bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of empagliflozin on left ventricular diastolic function in addition to usual care in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus—results from the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled EmDia trial
Authors: Prochaska Jürgen H. , Jünger Claus , Schulz Andreas , Arnold Natalie , Müller Felix , Heidorn Marc William , Baumkötter Rieke , Zahn Daniela , Koeck Thomas , Tröbs Sven-Oliver , Lackner Karl J. , Daiber Andreas , Binder Harald , Shah Sanjiv J. , Gori Tommaso , Münzel Thomas , Wild Philipp S. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
The sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin improves cardiovascular outcome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and heart failure. Experimental studies suggest a direct cardiac effect of empagliflozin associated with an improvement in left ventricular diastolic function.

Methods
In the randomized, double-blind, two-armed, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial EmDia, patients with T2DM and elevated left ventricular E/E´ ratio were enrolled and randomized 1:1 to receive empagliflozin 10 mg/day versus placebo. The primary endpoint was the change of left ventricular E/E´ ratio after 12 weeks of intervention.

Results
A total of 144 patients with T2DM and an elevated left ventricular E/e´ ratio (age 68.9 ± 7.7 years; 14.1% women; E/e´ ratio 9.61[8.24/11.14], left ventricular ejection fraction 58.9% ± 5.6%). After 12 weeks of intervention, empagliflozin resulted in a significant higher decrease in the primary endpoint E/e´ ratio by − 1.18 ([95% confidence interval (CI) − 1.72/− 0.65]; P < 0.0001) compared with placebo. The beneficial effect of empagliflozin was consistent across all subgroups and also occurred in subjects with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (n = 30). Additional effects of empagliflozin on body weight, HbA1c, uric acid, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and hematocrit were detected (all P < 0.001). Approximately one-third of the reduction in E/e´ by empagliflozin could be explained by the variables examined.

Conclusions
Empagliflozin improves diastolic function in patients with T2DM and elevated end-diastolic pressure. Since the positive effects were consistent in patients with and without heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the data add a mechanistic insight for the beneficial cardiovascular effect of empagliflozin.

Trial registration
Clinicaltrials.gov, unique identifier: NCT02932436.

Graphical abstract
Chromosomal radiosensitivity of human breast carcinoma cells and blood lymphocytes following photon and proton exposures
Authors: Kowalska Agata , Nasonova Elena , Kutsalo Polina , Czerski Konrad 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBreast carcinomas (BC) are among the most frequent cancers in women. Studies on radiosensitivity and ionizing radiation response of BC cells are scarce and mainly focused on intrinsic molecular mechanisms but do not include clinically relevant features as chromosomal rearrangements important for radiotherapy. The main purpose of this study was to compare the ionizing radiation response and efficiency of repair mechanisms of human breast carcinoma cells (Cal 51) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) for different doses and radiation qualities (60Co γ-rays, 150 MeV and spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) proton beams). The radiation response functions obtained using the conventional metaphase assay and premature chromosome condensation (PCC) technique enabled us to determine the number of chromosomal breaks at different time after irradiation. Both cytogenetic assays used confirmed the higher biological radiosensitivity for proton beams in tumor cells compared to PBL, corresponding to higher values of the linear LQ parameter α. additionally, the ratio of the LQ parameters β/α describing efficiency of the repair mechanisms, obtained for chromosome aberrations, showed higher numbers for PBL than for Cal 51 for all exposures. Similar results were observed for the ratio of PCC breaks determined directly after irradiation to that obtained 12 h later. This parameter (t0/t12) showed faster decrease of the repair efficiency with increasing LET value for Cal 51 cells. This finding supports the use of the proton therapy for breast cancer patients.
Perioperative chemotherapy with 5-FU, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel (FLOT) for esophagogastric adenocarcinoma: ten years real-life experience from a surgical perspective
Authors: Sisic Leila , Crnovrsanin Nerma , Nienhueser Henrik , Jung Jin-On , Schiefer Sabine , Haag Georg Martin , Bruckner Thomas , Schneider Martin , Müller-Stich Beat P. , Büchler Markus W. , Schmidt Thomas 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Purpose
According to the results of FLOT4 trial, perioperative FLOT chemotherapy improved overall survival (OS) in locally advanced, resectable esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGA) compared to perioperative ECF/ECX. We report real-life data 10 years after introduction of perioperative FLOT at our institution.

