bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Intracoronary Versus Intravenous Administration of Adenosine for Measurement of Coronary Fractional Flow Reserve
Authors: Schlundt Christian , Bietau Christian , Klinghammer Lutz , Wiedemann Ricarda , Rittger Harald , Ludwig Josef , Achenbach Stephan 
Published: April 2015

Background—
Measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR) constitutes the current gold standard to evaluate the hemodynamic significance of coronary stenoses. Limited data validate the intracoronary application of adenosine against standard intravenous infusion. We systematically compared FFR measurements during intracoronary and intravenous application of adenosine about agreement and reproducibility.

Methods and Results—

We included 114 patients with an intermediate degree of stenosis in coronary angiography. Two FFR measurements were performed during intracoronary bolus injection (40 μg for the right and 80 μg for the left coronary artery, FFR
ic
), and 2 FFR measurements during continuous intravenous infusion of adenosine (140 μg/kg per minute, FFR
iv
). FFR value, the time to reach FFR and patient discomfort (on a subjective scale from 0 for no symptoms to 5 for maximal discomfort) were recorded for each measurement. Mean time to FFR was 100±27 s for continuous intravenous infusion versus 23±14 s for intracoronary bolus administration of adenosine (
P
<0.001). Reported discomfort after intracoronary application was significantly lower compared with intravenous adenosine (subjective scale >0 in 35.1% versus 87.7% of the patients;
P
<0.001). Correlation between FFR
iv
and FFR
ic
was extremely close (
r
=0.99;
P
<0.001) with no systematic bias in Bland–Altman analysis (bias 0.002 [confidence interval, −0.001 to 0.005]) and low intermethod variability (1.56%). Intramethod variability was not different between intravenous and intracoronary administration (1.47% versus 1.33%;
P
=0.5).

Conclusions—
Intracoronary bolus injection of adenosine (40 μg for the right and 80 μg for the left coronary artery) yields identical FFR results compared with intravenous infusion (140 μg/kg per minute), while requiring less time and offering superior patient comfort.
Years of Able Life in Older Persons—The Role of Cardiovascular Imaging and Biomarkers: The Cardiovascular Health Study
Authors: Alshawabkeh Laith I. , Yee Laura M. , Gardin Julius M. , Gottdiener John S. , Odden Michelle C. , Bartz Traci M. , Arnold Alice M. , Mukamal Kenneth J. , Wallace Robert B. 
Published: April 2015

Background

As the
U.S.
population grows older, there is greater need to examine physical independence. Previous studies have assessed risk factors in relation to either disability or mortality, but an outcome that combines both is still needed.

Methods and Results

The Cardiovascular Health Study is a population‐based, prospective study where participants underwent baseline echocardiogram, measurement of carotid intima‐media thickness (
IMT
), and various biomarkers, then followed for up to 18 years. Years of able life (
YAL
) constituted the number of years the participant was able to perform all activities of daily living. Linear regression was used to model the relationship between selected measures and outcomes, adjusted for confounding variables. Among 4902 participants, mean age was 72.6±5.4 years, median
YAL
for males was 8.8 (interquartile range [IQR], 4.3 to 13.8) and 10.3 (IQR, 5.8 to 15.8) for females. Reductions in
YAL
in the fully adjusted model for females and males, respectively, were: −1.34 (95% confidence interval [CI], −2.18, −0.49) and −1.41 (95% CI, −2.03, −0.8) for abnormal left ventricular (
LV
) ejection fraction, −0.5 (95% CI, −0.78, −0.22) and −0.62 (95% CI, −0.87, −0.36) per SD increase in
LV
mass, −0.5 (95% CI, −0.7, −0.29) and −0.79 (95% CI, −0.99, −0.58) for
IMT
, −0.5 (95% CI, −0.64, −0.37) and −0.79 (95% CI, −0.94, −0.65) for N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide, −1.08 (95% CI, −1.34, −0.83) and −0.73 (95% CI, −0.97, −0.5) for high‐sensitivity troponin‐T, and −0.26 (95% CI, −0.42, −0.09) and −0.23 (95% CI, −0.41, −0.05) for procollagen‐
III
N‐terminal propeptide. Most tested variables remained significant even after adjusting for incident cardiovascular (CV) disease.

