bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dimensions of Socioeconomic Status and Clinical Outcome After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Jakobsen Lars , Niemann Troels , Thorsgaard Niels , Thuesen Leif , Lassen Jens F. , Jensen Lisette O. , Thayssen Per , Ravkilde Jan , Tilsted Hans H. , Mehnert Frank , Johnsen Søren P. 
Published: October 2012

Background—
The association between low socioeconomic status (SES) and high mortality from coronary heart disease is well-known. However, the role of SES in relation to the clinical outcome after primary percutaneous coronary intervention remains poorly understood.

Methods and Results—
We studied 7385 patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Participants were divided into high-SES and low-SES groups according to income, education, and employment status. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization) at maximum follow-up (mean, 3.7 years). Low-SES patients had more adverse baseline risk profiles than high-SES patients. The cumulative risk of major adverse cardiac events after maximum follow-up was higher among low-income patients and unemployed patients compared with their counterparts (income: hazard ratio, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.47–1.92; employment status: hazard ratio, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.46–2.10). After adjustment for patient characteristics, these differences were substantially attenuated (income: hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.93–1.33; employment status: hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.03–1.56). Further adjustment for admission findings, procedure-related data, and medical treatment during follow-up did not significantly affect the associations. With education as the SES indicator, no between-group differences were observed in the risk of the composite end point.

Conclusions—
Even in a tax-financed healthcare system, low-SES patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention face a worse prognosis than high-SES patients. The poor outcome seems to be largely explained by differences in baseline patient characteristics. Employment status and income (but not education level) were associated with clinical outcomes.
Carina Shift Versus Plaque Shift for Aggravation of Side Branch Ostial Stenosis in Bifurcation Lesions
Authors: Xu Jianqiang , Hahn Joo-Yong , Song Young Bin , Choi Seung-Hyuk , Choi Jin-Ho , Lu Chengzhi , Lee Sang Hoon , Hong Kyung Pyo , Park Jeong Euy , Gwon Hyeon-Cheol 
Published: October 2012

Background—
Although carina shift and plaque shift are suggested as mechanisms of side branch ostial (SBo) compromise after main vessel (MV) stenting in bifurcation lesions, there are few direct evidence. Our purpose was to confirm the mechanism of SBo compromise after MV stent implantation.

Methods and Results—

Intravascular ultrasound images of both MV and SB before procedure and immediately after MV stenting were evaluated in 44 bifurcation lesions. Three 5 mm segments of interest were volumetrically analyzed: the proximal MV, distal MV, and SBo. SBo compromise was defined as a lumen volume decrease, carina shift as a vessel volume decrease, and plaque shift as a plaque volume increase in the SBo segment after MV stenting. The vessel volume increased, and the plaque volume decreased significantly in the proximal MV and distal MV. In contrast, in the SBo, the vessel volume decreased (53.0±17.5 mm
3
versus 50.4±16.2 mm
3
;
P
<0.001), with the accompanying small increase in plaque volume (23.0±9.8 mm
3
versus 23.4±9.8 mm
3
;
P
<0.001). The SBo compromise was significantly correlated with the carina shift (r=0.941;
P
<0.001), but not with the plaque shift (r=−0.019,
P
=0.90). Distal MV lumen volume increase was significantly correlated with SBo compromise (r=0.555;
P
<0.001) and carina shift (r=0.557;
P
<0.001), but not plaque shift (r=−0.228;
P
=0.14).

Conclusions—
Our study indicates that carina shift, not plaque shift, is the major mechanism of SBo compromise after MV stent implantation, and the carina shift is primarily influenced by distal MV lumen expansion.
Endogenous and Natural Complement Inhibitor Attenuates Myocardial Injury and Arterial Thrombogenesis
Authors: Pavlov Vasile I. , Skjoedt Mikkel-Ole , Siow Tan Ying , Rosbjerg Anne , Garred Peter , Stahl Gregory L. 
Published: October 2012

Background—
Coagulation disorders and reperfusion of ischemic myocardium are major causes of morbidity and mortality. Lectin pathway initiation complexes are composed of multimolecular carbohydrate recognition subcomponents and 3 lectin pathway–specific serine proteases. We have recently shown that the lectin pathway–specific carbohydrate recognition subcomponent mannose-binding lectin plays an essential role in the pathophysiology of thrombosis and ischemia/reperfusion injury. Thus, we hypothesized that the endogenous mannose-binding lectin (MBL)/ficolin-associated protein-1 (MAP-1) that inhibits complement activation in vitro also could be an in vivo regulator by attenuating myocardial schema/reperfusion injury and thrombogenesis when used at pharmacological doses in wild-type mice.

