bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary vein isolation with real‐time pulmonary vein potential recording using second‐generation cryoballoon: Procedural and biophysical predictors of acute pulmonary vein reconnection
Authors: Wei Hui‐Qiang , Guo Xiao‐Gang , Zhou Gong‐Bu , Sun Qi , Liu Xu , Yang Jian‐Du , Luo Bin , Ma Jian 
Published: October 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe study sought to evaluate the procedural and biophysical factors related to acute pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) guided by real‐time pulmonary vein (PV) potential recordings.MethodsA total of 180 consecutive patients with drug‐resistant atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing CB2 (second‐generation version of cryoballoon) ablation were enrolled. Real‐time monitoring of PV potentials was obtained using an inner lumen spiral mapping catheter.ResultsAcute isolation was achieved in all PVs without touch‐up ablation. Real‐time assessment of PV disconnection was possible in 611 of 711 (85.9%) PVs. A total of 617 (86.8%) PVs were isolated during the initial freeze. Longer time cycle integration (TCI) (TTI * freeze cycle, TCI) (254.6 ± 112.8 seconds vs 74.1 ± 59.7 seconds, P < 0.001), time to isolation (TTI) (94.3 ± 34.0 seconds vs 46.3 ± 26.2 seconds, P < 0.001), higher nadir temperature (−45.5 ± 5.3°C vs −50.4 ± 5.5°C, P < 0.001), longer time to −40°C (77.3 ± 22.7 seconds vs 55.7 ± 23.2 seconds, P < 0.001), faster interval rewarming time at 0°C (9.4 ± 4.3 seconds vs 12.4 ± 4.9 seconds, P = 0.008), and total balloon rewarming time (38.1 ± 11.6 seconds vs 47.7 ± 14.0 seconds, P = 0.003) were observed in PVs with acute reconduction. TTI ≤ 65 seconds predicted absence of acute reconnection with 84.2% sensitivity and 75.7% specificity, whereas TCI ≤ 119 seconds presented 94.7% sensitivity and 80.2% specificity. At a mean follow‐up of 4.7 ± 1.4 months, 82.2% of patients were free of AF. None of those with PV reconnections suffered from AF recurrences.ConclusionsThe ablation using CB2 is effective in achieving acute PVI. Real‐time assessment of PVI could be achieved during CB application in 86% of PVs. The incidence of spontaneous PV reconnection is very low, observed in just 3% of isolated PVs. TTI ≤ 65 seconds and TCI ≤ 119 seconds predicted absence of acute PV reconnection. Although they may identify effective cryoapplications in the acute phase, their performance still needs to be verified in the long term.
The electromechanical substrate for response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with right bundle branch block
Authors: Atwater Brett D. , Wagner Galen S. , Kisslo Joseph , Risum Niels 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundSome patients with RBBB may respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, little is known regarding the electromechanical substrate for CRT and whether this is the optimal pacing strategy.MethodsThis was a pilot prospective double crossover randomized controlled clinical study comparing ventricular back up pacing (VVI‐40), RV fusion pacing (DDD‐40, RV only), and biventricular (BIV) pacing (DDD‐40 BIV) in nine patients with RBBB and depressed EF. The study compared the frequency of dyssynchrony on baseline echocardiogram in patients with RBBB (n = 4), RBBB + anterior MI (RBBB with left axis deviation + left ventricular (LV) anterior wall thinning, n = 3), and RBBB + LAFB (RBBB with left axis deviation without LV anterior wall thinning n = 2). Echocardiographic assessment of LV dyssynchrony, LV size, and LV function was repeated after 6 months in each pacing mode.ResultsPatients with RBBB + LAFB demonstrated baseline echocardiographic dyssynchrony between the LV anterior and inferior wall. Both DDD‐40 RV‐only pacing and DDD‐40 BIV pacing resulted in improved LV function and clinical status compared to VVI‐40 back up pacing. Patients with RBBB alone and RBBB with anterior MI had no baseline dyssynchrony and CRT using either RV only or BIV pacing resulted in LV dilation, worsened left ventricular ejection fraction and worsened clinical status compared to VVI‐40 back up pacing.ConclusionPatients with RBBB, left axis deviation, and no prior anterior MI may have LV dyssynchrony between the anterior and inferior walls that is correctable with CRT.
Probabilistic methods surpass parsimony when assessing clade support in phylogenetic analyses of discrete morphological data
Authors: O'Reilly Joseph E. , Puttick Mark N. , Pisani Davide , Donoghue Philip C. J. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractFossil taxa are critical to inferences of historical diversity and the origins of modern biodiversity, but realizing their evolutionary significance is contingent on restoring fossil species to their correct position within the tree of life. For most fossil species, morphology is the only source of data for phylogenetic inference; this has traditionally been analysed using parsimony, the predominance of which is currently challenged by the development of probabilistic models that achieve greater phylogenetic accuracy. Here, based on simulated and empirical datasets, we explore the relative efficacy of competing phylogenetic methods in terms of clade support. We characterize clade support using bootstrapping for parsimony and Maximum Likelihood, and intrinsic Bayesian posterior probabilities, collapsing branches that exhibit less than 50% support. Ignoring node support, Bayesian inference is the most accurate method in estimating the tree used to simulate the data. After assessing clade support, Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood exhibit comparable levels of accuracy, and parsimony remains the least accurate method. However, Maximum Likelihood is less precise than Bayesian phylogeny estimation, and Bayesian inference recaptures more correct nodes with higher support compared to all other methods, including Maximum Likelihood. We assess the effects of these findings on empirical phylogenies. Our results indicate probabilistic methods should be favoured over parsimony.
Male views on help‐seeking for depression: A Q methodology study
Authors: House Jennifer , Marasli Pinar , Lister Matthew , Brown June S. L. 
Published: October 2017

