bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship of postcontrast myocardial T1 value and delayed enhancement to reduced cardiac function and serious arrhythmia in dilated cardiomyopathy with left ventricular ejection fraction less than 35%
Authors: Tachi Masaki , Amano Yasuo , Inui Kensuke , Takeda Minako , Yamada Fumi , Asai Kuniya , Kumita Shinichiro 
Published: April 2015

Background Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is often associated with progressive heart failure or ventricular arrhythmia. Look–Locker magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows quantitative evaluation of interstitial fibrosis by measuring the myocardial T1 value, and delayed enhancement (DE) MRI visualizes myocardial scar. Purpose To determine the relationship of postcontrast myocardial T1 value or DE to reduced cardiac function or sustained ventricular tachycardia (SVT) in DCM patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <35%. Material and Methods We enrolled 41 patients with DCM. Correlations between the cardiac function parameters and postcontrast myocardial T1 value or extent of DE were evaluated. The relationship between SVT and the T1 values or extent of DE was assessed. The correlation between the extent of DE and the T1 value was also examined. Results The postcontrast myocardial T1 value was significantly correlated with the LVEF ( P < 0.05; r = 0.31) and end-diastolic volume ( P < 0.01; r = −0.40) in 40 patients with LVEF <35%. DE was not correlated with the cardiac function, but provided a high negative predictive value of 94.7% for SVT. No correlation was found between the myocardial T1 value and extent of DE. Conclusion In DCM patients with LVEF <35%, the postcontrast myocardial T1 value correlated with the severity of cardiac dysfunction, and the absence of DE indicated the low risk of SVT. Both MRI parameters should be estimated because they may reflect discrete forms of myocardial damages in patients with DCM.
Risk Factors and Predictors of Subsequent ACL Injury in Either Knee After ACL Reconstruction
Authors: Kaeding Christopher C. , Pedroza Angela D. , Reinke Emily K. , Huston Laura J. ,   MOON Consortium, Spindler Kurt P. , Amendola Annunziato , Andrish Jack T. , Brophy Robert H. , Dunn Warren R. , Flanigan David , Hewett Timothy E. , Jones Morgan H. , Marx Robert G. , Matava Matthew J. , McCarty Eric C. , Parker Richard D. , Wolcott Michelle , Wolf Brian R. , Wright Rick W. 
Published: April 2015

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reinjury results in worse outcomes and increases the risk of posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Purpose: To identify the risk factors for both ipsilateral and contralateral ACL tears after primary ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data from the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON), a prospective longitudinal cohort, were used to identify risk factors for ACL retear. Subjects with primary ACLR, no history of contralateral knee surgery, and a minimum of 2-year follow-up data were included. Age, sex, Marx activity score, graft type, lateral meniscal tear, medial meniscal tear, sport played at index injury, and surgical facility were evaluated to determine their contribution to both ipsilateral retear and contralateral ACL tear. Results: A total of 2683 subjects with average age of 27 ± 11 years (1498 men; 56%) met all study inclusion/exclusion criteria. Overall there were 4.4% ipsilateral graft tears and 3.5% contralateral ACL tears. The odds of ipsilateral ACL retear were 5.2 times greater for an allograft ( P < .01) compared with a bone–patellar tendon–bone (BTB) autograft; the odds of retear were not significantly different between BTB autograft and hamstring autograft ( P = .12). The odds of an ipsilateral ACL retear decreased by 0.09 for every yearly increase in age ( P < .01) and increased by 0.11 for every increased point on the Marx score ( P < .01). These odds were not significantly influenced by sex, smoking status, sport played, medial or lateral meniscal tear, or consortium site ( P > .05). The odds of a contralateral ACL tear decreased by 0.04 for every yearly increase in age ( P = .04) and increased by 0.12 for every increased point on the Marx score ( P < .01); these odds were not significantly different between sex, smoking status, sport played, graft type, medial meniscal tear, or lateral meniscal tear ( P > .05). Conclusion: Younger age, higher activity level, and allograft graft type were predictors of increased odds of ipsilateral graft failure. Higher activity and younger age were found to be risk factors in contralateral ACL tears.
Systematic Reviews in Sports Medicine
Authors: DiSilvestro Kevin J. , Tjoumakaris Fotios P. , Maltenfort Mitchell G. , Spindler Kurt P. , Freedman Kevin B. 
Published: April 2015

