bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiparametric prognostic scores in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a long‐term comparison
Authors: Agostoni Piergiuseppe , Paolillo Stefania , Mapelli Massimo , Gentile Piero , Salvioni Elisabetta , Veglia Fabrizio , Bonomi Alice , Corrà Ugo , Lagioia Rocco , Limongelli Giuseppe , Sinagra Gianfranco , Cattadori Gaia , Scardovi Angela B. , Metra Marco , Carubelli Valentina , Scrutinio Domenico , Raimondo Rosa , Emdin Michele , Piepoli Massimo , Magrì Damiano , Parati Gianfranco , Caravita Sergio , Re Federica , Cicoira Mariantonietta , Minà Chiara , Correale Michele , Frigerio Maria , Bussotti Maurizio , Oliva Fabrizio , Battaia Elisa , Belardinelli Romualdo , Mezzani Alessandro , Pastormerlo Luigi , Guazzi Marco , Badagliacca Roberto , Di Lenarda Andrea , Passino Claudio , Sciomer Susanna , Zambon Elena , Pacileo Giuseppe , Ricci Roberto , Apostolo Anna , Palermo Pietro , Contini Mauro , Clemenza Francesco , Marchese Giovanni , Gargiulo Paola , Binno Simone , Lombardi Carlo , Passantino Andrea , Filardi Pasquale Perrone 
Published: September 2017

AimsRisk stratification in heart failure (HF) is crucial for clinical and therapeutic management. A multiparametric approach is the best method to stratify prognosis. In 2012, the Metabolic Exercise test data combined with Cardiac and Kidney Indexes (MECKI) score was proposed to assess the risk of cardiovascular mortality and urgent heart transplantation. The aim of the present study was to compare the prognostic accuracy of MECKI score to that of HF Survival Score (HFSS) and Seattle HF Model (SHFM) in a large, multicentre cohort of HF patients with reduced ejection fraction.Methods and resultsWe collected data on 6112 HF patients and compared the prognostic accuracy of MECKI score, HFSS, and SHFM at 2‐ and 4‐year follow‐up for the combined endpoint of cardiovascular death, urgent cardiac transplantation, or ventricular assist device implantation. Patients were followed up for a median of 3.67 years, and 931 cardiovascular deaths, 160 urgent heart transplantations, and 12 ventricular assist device implantations were recorded. At 2‐year follow‐up, the prognostic accuracy of MECKI score was significantly superior [area under the curve (AUC) 0.781] to that of SHFM (AUC 0.739) and HFSS (AUC 0.723), and this relationship was also confirmed at 4 years (AUC 0.764, 0.725, and 0.720, respectively).ConclusionIn this cohort, the prognostic accuracy of the MECKI score was superior to that of HFSS and SHFM at 2‐ and 4‐year follow‐up in HF patients in stable clinical condition. The MECKI score may be useful to improve resource allocation and patient outcome, but prospective evaluation is needed.
Attentional control and the competition between nonpain goals and the threat of pain
Authors: Karsdorp P.A. , Schrooten M.G.S. , Geenen R. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundFully understanding attention to pain requires taking into account the motivational context. Both pain‐ and (nonpain) goal‐related information attracts attention. An intriguing question is which attentional bias prevails when pain‐ and goal‐related information co‐occurs? Reduced attentional bias towards pain‐ and goal‐related information was predicted when the other competing information was presented simultaneously. Moreover, trait attentional control was predicted to be associated with stronger attentional bias towards goal‐related information particularly in the presence of pain‐related information.MethodsAttentional competition between pain‐ and (nonpain) goal‐related information was measured in ninety participants using a dot‐probe task presenting two stimuli (pain‐related, goal‐related or neutral) simultaneously. Reaction time was the dependent variable. Dot‐probe trials alternated with goal trials to induce a temporary goal. Trait attentional control was measured with the attentional control scale.ResultsFor pain‐related neutral stimulus pairs, participants responded fastest when probes appeared on the same, compared to the opposite, location as the pain‐related stimulus. For pain‐goal‐related stimulus pairs, responses were fastest when probes appeared on the same, compared to the opposite, location as the goal‐related stimulus. Higher trait attentional control was associated with faster responding when probes appeared on the same, compared to the opposite, location as the goal‐related stimulus. Unpredicted, this effect was irrespective of the co‐occurring stimulus (neutral vs. pain‐related).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that the unintentional allocation of attention towards events related to a temporary (nonpain) goal prevails over attentional bias to events predicting pain. Trait attentional control predicts stronger attentional allocation towards events related to a temporary goal.SignificanceThese findings indicate that treatment interventions facilitating goal pursuit in patients with chronic pain are beneficial in reducing attentional biases towards pain‐related events.