Conclusions

In this population‐based cohort, variables obtained by CV imaging and biomarkers of inflammation, coagulation, atherosclerosis, myocardial injury and stress, and cardiac collagen turnover were associated with
YAL
, an important outcome that integrates physical ability and longevity in older persons.
Resveratrol Preconditioning Protects Against Cerebral Ischemic Injury via Nuclear Erythroid 2–Related Factor 2
Authors: Narayanan Srinivasan V. , Dave Kunjan R. , Saul Isa , Perez-Pinzon Miguel A. 
Published: April 2015

Background and Purpose—
Nuclear erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an astrocyte-enriched transcription factor that has previously been shown to upregulate cellular antioxidant systems in response to ischemia. Although resveratrol preconditioning (RPC) has emerged as a potential neuroprotective therapy, the involvement of Nrf2 in RPC-induced neuroprotection and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production after cerebral ischemia remains unclear. The goal of our study was to study the contribution of Nrf2 to RPC and its effects on mitochondrial function.

Methods—

We used rodent astrocyte cultures and an in vivo stroke model with RPC. An Nrf2 DNA binding ELISA and protein analysis via Western blotting of downstream Nrf2 targets were performed to determine RPC-induced activation of Nrf2 in rat and mouse astrocytes. After RPC, mitochondrial function was determined by measuring reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial respiration in both wild-type and Nrf2
−/−
mice. Infarct volume was measured to determine neuroprotection, whereas protein levels were measured by immunoblotting.

Results—

We report that Nrf2 is activated by RPC in rodent astrocyte cultures, and that loss of Nrf2 reduced RPC-mediated neuroprotection in a mouse model of focal cerebral ischemia. In addition, we observed that wild-type and Nrf2
−/−
cortical mitochondria exhibited increased uncoupling and reactive oxygen species production after RPC treatments. Finally, Nrf2
−/−
astrocytes exhibited decreased mitochondrial antioxidant expression and were unable to upregulate cellular antioxidants after RPC treatment.

Conclusions—
Nrf2 contributes to RPC-induced neuroprotection through maintaining mitochondrial coupling and antioxidant protein expression.
Suppressive effects of palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha) on Pratylenchus coffeae
Authors: Uesugi Kenta , Iwahori Hideaki , Tateishi Yasushi 
Published: April 2015

The suppressive effects of palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha) cv. MG5 on Pratylenchus coffeae were tested in pot and seedling tray experiments and under field conditions. In pot tests, four isolates of P. coffeae were tested by inoculating 500 mixed life stages of each isolate on 5- or 7-week-old palisade grass plants. The nematode number in palisade grass was significantly lower than in susceptible cucumber in all isolates and below 20% of the inoculated level 69-86 days after inoculation. In seedling tray tests, the number of eggs and adults + juveniles in palisade grass roots was examined 5-25 days after inoculation (dai) of 200 mixed life stages of an isolate of P. coffeae to a 3-week-old seedling. The number of adults + juveniles in palisade grass roots was not statistically different from sorghum and black oat 5 and 10 dai, while the number of eggs and adults + juveniles was significantly lower than these two plants 20 and 25 dai. In field plot tests, palisade grass was cultivated for approximately 4 months in 2011 and 2012. The P. coffeae density after palisade grass cultivation was significantly lower than that after bare fallow in 2011, whereas the nematode density was not significantly different between these two treatments in 2012. Rates of lesions on sweet potatoes cultivated after growing palisade grass were significantly lower than those after growing sorghum or guinea grass, but not significantly different from that after fallow. These results indicated that the cultivation of palisade grass cv. MG5 has a nematode suppressive effect that is comparable to fallow treatments.
CloudSat Observes a Labrador Sea Polar Low
Authors: Forsythe John M. , Haynes John M. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Polar lows generate hazardous weather conditions in the Arctic, and satellites have played a key role in understanding their genesis and dynamics. For the first time, an overpass of the CloudSat 94-GHz cloud radar over a polar low has been recorded. The case occurred in November 2013 in the Labrador Sea between Canada and Greenland, and had a striking convective appearance with an eyelike feature. A deep cloud band was observed by the radar, with radar reflectivity up to 5-km in altitude in a 50-km-wide band. It is likely that more such matchups exist in the CloudSat mission data.
Prevalence of Perceived Dysphonia and Its Correlation With the Prevalence of Clinically Diagnosed Laryngeal Disorders
Authors: Byeon Haewon 
Published: April 2015

