bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of adaptive hypertrophic cardiac remodeling in a large animal model of premature ventricular contraction‐induced cardiomyopathy
Authors: Balderas‐Villalobos Jaime , Medina‐Contreras J. M. Lourdes , Lynch Christopher , Kabadi Rajiv , Hayles Janée , Ramirez Rafael J. , Tan Alex Y. , Kaszala Karoly , Samsó Montserrat , Huizar Jose F. , Eltit Jose M. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractFrequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) promoted eccentric cardiac hypertrophy and reduced ejection fraction (EF) in a large animal model of PVC‐induced cardiomyopathy (PVC‐CM), but the molecular mechanisms and markers of this hypertrophic remodeling remain unexplored. Healthy mongrel canines were implanted with pacemakers to deliver bigeminal PVCs (50% burden with 200–220 ms coupling interval). After 12 weeks, left ventricular (LV) free wall samples were studied from PVC‐CM and Sham groups. In addition to reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF), the PVC‐CM group showed larger cardiac myocytes without evident ultrastructural alterations compared to the Sham group. Biochemical markers of pathological hypertrophy, such as store‐operated Ca2+ entry, calcineurin/NFAT pathway, β‐myosin heavy chain, and skeletal type α‐actin were unaltered in the PVC‐CM group. In contrast, pro‐hypertrophic and antiapoptotic pathways including ERK1/2 and AKT/mTOR were activated and/or overexpressed in the PVC‐CM group, which appeared counterbalanced by an overexpression of protein phosphatase 1 and a borderline elevation of the anti‐hypertrophic factor atrial natriuretic peptide. Moreover, the potent angiogenic and pro‐hypertrophic factor VEGF‐A and its receptor VEGFR2 were significantly elevated in the PVC‐CM group. In conclusion, a molecular program is in place to keep this structural remodeling associated with frequent PVCs as an adaptive pathological hypertrophy.
The efficacy of telephone‐delivered cognitive behavioral therapy in people with chronic illnesses and mental diseases: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Altieri Manuela , Sergi Maria R. , Tommasi Marco , Santangelo Gabriella , Saggino Aristide 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCOVID‐19 pandemic led to an increase of remote treatments, such as telephone‐delivery cognitive behavioral therapy (T‐CBT). To our knowledge, no meta‐analyses studied the effect of T‐CBT in chronic and/or mental illnesses on multiple psychological outcomes. Therefore, our study aims to evaluating the efficacy of T‐CBT compared to other interventions (treatment as usual, TAU, or face‐to‐face CBT). Each effect size (ES) was calculated in Hedges' g and pooled together to produce a mean ES for each outcome (depression, anxiety, mental and physical QoL, worry, coping, and sleep disturbances). The meta‐analysis included 33 studies with a randomized controlled trial design. A large ES was found when comparing the efficacy of T‐CBT against TAU on depression (g = 0.84, p < 0.001), whereas a moderate ES was found on anxiety (g = 0.57; p < 0.001), and a small effect on mental quality of life (g = 0.33, p < 0.001), sleep disturbances (g = 0.37, p = 0.042), coping (g = 0.20, p = 0.016) and worry (g = 0.43, p = 0.001). The meta‐analysis comparing the efficacy of T‐CBT and CBT on depression revealed a not significant pooled ES (g = 0.06, p = 0.466). The results provided evidence that T‐CBT could be to be more effective than TAU conditions in multiple psychological outcomes, and as efficient as face‐to‐face CBT in treating depression.
Real‐time influence of intracellular acidification and Na+/H+ exchanger inhibition on in‐cell pyruvate metabolism in the perfused mouse heart: A 31P‐NMR and hyperpolarized 13C‐NMR study
Authors: Shaul David , Lev‐Cohain Naama , Sapir Gal , Sosna Jacob , Gomori J. Moshe , Joskowicz Leo , Katz‐Brull Rachel 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDisruption of acid–base balance is linked to various diseases and conditions. In the heart, intracellular acidification is associated with heart failure, maladaptive cardiac hypertrophy, and myocardial ischemia. Previously, we have reported that the ratio of the in‐cell lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activities is correlated with cardiac pH. To further characterize the basis for this correlation, these in‐cell activities were investigated under induced intracellular acidification without and with Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE1) inhibition by zoniporide. Male mouse hearts (n = 30) were isolated and perfused retrogradely. Intracellular acidification was performed in two ways: (1) with the NH4Cl prepulse methodology; and (2) by combining the NH4Cl prepulse with zoniporide. 31P NMR spectroscopy was used to determine the intracellular cardiac pH and to quantify the adenosine triphosphate and phosphocreatine content. Hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate was obtained using dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization. 13C NMR spectroscopy was used to monitor hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate metabolism and determine enzyme activities in real time at a temporal resolution of a few seconds using the product‐selective saturating excitation approach. The intracellular acidification induced by the NH4Cl prepulse led to reduced LDH and PDH activities (−16% and −39%, respectively). This finding is in line with previous evidence of reduced myocardial contraction and therefore reduced metabolic activity upon intracellular acidification. Concomitantly, the LDH/PDH activity ratio increased with the reduction in pH, as previously reported. Combining the NH4Cl prepulse with zoniporide led to a greater reduction in LDH activity (−29%) and to increased PDH activity (+40%). These changes resulted in a surprising decrease in the LDH/PDH ratio, as opposed to previous predictions. Zoniporide alone (without intracellular acidification) did not change these enzyme activities. A possible explanation for the enzymatic changes observed during the combination of the NH4Cl prepulse and NHE1 inhibition may be related to mitochondrial NHE1 inhibition, which likely negates the mitochondrial matrix acidification. This effect, combined with the increased acidity in the cytosol, would result in an enhanced H+ gradient across the mitochondrial membrane and a temporarily higher pyruvate transport into the mitochondria, thereby increasing the PDH activity at the expense of the cytosolic LDH activity. These findings demonstrate the complexity of in‐cell cardiac metabolism and its dependence on intracellular acidification. This study demonstrates the capabilities and limitations of hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate in the characterization of intracellular acidification as regards cardiac pathologies.
Self‐foaming polyurea foams reinforced by nano SiO2 via a non‐isocyanate route
