bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Myocardial Fibrosis Patterns in Patients With Systolic Dysfunction
Authors: Almehmadi Fahad , Joncas Sebastien Xavier , Nevis Immaculate , Zahrani Mohammad , Bokhari Mahmoud , Stirrat John , Fine Nowell M. , Yee Raymond , White James A. 
Published: June 2014

Background—
Late gadolinium enhancement-cardiac magnetic resonance is increasingly performed in patients with systolic dysfunction. Numerous patterns of fibrosis are commonly reported among this population. However, the relative prevalence and prognostic significance of these findings remains uncertain.

Methods and Results—

Three hundred eighteen consecutive patients referred for late gadolinium enhancement-cardiac magnetic resonance and a left ventricular ejection fraction <55% were followed up for the primary end point of sudden cardiac arrest or appropriate implantable cardiac defibrillator therapy. Late gadolinium enhancement images were blindly interpreted for the presence of 6 distinct pattern(s) of myocardial fibrosis in addition to signal threshold-based quantification of total fibrosis volume. The mean age and left ventricular ejection fraction of participants were 62.0±12.9 years and 32.6±11.9%, respectively. Any pattern of myocardial fibrosis was seen in 248 patients (78%) with ≥2 patterns present in 25% of patients. During follow-up (median of 467 days), 49 patients (15%) had a primary outcome. After adjustment for left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiomyopathy pathogenesis, and total fibrosis volume, the presence of a midwall striae pattern of fibrosis was an independent predictor of sudden cardiac arrest or appropriate implantable cardiac defibrillator therapy with a hazard ratio of 2.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.2–4.6;
P
=0.01); this finding is present in 30% of patients with nonischemic and 15% of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Cumulative event rate was significantly higher among those with midwall striae, particularly among those with a left ventricular ejection fraction >35% (40% versus 6%;
P
=0.005).

Conclusions—
Patients with systolic dysfunction frequently demonstrate multiple patterns of myocardial fibrosis. Of these, a midwall striae pattern of fibrosis is the strongest independent predictor of sudden cardiac arrest or appropriate implantable cardiac defibrillator therapy.
Acute Cerebrovascular Disease Occurring After Hospital Discharge for Labor and Delivery
Authors: Hovsepian Dominic A. , Sriram Nandita , Kamel Hooman , Fink Matthew E. , Navi Babak B. 
Published: June 2014

Background and Purpose—
The risk of stroke and other postpartum cerebrovascular disease (CVD) occurring after hospital discharge for labor and delivery is uncertain.

Methods—

We performed a retrospective cohort study using administrative databases to identify all pregnant women who were hospitalized for labor and delivery at nonfederal, acute care hospitals in California from 2005 to 2011 and who were discharged without an
International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification
diagnosis of CVD. The primary outcome was an acute CVD composite defined as any ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, pituitary apoplexy, carotid/vertebral artery dissection, hypertensive encephalopathy, or other acute CVD occurring after hospital discharge and before 6 weeks after labor and delivery. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the incidence of postdischarge CVD. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between selected baseline factors and postdischarge CVD.

Results—
The rate of any postdischarge acute CVD was 14.8 per 100 000 patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.2–16.5). Risk factors for any acute CVD were eclampsia (odds ratio [OR], 10.1; 95% CI, 3.09–32.8), chronic kidney disease (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 2.5–11.8), black race (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.9–3.3), preeclampsia (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.6–2.8), pregnancy-related hematologic disorders (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.3–2.5), and age (OR, 1.5 per decade; 95% CI, 1.3–1.8).