Objective: This study investigated the prevalence of perceived dysphonia and its correlation with the prevalence of clinically diagnosed laryngeal disorders. Methods: Subjects were 8713 non-institutionalized civilian adults over the age of 19 (3810 men and 4912 women) who completed the laryngeal examination of the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A Poisson regression was used to examine the association between perceived dysphonia and laryngeal disorders. Results: Adjusting for covariates (age, sex, education level, income, occupation, alcohol drinking, and self-reported health status), those with perceived voice problems were 4.8 times (OR = 4.75, 95% CI, 3.77-5.99) more likely to have laryngeal disorders than those without voice problems. In particular, the vocal fold pathology correlated with perceived dysphonia was: vocal fold nodules (OR = 5.32, 95% CI, 3.43-8.26), vocal polyps (OR = 3.73, 95% CI, 1.57-8.86), vocal cysts (OR = 11.97, 95% CI, 1.97-72.72), Reinke’s edema (OR = 9.27, 95% CI, 4.77-18.00), laryngeal paralysis (OR = 3.58, 95% CI, 1.56-8.26), laryngeal granulomas (OR = 4.31, 95% CI, 1.01-18.80), epiglottic cyst (OR = 2.94, 95% CI, 1.21-7.13), and laryngitis (OR = 4.07, 95% CI, 2.91-5.69). Conclusion: People with self-perceived dysphonia had a high risk of laryngeal disorders.
Developing a roadmap for the translation of e-mental health services for depression
Authors: Batterham Philip J , Sunderland Matthew , Calear Alison L , Davey Christopher G , Christensen Helen , Teesson Maree , Kay-Lambkin Frances , Andrews Gavin , Mitchell Philip B , Herrman Helen , Butow Phyllis N , Krouskos Demos 
Published: April 2015

Objective: e-Mental health services have been shown to be effective and cost-effective for the treatment of depression. However, to have optimal impact in reducing the burden of depression, strategies for wider reach and uptake are needed. Method: A review was conducted to assess the evidence supporting use of e-mental health programmes for treating depression. From the review, models of dissemination and gaps in translation were identified, with a specific focus on characterising barriers and facilitators to uptake within the Australian healthcare context. Finally, recommendations for promoting the translation of e-mental health services in Australia were developed. Results: There are a number of effective and cost-effective e-health applications available for treating depression in community and clinical settings. Four primary models of dissemination were identified: unguided, health service–supported, private ownership and clinically guided. Barriers to translation include clinician reluctance, consumer awareness, structural barriers such as funding and gaps in the translational evidence base. Conclusion: Key strategies for increasing use of e-mental health programmes include endorsement of e-mental health services by government entities, education for clinicians and consumers, adequate funding of e-mental health services, development of an accreditation system, development of translation-focused activities and support for further translational research. The impact of these implementation strategies is likely to include economic gains, reductions in disease burden and greater availability of more interventions for prevention and treatment of mental ill-health complementary to existing health and efficient evidence-based mental health services.
Estimating Glenoid Width for Instability-Related Bone Loss
Authors: Giles Joshua W. , Owens Brett D. , Athwal George S. 
Published: April 2015

