bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“Real life” longevity of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator devices
Authors: Manolis Antonis S. , Maounis Themistoklis , Koulouris Spyridon , Vassilikos Vassilios 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundManufacturers of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICDs) promise a 5‐ to 9‐year projected longevity; however, real‐life data indicate otherwise. The aim of the present study was to assess ICD longevity among 685 consecutive patients over the last 20 years.HypothesisReal‐life longevity of ICDs may differ from that stated by the manufacturers.MethodsThe study included 601 men and 84 women (mean age, 63.1 ± 13.3 years). The underlying disease was coronary (n = 396) or valvular (n = 15) disease, cardiomyopathy (n = 220), or electrical disease (n = 54). The mean ejection fraction was 35%. Devices were implanted for secondary (n = 562) or primary (n = 123) prevention. Single‐ (n = 292) or dual‐chamber (n = 269) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices (n = 124) were implanted in the abdomen (n = 17) or chest (n = 668).ResultsOver 20 years, ICD pulse generator replacements were performed in 238 patients (209 men; age 63.7 ± 13.9 years; ejection fraction, 37.7% ± 14.0%) who had an ICD for secondary (n = 210) or primary (n = 28) prevention. The mean ICD longevity was 58.3 ± 18.7 months. In 20 (8.4%) patients, devices exhibited premature battery depletion within 36 months. Most (94%) patients had none, minor, or modest use of ICD therapy. Longevity was longest for single‐chamber devices and shortest for CRT devices. Latest‐generation devices replaced over the second decade lasted longer compared with devices replaced during the first decade. When analyzed by manufacturer, Medtronic devices appeared to have longer longevity by 13 to 18 months.Conclusions
ICDs continue to have limited longevity of 4.9 ± 1.6 years, and 8% demonstrate premature battery depletion by 3 years. CRT devices have the shortest longevity (mean, 3.8 years) by 13 to 17 months, compared with other ICD devices. These findings have important implications, particularly in view of the high expense involved with this type of electrical therapy.
Kinome‐Wide Profiling Prediction of Small Molecules
Authors: Sorgenfrei Frieda A. , Fulle Simone , Merget Benjamin 
Published: May 2017

AbstractExtensive kinase profiling data, covering more than half of the human kinome, are available nowadays and allow the construction of activity prediction models of high practical utility. Proteochemometric (PCM) approaches use compound and protein descriptors, which enables the extrapolation of bioactivity values to thus far unexplored kinases. In this study, the potential of PCM to make large‐scale predictions on the entire kinome is explored, considering the applicability on novel compounds and kinases, including clinically relevant mutants. A rigorous validation indicates high predictive power on left‐out kinases and superiority over individual kinase QSAR models for new compounds. Furthermore, external validation on clinically relevant mutant kinases reveals an excellent predictive power for mutations spread across the ATP binding site.
Cost‐related medication nonadherence among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors
Authors: Kaul Sapna , Avila Jaqueline C. , Mehta Hemalkumar B. , Rodriguez Ana M. , Kuo Yong‐Fang , Kirchhoff Anne C. 