Background: The number of systematic reviews published in the orthopaedic literature has increased, and these reviews can help guide clinical decision making. However, the quality of these reviews can affect the reader’s ability to use the data to arrive at accurate conclusions and make clinical decisions. Purpose: To evaluate the methodological and reporting quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in the sports medicine literature to determine whether such reviews should be used to guide treatment decisions. The hypothesis was that many systematic reviews in the orthopaedic sports medicine literature may not follow the appropriate reporting guidelines or methodological criteria recommended for systematic reviews. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: All clinical sports medicine systematic reviews and meta-analyses from 2009 to 2013 published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine ( AJSM), The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery ( JBJS), Arthroscopy, Sports Health, and Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy ( KSSTA) were reviewed and evaluated for level of evidence according to the guidelines from the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, for reporting quality according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, and for methodological quality according to the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) tool. Analysis was performed by year and journal of publication, and the levels of evidence included in the systematic reviews were also analyzed. Results: A total of 200 systematic reviews and meta-analyses were identified over the study period. Of these, 53% included evidence levels 4 and 5 in their analyses, with just 32% including evidence levels 1 and 2 only. There were significant differences in the proportion of articles with high levels of evidence ( P < .001) and low levels of evidence ( P = .005) by journal. The average PRISMA score was 87% and the average AMSTAR score was 73% among all journals. The average AMSTAR and PRISMA scores were significantly different by journal ( P = .002 and .001, respectively) and by year ( P = .046 and .019, respectively). Arthroscopy, AJSM, and JBJS all scored higher than Sports Health and KSSTA on the PRISMA and AMSTAR. The average PRISMA score by year varied from 85% to 89%, and the average AMSTAR score varied from 70% to 76%. Conclusion: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses in orthopaedics sports medicine literature relied on evidence levels 4 and 5 in 53% of studies over the 5-year study period. Overall, PRISMA and AMSTAR scores are high and may be better than those in other disciplines. Readers need to be conscious of potential shortcomings when reading systematic reviews and using them in practice.
Nanoparticle coating on the silane-modified surface of magnesium for local drug delivery and controlled corrosion
Authors: Lee Won Seok , Park Min , Kim Myung Hun , Park Chun Gwon , Huh Beom Kang , Seok Hyun Kwang , Choy Young Bin 
Published: April 2015

In this study, we proposed a potential method for the preparation of a magnesium-based medical device for local drug delivery and controlled corrosion. A magnesium surface was modified with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxy silane, and the resulting surface was then coated with drug-loaded nanoparticles made of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) via electrophoretic deposition. The drug-loaded nanoparticles (i.e., Tr_NP) exhibited a size of 250 ± 67 nm and a negative zeta potential of −20.9 ± 2.75 mV. The drug was released from the nanoparticles in a sustained manner for 21 days, and this did not change after their coating on the silane-modified magnesium. The silane-modified surface suppressed magnesium corrosion. When immersed in phosphate buffered saline at pH 7.4, the average rate of hydrogen gas generation was 0.41–0.45 ml/cm2/day, compared to 0.58–0.6 ml/cm2/day from a bare magnesium surface. This corrosion profile was not significantly changed after nanoparticle coating under the conditions employed in this work. The in vitro cell test revealed that the drug released from the coating was effective during the whole release period of 21 days, and both the silane-modified surface and carrier nanoparticles herein were not cytotoxic.
Experiential Perceptions of Relactation
Authors: Lommen Amy , Brown Blakely , Hollist Dusten 
Published: April 2015