ObjectivesTo identify viewpoints among men with depression about depression and its treatment, consider how these might influence help‐seeking behaviour, and generate ideas for interventions and future research.DesignQ methodology.MethodsTwenty‐nine men with depression completed a Q sort by ranking a set of statements about depression and help‐seeking according to their relative agreement with each statement. Factor analysis was used to identify viewpoints relating to male understandings of depression and help‐seeking, which were interpreted in the context of participant characteristics and additional information from post‐sorting interviews.ResultsA two‐factor solution accounting for 45% of the total variance was considered the best fit for the data. The 2 factors were: (1) Help is available if you can get to the point of asking for it (34% of the variance) and (2) depression should be dealt with in private; help‐seeking makes you vulnerable (11% of the variance). Participants who were significantly associated with both factors described a sense of shame, relating to their own or others' views that being depressed and help‐seeking are in conflict with socially constructed ‘masculine' values, such as strength and self‐sufficiency. In the viewpoint represented by Factor 1, however, the benefits of help‐seeking outweigh the negatives. In contrast, the viewpoint represented in Factor 2 holds that depression should remain a private struggle and that help‐seeking is too risky a move to make.ConclusionsIn order to access treatment, men must first recognize depression, then overcome considerable perceived and internalized stigma to ask for help. Improving public knowledge about the nature of depression; positive messages about the act of help‐seeking, types of treatment available, and effectiveness of treatments; and work to overcome the challenges posed by long waiting times and other service constraints may increase rates of help‐seeking, and represent areas for future research.Practitioner points

Interventions to improve recognition of depression symptoms, particularly in the absence of recent negative life events or suicidal ideation, might help to improve help‐seeking rates among men.

Media campaigns should consider focusing on the positive elements of help‐seeking and potential for recovery, and the impact of such campaigns should be evaluated.

Improving public knowledge of the types of non‐medical intervention that are available for depression may help to increase help‐seeking rates.

