bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
National Trends in Utilization and Outcomes of Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients in the Mechanical Thrombectomy Era
Authors: Hassan Ameer E. , Chaudhry Saqib A. , Grigoryan Mikayel , Tekle Wondwossen G. , Qureshi Adnan I. 
Published: September 2012

Background and Purpose—
Because several new devices for mechanical thrombectomy have become available, the outcomes of patients undergoing endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke are expected to improve in the United States. We performed this analysis to evaluate trends in utilization of endovascular treatment and associated rates of death and disability among acute ischemic stroke patients over a 6-year period, including further assessment within age strata.

Methods—
We obtained data for patients admitted to hospitals in the United States from 2004 to 2009 with a primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke using a large national database. We determined the rate and pattern of utilization, and associated in-hospital outcomes of endovascular treatment among ischemic stroke patients and further analyzed trends within age strata. Outcomes were classified as minimal disability, moderate to severe disability, and death based on discharge disposition and compared between 2 time periods: 2004 to 2007 (post-MERCI) and 2008 to 2009 (post-Penumbra) approvals

Results—

Of the 3 292 842 patients admitted with ischemic stroke, 72 342 (2.2%) received intravenous thrombolytic treatment and 13 799 (0.4%) underwent endovascular treatment. There was a 6-fold increase in patients who underwent endovascular treatment (0.1% of ischemic strokes in 2004 vs 0.6% in 2009;
P
<0.001), with the patients aged ≥85 years having the lowest rate of utilization (0.2%). The rates of intracranial hemorrhage remained unchanged throughout the 6 years. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for age, gender, presence of hypertension, congestive heart failure, renal failure, and secondary intracranial hemorrhages, there was no difference in the rate of minimal disability between the 2 study intervals (2004–2007 vs 2008–2009; odds ratio, 0.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.7–1.04;
P
=0.11). Mortality decreased while moderate to severe disability increased for patients treated during 2008 to 2009 (odds ratio, 0.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.6–0.9;
P
=0.007; and odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–1.7;
P
=0.0002).

Conclusion—
There has been a significant increase in the proportion of acute ischemic stroke patients receiving endovascular treatment over the 6 years and reduction in in-hospital mortality. Our results highlight the need to implement endovascular techniques in a balanced manner across various age groups that also results in the reduction of disability in addition to mortality.
Smartphone Teleradiology Application Is Successfully Incorporated Into a Telestroke Network Environment
Authors: Demaerschalk Bart M. , Vargas Jason E. , Channer Dwight D. , Noble Brie N. , Kiernan Terri-Ellen J. , Gleason Elizabeth A. , Vargas Bert B. , Ingall Timothy J. , Aguilar Maria I. , Dodick David W. , Bobrow Bentley J. 
Published: September 2012

Background and Purpose—
ResolutionMD mobile application runs on a Smartphone and affords vascular neurologists access to radiological images of patients with stroke from remote sites in the context of a telemedicine evaluation. Although reliability studies using this technology have been conducted in a controlled environment, this study is the first to incorporate it into a real-world hub and spoke telestroke network. The study objective was to assess the level of agreement of brain CT scan interpretation in a telestroke network between hub vascular neurologists using ResolutionMD, spoke radiologists using a Picture Archiving and Communications System, and independent adjudicators.

Methods—
Fifty-three patients with stroke at the spoke hospital consented to receive a telemedicine consultation and participate in a registry. Each CT was evaluated by a hub vascular neurologist, a spoke radiologist, and by blinded telestroke adjudicators, and agreement over clinically important radiological features was calculated.

Results—

Agreement (
κ
and 95% CI) between hub vascular neurologists using ResolutionMD and (1) the spoke radiologist; and (2) independent adjudicators, respectively, were: identification of intracranial hemorrhage 1.0 (0.92–1.0), 1.0 (0.93–1.0), neoplasm 1.0 (0.92–1.0), 1.0 (0.93–1.0), any radiological contraindication to thrombolysis 1.0 (0.92–1.0), 0.85 (0.65–1.0), early ischemic changes 0.62 (0.28–0.96), 0.58 (0.30–0.86), and hyperdense artery sign 0.40 (0.01–0.80), 0.44 (0.06–0.81).

