bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thromboxane Prostaglandin Receptor Antagonist and Carotid Atherosclerosis Progression in Patients With Cerebrovascular Disease of Ischemic Origin
Authors: Bots Michiel L. , Ford Ian , Lloyd Suzanne M. , Laurent Stephane , Touboul Pierre J. , Hennerici Michael G. 
Published: June 2014

Background and Purpose—
Thromboxane prostaglandin receptors have been implicated to be involved in the atherosclerotic process. We assessed whether Terutroban, a thromboxane prostaglandin receptor antagonist, affects the progression of atherosclerosis, as measured by common carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaques.

Methods—
A substudy was performed among 1141 participants of the aspirin-controlled Prevention of Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Events of Ischemic Origin with Terutroban in Patients with a History of Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (PERFORM) trial. Common carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaque occurrence was measured during a 3-year period.

Results—
Baseline characteristics did not differ between Terutroban (n=592) and aspirin (n=549) treated patients and were similar as in the main study. Mean study and treatment duration were similar (28 and 25 months, respectively). In the Terutroban group, the annualized rate of change in common carotid intima-media thickness was 0.006 mm per year (95% confidence interval, –0.004 to 0.016) and –0.005 mm per year (95% confidence interval, –0.015 to 0.005) in the aspirin group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the annualized rate of change of common carotid intima-media thickness (0.011 mm per year; 95% confidence interval, −0.003 to 0.025). At 12 months of follow-up, 66% of Terutroban patients had no emergent plaques, 31% had 1 to 2 emergent plaques, and 3% had ≥3 emergent plaques. In the aspirin group, the corresponding percentages were 64%, 32%, and 4%. Over time, there was no statistically significant difference in the number of emergent carotid plaques between treatment modalities (rate ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.77–1.07).

Conclusions—
Compared with aspirin, Terutroban did not beneficially affect progression of carotid atherosclerosis among well-treated patients with a history of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks with an internal carotid stenosis <70%.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.controlled-trials.com
. Unique identifier: ISRCTN66157730.
Vessel Wall Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Power Sarah , Matouk Charles , Casaubon Leanne K. , Silver Frank L. , Krings Timo , Mikulis David J. , Mandell Daniel M. 
Published: June 2014

Background and Purpose—
The aim of the study was to determine the effects of thromboembolism and mechanical thrombectomy on the vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI) appearance of the intracranial arterial wall.

Methods—

This was a cross-sectional study of consecutive patients with acute intracranial arterial occlusion who underwent high-resolution contrast-enhanced VW-MRI within days of stroke presentation. For each patient, we categorized arterial wall thickening and enhancement as definite, possible, or none using contralateral arteries as a reference standard. We performed χ
2
tests to compare the effects of medical therapy and mechanical thrombectomy.

Results—

Sixteen patients satisfied inclusion criteria. Median time from symptom onset to VW-MRI was 3 days (interquartile range, 2 days). Among 6 patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy using a stent retriever, VW-MRI demonstrated definite arterial wall thickening in 5 (83%) and possible thickening in 1 (17%); there was definite wall enhancement in 4 (67%) and possible enhancement in 2 (33%). Among 10 patients treated with medical therapy alone, VW-MRI demonstrated definite arterial wall thickening in 3 (30%) and possible thickening in 2 (20%); there was definite wall enhancement in 2 (20%) and possible enhancement in 2 (20%). Arterial wall thickening and enhancement were more common in patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy than with medical therapy alone (
P
=0.037 and
P
=0.016, respectively).

Conclusions—
Mechanical thrombectomy results in intracranial arterial wall thickening and enhancement, potentially mimicking the VW-MRI appearance of primary arteritis. This arterial wall abnormality is less common in patients with arterial occlusion who have been treated with medical therapy alone.
Novel Factor Xa Inhibitor for the Treatment of Cerebral Venous and Sinus Thrombosis
Authors: Geisbüsch Christina , Richter Daniel , Herweh Christian , Ringleb Peter A. , Nagel Simon 
Published: June 2014

Background and Purpose—
Thrombosis of cerebral veins and sinus (cerebral venous thrombosis) is a rare stroke pathogenesis. Pharmaceutical treatment is restricted to heparin and oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs).

