bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Perioperative Management Algorithm for Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices: The PACED‐OP Protocol
Authors: MAHLOW WILLIAM J. , CRAFT ROBERT M. , MISULIA NICHOLAS L. , COX JAMES W. , HIRSH JEFFREY B. , SNIDER CAROLYN C. , NABERS JERRIN O. , DICKSON ZACHARY A. , MUENCHEN ROBERT A. , WORTHAM DALE C. 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundLimited data are available regarding the perioperative management of cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMDs) exposed to intraoperative electromagnetic interference. We postulated that implementation of a simple, standardized approach to CRMD management using our own institution's Pacing And Cardioverting Electronic Devices peri‐Operative Protocol (the PACED‐OP protocol) would be associated with a reduction in the amount of device reprogramming without an increase in CRMD‐related complications.MethodsRecords of patients with CRMDs undergoing 497 consecutive surgical procedures were analyzed retrospectively. Roughly half (51%, n = 254) of these procedures occurred before implementation of the PACED‐OP protocol, when patients were generally treated according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists' 2005 guidelines. These cases were compared to the remaining surgeries that occurred after implementation of the PACED‐OP protocol. Records were screened for evidence of intraoperative CRMD malfunction that was directly associated with the use of electrocautery. Postoperative complications that could be indirectly or possibly linked to electrocautery‐mediated CRMD malfunction were also identified.ResultsImplementation of the PACED‐OP protocol was associated with a significant reduction in the odds of device reprogramming (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.19, P < 0.001). There was no direct evidence of CRMD malfunction in either cohort. The rate of postoperative complications that could be indirectly or possibly linked with electrocautery‐mediated CRMD damage did not differ significantly between cohorts (aOR = 1.37, 95% confidence interval 0.56–3.3, P = 0.49).ConclusionThe PACED‐OP protocol implementation was associated with a significant reduction in the odds of device reprogramming without a significant difference in the odds of CRMD‐related complications.
Use of an Antibacterial Envelope is Associated with Reduced Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infections in High‐Risk Patients
Authors: KOLEK MATTHEW J. , DRESEN WILLIAM F. , WELLS QUINN S. , ELLIS CHRISTOPHER R. 
Published: December 2012

IntroductionThe incidence of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections has risen rapidly since 2004. A commercially available minocycline and rifampin impregnated antibacterial envelope has been associated with a low CIED infection rate. We performed a retrospective cohort study analyzing CIED infection rates in patients receiving an antibacterial envelope.MethodsProspectively applied criteria for use of the antibacterial envelope included ≥2 of the following: diabetes, renal insufficiency, anticoagulation, chronic corticosteroid use, fever or leukocytosis at the time of implantation, prior CIED infection, ≥3 leads (cardiac resynchronization therapy or abandoned leads), pacemaker dependence, or early pocket reentry. CIED infection rate was compared to a cohort of patients with matched risk factors and a CIED implanted prior to use of the antibacterial envelope.ResultsA total of 260 antibacterial envelopes were implanted from November 1, 2009 to April 30, 2012. The mean number of CIED infection risk factors was 2.8 ± 1.2. The control cohort (N = 639) was matched for mean number of CIED infection risk factors (2.8 ± 1.2), though individual risk factors differed. After a minimum of 90 days of follow‐up, there was one CIED infection among patients who received an antibacterial envelope (0.4%), compared to 19 (3%) in controls (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.13 [0.02–0.95], P = 0.04). This difference persisted after adjustment for covariates (0.09 [0.01–0.73], P = 0.02) and propensity score matching (0.11 [0.01–0.85], P = 0.04).ConclusionsIn patients prospectively identified at high risk for CIED infection, use of a commercially available antibacterial envelope was associated with a marked reduction in CIED infections when compared to a matched control cohort.
