bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of temporal electrical activity patterns for detection of critical isthmus regions of recurrent atypical atrial flutter
Authors: Vonderlin Nadine , Siebermair Johannes , Mahabadi Amir , Pesch Elena , Koehler Miriam , Dobrev Dobromir , Janosi Rolf Alexander , Rassaf Tienush , Wakili Reza 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIntroductionIdentifying the critical isthmus region (CIR) of atrial re‐entry tachycardias (AT) is challenging. The Lumipoint® (LP) software, developed for the Rhythmia® mapping system, aims to facilitate the successful ablation of ATs by identifying the CIR.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of LP regarding the percentage of arrhythmia‐relevant CIR in patients with atypical atrial flutter (AAF).MethodsIn this retrospective study, we analyzed 57 AAF forms. Electrical activity (EA) was mapped over tachycardia cycle length resulting in a two‐dimensional EA pattern. The hypothesis was that EA minima suggest potential CIRs with slow‐conduction‐zone.ResultsA total of n = 33 patients were included, with the majority of patients being already preablated (69.7%). LP algorithm identified a mean of 2.4 EA minima and 4.4 suggested CIRs per AAF form. Overall, we observed a low probability of identifying only the relevant CIR (POR) at 12.3% but a high probability that at least one CIR is detected (PALO) at 98.2%. Detailed analysis revealed EA minima depth (≤20%) and width (>50 ms) as the best predictors of relevant CIRs. Wide minima occurred rarely (17.5%), while low minima were more frequently present (75.4%). Minima depth of EA ≤ 20% showed the best PALO/POR overall (95% and 60%, respectively). Analysis in recurrent AAF ablations (five patients) revealed that CIR in de novo AAF was already detected by LP during the index procedure.ConclusionThe LP algorithm provides an excellent PALO (98.2%), but poor POR (12.3%) to detect the CIR in AAF. POR improved by preselection of the lowest and widest EA minima. In addition, there might be the role of initial bystander CIRs becoming relevant for future AAFs.
Microwave‐Assisted Reductive Amination of Aldehydes and Ketones Over Rhodium‐Based Heterogeneous Catalysts
Authors: Bucciol Fabio , Gaudino Emanuela Calcio , Villa Alberto , Valsania Maria Carmen , Cravotto Giancarlo , Manzoli Maela 
Published: March 2023

AbstractMicrowave (MW)‐assisted reductive aminations of aldehydes and ketones were carried out in the presence of commercial and homemade heterogeneous Rh‐based catalysts. Ultrasound (US) was used to improve dispersion and stability of metal nanoparticles, while commercial activated carbon and carbon nanofibers were used as supports. Moreover, various bio‐derived molecules were selected as substrates, and aqueous ammonia was used as a cheap and non‐toxic reagent. MW combined with heterogeneous Rh catalysts gave a 98.2 % yield in benzylamine at 80 °C with 10 bar H2 for 1 h; and a 43.3 % yield in phenylethylamine at 80 °C and 5 bar H2 for 2 h. Carbon nanofibers proved to be a better support for the metal active phase than simple activated carbon, since a limited yield in benzylamine (10.6 %) but a high selectivity for the reductive amination of ketones was obtained. Thus, raspberry ketone was converted to raspberry amine in a 63.0 % yield.
Increasing the Fluorescence Quantum Yield and Lifetime of the Flavin Chromophore by Rational Design
Authors: Kubitz Mira K. , Haselbach Wiebke , Sretenović Dragana , Bracker Mario , Kleinschmidt Martin , Kühnemuth Ralf , Seidel Claus A. M. , Gilch Peter , Czekelius Constantin 
Published: March 2023

AbstractA previous quantum chemical study (M. Bracker et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2019, 21, 9912–9923) on the excited state properties of fluorinated derivatives of the flavin chromophore promised an increased fluorescence performance of the derivative 7,8‐difluoro‐10‐methyl‐isoalloxazine (7,8‐dF‐MIA). Here, we describe the synthesis of 7,8‐dF‐MIA, its ribityl derivative, and for reason of comparison 9‐F‐MIA. The compounds dissolved in water (H2O and D2O) were characterized by steady state, time resolved, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. The experiments confirm the increase of the fluorescence quantum yield of 7,8‐dF‐MIA (0.42 in H2O) compared to MIA (0.22) predicted by quantum chemistry. The anticipated reduction of the fluorescence quantum yield for 9‐F‐MIA is also confirmed experimentally. The quantum chemical computations as well as the spectroscopic observations attribute the increased fluorescence quantum yield of 7,8‐dF‐MIA predominantly to a decrease of the rate constant of intersystem crossing. Switching from H2O to D2O as a solvent is shown to increase fluorescence quantum yields (0.53 for 7,8‐dF‐MIA) and lifetimes of all fluorinated MIA derivatives. This can be attributed to a Förster type energy transfer from the excited chromophore to vibrational overtones of water and further water‐mediated deactivation processes.
