bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eating problems in young children – a population‐based study
Authors: Equit Monika , Pälmke Meike , Becker Nicolas , Moritz Anne‐Michaela , Becker Sabine , von Gontard Alexander
Published: November 2012

Aim

To analyse the prevalence of atypical eating problems and their associations with anxious or oppositional behaviours in young children.

Methods

One thousand and ninety children examined in the school enrolment test in a defined geographical region were included (544 boys). The parents completed a 25‐item questionnaire regarding their child's eating behaviour and anxious or oppositional behaviours.

Results

Half of the parents reported that their child avoids certain foods (53%). Twenty‐three percent showed selective eating, 26% showed an aversion against new foods. Children with underweight avoided more types of food and ate smaller amounts than children with normal or overweight. Three groups could be differentiated. Sixty‐one percent of the children were ‘normal eaters’ with avoidance of certain foods, normal weight status and low anxious or oppositional behaviour. Thirty‐four percent showed selective and/or restrictive eating, and 5% worried about their weight. Children with selective eating and with weight concerns were more often affected by anxious and oppositional behaviours.

Conclusion

Atypical eating problems are common in young children. Without accompanying weight loss, behavioural or emotional problems, selective eating should be seen as a normal feature in young eating behaviour. Parents of young children with selective, restrictive eating or with weight worrying and psychological problems should be offered advice/treatment.
Synthesis and Evaluation of a Series of 3,4,5‐Trimethoxycinnamic Acid Derivatives as Potential Antinarcotic Agents
Authors: Jung Jae‐Chul , Moon Sohyeon , Min Dongguk , Park Woo Kyu , Jung Mankil , Oh Seikwan
Published: November 2012

A series of 3,4,5‐trimethoxycinnamic acid derivatives was prepared and evaluated for antinarcotic effects on morphine dependence in mice and binding affinities on serotonergic receptors. The key synthetic strategies involve generation of ketones 6–7, esters 9–12 through condensation reaction, and amides 13–19 via coupling reaction using 1‐hydroxybenzotriazole/ethyl(dimethylaminopropryl)carbodiimide system in high yield. We found that the naloxone‐induced morphine withdrawal syndrome was significantly suppressed by new synthetic 3,4,5‐trimethoxycinnamic acid derivatives (20 mg/kg/day). Most of 3,4,5‐trimethoxycinnamic acid derivatives were found to have high affinity to 5‐HT1A receptor. The naloxone‐induced morphine withdrawal syndrome was attenuated by (+)8‐OH‐DPAT (0.1 mg/kg/day, i.p.), a 5‐HT1A receptor agonist. In cortical neuronal cells, (+)8‐OH‐DPAT (1 μm) produced an elevation of the pERK 1/2 expression, and the elevated pERK levels were inhibited by WAY 100635, a 5‐HT1A receptor‐specific antagonist. Interestingly, the pERK levels were increased by the 3,4,5‐trimethoxycinnamic acid derivatives and the derivatives‐mediated changes in pERK levels were blocked by the WAY 100635. These results suggested that new synthetic 3,4,5‐trimethoxycinnamic acid derivatives have a potential antinarcotic effect through acting as a 5‐HT1A receptor agonist in mice.
Bruxism and associated factors among Dutch adolescents
Authors: van Selms Maurits K.A. , Visscher Corine M. , Naeije Machiel , Lobbezoo Frank
Published: November 2012

Objectives

To assess the prevalence rates of self‐reported sleep bruxism and awake bruxism and their associations with several demographical, exogenous, and psychosocial factors among Dutch adolescents.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional questionnaire survey, 4285 questionnaires were completed, with an about equal gender distribution and with ages ranging from 10 to 22 years.

Results

In the group of 4235 12‐ to 18‐year‐old adolescents, sleep bruxism had a reported prevalence of 14.8% and awake bruxism of 8.7%. Logistic regression analyses revealed that sleep bruxism was associated with female gender [OR = 1.49 (95% CI = 1.23–1.81)], pain or tense feeling in the jaws upon awakening in the morning [OR = 1.47 (95% CI = 1.17–1.86)], clicking joint sounds [OR = 1.31 (95% CI = 1.03–1.65)], stress [OR = 1.25 (95% CI = 1.00–1.55)], and depressive mood [OR = 1.35 (95% CI = 1.10–1.65)]. Awake bruxism was associated with orofacial pain [OR = 1.49 (95% CI = 1.16–1.91)], clicking joint sounds [OR = 1.50 (95% CI = 1.13–1.98)], scraping joint sounds [OR = 2.03 (95% CI = 1.21–3.37)], stress [OR = 1.36 (95% CI = 1.03–1.78)], depressive mood [OR = 1.82 (95% CI = 1.42–2.35)], and smoking [OR = 1.42 (95% CI = 1.06–1.89)].

