bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary hypertensive vascular changes in lungs of patients with sudden unexpected death. Emphasis on congenital heart disease, Eisenmenger syndrome, postoperative deaths and death during pregnancy and postpartum
Authors: Krexi Dimitra , Sheppard Mary N 
Published: October 2014

AimsPulmonary hypertension (PH) in asymptomatic patients is a rare cause of sudden death. This study aims to determine the incidence of this entity and raise awareness among pathologists.MethodsWe retrospectively investigated 44 cases of sudden unexpected death in relation to PH in patients not on antihypertensive therapy. This is the largest pathological study reported.ResultsWe report 44 cases of sudden death due to PH in which 28 (63.63%) were female and 16 (36.36%) were male, and the age range was from 5 days to 93 years old (mean age: 24±20). The majority had no clinical evidence of PH prior to death with none on therapy. The majority died at rest, 18 cases (40.90%), while 7 patients (15.90%) died following cardiac surgery and 7 patients (15.90%) during pregnancy or postpartum, 6 of whom had congenital heart disease. The cause of PH was recognised as congenital heart disease in 27 patients (61.36%), 14 of whom had simple congenital heart disease, such as atrial or ventricular septal defect,and 13 had complex congenital heart disease with associated atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect. The remaining 17 patients (29.55%) suffered from primary PH due to plexiform arteriopathy, veno-occlusive disease and thromboembolic disease. Extensive sampling of the lungs is required to detect the lesions microscopically in these conditions.ConclusionsIt is important that clinicians and pathologists be aware of the risk of sudden unexpected death in asymptomatic patients with PH, especially in those with congenital heart disease, after cardiac surgery or pregnancy.
Sprue-like histology in patients with abdominal pain taking olmesartan compared with other angiotensin receptor blockers
Authors: Lagana Stephen M , Braunstein Eric D , Arguelles-Grande Carolina , Bhagat Govind , Green Peter H R , Lebwohl Benjamin 
Published: October 2014

AimsA severe syndrome characterised by life-threatening diarrhoea and severe sprue-like histology has been described in patients taking the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) olmesartan. It is unknown whether there are any histopathological changes in patients without severe diarrhoea exposed to this medication. It is also unknown whether other ARBs cause sprue-like histology.MethodsRetrospective cohort study of patients with abdominal pain undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with duodenal biopsy who were taking ARBs. Patients taking olmesartan (n=20) and a non-olmesartan ARB (n=20) were compared with age and sex-matched controls. Histological features (classic sprue-like and other inflammatory changes) were analysed.ResultsNo single histopathological finding was significantly more common in olmesartan-using patients than controls. However, 10 of 20 olmesartan patients had one or more sprue-like histological features compared with 4 of 20 age-matched and sex-matched controls not taking ARBs (p=0.10). Patients taking ARBs other than olmesartan were not more likely than controls to have one or more of these sprue-like histological features (9/20 vs. 12/20, p=0.34).ConclusionsThere were no statistically significant differences between olmesartan users with abdominal pain and controls for any single histopathological abnormality. However, there were trends towards significance for individual abnormalities as well as for a composite outcome of sprue-like changes. This raises the possibility that there is a spectrum of histological changes associated with olmesartan use.
Immuno-oncology Combinations: A Review of Clinical Experience and Future Prospects
Authors: Antonia Scott J. , Larkin James , Ascierto Paolo A. 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Immuno-oncology is an evolving treatment modality that includes immunotherapies designed to harness the patient's own immune system. This approach is being studied for its potential to improve long-term survival across multiple tumor types. It is now important to determine how immunotherapies may be most effectively used to achieve the best possible patient outcomes. Combining or sequencing immunotherapies that target distinct immune pathways is a logical approach, with the potential to further enhance the magnitude of the antitumor immune response over single agents. Early clinical data in patients with melanoma treated with two immune checkpoint inhibitors, ipilimumab and nivolumab, suggest support for this combination approach. Numerous other combination approaches are being evaluated in early-phase clinical trials; however, their clinical activity remains unknown. Clinical experience to date has shown that when combining an immuno-oncology agent with an existing therapeutic modality, it is important to determine the optimal dose, schedule, and sequence. Clin Cancer Res; 20(24); 6258–68. ©2014 AACR.
Von Willebrand Factor Improves Risk Prediction in Addition to N-Terminal Pro–B-type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients Referred to Coronary Angiography and Signs and Symptoms of Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Kleber Marcus E. , Koller Lorenz , Goliasch Georg , Sulzgruber Patrick , Scharnagl Hubert , Silbernagel Günther , Grammer Tanja B. , Delgado Graciela , Tomaschitz Andreas , Pilz Stefan , März Winfried , Niessner Alexander 
Published: October 2014

