bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardioprotective role of IGF‐1 in the hypertrophied myocardium of the spontaneously hypertensive rats: A key effect on NHE‐1 activity
Authors: Yeves A. M. , Burgos J. I. , Medina A. J. , Villa‐Abrille M. C. , Ennis I. L. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimMyocardial Na+/H+ exchanger‐1 (NHE‐1) hyperactivity and oxidative stress are interrelated phenomena playing pivotal roles in the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Exercise training is effective to convert pathological into physiological hypertrophy in the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and IGF‐1—key humoral mediator of exercise training—inhibits myocardial NHE‐1, at least in normotensive rats. Therefore, we hypothesize that IGF‐1 by hampering NHE‐1 hyperactivity and oxidative stress should exert a cardioprotective effect in the SHR.MethodsNHE‐1 activity [proton efflux () mmol L−1 min−1], expression and phosphorylation; H2O2 production; superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity; contractility and calcium transients were measured in SHR hearts in the presence/absence of IGF‐1.ResultsIGF‐1 significantly decreased NHE‐1 activity ( at pHi 6.95: 1.39 ± 0.32, n = 9 vs C 3.27 ± 0.3, n = 20, P < .05); effect prevented by AG1024, an antagonist of IGF‐1 receptor (2.7 ± 0.4, n = 7); by the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin (3.14 ± 0.41, n = 7); and the AKT inhibitor MK2206 (3.37 ± 0.43, n = 14). Moreover, IGF‐1 exerted an antioxidant effect revealed by a significant reduction in H2O2 production accompanied by an increase in SOD activity. In addition, IGF‐1 improved cardiomyocyte contractility as evidenced by an increase in sarcomere shortening and a decrease in the relaxation constant, underlined by an increase in the amplitude and rate of decay of the calcium transients.ConclusionIGF‐1 exerts a cardioprotective role on the hypertrophied hearts of the SHR, in which the inhibition of NHE‐1 hyperactivity, as well as the positive inotropic and antioxidant effects, emerges as key players.
Maternal exercise, season and sex modify the daily fetal heart rate rhythm
Authors: Sletten J. , Cornelissen G. , Assmus J. , Kiserud T. , Albrechtsen S. , Kessler J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimThe knowledge on biological rhythms is rapidly expanding. We aimed to define the longitudinal development of the daily (24‐hour) fetal heart rate rhythm in an unrestricted, out‐of‐hospital setting and to examine the effects of maternal physical activity, season and fetal sex.MethodsWe recruited 48 women with low‐risk singleton pregnancies. Using a portable monitor for continuous fetal electrocardiography, fetal heart rate recordings were obtained around gestational weeks 24, 28, 32 and 36. Daily rhythms in fetal heart rate and fetal heart rate variation were detected by cosinor analysis; developmental trends were calculated by population‐mean cosinor and multilevel analysis.ResultsFor the fetal heart rate and fetal heart rate variation, a significant daily rhythm was present in 122/123 (99.2%) and 116/121 (95.9%) of the individual recordings respectively. The rhythms were best described by combining cosine waves with periods of 24 and 8 hours. With increasing gestational age, the magnitude of the fetal heart rate rhythm increased, and the peak of the fetal heart rate variation rhythm shifted from a mean of 14:25 (24 weeks) to 20:52 (36 weeks). With advancing gestation, the rhythm‐adjusted mean value of the fetal heart rate decreased linearly in females (P < .001) and nonlinearly in males (quadratic function, P = .001). At 32 and 36 weeks, interindividual rhythm diversity was found in male fetuses during higher maternal physical activity and during the summer season.ConclusionThe dynamic development of the daily fetal heart rate rhythm during the second half of pregnancy is modified by fetal sex, maternal physical activity and season.
