bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patients with severe aortic stenosis and coexisting pulmonary hypertension treated by transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement—Is there a need for increased attention?
Authors: Keymel Stefanie , Papadopoulos Georgios , Minol Jan P. , Blehm Alexander , Krüger Stefan , Afzal Shazia , Jung Christian , Westenfeld Ralf , Lichtenberg Artur , Kelm Malte , Zeus Tobias , Veulemans Verena 
Published: June 2019

AbstractObjectivesAim of this study is to elucidate the impact of pulmonary hypertension on patients treated with a transapical aortic valve replacement.BackgroundIn patients with aortic stenosis (AS) the coexistence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with increased peri‐operative risk for surgical aortic valve replacement. For transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), it is unknown whether transapical TAVR (TA‐TAVR) is associated with increased peri‐interventional risk in PH patients.MethodsWe performed a single center analysis in 189 patients with severe AS with (AS + PH) or without PH (AS − PH) undergoing TA‐TAVR. PH was defined by mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥25 mmHg assessed by right heart catheterization (exclusion of 64 patients due to missing results). As the primary endpoint a combination of 30‐day mortality or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was analyzed.ResultsSeventy three patients (58.4%) had PH. Increased peri‐interventional risk in AS + PH patients was reflected by an increased rate of the primary endpoint in comparison to AS − PH patients (24.7 vs. 3.8%; p = .002). A higher proportion of acute kidney injury (34.2 vs. 15.7%; p = .025) was found in AS + PH patients while AS − PH patients showed a higher rate of bleeding in comparison AS + PH patients (18.5 vs. 6.8% p = .050).ConclusionPatients with AS + PH treated by TA‐TAVR are at increased peri‐interventional risk for severe complications in comparison to AS − PH patients. Therefore, the identification of preventive therapeutic strategies is needed.ClassificationsTAVR, transapical, pulmonary hypertension, aortic stenosis.
Restructuring of Gold‐Palladium Alloyed Nanoparticles: A Step towards More Active Catalysts for Oxidation of Alcohols
Authors: Silva Tiago A. G. , Ferraz Camila P. , Gonçalves Renato V. , Teixeira‐Neto Erico , Wojcieszak Robert , Rossi Liane M. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAuPd alloyed nanoparticles are regarded as very active catalysts for oxidation of alcohols. However we found that their catalytic activity can be further improved after calcination in air, which lead to the restructuring of alloyed AuPd nanoparticles and PdO segregation on the surface. The alloyed character was partially recovered upon reduction with H2 atmosphere, but the yet Pd‐rich surface was less active in the oxidation of the model molecule benzyl alcohol.
Treatment of Oily and Salty Mining Water by Ceramic Nanofiltration Membranes
Authors: Voigt Ingolf , Richter Hannes , Weyd Marcus , Milew Kerstin , Haseneder Roland , Günther Christiane , Prehn Volker 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCeramic nanofiltration membranes were successfully tested and piloted for the treatment of oily and salty water from oil sand mining in Alberta, Canada. The membranes showed a stable behavior over two years operation. The complete removal of suspended solids as well as the reduction of multivalent ions enable the use of recycle water from tailing ponds to prepare boiler feed water. In high salt concentration like waste water from potash mining a dependency of salt retention on the salt composition and concentration was observed. High MgSO4 retention even at high salt concentration was achieved.
Novel BQCA‐ and TBPB‐Derived M1 Receptor Hybrid Ligands: Orthosteric Carbachol Differentially Regulates Partial Agonism
Authors: Schramm Simon , Agnetta Luca , Bermudez Marcel , Gerwe Hubert , Irmen Matthias , Holze Janine , Littmann Timo , Wolber Gerhard , Tränkle Christian , Decker Michael 
Published: June 2019

AbstractRecently, investigations of the complex mechanisms of allostery have led to a deeper understanding of G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) activation and signaling processes. In this context, muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) are highly relevant due to their exemplary role in the study of allosteric modulation. In this work, we compare and discuss two sets of putatively dualsteric ligands, which were designed to connect carbachol to different types of allosteric ligands. We chose derivatives of TBPB [1‐(1′‐(2‐tolyl)‐1,4′‐bipiperidin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2(3H)‐one] as M1‐selective putative bitopic ligands, and derivatives of benzyl quinolone carboxylic acid (BQCA) as an M1 positive allosteric modulator, varying the distance between the allosteric and orthosteric building blocks. Luciferase protein complementation assays demonstrated that linker length must be carefully chosen to yield either agonist or antagonist behavior. These findings may help to design biased signaling and/or different extents of efficacy.
