bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrocardiographic diagnosis of atrial cardiomyopathy to predict atrial contractile dysfunction, thrombogenesis and adverse cardiovascular outcomes
Authors: Müller-Edenborn Björn , Minners Jan , Keyl Cornelius , Eichenlaub Martin , Jander Nikolaus , Abdelrazek Sherif , Ahlgrim Christoph , Allgeier Jürgen , Lehrmann Heiko , Neumann Franz-Josef , Arentz Thomas , Jadidi Amir 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThromboembolism and stroke are dreaded complications in atrial fibrillation (AF). Established risk stratification models identify susceptible patients, but their discriminative properties are poor. Atrial cardiomyopathy (ACM) is associated to thromboembolism and stroke in smaller studies, but the modalities used for ACM-diagnosis (MRI and endocardial mapping) are unsuitable for widespread population screening. We aimed to investigate an ECG-based diagnosis of ACM using amplified p-wave analysis (APWA) for stratification of thromboembolic risk and cardiovascular outcome. In this case–control study, ACM-staging was performed using APWA on digital 12-lead sinus rhythm-ECGs in patients with LAA-thrombus and a propensity-score-matched control-cohort. Left atrial contractile function and thrombi were evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Outcome for MACCE including death was assessed using official registries and structured phone interviews. Left-atrial appendage [LAA]-thrombi and appropriate sinus rhythm-ECGs for ACM-staging were found in 109 of 4086 patients that were matched 1:1 to control patients without thrombus (218 patients in total). Both cohorts were comparable regarding cardiovascular risk factors, anticoagulants and CHA2DS2-VASC-score. ACM-stages 1 to 3 (equivalent to no, moderate and extensive ACM) were found in 63 (57.8%), 36 (33.0%) and 10 (9.2%) of patients without and 3 (2.8%), 23 (21.1%) and 83 (76.1%) of patients with LAA-thrombi. Atrial contractile function decreased from ACM-stages 1 to 3 (LAA-flow velocities 38 ± 16 cm/s, 31 ± 15 cm/s and 21 ± 12 cm/s; p < 0.0001), while the likelihood for LAA-thrombus increased (2.8%, 21.1% and 76.1%, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis confirmed an independent odds ratio for LAA-thrombus of 24.6 (p < 0.001) per ACM-stage. Two-year survival free of stroke/TIA, hospitalization for heart failure, myocardial infarction or all-cause death was strongly reduced in ACM-stage 3 (53.8%) compared to no or moderate ACM (82.8% and 84.7%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Electrocardiographic diagnosis of ACM identifies patients with atrial contractile dysfunction and atrial thrombi at risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes and death.
Diagnostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT versus contrast-enhanced MRI for venous tumour thrombus and venous bland thrombus in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhu An-hui , Hou Xiao-yan , Tian Shuai , Zhang Wei-fang 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to compare the ability of 18F-FDG PET/CT and contrast-enhanced MRI (CEMRI) to detect and grade venous tumour thrombus (VTT) and venous bland thrombus (VBT) in RCC and assess invasion of the venous wall by VTT. The PET/CT and CEMRI data of 41 patients with RCC were retrieved. The difference in maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) between VTT and VBT was analysed. According to their pathological diagnosis, the patients were divided into those with and without venous wall invasion. The PET/CT and CEMRI features, including the SUVmax of the primary lesion and VTT, maximum venous diameter, complete occlusion of the vein by VTT, and VTT morphology, were compared between the two groups. All 41 patients had VTT, and eleven of the 41 patients had VBT. The mean SUVmax of the VTT (6.33 ± 4. 68, n = 41) was significantly higher than that of the VBT (1.37 ± 0.26, n = 11; P < 0.001). Ten of the 11 cases of VBT were correctly diagnosed by 18F-FDG PET/CT, and all 11 were diagnosed by CEMRI. Both 18F-FDG PET/CT and CEMRI can effectively detect VTT and distinguish VTT from VBT. 18F-FDG PET/CT is less effective in grading VTT than CEMRI. Complete venous occlusion by VTT indicates venous wall invasion.
