bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is a high initial World Federation of Neurosurgery (WFNS) grade really associated with a poor clinical outcome in elderly patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms treated with coiling?
Authors: Iosif Christina , Di Maria Federico , Sourour Nader , Degos Vincent , Bonneville Fabrice , Biondi Alessandra , Jean Betty , Colonne Chantal , Nouet Aurelien , Chiras Jacques , Clarençon Frédéric 
Published: May 2013

BackgroundCoiling of ruptured intracranial aneurysms in elderly patients remains debatable in terms of technical feasibility and clinical outcome.AimsIn this observational cohort study we aimed to assess the technical feasibility, complication profile and clinical outcomes of elderly patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) treated with endovascular therapy.MethodsThe study included 59 consecutive patients (47 women) aged ≥70 years (mean age 76 years, range 71–84) admitted to our institution with SAH from January 2002 to July 2011. The patients were treated for 66 aneurysms (regular coiling: n=62 (94%), balloon-assisted technique: n=2 (3%), stent and coil technique: n=2 (3%)). World Federation of Neurosurgery (WFNS) grade at admission was 1 in 13 patients, 2 in 23 patients, 3 in 8 patients, 4 in 11 patients and 5 in 4 patients. We analysed data by univariate and multivariate statistical analyses with an emphasis on the initial clinical situation, complications and clinical outcome.ResultsThe technical success rate was 98% with a procedure-related deficit rate of 10% and procedure-related death rate of 5%. The Glasgow Outcome Scale score at 6 months was 1 in 15 patients (25.4%), 2 in 8 patients (13.6%), 3 in 14 patients (23.7%), 4 in 11 patients (18.6%) and 5 in 11 patients (18.6%). Patients admitted with a high initial WFNS grade did not differ statistically in terms of clinical outcome. The final clinical outcome was not significantly correlated with age, initial Fisher score or procedure-related complications.ConclusionsEndovascular treatment of elderly patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms is feasible, safe and beneficial regardless of the presenting WFNS score.
Invasive Measures of Afterload in Low Gradient Severe Aortic Stenosis With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Eleid Mackram F. , Nishimura Rick A. , Borlaug Barry A. , Sorajja Paul 
Published: May 2013

Background—
The pathophysiology of low flow, low gradient severe aortic stenosis (LGSAS) with preserved ejection fraction is poorly understood. It has been proposed that abnormalities of arterial circulation are a major contributor to this syndrome.

Methods and Results—

We invasively examined systemic arterial afterload (effective arterial elastance, Ea; total arterial compliance, Ca; and systemic vascular resistance index) in patients with LGSAS (mean gradient, <40 mm Hg; aortic valve area, <1.0 cm
2
) and preserved ejection fraction (≥50%), and compared these findings with patients with high gradient (≥40 mm Hg) severe aortic stenosis (HGSAS) and moderate AS (mean gradient, <40 mm Hg; aortic valve area, >1.0 cm
2
). Patients with LGSAS (n=36), HGSAS (n=31), and moderate AS (n=19) were similar with respect to age, sex, body size, symptoms, comorbidities, and ejection fraction. Aortic valve area was similar between groups with LGSAS and HGSAS, but the patients with LGSAS had reduced stroke volume index and cardiac index (
P
=0.003 for both). In comparison with patients with HGSAS and moderate AS, measures of afterload, including Ea (4.02±0.98 versus 3.13±0.81 and 3.06±0.79 mm Hg·m
2
/mL;
P
<0.0001) and systemic vascular resistance index (3116±799 versus 2515±645 and 2380±546 dyn·s·m
2
/cm
5
;
P
=0.001), were significantly higher in LGSAS, whereas Ca was lower (0.46±0.16 versus 0.57±0.13 and 0.59±0.19 mL/m
2
per mm Hg;
P
=0.002). All invasive measures of arterial afterload were related to stroke volume index.

