bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early treatment with dipeptidyl‐peptidase 4 inhibitors reduces glycaemic variability and delays insulin initiation in type 2 diabetes: A propensity score‐matched cohort study
Authors: Cheung Johnny T. K. , Yang Aimin , Wu Hongjiang , Lau Eric S. H. , Kong Alice P. S. , Ma Ronald C. W. , Luk Andrea O. Y. , Chan Juliana C. N. , Chow Elaine 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAimsTo examine whether early treatment intensification using dipeptidyl‐peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4i) delays insulin initiation in Chinese patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for less than 5 years.Materials and MethodsIn a territory‐wide prospective cohort study, patients with type 2 diabetes initiating DPP4i at diabetes duration <2 years (early intensification) and 3–5 years (late intensification) were matched using 1:1 propensity‐score matching (n = 908 in each arm). We used Cox regression to compare the risk of insulin initiation between the two groups. We explored the interactive and mediation effects of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) variability score (HVS), defined as the percentage of HbA1c varying by ≥0.5% compared with preceding values.ResultsOf 1816 patients (60.7% men, mean age 54.4 ± 11.9 years), 92.4% and 71.9% were treated with metformin and sulphonylureas respectively at DPP4i initiation. Early DPP4i intensification [hazard ratio (HR) 0.71, (95% CI 0.58–0.68)] and low HVS (<50%) (HR = 0.40, 0.33–0.50) were associated with delayed insulin initiation during a median 4.08 years of follow‐up. Early intensification with low HVS had the lowest risk versus late intensification with high HVS (HR = 0.30, 0.22–0.40) (pinteraction = 0.013). HVS mediated 19.5% of the total effect of early DPP4i intensification on delaying insulin initiation. The late and early intensification groups had similar HbA1c at month 0 (8.4 ± 1.3% vs. 8.4 ± 1.5%) and month 3 (7.6 ± 1.2% vs. 7.6 ± 1.3%) after DPP4i initiation. By month 12, HbA1c in the late intensification group deteriorated (7.9 ± 1.4%) but remained stable in the early intensification group (7.6 ± 1.4%, p = 0.001) with persistent between‐group difference over 72 months (8.2 ± 1.7% vs. 7.7 ± 1.6%, p = 0.001).ConclusionsIn type 2 diabetes, early DPP4i intensification delayed insulin initiation, partially explained by reduced glycaemic variability.
Developing evaluation method for peripheral sensitization in cultured sensory neurons
Authors: Miyahara Yuki , Shimba Kenta , Kotani Kiyoshi , Jimbo Yasuhiko 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPeripheral sensitization, decrease in pain threshold in sensory neurons, can cause chronic pain. Little is known about how peripheral sensitization led to chronic pain. Here, we aimed to develop a method for evaluating peripheral sensitization in cultured sensory neurons with electrical recording. Sensory neurons from rat dorsal root ganglion were cultured on high‐density microelectrode arrays (HD‐MEA), and their activity was evoked by capsaicin stimulation with or without substance P. Fluorescent imaging‐based electrode selection effectively selected five times as many capsaicin‐sensitive sensory neurons as the existing method. Peripheral sensitization by substance P was detected from 31.9% of selected sensory neurons, and majority of these neurons co‐expressed capsaicin and substance P receptors. These results indicate that our method is suitable for evaluating peripheral sensitization by substance P in cultured sensory neurons.