Conclusions—
CT head interpretations of telestroke network patients by vascular neurologists using ResolutionMD on Smartphones were in excellent agreement with interpretations by spoke radiologists using a Picture Archiving and Communications System and those of independent telestroke adjudicators using a desktop viewer.

Clinical Trial Registration Information—

www.clinicaltrials.gov
unique identifier NCT00829361.
Relationship Between Asian Dust and Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kamouchi Masahiro , Ueda Kayo , Ago Tetsuro , Nitta Hiroshi , Kitazono Takanari ,   for the Fukuoka Stroke Registry Investigators
Published: September 2012

Background and Purpose–
Particulate matter is increasingly recognized as a cause of human diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between Asian dust (AD), a windblown sand dust originating from mineral soil in the deserts of China and Mongolia, and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases is unclear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether AD is associated with the incidence of ischemic stroke.

Methods–
This study investigated the onset time of 7429 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke who were admitted to seven stroke centers in Fukuoka, Japan, between June 1999 and March 2010. Meteorologic variables and air pollutants, including AD and suspended particulate matters, were investigated during the identical period. A time-stratified case-crossover study was conducted to assess the association between AD and stroke incidence using a conditional logistic regression analysis.

Results–
Although AD was not significantly associated with the overall incidence of ischemic stroke, there was a relationship specific to the stroke subtypes. AD was significantly associated with the incidence of atherothrombotic brain infarction after adjusting for expected confounders, including meteorologic variables and other air pollutants. No association was detected in other types of ischemic stroke.