Authors: Lin Chenxi , Tang Donglin 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe feedstocks for conventional polyurea foams (PUrFs) are limited but they have more choices in urea route as discribed in this work. Urea, ternary amine T403 and diaminodecane DA‐10 were used for the construction of self‐foaming PUrFs, in which the byproduct ammonia performs as a foaming agent. The influence of nano SiO2 content and feeding ratio of T403 to DA‐10 on the pore morphology and the properties of PUrFs were investigated. A feeding amount of 3 wt% nano SiO2 is found to be able to significantly improve the nucleation performance of PUrFs. If the nano SiO2 loading is higher (5 wt%) the melt strength will increase, which is not benefit for the foaming. An appropriate feeding ratio of T403 to DA‐10 (1/1, sample PUrF‐3‐50) can improve the crystallinity thus promoting the nucleation in foaming process. The comprehensive performance of PUrF‐3‐50 is found to be the highest, with an average pore size at 429 μm, an apparent density at 298 kg/m3, and a compressive strength (75% strain) at 3.2 MPa. It is worth noting that the hysteresis of PUrF‐3‐50 is high (>90%) and stable. This work provides a new strategy for the preparation of PUrFs and broadens the applications of urea‐based polymers.
Synthesis of copolymer nanocomposite by in situ intercalative polymerization for batch and fixed bed adsorption
Authors: Dutta Barnali , Ray Samit Kumar 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPartially neutralized acrylic acid (AA)/sodium acrylate (NaAA) and N, N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) were subjected to intercalative copolymerization in aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in the presence of sodium montmorillonite (NaMMT) nano clay to prepare filled semi‐interpenetrating network (FSIPN) type composite polymer networks. Filled Full IPN (FFIPN) composites were prepared in a similar way by additional crosslinking of PVA with maleic acid (MA) crosslinker. The polymers were characterized with FTIR, NMR, XRD, TGA, SEM, EDAX, TEM, XPS, DLS, PZC, and pH reversibility test. The synthesis variables were optimized with respect to batch adsorption of 100 mg/L each of methyl violet (MV) and congo red (CR) dye as response using the central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The FFIPN prepared from polyacrylic acid (PAA)/sodium polyacrylate containing PVA/Clay/MBA/MA of optimized composition of 4/1.5/0.75/4 (wt.% of AA/NaAA), respectively, showed an optimized adsorption (mg/g adsorbent) of 459.16/417.31 of MV/CR as single dye and 438.01/417.31 of MV/CR in 1:1 binary mixtures of 100 mg/L feed concentration. The FFIPN showed an adsorption (mg/g) of 41.54/37.61 and removal% of 88.5/80.12 at a feed flow rate, bed height, and feed inlet concentration of 20 mL/min, 20 mm, and 50 mg/L, respectively.
Prognostic value of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio in patients with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer receiving prostate‐specific membrane antigen targeted radionuclide therapy
Authors: Stangl‐Kremser Judith , Sun Michael , Ho Benedict , Thomas Joseph , Nauseef Jones T. , Osborne Joseph R. , Molina Ana , Sternberg Cora N. , Nanus David M. , Bander Neil H. , Tagawa Scott 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundNeutrophil count:lymphocyte count ratio (NLR) may be a prognostic factor for men with advanced prostate cancer. We hypothesized that it is associated with prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) response and survival in men treated with prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA)‐targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT).MethodsData of 180 men with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who were treated in sequential prospective radionuclide clinical trials from 2002 to 2021 (utilizing 177Lu‐J591, 90Y‐J591, 177Lu‐PSMA‐617, or 225Ac‐J591) were retrospectively analyzed. We used a logistic regression to determine the association between NLR and ≥50% PSA decline (PSA50) and a Cox proportional hazards model to investigate the association between NLR and overall survival (OS).ResultsA total of 94 subjects (52.2%) received 177Lu‐J591, 51 (28.3%) 177Lu‐PSMA‐617, 28 (15.6%) 225Ac‐J591, and 7 (3.9%) 90Y‐J591. The median NLR of 3.75 was used as cut‐off (low vs. high NLR; n = 90, respectively). On univariate analysis, NLR was not associated with PSA50 (HR 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99–1.17, p = 0.067). However, it was associated with worse OS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.06, 95% CI 1.02–1.09, p = 0.002), also after controlling for circulating tumor cell count and cancer and leukemia group B risk group (HR 1.05; 95% CI 1.003–1.11, p = 0.036). Men with high NLR were at a higher hazard of death from all causes (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.05–1.94, p = 0.024).ConclusionsNLR provides prognostic information in the setting of patients with mCRPC receiving treatment with PSMA‐TRT.
Cisplatin cycles treatment sustains cardiovascular and renal damage involving TLR4 and NLRP3 pathways
Authors: González Antonio , García‐Gómez‐Heras Soledad , Franco‐Rodríguez Raquel , López‐Miranda Visitación , Herradón Esperanza 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCisplatin is clinically proven to combat different cancers, including sarcomas, soft tissue cancers, bones, muscles, and blood. However, renal and cardiovascular toxicities are important limitations in cisplatin therapeutical use. Immunoinflammation could be key factor in cisplatin‐induced toxicity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the activation of the inflammatory TLR4/NLRP3 pathway as a common mechanism for cardiovascular and renal cisplatin's cycles treatment toxicity. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with saline, cisplatin 2 mg/kg or cisplatin 3 mg/kg (intraperitoneally once a week, for five experimental weeks). After treatments, plasma, cardiac, vascular, and renal tissues were collected. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and inflammatory cytokines were determined. TLR4, MyD88, NF‐κβ p65, NLRP3, and procaspase‐1 tissue expressions were also analyzed. Cisplatin treatment induced a dose‐dependent increase in plasma MDA and IL‐18. In cardiovascular system, an increase in NLRP3 and in cleaved caspase‐1 were observed in cardiac tissue and a moderate increase in TLR4, MyD88 appeared in mesenteric artery. In kidney, a significant dose‐dependent increase in TLR4, MyD88 and NLRP3 and cleaved caspase 1 expressions were observed after cisplatin treatments. In conclusion, cisplatin cycles provoke a low grade pro‐inflammatory systemic state. Kidney was more sensitive than cardiovascular tissues to this pro‐inflammatory state. TLR4 and NLRP3 are key pathways involved in renal tissue damage, NLRP3 is the main pathway involved in cardiac toxicity and TLR4 pathway in resistance vessel toxicity.
20(S)‐ Protopanaxadiol saponins isolated from Panax notoginseng target the binding of HMGB1 to TLR4 against inflammation in experimental ulcerative colitis
Authors: Chen Jinfen , Lu Pengde , Liu Jiayue , Yang Li , Li Yiyang , Chen Yanling , Wang Yitao , Wan Jianbo , Zhao Yonghua 
Published: July 2023