The therapeutic potential of targeting minimal residual disease in melanoma
Authors: Patel Riyaben P , Somasundram Pretashini M , Smith Lorey K. , Sheppard Karen E. , McArthur Grant A. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundCutaneous melanoma is a lethal form of skin cancer with morbidity and mortality rates highest amongst European, North American and Australasian populations. The developments of targeted therapies (TTs) directed at the oncogene BRAF and its downstream mediator MEK, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma, improving patient outcomes. However, both TT and ICI have their limitations. Although TTs are associated with high initial response rates, these are typically short‐lived due to resistance. Conversely, although ICIs provide more durable responses, they have lower initial response rates. Due to these distinct yet complementary response profiles, it has been proposed that sequencing ICI with TT could lead to a high frequency of durable responses whilst circumventing the toxicity associated with combined ICI + TT treatment. However, several questions remain unanswered, including the mechanisms underpinning this synergy and the optimal sequencing strategy. The key to determining this is to uncover the biology of each phase of the therapeutic response.Aims and methodsIn this review, we show that melanoma responds to TT and ICI in three phases: early response, minimal residual disease (MRD) and disease progression. We explore the effects of ICI and TT on melanoma cells and the tumour immune microenvironment, with a particular focus on MRD which is predicted to underpin the development of acquired resistance in the third phase of response.ConclusionIn doing so, we provide a new framework which may inform novel therapeutic approaches for melanoma, including optimal sequencing strategies and agents that target MRD, thereby ultimately improving clinical outcomes for patients.
Destabilization of microrchidia family CW‐type zinc finger 2 via the cyclin‐dependent kinase 1‐chaperone‐mediated autophagy pathway promotes mitotic arrest and enhances cancer cellular sensitivity to microtubule‐targeting agents
Authors: Hu Shu‐Yuan , Qian Jin‐Xian , Yang Shao‐Ying , Andriani Lisa , Liao Li , Deng Ling , Huang Min‐Ying , Zhang Yin‐Ling , Zhang Fang‐Lin , Shao Zhi‐Min , Li Da‐Qiang 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundMicrotubule‐targeing agents (MTAs), such as paclitaxel (PTX) and vincristine (VCR), kill cancer cells through activtion of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) and induction of mitotic arrest, but the development of resistance poses significant clinical challenges.MethodsImmunoblotting and RT‐qPCR were used to investigate potential function and related mechanism of MORC2. Flow cytometry analyses were carried out to determine cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. The effect of MORC2 on cellular sensitivity to PTX and VCR was determined by immunoblotting, flow cytometry, and colony formation assays. Immunoprecipitation assays and immunofluorescent staining were utilized to investigate protein‐protein interaction and protein co‐localization.ResultsHere, we identified microrchidia family CW‐type zinc finger 2 (MORC2), a poorly characterized oncoprotein, as a novel regulator of SAC activation, mitotic progression, and resistance of cancer cells to PTX and VCR. Mechanically, PTX and VCR activate cyclin‐dependent kinase 1, which in turn induces MORC2 phosphorylation at threonine 717 (T717) and T733. Phosphorylated MORC2 enhances its interation with HSPA8 and LAMP2A, two essential components of the chaperone‐mediated autophagy (CMA) mechinery, resulting in its autophagic degradation. Degradation of MORC2 during mitosis leads to SAC activation through stabilizing anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome activator protein Cdc20 and facilitating mitotic checkpoint complex assembly, thus contributing to mitotic arrest induced by PTX and VCR. Notably, knockdown of MORC2 promotes mitotic arrest induced by PTX and VCR and enhances the sensitivity of cancer cells to PTX and VCR.ConclusionsCollectively, these findings unveil a previously unrecognized function and regulatory mechanism of MORC2 in mitotic progression and resistance of cancer cells to MTAs. These results also provide a new clue for developing combined treatmentstrategy by targeting MORC2 in combination with MTAs against human cancer.
