bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of the Preprocedural Frequency of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation on the Clinical Outcome after Catheter Ablation
Authors: MIYAZAKI SHINSUKE , KUWAHARA TAISHI , TAKAHASHI ATSUSHI 
Published: August 2012

Background:
Pulmonary vein antral isolation (PVAI) is a recommended treatment for symptomatic drug‐refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). PAF naturally progresses toward persistent AF with an increase in the frequency and duration of AF. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the preprocedural AF frequency had an impact on the AF recurrence after PVAI in patients with symptomatic PAF.
Methods and Results:
A total of 362 consecutive patients (61.0 ± 9.8 years; 274 males) with drug‐refractory PAF who underwent PVAI were included. The preprocedural frequency of PAF was daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly in 145 (40.1%), 112 (30.9%), 90 (24.9%), and 15 (4.1%) patients, respectively. There were no significant differences in any of the preprocedural variables between the four groups, except for the number of ineffective antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). PVAI was successfully performed in all patients. At 12 months after the initial procedure, 63.5% of the entire group of patients were free of AF recurrences without any AADs, respectively. A Cox regression multivariate analysis of the variables including the AF frequency, age, gender, duration of AF, presence of hypertension or structural heart disease, left atrial size, left ventricular ejection fraction, and body mass index demonstrated that the AF frequency was not an independent predictor of AF recurrence after a single ablation procedure (P = 0.194).
Conclusions:
This study demonstrated that the preprocedural AF frequency did not predict AF recurrence after PVAI in patients with PAF. From the clinical point of view, an additional AF classification based on the preprocedural AF frequency might not be valuable in patients undergoing PVAI. (PACE 2012; 35:1236–1241)
Microvolt T‐Wave Alternans in Short QT Syndrome
Authors: MAURY PHILIPPE , EXTRAMIANA FABRICE , GIUSTETTO CARLA , CARDIN CRISTELLE , ROLLIN ANNE , DUPARC ALEXANDRE , MONDOLY PIERRE , DENJOY ISABELLE , DELAY MARC , MESSALI ANNE , LEENHARDT ANTOINE , MARANGONI DANIELE 
Published: August 2012

Background:

T‐wave alternans (TWA) is an accepted marker of risk for malignant ventricular arrhythmias, for which prognosis value has been established in different populations. Short QT syndrome (SQTS) is a very rare primary electrical disease carrying the risk of ventricular fibrillation. TWA in SQTS has not been evaluated yet.
Methods:

Thirteen patients with SQTS (QT = 308 ± 16 ms, QTc = 329 ± 10 ms, heart rate = 69 ± 8 beats/min) underwent microvolt TWA measurement using spectral analysis. TWA testing was performed using Heartwave II (Cambridge Heart™, Inc., Bedford, MA, USA) during bicycle exercice and classified as negative, positive, or indeterminate according to the published standards for clinical interpretation.
Results:

Twelve patients were male (mean age 23 ± 5 years). Five were asymptomatic, three presented with aborted sudden cardiac death, and five with unexplained syncope. Six patients belonged to two unrelated families, while familial cases of SQTS were present for two other patients. A familial history of sudden death (SD) was present for seven patients. Ventricular fibrillation was inducible in three patients. Four patients were implanted with an implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator and one presented with polymorphic ventricular tachycardia during follow‐up. TWA was negative in each but one patient (indeterminate). Maximal negative heart rate was 118 ± 12 beats/min. Patients with previous SD displayed significant shorter QT and higher resting heart rate compared to the remaining cases.
Conclusions:

TWA testing is negative in 12 of 13 SQTS patients, even in the symptomatic or inducible ones. Measurement of TWA using conventional protocol and criteria for risk stratification in SQTS seems therefore useless. (PACE 2012;35:1413–1419)
Importance of Tachycardia Cycle Length for Differentiating Typical Atrial Flutter from Scar‐Related in Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: UHM JAE‐SUN , MUN HEE‐SUN , WI JIN , SHIM JAEMIN , HWANG HYE JIN , SUNG JUNG‐HOON , KIM JONG‐YOUN , PAK HUI‐NAM , LEE MOON‐HYOUNG , JOUNG BOYOUNG 
Published: August 2012

