bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcome of octogenarians with atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the AFCAS registry
Authors: Lahtela Heli M. , Bah Aissa , Kiviniemi Tuomas , Nammas Wail , Schlitt Axel , Rubboli Andrea , Karjalainen Pasi P. , Proietti Marco , Hartikainen Juha E.K. , Lip Gregory Y.H. , Airaksinen K.E. Juhani 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundMore evidence is needed on the optimal antithrombotic regimen in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).HypothesisOctogenarian patients (aged ≥80 years) with AF who underwent PCI have worse 12‐month clinical outcome, compared with younger patients.MethodsWe performed a post‐hoc analysis of data from the prospective, multicenter AFCAS registry, which enrolled consecutive patients with AF who underwent PCI and stenting. Outcome measures included major adverse cardiac/cerebrovascular events (MACCE; all‐cause death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, stent thrombosis, or stroke/transient ischemic attack) and bleeding events at 12‐month follow‐up.ResultsOut of 925 AF patients enrolled in AFCAS registry, 195 (21.1%) were ≥80 years. Mean age was 82.9 ± 2.6 years; 41.5% were women; 32.3% had diabetes mellitus. Compared with patients aged <80 years, there were more females among the octogenarians (P < 0.001). Compared with younger patients, octogenarians smoked and had dyslipidemia less often, and presented more frequently with acute coronary syndrome. The frequency and duration of antithrombotic regimens prescribed at discharge were comparable. At 12‐month follow‐up, overall MACCE rate was higher in octogenarians compared with younger patients (27.7% vs 20.1%, P = 0.02). The rate of acute myocardial infarction was higher in octogenarians (9.2% vs 4.9%, P = 0.02), but the rates of all bleeds and BARC >2 bleeds were similar (P = 0.13, P = 0.29, respectively).ConclusionsIn real‐world patients with AF undergoing PCI, patients aged ≥80 years had higher incidence of MACCE at 12‐month follow‐up compared with younger patients, although they received comparable antithrombotic treatment. The rates of bleeding events were similar.
The long‐term prognostic value of highly sensitive cardiac troponin I in patients with acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Lee Chuy Katherine , Hakemi Emad Uddin , Alyousef Tareq , Dang Geetanjali , Doukky Rami 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundIn patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), detectable levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) using a highly sensitive assay have been associated with increased in‐hospital mortality. We sought to investigate the impact of detectable cTnI on long‐term survival following acute PE.HypothesisDetectable cTnI levels in patients presenting with acute PE predict increased long‐term mortality following hospital discharge.MethodsIn a retrospective cohort study, we analyzed consecutive patients with confirmed acute PE and cTnI assay available from the index hospitalization. The detectable cTnI level was ≥0.012 ng/mL. Patients were classified into low and high clinical risk groups according to the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) at presentation. Subjects were followed for all‐cause mortality subsequent to hospital discharge using chart review and Social Security Death Index.ResultsA cohort of 289 acute PE patients (mean age 56 years, 51% men), of whom 152 (53%) had a detectable cTnI, was followed for a mean of 3.1 ± 1.8 years after hospital discharge. A total of 71 deaths were observed; 44 (29%) and 27 (20%) in the detectable and undetectable cTnI groups, respectively (P = 0.05). Detectable cTnI was predictive of long‐term survival among low‐risk (P = 0.009) but not high‐risk patients (P = 0.78) who had high mortality rates irrespective of cTnI status.ConclusionsIn patients with acute PE, detectable cTnI is predictive of long‐term mortality, particularly among patients who were identified as low risk according to PESI score.
