bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of successful reactive atrial‐based antitachycardia pacing in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices: History of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation as a predictor of high treatment efficacy
Authors: Nakagomi Toshifumi , Inden Yasuya , Yanagisawa Satoshi , Suzuki Noriyuki , Tsurumi Naoki , Watanabe Ryo , Shimojo Masafumi , Okajima Takashi , Suga Kazumasa , Shibata Rei , Murohara Toyoaki 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIntroductionReactive atrial‐based antitachycardia pacing (rATP) in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) suppresses the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) to the persistent form. However, the clinical factors associated with successful reactive atrial‐based antitachycardia pacing (rATP) treatment are unknown. This study aimed to examine the predictors of high rATP efficacy in patients with CIEDs.MethodsThe data of 101,325 rATP‐treated atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT/AF) episodes in 51 patients, obtained through remote monitoring and device interrogation, were analyzed. The study population was divided into the high and low efficacy groups based on the overall median success rate of rATP. Clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups.ResultsDuring a follow‐up period of 28.6 ± 8.6 months, the median success rate was 43.7% (31.5%–64.9%). The prevalence of a history of catheter ablation of AF was significantly higher in the high efficacy group than in the low efficacy group (73.0% vs. 44.0%, p = .048) and was the only independent predictor of high rATP efficacy (odds ratio, 3.45; p = .038). The rATP success rate in patients with (n = 30) and without (n = 21) a history of catheter ablation was 53.9% (40.0%–67.5%) and 36.4% (22.2%–47.7%), respectively (p = .012). The effect of rATP after ablation was more pronounced in patients with long cycle length episodes (≥75% of AT/AF sequences having a cycle length of 200–449 ms) (67.3% [46.0%–73.6%] vs. 30.6% [18.1%–60.3%], p = .027). The high efficacy group had a significantly lower incidence of AT/AF lasting ≥1, ≥7, and ≥30 days than the low efficacy group.ConclusionrATP combined with catheter ablation therapy is effective in suppressing AT/AF.
Posterior wall isolation in persistent atrial fibrillation feasibility, safety, durability, and efficacy
Authors: Worck René , Sørensen Samuel K. , Johannessen Arne , Ruwald Martin , Haugdal Martin , Hansen Jim 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIntroductionPosterior wall isolation (PWI) added to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is increasingly used despite limited evidence of clinical benefit. We investigated the feasibility, durability, and efficacy of index‐procedure PVI + PWI radio frequency ablation (RFA) in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF).Methods and ResultsTwenty‐four patients with PeAF participated in the prospective PeAF‐Box study and underwent RFA with wide area circumferential ablation, roof‐ and inferior lines to achieve PVI + PWI at index procedure. Follow‐up included monitoring by an implantable cardiac monitor, esophagoscopy and mandated invasive lesion‐reassessment at 6 months. PWI was achieved at minor procedural cost in all patients following PVI. In 33% of patients a median of three ablations in the narrow zone between the center of the posterior wall (PW) and the posterior right carina was pivotal for swift achievement of PWI. At the 6‐month reassessment procedure 85% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77%–92%) of pulmonary veins (PVs) and 46% (95% CI: 26%–67%) of PWs remained durably isolated. AF recurred in 25% and was associated with PV‐reconnection (p = .02) but not PW‐reconnection (p = .27). AF‐burden was 0% (interquartile range [IQR]: 0%–0%) overall and after recurrence 1% (IQR: 0%–7%).ConclusionIndex procedure PVI + PWI for PeAF was feasible when recognizing that limited ablation in a PW center‐to‐right‐carina zone was required in a subset of patients. Despite limited chronic PWI durability this strategy was followed by low AF‐burden. A PVI + PWI strategy appears promising in ablation for PeAF.
Microclimatic conditions drive summer flight phenology of Platypus cylindrus in managed cork oak stands
Authors: Muñoz‐Adalia Emigdio Jordán , Ahmed Jaher , Colinas Carlos 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe oak pinhole borer, Platypus cylindrus F., mainly colonizes oaks (Quercus sp.), and it is considered among the most serious pests of cork oak (Quercus suber L.). Despite being traditionally considered as a secondary pest in thermophilic oak woodlands, outbreaks seem to be more frequent throughout the Mediterranean Basin thus becoming a growing forest health concern. In the Iberian Peninsula, this insect mainly attacks cork oaks (Q. suber) causing intense stress to mature trees specially after cork harvesting season. In this study, we investigated the summer flight phenology of P. cylindrus in six stands located in north‐eastern Spain. We recorded the number of insects trapped in pheromone‐baited traps from late April to early September of 2021, and computed sex ratio, average date of flight and season flight curve in each plot. We fitted a GAM model to evaluate how population dynamics are driven by date and climatic factors. A total of 1795 insects were collected during the sampling period. Population peaks occurred from late May to mid‐August. The fitted GAM predicted changes in the number of captures throughout the summer varying with microclimatic conditions. In addition, diversity of trapped non‐target Curculionidae resulted moderate with low evenness including either ambrosia or bark beetles. This study represents the first attempt at modelling P. cylindrus flight, thus providing insights into the association between climate, pests and forestry.