Conclusions—
Patients with LGSAS and preserved ejection fraction display elevated arterial afterload compared with patients with HGSAS and moderate AS. These findings identify systemic arterial effects that contribute to the hemodynamic presentation in patients with LGSAS and help to further define this entity.
Coronary Collaterals Predict Improved Survival and Allograft Function in Patients With Coronary Allograft Vasculopathy
Authors: Lavine Kory J. , Sintek Marc , Novak Eric , Ewald Gregory , Geltman Edward , Joseph Susan , Pfeifer John , Mann Douglas L. 
Published: May 2013

Background—
Despite improvements in the care of patients who have received cardiac transplants, coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV) remains the most prevalent cause of late allograft failure and cardiac mortality. Few proven therapies are available for this important disease. The presence of coronary collaterals imparts a favorable prognosis in patients with native ischemic heart disease; however, the impact of collaterals in CAV is unknown.

Methods and Results—

To determine whether the development of coronary collaterals is associated with improved outcomes in patients with CAV, we performed a retrospective analysis of patients followed in the heart transplant program at Barnes Jewish Hospital from 1994 to 2008. The primary end points included all cause mortality and the composite of all cause mortality, retransplantation, and inotrope dependence. We screened 485 patients and identified 59 (12%) subjects with moderate-to-severe CAV. Angiographically visible coronary collaterals were present in 34 (57%) subjects. Kaplan–Meier and Cox multivariable analyses revealed that patients with collaterals had reduced incidence of all cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.20;
P
<0.001) and the composite end point (hazard ratio, 0.17;
P
<0.001). In addition, patients with collaterals had less severe heart failure symptoms as measured by New York Heart Association class. Immunostaining of biopsy specimens revealed that among patients with CAV, the presence of coronary collaterals correlated with increased microvascular density, reduced fibrosis, and decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure.

Conclusions—
Together, these data demonstrate that the presence of coronary collaterals predicts a favorable prognosis in patients with CAV and suggests that interventions aimed at promoting collateral and microvascular growth may serve as effective therapies for this disease.
Shortening of the Elastic Tandem Immunoglobulin Segment of Titin Leads to Diastolic Dysfunction
Authors: Chung Charles S. , Hutchinson Kirk R. , Methawasin Mei , Saripalli Chandra , Smith John E. , Hidalgo Carlos G. , Luo Xiuju , Labeit Siegfried , Guo Caiying , Granzier Henk L. 
Published: May 2013

Background—
Diastolic dysfunction is a poorly understood but clinically pervasive syndrome that is characterized by increased diastolic stiffness. Titin is the main determinant of cellular passive stiffness. However, the physiological role that the tandem immunoglobulin (Ig) segment of titin plays in stiffness generation and whether shortening this segment is sufficient to cause diastolic dysfunction need to be established.

Methods and Results—
We generated a mouse model in which 9 Ig-like domains (Ig3–Ig11) were deleted from the proximal tandem Ig segment of the spring region of titin (IG KO). Exon microarray analysis revealed no adaptations in titin splicing, whereas novel phospho-specific antibodies did not detect changes in titin phosphorylation. Passive myocyte stiffness was increased in the IG KO, and immunoelectron microscopy revealed increased extension of the remaining titin spring segments as the sole likely underlying mechanism. Diastolic stiffness was increased at the tissue and organ levels, with no consistent changes in extracellular matrix composition or extracellular matrix–based passive stiffness, supporting a titin-based mechanism for in vivo diastolic dysfunction. Additionally, IG KO mice have a reduced exercise tolerance, a phenotype often associated with diastolic dysfunction.

