bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AVG, NAA, boron, and magnesium influence preharvest fruit drop and fruit quality of ‘Honeycrisp’ apples
Authors: Arseneault Michelle H. , Cline John A. 
Published: November 2017

Preharvest fruit drop (PFD) of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) can cause significant losses resulting in up to 50% reduction in yield in some years. In a 2-yr study, ‘Honeycrisp’ trees were treated with six foliar treatments including 20 mg·L−1 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) 2 wk before anticipated harvest (WBAH), 125 mg·L−1 aminoethoxyvinylglycine hydrochloride (AVG) 4 WBAH, AVG plus NAA 2 WBAH, and repeat sprays of 200 mg·L−1 B, and 2000 mg·L−1 Mg applied 48–93 d after full bloom to evaluate their effect on PFD and fruit quality. Fruit drop associated with broken pedicels and physiological causes was monitored. During a year with ∼43% PFD on untreated control trees, AVG retained up to ∼35% and NAA retained up to ∼27% of the total fruit number, relative to the control trees. The combination of AVG plus NAA had similar PFD compared with AVG alone, while B and Mg were similar to the control. The proportion of PFD associated with broken pedicels was ∼5%. Aminoethoxyvinylglycine delayed starch degradation, ethylene evolution, and blush skin colour development of fruit. This study supports the use of AVG 4 WBAH and NAA 2 WBAH to manage ‘Honeycrisp’ PFD, which may offer economic advantages for growing quality apples. Foliar sprays of Mg or B failed to reduce PFD.
Discrimination and assessment of black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) cultivars using phenology and microsatellite markers (SSRs)
Authors: Zhao Peng , Zhou Huijuan , Coggeshall Mark , Reid Bill , Woeste Keith 
Published: November 2017

Black walnut (Juglans nigra L.), a large tree native throughout the eastern United States, produces a high-quality edible nut. Our goal was to maintain the integrity of black walnut breeding programs by verifying the identity of accessions. We sampled 285 ramets of 78 cultivars from the black walnut nut breeding orchards and clonal repositories at the University of Missouri and Kansas State University. We employed both phenotypic and genotypic methods to identify and differentiate cultivars. Phenotypes were evaluated using seven phenological traits. Cultivars varied for all traits among each of the 4 yr, but the best morphological characteristics for evaluating cultivar identity were bud break date and date of first pistillate bloom. Samples (n = 285) were genotyped using 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci. The simple sequence repeats produced a total of 174 alleles and 17.2 alleles per locus. We detected 47 unique genotypes represented by more than one sample, including 128 instances of identical genotypes with different names (synonyms) and 106 instances of different genotypes with a shared name (homonyms). Our results indicated that multiple errors were committed during the propagation of these important cultivars. It may be difficult to determine which genotype is original to a cultivar name in the absence of a foundation plant materials collection or vouchered specimens. These results will assist black walnut breeders and producers by improving the integrity of breeding collections and by identifying the best phenological traits for rapid assessment of trueness to type.
Comparing soluble to controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers: storage cabbage yield, profit margins, and N use efficiency
Authors: Van Eerd L.L. , Turnbull J.J.D. , Bakker C.J. , Vyn R.J. , McKeown A.W. , Westerveld S.M. 
Published: November 2017

Optimizing N fertilizer applications involves maximizing N use efficiency (NUE) while minimizing losses but depends on complex interactions of crop, soil, weather, and management practices. One approach may be to use controlled-release fertilizer that synchronizes N availability with plant demand. A field experiment at two Ontario locations from 2007 to 2009 compared split-applied ammonium nitrate (ANs) to preplant-applied poly-coated urea (PCU) and soluble N at a ratio of 75:25 at five N rates on late-season storage cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata). Maximum yield and profit margins were obtained at an average of 286 and >300 kg N ha−1, but few differences among sources were observed. Compared with ANs, PCU did not affect plant N content, nor did PCU reduce soil nitrate or NUE, which indicates little differences in risk of environmental N losses between N sources. Dissolution from mesh bags indicated 5%–25% of various PCU formulations remained by harvest but 5%–10% remained by spring, which suggests conservation over the winter, a need to synchronize N release with crop uptake, and partially explains the lack of treatment differences. From agronomic, economic, and environmental perspectives, the tested PCU treatments for cabbage production in a humid, temperate climate were equivalent to the standard practice.
Disparity Between Indications for and Utilization of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Asian Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Chia Yvonne May Fen , Teng Tiew-Hwa Katherine , Tan Eugene S.J. , Tay Wan Ting , Richards A. Mark , Chin Calvin Woon Loong , Shimizu Wataru , Park Sang Weon , Hung Chung-Lieh , Ling Lieng H. , Ngarmukos Tachapong , Omar Razali , Siswanto Bambang B. , Narasimhan Calambur , Reyes Eugene B. , Yu Cheuk-Man , Anand Inder , MacDonald Michael R. , Yap Jonathan , Zhang Shu , Finkelstein Eric A. , Lam Carolyn S.P. 
Published: November 2017