Chronic kidney disease and coronary artery calcification in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA‐Brasil)
Authors: Suh‐Chiou Cheng , Moysés Rosa M. , Bittencourt Marcio S. , Bensenor Isabela M. , Lotufo Paulo A. 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundChronic kidney disease is a worldwide public health concern due to the increased prevalence the high fatalities related to heart disease in this population. Among novel cardiovascular risk markers, the coronary artery calcification score (CAC) emerged as an independent predictor of cardiovascular events.HypothesisWe aimed to test if glomerular filtration rate or albuminuria are independently associated with coronary calcification.MethodsThe Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health is a cohort of men and women aged 35 to 74 years old addressing cardiovascular diseases. We analyzed the association of CAC, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (ACR) according to stages of eGFR (1 = ≥90; 2 = 60–89; 3 = <60 mL/min/1.73 m2), and ACR (<30; 30 to 300; >300 mg/g). These associations were estimated by logistic regression with a model including age, sex, race, income, and cardiovascular risk factors.ResultsAmong 4189 persons (median age = 51 years, 54% women), 1183 had CAC. The odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (95% CI) in the multivariate model was 0.86 (0.58‐1.29) for the category of eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 compared to people with eGFR >90 mL/min/1.73m2. On the other hand, the OR (95% CI) for individuals with ACR >300 mg/g was 4.31 (1.27‐14.64) compared to people with ACR <30 mg/g. A discrete interaction factor for the association with CAC between eGFR and ACR were analyzed as continuous variable.ConclusionsAlbuminuria was independently associated with coronary calcification, but the reduction of the glomerular filtration rate was not associated with CAC score in this sample of apparently healthy adults.
Clinical efficacy of irrigated catheter application of amiodarone during ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation
Authors: Huang Xingfu , Chen Yanjia , Huang Yuli , Zhao Hongxin , Chen Yanyu , He Liwei , Liu Shenrong , Shee Vikram , Xu Dingli , Peng Jian 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundPharmacological treatment during ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is common, but utility of irrigated catheter application of amiodarone during ablation of persistent AF remains unclear.HypothesisIrrigated catheter application of amiodarone improves quality of ablation and long‐term outcomes.MethodsWe enrolled 90 persistent AF patients who underwent catheter ablation. Patients were randomized to the amiodarone group (n = 45) or control group (n = 45). All patients underwent stepwise ablation beginning with isolation of the pulmonary veins. Next, we performed ablation of linear lesions and focal triggers until sinus rhythm (SR) was achieved. The primary endpoint was documented atrial arrhythmia during follow‐up. The secondary endpoint was cardioversion to SR during ablation.ResultsAll pulmonary veins were successfully isolated. Conversion of AF to SR occurred more frequently in the amiodarone group than in the control group (33 vs 23 [73.3% vs 51.1%]; P = 0.03). The amiodarone group had lower procedure, radiofrequency, and fluoroscopy times than the control group (167.4 ± 22.5 min vs 186.7 ± 25.3 min; 78.3 ± 14.2 min vs 90.4 ± 15.5 min; and 6.5 ± 1.9 min vs 8.6 ± 2.4 min, respectively; P < 0.05). More importantly, the atrial arrhythmia recurrence‐free survival rates were 80% in the amiodarone group and 60% in the control group during the 14.7 ± 7.5‐month follow‐up (P = 0.043).ConclusionsIrrigated catheter application of amiodarone during ablation for persistent AF resulted in higher cardioversion rates and lower procedure times and significantly reduced rates of atrial arrhythmia recurrence.
Heterojunction Engineering for High Efficiency Cesium Formamidinium Double‐Cation Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wu Yihui , Wang Peng , Wang Shubo , Wang Zenghua , Cai Bing , Zheng Xiaojia , Chen Yu , Yuan Ningyi , Ding Jianning , Zhang Wen‐Hua 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIt is essential to minimize the interfacial trap states and improve the carrier collection for high efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, we present a facile method to construct a p‐type graded heterojunction (GHJ) in normal PSCs by deploying a gradient distribution of hole‐transporting materials (poly[bis(4‐phenyl)(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)amine], PTAA, in this case) in the shallow perovskite layer. The formation of the GHJ structure facilitates charge transfer and collection, and passivates interfacial trap states, thus delivering a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.05 % along with steady output efficiency of 19.3 %, which is among the highest efficiencies for cesium formamidinium (Cs–FA) lead halide PSCs. Moreover, the unencapsulated devices based on these (Cs–FA) lead halide perovskites show excellent long‐term stability; more than 95 % of their initial PCE can be retained after 1440 h storage under ambient conditions. This study may provide an effective strategy to fabricate high‐efficiency PSCs with great stability.
