bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Infarcted Myocardium-Primed Dendritic Cells Improve Remodeling and Cardiac Function After Myocardial Infarction by Modulating the Regulatory T Cell and Macrophage Polarization
Authors: Choo Eun Ho , Lee Jun-Ho , Park Eun-Hye , Park Hyo Eun , Jung Nam-Chul , Kim Tae-Hoon , Koh Yoon-Seok , Kim Eunmin , Seung Ki-Bae , Park Cheongsoo , Hong Kwan-Soo , Kang Kwonyoon , Song Jie-Young , Seo Han Geuk , Lim Dae-Seog , Chang Kiyuk 
Published: February 2017

Background:
Inflammatory responses play a critical role in left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Tolerogenic dendritic cells (tDCs) can modulate immune responses, inducing regulatory T cells in a number of inflammatory diseases.

Methods:
We generated tDCs by treating bone marrow–derived dendritic cells with tumor necrosis factor-α and cardiac lysate from MI mice. We injected MI mice, induced by a ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in C57BL/6 mice, twice with tDCs within 24 hours and at 7 days after the ligation.

Results:
In vivo cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and ex vivo histology confirmed the beneficial effect on postinfarct left ventricular remodeling in MI mice treated with tDCs. Subcutaneously administered infarct lysate–primed tDCs near the inguinal lymph node migrated to the regional lymph node and induced infarct tissue–specific regulatory T-cell populations in the inguinal and mediastinal lymph nodes, spleen, and infarcted myocardium, indicating that a local injection of tDCs induces a systemic activation of MI-specific regulatory T cells. These events elicited an inflammatory-to-reparative macrophage shift. The altered immune environment in the infarcted heart resulted in a better wound remodeling, preserved left ventricular systolic function after myocardial tissue damage, and improved survival.

Conclusions:
This study showed that tDC therapy in a preclinical model of MI was potentially translatable into an antiremodeling therapy for ischemic tissue repair.
Safety and Efficacy of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning in Patients With Severe Carotid Artery Stenosis Before Carotid Artery Stenting
Authors: Zhao Wenbo , Meng Ran , Ma Chun , Hou Baojun , Jiao Liqun , Zhu Fengshui , Wu Weijuan , Shi Jingfei , Duan Yunxia , Zhang Renling , Zhang Jing , Sun Yongxin , Zhang Hongqi , Ling Feng , Wang Yuping , Feng Wuwei , Ding Yuchuan , Ovbiagele Bruce , Ji Xunming 
Published: February 2017

Background:
Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) can inhibit recurrent ischemic events effectively in patients with acute or chronic cerebral ischemia. However, it is still unclear whether RIPC can impede ischemic injury after carotid artery stenting (CAS) in patients with severe carotid artery stenosis.

Methods:
Subjects with severe carotid artery stenosis were recruited in this randomized controlled study, and assigned to RIPC, sham, and no intervention (control) groups. All subjects received standard medical therapy. Subjects in the RIPC and sham groups underwent RIPC and sham RIPC twice daily, respectively, for 2 weeks before CAS. Plasma neuron-specific enolase and S-100B were used to evaluate safety, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, and new ischemic diffusion-weighted imaging lesions were used to determine treatment efficacy. The primary outcomes were the presence of ≥1 newly ischemic brain lesions on diffusion-weighted imaging within 48 hours after stenting and clinical events within 6 months after stenting.

Results:

We randomly assigned 189 subjects in this study (63 subjects in each group). Both RIPC and sham RIPC procedures were well tolerated and completed with high compliance (98.41% and 95.24%, respectively). Neither plasma neuron-specific enolase levels nor S-100B levels changed significantly before and after treatment. No severe adverse event was attributed to RIPC and sham RIPC procedures. The incidence of new diffusion-weighted imaging lesions in the RIPC group (15.87%) was significantly lower than in the sham group (36.51%; relative risk, 0.44; 96% confidence interval, 0.20–0.91;
P
<0.01) and the control group (41.27%; relative risk, 0.39; 96% confidence interval, 0.21–0.82;
P
<0.01). The volumes of lesions were smaller in the RIPC group than in the control and sham groups (
P
<0.01 each). Ischemic events that occurred after CAS were 1 transient ischemic attack in the RIPC group, 2 strokes in the control group, and 2 strokes and 1 transient ischemic attack in the sham group, but these results were not significantly different among the 3 groups (
P
=0.597).

