bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Left atrial function in elite athletes: A meta‐analysis of two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiographic studies
Authors: Cuspidi Cesare , Tadic Marijana , Sala Carla , Gherbesi Elisa , Grassi Guido , Mancia Giuseppe 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundWe sought to investigate left atrial (LA) volume, function, and strain in elite athletes by a meta‐analysis including echocardiographic studies that provided volumetric and strain analysis of LA phasic function.MethodsThe OVID‐MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were searched for English‐language articles without time restriction up to February 2018 through focused and high sensitive search strategies. Studies were identified by crossing the following search terms: “athletes,” “left atrial size,” “left atrial volume,” “atrial function,” “atrial strain,” “atrial strain rate,” “echocardiography,” “2D speckle echocardiography.”ResultsMeta‐analysis included 403 athletes and 314 active but not trained healthy controls from 9 studies. Pooled data showed that average LA volume index was higher in athletes than in healthy controls (28.0 ± 1.0 vs 20.7 ± 0.8 mL/m2, P < 0.001). Global LA longitudinal strain, showing LA reservoir function, was lower in the athletes than in healthy controls with borderline significance (37.0 ± 1.2 vs 38.3 ± 1.5%, P = 0.044). Late diastolic LA strain rate, resembling LA contractile function, was also lower in elite athletes than in control group (−1.56 ± 0.08 vs −1.74 ± 0.09 seconds −1, P = 0.007).ConclusionsOur meta‐analysis shows that LA volume is higher, while LA reservoir and contractile functions are impaired in elite athletes during active training compared to untrained controls. Whether these changes persist during deconditioning periods remains to be determined. These alterations may be related to the higher risk of arrhythmias, in particular atrial fibrillation, reported among middle/old aged athletes.
“The Missing Link”: The Tubulin Mutation Database Connects Over 1500 Missense Mutations With Phenotypes Across Eukaryotes
Authors: Hussey Shane P , Fritz‐Laylin Lillian K 
Published: March 2019

As outlined in their recent paper (A Tubulin Mutation Database: A Resource for the Cytoskeletal Community), Catherine Pham and Naomi Morrissette from the University of California, Irvine, scoured the literature and catalogued data for 489 point mutations for 𝛂‐tubulin, 729 for β‐tubulin, and 343 for 𝛄, ẟ, 𝛆, and 𝛇 tubulins to create the tubulin mutation database (http://tubulinmutations.bio.uci.edu). The database is a searchable catalog of missense mutations and phenotypes that is expected to grow with biannual updates. Data entries regarding the species and isoform, as well as links to available sequences and the original study which characterized the mutant are intuitively displayed and color coded (Pham & Morrissette, 2019). This database represents a unique opportunity for clinicians and cell biologists to rapidly connect sequence data to mutant phenotypes and gather primary literature which promises to facilitate discoveries on topics including microtubule dynamics, antimitotic drug use and resistance, and evolution. We expect that many researchers will find this tool of great use to their research.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Examining Acid Formation During the Selective Dehydration of Fructose to 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural in Dimethyl Sulfoxide and Water
Authors: Whitaker Mariah R. , Parulkar Aamena , Ranadive Pinaki , Joshi Rutuja , Brunelli Nicholas A. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSustainable conversion of biomass, including fructose dehydration to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), remains a challenge. Fructose can be selectively dehydrated to HMF in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) without addition of an acid catalyst. The role of DMSO is examined starting with either fructose or HMF in DMSO/water. With increasing DMSO content, it is observed that fructose conversion, HMF selectivity, and post‐reaction solution acidity increase. Although DMSO degradation to sulfuric acid is a potential source of acidity and reactivity, a barium chloride precipitation test demonstrates that sulfate ions are not detectable after reaction, suggesting that DMSO is stable during reaction at 120 °C and 150 °C with oxygen present. Instead, the majority of the acidic species produced are formic acid, levulinic acid, and humins. These acids have a minimal effect on fructose conversion in DMSO. These results suggest that DMSO promotes fructose conversion mainly through solvation effects and not as an origin of acid catalysis. For HMF stabilization, the optimal molar fraction of DMSO in water is 0.20–0.43. Overall, these results indicate that DMSO can promote fructose dehydration to HMF at 120 °C.
