bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Utility of the Japan–Chronic Total Occlusion Score in Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Interventions
Authors: Christopoulos Georgios , Wyman R. Michael , Alaswad Khaldoon , Karmpaliotis Dimitri , Lombardi William , Grantham J. Aaron , Yeh Robert W. , Jaffer Farouc A. , Cipher Daisha J. , Rangan Bavana V. , Christakopoulos Georgios E. , Kypreos Megan A. , Lembo Nicholas , Kandzari David , Garcia Santiago , Thompson Craig A. , Banerjee Subhash , Brilakis Emmanouil S. 
Published: July 2015

Background—
The performance of the Japan–chronic total occlusion (J-CTO) score in predicting success and efficiency of CTO percutaneous coronary intervention has received limited study.

Methods and Results—

We examined the records of 650 consecutive patients who underwent CTO percutaneous coronary intervention between 2011 and 2014 at 6 experienced centers in the United States. Six hundred and fifty-seven lesions were classified as easy (J-CTO=0), intermediate (J-CTO=1), difficult (J-CTO=2), and very difficult (J-CTO≥3). The impact of the J-CTO score on technical success and procedure time was evaluated with univariable logistic and linear regression, respectively. The performance of the logistic regression model was assessed with the Hosmer–Lemeshow statistic and receiver operator characteristic curves. Antegrade wiring techniques were used more frequently in easy lesions (97%) than very difficult lesions (58%), whereas the retrograde approach became more frequent with increased lesion difficulty (41% for very difficult lesions versus 13% for easy lesions). The logistic regression model for technical success demonstrated satisfactory calibration and discrimination (
P
for Hosmer–Lemeshow =0.743 and area under curve =0.705). The J-CTO score was associated with a 2-fold increase in the odds of technical failure (odds ratio 2.04, 95% confidence interval 1.52–2.80,
P
<0.001). Procedure time increased by ≈20 minutes for every 1-point increase of the J-CTO score (regression coefficient 22.33, 95% confidence interval 17.45–27.22,
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—
J-CTO score was strongly associated with final success and efficiency in this study, supporting its expanded use in CTO interventions.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02061436.
Downregulation of MicroRNA-126 Contributes to the Failing Right Ventricle in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Potus François , Ruffenach Grégoire , Dahou Abdellaziz , Thebault Christophe , Breuils-Bonnet Sandra , Tremblay Ève , Nadeau Valérie , Paradis Renée , Graydon Colin , Wong Ryan , Johnson Ian , Paulin Roxane , Lajoie Annie C. , Perron Jean , Charbonneau Eric , Joubert Philippe , Pibarot Philippe , Michelakis Evangelos D. , Provencher Steeve , Bonnet Sébastien 
Published: July 2015

Background—
Right ventricular (RV) failure is the most important factor of both morbidity and mortality in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the underlying mechanisms resulting in the failed RV in PAH remain unknown. There is growing evidence that angiogenesis and microRNAs are involved in PAH-associated RV failure. We hypothesized that microRNA-126 (miR-126) downregulation decreases microvessel density and promotes the transition from a compensated to a decompensated RV in PAH.

Methods and Results—

We studied RV free wall tissues from humans with normal RV (n=17), those with compensated RV hypertrophy (n=8), and patients with PAH with decompensated RV failure (n=14). Compared with RV tissues from patients with compensated RV hypertrophy, patients with decompensated RV failure had decreased miR-126 expression (quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction;
P
<0.01) and capillary density (CD31
+
immunofluorescence;
P
<0.001), whereas left ventricular tissues were not affected. miR-126 downregulation was associated with increased Sprouty-related EVH1 domain-containing protein 1 (SPRED-1), leading to decreased activation of RAF (phosphorylated RAF/RAF) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK); (phosphorylated MAPK/MAPK), thus inhibiting the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway. In vitro, Matrigel assay showed that miR-126 upregulation increased angiogenesis of primary cultured endothelial cells from patients with decompensated RV failure. Furthermore, in vivo miR-126 upregulation (mimic intravenous injection) improved cardiac vascular density and function of monocrotaline-induced PAH animals.

