bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology practical guidance on the use of natriuretic peptide concentrations
Authors: Mueller Christian , McDonald Kenneth , de Boer Rudolf A. , Maisel Alan , Cleland John G.F. , Kozhuharov Nikola , Coats Andrew J.S. , Metra Marco , Mebazaa Alexandre , Ruschitzka Frank , Lainscak Mitja , Filippatos Gerasimos , Seferovic Petar M. , Meijers Wouter C. , Bayes‐Genis Antoni , Mueller Thomas , Richards Mark , Januzzi James L. ,   on behalf of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology
Published: June 2019

Natriuretic peptide [NP; B‐type NP (BNP), N‐terminal proBNP (NT‐proBNP), and midregional proANP (MR‐proANP)] concentrations are quantitative plasma biomarkers for the presence and severity of haemodynamic cardiac stress and heart failure (HF). End‐diastolic wall stress, intracardiac filling pressures, and intracardiac volumes seem to be the dominant triggers. This paper details the most important indications for NPs and highlights 11 key principles underlying their clinical use shown below.
NPs should always be used in conjunction with all other clinical information.
NPs are reasonable surrogates for intracardiac volumes and filling pressures.
NPs should be measured in all patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of HF such as dyspnoea and/or fatigue, as their use facilitates the early diagnosis and risk stratification of HF.
NPs have very high diagnostic accuracy in discriminating HF from other causes of dyspnoea: the higher the NP, the higher the likelihood that dyspnoea is caused by HF.
Optimal NP cut‐off concentrations for the diagnosis of acute HF (very high filling pressures) in patients presenting to the emergency department with acute dyspnoea are higher compared with those used in the diagnosis of chronic HF in patients with dyspnoea on exertion (mild increase in filling pressures at rest).
Obese patients have lower NP concentrations, mandating the use of lower cut‐off concentrations (about 50% lower).
In stable HF patients, but also in patients with other cardiac disorders such as myocardial infarction, valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation or pulmonary embolism, NP concentrations have high prognostic accuracy for death and HF hospitalization.
Screening with NPs for the early detection of relevant cardiac disease including left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with cardiovascular risk factors may help to identify patients at increased risk, therefore allowing targeted preventive measures to prevent HF.
BNP, NT‐proBNP and MR‐proANP have comparable diagnostic and prognostic accuracy.
In patients with shock, NPs cannot be used to identify cause (e.g. cardiogenic vs. septic shock), but remain prognostic.
NPs cannot identify the underlying cause of HF and, therefore, if elevated, must always be used in conjunction with cardiac imaging.
Sulfur doped carbon porous as an efficient catalyst for sustainable energy processes
Authors: Tavakol Hossein , Hassani Fahimeh 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe chemical vapor deposition method has been employed to produce carbon porous (CPs) and sulfur‐doped carbon porous (SCPs). Mo‐Fe/CaCO3 and Fe/CaCO3 have been used as the catalysts for the growth step, which Fe/CaCO3 produced the more appropriate products with smaller diameters in higher yield. Moreover, different growth temperatures were used and among all examined temperatures (750, 800, 850, 900°C), the product produced at 750°C (SCP750) has the smallest diameter, the highest sulfur content and the least defect in its structure. The product with 0.5% Mo content in the catalyst showed the highest yield and The ID/IG ratio of SCP750 is less than that of SCP900. The sulfur content of in SCP750, SCP800, SCP850, and SCP900 (using EDS analyses) are respectively 7.6, 3.8, 6.9, and 5.7 w/w%. The porosity of the product (SCP750) was examined using adsorption–desorption diagrams, which showed macro‐porous structures with the diameters of the pores between 40 and 80 nm and high surface area (770.9 m2/g). Finally, the abilities of all products (CPs and all SCPs) as a catalyst for sustainable energy processes, oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) were investigated. In both electrochemical reactions, SCPs had better activities than CPs. However, the products showed appropriate efficiencies only in OER reaction and among doped products, SCP750 and SCP800 showed the highest catalytic efficiencies. The results showed that doping is an appropriate way to enhance the catalytic ability of this type of non‐metal materials in OER and HER reactions.