Conclusions:
RIPC is safe in patients undergoing CAS, which may be able to decrease ischemic brain injury secondary to CAS. However, the mechanisms and effects of RIPC on clinical outcomes in this cohort of patients need further investigation.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01654666
Age-Specific Trends in Incidence, Mortality, and Comorbidities of Heart Failure in Denmark, 1995 to 2012
Authors: Christiansen Mia N. , Køber Lars , Weeke Peter , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Jeppesen Jørgen L. , Smith J. Gustav , Gislason Gunnar H. , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Andersson Charlotte 
Published: February 2017

Background:
The cumulative burden and importance of cardiovascular risk factors have changed over the past decades. Specifically, obesity rates have increased among younger people, whereas cardiovascular health has improved in the elderly. Little is known regarding how these changes have impacted the incidence and the mortality rates of heart failure. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the age-specific trends in the incidence and 1-year mortality rates following a first-time diagnosis of heart failure in Denmark between 1995 and 2012.

Methods:
We included all Danish individuals >18 years of age with a first-time in-hospital diagnosis of heart failure. Data were collected from 3 nationwide Danish registries. Annual incidence rates of heart failure and 1-year standardized mortality rates were calculated under the assumption of a Poisson distribution.

Results:

We identified 210 430 individuals with a first-time diagnosis of heart failure between 1995 and 2012; the annual incidence rates per 10 000 person-years declined among older individuals (rates in 1995 versus 2012: 164 versus 115 in individuals >74 years, 63 versus 35 in individuals 65–74 years, and 20 versus 17 in individuals 55–64 years;
P
<0.0001 for all) but increased among the younger (0.4 versus 0.7 in individuals 18–34 years, 1.3 versus 2.0 in individuals 35–44 years, and 5.0 versus 6.4 in individuals 45–54 years;
P
<0.0001 for all). The proportion of patients with incident heart failure ≤50 years of age doubled from 3% in 1995 to 6% in 2012 (
P
<0.0001). Sex- and age-adjusted incidence rate ratios for 2012 versus 1996 were 0.69 (95% confidence interval, 0.67–0.71;
P
<0.0001) among people >50 years of age, and 1.52 (95% confidence interval, 1.33–1.73;
P
<0.0001) among individuals ≤50 years of age; it remained essentially unchanged on additional adjustment for diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension. Standardized 1-year mortality rates declined for middle-aged patients with heart failure but remained constant for younger (<45 years) and elderly (≥65 years) patients. The prevalence of comorbidities (including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation) increased, especially in younger patients with heart failure.

Conclusions:
Over the past 2 decades, the incidence of heart failure in Denmark declined among older individuals (>50 years), but increased among younger (≤50 years) individuals. These observations may portend a rising burden of heart failure in the community.
Serum
N

1

‐Methylnicotinamide is Associated With Coronary Artery Disease in Chinese Patients
Authors: Liu Ming , Chu Jihong , Gu Yang , Shi Haibo , Zhang Rusheng , Wang Lingzhun , Chen Jiandong , Shen Le , Yu Peng , Chen Xiaohu , Ju Wenzheng , Wang Zhenxing 
Published: February 2017

Background

We previously reported that serum
N

1

‐methylnicotinamide (me‐Nam), an indicator of nicotinamide N‐methyltransferase activity, is associated with obesity and diabetes mellitus in Chinese patients. However, whether nicotinamide N‐methyltransferase plays a role in human coronary artery disease (
CAD
) remains to be elucidated. We aim to investigate the associations of serum me‐Nam with
CAD
in Chinese patients.

Methods and Results

Serum me‐
NAM
was measured by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry in patients with (n=230) or without (n=103)
CAD
as defined by coronary angiography. The severity of
CAD
was expressed by number of diseased coronary arteries. Serum me‐Nam was higher (7.65 ng/
mL
versus 4.95 ng/
mL
,
P
<0.001) in patients with
CAD
than in those without. Serum me‐Nam was positively correlated with high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein and negatively correlated with high‐density lipoprotein before and after adjustment for potential confounding variables (
P
≤0.002). In multivariable logistic regression analyses, compared with those in the lowest tertile of serum me‐
NAM
levels, patients in the top tertile had the highest risks for
CAD
(odds ratio, 4.21; 95%
CI
, 1.97–8.97 [
P
<0.001]). After adjustment for potential confounding variables, serum me‐
NAM
was also increased from 0‐ to 3‐vessel disease (
P
for trend=0.01).

