bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hexamidine salts – applications in skin health and personal care products
Authors: Parisi N. , Matts P. J. , Lever R. , Hadgraft J. , Lane M. E. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractHexamidine (HEX) has been used as a preservative in topical preparations since the 1950s. A number of studies also indicate that the molecule plays a beneficial role in skin homoeostasis. In this review, we describe the physicochemical properties of hexamidine diisethionate (HEX D) and the corresponding hydrochloride salt (HEX H). The biocidal and protease inhibition properties of HEX are outlined as well as the effects of HEX on lipid processing enzymes, corneocyte maturity, stratum corneum thickness and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Skin permeation properties of HEX D and HEX H are summarized, and formulation approaches for effective dermal targeting of HEX are discussed.
Si segregation and its role in reaching transparent YAG
Authors: Zamir Shlomit 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIt is well‐known that doping YAG with Si dramatically affects densification and grain growth, and as a result Si is commonly added to YAG as a sintering additive to achieve full density and transparency. In recent studies, the influence of Si was explored, but segregation of Si to grain boundaries in YAG was not detected. The present article contradicts previous findings by revealing an excess of Si at grain boundaries in YAG. The findings were corroborated using atom probe tomography and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy in a scanning transmission electron microscope. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first time Si segregation was discovered in SiO2‐doped YAG, and the first time a dopant concentration profile at grain boundaries in a ceramic material was characterized by atom probe tomography. Finally, a change is proposed for the method to calculate grain‐boundary mobility in the presence of a solute (Lucke and Detert), showing a good correspondence to the experimental results. These results can change the view on solute distribution in ceramic grain boundaries from theoretical and characterization aspects.
Early Canadian Multicenter Experience With WATCHMAN for Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure
Authors: SAW JACQUELINE , FAHMY PETER , AZZALINI LORENZO , MARQUIS JEAN‐FRANCOIS , HIBBERT BENJAMIN , MORILLO CARLOS , CARRIZO ALDO , IBRAHIM REDA 
Published: January 2017

Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage ClosureBackgroundThere are limited data with WATCHMAN (Boston Scientific Corporation, Natick, MA, USA) for left atrial appendage (LAA) closure in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and contraindications to anticoagulation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of WATCHMAN in our early Canadian experience.MethodsWe report our pooled consecutive series of patients who underwent WATCHMAN implantation at four major Canadian centers. Indications for LAA closure were CHADS2 ≥ 1 or CHA2DS2‐VASc ≥ 2, and contraindication/intolerance to or failure on anticoagulation. Follow‐up imaging was typically performed 1–6 months postprocedure.ResultsOne hundred and six patients underwent LAA closure with WATCHMAN from May 2013 to October 2015. The mean age was 74.8 ± 7.7, mean CHADS2 score was 2.8 ± 1.2, CHA2DS2‐VASc score was 4.3 ± 1.5, and HASBLED score was 3.2 ± 1.2. Permanent AF was present in 67.9% and paroxysmal AF in 32.1%. Indications for LAA closure were prior bleeding 89.6% (87 major bleeding and 8 minor bleeding), 9.4% were deemed high risk for bleeding, and 0.9% with recurrent strokes on warfarin. Procedural success was 97.2% (103 of 106), with one device embolization (snared percutaneously), one implant failure due to inadequate LAA depth, and one cardiac perforation requiring surgical repair before WATCHMAN implantation. The composite major safety event‐rate was 1.9% (1 death and 1 device embolization). Mean hospital stay was 1.8 ± 4.7 days. Antithrombotic therapy postimplant included dual antiplatelet therapy in 76 of 103 (73.8%). Mean follow‐up was 210 ± 182 days; there were two transient ischemic attacks, with estimated 66% reduction in thromboembolic events relative to CHADS2 predicted risk.ConclusionIn our early Canadian experience, WATCHMAN for LAA closure in patients contraindicated to anticoagulation appeared safe and effective.