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUNDThis study investigated cost‐related medication nonadherence among survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer and a comparison group in the United States.METHODSA cross‐sectional analysis of the 2013 to 2015 National Health Interview Survey was performed. N=953 patients who were diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15 and 39 years were identified, and a comparison group was created using propensity scores. Cost‐related medication nonadherence was determined by individuals' report of skipping medication, taking less medication, or delaying filling medication to save money in the previous year. Covariates included demographics, insurance status, financial factors (eg, out‐of‐pocket health care expenditures), and health‐related factors (eg, comorbidity and mental distress). Chi‐square tests were used to compare nonadherence between survivors and the comparison group. Logistic regressions identified covariates associated with nonadherence.RESULTSSurvivors were more likely to report nonadherence than the comparison group (23.8% vs 14.3%; P < .001). Survivors were also more likely to report that they could not afford medication, asked their physician for lower cost medication, and used alternative therapies in the previous year to save money. Uninsured survivors were more likely to report nonadherence than those privately insured (odds ratio [OR], 3.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.67‐6.09). Non‐Hispanic black survivors, those who reported greater mental distress, and those with greater comorbidities reported nonadherence more often than their counterparts. Survivors reporting a usual source of care were at a lower risk of nonadherence than those without it (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.18‐0.82).CONCLUSIONSCost‐related communication with survivors may be needed to increase medication adherence. Uninsured and sicker survivors should receive regular screening to improve adherence. Future work should evaluate adherence for specific drugs. Cancer 2017;123:2726‐34. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Prognostic significance of promoter CpG island methylation of obesity‐related genes in patients with nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Mendoza‐Pérez Julia , Gu Jian , Herrera Luis A. , Tannir Nizar M. , Zhang Shanyu , Matin Surena , Karam Jose A. , Wood Christopher G. , Wu Xifeng 
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUNDGreater than 40% of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cases in the United States are attributed to excessive body weight. Moreover, obesity also may be linked to RCC prognosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these associations are unclear. In the current study, the authors evaluated the role of promoter methylation in obesity‐related genes in RCC tumorigenesis and disease recurrence.METHODSPaired tumors (TU) and normal adjacent (N‐Adj) tissues from 240 newly diagnosed and previously untreated white patients with RCC were examined. For the discovery phase, 63 RCC pairs were analyzed. An additional 177 RCC pairs were evaluated for validation. Pyrosequencing was used to determine CpG methylation in 20 candidate obesity‐related genes. An independent data set from The Cancer Genome Atlas also was analyzed for functional validation. The association between methylation and disease recurrence was analyzed using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis.RESULTSMethylation in neuropeptide Y (NPY), leptin (LEP), and leptin receptor (LEPR) was significantly higher in TU compared with N‐Adj tissues (P<.0001) in both the discovery and validation groups. High methylation in LEPR was associated with an increased risk of disease recurrence (hazard ratio, 3.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.23‐8.07 [P = .02]). Patients with high methylation in LEPR had a shorter recurrence‐free survival compared with patients in the low‐methylation group (log‐rank P = 2.25 × 10−3). In addition, high LEPR methylation in TU was associated with more advanced features (P≤.05). Consistent with the findings of the current study, lower LEPR expression in TU compared with N‐Adj tissues (P = 1.00 × 10−3) was found in data from The Cancer Genome Atlas.CONCLUSIONSSomatic alterations of promoter methylation in the NPY, LEP, and LEPR genes are involved in RCC tumorigenesis. Furthermore, LEPR methylation appears to be associated with RCC recurrence. Future research to elucidate the biology underlying this association is warranted. Cancer 2017;123:3617‐27. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Next‐generation sequencing of a family with a high penetrance of monoclonal gammopathies for the identification of candidate risk alleles
Authors: Bolli Niccolo , Barcella Matteo , Salvi Erika , D'Avila Francesca , Vendramin Antonio , De Philippis Chiara , Munshi Nikhil C. , Avet‐Loiseau Herve , Campbell Peter J. , Mussetti Alberto , Carniti Cristiana , Maura Francesco , Barlassina Cristina , Corradini Paolo , Montefusco Vittorio 
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUNDThe authors describe a family with a high penetrance of plasma cell dyscrasias, suggesting inheritance of an autosomal dominant risk allele.METHODSThe authors performed whole‐exome sequencing and reported on a combined approach aimed at the identification of causative variants and risk loci, using the wealth of data provided by this approach.RESULTSThe authors identified gene mutations and single‐nucleotide polymorphisms of potential significance, and pinpointed a known risk locus for myeloma as a potential area of transmissible risk in the family.CONCLUSIONSTo the authors' knowledge, the current study is the first to provide a whole‐exome sequencing approach to such cases, and a framework analysis that could be applied to further understanding of the inherited risk of developing plasma cell dyscrasias. Cancer 2017;123:3701–3708. © 2017 American Cancer Society
Benzhydryl Ethers of Tartaric Acid Derivatives: Stereochemical Response of a Dynamically Chiral Propeller
Authors: Grajewski Jakub , Mądry Tomasz , Kwit Marcin , Warżajtis Beata , Rychlewska Urszula , Gawroński Jacek 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe benzhydryl (diphenylmethyl) group is a molecular propeller that can act as a chirality reporter if it is introduced nearby a stereogenic center by making an ether bond. The hydrophobic character of the benzhydryl group allows transformation of insoluble natural tartaric acid derivatives into soluble entities in a nonpolar environment. Electronic circular dichroism spectra, recorded within the short‐wavelength region of the phenyl 1B transitions (190–200 nm) shows strong bisignate Cotton effects. The signs and magnitudes of these Cotton effects are a function of absolute configuration and conformation of the molecule and do not primarily arise from exciton coupling of chiral benzhydryl chromophores. In crystals, the main‐chain conformation is stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonds and CH–CO dipolar interactions. The number of the donor NH groups has a pronounced effect on the preferred conformations and inclusion properties of benzhydryl‐(R,R)‐tartaric acid diamides. Evidence is shown for the solvent dependency of the conformations of NH amides of tartaric acid diphenylmethyl ethers.