Targeting transcriptional control of soluble guanylyl cyclase via NOTCH for prevention of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Rippe C. , Albinsson S. , Guron G. , Nilsson H. , Swärd K. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSoluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is an effector enzyme of nitric oxide (NO). Recent work has unravelled how levels of this enzyme are controlled, and highlighted a role in vascular disease. We provide a timely summary of available knowledge on transcriptional regulation of sGC, including influences from the NOTCH signalling pathway and genetic variants. It is speculated that hypertension‐induced repression of sGC starts a vicious circle that can be initiated by periods of stress, diet or genetic factors, and a key tenet is that reduction in sGC further raises blood pressure. The idea that dysregulation of sGC contributes to syndromes caused by defective NOTCH signalling is advanced, and we discuss drug repositioning for vascular disease prevention. The advantage of targeting sGC expression rather than activity is also considered. It is argued that transcriptional inputs on sGC arise from interactions with other cells, the extracellular matrix and microRNAs (miRNAs), and concluded that the promise of sGC as a target for prevention of cardiovascular disease has increased in recent time.
Reduced fibre size, capillary supply and mitochondrial activity in constitutional thinness' skeletal muscle
Authors: Galusca B. , Verney J. , Meugnier E. , Ling Y. , Edouard P. , Feasson L. , Ravelojaona M. , Vidal H. , Estour B. , Germain N. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimConstitutional thinness (CT) is a rare condition of natural low body weight, with no psychological issues, no marker of undernutrition and a resistance to weight gain. This study evaluated the skeletal muscle phenotype of CT women by comparison with a normal BMI control group.MethodsTen CT women (BMI < 17.5 kg/m2) and 10 female controls (BMI: 18.5‐25 kg/m2) underwent metabolic and hormonal assessment along with muscle biopsies to analyse the skeletal muscular fibres pattern, capillarity, enzymes activities and transcriptomics.ResultsConstitutional thinness displayed similar energy balance metabolic and hormonal profile to controls. Constitutional thinness presented with lower mean area of all the skeletal muscular fibres (−24%, P = .01) and percentage of slow‐twitch type I fibres (−25%, P = .02, respectively). Significant downregulation of the mRNA expression of several mitochondrial‐related genes and triglycerides metabolism was found along with low cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity and capillary network in type I fibres. Pre‐ and post‐mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes levels were found similar to controls. Transcriptomics also revealed downregulation of cytoskeletal‐related genes.ConclusionDiminished type I fibres, decreased mitochondrial and metabolic activity suggested by these results are discordant with normal resting metabolic rate of CT subjects. Downregulated genes related to cytoskeletal proteins and myocyte differentiation could account for CT's resistance to weight gain.
Accessible electronic games for blind children and young people
Authors: Giannakopoulos George , Tatlas Nicolas‐Alexander , Giannakopoulos Vassilios , Floros Andreas , Katsoulis Philippos 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe present a suite of inclusive games designed to address the needs of people with blindness or low vision. Particularly, through the employment of modern sonification strategies that achieves efficient perceptual representation of the game‐play, several audio‐games with different scenarios and application scope (entertainment and education) were developed and demonstrated. A platform called “Memor‐i studio” that allows nontechnical users (including blind ones under supervision) to create such inclusive games has also been developed. The overall presentation includes the detailed description of the outcome of the evaluation process involved children and young people aged between 7 and 20 years old from the Special Elementary School for the Blind in Athens and the Education and Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind in Athens, Greece. The description is also extended to include the design framework of Memor‐i studio. The conclusions of this evaluation are unexpectedly encouraging, showing that the specific type of inclusive games genre may be a strong alternative toward the development of accessible games for blind people, providing a secure starting point for future developments on this field.