Methods—
Between January 2012 and December 2013, we recorded data from our patients with cerebral venous thrombosis. The modified Rankin scale was used to assess clinical severity; excellent outcome was defined as modified Rankin scale 0 to 1. Recanalization was assessed on follow-up MR angiography. Patients were then divided into 2 treatment groups: phenprocoumon (VKA) and a novel factor Xa inhibitor. Clinical and radiological baseline data, outcome, recanalization status, and complications were retrospectively compared.

Results—

Sixteen patients were included, and 7 were treated with rivaroxaban. Overall outcome was excellent in 93.8%, and all patients showed at least partial recanalization. No statistical significant differences were found between the groups, except the use of heparin before start of oral anticoagulation (
P
=0.03). One patient in the VKA and 2 patients in the factor Xa inhibitor group had minor bleeding (
P
=0.55) within the median (range) follow-up of 8 months (5–26).

Conclusions—
Factor Xa inhibitor showed a similar clinical benefit as VKA in the treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis. Further systematic prospective evaluation is warranted.
On the Generation of Roll Vortices due to the Inflection Point Instability of the Hurricane Boundary Layer Flow
Authors: Gao Kun , Ginis Isaac 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Horizontal roll vortices, or rolls, are frequently observed in the hurricane boundary layer (HBL). Previous studies suggest that these rolls can be generated by the inflection point instability of the HBL flow. In this study we investigate the formation of rolls due to this mechanism in the axisymmetric HBL using a numerical approach that explicitly resolves rolls. The effects of mean HBL wind and stratification distributions on rolls are evaluated. We identify two important factors of the mean HBL wind that affect the characteristics of rolls. The dynamical HBL height affects the wavelength of rolls, and the magnitude of the mean wind shear affects the growth rate of rolls. As a result, under neutrally stratified HBL, the wavelength of rolls increases with the radius (out of the radius of maximum wind), while the growth rate of rolls decreases. The stratification also plays an important role in the generation of rolls. The stable stratification suppresses the growth of rolls because of the negative work done by the buoyancy force. Nonuniform stratification with a mixed layer has less suppressing effect on rolls. Rolls can trigger internal waves in the stably stratified layer, which have both vertically propagating and decaying properties. We derive analytical solutions for the internal waves, which relate the properties of the internal waves to the boundary layer rolls. We find the properties of the internal waves are affected by the mixed-layer height.
The Indian Ocean Dipole: A Monopole in SST
Authors: Zhao Yongjing , Nigam Sumant 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The claim for a zonal-dipole structure in interannual variations of the tropical Indian Ocean (IO) SSTs—the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD)—is reexamined after accounting for El Niño–Southern Oscillation’s (ENSO) influence. The authors seek an a priori accounting of ENSO’s seasonally stratified influence on IO SSTs and evaluate the basis of the related dipole mode index, instead of seeking a posteriori adjustments to this index, as common.
Scant observational evidence is found for zonal-dipole SST variations after removal of ENSO’s influence from IO SSTs: The IOD poles are essentially uncorrelated in the ENSO-filtered SSTs in both recent (1958–98) and century-long (1900–2007) periods, leading to the breakdown of zonal-dipole structure in surface temperature variability; this finding does not depend on the subtleties in estimation of ENSO’s influence. Deconstruction of the fall 1994 and 1997 SST anomalies led to their reclassification, with a weak IOD in 1994 and none in 1997.
Regressions of the eastern IOD pole on upper-ocean heat content, however, do exhibit a zonal-dipole structure but with the western pole in the central-equatorial IO, suggesting that internally generated basin variability can have zonal-dipole structure at the subsurface.
The IO SST variability was analyzed using the extended-EOF technique, after removing the influence of Pacific SSTs; the technique targets spatial and temporal recurrence and extracts modes (rather than patterns) of variability. This spatiotemporal analysis also does not support the existence of zonal-dipole variability at the surface. However, the analysis did yield a dipole-like structure in the meridional direction in boreal fall/winter, when it resembles the subtropical IOD pattern (but not the evolution time scale).
Simulation Model for Transcervical Laryngeal Injection Providing Real-time Feedback
Authors: Ainsworth Tiffiny A. , Kobler James B. , Loan Gregory J. , Burns James A. 
Published: June 2014