Conclusions

Serum me‐Nam is strongly associated with presence and severity of
CAD
, suggesting nicotinamide N‐methyltransferase as a potential target for treating atherosclerosis in humans.
Mild Hypokalemia and Supraventricular Ectopy Increases the Risk of Stroke in Community-Dwelling Subjects
Authors: Mattsson Nick , Kumarathurai Preman , Larsen Bjørn Strøier , Nielsen Olav Wendelboe , Sajadieh Ahmad 
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose—
Stroke is independently associated with the common conditions of hypokalemia and supraventricular ectopy, and we hypothesize that the combination of excessive supraventricular ectopic activity and hypokalemia has a synergistic impact on the prognosis in terms of stroke in the general population.

Methods—
Subjects (55–75 years old) from the Copenhagen Holter Study cohort (N=671) with no history of atrial fibrillation or stroke were studied—including baseline values of potassium and ambulatory 48-hour Holter monitoring. Excessive supraventricular ectopic activity is defined as ≥30 premature atrial complexes per hour or any episodes of runs of ≥20. Hypokalemia was defined as plasma-potassium ≤3.6 mmol/L. The primary end point was ischemic stroke. Cox models were used.

Results—

Hypokalemia was mild (mean, 3.4 mmol/L; range, 2.7–3.6). Hypokalemic subjects were older (67.0±6.94 versus 64.0±6.66 years;
P
<0.0001) and more hypertensive (165.1±26.1 versus 154.6±23.5 mm Hg;
P
<0.0001). Median follow-up time was 14.4 years (Q1–Q3, 9.4–14.7 years). The incidence of stroke was significantly higher in the hypokalemic group (hazard ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–3.28) after covariate adjustments, as well as in a competing risk analysis with death (hazard ratio, 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–2.04). Excessive supraventricular ectopic activity was also associated with stroke (hazard ratio, 2.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.33–3.76). The combination of hypokalemia and excessive supraventricular ectopic activity increased the risk of events synergistically. Stroke rate was 93 per 1000 patient-year (
P
<0.0001) in this group (n=17) compared with 6.9 (n=480); 11 (n=81), and 13 (n=93) per 1000 patient-year in the groups without the combination.

Conclusions—
The combination of hypokalemia and excessive supraventricular ectopy carries a poor prognosis in terms of stroke.
Coprophilous ascomycetes with passive ascospore liberation from Brazil
Authors: MELO ROGER FAGNER RIBEIRO , MAIA LEONOR COSTA , MILLER ANDREW NICHOLAS 
Published: February 2017

Ascomycetes with passive ascospore liberation fruiting on herbivore dung are discussed. A total of 270 samples of cattle, goat and horse dung were collected for 20 months along an edaphic and climatic gradient from the Atlantic Forest complex to the semi-arid Caatinga complex in Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Thirteen species were identified and described. Lophotrichus bartlettii and Kernia nitida were the most frequently recorded species. Corynascus sepedonium, Leuconeurospora pulcherrima, Melanospora damnosa, M. zamiae, Mycoarachis inversa, Zopfiella erostrata and Zopfiella longicaudata are reported for the first time in Brazil. Descriptions, a photographic plate and an identification key to the studied species, along with a table with key characters of the most common genera of coprophilous ascomycetes with passive ascospore liberation are provided.
Carpinus langaoensis (Betulaceae), a new hornbeam species from the Daba Mountains in Shaanxi, China
Authors: LU ZHIQIANG , LIU SIYU , YANG XIAOYUE , LIANG QIANLONG , YANG YONGZHI , ZHANG DAN , MILNE RICHARD , LIU JIANQUAN 
Published: February 2017

Carpinus langaoensis Z. Qiang Lu & J. Quan Liu, a new hornbeam species from the Daba Mountains in the Shanxi province of China, is described and illustrated in this study. Morphological comparisons show that this species is similar to C. tientaiensis W. C. Cheng and C. mianningensis Yi, with which it shares the presence of the long bract with lobes at bases of both inner and outer margins and large glabrescent nutlet. However, it is distinct from both in the dense pubescence on the abaxial leaf, and the long infructescence bract. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS sequence variation indicates that these three species form a well-supported monophyletic group, but all examined individuals of the new species are separated from all others by three fixed nucleotide mutations. The new species is also geographically isolated from these two closely related ones. Therefore, all available evidence suggests that a new species (C. langaoensis) should be established for this evolutionarily independent lineage. The new species is known from only a single small population, and so should be treated as a critically endangered species according to the IUCN categories and criteria.
Gender Disparities in Speech-evoked Auditory Brainstem Response in Healthy Adults
Authors: Jalaei Bahram , Zakaria Mohd Normani , Mohd Azmi Mohd Hafiz Afifi , Nik Othman Nik Adilah , Sidek Dinsuhaimi 
Published: February 2017