Conclusions

Sleep bruxism and awake bruxism are common conditions among Dutch adolescents, with self‐reported prevalence rates that are slightly higher than those derived from most large‐scale studies on adults. Several predictor variables were found to be exclusively associated with either form of bruxism, corroborating the common suggestion that both circadian manifestations are, at least in part, different entities.
Sex hormone binding globulin and insulin resistance
Authors: Wallace Ian R. , McKinley Michelle C. , Bell Patrick M. , Hunter Steven J.
Published: November 2012

Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is a glycoprotein composed of two 373‐amino‐acid subunits. The SHBG gene and a promotor region have been identified. The SHBG receptor has yet to be cloned but is known to act through a G‐protein‐linked second‐messenger system following plasma membrane binding. The principal function of SHBG has traditionally been considered to be that of a transport protein for sex steroids, regulating circulating concentrations of free (unbound) hormones and their transport to target tissues. Recent research suggests that SHBG has functions in addition to the binding and transport of sex steroids. Observational studies have associated a low SHBG concentration with an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) independent of sex hormone levels in men and women. Genetic studies using Mendelian randomization analysis linking three single nucleotide polymorphisms of the SHBG gene to risk of developing type 2 DM suggest SHBG may have a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 DM. The correlation between SHBG and insulin resistance that is evident in a number of cross‐sectional studies is in keeping with the suggestion that the association between SHBG and incidence of type 2 DM is explained by insulin resistance. Several potential mechanisms may account for this association, including the identification of dietary factors that influence SHBG gene transcription. Further research to characterize the SHBG‐receptor and the SHBG second messenger system is required. An interventional study examining the effects on insulin resistance of altering SHBG concentrations may help in determining whether this association is causal.
Sex‐dependent associations of genetic variants identified by GWAS with indices of adiposity and obesity risk in a Chinese children population
Authors: Xi Bo , Shen Yue , Reilly Kathleen Heather , Zhao Xiaoyuan , Cheng Hong , Hou Dongqing , Wang Xingyu , Mi Jie
Published: November 2012

Objective

Recent genome‐wide association studies have identified a few single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are associated with body mass index (BMI)/obesity. This study aimed to examine the identified associations among a population of Chinese children.

Research design and methods

Five SNPs (SEC16B rs10913469, SH2B1 rs4788102, PCSK1rs6235, KCTD15 rs29941, BAT2 rs2844479) were genotyped for a group of Chinese children (N = 2849, age range 6–18 years). A total of 1230 obese cases and 1619 controls with normal weight were identified based on the Chinese age‐ and sex‐specific BMI references.

Results

Of five studied variants, only two (SEC16B rs10913469, SH2B1 rs4788102) were nominally associated with indices of adiposity and obesity risk in girls and only SEC16B rs10913469 in children at puberty (p < 0·05), while no statistical associations was found for three other variants (PCSK1rs6235, KCTD15 rs29941, BAT2 rs2844479). After false discovery rate (FDR) adjustment for multiple testing, none were statistically significant. Further analysis indicated that the genetic risk score (GRS) was associated with BMI, waist circumference and risk of obesity (defined by BMI) in girls, even after FDR adjustment for multiple testing. However, there was no statistical association of GRS with indices of adiposity and risk of obesity in children at puberty after multiple comparison correction.

Conclusions

This study confirmed the synthetic effect of SNPs on the indices of adiposity and risk of obesity in Chinese girls, but failed to replicate the effect of five separate variants. We also did not found cumulative effect of SNPs in children at puberty.
Environmental conditions conducive to anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) spawning in the Adriatic Sea
Authors: ZORICA BARBARA , VILIBIĆ IVICA , KEČ VANJA ČIKEŠ , ŠEPIĆ JADRANKA
Published: November 2012

The goal of this paper is to investigate the relationship between environmental variables and the occurrence of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) spawning over a year, in order to enable the timing and strength of high spawning activity to be predicted. Biological sampling of anchovy was conducted on the fishing grounds of the eastern Adriatic (the northernmost semi‐enclosed basin in the Mediterranean) on a monthly basis from January 1999 to December 2010, while data on environmental parameters were taken from in situ measurements at the most representative and best surveyed eastern Adriatic hydrographic station and from I‐COADS monthly surface fields. Anchovy spawning seasonality was defined by monthly changes of the maturity stages and the gonadosomatic index. Fluctuations of the gonadosomatic index revealed that spawning begins in March and lasts until September, with reproductive activity peaking from April to July. A significant correlation was found between the gonadosomatic index and upper layer salinity in the two preceding months, while the lagged wind‐mixing index and surface temperature are barely correlated to the gonadosomatic index. An enhanced input of nutrient‐rich freshwater of river origin, which reduces upper layer salinity and enhances primary production up to 2 months before anchovy spawning, seems to be correlated with the anchovy fertility, especially for a late spawning maximum (in July).
Broad_scale, dense amphipod tube aggregations on the sea bed: implications for resource species that utilize benthic habitats
Authors: VITALIANO JOSEPH , PACKER DAVID , REID ROBERT , GUIDA VINCENT
Published: November 2012

During a research cruise to Georges Bank in 1999 to study the areas closed to fishing, broad areas of the sea floor (3000_km2) were found to have a high percentage cover of emergent invertebrate tubes. Most of these tubes were attributable to the tubicolous epifaunal amphipod, Ericthonius rubricornis. Our data show the spatial extent that dense clumps of amphipod tubes could cover the sea floor on Georges Bank. When some of the same sites were sampled 1_yr later, in June 2000, the percent cover of the tube clumps on the sea floor was significantly reduced. Biogenic structures, such as invertebrate tubes, are important features of benthic habitats and may provide protection for juvenile fish and invertebrate resource species. Our observations reiterate that biogenic habitat characteristics are not spatially and temporally stable and this needs to be recognized by fisheries managers when managing the living marine resources that utilize these habitats.
Changes in satellite‐derived spring vegetation green‐up date and its linkage to climate in China from 1982 to 2010: a multimethod analysis
Authors: Cong Nan , Wang Tao , Nan Huijuan , Ma Yuecun , Wang Xuhui , Myneni Ranga B. , Piao Shilong
Published: November 2012