Background—
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) represents a growing health burden associated with substantial mortality and morbidity. Consequently, risk prediction is of highest importance. Endothelial dysfunction has been recently shown to play an important role in the complex pathophysiology of HFpEF. We therefore aimed to assess von Willebrand factor (vWF), a marker of endothelial damage, as potential biomarker for risk assessment in patients with HFpEF.

Methods and Results—

Concentrations of vWF were assessed in 457 patients with HFpEF enrolled as part of the LUdwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study. All-cause mortality was observed in 40% of patients during a median follow-up time of 9.7 years. vWF significantly predicted mortality with a hazard ratio (HR) per increase of 1 SD of 1.45 (95% confidence interval, 1.26–1.68;
P
<0.001) and remained a significant predictor after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), renal function, and frequent HFpEF-related comorbidities (adjusted HR per 1 SD, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–1.42;
P
=0.001). Most notably, vWF showed additional prognostic value beyond that achievable with NT-proBNP indicated by improvements in C-Statistic (vWF×NT-proBNP: 0.65 versus NT-proBNP: 0.63;
P
for comparison, 0.004) and category-free net reclassification index (37.6%;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—
vWF is an independent predictor of long-term outcome in patients with HFpEF, which is in line with endothelial dysfunction as potential mediator in the pathophysiology of HFpEF. In particular, combined assessment of vWF and NT-proBNP improved risk prediction in this vulnerable group of patients.
Stem Cell Factor Gene Transfer Improves Cardiac Function After Myocardial Infarction in Swine
Authors: Ishikawa Kiyotake , Fish Kenneth , Aguero Jaume , Yaniz-Galende Elisa , Jeong Dongtak , Kho Changwon , Tilemann Lisa , Fish Lauren , Liang Lifan , Eltoukhy Ahmed A. , Anderson Daniel G. , Zsebo Krisztina , Costa Kevin D. , Hajjar Roger J. 
Published: October 2014

Background—
Stem cell factor (SCF), a ligand of the c-kit receptor, is a critical cytokine, which contributes to cell migration, proliferation, and survival. It has been shown that SCF expression increases after myocardial infarction (MI) and may be involved in cardiac repair. The aim of this study was to determine whether gene transfer of membrane-bound human SCF improves cardiac function in a large animal model of MI.

Methods and Results—

A transmural MI was created by implanting an embolic coil in the left anterior descending artery in Yorkshire pigs. One week after the MI, the pigs received direct intramyocardial injections of either a recombinant adenovirus encoding for SCF (Ad.SCF, n=9) or β-gal (Ad.β-gal, n=6) into the infarct border area. At 3 months post-MI, ejection fraction increased by 12% relative to baseline after Ad.SCF therapy, whereas it decreased by 4.2% (
P
=0.004) in pigs treated with Ad.β-gal. Preload-recruitable stroke work was significantly higher in pigs after SCF treatment (Ad.SCF, 55.5±11.6 mm Hg versus Ad.β-gal, 31.6±12.6 mm Hg,
P
=0.005), indicating enhanced cardiac function. Histological analyses confirmed the recruitment of c-kit
+
cells as well as a reduced degree of apoptosis 1 week after Ad.SCF injection. In addition, increased capillary density compared with pigs treated with Ad.β-gal was found at 3 months and suggests an angiogenic role of SCF.