Pentraxin levels in non‐eosinophilic versus eosinophilic asthma
Authors: Gao Pengfei , Tang Kun , Wang Meijia , Yang Qun , Xu Yongjian , Wang Jianmiao , Zhao Jianping , Xie Jungang 
Published: May 2018

SummaryBackgroundInnate immunity has been thought to be involved in asthma pathogenesis. Pentraxins, acting as soluble pattern recognition molecules, play an important role in humoral innate immunity. Asthma is a heterogeneous inflammatory disease of airways and can be classified as eosinophilic or non‐eosinophilic asthma.ObjectiveTo investigate whether pentraxin levels differ in subjects with eosinophilic versus non‐eosinophilic asthma. Furthermore, to access the predictive performance of pentraxin levels for discriminating asthma inflammatory phenotypes.MethodsA total of 80 asthmatic patients and 24 healthy control subjects underwent sputum induction at study inclusion. Differential leucocyte counts were performed on selected sputum. Plasma C‐reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid P (SAP), pentraxin 3 (PTX3), and sputum SAP, PTX3, IL‐8 levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsSubjects with non‐eosinophilic asthma had significantly increased pentraxin levels compared with those with eosinophilic asthma and healthy controls, with median (interquartile range) plasma CRP levels of 0.86 (0.28‐2.07), 0.26 (0.14‐0.85), and 0.15 (0.09‐0.45)mg/L (P < .001), respectively, plasma SAP levels of 33.69 (19.79‐58.39), 19.76 (16.11‐30.58), and 20.06 (15.68‐31.11)mg/L (P = .003), respectively, and sputum PTX3 levels of 4.9 (1.35‐18.72), 0.87 (0.30‐2.07), and 1.08 (0.31‐4.32)ng/mL (P < .001), respectively. Conversely, sputum SAP concentrations of eosinophilic asthmatics (median, 21.49 ng/mL; IQR, 6.86‐38.79 ng/mL) were significantly higher than those of non‐eosinophilic patients (median, 8.15 ng/mL; IQR, 2.82‐18.01 ng/mL) and healthy controls (median, 8.79 ng/mL; IQR, 2.00‐16.18 ng/mL). Asthma patients with high plasma CRP (P = .004), SAP (P = .005) and sputum PTX3 levels (P < 0.001) also had significantly lower sputum eosinophil percentages. Sputum PTX3 levels had the best power (11.18‐fold, P < .001) to predict non‐eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthma patients.Conclusion and Clinical RelevancePentraxin levels differed significantly between patients with non‐eosinophilic asthma and those with eosinophilic asthma. Furthermore, elevated pentraxin expressions may predict non‐eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthmatic patients.
Effects of oestradiol for luteal phase support in fresh embryo transfer cycles: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhao Wei , Liu Yifeng , Xu Peng , Wu Yiqing , Chen Kai , Guo Xiaoyan , Zhang Fan , Huang Yun , Zhu Linlin , Zhang Runjv , Zhang Dan 
Published: May 2018

SummaryObjectiveAny benefit of oestradiol supplementation with progesterone for luteal support after fresh embryo transfer in in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles remains controversial. In this study, we further addressed this question in cycles using gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist for ovarian stimulation.DesignA retrospective cohort study in a tertiary teaching and research hospital.Patient(s)A total of 1602 patients were given oestradiol valerate (E) in addition to progesterone (P) as luteal support. One thousand six hundred and two patients receiving progesterone alone were selected as the control group.Main outcome measure(s)Live birth rate. Secondary measures included clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate and premature birth rate.Result(s)Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were similar for the P alone vs the P+E group. In cycles with oestradiol (E2) levels less than 5000 pmol/L on the day of hCG trigger, E supplementation resulted in a significantly higher live birth rate (23.44% vs 32.92%, OR = 1.60 [95% CI 1.05 to 2.46]). In cycles with oestradiol levels 5000 to 10 000 pmol/L on the day of hCG trigger, E supplementation did not increase the live birth rate (34.43% vs 35.42%, OR = 0.90 [95% CI 0.80 to 1.01]). In cycles with oestradiol levels over 10 000 pmol/L on the day of hCG trigger, the live birth rate was significantly lower (36.83% vs 31.37%, OR = 0.78 [95% CI 0.62 to 0.99]) and the premature birth rate was significantly higher (19.66% vs 28.73%,OR = 1.65 [95% CI 1.05 to 2.59]) in the E supplementation group.Conclusion(s)Any benefit of oestradiol supplementation for luteal phase support appears to correlate with the serum oestradiol level on the day of hCG trigger. Oestradiol supplementation is beneficial for improving live birth rate in cycles with oestradiol levels less than 5000 pmol/L, but is not recommended in cycles with oestradiol levels over 10 000 pmol/L.
An Adaptive Multi‐Grid Solver for Applications in Computer Graphics
Authors: Kazhdan Misha , Hoppe Hugues 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA key processing step in numerous computer graphics applications is the solution of a linear system discretized over a spatial domain. Often, the linear system can be represented using an adaptive domain tessellation, either because the solution will only be sampled sparsely, or because the solution is known to be ‘interesting’ (e.g. high frequency) only in localized regions. In this work, we propose an adaptive, finite elements, multi‐grid solver capable of efficiently solving such linear systems. Our solver is designed to be general‐purpose, supporting finite elements of different degrees, across different dimensions and supporting both integrated and pointwise constraints. We demonstrate the efficacy of our solver in applications including surface reconstruction, image stitching and Euclidean Distance Transform calculation.