Conclusions—
The incidence of postpartum acute CVD after hospital discharge for labor and delivery is similar to rates reported for all postpartum events in previous publications, suggesting that a substantial proportion of postpartum CVD occurs after discharge.
Early Prediction of Oral Calcium and Vitamin D Requirements in Post‐thyroidectomy Hypocalcaemia
Authors: Al‐Dhahri Saleh F. , Mubasher Mohamed , Al‐Muhawas Fida , Alessa Mohammed , Terkawi Rayan S. , Terkawi Abdullah S. 
Published: June 2014

ObjectiveTo optimize and individualize post‐thyroidectomy hypocalcemia management.Study DesignA multicenter prospective cohort study.SettingTwo tertiary care hospitals.Subjects and Methodsparathyroid hormone (PTH) was measured preoperatively, then at 1 and 6 hours after surgery. The required doses of calcium and vitamin D were defined as those maintaining the patients asymptomatic and their cCa ≥ 2 mmol/L. They were used as an endpoint in a generalized linear mixed effect model (GLIMMEX) aiming to identify the best predictors of these optimal required doses. Models were evaluated by goodness of fit and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves.ResultsOne hundred and sixty‐eight patients were analyzed; 85.1% were female, 49.3% had BMI > 30, and 64% had vitamin D deficiency. Post‐thyroidectomy hypocalcemia was found in 25.6%, of whom 18 (41.9%) were symptomatic and received intravenous calcium. First hour percentage of drop in PTH correlated positively with the severity of hypocalcemia (P <. 0001). The GLIMMIX prediction model for oral calcium requirement was based on first‐hour percentage change from preoperative PTH level, preoperative actual PTH, BMI, and thyroid function. The same predictors were identified for vitamin D, except that thyroid function was replaced with vitamin D status. These factors were used to build predictive equations for calcium and vitamin D doses.ConclusionOur findings help to optimize management of post‐thyroidectomy hypocalcemia by assisting in the early identification of those who are not at risk of hypocalcaemia and by guiding early effective management of those at risk. This may reduce complications and medical cost.
Prone ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Guérin Claude 
Published: June 2014

Prone positioning has been used for many years in patients with acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), with no clear benefit for patient outcome. Meta-analyses have suggested better survival in patients with an arterial oxygen tension (PaO2)/inspiratory oxygen fraction (FIO2) ratio <100 mmHg. A recent randomised controlled trial was performed in ARDS patients after a 12–24 h stabilisation period and severity criteria (PaO2/FIO2<150 mmHg at a positive end-expiratory pressure ≥5 cmH2O). This trial has demonstrated a significant reduction in mortality from 32.8% in the supine group to 16% in the prone group (p<0.001). The reasons for this dramatic effect are not clear but probably involves a reduction in ventilator-induced lung injury due to prone positioning, for which there is ample evidence in experimental and clinical studies.The aims of this article are to discuss: the rationale of prone positioning in patients with ALI/ARDS; the evidence of its use based on trial analysis; and the limitations of its use as well as the current place of prone positioning in the management of patients with ALI/ARDS.From the currently available data, prone positioning should be used as a first-line therapy in patients with severe ALI/ARDS.
Current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Europe: the AIR survey
Authors: Cottin Vincent 
Published: June 2014

This review presents the results of the 2013 Advancing IPF Research (AIR) survey, which assessed current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by experienced physicians. A total of 149 physicians, predominantly from European countries, replied to the 28-question survey. The results of the AIR survey were compared with a similar survey of 509 French pulmonologists conducted by the French National Reference Centre and the Network of Regional Competence Centres for Rare Lung Diseases.A number of positive findings emerged from the AIR survey, including the high level of multidisciplinary team involvement in both diagnosis and management. This survey, when taken together with the French survey, suggests that there is still a need to improve earlier diagnosis of IPF.
Staging of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: past, present and future
Authors: Kolb Martin , Collard Harold R. 
Published: June 2014

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is traditionally staged with terms such as “mild”, “severe”, “early” and “advanced” based on pulmonary function tests. This approach allows physicians to monitor disease progression and advise patients and their families. However, it is not known if the stages of this model reflect distinct biological or clinical phenotypes and the therapeutic and prognostic value of this system is limited.Novel methods of IPF staging have recently been developed. The GAP model includes four baseline variables that were found to be predictive of outcome, as identified by logistic regression. These factors are: gender (G), age (A) and two lung physiology variables (P) (forced vital capacity and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide). The clinical utility and accuracy of staging models may be further improved in the future by the integration of dynamic parameters that can be measured over time, as well as biological data from biomarkers which may be able to directly measure disease activity. The development of an evidence-based, multidimensional IPF staging model that builds on the current staging approaches to IPF is an important objective for improving the management of IPF.
Haemoptysis due to pulmonary venous stenosis
Authors: Braun Silke , Platzek Ivan , Zöphel Klaus , Weise Matthias , Kolditz Martin , Halank Michael , Hoeffken Gert 
Published: June 2014

