bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive Factors of Vascular Complications after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients Treated with a Default Percutaneous Strategy
Authors: Vavuranakis Manolis , Kariori Maria , Voudris Vassilis , Kalogeras Konstantinos , Vrachatis Dimitrios , Aznaouridis Constantinos , Moldovan Carmen , Masoura Constantina , Thomopoulou Sophia , Lazaros Georgios , Stefanadis Christodoulos 
Published: June 2013

SummaryBackgroundPercutaneous approach techniques with closure device after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have diminished vascular complications (VC). In this retrospective study, we will report incidence and angiographic factors predisposing to major VC in patients undergoing TAVI using Prostar® XL closure device as a default strategy.MethodsConsecutive patients, who underwent TAVI transfemorally using Prostar® XL, were evaluated for the incidence of VC according to VARC criteria. Using arterial angiography, the femoral‐iliac arterial tortuosity was adjusted for large arterial diameters and expressed as the ratio total tortuosity/arterial diameter (TT/AD). Arterial calcification, the combination of angulation and atheromatosis at the puncture site and ideal puncture were evaluated too. In all patients, 30 days of follow‐up was available.ResultsEighty‐four patients (80.2 ± 5.86 years, 39 males [46.4%]), who were consecutively treated with the transfemoral approach, were evaluated. In patients with major VC (17/84 [20.23%]) comparing to those without, arterial calcification (11 [64.7%] vs. 8 [11.9%], P < 0.01) and the TT/AD (30.2 ± 11.25 vs. 22.06 ± 8.64, P < 0.01) were independent predictors. Ideal puncture was achieved more frequently among patients without VC comparing to those with major (94.1% vs. 70.6%, P = 0.01). Blood transfusions (1.48 ± 0.37 vs. 2.45 ± 0.59, P = 0.023) were more frequent among patients with major VC. Finally, minimum creatinin clearance after TAVI predicted all‐cause 30‐day mortality (P = 0.021).ConclusionsMajor VC after TAVI with the use of Prostar closure device can be predicted by arterial calcification at the puncture site and TT/AD ratio. Minimum creatinin clearance after TAVI predicted 30‐day mortality.
Remission in rheumatoid arthritis by different criteria does not converge over the inflammatory markers
Authors: Chandrashekara S. , Priyanka B. U. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractObjectiveRemission is an ideal target in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We compared American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1981 preliminary definition of remission, European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) disease activity score of 28 joints – C‐reactive protein (DAS28 (3)‐CRP) and DAS28 (3)‐ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and newer ACR/EULAR remission criteria from 2011. We assessed the agreement between these definitions using kappa statistics in a real‐time clinical scenario.Materials and methodsThis is a cross sectional study in which 460 patients' charts were reviewed. Their data on tender and swollen joint counts, visual analogue scale of patient global assessment (Pt GA), ESR and CRP were retrieved. One hundred patients who fulfilled one of the remission criteria and had all the required five variables were selected and they were categorized into remission using all the four definitions.ResultsOnly one case out of 100 fulfilled all four remission criteria. Among 100 cases: ACR 1981 classified six in remission; ACR/EULAR 2011, eight; DAS28 (3)‐ESR, 24; and DAS28 (3)‐CRP classified 100 patients in remission. A substantial number of patients continued to have features suggesting persisting active inflammation, despite being categorized into remission. A major portion of disagreement was in ESR and CRP. The value spread of all clinical parameters such as swollen joint count, tender joint count and Pt GA had no significant difference in the patients classified as being in remission.ConclusionThe DAS28 (3)‐CRP overestimated remission compared to all other criteria. Disagreement was more in laboratory inflammatory parameters. A uniform definition of remission is needed.