Association of Antitachycardia Pacing or Shocks With Survival in 69,000 Patients With an Implantable Defibrillator
Authors: STRICKBERGER S. ADAM , CANBY ROBERT , COOPER JOSHUA , COPPESS MARK , DOSHI RAHUL , JOHN ROY , CONNOLLY ALLISON T. , ROBERTS GREGORY , KARST EDWARD , DAOUD EMILE G. 
Published: January 2017

ATP and Mortality in 69,000 ICD PatientsAimsAntitachycardia pacing (ATP) is an effective treatment for ventricular tachycardia (VT) and can reduce the frequency of shocks in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The association between survival and ATP, as compared to a shock, has not been confirmed in a large patient population. This study aims to determine if patients with an ICD receiving ATP have lower mortality, as compared to those receiving shock.MethodsSixty‐nine thousand three hundred and sixty‐eight patients underwent ICD implantation between October 2008 and May 2013 and were enrolled in the remote monitoring network Merlin.net™ (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA). Patients were categorized into three groups based on the type of ICD therapy received during follow‐up: no therapy (N = 47,927), ATP (N = 8,049), and shock (N = 13,392) groups. Survival was determined by linking implant records to the Social Security Death Index.ResultsThe no therapy (hazard ratio [HR] 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56–0.64, P < 0.001) and ATP (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.64–0.77, P < 0.001) groups were associated with a lower mortality risk than the shock group. These results were unaffected by age, gender, device type, atrial fibrillation (AF) burden, or ventricular rate. ATP was effective in 85% of episodes and ATP effectiveness was dependent on the ventricular rate.ConclusionsMortality rates were higher in ICD patients who received only ATP compared to no therapy, but ICD patients who received a shock had higher mortality compared to both groups. Furthermore, the data suggest that age, gender, device type, AF burden, and rate of arrhythmia do not change the trend of higher mortality in patients receiving ICD shock compared to ATP alone.
Effect of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy on Myocardial Fibrosis and Relevant Cytokines in a Canine Model With Experimental Heart Failure
Authors: WANG JINGFENG , GONG XUE , CHEN HAIYAN , QIN SHENGMEI , ZHOU NIANWEI , SU YANGANG , GE JUNBO 
Published: January 2017

CRT and Myocardial FibrosisIntroductionThough cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has now proved to be effective on cardiac reverse remodeling, data on the underlying molecular changes are limited. The present study aims to investigate the expression of cytokines concerning myocardial fibrosis in dyssynchronous heart failure (HF) and the potential benefits of CRT.Methods and ResultsLeft bundle branch ablation and rapid pacing was performed to induce a canine model of asynchronous HF. Animals were randomly divided into sham group, HF control group, and CRT group. Echocardiographic data including septum‐to‐posterior wall motion delay (SPWMD) and standard deviation of the time to peak systolic velocity (Ts‐SD) were collected. Histologic samples from lateral left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) free wall were analyzed and compared among different groups. Serum concentrations of NT‐proBNP, TGF‐β1, and osteopontin (OPN) were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein and mRNA expressions of TGF‐β1/Smad and OPN from myocardial tissues were also detected and compared. CRT improved cardiac function and corrected intraventricular dyssynchrony with increased LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and decreased SPWMD and Ts‐SD (P < 0.05). Histological analysis showed that CRT restored cardiomyocyte diameter (from 4.50 to 6.08 μm) and collagen volume fraction (from 19.33% to 11.21%) of LV (P < 0.01), but had little effect on RV. Serum TGF‐β1 and OPN level were also reversed toward normal level after CRT (P < 0.05). Compared with sham group, a significantly higher protein and mRNA expressions of TGF‐β1/Smad and OPN were observed in HF control group, which were significantly downregulated in CRT group (P < 0.01).ConclusionBy means of coordinating LV dyssynchrony, cellular and molecular reverse remodeling relevant to fibrosis inhibition could also be invoked by CRT.