A Comparison of effect of preemptive versus postoperative use of ultrasound-guided bilateral transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block on pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Rahimzadeh Poupak , Faiz Seyed Hamid Reza , Latifi-Naibin Kaveh , Alimian Mahzad 
Published: January 2022

AbstractNowadays, there are various methods to manage pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to compare the effectof preemptive versus postoperative use of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (USG-TAP) block on pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In this single-blinded randomized clinical trial, the patients who were candidates for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly divided into the two groups (n = 38 per group). In the preemptive group (PG) after the induction of anesthesia and in the postoperative group (POG) after the end of surgery and before the extubation, bilateral ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block was performed on patients using 20 cc of ropivacaine 0.25%. Both groups received patient controlled IV analgesia (PCIA) containing Acetaminophen (20 mg/ml) plus ketorolac (0.6 mg/ml) as a standard postoperative analgesia and meperidine 20 mg q 4 h PRN for rescue analgesia. Using the numerical rating scales (NSR), the patients’ pain intensity was assessed at time of arrival to the PACU and in 2th, 4th, 8th, 12th, 24th h. Primary outcome of interest is NSR at rest and coughing in the PACU and in 2th, 4th, 8th, 12th, 24th h. Secondary outcomes of interests were the time to first post-surgical rescue analgesic and level of patients’ pain control satisfaction in the first 24 h. The USG-TAP block significantly decreased pain score in the POG compared to the PG, and also the pain was relieved at rest especially in 8 and 12 h (pvalue ≤ 0.05) after the surgery. Pain score after coughing during recovery at 2, 8 and 12 h after the operation were significantly decreased. (pvalue ≤ 0.05) The patient satisfaction scores in the POG were significantly higher in all times. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), indicating that patients in the POG had significantly lower incidences of the PONV compared tothe PG. The time to first analgesic request was significantly shorterin the POG, which was statistically significant (pvalue = 0.089). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of consumption of analgesics. The postoperative TAP block could offer better postoperative analgesia than preepmtive TAP block.
Neurons in the pigeon visual network discriminate between faces, scrambled faces, and sine grating images
Authors: Clark William , Chilcott Matthew , Azizi Amir , Pusch Roland , Perry Kate , Colombo Michael 
Published: January 2022

AbstractDiscriminating between object categories (e.g., conspecifics, food, potential predators) is a critical function of the primate and bird visual systems. We examined whether a similar hierarchical organization in the ventral stream that operates for processing faces in monkeys also exists in the avian visual system. We performed electrophysiological recordings from the pigeon Wulst of the thalamofugal pathway, in addition to the entopallium (ENTO) and mesopallium ventrolaterale (MVL) of the tectofugal pathway, while pigeons viewed images of faces, scrambled controls, and sine gratings. A greater proportion of MVL neurons fired to the stimuli, and linear discriminant analysis revealed that the population response of MVL neurons distinguished between the stimuli with greater capacity than ENTO and Wulst neurons. While MVL neurons displayed the greatest response selectivity, in contrast to the primate system no neurons were strongly face-selective and some responded best to the scrambled images. These findings suggest that MVL is primarily involved in processing the local features of images, much like the early visual cortex.