The role of seasonal migration in spatial population synchrony
Authors: Martin Ellen C. , Hansen Brage Bremset , Herfindal Ivar , Lee Aline Magdalena 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSpatially synchronized population dynamics are common in nature, and understanding their causes is key for predicting species persistence. A main driver of synchrony between populations of the same species is shared environmental conditions, which cause populations closer together in space to be more synchronized than populations further from one another. Most theoretical and empirical understanding of this driver considers resident species. For migratory species, however, the degree of spatial autocorrelation in the environment may change across seasons and vary by their geographic location along the migratory route or on a nonbreeding ground, complicating the synchronizing effect of the environment. Migratory species show a variety of different strategies in how they disperse to and aggregate on nonbreeding grounds, ranging from completely shared nonbreeding grounds to multiple different ones. Depending on the sensitivity to environmental conditions off the breeding grounds, we can expect that migration and overwintering strategies will impact the extent and spatial pattern of population synchrony on the breeding grounds. Here, we use spatial population‐dynamic modeling and simulations to investigate the relationship between seasonal environmental autocorrelation and migration characteristics. Our model shows that the effects of environmental autocorrelation experienced off the breeding ground on population synchrony depend on the number and size of nonbreeding grounds, and how populations migrate in relation to neighboring populations. When populations migrated to multiple nonbreeding grounds, spatial population synchrony increased with increasing environmental autocorrelation between nonbreeding grounds. Populations that migrated to the same place as near neighbors had higher synchrony at short distances than populations that migrated randomly. However, synchrony declined less across increasing distances for the random migration strategy. The differences in synchrony between migration strategies were most pronounced when the environmental autocorrelation between nonbreeding grounds was low. These results show the importance of considering migration when studying spatial population synchrony and predicting patterns of synchrony and population viability under global environmental change. Climate change and habitat loss and fragmentation may cause range shifts and changes in migratory strategies, as well as changes in the mean and spatial autocorrelation of the environment, which can alter the scale and patterns observed in spatial population synchrony.
Detection of environmental DNA from amphibians in Northern Europe applied in citizen science
Authors: Knudsen Steen Wilhelm , Hesselsøe Martin , Rytter Maria , Lillemark Marie Rathcke , Tøttrup Anders P. , Rahbek Carsten , Sheard Julie Koch , Thomsen Philip Francis , Agersnap Sune , Mortensen Peter B. , Møller Peter Rask 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMany species of amphibians in Northern Europe are threatened and the local distributions are rarely described in detail. Application of modern molecular methods provides an important supplementary tool for monitoring the distribution and diversity of amphibians. For this purpose, we designed, tested, validated, and optimized 14 species‐specific assays on genomic DNA extracted from tissue samples to use for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) setups targeting mitochondrial DNA from amphibians in freshwater samples. The tests confirmed species specificity for all assays. Considering a systematic definition of the limit of detection for each of the assays, the presented qPCR assays are unlikely to return false positive detection from any co‐occurring species in northern Europe. For field validation, the qPCR assays were applied in a large‐scale nationwide citizen science project in which sampling and qPCR analysis was carried out by high school students. Data from the citizen science project returned the expected results when compared to the known regional distribution of the target species and confirmed the presence of nine out of 14 Danish species of amphibians in the collected freshwater samples. Four out of 2550 qPCR test sets carried out by the high school students required a professional reanalysis in multiple replicates due to initial unexpected results. This emphasizes that efforts from citizen science may generate large amounts of valuable data, as long as the results are carefully scrutinized by experts.
Importance of the ‘area under the curve’ from serial NT‐proBNP measurements during treatment with sacubitril/valsartan
Authors: Mohebi Reza , Liu Yuxi , Butler Javed , Felker G. Michael , Ward Jonathan H. , Prescott Margaret F. , Piña Ileana L. , Solomon Scott D. , Januzzi James L. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAimsSerial assessment of natriuretic peptides is widely utilized in heart failure clinics. Uncertainty exists regarding the value of multiple natriuretic peptide measurements and how they might be best interpreted.Methods and resultsSix hundred thirty‐two patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (<40%) and complete biomarker data were enrolled to receive sacubitril/valsartan. Patients underwent periodic study visits during 1‐year follow‐ups. Echocardiographic data and cardiac biomarkers, including N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) were collected during study visits. Patients were categorized into three groups based on tertiles of baseline NT‐proBNP levels. The area under the curve (AUC) of NT‐proBNP measurements across study visits was calculated. Compared with patients with higher AUC (and thus higher concentrations over a longer period of time), those with lower AUC were younger, had a lower prevalence of chronic kidney disease, prior coronary artery bypass graft, atrial fibrillation, and higher body‐mass index. A significant interaction existed between baseline NT‐proBNP and subsequent AUC for predicting LVEF change across visits (P‐value < 0.001): among those with lower baseline NT‐proBNP, similar improvements in left ventricular (LV) volumes LV ejection fraction, and LV mass index were observed across subsequent AUC (P‐value > 0.1). However, among those with higher baseline NT‐proBNP, those with lower subsequent AUC had a greater improvement in cardiac remodelling indices (P‐value < 0.05).ConclusionsSerial NT‐proBNP monitoring (integrating the totality of measurements as an AUC) during treatment with sacubitril/valsartan informs unique information regarding the future changes in cardiac remodelling indices, especially among those with higher NT‐proBNP levels at baseline.
