bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Procedural findings and clinical outcome of second‐generation cryoballoon ablation in patients with variant pulmonary vein anatomy
Authors: Wei Hui‐Qiang , Guo Xiao‐Gang , Zhou Gong‐Bu , Sun Qi , Yang Jian‐Du , Xie Hai‐Yang , Zhang Shu , Liang Jackson J. , Ma Jian 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe procedural findings and clinical outcome of second‐generation cryoballoon (CB2) ablation in patients with variant pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy have not been fully investigated.MethodsA total of 424 consecutive patients who underwent PV isolation with CB2 were included. Computed tomographic (CT) scan was performed in all patients before the procedure. The study population was divided into common PV, accessory PV, and nonvariant PV groups according to the CT scan. Procedural findings and clinical outcome between the three groups were compared.ResultsVariant PV anatomy was observed in 118 of 424 (27.8%) patients. PV isolation was successfully achieved in all patients in three groups with low rates of need for touch‐up ablation (P = 0.974). Total procedure time was longer in the accessory PV group compared with nonvariant PV group (53.7 ± 12.9 vs 49.5 ± 8.8 minutes; P < 0.001). More number of applications per patient were required in accessory PV group compared with the nonvariant PV and common PV groups (7.5 ± 2.1 vs 6.5 ± 1.6, P < 0.001; 7.5 ± 2.1 vs 6.8 ± 1.4, P = 0.027, respectively). No significant difference in phrenic nerve (PN) injury was observed between the three groups (P = 0.693). During mean follow‐up duration of 16.1 ± 3.3 months, there was no significant difference in rates of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrences in the three groups (13 of 43 common PV group, 21 of 75 accessory PV group, and 80 of 306 nonvariant PV group, P = 0.178).ConclusionVariant PV patterns are common in patients undergoing ablation for drug‐resistant AF. CB2 ablation appears to be a reasonable strategy in the setting of the variant PV anatomy with a small increase in procedure time and the number of cryoapplications.
Insights on β‐blockers for the treatment of hypertension: A survey of health care practitioners
Authors: Egan Brent , Flack John , Patel Mehul , Lombera Sofia 
Published: October 2018

A quantitative survey was completed by 103 primary care physicians (PCPs) and 59 cardiologists who regularly prescribed β‐blockers to assess knowledge and use of this heterogeneous drug class for hypertension. More cardiologists than PCPs chose β‐blockers as initial antihypertensive therapy (30% vs 17%, P < 0.01). Metoprolol and carvedilol were the most commonly prescribed β‐blockers. Cardiologists rated “impact on energy” and “arterial vasodilation” as more important than PCPs (P < 0.05/<0.01, respectively). Awareness of vasodilation was greater for carvedilol (52%) than nebivolol (31%). Association between β‐blockers and clinical variables included nebivolol with β1‐selectivity, nebivolol and carvedilol with vasodilation and efficacy in older patients and African Americans, metoprolol with heart rate reduction, and atenolol and metoprolol with weight gain and hyperglycemia. Physicians preferred prescribing β‐blockers with lower risk of incident diabetes. Clinical practice guidelines influenced physician prescribing more than formularies or performance metrics. This survey captures physicians’ perceptions/use of various β‐blockers and clinically relevant knowledge gaps.