Performance of a flow cytometry-based immunoassay for detection of antibodies binding to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
Authors: Valdivia Arantxa , Tarín Fabián , Alcaraz María Jesús , Piñero Paula , Torres Ignacio , Marco Francisco , Albert Eliseo , Navarro David 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe performance of a laboratory-developed IgG/IgA flow cytometry-based immunoassay (FCI) using Jurkat T cells stably expressing full-length native S protein was compared against Elecsys electrochemiluminiscent (ECLIA) Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S (Roche Diagnostics, Pleasanton, CA, USA), and Liaison SARS-CoV-2 TrimericS IgG chemiluminiscent assay (CLIA) (Diasorin S.p.a, Saluggia, IT) for detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies. A total of 225 serum/plasma specimens from 120 acute or convalescent COVID-19 individuals were included. Overall, IgG/IgA-FCI yielded the highest number of positives (n = 179), followed by IgA-FCI (n = 177), Roche ECLIA (n = 175), IgG-FCI (n = 172) and Diasorin CLIA (n = 154). For sera collected early after the onset of symptoms (within 15 days) IgG/IgA-FCI also returned the highest number of positive results (52/72; 72.2%). Positive percent agreement between FCI and compared immunoassays was highest for Roche ECLIA, ranging from 96.1 (IgG/IgA-FCI) to 97.7% (IgG-FCI), whereas negative percent agreement was higher between FCI and Diasosin CLIA, regardless of antibody isotype. The data suggest that FCI may outperform Roche ECLIA and Diasorin CLIA in terms of clinical sensitivity for serological diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Strain specific motility patterns and surface adhesion of virulent and probiotic Escherichia coli
Authors: Abdulkadieva M. M. , Sysolyatina E. V. , Vasilieva E. V. , Gusarov A. I. , Domnin P. A. , Slonova D. A. , Stanishevskiy Y. M. , Vasiliev M. M. , Petrov O. F. , Ermolaeva S. A. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBacterial motility provides the ability for bacterial dissemination and surface exploration, apart from a choice between surface colonisation and further motion. In this study, we characterised the movement trajectories of pathogenic and probiotic Escherichia coli strains (ATCC43890 and M17, respectively) at the landing stage (i.e., leaving the bulk and approaching the surface) and its correlation with adhesion patterns and efficiency. A poorly motile strain JM109 was used as a control. Using specially designed and manufactured microfluidic chambers, we found that the motion behaviour near surfaces drastically varied between the strains, correlating with adhesion patterns. We consider two bacterial strategies for effective surface colonisation: horizontal and vertical, based on the obtained results. The horizontal strategy demonstrated by the M17 strain is characterised by collective directed movements within the horizontal layer during a relatively long period and non-uniform adhesion patterns, suggesting co-dependence of bacteria in the course of adhesion. The vertical strategy demonstrated by the pathogenic ATCC43890 strain implies the individual movement of bacteria mainly in the vertical direction, a faster transition from bulk to near-surface swimming, and independent bacterial behaviour during adhesion, providing a uniform distribution over the surface.
Levels and health risk assessment of pesticides and metals in Lycium barbarum L. from different sources in Ningxia, China
Authors: Zhang Yahong , Qin Jiaqi , Wang Yan , Zhou Tongning , Feng Ningchuan , Ma Caihong , Zhu Meilin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe berries of Lycium barbarum L. (Goji) are widely used as a Chinese traditional herbal medicine and functional food because of their reported beneficial pharmacological effects. However, there are reports of Goji berries being contaminated by chemical residues that could pose a hazard to humans. In this study, samples of L. barbarum L. berries were collected from plantations in a genuine production area and supermarkets in Ningxia, China. The major hazardous chemicals, including pesticides (dichlorvos, omethoate, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, malathion, and deltamethrin) and metals (lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As)), were quantified by gas chromatography and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. In addition, associated daily exposures and health risks were determined using deterministic and probabilistic assessments. The levels of five pesticides from the plantation samples were considerably lower than the maximum residue limits; only dichlorvos was detected in the supermarket samples, and deltamethrin was not detected in any samples. Cu, Zn, As, Pb, Ni and Cd were detected in samples from both sources. The hazard quotient values of individual hazardous chemicals and the hazard index of combined hazardous chemicals were considerably less than 1, indicating the absence of a non-carcinogenic effect of hazardous chemical exposures through Goji berry consumption. The R value of As was much less than 10–6, which shows that consumption of the Goji berries had no obvious carcinogenic risks. The potentially harmful effects of the L. barbarum L. are more likely from berries obtained from plantations than those from supermarkets, and metal exposure is more dangerous than pesticide exposure. However, on the basis of our analysis, no population would be exposed hazardous chemicals exceeding existing standards, and the factors most affecting the health risk were exposure frequency and As content.