Methods and Results—
In 2 mouse models, MAP-1 preserves cardiac function, decreases infarct size, decreases C3 deposition, inhibits MBL deposition, and prevents thrombogenesis. Furthermore, we demonstrate that MAP-1 displaces MBL/ficolin-associated serine protease (MASP)-1, MASP-2, and MASP-3 from the MBL complex.

Conclusions—
Our results suggest that the natural, endogenous inhibitor MAP-1 effectively inhibits lectin pathway activation in vivo. MAP-1 at pharmacological doses represents a novel therapeutic approach for human diseases involving the lectin pathway and its associated MASPs.
Association Between Socioeconomic Status and Functional Impairment 3 Months After Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Grube Maike Miriam , Koennecke Hans-Christian , Walter Georg , Thümmler Jane , Meisel Andreas , Wellwood Ian , Heuschmann Peter Ulrich 
Published: October 2012

Background and Purpose—
We aimed to analyze the association between patient socioeconomic status and functional impairment 3 months after ischemic stroke and to identify factors that influence this association.

Methods—
Data were obtained from the Berlin Stroke Register, a network of 14 stroke units in Berlin. Ischemic stroke patients consecutively admitted to 1 of the hospitals in the Berlin Stroke Register between June 2010 and September 2011, were followedup 3 months after the index event by postal or telephone interview. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association between highest education as marker of socioeconomic status and functional impairment after stroke defined by Barthel Index categories. We adjusted for age, sex, prestroke dependency, stroke severity, functional deficit after stroke onset, and comorbidities as possible confounding factors.

Results—
A total of 1688 ischemic stroke patients who were alive at 3 months and completed the questionnaire were included in the analysis; 40% of the patients were female and 50% of the patients were 70 years or older. Age, prestroke dependency, stroke severity, and the absence of comorbidities were significantly associated with good functional outcome at 3 months. In multivariable analysis, a higher probability of good outcome was observed in patients with college or university degree (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.39–3.42) compared with patients with no completed education.

Conclusion—
Patients with lower education have considerably lower rates of good functional outcome after stroke that cannot be fully explained by variations in the patients’ clinical and demographic characteristics.
State Differences in the Reporting of ‘Unspecified Stroke’ on Death Certificates
Authors: Cheng Tain-Junn , Chang Chia-Yu , Lin Ching-Yih , Ke Der-Shin , Lu Tsung-Hsueh , Kawachi Ichiro 
Published: October 2012

Background and Purpose—
Little is known about the comparability of stroke subtype mortality across states. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study to examine state differences in the reporting of “unspecified stroke” on death certificates in the United States.

Methods—

The number of deaths from different subtypes of stroke in each state for the years 2007 to 2009 were obtained from the CDC WONDER online databases. We calculated the percentage of stroke deaths classified as unspecified stroke (
International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision [ICD-10]
code I64) among all stroke deaths (
ICD-10
codes I60–I69) for each state.

Results—
Of 398 942 people who died from stoke in the United States between 2007 and 2009, in 209 933 (53%) cases, the medical certifier did not specify whether the stroke was hemorrhage or infarction on the death certificate. There were 44 states in which the percentage of unspecified stroke among all strokes was ≥50 and 20 states in which the percentage was ≥55%. The percentage was lowest in the District of Columbia (46%) and highest in Oklahoma (64%). The state variation in the proportion of unspecified stroke decreased with age of the deceased. The state percentage of unspecified stroke correlated most with the state percentage of cerebral infarction and other and sequelae of cerebrovascular disease.