Background—
Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are lifesaving devices for patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction. However, utilization and determinants of ICD insertion in Asia are poorly defined. We determined the utilization, associations of ICD uptake, patient-perceived barriers to device therapy and, impact of ICDs on mortality in Asian patients with HF.

Methods and Results—

Using the prospective ASIAN-HF (Asian Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure) registry, 5276 patients with symptomatic HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) from 11 Asian regions and across 3 income regions (high: Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan; middle: China, Malaysia, and Thailand; and low: India, Indonesia, and Philippines) were studied. ICD utilization, clinical characteristics, as well as device perception and knowledge, were assessed at baseline among ICD-eligible patients (EF ≤35% and New York Heart Association Class II-III). Patients were followed for the primary outcome of all-cause mortality. Among 3240 ICD-eligible patients (mean age 58.9±12.9 years, 79.1% men), 389 (12%) were ICD recipients. Utilization varied across Asia (from 1.5% in Indonesia to 52.5% in Japan) with a trend toward greater uptake in regions with government reimbursement for ICDs and lower out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure. ICD (versus non-ICD) recipients were more likely to be older (63±11 versus 58±13 year;
P
<0.001), have tertiary (versus ≤primary) education (34.9% versus 18.1%;
P
<0.001) and be residing in a high (versus low) income region (64.5% versus 36.5%;
P
<0.001). Among 2000 ICD nonrecipients surveyed, 55% were either unaware of the benefits of, or needed more information on, device therapy. ICD implantation reduced risks of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.52–0.97) and sudden cardiac deaths (hazard ratio, 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.14–0.79) over a median follow-up of 417 days.

Conclusions—
ICDs reduce mortality risk, yet utilization in Asia is low; with disparity across geographic regions and socioeconomic status. Better patient education and targeted healthcare reforms in extending ICD reimbursement may improve access.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01633398
. Unique identifier: NCT01633398.
Migration and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among Ghanaian Populations in Europe:
Authors: Boateng Daniel , Agyemang Charles , Beune Erik , Meeks Karlijn , Smeeth Liam , Schulze Matthias , Addo Juliet , de-Graft Aikins Ama , Galbete Cecilia , Bahendeka Silver , Danquah Ina , Agyei-Baffour Peter , Owusu-Dabo Ellis , Mockenhaupt Frank P. , Spranger Joachim , Kengne Andre P. , Grobbee Diederick E. , Stronks Karien , Klipstein-Grobusch Kerstin 
Published: November 2017

Background—
For migrant populations from sub-Saharan Africa, adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors have been observed to be higher than found in their home country-based counterparts or among the host populations in high-income countries. Differences in absolute overall CVD risk, however, remain largely unexplained. We, therefore, predicted the differences in 10-year CVD risk among sub-Saharan African migrants (Ghanaians) living in 3 European cities and Ghana.

Methods and Results—
For 3864 subjects aged 40 to 70 years from the multicenter RODAM study (Research on Obesity and Diabetes Among African Migrants) conducted among Ghanaian adults residing in rural and urban Ghana and 3 European cities (Amsterdam, Berlin, and London), 10-year risk of CVD was estimated using the Pooled Cohort Equations with estimates ≥7.5% defining high CVD risk. Logistic regressions were used to determine the association of migration on CVD risk. The proportion with CVD risk ≥7.5% among Ghanaian men was 34.7% in rural Ghana, 45.4% in urban Ghana, 53.9% in Amsterdam, 61.0% in Berlin, and 52.2% in London. Compared with rural Ghana, CVD risk was significantly increased for Ghanaian men living in Berlin (adjusted odds ratio, 2.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.76–4.45) and Amsterdam (1.88; 1.25–2.84). Increased risk observed for men was largely not seen for women. CVD risk increased with longer stay in Europe.

