bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using the Coronary Artery Calcium Score to Guide Statin Therapy
Authors: Pletcher Mark J. , Pignone Michael , Earnshaw Stephanie , McDade Cheryl , Phillips Kathryn A. , Auer Reto , Zablotska Lydia , Greenland Philip 
Published: March 2014

Background—
The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score predicts future coronary heart disease (CHD) events and could be used to guide primary prevention interventions, but CAC measurement has costs and exposes patients to low-dose radiation.

Methods and Results—
We estimated the cost-effectiveness of measuring CAC and prescribing statin therapy based on the resulting score under a range of assumptions using an established model enhanced with CAC distribution and risk estimates from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Ten years of statin treatment for 10 000 55-year-old women with high cholesterol (10-year CHD risk, 7.5%) was projected to prevent 32 myocardial infarctions, cause 70 cases of statin-induced myopathy, and add 1108 years to total life expectancy. Measuring CAC and targeting statin treatment to the 2500 women with CAC>0 would provide 45% of the benefit (+501 life-years), but CAC measurement would cost $2.25 million and cause 9 radiation-induced cancers. Treat all was preferable to CAC screening in this scenario and across a broad range of other scenarios (CHD risk, 2.5%–15%) when statin assumptions were favorable ($0.13 per pill and no quality of life penalty). When statin assumptions were less favorable ($1.00 per pill and disutility=0.00384), CAC screening with statin treatment for persons with CAC>0 was cost-effective (<$50 000 per quality-adjusted life-year) in this scenario, in 55-year-old men with CHD risk 7.5%, and in other intermediate risk scenarios (CHD risk, 5%–10%). Our results were critically sensitive to statin cost and disutility and relatively robust to other assumptions. Alternate CAC treatment thresholds (>100 or >300) were generally not cost-effective.

Conclusions—
CAC testing in intermediate risk patients can be cost-effective but only if statins are costly or significantly affect quality of life.
Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Hyperintensity Correlates With Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Level and Hemorrhagic Transformation in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Jha Ruchira , Battey Thomas W. K. , Pham Ly , Lorenzano Svetlana , Furie Karen L. , Sheth Kevin N. , Kimberly W. Taylor 
Published: March 2014

Background and Purpose—
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is elevated in patients with acute stroke who later develop hemorrhagic transformation (HT). It is controversial whether early fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) hyperintensity on brain MRI predicts hemorrhagic transformation (HT). We assessed whether FLAIR hyperintensity was associated with MMP-9 and HT.

Methods—
We analyzed a prospectively collected cohort of acute stroke subjects with acute brain MRI images and MMP-9 values within the first 12 hours after stroke onset. FLAIR hyperintensity was measured using a signal intensity ratio between the stroke lesion and corresponding normal contralateral hemisphere. MMP-9 was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationships between FLAIR ratio (FR), MMP-9, and HT were evaluated.

Results—

A total of 180 subjects were available for analysis. Patients were imaged with brain MRI at 5.6±4.3 hours from last seen well time. MMP-9 blood samples were drawn within 7.7±4.0 hours from last seen well time. The time to MRI (
r
=0.17,
P
=0.027) and MMP-9 level (
r
=0.29,
P
<0.001) were each associated with FR. The association between MMP-9 and FR remained significant after multivariable adjustment (
P
<0.001). FR was also associated with HT and symptomatic hemorrhage (
P
=0.012).

Conclusions—
FR correlates with both MMP-9 level and risk of hemorrhage. FLAIR changes in the acute phase of stroke may predict hemorrhagic transformation, possibly as a reflection of altered blood–brain barrier integrity.
Contrasting the Use of Single-Realization versus Ensemble-Average Atmospheric Dispersion Solutions for Chemical and Biological Defense Analyses
Authors: Bieringer Paul E. , Annunzio Andrew J. , Platt Nathan , Bieberbach George , Hannan John 
Published: March 2014

