bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trimetazidine in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a randomized controlled cross‐over trial
Authors: van de Bovenkamp Arno A. , Geurkink Kiki T. J. , Oosterveer Frank T.P. , de Man Frances S. , Kok Wouter E.M. , Bronzwaer Patrick N.A. , Allaart Cor P. , Nederveen Aart J. , van Rossum Albert C. , Bakermans Adrianus J. , Handoko M. Louis 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAimsImpaired myocardial energy homeostasis plays an import role in the pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Left ventricular relaxation has a high energy demand, and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction has been related to impaired energy homeostasis. This study investigated whether trimetazidine, a fatty acid oxidation inhibitor, could improve myocardial energy homeostasis and consequently improve exercise haemodynamics in patients with HFpEF.Methods and resultsThe DoPING‐HFpEF trial was a phase II single‐centre, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized cross‐over trial. Patients were randomized to trimetazidine treatment or placebo for 3 months and switched after a 2‐week wash‐out period. The primary endpoint was change in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, measured with right heart catheterization at multiple stages of bicycling exercise. Secondary endpoint was change in myocardial phosphocreatine/adenosine triphosphate, an index of the myocardial energy status, measured with phosphorus‐31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The study included 25 patients (10/15 males/females; mean (standard deviation) age, 66 (10) years; body mass index, 29.8 (4.5) kg/m2); with the diagnosis of HFpEF confirmed with (exercise) right heart catheterization either before or during the trial. There was no effect of trimetazidine on the primary outcome pulmonary capillary wedge pressure at multiple levels of exercise (mean change 0 [95% confidence interval, 95% CI −2, 2] mmHg over multiple levels of exercise, P = 0.60). Myocardial phosphocreatine/adenosine triphosphate in the trimetazidine arm was similar to placebo (1.08 [0.76, 1.76] vs. 1.30 [0.95, 1.86], P = 0.08). There was no change by trimetazidine compared with placebo in the exploratory parameters: 6‐min walking distance (mean change of −6 [95% CI −18, 7] m vs. −5 [95% CI −22, 22] m, respectively, P = 0.93), N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (5 (−156, 166) ng/L vs. −13 (−172, 147) ng/L, P = 0.70), overall quality‐of‐life (KCCQ and EQ‐5D‐5L, P = 0.78 and P = 0.51, respectively), parameters for diastolic function measured with echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance, or metabolic parameters.ConclusionsTrimetazidine did not improve myocardial energy homeostasis and did not improve exercise haemodynamics in patients with HFpEF.
Regional expert opinion: Management of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey
Authors: Abdelhamid Magdy , Al Ghalayini Kamal , Al‐Humood Khaldoon , Altun Bülent , Arafah Mohammed , Bader Feras , Ibrahim Mohamed , Sabbour Hani , Shawky Elserafy Ahmed , Skouri Hadi , Yilmaz Mehmet Birhan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAlthough epidemiological data on heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are scarce in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT) region, Lancet Global Burden of Disease estimated the prevalence of HF in the MENAT region in 2019 to be 0.78%, versus 0.71% globally. There is also a high incidence of HFpEF risk factors and co‐morbidities in the region, including coronary artery disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, anaemia and chronic kidney disease. For instance, 14.5–16.2% of adults in the region reportedly have diabetes, versus 7.0% in Europe. Together with increasing life expectancy, this may contribute towards a higher burden of HFpEF in the region than currently reported. This paper aims to describe the epidemiology and burden of HFpEF in the MENAT region, including unique risk factors and co‐morbidities. It highlights challenges with diagnosing HFpEF, such as the prioritization of HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the specific profile of HFpEF patients in the region and barriers to effective management associated with the healthcare system. Guidance is given on the diagnosis, prevention and management of HFpEF, including the emerging role of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors. Given the high burden of HFpEF coupled with the fact that its prevalence is likely to be underestimated, healthcare professionals need to be alert to its signs and symptoms and to manage patients accordingly. Historically, HFpEF treatments have focused on managing co‐morbidities and symptoms, but new agents are now available with proven effects on outcomes in patients with HFpEF.
Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Features of Zinc(II) and Cadmium(II) Complexation with the Substitutedcloso‐Hydridoborate Anion [2‐B10H9(OH)]2−
Authors: Nikiforova Svetlana E. , Matveev Evgeniy Y. , Kubasov Alexey S. , Golubev Alexey V. , Goeva Lyudmila V. , Malinina Elena A. , Zhizhin Konstantin Y. , Kuznetsov Nikolay T. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHerein, we studied the experimental and theoretical foundations of the process of zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexation with 2‐hydroxido‐nonahydrido‐closo‐decaborate(2−) anion [2‐B10H9(OH)]2−in the presence of azaheterocyclic ligands L (L=2,2′‐bipyridyl (bipy), 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen), and 2,2′‐bipyridylamine (bpa)), which can be used as model system for obtaining complexes with the required composition and structure. The first examples of mixed‐ligand Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes with [2‐B10H9(OH)]2−coordinated by the metal atom were isolated selectively. The structures of zinc(II) complexes [Zn(bipy)2(2‐B10H9(OH)‐κ2H1,O)] ⋅ 2CH3CN (1 ⋅ 2CH3CN) and [Zn(phen)2(2‐B10H9(OH)‐κ2H9,O)] ⋅ 2CH3CN (2 ⋅ 2CH3CN), as well as two cadmium(II) bond isomers [Cd(bipy)2(2‐B10H9(OH)‐κ2H1,O)] (4 a) and [Cd(bipy)2(2‐B10H9(OH)‐κ2H9,H10)] (4 b) bound into a dimeric pair in the complex [Cd(bipy)2(2‐B10H9(OH))] (4), and cadmium(II) complex [Cd(bpa)2(2‐B10H9(OH)‐κ2H7,H10)] (7) were solved by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that for cadmium(II) the formation of both multicenter BH−Cd−HB and BO(H)−Cd−HB bonds is equally probable. The affinity of zinc(II) for oxygen leads to preferential formation of complexes via BO(H)−Zn−HB bonds than BH−Zn−HB bonds. The M−B(H) bonding was found to be presumably electrostatic in nature, which could be the reason of topological isomerism of zinc(II) and cadmium(II) decaborates.
How Ligand Geometry Affects the Reactivity of Co(II) Cyclam Complexes
Authors: Iffland‐Mühlhaus Linda , Battistella Beatrice , Siegmund Daniel , Ray Kallol , Apfel Ulf‐Peter 
Published: August 2023

AbstractCobalt complexes are extensively studied as bioinspired models for non‐heme oxygenases as they facilitate both the stabilization and characterization of metal‐oxygen intermediates. As an analog to the well‐known Co(cyclam) complex Co{N4} (cyclam=1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane), the CoII complex Co{i‐N4} with the isomeric isocyclam ligand (isocyclam=1,4,7,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane) was synthesized and characterized. Despite the identical N4 donor set of both complexes, Co{i‐N4} enables the 2e−/2H+ reduction of O2 with a lower overpotential (ηeff of 385 mV vs. 540 mV for Co{N4}), albeit with a diminished turnover frequency. Characterization of the intermediates formed upon O2 activation of Co{i‐N4} reveals a structurally identified stable μ‐peroxo CoIII dimer as the main product. A superoxo CoIII species is also formed as a minor product, as indicated by EPR spectroscopy. In further reactivity studies, the electrophilicity of these in situ generated Co−O2 species was demonstrated by the oxidation of the O−H bond of TEMPO−H (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐ol) via a H atom abstraction process. Unlike the known Co(cyclam), Co{i‐N4} can be employed in oxygen atom transfer reactions oxidizing triphenylphosphine to the corresponding phosphine oxide highlighting the impact of geometrical modifications of the ligand while preserving the ring size and donor atom set on the reactivity of biomimetic oxygen activating complexes.