The international prevalence and variability of nonadherence to the nonpharmacologic treatment regimen after heart transplantation: Findings from the cross‐sectional BRIGHT study
Authors: Helmy Remon , Duerinckx Nathalie , De Geest Sabina , Denhaerynck Kris , Berben Lut , Russell Cynthia L. , Van Cleemput Johan , Crespo‐Leiro Maria G. , Dobbels Fabienne ,   the BRIGHT study team
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroductionHeart transplant (HTx) recipients need to follow a complex therapeutic regimen. We assessed the international prevalence and variability in nonadherence to six nonpharmacologic treatment components (physical activity, sun protection, diet, alcohol use, nonsmoking, and outpatient follow‐up visits).MethodsWe used self‐report data of 1397 adult HTx recipients from the 36‐HTx‐center, 11‐country, 4‐continent, cross‐sectional BRIGHT study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01608477). The nonadherence definitions used were as follows: Physical activity: <3 times/wk 20 minutes’ vigorous activity, <5 times/wk 30 minutes’ moderate activity, or <5 times/wk a combination of either intensity; Sun protection: not “always” applying any sun protection; Diet: not “often” or “always” following recommended diet(s); Alcohol use: >1 alcoholic drink/d (women) or >2 drinks/d (men); Smoking: current smokers or stopped <1 year before; Follow‐up visits: missing ≥1 of the last 5 outpatient follow‐up visits. Overall prevalence figures were adjusted to avoid over‐ or underrepresentation of countries. Between‐country variability was assessed within each treatment component via chi‐square testing.ResultsThe adjusted study‐wide nonadherence prevalence figures were as follows: 47.8% for physical activity (95% CI [45.2‐50.5]), 39.9% for sun protection (95% CI [37.3‐42.5]), 38.2% for diet recommendations (95% CI [35.1‐41.3]), 22.9% for alcohol consumption (95% CI [20.8‐25.1]), 7.4% for smoking cessation (95% CI [6.1‐8.7]), and 5.7% for follow‐up visits (95% CI [4.6‐6.9]). Significant variability was observed between countries in all treatment components except follow‐up visits.ConclusionNonadherence to the post‐HTx nonpharmacologic treatment regimen is prevalent and shows significant variability internationally, suggesting a need for tailored adherence‐enhancing interventions.
Comprehensive outcomes after lung retransplantation: A single‐center review
Authors: Halloran Kieran , Aversa Meghan , Tinckam Kathryn , Martinu Tereza , Binnie Matthew , Chaparro Cecilia , Chow Chung‐Wai , Waddell Tom , McRae Karen , Pierre Andrew , de Perrot Marc , Yasufuku Kazuhiro , Cypel Marcelo , Keshavjee Shaf , Singer Lianne G. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroductionLung retransplantation is an important therapy for a growing population of lung transplant recipients with graft failure, but detailed outcome data are lacking.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult lung retransplant in the Toronto Lung Transplant Program from 2001 to 2013 (n = 38). We analyzed the postoperative course, graft function, renal function, microbiology, donor‐specific antibodies (DSA), quality of life, and survival compared to a control cohort of primary transplant recipients matched for age and era.ResultsIndication for retransplant was chronic lung allograft dysfunction in most retransplant recipients (35/38, 92%). The postoperative course was more complex after retransplant than primary (ventilation time, 8 vs 2 days, P < .01; ICU stay 14 vs 4 days, P < 0.01), and peak lung function was lower (FEV1 2.2L vs 3L, P < .01). Quality of life scores were comparable, as were renal function, microbiology, and donor‐specific antibody formation. Median survival was 1988 days after primary and 1475 days after retransplant (P = .39).ConclusionsLung retransplantation is associated with a more complex postoperative course and lower peak lung function, but the long‐term medical profile is similar to primary transplant. Lung retransplantation can be beneficial for carefully selected candidates with allograft failure.