Investigation of the genome sizes and ploidy within the genus Monocercomonoides
Authors: Kornalíková Martina , Hampl Vladimír , Treitli Sebastian Cristian 
Published: May 2022

AbstractMonocercomonoides is a genus of anaerobic flagellates found mainly in the gut of insects and vertebrates. We explored the ploidy of six strains of Monocercomonoides using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with probes against the SufDSU gene known to be in a single copy in M. exilis. Our results show that all investigated strains are haploid, with a single clear signal displayed in most of the analyzed nuclei. Staining of the telomeric repeats TTAGGG using FISH revealed that all investigated strains, except for strains of M. merkovicensis, exhibit a similar number of telomeric signals to those of M. exilis. DNA content of the nuclei in seven strains was assessed using flow cytometry. With the knowledge of the ploidy, their haploid genome sizes were estimated to vary from 60 to 161 Mbp. The genome size variation observed in Monocercomonoides is much larger than the variation within other genera of metamonads such as Trichomonas, Tritrichomonas, or Giardia, but similar to the variations observed within genera of algae or plants.
No strong associations between temperature and the host–parasite interaction in wild stickleback
Authors: Granroth‐Wilding Hanna M. V. , Candolin Ulrika 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAs climate change progresses, thermal stress is expected to alter the way that host organisms respond to infections by pathogens and parasites, with consequences for the fitness and therefore population processes of both host and parasite. The authors used a correlational natural experiment to examine how temperature differences shape the impact of the cestode parasiteSchistocephalus soliduson its host, the three‐spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Previous laboratory work has found that high temperatures benefitS. soliduswhile being detrimental to the stickleback. The present study sought to emulate this design in the wild, repeatedly sampling naturally infected and uninfected fish at matched warmer and cooler locations in the Baltic Sea.In this wild study, the authors found little evidence that temperature was associated with the host–parasite interaction. Although infection reduced host condition and reproductive status overall, these effects did not vary with temperature. Host fitness indicators correlated to some extent with temperature, with cooler capture sites associated with larger size but warmer sites with improved reproductive potential. Parasite fitness (prevalence or size) was not correlated with temperature at the capture site.These mismatches between laboratory and field outcomes illustrate how findings from well‐controlled laboratory experiments may not fully reflect processes in more variable natural settings. Nonetheless, the findings of this study indicate that temperature can influence host fitness regardless of infection, with potential consequences for both host demography and parasite transmission dynamics in this complex system.
Detection of fish species from marine protected areas of the North Sea using environmental DNA
Authors: Barco Andrea , Kullmann Björn , Knebelsberger Thomas , Sarrazin Victoria , Kuhs Vanessa , Kreutle Axel , Pusch Christian , Thiel Ralf 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThis report describe the first application of environmental DNA‐metabarcoding approach for the assessment of fish species diversity in two marine protected areas of the North Sea: the Doggerbank and the Sylt Outer Reef. We collected 64 water samples and detected 24 fish species. We discuss qualitative differences between MPAs and compare the results with those obtained from bottom‐trawl surveys in the same areas. We found three additional species to those documented in the same year with trawls, including the critically endangered European eel.
Molecular and morphological characterization ofDollfustrema bagarii(Digenea: Bucephalidae) metacercariae from aquaculture channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in northern Vietnam
Authors: Kim Van Van , Nguyen Hung Manh , Greiman Stephen E. , Nguyen Ha Van , Nguyen Chinh Ngoc , Vu Manh Duc , Hoai Truong Dinh , Madsen Henry 
Published: May 2022

AbstractWhite grub metacercariae were found in the livers and kidneys of diseased specimens of an introduced channel catfish,Ictalurus punctatus(Rafinesque), in Vietnam. Based on morphological features and 28S rDNA sequence analysis, the isolated metacercariae were identified asDollfustrema bagarii(Digenea: Bucephalidae) Moravec & Sey. Histopathological examination shows that encysted metacercariae can change the tissue structure of the infected organs and is often accompanied by haemorrhaging and the presence of eosinophilic granular cell infiltration. Degenerative changes were also observed.