Background: Determining the magnitude of glenoid bone loss in cases of shoulder instability is an important step in selecting the optimal reconstructive procedure. Recently, a formula has been proposed that estimates native glenoid width based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of height (1/3 × glenoid height + 15 mm). This technique, however, has not been validated for use with computed tomography (CT), which is often the preferred imaging modality to assess bone deficiencies. Purpose: The purpose of this project was 2-fold: (1) to determine if the MRI-based formula that predicts glenoid width from height is valid with CT and (2) to determine if a more accurate regression can be resolved for use specifically with CT data. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Ninety normal shoulder CT scans with preserved osseous anatomy were drawn from an existing database and analyzed. Measurements of glenoid height and width were performed by 2 observers on reconstructed 3-dimensional models. After assessment of reliability, the data were correlated, and regression models were created for male and female shoulders. The accuracy of the MRI-based model’s predictions was then compared with that of the CT-based models. Results: Intra- and interrater reliabilities were good to excellent for height and width, with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.765 to 0.992. The height and width values had a strong correlation of 0.900 ( P < .001). Regression analyses for male and female shoulders produced CT-specific formulas: for men, glenoid width = 2/3 × glenoid height + 5 mm; for women, glenoid width = 2/3 × glenoid height + 3 mm. Comparison of predictions from the MRI- and CT-specific formulas demonstrated good agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.818). The CT-specific formulas produced a root mean squared error of 1.2 mm, whereas application of the MRI-specific formula to CT images resulted in a root mean squared error of 1.5 mm. Conclusion: Use of the MRI-based formula on CT scans to predict glenoid width produced estimates that were nearly as accurate as the CT-specific formulas. The CT-specific formulas, however, are more accurate at predicting native glenoid width when applied to CT data. Clinical Relevance: Imaging-specific (CT and MRI) formulas have been developed to estimate glenoid bone loss in patients with instability. The CT-specific formula can accurately predict native glenoid width, having an error of only 2.2% of average glenoid width.
Associations between the functional CD40 rs4810485 G/T polymorphism and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Y H , Bae S-C , Choi S J , Ji J D , Song G G 
Published: April 2015

Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether the functional CD40 rs4810485 G/T polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods A series of meta-analyses were conducted to test for association between the CD40 rs4810485 G/T polymorphism and RA or SLE. Results A total of 21 comparisons involving 15,095 patients and 27,050 controls for RA, and 1353 patients and 2342 controls for SLE were considered. Meta-analysis showed a significant association between the CD40 rs4810485 T allele and RA in all subjects (odds ratio (OR) 0.890, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.846–0.936, p = 5.5 × 10−7). After stratification by ethnicity, the CD40 T allele was found to be significantly associated with RA in Europeans (OR 0.879, 95% CI 0.848–0.901, p = 3.0 × 10−9). A similar pattern of association was observed between the CD40 T allele and RA when the analysis was performed using the recessive, dominant, and additive models. Meta-analysis also showed a significant association between the CD40 polymorphism and SLE in Europeans (OR for the T allele 0.715, 95% CI 0.641–0.832, p = 1.4 × 10−6). Conclusions Our meta-analyses confirm that the CD40 rs4810485 G/T polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to RA and SLE in Europeans.
Improving Adherence Rate of Extended Prophylaxis for Venous Thromboembolic Disease After Abdominal and Pelvic Oncologic Surgery
Authors: Vázquez Fernando Javier , Bilbao María Soledad , Saimovici Javier , Vaccaro Carlos 
Published: April 2015