Senescence evasion in melanoma progression: uncoupling of DNA‐damage signaling from p53 activation and p21 expression
Authors: MacKenzie Ross Alastair D. , Cook Martin G. , Chong Heung , Hossain Mehnaz , Pandha Hardev S. , Bennett Dorothy C. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe best‐established function of the melanoma‐suppressor p16 is mediation of cell senescence, a permanent arrest following cell proliferation or certain stresses. The importance of p16 in melanoma suggests indolence of the other major senescence pathway through p53. Little or no p53 is expressed in senescent normal human melanocytes, but p16‐deficient melanocytes can undergo p53‐mediated senescence. As p16 expression occurs in nevi but falls with progression toward melanoma, we here investigated whether p53‐dependent senescence occurs at some stage and, if not, what defects were detectable in this pathway, using immunohistochemistry. Phosphorylated checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) can mediate DNA‐damage signaling, and under some conditions senescence, by phosphorylating and activating p53. Remarkably, we detected no prevalent p53‐mediated senescence in any of six classes of lesions. Two separate defects in p53 signaling appeared common: in nevi, lack of p53 phosphorylation by activated CHEK2, and in melanomas, defective p21 upregulation by p53 even when phosphorylated.
A Comparative Pilot Study of Symptom Improvement Before and After Phototherapy in Korean Patients with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Lee Heung‐Man , Park Man Sik , Park Il Ho , Lee Seung Hoon , Lee Seong Keon , Kim Kyu‐Sung , Choi Hyuk 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAlthough allergic rhinitis is not life threatening, it significantly influences the quality of a patient's life. This study is intended to evaluate the safety and efficacy of phototherapy with low‐level energy of a 650 nm laser irradiation system in perennial allergic rhinitis patients. This clinical trial was an open‐label, single‐center study with 42 perennial allergic rhinitis subjects. Following laser irradiation in the nasal cavity with a laser irradiation system, the efficacy at weeks 1 through 4 was determined. The symptoms were scored with four parameters (nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, sneezing and itching) before and after illumination of the laser, and the total score was recorded. A survey of Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) was conducted by patients before and after treatment. Following treatment, significant improvement in the clinical symptoms of nasal obstruction (P < 0.001), rhinorrhea (P = 0.005), sneezing (P = 0.001) and itching (P = 0.003) was reported by 68% of perennial allergic rhinitis patients. The overall RQLQ scores significantly improved by 45% from the baseline with the treatment after 4 weeks. These results indicate that phototherapy is an effective modality for treating perennial allergic rhinitis and is another option in the steroid‐free management of immune‐mediated mucosal diseases.
Wheat centromeric retrotransposons: the new ones take a major role in centromeric structure
Authors: Li Baochun , Choulet Frédéric , Heng Yanfang , Hao Weiwei , Paux Etienne , Liu Zhao , Yue Wei , Jin Weiwei , Feuillet Catherine , Zhang Xueyong 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe physical map of the hexaploid wheat chromosome 3B was screened using centromeric DNA probes. A 1.1‐Mb region showing the highest number of positive bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones was fully sequenced and annotated, revealing that 96% of the DNA consisted of transposable elements, mainly long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons (88%). Estimation of the insertion time of the transposable elements revealed that CRW (also called Cereba) and Quinta are the youngest elements at the centromeres of common wheat (Triticum spp.) and its diploid ancestors, with Quinta being younger than CRW in both diploid and hexaploid wheats. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that both CRW and Quinta families are targeted by the centromere‐specific histone H3 variant CENH3. Immuno colocalization of retroelements and CENH3 antibody indicated that a higher proportion of Quinta than CRWs was associated with CENH3, although CRWs were more abundant. Long arrays of satellite repeats were also identified in the wheat centromere regions, but they lost the ability to bind with CENH3. In addition to transposons, two functional genes and one pseudogene were identified. The gene density in the centromere appeared to be between three and four times lower than the average gene density of chromosome 3B. Comparisons with related grasses also indicated a loss of microcollinearity in this region. Finally, comparison of centromeric sequences of Aegilops tauschii (DD), Triticum boeoticum (AA) and hexaploid wheat revealed that the centromeres in both the polyploids and diploids are still undergoing dynamic changes, and that the new CRWs and Quintas may have undertaken the core role in kinetochore formation.