AbstractChemical and biological (CB) defense systems require significant testing and evaluation before they are deployed for real-time use. Because it is not feasible to evaluate these systems with open-air testing alone, researchers rely on numerical models to supplement the defense-system analysis process. These numerical models traditionally describe the statistical properties of CB-agent atmospheric transport and dispersion (AT&D). While the statistical representation of AT&D is appropriate to use in some CB defense analyses, it is not appropriate to use this class of dispersion model for all such analyses. Many of these defense-system analyses require AT&D models that are capable of simulating dispersion properties with very short time-averaging periods that more closely emulate a “single realization” of a contaminant or CB agent dispersing in a turbulent atmosphere. The latter class of AT&D models is superior to the former for performing CB-system analyses when one or more of the following factors are important in the analysis: high-frequency sampling of the contaminant, spatial and temporal correlations within the contaminant concentration field, and nonlinear operations performed on the contaminant concentration. This paper describes and contrasts these AT&D modeling tools and provides specific examples in which utilizing ensembles of single realizations of CB-agent AT&D is advantageous over using the statistical, “ensemble-average” representation of the agent AT&D. These examples demonstrate the importance of using an AT&D modeling tool that is appropriate for the analysis.
Interannual Bottom Pressure Signals in the Australian–Antarctic and Bellingshausen Basins
Authors: Ponte Rui M. , Piecuch Christopher G. 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Analyses of large-scale (&gt;750 km) ocean bottom pressure pb fields, derived from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and from an Estimating the Circulation & Climate of the Ocean (ECCO) state estimate, reveal enhanced interannual variability, partially connected to the Antarctic Oscillation, in regions of the Australian–Antarctic Basin and the Bellingshausen Basin, with pb magnitudes comparable to those of sea level and good correlation between the GRACE and ECCO pb series. Consistent with the theory of Gill and Niiler, the patterns of stronger pb variability are partly related to enhanced local wind curl forcing and weakened gradients in H/f, where H is ocean depth and f is the Coriolis parameter. Despite weaker H/f gradients, motions against them are sufficiently strong to play a role in balancing the local wind input. Topographic effects are as or more important than changes in f. Additionally, and contrary to the dominance of barotropic processes at subannual time scales, baroclinic effects are not negligible when balancing wind input at periods of a few years. Results highlight the emerging capability to accurately observe and estimate interannual changes in large-scale pb over the Southern Ocean, with implications for the interpretation of low-frequency variability in sea level in terms of steric height and heat content.
Incidental Thyroid Nodules: Incidence, Evaluation, and Outcome
Authors: Chaikhoutdinov Irina , Mitzner Ron , Goldenberg David 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveTo examine patients with incidentally discovered thyroid nodules (IDTNs) with a focus on identification, evaluation, surgical intervention, and rates of malignancy.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary care medical center.Subjects and MethodsA total of 1408 patients were identified by cross‐referencing thyroid diagnosis codes with ultrasound (US) codes between July 2008 and June 2009. Information regarding demographics, follow‐up, and outcomes was extracted from the medical record.ResultsA total of 249 patients with IDTNs were identified. Most were discovered on computed tomography (CT) scans (59.8%); the most common indication for obtaining imaging was for evaluation of an unrelated malignancy (26.9%). Malignant IDTNs were identified on 23.8% of positron emission tomography/CT scans and 6.8% of CT scans. Initial evaluation of IDTNs was performed by US in 62.2% and by US with fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) in 36.1% of patients. The most common pathology on FNA of IDTNs was benign follicular nodule (64.1%) followed by papillary thyroid cancer (PTC; 13.5%); however, 31.7% of all cytology indicated suspicion for malignancy. Fifty‐five patients (22.1%) were treated surgically. On final surgical pathology, 33 malignancies were present, of which 28 were PTC. The overall malignancy rate for incidental thyroid nodules was 13.3%.ConclusionWe identified a malignancy of at least 13.3% in IDTNs, reaffirming that IDTNs should undergo thorough workup.
Automated hearing screening for preschool children
Authors: Kam Anna Chi Shan , Li Lawrence Kwok Chang , Yeung Kammy Ngan Kam , Wu Wenjin , Huang Zhiwu , Wu Hao , Tong Michael Chi Fai 
Published: March 2014