Clinical services and commissioners should be aware of the impact of long waiting times and strict discharge policies on service users, especially those who have difficulty asking for help.
CRISPR/Cas9 and TALENs generate heritable mutations for genes involved in small RNA processing of Glycine max and Medicago truncatula
Authors: Curtin Shaun J. , Xiong Yer , Michno Jean‐Michel , Campbell Benjamin W. , Stec Adrian O. , Čermák Tomas , Starker Colby , Voytas Daniel F. , Eamens Andrew L. , Stupar Robert M. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryProcessing of double‐stranded RNA precursors into small RNAs is an essential regulator of gene expression in plant development and stress response. Small RNA processing requires the combined activity of a functionally diverse group of molecular components. However, in most of the plant species, there are insufficient mutant resources to functionally characterize each encoding gene. Here, mutations in loci encoding protein machinery involved in small RNA processing in soya bean and Medicago truncatula were generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 and TAL‐effector nuclease (TALEN) mutagenesis platforms. An efficient CRISPR/Cas9 reagent was used to create a bi‐allelic double mutant for the two soya bean paralogous Double‐stranded RNA‐binding2 (GmDrb2a and GmDrb2b) genes. These mutations, along with a CRISPR/Cas9‐generated mutation of the M. truncatula Hua enhancer1 (MtHen1) gene, were determined to be germ‐line transmissible. Furthermore, TALENs were used to generate a mutation within the soya bean Dicer‐like2 gene. CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis of the soya bean Dicer‐like3 gene and the GmHen1a gene was observed in the T0 generation, but these mutations failed to transmit to the T1 generation. The irregular transmission of induced mutations and the corresponding transgenes was investigated by whole‐genome sequencing to reveal a spectrum of non‐germ‐line‐targeted mutations and multiple transgene insertion events. Finally, a suite of combinatorial mutant plants were generated by combining the previously reported Gmdcl1a, Gmdcl1b and Gmdcl4b mutants with the Gmdrb2ab double mutant. Altogether, this study demonstrates the synergistic use of different genome engineering platforms to generate a collection of useful mutant plant lines for future study of small RNA processing in legume crops.
Varieties of Populism across a Left‐Right Spectrum: The Case of the Front National, the Northern League, Podemos and Five Star Movement
Authors: Ivaldi Gilles , Lanzone Maria Elisabetta , Woods Dwayne 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis article engages in a comparative analysis of populist parties across the West‐European left‐right spectrum. Conceptualizing populism as a ‘thin ideology’, we argue that populist parties show both similarities and differences, and that these are a product of the interaction of the core features of populism with the ‘thicker’ ideological traditions from which the different parties draw upon. We employ a qualitative method in analyzing the core ideational features of populism in four different populist parties, both left and right. We find that all four parties converge in particular on their conception of the elite as a separate ‘caste’, in relation to economic and European integration conflicts, operating on patriotism and in claiming that they represent the true interests of the sovereign people. They differ, however, in their conception of the ‘true’ people that they presumably represent and the nature of popular sovereignty and populist democracy.
TAF15b, involved in the autonomous pathway for flowering, represses transcription of FLOWERING LOCUS C
Authors: Eom Hyunjoo , Park Su Jung , Kim Min Kyung , Kim Hoyeun , Kang Hunseung , Lee Ilha 
Published: October 2017

SummaryTATA‐binding protein‐associated factors (TAFs) are general transcription factors within the transcription factor IID (TFIID) complex, which recognizes the core promoter of genes. In addition to their biochemical function, it is known that several TAFs are involved in the regulation of developmental processes. In this study, we found that TAF15b affects flowering time, especially through the autonomous pathway (AP) in Arabidopsis. The mutant taf15b shows late flowering compared with the wild type plant during both long and short days, and vernalization accelerates the flowering time of taf15b. In addition, taf15b shows strong upregulation of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), a flowering repressor in Arabidopsis, and the flc taf15b double mutant completely offsets the late flowering of taf15b, indicating that TAF15b is a typical AP gene. The taf15b mutant also shows increased transcript levels of COOLAIR, an antisense transcript of FLC. Consistently, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analyses showed that the TAF15b protein is enriched around both sense and antisense transcription start sites of the FLC locus. In addition, co‐immunoprecipitation showed that TAF15b interacts with RNA polymerase II (Pol II), while ChIP showed increased enrichment of the phosphorylated forms, both serine 2 (Ser2) and Ser5, of the C‐terminal domain of Pol II at the FLC locus, which is indicative of transcriptional elongation. Finally, taf15b showed higher enrichment of the active histone marker, H3K4me3, on FLC chromatin. Taken together, our results suggest that TAF15b affects flowering time through transcriptional repression of FLC in Arabidopsis.
Changes in blood pressure, blood flow towards the head and heart rate during 90 deg head‐up tilting for 30 min in anaesthetized male rats
Authors: Nishimura Hironobu , Yamasaki Masao 
Published: October 2017