Estimation of the kidney metabolic heat generation rate
Authors: Orlande Helcio R.B. , Lutaif Nelson Afonso , Gontijo José Antonio Rocha 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThermogenesis results from the cellular metabolism and has a fundamental role for body thermoregulation in endothermic species. The motivation for this work is the analysis of the kidneys' contribution for thermoregulation. An inverse problem is solved for the estimation of the heat generation rate that results from the metabolic activities in the kidney, by using transient temperature measurements of the urine. The Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method is applied for the solution of the inverse problem, which presents inherent difficulties associated with low sensitivity of the parameters of main interest that represent the transient heat source term and strong correlation of the remaining model parameters. Such difficulties are dealt with in this work by using a version of the Metropolis‐Hastings algorithm that samples the parameters in blocks. Simulated temperature measurements are used for the inverse problem solution, and the convergence of the Markov chains is verified with two different techniques.
A Critical Look at Direct Catalytic Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Olefins
Authors: Ronda‐Lloret Maria , Rothenberg Gadi , Shiju N. Raveendran 
Published: June 2019

AbstractOne of the main initiatives for fighting climate change is to use carbon dioxide as a resource instead of waste. In this respect, thermocatalytic carbon dioxide hydrogenation to high‐added‐value chemicals is a promising process. Among the products of this reaction (alcohols, alkanes, olefins, or aromatics), light olefins are interesting because they are building blocks for making polymers, as well as other important chemicals. Olefins are mainly produced from fossil fuel sources, but the increasing demand of plastics boosts the need to develop more sustainable synthetic routes. This review gives a critical overview of the most recent achievements in direct carbon dioxide hydrogenation to light olefins, which can take place through two competitive routes: the modified Fischer–Tropsch synthesis and methanol‐mediated synthesis. Both routes are compared in terms of catalyst development, reaction performance, and reaction mechanisms. Furthermore, practical aspects of the commercialization of this reaction, such as renewable hydrogen production and carbon dioxide capture, compression, and transport, are discussed. It is concluded that, to date, the catalysts used in the carbon dioxide hydrogenation reaction give a wide product distribution, which reduces the specific selectivity to lower olefins. More efforts are needed to reach better control of the C/H surface ratio and interactions within the functionalities of the catalyst, as well as understanding the reaction mechanism and avoiding deactivation. Renewable H2production and carbon dioxide capture and transport technologies are being developed, although they are currently still too expensive for industrial application.
Appraisement of Crystal Expansion in CH3NH3PbI3 on Doping: Improved Photovoltaic Properties
Authors: Salado Manuel , Kazim Samrana , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja , Ahmad Shahzada 
Published: June 2019

AbstractInvited for this month′s cover is the group of Shahzada Ahmad at the Basque Center for the Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, University of Basque Country (Spain). The image shows how the inclusion of imidazolium iodide can play a role in the expansion of CH3NH3PbI3 crystal, which is beneficial for perovskite solar cells fabrication. The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.201803043.