Adenosine deaminase inhibition suppresses progression of 4T1 murine breast cancer by adenosine receptor‐dependent mechanisms
Authors: Kutryb‐Zajac Barbara , Koszalka Patrycja , Mierzejewska Paulina , Bulinska Alicja , Zabielska Magdalena A. , Brodzik Karolina , Skrzypkowska Aleksandra , Zelazek Lukasz , Pelikant‐Malecka Iwona , Slominska Ewa M. , Smolenski Ryszard T. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe activity of a cell‐surface ecto‐adenosine deaminase (eADA) is markedly increased in the endothelial activation and vascular inflammation leading to decreased adenosine concentration and alterations in adenosine signalling. Depending on the specific pathway activated, extracellular purines mediate host cell response or regulate growth and cytotoxicity on tumour cells. The aim of this study was to test the effects of adenosine deaminase inhibition by 2′deoxycoformycin (dCF) on the breast cancer development. dCF treatment decreased a tumour growth and a final tumour mass in female BALB/c mice injected orthotopically with 4T1 cancer cells. dCF also counteracted cancer‐induced endothelial dysfunction in orthotopic and intravenous 4T1 mouse breast cancer models. In turn, this low dCF dose had a minor effect on immune stimulation exerted by 4T1 cell implantation. In vitro studies revealed that dCF suppressed migration and invasion of 4T1 cells via A2a and A3 adenosine receptor activation as well as 4T1 cell adhesion and transmigration through the endothelial cell layer via A2a receptor stimulation. Similar effects of dCF were observed in human breast cancer cells. Moreover, dCF improved a barrier function of endothelial cells decreasing its permeability. This study highlights beneficial effects of adenosine deaminase inhibition on breast cancer development. The inhibition of adenosine deaminase activity by dCF reduced tumour size that was closely related to the decreased aggressiveness of tumour cells by adenosine receptor‐dependent mechanisms and endothelial protection.
Early administration of dapagliflozin preserves pancreatic β‐cell mass through a legacy effect in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kanno Ayumi , Asahara Shun‐ichiro , Kawamura Mao , Furubayashi Ayuko , Tsuchiya Shoko , Suzuki Emi , Takai Tomoko , Koyanagi‐Kimura Maki , Matsuda Tomokazu , Okada Yuko , Ogawa Wataru , Kido Yoshiaki 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAims/IntroductionThe preservation of pancreatic β‐cell mass is an essential factor in the onset and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recently, sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors have been launched as antihyperglycemic agents, and their organ‐protective effects are attracting attention. They are also reported to have favorable effects on the preservation of pancreatic β‐cell mass, but the appropriate timing for the administration of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors is obscure.Materials and MethodsIn the present study, we administered a sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, dapagliflozin, to an animal model of type 2 diabetes mellitus, db/db mice, and investigated the adequate timing and duration for its administration. We also carried out microarray analysis using pancreatic islets from db/db mice.ResultsWe found that dapagliflozin preserved pancreatic β‐cell mass depending on the duration of administration and markedly improved blood glucose levels. If the duration was the same, the earlier administration of dapagliflozin was more effective in preserving pancreatic β‐cell mass, increasing serum insulin levels and improving blood glucose levels. From microarray analysis, we discovered that the expression of Agr2, Tff2 and Gkn3 was significantly upregulated after the early administration of dapagliflozin. This upregulated gene expression might provide a legacy effect for the preservation of pancreatic β‐cell mass.ConclusionsWe expect that the early administration of dapagliflozin would provide a long‐lasting effect in preserving pancreatic β‐cell mass.
Being underweight in adolescence is independently associated with adult‐onset diabetes among women: The Japan Nurses’ Health Study
Authors: Katanoda Kota , Noda Mitsuhiko , Goto Atsushi , Mizunuma Hideki , Lee Jung Su , Hayashi Kunihiko 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAims/IntroductionTo examine the association between adult‐onset diabetes and life‐course bodyweight changes.Materials and MethodsIn a cross‐sectional study, 17,398 Japanese female nurses aged ≥30 years completed a self‐administered questionnaire in 2001–2007. Bodyweight indices were calculated for three life stages: birthweight (adjusted for gestational age), body mass index (BMI) at age 18 years and current BMI. Odds ratios for being diagnosed with adult‐onset diabetes were calculated according to the combined bodyweight categories of two life stages: at birth and age 18 years; and at age 18 years and the survey (current). Path analysis was carried out to decompose the effect of each bodyweight index into direct and mediating effects.ResultsAfter adjustment for age at survey and parental diabetes history, “low” birthweight (<25th percentile), when combined with either “low” or “high” BMI (≥75th percentile) at age 18 years, had significant odds ratios (2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22–4.44; 3.69, 95% CI 2.12–6.42, respectively) compared with the group of “middle” category (25th–74th percentile) at both life stages. The combination of “low” BMI at age 18 years and “high” current BMIs showed the highest odds ratio (7.97, 95% CI 3.97–16.00). Among women without parental diabetes history, “low” BMI at age 18 years showed a significantly high odds ratio (2.25, 95% CI 1.01–4.99), even when combined with the “middle” category of current BMI. Path analysis showed that both birthweight and BMI at age 18 years had a negative direct effect on adult‐onset diabetes.ConclusionsUnderweight at adolescence, as well as overweight, is a potential risk factor for adult‐onset diabetes among Japanese women.