Conclusion–
These data suggest that AD does not increase the overall incidence of ischemic stroke, but it is specifically associated with the risk of atherothrombotic brain infarction.
Time Constant Estimates for Radiosonde Temperature Sensors
Authors: Tschudin Marcel E. , Schroeder Steven R. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
To correct time lag errors in radiosonde temperatures the sensor time constant has to be known. Time constants are not published for some widely used sensors and, in some cases, available time constants disagree. This study focuses on ML-405, ML-419, VIZ/Sippican Mark II Microsonde and B2, Russian MMT-1, and Chinese GZZ-7 rod thermistors. It measures still air time constants and heat capacities and derives theoretical still air and aerated time constants based on heat transfer involving nonuniform cylinders. With low aeration, such as in the stratosphere, heat conduction by lead wires from the thermistor noticeably shortens the time constant. Some discrepancies in published time constants are explained by researchers not considering the temperature dependence of all relevant variables. Empirical formulas are derived to estimate the aerated time constant of cylindrical temperature sensors based on dimensions. The aerated time constant in soundings is found to be about 6 times as long at 10 hPa as near sea level.
Use of Multiple Verification Methods to Evaluate Forecasts of Convection from Hot- and Cold-Start Convection-Allowing Models
Authors: Stratman Derek R. , Coniglio Michael C. , Koch Steven E. , Xue Ming 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
This study uses both traditional and newer verification methods to evaluate two 4-km grid-spacing Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) forecasts: a “cold start” forecast that uses the 12-km North American Mesoscale Model (NAM) analysis and forecast cycle to derive the initial and boundary conditions (C0) and a “hot start” forecast that adds radar data into the initial conditions using a three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR)/cloud analysis technique (CN). These forecasts were evaluated as part of 2009 and 2010 NOAA Hazardous Weather Test Bed (HWT) Spring Forecasting Experiments. The Spring Forecasting Experiment participants noted that the skill of CN’s explicit forecasts of convection estimated by some traditional objective metrics often seemed large compared to the subjectively determined skill. The Gilbert skill score (GSS) reveals CN scores higher than C0 at lower thresholds likely due to CN having higher-frequency biases than C0, but the difference is negligible at higher thresholds, where CN’s and C0’s frequency biases are similar. This suggests that if traditional skill scores are used to quantify convective forecasts, then higher (&gt;35 dBZ) reflectivity thresholds should be used to be consistent with expert’s subjective assessments of the lack of forecast skill for individual convective cells. The spatial verification methods show that both CN and C0 generally have little to no skill at scales &lt;8–12Δx starting at forecast hour 1, but CN has more skill at larger spatial scales (40–320 km) than C0 for the majority of the forecasting period. This indicates that the hot start provides little to no benefit for forecasts of convective cells, but that it has some benefit for larger mesoscale precipitation systems.
The Effect of Food on Cysteamine Bitartrate Absorption in Healthy Participants
Authors: Dohil Ranjan , Cabrera Betty L. , Gangoiti Jon , Rioux Patrice 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectives: Treatment with cysteamine reduces the rate of progression to end‐stage kidney disease in cystinosis. Although food is often taken with cysteamine to reduce associated gastrointestinal symptoms, this may alter the bioavailability of cysteamine. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, 3‐treatment study to determine the effects of fasting and high‐fat/calorie and high‐protein meals on cysteamine absorption in healthy adult controls. On 3 separate days, serial plasma cysteamine levels were measured after cysteamine bitartrate 500 mg was ingested while fasting and also 30 minutes after high‐fat/calorie and high‐protein diets. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were also monitored. Results: Eight participants (5 men) were enrolled. Cysteamine absorption, as measured by area under the cysteamine concentration‐time curve (AUC0‐∞) while fasted and following high‐fat/calorie and high‐protein meals, was 3618 ± 372 min·μM, 2799 ± 405 min·μM (P = .04 vs fasted), and 2457 ± 353 min·μM (P = .005), respectively, and the mean Cmax values for participants were 26.3 ± 3.5 μM, 22.4 ± 5.6 μM (P = .16 vs fasted), and 17.2 ± 2.6 μM (P = .036 vs fasted), respectively. Mild GI symptoms were reported in 3 participants. Conclusions: Cysteamine absorption may be decreased by 30% when taken with food as compared with the fasting state. Food causes wide variation in tmax and Cmax for cysteamine.
Vancomycin: Predictive Performance of a Population Pharmacokinetic Model and Optimal Dose in Neonates and Young Infants
Authors: Marsot Amélie , Vialet Renaud , Boulamery Audrey , Bruguerolle Bernard , Simon Nicolas 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIntroduction: Model evaluation is an important issue in population pharmacokinetic analyses. The objectives were to evaluate the predictive performance of previously published pediatric population pharmacokinetic models for vancomycin in a new data set and to propose an optimal dose to obtain a vancomycin concentration target. Methods: External evaluation was conducted for all the published models of vancomycin in neonates and young infants with a new data set of 70 patients. Bias and accuracy were calculated. Advanced analyses were performed to evaluate the predictive performance of the best model. This population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed to simulate doses of vancomycin according to the appropriate target concentration. Results: All models gave almost the same results, except 2 that were not acceptable. Nevertheless, the model described by Oudin et al presented the best results with a bias and accuracy of 4.0% and 27.8%, respectively. Simulations showed that the maintenance dose should be adjusted more precisely to each neonate based on his or her weight and serum creatinine value. Conclusion: Simulations have allowed the authors to describe new dosage schedules, and a chart was created to help clinicians to adapt dosage of vancomycin. Because of pharmacokinetic variability, vancomycin still requires therapeutic drug monitoring.
Comparative genomic analysis of NAC transcriptional factors to dissect the regulatory mechanisms for cell wall biosynthesis
Authors: Yao Dongxia , Wei Qiang , Xu Wenying , Syrenne Ryan D , Yuan Joshua S , Su Zhen 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
NAC domain transcription factors are important transcriptional regulators involved in plant growth, development and stress responses. Recent studies have revealed several classes of NAC transcriptional factors crucial for controlling secondary cell wall biosynthesis. These transcriptional factors mainly include three classes, SND, NST and VND. Despite progress, most current analysis is carried out in the model plant Arabidopsis. Moreover, many downstream genes regulated by these transcriptional factors are still not clear.