Prognostic evaluation of the elastic properties of the ascending aorta in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Sciatti Edoardo , Vizzardi Enrico , Bonadei Ivano , Fabbricatore Davide , Prati Francesco , Pagnoni Mattia , Metra Marco 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundNowadays there is an increased interest in the role of aortic stiffness in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF), as it is a major determinant of left ventricular (LV) performance. We aimed at assessing the predictive value of the aortic stiffness parameters, measured by echocardiography, in patients affected by nonischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) regarding three end‐points: death, HF rehospitalization, combined death or HF rehospitalization in a long‐term follow‐up.Materials and methodsA total of 202 patients affected by nonischaemic DCM underwent an outpatient examination by echocardiography and blood pressure check at the brachial artery, in order to calculate aortic elastic properties (ie, compliance, distensibility, stiffness index, Peterson's elastic modulus, M‐mode strain). ROC curves, Kaplan‐Meier curves and multivariable Cox regressions (correcting for age, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), atrial fibrillation, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)) were run to assess the predictive ability of aortic elastic properties against the 3 end‐points.ResultsMean follow‐up was 9.83 ± 2.80 years. 24.8% of patients died, while 34.7% were rehospitalized for HF cause and 44.6% experienced the combined end‐point. LVEF did not correlate with aortic elastic properties. ROC curves and Kaplan‐Meier curves were elaborated. Aortic stiffness did not predict death in our cohort. Otherwise, all aortic elastic properties predicted HF rehospitalization and combined death or HF rehospitalization, after correcting for age, LVEF, atrial fibrillation, CRT.ConclusionsElastic properties of the ascending aorta measured by echocardiography in patients with nonischaemic DCM predict long‐term HF rehospitalization and combined death or HF rehospitalization, also after correcting for the confounding factors.
Treatment of localized‐stage follicular lymphoma
Authors: Sorigue Marc , Tuset Victòria , Sancho Juan‐Manuel 
Published: May 2018

AbstractFollicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent lymphoma, and it most frequently presents in an advanced stage. Therapeutic considerations for advanced stage are different from those of localized‐stage FL, in which radiotherapy (RT) is generally recommended. However, the available evidence suffers from shortcomings that are relatively specific to this clinical entity due to its rarity and long survival with all available treatment modalities, including that most of the existing evidence originated at a time when diagnostic classifications, staging procedures and radiotherapeutic standards were different from those available today and when anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibodies were not available. Available treatment modalities include observation, systemic therapy only, RT only and RT in combination with systemic therapy. We review the evidence available with each of them and the data from present‐day clinical practice studies as well as briefly discuss what diagnostic and therapeutic developments may take place in the next few years.
Transcranial alternating current stimulation modulates auditory temporal resolution in elderly people
Authors: Baltus Alina , Vosskuhl Johannes , Boetzel Cindy , Herrmann Christoph Siegfried 
Published: May 2018

AbstractRecent research provides evidence for a functional role of brain oscillations for perception. For example, auditory temporal resolution seems to be linked to individual gamma frequency of auditory cortex. Individual gamma frequency not only correlates with performance in between‐channel gap detection tasks but can be modulated via auditory transcranial alternating current stimulation. Modulation of individual gamma frequency is accompanied by an improvement in gap detection performance. Aging changes electrophysiological frequency components and sensory processing mechanisms. Therefore, we conducted a study to investigate the link between individual gamma frequency and gap detection performance in elderly people using auditory transcranial alternating current stimulation. In a within‐subject design, twelve participants were electrically stimulated with two individualized transcranial alternating current stimulation frequencies: 3 Hz above their individual gamma frequency (experimental condition) and 4 Hz below their individual gamma frequency (control condition), while they were performing a between‐channel gap detection task. As expected, individual gamma frequencies correlated significantly with gap detection performance at baseline and in the experimental condition, transcranial alternating current stimulation modulated gap detection performance. In the control condition, stimulation did not modulate gap detection performance. In addition, in elderly, the effect of transcranial alternating current stimulation on auditory temporal resolution seems to be dependent on endogenous frequencies in auditory cortex: Elderlies with slower individual gamma frequencies and lower auditory temporal resolution profit from auditory transcranial alternating current stimulation and show increased gap detection performance during stimulation. Our results strongly suggest individualized transcranial alternating current stimulation protocols for successful modulation of performance.