Dynamic risk assessment approach of riser recoil control failure during production test of marine natural gas hydrate
Authors: Chang Yuanjiang , Li Jiayi , Zhang Changshuai , Chen Guoming , Li Xinhong , Zhang Shenyan , Xu Liangbin , Sheng Leixiang 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe marine natural gas hydrate is considered to have huge resource potential in the South China Sea, and a sixty‐day production test has been successfully conducted in 2017. As the crucial and most vulnerable connection of floating platform and subsea wellhead, the risers are of paramount importance in safe production test of the hydrate. Due to harsh environment and the possible drive off and drift off events induced by failure of dynamic positioning system of the platform, the unplanned emergency disconnect of risers is an integral preventive measure to avoid accidents and secure the well. Once the disconnect occurs, the huge potential energy stored in the riser column will release and consequently cause violent axial recoil, which will cause serious consequences if the recoil control fails. This paper presented a quantitative risk assessment approach on the basis of dynamic Bayesian networks to dynamically predict the risk of riser recoil control failure during production test of hydrate. By using the proposed method, the dynamic failure risk of the riser recoil control was figured out, and the most contributory factors were identified. The practical application of the proposed methodology was demonstrated through a case study. Results indicated that the probability of riser recoil control failure can be significantly decreased within one year through equipment repair, and the failure and repair rates of shutoff valves and main air isolation valves are the most contributory factors. Some corresponding safety control measures were proposed to further mitigate the risk of riser recoil control failure during the production test of hydrate.
Toxicity of Aluminum to Ceriodaphnia dubia in Low-Hardness Waters as Affected by Natural Dissolved Organic Matter
Authors: Besser John , Cleveland Danielle , Ivey Chris , Blake Laura 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
We conducted a series of 7-d toxicity tests with Ceriodaphnia dubia in dilutions of low-hardness natural waters, which contained dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations up to 10 mg/L. Stream waters were mixed with well water to achieve 2 target hardness levels (20 and 35 mg/L) and 4 DOC concentrations. Tests with aluminum (Al)-spiked waters were conducted in a controlled CO2 atmosphere to maintain the pH at a range of 6.0 to 6.5. The results were used to estimate effect concentrations for survival and reproduction, expressed as total (unfiltered) Al concentrations. There were small differences in total-Al thresholds between waters with 20 and 35 mg/L hardness, but effect concentrations for C. dubia survival (median lethal concentrations) and reproduction (effect concentrations, 20%) increased log-linearly with increasing DOC concentrations in the range, 0.3 to 6 mg/L. Slopes of these regressions were similar to slopes from data used to revise the US Environmental Protection Agency water quality criterion for Al, but toxic effects in the present study occurred at total-Al concentrations 8- to 10-fold greater than toxicity values used for criteria development. This difference probably reflects the long equilibration (aging) times of Al test waters used in the present study (up to 192 h) compared with short (3-h) equilibration times in other studies used for criteria development. These results confirm the importance of DOC as a control on Al toxicity in low-hardness waters, but they also demonstrate that total-Al concentrations are not predictive of Al toxicity, except under defined water quality (pH, hardness, DOC) and exposure conditions (e.g., aging of test waters). Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2121–2127. Published 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work, and as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Environmental Risk Assessment for the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Mycophenolic Acid in European Surface Waters
Authors: Straub Jürg Oliver , Oldenkamp Rik , Pfister Thomas , Häner Andreas 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
An environmental risk assessment is presented for mycophenolic acid (MPA), an immunosuppressive pharmaceutical used for prevention of organ rejection, and its prodrug mycophenolate mofetil (MPM). Mycophenolic acid will not significantly adsorb to activated sludge. In activated sludge, 14C-MPA attained &gt;80% degradation, supporting an older environmental fate test with the same compound. Based on n-octanol/water distribution coefficient (log DOW) values of 2.28, 0.48, and ≤–1.54 at pH 5, 7, and 9, respectively, MPA is not expected to bioaccumulate. Sales amounts of MPA+MPM in Europe were used to derive predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) in surface waters; PECs were refined by including expected biodegradation in sewage treatment, average drinking water use, and average dilution of the effluents in the receiving waters per country. In addition, the