The change in spring phenology is recognized to exert a major influence on carbon balance dynamics in temperate ecosystems. Over the past several decades, several studies focused on shifts in spring phenology; however, large uncertainties still exist, and one understudied source could be the method implemented in retrieving satellite‐derived spring phenology. To account for this potential uncertainty, we conducted a multimethod investigation to quantify changes in vegetation green‐up date from 1982 to 2010 over temperate China, and to characterize climatic controls on spring phenology. Over temperate China, the five methods estimated that the vegetation green‐up onset date advanced, on average, at a rate of 1.3 ± 0.6 days per decade (ranging from 0.4 to 1.9 days per decade) over the last 29 years. Moreover, the sign of the trends in vegetation green‐up date derived from the five methods were broadly consistent spatially and for different vegetation types, but with large differences in the magnitude of the trend. The large intermethod variance was notably observed in arid and semiarid vegetation types. Our results also showed that change in vegetation green‐up date is more closely correlated with temperature than with precipitation. However, the temperature sensitivity of spring vegetation green‐up date became higher as precipitation increased, implying that precipitation is an important regulator of the response of vegetation spring phenology to change in temperature. This intricate linkage between spring phenology and precipitation must be taken into account in current phenological models which are mostly driven by temperature.
Optimal timing of power line rights‐of‐ways management for the conservation of butterflies
Authors: Komonen Atte , Lensu Terhi , Kotiaho Janne S.
Published: November 2012

Habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation are the main threats to biodiversity. Human activities also create new habitat types that might fulfil ecological requirements for a variety of species.

This study investigates whether the vegetation clearing (=shrub and tree cutting) on drained mire patches on power line rights‐of‐ways (ROWs) keep plant communities in an early successional stage and thus provide habitats for mire specialist and non‐mire butterflies. It was further studied what would be the optimal clearing interval in terms of butterfly species richness and abundance.

The results show that tree height, especially the height of birch, increases linearly over the 7‐year period following vegetation clearing. The average birch height had a significant negative relationship with the species richness of mire and non‐mire butterflies.

The clearing interval had a significant curvilinear relationship with the abundance of both mire and non‐mire butterflies, such that the highest abundances were documented two to four growing seasons after the clearing, which would hence be the ecologically optimal vegetation clearing cycle.

In general, vegetation management on power line ROWs enhance favourable conditions for butterflies and may maintain habitats for mire‐dependent butterflies, even on drained mires.
Two novel alleles at HLA‐B locus identified in two volunteer bone marrow donors by sequence‐based typing
Authors: Frison S. , Longhi E. , Mantovani M. , Malagoli A. , De Giuli A. , Piccolo G. , Poli F.
Published: November 2012

Two novel human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles have been identified in two Italian individuals. HLA‐B*27:07:02 is identical to HLA‐B*27:07:01 except for a nucleotide substitution at position 846 (A‐>G) resulting in a silent mutation. HLA‐B*35:206 differs from the most similar allele, HLA‐B*35:08:01, because of a single base mutation at position 149 (G‐>C) causing an aminoacidic change at codon 26 from Gly to Ala.
Suppression of the allogeneic response by the anti‐allergy drug N‐(3,4‐dimethoxycinnamonyl) anthranilic acid results from T‐cell cycle arrest
Authors: Zaher Sarah S. , Coe David , Chai Jian‐Guo , Larkin Daniel F.P. , George Andrew J.T.
Published: November 2012

Previously we have shown that indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) and the tryptophan metabolite, 3‐hydroxykynurenine (3HK) can prolong corneal allograft survival. IDO modulates the immune response by depletion of the essential amino acid tryptophan by breakdown to kynurenines, which themselves act directly on T lymphocytes. The tryptophan metabolite analogue N‐(3,4‐dimethoxycinnamonyl) anthranilic acid (DAA, ‘Tranilast’) shares the anthranilic acid core with 3HK. Systemic administration of DAA to mice receiving a fully MHC‐mismatched allograft of cornea or skin resulted in significant delay in rejection (median survival of controls 12 days, 13 days for cornea and skin grafts, respectively, and of treated mice 24 days (P < 0·0001) and 17 days (P < 0·03), respectively). We provide evidence that DAA‐induced suppression of the allogeneic response, in contrast to that induced by tryptophan metabolites, was a result of cell cycle arrest rather than T‐cell death. Cell cycle arrest was mediated by up‐regulation of the cell cycle‐specific inhibitors p21 and p15, and associated with a significant reduction in interleukin‐2 production, allowing us to characterize a novel mechanism for DAA‐induced T‐cell anergy. Currently licensed as an anti‐allergy drug, the oral bioavailability and safe therapeutic profile of DAA make it a candidate for the prevention of rejection of transplanted cornea and other tissues.
Ablation of the cellular prion protein, PrPC, specifically on follicular dendritic cells has no effect on their maturation or function
Authors: McCulloch Laura , Brown Karen L. , Mabbott Neil A.
Published: November 2012

