bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation between cerebral blood volume values and outcomes in endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Mokin Maxim , Morr Simon , Fanous Andrew A , Shallwani Hussain , Natarajan Sabareesh K , Levy Elad I , Snyder Kenneth V , Siddiqui Adnan H 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundNeurointerventionalists do not agree about the optimal imaging protocol when evaluating patients with acute stroke for potential endovascular revascularization. Preintervention cerebrovascular blood volume (CBV) has been shown to predict outcomes in patients undergoing intra-arterial stroke therapies.ObjectiveTo determine whether CBV can predict hemorrhagic transformation and clinical outcomes in patients selected for endovascular therapy for acute ischemic middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke using a CT perfusion (CTP)-based imaging protocol.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed cases of acute ischemic stroke due to MCA M1 segment occlusion and correlated favorable clinical outcomes (modified Rankin scale (mRS) ≤2) and radiographic outcomes with preintervention CBV values. All patients underwent whole-brain (320-detector-row) CTP imaging, and absolute CBV values of the affected and contralateral MCA territories were obtained separately for the cortical and basal ganglia regions.ResultsRelative CBV (rCBV) of the MCA cortical regions was significantly lower in patients with poor clinical outcomes than in those with favorable clinical outcomes (0.87±0.21 vs 1.02±0.09, p=0.0003), and a negative correlation was found between rCBV values and mRS score severity. rCBV of the basal ganglia region was significantly lower in patients with hemorrhagic infarction (p=0.004) and parenchymal hematoma (p=0.04) than in those without hemorrhagic transformation.ConclusionsWe found that cortical CBV loss is predictive of poor clinical outcomes, whereas basal ganglia CBV loss is predictive of hemorrhagic transformation but without translation into poor clinical outcomes. Our study findings support published results of baseline preintervention CBV as a predictor of outcomes in patients undergoing intra-arterial stroke therapies.
A Web Tool for Age–Period–Cohort Analysis of Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates
Authors: Rosenberg Philip S. , Check David P. , Anderson William F. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackground: Age–period–cohort (APC) analysis can inform registry-based studies of cancer incidence and mortality, but concerns about statistical identifiability and interpretability, as well as the learning curves of statistical software packages, have limited its uptake.Methods: We implemented a panel of easy-to-interpret estimable APC functions and corresponding Wald tests in R code that can be accessed through a user-friendly Web tool.Results: Input data for the Web tool consist of age-specific numbers of events and person-years over time, in the form of a rate matrix of paired columns. Output functions include model-based estimators of cross-sectional and longitudinal age-specific rates, period and cohort rate ratios that incorporate the overall annual percentage change (net drift), and estimators of the age-specific annual percentage change (local drifts). The Web tool includes built-in examples for teaching and demonstration. User data can be input from a Microsoft Excel worksheet or by uploading a comma-separated–value file. Model outputs can be saved in a variety of formats, including R and Excel.Conclusions: APC methodology can now be carried out through a freely available user-friendly Web tool. The tool can be accessed at http://analysistools.nci.nih.gov/apc/.Impact: The Web tool can help cancer surveillance researchers make important discoveries about emerging cancer trends and patterns. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(11); 2296–302. ©2014 AACR.
Gestational Loss and Growth Restriction by Angiogenic Defects in Placental Growth Factor Transgenic Mice
Authors: Kang Min-cheol , Park Seo Jin , Kim Hei Jung , Lee Jinhee , Yu Dong Hoon , Bae Ki Beom , Ji Young Rae , Park Si Jun , Jeong Jain , Jang Woo Young , Kim Jung-Hak , Choi Myung-Sook , Lee Dong-Seok , Lee Hyun-Shik , Lee Sanggyu , Kim Sung Hyun , Kim Myoung Ok , Park Gyeongsin , Choo Yeon Sik , Cho Je-Yoel , Ryoo Zae Young 
Published: August 2014

Objective—
Angiogenesis is an important biological process during development, reproduction, and in immune responses. Placental growth factor (PlGF) is a member of vascular endothelial growth factor that is critical for angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. We generated transgenic mice overexpressing PlGF in specifically T cells using the human CD2-promoter to investigate the effects of PlGF overexpression.