Methods
Survival of 356 consecutive EGA patients (cT3/4 and/or cN + and/or cM1) who underwent curative surgical resection was retrospectively analysed from a prospective database. A total of 263 patients received preoperative chemotherapy according to FLOT protocol and 93 patients received an epirubicin/platinum/5FU-based regimen (EPF). Propensity score matching (PSM) according to pretretment characteristics was performed to compensate for heterogeneity between groups.

Results
Median OS did not differ between groups (FLOT/EPF 52.1/46.4 months, p = 0.577). After PSM, survival was non-significantly improved after FLOT compared to EPF (median OS not reached/46.4 months, p = 0.156). Perioperative morbidity and mortality did not differ between groups. Histopathologic response rate was 35% after FLOT and 26% after EPF (p = 0.169). R0 resection could be achieved more frequently after FLOT than after EPF (93%/79%, p = 0.023).

Conclusion
Overall survival after perioperative FLOT followed by surgery is comparable to clinical trials. However, collective real-life application of FLOT failed to provide a significant survival benefit compared to EPF. In clinical reality, patient selection is triggered by age, comorbidity, tumor localization, and clinical tumor stage. Yet matched analyses support FLOT4 trial findings.
Identification of genetic susceptibility in preterm newborns with bronchopulmonary dysplasia by whole-exome sequencing: BIVM gene may play a role
Authors: Luo Xi , Zhao Min , Chen Cheng , Lin Fengji , Li Xiaodong , Huang Haiyun , Dou Lei , Feng Jinxing , Xiao Shanqiu , Liu Dong , He Junli , Yu Jialin 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common chronic respiratory disease
in preterm infants caused by multifactorial etiology. Genetic factors are
involved in the occurrence of BPD, but studies have found that candidate genes
have poor reproducibility and are influenced by ethnic heterogeneity;
therefore, more exploration is still needed. We performed whole-exon sequencing
in 34 preterm infants with BPD and 32 non-BPD control neonates. The data were
analyzed and interpreted by Fisher difference comparison, PLINK and eQTL
association analysis, KEGG and GO enrichment analysis, STRING tool, Cytoscape
software, ProtParam tool, HOPE online software, and GEOR2 analysis on NCBI GEO
dataset. BPD has a highly heterogeneity in different populations, and we found
35 genes overlapped with previous whole-exon sequencing studies, such as APOB
gene. Arterial and epithelial cell development and energy metabolism pathways
affect BPD. In this study, 24 key genes were identified, and BIVM rs3825519
mutation leads to prolonged assisted ventilation in patients with BPD. A novel
DDAH1 mutation site (NM_012137: exon1: c.89 T > G: p.L30R) was found in 9 BPD patients.Conclusion: BIVM gene rs3825519 mutation may play a role in the pathogenesis of BPD by affecting cilia movement, and the DDAH1 and APOB genes mutations may have a pathogenic role in BPD.

What is Known:

• Genetic factors are involved in the occurrence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

• The candidate genes have poor reproducibility and are influenced by ethnic heterogeneity, therefore, more exploration is still needed.

What is New:

• We identified the role of susceptible SNPs in BPD in Shenzhen, China, and identified 24 key genes that influence the pathogenesis of BPD, and also found 35 genes overlapped with previous whole exon sequencing studies, such as APOB gene.