Ecohydrological drivers of Neotropical vegetation in montane ecosystems
Authors: Aparecido Luiza Maria T. , Teodoro Grazielle S. , Mosquera Giovanny , Brum Mauro , Barros Fernanda de V. , Pompeu Patricia Vieira , Rodas Melissa , Lazo Patricio , Müller Caroline S. , Mulligan Mark , Asbjornsen Heidi , Moore Georgianne W. , Oliveira Rafael S. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMontane ecosystems are known for their high numbers of endemic species, unique climate conditions, and wide variety of ecosystem services such as water supply and carbon storage. Although many ecohydrological and climatic studies of montane environments have been carried out in temperate and boreal regions, few have been done in Neotropical regions. Hence, the objective of this review is to synthesize the existing literature on the main factors (biotic and abiotic) that influence vegetation distribution, functional traits, and ecohydrological processes and feedbacks in tropical montane ecosystems and to identify key knowledge gaps. Most of the literature used includes work conducted in Neotropical montane rainforests, cloud forests, and grass/scrublands (e.g., páramos, punas, and campos de altitude/rupestres). Fog is a major climatic attribute in tropical montane habitats. We found that fog regimes (frequency and intensity of fog events) influence both water inputs (i.e., canopy interception and foliar water uptake) and outputs (evapotranspiration) and represent an important driver of local species composition, dominance of plant functional types, and ecological functioning. The stability and conservation of tropical montane ecosystems depends on such ecohydrological fluxes, which are sensitive to increases in air temperature and changing precipitation and fog regimes. Furthermore, to better inform effective conservation and restoration strategies, more work is needed to elucidate how key ecohydrological processes are affected by land use conversion to agriculture and pasture lands, as human activities influence the water budgets in Neotropical montane watersheds not only at regional‐scales but also globally.
Water regulation by grasslands: A global meta‐analysis
Authors: Sirimarco Ximena , Barral María Paula , Villarino Sebastian Horacio , Laterra Pedro 
Published: December 2017

AbstractGrasslands have been modified and replaced worldwide and have affected water regulation ecosystem services. In order to support public policies attending to the consequences of different grassland modifications and replacements, general patterns and models about their consequences on water regulation are needed. We quantitatively meta‐analysed the results of 110 site‐specific studies analysing infiltration (83) and evapotranspiration (28) responses to grasslands alterations by grazing, crops, and afforestation and how these responses vary with environmental factors. In grasslands, soil water infiltration is significantly reduced by grazing and cropping on average by 51% and 57%, respectively. Water infiltration is increased by 65% in response to afforestation. The reduction of infiltration with grazing decreases with soil sand content and increases with the mean annual precipitation (PPT) and the ratio PPT/mean annual potential evapotranspiration. The replacement of grasslands by forests increases evapotranspiration by 30%, and the variation of this response was linearly related to PPT and the PPT/mean annual potential evapotranspiration ratio. There was a negative trend in evapotranspiration responses although not significant, when grasslands were replaced by crops or modified by grazing. Our meta‐analysis was able to reveal average patterns and the influence of local climate and soil properties on eco‐hydrological responses to grasslands modifications and replacements, which have not been previously described. These results may support general predictive models on the influence of land use changes and ecosystem services provision. Significant gaps were found in the number of studies, especially of evapotranspiration, precluding the achievement of a general conclusion regarding evapotranspiration and infiltration responses.
Development of Tri‐Stable Rotary Solenoid Actuator
Authors: TSUKIMA MITSURU , KAI TAKAYUKI , TAKAHASHI KAZUKI , TAKEUCHI TOSHIE , KOYAMA KENICHI 
Published: December 2017

SUMMARYWe have designed and developed a tri‐stable rotary solenoid actuator, which has a simple structure and simple operation. The plunger has two stabilities at the extreme positions along an angular stroke and the third stability at the center of it. The third has been successively achieved by using the electromagnetic restoring torque, which is designed to be larger than the inertia torque. The dynamic characteristics were determined by utilizing an optimal design program that is specially constructed based on the response surface method in order to design the coil winding and the power supply for the coil excitation. A prototype solenoid was constructed and used to verify the tri‐stable motions and accuracy of the previously constructed design program.