Objective: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a model for teaching transcervical laryngeal injections. Methods: A 3-dimensional printer was used to create a laryngotracheal framework based on de-identified computed tomography images of a human larynx. The arytenoid cartilages and intrinsic laryngeal musculature were created in silicone from clay casts and thermoplastic molds. The thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle was created with electrically conductive silicone using metallic filaments embedded in silicone. Wires connected TA muscles to an electrical circuit incorporating a cell phone and speaker. A needle electrode completed the circuit when inserted in the TA during simulated injection, providing real-time feedback of successful needle placement by producing an audible sound. Face validation by the senior authorconfirmed appropriate tactile feedback and anatomical realism. Otolaryngologists pilot tested the model and completed presimulation and postsimulation questionnaires. Results: The high-fidelity simulation model provided tactile and audio feedback during needle placement, simulating transcervical vocal fold injections. Otolaryngology residents demonstrated higher comfort levels with transcervical thyroarytenoid injection on postsimulation questionnaires. Conclusion: This is the first study to describe a simulator for developing transcervical vocal fold injection skills. The model provides real-time tactile and auditory feedback that aids in skill acquisition. Otolaryngologists reported increased confidence with transcervical injection after using the simulator.
Associations between beliefs about medicines and medicines education: A survey among Finnish comprehensive school teachers
Authors: Siitonen Piia , Vainio Kirsti , Keinonen Tuula , Kiviniemi Vesa , Hämeen-Anttila Katri 
Published: June 2014

Objective: To describe the association between teachers’ beliefs about medicines and teaching about illnesses and medicines-related topics by Finnish comprehensive school teachers. Design: A nationwide postal survey. Setting: Finnish primary and lower secondary school teachers. Method: Data were collected using a nationwide postal survey from a representative sample ( n = 1700) of Finnish primary and lower secondary school teachers in spring 2010. A response rate of 56% ( n = 928) was achieved, from which 667 teachers had taught health-related topics. Logistic regression multivariate analysis was used to measure key associations. Results: Among primary school teachers, stronger beliefs about the harmfulness of medicines were associated with teaching basic knowledge about what medicines are (odds ratio [OR] 1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01–3.45). Although an association was detected, other explanatory factors, for example, teachers’ experience of medicating a long-term illness in their own child, their teaching experience and a qualification in health education and perceived teaching skills, seemed to predict the teaching more than teachers’ beliefs about medicines. Conclusion: Findings have important implications for teacher training and continuing education. If teachers can become more aware of the beneficial aspects of teaching about the rational use of medicines, this may lead to greater inclusion of medicines-related education in school health education.
Amsterwarm: Mapping the landuse, health and energy-efficiency implications of the Amsterdam urban heat island
Authors: van der Hoeven Frank , Wandl Alexander 
Published: June 2014

