safe uterus-sparing surgery for the treatment of apical prolapse.
Uptake and accumulation of Microcystin-LR based on exposure through drinking water: An animal model assessing the human health risk
Authors: Greer Brett , Meneely Julie P. , Elliott Christopher T. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHarmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in freshwater systems and intensified aquaculture have increased the risk to human health through exposure to cyanotoxins such as microcystin-LR (MC-LR). To understand the uptake and processing of MC-LR in humans, the pig was chosen as an animal model. This was assessed by repeated exposure for 13 weeks of eight animals dosed daily with MC-LR at 0.04 µg/kg bw, repeated with six animals over five weeks at a dose 50 times higher at 2 µg/kg bw. An analytical method was developed for MC-LR in porcine serum and also to analyse levels of free MC-LR in harvested porcine tissues, with Lemieux Oxidation employed to determine bound MC-LR in these tissues. MC-LR was not detected in the serum of treated animals from either experiment but free MC-LR was observed in the large intestine and kidney from two animals from the higher dosed group at levels of 1.4 and 1.9 µg/kg dry weight (dw) respectively. The results indicated 50% of higher dosed animals accumulated bound MC-LR in liver tissue, averaging 26.4 µg, approximately 1.1% of the dose administered. These results point to the potential uptake and accumulation of MC-LR in human liver tissue exposed chronically to sub-acute doses.
Dense Ge nanocrystals embedded in TiO2 with exponentially increased photoconduction by field effect
Authors: Lepadatu A.-M. , Slav A. , Palade C. , Dascalescu I. , Enculescu M. , Iftimie S. , Lazanu S. , Teodorescu V. S. , Ciurea M. L. , Stoica T. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSi and Ge nanocrystals in oxides are of a large interest for photo-effect applications due to the fine-tuning of the optical bandgap by quantum confinement in nanocrystals. In this work, dense Ge nanocrystals suitable for enhanced photoconduction were fabricated from 60% Ge in TiO2 amorphous layers by low temperature rapid thermal annealing at 550 °C. An exponential increase of the photocurrent with the applied voltage was observed in coplanar structure of Ge nanocrystals composite films deposited on oxidized Si wafers. The behaviour was explained by field effect control of the Fermi level at the Ge nanocrystals-TiO2 layer/substrate interfaces. The blue-shift of the absorption gap from bulk Ge value to 1.14 eV was evidenced in both photocurrent spectra and optical reflection-transmission experiments, in good agreement with quantum confinement induced bandgap broadening in Ge nanocrystal with sizes of about 5 nm as found from HRTEM and XRD investigations. A nonmonotonic spectral dependence of the refractive index is associated to the Ge nanocrystals formation. The nanocrystal morphology is also in good agreement with the Coulomb gap hopping mechanism of T–1/2 -type explaining the temperature dependence of the dark conduction.
Comparative whole-genome sequence analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from tuberculous meningitis and pulmonary tuberculosis patients
Authors: Faksri Kiatichai , Xia Eryu , Ong Rick Twee-Hee , Tan Jun Hao , Nonghanphithak Ditthawat , Makhao Nampueng , Thamnongdee Nongnard , Thanormchat Arirat , Phurattanakornkul Arisa , Rattanarangsee Somcharn , Ratanajaraya Chate , Suriyaphol Prapat , Prammananan Therdsak , Teo Yik-Ying , Chaiprasert Angkana 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a severe form of tuberculosis with a high mortality rate. The factors associated with TBM pathogenesis are still unclear. Using comparative whole-genome sequence analysis we compared Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) isolates from cerebrospinal fluid of TBM cases (n = 73) with those from sputum of pulmonary tuberculosis (PulTB) patients (n = 220) from Thailand. The aim of this study was to seek genetic variants of Mtb associated with TBM. Regardless of Mtb lineage, we found 242 variants that were common to all TBM isolates. Among these variants, 28 were missense SNPs occurring mainly in the pks genes (involving polyketide synthesis) and the PE/PPE gene. Six lineage-independent SNPs were commonly found in TBM isolates, two of which were missense SNPs in Rv0532 (PE_PGRS6). Structural variant analysis revealed that PulTB isolates had 14 genomic regions containing 2–3-fold greater read depth, indicating higher copy number variants and half of these genes belonged to the PE/PPE gene family. Phylogenetic analysis revealed only two small clusters of TBM clonal isolates without support from epidemiological data. This study reported genetic variants of Mtb commonly found in TBM patients compared to PulTB patients. Variants associated with TBM disease warrant further investigation.