The use of temporal artery ultrasound in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis in routine practice
Authors: Black Rachel , Roach Denise , Rischmueller Maureen , Lester Susan L. , Hill Catherine L. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAimThe exact diagnostic role of temporal artery ultrasound (TAU) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a positive halo sign in patients undergoing TAU in a clinical setting, and to perform a review of existing evidence.MethodPatients who had undergone TAU at a single centre in Australia were included in the study. The presence or absence of a halo sign and whether it was unilateral or bilateral was determined retrospectively from radiology reports. Pathology results were used to determine which patients underwent a temporal artery biopsy and if the biopsy was positive or negative. A case note review was performed to determine presenting clinical features and if a clinical diagnosis of giant cell arteritis was made. The sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios of TAU compared to both biopsy and clinical diagnosis were calculated.ResultsFifty patients were identified as having had a TAU (28% male, mean age 69). When compared to biopsy‐proven cases, the sensitivity of a halo sign was 40%, specificity 81%, positive likelihood ratio 2.1 and negative likelihood ratio 0.7. When compared to clinical diagnosis, the sensitivity was 42%, specificity 94%, positive likelihood ratio 7.1 and negative likelihood 0.6.ConclusionsSensitivity and specificity results were comparable to the literature. A halo sign may preclude the need for biopsy in cases of high clinical suspicion and contraindications to surgery. Biopsy remains necessary in most cases, irrespective of whether a halo sign is present.
Hippocampal volume in relation to clinical and cognitive outcome after electroconvulsive therapy in depression
Authors: Nordanskog P. , Larsson M. R. , Larsson E.‐M. , Johanson A. 
Published: June 2013

ObjectiveIn a previous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study, we found a significant increase in hippocampal volume immediately after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate hippocampal volume up to 1 year after ECT and investigate its possible relation to clinical and cognitive outcome.MethodClinical and cognitive outcome in 12 in‐patients with depression receiving antidepressive pharmacological treatment referred for ECT were investigated with the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and a broad neuropsychological test battery within 1 week before and after ECT. The assessments were repeated 6 and 12 months after baseline in 10 and seven of these patients, respectively. Hippocampal volumes were measured on all four occasions with 3 Tesla MRI.ResultsHippocampal volume returned to baseline during the follow‐up period of 6 months. Neither the significant antidepressant effect nor the significant transient decrease in executive and verbal episodic memory tests after ECT could be related to changes in hippocampal volume. No persistent cognitive side effects were observed 1 year after ECT.ConclusionThe immediate increase in hippocampal volume after ECT is reversible and is not related to clinical or cognitive outcome.
Land use and economic effects of alternative biofuel policies in Brazil and the United States
Authors: Nuñez Hector M. , Önal Hayri , Khanna Madhu 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBeing the two largest ethanol producers in the world, biofuel policies in Brazil and the United States affect both their domestic markets and the global food and biofuel economy. In this article we develop a price endogenous mathematical programming model to simulate and analyze the impacts of biofuel mandates and trade distortions on land use, agricultural commodity and transportation fuel markets, and global environment. We find that an 80% increase in total biofuel production from its 103 billion liter baseline level to the mandated 183 billion liter level in 2022 can be achieved with less than 2% increase in total cropland use in both countries. In the United States, this would occur with cellulosic biofuels meeting nearly half of the biofuels consumed and produced largely on cropland pasture and corn ethanol meeting the rest of the mandate and resulting in a 2% increase in corn price. In Brazil, the expansion in sugarcane production would be achieved by reducing land under pasture and a marginal increase in intensification of livestock production. In the aggregate, biofuel policies increase economic surplus in both countries by 1% and redistribute the benefits from agricultural consumers to agricultural producers and the fuel sector. Finally, we also find that full implementation of the mandates in North America, China, and the European Union would reduce the global life‐cycle global greenhouse gas emissions by about 5%.
Biofuels and developing economies: is the timing right?
Authors: Msangi Siwa , Evans Martin 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIn this article, we discuss some key aspects of biofuel production in developing countries, and where constraints and tradeoffs are likely to occur. We use the example of two countries, Senegal and India, to highlight some of the issues of cost competitiveness, problems with ensuring stable supply of feedstock as well as critical missing links in the biofuels value chain that pose problems to scaling up national programs in these countries. We discuss the particularly problematic nature of jatropha, as a biodiesel feedstock, and underline some helpful guiding principles that can help country‐level policy. We point to an underlying “duality” between a well‐functioning food system and favorable conditions for agribusiness enterprises, such as biofuels, and the relevance it has to achieving food security goals.
