bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of dronedarone plasma drug concentrations and effect on atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter recurrence: Analyses from the EURIDIS and ADONIS studies
Authors: Thind Munveer , McKindley David S. , Reiffel James A. , Naccarelli Gerald V. , Stewart John , Kowey Peter R. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundIn this post hoc analysis, we assessed patient characteristics as predictors of dronedarone trough concentrations and characterized the relationship of trough concentrations of dronedarone with its efficacy and safety.HypothesisDronedarone is recommended as a 400 mg twice daily dose taken orally with meals. We hypothesize that drug concentration/bioavailability of dronedarone, measured as above‐ and below‐median trough concentrations, does not impact the efficacy outcomes.MethodsAverage trough concentrations (Ctrough_avg) across multiple timepoints were calculated for each patient, and patient Ctrough_avg values were categorized as below‐median or above‐median concentrations. The effect of patient baseline characteristics on dronedarone Ctrough_avg was assessed in the below‐median versus above‐median groups. The effect of dronedarone in each Ctrough_avg group versus placebo on risk of first atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL) recurrence and safety was also evaluated.ResultsOverall, 1795 plasma samples were available from 507 dronedarone‐treated patients. An above‐median Ctrough_avg was associated with age ≥75 years, female sex, lower weight, higher pacemaker use, and higher oral anticoagulant use. The risk of adjudicated first AF/AFL recurrence was significantly lower with dronedarone versus placebo in the below‐median (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56–0.91; p = .0054) and above‐median groups (HR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.50–0.81; p = .0002). No difference in risk of AF/AFL recurrence was observed between the above‐ and below‐median groups. Safety and tolerability of dronedarone were similar between groups.ConclusionSignificant reduction in AF/AFL recurrence was observed in patients treated with dronedarone versus placebo, regardless of dronedarone concentrations above or below the median value.
Value of M2BP in predicting in‐stent restenosis in patients after coronary drug‐eluting stent implantation
Authors: Yang Le , Zhu Haijun , Sun Yuanyuan , Yan Pengcheng , Song Xiaoning , Xu Fayun , Yuan Haitao , Chen Liming 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveWe evaluated the association between plasma levels of mac‐2 binding protein (M2BP) with the risk of in‐stent restenosis (ISR) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsPlasma M2BP levels were compared between 258 patients who experienced ISR at 12‐months post‐PCI and 258 patients, matched for age and sex, without angiographic evidence of ISR.ResultsThe plasma M2BP level was significantly higher in the ISR than in the non‐ISR group. On multivariate analysis, adjusted for potential clinical, biochemical, and angiography characteristics, M2BP remained as an independent significant predictor of ISR.ConclusionsM2BP may be an important predictive biomarker of ISR and may be useful in identifying at‐risk patients.
Effects of Psychoactive Pharmaceuticals in Wastewater on Electricity Generation in Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Akagunduz Dilan , Cebecioglu Rumeysa , Ozen Fatih , Ozdemir Murat , Bermek Hakan , Tarhan Nevzat , Arslan Ayla , Catal Tunc 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAntidepressants accumulate in the aquatic environment due to human wastes. “Here, microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology is investigated as a candidate for elimination of antidepressants introduced into environment via human wastewaters.” Human urine containing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (paroxetine) and serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (venlafaxine, O‐desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV)) are used as substrates in MFCs. Electricity production by the MFCs is monitored while simultaneous drug degradation is analyzed using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. When the human urine samples containing drugs (10 or 50 ng drug per mL) are treated in MFCs, electricity production decreases in response to increasing drug concentrations. Upon addition of drugs‐containing urine, chemical oxygen demand removal capacity of MFCs decreases from 54% to 37%. Mass spectrometry results show that drugs are degraded at a rate of 10 ng mL−1 per hour for paroxetine, 11 ng mL−1 per hour for venlafaxine, and 16 ng mL−1 per hour for ODV, i.e., 94% of paroxetine, 66% of venlafaxine, and 48% of ODV is cleared in 9 h of treatment. In conclusion, MFC exhibits great potential in elimination of paroxetine, venlafaxine, and ODV from wastewater. These results can help to develop sustainable strategies to combat antidepressant pollution.