Follicular dendritic cells (FDC) are situated in the primary follicles of lymphoid tissues where they maintain the structural integrity of the B‐lymphocyte follicle, and help to drive immunoglobulin class‐switch recombination, somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation during the germinal centre response. FDC can also provide a reservoir for pathogens that infect germinal centres including HIV and prions. FDC express high levels of the normal cellular form of the prion protein (PrPC), which makes them susceptible to prion infection. The function of PrPC is uncertain and it is not known why FDC require such high levels of expression of a protein that is found mainly on cells of the central nervous system. In this study, the function of FDC was assessed in mice that had PrPC ablated specifically in their FDC. In mice with FDC‐specific PrPC ablation, our analysis revealed no observable deficits in lymphoid follicle microarchitecture and FDC status. No effects on FDC ability to trap immune complexes or drive antigen‐specific antibody responses and affinity maturation in B lymphocytes were observed. These data clearly demonstrate that PrPC expression is dispensable for the functional maturation of FDC and their ability to maintain antigen‐specific antibody responses and affinity maturation.
Sleep stabilizes visuomotor adaptation memory: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Albouy Genevieve , Vandewalle Gilles , Sterpenich Virginie , Rauchs Geraldine , Desseilles Martin , Balteau Evelyne , Degueldre Christian , Phillips Christophe , Luxen Andre , Maquet Pierre
Published: November 2012

The beneficial effect of sleep on motor memory consolidation is well known for motor sequence memory, but remains unsettled for visuomotor adaptation in humans. The aim of this study was to characterize more clearly the influence of sleep on consolidation of visuomotor adaptation using a between‐subjects functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) design contrasting sleep to total sleep deprivation. Our behavioural results, based on seven different parameters, show that sleep stabilizes performance whereas sleep deprivation deteriorates it. During training, while a set of cerebellar, striatal and cortical areas is activated in proportion to performance improvement, the recruitment of the hippocampus and frontal cortex protects motor memory against the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation. During retest after sleep loss a cerebello–cortical network, usually involved in the earliest stage of learning, was recruited to perform the task. In contrast, no changes in cerebral activity were observed after sleep, suggesting that it may only support the stabilization of the visuomotor adaptation memory trace.
Multiple tyrosine residues at the GABA binding pocket influence surface expression and mediate kinetics of the GABAA receptor
Authors: Laha Kurt T. , Tran Phu N.
Published: November 2012

The prevalence of aromatic residues in the ligand binding site of the GABAA receptor, as with other cys‐loop ligand‐gated ion channels, is undoubtedly important for the ability of neurotransmitters to bind and trigger channel opening. Here, we have examined three conserved tyrosine residues at the GABA binding pocket (β2Tyr97, β2Tyr157, and β2Tyr205), making mutations to alanine and phenylalanine. We fully characterized the effects each mutation had on receptor function using heterologous expression in HEK‐293 cells, which included examining surface expression, kinetics of macroscopic currents, microscopic binding and unbinding rates for an antagonist, and microscopic binding rates for an agonist. The assembly or trafficking of GABAA receptors was disrupted when tyrosine mutants were expressed as αβ receptors, but interestingly not when expressed as αβγ receptors. Mutation of each tyrosine accelerated deactivation and slowed GABA binding. This provides strong evidence that these residues influence the binding of GABA. Qualitatively, mutation of each tyrosine has a very similar effect on receptor function; however, mutations at β2Tyr157 and β2Tyr205 are more detrimental than β2Tyr97 mutations, particularly to the GABA binding rate. Overall, the results suggest that interactions involving multiple tyrosine residues are likely during the binding process.
Relationship between salivary mucin or amylase and the periodontal status
Authors: Sánchez GA , Miozza VA , Delgado A , Busch L
Published: November 2012

Objective

Here we determine the relationship between salivary levels of mucin and amylase and the clinical parameters of periodontal disease before and after periodontal treatment.

Subjects

Ninety two subjects were clinically examined and distributed into four groups namely clinically healthy, mild, moderate and severe periodontitis, according to the periodontal status, classified according the values of clinical attachment level (CAL) and probing pocket depth (PPD). Unstimulated saliva was collected for 5 min. Salivary proteins, amylase and mucin were determined by colorimetric methods.

Results

A significant positive correlation (P < 0.0001) was observed between salivary mucin, amylase or protein and PPD or CAL before periodontal treatment while flow rate showed a negative correlation. Mucin and amylase output also showed a positive correlation with PPD or CAL. After treatment, the improvement of clinical parameters was accompanied by a diminution of salivary mucin, amylase or protein concentration and output in moderate and severe group.

Conclusions

The increment of mucin and amylase output in relation to periodontal status indicates that salivary glands respond to the disease by increasing the protective potential of saliva when necessary and return to the normal rate of secretion after the resolution of the inflammatory process.
Blunted Proarrhythmic Effect of Nicorandil in a Langendorff‐Perfused Phase‐2 Myocardial Infarction Rabbit Model
Authors: LEE HUI‐LING , CHANG PO‐CHENG , CHOU CHUNG‐CHUAN , WO HUNG‐TA , CHU YEN , WEN MING‐SHIEN , YEH SAN‐JOU , WU DELON
Published: November 2012

Background

Nicorandil (a KATP opener) administration is reported to reduce ventricular arrhythmias 4.8 ± 2.2 hours after myocardial infarction (MI). The electrophysiological changes and the effects on dynamic factors and dynamically induced spatially discordant alternans by nicorandil during phase‐2 MI are unclear.