Conclusions—

Local overexpression of SCF post-MI induces the recruitment of c-kit
+
cells at the infarct border area acutely. In the chronic stages, SCF gene transfer was associated with improved cardiac function in a preclinical model of ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Seasonal Cross-Shelf Flow Structure, Upwelling Relaxation, and the Alongshelf Pressure Gradient in the Northern California Current System
Authors: McCabe Ryan M. , Hickey Barbara M. , Dever Edward P. , MacCready Parker 
Published: October 2014

AbstractMoored observations are used to investigate the seasonal change in vertical structure of the cross-shelf circulation at a midshelf location in the northern California Current System. A streamwise–normal coordinate system is employed to eliminate meander- and eddy-induced biases in the cross-shelf flow that are unaccounted for with an alternative, commonly applied approach. The resulting flow structure develops an organized pattern midway through the upwelling season. In particular, under upwelling-favorable conditions an onshore return layer occurs just beneath the offshore surface flow, and a third offshore-directed layer exists at depth that does not appear to satisfy Ekman dynamics (to within 9 m of the bottom). Both subsurface layers strengthen in time over the upwelling season. Mechanisms to explain the mean structure are evaluated, and it is suggested that the timing of the development and strengthening of both the interior onshore return flow and the offshore near-bottom layer are consistent with the seasonally changing direction and magnitude of the large-scale alongshelf sea level gradient. The change to a poleward sea level gradient initiates a seasonal relaxation of upwelled isopycnals that likely leads to the near-bottom flow. Late-season enhancement of the interior onshore return flow is related to the alongshelf surface wind stress but appears to form as a consequence of offshore transport in the near-bottom layer and the need to satisfy coastal mass balance.
Endovenous laser ablation with and without high ligation compared to high ligation and stripping for treatment of great saphenous varicose veins: Results of a multicentre randomised controlled trial with up to 6 years follow-up
Authors: Flessenkämper I , Hartmann M , Hartmann K , Stenger D , Roll S 
Published: October 2014

Objectives High ligation and stripping was compared to endovenous laser ablation for the therapy of great saphenous vein varicosity. Long-term efficacy was assessed in terms of avoidance of inguinal reflux and mechanisms of recurrence were investigated. Design Multicentre, randomised, three-arm, parallel trial. Materials and methods A total of 449 patients were randomised into three different treatment groups: high ligation and stripping group ( n = 159), endovenous laser ablation group ( n = 142; 980 nm, 30 W continuous mode, bare fibre) or a combination of laser ablation with high ligation (endovenous laser ablation group/ high ligation group, n = 148). Patients were examined clinically and by duplex ultrasound once a year. The primary end point of this study is inguinal reflux at the saphenofemoral junction after 2 years. This paper presents secondary data on sonographically determined inguinal reflux and clinical recurrences in the treated area after up to 6 years of follow-up. Results Median time to follow-up was 4.0 years; the mean time follow-up 3.6 years. Follow-up rates were: 2 years 74%, 3 years 47%, 4 years 39%, 5 years 36% and 6 years 31%. Most reflux into the great saphenous vein appeared in the endovenous laser ablation group (after 6 years: high ligation/stripping versus endovenous laser ablation p = 0.0102; high ligation/endovenous laser ablation vs. endovenous laser ablation p < 0.0002). Furthermore, more refluxive side branches were also observed in the endovenous laser ablation group (after 6 years high ligation/stripping vs. endovenous laser ablation p = 0.0569; high ligation/endovenous laser ablation vs. endovenous laser ablation p = 0.0111). In terms of clinical recurrence during the 6 years post therapy, no significant differences between the three treatment groups were observed ( p values from log-rank test: high ligation/stripping vs. endovenous laser ablation p = 0.5479; high ligation/stripping vs. high ligation/endovenous laser ablation p = 0.2324; high ligation/endovenous laser ablation vs. endovenous laser ablation p = 0.0848). The postoperative decline and later development in Class C (clinical etiological anatomical pathological) went parallel in all groups. Conclusions Clinical recurrence appears with the same frequency in all three treatment groups, but the responsible pathological mechanisms seem to differ. Most reflux into the great saphenous vein and side branches appears after endovenous laser ablation, whereas more saphenofemoral junction-independent recurrences are seen after high ligation/stripping.
Feasibility of a Newborn Screening and Follow-up Programme for Sickle Cell Disease among South Gujarat (India) Tribal Populations
Authors: Italia Yazdi , Krishnamurti Lakshmanan , Mehta Vishal , Raicha Bhavesh , Italia Khushnooma , Mehta Pallavi , Ghosh Kanjaksha , Colah Roshan 
Published: October 2014