Mapping the Binding Sites of UDP and Prostaglandin E2 Glyceryl Ester in the Nucleotide Receptor P2Y6
Authors: Zimmermann Anne , Vu Oanh , Brüser Antje , Sliwoski Gregory , Marnett Lawrence J. , Meiler Jens , Schöneberg Torsten 
Published: January 2022

AbstractCyclooxygenase‐2 catalyzes the biosynthesis of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid and the biosynthesis of prostaglandin glycerol esters (PG‐Gs) from 2‐arachidonoylglycerol. PG‐Gs are mediators of several biological actions such as macrophage activation, hyperalgesia, synaptic plasticity, and intraocular pressure. Recently, the human UDP receptor P2Y6 was identified as a target for the prostaglandin E2 glycerol ester (PGE2‐G). Here, we show that UDP and PGE2‐G are evolutionary conserved endogenous agonists at vertebrate P2Y6 orthologs. Using sequence comparison of P2Y6 orthologs, homology modeling, and ligand docking studies, we proposed several receptor positions participating in agonist binding. Site‐directed mutagenesis and functional analysis of these P2Y6 mutants revealed that both UDP and PGE2‐G share in parts one ligand‐binding site. Thus, the convergent signaling of these two chemically very different agonists has already been manifested in the evolutionary design of the ligand‐binding pocket.
Investigating Membrane‐Mediated Antimicrobial Peptide Interactions with Synchrotron Radiation Far‐Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Hornemann Andrea , Eichert Diane M. , Hoehl Arne , Tiersch Brigitte , Ulm Gerhard , Ryadnov Maxim G. , Beckhoff Burkhard 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSynchrotron radiation‐based Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy enables access to vibrational information from mid over far infrared to even terahertz domains. This information may prove critical for the elucidation of fundamental bio‐molecular phenomena including folding‐mediated innate host defence mechanisms. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent one of such phenomena. These are major effector molecules of the innate immune system, which favour attack on microbial membranes. AMPs recognise and bind to the membranes whereupon they assemble into pores or channels destabilising the membranes leading to cell death. However, specific molecular interactions responsible for antimicrobial activities have yet to be fully understood. Herein we probe such interactions by assessing molecular specific variations in the near‐THz 400–40 cm−1range for defined helical AMP templates in reconstituted phospholipid membranes. In particular, we show that a temperature‐dependent spectroscopic analysis, supported by 2D correlative tools, provides direct evidence for the membrane‐induced and folding‐mediated activity of AMPs. The far‐FTIR study offers a direct and information‐rich probe of membrane‐related antimicrobial interactions.
Secondary Structure Transitions for a Family of Amyloidogenic, Antimicrobial Uperin 3 Peptides in Contact with Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
Authors: Prasad Anup K. , Tiwari Chandni , Ray Sourav , Holden Stephanie , Armstrong David A. , Rosengren K. Johan , Rodger Alison , Panwar Ajay S. , Martin Lisandra L. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSecondary structure changes are an inherent part of antimicrobial (AMP) and amyloidogenic peptide activity, especially in close proximity to membranes, and impact the peptides’ function and dysfunction roles. The formation, and stability of α‐helical components are regarded as essential ‘intermediates’ for both these functions. To illuminate the conformational transitions leading to amyloid formation we use short cationic AMPs, from an Australian toadlet, Uperoleia mjobergii, (Uperin 3 family, U3) and assess the impact on secondary structural elements in the presence of a membrane mimetic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Specifically, Uperin 3.x, where x=4, 5, 6 wild‐type peptides and position seven variants for each, R7A or K7A, were investigated using a combination of experimental and simulation approaches. In water, U3 peptides remain largely unstructured as random coils, with the addition of salts initiating structural transitions leading to assembly towards amyloid. Solution NMR data show that an unstructured U3.5 wt peptide transitions in the presence of SDS to a well‐defined α‐helical structure that spans nearly the entire sequence. Circular dichroism (CD) and ThT fluorescence studies show that all six U3 peptides aggregate in solution, albeit with vastly varying rates, and a dynamic equilibrium between soluble aggregates rich in either α‐helices or β‐sheets may exist in solution. However, the addition of SDS leads to a rapid disaggregation for all peptides and stabilisation of predominantly α‐helical content in all the U3 peptides. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show that the adsorption of U3.5 wt/R7A peptides onto the SDS micelle is driven by Coulombic attraction between peptide cationic residues and the negatively charged sulfate head‐groups on SDS. Simulating the interactions of various kinds of β‐sheet dimers (of both U3.5 wt and its variant U3.5 R7A) with SDS micelles confirmed β‐sheet content decreases in the dimers after their attachment to the SDS micelle. Adsorbed peptides interact favourably with the hydrophobic core of the micelle, promoting intramolecular hydrogen bonds leading to stabilisation of the α‐helical structure in peptides, and resulting in a corresponding decrease in intermolecular hydrogen bonds responsible for β‐sheets.