New approach for the treatment of neuropathic pain: Fibroblast growth factor 1 gene‐transfected adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Forouzanfar F. , Amin B. , Ghorbani A. , Ghazavi H. , Ghasemi F. , Sadri K. , Mehri S. , Sadeghnia H.R. , Hosseinzadeh H. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundNeuropathic pain triggered by peripheral nerve lesion is extremely difficult to manage with current approaches, hence the importance of exploring therapeutic alternatives.MethodsWe have analysed adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD‐MSCs) and fibroblast growth factor 1 gene‐transfected adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD‐MSCs FGF1) on chronic constriction injury (CCI). The mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity were assessed using the von Frey filament, radiant heat and acetone drop tests. Histopathological and apoptotic changes and the level of FGF1, GFAP and TNFα proteins were assessed in the lumbar portion (L4–L6). Moreover, AD‐MSCs FGF1 were labelled with 99mTc ‐HMPAO and isolated organ counting were performed upon AD‐MSCs FGF1 administration.ResultsAdministration of AD‐MSCs FGF1 attenuated the CCI‐induced mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity. Spinal structural alterations and apoptosis were decreased in the AD‐MSCs FGF1 group. The injection of either phosphate‐buffered saline or normal NIH3T3 fibroblasts could not attenuate the behavioural symptoms of neuropathic pain. Increased genetically engineered cells were counted in the injured sciatic nerve and the elevated levels of FGF1 were detected in the spinal tissue. Stem cell therapy lead to decrement the level of the CCI‐induced TNF‐α and GFAP expression.ConclusionThe intravenous administration of AD‐MSCs FGF1 could be considered as a potential remedy for the management of neuropathic pain.SignificanceAD‐MSCs FGF1 attenuated the CCI‐induced mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity. Spinal structural alterations and apoptosis were significantly decreased in the AD‐MSCs FGF1 group. Elevated levels of FGF1 were detected in the spinal tissue.
Challenge Approach of an Inexpensive Electrochemical Sensor for Rapid Selective Determination of two Non‐classical β‐Lactams in Presence of Different Degradants and Interference Substances
Authors: Hendawy Hassan A.M. , Youssif Rania M. , Salama Nahla N. , Fayed Ahmed S. , Salem Maissa Y. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAn inexpensive stability−indicating anodic voltammetric method for rapid determination of two non‐classical β‐lactam antibiotics; Meropenem (MP) and Ertapenem (EP) has been developed and validated. The method was based on the enhancement of voltammetric response at a disposable graphite pencil electrode (GPE). Differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) method was developed for quantification of both drugs in B−R buffer solution (pH 2.0) at GPE. The GPE displayed very good voltammetric behavior with significant enhancement of the peak current compared to glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Stress stability studies were performed using 0.5 M of either HCl or NaOH and H2O2. Mass and infrared spectroscopy were used for identification of degradants and their pathways were illustrated. Under optimal conditions, the peak currents showed a linear dependence with drug concentrations. The achieved limits of detection (LOD) were 1.23, 2.07 and 1.50 μM for MP and two waves of EP, respectively. The developed voltammetric method was successfully applied for direct determination of MP and EP in drug substances, pharmaceutical vials and in presence of either their corresponding hydrolytic, oxidative‐degradants or interfering substances with no potential interferences. The differential pulse voltammograms were highly advantageous and applicable in QC laboratories for rapid, selective micro‐determination of MP and EP.