Effects of channel size, wall wettability, and electric field strength on ion removal from water in nanochannels
Authors: Sofos Filippos , Karakasidis Theodoros E. , Sarris Ioannis E. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractMolecular dynamics simulations are employed to estimate the effect of nanopore size, wall wettability, and the external field strength on successful ion removal from water solutions. It is demonstrated that the presence of ions, along with the additive effect of an external electric field, constitute a multivariate environment that affect fluidic interactions and facilitate, or block, ion drift to the walls. The potential energy is calculated across every channel case investigated, indicating possible ion localization, while electric field lines are presented, to reveal ion routing throughout the channel. The electric field strength is the dominant ion separation factor, while wall wettability strength, which characterizes if the walls are hydrophobic or hydrophilic has not been found to affect ion movement significantly at the scale studied here. Moreover, the diffusion coefficient values along the three dimensions are reported. Diffusion coefficients have shown a decreasing tendency as the external electric field increases, and do not seem to be affected by the degree of wall wettability at the scale investigated here.
Dengue surveillance using gravid oviposition sticky (GOS) trap and dengue non-structural 1 (NS1) antigen test in Malaysia: randomized controlled trial
Authors: Selvarajoo Sivaneswari , Liew Jonathan Wee Kent , Chua Tock H. , Tan Wing , Zaki Rafdzah Ahmad , Ngui Romano , Sulaiman Wan Yusoff Wan , Ong Poo Soon , Vythilingam Indra 
Published: January 2022

AbstractDengue remains a major public threat and existing dengue control/surveillance programs lack sensitivity and proactivity. More efficient methods are needed. A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted for 18 months to determine the efficacy of using a combination of gravid oviposition sticky (GOS) traps and dengue non-structural 1 (NS1) antigen for early surveillance of dengue among Aedes mosquito. Eight residential apartments were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. GOS traps were placed at the intervention apartments weekly to trap Aedes mosquitoes and these tested for dengue NS1 antigen. When dengue-positive pool was detected, the community were notified and advised to execute protective measures. Fewer dengue cases were recorded in the intervention group than the control. Detection of NS1-positive mosquitoes was significantly associated with GOS Aedes index (rs = 0.68, P < 0.01) and occurrence of dengue cases (rs = 0.31, P < 0.01). Participants’ knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward dengue control indicated significant improvement for knowledge (P < 0.01), practice (P < 0.01) and total scores (P < 0.01). Most respondents thought this surveillance method is good (81.2%) and supported its use nationwide. Thus, GOS trap and dengue NS1 antigen test can supplement the current dengue surveillance/control, in alignment with the advocated integrated vector management for reducing Aedes-borne diseases.
Enhanced multimodal biometric recognition approach for smart cities based on an optimized fuzzy genetic algorithm
Authors: Rajasekar Vani , Predić Bratislav , Saracevic Muzafer , Elhoseny Mohamed , Karabasevic Darjan , Stanujkic Dragisa , Jayapaul Premalatha 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBiometric security is a major emerging concern in the field of data security. In recent years, research initiatives in the field of biometrics have grown at an exponential rate. The multimodal biometric technique with enhanced accuracy and recognition rate for smart cities is still a challenging issue. This paper proposes an enhanced multimodal biometric technique for a smart city that is based on score-level fusion. Specifically, the proposed approach provides a solution to the existing challenges by providing a multimodal fusion technique with an optimized fuzzy genetic algorithm providing enhanced performance. Experiments with different biometric environments reveal significant improvements over existing strategies. The result analysis shows that the proposed approach provides better performance in terms of the false acceptance rate, false rejection rate, equal error rate, precision, recall, and accuracy. The proposed scheme provides a higher accuracy rate of 99.88% and a lower equal error rate of 0.18%. The vital part of this approach is the inclusion of a fuzzy strategy with soft computing techniques known as an optimized fuzzy genetic algorithm.