Haemoptysis is a potentially life-threatening condition with the need for prompt diagnosis. In about 10–20% of all cases the bleeding source remains unexplained with the standard diagnostic approach. The aim of this article is to show the necessity of widening the diagnostic approach to haemoptysis with consideration of pulmonary venous stenosis as a possible cause of even severe haemoptysis and haemoptoe.A review of the literature was performed using the Medline/PubMed database with the terms: “pulmonary venous stenosis”, “pulmonary venous infarction” and “haemoptysis”. Further references from the case reports were considered.58 case reports and case collections about patients with haemoptysis due to pulmonary venous stenosis were detected. This review gives an overview about the case reports and discusses the underlying pathophysiology and the pros and cons of different imaging techniques for the detection of pulmonary venous stenosis.Several conditions predispose to the obstruction of the mediastinal pulmonary veins. Clinical findings are unspecific and may be misleading. Pulmonary venous stenosis can be detected using several imaging techniques, yet three-dimensional magnetic resonance-angiography and three-dimensional contrast-enhanced computed tomography are the most appropriate. Pulmonary venous stenosis should be considered in patients with haemoptysis.
Is pesticide exposure a cause of obstructive airways disease?
Authors: Doust Emma , Ayres Jon G. , Devereux Graham , Dick Finlay , Crawford Joanne O. , Cowie Hilary , Dixon Ken 
Published: June 2014

A systematic review was performed to identify any associations between pesticide exposure and the occurrence (both prevalence and incidence) of airways disease (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and wheezing symptoms.PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched between September 2010 and October 2010 for papers with the inclusion criteria of English language, published after 1990, peer-reviewed and nondietary exposure. From a total of 4390 papers identified, 42 were included after initial assessment of content. After evaluating the included studies for quality, those considered to be at high risk of bias were excluded, leaving a total of 23 relevant papers.Results suggest that exposure to pesticides may be associated with prevalent asthma, but methodological issues, such as cross-sectional/case–control design, measurements of exposure and limited adjustment for confounders, limit the strength of the evidence base in this area. The association between pesticide exposure and asthma appears to be more evident and consistent in children than in adults. Exposure to pesticides may be associated with COPD; however, the strength of evidence for an association with COPD is weaker than for asthma. As the exposure metrics within each health end-point varied across studies, no meta-analyses were carried out.
Optimization of CCGT power plant and performance analysis using MATLAB/Simulink with actual operational data
Authors: Hasan Naimul , Rai Jitendra Nath , Arora Bharat Bhushan 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
In the Modern scenario, the naturally available resources for power generation are being depleted at an alarming rate; firstly due to wastage of power at consumer end, secondly due to inefficiency of various power system components. A Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) integrates two cycles- Brayton cycle (Gas Turbine) and Rankine cycle (Steam Turbine) with the objective of increasing overall plant efficiency. This is accomplished by utilising the exhaust of Gas Turbine through a waste-heat recovery boiler to run a Steam Turbine. The efficiency of a gas turbine which ranges from 28% to 33% can hence be raised to about 60% by recovering some of the low grade thermal energy from the exhaust gas for steam turbine process. This paper is a study for the modelling of CCGT and comparing it with actual operational data. The performance model for CCGT plant was developed in MATLAB/Simulink.
MicroRNA-363 negatively regulates the left ventricular determining transcription factor HAND1 in human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Wagh Vilas , Pomorski Alexander , Wilschut Karlijn J , Piombo Sebastian , Bernstein Harold S 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Posttranscriptional control of mRNA by microRNA (miRNA) has been implicated in the regulation of diverse biologic processes from directed differentiation of stem cells through organism development. We describe a unique pathway by which miRNA regulates the specialized differentiation of cardiomyocyte (CM) subtypes.