Background: Venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) is higher among patients with cancer. For those undergoing abdominal or pelvic surgery for cancer, it is suggested to extend thromboprophylaxis during 4 weeks with low-molecular-weight heparin over limited-duration of 7 days. There is no published local data from our country about compliance with recommended guidelines of extended prophylaxis (EP) in patients with cancer undergoing surgical procedures. Our aim was to evaluate the adherence rate to extended pharmacological thromboprophylaxis after abdominal–pelvic surgery for cancer, before and after an educational intervention program (EIP) geared toward surgeons. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study before and after an EIP aimed for surgeons. All consecutive patients older than 65 years who underwent surgery for abdominal–pelvic neoplasm, at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina, between September 2013 and May 2014, were evaluated for inclusion. Results: A total of 120 patients were included, 60 before and 60 after the EIP aimed for surgeons. None of the initial 60 patients received EP, while 13 (21.6%) of 60 patients received prophylaxis for 28 days (all with colon or rectal cancer) after the intervention. There were no bleeding or death during 90 days of follow-up, and there were 7 of 120 VTE events, none in the group receiving extended thromboprophylaxis. Conclusion: The EIP for the surgical team significantly improved their adherence but only in the colon–rectal surgeries. The adherence to the recommended guidelines is still low. Reasons could be the subjective perception of elevated bleeding risk and the variable grade of recommendation in different guidelines.
Impact of ICU-acquired weakness on post-ICU physical functioning: a follow-up study
Authors: Wieske Luuk , Dettling-Ihnenfeldt Daniela S , Verhamme Camiel , Nollet Frans , van Schaik Ivo N , Schultz Marcus J , Horn Janneke , van der Schaaf Marike 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Introduction
ICU-acquired weakness is thought to mediate physical impairments in survivors of critical illness, but few studies have investigated this thoroughly. The purpose was to investigate differences in post-ICU mortality and physical functioning between patients with and without ICU-acquired weakness at 6 months after ICU discharge.

Method
ICU patients, mechanically ventilated ≥2 days, were included in a single-center prospective observational cohort study. ICU-acquired weakness was diagnosed when the average Medical Research Council score was <4 in awake and attentive patients. Post-ICU mortality was recorded until 6 months after ICU discharge; in surviving patients, physical functioning was assessed using the Short-Form Health Survey physical functioning domain. The independent effect of ICU-acquired weakness on post-ICU mortality was analyzed using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. The independent effect of ICU-acquired weakness on the physical functioning domain score was analyzed using a multivariable linear regression model.

Results
Of the 156 patients included, 80 had ICU-acquired weakness. Twenty-three patients died in the ICU (20 with ICU-acquired weakness); during 6 months follow-up after ICU discharge another 25 patients died (17 with ICU-acquired weakness). Physical functioning domain scores were available for 96 survivors (39 patients with ICU-acquired weakness). ICU-acquired weakness was independently associated with an increase in post-ICU mortality (hazard ratio 3.6, 95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 9.8; P = 0.01) and with a decrease in physical functioning (β: -16.7 points; 95% confidence interval, -30.2 to -3.1; P = 0.02).

Conclusion
ICU-acquired weakness is independently associated with higher post-ICU mortality and with clinically relevant lower physical functioning in survivors at 6 months after ICU discharge.
An investigation of the lead tin yellows type I and II and their use in Bohemian panel paintings from the Gothic period
Authors: Šefců Radka , Chlumská Štěpánka , Hostašová Alena 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Background
Presented article summarizes the results of a broad-based survey on painting techniques used during the High and Late Gothic period in the Bohemian panel paintings located in the collections of the National Gallery in Prague. The work is focused on the specific use of yellow pigments – lead tin yellow type I and type II in the panel painting from the period around 1340–1550. In the scientific investigation supplementary microscopic and spectral analyses were made. A representative range of 57 micro-samples collected from the 36 panel paintings of the 21 Masters and their workshops was investigated by the methods of optical microscopy on polarizing microscope (OM). Molecular analysis of both types of yellow was performed using Raman micro-spectroscopy (RMS). The use of this technique was crucial for the nondestructive differentiation between each type of lead-tin yellow.

Results
Thanks to the Raman spectroscopy it was possible for the first time to map the usage of lead tin yellow type I and II in such a broad range. Combination of the analytical techniques brought the knowledge about the morphology of the grains and variability of the use of the lead tin yellows in the Bohemian panel paintings.

Conclusions
The contribution offers a systematic view on the outcomes and in a synoptic way consults the results of respective scientific methods. It clearly confirms both the temporally and locally specific use of both types of lead tin yellows. The presented facts are the results of interdisciplinary collaboration among the scientists and the art historian.