Evaluation of the treatment costs and duration of topical treatments for multiple actinic keratosis based on the area of the cancerization field and not on the number of lesions
Authors: Calzavara‐Pinton P. , Tanova N. , Hamon P. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe cost of topical treatments for actinic keratosis (AK) has historically been evaluated in relation to the number of lesions requiring treatment or simply by the price of a single tube/sachet of the drug used.ObjectiveTo demonstrate a new method of costing topical treatments in AK, which takes into account the actual cancerization area treated.MethodsIn order to evaluate the actual cost of each treatment, the official approval status of the drug was used to estimate the amount of cream needed per one cm2. This value was then applied to the hypothetical cancerization area sizes to demonstrate the impact of the size treated on the actual cost of treatment. The price considered was the ex‐factory price in Italy.ResultsAreas which could be treated with a single tube/sachet of Metvix®, Picato®, Aldara®, Solaraze® and Zyclara® were 200, 25, 25, 33.3 and 200 cm2, respectively. For the treatment of smaller areas (<100 cm2), treatment with Metvix® was the most costly topical option in Italy. However, for the treatment of cancerization areas larger than 100 cm2, Metvix® was the least expensive treatment option. Treatment with Metvix® was least long, requiring a single day of treatment for an area of up to 200 cm2, compared with up to 224 days of treatment with Aldara® for the treatment of a similar size.ConclusionChanging treatment costing strategy in the management of multiple AKs towards costing per cancerization area instead of costing per lesion is a much more accurate representation of the ‘real world cost’ for AK.
Author's response to Drs. Marasca et al. and Drs. De Vita and Melnik: hidradenitis suppurativa, insulin resistance and mTOR
Authors: Hernández J.L. , Blanco R. , Vilanova I. , González‐Gay M.A. , González‐López M.A. 
Published: October 2018

Linked articles: This article is commented on by C. Marasca et al., pp. e106–e107 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15271.This article is commented on by V. De Vita et al., pp. e107–e109 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15270.
A melanin‐based trait is more strongly related to body size in the tropics than in temperate regions in the globally distributed barn owl family
Authors: Roulin Alexandre , Uva Vera , Romano Andrea 
Published: October 2018

AbstractLife history traits differ between organisms living in the tropics, Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and sexual selection is thought to be stronger close to the equator than in temperate regions. Although birds are often supposed to be more brightly coloured in the tropics, the current evidence of geographic variation in the intensity of sexual selection and sex‐specific natural selection is equivocal. Whether sex‐specific traits signal aspects of individual quality better in the tropics than in the temperate regions of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres therefore remains an open question. We examined predictions of this hypothesis in the Tytonidae family (barn owls and their relatives) because females, on average, display larger black spots on the tip of their ventral body feathers than males, and this trait is associated with aspects of individual quality. We measured the size of melanic spots and the wing length of 7893 Tytonidae skins collected worldwide and preserved in natural history museums. The covariation between spot size and wing length was stronger in females than in males, in large‐ than small‐spotted Tyto taxa and close to the equator than in temperate regions. This suggests that selection for spot size, which can be used by owls as an additional cue to assess individual body size and other aspects of phenotypic quality, is stronger in females than in males, particularly near the equator.
Repeated interaction in standard setting
Authors: Larouche Pierre , Schuett Florian 
Published: October 2018

AbstractStandardization may allow the owners of standard‐essential patents to charge higher royalties than would have been negotiated ex ante. In practice, however, standard‐setting efforts are often characterized by repeated interaction and complementarities among technologies. These features give firms that contribute technology to standards both the ability and the incentive to avoid excessive royalties by threatening to exclude other technology contributors from future rounds of standardization if they charge royalties exceeding ‘fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory’ (FRAND) levels. We show that such an outcome can be sustained as a subgame‐perfect equilibrium of a repeated standard‐setting game and examine how the decision‐making rules of standard‐setting organizations (SSOs) affect the sustainability of FRAND royalties. Our analysis provides a novel justification for super‐majority requirements and other rules frequently adopted by SSOs.