Microfluidic isolation of breast cancer circulating tumor cells from microvolumes of mouse blood
Authors: Macaraniag Celine , Zhou Jian , Li Jing , Putzbach William , Hay Nissim , Papautsky Ian 
Published: August 2023

AbstractLiquid biopsy has shown significant research and clinical implications in cancer. Particularly, the isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in preclinical studies can provide crucial information about disease progression and therefore may guide treatment decisions. Microfluidic isolation systems have played a considerable role in CTC isolation for cancer studies, disease diagnosis, and prognosis. CTCs are often studied using preclinical animal models such as xenografts or syngeneic models. However, most isolation systems are tested on human cell lines and human blood, whereas less validation studies are done on preclinical samples such as CTCs from mouse models. Here, we demonstrate and evaluate a complete workflow of a sized‐based inertial microfluidic device to isolate CTCs from blood using exclusively mouse blood and mouse cancer cell lines. We then incorporate the cytospin, a commonly used method for enumeration of small number of cells in a glass slide to quantify the total cell yield of our workflow.
Learning‐based containment control in the absence of leaders' information
Authors: Zhao Yong , Fan Hanning , Guan Sihai 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis article considers the containment control problem of continuous‐time dynamic agents without leaders' state information. The leaders have first‐ and second‐order dynamics, respectively, while first‐order dynamics always govern the followers. Each agent has inherent nonlinear dynamics and can only measure the output information of its neighbors. The output of each leader is expressed as the product of an unknown coefficient and a position‐like state, while the output of each follower is equal to its position‐like state. To stabilize the position‐like states of the followers to the convex hull spanned by leaders, the unknown coefficients are asymptotically tracked by leveraging reinforcement learning based on the inherent dynamics and the output information. Two distributed learning‐based containment protocols are proposed, respectively. It is proved that if the directed communication topology has a spanning forest and certain conditions in terms of the inherent nonlinear dynamics are satisfied, then the proposed controllers with proper control gains solve the containment control problem asymptotically under arbitrary initial states. An exciting conclusion is that the learning algorithms' convergence rate plays an important role in achieving containment control. Numerical simulations are performed to validate the effectiveness of the obtained theoretical results.
Geoarchaeological and microstratigraphic view of a Neanderthal settlement at Rambla de Ahíllas in Iberian Range: Abrigo de la Quebrada (Chelva, Valencia, Spain)
Authors: Bergadà M. Mercè , Eixea Aleix , Villaverde Valentín 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe Abrigo de la Quebrada is a Middle Palaeolithic rockshelter located in the Rambla de Ahíllas in the Iberian Range (Valencia, Spain). Archaeological work began in 2007 and was completed in 2015, reaching the rockshelter substratum and uncovering a record that spans from MIS 5 to MIS 4/3. The data from the geoarchaeological and micromorphological study of the site allow us to deduce that it was formed by alluvial contributions from the ephemeral stream, in different subenvironments varying from channel/bar to floodplain facies. These alternate with debris from different displacement processes depending on the unit, such as solifluction–gelifluction, mass displacement, and diffuse runoff. In addition, collapse episodes of the overhanging rockshelter roof influenced the pedological evolution of the record, with implications for the archaeological levels, especially in Unit G (Level IV). From a paleoenvironmental point of view, a more contrasted variability is reflected in the upper units of the site (MIS 4/3), especially in Unit G (Level IV), which, based on data, suggests temperate conditions, and in Unit H (Levels III and II) indicate cold conditions. In contrast, the lower units (MIS 5) are generally temperate, with the exception of Unit C (Level VIIIa), which reflects a colder phase.