Spatial autocorrelation reduces model precision and predictive power in deforestation analyses
Authors: Mets Kristjan D. , Armenteras Dolors , Dávalos Liliana M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractGeneralized linear models are often used to identify covariates of landscape processes and to model land‐use change. Generalized linear models however, overlook the spatial component of land‐use data, and its effects on statistical inference. Spatial autocorrelation may artificially reduce variance in observations, and inflate the effect size of covariates. To uncover the consequences of overlooking this spatial component, we tested both spatially explicit and non‐spatial models of deforestation for Colombia. Parameter estimates, analyses of residual spatial autocorrelation, and Bayesian posterior predictive checks were used to compare model performance. Significant residual correlation showed that non‐spatial models failed to adequately explain the spatial structure of the data. Posterior predictive checks revealed that spatially explicit models had strong predictive power for the entire range of the response variable and only failed to predict outliers, in contrast with non‐spatial models, which lacked predictive power for all response values. The predictive power of non‐spatial models was especially low in regions away from Colombia's center, where about half the observations were clustered. While all analyses consistently identified a core of important covariates of deforestation rates, predictive modeling requires parameter estimates informed by the spatial structure of the data. To inform increasingly important forest and carbon sequestration policy, land‐use models must account for spatial autocorrelation.
Species climatic niche explains drought‐induced die‐off in a Mediterranean woody community
Authors: Sapes Gerard , Serra‐Diaz Josep M. , Lloret Francisco 
Published: May 2017

AbstractDuring the last decades, plant die‐off has been reported worldwide as a result of increased frequency and intensity of extreme drought events. From a niche perspective, a species performance should decrease as the climatic conditions defining a drought event differ from those characterizing the species climatic niche (the average conditions experienced by the species). Species distribution models (SDMs) can potentially be used to test the link between species performance and their climatic niche by means of climatic suitability indexes. We studied the remaining green canopy of 18 woody species co‐occurring in a Mediterranean shrubland from the central Iberian Peninsula that experienced a severe die‐off following an extreme drought event. We found that the suitability of the climatic conditions estimated by SDMs strongly declined for all species during the extreme drought event. Species die‐off was significantly explained by the decrease in climatic suitability during the event, estimated as the ratio between the historic and the extreme event climatic suitability. Species with high occupancy levels across the landscape exhibited higher die‐off likely because (1) these species have short life‐span and mortality would be compensated by later high recruitment or (2) populations of rare species may have experienced local adaptation to drier conditions. Our results indicate that extreme drought events can have a negative effect, even in shrubland communities living in arid environments. Also, we develop a new approach that connects population‐level responses to species climatic niches through SDMs, and it can be applied to predict community responses to strong climatic variability, such as drought events.