Higher maternal serum prolactin levels are associated with reduced glucose tolerance during pregnancy
Authors: Ekinci Elif I , Torkamani Niloufar , Ramchand Sabashini K , Churilov Leonid , Sikaris Ken A , Lu Zhong X , Houlihan Christine A 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIt is unknown if high prolactin levels during pregnancy contribute to the development of gestational diabetes. We hypothesized that higher prolactin levels are associated with reduced glucose tolerance, as determined by higher 2‐h glucose level from an oral glucose tolerance test in pregnancy. The 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test was carried out at 28 weeks of gestation in 69 participants. A multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between serum prolactin and 2‐h glucose levels. Multivariable regression analysis showed an independent and significant relationship between third trimester prolactin and 2‐h glucose levels post oral glucose tolerance test. Higher prolactin levels were associated with higher glucose levels independent of age, body mass index, gravidity and parity. Higher prolactin levels associated with reduced glucose tolerance in the third trimester of pregnancy suggests the possible independent role of prolactin in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes.
Standing sagittal alignment of the whole axial skeleton with reference to the gravity line in humans
Authors: Hasegawa Kazuhiro , Okamoto Masashi , Hatsushikano Shun , Shimoda Haruka , Ono Masatoshi , Homma Takao , Watanabe Kei 
Published: January 2017

AbstractHuman beings stand upright with the chain of balance beginning at the feet, progressing to the lower limbs (ankles, knees, hip joints, pelvis), each of the spinal segments, and then ending at the cranium to achieve horizontal gaze and balance using minimum muscle activity. The details of the alignment and balance of the chain, however, are not clearly understood, due to the lack of information regarding the three‐dimensional (3D) orientation of all bony elements in relation to the gravity line (GL). We performed a clinical study to clarify the standing sagittal alignment of whole axial skeletons in reference to the GL using the EOS slot‐scanning 3D X‐ray imaging system with simultaneous force plate measurement in a healthy human population. The GL was defined as a vertical line drawn through the centre of vertical pressure measured by the force plate. The present study yielded a complete set of physiological alignment measurements of the standing axial skeleton from the database of 136 healthy subjects (a mean age of 39.7 years, 20–69 years; men: 40, women: 96). The mean offset of centre of the acoustic meati from the GL was 0.0 cm. The offset of the cervical and thoracic vertebrae was posterior to the GL with the apex of thoracic kyphosis at T7, 5.0 cm posterior to the GL. The sagittal alignment changed to lordosis at the level of L2. The apex of the lumbar lordosis was L4, 0.6 cm anterior to the GL, and the centre of the base of the sacrum (CBS) was just posterior to the GL. The hip axis (HA) was 1.4 cm anterior to the GL. The knee joint was 2.4 cm posterior and the ankle joint was 4.8 cm posterior to the GL. L4‐, L5‐ and the CBS‐offset in subjects in the age decades of 40s, 50s and 60s were significantly posterior to those of subjects in their 20s. The L5‐ and CBS‐offset in subjects in their 50s and 60s were also significantly posterior to those in subjects in their 30s. HA was never posterior to the GL. In the global alignment, there was a positive correlation between offset of C7 vertebra from the sagittal vertical axis (a vertical line drawn through the posterior superior corner of the sacrum in the sagittal plane) and age, but no correlation was detected between the centre of the acoustic meati‐GL offset and age. Cervical lordosis (CL), pelvic tilt (PT), pelvic incidence, hip extension, knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion increased significantly with age. Our results revealed that aging induces trunk stooping, but the global alignment is compensated for by an increase in the CL, PT and knee flexion, with the main function of CL and PT to maintain a horizontal gaze in a healthy population.
CONVERGENCEOF CAPITAL AND INSURANCE MARKETS: CONSISTENT PRICING OF INDEX‐LINKED CATASTROPHE LOSS INSTRUMENTS
Authors: Gatzert Nadine , Pokutta Sebastian , Vogl Nikolai 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTIndex‐linked catastrophe loss instruments have become increasingly attractive for investors and play an important role in risk management. Their payout is tied to the development of an underlying industry loss index (reflecting losses from natural catastrophes) and may additionally depend on the ceding company's loss. Depending on the instrument, pricing is currently not entirely transparent and does not assume a liquid market. We show how arbitrage‐free and market‐consistent prices for such instruments can be derived by overcoming the crucial point of tradability of the underlying processes. We develop suitable approximation and replication techniques and—based on these—provide explicit pricing formulas using cat bond prices. Finally, we use empirical examples to illustrate the suggested approximations.