exposure to pharmaceuticals in the environment (ePiE) model was run for 4 European catchments. The PECs were complemented with 110 measured environmental concentrations (MECs), ranging from below the limit of quantitation (&lt;0.001 µg/L) to 0.656 µg/L. Predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs) were derived from chronic tests with cyanobacteria, green algae, daphnids, and fish. The comparison of PECs and MECs with the PNECs resulted in a differentiated environmental risk assessment in which the risk ratio of PEC/PNEC or MEC/PNEC was &lt;1 in most cases (mostly &gt;90%), meaning no significant risk, but a potential risk to aquatic organisms in generally &lt;10% of instances. Because this assessment reveals a partial risk, the following questions must be asked: How much risk is acceptable? and Through which measures can this risk be reduced? These questions are all the more important in view of limited alternatives for MPM and MPA and the serious consequences of not using them. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2259–2278. © 2019 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
Hybridization in human evolution: Insights from other organisms
Authors: Ackermann Rebecca R. , Arnold Michael L. , Baiz Marcella D. , Cahill James A. , Cortés‐Ortiz Liliana , Evans Ben J. , Grant B. Rosemary , Grant Peter R. , Hallgrimsson Benedikt , Humphreys Robyn A. , Jolly Clifford J. , Malukiewicz Joanna , Percival Christopher J. , Ritzman Terrence B. , Roos Christian , Roseman Charles C. , Schroeder Lauren , Smith Fred H. , Warren Kerryn A. , Wayne Robert K. , Zinner Dietmar 
Published: June 2019

AbstractDuring the late Pleistocene, isolated lineages of hominins exchanged genes thus influencing genomic variation in humans in both the past and present. However, the dynamics of this genetic exchange and associated phenotypic consequences through time remain poorly understood. Gene exchange across divergent lineages can result in myriad outcomes arising from these dynamics and the environmental conditions under which it occurs. Here we draw from our collective research across various organisms, illustrating some of the ways in which gene exchange can structure genomic/phenotypic diversity within/among species. We present a range of examples relevant to questions about the evolution of hominins. These examples are not meant to be exhaustive, but rather illustrative of the diverse evolutionary causes/consequences of hybridization, highlighting potential drivers of human evolution in the context of hybridization including: influences on adaptive evolution, climate change, developmental systems, sex‐differences in behavior, Haldane's rule and the large X‐effect, and transgressive phenotypic variation.
Interspecific variation, antioxidant and allelopathic activity of the essential oil from three Launaea species growing naturally in heterogeneous habitats in Egypt
Authors: Elshamy Abdelsamed I. , Abd‐ElGawad Ahmed M. , El‐Amier Yasser A. , El Gendy Abd El‐Nasser G. , Al‐Rowaily Saud L. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractEssential oils (EOs) from the aerial parts of three Launaea species collected from two different habitats were extracted [Launaea mucronata collected from coastal desert (LMC) and from inland desert (LMD), Launaea nudicaulis collected from coastal desert (LNC) and from inland desert (LND), Launaea spinosa (LS)]. The EOs were analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and tested for antioxidant activity as well for allelopathic activity against purslane. A total of 117 compounds were identified from all samples, including 64 from LS, 50 from LMC, 39 from LMD, 24 from LNC, and 20 from LND, representing 100% of the total oil mass. The oxygenated sesquiterpenes were the major compounds of the EOs from LS, LMC, LMD, LNC, and LND, representing 62.73, 61.02, 58.35, 43.22, and 48.33%, respectively, whereas the monoterpene hydrocarbons were minor compounds in all samples. α‐Acorenol (31.42%), trans‐longipinocarveol (12.04%), and γ‐eudesmol (6.31%) represented the major compounds of the EO from LS, whereas hexahydrofarnesyl acetone and n‐heneicosane represented the major compounds from LMC, LMD, LNC, and LND. Correlations between the EOs of the five samples were studied via principal component analysis and agglomerative hierarchical clustering, based on the chemical composition of the EOs. There was a significant variation between Launaea species regarding both the quality and the quantity of EO composition, whereas no significant difference was observed based on the habitats (coastal and inland deserts). The EOs of the five Launaea samples exhibited meaningful antioxidant activities, as follows: LND > LNC > LMD > LMC > LS. Moreover, the EOs of the five Lanaea samples exhibited significant allelopathic activity against purslane weed in a concentration‐dependent manner. LMD and LMC showed the highest effect, with germination inhibition of 96.1 and 87.9% at 250 μL L−1, and radicle growth inhibition of 92.6 and 89.7%, but LS was the least effective extract. Our results showed that the variation in the quality and quantity of EO composition is mainly species specific, with a slight correlation with habitats.