Twisting phase and intensity of light with plasmonic metasurfaces
Authors: Zhang Yuchao , Yang Xiaodong , Gao Jie 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTwisting light in both phase and intensity has recently drawn great interests in various fields related to light-matter interactions such as optical manipulation of particles and quantum entanglement of photons. Conventionally, bulky optical components are required to produce such twisted optical beams, which significantly limits their applications in integrated photonics and optical chips. Here, we design and demonstrate aluminum plasmonic metasurfaces consisting of nanoslit antennas as ultracompact beam converters to generate the focused twisted beams in both phase and intensity across the visible wavelength range. The metasurface is encoded with the combined phase profile containing the helico-conical phase function together with a Fourier transform lens based on the Pancharatnam-Berry (PB) geometric phase. It is demonstrated that the created twisted beams simultaneously possess three-dimensional (3D) spiral intensity distribution around the propagation axis and complex phase structure containing both the central vortex and the peripheral vortex string. Moreover, the twisted beam exhibits an arithmetic intensity spiral at the focal plane with the maximum photon concentration located at the leading point of the spiral. Our results show the promising potential for advancing metasurface-based integrated devices in many applications of light-matter interactions.
Electrophoretic cytopathology resolves ERBB2 forms with single-cell resolution
Authors: Kang Chi-Chih , Ward Toby M. , Bockhorn Jessica , Schiffman Courtney , Huang Haiyan , Pegram Mark D. , Herr Amy E. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn addition to canonical oncoproteins, truncated isoforms and proteolysis products are implicated in both drug resistance and disease progression. In HER2-positive breast tumors, expression of truncated HER2 isoforms resulting from alternative translation and/or carboxy-terminal fragments (CTFs) resulting from proteolysis (collectively, t-erbB2) have been associated with shortened progression-free survival of patients. Thus, to advance clinical pathology and inform treatment decisions, we developed a high-selectivity cytopathology assay capable of distinguishing t-erbB2 from full-length HER2 expression without the need for isoform-specific antibodies. Our microfluidic, single-cell western blot, employs electrophoretic separations to resolve full-length HER2 from the smaller t-erbB2 in each ~28 pL single-cell lysate. Subsequently, a pan-HER2 antibody detects all resolved HER2 protein forms via immunoprobing. In analysis of eight breast tumor biopsies, we identified two tumors comprised of 15% and 40% t-erbB2-expressing cells. By single-cell western blotting of the t-erbB2-expressing cells, we observed statistically different ratios of t-erbB2 proteins to full-length HER2 expression. Further, target multiplexing and clustering analyses scrutinized signaling, including ribosomal S6, within the t-erbB2-expressing cell subpopulation. Taken together, cytometric assays that report both protein isoform profiles and signaling state offer cancer classification taxonomies with unique relevance to precisely describing drug resistance mechanisms in which oncoprotein isoforms/fragments are implicated.
Hermann Hesse und Dr. Joseph Lang – Metamorphose einer Arzt-Patienten-Beziehung
Authors: Holzbach Ernst 
Published: March 2018

ZusammenfassungHermann Hesse unterzog sich einer Psychoanalyse bei dem C. G. Jung-Schüler Joseph Lang, die sich über Jahre hinzog. Nach Schilderung der äußeren Umstände und Entwicklungen wird an Hand des regen Briefwechsels von Dichter und Therapeut nachverfolgt, wie die Arzt-Patienten-Beziehung einer Wandlung unterworfen ist, wie aus gegenseitiger Bewunderung Freundschaft entsteht, aus dem gemeinsamen Leiden an sich und der Welt Seelenverwandtschaft entdeckt wird und wie sich die Beziehung umkehrt, als dann eher Hesse therapeutische Funktion für seinen Arzt übernehmen muss.
Balintarbeit bei den Wartburggespräche
Authors: Petzold E. , Schüffel W. 
