bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Voltage Mapping to Guide Whether to Perform Ablation of the Posterior Wall in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: CUTLER MICHAEL J. , JOHNSON JEREMY , ABOZGUIA KHALID , ROWAN SHANE , LEWIS WILLIAM , COSTANTINI OTTO , NATALE ANDREA , ZIV OHAD 
Published: September 2015

Voltage‐Guided Ablation for Persistent AfibBackgroundFibrosis as a substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF) has been shown in numerous preclinical models. Voltage mapping enables in vivo assessment of scar in the left atrium (LA), which can be targeted with catheter ablation.ObjectiveWe hypothesized that using the presence or absence of low voltage to guide ablation beyond pulmonary vein antral isolation (PVAI) will improve atrial arrhythmia (AF/AT)‐free survival in persistent AF.Methods and ResultsSingle‐center retrospective analysis of 2 AF ablation strategies: (1) standard ablation (SA) versus (2) voltage‐guided ablation (VGA). PVAI was performed in both groups. With SA, additional lesions beyond PVAI were performed at the discretion of the operator. With VGA, additional lesions to isolate the LA posterior wall were performed if voltage mapping of this region in sinus rhythm showed scar (LA voltage < 0.5 mV). AF‐/AT‐free endpoint was defined as no sustained AF/AT seen off antiarrhythmic medications after a 2‐month postablation blanking period. Seventy‐six patients underwent SA and 65 underwent VGA. Patients were well matched for comorbidities, LVEF, and left atrial size. Posterior wall ablation was performed in 57% of patient with SA compared to 42% with VGA. VGA ablation increased 1‐year AF‐/AT‐free survival in patients when compared to SA (80% vs. 57%; P = 0.005). In a multivariate analysis, VGA was the only independent predictor of AF‐/AT‐free survival (hazard ratio of 0.30; P = 0.002).ConclusionsThe presence of LA posterior wall scar may be an important ablation target in persistent AF. A prospective randomized trial is needed to confirm these data.
Ablating the Posterior Heart: Cardioesophageal Fistula Complicating Radiofrequency Ablation in the Coronary Sinus
Authors: GÜNEŞ MAHMUT FATIH , GÖKOĞLAN YALÇIN , DI BIASE LUIGI , GIANNI CAROLA , MOHANTY SANGHAMITRA , HORTON RODNEY , BAILEY SHANE , NATALE ANDREA 
Published: September 2015

Ablating the Posterior HeartCardioesophageal fistulas (CEFs) are uncommon but life‐threatening complications of radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). They are usually, but not exclusively, related to ablation of the left atrial posterior wall. We report a case of a 73‐year‐old man that presented with CEF following RF ablation in the coronary sinus, highlighting the importance of esophageal temperature monitoring whenever ablating in the posterior heart.
Lead Integrity Alert Is Useful for Assessment of Performance of Biotronik Linox Leads
Authors: STEINBERG CHRISTIAN , PADFIELD GARETH J. , HAHN EDNA , FLAVELLE SHEILA , McILROY CHERYL , VAN BREMEN OTTO , YEUNG‐LAI‐WAH JOHN A. , KERR CHARLES R. , DEYELL MARC W. , TUNG STANLEY K. , ANDRADE JASON G. , BENNETT MATTHEW T. , BASHIR JAMIL G. , KRAHN ANDREW D. , CHAKRABARTI SANTABHANU 
Published: September 2015

LIA and LinoxIntroductionMedtronic's Lead Integrity Alert (LIA) software algorithm is useful for detecting abnormal parameters across various ICD‐lead families. However, its utility in the assessment of the Biotronik Linox™ family of high‐voltage (HV) leads is unknown.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess the performance of the LIA algorithm to detect abnormalities and lead failure in Linox ICD‐leads. All LIA‐enabled Medtronic devices connected to an active Linox lead were included. The alerts were adjudicated by 2 blinded electrophysiologists and correlated with clinical data.ResultsBetween 2008 and 2012, data from 208 patients with 564 patient‐years of follow‐up were available for analysis. The median follow‐up duration was 32 (IQR 21–41 months). Twenty‐one LIA triggers were noted in 20 different patients. The median delay until a positive LIA was 32 months (IQR 21–41 months) postimplant with a 5‐year lead survival free from LIA of 76%. Ninety‐five percent (19/20) LIA alerts were true lead failures. The most common LIA triggers were short V–V intervals (85%) and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (85%). Abrupt changes of the ICD‐lead impedance occurred in 5/20 triggers. Inappropriate ICD‐shocks were strongly associated with a positive LIA (30% vs. 7.4%; P = 0.006). Of the explanted Linox leads 53% had visible abnormalities. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for lead failure in the presence of a LIA trigger were 87%, 99.5%, and 95.2%, respectively.ConclusionsA positive LIA trigger in Biotronik Linox ICD‐leads is highly predictive of lead failure. LIA is useful in ongoing surveillance of lead performance.