• We found that BIVM and DDAH1 genes may play a pathogenic role in the pathogenesis of BPD.
Prematurity and BPD: what general pediatricians should know
Authors: Bonadies Luca , Cavicchiolo Maria Elena , Priante Elena , Moschino Laura , Baraldi Eugenio 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMore and more very low birth weight (VLBW) infants around the world survive nowadays, with consequently larger numbers of children developing prematurity-related morbidities, especially bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). BPD is a multifactorial disease and its rising incidence in recent years means that general pediatricians are much more likely to encounter a child born extremely preterm, possibly with BPD, in their clinical practice. Short- and long-term sequelae in VLBW patients may affect not only pulmonary function (principally characterized by an obstructive pattern), but also other aspect including the neurological (neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders), the sensorial (earing and visual impairment), the cardiological (systemic and pulmonary hypertension, reduced exercise tolerance and ischemic heart disease in adult age), nutritional (feeding difficulties and nutritional deficits), and auxological (extrauterine growth restriction). For the most premature infants at least, a multidisciplinary follow-up is warranted after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit in order to optimize their respiratory and neurocognitive potential, and prevent respiratory infections, nutritional deficiencies or cardiovascular impairments. Conclusion: The aim of this review is to summarize the main characteristics of preterm and BPD infants, providing the general pediatrician with practical information regarding these patients’ multidisciplinary complex follow-up. We explore the current evidence on respiratory outcomes and their management that actually does not have a definitive available option. We also discuss the available investigations, treatments, and strategies for prevention and prophylaxis to improve the non-respiratory outcomes and the quality of life for these children and their families, a critical aspect not always considered. This comprehensive approach, added to the increased needs of a VLBW subjects, is obviously related to very high health-related costs that should be beared in mind.

What is Known:• Every day, a general pediatrician is more likely to encounter a former very low birth weight infant.• Very low birth weight and prematurity are frequently related not only with worse respiratory outcomes, but also with neurological, sensorial, cardiovascular, renal, and nutritional issues.

What is New:• This review provides to the general pediatrician a comprehensive approach for the follow-up of former premature very low birth weight children, with information to improve the quality of life of this special population.
Vitamin D levels and left ventricular function in beta-thalassemia major with iron overload
Authors: Pala Mrudula , Bhat Kamalakshi G. , Manya Sharath , Joseph Nitin , Harish Sindhu 
Published: February 2023

AbstractHeart disease is the primary cause of death in patients with beta-thalassemia major. The study aimed to determine the association between vitamin D and left ventricular function in patients with beta-thalassemia major with iron overload. A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted, where the vitamin D and ferritin levels of children living with beta-thalassemia major were measured, and left ventricular function was assessed utilizing ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) using 2D echocardiography. The mean serum ferritin was 4622 ± 2289 ng/ml, and the mean serum vitamin D levels were 22 ± 7.7 ng/ml. The mean values of EF were 62.30 ± 6.9%, and FS was 31.21 ± 4.8%. Statistically significant negative correlation (r = −0.447,p < 0.001) was found between vitamin D and serum ferritin values, and a significant positive association was found between vitamin D levels concerning EF and FS with a p-value of 0.034 and 0.014, respectively.Conclusion: It was observed that increasing ferritin was associated with lower vitamin D levels which in turn influenced fractional shortening /cardiac function in these patients. What is Known:• Patients with Beta Thalassemia major on long term transfusion are prone to develop heart disease / cardiac failure due to chronic iron overload.What is New:• Patients with beta thalassemia major on long term term transfusions with iron overload who are vitamin D deficient are more prone to the cardiac complications which inturn can be prevented by vitamin D supplementation.
Assessment of quality and reliability of YouTube videos for patient and physician education on inflammatory myositis
Authors: Joshi Mrudula , R. Naveen , Jagtap Kshitij , Gupta Ria , Agarwal Vikas , Aggarwal Rohit , Goel Ashish , Gupta Latika 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Introduction
YouTube is the second most popular search website worldwide to access health information online. This study was undertaken to assess the reliability and quality of information about myositis on YouTube and delineate attributes of useful videos using standard metrics.