Replaced platelet concentrates containing a new additive solution, M‐sol: safety and efficacy for pediatric patients
Authors: Yanagisawa Ryu , Shimodaira Shigetaka , Kojima Shunsuke , Nakasone Nobuhiko , Ishikawa Shinsuke , Momose Kayo , Honda Takayuki , Yoshikawa Kentaro , Saito Shoji , Tanaka Miyuki , Nakazawa Yozo , Sakashita Kazuo , Shiohara Masaaki , Akino Mitsuaki , Hirayama Junichi , Azuma Hiroshi , Koike Kenichi 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundAllergic transfusion reactions (ATRs), particularly those caused by plasma‐rich platelet concentrates (P‐PCs), are an important concern in transfusion medicine. Replacing P‐PCs with PCs containing M‐sol (M‐sol‐R‐PCs) is expected to prevent ATRs. However, this has not yet been verified by sufficient clinical evidence.Study Design and MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed between 2008 and 2011. Pediatric patients with hematologic disorders, solid tumors, primary immunodeficiency disorders, or inherited metabolic disorders were transfused with M‐sol‐R‐PCs between 2010 and 2011; the transfusions of P‐PCs administered between 2008 and 2011 were compared in terms of frequency and severity of ATRs, corrected count increment (CCI), and occurrence of bleeding. Data were collected for 6 consecutive months on a per‐patient basis.ResultsData obtained during 2008 to 2011 showed that of the 78 patients receiving 515 P‐PC transfusions, 14 (17.9%) had 17 ATRs (3.3%); 14 and three ATRs were of Grades 1 and 2, respectively. In 2010 to 2011, 49 patients received 620 transfusions of M‐sol‐R‐PCs, and two patients (4.1%) had Grade 1 ATRs (0.3%). Thus, the frequency of ATRs per bag and per patient differed significantly between the two transfusions. No steroid agents were used for the prevention or treatment of ATRs in the M‐sol‐R‐PC group. The CCI (24 hr) for M‐sol‐R‐PCs did not differ from that for P‐PCs.ConclusionM‐sol‐R‐PCs were found to be effective in preventing ATRs without loss of transfusion efficiency in children; however, its efficacy should be further evaluated in prospective clinical trials.
Prion removal capacity of plasma protein manufacturing processes
Authors: Cai Kang , Gröner Albrecht , Dichtelmüller Herbert O. , Fabbrizzi Fabrizio , Flechsig Eckhard , Gajardo Rodrigo , von Hoegen Ilka , Jorquera Juan I. , Kempf Christoph , Kreil Thomas R. , Lee Douglas C. , Moscardini Mila , Pölsler Gerhard , Roth Nathan J. 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundThe variant Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease incidence peaked a decade ago and has since declined. Based on epidemiologic evidence, the causative agent, pathogenic prion, has not constituted a tangible contamination threat to large‐scale manufacturing of human plasma‐derived proteins. Nonetheless, manufacturers have studied the prion removal capabilities of various manufacturing steps to better understand product safety. Collectively analyzing the results could reveal experimental reproducibility and detect trends and mechanisms driving prion removal.Study Design and MethodsPlasma Protein Therapeutics Association member companies collected more than 200 prion removal studies on plasma protein manufacturing steps, including precipitation, adsorption, chromatography, and filtration, as well as combined steps. The studies used a range of model spiking agents and bench‐scale process replicas. The results were grouped based on key manufacturing variables to identify factors impacting removal. The log reduction values of a group are presented for comparison.ResultsOverall prion removal capacities evaluated by independent groups were in good agreement. The removal capacity evaluated using biochemical assays was consistent with prion infectivity removal measured by animal bioassays. Similar reduction values were observed for a given step using various spiking agents, except highly purified prion protein in some circumstances. Comparison between combined and single‐step studies revealed complementary or overlapping removal mechanisms. Steps with high removal capacities represent the conditions where the physiochemical differences between prions and therapeutic proteins are most significant.ConclusionThe results support the intrinsic ability of certain plasma protein manufacturing steps to remove prions in case of an unlikely contamination, providing a safeguard to products.
Learning to be economical: the energy cost of walking tracks motor adaptation
Authors: Finley James M. , Bastian Amy J. , Gottschall Jinger S. 
Published: December 2012

Key points
Neuroscientists often suggest that we adapt our movements to minimize energy use; however, recent studies have provided conflicting evidence in this regard.