Conclusions—
RV failure in PAH is associated with a specific molecular signature within the RV, contributing to a decrease in RV vascular density and promoting the progression to RV failure. More importantly, miR-126 upregulation in the RV improves microvessel density and RV function in experimental PAH.
National Quality Assessment of Early Clopidogrel Therapy in Chinese Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) in 2006 and 2011: Insights From the China Patient‐Centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events (PEACE)–Retrospective AMI Study
Authors: Zhang Lihua , Desai Nihar R. , Li Jing , Hu Shuang , Wang Qing , Li Xi , Masoudi Frederick A. , Spertus John A. , Nuti Sudhakar V. , Wang Sisi , Krumholz Harlan M. , Jiang Lixin ,   the China PEACE Collaborative Group
Published: July 2015

Background
Early clopidogrel administration to patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been demonstrated to improve outcomes in a large Chinese trial. However, patterns of use of clopidogrel for patients with AMI in China are unknown.

Methods and Results

From a nationally representative sample of AMI patients from 2006 and 2011, we identified 11 944 eligible patients for clopidogrel therapy and measured early clopidogrel use, defined as initiation within 24 hours of hospital admission. Among the patients eligible for clopidogrel, the weighted rate of early clopidogrel therapy increased from 45.7% in 2006 to 79.8% in 2011 (
P
<0.001). In 2006 and 2011, there was significant variation in early clopidogrel use by region, ranging from 1.5% to 58.0% in 2006 (
P
<0.001) and 48.7% to 87.7% in 2011 (
P
<0.001). While early use of clopidogrel was uniformly high in urban hospitals in 2011 (median 89.3%; interquartile range: 80.1% to 94.5%), there was marked heterogeneity among rural hospitals (median 50.0%; interquartile range: 11.5% to 84.4%). Patients without reperfusion therapy and those admitted to rural hospitals were less likely to be treated with clopidogrel.

Conclusions
Although the use of early clopidogrel therapy in patients with AMI has increased substantially in China, there is notable wide variation across hospitals, with much less adoption in rural hospitals. Quality improvement initiatives are needed to increase consistency of early clopidogrel use for patients with AMI.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/
. Unique identifier: NCT01624883.
Co za jedni ci Szwedziska? – stereotypowe widzenie Szweda w polszczyźnie potocznej i w polskiej kulturze ludowej
Authors: Łaszkiewicz Monika 
Published: July 2015

Who are those Swedes? The stereotype vision of the Swedes in the Polish language and folk culture The aim of the article is a rationalization of the Swedes in the day to day Polish language and folk culture, including the historical and cultural background. The sources from which the material was taken are: dictionaries of the Polish language, dialect dictionaries and mixed folk genres, etc. From the collected material it can be concluded that the Swedes are seen, from one point of view, as Godless invaders from a cold, northern country that had devastated Poland. This way of describing the Swedes is comparable to the characterisation of other foreign invaders, such as Tatars and Turks.
„Jesteśmy straconym pokoleniem”. Wspólnoty Żydów birobidżańskich w Izraelu: relacja z badań terenowych (lipiec 2012 r.)
Authors: Makarova Maria 
Published: July 2015

“We are the lost generation”. Communities of Birobidzhan Jews in Israel: field research report (July 2012) In this article I describe the fieldwork conducted in Israel in 2012 among those who have emigrated from the Jewish Autonomous Oblast in Russia. Along with a general overview of the research I present a detailed analysis of my interlocutors’ discourses regarding the languages they speak and their attitude towards Judaism and what is commonly understood as Jewishness. I concentrate mainly on the knowledge of Yiddish (which up until now is the official language in Birobidzhan) and Hebrew, and also on the categories that define the Jewish element of identity for them.
Sinonasal Carcinoma
Authors: Smith Steven P. , Russell Joseph L. , Chen Nai‐Wei , Kuo Yong‐Fang , Resto Vicente A. 
Published: July 2015

