bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beneficial Effects of Upgrading from Right Ventricular Pacing to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients with Heart Failure Compared to de Novo Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Kabutoya Tomoyuki , Mitsuhashi Takeshi , Hata Yoshihito , Hashimoto Toru , Nakagami Rieko , Osada Jun , Watanabe Tomonori , Shimada Kazuyuki , Kario Kazuomi 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackground: The effects of upgrading from right ventricular (RV) pacing to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with heart failure remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the improvement of cardiac function in patients upgraded from RV pacing to CRT.Methods: We studied 48 consecutive patients who underwent CRT implantation, and were followed up for more than 6 months. This group included 15 patients who were upgraded from RV pacing. We measured left ventricular (LV) dp/dt to determine the timing of LV‐RV sequential pacing. Echocardiographic examination was performed before and 6–12 months after the CRT procedure to assess the LV ejection fraction (LVEF).Results: In overall patients, LVEF increased after CRT (31.4 ± 9.8 vs. 37.1 ± 13.6%, p = 0.005). The increase of LVEF was more significant in the upgrade group (31.3 ± 9.4% to 41.9 ± 13.9%, p = 0.01) than in the newly implanted group (31.5 ± 10.1% to 35.0 ± 13.1%, p = 0.13). An increase of dp/dt during CRT was significantly positively associated with an increase of LVEF (r = 0.74, p = 0.01) in overall patients.Conclusion: The upgrading from RV pacing to CRT was associated with greater improvement of LV systolic function than de novo CRT implantation. The change of dp/dt might be useful to predict the improvement of LV systolic function.
Permanent Pacemaker Implantation via the Iliac Vein: An Alternative in 4 Cases with Contraindications to the Pectoral Approach
Authors: Tsutsumi Koji , Hashizume Kenichi , Kimura Naritaka , Taguchi Shinichi , Inoue Yoshito , Kashima Ichiro , Takahashi Ryuichi 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWe report the outcome of the iliac vein approach for permanent pacemaker implantation in 4 patients in whom the conventional pectoral approach was not possible. The reasons for using the iliac vein approach were: recurrent lead infections at bilateral pectoral positions in 1 patient; superior vena cava obstruction following cardiac surgery in 2 patients; and a postoperative dermal scar due to right radical mastectomy secondary to a persistent left superior vena cava with absence of the innominate vein in 1 patient. This technique was safe and effective during the mean follow‐up period of 24.3 months. At the latest follow‐up, no patients showed signs of electrophysiological abnormalities. No short‐ or long‐term complications were seen. Conclusions: The iliac vein approach is a less invasive and more feasible alternative without any complications for patients in whom the pectoral approach cannot be used.
Oversensing of a Particular Transient Noise Appearing After the Implantation of an Implantable Cardiac Device
Authors: Okahara Shigeyuki , Nakano Yukiko , Miyamoto Satoshi , Matsuzaki Hisayasu , Takahashi Hidenobu , Oda Noboru , Imai Katsuhiko , Sueda Taijirou , Kihara Yasuki 
Published: August 2012

We experienced 2 cases in which oversensing of a particular noise after the implantation of an implantable cardiac device was observed in the acute phase. These were unusual cases in which the noise exhibited a low frequency pattern and appeared several hours after the implantation, but disappeared within 1 week. Here we present these cases and the details of an experiment investigating the origin of the noise and the methods for its prevention.The noise in these cases led to pacing inhibition and could have induced an inappropriate shock due to oversensing, but its morphology and electromagnetic interference were atypical for a lead failure or myopotentials. The noise spontaneously disappeared from the analysis of the data stored in the device. In an experiment based on the Irnich model, in which it was assumed that blood invaded a damaged grommet, low frequency noise occurred which was similar to the noise in the two cases. We concluded that care must be exercised when handling grommets.