Artesunate restores mitochondrial fusion‐fission dynamics and alleviates neuronal injury in Alzheimer's disease models
Authors: Qin Yi‐Ren , Ma Chi‐Qian , Jiang Jian‐Hua , Wang Da‐Peng , Zhang Quan‐Quan , Liu Mei‐Rong , Zhao Hong‐Ru , Fang Qi , Liu Yang 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) remains a leading cause of dementia and no therapy that reverses underlying neurodegeneration is available. Recent studies suggest the protective role of artemisinin, an antimalarial drug, in neurological disorders. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of artesunate, a water‐soluble derivative of artemisinin, on amyloid‐beta (Aβ)‐treated challenged microglial BV‐2, neuronal N2a cells, and the amyloid precursor protein/presenilin (APP/PS1) mice model. We found that Aβ significantly induced multiple AD‐related phenotypes, including increased expression/production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines from microglial cells, enhanced cellular and mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species, promoted mitochondrial fission, inhibited mitochondrial fusion, suppressed mitophagy or biogenesis in both cell types, stimulated apoptosis of neuronal cells, and microglia‐induced killing of neurons. All these in vitro phenotypes were attenuated by artesunate. In addition, the over‐expression of the mitochondrial fission protein Drp‐1, or down‐regulation of the mitochondrial fusion protein OPA‐1 both reduced the therapeutic benefits of artesunate. Artesunate also alleviated AD phenotypes in APP/PS1 mice, reducing Aβ deposition, and reversing deficits in memory and learning. Artesunate protects neuronal and microglial cells from AD pathology, both in vitro and in vivo. Maintaining mitochondrial dynamics and simultaneously targeting multiple AD pathogenic mechanisms are associated with the protective effects of artesunate. Consequently, artesunate may become a promising therapeutic for AD. image
What determines cognitive estimation ability? Changing contributions of semantic and executive domains as a function of age
Authors: Hoffman Paul , MacPherson Sarah E. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe Cognitive Estimation Test (CET) is commonly used in neuropsychological assessment. It is typically assumed to load on executive functions, although research has shown that CET performance also depends on access to semantic knowledge. It is unknown whether these contributions vary with age. It is important to examine this question as these abilities have divergent life course trajectories: executive functions tend to decline as people age but semantic knowledge continues to accrue. In addition, previous research has not examined potential contributions to CET performance from semantic control abilities, that is cognitive control processes involved specifically in the retrieval and use of semantic information. To address these questions, we investigated cognitive predictors of CET performance in healthy young and older adults. We found that better executive function was associated with more accurate estimation in both age groups. However, the effect of semantic knowledge on CET performance was significantly larger in older people, having no predictive power in the younger group. The ability to detect weak semantic associations, which is thought to index controlled search and retrieval of semantic information, also had divergent effects on CET performance in the two age groups. Our results provide empirical support for the idea that older people are more reliant on semantic knowledge when estimating quantities, which may explain why age‐related decline in CET scores is not typically found. We conclude that deficits on the CET may be indicative either of semantic or executive impairments, particularly in older age groups.
The inefficiency of plea bargaining
Authors: GORMLEY JAY 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe fundamental assumption underlying plea bargaining is that it is ‘efficient’. Even ardent critics of plea bargaining often accept the assumption that it is efficient in being cost effective. For proponents, beliefs about plea bargaining's efficiency are used to argue that it is beneficial, even necessary, on pragmatic grounds. From this assumption about efficiency, volumes of laws and policies have been created. This article uses empirical data to demonstrate the flaws in this foundational tenet of plea‐bargaining logic. The article shows that, in reality, plea‐bargaining practices have imported their own inherent inefficiencies into the criminal process. These inefficiencies are detrimental not only to cost effectiveness but also to justice and fairness. Foremost among these inefficiencies are the (some argue iniquitous) game‐playing cultures that, ironically, policymakers have unintentionally fostered in striving for efficiency. The article demonstrates the pressing need to better recognize and understand these counterintuitive inefficient consequences of plea bargaining.
Tradition and reinvention: the making and unmaking of herbal medicines in the UK
Authors: URQUIZA‐HAAS NAYELI , CLOATRE EMILIE 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThis article looks at the development of the regulation of traditional herbal medicines in the European Union (EU) context and its effects in the United Kingdom (UK). Drawing on socio‐legal encounters with science and technology studies (STS), it explores how UK and EU stakeholders have struggled to regulate herbal products, and suggests that in order to tackle growing concerns about their safety, emerging EU legislation built on socio‐technical imaginaries of ‘tradition’. We argue that in doing so, the law also reshaped herbal medicines in the UK, rewriting their histories and potential futures by fostering new practices of herbal medicine making that sit precariously on the boundaries of what is lawful. Through an empirical exploration of the everyday landscape of herbal medicine in the UK, this article shows how the label of ‘tradition’ embedded in the new legislation transformed and unsettled the existing material practices and relationships that had underpinned herbal and traditional medicine.