Repetitive levosimendan infusions for patients with advanced chronic heart failure in the vulnerable post‐discharge period: The multinational randomized LeoDOR trial
Authors: Pölzl Gerhard , Altenberger Johann , Comín‐Colet Josep , Delgado Juan F. , Fedele Francesco , García‐González Martín Jesús , Gustafsson Finn , Masip Josep , Papp Zoltán , Störk Stefan , Ulmer Hanno , Maier Sarah , Vrtovec Bojan , Wikström Gerhard , Zima Endre , Bauer Axel ,   for the LeoDOR Investigators
Published: August 2023

AimThe LeoDOR trial explored the efficacy and safety of intermittent levosimendan therapy in the vulnerable phase following a hospitalization for acute heart failure (HF).Methods and resultsIn this prospective multicentre, double‐blind, two‐armed trial, patients with advanced HF were randomized 2:1 at the end of an index hospitalization for acute HF to intermittent levosimendan therapy or matching placebo for 12 weeks. All patients had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤30% during index hospitalization. Levosimendan was administered according to centre preference either as 6 h infusion at a rate of 0.2 μg/kg/min every 2 weeks, or as 24 h infusion at a rate of 0.1 μg/kg/min every 3 weeks. The primary efficacy assessment after 14 weeks was based on a global rank score consisting of three hierarchical groups. Secondary clinical endpoints included the composite risk of tiers 1 and 2 at 14 and 26 weeks, respectively. Due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, the planned number of patients could not be recruited. The final modified intention‐to‐treat analysis included 145 patients (93 in the combined levosimendan arm, 52 in the placebo arm), which reduced the statistical power to detect a 20% risk reduction in the primary endpoint to 60%. Compared with placebo, intermittent levosimendan had no significant effect on the primary endpoint: the mean rank score was 72.55 for the levosimendan group versus 73.81 for the placebo group (p = 0.863). However, there was a signal towards a higher incidence of the individual clinical components of the primary endpoint in the levosimendan group versus the placebo group both after 14 weeks (hazard ratio [HR] 2.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12–7.68; p = 0.021) and 26 weeks (HR 1.64, 95% CI 0.87–3.11; p = 0.122).ConclusionsAmong patients recently hospitalized with HF and reduced LVEF, intermittent levosimendan therapy did not improve post‐hospitalization clinical stability.
Correlating Structure and KA2 Catalytic Activity of ZnII Hydrazone Complexes
Authors: Adejumo Temiloluwa T. , Danopoulou Marianna , Zorba Leandros P. , Pevec Andrej , Zlatar Matija , Radanović Dušanka , Savić Milica , Gruden Maja , Anđelković Katarina K. , Turel Iztok , Čobeljić Božidar , Vougioukalakis Georgios C. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTwo new Zn(II) complexes bearing tridentate hydrazone‐based ligands with NNO or NNS donor atoms were synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis, infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies, and single crystal X‐ray diffraction methods. These complexes, together with four previously synthesised analogues, having hydrazone ligands with a NNO donor set of atoms, were successfully employed as catalysts in the ketone‐amine‐alkyne (KA2) coupling reaction, furnishing tetrasubstituted propargylamines, compounds with unique applications in organic chemistry. DFT calculations at the CAM‐B3LYP/TZP level of theory were performed to elucidate the electronic structure of the investigated Zn(II) complexes, excellently correlating the structure of the complexes to their catalytic reactivity.
