bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of pulsed electric field cardiac ablation porcine treatment zones with a focal catheter
Authors: Verma Atul , Neal Robert , Evans John , Castellvi Quim , Vachani Armaan , Deneke Thomas , Nakagawa Hiroshi 
Published: November 2022

AbstractObjectivesPulsed electric field (PEF) therapies employ punctuated energy delivery to kill cells in a volume of tissue through mechanisms that are not dependent on thermal processes. A key component to successful cardiac ablation procedures is ensuring the generation of transmural, contiguous ablation zones, which requires in‐depth knowledge regarding treatment sizes for a given therapeutic application.MethodsIn this study, a series of acute treatments were delivered to porcine ventricles, where triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) vitality stain was used to identify treatment effect sizes for the three focal monopolar CENTAURI PEF cardiac ablation energy settings.ResultsTreatment depths were 5.7, 7.2, and 8.2 mm for the 19, 22, and 25 A energy settings, respectively. Gross pathology indicated umbral zones of hemorrhage surrounded by pale avital TTC‐negative‐negative tissue, which contrasted significantly from radiofrequency ablation (RF) controls. Histologically, treatment zones are identified by regions of contraction band necrosis and cardiomyocytolysis, which contrasted with RF control lesions composed primarily of coagulation necrosis.ConclusionsTogether, these data indicate the ability for focal monopolar PEF treatments to generate deep treatment zones in cardiac ablation without incurring the gross or histological coagulative characteristics of RF thermal lesions.
Electrocardiographic measures of repolarization heterogeneity are not predictive for Torsades de Pointes among undifferentiated patients with prolonged QTc: A case control study
Authors: Marill Keith A. , Lopez Samantha , Hark David , Spahr Jennifer , Shesh‐Muthal Ketaki , Xue Joel , Rowlandson G. Ian , Liu Shan W. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIntroductionTorsades de Pointes (TdP) is a potentially lethal polymorphic ventricular tachydysrhythmia associated with and caused by prolonged myocardial repolarization. However, prediction of TdP is challenging. We sought to determine if electrocardiographic myocardial repolarization heterogeneity is necessary and predictive of TdP.MethodsWe performed a case control study of TdP at a large urban hospital. We identified cases based on a hospital center electrocardiogram (ECG) database search for tracings from 1/2005 to 6/2019 with heart rate corrected QT (QTc) > 500, QRS < 120, and heart rate (HR) < 60, and a subsequent natural language search of electronic health records for the terms: TdP, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, sudden cardiac death, and relevant variants. Controls were drawn in a 2:1 ratio to cases from a similar pool of ECGs, and matching for QTc, heart rate, sex, and age. We abstracted historical, laboratory, and ECG data using detailed written instructions and an electronic database. We included a second blinded data abstractor to test data abstraction and manual ECG measurement reliability. We used General Electric (GE) QT Guard software for automated repolarization measurements. We compared groups using unpaired statistics.ResultsWe included 75 cases and 150 controls. The number of current QTc prolonging medications and serum electrolytes were substantially the same between the two groups. We found no significant difference in measures of QT or T wave repolarization heterogeneity.ConclusionElectrocardiographic repolarization heterogeneity is not greater in otherwise unselected patients with QTc prolongation who suffer TdP and does not appear predictive of TdP. However, previous observations suggest specific repolarization characteristics may be useful for defined patient subgroups at risk for TdP.