Derivatives pricing when supply and demand matter: Evidence from the term structure of VIX futures
Authors: Mixon Scott , Onur Esen 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWe decompose the VIX futures term structure into systematic components driving the VIX and idiosyncratic components reflecting demand by various types of futures end‐users. We model two distinct channels by which trading activity manifests itself into futures prices: a contemporaneous “level effect” across the term structure due to the aggregate size of nondealer net demand and a mean‐reverting “roll effect” due to large trades in specific contracts. The observed futures term structure was, on average, higher and steeper than it would have been in the absence of the observed nondealer demand, but the impact varies in sign and magnitude over time.
Understanding the effectiveness of government health expenditure in improving health equity: Preliminary evidence from global health expenditure and child mortality rate
Authors: Li Jiannan , Yuan Bocong 
Published: June 2019

SummaryGovernments around the world are committed to enhance health equity, but the effectiveness of government health expenditure in improving health equity is still full of controversy. To respond to it, this study investigates the influence of government health expenditure (including domestic government health expenditure and foreign‐sourced health expenditure distributed by government) on child mortality rate across the world, in doing so evaluates its role in improving the social equity of health outcome. Using data of health expenditure and child mortality rate across the world (2000‐2015), empirical results show that both domestic government and foreign‐sourced health expenditure can greatly reduce the child mortality rate of families in rural areas with the lower level of maternal education and in the medium or low‐income stratum. Further, even though domestic government health expenditure is found more effective to reduce the child mortality rate of males, foreign‐sourced health expenditure can help cover such gender bias due to making a greater reduction in child mortality rate of females.
Ensuring effective implementation: A fidelity assessment system for comprehensive medication management
Authors: Livet Melanie , Blanchard Carrie , Frail Caity , Sorensen Todd , McClurg Mary R. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMeasuring the extent to which an intervention is implemented with fidelity (ie, as intended) is critical to its success. Comprehensive medication management (CMM) is an established pharmacy practice intervention in outpatient settings. However, there is no standardized approach to measuring its implementation fidelity. This article describes a fidelity assessment system that includes measures and tools for use by pharmacists and others involved with the practice of CMM. This system is a comprehensive but modular approach to assessing fidelity designed to facilitate measurement along three fidelity dimensions: context (ie, infrastructure needed to support CMM), content (ie, adherence to CMM), and competence (ie, skillset needed to deliver CMM). Practical recommendations with examples are also provided to facilitate application of the system in real‐world settings. These recommendations are designed to assist with prioritization of the fidelity dimensions to consider timing of the assessments, use of the resulting data, interpretation of the data, and translation of results into actionable decisions. Incorporating fidelity measurement into any CMM implementation effort is key to ensuring consistent care delivery and impactful clinical outcomes.