A cognitive‐behavioral program for parents of children with chronic musculoskeletal pain; A feasibility study
Authors: Wiertz C. , Goossens M. , Spek E.M. , Verbunt J.A. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of a newly developed parent program for parents of children with non‐specific chronic musculoskeletal pain. This program is part of the child's interdisciplinary outpatient pain rehabilitation treatment. The goal of the parent program is to change parent's thoughts/behaviour regarding pain with the ultimate intention to further improve their child's functioning. There were two main objectives in the study: First, to evaluate the feasibility of the parent program. Second, to evaluate changing in parental behavioral factors pre‐ and posttreatment.MethodsParticipants were parents of adolescents, who underwent a interdisciplinary outpatient pain program for non‐specific chronic musculoskeletal pain. Parents participated in a parent program as part of their child's treatment. Adolescents reported their level of disability, pain intensity, fear of pain and pain catastrophizing by filling out questionnaires. Parents reported catastrophic thinking about their child's pain, fear of pain and disabilities of their child. In addition, they evaluated the parent program.ResultsSixty five parents (36 mothers and 29 fathers) of 44 adolescents filled in the baseline questionnaires. Result showed significant and clinically relevant improvements for both parents as well for adolescents. Parents were positive about the content of the parent program, they evaluated the program as supportive and informative.ConclusionAdding a parent program to a interdisciplinary outpatient pain program for adolescent with chronic musculoskeletal pain, seems to be feasible in daily life of the parents and results in positive behavioural changes for both parents and adolescents.SignificanceA parent program, designed to change cognition and behaviour of parents of children with chronic musculoskeletal pain is feasible.
Belonging to a majority reduces the immediate need threat from ostracism in individuals with a high need to belong
Authors: Eck Jennifer , Schoel Christiane , Greifeneder Rainer 
Published: May 2017

AbstractOstracism—being ignored and excluded—threatens the basic human needs for belonging, self‐esteem, control, and meaningful existence. This work introduces belonging to a majority as a buffer against the immediate negative impact of ostracism on basic needs for individuals with a high need to belong, for whom social groups are especially relevant. Three studies show that for individuals high in the need to belong, need threat was attenuated by membership in a majority group, but not by membership in a minority group (Studies 1 and 3) or a group of unknown size (Study 2). By contrast, individuals low in the need to belong—who place less importance on group membership in general—did not benefit from belonging to a majority group. The general pattern replicated across different manipulations of group membership and social exclusion, with two measures of need threat, and with participants from two different countries.
Contact with bisexual individuals reduces binegativity among heterosexuals and lesbian women and gay men
Authors: Lytle Ashley , Dyar Christina , Levy Sheri R. , London Bonita 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAlthough binegativity, the stigmatization of bisexuality, is prevalent among heterosexual and lesbian and gay communities, little research has addressed how the quantity and quality of intergroup contact affect binegativity. Drawing on intergroup contact theory, this study examined contact with and attitudes toward bisexuals among heterosexual undergraduates, heterosexual adults, and lesbians and gay men. Knowing more bisexuals (quantity) predicted more positive attitudes toward and decreased intergroup anxiety with male and female bisexuals. A multilevel structural equation model indicated that contact quality simultaneously predicted higher perceived stability of female bisexuality (but not male bisexuality) and tolerance of and less intergroup anxiety with male and female bisexuals when contact quantity was controlled for. This research suggests that both quantity and quality of contact with bisexuals predicts improved intergroup attitudes. Implications for future research on reducing binegativity are discussed.
Too special to be duped: Need for uniqueness motivates conspiracy beliefs
Authors: Imhoff Roland , Lamberty Pia Karoline 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAdding to the growing literature on the antecedents of conspiracy beliefs, this paper argues that a small part in motivating the endorsement of such seemingly irrational beliefs is the desire to stick out from the crowd, the need for uniqueness. Across three studies, we establish a modest but robust association between the self‐attributed need for uniqueness and a general conspirational mindset (conspiracy mentality) as well as the endorsement of specific conspiracy beliefs. Following up on previous findings that people high in need for uniqueness resist majority and yield to minority influence, Study 3 experimentally shows that a fictitious conspiracy theory received more support by people high in conspiracy mentality when this theory was said to be supported by only a minority (vs. majority) of survey respondents. Together, these findings support the notion that conspiracy beliefs can be adopted as a means to attain a sense of uniqueness.