Drought survival strategies differ between coastal and montane conifers in northern California
Authors: Robinson Wallis , Kerhoulas Lucy P. , Sherriff Rosemary L. , Roletti Gabriel , van Mantgem Phillip J. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIncreasingly severe and prolonged droughts are contributing to tree stress and forest mortality across western North America. However, in many cases, we currently have poor information concerning how drought responses in forests vary in relation to competition, climate, and site and tree characteristics. We used annual tree ring evidence of 13C discrimination (Δ13C) and growth metrics to assess drought resistance and resilience for six conifer species at the intersection of several bioregions in northern California. Within each species' range in northern California, we collected competition and tree characteristics from 270 focal trees across sites that varied from wetter to drier habitat conditions (54 sites). Across sites, all six conifer species weathered the severe 2013–2015 drought with reasonably high resistance and post‐drought resilience. However, we found important differences in drought responses between coastal and montane species based on annual growth and Δ13C metrics. Broadly, the two coastal species showed consistent declines in drought resistance across successive drought years, whereas the four montane species maintained high drought resistance across drought years. More specifically, we found lower Δ13C and growth during drought years in coastal species, suggesting stomatal closure during drought with the potential for vulnerability to carbon depletion during long‐term drought. Conversely, Δ13C and growth were stable in montane species throughout the drought, which may contribute to hydraulic failure under increased drought frequency and/or severity. We also evaluated environmental factors that affect Δ13C using data from before and during the drought. These physiological models were consistent for the two coastal species, with a positive relationship between annual precipitation and Δ13C and a negative relationship between tree density and Δ13C. Conversely, the four montane models illustrated a greater importance of site conditions on drought responses for these species. Our findings show differential risk for drought stress across diverse conifers during severe drought. This work highlights the importance of site and tree characteristics in determining drought responses across cool, annually humid coastal habitats to seasonally dry montane habitats.
Study on the effect of rock stratum structure on the stability of weakly cemented layered floor and the floor control measures: A case study of Meihuajing Mine
Authors: Zhu Ye , Hua Xin‐zhu , Li Yong‐liang , Li Wei‐yu , Yang Ke 
Published: March 2023

AbstractGiven the deformation and instability of the layered floor of weakly cemented soft rock roadway, taking the mining roadway of Meihuajing Mine as the engineering background, the deformation and instability mechanism of the floor and the control measures of the surrounding rock under different stratum combination conditions are studied by using the methods of field investigation, numerical calculation and field test. The results show that: (1) the layered characteristics of surrounding rock in weakly cemented soft rock roadways are significant, and the combination structure of floor rock strata is complex and changeable. Under the influence of engineering disturbance, the roadway has a tendency of large deformation, especially floor heave. (2) The buckling instability of the layered floor is caused by the layered weakening effect, and the unstable zone, the substable zone and the stable zone are formed successively from the shallow to the deep. With the increase of the layer thickness, the integrity of the layered floor is improved, the layered weakening effect is reduced, and the overall stability of the layered floor is improved. (3) The existence of weak interlayer further degrades the integrity of layered floor, and the progressive failure of floor rock mass layer by layer is more significant under the influence of layered weakening effect. (4) The relatively hard rock stratum in the composite structure plays an important role in controlling the deformation and failure of the floor, playing the role of “local key stratum.” (5) Based on the cooperative control countermeasure of roof–rib–floor surrounding rock, the support technology of roof and ribs supported by blots mesh beam cable + floor supported by bolts grouting hardening + full section shotcrete is proposed. The results of numerical calculation and field test show that the support scheme greatly improves the stability of layered floor.