Conclusions—
Knowledge about predictors of increased CVD risk among sub-Saharan African migrants in Europe and nonmigrants in urban centers will inform and support targeted health care and interventions to these populations.
Disparities in Management of Cardiovascular Disease in Rural South Africa
Authors: Jardim Thiago Veiga , Reiger Sheridan , Abrahams-Gessel Shafika , Crowther Nigel J. , Wade Alisha , Gómez-Olivé F. Xavier , Salomon Joshua , Tollman Stephen , Gaziano Thomas A. 
Published: November 2017

Background—
Optimal secondary prevention is critical for the reduction of repeated cardiovascular events, and the control of cardiovascular risk factors in this context is essential. Data on secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in sub-Saharan Africa are needed to inform intervention strategies with a particular focus on local disparities. The aim of this study was to assess CVD management in a rural community in northeast South Africa.

Methods and Results—

We recruited adults aged ≥40 years residing in the Agincourt subdistrict of Mpumalanga province. Data collection included socioeconomic and clinical data, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, human immunodeficiency virus status, and point-of-care glucose and lipid levels. CVD was defined as self-report of myocardial infarction and stroke or angina diagnosed by Rose Criteria. A linear regression model was built to identify variables independently associated with the number of cardiovascular risk factors controlled. Of 5059 subjects, 592 (11.7%) met CVD diagnostic criteria. Angina was reported in 77.0% of these subjects, stroke in 25.2%, and myocardial infarction in 3.7%. Percent controlled of the 5 individual risk factors assessed were as follows: tobacco 92.9%; blood pressure 51.2%; body mass index 33.8%; low-density lipoprotein 31.4%; and waist-to-hip ratio 29.7%. Only 4.4% had all 5 risk factors controlled and 42.4% had ≥3 risk factors controlled. Male sex (β coefficient=0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.25–0.63;
P
<0.001), absence of physical disability (β coefficient=0.40; 95% confidence interval, 0.16–0.65;
P
=0.001), and socioeconomic status (β coefficient=0.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.01–0.19;
P
=0.035) were directly associated with the number of risk factors controlled.

Conclusions—
Currently, CVD is not being optimally managed in this rural area of South Africa. There are significant disparities in control of CVD risk factors by sex, socioeconomic status, and level of disability. Efforts to improve secondary prevention in this population should be focused on females, subjects from lower socioeconomic status, and those with physical disabilities.
Availability, Sales, and Affordability of Tobacco Cessation Medicines in Kerala, India
Authors: Sarma Smitha , Harikrishnan Sivadasanpillai , Baldridge Abigail S. , Devarajan Raji , Mehta Aashna , Selvaraj Sakhtivel , Ali Mohammed K. , Mohanan Padinhare P. , Prabhakaran Dorairaj , Huffman Mark D. 
Published: November 2017

Background—
India is the world’s second largest consumer of tobacco, but tobacco cessation remains uncommon due, at least in part, to underutilization of cessation pharmacotherapy. We evaluated the availability, sales, and affordability of nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, and varenicline in the South Indian state of Kerala to understand potential reasons for underutilization.

Methods and Results—
From November 2016 to April 2017, we collected data on availability, inventory, and pricing of cessation medication through a cross-sectional survey of 199 public, semiprivate (Karunya), and private pharmacies across 5 districts in Kerala using World Health Organization/Health Action International methodology. Revenue and sales data were obtained from the latest Pharmatrac medication database. We assessed affordability using individual- and household-level income and expenditure data collected from November 2014 to November 2016 through the Acute Coronary Syndrome Quality Improvement in Kerala randomized trial. Cessation medications were not available in public hospitals (0%, n=58) nor in public specialty centers (0%, n=10) including those designated to provide cessation services. At least 1 cessation medicine was available at 63% of private pharmacies (n=109) and 27% of Karunya (semiprivate) pharmacies (n=22). Among the 75 pharmacies that stocked cessation medications, 96% had nicotine replacement therapy, 28% had bupropion, and 1% had varenicline. No outlets had sufficient inventory for a patient to purchase a 12-week treatment regimen. There were an estimated 253 270 treatment regimens sold throughout India and 14 092 in Kerala in 2013 to 2014. Treatment regimens cost 1.9 to 13.0× the median amount spent on smoked tobacco and between 8% and 52% of nonsubsistence income.