Methods

Simultaneous voltage and intracellular Ca2+ (Cai) optical mapping was performed in nine Langendorff‐perfused hearts 4–5 hours after coronary artery ligation and nine control hearts. Action potential duration (APD) restitution was constructed and arrhythmogenic alternans was induced by dynamic pacing. Western blot studies (Kir6.1 and Kir6.2) were performed in six more hearts for both groups. Nicorandil (100 μM) was administered after baseline studies.

Results

Phase‐2 MI hearts showed longer APD, slower conduction velocity (CV), and higher ventricular fibrillation (VF) inducibility than the control hearts. Nicorandil shortened and restored APD without significant arrhythmogenic effects, and also increased the rate of Cai reuptake and flattened CV restitution to suppress spatially discordant alternans, which might account for a tendency toward higher VF threshold with nicorandil infusion in phase‐2 MI hearts. Immunoblotting studies showed significant down‐regulation of KATP protein expression, which was functionally correlated to the blunted APD shortening response to nicorandil.

Conclusions

KATP expression is down‐regulated in phase‐2 MI hearts. Nicorandil restores APD, increases the rate of Cai reuptake, and flattens CV restitution to suppress spatially discordant alternans induction, which ameliorates its proarrhythmic effects during phase‐2 MI.
Harms and Responsibilities Associated with Battery‐Operated Implants (BOI): Who Controls Postmortem Explantation?
Authors: BRAMSTEDT KATRINA A.
Published: November 2012

The postmortem issues raised by battery‐operated implants (BOI) are complex and issues of consent, setting (clinical vs research), and environmental risks have received little attention in bioethics literature. Analyzing the issues, the following are argued: (1) Patients receiving BOIs should sign a consent form that includes a requirement for postmortem explant of the device; (2) BOI consent forms should require the explanted devices be returned to their manufacturers for Returned Product Analysis; (3) Failure to explant and analyze devices from the research setting fails the research goal of generation of knowledge for the benefit of future patients; (4) Failure to explant and analyze devices from the clinical setting allows product defects to be potentially hidden from patients, families, clinicians, manufacturers, and regulatory agencies; (5) Bodies buried with BOIs potentially harm the environment; (6) Religious or philosophical objections to autopsy should not supersede the duty to explant and analyze BOIs; (7) The concepts herein for BOIs could potentially extend to non‐BOI if the device has failure modes that can lead to a potentially life‐threatening event or can cause permanent debilitating health issues, and the burial or cremation of the device poses environmental harm. In these situations, neither the patient (premortem) nor family (postmortem) should have the right to refuse explant.

(PACE 2013; 36:7–10)
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Dabigatran versus Warfarin for Periablation Anticoagulation in Patients Undergoing Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: NIN TAKAMITSU , SAIRAKU AKINORI , YOSHIDA YUKIHIKO , KAMIYA HIROKI , TATEMATSU YASUSHI , NANASATO MAMORU , INDEN YASUYA , HIRAYAMA HARUO , MUROHARA TOYOAKI
Published: November 2012

Background

We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran, as a periprocedural anticoagulant for use with ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

Consecutive patients scheduled to undergo an AF ablation were randomly assigned to receive dabigatran (n = 45) or warfarin (n = 45) to compare their clinical feasibility. Both of those oral anticoagulants were discontinued the day before the ablation and were resumed after confirming hemostasis of the venipuncture site. A bridging therapy with heparin was not used in either of the patient groups.

Results

Dabigatran was switched to warfarin before the ablation because of dyspepsia in three patients. An occurrence of rebleeding from the venipuncture site was less common in dabigatran‐allocated patients than in warfarin‐allocated patients (20% vs 44%; P = 0.013). The reduction in the D‐dimer level after the initiation of oral anticoagulants was greater in the dabigatran‐allocated patients than in the warfarin‐allocated patients. The time from the initiation of the anticoagulants to the ablation was significantly shorter in the dabigatran‐allocated patients than in the warfarin‐allocated patients (43 ± 7 vs 63 ± 13 days; P < 0.0001). There was only one fatal periprocedural complication in a patient receiving warfarin, who had a mesenteric arterial thrombosis after the ablation.

Conclusions

An anticoagulation strategy with dabigatran may surpass that with warfarin in reducing both the periprocedural risk of minor bleeding and a hypercoagulable state, and the time to ablation in patients undergoing ablation of AF.
Prolonged Atrial Effective Refractory Periods in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Associated with Structural Heart Disease or Sinus Node Dysfunction Compared with Lone Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: UHM JAE‐SUN , MUN HEE‐SUN , WI JIN , SHIM JAEMIN , JOUNG BOYOUNG , LEE MOON‐HYOUNG , PAK HUI‐NAM
Published: November 2012

Backgrounds

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly associated with structural heart disease (SHD) or sinus node dysfunction (SND). We hypothesized that regional atrial effective refractory period (ERP) is different in patients with SHD/SND from lone AF.

Methods

We included 648 patients with AF (age, 56.0 ± 11.0 years; male, 77.3%; paroxysmal AF [PAF], 67.9%; persistent AF [PeAF], 32.1%) who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA), and compared the clinical characteristics in patients with SHD (n = 132) versus without SHD (n = 516) and those with SND (n = 74) versus without SND (n = 574). ERPs were measured at the high and low right atrium, proximal, and distal coronary sinus.