A novel energy storage and demand side management for entire green smart grid system for NEOM city in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Eltamaly Ali M. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) are gaining high interest in supplying electric energy for remote communities. Energy storage systems (ESS) are utilized by green autonomous HRESs to accommodate the variability of renewable resources such as wind and solar energy systems. The lack of any traditional energy source is adding a great reliability challenge which should be compensated using expensive ESS. This challenge can be avoided by using a pumped hydro energy storage system (PHES) in harmony with batteries. The PHES is an excellent option to be used in NEOM city due to the perfect topographical characteristic of this site. The minimum cost of energy and the highest reliability is used as an objective for sizing the proposed entire green HRES. Using smart grid principles (SGP) and demand‐side management (DSM) in the design and operation stages will minimize system size and cost, which can result in a significant reduction in consumer bills. As a result, this paper introduces an innovative DSM based on a dynamic tariff. The suggested DSM technique was developed utilizing a unique fuzzy logic that takes into account the present and day‐ahead ESS situations to intelligently determine the ideal tariff for the lowest cost and maximum reliability of the HRES. This paper introduces a modified grey wolf optimization (MGWO) technique to shorten convergence time while preserving the best accuracy. The suggested MGWO is assessed against 10 swarm optimization techniques. The payback period of the project is 7 years. The findings acquired from this unique program demonstrated its superiority, with conversion times reduced by 22% to 80% when compared to previous optimization procedures. Furthermore, as compared to the flat rate pricing tariff, the usage of the dynamic tariff lowered the LCOE by 53%.
Study on the correlation between cardiac function indices measured by velocity vector imaging and disease severity in patients with Parkinson disease
Authors: Shi Jianwei , Du Lijuan , He Wen , Zheng Shuai , Xu Xiaotong 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAimThis study aimed to evaluate cardiac function, particularly left ventricular systolic function, in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) using velocity vector imaging (VVI), and to determine whether a correlation exists between left ventricular global systolic function and PD severity.MethodsA case–control study design was used to select 56 PD patients and 30 healthy controls from January 2019 to December 2019. The characteristics of age, sex, BMI and course of disease were collected. The Hoehn–Yahr (H‐Y) score was collected to record the grading of PD. The left ventricular systolic function of all patients was evaluated by variable vapor injection (VVI). The left ventricular systolic function was compared between the case group and the control group, and the correlation between cardiac dysfunction and the severity of PD symptoms was assessed using the modified H‐Y scale.ResultsCompared with control group, left ventricular global systolic function18.22 (17.08, 19.12) vs 18.88 (18.12, 20.01) was lower in PD patients as indicated by left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.039). Additionally, H‐Y scores (r = −0.404) and PD duration(r = −0.323) were significantly correlated with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (P < 0.01), GLS (P < 0.001), left ventricular global radial strain (GRS; P < 0.001), and left ventricular global circumferential strain (GCS; P < 0.001), along with their associated peak strain rates (GLSr, GRSr, and GCSr; P < 0.001).ConclusionSubclinical left ventricular global systolic dysfunction in patients with PD can be detected using VVI, and reduced left ventricular systolic function correlates with the modified H‐Y score and duration of the disease.
The effect of a prior e‐learning tool on genetic counseling outcomes in diverse ethnic couples with abnormal Down syndrome screening tests: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Aboleil‐Zoubi Olfat , Gafni‐Amsalem Chen , Peled‐Perets Lilach , Mamluk Efrat , Tamir Liron , Hakrosh Shadia , Kurtzman Shoshana , Chervinsky Elena , Aalimi Ula , Husam Bashir , Khayat Morad , Baram‐Tsabari Ayelet , Shalev Stavit A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractGenetic counseling (GC) following abnormal Down syndrome (DS) screening tests aims to ensure learning of complex medical concepts and discussion of counselees' personal desires. Pre‐GC use of electronic learning tools (e‐learning tools) can facilitate GC sessions by allowing more time for dialogue rather than learning medical and genetic concepts, enabling greater focus on the counselee's decisional, psychological, and personal needs. Few studies have investigated such tools for DS screening tests and those who have focused on screening uptake rather than abnormal results and implications. This study evaluated prenatal GC outcomes following implementation of an e‐learning tool utilizing an educational animated movie for couples of varied ethnic backgrounds in northern Israel, with abnormal DS screening tests. E‐learning tool impact was assessed as knowledge level, informed choices, satisfaction with the intervention and GC process, the state of anxiety and duration of the GC meeting. The 321 study participants were randomized to three groups: animation movie, booklet, and control. All participants had been asked to complete pre‐ and post‐counseling questionnaires. Outcome scores were compared between the research groups. Results showed increased knowledge level in general among participants in the animation group; among minority participants, the highest knowledge level was in the animation group. Anxiety levels and informed choices were not statistically different among the groups. However, watching the animation, Jewish ethnicity, good level of genetic literacy, and academic degree were significant predictors of informed choice, and those who watched the animation were three times more likely to make an informed choice than the control group. Our findings suggest that this e‐learning tool is efficient and acceptable for the general population. Special attention is needed for minorities with lower genetic literacy and education.