Conclusions—
Tobacco cessation medications are unavailable in the Kerala public sector and have limited availability in the private and semiprivate sectors. When available, medications are unaffordable for most patients. Addition of tobacco cessation medication onto national and state essential medicines lists may help increase access.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02256657.
Incremental Value of Repeated Risk Factor Measurements for Cardiovascular Disease Prediction in Middle-Aged Korean Adults
Authors: Cho In-Jeong , Sung Ji Min , Chang Hyuk-Jae , Chung Namsik , Kim Hyeon Chang 
Published: November 2017

Background—
Increasing evidence suggests that repeatedly measured cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors may have an additive predictive value compared with single measured levels. Thus, we evaluated the incremental predictive value of incorporating periodic health screening data for CVD prediction in a large nationwide cohort with periodic health screening tests.

Methods and Results—
A total of 467 708 persons aged 40 to 79 years and free from CVD were randomly divided into development (70%) and validation subcohorts (30%). We developed 3 different CVD prediction models: a single measure model using single time point screening data; a longitudinal average model using average risk factor values from periodic screening data; and a longitudinal summary model using average values and the variability of risk factors. The development subcohort included 327 396 persons who had 3.2 health screenings on average and 25 765 cases of CVD over 12 years. The C statistics (95% confidence interval [CI]) for the single measure, longitudinal average, and longitudinal summary models were 0.690 (95% CI, 0.682–0.698), 0.695 (95% CI, 0.687–0.703), and 0.752 (95% CI, 0.744–0.760) in men and 0.732 (95% CI, 0.722–0.742), 0.735 (95% CI, 0.725–0.745), and 0.790 (95% CI, 0.780–0.800) in women, respectively. The net reclassification index from the single measure model to the longitudinal average model was 1.78% in men and 1.33% in women, and the index from the longitudinal average model to the longitudinal summary model was 32.71% in men and 34.98% in women.

Conclusions—
Using averages of repeatedly measured risk factor values modestly improves CVD predictability compared with single measurement values. Incorporating the average and variability information of repeated measurements can lead to great improvements in disease prediction.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02931500.
Occurrence and Features of Childhood Myocarditis: A Nationwide Study in Finland
Authors: Arola Anita , Pikkarainen Essi , Sipilä Jussi OT , Pykäri Jouni , Rautava Päivi , Kytö Ville 
Published: November 2017

Background
Epidemiology of myocarditis in childhood is largely unknown. Men are known to have a higher incidence of myocarditis than women in adults aged <50 years, but whether this is true by sex in pediatric age groups is unknown. We set out to study the occurrence and potential sex differences of myocarditis in a general pediatric population.

Methods and Results

Data of all hospital admissions with myocarditis in Finland occurring in patients aged ≤15 years from 2004 to 2014 were collected from a mandatory nationwide registry. All patients with myocarditis as a primary, secondary, or tertiary cause of admission were included. Total and age‐ and sex
‐
specific incidence rates were calculated using corresponding population data. There were 213 admissions with myocarditis in pediatric patients. Myocarditis was the primary cause of admission in 86%. The overall incidence rate of myocarditis was 1.95/100 000 person‐years. Of all patients, 77% were boys, but sex differences in incidence rates were age‐dependent. In children aged 0 to 5 years, there was no sex difference in the occurrence of myocarditis. Boys aged 6 to 10 years had a higher incidence rate compared with girls (72% boys; incidence rate ratio: 2.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–5.89;
P
=0.04). Sex difference further increased in children aged 11 to 15 years (80% boys; incidence rate ratio: 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.68–5.67;
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions
Myocarditis leading to hospital admission is relatively uncommon in children, but occurrence of myocarditis increases with age. There is no sex difference in the risk of myocarditis during the first 6 years of life, but boys have a significantly higher risk at ages 6 to 15 years.
Hypothermia Modulates Arrhythmia Substrates During Different Phases of Resuscitation From Ischemic Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Piktel Joseph S. , Cheng Aurelia , McCauley Matthew , Dale Zack , Nassal Michelle , Maleski Danielle , Pawlowski Gary , Laurita Kenneth R. , Wilson Lance D. 
Published: November 2017

Background

We designed an innovative porcine model of ischemia‐induced arrest to determine dynamic arrhythmia substrates during focal infarct, global ischemia from ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation (VT/VF) and then reperfusion to determine the effect of therapeutic hypothermia (
TH
) on dynamic arrhythmia substrates and resuscitation outcomes.