Conclusions—
Owing to the high percentage and state variation in the reporting of unspecified stroke on death certificates, the comparability of stroke subtype mortality is threatened. Querying of medical certifiers for more specific information for better coding is needed.
High Rate of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Stroke Recurrence in Cryptogenic Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Stroke Patients
Authors: Bal Simerpreet , Patel Shiel K. , Almekhlafi Mohammed , Modi Jayesh , Demchuk Andrew M. , Coutts Shelagh B. 
Published: October 2012

Background and Purpose—
Cryptogenic stroke is common in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke. It is likely that the imaging recurrence risk is higher than the clinical recurrence rate. We sought to determine the rate of clinical and radiographic stroke recurrence in a population of cryptogenic TIA and minor stroke.

Methods—
Patients with TIA/minor stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤3) were prospectively enrolled and imaged within 24 hours of symptom onset as part of 2 cohorts. Patients were assessed at 3 months to document any clinical recurrence and underwent repeat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at either 30 or 90 days. Stroke mechanism was categorized as cryptogenic after standard etiologic work-up was completed and was negative. Follow-up MRI was assessed for any new lesions in comparison with baseline imaging.

Results—
Three hundred thirty-three of 693 (48%) patients had cryptogenic stroke. Of these cryptogenic patients, 207 (62%) had follow-up imaging. At 30-day MRI follow-up, 6.6% (5/76) had new lesions (3 in a remote arterial territory). At 90-day MRI follow-up, 14.5% (19/131) had new lesions (9 in a remote arterial territory). Clinical recurrent stroke was seen in 1.2% (4/333) of patients within 90 days.