Fetal growth in relation to maternal and fetal IGF‐axes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Elhddad Agzail S.A. , Lashen Hany 
Published: June 2013

AbstractInsulin‐like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs) are key regulators of fetal growth. However, the literature is inconsistent. Our objective was to systematically and objectively evaluate the available literature and to develop a balanced opinion on the relation between maternal and fetal IGF‐axes and birthweight. A systematic review and a meta‐analysis were conducted according to the published Moose (Meta‐analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. A robust recognized systematic methodology was used in the literature search and analysis to avoid bias. Weighted mean difference and 95% confidence intervals of cord/maternal IGFs and IGFBP‐1 and ‐3 were calculated. Eleven observational studies were included. Cord IGF‐I (p < 0.0001) and IGFBP‐3 (p = 0.003) were significantly higher in large‐for‐gestational age (LGA) than appropriate‐for‐gestational age (AGA) babies. Cord IGFBP‐1 was significantly higher in small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) than AGA babies (p < 0.0001). LGA and AGA babies had similar IGF‐II levels, whereas SGA and AGA babies had comparable IGF‐I levels. IGF‐I was significantly higher in mothers of AGA than SGA babies (p < 0.0001). The assay methods and background population marginally affect the overall homogeneity and the direction of the primary analysis. Fetal IGFs and their binding proteins play different roles in fetal growth at either end of the growth spectrum. Fetal IGF‐I and IGFBP‐3 may be influential in LGA. However, fetal IGFBP‐1 has a more prominent role in SGA.
Consuming a low‐fat diet from weaning to adulthood reverses the programming of food preferences in male, but not in female, offspring of ‘junk food’‐fed rat dams
Authors: Ong Z. Y. , Muhlhausler B. S. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAimThis study aimed to determine whether the negative effects of maternal ‘junk food’ feeding on food preferences and gene expression in the mesolimbic reward system could be reversed by weaning the offspring onto a low‐fat diet.MethodsOffspring of control (n = 11) and junk food‐fed (JF, n = 12) dams were weaned onto a standard rodent chow until 6 weeks (juvenile) or 3 months (adult). They were then given free access to both chow and junk food for 3 weeks and food preferences determined. mRNA expression of key components of the mesolimbic reward system was determined by qRT‐PCR at 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months of age.ResultsIn the juvenile group, both male and female JF offspring consumed more energy and carbohydrate during the junk food exposure at 6 weeks of age and had a higher body fat mass at 3 months (P < 0.05). Female juvenile JF offspring had higher tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine receptors and dopamine active transporter expression in the ventral tegmental area (P < 0.05). In the adult group, there was no difference between control and JF offspring in energy and macronutrient intakes during exposure to junk food; however, female JF offspring had a higher body fat mass at 6 months (P < 0.05).ConclusionThese results suggest that the effects of perinatal junk food exposure on food preferences and fat mass can be reversed by consuming a low‐fat diet from weaning to adulthood in males. Females, however, retain a higher propensity for diet‐induced obesity even after consuming a low‐fat diet for an extended period after weaning.