Approach and Results—
Transgenic mice were difficult to obtain owing to high lethality; for this reason, we investigated why gestational loss occurred in these transgenic mice. Here, we report that placenta detachment and inhibition of angiogenesis occurred in PlGF transgenic mice during the gestational period. Moreover, even when transgenic mice were born, their growth was restricted.

Conclusions—
Conclusively, PlGF overexpression prevents angiogenesis by inhibiting Braf, extracellular signal–regulated kinase activation, and downregulation of HIF-1α in the mouse placenta. Furthermore, it affected regulatory T cells, which are important for maintenance of pregnancy.
Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase B Regulates Angiogenesis Through Modulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Type 2 and Endothelial Adherens Junction Proteins
Authors: Feng Yuxi , Gross Shalini , Wolf Nadine M. , Butenschön Vicki M. , Qiu Yi , Devraj Kavi , Liebner Stefan , Kroll Jens , Skolnik Edward Y. , Hammes Hans-Peter , Wieland Thomas 
Published: August 2014

Objective—
Nucleoside diphosphate kinase B (NDPKB) participates in the activation of heterotrimeric and monomeric G proteins, which are pivotal mediators in angiogenic signaling. The role of NDPKB in angiogenesis has to date not been defined. Therefore, we analyzed the contribution of NDPKB to angiogenesis and its underlying mechanisms in well-characterized in vivo and in vitro models.

Approach and Results—

Zebrafish embryos were depleted of NDPKB by morpholino-mediated knockdown. These larvae displayed severe malformations specifically in vessels formed by angiogenesis. NDPKB-deficient (NDPKB
−/−
) mice were subjected to oxygen-induced retinopathy. In this model, the number of preretinal neovascularizations in NDPKB
−/−
mice was strongly reduced in comparison with wild-type littermates. In accordance, a delayed blood flow recovery was detected in the NDPKB
−/−
mice after hindlimb ligation. In in vitro studies, a small interfering RNA–mediated knockdown of NDPKB was performed in human umbilical endothelial cells. NDPKB depletion impaired vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)–induced sprouting and hampered the VEGF-induced spatial redistributions of the VEGF receptor type 2 and VE-cadherin at the plasma membrane. Concomitantly, NDPKB depletion increased the permeability of the human umbilical endothelial cell monolayer.

Conclusions—
This is the first report to show that NDPKB is required for VEGF-induced angiogenesis and contributes to the correct localization of VEGF receptor type 2 and VE-cadherin at the endothelial adherens junctions. Therefore, our data identify NDPKB as a novel molecular target to modulate VEGF-dependent angiogenesis.
Tailored Atrial Substrate Modification Based on Low-Voltage Areas in Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Rolf Sascha , Kircher Simon , Arya Arash , Eitel Charlotte , Sommer Philipp , Richter Sergio , Gaspar Thomas , Bollmann Andreas , Altmann David , Piedra Carlos , Hindricks Gerhard , Piorkowski Christopher 
Published: August 2014

Background—
Reduced electrogram amplitude has been shown to correlate with diseased myocardium. We describe a novel individualized approach for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) based on low-voltage areas (LVAs) in the left atrium (LA). We sought to assess (1) the incidence of LVAs in patients undergoing AF catheter ablation, (2) the distribution of LVAs within the LA, and (3) the effect of an individualized ablation strategy on long-term rhythm outcomes.

Methods and Results—

In 178 patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF, LA voltage maps were created during sinus rhythm after circumferential pulmonary vein isolation. Subsequent substrate modification was confined to the presence of LVA (<0.5 mV) and inducible regular atrial tachycardias. LVAs were identified in 35% and 10% of patients with persistent and paroxysmal AF, respectively. The LA roof and the anterior, septal, and posterior wall LA were most often affected. The 12-month atrial tachycardias/AF-free survival was 62% for patients without LVAs and 70% for patients with LVAs and tailored substrate modification (
P
=0.3). Success rate in a comparison group of 26 LVA patients without further substrate modification was 27%.