Conclusions—
Increased titin-based passive stiffness is sufficient to cause diastolic dysfunction with exercise intolerance.
Simulating the Impact of Climate Change on Runoff in a Typical River Catchment of the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Wang G. Q. , Zhang J. Y. , Xuan Y. Q. , Liu J. F. , Jin J. L. , Bao Z. X. , He R. M. , Liu C. S. , Liu Y. L. , Yan X. L. 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Global warming will have direct impacts on regional water resources by accelerating the hydrological cycle. Hydrological simulation is an important approach to studying climate change impacts. In this paper, a snowmelt-based water balance model (SWBM) was used to simulate the effect of climate change on runoff in the Kuye River catchment of the Loess Plateau, China. Results indicated that the SWBM is suitable for simulating monthly discharge into arid catchments. The response of runoff in the Kuye River catchment to climate change is nonlinear, and runoff is more sensitive to changes in precipitation than to changes in temperature. The projections indicated that the Kuye River catchment would undergo more flooding in the 2020s, and global warming would probably shorten the main flood season in the catchment, with greater discharge occurring in August. Although projected changes in annual runoff are uncertain, the possibilities of regional water shortages and regional flooding are essential issues that need to be fully considered.
The Art in Knowing a Landscape
Authors: Berleant Arnold 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe arts can contribute to an intimate, engaged experience of landscape, and this process can itself be construed as an art. Experiencing landscape through the arts and as an art, the art of environmen-tal appreciation, offers a clearer understanding of landscape, of environment, and of art, as well as what it is to “know” in the context of environmental experience. This essay offers a new fabric for understanding the relation of art and landscape by combining a fresh understanding of four threads: art, environment, landscape, and knowing through appreciation. It shows how the loose-knit texture they form can be spread metaphorically over a particular landscape in such a way that the landscape will fill the fabric and the fabric integrate the landscape.
Significance of rs1271572 in the estrogen receptor beta gene promoter and its correlation with breast cancer in a southwestern Chinese population
Authors: Chen Li , Liang Yan , Qiu Juhui , Zhang Lingling , Chen Xianchun , Luo Xiangdong , Jiang Jun 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundTo characterize single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the promoter region of the estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) gene and to analyze the association of ERβ SNPs with susceptibility to breast cancer. Genotype frequencies of five SNPs (rs3020449, rs3020450, rs2987983, rs1271572 and rs1887994) in the promoter region of the ERβ gene in 873 women with breast cancer, 645 women with fibroadenoma and 700 healthy women were determined using an allele-specific tetra-primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to evaluate the association of selected rs1271572 with prognosis in breast cancer. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays were conducted to explore the binding of SNP rs1271572 containing probes to transcriptional factor Ying Yang 1 (YY1).ResultsWomen with the homozygous TT genotype of rs1271572 had a significantly higher risk in developing breast cancer. Breast cancer patients with the TT genotype of rs1271572 had lower five-year survival rates than those with other genotypes and were more likely to suffer brain metastases. The rs1271572 G→T SNP abrogated YY1 binding and reduced the transcription activity of the promoter 0 N in the ERβ genein vitro.ConclusionsTT genotype of rs1271572 is associated with increased risk for breast cancer in Chinese women and is associated with unfavored prognosis in Chinese breast cancer patients. TT genotype of rs1271572 inhibited expression of ERβ gene by down regulating transcriptional activity of the promoter 0 N in the ERβ gene. Our data revealed that the TT genotype of rs1271572 resulted in loss of the YY1 binding site and reduced the transcription activity of the promoter 0 N in the ERβ gene.
FishFace: interactive atlas of zebrafish craniofacial development at cellular resolution
Authors: Eames B Frank , DeLaurier April , Ullmann Bonnie , Huycke Tyler R , Nichols James T , Dowd John , McFadden Marcie , Sasaki Mark M , Kimmel Charles B 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe vertebrate craniofacial skeleton may exhibit anatomical complexity and diversity, but its genesis and evolution can be understood through careful dissection of developmental programs at cellular resolution. Resources are lacking that include introductory overviews of skeletal anatomy coupled with descriptions of craniofacial development at cellular resolution. In addition to providing analytical guidelines for other studies, such an atlas would suggest cellular mechanisms underlying development.DescriptionWe present the Fish Face Atlas, an online, 3D-interactive atlas of craniofacial development in the zebrafishDanio rerio. Alizarin red-stained skulls scanned by fluorescent optical projection tomography and segmented into individual elements provide a resource for understanding the 3D structure of the zebrafish craniofacial skeleton. These data provide the user an anatomical entry point to confocal images of Alizarin red-stained zebrafish with transgenically-labelled pharyngeal arch ectomesenchyme, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts, which illustrate the appearance, morphogenesis, and growth of the mandibular and hyoid cartilages and bones, as viewed in live, anesthetized zebrafish during embryonic and larval development. Confocal image stacks at high magnification during the same stages provide cellular detail and suggest developmental and evolutionary hypotheses.ConclusionThe FishFace Atlas is a novel learning tool for understanding craniofacial skeletal development, and can serve as a reference for a variety of studies, including comparative and mutational analyses.
Phase-defined complete sequencing of the HLA genes by next-generation sequencing
Authors: Hosomichi Kazuyoshi , Jinam Timothy A , Mitsunaga Shigeki , Nakaoka Hirofumi , Inoue Ituro 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region, the 3.8-Mb segment of the human genome at 6p21, has been associated with more than 100 different diseases, mostly autoimmune diseases. Due to the complex nature of HLA genes, there are difficulties in elucidating complete HLA gene sequences especially HLA gene haplotype structures by the conventional sequencing method. We propose a novel, accurate, and cost-effective method for generating phase-defined complete sequencing of HLA genes by using indexed multiplex next generation sequencing.