Hurricane Sandy and engineered response created habitat for a threatened shorebird
Authors: Walker Katie M. , Fraser James D. , Catlin Daniel H. , Ritter Shannon J. , Robinson Samantha G. , Bellman Henrietta A. , DeRose‐Wilson Audrey , Karpanty Sarah M. , Papa Steven T. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe intensity of Atlantic Ocean hurricanes is predicted to increase, and although disturbance is recognized as a fundamental driver of ecological processes, the benefits of hurricanes to ecological systems are seldom acknowledged. In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy overwashed Fire Island and Westhampton Island, New York. The storm flattened dunes, buried vegetation, and breached the barrier islands in several places. To reduce future overwashing, engineers attempted to stabilize the islands. We studied nest‐site selection, suitable habitat, and abundance of a threatened shorebird, the piping plover (Charadrius melodus), before and after Hurricane Sandy. Prior to the hurricane, piping plovers selected nest sites (n = 62) farther from the ocean ( least‐cost distance = 82.8 m) and bay ( Euclidean distance = 697.7 m; least‐cost distance = 24,160.6 m) than would be expected if they were selecting nest sites at random. Following the hurricane, piping plovers selected nest sites (n = 45) predominantly in or near storm overwash habitat, which was close to, and had unobstructed walking access to, the ocean ( least‐cost distance = 123.4 m) and newly created bayside foraging habitats ( Euclidean distance = 468.0 m; least‐cost distance = 728.9 m). Areas overwashed by the hurricane contained the most suitable piping plover habitat across all new habitat types. Piping plover abundance increased 93% by 2018 from pre‐Hurricane Sandy abundances, with most pairs nesting in new habitats. However, only 58% of suitable piping plover habitat was protected from recreational use and few piping plovers used unprotected habitats for nesting. Our results suggest that the ecological benefits of increased storminess may be maximized by coupling coastal stabilization with targeted conservation of storm‐created habitats.
Sublethal effects of natural parasitism act through maternal, but not paternal, reproductive success in a wild population
Authors: Hicks Olivia , Green Jonathan A. , Daunt Francis , Cunningham Emma J. A. , Newell Mark , Butler Adam , Burthe Sarah J. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractParasites are a major component of all animal populations. Males and females often differ in their levels of parasite prevalence, potentially leading to sex differences in the impact of parasitism on fitness, with important implications for the evolution of parasite and host traits including resistance, tolerance, and virulence. However, quantitative measures of the impact of parasitism under free‐living conditions are extremely rare, as they require detailed host demographic data with measures of parasite burden over time. Here, we use endoscopy for direct quantification of natural‐parasite burdens and relate these to reproductive success over 7 yr in a wild population of seabirds. Contrary to predictions, only female burdens were associated with negative impacts of parasitism on breeding success, despite males having significantly higher burdens. Female reproductive success declined by 30% across the range of natural parasite burdens. These effects persisted when accounting for interannual population differences in breeding success. Our results provide quantitative estimates of profound sub‐lethal effects of parasitism on the population. Importantly, they highlight how parasites act unpredictably to shape ecological and evolutionary processes in different components of the same population, with implications for demography and selection on host and parasite traits.
Practice trends and the outcome of neuromodulation therapies in epilepsy: A single‐center study
Authors: Jamy Rabia , Kaur Manmeet , Pizarro Diana , Toth Emilia , Pati Sandipan 
Published: June 2019

AbstractNeuromodulation therapies (VNS, RNS, and DBS) can improve seizure control in persons with epilepsy. However, there is a significant service gap in integrating these therapies in clinical care. Our epilepsy center has established an epilepsy neuromodulation clinic to improve access to patients, communication with referring physicians, track outcome and train future providers in programming neuromodulation devices. We report the (a) treatment outcome of the available neuromodulation therapies (ie, reduction in seizure frequency over 6‐12 months follow‐up); and (b) demonstrate the benefit of the specialized clinic (rapid titration, continuity of care, superior access for patient and vendors). In this single‐center, retrospective study, forty‐three adults (VNS = 27; RNS = 16) with drug‐resistant epilepsy were followed in the clinic during the 19 months study period. About 44‐69% of patients reported > 60% decrease in seizure. All patients were scheduled in the clinic within 2‐4 weeks, and stimulations were optimized rapidly. About 40% of patients participated in research while 28% were referred for additional diagnostic studies. Nineteen students and fellows were trained in programming neurostimulator. Epilepsy neuromodulation clinic can serve as an optimal solution for patients as well as providers due to rapid access, better continuity of care, higher recruitment for research studies, and training health professionals.