Conclusions—
Cryptogenic etiology is common in a TIA/minor stroke population. This population shows a high rate of silent radiographic recurrence, suggesting active disease. Use of MRI as a surrogate marker of disease activity is 1 potential way of assessing efficacy of new treatments in this population with reduced sample size.
Predictor Screening, Calibration, and Observational Constraints in Climate Model Ensembles: An Illustration Using Climate Sensitivity
Authors: Masson David , Knutti Reto 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Climate projections have been remarkably difficult to constrain by comparing the simulated climatological state from different models with observations, in particular for small ensembles with structurally different models. In this study, the relationship between climate sensitivity and different measures of the present-day climatology is investigated. First, it is shown that 1) a variable proposed earlier that is based on interannual variation of seasonal temperature and 2) the seasonal cycle amplitude are unable to constrain the range of climate sensitivity beyond what was initially covered by the ensemble. Second, it is illustrated how model calibration helps to reveal potentially useful relationships but might also complicate the interpretation of multimodel results. As a consequence, when ensembles are small, when models are neither independently developed nor structurally identical, when observations are likely to have been used in the model development and evaluation process, and when the interpretation of the relationships across models in terms of well-understood physical processes is not obvious, care should be taken when using relationships across models to constrain model projections. This study demonstrates the pitfalls that might occur if emergent statistical relationships are prematurely interpreted as an effective constraint on projected global or regional climate change.
Representation of Soil Moisture Feedbacks during Drought in NASA Unified WRF (NU-WRF)
Authors: Zaitchik Benjamin F. , Santanello Joseph A. , Kumar Sujay V. , Peters-Lidard Christa D. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Positive soil moisture–precipitation feedbacks can intensify heat and prolong drought under conditions of precipitation deficit. Adequate representation of these processes in regional climate models is, therefore, important for extended weather forecasts, seasonal drought analysis, and downscaled climate change projections. This paper presents the first application of the NASA Unified Weather Research and Forecasting Model (NU-WRF) to simulation of seasonal drought. Simulations of the 2006 southern Great Plains drought performed with and without soil moisture memory indicate that local soil moisture feedbacks had the potential to concentrate precipitation in wet areas relative to dry areas in summer drought months. Introduction of a simple dynamic surface albedo scheme that models albedo as a function of soil moisture intensified the simulated feedback pattern at local scale—dry, brighter areas received even less precipitation while wet, whereas darker areas received more—but did not significantly change the total amount of precipitation simulated across the drought-affected region. This soil-moisture-mediated albedo land–atmosphere coupling pathway is structurally excluded from standard versions of WRF.
Estimates of the 10-m Neutral Sea Surface Drag Coefficient from Aircraft Eddy-Covariance Measurements
Authors: Vickers Dean , Mahrt Larry , Andreas Edgar L 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The 10-m neutral drag coefficient (CDN10) over the sea is calculated using a large observational dataset consisting of 5800 estimates of the mean flow and the fluxes from aircraft eddy-covariance measurements. The dataset includes observations from 11 different experiments with four different research aircraft. One of the goals is to investigate how sensitive CDN10 is to the analysis method. As such, CDN10 derived from six unique processing schemes that involve different methods for averaging the surface stress and the wind speed are compared. Especially in weak winds, the resulting CDN10 values depend on the choice of processing.
Four distinct regimes of CDN10 are identified: weak winds where calculating CDN10 is not well posed, moderate winds (4 to 10 m s−1) where CDN10 is a constant, strong winds (10 to 20 m s−1) where CDN10 increases linearly with increasing wind speed, and very strong winds (20 to 24 m s−1) where CDN10 steadily decreases with increasing wind speed. However, as this last regime is based on data from a single experiment, additional data are needed to confirm this apparent decrease in CDN10 for winds exceeding 20 m s−1.
Calibration and Quality Assurance of an Airborne Turbulence Probe in an Aeronautical Wind Tunnel
Authors: Dobosy Ronald , Dumas Edward J. , Senn David L. , Baker Bruce , Sayres David S. , Witinski Mark F. , Healy Claire , Munster Jason , Anderson James G. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The Best Aircraft Turbulence (BAT) probe is used by multiple research groups worldwide. To promote an accurate interpretation of the data obtained from the probe’s unusual nine-port design, a detailed understanding of the BAT probe’s function along with a characterization and minimization of its systematic anomalies is necessary. This paper describes recent tests to enhance understanding of the probe’s behavior. The tests completed in the Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) built on earlier findings at Purdue University. Overall the true-vertical wind relative to the probe was found to have a systematic anomaly of about 10%–15%, an acceptable value borne out by considerable field experience and further reducible by modeling and removing. However, significant departure from theoretical behavior was found, making detailed generalization to other BAT probes still inadvisable. Based on these discoveries, recommendations are made for further experiments to explain the anomalous behavior, reduce the systematic anomaly, and generalize the characterizations.
A Multimoment Constrained Finite-Volume Model for Nonhydrostatic Atmospheric Dynamics
Authors: Li Xingliang , Chen Chungang , Shen Xueshun , Xiao Feng 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe two-dimensional nonhydrostatic compressible dynamical core for the atmosphere has been developed by using a new nodal-type high-order conservative method, the so-called multimoment constrained finite-volume (MCV) method. Different from the conventional finite-volume method, the predicted variables (unknowns) in an MCV scheme are the values at the solution points distributed within each mesh cell. The time evolution equations to update the unknown point values are derived from a set of constraint conditions based on the multimoment concept, where the constraint on the volume-integrated average (VIA) for each mesh cell is cast into a flux form and thus guarantees rigorously the numerical conservation. Two important features make the MCV method particularly attractive as an accurate and practical numerical framework for atmospheric and oceanic modeling. 1) The predicted variables are the nodal values at the solution points that can be flexibly located within a mesh cell (equidistant solution points are used in the present model). It is computationally efficient and provides great convenience in dealing with complex geometry and source terms. 2) High-order and physically consistent formulations can be built by choosing proper constraints in view of not only numerical accuracy and efficiency but also underlying physics. In this paper the authors present a dynamical core that uses the third- and the fourth-order MCV schemes. They have verified the numerical outputs of both schemes by widely used standard benchmark tests and obtained competitive results. The present numerical core provides a promising and practical framework for further development of nonhydrostatic compressible atmospheric models.
Sports Health Benefits of Vitamin D
Authors: Shuler Franklin D. , Wingate Matthew K. , Moore G. Hunter , Giangarra Charles 
Published: October 2012