Standards of medical care for type 2 diabetes in China 2019
Authors: Jia Weiping , Weng Jianping , Zhu Dalong , Ji Linong , Lu Juming , Zhou Zhiguang , Zou Dajin , Guo Lixin , Ji Qiuhe , Chen Li , Chen Liming , Dou Jingtao , Guo Xiaohui , Kuang Hongyu , Li Ling , Li Qifu , Li Xiaoying , Liu Jing , Ran Xingwu , Shi Lixin , Song Guangyao , Xiao Xinhua , Yang Liyong , Zhao Zhigang ,   On behalf of Chinese Diabetes Society
Published: March 2019

SummaryThe prevalence of diabetes in China has increased rapidly from 0.67% in 1980 to 10.4% in 2013, with the aging of the population and westernization of lifestyle. Since its foundation in 1991, the Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) has been dedicated to improving academic exchange and the academic level of diabetes research in China. From 2003 to 2014, four versions of Chinese diabetes care guidelines have been published. The guidelines have played an important role in standardizing clinical practice and improving the status quo of diabetes prevention and control in China. Since September 2016, the CDS has invited experts in cardiovascular diseases, psychiatric diseases, nutrition, and traditional Chinese medicine to work with endocrinologists from the CDS to review the new clinical research evidence related to diabetes over the previous 4 years. Over a year of careful revision, this has resulted in the present, new version of guidelines for prevention and care of type 2 diabetes in China. The main contents include epidemiology of type 2 diabetes in China; diagnosis and classification of diabetes; primary, secondary, and tertiary diabetes prevention; diabetes education and management support; blood glucose monitoring; integrated control targets for type 2 diabetes and treatments for hyperglycaemia; medical nutrition therapy; exercise therapy for type 2 diabetes; smoking cessation; pharmacologic therapy for hyperglycaemia; metabolic surgery for type 2 diabetes; prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes; hypoglycaemia; chronic diabetic complications; special types of diabetes; metabolic syndrome; and diabetes and traditional Chinese medicine.
Microfluidic device fabricated by three‐dimensional lithography for observation of cancer cell invasion process
Authors: Tachikawa Saeko , Kaneda Shohei , Kumemura Momoko , Sato Rui , Tsukamoto Takuya , Fujii Teruo , Suzuki Takaaki , Fujita Hiroyuki 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis paper describes a microfluidic device for observation of cancer cell invasion induced by chemotaxis. The developed device has two main channels, the channel filled with cell suspension and the channel filled with solution containing chemotactic factor. These channels are connected via tapered orifice structures to capture multiple cancer cells in it to form cell clusters. Observation of cell invasions affected by cell adhesions is possible with this device. The devices were fabricated by using three‐dimensional lithography and PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) molding. Invasion cells leaving the cell clusters and moving to the channel containing chemotactic factors through the orifices were successfully observed on the device.
Partial characteristics for marked spatial point processes
Authors: Eckardt M. , Mateu J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis paper introduces a new class of partial summary characteristics for two types of marked planar point processes. We consider purely qualitatively marked spatial point processes and multitype spatial point processes with quantitative marks. After a survey of classical functional summary characteristics for qualitatively and quantitatively marked point processes, the class of partial characteristics is presented. These characteristics are defined through the periodogram, which makes the computations efficient. We demonstrate the application of our method in the analysis of a multispecies tree data recorded in the City of Melbourne.