Objectives To evaluate the feasibility of a newborn screening and follow-up programme for sickle cell disease (SCD) among tribal populations of south Gujarat, India. Methods A total of 5467 newborn babies were screened over 2 years using High-performance liquid chromatography, with diagnosis by molecular analysis. The SCD babies were followed-up clinically and haematologically regularly for 1.5 to 5 years to describe the course of the disease. Results Thirty-three babies (0.60%) were sickle homozygous, 13 (0.23%) were-sickle-β-thalassaemia, 687 (12.5%) were sickle heterozygous, and 4736 were unaffected. The parents of SCD babies were educated and counselled for home care. There were 32 babies (69.5%) who could be clinically and haematologically followed-up; 7 babies (21.8%) presented with severe clinical complications, whereas 18 (56.2%) babies were asymptomatic till the last follow-up. The variation in clinical presentation was seen in spite of the presence of ameliorating factors, such as high fetal haemoglobin, Xmn-I polymorphism, and α-thalassaemia. Conclusion In addition to demonstrating the possibility of establishing a newborn screening programme for sickle cell disorders among tribal populations, this study has shown that the disease is not always mild among tribal groups in India, as previously believed. There is a need, therefore, for increasing awareness among these tribal groups about the disease, and for regular monitoring of affected babies to reduce morbidity and mortality and to understand the natural course of the disease.
The hemi-hamate autograft arthroplasty in proximal interphalangeal joint reconstruction: a systematic review
Authors: Frueh F. S. , Calcagni M. , Lindenblatt N. 
Published: October 2014

Palmar lip injuries of the proximal interphalangeal joint with dorsal fracture-dislocation are difficult to treat and often require major reconstruction. A systematic review was performed and yielded 177 articles. Thirteen articles on hemi-hamate autograft were included in full-text analysis. Results of 71 cases were summarized. Mean follow-up was 36 months and mean proximal interphalangeal joint range of motion was 77°. Overall complication rate was around 35%. Up to 50% of the patients showed radiographic signs of osteoarthritis. However, few of those patients complained about pain or impaired finger motion. Based on this systematic analysis and review, hemi-hamate autograft can be considered reliable for the reconstruction of acute and chronic proximal interphalangeal joint fracture-dislocations with joint involvement >50%, but longer-term follow-up studies are required to evaluate its outcome, especially regarding the rate of osteoarthritis. Level of Evidence: II
Influence of surgeon, patient and radiographic factors on distal radius fracture treatment
Authors: Neuhaus V. , Bot A. G. , Guitton T. G. , Ring D. C. 
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate surgeon, patient, and radiographic factors influencing the recommendation for operative treatment in distal radius fractures. In a web-based study 252 orthopaedic surgeons from a variety of countries reviewed 30 consecutive sets of radiographs of patients that presented to our emergency department with a fracture of the distal radius. Surgeons were randomly assigned to receive either ‘Radiographs only’ or ‘Radiographs and clinical information’. Surgery was recommended on average 52% of the time whether or not surgeons received clinical information. Female surgeons, surgeons with less than 21 years of experience, and hand surgeons were more likely to recommend operative treatment, but these factors explained only 1% of the variation. Radiographic criteria (intra-articular fractures, ulnar styloid fractures, dorsal comminution, dorsal tilt, and ulnar variance) explained 49% of the variation. The overall agreement on treatment was moderate and slightly higher among surgeons that received radiographs alone. Level of Evidence: Level II, therapeutic; not a clinical study
IFN-γ causes aplastic anemia by altering hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell composition and disrupting lineage differentiation
Authors: Lin Fan-ching , Karwan Megan , Saleh Bahara , Hodge Deborah L. , Chan Tim , Boelte Kimberly C. , Keller Jonathan R. , Young Howard A. 
Published: October 2014