Focus on the Atrial Structure —Useful Anatomical Information for Catheter Ablation—
Authors: Igawa Osamu 
Published: August 2012

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been making remarkable progress for the last decade. When manipulating the catheter in the procedure, we have to reconstruct the three‐dimensional cardiac structure in our heads by using two‐dimensional fluoroscopic image. The author, an interventional electrophysiologist, developed and proposed a new method for recognizing the cardiac structure by using human body sections.In order to easily create practical cardiac images, the human bodies were cut sagittally, obliquely and coronally. In the sections obtained, the heart could be observed together with their surroundings within the thorax in the neutral position. The most important point is that the heart is observed without being removed from the body. This concept of the research is to recognize the heart as an object composed of many structures. It was useful for analyzing the mechanism of arrhythmia and to improve catheter technique and mapping systems.
The anti-proliferative effect of TI1B, a major Bowman–Birk isoinhibitor from pea (Pisum sativumL.), on HT29 colon cancer cells is mediated through protease inhibition
Authors: Clemente Alfonso , Carmen Marín-Manzano M. , Jiménez Elisabeth , Carmen Arques M. , Domoney Claire 
Published: August 2012

Bowman–Birk inhibitors (BBI) from legumes, such as soyabean, pea, lentil and chickpea, are naturally occurring plant protease inhibitors which have potential health-promoting properties within the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. BBI can survive both acidic conditions and the action of proteolytic enzymes within the stomach and small intestine, permitting significant amounts to reach the large intestine in active form to exert their reported anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. In a previous study, we reported the ability of a recombinant form of TI1B (rTI1B), representing a major BBI isoinhibitor from pea, to influence negatively the growth of human colorectal adenocarcinoma HT29 cellsin vitro.In the present study, we investigate if this effect is related directly to the intrinsic ability of BBI to inhibit serine proteases. rTI1B and a novel engineered mutant, having amino acid substitutions at the P1positions in the two inhibitory domains, were expressed in the yeastPichia pastoris. The rTI1B proved to be active against trypsin and chymotrypsin, showingKivalues at nanomolar concentrations, whereas the related mutant protein was inactive against both serine proteases. The proliferation of HT29 colon cancer cells was significantly affected by rTI1B in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 31 (sd7) μm), whereas the inactive mutant did not show any significant effect on colon cancer cell growth. In addition, neither recombinant protein affected the growth of non-malignant colonic fibroblast CCD-18Co cells. These findings suggest that serine proteases should be considered as important targets in investigating the potential chemopreventive role of BBI during the early stages of colorectal carcinogenesis.
Body composition in older community-dwelling adults with hip fracture: portable field methods validated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
Authors: Villani Anthony M. , Miller Michelle , Cameron Ian D. , Kurrle Susan , Whitehead Craig , Crotty Maria 
Published: August 2012

Ageing is associated with weight loss and subsequently poor health outcomes. The present study assessed agreement between two field methods, bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) and corrected arm muscle area (CAMA) for assessment of body composition against dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), the reference technique. Agreement between two predictive equations estimating skeletal muscle mass (SMM) from BIS against SMM from DXA was also determined. Assessments occurred at baseline < 14 d post-surgery (n79), and at 6 months (6M;n75) and 12 months (12M;n63) in community-living older adults after surgical treatment for hip fracture. The 95 % limits of agreement (LOA) between BIS and DXA, CAMA and DXA and the equations and DXA were assessed using Bland–Altman analyses. Mean bias and LOA for fat-free mass (FFM) between BIS and DXA were: baseline, 0·7 ( − 10·9, 12·4) kg; 6M, − 0·5 ( − 20·7, 19·8) kg; 12M, 0·1 ( − 8·7, 8·9) kg and for SMM between CAMA and DXA were: baseline, 0·3 ( − 11·7, 12·3) kg; 6M, 1·3 ( − 4·5, 7·1) kg; 12M, 0·9 ( − 5·4, 7·2) kg. Equivalent data for predictive equations against DXA were: equation 1: baseline, 15·1 ( − 9·5, 20·6) kg; 6M, 17·1 ( − 12·0, 22·2) kg; 12M, 17·5 ( − 13·0, 22·0) kg; equation 2: baseline, 12·6 ( − 7·3, 19·9) kg; 6M, 14·4 ( − 9·7, 19·1) kg; 12M, 14·8 ( − 10·7, 18·9) kg. Proportional bias (BIS: β = − 0·337,P< 0·001; CAMA: β = − 0·294,P< 0·001) was present at baseline but not at 6M or 12M. Clinicians should be cautious in using these field methods to predict FFM and SMM, particularly in the acute care setting. New predictive equations would be beneficial.