Results
A total of 33 HLA homozygous samples, 11 HLA heterozygous samples, and 3 parents-child families were subjected to phase-defined HLA gene sequencing. We applied long-range PCR to amplify six HLA genes (HLA-A, -C, -B, DRB1, -DQB1, and –DPB1) followed by transposase-based library construction and multiplex sequencing with the MiSeq sequencer. Paired-end reads (2 × 250 bp) derived from the sequencer were aligned to the six HLA gene segments of UCSC hg19 allowing at most 80 bases mismatch. For HLA homozygous samples, the six amplicons of an individual were pooled and simultaneously sequenced and mapped as an individual-tagging method. The paired-end reads were aligned to corresponding genes of UCSC hg19 and unambiguous, continuous sequences were obtained. For HLA heterozygous samples, each amplicon was separately sequenced and mapped as a gene-tagging method. After alignments, we detected informative paired-end reads harboring SNVs on both forward and reverse reads that are used to separate two chromosomes and to generate two phase-defined sequences in an individual. Consequently, we were able to determine the phase-defined HLA gene sequences from promoter to 3′-UTR and assign up to 8-digit HLA allele numbers, regardless of whether the alleles are rare or novel. Parent–child trio-based sequencing validated our sequencing and phasing methods.

Conclusions
Our protocol generated phased-defined sequences of the entire HLA genes, resulting in high resolution HLA typing and new allele detection.
Peritoneal dialysis peritonitis by anaerobic pathogens: a retrospective case series
Authors: Chao Chia-Ter , Lee Szu-Ying , Yang Wei-Shun , Chen Huei-Wen , Fang Cheng-Chung , Yen Chung-Jen , Chiang Chih-Kang , Hung Kuan-Yu , Huang Jenq-Wen 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Bacterial infections account for most peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis episodes. However, anaerobic PD peritonitis is extremely rare and intuitively associated with intra-abdominal lesions. In this study, we examined the clinical characteristics of PD patients who developed anaerobic peritonitis.

Methods
We retrospectively identified all anaerobic PD peritonitis episodes from a prospectively collected PD registry at a single center between 1990 and 2010. Only patients receiving more than 3 months of PD were enrolled. We analyzed clinical features as well as outcomes of anaerobic PD peritonitis patients.

Results
Among 6 patients, 10 episodes of PD-associated peritonitis were caused by anaerobic pathogens (1.59% of all peritonitis episodes during study the period), in which the cultures from 5 episodes had mixed growth. Bacteroides fragilis was the most common species identified (4 isolates). Only 3 episodes were associated with gastrointestinal lesions, and 4 episodes were related to a break in sterility during exchange procedures. All anaerobic pathogens were susceptible to clindamycin and metronidazole, but penicillin resistance was noted in 4 isolates. Ampicillin/sulbactam resistance was found in 2 isolates. In 5 episodes, a primary response was achieved using the first-generation cephalosporin and ceftazidime or aminoglycoside. In 3 episodes, the first-generation cephalosporin was replaced with aminoglycosides. Tenckhoff catheter removal was necessary in 2 episodes. Only one episode ended with mortality (due to a perforated bowel).