Results

(1) Patients with SHD had older age (P < 0.001), greater left atrial (LA) volume (P < 0.001), LA pressure (P = 0.002), and plasma proatrial natriuretic peptide (P = 0.005) than patients without SHD. (2) Patients with SND were older (P = 0.004), more likely female (P = 0.004), and had lower body weight (P < 0.001) and higher E/E′ (P < 0.001) than those without SND. (3) The mean atrial ERP was significantly shorter in patients with PeAF than those with PAF (P < 0.001). The mean ERP was significantly longer in patients with AF with SHD/SND than those with lone AF (P = 0.006). (4) The clinical outcomes of RFCA were not significantly different between SHD/SND and lone AF for 14.8 ± 8.5 months of follow‐up period.

Conclusion

The mean atrial ERP was shorter in patients with PeAF than those with PAF due to electrical remodeling. In contrast, AF patients with SHD/SND showed a more prolonged mean atrial ERP than those with lone AF, associated with LA enlargement or left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.
Predictors of High Defibrillation Threshold in the Modern Era
Authors: LIN EDWARD F. , DALAL DARSHAN , CHENG ALAN , MARINE JOSEPH E. , NAZARIAN SAMAN , SINHA SUNIL , SPRAGG DAVID D. , TANDRI HARIKRISHNA , HALPERIN HENRY , CALKINS HUGH , BERGER RONALD D. , TOMASELLI GORDON F. , HENRIKSON CHARLES A.
Published: November 2012

Introduction

High defibrillation threshold (DFT) is a clinical problem in 1–8% of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator implants. Some clinicians and investigators question whether the benefits of routine DFT testing outweigh the risks. Identification of the predictors of elevated DFT may allow selective application of DFT testing. However, the clinical characteristics of patients with high DFT in the modern era have not been well‐defined.

Methods

All patients who underwent DFT testing in our institution during an 8‐year period were reviewed for this retrospective study. High DFT was defined as less than a 10‐J safety margin on initial testing. For each case, the two cases preceding and two cases following by the same implanter were selected as controls.

Results

Of the 2,138 patients who underwent DFT testing, 48 (2.2%) met criteria for high DFT. Compared to 192 control patients, patients with high DFT were more likely to be younger (P = 0.004), have nonischemic cardiomyopathy (P = 0.036), have a longer QRS interval (P = 0.026), and have a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 0.25 (P = 0.013). On multivariate analysis, only younger age (P = 0.016) and LVEF ≤ 0.25 (P = 0.010) remained statistically significant predictors of elevated DFT.

Conclusions

High DFT was identified in 2.2% of ICD implants in our institution in recent years. Although younger age and depressed LVEF predicts this problem, elevated DFT occurred in patients of all ages and ejection fractions. Elimination of routine DFT testing appears to be premature given the prevalence and unpredictability of elevated DFT.
Psychological Impact of Surveillance in Patients with a Defibrillator Lead under Advisory: A Prospective Evaluation
Authors: D'ANTONO BIANCA , GOLDFARB MARIA , SOLOMON CRINA , STURMER MARCIO , BECKER GIULIANO , ESSEBAG VIDAL , HADJIS TOMY , GIZICKI EWA , GELAIS JONATHAN ST. , SAS GEORGETA , CÔTÉ MARIE‐CLAUDE , KUS TERESA
Published: November 2012

Background

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) leads are subject to technical failures and the impact of the resulting public advisories on patient welfare is unclear. The psychological status of patients who received an advisory for their Medtronic Fidelis ICD lead (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) and followed either by self‐surveillance for alarm or home monitoring with CareLink was evaluated prospectively and compared to patients with ICDs not under advisory.

Methods

One hundred sixty consecutive consenting patients (90 alarms, 24 Carelinks, 46 controls) were recruited within 1.5 years of advisory notification. Advisory patients were seen immediately before being told that the automatic lead surveillance utilized since the advisory had been inadequate in warning of impending fracture, as well as 1 and 6 months after programming was optimized. Depression, anxiety, quality of life (QoL), and ICD‐related concerns were assessed.

Results

Symptoms of depression and state anxiety were experienced by 31% and 48% of patients, respectively. QoL was impaired on all subscales. No significant group differences in distress and ICD‐related concerns emerged at baseline or at follow‐up. At baseline, alarm patients reported greater limitations because of body pain compared to controls (P < 0.05). All patients showed a significant reduction in body pain‐related QoL at the final versus first two evaluations (P < 0.001). Advisory patients were significantly less satisfied with surveillance at follow‐up than at baseline (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

There was limited evidence for worse psychosocial functioning in those at risk for ICD lead fracture, irrespective of surveillance method. However, many control and advisory patients experienced chronic distress for which counseling may prove beneficial.
Pacing System Malfunction is a Rare Cause of Hospital Admission for Syncope in Patients with a Permanent Pacemaker
Authors: OFMAN PETER , RAHILLY‐TIERNEY CATHERINE , DJOUSSE LUC , PERALTA ADELQUI , HOFFMEISTER PETER , GAZIANO J. MICHAEL , WEISS ALEXEY , LOTAN CHAIM , ROSENHECK SHIMON
Published: November 2012

Background

Few studies have examined the prevalence of permanent pacemaker (PPM) malfunction among patients with a previously implanted pacemaker admitted to the hospital with syncope.

Objective

This study sought to examine causes of syncope in patients with a previously implanted pacemaker admitted to our hospital with syncope.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed our hospital admission database for patients who had both keywords “syncope” and “pacemaker” as their diagnoses from January 1, 1995 until June 1, 2012. One hundred and sixty‐two patients who were admitted to the hospital because of syncope and had a PPM implanted prior to the index syncopal episode were included. All patients had pacemakers interrogated during the admission. Two independent physicians examined the discharge summary of each patient and determined the cause of syncope in each case.