Association of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein with cardiometabolic risk factors and micronutrient deficiencies in adults of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Authors: Zeba Augustin N. , Delisle Hélène F. , Rossier Clémentine , Renier Genevieve 
Published: August 2012

Increasing evidence suggests that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) while being also related to micronutrient deficiencies. As part of a project on the double burden of under- and overnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa, we assessed the relationship between hs-CRP and both CMRF and micronutrient deficiencies in a population-based cross-sectional study carried out in the Northern district of Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso. We randomly selected 330 households stratified by income tertile. In each income stratum, 110 individuals aged 25–60 years and having lived in Ouagadougou for at least 6 months were randomly selected, and underwent anthropometric measurements and blood sample collection. The prevalence of high hs-CRP was 39·4 %, with no sex difference. Vitamin A-deficient subjects (12·7 %) exhibited significant risk of elevated hs-CRP (OR 2·5;P= 0·015). Serum ferritin was positively correlated with log hs-CRP (r0·194;P= 0·002). The risk of elevated hs-CRP was significant in subjects with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2(OR 6·9; 95 % CI 3·6, 13·3), abdominal obesity (OR 4·6; 95 % CI 2·2, 7·3) and high body fat (OR 10·2; 95 % CI 5·1, 20·3) (P< 0·001, respectively). Independent predictors of hs-CRP in linear regression models were waist circumference (β = 0·306;P= 0·018) and serum TAG (β = 0·158;P= 0·027). In this sub-Saharan population, hs-CRP was consistently associated with adiposity. Assuming that plasma hs-CRP reflects future risk of cardiovascular events, intervention which reduces CRP, or chronic and acute nutrition conditions associated with it, could be effective in preventing their occurrence particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Sailing Against the Tide: Exhaustion of Domestic Remedies and the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice
Authors: Enabulele Amos O 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis article examines the practice of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice relating to the exhaustion of domestic remedies. It argues that the court is wrong to maintain the view that it is not bound by the doctrine, simply because the court's protocol is silent on the point. The author urges the court to reconsider its view in order to align its practice with prevailing customary international law and treaty trends on the exhaustion of domestic remedies in international suits espoused before international courts by or on behalf of individuals.
Uptake (un)limited: The mediatization of register shifting in US public discourse
Authors: Cole Debbie , Pellicer Régine 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWe observe thatmediatization(Agha 2011b) creates and maintains the conditions by which some messages and uptake formulations remain unavailable to larger audiences while others are continuously recycled and increasingly accessible. We argue that the maintenance of the unequal divisions of semiotic labor in ways that mirror socioeconomic inequalities at an increasingly global scale can be facilitated by mediatization as currently practiced. An analysis of the way that the uptake formulations of a mediatized fragment of a register-shifting event varied in its pre- and postmediatized contexts reveals how premediatized value projects can be systematically replaced during mediatization, limiting the availability of premediatized value projects for wider uptake. We observe that value projects attached to mediatized fragments work to maintain the hierarchy of perduring semiotic registers (Goebel 2010) in US public discourse in which Standard English repertoires continue to dominate all others. (Mediatization, Standard, semiotic register-shifting, black preaching style)
An intentional basis for corporate personality - RETRACTION
Authors: Amatrudo Anthony 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis article provides a politico-jurisprudential account of the corporate personality which develops contemporary thinking about collective and shared intentions and their practical applications. It provides a model of corporate personality that is based on recent work by Bratman, Hurley, Raz and Sugden on the issues of shared intentions, interlocking preferences, and other supporting attitudes. The article will additionally detail issues of choice, coercion and will in relation to the work of scholars such as Dworkin and Velleman.