The Amsterwarm project investigates the urban heat island of Amsterdam, the vulnerability of its population, the energy efficiency of its buildings and landuse. A novel mapping approach provides insights into the questions of what causes the urban heat island and who will be affected by it. Landuse does affect the surface temperature. The difference between the areas in the city with the least and the greatest impervious surface coverage accounts for an average land surface temperature difference of 11.6℃ per hectare. The study demonstrates furthermore that the vulnerability of people and buildings to the urban heat island effect is a local condition in which the energy efficiency of buildings, quality of life and demographic factors should all be considered in an approach that is sensitive to place. Practical application: The typological maps will allow local authorities to prioritise adaptive actions in urban planning in response to the urban heat island, an emerging climate-related challenge that has a significant impact on the comfort and health of its citizens and on the (future) energy use required for cooling buildings. Raising the albedo in those areas of the city that are dominated by impervious surface cover seems an effective adaptation strategy, suitable to a city such as Amsterdam that no longer builds on green field sites but only builds as possible within the envelope of the existing city. Improving the quality of life in neighbourhoods and the energy efficiency/climate proofing of the building stock could also be prioritised in the identified neighbourhoods.
In Vivo Kinematic Evaluation of Anatomic Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Kopf Sebastian , Musahl Volker , Bignozzi Simone , Irrgang James J. , Zaffagnini Stefano , Fu Freddie H. 
Published: June 2014

Background: There is controversy regarding the functional role of the posterolateral (PL) bundle of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Purpose: To evaluate the in vivo function of the PL and anteromedial (AM) bundles of the ACL during anatomic double-bundle (DB) ACL reconstruction for acute, isolated ACL tears utilizing a computer navigation system to track intraoperative knee kinematics. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Fifteen patients with acute, isolated ACL tears who underwent anatomic DB ACL reconstruction formed the sample for this study. During surgery, knees were examined by a clinician preoperatively, after fixation of the PL bundle, and after fixation of both the PL and AM bundles. An image-free computer navigation system with custom-made software recorded the data during kinematic tests. The examination consisted of the Lachman and anterior drawer tests, internal-external rotation at 30° of knee flexion, and varus-valgus rotation at 30° of knee flexion. Paired Wilcoxon tests were performed to evaluate the effects of each bundle. The comparisons included ACL-deficient to PL bundle–reconstructed knees, ACL-deficient to DB ACL–reconstructed knees, and PL bundle–reconstructed to DB ACL–reconstructed knees. Significance was set at P < .017 to account for the multiple comparisons. Results: Fixation of the PL bundle significantly improved knee laxity during the Lachman and anterior drawer tests as well as internal-external rotation at 30° of knee flexion ( P < .017 for all tests). The addition of the AM bundle further improved knee laxity during the Lachman and anterior drawer tests compared with PL bundle fixation as well as during varus-valgus rotation at 30° of knee flexion compared with ACL-deficient knees ( P < .017 for all tests). Conclusion: This in vivo study demonstrates that isolated PL bundle reconstruction improves laxity in an ACL-deficient knee and that the addition of the AM bundle improves laxity parameters further. Clinical Relevance: Abnormal knee kinematics is known to be linked to the earlier onset of osteoarthritis and lower rates of return to sport. This study suggests that both the AM and PL bundles are important to stabilize ACL-deficient knees.
Pandemic influenza immunization in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS): a trigger to thrombosis and autoantibody production?
Authors: de Medeiros D Martins , Silva C A , Bueno C , Ribeiro A C Medeiros , Viana V dos Santos T , Carvalho J Freire , Bonfa E 
Published: June 2014