Methods and Results

Anesthetized adult pigs underwent thoracotomy and regional plunge electrode placement in the left ventricle. Subjects were then maintained at either control (
CT
; 37°C, n=9) or
TH
(33°C, n=8). The left anterior descending artery (LAD) was occluded and ventricular fibrillation occurred spontaneously or was induced after 30 minutes. Advanced cardiac life support was started after 8 minutes, and
LAD
reperfusion occurred 60 minutes after occlusion. Incidences of
VF
/
VT
and survival were compared with ventricular ectopy, cardiac alternans, global dispersion of repolarization during
LAD
occlusion, and
LAD
reperfusion. There was no difference in incidence of
VT
/
VF
between groups during
LAD
occlusion (44% in
CT
versus 50% in
TH;
P
=1s). During
LAD
occlusion, ectopy was increased in
CT
and suppressed in
TH
(33±11 ventricular ectopic beats/min versus 4±6 ventricular ectopic beats/min;
P
=0.009). Global dispersion of repolarization and cardiac alternans were similar between groups. During
LAD
reperfusion,
TH
doubled the incidence of cardiac alternans compared with
CT
, with a marked increase in
VF
/
VT
(100% in
TH
versus 17% in
CT
;
P
=0.004). Ectopy and global dispersion of repolarization were similar between groups during
LAD
reperfusion.

Conclusions

TH
alters arrhythmia substrates in a porcine translational model of resuscitation from ischemic cardiac arrest during the complex phases of resuscitation.
TH
worsens cardiac alternans, which was associated with an increase in spontaneous
VT
/
VF
during reperfusion.
Elevated Baseline Serum Fibrinogen: Effect on 2‐Year Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Ang Lawrence , Behnamfar Omid , Palakodeti Samhita , Lin Felice , Pourdjabbar Ali , Patel Mitul P. , Reeves Ryan R. , Mahmud Ehtisham 
Published: November 2017

Background

Elevated fibrinogen is associated with short‐term major adverse cardiovascular events (
MACE
) after percutaneous coronary intervention, but the relation with late
MACE
is unknown.

Methods and Results

Baseline demographics and 2‐year
MACE
were recorded among subjects undergoing nonemergent percutaneous coronary intervention. A total of 332 subjects (66.6±19.5 years, 69.9% male, 25.3% acute coronary syndrome) were enrolled. Two‐year
MACE
(periprocedural myocardial infarction 9.0%, rehospitalization 6.3%, revascularization 12.7%, non–periprocedural myocardial infarction 4.5%, stent thrombosis 0.9%, stroke 1.8%, and death 0.6%) were associated with higher fibrinogen (352.8±123.4 mg/dL versus 301.6±110.8 mg/dL;
P
<0.001), longer total stent length (40.1±25.3 mm versus 32.1±19.3 mm;
P
=0.004), acute coronary syndrome indication (38.7% versus 17.8%;
P
<0.001), number of bare‐metal stents (0.5±1.1 versus 0.2±0.5;
P
=0.002), and stent diameter ≤2.5 mm (55.8% versus 38.4%,
P
=0.003). No relation between platelet reactivity and 2‐year
MACE
was observed. Fibrinogen ≥280 mg/dL (odds ratio [
OR
] 3.0, confidence interval [
CI
], 1.6–5.4,
P
<0.001), total stent length ≥32 mm (
OR
2.2,
CI
, 1.3–3.8,
P
<0.001), acute coronary syndrome indication (
OR
4.1,
CI
, 2.3–7.5,
P
<0.001), any bare‐metal stents (
OR
3.2,
CI
, 1.6–6.1,
P
<0.001), and stent diameter ≤2.5 mm (
OR
2.0,
CI
, 1.2–3.5,
P
=0.010) were independently associated with 2‐year
MACE
. Following a landmark analysis excluding periprocedural myocardial infarction, fibrinogen ≥280 mg/dL remained strongly associated with 2‐year
MACE
(37.0% versus 17.4%, log‐rank
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

Elevated baseline fibrinogen level is associated with 2‐year
MACE
after percutaneous coronary intervention. Acute coronary syndrome indication for percutaneous coronary intervention, total stent length implanted, and use of bare‐metal stents or smaller‐diameter stents are also independently associated with 2‐year
MACE
, while measures of on‐thienopyridine platelet reactivity are not.