AbstractUlcerative colitis (UC) has emerged as a global healthcare issue due to high prevalence and unsatisfying therapeutic measures. 20(S)‐ Protopanaxadiol saponins (PDS) from Panax notoginseng with anti‐inflammatory properties is a potential anti‐colitis agent. Herein, we explored the effects and mechanisms of PDS administration on experimental murine UC. Dextran sulfate sodium‐induced murine UC model was employed to investigate anti‐colitis effects of PDS, and associated mechanisms were further verified in HMGB1‐exposed THP‐1 macrophages. Results indicated that PDS administration exerted ameliorative effects against experimental UC. Moreover, PDS administration remarkably downregulated mRNA expressions and productions of related pro‐inflammatory mediators, and reversed elevated expressions of proteins related to NLRP3 inflammasome after colitis induction. Furthermore, administration with PDS also suppressed the expression and translocation of HMGB1, interrupting the downstream TLR4/NF‐κB pathway. In vitro, ginsenoside CK and 20(S)‐protopanaxadiol, the metabolites of PDS, exhibited greater potential in anti‐inflammation, and intervened with the TLR4‐binding domain of HMGB1 predictably. Expectedly, ginsenoside CK and 20(S)‐protopanaxadiol administrations inhibited the activation of TLR4/NF‐κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in HMGB1‐exposed THP‐1 macrophages. Summarily, PDS administration attenuated inflammatory injury in experimental colitis by blocking the binding of HMGB1 to TLR4, majorly attributed to the antagonistic efficacies of ginsenoside CK and 20(S)‐protopanaxadiol.
Scenario-Driven Data Generation with Experimentable Digital Twins
Authors: Maqbool Osama , Roßmann Jürgen 
Published: July 2023