Methods
In order to identify the key homologue genes across species and discover the network controlling cell wall biosynthesis, we carried out comparative genome analysis of NST, VND and SND genes across 19 higher plant species along with computational modelling of genes regulated or co-regulated with these transcriptional factors.

Results
The comparative genome analysis revealed that evolutionarily the secondary-wall-associated NAC domain transcription factors first appeared in Selaginella moellendorffii. In fact, among the three groups, only VND genes appeared in S. moellendorffii, which is evolutionarily earlier than the other two groups. The Arabidopsis and rice gene expression analysis showed specific patterns of the secondary cell wall-associated NAC genes (SND, NST and VND). Most of them were preferentially expressed in the stem, especially the second internodes. Furthermore, comprehensive co-regulatory network analysis revealed that the SND and MYB genes were co-regulated, which indicated the coordinative function of these transcriptional factors in modulating cell wall biosynthesis. In addition, the co-regulatory network analysis revealed many novel genes and pathways that could be involved in cell wall biosynthesis and its regulation. The gene ontology analysis also indicated that processes like carbohydrate synthesis, transport and stress response, are coordinately regulated toward cell wall biosynthesis.

Conclusions
Overall, we provided a new insight into the evolution and the gene regulatory network of a subgroup of the NAC gene family controlling cell wall composition through bioinformatics data mining and bench validation. Our work might benefit to elucidate the possible molecular mechanism underlying the regulation network of secondary cell wall biosynthesis.
Demand for pneumococcal vaccination under subsidy program for the elderly in Japan
Authors: Kondo Masahide , Yamamura Mariko , Hoshi Shu-Ling , Okubo Ichiro 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Vaccination programs often organize subsidies and public relations in order to obtain high uptake rates and coverage. However, effects of subsidies and public relations have not been studied well in the literature. In this study, the demand function of pneumococcal vaccination among the elderly in Japan is estimated, incorporating effects of public relations and subsidy.

Methods
Using a data from a questionnaire survey sent to municipalities, the varying and constant elasticity models were applied to estimate the demand function. The response variable is the uptake rate. Explanatory variables are: subsidy supported shot price, operating years of the program, target population size for vaccination, shot location intensity, income and various public relations tools. The best model is selected by c-AIC, and varying and constant price elasticities are calculated from estimation results.

Results
The vaccine uptake rate and the shot price have a negative relation. From the results of varying price elasticity, the demand for vaccination is elastic at municipalities with a shot price higher than 3,708 JPY (35.7 USD). Effects of public relations on the uptake rate are not found.