Breakage law and fractal characteristics of broken coal and rock masses with different mixing ratios during compaction
Authors: Li Bo , Liang Yunpei , Zhang Lei , Zou Quanle 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBroken coal and rock masses are the major part of the goaf. The compaction characteristics of coal and rock masses and the breakage law of whose particles during compaction exert an important influence on various aspects including control of strata motion, prediction of surface subsidence, and backfill mining. In this paper, the triaxial compaction experiment on broken coal‐rock masses with different mixing ratios was carried out. The test results showed that with the increase of stresses, the strain of coal‐rock masses gradually rose while the porosity, bulking factor, and degree of compaction gradually declined. During the compaction of coal‐rock masses, the fitting curves of the strain, porosity, bulking factor, and degree of compaction with stresses of coal samples all appeared as a cubic function of stresses. The breakage behavior of coal particles underwent three stages: structure re‐arrangement and breakage of particles, particle breakage, and compression‐induced deformation of particles. With increasing stress, the crushing amount of particles gradually grew while the increase rate of the crushed particles gradually decreased and the larger the particle strength was, the lower the increase rate of the crushing amount. Additionally, in the compaction process of samples, particle breakage mainly appeared before the stress reached to 8 MPa while the coal and rock particles were hardly crushed after the stress was larger than 8 MPa. With increasing stresses, the particle size gradation of samples gradually became reasonable and the lower the particle strength of samples was, the more reasonable the particle size gradation of compacted samples. The particle size gradation of various compacted and crushed samples showed a favorable fractal characteristic. In the stage with a low stress, the value of fractal dimension D rapidly grew and the fractal dimensions D of various samples tended to be stabilized after the stress reached to a high level.
Intermittent antipsychotic medication and mortality in institutionalized older adults: A scoping review
Authors: Randle Jason M. , Heckman George , Oremus Mark , Ho Joanne 
Published: March 2019

Objective/BackgroundAntipsychotic use appears to increase mortality risk among older adults with dementia. Whether this risk is similar for regular or intermittent use is unknown. This scoping review aims to explore the temporal association between antipsychotic use and mortality risk for older institutionalized adults.MethodWe conducted a scoping review using Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane libraries between October 2018 and January 2019.ResultsTwenty‐eight articles met review criteria. We found that different antipsychotic medications present different safety profiles. The risk of mortality was highest with conventional antipsychotic use and within 40 days of antipsychotic initiation.ConclusionsConventional antipsychotic use increases mortality for older institutionalized adults. The evidence for atypical antipsychotics is less clear. Mortality risk appears highest within 30 to 40 days of initiating antipsychotic treatment. This temporal association suggests increased mortality may actually be the result of some previously unrecognized illness, comorbidity, change in health status, or increased frailty, rather than an idiosyncrasy of the antipsychotic itself.
LncRNA CACNA1G‐AS1 facilitates hepatocellular carcinoma progression through the miR‐2392/C1orf61 pathway
Authors: Yang Jinghui , Li Chunsheng , Li Hang , E Changyong 
Published: March 2019

AbstractEmerging studies have indicated that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) possess various functions in initiating human cancers. However, the role of lncRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still remains ill understood. In this study, we sought to investigate the role of lncRNA CACNA1G‐AS1 in HCC progression. Through bioinformatics analysis, we found that CACNA1G‐AS1 expression was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues compared with that in the adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, CACNA1G‐AS1 upregulation indicated poor prognosis in HCC patients. Knockdown of CACNA1G‐AS1 attenuated the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Additionally, decreased expression of CACNA1G‐AS1 prevented epithelial–mesenchymal transition. In vivo assay also showed that CACNA1G‐AS1 silencing HCC cells have smaller tumor volumes and weights. Further investigations demonstrated that CACNA1G‐AS1 worked as a competing endogenous RNA to bind microRNA‐2392 (miR‐2392) and thereby alleviate the repression of the downstream target C1orf61. Collectively, CACNA1G‐AS1 promotes HCC progression through regulating the miR‐2392/C1orf61 pathway.