Phosphorylation at Connexin43 Serine‐368 Is Necessary for Myocardial Conduction During Metabolic Stress
Authors: NASSAL MICHELLE M. J. , WERDICH ANDREAS A. , WAN XIAOPING , HOSHI MALCOLM , DESCHÊNES ISABELLE , ROSENBAUM DAVID S. , DONAHUE J. KEVIN 
Published: September 2015

Cx43‐S368 Phosphorylation Controls Conduction During StressConnexin43 (Cx43) phosphorylation alters gap junction localization and function. In particular, phosphorylation at serine‐368 (S368) has been suggested to alter gap junctional conductance, but previous reports have shown inconsistent results for both timing and functional effects of S368 phosphorylation. The objective of this study was to determine the functional effects of isolated S368 phosphorylation. We evaluated wild‐type Cx43 (AdCx43) and mutations simulating permanent phosphorylation (Ad368E) or preventing phosphorylation (Ad368A) at S368. Function was assessed by optical mapping of electrical conduction in patterned cultures of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes, under baseline and metabolic stress (MS) conditions. Baseline conduction velocity (CV) was similar for all groups. In the AdCx43 and Ad368E groups, MS moderately decreased CV. Ad368A caused complete conduction block during MS. Triton‐X solubility assessment showed no change in Cx43 location during conduction impairment. Western blot analysis showed that Cx43‐S368 phosphorylation was present at baseline, and that it decreased during MS. Our data indicate that phosphorylation at S368 does not affect CV under baseline conditions, and that preventing S368 phosphorylation makes Cx43 hypersensitive to MS. These results show the critical role of S368 phosphorylation during stress conditions.
Are They Listening? Parental Social Coaching and Parenting Emotional Climate Predict Adolescent Receptivity
Authors: Gregson Kim D. , Erath Stephen A. , Pettit Gregory S. , Tu Kelly M. 
Published: September 2015

Associations linking parenting emotional climate and quality of parental social coaching with young adolescents' receptivity to parental social coaching were examined (N = 80). Parenting emotional climate was assessed with adolescent‐reported parental warmth and hostility. Quality of parental social coaching (i.e., prosocial advice, benign framing) was assessed via parent‐report and behavioral observations during a parent–adolescent discussion about negative peer evaluation. An adolescent receptivity latent variable score was derived from observations of adolescents’ behavior during the discussion, change in adolescents’ peer response plan following the discussion, and adolescent‐reported tendency to seek social advice from the parent. Parenting climate moderated associations between coaching and receptivity: Higher quality coaching was associated with greater receptivity in the context of a more positive climate. Analyses suggested a stronger association between coaching and receptivity among younger compared to older adolescents.
Effect of dietary Ximenia caffra kernel meal on blood and liver metabolic substrate content and the general clinical biochemistry of Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Chivandi E. , Moyo D. , Dangarembizi R. , Erlwanger K. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryWe investigated (at the University of the Witwatersrand: GPS coordinates 26°10′ 52.96″S; 28°2′ 33.61″E) the effects of substituting soya bean meal (SBM) with Ximenia caffra kernel meal (XCKM) as a dietary protein source on blood and liver metabolic substrates content, serum markers of liver and kidney function and the general clinical biochemistry of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Five diets with similar energy and protein content were formulated (D1–D5) where XCKM replaced SBM on a crude protein basis at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%. Forty weanling male SD rats were randomly assigned to diets D1–D5, fed for 37 days and weighed twice weekly. The rats were then fasted overnight, and fasting blood glucose and triglyceride concentrations were determined from tail‐vein‐drawn blood. Immediately thereafter, the rats were euthanised and blood was collected via cardiac puncture. Serum was used to assay for markers of the general health profile. Livers were removed and weighed, and samples were used to determine lipid and glycogen content. Rats fed D4 (75% substitution level) had significantly lower (p < 0.05) blood triglyceride content compared with rats fed D2 (25% level of substitution). The substitution of SBM with XCKM did not affect (p > 0.05) fasting blood glucose and cholesterol concentrations, liver glycogen and lipid content. Additionally, it had no effect (p > 0.05) on serum activity/concentration of surrogate markers of liver (alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity and urea, total bilirubin, globulin and albumin concentrations) and kidney (phosphorus, calcium and creatinine concentrations) function and the general clinical biochemistry of the rats. Defatted XCKM could substitute SBM in rat diets without compromising blood glucose and cholesterol homeostasis, liver and kidney function and the general clinical biochemistry of growing male Sprague Dawley rats.