Study of the Electrochemical Behavior of Biodiesel Microemulsion
Authors: Moreira Luiz Felipe Pompeu Prado , Beluomini Maísa Azevedo , de Souza João Carlos , Stradiotto Nelson Ramos 
Published: May 2017

AbstractMicroemulsions have become a widely employed technique for the control of biodiesel quality but are still poorly understood as regard to their electrochemical behavior. In this work, we report the fundamental importance associated with the knowledge of electrochemical behavior of microemulsions composed of water in the presence of a supporting electrolyte, soybean biodiesel and propan‐1‐ol as consolute, along with the ferrocyanide–ferricyanide redox system applied as probe. The voltammetric results showed that for different compositions of microemulsions, variation in peak currents and change in system reversibility as well as in the electron transfer process were clearly noted. Furthermore, through the study of the diffusion coefficient, three different types of microemulsions including Oil/Water, Bicontinuous, and Water/Oil were successfully identified. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies were also carried out aiming at obtaining more information regarding the electrode/solution interface. All the studies performed demonstrated that different types of microemulsions were formed upon exerting a direct influence on the electrochemical behavior of the redox probe. These results, in essence, point to the possibility of choosing a more suitable and advantageous microemulsion type for the development of an analytical method, as in the case, for example, of the microemulsions ME‐2 and ME‐3 which presented high voltammetric response in redox probe oxidation.
Effects of nitrogenous wastes on survival of the Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum)
Authors: Crow Justin C. , Ostrand Kenneth G. , Forstner Michael R.J. , Catalano Matthew , Tomasso Joseph R. 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

The objective of our study was to determine the acute toxicity of 3 common aquatic nitrogenous toxicants to the federally endangered Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum). Based on our findings, the 96-h median lethal concentrations (96-h LC50) for un-ionized ammonia-N, nitrite-N, and nitrate-N to E. sosorum are 2.0 ± 0.32, 31.7 ± 4.02, and 968.5 ± 150.6 mg/L, respectively. These results establish a benchmark for the tolerance of plethodontid salamanders to these toxicants and indicate that current water quality criteria are adequate for their protection. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3003–3007. © 2017 SETAC
Survey on the presence of non–dioxine-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs) in loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) stranded in south Mediterranean coasts (Sicily, Southern Italy)
Authors: Cammilleri Gaetano , Calvaruso Enza , Pantano Licia , Cascio Giovanni Lo , Randisi Barbara , Macaluso Andrea , Vazzana Mirella , Caracappa Giulia , Giangrosso Giuseppe , Vella Antonio , Ferrantelli Vincenzo 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

A total of 71 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) stranded along the coasts of Sicily (Southern Italy) were examined for non–dioxine like polychlorinated biphenyl (NDL-PCB) levels in muscle and adipose tissue by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method. The results revealed 6 high-indicator congener (∑6PCBIND) levels in 45% of the loggerhead turtles examined, with mean values of 980.39 ± 2508.39 ng/g wet weight in adipose tissue and 102.53 ± 238.58 ng/g wet weight in muscle tissue. The hexachloro and heptachloro PCB congeners were the most abundant in both the sample types. The highest NDL-PCB levels were reached in an adipose tissue sample of a loggerhead turtle of 80 kg stranded along the coasts of Termini Imerese (14 183.85 ng/g wet wt). No significant correlation was found between modified Fulton's K values of the loggerhead turtles and PCB contents (S = 47 151, p &gt; 0.05). Furthermore, no significant differences were found between sexes (W = 365, p &gt;  0.05). The PCB levels found in the present study were much higher than those found in the literature. The present study is the first report on the existence of NDL-PCBs in loggerhead turtles stranded in Sicilian coasts confirming C. caretta as a valuable indicator of contaminant exposure in the marine environment because of their specific biological and ecological characteristics. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2997–3002. © 2017 SETAC