ObjectiveTo determine whether or not patient race and ethnicity affect sinonasal cancer survival.Study DesignRetrospective database analysis.SettingNational Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database, 1988‐2010.Subjects and MethodsSinonasal carcinoma cases were extracted according to site codes and histology recode–broad groupings. The cohort was used to calculate disease‐specific survival in regard to race and ethnicity. Extracted data were further analyzed through direct comparisons and multivariable Cox regression models controlling for patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics.ResultsUnadjusted survival curves for all sinonasal carcinomas showed poorer disease‐specific survival for black versus white patients (P =. 02), which was eliminated after controlling for tumor characteristics (hazard ratio: 1.02, P =. 86). Specifically for sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma, significantly poorer disease‐specific survival was found for both black (P =. 01) and Hispanic (P =. 01) patients as compared with white patients. Similarly, when controlling for tumor characteristics, the disease‐specific survival disparity was eliminated for black (hazard ratio: 0.93, P =. 59) and Hispanic patients (hazard ratio: 1.01, P =. 94).ConclusionBlack race is a risk factor for poorer disease‐specific survival when all sinonasal histologic subtypes are examined together. Specifically for sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma, both black race and Hispanic ethnicity are risk factors for poorer disease‐specific survival. When tumor characteristics are controlled for in this cohort, the survival disparity is eliminated, demonstrating that the disparity can be accounted for exclusively by more advanced disease at presentation, opposed to the more complex effect seen in other subsites of the head and neck.
Past trends and projections of hospital deaths to inform the integration of palliative care in one of the most ageing countries in the world
Authors: Sarmento Vera P , Higginson Irene J , Ferreira Pedro L , Gomes Barbara 
Published: July 2015

Background: Monitoring where people die is key to ensure that palliative care is provided in a responsive and integrated way. Aim: To examine trends of place of death and project hospital deaths until 2030 in an ageing country without integrated palliative care. Design: Population-based observational study of mortality with past trends analysis of place of death by gender, age and cause of death. Hospital deaths were projected until 2030, applying three scenarios modelled on 5-year trends (2006–2010). Setting/participants: All adult deaths (⩾18 years old) that occurred in Portuguese territory from 1988 to 2010. Results: There were 2,364,932 deceased adults in Portugal from 1988 to 2010. Annual numbers of deaths increased 11.1%, from 95,154 in 1988 to 105,691, mainly due to more than doubling deaths from people aged 85+ years. Hospital deaths increased by a mean of 0.8% per year, from 44.7% ( n = 42,571) in 1988 to 61.7% ( n = 65,221) in 2010. This rise was largest for those aged 85+ years (27.8% to 54.0%). Regardless of the scenario considered, and if current trends continue, hospital deaths will increase by more than a quarter until 2030 (minimum 27.7%, maximum 52.1% rise) to at least 83,293 annual hospital deaths, mainly due to the increase in hospital deaths in those aged 85+ years. Conclusion: In one of the most ageing countries in the world, there is a long standing trend towards hospitalised dying, more pronounced among the oldest old. To meet people’s preferences for dying at home, the development of integrated specialist home palliative care teams is needed.
F18-FDG-PET for recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer: a systematic meta-analysis
Authors: Haslerud Torjan , Brauckhoff Katrin , Reisæter Lars , Küfner Lein Regina , Heinecke Achim , Varhaug Jan Erik , Biermann Martin 
Published: July 2015

Background Positron emission tomography (PET) with fluor-18-deoxy-glucose (FDG) is widely used for diagnosing recurrent or metastatic disease in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Purpose To assess the diagnostic accuracy of FDG-PET for DTC in patients after ablative therapy. Material and Methods A systematic search was conducted in Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Open Grey looking for all English-language original articles on the performance of FDG-PET in series of at least 20 patients with DTC having undergone ablative therapy including total thyroidectomy. Diagnostic performance measures were pooled using Reitsma’s bivariate model. Results Thirty-four publications between 1996 and 2014 met the inclusion criteria. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were 79.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73.9–84.1) and 79.4% (95% CI, 71.2–85.4), respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.858. Conclusion F18-FDG-PET is a useful method for detecting recurrent DTC in patients having undergone ablative therapy.
Colchicine: a simple and effective treatment for pericarditis in systemic lupus erythematosus? A report of 10 cases
Authors: Morel N , Bonjour M , Le Guern V , Le Jeunne C , Mouthon L , Piette J-C , Costedoat-Chalumeau N 
Published: July 2015