Clinical outcomes of radiofrequency catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Garg Jalaj , Kewcharoen Jakrin , Shah Kuldeep , Turagam Mohit , Bhardwaj Rahul , Contractor Tahmeed , Mandapati Ravi , Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundMonomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) is rare in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), management of which is challenging. Limited data exists on the utility of catheter ablation for the treatment of VT in this population.ObjectivesWe aimed to assess clinical outcomes of catheter ablation for VT in HCM patients.MethodsA systematic search, without language restriction, using PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov was performed. The meta‐analysis was performed using a meta‐package for R version 4.0/RStudio version 1.2 and Freeman Tukey double arcsine method to establish the variance of raw proportions. Outcomes measured included (1) acute procedure success (defined as noninducible for clinical VT), (2) freedom from VT at follow‐up, (3) mortality.ResultsThis systematic review of six studies (three from the United States and three from Japan) incorporated a total of 68 drug‐refractory HCM patients who underwent VT radiofrequency catheter ablation (mean age 57.6 ± 13.3 years, mean LVEF 45.8 ± 15.4%, 85% men, maximum septal wall thickness 17.4 ± 4.6 mm, and 32.3% with an apical aneurysm). Acute procedural success was achieved in 84.5% patients (95% confidence interval [CI]: 70.6%–95.2%) with 27.9% patients had recurrent VT requiring multiple ablations (median 1, IQR 1–3). During the follow‐up period (18.3 ± 11.7 months), the pooled incidence of freedom from recurrent VT after index procedure was 70.2% (95% CI: 51.9%–86.2%), while after the last ablation was 82.8% (95% CI: 57%–99.2%). There were two deaths during follow‐up, one from heart failure and one from SCD 0.8% (95% CI: 0%–5.8%).ConclusionThe results of our pooled analysis demonstrated that catheter ablation for VT in HCM patients was associated with high acute procedural success, and reduced VT recurrence—findings comparable to previously published reports in other disease substrates.
The association between smoking, changes in smoking behavior, and acute pancreatitis: A population‐based cohort study in Korea
Authors: Lee Jae Min , Han Kyung Do , Lee Sang Hyub , Park Jin Myung , Park Namyoung , Jeon Hankyu , Kim Hyun Jin , Ryu Ji Kon , Kim Yong‐Tae 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackground and AimsIn the Asian population, existing studies regarding the association between smoking and acute pancreatitis are few in number. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of acute pancreatitis according to smoking habits and smoking habit changes of the Korean population.MethodsWe used clinical data from individuals (aged 20 years or older) who received health examinations arranged by the Korean National Health Insurance Service in 2009 (n = 4 238 822) or in 2009 and 2011 (n = 2 617 306). The incidence of acute pancreatitis was analyzed according to smoking status or smoking habit change reported by individuals during their health examination. Newly diagnosed acute pancreatitis was identified using claims data from baseline to the date of diagnosis or until December 31, 2018.ResultsThe risk of acute pancreatitis was significantly higher in current smokers compared with never‐smokers regardless of age or sex. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of acute pancreatitis in current smokers increased according to the amount of smoking (HR 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–1.45 in <10 cigarettes/day, HR 1.4; CI, 1.3–1.52 in 10–19 cigarettes/day, HR 1.66; CI, 1.55–1.78 in ≥20 cigarettes/day). The adjusted HR of acute pancreatitis in continuous smokers was 1.66 (CI, 1.53–1.8) compared with never‐smokers and was higher than smokers who quit smoking (HR 1.34; CI, 1.17–1.54).ConclusionsIn this Korean population‐based cohort study, smoking increased the incidence of acute pancreatitis in a dose‐dependent manner, and smoking cessation helped decrease the incidence of acute pancreatitis.
Cosmetic gynecology—An emerging field for the dermatologist
Authors: Jindal Anuradha , Mysore Venkataram , Mysore Jayashree Venkataram 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIntroductionCosmetic gynecology is an expanding field with a steep rise in awareness and demand for procedures to enhance the aesthetic appearance of female genitalia.AimThis article aims to provide an overview of aesthetic gynecology for a practicing dermatologist.MethodsA study conducted in India showed a rising trend in the demand of aesthetic vaginal procedures from 3.9% in 2012 to 28.97% in 2015.ConclusionSeveral aesthetic modalities such as peels, platelet rich plasma, and energy‐based devices and surgical modalities have been in use, though serious evidence for efficacy of many of these procedures is lacking.
Canine gastrointestinal stromal tumours treated with surgery and imatinib mesylate: three cases (2018‐2020)
Authors: Treggiari E. , Giantin M. , Ferro S. , Romanelli G. 