A Urinary Bladder Volume Measurement Circuit Using a Simplified Very Small Phase Difference Measurement Circuit
Authors: NOGUCHI TAKURO , FUKAI SUMIO , ISHIKAWA YOHEI , SHIMIZU AKIO , KIMOTO AKIRA , TOYODA ICHIHIKO 
Published: December 2017

SUMMARYIn order to implement the measurement and the evaluation of analog signals in high accuracy, to detect not only amplitude level but also phase information is necessary. For example, measurement of very small phase difference is desired in fields such as electric power and organism‐related. Particularly, in organism‐related field, impedance measurement is important and it is used to measure the urinary bladder volume, the respiratory volume, and so on. For these purposes, portable and real‐time measurement devices with small sized is suitable. In this paper, we propose the urinary bladder volume measurement circuit using a simplified very small phase difference measurement circuit. This circuit is able to infer the changes of urinary bladder volume by measuring bioimpedance and phase difference of urinary bladder noninvasively with four‐terminal method.
Carbon‐Encapsulated SnO2 Core–Shell Nanowires Directly Grown on Reduced Graphene Oxide Sheets for High‐Performance Li‐Ion Battery Electrodes
Authors: Lee Sang Ho , Noh Yuseong , Jo Yong‐Ryun , Kim Yoongon , Kim Bong‐Joong , Kim Won Bae 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA designed electrode material of carbon‐encapsulated tin dioxide core–shell nanowires that are synthesized directly on reduced graphene oxide substrates is reported, and its application as a positive electrode material for lithium‐ion battery is shown. Each of the individual tin dioxide nanowires is wrapped with carbon shell layers and grown on a reduced graphene oxide substrate, which gives rise to structural benefits for electrochemical performance of the lithium‐ion battery. Such carbon structures allow the electrode materials to withstand the mechanical stress during repeated charge/discharge processes and facilitate the reaction kinetics for the lithiation/delithiation processes. In the electrochemical cell tests, the synergetic effect of the proposed electrode design is explicitly verified by presenting highly enhanced rate capability and cycle durability on full‐cell batteries as well as half‐cell tests.
Transoral robotic surgery for residual and recurrent oropharyngeal cancers: Exploratory study of surgical innovation using the IDEAL framework for early‐phase surgical studies
Authors: Paleri Vinidh , Fox Hannah , Coward Sarah , Ragbir Maniram , McQueen Andrew , Ahmed Omar , Meikle David , Saleh Daniel , O'Hara James , Robinson Max 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to identify the role of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the management of residual and recurrent oropharyngeal cancer.MethodsIDEAL (Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long‐term Follow‐up) 2a framework.ResultsOf 26 patients assessed for TORS, 21 underwent the procedure, 5 underwent open resection (4 due to unsuitable anatomy/tumor extent and 1 on the basis of patient choice). Three patients underwent intraoperative ultrasound‐assisted robotic resection, and 3 received robotic‐assisted free flap inset. A technical refinement for TORS of residual and recurrent oropharyngeal cancer of the tongue base is described. Actuarial plots showed estimated overall survival of 48.2%, local control of 76.6%, and disease‐specific survival of 77.1% at 42.6 months.ConclusionTORS is a valid management option for residual and recurrent oropharyngeal cancer. Oncologic outcomes are comparable to open surgery and transoral laser microsurgery, with the added advantages of en bloc resections, facility for intraoperative ultrasound imaging, and inset of free flaps without mandibular split.