Methods
We conducted a thorough search on YouTube using 9 search terms related to myositis. The inclusion criteria were content related to myositis, English language and acceptable audio–video quality. Duplicates and advertisements were excluded from the analysis. Videos were classified as useful, not very useful or misleading and patient narratives. Reliability was determined using the mDISCERN criteria, quality using the Global Quality Scale (GQS) and JAMA system, using appropriate cut-offs (mDISCERN > 4, GQS > 4, JAMA > 3).

Results
Out of a total of 900 videos, 453 were included for the analysis. Seventy-four per cent and 2% provided useful and not very useful information respectively, while 24% were patient narratives. Seventy-one per cent were intended specifically for patients while 69% were for healthcare providers and students.
Noteworthily, useful and not very useful videos had similar total views though the number of likes and daily viewership were higher for useful videos (p = 0.024, p = 0.046).
Nearly half (47%) of useful videos were by professional medical societies/patient support groups (PSGs) while not very useful ones were by nonmedical media (38%). Physician-predicted usefulness was discordant with score-based usefulness (κ = 0.129). However, GQS emerged as a significant (p = 0.008) predictor of video usefulness in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion
A large majority of English YouTube videos on myositis provide useful information for patients. Physicians could signpost patients to high-quality useful videos as determined by GQS and sources like professional medical societies and PSGs.

Key Points•This study highlights the importance of regulating health information posted online, accessed by millions of people, to gauge the quality of information and to identify and curb misinformation.•It also identifies recommendations for the future for uploading such content on the Internet.•The implications lie in our patients being better informed about their disease as they are important stakeholders in the healthcare decision-making process.
Energiewende steht für die Chance auf Re-Industrialisierung, nicht für De-Industrialisierung
Authors: Gornig Martin , Kemfert Claudia 
Published: February 2023

AbstractRussia’s war against Ukraine and China’s reactions have decisively changed the general conditions for industry in Germany. Industry is facing major changes in the context of modernization, decarbonization and localization. The energy transition offers an enormous economic opportunity for German industry. Instead of de-industrialization, re-industrialization is possible through a forced expansion of renewable energies and improved energy efficiency. This strengthens resilience and promotes sustainability and encourages innovation and enhances competitiveness.
Ticks in the box: Argas persicus occurrence in nest boxes of secondary cavity-nesting bird species in Italy
Authors: Monti Flavio , Baratti Mariella , Viviano Andrea , Mori Emiliano 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMigratory organisms can be vectors of parasitic host organisms that can then be transported along seasonal migratory journeys and spread across continents. Ornithophilic nidicolous ticks (e.g. soft ticks) include species responsible for the transmission of pathogens and bacteria, thus representing a health problem not only for wild species that are directly parasitized, but also for those that share the same environments or reproductive sites with them. In this regard, artificial nests for birds may turn out to be site-sources of parasites. Here, we document the occurrence of different life stages of Argas persicus ticks in nest boxes of wild birds in a natural area (not associated with poultry activities) of central coastal Italy (Maremma Regional Park, Tuscany). Between 2018 and 2022, 168 ticks were collected from nest boxes occupied by different secondary cavity-nesting birds, such as European rollers Coracias garrulus and scops owl Otus scops. Ticks were analysed morphologically, and selected specimens were also identified by mitochondrial ribosomal 16S (16S) subunit gene to ascertain their taxonomic status. All ticks were identified as Argas persicus. This finding not only suggests that this tick species has formed a viable population in this Italian region, but also further confirms the previously doubtful natural origin of the species at country level and sheds new light on its underestimated and little investigated distribution. Possible pathways of introduction and its potential impacts on local avian community are discussed.
Neue Leitlinie zur Allergen-Immuntherapie
Authors: Hamelmann Eckard 
Published: February 2023