Objectives To establish the reliability and validity of an automated hearing screening test system for preschoolers and to investigate the risk factors for hearing loss. Methods The study used a cross-sectional design in a comparative study of subjects. The automated hearing screening test was performed in 6231 preschoolers (3–7 years old) from 41 kindergartens in Shanghai, China. Sensitivity and specificity of the automated test were investigated with subjects who failed the screening test and a group of control subjects. Results Six hundred and forty-seven children were referred for diagnostic audiological assessment after the automated pure-tone screening test. Using the conventional pure-tone audiometry as the “gold standard,” the sensitivity and specificity of the automated hearing screening test increased from 0.33 and 0.15 in the youngest age group to 0.95 and 1.00 in the oldest age group, respectively. There was no statistically significant gender effect, but there was an age effect (χ2 = 22.96, p < 0.01). In the univariate analysis of 104 cases and 201 controls, significantly elevated odds ratios (OR) for hearing loss were correlated with universal newborn hearing screening test results (OR = 28.15, p < 0.01), parental suspicion of hearing loss (OR = 10.10, p < 0.05), and attendance at preschool before the age of five (OR = 0.51, p < 0.05). Conclusions The results suggest that the automated hearing screening test system can be used in screening programmes for preschoolers aged older than five years.
Evaluating the response to glatiramer acetate in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients
Authors: Río Jordi , Rovira Alex , Tintoré Mar , Sastre-Garriga Jaume , Castilló Joaquín , Auger Cristina , Nos Carlos , Comabella Manuel , Tur Carmen , Vidal Ángela , Montalbán Xavier 
Published: March 2014

Background: In patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), a scoring system based on new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) active lesions, relapses and sustained disability progression after a 1-year treatment with IFNβ predicted patient disability progression over time; however, this score had not been tested in patients receiving glatiramer acetate (GA). Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether this previous scoring system can also be applied to patients treated with GA. Methods: This was a prospective, longitudinal study of 151 RRMS patients treated with GA. Their scores were constructed, based on the clinical and MRI activity after 1 year of therapy. Regression analysis was performed, in order to identify the response variables. Results: The total possible score range was 0–3. Patients with a score of ≥ 2 and those with clinical activity (with or without MRI activity) during their first year of treatment were at increased risk of continuing with relapses and/or sustained disability in the next 2 years (odds ratio (OR): 38.8; p < 0.0001 and OR: 7.8; p < 0.009, respectively). Conclusions: In RRMS patients treated with GA, a combination of clinical activity measures may have prognostic value for identifying patients with disease activity in the next 2 years of therapy.
Limb regeneration in salamanders and digital tip regeneration in experimental mice: implications for the hand surgeon
Authors: Al-Qattan M. M. , Al-Qattan A. M. , Al-Maged Ahmed D. A. , Abd Al-Wahed M. M. , Shier M. K. 
Published: March 2014

Several lessons and observations from limb regeneration in animals could open new insights to direct related research in the field of hand surgery. This article briefly reviews the biology of limb regeneration in salamanders and experimental mice, with special emphasis on implications for hand surgery. Level of evidence: 5
How we prevent and treat differentiation syndrome in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Sanz Miguel A. , Montesinos Pau 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Differentiation syndrome (DS), formerly known as retinoic acid syndrome, is a relatively common and potentially severe complication seen in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with all-trans retinoic acid and/or arsenic trioxide. The full-blown syndrome consists of unexplained fever, weight gain, dyspnea with pulmonary infiltrates, pleuropericardial effusion, hypotension, and renal failure. Most measures currently used for management of DS have very little evidence-based support, and therefore, many remain controversial. Despite the lack of evidence supporting DS prophylaxis, several groups have adopted a preventive strategy with corticosteroids, especially for patients with leukocyte levels higher than from 5 to 10 × 109/L. DS diagnosis should be suspected in the presence of any of the above-mentioned signs and symptoms, and preemptive treatment with dexamethasone should be started immediately. Other supportive measures can also be crucial for the correct management of DS, especially in those patients with life-threatening complications. Temporary discontinuation of all-trans retinoic acid or arsenic trioxide is indicated only for patients in very poor clinical condition or with severe renal or pulmonary dysfunction, sometimes requiring admission to the intensive care unit. Recognition of specific biomarkers and a better understanding of DS pathogenesis can be helpful for the development of specific therapies to counteract DS in a timely manner.
Heme-induced neutrophil extracellular traps contribute to the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease
Authors: Chen Grace , Zhang Dachuan , Fuchs Tobias A. , Manwani Deepa , Wagner Denisa D. , Frenette Paul S. 
Published: March 2014