Reliability and validity of brain‐gastric phase synchronization
Authors: Levakov Gidon , Ganor Shira , Avidan Galia 
Published: August 2023

AbstractRecent studies have reported that various brain regions, mainly sensory, unimodal regions, display phase synchronization with the stomach's slow (0.05 Hz) myoelectrical rhythm. These gastric–brain interactions have broad implications, from feeding behavior to functional gastrointestinal disorders. However, in contrast to other interoceptive signals (e.g., heart rate) and their relation to the brain, little is known about the reliability of these gastric–brain interactions, their robustness to artifacts such as motion, and whether they can be generalized to new samples. Here we examined these aspects in 43 subjects that had undergone multiple runs of concurrent electrogastrography (EGG), brain fMRI, and pulse oximetry. We also repeated all analyses in an open dataset of a highly sampled individual. We found a set of brain regions that were coupled with the EGG signal after controlling for non‐grey matter (GM) signals, head motion, and cardiac artifacts. These regions exhibited significant overlap with previous work. However, we also showed that prior to confound regression, the spatial extent of the gastric network was largely overestimated. Finally, we found substantial test–retest reliability in both the brain and the gastric signals when estimated alone, but not for measures of gastric‐brain synchrony. Together, these results provide methodological scaffolding for future research into brain–stomach interactions and for a better understanding of the role of the gastric network.
The role of neurotransmitters in mediating the relationship between brain alterations and depressive symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Wang Jun , Liu Guangyao , Xu Kun , Ai Kai , Huang Wenjing , Zhang Jing 
Published: August 2023

AbstractA growing body of evidence from neuroimaging studies suggests that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with functional and structural alterations in the central nervous system and that it has a potential link to emotional symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. However, the neurochemical underpinnings of depression symptoms in IBD remain unclear. We hypothesized that changes in cortical gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA+) and glutamine (Glx) concentrations are related to cortical thickness and resting‐state functional connectivity in IBD as compared to healthy controls. To test this, we measured whole‐brain cortical thickness and functional connectivity within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), as well as the concentrations of neurotransmitters in the same brain region. We used the edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) with the MEGA‐PRESS sequence at a 3 T scanner to quantitate the neurotransmitter levels in the mPFC. Subjects with IBD (N = 37) and healthy control subjects (N = 32) were enrolled in the study. Compared with healthy controls, there were significantly decreased GABA+ and Glx concentrations in the mPFC of patients with IBD. The cortical thickness of patients with IBD was thin in two clusters that included the right medial orbitofrontal cortex and the right posterior cingulate cortex. A seed‐based functional connectivity analysis indicated that there was higher connectivity of the mPFC with the left precuneus cortex (PC) and the posterior cingulate cortex, and conversely, lower connectivity in the left frontal pole was observed. The functional connectivity between the mPFC and the left PC was negatively correlated with the IBD questionnaire score (r = −0.388, p = 0.018). GABA+ concentrations had a negative correlation with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score (r = −0.497, p = 0.002). Glx concentration was negatively correlated with the HAMD score (r = −0.496, p = 0.002) and positively correlated with the Short‐Form McGill Pain Questionnaire score (r = 0.330, p = 0.046, uncorrected). There was a significant positive correlation between the ratio of Glx to GABA+ and the HAMD score (r = 0.428, p = 0.008). Mediation analysis revealed that GABA+ significantly mediated the main effect of the relationship between the structural and functional alterations and the severity of depression in patients with IBD. Our study provides initial evidence of neurochemistry that can be used to identify potential mechanisms underlying the modulatory effects of GABA+ on the development of depression in patients with IBD.