Published: March 2018

ZusammenfassungWartburggespräche, Balintarbeit, Protokolle und Vignetten stehen für Erinnerungsarbeit und Gedächtnisstützen. Die Erinnerungsarbeit dient der Vergegenwärtigung des Vergangenen. Protokolle von Balintgruppenstunden sind auch in der verkürzten Form von Vignetten kleine, aber nicht ganz unwesentliche Gedächtnisstützen.Pars pro toto werden in diesen Beitrag ein ausführliches Protokoll von den 24. Wartburggesprächen (2016) und Vignetten von den 25. Wartburggesprächen (2017) aufgenommen und diskutiert. Die Erinnerungsarbeit unserer Wartburggespräche reicht weiter zurück. Die ersten Wartburggespräche fanden bald nach der Vereinigung beider Deutschlands unter der Schirmherrschaft des damaligen Außenministers Hans Dietrich Genschers auf der Wartburg statt (1992). An diesen Wartburggesprächen nahmen nur Ärzte, Ärztinnen und ein Patient teil. Später kamen Studierende der Medizin hinzu und Psychologen, Philosophen, Lehrer und Theologen [1,2]. Die Balintgruppen bei den Wartburggesprächen sind in den umfassenderen Themenkomplex des Salutogenese Konzeptes von A. Antonovsky, B. Maoz(1,2)eingebettet. Ein neuer Zugang zu diesem Konzept entwickelte sich mit dem „Bewegenden Seminar“, auf das hier nur in aller Kürze eingegangen werden kann. 1
Benchmarking of Four Near Infrared Spectroscopy Devices for Long Time Use in Neonates
Authors: Schneider Anna , Hofstätter Edda , Brandner Johannes , Moder Angelika , Häusler Silke , Wald Martin 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Background Using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) mixed tissue saturation can be calculated by measuring the oxygen saturation of oxygenated and deoxygenated erythrocytes in the tissue. Quality of the calculated value is not only dependent on the exposure of the measured values in the calculation, but also on external factors such as artifacts. Main object of this study was to determine whether and how the measurement quality of different devices varies in their long-term use in premature infants.
Patients and Methods In 54 measurements, each lasting 2 hours, 4 NIRS devices were attached in pairs on the forehead of 9 cardio-respiratory stable, spontaneous breathing premature infants. Pooled meta-analysis was used to compare the correlation between regional tissue saturation to the pulse oximetry saturation per device.
Results The pooled random effect of all Pearson’s correlation coefficients was 0.490 (CI95: 0.403-0.568) with the NIRO 200, 0.575 (CI95: 0.463-0.668) with the INVOS 5100c, 0.712 (CI95: 0.640-0.772) with the Fore-Sight and 0.638 (CI95: 0.554-0.709) with the SenSmart X- 100.
Conclusion In this trial, a significant correlation between the tissue saturation and pulsoxymetry saturation was observed. The tremendous variation range among the measurements showed, however, that the measurement quality can be severely affected by unrecognized artifacts, after excluding other possible causes. None of the devices had reliable artifact detection for long-term measurements in very small premature infants. Key words: Near-Infrared-Spectroscopy, premature infants, Benchmark Test, Long-term measurements
Edgar Allan Poe in Transylvania: Poe’s short stories and gothic elements in nineteenth century Romanian literature
Authors: Szabo Lucian-Vasile , Crișan Marius-Mircea 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study presents a new integrative image of the reception of Edgar Allan Poe in Romanian literature, especially in the second part of the nineteenth century, and offers new perspectives on translations of his work into Romanian. Although his writings were eventually translated into Romanian, his work had become known earlier through French translations by Charles Baudelaire. Poe’s work, translated from French, was published in various Romanian language publications during the second half of the nineteenth century. At the beginning of the 20th century a great number of direct translations into Romanian became available, many of these being found in Transylvania and the Banat. This paper discusses the re-analysis of these Romanian translations, the plurality of which suggests an on-going interest in Poe’s literature. The paper specifically focuses on the particular conditions of translations published in areas in East-Central Europe that were inhabited by Romanians. The study also approaches the influence of Poe on Romanian literature by highlighting new critical perspectives on Romanian writers’ interests in the American author’s works.
Religion, poverty, and abundance
Authors: Salonen Anna 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
In contrast with most social theories, which are inclined to see the world and its problems as a matter of scarcity, this paper discusses poverty and religious organizations as actors in the field of poverty alleviation from the viewpoint of excess and abundance. The analysis draws from two essays that deal with the question of excess and excessiveness from the perspectives of social theory and moral philosophy, and applies their ideas in order to understand and reconsider the social practice of food assistance and the role of religious organizations as food assistance providers. This paper suggests that charitable food assistance is an excess rescaling strategy, which brings together food insecurity and food waste and thus makes food excess more desirable and less disturbing. Via the processes of rescaling and decriminalizing food excess, excess becomes a utility and a resource for helping people who suffer from poverty. Religious organizations, in turn, become middlemen in rescaling and decriminalizing excess and transforming it into a virtue.