Skin precursor‐derived Schwann cells accelerate in vivo prevascularization of tissue‐engineered nerves to promote peripheral nerve regeneration
Authors: Li Meiyuan , Cheng Xiyang , Feng Shuyue , Zhu Hui , Lu Panjian , Zhang Ping , Cai Xiaodong , Qiao Pingping , Gu Xiaosong , Wang Gang , Xue Chengbin , Wang Hongkui 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPrevascularization strategies have become a hot spot in tissue engineering. As one of the potential candidates for seed cells, skin precursor‐derived Schwann cells (SKP‐SCs) were endowed with a new role to more efficiently construct prevascularized tissue‐engineered peripheral nerves. The silk fibroin scaffolds seeded with SKP‐SCs were prevascularized through subcutaneously implantation, which was further assembled with the SKP‐SC‐containing chitosan conduit. SKP‐SCs expressed pro‐angiogenic factors in vitro and in vivo. SKP‐SCs significantly accelerated the satisfied prevascularization in vivo of silk fibroin scaffolds compared with VEGF. Moreover, the NGF expression revealed that pregenerated blood vessels adapted to the nerve regeneration microenvironment through reeducation. The short‐term nerve regeneration of SKP‐SCs‐prevascularization was obviously superior to that of non‐prevascularization. At 12 weeks postinjury, both SKP‐SCs‐prevascularization and VEGF‐prevascularization significantly improved nerve regeneration with a comparable degree. Our figures provide a new enlightenment for the optimization of prevascularization strategies and how to further utilize tissue engineering for better repair.
Mortality and readmission differences associated with after‐hours hospital admission: A population‐based cohort study in Queensland Australia
Authors: Bell Anthony , Boyle Justin , Rolls David , Khanna Sankalp , Good Norm , Xie Yang , Romeo Michele 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsPolicy makers and health system managers are seeking evidence on the risks involved for patients associated with after‐hours care. This study of approximately 1 million patients who were admitted to the 25 largest public hospitals in Queensland Australia sought to quantify mortality and readmission differences associated with after‐hours hospital admission.MethodsLogistic regression was used to assess whether there were any differences in mortality and readmissions based on the time inpatients were admitted to hospital (after‐hours versus within hours). Patient and staffing data, including the variation in physician and nursing staff numbers and seniority were included as explicit predictors within patient outcome models.ResultsAfter adjusting for case‐mix confounding, statistically significant higher mortality was observed for patients admitted on weekends via the hospital's emergency department compared to within hours. This finding of elevated mortality risk after‐hours held true in sensitivity analyses which explored broader definitions of after‐hours care: an “Extended” definition comprising a weekend extending into Friday night and early Monday morning; and a “Twilight” definition comprising weekends and weeknights.There were no significant differences in 30‐day readmissions for emergency or elective patients admitted after‐hours. Increased mortality risks for elective patients was found to be an evening/weekend effect rather than a day‐of‐week effect. Workforce metrics that played a role in observed outcome differences within hours/after‐hours were more a time of day rather than day of week effect, i.e. staffing impacts differ more between day and night than the weekday versus weekend.ConclusionPatients admitted after‐hours have significantly higher mortality than patients admitted within hours. This study confirms an association between mortality differences and the time patients were admitted to hospital, and identifies characteristics of patients and staffing that affect those outcomes.