Mild‐thermal and high pressure processing inactivation kinetics of polyphenol oxidase from peach puree
Authors: Bleoanca Iulia , Neagu Corina , Turtoi Maria , Borda Daniela 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis study has investigated the inactivation of polyphenoloxidase (PPO) in peach puree during thermal (50–60 °C, 2–30 min) and combined high pressure‐mild thermal treatment (HPMT) (200–600 MPa, 25–45 °C, and 2–23 min). HPMT resulted immediately after treatment in an increase in PPO activity up to 66.50% at 200 MPa and 45 °C compared with the untreated samples. The reaction order (nth) of PPO thermal inactivation was 1.951 (0.1 MPa, 50–60 °C) and 0.953 for the HPMT treatment (200–600 MPa, 25–45 °C). Fractional kinetic models were applied in PPO thermal (~89% labile fraction, 11% stabile fraction) and HPMT inactivation (up to ~67% stabile fraction at 200 MPa, 25 °C). The activation energy estimated for the thermal inactivation in 50–60 °C range at 0.1 MPa was 148.26 kJ/mol, while for the HPMT inactivation varied from 82.31 kJ/mol at 300 MPa to 226.16 kJ/mol at 500 MPa. A third order polynomial model described the PPO inactivation by HPMT.Practical applicationInactivation of polyphenoloxidase (PPO), enzyme responsible for browning is a mandatory condition for maintaining quality of the processed fruits. As this enzyme is generally known to display variable thermal and/or barostability, depending on the type of food matrix, kinetic data are required to optimize the processing parameters. The data on peach puree PPO and the models provided in the current study could help producers to identify the optimum peach processing condition necessary for the inactivation of PPO by high pressure‐mild thermal treatment, leading to the extension of puree shelf life. However, methods for limitation of the oxygen presence in the peach puree mixtures should also be employed during processing and storage.
Serum Cholesterol and Incident Alzheimer's Disease: Findings from the Adult Changes in Thought Study
Authors: Marcum Zachary A. , Walker Rod , Bobb Jennifer F. , Sin Mo‐Kyung , Gray Shelly L. , Bowen James D. , McCormick Wayne , McCurry Susan M. , Crane Paul K. , Larson Eric B. 
Published: October 2018

ObjectivesTo evaluate associations between high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and non‐HDL‐C levels at specific ages and subsequent Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk.DesignProspective population‐based cohort study.SettingAdult Changes in Thought (ACT) Study.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 65 and older with no dementia at ACT Study entry. We identified separate, partially overlapping subcohorts of ACT participants who were eligible for each age band–specific analysis (50–59, n = 1,088; 60–69, n = 2,852; 70–79, n = 2,344; 80–89, n = 537).MeasurementsExposure consisted of clinical measures of total cholesterol (TC) and HDL‐C from laboratory data during a given age band. Outcomes of incident AD were assessed post‐age band using standard research diagnostic criteria. Statistical analyses used adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models for each exposure and outcome pair within an age band. Cholesterol exposures were modeled using cubic splines.ResultsFor non‐HDL‐C, we found a statistically significant association with AD risk in the 60 to 69 (omnibus p = .005) and 70 to 79 (omnibus p = .04) age bands, suggesting a potential U‐shaped relationship (greater risk at low and high levels). For example, in people aged 60 to 69, those with an average non‐HDL‐C level of 120 mg/DL had a 29% greater AD hazard (hazard ratio (HR)=1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.04–1.61) than those with an average non‐HDL‐C level of 160 mg/dL, whereas those with an average non‐HDL‐C level of 210 mg/dL had a 16% greater hazard (HR=1.16, 95% CI=1.01–1.33). We did not find a statistically significant association between HDL‐C and AD risk.ConclusionPeople with low (120 mg/dL) and high (210 mg/dL) non‐HDL‐C levels during their 60s and 70s had modestly higher risk of AD than those with intermediate (160 mg/dL) levels. The extreme age bands (50s and 80s) had small sample sizes. J Am Geriatr Soc 66:2344–2352, 2018.