Background: Relactation is the process of re-establishing a breast milk supply that has diminished or ceased. Objective: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of women living in Montana who chose to attempt relactation. Methods: A phenomenological approach was used to understand the lived experiences of 10 women in Montana who attempted relactation. In-depth interviews were conducted, and a 21-item categorical and open-ended demographic and experiential questionnaire was completed. Results: An overarching theme that could have affected the initial breastfeeding experience, and furthered the need for relactation, was having a difficult baby. Examples of being difficult included colic, latching issues, or a lack of bonding felt by the participant. Conclusion: When asked about the experience of relactation, participants reflected on the emotional aspects of the process rather than the physical process. The most common feelings expressed were rejection, anger, stress, and failure. Future studies could examine what factors are present with women who continue nursing versus factors that are absent in women who discontinue nursing difficult babies, which could help prevent the need for relactation.
Why do Firms Issue Equity?
Authors: Bhaduri Saumitra 
Published: April 2015

In contrast to the existing empirical research on the pecking order hypothesis which has been largely confined to the United States and a few other advanced countries, this article attempts to test the hypothesis for an emerging economy through a case study of the Indian corporate sector. A well diverse sample of 556 manufacturing firms over the period 1997–2007 is used in the article to test the pecking-order hypothesis. The study finds strong evidence in favour of the pecking-order hypothesis—a result that stands startlingly odd against the most recent evidence against the pecking-order theory in developed countries (Fama and French 2005; Frank and Goyal 2003; Leary and Roberts 2004; Lemmon and Zender 2004). JEL Classification: G32
Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction
Authors: Gu Jun , Hu Jia , Qian Hong , Shi Yingkang , Zhang Eryong , Guo Yingqiang , Xiao Zhenghua , Fang Zhi , Zhong Minghua , Zhang Hongwei , Meng Wei 
Published: April 2015

Background: Intestinal barrier dysfunction would lead to a rigorous inflammatory reaction due to the translocation of intestinal lumen-derived bacteria and endotoxins. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether intestinal barrier dysfunction occurs in patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) and to determine its potential relationship with the plasma levels of several inflammatory biomarkers in the progression of ATAAD. Design and Methods: Serum samples from a total of 46 patients with ATAAD and 36 healthy volunteers were prospectively collected and analyzed. The serum levels of diamine oxidase (DAO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured using colorimetric assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunoturbidimetric assay. Results: Serum levels of DAO, LDH, IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP in patients with ATAAD were significantly higher than those in healthy participants. A significantly positive correlation between DAO activity and IL-6 ( r = .56, P < .001), TNF-α ( r = .63, P < .001), and CRP ( r = .53, P < .001) was observed. Moreover, the activity of DAO correlated negatively with the Pao2/fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio2) ratio ( r = −.39, P = .007). Conclusions: Intestinal barrier dysfunction, reflected by an increased level of serum DAO, may play an important role in the development of systemic inflammatory responses in patients with ATAAD. Therefore, strategies of preserving a normal intestinal barrier function may open new horizons in the treatment of inflammation-related adverse events in the setting of ATAAD.
Periodic hypokalaemic polymyopathy in Burmese and closely related cats
Authors: Malik Richard , Musca Fran J , Gunew Marcus N , Menrath Victor H , Simpson Christopher , Culvenor John , Grahn Robert A , Helps Christopher , Lyons Leslie A , Gandolfi Barbara 
Published: April 2015

Global importance: Hypokalaemic polymyopathy is a genetic disease of Burmese cats that has been encountered in Australasia, Europe and South Africa. Clinical features: Affected cats usually present with signs of muscle weakness and muscle pain in the first year of life. Although certain clinical features, such as ventroflexion of the head and neck, are especially characteristic, some cats do not display these signs. Usually weakness is periodic or episodic, but occasionally it is incessant. Diagnostic challenges: In the past, diagnosis was problematic in that clinical signs and a lowered serum potassium concentration were not always observed synchronously. This necessitated serial serum potassium concentration determinations, testing of serum creatine kinase activity and exclusion of other potential causes of muscle disease in cats (including muscular dystrophies, Toxoplasma myositis, immune-mediated polymyositis, organophosphorus intoxication and envenomations). Signs in affected cats often waxed and waned, possibly in response to changes in dietary factors and stress, and some cats could apparently ‘grow out of’ the condition. Recent advances and future prospects: Recent molecular genetics research has identified a single nonsense mutation in the gene ( WNK4) coding for lysine-deficient 4 protein kinase, an enzyme present primarily in the distal nephron. The underlying pathomechanism in affected cats is therefore likely to be a potassium wasting nephropathy, as this enzyme is involved in complex sodium/potassium exchange mechanisms in the kidney. Additional functional characterisation of the condition is warranted to define precisely how, why and when the serum potassium concentration declines. The diagnosis of Burmese hypokalaemia is now straightforward, as an inexpensive PCR test can identify affected homozygous individuals, as well as carriers. The elimination of this condition from the Burmese breed, and also from pedigree cats infused with Burmese lines, such as the Bombay, Tonkinese and Tiffanie breeds, should therefore be possible.
Group size and therapists’ workplace ratings: Three is the magic number
Authors: Patras Joshua , Klest Sihu 
Published: April 2015