Human rights obligations in military occupation
Authors: Lubell Noam 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis article examines the applicability of international human rights law in situations of military occupation. Proceeding from the position that human rights obligations can exist in these circumstances, the article provides an analysis of the precise modalities of application. It examines the tests for the determination of human rights applicability, and how these are linked to the concept of occupation. Finally, it recognizes the practical and legal challenges to the implementation of human rights obligations, and argues for a contextual approach that provides for human rights protection while recognizing the realities of military occupation.
Effect of R2‐FAC development on the ionospheric electric field pattern deduced by a global ionospheric potential solver
Authors: Nakamizo Aoi , Hiraki Yasutaka , Ebihara Yusuke , Kikuchi Takashi , Seki Kanako , Hori Tomoaki , Ieda Akimasa , Miyoshi Yoshizumi , Tsuji Yuji , Nishimura Yukitoshi , Shinbori Atsuki 
Published: August 2012

Toward the understanding of the effect of the magnetosphere originated disturbances on the global ionospheric electric field and current system, we developed a two‐dimensional ionospheric potential solver based on the so‐called “thin shell model.” The important extension from the previous studies is that our model covers the pole‐to‐pole ionosphere without placing any boundary at the equator. By using this solver, we investigate how the ionospheric electric field changes from undershielding condition to overshielding condition as the field aligned current (FAC) distribution changes. Calculations are performed by changing IR2/IR1 (the ratio of current intensities of region 2 (R2) and region 1 (R1) FACs) and by moving R2‐FAC relative to the fixed R1‐FAC. The results are summarized as follows: (1) The turning point, at which the ionosphere turns from undershielding to overshielding is IR2/IR1 = 0.7 ∼ 0.8. (2) With increasing the local time deference between the R1 and R2‐FAC peaks, the efficiency of the shielding by R2‐FAC increases but the associated potential skews to the nightside. (3) At the same time the shielding effect is weakened around noon, where the R1‐potential intrudes to the low latitude region instead, but the R2‐potential remains dominant at other local times. The result suggests that the overshielding or undershielding should be identified by observations not only in a limited local time sector but also in the overall ionosphere as much as possible. In order to accurately describe the ionospheric condition, we suggest new classification terms, “complete‐overshielding” and “incomplete‐overshielding.”
Corals record persistent multidecadal SST variability in the Atlantic Warm Pool since 1775 AD
Authors: Vásquez‐Bedoya Luis Fernando , Cohen Anne L. , Oppo Delia W. , Blanchon Paul 
Published: August 2012

Accurate low‐latitude sea surface temperature (SST) records that predate the instrumental era are needed to put recent warming in the context of natural climate variability and to evaluate the persistence of lower frequency climate variability prior to the instrumental era and the possible influence of anthropogenic climate change on this variability. Here we present a 235‐year‐long SST reconstruction based on annual growth rates (linear extension) of three colonies of the Atlantic coralSiderastrea sidereasampled at two sites on the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, located within the Atlantic Warm Pool (AWP). AWP SSTs vary in concert the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), a basin‐wide, quasiperiodic (∼60–80 years) oscillation of North Atlantic SSTs. We demonstrate that the annual linear growth rates of all three coral colonies are significantly inversely correlated with SST. We calibrate annual linear growth rates to SST between 1900 and 1960 AD. The linear correlation coefficient over the calibration period is r = −0.77 and −0.66 over the instrumental record (1860–2008 AD). We apply our calibration to annual linear growth rates to extend the SST record to 1775 AD and show that multidecadal SST variability has been a persistent feature of the AWP, and likely, of the North Atlantic over this time period. Our results imply that tropical Atlantic SSTs remained within 1°C of modern values during the past 225 years, consistent with a previous reconstruction based on coral growth rates and with most estimates based on the Mg/Ca of planktonic foraminifera from marine sediments.