Thyroid hormones regulate cardiac repolarization and QT-interval related gene expression in hiPSC cardiomyocytes
Authors: Ulivieri Alessandra , Lavra Luca , Magi Fiorenza , Morgante Alessandra , Calò Leonardo , Polisca Patrizio , Salehi Leila B. , Sciacchitano Salvatore 
Published: January 2022

AbstractProlongation of cardiac repolarization (QT interval) represents a dangerous and potentially life-threatening electrical event affecting the heart. Thyroid hormones (THs) are critical for cardiac development and heart function. However, little is known about THs influence on ventricular repolarization and controversial effects on QT prolongation are reported. Human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and multielectrode array (MEA) systems were used to investigate the influence of 3,3′,5-triiodo-l-Thyronine (T3) and 3,3′,5,5′-tetraiodo-l-Thyronine (T4) on corrected Field Potential Duration (FPDc), the in vitro analog of QT interval, and on local extracellular Action Potential Duration (APD). Treatment with high THs doses induces a significant prolongation of both FPDc and APD, with the strongest increase reached after 24 h exposure. Preincubation with reverse T3 (rT3), a specific antagonist for nuclear TH receptor binding, significantly reduces T3 effects on FPDc, suggesting a TRs-mediated transcriptional mechanism. RNA-seq analysis showed significant deregulation in genes involved in cardiac repolarization pathways, including several QT-interval related genes. In conclusion, long-time administration of high THs doses induces FPDc prolongation in hiPSC-CMs probably through the modulation of genes linked to QT-interval regulation. These results open the way to investigate new potential diagnostic biomarkers and specific targeted therapies for cardiac repolarization dysfunctions.
Coagulation profile of human COVID-19 convalescent plasma
Authors: Klompas Allan M. , van Helmond Noud , Juskewitch Justin E. , Pruthi Rajiv K. , Sexton Matthew A. , Soto Juan C. Diaz , Klassen Stephen A. , Senese Katherine A. , van Buskirk Camille M. , Winters Jeffrey L. , Stubbs James R. , Hammel Scott A. , Joyner Michael J. , Senefeld Jonathon W. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractConvalescent plasma is used to treat COVID-19. There are theoretical concerns about the impact of pro-coagulant factors in convalescent plasma on the coagulation cascade particularly among patients with severe COVID-19. The aim of this study was to evaluate the coagulation profile of COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Clotting times and coagulation factor assays were compared between fresh frozen plasma, COVID-19 convalescent plasma, and pathogen-reduced COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Measurements included prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, fibrinogen, D-dimer, von Willebrand factor activity, von Willebrand factor antigen, coagulation factors II, V, VII–XII, protein S activity, protein C antigen, and alpha-2 plasmin inhibitor. Clotting times and coagulation factor assays were not different between COVID-19 convalescent plasma and fresh frozen plasma, except for protein C antigen. When compared to fresh frozen plasma and regular convalescent plasma, pathogen reduction treatment increased activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time, while reducing fibrinogen, coagulation factor II, V, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, protein S activity, and alpha-2 plasmin inhibitor. The coagulation profiles of human COVID-19 convalescent plasma and standard fresh frozen plasma are not different. Pathogen reduced COVID-19 convalescent plasma is associated with reduction of coagulation factors and a slight prolongation of coagulation times, as anticipated. A key limitation of the study is that the COVID-19 disease course of the convalesced donors was not characterized.
Formal derivation of the Laughlin function and its generalization for other topological phases of FQHE
Authors: Jacak Janusz E. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractUsing the braid symmetry we demonstrate the derivation of the Laughlin function for the main hierarchy 1/q of FQHE in the lowest Landau level of two-dimensional electron system with a mathematical rigour. This proves that the derivation of Laughlin function unavoidably requires some topological elements and cannot be completed within a local quantum mechanics, i.e., without global topological constraints imposed. The method shows the way for the generalization of this function onto other fractions from the general quantum Hall hierarchy. A generalization of the Laughlin function is here formulated.