Objectives: Gender disparities in speech-evoked auditory brainstem response (speech-ABR) outcomes have been reported, but the literature is limited. The present study was performed to further verify this issue and determine the influence of head size on speech-ABR results between genders. Methods: Twenty-nine healthy Malaysian subjects (14 males and 15 females) aged 19 to 30 years participated in this study. After measuring the head circumference, speech-ABR was recorded by using synthesized syllable /da/ from the right ear of each participant. Speech-ABR peaks amplitudes, peaks latencies, and composite onset measures were computed and analyzed. Results: Significant gender disparities were noted in the transient component but not in the sustained component of speech-ABR. Statistically higher V/A amplitudes and less steeper V/A slopes were found in females. These gender differences were partially affected after controlling for the head size. Conclusions: Head size is not the main contributing factor for gender disparities in speech-ABR outcomes. Gender-specific normative data can be useful when recording speech-ABR for clinical purposes.
Emergency Department redirection to primary care: a prospective evaluation of practice
Authors: Bentley James A , Thakore Shobhan , Morrison William , Wang Weijie 
Published: February 2017

Background and aim Non-urgent Emergency Department presentations contribute to overcrowding, which can adversely affect patient care. Redirecting patients to a more appropriate service is an option to help address this. We conducted a prospective evaluation of a major Scottish hospital’s Emergency Department redirection policy to assess its safety. Methods and results Over two months, 620 patients triggered senior assessment for redirection with 444 (72%) redirected to primary care. Information on presentation was collected with subsequent management and outcome of redirection provided by the patient’s general practitioner. Those who required admission within seven days of redirection triggered review. This was carried out independently by an Emergency Department Consultant and a GP Principal to assess the incidence of sub-optimal care or harm as a consequence of redirection. Most patients presented during daytime hours with no significant variation between days. ‘Patient factors’ accounted for 74% of presentations with ‘convenience’ (20%) cited as the most common reason. Twenty-two patients were subsequently admitted, with one case of sub-optimal care (incidence 0.23%) and no cases of harm. Conclusions Our redirection policy provides a safe and effective means of directing patients to more appropriate care. The authors believe this to be in the patient s best interest as Emergency Department clinicians are not specifically trained to manage primary care issues.
Epidemic model formulation and analysis for diarrheal infections caused by salmonella
Authors: Chaturvedi Ojaswita , Jeffrey Mandu , Lungu Edward , Masupe Shedden 
Published: February 2017

Epidemic modeling can be used to gain better understanding of infectious diseases, such as diarrhea. In the presented research, a continuous mathematical model has been formulated for diarrhea caused by salmonella. This model has been analyzed and simulated to be established in a functioning form. Elementary model analysis, such as working out the disease-free state and basic reproduction number, has been done for this model. The basic reproduction number has been calculated using the next generation matrix method. Stability analysis of the model has been done using the Routh–Hurwitz method. Sensitivity analysis and parameter estimation have been completed for the system too using MATLAB packages that work on the Latin Hypercube Sampling and Partial Rank Correlation Coefficient methods. It was established that as long as R0 < 1, there will be no epidemic. Upon simulation using assumed parameter values, the results produced comprehended the epidemic theory and practical situations. The system was proven stable using the Routh–Hurwitz criterion and parameter estimation was successfully completed. Salmonella diarrhea has been successfully modeled and analyzed in this research. This model has been flexibly built and it can be integrated onto certain platforms to be used as a predictive system to prevent further infections of salmonella diarrhea.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound using sulfur hexafluoride is safe in the pediatric setting
Authors: Torres Alvaro , Koskinen Seppo K , Gjertsen Henrik , Fischler Björn 
Published: February 2017