Polarized release of hepatic microRNAs into bile and serum in response to cellular injury and impaired liver function
Authors: Verhoeven Cornelia J. , Farid Waqar R. R. , Roest Henk P. , Ramakrishnaiah Vedashree , de Ruiter Petra E. , de Jonge Jeroen , Kwekkeboom Jaap , Metselaar Herold J. , Tilanus Hugo W. , Kazemier Geert , Ijzermans Jan N. M. , van der Laan Luc J. W. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackground & AimsExtracellular microRNAs (miRNAs) in serum and bile are currently under intense investigation for biomarker purposes in liver disease. However, the directions and pathways by which miRNAs are released from hepatic cells remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the release of hepatocyte and cholangiocyte‐derived miRNAs (HDmiRs and CDmiRs) into blood and bile during various (patho)physiological hepatic conditions.MethodsMiRNA release was analysed using longitudinally collected tissue and paired bile and serum samples (n = 124) that were obtained from liver transplant recipients during follow‐up.ResultsCell‐type specificity of HDmiRs and CDmiRs was confirmed in liver and common bile duct biopsies (P < 0.001). Analysis of paired bile and serum samples showed up to 20‐times higher miRNA‐levels in bile compared to serum (P < 0.0001). Fractionation of bile showed the majority of miRNAs being present in the unpelletable supernatant, where protein conjunctions protect miRNAs against degradation (P < 0.0001). During episodes of liver injury and histologically proven rejection in liver transplant recipients, relative HDmiR‐levels in bile decreased while its levels in serum increased (P ≤ 0.015). Simultaneously, relative CDmiR‐levels in bile significantly increased, while their levels in serum decreased. Related to liver excretory function, a strong positive correlation was observed between HDmiR‐122 levels and bilirubin excretion into bile (R = 0.694, P < 0.0001), whereas CDmiRs showed an inverse correlation (P < 0.05).ConclusionDuring impaired excretory function and injury, the liver shows polarized release of extracellular HDmiRs and CDmiRs. This sheds new light on the biology of hepatic miRNA release which is relevant for the interpretation of hepatic miRNAs as biomarkers.
Comparison of user‐friendliness and treatment cost of Loceryl® vs. Ciclopoli® – a patient's perspective
Authors: Schaller M. , Braunsdorf C. , Mailänder‐Sanchez D. , Jäckel A. , Müller J. , Borelli C. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryTopical monotherapy is a valid therapeutic approach in onychomycosis. Due to its lengthy course and its non‐reimbursed product status, cost and compliance are important issues and non‐pharmacological properties such as over‐the‐counter price and ease of use should be considered when deciding which product to recommend. We investigated surrogate parameters for patient‐friendliness and treatment cost in Germany in a questionnaire‐based prospective, comparative, intra‐individual, open‐label trial of the two common topical antifungal nail lacquers Loceryl® (amorolfine 5%) and Ciclopoli® (ciclopirox 8%) in eight patients with clinically diagnosed onychomycosis. The 2.5 ml bottle of Loceryl® covered a treatment period of 308 days, resulting in treatment costs of €0.10 per day in comparison to the 3.3 ml bottle of Ciclopoli®, covering 127 days at €0.21 per day, given once‐daily application for Ciclopoli® and once‐weekly application for Loceryl® in accordance with regulatory approval. Six out of eight patients favoured the Loceryl® treatment regimen. Furthermore, four out of eight patients found Loceryl® easier to apply, whereas three preferred Ciclopoli®. In total, seven out of eight stated a clear preference for Loceryl® over Ciclopoli®. Loceryl® therapy is less expensive and less time‐consuming. The therapeutic period that can be covered is longer and more patients stated a clear preference for Loceryl® in comparison to Ciclopoli®. The differences are statistically significant, underlining probable clinical relevance.