Antibody‐drug therapeutic conjugates: Potential of antibody‐siRNAs in cancer therapy
Authors: Yarian Fatemeh , Alibakhshi Abbas , Eyvazi Shirin , Arezumand Roghaye , Ahangarzadeh Shahrzad 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCodelivery is a promising strategy of targeted delivery of cytotoxic drugs for eradicating tumor cells. This rapidly growing method of drug delivery uses a conjugate containing drug linked to a smart carrier. Both two parts usually have therapeutic properties on the tumor cells. Monoclonal antibodies and their derivatives, such as Fab, scFv, and bsAb due to targeting high potent have now been attractive candidates as drug targeting carrier systems. The success of some therapeutic agents like small interfering RNA (siRNA), a small noncoding RNAs, with having problems such as enzymatic degradation and rapid renal filtration need to an appropriate carrier. Therefore, the aim of this study is to review the recent enhancements in development of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), especially antibody–siRNA conjugates (SRCs), its characterizations and mechanisms in innovative cancer therapy approaches.
Ability to understand and correctly follow HIV self‐test kit instructions for use: applying the cognitive interview technique in Malawi and Zambia
Authors: Simwinga Musonda , Kumwenda Moses K , Dacombe Russell J , Kayira Lusungu , Muzumara Agness , Johnson Cheryl C , Indravudh Pitchaya , Sibanda Euphemia L , Nyirenda Lot , Hatzold Karin , Corbett Elizabeth L , Ayles Helen , Taegtmeyer Miriam 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe ability to achieve an accurate test result and interpret it correctly is critical to the impact and effectiveness of HIV self‐testing (HIVST). Simple and easy‐to‐use devices, instructions for use (IFU) and other support tools have been shown to be key to good performance in sub‐Saharan Africa and may be highly contextual. The objective of this study was to explore the utility of cognitive interviewing in optimizing the local understanding of manufacturers’ IFUs to achieve an accurate HIVST result.MethodsFunctionally literate and antiretroviral therapy‐naive participants were purposefully selected between May 2016 and June 2017 to represent intended users of HIV self‐tests from urban and rural areas in Malawi and Zambia. Participants were asked to follow IFUs for HIVST. We then conducted cognitive interviews and observed participants while they attempted to complete the HIVST steps using a structured guide, which mirrored the steps in the IFU. Qualitative data were analysed using a thematic approach.ResultsOf a total of 61 participants, many successfully performed most steps in the IFU. Some had difficulties in understanding these and made errors, which could have led to incorrect test results, such as incorrect use of buffer and reading the results prematurely. Participants with lower levels of literacy and inexperience with standard pictorial images were more likely to struggle with IFUs. Difficulties tended to be more pronounced among those in rural settings. Ambiguous terms and translations in the IFU, unfamiliar images and symbols, and unclear order of the steps to be followed were most commonly linked to errors and lower comprehension among participants. Feedback was provided to the manufacturer on the findings, which resulted in further optimization of IFUs.ConclusionsCognitive interviewing identifies local difficulties in conducting HIVST from manufacturer‐translated IFUs. It is a useful and practical methodology to optimize IFUs and make them more understandable.
Detection and assignment of inorganic aqueous polymers relevant to environmental nanogeoscience by direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Becerra‐Herrera Mercedes , Moraga Sergio D. , Cruz‐Hernández Pablo , Molinas Rodrigo , Richter Pablo , Caraballo Manuel A. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractInorganic polymers in aqueous solutions are being proposed as essential components in new theories concerning nonclassical nucleation and growth of nanominerals relevant to environmental nanogeosciences. The study of those complex natural processes requires multi‐technique analytical approaches able to characterize the solutions and their constituents (solutes, oligomers, polymers, clusters and nanominerals) from atomic to micrometric scales. A novel analytical approach involving an electrospray ionization source (ESI) coupled to time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOF/MS) was developed to identify inorganic polymers in aqueous solution. To this end, the presence of initial Al oligomers and their polymerization processes was studied during a nanomineral aqueous synthesis (hydrobasaluminte, Al4SO4(OH)10·12‐36H2O). Ensuring the feasibility and robustness of the methodology as well as the stability of the polymers under study (avoiding undesirable fragmentation), a meticulous study of the ESI‐TOF MS working conditions was performed. Precision of the methodology was evaluated obtaining relative standard deviations below 3.3%. For the first time in the study of inorganic polymers in the earth sciences, the mass accuracy error (ppm) has been reported and the use of significant decimal figures of the m/z signal has been taken into account. Complementary to this, a four‐step polymer assignment methodology and a database with the Al− and Al‐SO42− polymers assigned were created. Several polymers have been assigned for the first time, including Al (SO4)+·H2O, Al2O(SO4)2+·H2O, Al5O4(OH)52+·2H2O, and Al3O5(OH)2−·4H2O, among others. The results obtained in the present study help create a foundation to include mass spectrometry as a routine analytical technique to study mineral formation in aqueous solution.