Conclusion
Anaerobic PD-associated peritonitis might be predominantly caused by contamination, rather than intra-abdominal events. Half of anaerobic PD-associated peritonitis episodes had polymicrobial growth. The overall outcome of anaerobic peritonitis is fair, with a high catheter survival rate.
A qualitative study of health information technology in the Canadian public health system
Authors: Zinszer Kate , Tamblyn Robyn , Bates David W , Buckeridge David L 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Although the adoption of health information technology (HIT) has advanced in Canada over the past decade, considerable challenges remain in supporting the development, broad adoption, and effective use of HIT in the public health system. Policy makers and practitioners have long recognized that improvements in HIT infrastructure are necessary to support effective and efficient public health practice. The objective of this study was to identify aspects of health information technology (HIT) policy related to public health in Canada that have succeeded, to identify remaining challenges, and to suggest future directions to improve the adoption and use of HIT in the public health system.

Methods
A qualitative case study was performed with 24 key stakeholders representing national and provincial organizations responsible for establishing policy and strategic direction for health information technology.

Results
Identified benefits of HIT in public health included improved communication among jurisdictions, increased awareness of the need for interoperable systems, and improvement in data standardization. Identified barriers included a lack of national vision and leadership, insufficient investment, and poor conceptualization of the priority areas for implementing HIT in public health.

Conclusions
The application of HIT in public health should focus on automating core processes and identifying innovative applications of HIT to advance public health outcomes. The Public Health Agency of Canada should develop the expertise to lead public health HIT policy and should establish a mechanism for coordinating public health stakeholder input on HIT policy.
Intimate partner violence is associated with HIV infection in women in Kenya: A cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Shi Chyun-Fung , Kouyoumdjian Fiona G , Dushoff Jonathan 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
The relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and women’s risk of HIV infection has attracted much recent attention, with varying results in terms of whether there is an association and what the magnitude of association is. Understanding this relationship is important for HIV surveillance and intervention programs.

Methods
We analyzed data from the 2008-2009 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) in Kenya, on 1,904 women aged 15-49. A generalized linear mixed model was adapted to explore the relationship between IPV and HIV prevalence, controlling for sociodemographic variables, and treating DHS survey clusters, province and ethnicity as random effects. We used principal components analysis (PCA) to calculate a single IPV score for each woman. The effect of HIV risk behaviours on the association between IPV and HIV was also assessed.

Results
Controlling for relevant sociodemographic factors, we found that HIV risk was significantly associated with IPV (P <0.01). After adjustment for risk factors as well as sociodemographic variables, the positive association between IPV and HIV remained significant (P=0.035). The estimated effect size of this model corresponds to an odds ratio of 1.55 for HIV infection comparing a woman who experienced no IPV and a woman at the 95th percentile for our IPV index.

Conclusion
This study provides further evidence that IPV and HIV are associated. In addition, we found that this association remains even when we controlled for several HIV risk factors. This implies that IPV can be used as a marker of potential HIV risk, and may be causally associated with HIV risk. Further, these results suggest that IPV monitoring and prevention may have a useful role in HIV prevention in Kenya. Further research, ideally based on longitudinal observations, is needed to disentangle these relationships.
Graves’ disease in monozygotic twins – a case report
Authors: Rüst Christoph A , Knechtle Beat , Rosemann Thomas 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Autoimmune thyroid diseases including Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are caused by immune response to self-thyroid antigens. The rare situation of hyperthyroidism with Graves’ disease in twins has been reported in a very few case reports in literature.

Case presentation
We present monozygotic female twins developing consecutively Graves’ disease within five years. One year before the diagnosis of Graves’ disease was established in the first twin, the mother developed a toxic thyroid nodule with hyperthyroidism leading to hemi thyroidectomy. Both the mother and the twins were cigarette smokers. The twins were treated with carbamizole and this therapy led to normalization of thyroid stimulating hormone and thyroxine.

Conclusion
This case report supports the hypothesis that a genetic factor as well as an environmental factor (cigarette smoking) might be of great importance in the aetiology of Graves’ disease.