Long‐term culture optimization of human omentum fat‐derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Marappagounder Dhanasekaran , Somasundaram Indumathi , Janvikula Rajkumar S. , Dorairaj Sudarsanam 
Published: August 2012

AbstractRecent scientific explorations in search of novel sources for autologous transplantation transpired an alternative source of MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) derived from omentum fat. The scarcity of experimental evidences probing into the biosafety concerns of omentum fat‐derived MSC under prolonged culture conditions limits its applicability as an efficient tool in regenerative medicine. This study, thus, aims to optimize human omentum fat‐derived MSC in four different media [DMEM (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium) LG (low glucose), DMEM KO (knock out), α‐MEM (α‐minimal essential media) and DMEM F12] in the facets of phenotypic characterization, growth kinetics, differentiation and karyotyping under prolonged culture. The cells exhibited a similarity in expression profile for the majority of markers with evidential variations in certain markers. The relevance of omentum fat‐derived MSCs became evident from its triumphant differentiation potential and karyotypic stability substantiated even at later passage. The results obtained from growth curve and PDT (population doubling time) lead to optimization of appropriate media for omentum fat‐derived stem cell research, thereby bringing omentum fat into the forefront of regenerative medicine.
Efficacy of conservation measures for the American lobster: reproductive value as a criterion
Authors: Xu Cailin , Schneider David C. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractXu, C., and Schneider, D. C. 2012. Efficacy of conservation measures for the American lobster: reproductive value as a criterion – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 1831–1839.Reproductive value takes into account both current and future value, effectively characterizing the value of an individual to the population. In this study, we use reproductive value as a criterion to evaluate the effectiveness of several conservation measures that have been undertaken or proposed for the American lobster (Homarus americanus) fishery in Newfoundland. These measures are slot fishing (i.e. no fishing below or above certain sizes), marine protected areas (MPAs), V-notching, and window fishing (i.e. no fishing within a size window). Reproductive value was estimated by using catch length data available from commercial fisheries and research surveys. We found that MPAs had the greatest effect, followed by V-notching and slot-fishing. MPAs resulted in an average increase of 64.9% in total reproductive value, V-notching an average increase of 18.3%, and slot fishing an average increase of 16.8%. In general, window fishing was not effective unless the size of the window was large. For instance, an average increase of 8.7% in total reproductive value would require a wide window (100–129 mm). Our results provide a scientific basis for evaluating conservation measures in a way that integrates population demographical information with information from commercial fisheries and research surveys.
Systematic Prediction of cis-Regulatory Elements in the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Genome Using Comparative Genomics
Authors: Ding Jun , Li Xiaoman , Hu Haiyan 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is one of the most important microalgae model organisms and has been widely studied toward the understanding of chloroplast functions and various cellular processes. Further exploitation of C. reinhardtii as a model system to elucidate various molecular mechanisms and pathways requires systematic study of gene regulation. However, there is a general lack of genome-scale gene regulation study, such as global cis-regulatory element (CRE) identification, in C. reinhardtii. Recently, large-scale genomic data in microalgae species have become available, which enable the development of efficient computational methods to systematically identify CREs and characterize their roles in microalgae gene regulation. Here, we performed in silico CRE identification at the whole genome level in C. reinhardtii using a comparative genomics-based method. We predicted a large number of CREs in C. reinhardtii that are consistent with experimentally verified CREs. We also discovered that a large percentage of these CREs form combinations and have the potential to work together for coordinated gene regulation in C. reinhardtii. Multiple lines of evidence from literature, gene transcriptional profiles, and gene annotation resources support our prediction. The predicted CREs will serve, to our knowledge, as the first large-scale collection of CREs in C. reinhardtii to facilitate further experimental study of microalgae gene regulation. The accompanying software tool and the predictions in C. reinhardtii are also made available through a Web-accessible database (http://hulab.ucf.edu/research/projects/Microalgae/sdcre/motifcomb.html).