In the present study, we show that motor learning robustly increases the economy of locomotion during split‐belt treadmill adaptation.
We also demonstrate that reductions in metabolic power scale with the magnitude of adaptation and are also associated with a reduction in muscle activity throughout the lower limbs.
Our results provide strong evidence that increasing economy may be a key criterion driving the systematic changes in co‐ordination during locomotor adaptation.
These findings may also facilitate the design of novel interventions to improve locomotor learning in stroke survivors.
Abstract  Many theories of motor control suggest that we select our movements to reduce energy use. However, it is unclear whether this process underlies short‐term motor adaptation to novel environments. Here we asked whether adaptation to walking on a split‐belt treadmill leads to a more economical walking pattern. We hypothesized that adaptation would be accompanied by a reduction in metabolic power and muscle activity and that these reductions would be temporally correlated. Eleven individuals performed a split‐belt adaptation task where the belt speeds were set at 0.5 and 1.5 m s‐1. Adaptation was characterized by step length symmetry, which is the normalized difference in step length between the legs. Metabolic power was calculated based on expired gas analysis, and surface EMG was used to record the activity of four bilateral leg muscles (tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius, vastus lateralis and biceps femoris). All participants initially walked with unequal step lengths when the belts moved at different speeds, but gradually adapted to take steps of equal length. Additionally, net metabolic power was reduced from early adaptation to late adaptation (early, 3.78 ± 1.05 W kg−1; and late, 3.05 ± 0.79 W kg−1; P < 0.001). This reduction in power was also accompanied by a bilateral reduction in EMG throughout the gait cycle. Furthermore, the reductions in metabolic power occurred over the same time scale as the improvements in step length symmetry, and the magnitude of these improvements predicted the size of the reduction in metabolic power. Our results suggest that increasing economy may be a key criterion driving locomotor adaptation.
Dosimetric accuracy of a deterministic radiation transport based 192Ir brachytherapy treatment planning system. Part III. Comparison to Monte Carlo simulation in voxelized anatomical computational models
Authors: Zourari K. , Pantelis E. , Moutsatsos A. , Sakelliou L. , Georgiou E. , Karaiskos P. , Papagiannis P. 
Published: December 2012

Purpose:To compare TG43‐based and Acuros deterministic radiation transport‐based calculations of the BrachyVision treatment planning system (TPS) with corresponding Monte Carlo (MC) simulation results in heterogeneous patient geometries, in order to validate Acuros and quantify the accuracy improvement it marks relative to TG43.Methods:Dosimetric comparisons in the form of isodose lines, percentage dose difference maps, and dose volume histogram results were performed for two voxelized mathematical models resembling an esophageal and a breast brachytherapy patient, as well as an actual breast brachytherapy patient model. The mathematical models were converted to digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) image series for input to the TPS. The MCNP5 v.1.40 general‐purpose simulation code input files for each model were prepared using information derived from the corresponding DICOM RT exports from the TPS.Results:Comparisons of MC and TG43 results in all models showed significant differences, as reported previously in the literature and expected from the inability of the TG43 based algorithm to account for heterogeneities and model specific scatter conditions. A close agreement was observed between MC and Acuros results in all models except for a limited number of points that lay in the penumbra of perfectly shaped structures in the esophageal model, or at distances very close to the catheters in all models.Conclusions:Acuros marks a significant dosimetry improvement relative to TG43. The assessment of the clinical significance of this accuracy improvement requires further work. Mathematical patient equivalent models and models prepared from actual patient CT series are useful complementary tools in the methodology outlined in this series of works for the benchmarking of any advanced dose calculation algorithm beyond TG43.
Monte Carlo simulations of adult and pediatric computed tomography exams: Validation studies of organ doses with physical phantoms
Authors: Long Daniel J. , Lee Choonsik , Tien Christopher , Fisher Ryan , Hoerner Matthew R. , Hintenlang David , Bolch Wesley E. 