The next generation of capillary electrophoresis instruments: Performance of CE‐SDS protein analysis
Authors: Kahle Julia , Maul Kai Jorrit , Wätzig Hermann 
Published: September 2017

AbstractOver the last decade, capillary electrophoresis gained tremendous importance, because it became an indispensible tool for the quality control of biologics, e.g. therapeutic antibodies. Consequently, there has been a continuous development within the CE market. Microchip techniques have been established in the last years. Further trends are complete solutions for specific applications by the usage of reagent kits. Step by step instructions and facilitated handling of the instruments are becoming more common. This work focuses on the sized‐based protein analysis with CE‐SDS. The instruments CE 7100 by Agilent Technologies, LabChip® GXII Touch HT by PerkinElmer, Maurice S. by Protein Simple and PrinCE NextI870 by Prince Technologies have been evaluated, mainly analyzing protein mixtures of different molecular weights in long series. Published data of the PA 800 plus by SCIEX are also included in the tabled results. Precision, reliability, flexibility, and speed have been identified as the most important performance parameters, others such as resolution, sensitivity, linearity, ease of use and sustainability have also been considered. All tested instruments have shown an excellent performance. Depending on application and necessities, each user can find the most appropriate one.
A Pilot, Multicentre Pragmatic Randomised Trial to Explore the Impact of Carer Skills Training on Carer and Patient Behaviours: Testing the Cognitive Interpersonal Model in Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Hodsoll John , Rhind Charlotte , Micali Nadia , Hibbs Rebecca , Goddard Elizabeth , Nazar Bruno Palazzo , Schmidt Ulrike , Gowers Simon , Macdonald Pamela , Todd Gillian , Landau Sabine , Treasure Janet 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAimThe aim of the study is to establish the acceptability, feasibility and approximate size of the effect of adding a carer intervention [Experienced Caregivers Helping Others (ECHO)] to treatment as usual (TAU) for adolescents with anorexia nervosa.MethodsThe study is a pilot randomised trial comparing TAU (n = 50) alone or TAU plus ECHO with (n = 50) or without (n = 49) telephone guidance. Effect sizes (ESs) were regression coefficients standardised by baseline standard deviations of measure.ResultsAlthough engagement with ECHO was poor (only 36% of carers in the ECHO group read over 50% of the book), there were markers of intervention fidelity, in that caregivers in the ECHO group showed a moderate increase in carer skills (ES = 0.4) at 12 months and a reduction in accommodating and enabling behaviour at 6 months (ES = 0.17). In terms of efficacy, in the ECHO group, carers spent less time care giving (ES = 0.40, p = 0.04) at 1 year, and patients had a minor advantage in body mass index (ES = 0.17), fewer admissions, decreased peer problems (ES = −0.36) and more pro‐social behaviours (ES = 0.53). The addition of telephone guidance to ECHO produced little additional benefit.ConclusionsThe provision of self‐management materials for carers to standard treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa shows benefits for both carers and patients. This could be integrated as a form of early intervention in primary care. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Development of next generation cardiovascular therapeutics through bio‐assisted nanotechnology
Authors: Lakshmanan Rajesh , Maulik Nilanjana 
Published: September 2017

AbstractCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) rank, next to cancer and stroke, among the deadliest diseases in the world. Among the major CVDs, acute myocardial infarction is a life‐threatening disorder resulting from permanent damage to the left ventricular cardiac tissue. The major coronary arteries that supply blood to the functional left ventricle become blocked due to thrombotic plaque occlusion. During myocardial ischemia, oxidative stress and free radicals destroy healthy cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells, followed by degradation of the extracellular matrix, which results in ventricular wall‐thinning and dilation. To protect the left ventricle from further damage and to rescue ischemic cardiac tissue, specially designed scaffolds consisting of biological material and nanomaterials have been developed. At the preclinical level, scaffolds loaded with growth factors and cells have been shown to regenerate ischemic tissue into healthy, functional myocardium. In this review, different therapeutic strategies currently available to treat the disease conditions at various stages are discussed, with special emphasis on biomaterials. Recent advancements in cardiovascular therapeutics using graphene and exosomal nanovesicles are discussed in detail. In addition, future directions for the development of next‐generation cardiovascular therapeutics with biological and non‐biological materials through nano‐assisted technology are explored. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2072–2083, 2018.
Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of amphoteric chitosan‐based grafting flocculants for removing contaminants with opposite surface charges from oilfield wastewater
Authors: Peng Shuanglei , Jiang Guancheng , Li Xinliang , Yang Lili , Liu Fan , He Yinbo 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDContaminants with either negative or positive surface charges in wastewater generated from oilfields are normally very difficult to remove by traditional flocculants owing to their strong pH‐dependence and high health risks. Natural polymer flocculants, especially chitosan‐based flocculants, have attracted much interest for their environmental friendliness, excellent flocculation efficiencies and cost‐effectiveness.RESULTSA series of amphoteric chitosan‐based grafting flocculants (CM‐chi)‐g‐PDMDAAC (denoted as CgPD) were successfully synthesized by grafting diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DMDAAC) onto carboxymethyl chitosan (CM‐chi) with different grafting ratios. By carboxymethyl and grafting modification, dramatically increased water solubility of chitosan was obtained. The physicochemical structure of CgPD products was characterized by 1H NMR and elemental analysis proving that DMDAACC was grafted onto CM‐chi appropriately. Flocculation effects of CgPD were studied in kaolin and hematite suspensions having opposite surface charges. These CgPD flocculants demonstrated an excellent performance in respect of flocculation window, optimal dosage and pH sensitivity. In addition, CgPD was proven to be applicable as a flocculant in water treatment of oilfield sites.CONCLUSIONThe biodegradability flocculants, CgPD, can effectively remove contaminants with opposite surface charges from oilfield wastewater with low optimal dosage, wide flocculation window, low pH sensitivity and less environmental impacts than traditional flocculants. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Rainfall along the coast of Peru during strong El Niño events
Authors: Sanabria Janeet , Bourrel Luc , Dewitte Boris , Frappart Frédéric , Rau Pedro , Solis Olimpio , Labat David 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTWhile, climatologically, most areas of the Peruvian Pacific region do not experience precipitation, they can be affected by heavy rain and flooding during strong El Niño events with severe socio‐economic impacts. Only four strong El Niño events took place within the last five decades (1972/1973, 1982/1983, 1997/1998 and 2015/2016) which led to significant rainfall events in the northern part of Peru. Here a detailed analysis of the evolution of precipitation during these events was performed using gauge records from 1964 to 2016 from a network of 145 meteorological stations located along the Peruvian Pacific region. Through empirical orthogonal function analysis, the rainfall anomalies variability is interpreted as resulting from the combination of a meridional see‐saw mode (North–South) (Ep mode) and a zonal see‐saw mode (East–West) (Cp mode) that represent, respectively, 34 and 21% of the explained variance. It is shown that the extreme 1982/1983 and 1997/1998 El Niño events have a dominant projection on the Ep mode that has a strong loading in the northern region, while the 1972/1973 and 2015/2016 El Niño events have a relatively weak projection onto the Ep mode (about ten times less at the peak rainy season than the extreme events) and mostly project onto the Cp mode. Also, it is shown that while all events are associated with positive rainfall anomalies in the northern part of Peru which is accounted for by the Ep mode, the evolution of rainfall anomalies along the Cp mode exhibits a significant dispersion. This suggests that the impact of strong El Niño events on the highlands along the coast cannot solely be inferred from the magnitude of the sea surface temperature anomalies in the central equatorial Pacific. Overall, our study illustrates the nonlinearity of the ENSO teleconnection on the rainfall along the coast of Peru during strong El Niño events.