AbstractSynthetic data is an indispensable supplement to the difficult-to-acquire real data in order to meet the substantial demand by machine learning based systems. Data playing the key role in machine learning models, its objective and maintainable quality metrics are vital for quality assurance of the whole system. This paper introduces a systematic and domain-neutral methodology based on formalized scenario variation and experimental digital twins for the generation of synthetic data. The methodology uses human-readable scenarios and semantically meaningful parameter variations to describe possible entities, actions and events to be simulated, whereas experimental digital twins bring the scenarios to life by the integration of various domains of a system such as mechanics, sensors, actuators and communication under one platform that can be simulated as a whole. The scenario description and digital twin simulation is carried out iteratively to derive the optimal distribution of synthetic data. Thus scenarios and experimentable digital twins can together serve as mediums to systematically cover diverse application scenarios, test dangerous situations and find faults within a system.
Two-Stage Robotic Bin Picking of Small Metallic Objects
Authors: Herbert Meike , Bach Paul , Lieret Markus , Fürst Jens , Franke Jörg 
Published: July 2023

AbstractRobotic grasping of small metallic objects such as bolts is a challenging task due to the small dimensions and textureless reflective surfaces. Depth images acquired of such objects are often noisy and error-prone. In addition, overlapping of parts occur as they are provided randomly oriented in a box such as a small load carrier. To overcome the limitations of existing solutions for bolt separation, a flexible and cost-effective system is developed using an industrial robot and a magnetic gripper. In a two-stage procedure, the bolts are first grasped blindly from a box and placed on a flat surface. In the second step, object detection and pose estimation is performed and the individual bolts are grasped and inserted into a fixture, so that finally the bolts are in a defined position. Industrial use cases for this system are the automated preparation of bolts for robotic screwing processes or automated commissioning of small objects for assembly tasks. The methodology, implementation and evaluation of the proposed solution is presented in this paper.
LiDAR-based Real-Time Measurement and Control of Shoulder Torque—Preview on an Experimental Approach
Authors: Herrmann Max , Ebenhoch Christoph , von der Wense Jens , Weidner Robert 
Published: July 2023

AbstractA concept of how load imposed by an exoskeleton on the upper arm affects shoulder torque is given using a mechanical mock-up of the shoulder-arm-system and a serial kinematic robot. System identification methods for linear surrogate models of the human shoulder-arm-system and their embeddings in control loops are introduced. Early measurements of a novel, multisensor LiDAR system for real-time motion-capturing of human motion are presented, and its implications discussed. The experimental setup is used for direct shoulder torque readings and control.
Towards Learning by Demonstration for Industrial Assembly Tasks
Authors: Hernandez Moreno Victor , Carmichael Marc G. , Deuse Jochen 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIn recent times, learning by demonstration has seen tremendous progress in robotic assembly operations. One of the most prominent trajectory-level task models applied is Dynamic Movement Primitives (DMP). However, it lacks the ability to tackle complex operations as often encountered in industrial assembly. Augmenting low-level models with a high-level framework in which different movement segments are deliberately parameterised is considered promising for such scenarios. This paper investigates the combination of trajectory-level DMPs with Methods-Time Measurement (MTM). We demonstrate how the MTM-1 system is utilised to establish distinguished DMP models for five of its basic elements, paving the way to benefitting from the sophisticated MTM system. The evaluation of the framework is conducted on a generic pick and place operation. Compared to a one-model-fits-all DMP approach for the whole task, the proposed method shows the advantage of appropriate temporal scaling, accuracy levelling and force consideration at adequate times.
Accuracy Examination of a Flexible Pin Gripper for Forging Applications
Authors: Ince Caner-Veli , Geggier Jan , Raatz Annika 
Published: July 2023