Investigation of In Situ Thermal Behavior of a Passive Direct Methanol Fuel cell Using Infra‐Red Thermography
Authors: Vasanth P. , K.Kolar Ajit. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIn a passive direct methanol fuel cell, the cell temperature is linked to the heat generated during operation. It is important to study about cell temperature to understand cell performance, and dynamic behavior. In the present study, experiments on passive and air breathing direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) of a 25 cm2 effective cell area are conducted using printed circuit board (PCB) to investigate the surface temperature distribution. A non‐intrusive infra‐red thermography is used to record in situ surface temperature and it is observed that the maximum temperature recorded for a passive DMFC (PDMFC) is 42 °C compared to 34 °C for air breathing direct methanol fuel cell (ABDMFC) at steady state condition. Temperature distribution reveals that maximum temperature near the top middle portion of the PCB. Subsequently, PDMFC recorded maximum power density of 3.9 mW cm−2 compared to 2.8mW cm−2 for ABDMFC. Based on the PCB rib orientation for 5M feed concentration, vertical rib recorded 46 °C whereas 44 °C for horizontal rib. For ABDMFC, the response to load change is 22 s due to CO2 removal when compared to 4–5 min for PDMFC. It is concluded that the methanol concentration governs the heat generated in a PDMFC and lead to cell temperature distribution, depending on the cell fixture design under average ambient condition of 30 °C and 50% relative humidity.
Combined analysis of miRNA‐181a with phase angle derived from bioelectrical impedance predicts radiotherapy‐induced changes in body composition and survival of male patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Powrózek Tomasz , Brzozowska Anna , Mazurek Marcin , Mlak Radosław , Sobieszek Grzegorz , Małecka‐Massalska Teresa 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundNutritional deficits developing as an effect of applied radiotherapy (RTH) negatively affect patients' quality of life, survival, and therapy outcomes. We demonstrated novel approach to prediction of RTH‐induced changes in body composition of patients with head and neck cancer using phase angle (PA) derived from bioelectrical impedance in combination with miRNA‐181a expression.ResultsPatients with simultaneous presence of low PA and high miRNA expression were at a significantly higher risk of decreasing the fat‐free mass index (FFMI) <14.9 kg/m2 (odds ratio [OR] = 5.14; P = .02), FFM < 44.7 kg (OR = 6.20; P = .04), and lean mass (OR = 10.0; P = .04) during the therapy period. Receiver operating curve analysis allowed to predict changes in FFMI, lean mass, and FFM with area under the curve calculation over 0.700. The simultaneous presence of high miRNA and low PA negatively affected patients' survival (OR = 5.12; P = .02).ConclusionEvaluation of PA in combination with miRNA demonstrates higher diagnostic accuracy and predictive value for detecting RTH‐induced changes in body composition of patients with cancer.
Numerical investigation of hydrodynamic and heat transfer performances of nanofluids in a fractal microchannel heat sink
Authors: Yan Wen‐Tao , Li Cong , Ye Wei‐Biao 
Published: June 2019

AbstractHeat transfer and hydrodynamic performances for nanofluids, Al2O3‐water and SiO2‐water, are numerically investigated with different nanoparticles’ volume fractions and the initial velocities in a fractal microchannel heat sink. The fractal microchannel is 100 μm × 100 μm in the inlet cross‐section, and the length at the 0th level is 2000 μm. A constant heat flux of 500 kW/m2 was applied to the bottom wall of the fractal microchannel heat sink. The heat transfer and hydrodynamic performances of different cases are discussed in terms of the mean heat transfer coefficient, mean base temperature, pressure loss, thermal resistance, friction factor f/f0, and COP/COP0. Results indicate that increasing the initial velocity and nanoparticles’ volume fraction lead to an enhanced heat transfer at the expense of pressure loss. Al2O3‐water has a higher mean heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop than that of SiO2‐water, a lower f/f0, mean base temperature, thermal resistance, and COP/COP0. Ultimately, as compared to pure water, the heat transfer coefficients of 4% Al2O3‐water increased by 7.53%, 7.80%, 8.00%, 8.14%, 8.16%, and 8.30%, and the pressure drops increased by 32.09%, 31.41%, 30.81%, 30.05%, 29.21%, and 28.58%, respectively, corresponding to the initial velocities by 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 m/s.