Published: November 2022

ObjectivesGastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are described in dogs and are histologically diagnosed with the aid of immunohistochemistry to allow differentiation from leiomyomas/leiomyosarcomas. These tumours express c‐kit and in some cases could harbour mutations in KIT coding gene.Materials and MethodsDogs with a diagnosis of GIST previously confirmed with histopathology and immunohistochemistry were considered for inclusion. Medical records were reviewed for clinical signs at presentation, results of diagnostic tests, tumour location and treatment. To be included, patients had to undergo staging procedures and treatment with imatinib alone or in combination with surgery. Immunohistochemistry and KIT mutational analysis were performed assessing all included cases.ResultsThree cases were included. All cases underwent staging procedures and surgical excision. Tumours were located in the stomach (two cases) or caecum (one case). KIT mutational status was assessed and the presence of a 54‐base pair deletion in exon 11 was identified in one case. Following surgery, imatinib was used to treat recurrent, metastatic or residual disease and resulted in complete response and stable disease in the macroscopic setting and no evidence of recurrence in the microscopic setting. Follow‐up time was 890, 120 and 352 days, respectively.Clinical SignificanceSurgical and medical treatment resulted in a positive outcome in these cases of canine GIST. Imatinib treatment was well tolerated and resulted in a measurable response and a low spectrum of toxicities. Further studies on the tolerability and efficacy of imatinib in solid tumours and GIST are warranted to define its effectiveness and safety.
Keurusselkä impact structure, Finland—Overview, new observations, and renewed interpretation of the size
Authors: Hietala Satu , Moilanen Jarmo , Plado Jüri 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe Keurusselkä structure is one of Finland's 12 meteorite impact structures—one of the world's oldest (1150 ± 10 Ma) and the largest of its kind in Finland. Findings of numerous well‐formed shatter cones in a wide area have helped define and prove Keurusselkä's impact origin. Keurusselkä is deeply eroded, making estimating its size challenging. Thus, various size ranges are based on the distribution of shatter cones. This study provides an overview of the earlier published studies in light of the unpublished data resulting from 2003 to 2019 field surveys. Two shatter cone outcrops 15 km from each other were sampled during a field survey in 2019. Thin section samples from these sites were studied with a polarizing microscope, and shock metamorphic features were identified and measured with the universal stage. We also compared topographic and bathymetric Lidar (light detection and ranging) data with the existing geophysical data and shatter cone occurrences. In situ outcrops—Metsomäki 9.6 km toward the W and Martinniemi 5.7 km toward SE from the crater's center—delimit the maximum radius of shatter cones found so far. Studies resulted in planar fractures parallel to (0001) in Metsomäki shatter cones. We determine the size of 37.5 km as the apparent diameter of the Keurusselkä impact structure, whereas the 25 km in diameter semicircular feature represents faulted rim structures.
Food, Taste, and the Body: Ingestion and Embodiment in Santiago de Cuba
Authors: Garth Hanna 
Published: November 2022

AbstractUsing a Black feminist embodied approach, this article analyzes the ways in which people in Santiago de Cuba draw on their own embodied practices, sensory experiences, and popular knowledge to determine what forms of ingestion (food, drink, etc.) are good for the body. Influenced by historical ideals of food consumption and colonial entanglements, Cubans use a combination of knowledge gleaned from biomedicine, official nutrition guidelines, and humoral medicine, which are not always in agreement, to ensure that they are taking care of their bodies appropriately. In addition to these external sources, they also continuously assess their own embodied responses to ingestion (e.g., pain, illness, headaches, or other bodily sensations) to determine which foods and drinks should be consumed. Practices of healthy ingestion may also vary between people and circumstance, which people learn over time and from one another, layering on another interpersonal dimension of embodied knowledge. [Cuba, food, embodiment, health, ingestion]
Re‐centering Relationships: Obstetric Violence, Health Care Rationalities, and Pandemic Childbirth in Canada
Authors: Rice Kathleen 
Published: November 2022

AbstractEmerging evidence suggests that the COVD‐19 pandemic is eroding childbirth rights. Drawing on narratives of women who gave birth in Canada during the pandemic, this article exposes a paradox in that policies aimed at limiting interpersonal contact implicitly acknowledge the connection between health, well‐being, and the social context of people's lives, yet they frame this relationality as a liability to be eliminated. They do this despite the many benefits that social support is known to confer for pregnancy and childbirth. I suggest that obstetric violence theory could be expanded to include the perinatal health care system's failure to consider the well‐being of pregnant and birthing persons as necessarily interdependent with that of close others. Conscientiously and routinely making the safeguarding of these relationships a priority in perinatal health care planning may strengthen existing health care systems against certain forms of obstetric violence. [childbirth, COVID‐19, obstetric violence, relational personhood, Canada]