Evaluation of coagulation during treatment with directly acting antivirals in patients with hepatitis C virus related cirrhosis
Authors: Tripodi Armando , D'Ambrosio Roberta , Padovan Lidia , Tosetti Giulia , Aghemo Alessio , Primignani Massimo , Chantarangkul Veena , Peyvandi Flora , Colombo Massimo 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackground & AimsThe effect of direct‐acting‐antivirals (DAA) on coagulation of hepatitis‐C‐virus (HCV)‐related cirrhosis is unknown.MethodsWe investigated 28 patients on DAA treatment and performed prothrombin‐time, thrombin generation with and without thrombomodulin, whole‐blood thromboelastometry, as well as the individual procoagulants (II, VIII, XIII, von Willebrand) and anticoagulants, antithrombin and protein‐C.ResultsPatients had undetectable HCV‐RNA at the end‐of‐ treatment and at 12‐weeks after end‐of‐treatment (sustained virological response). Transaminases were significantly decreased at both end‐of‐treatment and at 12‐weeks. Prothrombin‐time declined at 12‐weeks, but did not reach statistical significance. Factor‐II, protein‐C and antithrombin increased significantly at end‐of‐treatment (P<.001) and persisted at 12‐weeks. Factor‐VIII decreased at end‐of‐treatment and to a greater extent at 12‐weeks when reached statistical significance (P<.05). Factor‐VIII/protein‐C ratio decreased sharply, reached statistical significance at end‐of‐treatment (P<.01) and persisted at 12‐weeks. Von‐Willebrand decreased at end‐of‐treatment and reached statistical significance at 12‐weeks (P<.001). Endogenous‐thrombin‐potential without thrombomodulin increased significantly at end‐of‐treatment (P<.01) and persisted at 12‐weeks. No changes were observed after addition of thrombomodulin. Endogenous‐thrombin‐potential ratio (with/without thrombomodulin) decreased and reached statistical significance at 12‐weeks (P<.05). Thromboelastometry clotting time decreased sharply, reached statistical significance at end‐of treatment (P<.001) and persisted at 12‐weeks.ConclusionsTreatment with DAAs in HCV‐related cirrhosis results in improvement of the individual pro‐ and anticoagulants. It can be hypothesised that the net effect does not substantially modify their balance (as shown by the unchanged thrombin generation in the presence of thrombomodulin) but makes it more stable and less amenable to be perturbed as presumably occurs before treatment when there is a partial deficiency for both.
Origin of mass‐independent oxygen isotope variation among ureilites: Clues from chondrites and primitive achondrites
Authors: Sanders I. S. , Scott E. R. D. , Delaney J. S. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractUreilite meteorites are abundant, carbon‐rich, primitive achondrites made of coarse‐grained, equilibrated olivine and pyroxene (usually pigeonite). They probably sample the baked, heterogeneous, melt‐depleted mantle of a large, once‐chondritic parent body that was broken up catastrophically while still young and hot. Heterogeneity in the parent body is inferred from a considerable “slope‐1” variation from one meteorite to another in oxygen isotopes (−2.5‰ < Δ17O < −0.2‰), which correlates with both molar FeO/MgO (range 0.03–0.35) and molar FeO/MnO (range 3–57), i.e., Δ17O correlates with the redox state. No consensus has yet emerged on the cause of these correlated trends. One view favors their inheritance via silicates from hot nebular (preaccretion) processes. Another invokes smelting (reduction of FeO by C in the hot parent body). Here, guided mainly by similar trends among equilibrated ordinary and R chondrites, studies of their unequilibrated counterparts, and work on other primitive achondrites, we propose a new model for ureilites in which the parent body accreted nebular ice with high‐∆17O, Mg‐rich silicates with low ∆17O, and varying amounts of metallic iron. Water from the thawing ice then oxidized the metal yielding secondary FeO‐bearing minerals with high ∆17O that, with metamorphism, became incorporated into the ureilite silicates. FeO/MgO, FeO/MnO, and ∆17O correlate because they rose in unison by amounts that varied spatially, depending on the local amount of metal that was oxidized. We suggest that the parent body was so large (radius ≫ 100 km) that smelting was inhibited and that carbon played a passive role in ureilite evolution. Although ureilites are regarded as complicated meteorites, we believe our analysis explains their mass‐independent oxygen isotope trend and related FeO variation through well‐understood processes and enlightens our understanding of the evolution of early planetesimals from cold, wet bodies to hot, dry ones.