AbstractNowadays, cost reduction in manufacturing is getting relevant. One aspect to achieve that is utilising universal handling systems and their ability to adapt to changing objects and various geometries. By that, they minimise the number of handling systems and set-up times whereby cost savings are realised. In the field of forging, the objects vary their shape several times during the manufacturing process. In addition, the temperature can rise up to 1200 $${}^{\circ }\text {C}$$

∘

C

during the different steps of the forging process. Current flexible handling systems cannot handle those temperatures. The main reason for that is the material they consist of, primarily elastic polymers. Hence, there is a need for a handling system to close the gap between form flexible and high temperature handling. For this purpose, we developed such a handling system in our previous work, consisting of two jaws with pins in a matrix arrangement. Each pin can move in the longitudinal direction and adapt to different shapes. In response to the current temperatures for the pins, a material is used that withstands high temperatures. This paper presents the actuation and control of the developed handling system. The system is actuated by pressurised air which is continuously controlled to counteract the thermal expansion of the air caused by the high temperatures. Therefore, we integrate intelligent valves to fulfil the automation and control. Finally, we evaluate the accuracy of our system and optimise the valve control.
Einleitung
Authors: Schlander Michael , Schäfer Ramon , Selberg Lorenz 
Published: July 2023

ZusammenfassungDie Laboratorien in der Schweiz erzielen eine Wertschöpfung von zwei Milliarden Schweizer Franken pro Jahr, beschäftigen 14.300 Mitarbeitende und verursachen weniger als drei Prozent der Leistungsausgaben der Obligatorischen Krankenpflegeversicherung (OKP). Die Labormedizin gilt nach verbreiteter Expertenmeinung als ausschlaggebend für rund 70 % aller klinischen Entscheide („70 %-Claim“). Gleichzeitig steht sie vor grossen Herausforderungen im Zusammenhang mit dem Siegeszug der evidenzbasierten Medizin (EBM), erhöhten regulatorischen Hürden für den Leistungsnachweis vor und nach erfolgter Zulassung, und rigorosen Überprüfungen des klinischen Nutzens und des Kosten/Nutzen-Verhältnisses labordiagnostischer Verfahren im Rahmen von Health Technology Assessments (HTAs).
Hintergrund: Gesundheitswesen in der Schweiz
Authors: Schlander Michael , Schäfer Ramon , Selberg Lorenz 
Published: July 2023

ZusammenfassungIn der Gesamtbetrachtung zeichnet sich das Gesundheitssystem der Schweiz im internationalen Vergleich gleichermassen durch seine grosse Leistungsfähigkeit (pars pro toto: die Lebenserwartung der Schweizer wird nur von derjenigen der Japaner übertroffen) wie durch seine hohen Kosten aus.Vor dem Hintergrund steigender Ansprüche an den Nachweis der Wirksamkeit und der Wirtschaftlichkeit medizinischer Massnahmen ist es das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit, den Nutzen der Laboratoriumsmedizin aus patientenbezogener und gesellschaftlicher Perspektive anhand exemplarischer Testverfahren zu dokumentieren.
IV. Kapitel: Die Neubegründung einer Tradition im Geiste Bertolt Brechts – Max Frischs Romane
Authors: Aumüller Matthias 
Published: July 2023

ZusammenfassungSeit ihrem Erscheinen haben Max Frischs Romane Stiller (1954), Homo faber (1957) und Mein Name sei Gantenbein (1964) nicht allein beim Lesepublikum, sondern auch in Literaturkritik und Literaturwissenschaft anhaltend großes Interesse gefunden. Das Augenmerk der kritischen und philologischen Auseinandersetzung mit den Romanen hat von Beginn an nicht zuletzt ihrer besonderen narrativen Gestaltung gegolten; die Frage nach der Zuverlässigkeit der auftretenden Erzähler ist dabei allerdings lange Zeit von bloß nachgeordnetem Interesse gewesen, und dies hat sich mit der Durchsetzung des Unzuverlässigkeitskonzepts in der Erzähltheorie der letzten Jahrzehnte nur sehr langsam geändert. Seit den 1970er Jahren sind Frischs Erzählerfiguren, vor allem Walter Faber in Homo faber, zwar immer wieder und durchaus im technischen Sinne als „unzuverlässig“ kategorisiert worden; erst in jüngster Zeit jedoch ist es zu anspruchsvolleren Bemühungen gekommen, die genaue Nutzung und Rolle der Techniken unzuverlässigen Erzählens in den Texten zu bestimmen.