Methods
We differentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to cardiac progenitor cells and functional CMs, and characterized the regulated expression of specific miRNAs that target transcriptional regulators of left/right ventricular-subtype specification.

Results
From >900 known human miRNAs in hESC-derived cardiac progenitor cells and functional CMs, a subset of differentially expressed cardiac miRNAs was identified, and in silico analysis predicted highly conserved binding sites in the 3′-untranslated regions (3′UTRs) of Hand-and-neural-crest-derivative-expressed (HAND) genes 1 and 2 that are involved in left and right ventricular development. We studied the temporal and spatial expression patterns of four miRNAs in differentiating hESCs, and found that expression of miRNA (miR)-363, miR-367, miR-181a, and miR-181c was specific for stage and site. Further analysis showed that miR-363 overexpression resulted in downregulation of HAND1 mRNA and protein levels. A dual luciferase reporter assay demonstrated functional interaction of miR-363 with the full-length 3′UTR of HAND1. Expression of anti-miR-363 in-vitro resulted in enrichment for HAND1-expressing CM subtype populations. We also showed that BMP4 treatment induced the expression of HAND2 with less effect on HAND1, whereas miR-363 overexpression selectively inhibited HAND1.

Conclusions
These data show that miR-363 negatively regulates the expression of HAND1 and suggest that suppression of miR-363 could provide a novel strategy for generating functional left-ventricular CMs.
Ultraviolet vision in lacertid lizards: evidence from retinal structure, eye transmittance, SWS1 visual pigment genes, and behaviour
Authors: Pérez i de Lanuza Guillem , Font Enrique 
Published: June 2014