Key PointsIFN-γ alone leads to aplastic anemia by disrupting the generation of common myeloid progenitors and lineage differentiation. The inhibitory effect of IFN-γ on hematopoiesis is intrinsic to hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells.
The Alexander Technique and musicians: a systematic review of controlled trials
Authors: Klein Sabine D , Bayard Claudine , Wolf Ursula 
Published: October 2014

Abstract

Background
Musculoskeletal disorders, stress and performance anxiety are common in musicians. Therefore, some use the Alexander Technique (AT), a psycho-physical method that helps to release unnecessary muscle tension and re-educates non-beneficial movement patterns through intentional inhibition of unwanted habitual behaviours. According to a recent review AT sessions may be effective for chronic back pain. This review aimed to evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of AT sessions on musicians’ performance, anxiety, respiratory function and posture.

Methods
The following electronic databases were searched up to February 2014 for relevant publications: PUBMED, Google Scholar, CINAHL, EMBASE, AMED, PsycINFO and RILM. The search criteria were “Alexander Technique” AND “music*”. References were searched, and experts and societies of AT or musicians’ medicine contacted for further publications.

Results
237 citations were assessed. 12 studies were included for further analysis, 5 of which were randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 5 controlled but not randomised (CTs), and 2 mixed methods studies. Main outcome measures in RCTs and CTs were music performance, respiratory function, performance anxiety, body use and posture. Music performance was judged by external experts and found to be improved by AT in 1 of 3 RCTs; in 1 RCT comparing neurofeedback (NF) to AT, only NF caused improvements. Respiratory function was investigated in 2 RCTs, but not improved by AT training. Performance anxiety was mostly assessed by questionnaires and decreased by AT in 2 of 2 RCTs and in 2 of 2 CTs.

Conclusions
A variety of outcome measures has been used to investigate the effectiveness of AT sessions in musicians. Evidence from RCTs and CTs suggests that AT sessions may improve performance anxiety in musicians. Effects on music performance, respiratory function and posture yet remain inconclusive. Future trials with well-established study designs are warranted to further and more reliably explore the potential of AT in the interest of musicians.
Docking study of novel antihyperlipidemic thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine; LM-1554, with some molecular targets related to hyperlipidemia - an investigation into its mechanism of action
Authors: Khedkar Vijay M , Arya Nikhilesh , Coutinho Evans C , Shishoo Chamanlal J , Jain Kishor S 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
An investigation into the mechanism of antihyperlipidemic action of 2-chloromethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo(b)thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one (LM-1554) was carried out through docking experiments with six different molecular targets; Niemann Pick C1 Like1 protein (NPC1L1), ATP citrate lyase (ACL), C-reactive protein (CRP), lanosterol 14α-demethylase (LDM), squalene synthase (SqS) and farnesiod X-receptor (FXR) known to be implicated in the physiology of hyperlipidemia. The interactions of LM-1554 were compared with the interactions of their respective co-crystallized native ligands at the active sites of these receptors. These comparisons are based on their docking parameters, as well as, types of interactions and vicinity with various amino acids in the active site pockets. The interaction of LM-1554 with the target, NPC1L1 has been found to be the quite favourable as compared to those with the other targets assessed in this study.