Transferability of Material Composition Indicators for Residential Buildings: A Conceptual Approach Based on a German‐Japanese Comparison
Authors: Schiller Georg , Miatto Alessio , Gruhler Karin , Ortlepp Regine , Deilmann Clemens , Tanikawa Hiroki 
Published: October 2018

SummaryMost anthropogenic material stocks and flows are associated with the building sector. Several recent studies have developed material composition indicators (MCIs) suitable for calculating material stocks and flows of the building sector using bottom‐up approaches, which hold great potential to provide information to support resource efficiency policies. A major limitation is the lack of country‐specific MCIs. This study aims to introduce a concept for a better transferability of MCI across different contexts by proposing requirements for defining MCIs and to discuss options and limits of the transferability. We take existing MCIs for residential buildings in Germany and Japan as case studies and make them comparable by applying harmonization methods. Based on that, similarities and differences are systematically identified and discussed, considering their socioeconomic, cultural, technical, and environmental factors. Our results indicate significant limitations to the transferability of MCIs for detached houses, while bigger apartment complexes show greater homogeneity despite the very different environments in which they are constructed. This indicates that while it is possible to assume foreign MCIs as plausible for large constructions, local coefficients need to be estimated for smaller single‐family homes.
Efficacy and safety of motherwort injection add‐on therapy to carboprost tromethamine for prevention of post‐partum blood loss: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Meng Wenbin , Li Rui , Zha Nashunbayaer , E Lihua 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMotherwort (YiMuCao), a traditional Chinese herb, has been shown beneficial effects for women's diseases. This meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of motherwort injection add‐on therapy to carboprost tromethamine for prevention of post‐partum blood loss. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang from their inception to December 2017. Randomized controlled trials that determined the add‐on effects of motherwort injection to carboprost for prevention of post‐partum blood loss were eligible. Pooled risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to summarize the effect sizes. Eight trials including 1276 pregnant women fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Prophylactic use of motherwort injection add‐on therapy significantly reduced the post‐partum 2 h (MD −127.5 mL; 95% CI −149.13 to −105.88) and 24 h (MD −146.85 mL; 95% CI −179.77 to −113.94) blood loss and incidence of post‐partum hemorrhage (RR 0.28; 95% CI 0.17–0.45) than carboprost. Moreover, adjunctive treatment with motherwort injection significantly decreased the length of the third stage of labor (MD −3.41 min; 95% CI −4.33 to −2.49) and duration of lochia (MD −7.13 days; 95% CI −8.49 to −5.76). There was no statistical significant difference in the incidence of adverse events (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.50–1.16). Prophylactic use of motherwort injection add‐on therapy to carboprost tromethamine could reduce post‐partum blood loss. However, more well‐designed trials are necessary to confirm the findings of this study due to the methodological flaws of the included trials.
Herniation of the amniotic sac through congenital uterine defect confirmed during operation: A case report
Authors: Sun Xiwen , Xu Jingwei , Liu Yuanyuan , Teng Xinyuan , Wang Liquan 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHerniation of the amniotic sac into the peritoneal cavity or bladder is a rare but serious condition during pregnancy, which has not been reported in pored congenital uterine anomaly. Here, we report a rare case to draw obstetricians’ attention to the atypical uterine rupture. A primigravida at 35 weeks of gestation was admitted for upper abdominal pain. A primary diagnosis of uterine rupture was made after finding the amniotic sac herniation through obstetric ultrasound. Exploration during emergent cesarean section revealed symmetrical pored defect on the uterine horn. The diagnosis of uterine anomaly was eventually made. The educational meaning of this rare case is that it is advisable to rule out uterine anomalies when signs of uterine rupture are suspected during pregnancy while contributory risk factors have not been identified. Besides, it is of vital importance to make a full assessment of both the mother and the fetus so to determine the appropriate time of termination.