Background:
Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for intraatrial reentrant tachycardia (IART) in congenital heart disease (CHD) remains difficult.
Methods:
Thirty‐four consecutive adult patients (age, 37.6 ± 12.8 years; male, 21) with previously repaired CHD and IART underwent an electrophysiological study and RFCA. CHD included atrial septal defect (ASD, n = 14), tetralogy of Fallot (n = 11), ventricular septal defect (n = 4), pulmonary atresia (n = 2), atrioventricular septal defect (n = 1), transposition of the great arteries (n = 1), and double‐outlet right ventricle (n = 1).
Results:
Duration of CHD repair to IART onset was 19.1 ± 8.5 years. Thirty and four patients had single‐ and double‐loop reentrant tachycardia, respectively. Among the total of 38 IARTs, which were mapped, 22 (57.9%) and 13 (34.2%) IARTs were cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI)‐dependent atrial flutter (AFL) and scar‐related AFL, respectively. Typical AFL electrocardiography findings including definite sawtooth appearance in inferior leads and positive F wave in lead V1 were observed in only 12 of 21 patients (57.1%) with CTI‐dependent AFL. CTI‐dependent AFL had a significantly longer tachycardia cycle length (TCL) than scar‐related AFL (267.6 ± 34.4 ms and 235.9 ± 37.0 ms, respectively; P = 0.031). TCL > 250 ms had 79% sensitivity as the cutoff value for differentiating CTI‐dependent from scar‐related AFL. The acute success rates of RFCA in CTI‐dependent and scar‐related AFLs were 85.7% and 90.0%, respectively. The recurrence rates in CTI‐dependent and scar‐related AFLs were 11.1% and 11.1%, respectively, during a follow‐up of 21.2 ± 28.3 months.
Conclusions:
CTI‐dependent AFL was the most common IART in adult patients with repaired CHD and was easily manageable by RFCA. TCL might help to differentiate CTI‐dependent AFL from other IARTs. (PACE 2012;35:1338–1347)
Unipolar and Bipolar Electrogram Characteristics Predict Exit Block during Pulmonary Vein Antral Isolation
Authors: MICHOWITZ YOAV , BUCH ERIC , BOURKE TARA , TUNG RODERICK , BRADFIELD JASON , MATHURIA NILESH , BOYLE NOEL G. , SHIVKUMAR KALYANAM 
Published: August 2012

Introduction:
The usefulness of unipolar electrograms (EGMs) has been reported in assessing lesion transmurality and conduction block along ablation lines. It is unknown whether unipolar and bipolar EGM characteristics predict exit block during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures.
Methods and Results:
Twenty patients (63 ± 7 years; 14 males [70%]) undergoing PVI with a circular mapping catheter (CMC) placed outside each PV ostium were retrospectively studied. After entrance block was achieved, pacing at each bipole around the CMC was performed to assess for absence of atrial capture (exit block). Bipolar EGMs recorded before pacing were examined for voltage, duration, fractionation, and monophasic morphology. Unipolar EGMs were examined for positive and negative amplitude, PQ segment elevation, fractionation, and monophasic morphology. The association of these parameters with atrial capture (absence of exit block) at each site was analyzed.After achievement of entrance block, only 23 of 64 PV antra (36%) exhibited exit block. Unipolar EGMs at sites with persistent capture were more likely to be fractionated and had larger negative deflections. Bipolar EGMs at sites with persistent capture showed higher amplitude, longer duration, were more likely to be fractionated, and were less likely to be monophasic. In a multivariate logistic regression model, bipolar and unipolar fractionation, bipolar duration, and lack of bipolar monophasic morphology were independently associated with persistent atrial capture.
Conclusion:
Specific unipolar and bipolar EGM characteristics are associated with left atrium capture after PV antral isolation. These parameters might be useful in predicting the need for further ablation to achieve exit block. (PACE 2012; 35:1294–1301)
Hydrothermal Syntheses and Structural Phase Transitions of AgNbO3
Authors: Chang Haibo , Shang Mingyu , Zhang Chenyang , Yuan Hongming , Feng Shouhua 
Published: August 2012