Published: December 2012

Purpose:To validate the accuracy of a Monte Carlo source model of the Siemens SOMATOM Sensation 16 CT scanner using organ doses measured in physical anthropomorphic phantoms.Methods:The x‐ray output of the Siemens SOMATOM Sensation 16 multidetector CT scanner was simulated within the Monte Carlo radiation transport code, MCNPX version 2.6. The resulting source model was able to perform various simulated axial and helical computed tomographic (CT) scans of varying scan parameters, including beam energy, filtration, pitch, and beam collimation. Two custom‐built anthropomorphic phantoms were used to take dose measurements on the CT scanner: an adult male and a 9‐month‐old. The adult male is a physical replica of the University of Florida reference adult male hybrid computational phantom, while the 9‐month‐old is a replica of the University of Florida Series B 9‐month‐old voxel computational phantom. Each phantom underwent a series of axial and helical CT scans, during which organ doses were measured using fiber‐optic coupled plastic scintillator dosimeters developed at the University of Florida. The physical setup was reproduced and simulated in MCNPX using the CT source model and the computational phantoms upon which the anthropomorphic phantoms were constructed. Average organ doses were then calculated based upon these MCNPX results.Results:For all CT scans, good agreement was seen between measured and simulated organ doses. For the adult male, the percent differences were within 16% for axial scans, and within 18% for helical scans. For the 9‐month‐old, the percent differences were all within 15% for both the axial and helical scans. These results are comparable to previously published validation studies using GE scanners and commercially available anthropomorphic phantoms.Conclusions:Overall results of this study show that the Monte Carlo source model can be used to accurately and reliably calculate organ doses for patients undergoing a variety of axial or helical CT examinations on the Siemens SOMATOM Sensation 16 scanner.
Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Fluconazole To Predict Therapeutic Outcome in Burn Patients with Candida Infection
Authors: Han Seunghoon , Kim Jimyon , Yim Haejun , Hur Jun , Song Wonkeun , Lee Jongtae , Jeon Sangil , Hong Taegon , Woo Heungjeong , Yim Dong-Seok 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTThe pharmacokinetic (PK) property of fluconazole might be significantly altered in major burn patients by medical interventions and physiologic changes. In this study, our aims were to investigate fluconazole PK in burn patients using a population approach and to recommend the optimal fluconazole regimen based upon the predicted therapeutic outcome. At steady state, blood samples for PK analysis were obtained from 60 burn patients receiving between 100 and ∼400 mg fluconazole daily. A mixed-effect modeling was performed and the therapeutic outcome of antifungal therapy was predicted for 10,000 virtual patients using NONMEM (version 7.2). MIC values were sampled from the MIC distribution at the study site. An area under the free drug concentration-time curve (fAUC)/MIC measurement of >25 h was used as the criterion for therapeutic success. When the same dose was given, the plasma concentration of fluconazole was predicted to be lower in burn patients compared to the nonburn population because of the large PK parameter (clearance, volume of distribution) estimates and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). This tendency was particularly predominant when the patients were within 30 postburn days. Based upon our findings, 400 mg/day fluconazole is recommended to obtain therapeutic successes in major burn patients.
KPC Presence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Has Minimal Impact on the
In Vivo
Efficacy of Carbapenem Therapy
Authors: Hagihara Mao , Crandon Jared L. , Urban Carl M. , Nicolau David P. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

While reports of
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC) production among
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
strains have emerged from a number of countries worldwide, outcome data are lacking. This is the first report evaluating how KPC production in
P. aeruginosa
impacts the efficacy of carbapenems by using the murine thigh infection model. Our findings suggest that the impact of KPC-2
in vivo
is less pronounced than would be anticipated based on the
in vitro
potency.
Correlation of Cell Membrane Lipid Profiles with Daptomycin Resistance in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Mishra Nagendra N. , Bayer Arnold S. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

We compared the cell membrane (CM) lipid composition among nine well-characterized daptomycin-susceptible (Dap
s
)/Dap-resistant (Dap
r
) methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) strain pairs. Compared to the 9 Dap
s
parental strains, Dap
r
strains (with or without
mprF-yycFG
mutations) exhibited significantly reduced phosphatidylglycerol (PG) content (
P
< 0.01), significantly increased total synthesis of lysyl-PG (LPG) (
P
< 0.01), and reduced carotenoid content (
P
< 0.05 for 5/9 strains). There were no significant changes in LPG flipping, cardiolipin content, or fatty acid composition among strain pairs.