Seasonal dynamics of the wild rodent faecal virome
Authors: Raghwani Jayna , Faust Christina L. , François Sarah , Nguyen Dung , Marsh Kirsty , Raulo Aura , Hill Sarah C. , Parag Kris V. , Simmonds Peter , Knowles Sarah C. L. , Pybus Oliver G. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractViral discovery studies in wild animals often rely on cross‐sectional surveys at a single time point. As a result, our understanding of the temporal stability of wild animal viromes remains poorly resolved. While studies of single host–virus systems indicate that host and environmental factors influence seasonal virus transmission dynamics, comparable insights for whole viral communities in multiple hosts are lacking. Utilizing noninvasive faecal samples from a long‐term wild rodent study, we characterized viral communities of three common European rodent species (Apodemus sylvaticus, A. flavicollis and Myodes glareolus) living in temperate woodland over a single year. Our findings indicate that a substantial fraction of the rodent virome is seasonally transient and associated with vertebrate or bacteria hosts. Further analyses of one of the most common virus families, Picornaviridae, show pronounced temporal changes in viral richness and evenness, which were associated with concurrent and up to ~3‐month lags in host density, ambient temperature, rainfall and humidity, suggesting complex feedbacks from the host and environmental factors on virus transmission and shedding in seasonal habitats. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of understanding the seasonal dynamics of wild animal viromes in order to better predict and mitigate zoonotic risks.
Kidney xenotransplantation: Future clinical reality or science fiction?
Authors: Rodger Daniel , Cooper David K. C. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThere is a global shortage of organs for transplantation and despite many governments making significant changes to their organ donation systems, there are not enough kidneys available to meet the demand. This has led scientists and clinicians to explore alternative means of meeting this organ shortfall. One of the alternatives to human organ transplantation is xenotransplantation, which is the transplantation of organs, tissues, or cells between different species. The resurgence of interest in xenotransplantation and recent scientific breakthroughs suggest that genetically engineered pigs may soon present a realistic alternative as sources of kidneys for clinical transplantation. It is therefore important for healthcare professionals to understand what is involved in xenotransplantation and its future implications for their clinical practices. First, we explore the insufficiency of different organ donation systems to meet the kidney shortage. Second, we provide a background and a summary of the progress made so far in xenotransplantation research. Third, we discuss some of the scientific, technological, ethical, and public health issues associated with xenotransplantation. Finally, we summarize the literature on the attitudes of healthcare professionals toward xenotransplantation.
Clinical cross‐reactivity of wheat and barley in children with wheat allergy
Authors: Yanagida Noriyuki , Takei Mari , Saito Akemi , Sato Sakura , Ebisawa Motohiro 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBackgroundSeveral studies have reported in vitro cross‐reactivity between wheat and barley. However, evidence regarding the clinical cross‐reactivity of wheat and barley is limited. This study examined the clinical cross‐reactivity of barley and wheat among children with immediate‐type wheat allergies.MethodsWe examined the threshold dose of a wheat oral food challenge for wheat‐allergic children. We examined the reactivity of barley, and the oral food challenges of barley tea and barley rice were implemented as needed. We measured the specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels in wheat, ω‐5 gliadin, and barley.ResultsWe evaluated 53 children (39 [74%] boys) with a median age of 6.6 years. Among them, 39 (74%) patients had a history of anaphylaxis to wheat. The median wheat‐, barley‐, and ω‐5 gliadin‐sIgE levels were 57.3, 12.1, and 3.2 kUA/L, respectively. Twelve patients reacted to barley tea (1.8 mg), 14 reacted to barley rice (220–440 mg), and 27 were tolerant to barley tea and barley rice. Barley‐allergic patients had significantly higher wheat‐ and ω‐5 gliadin‐ and barley‐sIgE levels and significantly lower threshold doses of wheat than barley‐tolerant patients. Omega‐5 gliadin‐sIgE was the most useful predictor of barley allergy among wheat‐allergic patients; the ω‐5 gliadin‐sIgE 95% positive predictive value for barley allergy was 4.6 kUA/L.ConclusionsHalf of wheat‐allergic children reacted to barley. A lower threshold dose of wheat is related to cross‐reactive barley allergies. Omega‐5 gliadin‐sIgE predicts cross‐reactive barley allergy in children allergic to wheat. Clinical cross‐reactivity to barley should be considered in the management of wheat‐allergic children.