High‐throughput sequencing reveals key genes and immune homeostatic pathways activated in myeloid dendritic cells by Porphyromonas gingivalis 381 and its fimbrial mutants
Authors: Arjunan P. , El‐Awady A. , Dannebaum R.O. , Kunde‐Ramamoorthy G. , Cutler C.W. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThe human microbiome consists of highly diverse microbial communities that colonize our skin and mucosal surfaces, aiding in maintenance of immune homeostasis. The keystone pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis induces a dysbiosis and disrupts immune homeostasis through as yet unclear mechanisms. The fimbrial adhesins of P. gingivalis facilitate biofilm formation, invasion of and dissemination by blood dendritic cells; hence, fimbriae may be key factors in disruption of immune homeostasis. In this study we employed RNA‐seqencing transcriptome profiling to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in human monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) in response to in vitro infection/exposure by Pg381 or its isogenic mutant strains that solely express minor‐Mfa1 fimbriae (DPG3), major‐FimA fimbriae (MFI) or are deficient in both fimbriae (MFB) relative to uninfected control. Our results yielded a total of 479 DEGs that were at least two‐fold upregulated and downregulated in MoDCs significantly (P ≤ 0.05) by all four strains and certain DEGs that were strain‐specific. Interestingly, the gene ontology biological and functional analysis shows that the upregulated genes in DPG3‐induced MoDCs were more significant than other strains and associated with inflammation, immune response, anti‐apoptosis, cell proliferation, and other homeostatic functions. Both transcriptome and quantitative polymerase chain reaction results show that DPG3, which solely expresses Mfa1, increased ZNF366, CD209, LOX1, IDO1, IL‐10, CCL2, SOCS3, STAT3 and FOXO1 gene expression. In conclusion, we have identified key DC‐mediated immune homeostatic pathways that could contribute to dysbiosis in periodontal infection with P. gingivalis.
Overexpression of GA20‐OXIDASE1 impacts plant height, biomass allocation and saccharification efficiency in maize
Authors: Voorend Wannes , Nelissen Hilde , Vanholme Ruben , De Vliegher Alex , Van Breusegem Frank , Boerjan Wout , Roldán‐Ruiz Isabel , Muylle Hilde , Inzé Dirk 
Published: September 2015

SummaryIncreased biomass yield and quality are of great importance for the improvement of feedstock for the biorefinery. For the production of bioethanol, both stem biomass yield and the conversion efficiency of the polysaccharides in the cell wall to fermentable sugars are of relevance. Increasing the endogenous levels of gibberellic acid (GA) by ectopic expression of GA20‐OXIDASE1 (GA20‐OX1), the rate‐limiting step in GA biosynthesis, is known to affect cell division and cell expansion, resulting in larger plants and organs in several plant species. In this study, we examined biomass yield and quality traits of maize plants overexpressing GA20‐OX1 (GA20‐OX1). GA20‐OX1 plants accumulated more vegetative biomass than control plants in greenhouse experiments, but not consistently over two years of field trials. The stems of these plants were longer but also more slender. Investigation of GA20‐OX1 biomass quality using biochemical analyses showed the presence of more cellulose, lignin and cell wall residue. Cell wall analysis as well as expression analysis of lignin biosynthetic genes in developing stems revealed that cellulose and lignin were deposited earlier in development. Pretreatment of GA20‐OX1 biomass with NaOH resulted in a higher saccharification efficiency per unit of dry weight, in agreement with the higher cellulose content. On the other hand, the cellulose‐to‐glucose conversion was slower upon HCl or hot‐water pretreatment, presumably due to the higher lignin content. This study showed that biomass yield and quality traits can be interconnected, which is important for the development of future breeding strategies to improve lignocellulosic feedstock for bioethanol production.
Plant‐made oral vaccines against human infectious diseases—Are we there yet?