The phase‐pure AgNbO3 has been prepared through the hydrothermal reactions of NH4HF2, Ag2O, and Nb2O5. The room‐temperature powder X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that it crystallizes in orthorhombic perovskite lattice with a space group of Pmc21 and cell parameters a = 15.6999(9), b = 5.5521(1), and c = 5.5830(1) Å. The temperatures, pH values, and times play crucial roles in obtaining phase‐pure silver niobate. The structural phase transitions were observed at 813 K from cubic to tetrahedral phase and to final orthorhombic phase at 718 K, confirmed by TGA‐DTA.
Intrapartum monitoring of high‐risk deliveries with ST analysis of the fetal electrocardiogram: an observational study of 6010 deliveries
Authors: KESSLER JÖRG , MOSTER DAG , ALBRECHTSEN SUSANNE 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical use of ST analysis (STAN) for intrapartum monitoring of high‐risk pregnancies.DesignProspective observational study.SettingUniversity hospital, Norway, 2004–2008.PopulationSingleton pregnancies with a gestational age above 35+6 weeks.MethodsAnalysis of maternal and neonatal outcomes for all deliveries according to the method of intrapartum monitoring.Main outcome measuresPrevalence of cord metabolic acidosis (pH < 7.05, extracellular fluid base deficit (extracellular fluid) >12 mmol/L).ResultsOf 23 203 deliveries, 6010 (25.9%) were monitored with STAN. Fetal blood sampling was performed in 146 (2.4%) of the 6010 cases. During the study period, the prevalence of cord metabolic acidosis and moderate cord acidosis (pH < 7.15) decreased in STAN‐monitored deliveries from 1.4 to 0.3% (p = 0.01) and from 16.4 to 11.7% (p = 0.001), respectively. The prevalence of moderate and severe neonatal encephalopathy was 0.38%. In the birth population, the proportion of cesarean deliveries decreased from 10.1 to 8.8%. The risk of emergency cesarean section after STAN monitoring compared with those monitored with auscultation/cardiotocography was high (odds ratio 5.4, 95% confidence interval = 4.9–6.1) but remained stable during the study period.ConclusionsST analysis is a useful tool for identification of fetuses at risk of intrapartum hypoxia. Despite the restricted use of fetal blood sampling, we found a low proportion of cord metabolic acidosis and newborn morbidity.
Changing trends of cesarean section births by the Robson Ten Group Classification in a tertiary teaching hospital
Authors: CHONG CHERYL , SU LIN LIN , BISWAS ARIJIT 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjective. To analyse changing trends of cesarean section (CS) birth rates over an 11 year period (2000–2010) using the Robson Ten Group Classification System (RTGCS) to identify the main contributors to the rising CS birth rates at a tertiary teaching hospital in Singapore. Design. Retrospective study. Setting. National University Hospital, Singapore. Population. All women who delivered between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2010 (hospital maternity database). Methods. The RTGCS was used to classify these women according to parity, past obstetric history, singleton or multiple pregnancy, fetal presentation, gestational age and mode of onset of labor/delivery. Main outcome measures. The RTGCS results. Results. From 2000 to 2010 the CS rate increased from 19.9 to 29.6 per 100 births. Multiparous women with a previous cesarean birth (Group 5) were the greatest contributor to the CS rate, followed by nulliparous women with singleton cephalic full‐term pregnancy in spontaneous labor (Group 1). These two groups contributed to 75% of the rise in the CS rate from 2000 to 2010. Conclusions. The increase in CS rate is attributed largely to the rising CS rate in Group 5, followed by Group 1. We propose that future efforts to reduce overall CS rate should be focused on increasing vaginal birth after cesarean and reduce CS rates in nulliparous women with singleton cephalic full‐term pregnancy (Groups 1 and 2), which in turn will reduce the number of pregnant women with a previous CS.
Effectiveness of pre‐surgical infant orthopedic treatment for cleft lip and palate patients: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Papadopoulos M. A. , Koumpridou E. N. , Vakalis M. L. , Papageorgiou S. N. 
Published: August 2012