Results

Of the 162 patients studied, eight (4.9%) were found to have pacemaker system malfunction as a cause of syncope. In 96 patients (59.2%), the cause of syncope could not be determined prior to hospital discharge. Among the identifiable causes of syncope, orthostatic hypotension was most prevalent (16%) followed by vasovagal (6%), severe aortic stenosis (4.3%), atrial arrhythmia (3.1%), acute and subacute infection (3.1%), and other less prevalent causes (3.1%).

Conclusion

In this study, PPM system malfunction was rarely a cause of syncope in patients admitted to the hospital with a previously implanted device.

(PACE 2013; 36:109–112)
Do Baseline Diastolic Echocardiographic Parameters Predict Outcome after Resynchronization Therapy? Results from the PROSPECT Trial
Authors: SULLIVAN RENEE M. , MURILLO JAIME , GERRITSE BART , CHUNG EUGENE , ORLOV MICHAEL V. , STEGEMANN BERTHOLD , FEDEWA MICHELLE , PETERSON BRETT J. , PING SUN JING , OLSHANSKY BRIAN
Published: November 2012

Introduction

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) can improve clinical and cardiac structural status in heart failure patients. The role of baseline diastolic echocardiographic parameters to characterize the likelihood of positive outcomes is not well known. We explored relationships between diastolic parameters and outcomes 6 months after CRT implant in the Predictors of Response to CRT (PROSPECT) Trial.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that diastolic echocardiographic parameters were associated with clinical and structural outcomes in CRT patients.

Methods

For 426 patients in PROSPECT, a prospective observational trial of CRT, baseline E/A ratio, left atrial (LA) area, isovolumic relaxation time, left ventricular inflow deceleration time, E′ velocity, and E/E′ ratio were evaluated and related to 6‐month clinical composite score (CCS) and left ventricular end‐systolic volume (LVESV) reduction using Spearman rank‐order correlations. Parameters associated with outcomes were analyzed further by discrete categorization.

Results

As continuous variables, only E/A ratio and LA area correlated with CCSs (P = 0.017, P = 0.045, respectively) and relative change in LVESV at 6 months (P < 0.0001, P = 0.001, respectively). As discrete variables, E/A ratio and LA area also correlated with CCSs and LVESV.

Conclusion

Diastolic echo parameters E/A ratio and LA area were associated with clinical and structural outcomes in CRT patients at 6 months.
Left Ventricular Asynchrony in Patients with Right Bundle Branch Block and Normal Ejection Fraction
Authors: STEGEMANN BERTHOLD , DREGER HENRYK , ISMER BRUNO , BAUMANN GERT , MELZER CHRISTOPH
Published: November 2012

Aims

The role of right bundle branch block (RBBB) for the induction of left ventricular (LV) asynchrony is discussed controversially. The objective of this study was to assess presence and degree of LV asynchrony in patients with RBBB, left bundle branch block (LBBB), or left anterior hemiblock (LAH) and normal LV function.

Methods

We included 15 patients with RBBB, 13 patients with RBBB and concomitant LAH, 10 patients with pure LBBB, and 100 healthy controls into this study. All patients had normal LV function. Interventricular asynchrony was assessed as the difference of the right and LV ejection delay. Intraventricular delay was obtained by tissue synchronicity imaging‐guided tissue Doppler imaging measurement.

Results

Interventricular and left intraventricular asynchrony were linked to the presence of an LBBB. No left intraventricular asynchrony was noted during pure RBBB; interventricular delays were negative (aortic flow preceding pulmonary flow) in the presence of RBBB.

Conclusion

In patients with normal LV function, intraventricular asynchrony depends on the presence of an LBBB and interventricular asynchrony is inversed in the presence of RBBB.

(PACE 2013; 36:63–68)
Service Employees’ Reactions to Mistreatment by Customers: A Comparison Between North America and East Asia
Authors: Shao Ruodan , Skarlicki Daniel P.
Published: November 2012

The authors proposed that customer service employees’ reactions to mistreatment by customers can vary between North American and East Asian employees due to differences in their cultural values. Customer mistreatment was predicted to be associated with direct, active, and target‐specific reactions (i.e., sabotage directed toward the source of mistreatment) more so among North American employees as compared to East Asian employees. In contrast, customer mistreatment was predicted to relate to more indirect, passive, and target‐general reactions (i.e., withdraw organizational citizenship behavior directed toward customers in general) among employees in East Asia as compared to employees in North America. A field study of customer service employees (N = 213) working in the same hotel chain in China and Canada found support for these predictions. Mediation analyses showed that individualism and collectivism accounted for these differences. Theoretical and practical implications are provided, and future directions are discussed.
Tracing Alpine sediment sources through laser ablation U–Pb dating and Hf‐isotopes of detrital zircons
Authors: Beltrán‐Triviño Alejandro , Winkler Wilfried , Von Quadt Albrecht
Published: November 2012