Objective The objective of this report is to conduct short- and long-term evaluation of a large panel of antiphospholipid (aPL) autoantibodies following pandemic influenza A/H1N1 non-adjuvant vaccine in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) patients and healthy controls. Methods Forty-five PAPS and 33 healthy controls were immunized with H1N1 vaccine. They were prospectively assessed at pre-vaccination, and three weeks and six months after vaccination. aPL autoantibodies were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and included IgG/IgM: anticardiolipin (aCL), anti-beta2glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI); anti-annexin V, anti-phosphatidyl serine and anti-prothrombin antibodies. Anti-Sm was determined by ELISA and anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) by indirect immunofluorescence. Arterial and venous thrombosis were also clinically assessed. Results Pre-vaccination frequency of at least one aPL antibody was significantly higher in PAPS patients versus controls (58% vs. 24%, p = 0.0052). The overall frequencies of aPL antibody at pre-vaccination, and three weeks and six months after immunization remained unchanged in patients ( p = 0.89) and controls ( p = 0.83). The frequency of each antibody specificity for patients and controls remained stable in the three evaluated periods ( p > 0.05). At three weeks, two PAPS patients developed a new but transient aPL antibody (aCL IgG and IgM), whereas at six months new aPL antibodies were observed in six PAPS patients and none had high titer. Anti-Sm and anti-dsDNA autoantibodies were uniformly negative and no new arterial or venous thrombosis were observed throughout the study. Conclusions This is the first study to demonstrate that pandemic influenza vaccine in PAPS patients does not trigger short- and long-term thrombosis or a significant production of aPL-related antibodies (ClinicalTrials.gov, #NCT01151644).
New Zealand Mental Health Review Tribunal characteristics and outcomes 1993–2011
Authors: Thom Katey 
Published: June 2014

Objective: This paper provides a descriptive statistical overview of Mental Health Review Tribunal outcomes from 1992 to 2011. Method: A database used by administrators of the Mental Health Review Tribunal to store information on applicants and their hearing outcomes was subjected to basic descriptive analysis. Results: A total of 3117 applications were received, with most applications received from males ( n=2039, 65%) of New Zealand European ethnicity and a mean age of 49 years. A similar number of applications were received from inpatient and community patients (35%, 28% respectively). There was only a small percentage (7%) of applicants who were released and the number of applications withdrawn before a hearing took place was high, at 45%. Conclusion: The success rates of New Zealand Mental Health Review Tribunal applicants is low compared with some international jurisdictions, while at the same time withdrawals are high, warranting further investigation. Applicants in the community are underrepresented, which is of concern in the context of rising use of community treatment orders. Future research focused on service users’ experiences of using the Mental Health Review Tribunal and improvements to the existing data stored on applicants are also suggested.
Motion Analysis to Track Navicular Displacements in the Pediatric Foot
Authors: Kothari Alpesh , Dixon Philippe Courtney , Stebbins Julie , Zavatsky Amy Beth , Theologis Tim 
Published: June 2014

Background: Increased navicular drop (NDro) and navicular drift (NDri) are associated with musculoskeletal pathology in adults. The aim of this study was to investigate navicular motion in children, with respect to foot posture, and identify altered patterns of motion that demonstrate midfoot dysfunction. Navicular motion in different activities was evaluated as well as the role of flexibility and body mass index (BMI). Methods: Twenty-five children with flatfeet and 26 with neutral feet (age range, 8-15) underwent gait analysis using a 12-camera Vicon MX system (Vicon, UK). Navicular motion indices were calculated from marker coordinates. Student t tests and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) were used to investigate navicular motion differences between groups. The relationship between NDRo, NDRi, and their dynamic counterparts was also assessed. Results: Normalized NDri (NNDri) and normalized NDro (NNDro) correlated strongly in neutral feet (R = 0.56, P = .003) but not in flatfeet (R = 0.18, P > .05). Flatfeet demonstrated reduced NNDri compared to neutral footed children (0.7 vs 1.6, P = .007). No difference was observed in NNDro between groups. Standard and dynamic measures of NDri and NDRo were highly correlated. Navicular motion correlated poorly with BMI and flexibility. Conclusion: Motion of the navicular in the transverse and the sagittal plane is important when investigating foot function. Uncoupling of this motion in flatfeet may indicate impaired midfoot function. Reduced navicular medial translation in flatfeet may indicate altered alignment of the talonavicular joint. Clinical Relevance: The measurement of dynamic navicular motion indices did not add information about dynamic foot function compared to measurement of static indices.