Molecular and serological characterization of occult hepatitis B virus infection among patients with hemophilia
Authors: Javanmard Davod , Namaei Mohammad Hasan , Farahmand Mohammad , Ziaee Arash , Amini Elham , Ziaee Masood 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) is a health concern among high‐risk groups and immunosuppressed individuals. There is still a paucity of data regarding the occult hepatitis B virus infection among hemophilic patients. With this in mind, we aimed to evaluate the molecular prevalence of OBI among clients with hemophilia.MethodsTotally, 87 hemophilic patients were selected to be studied. To detect OBI, nested polymerase chain reaction test was used to amplify HBV‐S, X, and Core regions. Viral load was determined using an in‐house real‐time PCR assay. Finally, sequence of S gene was used for genotyping and analysis of mutations.ResultsThe mean age of patients was 28.4 ± 5.3 years old, with 90.7% of whom were men. HBV‐DNA was detected in eight subjects (9.3%). The rate of OBI was much higher in anti‐HBs seronegative subjects than that in other patients (P = 0.019). All OBI cases had HBV genotype D, subgenotype D1. In addition, five out of eight cases (62.5%) showed detectable viral loads (a mean viral load of 4.5 × 10
2 copies/mL). sR73H, sI110L, sP120A, sP127T, sQ129H, sG130R, and sC137S were shown to be the most determinant escape mutation and OBI‐relevant mutants.ConclusionThe rate of OBI among the studied population of hemophilia seems to be remarkable. Therefore, screening for OBI must be a routine practice in patients with hemophilia and also patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatments. Amino acid substitutions were observed in the major hydrophilic region. However further investigations are needed for analysis of exact function.
Relative contribution of epiphyseal tubercle and peripheral cupping to capital femoral epiphysis stability during daily activities
Authors: Kiapour Ata M. , Kiapour Ali , Maranho Daniel A. , Kim Young‐Jo , Novais Eduardo N. 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTEpiphyseal tubercle and peripheral cupping can influence the development of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) and Cam morphology. During normal skeletal growth, epiphyseal tubercle shrinks while the peripheral cupping grows. We hypothesized that epiphyseal tubercle act as the primary stabilizer of the head‐neck junction at early stages and this role is gradually transferred to epiphyseal cupping as the tubercle shrinks and cupping grows. From a cohort of 80 boys and girls (8–15 years old) with normal hips, CT scans of 5 subjects corresponding to minimum, 25th percentile, median, 75th percentile and maximum relative tubercle and cupping height were used to develop 3D finite element models. In vivo measured hip loads were used to study load sharing between the tubercle and peripheral cupping under combined and uniaxial loads exerted on femoral head during a range of daily activities. Lower epiphyseal tubercle height, larger epiphyseal cupping height and bigger differences in tubercle and cupping heights were strongly associated with increased epiphyseal cupping to epiphyseal tubercle stress ratios (R2 > 0.7). We found lower peripheral cupping stresses relative to the tubercle (cupping to tubercle stress ratio <1) in hips with larger tubercle and smaller cupping. The relative decreases in tubercle size along with increased in peripheral cupping in our models gradually shifted the load distribution to higher stresses in the periphery compared to the epiphyseal tubercle area (cupping to tubercle stress ratio >1). Both tubercle and cupping play a substantial role in sharing the generated stresses across the head‐neck junction under all tested loading conditions. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:1571–1579, 2019.