Olaparib efficacy in patients with germline BRCA‐mutated, HER2‐negative metastatic breast cancer: Subgroup analyses from the phase III OlympiAD trial
Authors: Senkus Elżbieta , Delaloge Suzette , Domchek Susan M. , Conte Pierfranco , Im Seock‐Ah , Xu Binghe , Armstrong Anne , Masuda Norikazu , Fielding Anitra , Robson Mark , Tung Nadine 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn the primary analysis of the phase III OlympiAD trial, olaparib significantly prolonged progression‐free survival (PFS) vs chemotherapy treatment of physician's choice (TPC) in patients with germline BRCA‐mutated (gBRCAm), HER2‐negative metastatic breast cancer (mBC). We report subgroup analyses for the final analysis at a median OS follow‐up of 18.9 months (olaparib) and 15.5 months (TPC). Patients (N = 302) with gBRCAm, HER2‐negative mBC and ≤2 previous lines of chemotherapy for mBC were randomized 2:1 to open‐label olaparib (300 mg twice daily) or TPC. All subgroup analyses were prespecified except site of metastases. Investigator‐assessed median PFS was 8.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.8‐8.4; 176/205 events) for olaparib and 3.8 months (95% CI 2.8‐4.2; 83/97 events) for TPC (hazard ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.39‐0.66). In subgroup analyses, median PFS hazard ratios (95% CI) favored olaparib: hormone receptor status (triple‐negative: 0.47, 0.32‐0.69; hormone receptor‐positive: 0.52, 0.36‐0.75); gBRCAm (BRCA1: 0.49, 0.35‐0.71; BRCA2: 0.49, 0.33‐0.74); site of metastases (visceral/CNS: 0.53, 0.40‐0.71; non‐visceral: 0.45, 0.23‐0.98); prior chemotherapy for mBC (yes: 0.51, 0.38‐0.70; no: 0.49, 0.30‐0.82); prior platinum‐based chemotherapy for BC (yes: 0.49, 0.30‐0.83; no: 0.50, 0.37‐0.69); progressive disease at randomization (yes: 0.48, 0.35‐0.65; no: 0.61, 0.36‐1.07). Investigator‐assessed objective response rates were higher across all subgroups with olaparib (35‐68%) vs TPC (5‐40%). Global health status/health‐related quality of life increased in all subgroups with olaparib vs decreased/no change with TPC. These data confirm the consistency of olaparib benefit across patient subgroups in OlympiAD.
Measuring the efficiency and productivity of U.K. insurance market
Authors: Mamatzakis Emmanuel , Staikouras Christos , Triantopoulos Christos , Wang Zhi Cheng 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe U.K. insurance industry has a dominant international presence, suggesting strong competitiveness and performance. Yet, its efficiency and productivity has rarely being investigated. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of insurers' performance in the U.K. insurance market from 1996 to 2017, using stochastic frontier analysis to measure efficiency scores and productivity at the firm level. Results show the U.K. insurance industry could improve by about 40% in terms of cost efficiency and by 70% in terms of profit efficiency. In addition, our model reveals a higher cost efficiency score compared to profit efficiency, implying that there are higher inefficiencies on the income side of the insurance industry as measured by our profit function. In terms of total factor productivity (TFP) growth, we report a steady decline over time while on average is negative. By decomposing TFP growth into its underlying components, we reveal that the reported negative trend in TFP growth over time has mainly been driven by the enhanced competition that resulted in a drop in markup, while the scale and cost efficiency has also driven TFP growth down. However, from a positive point of view, we report evidence of both β‐convergence and σ‐convergence in cost and profit efficiency.
Subsurface phosphorus and nitrogen loss following liquid dairy manure and commercial fertilizer application on a clay soil in northwest Ohio
Authors: King Kevin W. , Hanrahan Brittany R. , LaBarge Gregory A. , Stinner Jedediah H. , Rumora Kathryne 
Published: March 2023

AbstractNutrient source has been the focus of much debate regarding the re‐eutrophication of Lake Erie, despite that only 20% of nutrients applied to crops in the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) originate from organic sources. However, limited data and assessments exist on the subsurface tile drainage water quality comparison between organic (liquid dairy manure) and commercial (mono‐ammonium phosphate [MAP]) sources in crop production systems. Subsurface tile drainage, dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) and total phosphorus (TP) losses in tile drainage discharge following equal phosphorus (P) based applications of liquid dairy manure and MAP were assessed using a before‐after control‐impact design and 4 years of data from a paired field system located in northwest Ohio. Nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3−‐N ) and total nitrogen (TN) losses were also examined to supplement the P findings; however, due to dissimilar nitrogen application rates, losses were assessed in a different context. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were detected in drainage discharge volumes or TP loads between the control and impact sites. However, statistically significant increases (p < 0.05) were measured for mean daily DRP, NO3−‐N, and TN loads from the dairy manure site. While significant, mean daily DRP differences between commercial (MAP) and liquid dairy manure treatments were only on the order of 0.01 g DRP ha−1. Assuming current manure application extent and rates, when accumulated annually across the WLEB watershed, these losses are equivalent to less than 1% of target loads. These findings also help to inform nutrient management stewardship as it relates to nutrient source. Furthermore, additional research across a range of soil characteristics and cropping managements should be explored as well as the impacts of other livestock manure nutrients.