Summary The present implementation study compares therapists’ workplace ratings of collective efficacy, collaboration, and teamwork in Norwegian child welfare and child psychiatric agencies. Participating therapists were trained in Parent Management Training Oregon model (PMTO) as part of a nationwide implementation of the program. Participating therapists ( N = 83) worked in 67 Norwegian social service agencies. Respondents were part of three conditions: (1) PMTO therapists working in agencies with no other PMTO therapists ( n = 45), (2) two PMTO therapists working together in the same agency ( n = 23), and (3) three therapists working together in the same agency ( n = 15). Findings Therapists working in clusters of 3 rated their workplaces more positively than therapists who worked in agencies with 1 or 2 PMTO interventionists, β = .29, p = .03; Cohen’s d = .80. The result was independent of agency size, leadership quality, service population, and therapist education. There was no difference in workplace ratings between PMTO therapists working in agencies in pairs (2 PMTO therapists) and those working in agencies alone (1 PMTO therapist), p = .45. Applications PMTO therapists working in clusters of three appeared to have better experiences with their workplace than therapists with no other PMTO colleagues, and those with only one other PMTO colleague. This result suggests that clustering therapists together in groups of at least three may create a better work environment for therapists using newly-implemented interventions.
Confronto di spettri protonici cellulari mediante l'algoritmo di normalizzazione MaSNAl
Authors: Romano R. , Lamanna R. , Santini M.T. , Indovina P.L. 
Published: April 2015

La spettroscopia con risonanza magnetica nucleare è utilizzata, in modo sempre crescente, per studi sia in vivo che in sistemi biologici in vitro, per esaminare variazioni indotte dall'azione di agenti chimici, fisici e biologici. In questo tipo di studi si effettua, in genere, un confronto tra le intensità dei segnali di campioni controllo con campioni trattati per poter ricavare delle informazioni sull'azione dell'agente. I metodi di confronto finora adottati consistono nel quantificare, mediante l'utilizzo di una sostanza di riferimento interna od esterna ai campioni, i segnali nei singoli spettri e nel confrontarne i valori. In questo lavoro, viene presentato un nuovo metodo di confronto, che consiste nel normalizzare gli spettri mediante un nuovo algoritmo. Esso fa riferimento ai segnali nella loro totalità e non richiede, per ottenere informazioni quantitative sulle variazioni relative, di alcuna sostanza di riferimento ( standard). In particolare, l'algoritmo è fondato sulla massimizzazione, mediante una opportuna misura a segno variabile, delle regioni di sovrapposizione degli spettri. L'algoritmo è stato verificato con simulazioni Monte Carlo e con esperimenti di laboratorio, che ne dimostrano l'affidabilità, la precisione e la sensibilità. Infine, è stato applicato a spettri relativi a campioni cellulari per dimostrarne l'applicabilità a campioni biologici reali.
La spettroscopia protonica nello studio delle malattie metaboliche in età pediatrica
Authors: Bianchi M. C. , Tosetti M. , Siciliano G. , Battini R. , Leuzzi V. , Mancuso M. , Renna R. , Canapicchi R. 
Published: April 2015

La spettroscopia protonica (1H MRS) è una nuova indagine che permette di ottenere informazioni sul metabolismo cerebrale in vivo ed è attualmente considerato un promettente strumento di studio delle malattie metaboliche cerebrali, soprattutto in ambito pediatrico. Questo studio sintetizza le attuali applicazioni cliniche della 1H MRS nelle cerebropatie metaboliche pediatriche e descrive i risultati dell'esame di spettroscopia in un campione di bambini affetti da malattia mitocondriale e in due sorelline con disturbo del metabolismo della creatina cerebrale.
Prospettive e limiti dei metodi RM nello studio della funzionalità cerebrale
Authors: Mangia S. , Macrì MA , Garreffa G. , Maraviglia B. 
Published: April 2015