Petrogenesis of the EET 92023 achondrite and implications for early impact events
Authors: Yamaguchi A. , Shirai N. , Okamoto C. , Ebihara M. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWe report petrology and geochemistry of an achondrite EET 92023 and compare it with normal and anomalous eucrites. EET 92023 is an unbrecciated achondrite and shows a granular texture mainly composed of low‐Ca pyroxene and plagioclase, petrologically similar to normal cumulate eucrites such as Moore County. However, this rock contains a significant amount of kamacite and taenite not common in unbrecciated, crystalline eucrites. EET 92023 contains a significant amount of platinum group elements (PGEs) (ca. 10% of CI), several orders of magnitude higher than those of monomict eucrites. We suggest that the metallic phases carrying PGEs were incorporated by a projectile during or before igneous crystallization and thermal metamorphism. The projectile was likely to be an iron meteorite rather than chondritic materials, as indicated by the lack of olivine and the presence of free silica. Therefore, the oxygen isotopic signature is indigenous, rather than due to contamination of the projectile material with different oxygen isotopic compositions. A significant thermal event involving partial melting and metamorphism after the impact event indicates that EET 92023 records early impact events which took place shortly after the crust formation on a differentiated protoplanet when the crust was still hot.
Immunization and treatment updates: 2016‐2017 influenza season
Authors: de St. Maurice Annabelle , Halasa Natasha 
Published: January 2017

AbstractInfluenza‐associated infections cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly among immunocompromised patients. Immunization is the primary mode of prevention of disease; however, efficacy in immunocompromised patients may be limited. Antiviral medications are important for treatment and prophylaxis of affected individuals. This article reviews treatment and prevention recommendations for the 2016‐2017 influenza season in the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere.
Effects of Tamarix removal on the community dynamics of riparian birds in a semiarid grassland
Authors: Raynor Edward J. , Cable Ted T. , Sandercock Brett K. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractInvasion of riparian habitats by non‐native plants is a global problem that requires an understanding of community‐level responses by native plants and animals. In the Great Plains, resource managers have initiated efforts to control the eastward incursion of Tamarix as a non‐native bottomland plant (Tamarix ramosissima) along the Cimarron River in southwestern Kansas, United States. To understand how native avifauna interact with non‐native plants, we studied the effects of Tamarix removal on riparian bird communities. We compared avian site occupancy of three foraging guilds, abundance of four nesting guilds, and assessed community dynamics with dynamic, multiseason occupancy models across three replicated treatments. Community parameters were estimated for Tamarix‐dominated sites (untreated), Tamarix‐removal sites (treated), and reference sites with native cottonwood sites (Populus deltoides). Estimates of initial occupancy (ψ2006) for the ground‐to‐shrub foraging guild tended to be highest at Tamarix‐dominated sites, while initial occupancy of the upper‐canopy foraging and mid‐canopy foraging guilds were highest in the treated and reference sites, respectively. Estimates of relative abundance for four nesting guilds indicated that the reference habitat supported the highest relative abundance of birds overall, although the untreated habitat had higher abundance of shrub‐nesters than treated or reference habitats. Riparian sites where invasive Tamarix is dominant in the Great Plains can provide nesting habitat for some native bird species, with avian abundance and diversity that are comparable to remnant riparian sites with native vegetation. Moreover, presence of some native vegetation in Tamarix‐dominated and Tamarix‐removal sites may increase abundance of riparian birds such as cavity‐nesters. Overall, our study demonstrates that Tamarix may substitute for native flora in providing nesting habitat for riparian birds at the eastern edge of its North American range.