miR‐191/DAB2 axis regulates the tumorigenicity of estrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer
Authors: Tian Xinxin , Zhang Zhiqian 
Published: December 2017

AbstractDisabled‐2 (DAB2) has been shown to be downregulated in a variety of human cancer types including breast tumors. However, the role of DAB2 in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer cells has not been reported. In this context, we demonstrated that DAB2 expression was significantly decreased in ER+ breast cancer cell lines and ER+ clinical specimens, compared with ER– breast cancer cell lines and ER– tissues, respectively. Depletion of estrogen significantly elevated DAB2 expression in ER+ MCF7 and T‐47D cells. Treatment with estradiol (E2) reduced the expression of DAB2 and administration of tamoxifen upregulated DAB2 expression in a dose‐dependent manner. Functionally, silencing of DAB2 in hormone‐starved MCF7 and T‐47D cells promoted cellular proliferation and enforced expression of DAB2 in normal‐cultured or E2‐treated cells suppressed cellular proliferation. Mechanistically, estrogen‐induced miR‐191 was identified as a direct upstream regulator of DAB2 in ER+ cells. Luciferase reporter assay indicated that miR‐191 inhibited DAB2 expression by directly targeting the 3′‐UTR of DAB2. Importantly, the expression and function of miR‐191 showed the opposite tendency with DAB2 in ER+ cells. In vivo, inhibition of miR‐191 significantly suppressed the xenograft growth induced by E2, and silencing of DAB2 could restored the growth arrest induced by miR‐191 inhibition. Taken together, our data unveil that the miR‐191‐DAB2 axis seems to be an important pathway associated with estrogen signaling in breast cancer and may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker and a powerful therapeutic target for ER+ breast cancer patients. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 70(1):71–80, 2018
Deficits in general emotion regulation skills–Evidence of a transdiagnostic factor
Authors: Lukas Christian Aljoscha , Ebert David Daniel , Fuentes Hugo Trevisi , Caspar Franz , Berking Matthias 
Published: December 2017

AbstractObjectiveDeficits in emotion regulation (ER) skills are discussed as a transdiagnostic factor contributing to the development and maintenance of various mental disorders. However, systematic comparisons of a broad range of ER skills across diagnostic groups that are based on comparable definitions and measures of ER are still rare.MethodTherefore, we conducted two studies assessing a broad range of ER skills with the Emotion Regulation Skills Questionnaire in individuals meeting criteria for mental disorders (N1 = 1448; N2 = 137) and in a general population sample (N = 214).ResultsConsistent across the two studies, participants in the clinical samples reported lower general and lower specific ER skills than participants in the general population sample. Also consistent across the two studies, diagnostic subgroups of the clinical samples differed significantly with regard to general and specific ER skills.ConclusionThe studies provide evidence that deficits in ER are associated with various forms of psychopathology. However, mental disorders seem to differ with regard to how strongly they are linked to ER skills.
Short‐term disuse promotes fatty acid infiltration into skeletal muscle
Authors: Pagano Allan F. , Brioche Thomas , Arc‐Chagnaud Coralie , Demangel Rémi , Chopard Angèle , Py Guillaume 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundMany physiological and/or pathological conditions lead to muscle deconditioning, a well‐described phenomenon characterized by a loss of strength and muscle power mainly due to the loss of muscle mass. Fatty infiltrations, or intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), are currently well‐recognized components of muscle deconditioning. Despite the fact that IMAT is present in healthy human skeletal muscle, its increase and accumulation are linked to muscle dysfunction. Although IMAT development has been largely attributable to inactivity, the precise mechanisms of its establishment are still poorly understood. Because the sedentary lifestyle that accompanies age‐related sarcopenia may favour IMAT development, deciphering the early processes of muscle disuse is of great importance before implementing strategies to limit IMAT deposition.MethodsIn our study, we took advantage of the dry immersion (DI) model of severe muscle inactivity to induce rapid muscle deconditioning during a short period. During the DI, healthy adult men (n = 12; age: 32 ± 5) remained strictly immersed, in a supine position, in a controlled thermo‐neutral water bath. Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis before and after 3 days of DI.ResultsWe showed that DI for only 3 days was able to decrease myofiber cross‐sectional areas (−10.6%). Moreover, protein expression levels of two key markers commonly used to assess IMAT, perilipin, and fatty acid binding protein 4, were upregulated. We also observed an increase in the C/EBPα and PPARγ protein expression levels, indicating an increase in late adipogenic processes leading to IMAT development. While many stem cells in the muscle environment can adopt the capacity to differentiate into adipocytes, fibro‐adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) represent the population that appears to play a major role in IMAT development. In our study, we showed an increase in the protein expression of PDGFRα, the specific cell surface marker of FAPs, in response to 3 days of DI. It is well recognized that an unfavourable muscle environment drives FAPs to ectopic adiposity and/or fibrosis.ConclusionsThis study is the first to emphasize that during a short period of severe inactivity, muscle deconditioning is associated with IMAT development. Our study also reveals that FAPs could be the main resident muscle stem cell population implicated in ectopic adiposity development in human skeletal muscle.