Objectives Pericardial involvement is a frequent manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Growing evidence suggests that colchicine may be useful for acute or recurrent pericarditis. We report for the first time a series of 10 consecutive cases of SLE with pericarditis treated with colchicine. Methods Inclusion criteria in this retrospective study were diagnosis of SLE, pericarditis and receiving colchicine. Results We included 10 consecutive cases of SLE with pericarditis treated with colchicine (nine women, mean age at the index pericarditis 35 ± 12 years). Pericarditis was the initial manifestation of SLE for two patients, whereas eight patients had SLE lasting for a median of 2.5 years (15 days to 13 years) and had received prednisone ( n = 7, 2–30 mg/d), hydroxychloroquine ( n = 7), azathioprine ( n = 3), methotrexate ( n = 2), and mycophenolate mofetil ( n = 1). For six patients, pericarditis was associated with other SLE manifestations. Altogether, colchicine avoided the use ( n = 2) or increase in dosage ( n = 5) of steroids in seven cases; the increase in steroids dosage was minimal for two patients. Colchicine 1 mg was given for a median of 39 days (10 days to 54 months). Symptoms completely resolved after a median of 2.5 days (1–30 days) after initiation of colchicine. Colchicine was maintained or resumed in six patients to prevent recurrence, with no further relapse. Conclusions Colchicine may be safe and effective in treating SLE pericarditis and used as a steroids-sparing agent. These preliminary results need to be confirmed in a larger study with longer follow-up.
Determination of clinically significant tests for antiphospholipid antibodies and cutoff levels for obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Kitaori T , Sugiura-Ogasawara M , Oku K , Papisch W , Ebara T , Ozaki Y , Katano K , Atsumi T 
Published: July 2015

Objective The objective of this paper is to determine which kinds of assays for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) should be tested for clinical practice for patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Materials and methods We studied 560 patients with a history of RPL prospectively. We determined the obstetric significance of 11 commercially available tested assays for lupus anticoagulant (LA)-aPTT StaClot, phosphatidylserine-dependent antiprothrombin (aPS/PT) IgG, IgM, classical cardiolipin (CL) IgG, IgM, CL IgG, IgM, IgA, and β2glycoprotein I (β2GPI) IgG, IgM, IgA Phadia. Obstetric significance was defined as the potential for anticoagulant therapy to improve the subsequent live birth rate, or a difference in the live birth rate between positive and negative untreated cases. Results The LA-aPTT StaClot assay and aPS/PT IgG assay, but not CL IgG, were found to have obstetric significance. Our conventional tests covered positive cases with the aPS/PT IgM and classical CL IgG assays. The results of the LA-aPTT StaClot, LA-aPTT and LA-RVVT assays showed different distributions, although strong or moderate correlation was observed. Conclusion LA-aPTT StaClot and aPS/PT IgG might be suitable for use in routine practice for patients with RPL. Each test for aPL should be ascertained for obstetric significance, because similar assays may have different outcomes.
Relative efficacy and safety of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclophosphamide as induction therapy for lupus nephritis: a Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Lee Y H , Song G G 
Published: July 2015

Aims This study aimed to assess the relative efficacy and safety of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and cyclophosphamide (CYC) as induction therapy for lupus nephritis. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus, MMF and CYC for induction therapy in patients with lupus nephritis were included. We performed a Bayesian random-effects network meta-analysis to combine direct and indirect evidence from the RCTs. Results Nine RCTs including 972 patients met the inclusion criteria and pair-wise comparisons were performed, including 11 direct comparisons. Tacrolimus showed a significantly higher overall response rate (complete remission plus partial remission) than CYC (OR 2.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–5.45), and was more efficacious than MMF (OR 1.60, 95% CI 0.70–3.57). MMF was superior to CYC in terms of overall response (OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.96–2.42). Ranking probability based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) indicated that tacrolimus had the highest probability of being the best treatment for achieving the overall response (SUCRA = 0.9321), followed by MMF (SUCRA = 0.5385) and CYC (SUCRA = 0.0294). In terms of safety, tacrolimus showed the highest probability of decreasing the risk of serious infections (SUCRA = 0.9253), followed by MMF (SUCRA = 0.4027) and CYC (SUCRA = 0.1720). Conclusions Tacrolimus was the most efficacious induction treatment for patients with lupus nephritis, and had the highest probability of decreasing the risk of serious infections. Higher remission rates combined with a more favorable safety profile suggest that MMF is superior to CYC as induction treatment in these patients.
Gradual Metatarsal Lengthening by External Fixation
Authors: Barbier Dominique , Neretin Andrei , Journeau Pierre , Popkov Dimitry 
Published: July 2015