Three‐dimensional visualization of predatory gastropod feeding teeth with synchrotron scanning
Authors: Herbert Gregory S. , Hill Stephen A. , Pio Maria Jose , Carney Ryan , Carlson Amber , Newham Elis , Bright Jen A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSeveral families of neogastropod mollusks independently evolved the ability to drill through mineralized prey skeletons using their own mineralized feeding teeth, sometimes with shell‐softening chemical agents produced by an organ in the foot. Teeth with more durable tooth shapes should extend their use and improve predator performance, but past studies have described only the cusped‐side of teeth, mostly overlooking morphologies related to functional interactions between teeth. Here, we describe the three‐dimensional morphology of the central drilling tooth (rachidian) from four species of the neogastropod family Muricidae using synchrotron tomographic microscopy and assemble a three‐dimensional model of a multitooth series in drilling position for two of them to investigate their dynamic form. We find two new types of articulating surfaces, including a saddle joint at either end of the rachidian and a large tongue‐and‐groove joint in the center. The latter has a shape that maximizes contact surface area between teeth as they rotate away from each other during drilling. Articulating joints have not been described in Neogastropod radula previously, but they are consistent with an earlier hypothesis that impact forces on individual teeth during predatory drilling are dispersed by tooth–tooth interactions.
Influence of Prior Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Extent on Dupilumab Effectiveness in CRSwNP Patients
Authors: Alicandri‐Ciufelli Matteo , Marchioni Daniele , Pipolo Carlotta , Garzaro Massimiliano , Nitro Letizia , Dell'Era Valeria , Ferrella Francesco , Campagnoli Massimo , Russo Paolo , Galloni Costanza , Ghidini Angelo , De Corso Eugenio , Lucidi Daniela 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundGuidelines recommend that the vast majority of patients with severe uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) should have at least one endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) prior to starting biologics. Because ESS can be performed with a variable extension, the aim of this study would be to evaluate the association between surgical extensiveness, as measured by ACCESS score, and outcomes collected in patients treated with Dupilumab.Materials and MethodsThis is a multicentric retrospective study; patients affected by CRSwNP who were subjected to Dupilumab therapy and who underwent at least one ESS prior to Dupilumab initiation were included. ACCESS score was assigned to each patient's pre‐Dupilumab CT scan. Subjective and objective parameters (SNOT‐22, NPS, VAS scores, Sniffin’ Sticks) were collected before and during the administration of therapy. Statistical correlations between ACCESS scores and clinical outcomes were investigated.ResultsA total of 145 patients were included; mean time from last previous ESS was 68.6 months, and on average, patients were subjected to 2.2 surgeries. Many correlations with ACCESS scores were demonstrated: better NPS at all timepoints and subjective scores (30‐days SNOT‐22, VAS nasal obstruction, and rhinorrhea) were achieved in patients with low ACCESS score (more extensive ESS). On the other hand, significantly worse VAS loss of smell values were demonstrated in patients with lower ACCESS scores.ConclusionDupilumab patients subjected to a prior extensive ESS may have reduced size of polyps and improved subjective indicators, together with a decreased chance to recover smell, when compared with patients who underwent a minimal excision.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 134:1556–1563, 2024