A Rare Case of a Mosaic Unbalanced Translocation After Chorionic Villous Sampling
Authors: Jeelani Roohi , Chelliah Anushka , Rauch Kristen , Soto Eleazar , Ebrahim Saleh , Bahado‐Singh Ray , Jones Theodore 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundMost of the literature suggests that unbalanced chromosomal translocations may lead to poor obstetrical outcomes. We present a case of an unbalanced translocation resulting in trisomy 1q and partial monosomy 20p identified on chorionic villous sampling (CVS).MethodCase report with expert‐derived clinical management and guidance.ResultsAfter the abnormal CVS result, a subsequent amniocentesis revealed a normal 46,XX fetal karyotype. Detailed second trimester ultrasound of the fetus revealed no gross structural abnormalities. The CVS karyotype results were attributed to confined placental mosaicism (CPM) of the unbalanced translocation. The infant is 18 months old and has normal phenotype and karyotype.ConclusionWe recommend that if CPM with an unbalanced translocation is diagnosed on CVS, parental karyotype and an amniocentesis should be offered in conjunction with genetic counseling. In rare instances, such as this one, an unbalanced translocation may have a favorable outcome. (BIRTH 40:2 June 2013)
Understanding Women's Interpretations of Infant Formula Advertising
Authors: Parry Kathleen , Taylor Emily , Hall‐Dardess Pam , Walker Marsha , Labbok Miriam 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundExclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and continued breastfeeding for at least 1 year is recommended by all major health organizations. Whereas 74.6 percent of mothers initiate breastfeeding at birth, exclusivity and duration remain significantly lower than national goals. Empirical evidence suggests that exposure to infant formula marketing contributes to supplementation and premature cessation. The objective of this study was to explore how women interpret infant formula advertising to aid in an understanding of this association.MethodsFour focus groups were structured to include women with similar childbearing experience divided according to reproductive status: preconceptional, pregnant, exclusive breastfeeders, and formula feeders. Facilitators used a prepared protocol to guide discussion of infant formula advertisements. Authors conducted a thematic content analysis with special attention to women's statements about what they believed the advertisements said about how the products related to human milk (superior, inferior, similar) and how they reported reacting to these interpretations.ResultsParticipants reported that the advertisements conveyed an expectation of failure with breastfeeding, and that formula is a solution to fussiness, spitting up, and other normal infant behaviors. Participants reported that the advertisements were confusing in terms of how formula‐feeding is superior, inferior or the same as breastfeeding. This confusion was exacerbated by an awareness of distribution by health care practitioners and institutions, suggesting provider endorsement of infant formula.ConclusionsFormula marketing appears to decrease mothers' confidence in their ability to breastfeed, especially when provided by health care practitioners and institutions. Therefore, to be supportive of breastfeeding, perinatal educators and practitioners could be more effective if they did not offer infant formula advertising to mothers. (BIRTH 40:2 June 2013)
No small slam: increasing incidents of genitourinary injury from toilets and toilet seats
Authors: Glass Allison S. , Bagga Herman S. , Tasian Gregory E. , McGeady James B. , McCulloch Charles E. , Blaschko Sarah D. , McAninch Jack W. , Breyer Benjamin N. 
Published: June 2013

Objective
To describe the epidemiology of genitourinary (GU) injury from toilets that present to USA Emergency rooms (ERs).
Materials and Methods
The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) is a stratified probability sample of hospital ER visits for USA consumer product‐related injuries.
NEISS was used to estimate total toilet‐ and toilet seat‐related GU injury for the years 2002–2010, as well as to describe demographics and injury characteristics.
Analyses were performed using strata, primary sampling units and sample weights to accommodate the complex sample survey design.
Data are reported as national estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) provided.
Results
In all, 13 175 (95% CI 10 185–16 165) GU injuries related to toilets presented to ERs during 2002–2010.
The most common mechanism involved crush from accidental fall of toilet seat, described in 9011 (68.4%, 95% CI 6907–11 115) cases.
Most crush injuries were isolated to the penis (98.1%). Of crush injuries, 81.7% occurred in children aged 2–3 years and 99.3% occurred in the home. Crush injuries increased over the period 2002–2010 (P = 0.017) by ≈100 per year, ending with an estimated 1707 (95% CI 1011–2402) by 2010.
Most patients who sustained toilet‐ and toilet seat‐related GU injuries were treated in the ER and then discharged.
Conclusion
While penile crush injury related to a toilet seat is an uncommon mechanism of urological injury in children, the number of incidents appears to be rising.
These findings support educational efforts and interventions, such as exchange of heavy toilet seats with slow‐close toilet seat technology.