Context: Vitamin D is a potent secosteroid hormone that provides many skeletal and extraskeletal health benefits. Musculoskeletal injury prevention and recovery are potentially affected by sufficient circulating levels of the storage form of vitamin D: 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, or 25(OH)D. Vitamin D deficiency can exist among young, active, and healthy people, which may put them at increased risk for injury and prolonged recovery. Evidence Aquisition: PubMed was searched using vitamin D and skeletal muscle, vitamin D and athletic performance, and vitamin D review articles. Studies from the 1930s to 2012 were used for the review. Results: There is strong correlation between vitamin D sufficiency and optimal muscle function. Increasing levels of vitamin D reduce inflammation, pain, and myopathy while increasing muscle protein synthesis, ATP concentration, strength, jump height, jump velocity, jump power, exercise capacity, and physical performance. 25(OH)D levels above 40 ng/mL are required for fracture prevention, including stress fractures. Optimal musculoskeletal benefits occur at 25(OH)D levels above the current definition of sufficiency (> 30 ng/mL) with no reported sports health benefits above 50 ng/mL. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is common in athletes. For athletes presenting with stress fractures, musculoskeletal pain, and frequent illness, one should have a heightened awareness of the additional likely diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency. Correction of this deficiency is completed by standardized and supervised oral supplementation protocols producing significant musculoskeletal sports health benefits.
Has MRD monitoring superseded other prognostic factors in adult ALL?
Authors: Brüggemann Monika , Raff Thorsten , Kneba Michael 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSignificant improvements have been made in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during the past 2 decades, and measurement of submicroscopic (minimal) levels of residual disease (MRD) is increasingly used to monitor treatment efficacy. For a better comparability of MRD data, there are ongoing efforts to standardize MRD quantification using real-time quantitative PCR of clonal immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor gene rearrangements, real-time quantitative-based detection of fusion gene transcripts or breakpoints, and multiparameter flow cytometric immunophenotyping. Several studies have demonstrated that MRD assessment in childhood and adult ALL significantly correlates with clinical outcome. MRD detection is particularly useful for evaluation of treatment response, but also for early assessment of an impending relapse. Therefore, MRD has gained a prominent position in many ALL treatment studies as a tool for tailoring therapy with growing evidence that MRD supersedes most conventional stratification criteria at least for Ph-negative ALL. Most study protocols on adult ALL follow a 2-step approach with a first classic pretherapeutic and a second MRD-based risk stratification. Here we discuss whether and how MRD is ready to be used as main decisive marker and whether pretherapeutic factors and MRD are really competing or complementary tools to individualize treatment.
Lipoteichoic acid induces surfactant protein-A biosynthesis in human alveolar type II epithelial cells through activating the MEK1/2-ERK1/2-NF-κB pathway
Authors: Liu Feng-Lin , Chuang Chi-Yuan , Tai Yu-Ting , Tang Hsiu-Lien , Chen Tyng-Guey , Chen Ta-Liang , Chen Ruei-Ming 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a gram-positive bacterial outer membrane component, can cause septic shock. Our previous studies showed that the gram-negative endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), could induce surfactant protein-A (SP-A) production in human alveolar epithelial (A549) cells.

Objectives
In this study, we further evaluated the effect of LTA on SP-A biosynthesis and its possible signal-transducing mechanisms.

Methods
A549 cells were exposed to LTA. Levels of SP-A, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and mitogen-activated/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK)1 were determined.

Results
Exposure of A549 cells to 10, 30, and 50 μg/ml LTA for 24 h did not affect cell viability. Meanwhile, when exposed to 30 μg/ml LTA for 1, 6, and 24 h, the biosynthesis of SP-A mRNA and protein in A549 cells significantly increased. As to the mechanism, LTA enhanced cytosolic and nuclear NF-κB levels in time-dependent manners. Pretreatment with BAY 11–7082, an inhibitor of NF-κB activation, significantly inhibited LTA-induced SP-A mRNA expression. Sequentially, LTA time-dependently augmented phosphorylation of ERK1/2. In addition, levels of phosphorylated MEK1 were augmented following treatment with LTA.

Conclusions
Therefore, this study showed that LTA can increase SP-A synthesis in human alveolar type II epithelial cells through sequentially activating the MEK1-ERK1/2-NF-κB-dependent pathway.