Background: The surgical management of brachymetatarsia remains controversial, and choice is based on potential complications. We report a classification of complications based on severity, and we hypothesized that use of a semicircular external fixator would minimize severe complications in lateral metatarsal lengthening. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients (10 to 46 years old) with single or multiple brachymetatarsia and performed 54 metatarsal lengthenings with a mean follow-up of 7 months. Results: The mean gain in length was 15 mm (33.7%), and the mean healing index was 67 d/cm. No further procedure was performed. No dislocations or subluxations were reported, but 26 complications (48.1%) occurred, classified as 1 severe (1.8% of the metatarsals), 5 intermediate (9.3%), and 20 benign (37%): 4 incomplete osteotomies, 8 adjacent metatarsal osteotomies, 2 involuntary adjacent metatarsal fixations due to the lack of fluoroscopy use, 6 early consolidations, 2 metatarsal fractures, 2 skin complications, 1 superficial infection, and 1 metatarsophalangeal clinodactyly. Conclusion: A classification of complications based on severity was developed. Gradual lengthening of the lateral metatarsals by semicircular external fixation reduced the risk of severe complications because of stability without donor site morbidity. Thin wires were an advantage in the pediatric population. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Rheological and interfacial properties at the equilibrium of almond gum tree exudate (Prunus dulcis) in comparison with gum arabic
Authors: Mahfoudhi Nesrine , Sessa Mariarenata , Ferrari Giovanna , Hamdi Salem , Donsi Francesco 
Published: July 2015

Almond gum contains an arabinogalactan-type polysaccharide, which plays an important role in defining its interfacial and rheological properties. In this study, rheological and interfacial properties of almond gum and gum arabic aqueous dispersions were comparatively investigated. The interfacial tension of almond gum and gum arabic aqueous dispersions was measured using the pendant drop method in hexadecane. The asymptotic interfacial tension values for almond gum were significantly lower than the corresponding values measured for gum arabic, especially at high concentration. Rheological properties were characterized by steady and oscillatory tests using a coaxial geometry. Almond gum flow curves exhibited a shear thinning non-Newtonian behavior with a tendency to a Newtonian plateau at low shear rate, while gum arabic flow curves exhibited such behavior only at high shear rate. The influence of temperature (5–50  ℃) on the flow curves was studied at 4% (m/m) gum concentration and the Newtonian viscosities at infinite and at zero shear rate, for gum arabic and almond gum, respectively, were accurately fitted by an Arrhenius-type equation. The dynamic properties of the two gum dispersions were also studied. Both gum dispersions exhibited viscoelastic properties, with the viscous component being predominant in a wider range of concentrations for almond gum, while for gum arabic the elastic component being higher than the elastic one especially at higher concentrations. The rheological and interfacial tension properties of almond gum suggest that it may represent a possible substitute of gum arabic in different food applications.
Impact of Cosmetic Camouflage on the Quality of Life of Children With Skin Disease and Their Families
Authors: Salsberg Jennifer M. , Weinstein Miriam , Shear Neil , Lee Michelle , Pope Elena 
Published: July 2015

Background/Objectives: Cosmetic camouflage is known to improve quality of life in adults. Few data are available regarding cosmetic camouflage in children, and thus it is not often selected as a mode of treatment. We sought to determine whether cosmetic camouflage leads to improved quality of life of pediatric patients with visible dermatoses and their parent or primary caregiver. Methods: Patients aged 5 to 17 years with visible skin disease and their parent were assessed with the Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) and the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) before and after consultation regarding cosmetic camouflage. Results: Twenty-two children with skin conditions were included in the study. The mean CDLQI decreased from 6.82 (SD = 1.28) to 3.05 (SD = 0.65; P = .0014), while the mean FDLQI decreased from 7.68 (SD = 1.15) to 4.68 (SD = 0.92; P = .0012). Conclusions: Our study highlighted improvement in quality of life in patients with skin disorders who were managed with cosmetic camouflage.