Opposite effects of genistein on the regulation of insulin‐mediated glucose homeostasis in adipose tissue
Authors: Wang M , Gao X J , Zhao W W , Zhao W J , Jiang C H , Huang F , Kou J P , Liu B L , Liu K 
Published: June 2013

Background and PurposeGenistein is an isoflavone phytoestrogen found in a number of plants such as soybeans and there is accumulating evidence that it has beneficial effects on the regulation of glucose homeostasis. In this study we evaluated the effect of genistein on glucose homeostasis and its underlying mechanisms in normal and insulin‐resistant conditions.Experimental ApproachTo induce insulin resistance, mice or differentiated 3T3‐L1 adipocytes were treated with macrophage‐derived conditioned medium. A glucose tolerance test was used to investigate the effect of genistein. Insulin signalling activation, glucose transporter‐4 (GLUT4) translocation and AMP‐activated PK (AMPK) activation were detected by Western blot analysis or elisa.Key ResultsGenistein impaired glucose tolerance and attenuated insulin sensitivity in normal mice by inhibiting the insulin‐induced phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate‐1 (IRS1) at tyrosine residues, leading to inhibition of insulin‐mediated GLUT4 translocation in adipocytes. Mac‐CM, an inflammatory stimulus induced glucose intolerance accompanied by impaired insulin sensitivity; genistein reversed these changes by restoring the disturbed IRS1 function, leading to an improvement in GLUT4 translocation. In addition, genistein increased AMPK activity under both normal and inflammatory conditions; this was shown to contribute to the anti‐inflammatory effect of genistein, which leads to an improvement in insulin signalling and the amelioration of insulin resistance.Conclusion and ImplicationsGenistein showed opposite effects on insulin sensitivity under normal and inflammatory conditions in adipose tissue and this action was derived from its negative or positive regulation of IRS1 function. Its up‐regulation of AMPK activity contributes to the inhibition of inflammation implicated in insulin resistance.
Robust T cell responses to aspergillosis in chronic granulomatous disease: implications for immunotherapy
Authors: Cruz C R Y , Lam S , Hanley P J , Bear A S , Langston C , Cohen A J , Liu H , Martinez C A , Krance R A , Heslop H E , Rooney C M , Hanson I C , Bollard C M 
Published: June 2013

Summary
Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) patients are highly susceptible to invasive aspergillosis and might benefit from aspergillus-specific T cell immunotherapy, which has shown promise in treating those with known T cell defects such as haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. But whether such T cell defects contribute to increased risks for aspergillus infection in CGD is unclear. Hence, we set out to characterize the aspergillus-specific T cell response in CGD. In murine CGD models and in patients with CGD we showed that the CD4+ T cell responses to aspergillus were unimpaired: aspergillus-specific T cell frequencies were even elevated in CGD mice (P &lt; 0·01) and humans (P = 0·02), compared to their healthy counterparts. CD4-depleted murine models suggested that the role of T cells might be redundant because resistance to aspergillus infection was conserved in CD4+ T cell-depleted mice, similar to wild-type animals. In contrast, mice depleted of neutrophils alone or neutrophils and CD4+ T cells developed clinical and pathological evidence of pulmonary aspergillosis and increased mortality (P &lt; 0·05 compared to non-depleted animals). Our findings that T cells in CGD have a robust aspergillus CD4+ T cell response suggest that CD4+ T cell-based immunotherapy for this disease is unlikely to be beneficial.
Effects of Artificial Sand Fixing on Community Characteristics of a Rare Desert Shrub
Authors: LIU HUILIANG , TAO YE , QIU DONG , ZHANG DAOYUAN , ZHANG YONGKUAN 
Published: June 2013

AbstractEremosparton songoricum (Fabaceae) is a rare, native, clonal small shrub of the deserts of central Asia. Although human activities have greatly fragmented the distribution of E. songoricum, it occurs in areas where artificial sand fixing (AS) has been implemented. We sought to explore whether AS promotes survival and growth of E. songoricum. In the Gurbantunggut Desert of northwestern China in June 2010, we established 10 plots in an area where sand fixing occurred (5–10 years previously) and 11 plots on original sand substrate on which some plants had settled without fixing sand. Sand fixing changed soil properties and biological characteristics in sand‐fixed plots. The soil surface where sand fixing occurred was covered by algal crusts and some lichen, but not bare sand (BS). Soil nutrients; water content of deep soil (30–150 cm); overall plant and herbaceous species richness, diversity, abundance, and cover; above‐ and belowground biomass; and cover, biomass, and height of E. songoricum in the sand‐fixed plots were significantly greater than in plots of BS. However, distribution of E. songoricum individuals in the 2 types of plots did not differ. Our results indicate AS may enhance survival of E. songoricum and increase the overall diversity and stability of the desert plant community. We suggest AS as a way to protect this rare desert plant in situ.Efectos de la Fijación Artificial de Arena sobre las Características de la Comunidad de un Arbusto Desértico Raro