Design matters: A comparison of natural versus synthetic skin substitutes across benchtop and porcine wound healing metrics: An experimental study
Authors: Stefanelli Victoria L. , Mintz Benjamin , Gandhi Ankur , Smith Jason 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsSkin substitutes, essential tools for helping close full thickness wounds with minimal scarring, are available in both collagen‐based and synthetic polyurethane constructions. Here we explore fundamental differences between two frequently used skin substitutes and discuss how these differences may impact in vivo performance.MethodsPolyurethane‐ and collagen‐based matrices were characterized in vitro for pore size via scanning electron microscopy, hydrophobicity via liquid contact angle, conformability via bending angle, and biocompatibility via fibroblast and keratinocyte adhesion and proliferation. These matrices were then evaluated in a full‐thickness excisional pig wound study followed by histological analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using t‐tests or one‐way analysis of variances with Tukey's multiple post hoc comparisons, where appropriate.ResultsAverage pore diameter in the tested polyurethane matrix was over four times larger than that of the collagen matrix (589 ± 297 µm vs. 132 ± 91 µm). Through liquid contact angle measurement, the collagen matrix (not measurable) was found to be hydrophilic compared to the hydrophobic polyurethane matrix (>90°). The collagen matrix was significantly more conformable than the polyurethane matrix (9 ± 2° vs. 84 ± 5° bending angle, respectively). Fibroblast and keratinocyte adhesion and proliferation assays elucidated a significantly greater ability of both cell types to attach and proliferate on collagen versus polyurethane. While the porcine study showed minimal contraction of either matrix material, histological findings between the two treatments were markedly different. Collagen matrices were associated with early fibroblast infiltration and fibroplasia, whereas polyurethane matrices elicited a strong multinucleated giant cell response and produced a network of comparatively aligned collagen fibrils.ConclusionsThe more favorable in vitro properties of the collagen matrix led to less inflammation and better overall tissue response in vivo. Overall, our findings demonstrate how the choice of biomaterial and its design directly translate to differing in vivo mechanisms of action and overall tissue quality.
Cross‐border insolvency law of China: An empirical analysis and proposal based on the insolvency cooperation mechanism between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong
Authors: Zhang Haizheng , Huang Yapei 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn the context of the national strategy of the construction of the Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macao Greater Bay Area, the first institutional breakthrough in cross‐border insolvency cooperation between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong was achieved on 14 May 2021, and the first case of recognition and assistance in insolvency proceedings in Hong Kong, Re Samson Paper Co Ltd., emerged in judicial practice in December 2021. The judicial practice of Samson not only successfully verifies the great significance of the Record of Meeting and the Opinion for institutional ice‐breaking of cross‐border insolvency cooperation in the Chinese Mainland, but also reflects the practical effects and legislative issues of the above documents on the mechanism of insolvency cooperation between two areas. In view of the problems reflected by the practice of Re Samson Paper Co Ltd. and existing in the legislation, this paper puts forward specific proposals for the cross‐border insolvency cooperation between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, including abolishing the precondition of reciprocity, strengthening exchanges, and cooperation between the two areas on parallel bankruptcy issues, and supplementing the coordination of parallel bankruptcy procedures for cross‐border insolvency. It also proposes domestic legislation on cross‐border insolvency recognition and assistance in China in a point‐by‐point manner, so as to achieve the establishment of a sound cross‐border insolvency cooperation mechanism in line with the international community.
Relationship focused mother–infant groups: Preliminary evaluation of improvements in maternal mental health, parenting confidence, and parental reflective functioning
Authors: Cooke Sharon , Cooke Dawson Campbell , Hauck Yvonne 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWe report on two preliminary evaluations of a group intervention, targeting vulnerable infants and their mothers within the first 6‐months postpartum. The Mother–Baby Nurture® program aims to strengthen the developing infant–mother attachment relationship by increasing maternal mentalizing. These studies were undertaken with pre‐post evaluations with the mothers of infants under 10‐months of age. The mother–infant dyads participated in ten 2‐h group sessions. Study one (N = 69 dyads) included self‐reported maternal depression, anxiety, and parenting confidence. In study two (N = 27 dyads), parenting stress and reflective functioning were measured by self‐report, and reflective functioning coded on the 5 min speech sample (completed by N = 22). Results from study one confirmed a decrease in depression (p < .001, d = .79) and anxiety (p < .001, d = .72) symptoms, and an increase in mothers’ scores for parenting confidence (p < .001, d = −.98). Results from Study Two demonstrated a significant decrease in parenting stress (p < .001, d = .94) and significant improvement in measures of self‐report reflective functioning (p = .007, .024; d = .56, .61). These findings are preliminary yet promising indications that this program could be effective in alleviating parenting stress, depression, and anxiety, and improving mother's reflective functioning and parenting confidence. Further research is needed, with a control group and long‐term follow‐up assessments.