Alpine provenance studies based on conventional methods such as sandstone framework grain and heavy mineral analyses are now enhanced by improved techniques in laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detrital zircon analysis. Although the conventional methods appear to have reached their limits of resolution in palaeogeographic problems, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry U–Pb dating of detrital zircons adds the time dimension to the provenance analysis. Hafnium‐isotope ratios measured on dated zircons give further information on the origin of the magmas in which the detrital zircons have grown. This study reports detrital zircon U–Pb dating and Hf‐isotope results from sandstone formations related to rifting, drifting and subduction settings at different stages of the Alpine Tethys development. This study is a first evaluation of the correlation between U–Pb age and isotopic features of detrital zircons aimed at describing source terranes in different palaeogeographic domains in the Alpine Tethys area. Pan‐African/Cadomian (Ediacaran–Ordovician), Variscan (Middle Devonian–Carboniferous) and Post‐Variscan (Permian) detrital zircon populations are present in nearly all palaeogeographic settings, but in varying amounts. Single Mesoproterozoic and Palaeoproterozoic detrital zircons are found as minor populations. When comparing the northern and southern margins of the Alpine Tethys, the southern margin detrital sources are characterized mostly by a decreased occurrence or by the absence of Silurian–Devonian zircons. A major distinction between northern (Helvetic, North and Middle Penninic domains) and southern (Austro‐Alpine and South Alpine domains) detrital sources is the occurrence of Triassic zircons at the southern Alpine Tethys margin during rifting and subduction stage sedimentation. Hafnium‐isotope ratios measured on uppermost Permian–Triassic zircons from the South Alpine domain suggest a continental crust derivation of the hosting magmas, as expected in a continental rift environment. In the late stage of Alpine convergence (Late Cretaceous–Palaeogene), the Permian–Triassic zircons are reworked into basins situated on the northern Alpine Tethys margin.
Sea‐water circulation on an oolite‐dominated carbonate system in an epeiric sea (Middle Jurassic, Switzerland)
Authors: Wetzel Andreas , Weissert Helmut , Schaub Monika , Voegelin Andrea R.
Published: November 2012

The Middle Jurassic Burgundy carbonate platform occupied a central part of the Central European Epeiric Sea during the Middle Jurassic. The facies architecture of the oolitic calcarenite bodies was affected by tidal currents on the platform and relative sea‐level changes. The δ13C‐values of inorganic carbonates, sampled in biostratigraphic‐defined intervals, do not match very well between closely spaced sections and, hence, are of restricted use for stratigraphic purposes. It appears that the platform interior might have been decoupled from the global carbon pool. Although deposited in a rapidly accumulating setting, the recorded isotope signatures might be affected by some local stratigraphic gaps. Nonetheless, the carbon isotope data imply lateral changes of the platform waters; these appear to be related to the position on the platform and to the sediment dispersal pattern, as evidenced by clay minerals. Adjacent to the eastern margin of the platform, detrital chlorite and illite occur in considerable proportions, both ascribed to a boreal source to the east and the north‐east. In contrast, smectite‐rich mixed‐layer clay mineral content increases significantly towards the platform interior, pointing to a delivery from the north‐west. All these data are suggestive of an overall clockwise current pattern in the Central European Epeiric Sea during the Middle Jurassic.
A SNaPshot assay for the rapid and simple detection of known point mutations conferring resistance to ACCase‐inhibiting herbicides in Lolium spp.
Authors: ALARCÓN‐REVERTE R , HANLEY S , KAUNDUN S S , KARP A , MOSS S R
Published: November 2012

Evolution of resistance to herbicides in weeds is becoming an increasing problem worldwide. To develop effective strategies for weed control, a thorough knowledge of the basis of resistance is required. Although non‐target‐site‐based resistance is widespread, target site resistance, often caused by a single nucleotide change in the gene encoding the target enzyme, is also a common factor affecting the efficacies of key herbicides. Therefore, fast and relatively simple high‐throughput screening methods to detect target site resistance mutations will represent important tools for monitoring the distribution and evolution of resistant alleles within weed populations. Here, we present a simple and quick method that can be used to simultaneously screen for up to 10 mutations from several target site resistance‐associated codons in a single reaction. As a proof of concept, this SNaPshot multiplex method was successfully applied to the genotyping of nine variable nucleotide positions in the CT domain of the chloroplastic ACCase gene from Lolium multiflorum plants from 54 populations. A total of 10 nucleotide substitutions at seven of these nine positions (namely codons 1781, 1999, 2027, 2041 2078, 2088 and 2096) are known to confer resistance to ACCase‐inhibiting herbicides. This assay has several advantages when compared with other methods currently in use in weed science. It can discriminate between different nucleotide changes at a single locus, as well as screening for SNPs from different target sites by pooling multiple PCR products within a single reaction. The method is scalable, allowing reactions to be carried out in either 96‐ or 384‐well plate formats, thus reducing work time and cost.
Adhesion and Friction Coupling in Atomic Force Microscope-Based Nanopushing
Authors: Landolsi Fakhreddine , Ghorbel Fathi H. , Dabney James B.
Published: November 2012

The use of the atomic force microscope (AFM) as a tool to manipulate matter at the nanoscale has received a large amount of research interest in the last decade. Experimental and theoretical investigations have showed that the AFM cantilever can be used to push, cut, or pull nanosamples. However, AFM-based nanomanipulation suffers a lack of repeatability and controllability because of the complex mechanics in tip-sample interactions and the limitations in AFM visual sensing capabilities. In this paper, we will investigate the effects of the tip-sample interactions on nanopushing manipulation. We propose the use of an interaction model based on the Maugis–Dugdale contact mechanics. The efficacy of the proposed model to reproduce experimental observations is demonstrated via numerical simulations. In addition, the coupling between adhesion and friction at the nanoscale is analyzed.