In questo lavoro vengono affrontati alcuni argomenti che sono al centro della più recente indagine scientifica nel campo delle neuroscienze, in relazione alle metodologie che utilizzano la risonanza magnetica nucleare nello studio della funzionalita cerebrale. Soprattutto grazie alle sue caratteristiche di non invasività, la risonanza magnetica funzionale non soltanto si presenta come un formidabile strumento di ricerca finalizzato alla comprensione delle relazioni che intercorrono tra la struttura cerebrale, la funzionalità cerebrale e le patologie neurologiche, ma si prospetta anche come un'importante tecnica diagnostica di routine clinica. Tuttavia le problematiche legate a tale metodologia sono molteplici, e riguardano da una parte l'interpretazione stessa del segnale rivelato in condizioni di attivazione neuronale, dall'altra la definizione della risoluzione spazio-temporale, della specificità spaziale e della significatività statistica delle mappe di attivazione ottenute.
Aree corticali di rappresentazione bilaterale dei movimenti della mano
Authors: Baraldi P. , Porro CA , Serafini M. , Pagnoni G. , Crisi G. , Basso G.P. , Cettolo V. , Nichelli P. 
Published: April 2015

Gli studi funzionali con PET e fMRI hanno dimostrato zone di attivazione nella corteccia motorio-sensoriale primaria ipsilaterale, che appare spazialmente più estesa nell'emisfero dominante durante il movimento delle dita. Questo studio analizza la presenza e la distribuzione spaziale controlaterale, bilaterale ed ipsilaterale della rappresentazione motoria di entrambi gli emisferi con RM ecoplanare. L'esame RM funzionale ha dimostrato differenti popolazioni neuronali con caratteristiche funzioni specifiche in zone anatomicamente definite. Non si è osservata rappresentazione del movimento puramente monolaterale; la componente ipsilaterale di attivazione corticale sembra riflettere una popolazione neuronale attivata durante movimenti sia della mano destra che sinistra, con estensione maggiore nell'emisfero dominante. Questa popolazione bilaterale è presumibilmente coinvolta nella pianificazione del movimento. Una popolazione secondaria, attivata solo durante il movimento controlaterale, è stata identificata in entrambi gli emisferi nella porzione posteriore del giro precentrale, probabilmente in corrispondenza dell'area motoria primaria.
Risonanza stocastica nel sistema visivo umano
Authors: Levrero F. , Ferrari M.A. , Pilot A. , Sardanelli F. , Parodi R.C. , Renzetti P. , Simonotto E. , Twitty J. , Moss F. , Vitali P. , Spanò F. , Riani M. 
Published: April 2015

La cosiddetta risonanza stocastica (RS) è un fenomeno statistico recentemente studiato in un'ampia gamma di sistemi fisici non lineari. Secondo la RS esisterebbe un livello ottimale di rumore per il quale il contenuto informativo di segnali deboli sotto soglia può essere rilevato. Questo studio analizza le possibilità della RS nel sistema visivo umano in termini di capacità soggettiva di riconoscere parametri in condizioni ottimali di rumore per stabilire le possibilita della fRM nell'obbiettivizzazione dei risultati.
Studio della funzione verbale mediante risonanza magnetica funzionale ad 1,0 Tesla
Authors: Alessandrini F. , Beltramello A. 
Published: April 2015

La RM da 1 Tesla è stata impiegata per studi funzionali per dimostrare la conoscenza attuale dell'organizzazione corticale e della dominanza emisferica, chiarendo l'efficacia dei paradigmi, delle possibilità diagnostiche e delle applicazioni cliniche in condizioni normali e patologiche. La risonanza funzionale con sequenze gradient eco è un'investigazione addizionale non invasiva nel valutare la funzione verbale in volontari sani e in pazienti con lesioni intracerebrali.