Conclusions
It can be suggested that municipalities with a shot price higher than 3,708 JPY (35.7 USD) could subsidize more and reduce price to increase the demand for vaccination. Effects of public relations are not confirmed in this study, probably due to measurement errors of variables used for public relations, and studies at micro level exploring individual’s response to public relations would be required.
Economic evaluation of a weight control program with e-mail and telephone counseling among overweight employees: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: van Wier Marieke F , Dekkers J Caroline , Bosmans Judith E , Heymans Martijn W , Hendriksen Ingrid JM , Pronk Nicolaas P , van Mechelen Willem , van Tulder Maurits W 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundDistance lifestyle counseling for weight control is a promising public health intervention in the work setting. Information about the cost-effectiveness of such interventions is lacking, but necessary to make informed implementation decisions. The purpose of this study was to perform an economic evaluation of a six-month program with lifestyle counseling aimed at weight reduction in an overweight working population with a two-year time horizon from a societal perspective.MethodsA randomized controlled trial comparing a program with two modes of intervention delivery against self-help. 1386 Employees from seven companies participated (67% male, mean age 43 (SD 8.6) years, mean BMI 29.6 (SD 3.5) kg/m2). All groups received self-directed lifestyle brochures. The two intervention groups additionally received a workbook-based program with phone counseling (phone; n=462) or a web-based program with e-mail counseling (internet; n=464). Body weight was measured at baseline and 24 months after baseline. Quality of life (EuroQol-5D) was assessed at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after baseline. Resource use was measured with six-monthly diaries and valued with Dutch standard costs. Missing data were multiply imputed. Uncertainty around differences in costs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios was estimated by applying non-parametric bootstrapping techniques and graphically plotting the results in cost-effectiveness planes and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves.ResultsAt two years the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was €1009/kg weight loss in the phone group and €16/kg weight loss in the internet group. The cost-utility analysis resulted in €245,243/quality adjusted life year (QALY) and €1337/QALY, respectively. The results from a complete-case analysis were slightly more favorable. However, there was considerable uncertainty around all outcomes.ConclusionsNeither intervention mode was proven to be cost-effective compared to self-help.Trial registrationISRCTN04265725
Exciton-related nonlinear optical properties in cylindrical quantum dots with asymmetric axial potential: combined effects of hydrostatic pressure, intense laser field, and applied electric field
Authors: Zapata Alejandro , Acosta Ruben E , Mora-Ramos Miguel E , Duque Carlos A 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Abstract
The exciton binding energy of an asymmetrical GaAs-Ga1−x
Al
x
As cylindrical quantum dot is studied with the use of the effective mass approximation and a variational calculation procedure. The influence on this quantity of the application of a direct-current electric field along the growth direction of the cylinder, together with that of an intense laser field, is particularly considered. The resulting states are used to calculate the exciton-related nonlinear optical absorption and optical rectification, whose corresponding resonant peaks are reported as functions of the external probes, the quantum dot dimensions, and the aluminum molar fraction in the potential barrier regions.
Multiplex array proteomics detects increased MMP-8 in CSF after spinal cord injury
Authors: Light Matthew , Minor Kenneth H , DeWitt Peter , Jasper Kyle H , Davies Stephen JA 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIntroductionA variety of methods have been used to study inflammatory changes in the acutely injured spinal cord. Recently novel multiplex assays have been used in an attempt to overcome limitations in numbers of available targets studied in a single experiment. Other technical challenges in developing pre-clinical rodent models to investigate biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) include relatively small volumes of sample and low concentrations of target proteins. The primary objective of this study was to characterize the inflammatory profile present in CSF at a subacute time point in a clinically relevant rodent model of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Our other aim was to test a microarray proteomics platform specifically for this application.MethodsA 34 cytokine sandwich ELISA microarray was used to study inflammatory changes in CSF samples taken 12 days post-cervical SCI in adult rats. The difference between the median foreground signal and the median background signal was measured. Bonferroni and Benjamini-Hochburg multiple testing corrections were applied to limit the False Discovery Rate (FDR), and a linear mixed model was used to account for repeated measures in the array.ResultsWe report a novel subacute SCI biomarker, elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 protein in CSF, and discuss application of statistical models designed for multiplex testing.ConclusionsMajor advantages of this assay over conventional methods include high-throughput format, good sensitivity, and reduced sample consumption. This method can be useful for creating comprehensive inflammatory profiles, and biomarkers can be used in the clinic to assess injury severity and to objectively grade response to therapy.
Microsatellite instability in Marek’s Disease Virus infected primary chicken embryo fibroblasts
Authors: Zhou Zhenlei , Yao Dawei , Qiu Yan , Yang Deji 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Marek’s disease virus (MDV), an oncogenic α-herpes virus, causes a devastating disease in chickens characterized by development of lymphoblastoid tumors in multiple organs. Microsatellite instability (MSI), a symptom of defect in DNA mismatch repair function, is a form of genomic instability frequently detected in many types of tumors. However, the involvement of MSI in MDV-infected cells has not been investigated. In this study, we determined the presence and frequency of MSI in primary chicken embryo fibroblasts infected with or without MDV strain in vitro.

Results
118 distinct microsatellite markers were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 21 samples. MSI was found in 91 of 118 markers, and 12 out of 118 demonstrated frequency of MSI at ≥ 40%. 27 of 118 microsatellite loci did not show microsatellite instability.

Conclusions
These findings showed that MSI was a real event occurring in primary chicken embryo fibroblasts infected with MDV in vitro as evidenced by the high frequency of MSI, and may be specifically associated with genome alteration of host cells during MDV infected.