Key Points
NETs are present and pathogenic in sickle cell disease. Plasma heme and proinflammatory cytokines collaborate to activate release of NETs.
Utility of the CAT in the therapy assessment of COPD exacerbations in China
Authors: Tu You-Hui , Zhang Yan , Fei Guang-He 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations are accompanied with increased systemic inflammation, which accelerate the pulmonary function injury and impair the quality of life. Prompt and effective treatments for COPD exacerbations slow down the disease progression, but an objective instrument to assess the efficacy of the treatments following COPD exacerbations is lacking nowadays. The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) is an 8-item questionnaire designed to assess and quantify health status and symptom burden in COPD patients. We hypothesize that the change in CAT score is related to the treatment response following COPD exacerbations.

Methods
78 inpatients with clinician-diagnosed acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) completed the CAT, St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale both at exacerbation and the 7th day of therapy, and a subgroup of 39 patients performed the pulmonary function test. Concentrations of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasma fibrinogen were assayed at the same time. Correlations between the CAT and other measurements were examined.

Results
After 7 days’ therapy, the CAT and SGRQ scores, mMRC grades, as well as the concentrations of CRP and fibrinogen all decreased significantly (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, the FEV1% predicted had a significant improvement (P < 0.001). The CAT scores were significantly correlated with concurrent concentrations of CRP and fibrinogen, SGRQ scores, FEV1% predicted and mMRC grades (P < 0.05). The change in CAT score was positively correlated with the change of CRP (r = 0.286, P < 0.05), SGRQ score (r = 0.725, P < 0.001) and mMRC grades (r = 0.593, P < 0.001), but not with fibrinogen (r = 0.137, P > 0.05) or FEV1% predicted (r = -0.101, P > 0.05). No relationship was found between the changes of SGRQ score and CRP and fibrinogen (P>0.05).

Conclusions
The CAT is associate with the changes of systemic inflammation following COPD exacerbations. Moreover, the CAT is responsive to the treatments, similar to other measures such as SGRQ, mMRC dyspnea scale and pulmonary function. Therefore, the CAT is a potentially useful instrument to assess the efficacy of treatments following COPD exacerbations.
Expression of histone deacetylases 1, 2 and 3 in urothelial bladder cancer
Authors: Poyet Cédric , Jentsch Bastian , Hermanns Thomas , Schweckendiek Daniel , Seifert Hans-Helge , Schmidtpeter Martin , Sulser Tullio , Moch Holger , Wild Peter J , Kristiansen Glen 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are known to be associated with an overexpression in different types of cancer such as colon and prostate cancer. In this study we aimed to evaluate the protein expression of class I HDACs in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Methods
A tissue microarray containing 348 tissuesamples from 174 patients with a primary urothelial carcinoma of the bladder was immunohistochemically stained for HDAC 1, 2 and 3. Intensity of staining was evaluated and the association with clinico-pathological features and prognosis was assessed.