When eating a prey is risky: Implications for predator diel vertical migration
Authors: Modenutti Beatriz E. , Wolinski Laura , Souza Maria S. , Balseiro Esteban G. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractDiel vertical migration (DVM) is a common behavior in zooplankton to avoid visual predation as well as potentially hazardous light wavelengths. In deep transparent lakes of Patagonia, the dark pigmented mixotrophic ciliate Stentor araucanus inhabits the upper layers of the epilimnion and is resistant to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Here, we investigated if the ciliate pigment called stentorin increases oxidative stress in its predators. We studied the DVM behavior of Mesocyclops araucanus and the presence of stentorin in field‐collected copepods and evaluated in the laboratory the rate at which the copepod releases stentorin. S. araucanus has a C : P ratio ∼ 170 (atomic), which is one half of that of the bulk seston of the lake resulting in a very good food source in a system with very low food quality. Compared to an alternative prey without stentorin, when feeding on Stentor, the copepod suffered high oxidative stress (increased glutathione S‐transferase activity) and the reduced glutathion levels increased from dark to visible and ultraviolet radiation. However, we also determined that exposure to only visible light was sufficient to cause oxidative stress. In the field, we observed that M. araucanus displays a larger amplitude DVM than other crustaceans, while the ciliate Stentor remained in the upper levels of the epilimnion. The DVM protects the copepods from stentorin‐induced oxidative stress during daytime. Our findings are the first to show that a compound of a zooplankton prey item can influence the vertical behavior of predators in order to minimize the negative effect.
Few‐layer Bismuthene: Sonochemical Exfoliation, Nonlinear Optics and Applications for Ultrafast Photonics with Enhanced Stability
Authors: Lu Lu , Liang Zhiming , Wu Leiming , Chen YunXiang , Song Yufeng , Dhanabalan Sathish Chander , Ponraj Joice Sophia , Dong Biqin , Xiang Yuanjiang , Xing Feng , Fan Dianyuan , Zhang Han 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAs the last element in Group VA, bismuthene has garnered substantial interest for its unique electronic and mechanical properties and its enhanced stability. However, the mechanism that drives the light‐bismuthene interaction remains completely unclear. Herein, a sonochemical exfoliation approach is employed to deliver a successful synthesis of few‐layer bismuthene. The corresponding nonlinear optical response at the visible wavelength is investigated. The nonlinear refractive index is ∼10−6 cm2/W and was measured by spatial self‐phase modulation. Thanks to its direct energy band‐gap at 1550 nm, the saturable absorption property of bismuthene is experimentally illustrated at the telecommunication band with an optical modulation depth of ∼2.03% and a saturable intensity of ∼30 MW/cm2. The optimization of the laser parameters resulted in the generation of an ∼652‐femtosecond optical pulse centered at 1559.18 nm. This result indicates that the bismuthene‐based saturable absorber is indeed a new and excellent material for an ultrafast saturable absorber device. Our work highlights the promise of this material in ultrafast photonics and may be considered as an important step towards bismuthene‐based photonics devices (optical modulator, optical switcher, detector, etc.).
Comparing the thoracodorsal and internal mammary vessels as recipients for microsurgical autologous breast reconstruction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Samargandi Osama A. , Winter Jessica , Corkum Joseph P. , Al Youha Sarah , Frank Simon G. , Williams Jason 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundOur aim was to determine whether the thoracodorsal (Td) vessels have comparable clinical outcomes to the internal mammary (IM) vessels as recipients for autologous free tissue transfer for breast reconstruction.MethodsSystematic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and World of Science from inception to June 2016 were performed by two independent reviewers. Studies that included adult females undergoing autologous free tissue transfer for breast reconstruction were selected. The two comparison groups were the use of IM or Td as recipient vessels. Our primary outcome was rate of flap survival. We assessed the methodologic quality of included studies using the JADAD and MINOR scales.ResultsA total of 1897 patients underwent 2644 free abdominal flap tissue transfer in the 10 articles that were included in our analysis. There was one randomized controlled study (Jadad score 2/5) and 9 nonrandomized controlled studies (MINORS scores 11–19/24). There was no difference between the uses of either vessel in terms of flap loss (1.18; 95% CI 0.71–1.95). Complication rate among the IM vessels ranged from 5 to 12%, compared with 3.4–12% among Td vessels. Hematoma and seroma rates were variable. Fat necrosis was higher with Td vessels in two studies. Performing Td vessels anastomosis was associated with shorter operative time and higher risk of encountering unusable vessel.ConclusionBoth recipient vessels are safe, reliable and demonstrate equivocal results in the absence of contraindications. Utilizing either as a first‐line vessel is reasonable, depending on surgeons' preference or certain clinical scenarios.QuestionTherapeutic, Level of evidence: III