Papadopoulos M. A., Koumpridou E. N., Vakalis M. L., Papageorgiou S. N.  Effectiveness of pre‐surgical infant orthopedic treatment for cleft lip and palate patients: a systematic review and meta‐analysis  Orthod Craniofac Res 2012;15:207–236. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/SAbstractThe objective of the study was to systematically summarize current evidence on the effectiveness of pre‐surgical infant orthopedics (PSIO) in cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients. Electronic and manual searches were conducted, and using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, data extraction and analysis was performed by two independent investigators. When possible, overall pooled estimates with 95% confidence intervals were obtained using the random‐effects model. Twenty‐four of 885 original studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis, whereas 10 of them were included in the quantitative synthesis (meta‐analysis). Except for the variable M‐T‐C(5) assessing maxillary arch form, which presented an increase at 48 months of follow‐up, all other variables concerning craniofacial and dentoalveolar changes demonstrated no significant differences, indicating that PSIO treatment has no effect on CLP patients. The limited evidence derived from this study does not seem to support the short‐ or long‐term effectiveness of PSIO in CLP patients.
Management of anticoagulation during dermatosurgical procedures in Germany – results from a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Nast Alexander , Ernst Henriette , Rosumeck Stefanie , Erdmann Ricardo , Sporbeck Birte , Fluhr Joachim W. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryBackground: Treatment with antiplatelet drugs (APD) and vitamin K antagonists (VKA) can be a challenge during the management of dermatosurgical interventions.Methods: We performed a cross‐sectional study on the perioperative management of APD and VKA in dermatological private practices and clinics in Germany, using anonymized, standardized questionnaires.Results: 233 responses were evaluated (response rate 37 %). Skin biopsies are performed in 82.7 % of offices and in 90.8 % of clinics despite treatment with VKA. Small excisions are done in 62.5 % of offices and 76.9 % of clinics during treatment with VKA, for large excision this applies to 11.9 % of offices and 33.8 % of clinics. Low‐dose treatment with APD (#100 mg) does not hinder 80.4 % of private practices and 89.2 % of clinics to perform small excisions as well as 36.3 % and 53.8 %, respectively, to perform large excisions. Of private practitioners 67.3 % and 83.1 % of clinic‐based dermato‐surgeons do not consider high‐dose APD a contraindication for small excisions, and 25.0 % and 41.5 %, respectively, for large excisions. Most frequently switching to heparin is performed 6–8 days prior to surgery and switching back 0–2 days after surgery.Conclusions: Large differences in the perioperative management of anticoagulant therapy during dermatosurgical procedures have been identified. Further studies and guidelines should be developed.
Disentangling the effects of water and nutrients for studying the outcome of plant interactions in sand dune ecosystems
Authors: Le Bagousse‐Pinguet Yoann , Forey Estelle , Touzard Blaise , Michalet Richard 
Published: August 2012

AbstractQuestionsWhat is the relative role of water vs nutrients in driving changes in plant interactions in a dry and nutrient‐poor dune system, where facilitation has been shown to highly contribute to the diversity and composition of plant communities?LocationAtlantic coastal sand dune system, Aquitaine region, France.MethodsWe manipulated water (water addition) and nutrient (fertilizer addition) availabilities in a full‐factorial experiment that lasted from September 2005 to September 2006. The responses of plants to neighbours were assessed through transplanting six target species within each experimental plot in the presence or absence (removal procedure) of the dominant shrub Helichrysum stoechas. We also measured changes in H. stoechas biomass among treatments.ResultsWatering mainly affected survival of the target species without neighbours and the direction of their responses to the shrub, whereas fertilization strongly increased the biomass of the shrub and intensity of the responses of the targets to the effects of the shrub. We did not observe any occurrence of biotic interactions (either positive or negative) for most of the target species in the unfertilized plots. In contrast, three of the six species exhibited significant facilitation in fertilized and un‐watered plots, and significant competition in fertilized and watered plots.ConclusionsOur results highlight the co‐limitation of water and nutrients in coastal sand dunes. Nutrient availability mainly drove the neighbour effect of the shrub, whereas water availability affected the responses of the target species. Although further measurements of resource modifications by the shrub are needed to firmly conclude neighbour effects, our results provide new insights to the contrasting results in the literature on plant–plant interactions in unproductive communities. We propose that, depending on the system, changes in a given direct stress factor may either induce a collapse of interactions by decreasing neighbour performances and their effects, or a shift in the direction of interactions by affecting target species responses.
Knockdown of lactate dehydrogenase A suppresses tumor growth and metastasis of human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Sheng Shi L. , Liu Jian J. , Dai Yun H. , Sun Xiao G. , Xiong Xiao P. , Huang Gang 
Published: August 2012