New FindingsWhat is the central question of this study?How does the baroreceptor reflex contribute to systemic blood pressure (BP) control during prolonged 90 deg head‐up tilting (HUT) in unconscious rats?What is the main finding and its importance?In intact rats, heart rate (HR) increased after the transition to upright by HUT, and BP was maintained in this posture throughout the 30 min experimental period. After sinoaortic denervation, which results in lack of discharge of the baroreflex afferents, HR and BP decreased gradually during 30 min of 90 deg HUT, suggesting that the baroreceptor reflex is an important factor for maintenance of BP during long‐term upright posture.Changes in cardiovascular parameters during prolonged 90 deg head‐up tilting (HUT) in animals have not been elucidated in detail. We clarified changes in systemic blood pressure (BP), blood flow towards the head (BF) and heart rate (HR) and the role of the baroreceptor reflex after a transition from the supine posture to 90 deg HUT for 30 min in anaesthetized rats (n = 13). In control rats with the baroreceptor reflex afferents intact, mean BP and BF after the onset of 90 deg HUT decreased significantly by –15.4 ± 5.9 and –26.2 ± 11.5% at 2.9 ± 1.1 s (mean ± SD,n = 12), respectively, compared with control values and then immediately increased and steadied at 30.7 ± 13.1 s (plateau; –2.8 ± 8.5% in BP and –17.5 ± 17.4% in BF compared with control values; BP was maintained during 90 deg HUT). After acute sinoaortic denervation in seven rats, initial reductions in BP and BF after 90 deg HUT were observed at 3.9 ± 1.0 s, similar to the reductions in the nerve‐intact rats; the percentage changes from control were –19.2 ± 3.7 and –32.3 ± 8.4%, respectively. These parameters reached a plateau at 22.4 ± 5.8 s at –8.6 ± 7.7 and –29.5 ± 15.0%, respectively, and then BP decreased gradually throughout 90 deg HUT. Heart rate increased slightly after 90 deg HUT in nerve‐intact rats, but after sinoaortic denervation this increase disappeared and HR decreased gradually during 90 deg HUT. These results suggest that the baroreceptor reflex contributes to the maintenance of adequate BP during long‐term 90 deg HUT.
Design of a Muscle-Powered Extra-Aortic Counterpulsation Device for Long-Term Circulatory Support
Authors: Aranda-Michel Edgar , Han Jooli , Trumble Dennis R. 
Published: October 2017

While great strides continue to be made in the treatment of congestive heart failure using mechanical ventricular assist devices (VADs), several longstanding difficulties associated with pumping blood continue to limit their long-term use. Among the most troublesome has been the persistent risk of clot formation at the blood-device interface, which generally requires VAD recipients to undergo costly — and potentially dangerous — anticoagulation therapy for the duration of the implant. Another serious and persistent problem with long-term use of these pumps is the increased risk of infection associated with the use of percutaneous drivelines.
To address these issues we are currently exploring a new approach to blood pump design that aims to solve both these problems by avoiding them altogether. Toward that end, we propose to harness the body’s own endogenous energy stores in order to eliminate the need to transmit energy across the skin. Further, we intend to transfer the energy from this internal power source to the circulation without contacting the blood to obviate the thrombogenic risks imposed by devices placed directly into the bloodstream.
To power the implant we will employ a device developed previously by our group called a muscle energy converter (MEC), shown in Figure 1. The MEC is, in essence, an implantable hydraulic actuator powered by the latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle with the capacity to transmit up to 1.37 joules of contractile work per stroke [1]. By training the muscle to express fatigue-resistant oxidative fibers and stimulating the LD to contract in coordination with the cardiac cycle, the MEC captures and transmits this contractile energy as a high-pressure low-volume (5 cc) hydraulic pulse that can be used, in principle, to actuate an implanted pulsatile blood pump.
The goal of this research is to use the low-volume output of the MEC to drive a polymer-based aortic compression device for long-term circulatory support. In this context it is important to note that the idea of applying a counterpulsation device around the ascending aorta is not new. Indeed, this approach has been validated by clinical trials recently completed by Sunshine Heart Inc. showing that displacing 20 cc of blood at the aortic root has significant therapeutic benefits [2]. Unfortunately, while the pneumatic ‘C-Pulse’ device solves the blood-contacting problem, it suffers from the same limitations as traditional VADs — i.e., driveline infections. The device described here achieves the same volumetric displacement as the SSH device via geometric amplification of MEC outputs. Thus, through this mechanism we believe the low-volume power output of the MEC can be used to support heart failure patients while addressing the major limitations associated with long-term VAD use.
Design of a Robotic Catheterization Platform With Use of Commercial Ablation Catheter
Authors: Hu Zhenkai , Won Jongseok , Moon Youngjin , Park Sanghoon , Choi Jaesoon 
Published: October 2017

Cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, thrombosis, aneurysm and arrhythmia remain the major cause of mortality in developed countries, accounting for 34% of deaths each year [1]. Commonly used minimally invasive vascular intervention with using catheters leads to higher success rate than open surgery [2].
Integrating robotic technologies into active control of catheters in teleoperation manner has promised to reduce radiation exposure to surgeons and improve accuracy during electro-physiological (EP) procedures [1]. Common used commercial robotic EP catheter platforms such as Sensei (Hansen Medical Inc., USA) and Niobe (Stereotaxis Inc., USA) are usually composed of a catheter driver (slave side) which can be remotely controlled by a console operator (master side). However, the Sensei catheters are more rigid and bigger than standard catheters because of their two-layer-sheath structure; and Magnetic Niobe systems are huge and expensive.
In this paper, we propose a mechanism of remote-driving catheterization platforms in which a commercial tip-steerable ablation catheter (St. Jude Medical Inc., USA) (Fig. 1) is manipulated by a catheter driver in three degree of freedoms (DOF) (insertion/withdrawal, rotation and tip deflection). In addition, we also present the design of the control software based on Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) method which is expected to give the other researchers a guide line during robotic catheter design.
Programmable Ultrasound Phased Array Therapy System
Authors: Zhu Yiying I. , Hall Timothy L. , Kripfgans Oliver D. 
Published: October 2017

There has been an emerging interest in high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for therapeutic applications. By means of its thermal or mechanical effects, HIFU is able to serve as a direct tool for tissue ablation, or an indirect moderating medium to manipulate microbubbles or perform heating (hyperthermia) for the purpose of targeted drug delivery. The development and testing of HIFU based phased arrays is favorable as their elements allow for individual phasing to steer and focus the beam. While FDA has already approved tissue ablation by HIFU for the treatment of uterine fibroids (2004) and pain from bone metastases (2012), development continues on other possible applications that are less forgiving of incomplete treatment, such as thermal necrosis of malignant masses.
Ideally, each element, of such an array must have its own fully programmable electrical driving channel, which allows the control of delay, phase, and amplitude of the output from each element. To enable full control, each channel needs a waveform generator, an amplification device, and an impedance matching circuit between driver and acoustic element.
Similar projects utilizing this approach to drive therapeutic arrays include a 512-channel therapy system which was built at the University of Michigan using low cost Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) microcontroller and highly efficient MOSFET switching amplifiers [1]. However, this system lacks the ability to drive both, continuous wave (CW) and transient short duty-cycle high power pulses.
This paper presents a hybrid system, which is able to perform CW and transient short duty-cycle high power excitation. In the following we will describe the design, programming, fabrication, and evaluation of this radiofrequency (RF) driver system as used in our laboratory for a 1.5 MHz center frequency, 298-element array (Imasonic SA, Besancon, France) [2], FPGA-controlled amplifier boards and matching circuitry. Advantages of our design include: 1. Inexpensive components (<$15/channel); 2. Ability to program/drive individual output channels independently; 3. Sufficient time and amplitude resolution for various acoustic pattern design; 4. Capability of hybrid switching between low power CW and short duty cycle, high instantaneous power.