An ethylene‐responsive transcription factor and a B‐box protein coordinate vegetative growth and photoperiodic flowering in chrysanthemum
Authors: Cheng Hua , Yu Yao , Zhai Yiwen , Wang Lijun , Wang Likai , Chen Sumei , Chen Fadi , Jiang Jiafu 
Published: November 2022

AbstractPlants employ several endogenous and exogenous signals to guarantee timely floral transitions with floral integrators. To avoid premature flowering, flowering plants must control the balance between vegetative and floral development. As a Group II member of BBX family, CmBBX8 promotes flowering by directly activating CmFTL1 in summer‐flowering chrysanthemum. However, the mechanisms underlying this floral transition is yet to be elucidated. Here, we report that the chrysanthemum ERF3 homologue, CmERF3, physically interacts with CmBBX8 through yeast two‐hybrid (Y2H), bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC), pull‐down, and luciferase complementation (LCI) assays. We found that CmERF3 was highly expressed at the vegetative stage and rarely expressed in the reproductive phase, indicating that CmERF3 may play a critical role in maintaining vegetative growth to prevent premature flowering. Rhythm analysis revealed that CmERF3 had a different response to rhythm compared to CmBBX8. Knockdown of CmERF3 facilitated floral initiation, whereas overexpression of CmERF3 delayed floral transition. We further found that CmERF3 repressed the transactivation activity of CmBBX8 on the downstream CmFTL1 gene. Collectively, our results indicate that the CmERF3‐CmBBX8 transcriptional complex is a crucial module that balances the vegetative growth and reproductive development of chrysanthemum.
Endogenous antioxidants predicted outcome and increased after treatment: A benzoate dose‐finding, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Lane Hsien‐Yuan , Wang Shi‐Heng , Lin Chieh‐Hsin 
Published: November 2022

AimPrevious pilot studies suggest that sodium benzoate may be a potential cognitive enhancer for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), schizophrenia, or late‐life depression. Especially for AD treatment, a confirmatory trial with predictive biomarkers is urgently needed. This study aimed to confirm benzoate as a novel treatment for AD and to discover its optimal dose and biomarkers.MethodsA 24‐week, dose‐finding, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, with clinical measurements at weeks 0, 8, 16, and 24, was conducted in three major medical centers in Taiwan. Among 154 patients screened for AD, 149 were eligible and randomized to one of the four treatments: (i) benzoate 500 group (fixed 500 mg/day); (ii) benzoate 750 (500 mg/day for the first 4 weeks, 750 mg/day from the 5th week); (iii) benzoate 1000 (500 mg/day for the first 4 weeks, 1000 mg/day from the 5th week); and (iv) placebo. The primary outcome measure was AD assessment scale‐cognitive subscale (ADAS‐cog).ResultsThe benzoate 1000 group performed best in improving ADAS‐cog (P = 0.026 at week 24), with female advantage. Higher plasma catalase at baseline predicted better outcome. Benzoate receivers tended to have higher catalase and glutathione than placebo recipients after treatment. The four intervention groups showed similar safety profiles.ConclusionsBy enhancing two vital endogenous antioxidants, catalase and glutathione, sodium benzoate therapy improved cognition of patients with AD, with higher baseline catalase predicting better response. Supporting the oxidative stress theory, the results show promise for benzoate as a novel treatment for AD.