AbstractUltraviolet (UV) vision and UV colour patches have been reported in a wide range of taxa and are increasingly appreciated as an integral part of vertebrate visual perception and communication systems. Previous studies with Lacertidae, a lizard family with diverse and complex coloration, have revealed the existence of UV-reflecting patches that may function as social signals. However, confirmation of the signalling role of UV coloration requires demonstrating that the lizards are capable of vision in the UV waveband. Here we use a multidisciplinary approach to characterize the visual sensitivity of a diverse sample of lacertid species. Spectral transmission measurements of the ocular media show that wavelengths down to 300 nm are transmitted in all the species sampled. Four retinal oil droplet types can be identified in the lacertid retina. Two types are pigmented and two are colourless. Fluorescence microscopy reveals that a type of colourless droplet is UV-transmitting and may thus be associated with UV-sensitive cones. DNA sequencing shows that lacertids have a functional SWS1 opsin, very similar at 13 critical sites to that in the presumed ancestral vertebrate (which was UV-sensitive) and other UV-sensitive lizards. Finally, males of Podarcis muralis are capable of discriminating between two views of the same stimulus that differ only in the presence/absence of UV radiance. Taken together, these results provide convergent evidence of UV vision in lacertids, very likely by means of an independent photopigment. Moreover, the presence of four oil droplet types suggests that lacertids have a four-cone colour vision system.
The relative roles of vision and chemosensation in mate recognition of Drosophila.
Authors: Agrawal Sweta , Safarik Steve , Dickinson Michael H. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Animals rely on sensory cues to classify objects in their environment and respond appropriately. However, the spatial structure of those sensory cues can greatly impact when, where, and how they are perceived. In this study, we examined the relative roles of visual and chemosensory cues in the mate recognition behavior of fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) by using a robotic fly dummy that was programmed to interact with individual males. By pairing male flies with dummies of various shapes, sizes, and speeds, or coated with different pheromones, we determined that visual and chemical cues play specific roles at different points in the courtship sequence. Vision is essential for determining whether to approach a moving object and initiate courtship, and males were more likely to begin chasing objects with the same approximate dimensions as another fly. However, whereas males were less likely to begin chasing larger dummies, once started, they would continue chasing for a similar length of time regardless of the dummy's shape. The presence of female pheromones on the moving dummy did not affect the probability that males would initiate a chase, but it did influence how long they would continue chasing. Male pheromone both inhibits chase initiation and shortens chase duration. Collectively, these results suggest that male Drosophila use different sensory cues to progress through the courtship sequence: visual cues are dominant when deciding whether to approach an object whereas chemosensory cues determine how long the male pursues its target.
Enhanced memory persistence is blocked by a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor in the snail Lymnaea stagnalis
Authors: Lukowiak Ken , Heckler Benjamin , Bennett Thomas E. , Schriner Ellen K. , Wyrick Kathryn , Jewett Cynthia , Todd Ryan P. , Sorg Barbara A. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Lymnaea stagnalis provides an excellent model system for studying memory because these snails have a well-described set of neurons, a single one of which controls expression of long-term memory of operantly-conditioned respiratory behavior. We have shown that several different manipulations, including pre-training exposure to serotonin (5-HT) or methamphetamine (Meth), submersion of snails after training to prevent memory interference, and exposure to effluent from predatory crayfish (CE), enhances memory persistence. Changes in DNA methylation underlie formation of strong memories in mammals and 5-HT-enhanced long-term facilitation in Aplysia. Here we determined the impact of the DNMT inhibitor, 5-aza-2′ deoxycytidine (5-AZA, 87 µM), on enhanced memory persistence by all four manipulations. We found that 5-HT (100 µM) enhanced memory persistence, which was blocked by 5-AZA pretreatment. Snails pre-exposed to 3.3 µM Meth 4 hr prior to training demonstrated memory 72 hr later, which was not present in controls. This memory-enhancing effect was blocked by pretreatment with 87 µM 5-AZA. Similarly, submersion to prevent interference learning as well as training in CE produced memory that was not present in controls, and these effects were blocked by pretreatment with 87 µM 5-AZA. In contrast, 5-AZA injection did not alter expression of normal (non-enhanced) memory, suggesting that these four stimuli enhance memory persistence by increasing DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity, which, in turn, increases expression of memory enhancing genes and/or inhibits memory suppressor genes. These studies lay important groundwork for delineating gene methylation changes that are common to persistent memory produced by different stimuli.
Photophysical Properties of a Copper(I) Complex Bearing 4,4′-Dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridine and 1,3-Bis(diphenylphosphino)propane
Authors: Nishikawa Michihiro , Tsubomura Taro 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
A luminescent copper(I) complex bearing two bidentate ligands, a 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane and a 4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridine, was newly synthesized and characterized. The methoxy group substituents at 4- and 4′-position in the bipyridine were found to induce blue shift in the absorption maximum. The substitution allows to fine-tune the photophysics of the complexes.
The Relation of Forms and Kinds of Speech Activity, as well as Semantics of Language Units, to the Types of Mental Civilization
Authors: Оганесян  , Oganesyan Sergey 
Published: June 2014

This article shows the decisive impact which civilizational mentality (such as
paganism, monotheism, «scientific self-government»), including religious
outlook, has on functioning of different forms and kinds of speech activity
and verbal communicative situations, as well as on forming of conceptual
framework and on semantics of lexical material and grammar forms used
by a social unit (such as a family, an ethnic group or a nation) on one or
another stage of its historical development, respectively.
The reasons are being revealed – why the fields of use of so-called metalanguages
in different specialties develop and expand so much on the era of
scientific self-government, on a scale which is incomparable to the previous
mental civilizations.
It is also demonstrated, on an example of shift in lexical meaning and
semantics of the word «father», how the sense of this word was changing
and its polysemanticism was developing dependent on people’s civilizational
mentality.
Eurasianism, Oriental and Dialogue of Cultures: the Fate of the Historical-philosophical School
Authors: Ключников  , Klyuchnikov S. 
Published: June 2014

The article is devoted to the theme transculture communications between
East and West and explores conception of the thinkers of the Eurasian
school (the first wave of emigration). The article takes the parallel of Eurasia
with domestic and wordwide Oriental studies. In addition sets out the
views of Eurasian for period of Russian history from ancient Russia before
revolution 1917.