Functional MRI in major depressive disorder: A review of findings, limitations, and future prospects
Authors: Pilmeyer Jesper , Huijbers Willem , Lamerichs Rolf , Jansen Jacobus F. A. , Breeuwer Marcel , Zinger Svitlana 
Published: May 2022

AbstractObjective diagnosis and prognosis in major depressive disorder (MDD) remains a challenge due to the absence of biomarkers based on physiological parameters or medical tests. Numerous studies have been conducted to identify functional magnetic resonance imaging‐based biomarkers of depression that either objectively differentiate patients with depression from healthy subjects, predict personalized treatment outcome, or characterize biological subtypes of depression. While there are some findings of consistent functional biomarkers, there is still lack of robust data acquisition and analysis methodology. According to current findings, primarily, the anterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex, and default mode network play a crucial role in MDD. Yet, there are also less consistent results and the involvement of other regions or networks remains ambiguous. We further discuss image acquisition, processing, and analysis limitations that might underlie these inconsistencies. Finally, the current review aims to address and discuss possible remedies and future opportunities that could improve the search for consistent functional imaging biomarkers of depression. Novel acquisition techniques, such as multiband and multiecho imaging, and neural network‐based cleaning approaches can enhance the signal quality in limbic and frontal regions. More comprehensive analyses, such as directed or dynamic functional features or the identification of biological depression subtypes, can improve objective diagnosis or treatment outcome prediction and mitigate the heterogeneity of MDD. Overall, these improvements in functional MRI imaging techniques, processing, and analysis could advance the search for biomarkers and ultimately aid patients with MDD and their treatment course.
“Doing the Right and the Good”: Thinking Against Mass Incarceration
Authors: Cohen Aryeh 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACTIn 1952, Rabbi Eliezer Yehudah Waldenberg (a member of the Supreme Rabbinical Court of Israel) and Rabbi Ben Zion Meir Chai Uziel (theRishon LeTziyonand Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel) addressed the question of incarceration in a Jewish state according to the halakhic tradition. A generation later, Rabbi Chaim David Halevi the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv‐Yaffo) also addressed this question. Their approaches shed light on the way we should be thinking about incarceration in general, and the overwhelming problem of the current moment in the United States: mass incarceration.
Treasured relations: Towards partnership and the protection of Māori relationships with taonga plants in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Jefferson David J. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractFor more than three decades, the system of intellectual property for plants in Aotearoa New Zealand has been the subject of controversy. Critics claim that the system fails to fulfil the promises of the nation's founding document, Te Tiriti o Waitangi|The Treaty of Waitangi (1840), which guarantees that Māori will retain tino rangatiratanga (absolute sovereignty) over their taonga (treasured and significant) plant species. The 2021 Plant Variety Rights Bill aims to address this concern while also complying with international obligations that New Zealand undertook when it joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans‐Pacific Partnership (2018). Thus, the Bill endeavours to uphold the government's commitments under Te Tiriti and to give effect to the 1991 Act of the UPOV Convention. These plural and sometimes divergent goals manifest a deeper tension that underlies how legal systems in Aotearoa New Zealand conceptualise human relationships with nonhuman beings and environments. While a Pākehā (Western/European) approach to intellectual property conceives of plants as alienable economic objects, tikanga Māori (customary protocols and values) understands that like humans, plants possess mauri (life force) and whakapapa (genealogy) that connect these beings with the environments they inhabit. This article explores how tensions between ontological, legal, and political systems imbue the Plant Variety Rights Bill. While the proposal represents a progressive reform, it may fall short of living up to its aspirations for authentic partnership between Māori and the Crown.
Biological control of problematic bacterial populations causing foaming in activated sludge wastewater treatment plants—phage therapy and beyond
Authors: Petrovski S. , Batinovic S. , Rose J.J.A. , Seviour R.J. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The production of a stable foam on the surfaces of reactors is a global operating problem in activated sludge plants. In many cases, these foams are stabilized by hydrophobic members of the Mycolata, a group of Actinobacteria whose outer membranes contain long-chain hydroxylated mycolic acids. There is currently no single strategy which works for all foams. One attractive approach is to use lytic bacteriophages specific for the foam stabilizing Mycolata population. Such phages are present in activated sludge mixed liquor and can be recovered readily from it. However, no phage has been recovered which lyses Gordonia amarae and Gordonia pseudoamarae, probably the most common foaming Mycolata members. Whole genome sequencing revealed that both G. amarae and G. pseudoamarae from plants around the world are particularly well endowed with genes encoding antiviral defence mechanisms. However, both these populations were lysed rapidly by a parasitic nanobacterium isolated from a plant in Australia. This organism, a member of the Saccharibacteria, was also effective against many other Mycolata, thus providing a potential agent for control of foams stabilized by them.