Aptamer‐Functionalized Fractal Nanoplasmonics‐Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Metabolite Detection
Authors: Wang Xiwei , Yan Lu , Yu Zijing , Chen Qiaoji , Xiao Mingshu , Liu Xiaohui , Li Li , Pei Hao 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAbstract: Accurate profiling of metabolites in biofluids provides a feasible approach to disease diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation in clinics. However, current material‐based analytical platforms for in vitro metabolite detection often requires tedious sample pretreatment. To address this issue, herein, we report an aptamer‐functionalized fractal gold nanoflower (Apt‐AuNF)‐based sensing platform for metabolite analysis. A series of fractal AuNFs with tunable nanoshell structures was synthesized using DNA‐engineered strategy, and optimized Apt‐AuNFs were demonstrated to enable efficient trap of target analytes with ∼5‐fold enhanced enrichment, thus achieving selective analysis of metabolites in complex biofluids without requirement of pre‐enrichment and purification. We applied Apt‐AuNF‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for disease diagnosis, identifying diabetic patients through daily monitoring and glucose quantification in serum. This work provides a guideline to design materials for high‐performance metabolic analysis and precise disease diagnosis.
Comparison of water flow capacity in leaves among sweet corn genotypes as basis for plant transpiration rate sensitivity to vapor pressure deficit
Authors: Jafarikouhini Nahid , Sinclair Thomas R. , Resende Marcio F. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractGenotypes in crop species have been identified that initiate partial stomata closure at elevated atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD), which results in conserved soil water for crop use during subsequent water‐deficit episodes and thereby allowing for possible yield increase. In sweet corn (Zea mays L), 17 genotypes have been previously identified with the VPD‐responsive trait, although the VPD value at the initiation of stomata closure varied among genotypes. A hypothesis to explain variation in transpiration response to VPD is that water flow capacity in the leaves differs among genotypes. To gauge water flow capacity in leaves, the rate of stomata opening was observed visually after stomata closure was induced by 3 kPa VPD. The stomata opening time was rapid and varied among genotypes from 90 to 179 s. However, there was no correlation between opening time and the VPD at which partial stomata closure was initiated in intact plants. An additional set of experiments was done to examine whether genotypic differences in a subpopulation of silver‐inhibited aquaporins might contribute to differences in leaf water flow. There was a correlation among genotypes between slow opening time of the stomata and greater inhibition of transpiration rate following feeding leaves with silver ion. However, the response to the silver treatment did not correlate with the VPD at which transpiration decrease of intact plants was initiated. These results indicate that the differences observed in the water flow capacity in sweet corn leaves were not major factors accounting for the genotypic differences in whole‐plant transpiration response to elevated VPD.
Geographic variation and thermal plasticity shape salamander metabolic rates under current and future climates
Authors: Muñoz David , Miller David , Schilder Rudolf , Campbell Grant Evan H. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPredicted changes in global temperature are expected to increase extinction risk for ectotherms, primarily through increased metabolic rates. Higher metabolic rates generate increased maintenance energy costs which are a major component of energy budgets. Organisms often employ plastic or evolutionary (e.g., local adaptation) mechanisms to optimize metabolic rate with respect to their environment. We examined relationships between temperature and standard metabolic rate across four populations of a widespread amphibian species to determine if populations vary in metabolic response and if their metabolic rates are plastic to seasonal thermal cues. Populations from warmer climates lowered metabolic rates when acclimating to summer temperatures as compared to spring temperatures. This may act as an energy saving mechanism during the warmest time of the year. No such plasticity was evident in populations from cooler climates. Both juvenile and adult salamanders exhibited metabolic plasticity. Although some populations responded to historic climate thermal cues, no populations showed plastic metabolic rate responses to future climate temperatures, indicating there are constraints on plastic responses. We postulate that impacts of warming will likely impact the energy budgets of salamanders, potentially affecting key demographic rates, such as individual growth and investment in reproduction.
Density and habitat use of one of the last jaguar populations of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: Is there still hope?
Authors: Azevedo Fernando Cesar Cascelli de , Pasa Juliana Benck , Arrais Ricardo Corassa , Massara Rodrigo Lima , Widmer Cynthia Elisa 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe jaguar (Panthera onca) plays an important role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological processes. We evaluated the status of a jaguar population in one of the last stronghold habitats for its conservation in the Atlantic Forest, the Rio Doce State Park (RDSP). We used a random survey design from 2016/17 to estimate jaguar abundance and density as well as its occupancy and detection probabilities in the entire Park's area. To monitor for temporal fluctuations in density and abundance, we used a systematic survey design in the southern portion of the Park where jaguars were more recorded when using the random approach. We then conducted two surveys in 2017/18 and 2020. Our 2016/17 random survey revealed that jaguar density (0.11 ± SE 0.28 individuals/100 km2) was the lowest obtained for the species across the Atlantic Forest. We noticed that jaguar density increased three times from 2017/18 (0.55 ± SE 0.45 individuals/100 km2) to 2020 (1.61 ± SE 0.6 individuals/100 km2). Jaguar occupancy and detection probability were 0.40 and 0.08, respectively. The low jaguar occupancy probability was positively associated with smaller distances from lakes and records of potential prey. The detection probability was positively associated with prey detection, the rainy season, and smaller distances from lakes. Our work contributes to a growing awareness of the potential conservation value of a protected area in a human‐dominated landscape as one of the last strongholds for jaguars across the Atlantic Forest.