In previous studies, lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) was identified as one of the leading genes that promote the proliferative and tumorigenic potential of malignancies. However, less definitive evidence was reported in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Furthermore, the role of LDHA in promoting metastasis of HCC, and its possible mechanism, is not clear. In this study, RNA interference (RNAi) mediated by lentiviral vectors (which induce strong down‐regulation of gene expression) was used to analyze the role of LDHA in tumor growth and metastasis in HCC. We performed transient and stable RNAi knockdowns of LDHA in HCCLM3 cells, a line that over‐expresses LDHA and has a high metastatic potential. Our studies reveal that previously unidentified effects of LHDA may mediate tumor growth and metastasic effects in HCC. First, HCC cell lines over‐express LDHA. Second, LDHA inhibition results in increased apoptosis via production of reactive oxygen species in HCCLM3 cells. Thus, LDHA knockdown resulted in significant reduction in metastatic potential in a xenograft mouse model. Furthermore, we found that FAK, MMP–2, VEGF and E–cadherin proteins contribute to inhibitory effects on metastasis in HCC cells. These studies have important implications for understanding the mechanisms by which LDHA promotes tumor growth and metastasis.
Four Closely‐related RING‐type E3 Ligases, APD1–4, are Involved in Pollen Mitosis II Regulation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Luo Guo , Gu Hongya , Liu Jingjing , Qu Li‐Jia 
Published: August 2012

AbstractUbiquitination of proteins is one of the critical regulatory mechanisms in eukaryotes. In higher plants, protein ubiquitination plays an essential role in many biological processes, including hormone signaling, photomorphogenesis, and pathogen defense. However, the roles of protein ubiquitination in the reproductive process are not clear. In this study, we identified four plant‐specific RING‐finger genes designated Aberrant Pollen Development 1 (APD1) to APD4, as regulators of pollen mitosis II (PMII) in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.). The apd1 apd2 double mutant showed a significantly increased percentage of bicellular‐like pollen at the mature pollen stage. Further downregulation of the APD3 and APD4 transcripts in apd1 apd2 by RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in more severe abnormal bicellular‐like pollen phenotypes than in apd1 apd2, suggesting that cell division was defective in male gametogenesis. All of the four genes were expressed in multiple stages at different levels during male gametophyte development. Confocal analysis using green florescence fusion proteins (GFP) GFP‐APD1 and GFP‐APD2 showed that APDs are associated with intracellular membranes. Furthermore, APD2 had E2‐dependent E3 ligase activity in vitro, and five APD2‐interacting proteins were identified. Our results suggest that these four genes may be involved, redundantly, in regulating the PMII process during male gametogenesis.
Organizational climate in primary care settings: Implications for nurse practitioner practice
Authors: Poghosyan Lusine , Nannini Angela , Clarke Sean 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this review is to investigate literature related to organizational climate, define organizational climate, and identify its domains for nurse practitioner (NP) practice in primary care settings.Data sourcesA search was conducted using MEDLINE, PubMed, HealthSTAR/Ovid, ISI Web of Science, and several other health policy and nursingy databases.ConclusionsIn primary care settings, organizational climate for NPs is a set of organizational attributes, which are perceived by NPs about their practice setting, emerge from the way the organization interacts with NPs, and affect NP behaviors and outcomes. Autonomy, NP–physician relations, and professional visibility were identified as organizational climate domains.Implications for practiceNPs should be encouraged to assess organizational climate in their workplace and choose organizations that promote autonomy, collegiality between NPs and physicians, and encourage professional visibility. Organizational and NP awareness of qualities that foster NP practice will be a first step for developing strategies to creating an optimal organizational climate for NPs to deliver high‐quality care. More research is needed to develop a comprehensive conceptual framework for organizational climate and develop new instruments to accurately measure organizational climate and link it to NP and patient outcomes.
Experiences of algal bloom control using green solutions barley straw and ultrasound, an industry perspective
Authors: Purcell Diane , Parsons Simon A. , Jefferson Bruce , Holden Stuart , Campbell Andrew , Wallen Anna , Chipps Michael , Holden Barry , Ellingham Adam 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWater companies in the United Kingdom have been dealing with seasonal algal blooms for many decades, with escalating costs as bloom occurrences have increased markedly with elevated demand on water supply. Environmentally friendly water treatment solutions, such as ultrasound and barley straw, are defined as those that use less energy and chemicals. Barley straw has been used quite extensively by certain UK water companies, and results are generally positive. Ultrasound has only recently been used as a treatment for algal removal, with limited results from several successful trials finding cyanobacteria to be the most susceptible algal group at field scale, with results also indicating susceptibility in other algal groups; however, energy costs are higher than barley straw. Ultrasound has been extremely successful at removing bacteria in wastewater treatment; therefore, ultrasound should be considered as an in‐works solution where its effectiveness would be enhanced while reducing energy requirements.