Results
High HDAC expression levels were found in 40 to 60% of all investigated urothelial carcinomas (HDAC-1: 40%, HDAC-2: 42%, HDAC-3: 59%).
HDAC-1 and HDAC-2 were significantly associated with higher tumour grades.
Although all three markers could not predict progression in univariate analyses, high HDAC-1 expression was associated with a trend toward poorer prognosis. Patients with high-grade tumours and high expression levels of HDAC-1 were more likely to progress compared to all other patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
High-grade noninvasive papillary bladder tumours are associated with high expression levels of HDAC-1 and HDAC-2. High grade tumours in combination with high expression of HDAC-1 showed a worse prognosis than the other tumours. The high expression levels of HDACs observed particularly in high grade urothelial bladder cancer clearly warrant subsequent studies on the potential use of HDAC inhibitors as a novel therapeutic approach.
Ni-doped TiO2 nanotubes for wide-range hydrogen sensing
Authors: Li Zhaohui , Ding Dongyan , Liu Qiang , Ning Congqin , Wang Xuewu 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Doping of titania nanotubes is one of the efficient way to obtain improved physical and chemical properties. Through electrochemical anodization and annealing treatment, Ni-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays were fabricated and their hydrogen sensing performance was investigated. The nanotube sensor demonstrated a good sensitivity for wide-range detection of both dilute and high-concentration hydrogen atmospheres ranging from 50 ppm to 2% H2. A temperature-dependent sensing from 25°C to 200°C was also found. Based on the experimental measurements and first-principles calculations, the electronic structure and hydrogen sensing properties of the Ni-doped TiO2 with an anatase structure were also investigated. It reveals that Ni substitution of the Ti sites could induce significant inversion of the conductivity type and effective reduction of the bandgap of anatase oxide. The calculations also reveal that the resistance change for Ni-doped anatase TiO2 with/without hydrogen absorption was closely related to the bandgap especially the Ni-induced impurity level.
Analysis options for high-throughput sequencing in miRNA expression profiling
Authors: Stokowy Tomasz , Eszlinger Markus , Świerniak Michał , Fujarewicz Krzysztof , Jarząb Barbara , Paschke Ralf , Krohn Knut 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
Recently high-throughput sequencing (HTS) using next generation sequencing techniques became useful in digital gene expression profiling.
Our study introduces analysis options for HTS data based on mapping to miRBase or counting and grouping of identical sequence reads. Those approaches allow a hypothesis free detection of miRNA differential expression.

Methods
We compare our results to microarray and qPCR data from one set of RNA samples. We use Illumina platforms for microarray analysis and miRNA sequencing of 20 samples from benign follicular thyroid adenoma and malignant follicular thyroid carcinoma. Furthermore, we use three strategies for HTS data analysis to evaluate miRNA biomarkers for malignant versus benign follicular thyroid tumors.

Results
High correlation of qPCR and HTS data was observed for the proposed analysis methods. However, qPCR is limited in the differential detection of miRNA isoforms. Moreover, we illustrate a much broader dynamic range of HTS compared to microarrays for small RNA studies. Finally, our data confirm hsa-miR-197-3p, hsa-miR-221-3p, hsa-miR-222-3p and both hsa-miR-144-3p and hsa-miR-144-5p as potential follicular thyroid cancer biomarkers.

Conclusions
Compared to microarrays HTS provides a global profile of miRNA expression with higher specificity and in more detail. Summarizing of HTS reads as isoform groups (analysis pipeline B) or according to functional criteria (seed analysis pipeline C), which better correlates to results of qPCR are promising new options for HTS analysis. Finally, data opens future miRNA research perspectives for HTS and indicates that qPCR might be limited in validating HTS data in detail.
Biosorption of malachite green from aqueous solutions by Pleurotus ostreatus using Taguchi method
Authors: Chen Zhengsuo , Deng Hongbo , Chen Can , Yang Ying , Xu Heng 
Published: March 2014

AbstractDyes released into the environment have been posing a serious threat to natural ecosystems and aquatic life due to presence of heat, light, chemical and other exposures stable. In this study, thePleurotus ostreatus(a macro-fungus) was used as a new biosorbent to study the biosorption of hazardous malachite green (MG) from aqueous solutions. The effective disposal ofP. ostreatusis a meaningful work for environmental protection and maximum utilization of agricultural residues.The operational parameters such as biosorbent dose, pH, and ionic strength were investigated in a series of batch studies at 25°C. Freundlich isotherm model was described well for the biosorption equilibrium data. The biosorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Taguchi method was used to simplify the experimental number for determining the significance of factors and the optimum levels of experimental factors for MG biosorption. Biosorbent dose and initial MG concentration had significant influences on the percent removal and biosorption capacity. The highest percent removal reached 89.58% and the largest biosorption capacity reached 32.33 mg/g. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that the functional groups such as, carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino and phosphonate groups on the biosorbent surface could be the potential adsorption sites for MG biosorption.P. ostreatuscan be considered as an alternative biosorbent for the removal of dyes from aqueous solutions.