Background Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) by using sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles is not licensed for use in children, but its off-label use is widespread. Purpose To outline our experience with the off-label use of CEUS in children, specifically with regards to safety. Material and Methods We retrieved all records of 10681 patients aged under 18 years who underwent abdominal ultrasound (US) January 2004 to December 2014. We then identified those who underwent an abdominal CEUS using sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles. Electronic patient charts were used to verify the indication for contrast agent, dose, possible adverse effects as well as information on patient height, weight, and age. Results We identified 173 patients (mean age, 11 years; range, 0.1–18 years) who underwent a total of 287 CEUS exams. Of all exams, 46% were performed on the native liver, 31% on a transplanted liver, and 23% on other organs. The indications were “circulatory status?” (40%), “characterization of lesion?” (40%), and miscellaneous (20%). Mean contrast dose was 2.3 mL (range, 0.1–8.1 mL). No immediate adverse effects were recorded. One patient experienced itching the day after, but this was considered to be a reaction to concomitantly administered fentanyl. Conclusion The use of intravenous ultrasound contrast seems safe in patients aged under 18 years and our results do not support the current practice to restrict the use of CEUS in children.
The impact of complications on prolonged length of hospital stay after resection in colorectal cancer: A retrospective study of Taiwanese patients
Authors: Chiu Herng-Chia , Lin Yi-Chieh , Hsieh Hui-Min , Chen Hsin-Pao , Wang Hui-Li , Wang Jaw-Yuan 
Published: February 2017

Objectives To assess the impact of minor, major and individual complications on prolonged length of hospital stay in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) after surgery using multivariate models. Methods This was a retrospective review of data from patients who underwent surgery for stage I–III CRC at two medical centres in southern Taiwan between 2005–2010. Information was derived from four databases. Multivariate logistic regression methods were used to assess the impact of complications on prolonged length of stay (PLOS) and prolonged postoperative length of stay (PPOLOS). Results Of 1658 study patients, 251 (15.1%) experienced minor or major postsurgical complications during hospitalizations. Minor and major complications were significantly associated with PLOS (minor, odds ratio [OR] 3.59; major, OR 8.82) and with PPOLOS (minor, OR 5.55; major, OR 10.00). Intestinal obstruction, anastomosis leakage, abdominal abscess and bleeding produced the greatest impact. Conclusions Minor and major complications were stronger predictors of prolonged hospital stay than preoperative demographic and disease parameters. Compared with the PLOS model, the PPOLOS model better predicted risk of prolonged hospital stay. Optimal surgical and medical care have major roles in surgical CRC patients.
Conventional Radiographs and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Analysis of Trochlear Dysplasia: The Influence of Selected Levels on Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Tscholl Philippe Matthias , Wanivenhaus Florian , Fucentese Sandro F. 
Published: February 2017

Background: Trochlear dysplasia is one of the most important risk factors for recurrent patellar instability. It is defined on true lateral conventional radiographs (CR) and axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The type of trochlear dysplasia is decisive for surgical treatment; however, low agreement between CR and MRI has been reported. Purpose: To compare the Dejour classification of trochlear dysplasia on CR and axial MRI using differing levels defined in the literature. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: The 4-type classification of trochlear dysplasia by Dejour was used to analyze 228 knees with recurrent patellar dislocations on true lateral CR and axial MRI. The 2-type modification of the Dejour classification was also similarly analyzed. Measurements on axial MRI were performed at 3 different levels: MR1, the most proximal level where the intercondylar notch forms a “Roman arch”; MR2, 3 cm above the joint line; and MR3, the midpatellar height. Results: MR1 was measured at a mean distance of 29 ± 3.5 mm and MR3 at a mean of 38 ± 5.8 mm above the joint line. MR1 and MR2 were always measured on the cartilaginous trochlea, whereas 52% of MR3 was found more proximally. Overall agreement was fair between CR and MR1/MR2 (31.1%/25.4%, respectively) and highest for MR3 (45.2%; P < .01). The highest agreement (81.8%) was found for MR3 with the 2-type trochlear dysplasia classification (low-grade trochlear dysplasia: type A vs high-grade trochlear dysplasia: types B, C, and D) and lower for MR1 (67.5%) and MR2 (62.0%). Conclusion: Trochlear dysplasia measured on CR and MRI shows only fair agreement, especially when the supratrochlear region of the distal femur is not analyzed on axial MRI. MRI analysis that considers the cartilaginous trochlea only tends to underestimate the severity of dysplasia according to Dejour. For a more precise evaluation of trochlear dysplasia, the entire distal femur should be analyzed on axial MRI.