Assessing the performance of the g_mmpbsa tools to simulate the inhibition of oseltamivir to influenza virus neuraminidase by molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area methods
Authors: Ren Jiayi , Yuan Xiaohui , Li Junqi , Lin Shujian , Yang Bing , Chen Chun , Zhao Jian , Zheng Weihong , Liao Huaxin , Yang Zhiwei , Qu Zhangyi 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MM‐PBSA) method for GROMACS (g_mmpbsa) is an open‐source tool that is capable of reading the trajectories generated by GROMACS and calculating the binding free energy using the MM‐PBSA method. However, there are multiple force fields available for users to choose from in the GROMACS software, and there are also different solvent water models to combine with the chosen force fields. These different combinations of parameters may significantly impact the results of g_mmpbsa calculation. Unfortunately, the exact combination of force field and solvent water that can well calculate the free energy of the receptor–ligand binding in GROMACS has not been explored yet. To resolve the above issues, this study mainly explored the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations by GROMACS with the six commonly used force fields and three solvent water models, in combination with g_mmpbsa, to calculate the binding free energies of the influenza virus neuraminidase and its mutants with inhibitor oseltamivir carboxylate and compared the present results with previous published results of Amber software from ours and other researchers. Finally, we provided an optimized calculation model, as well as suggestions that may serve as advice and guidance for future computer‐aided designs of drug molecules.
Propranolol inhibits neonatal Nav1.5 activity and invasiveness of MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells: Effects of combination with ranolazine
Authors: Lee Alice , Fraser Scott P. , Djamgoz Mustafa B. A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe MDA‐MB‐231 cell line was used as a model of triple negative breast cancer to investigate the interaction of β‐adrenergic receptor (β‐AR) and voltage‐gated sodium channel (VGSC). There was significant (86%) overlap in their expression. Short‐term (acute) application of the β‐AR antagonist propranolol (25 μM) led to reduction of peak current and quickening of current inactivation (the latter occurred only in 5% fetal bovine serum). Long‐term (48 hr) incubation with propranolol (25 μM) resulted in several changes in VGSC characteristics: shifts in (a) current‐voltage relationship and (b) steady‐state inactivation, both to more negative potentials and (c) the slowing of recovery from inactivation. We then investigated the effects of propranolol and ranolazine, a blocker of VGSC activity, alone and in combination, on lateral motility and Matrigel invasion. These assays were carried out under hypoxic conditions more representative of tumor progression. Propranolol (2.5 and 25 μM) and ranolazine (5 μM), and their combination inhibited lateral motility. Also, propranolol (25 μM) and ranolazine (5 μM), and their combination inhibited invasion. However, no synergy was observed in the pharmacological combinations for both assays. Propranolol also significantly decreased total neonatal Nav1.5 protein expression, the predominant VGSC subtype expressed in these cells. We conclude (a) that β‐AR and VGSC are functionally coupled in MDA‐MB‐231 cells; (b) that propranolol has direct blocking action on the VGSC; (c) that the action of propranolol is modulated by serum; and (d) that the antimetastatic cellular effects of propranolol and ranolazine are not additive.
Estrogen receptor activation in response to Azadirachtin A stimulates osteoblast differentiation and bone formation in mice
Authors: Kushwaha Priyanka , Ahmad Naseer , Dhar Yogeshwar V. , Verma Ashwni , Haldar Saikat , Mulani Fayaj A. , Trivedi Prabodh K. , Mishra Prabhat R. , Thulasiram Hirekodathakallu V. , Trivedi Ritu 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe positive effects of the sex hormone in sustaining bone homeostasis are exercised by maintaining the equilibrium between cell activity and apoptosis. In this regard, the importance of estrogen receptors in maintaining the bone is that it is an attractive drug target, if devoid of known side effects. In this study, we show that a natural pure compound Azadirachtin A (Aza A) isolated from Azadirachta indica binds selectively to a site in the estrogen receptor, identifying itself to be a selective tissue modifier. Using computational and medicinal chemistry, we show that Aza A binds potentially and selectively to estrogen receptor‐α (ERα) as compared with ERβ. This preferential binding of Aza A to ERα with good pharmacokinetic distribution in the body forms metabolites, showing that it is well absorbed. In in vivo estrogen deficiency models for osteoporosis, Aza A at a much lower dose enhances new bone formation at both sites of the trabecular and cortical bone with increased bone strength and presents with no hyperplastic effect in the uterus.