Hyper‐cross‐linked polymer based carbonaceous materials as efficient catalysts for ethyl levulinate production from carbohydrates
Authors: Gu Jing , Zhang Jun , Li Denian , Yuan Haoran , Chen Yong 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDCatalytic upgrading of biomass into various alkyl levulinates has gained wide attention recently. Particularly, ethyl levulinate (EL) shows great potential as gasoline additive and substitute of biodiesel fuels.RESULTSHyper‐cross‐linked organic polymer based carbonaceous materials with large surface areas and strong Brϕnsted acidity were synthesized and developed as highly efficient solid acids for the direct transformation of biomass derived carbohydrates into biofuel candidate ethyl levulinate (EL). Controllable Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area and proper acid density of as‐prepared carbonaceous materials were demonstrated to be crucial for the successful synthesis of EL. Among the catalysts, α,α′‐dichloro‐p‐xylene derived hyper‐cross‐linked organic carbocatalyst (HDS‐3.6) exhibited the best results for EL formation with the optimal yield of 70.3% at a temperature of 423 K, which was comparable with those of frequently‐used solid acids such as commercial Amberlyst‐15 and metal oxides. The presence of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the catalytic system facilitated the production of intermediates 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and 5‐ethoxymethylfurfural. Notably, the hyper‐cross‐linked organic polymers with abundant Brϕnsted acid sites were much more effective in the catalytic synthesis of levulinate esters from ketoses.CONCLUSIONThe prepared hyper‐cross‐linked organic polymers were efficient and robust catalysts to produce various biomass derived alkyl levulinates with high activity and stability. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
The commensal bacterium Bacteroides fragilis down-regulates ferroportin expression and alters iron homeostasis in macrophages
Authors: Verma Smriti , Prescott Rachel , Cherayil Bobby J 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
The intestinal microbiota has several effects on host physiology. Previous work from our laboratory demonstrated that the microbiota influences systemic iron homeostasis in mouse colitis models by altering inflammation-induced expression of the iron-regulating hormone hepcidin. In the present study, we examined the impact of the gut commensal bacterium Bacteroides fragilis on the expression of the iron exporter ferroportin, the target of hepcidin action, in macrophages, the cell type that plays a pivotal role in iron recycling. Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages were exposed to B. fragilis and were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. We found that B. fragilis down-regulated ferroportin transcription independently of bacterial viability. Medium conditioned by the bacteria also reduced ferroportin expression, indicating the involvement of soluble factors, possibly Toll-like receptor ligands. Consistent with this idea, several of these ligands were able to down-regulate ferroportin. The B. fragilis-induced decrease in ferroportin was functionally important since it produced a significant increase in intracellular iron concentrations that prevented the effects of the iron chelator deferoxamine on Salmonella-induced IL-6 and IL-1β production. Our results thus reveal that B. fragilis can influence macrophage iron handling and inflammatory responses by modulating ferroportin expression.
Frontline Science: Acyl-CoA synthetase 1 exacerbates lipotoxic inflammasome activation in primary macrophages
Authors: Kalugotla Gowri , He Li , Weber Kassandra J , Daemen Sabine , Reller Abigail , Razani Babak , Schilling Joel D 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Obesity and diabetes are associated with macrophage dysfunction and increased NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Saturated fatty acids (FAs) are abundant in these metabolic disorders and have been associated with lysosome dysfunction and inflammasome activation in macrophages. However, the interplay between cellular metabolic pathways and lipid-induced toxicity in macrophages remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of the lipid metabolic enzyme long chain acyl-CoA synthetase (ACSL1) in primary macrophages. ACSL1 is upregulated in TLR4-activated macrophages via a TIR (toll/IL-1R) domain-containing adapter inducing IFN-β (TRIF)-dependent pathway, and knockout of this enzyme decreased NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The mechanism of this response was not related to inflammasome priming, lipid uptake, or endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress generation. Rather, ACSL1 was associated with mitochondria where it modulated fatty acid metabolism. The development of lysosome damage with palmitate exposure likely occurs via the formation of intracellular crystals. Herein, we provide evidence that loss of ACSL1 in macrophages decreases FA crystal formation thereby reducing lysosome damage and IL-1β release. These findings suggest that targeting lipid metabolic pathways in macrophages may be a strategy to reduce lipotoxity and to decrease pathologic inflammation in metabolic disease.