Authors: Chan Hui‐Ting , Daniell Henry 
Published: September 2015

SummaryAlthough the plant‐made vaccine field started three decades ago with the promise of developing low‐cost vaccines to prevent infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics around the globe, this goal has not yet been achieved. Plants offer several major advantages in vaccine generation, including low‐cost production by eliminating expensive fermentation and purification systems, sterile delivery and cold storage/transportation. Most importantly, oral vaccination using plant‐made antigens confers both mucosal (IgA) and systemic (IgG) immunity. Studies in the past 5 years have made significant progress in expressing vaccine antigens in edible leaves (especially lettuce), processing leaves or seeds through lyophilization and achieving antigen stability and efficacy after prolonged storage at ambient temperatures. Bioencapsulation of antigens in plant cells protects them from the digestive system; the fusion of antigens to transmucosal carriers enhances efficiency of their delivery to the immune system and facilitates successful development of plant vaccines as oral boosters. However, the lack of oral priming approaches diminishes these advantages because purified antigens, cold storage/transportation and limited shelf life are still major challenges for priming with adjuvants and for antigen delivery by injection. Yet another challenge is the risk of inducing tolerance without priming the host immune system. Therefore, mechanistic aspects of these two opposing processes (antibody production or suppression) are discussed in this review. In addition, we summarize recent progress made in oral delivery of vaccine antigens expressed in plant cells via the chloroplast or nuclear genomes and potential challenges in achieving immunity against infectious diseases using cold‐chain‐free vaccine delivery approaches.
Scanning Electron Microscopic Hair Shaft Analysis in Ectodermal Dysplasia Syndromes
Authors: Hirano‐Ali Stefanie A. , Reed Ashley M. , Rowan Brandon J. , Sorrells Timothy , Williams Judith V. , Pariser David M. , Hood Antoinette F. , Salkey Kimberly 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe objective of the current study was to catalog hair shaft abnormalities in individuals with ectodermal dysplasia (ED) syndromes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and to compare the findings with those in unaffected controls. This is the second of a two‐part study, the first of which used light microscopy as the modality and was previously published.MethodsScanning electron microscopy was performed in a blinded manner on hair shafts from 65 subjects with seven types of ED syndromes and 41 unaffected control subjects. Assessment was performed along the length of the shaft and in cross section.SettingHair donations were collected at the 28th Annual National Family Conference held by the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasia. Control subjects were recruited from a private dermatology practice and an academic children's hospital outpatient dermatology clinic.ResultsSEM identified various pathologic hair shaft abnormalities in each type of ED and in control patients. When hairs with all types of ED were grouped together and compared with those of control patients, the difference in the presence of small diameter and shallow and deep grooves was statistically significant (p < 0.05). When the EDs were separated according to subtype, statistically significant findings were also seen.ConclusionSEM is a possible adjuvant tool in the diagnosis of ED syndromes. There are significant differences, with high specificity, between the hairs of individuals with ED and those of control subjects and between subtypes.
Adolescents' understandings of infidelity
Authors: NORONA JERIKA C. , KHADDOUMA ALEXANDER , WELSH DEBORAH P. , SAMAWI HANNAH 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis study explored younger adolescents' (aged 14–17 years;N= 204; 50% girls) understandings of infidelity and whether these understandings differed for girls and boys. Analyses revealed that younger adolescents' understandings of infidelity included an array of physical, affective, cognitive, and verbal behaviors with an extradyadic partner. No gender differences were found. In addition, younger adolescents' understandings of infidelity were compared to older adolescents' (aged 17–21 years;N= 214; 50% girls) understandings. Results showed that younger adolescents' salient understandings of infidelity more often includedlight, affectionate behaviors such as hugging and kissing an extradyadic partner, whereas older adolescents' salient understandings more often includedheavyphysical behaviors, including sexual intercourse and oral sex. Gender comparisons with older adolescents revealed that boys' salient understandings of infidelity included higher numbers ofheavyphysical behaviors, whereas girls' salient understandings included higher numbers of light, affectionate behaviors. Results demonstrate that infidelity is a complex and multifaceted construct for adolescent girls and boys and suggest that developmental researchers should examine understandings of infidelity beyond sexual extradyadic experiences. Implications for adolescent development and psychosocial health are discussed.
A prototype analysis of vengeance
Authors: ELSHOUT MAARTJE , NELISSEN ROB M. A. , VAN BEEST ILJA 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe authors examined the concept of vengeance from a prototype perspective. In 6 studies, the prototype structure of vengeance was mapped. Sixty‐nine features of vengeance were identified (Study 1), and rated on centrality (Study 2). Further studies confirmed the prototype structure. Compared to peripheral features (e.g., religion, shame, and self‐esteem), central features (e.g., humiliation, honor, and power) were more often recalled and recognized in memory tests (Study 3), classified as vengeance more often and faster (Study 4), and rated higher in participants' autobiographical vengeance recalls (Studies 5 and 6). Lay conceptions of vengeance included the view that vengeance is planned, personal, and aggressive, and involves intense feelings of anger, humiliation, envy, and vindictive feelings, as well as negative thoughts.