ZusammenfassungIm Oktober 2022 wurde die neue „Leitlinie zur Allergen-Immuntherapie bei IgE-vermittelten allergischen Erkrankungen“ (AIT; Entwicklungsstufe S2k) vorgestellt. Diese Leitlinie befasst sich umfangreich mit der Wirkungsweise und der Wirksamkeit der subkutanen (SCIT) und sublingualen Immuntherapie (SLIT), den verschiedenen Indikationen und Kontraindikationen sowie dem aktuellen Stand klinischer Studien zu Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit der Therapiepräparate bei den Hauptallergenquellen (Baumpollen, Gräserpollen, Milben und weiteren). Die Fazits und Empfehlungen der Fachgesellschaften, die für die Pneumologie relevant sind, werden im Folgenden in übersichtlicher Form vorgestellt.
T-norms driven loss functions for machine learning
Authors: Giannini Francesco , Diligenti Michelangelo , Maggini Marco , Gori Marco , Marra Giuseppe 
Published: February 2023

AbstractInjecting prior knowledge into the learning process of a neural architecture is one of the main challenges currently faced by the artificial intelligence community, which also motivated the emergence of neural-symbolic models. One of the main advantages of these approaches is their capacity to learn competitive solutions with a significant reduction of the amount of supervised data. In this regard, a commonly adopted solution consists of representing the prior knowledge via first-order logic formulas, then relaxing the formulas into a set of differentiable constraints by using a t-norm fuzzy logic. This paper shows that this relaxation, together with the choice of the penalty terms enforcing the constraint satisfaction, can be unambiguously determined by the selection of a t-norm generator, providing numerical simplification properties and a tighter integration between the logic knowledge and the learning objective. When restricted to supervised learning, the presented theoretical framework provides a straight derivation of the popular cross-entropy loss, which has been shown to provide faster convergence and to reduce the vanishing gradient problem in very deep structures. However, the proposed learning formulation extends the advantages of the cross-entropy loss to the general knowledge that can be represented by neural-symbolic methods. In addition, the presented methodology allows the development of novel classes of loss functions, which are shown in the experimental results to lead to faster convergence rates than the approaches previously proposed in the literature.
Impact of Access and Benefit Sharing implementation on biological control genetic resources
Authors: Mason Peter G. , Barratt Barbara I. P. , Mc Kay Fernando , Klapwijk Johannette N. , Silvestri Luciana C. , Hill Martin , Hinz Hariet L. , Sheppard Andy , Brodeur Jacques , Vitorino Marcello Diniz , Weyl Philip , Hoelmer Kim A. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe third objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources was further developed when the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing came into effect in 2014. Interpretation of how this agreement is being implemented is wide-ranging and there are implications for biological control. A survey of biological control workers indicated that while some countries have facilitated access to biological control genetic resources, requirements in other countries have impeded biological control implementation. There was consensus that benefits to provider countries should be in the form of supporting local research communities. There was also agreement that the free use and exchange of biological control genetic resources has provided benefits to the global community, including to both providers and recipients of the agents. It is recommended that consideration of the free use and exchange principal should be a key element of Access and Benefit Sharing measures for the future.
Use of Twitter to share news in higher education: The risk of magnification of engagement and learning
Authors: Llausàs Albert 
Published: February 2023

AbstractDespite the growing interest in the use of Twitter in higher education, its effects on aspects such as student engagement and learning continue to yield unclear and even contradictory results. The combination of evaluative methodologies for these different impacts contributes to confusion and bias. The aim of this study is to analyse whether the use Twitter to share and discuss current news produces engagement and its effects on learning by university students. The analysed sample is composed of 93 students earning a political science degree, split into three groups. The analysis is based on a mixed approach combining statistical and qualitative methods (content analysis and thematic coding of self-reported assessments) used to evaluate the degree of engagement, the evidence of learning and the relationship between these two dimensions. The results show a very low degree of engagement and little evidence of learning. The relationships between one dimension and another dissipate after detailed scrutiny of the statistically significant correlations found and are inflated by enthusiastic self-evaluations of the learning experience by students. The results warn about the risks for the research community of magnifying the benefits of the use of Twitter for educational purposes. The educational community should reflect on the effectiveness and efficiency of the use of Twitter for the purpose of stimulating independent, collaborative and reflective learning.