Current biogeographical roles of the Kunlun Mountains
Authors: Du Weibo , Jia Peng , Du Guozhen 
Published: January 2022

AbstractLarge‐scale patterns of biodiversity and formation have garnered increasing attention in biogeography and macroecology. The Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP) is an ideal area for exploring these issues. However, the QTP consists of multiple geographic subunits, which are understudied. The Kunlun Mountains is a geographical subunit situated in the northern edge of the QTP, in northwest China. The diversity pattern, community phylogenetic structures, and biogeographical roles of the current flora of the Kunlun Mountains were analyzed by collecting and integrating plant distribution, regional geological evolution, and phylogeography. A total of 1911 species, 397 genera, and 75 families present on the Kunlun Mountains, of which 29.8% of the seed plants were endemic to China. The mean divergence time (MDT) of the Kunlun Mountains flora was in the early Miocene (19.40 Ma). Analysis of plant diversity and MDT indicated that the eastern regions of the Kunlun Mountains were the center of species richness, endemic taxa, and ancient taxa. Geographical origins analysis showed that the Kunlun Mountains flora was diverse and that numerous clades were from East Asia and Tethyan. Analysis of geographical origins and geological history together highlighted that the extant biodiversity on the Kunlun Mountains appeared through species recolonization after climatic fluctuations and glaciations during the Quaternary. The nearest taxon index speculated that habitat filtering was the most important driving force for biodiversity patterns. These results suggest that the biogeographical roles of the Kunlun Mountains are corridor and sink, and the corresponding key processes are species extinction and immigration. The Kunlun Mountains also form a barrier, representing a boundary among multiple floras, and convert the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau into a relatively closed geographical unit.
Outcomes after heart transplantation in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis
Authors: Asleh Rabea , Briasoulis Alexandros , Doulamis Ilias , Alnsasra Hilmi , Tzani Aspasia , Alvarez Paulino , Kuno Toshiki , Kampaktsis Polydoros , Kushwaha Sudhir 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe number of patients with sarcoidosis requiring heart transplantation (HT) is increasing. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of isolated HT in patients with sarcoid cardiomyopathy and compare them to recipients with non‐ischaemic restrictive or dilated cardiomyopathy.Methods and resultsAdult HT recipients were identified in the UNOS Registry between 1990 and 2020. Patients were grouped according to diagnosis. The cumulative incidences for the all‐cause mortality and rejection were compared using Fine and Gray model analysis, accounting for re‐transplantation as a competing risk. Rejection was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. We also reviewed characteristics and outcomes of all HT recipients with previous diagnosis of sarcoid cardiomyopathy from a single centre. A total of 30 160 HT recipients were included in the present study (n = 239 sarcoidosis, n = 1411 non‐ischaemic restrictive cardiomyopathy, and n = 28 510 non‐ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy). During a total of 194 733 patient‐years, all‐cause mortality at the latest follow‐up was not significantly different when comparing sarcoidosis to non‐ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy [adjusted subhazard ratio (aSHR) 1.46, 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 0.9–2.4, P = 0.12] or restrictive cardiomyopathy (aSHR 1.12, 95% CI: 0.65–1.95, P = 0.67). Accordingly, multivariable analysis suggested that 1 year mortality was not significantly different between sarcoidosis and non‐ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (aSHR 1.56, 95% CI: 0.9–2.7, P = 0.12) or restrictive cardiomyopathy (aSHR 1.15, 95% CI: 0.61–2.18, P = 0.66). No differences were observed regarding 30 day mortality, treated and hospitalized acute rejection, and 30 day death from graft failure after HT. Thirty‐day mortality did not improve significantly in more recent HT eras whereas there was a trend towards improved 1 year mortality in the latest HT era (P = 0.06). Data from the single‐centre case review showed excellent long‐term outcomes with sirolimus‐based immunosuppression.ConclusionsShort‐term and long‐term post HT outcomes among patients with sarcoid cardiomyopathy are similar to those with common types of non‐ischaemic cardiomyopathy.
Simple Synthesis of 2D Molybdenum Carbide Nanosheets and Their Application in the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Chithaiah Pallellappa , Binwal Devesh Chandra , Rao C. N. R. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractWe have synthesized two phases of 2D molybdenum carbides (α‐MoC1‐x, β‐Mo2C) in nanosheets form and use them as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The procedure involves the preparation of hexadecylamine intercalated molybdenum oxide (MoO3‐HDA) nanosheets at room temperature, followed by heating at a high temperature for different duration (900 °C) in nitrogen atmosphere. α‐MoC1‐x and β‐Mo2C nanosheets have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and other techniques. α‐MoC1‐x exhibits good HER electrocatalytic performance and is chemically stable for a longer time in acidic conditions.