Conclusions—
LVAs can be found at preferred sites in 10% of patients with paroxysmal AF and in 35% of patients with persistent AF. This is the first clinical report describing a consistent voltage-based approach for substrate modification in addition to circumferential pulmonary vein isolation irrespective of AF type. Application of this limited individualized approach may have the potential to compensate for the impaired 12-month outcome of patients with endocardial structural defects.
Reliability of Noninvasive Assessment of Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure by Doppler Echocardiography Compared to Right Heart Catheterization: Analysis in a Large Patient Population
Authors: Greiner Sebastian , Jud Andreas , Aurich Matthias , Hess Alexander , Hilbel Thomas , Hardt Stefan , Katus Hugo A. , Mereles Derliz 
Published: August 2014

Background
Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) is an important marker in cardiovascular disorders, being closely associated with morbidity and mortality. Noninvasive assessment by Doppler echocardiography is recommended by current guidelines. So far, the reliability of this method has been assessed only in small studies with contradictory results. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the reliability of noninvasive PAP assessment by Doppler echocardiography compared to invasive measurements in a large patient population.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively analyzed data from a large tertiary cardiology department over 6 years in order to compare invasively measured PAP to estimated PAP from echocardiography examinations. N=15 516 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria and n=1695 patients with timely matched examinations (within 5 days) were analyzed. In n=1221 (72%) patients, pulmonary hypertension (PH) was diagnosed invasively (postcapillary PH: n=1122 [66%]; precapillary PH: n=99 [6%]). Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) was 45.3±15.5 mm Hg by Doppler echocardiography and 47.4±16.4 mm Hg by right heart catheterization. Pearson's correlation coefficient was
r
=0.87 (
P
<0.0001). Mean right atrial pressure (RAP) was 12.0±5.7 mm Hg by right heart catheterization and was estimated to be 12.1±6.6 mm Hg by echocardiography (
r
=0.82,
P
<0.0001). Bland–Altman analysis showed a bias of −2.0 mm Hg for sPAP (95% limits of agreement −18.1 to +14.1 mm Hg) and +1.0 mm Hg for RAP (95% limits of agreement +0.1 to +1.9 mm Hg). Noninvasive diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension with Doppler echocardiography had a good sensitivity (87%) and specificity (79%), positive and negative predictive values (91% and 70%), as well as accuracy (85%) for a sPAP cut‐off value of 36 mm Hg (AUC 0.91,
P
<0.001, CI 0.90 to 0.93).

Conclusions
In this study, Doppler echocardiography proved to be a reliable method for the assessment of sPAP, being well suited to establish the noninvasive diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension in patients with cardiac diseases.
Effect of High-Dose Atorvastatin on Renal Function in Subjects With Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack in the SPARCL Trial
Authors: Amarenco Pierre , Callahan Alfred , Campese Vito M. , Goldstein Larry B. , Hennerici Michael G. , Messig Michael , Sillesen Henrik , Welch K. Michael A. , Wilson Daniel J. , Zivin Justin A. 
Published: August 2014

Background and Purpose—
Higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is associated with more rapid chronic kidney disease progression; reduction in cholesterol with statins, in conjunction with statins’ pleiotropic effects, such as decreasing inflammation, may be renoprotective. The Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) trial assessed the effect of statin treatment on the risk of nonfatal and fatal stroke in subjects with a noncardioembolic stroke or transient ischemic attack, no known coronary heart disease, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol between 2.6 and 4.9 mmol/L (100–190 mg/dL).

Methods—

We explored the effect of randomization to atorvastatin 80 mg/d or placebo on the change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; using the 4-component Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation) in SPARCL subjects (n=4731) with (eGFR, <60 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
; n=3119) and without (eGFR, ≥60 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
; n=1600) chronic kidney disease overall and by glycemic status at baseline.

Results—

Mean baseline eGFR was similar between treatment groups (65.5±0.26 versus 65.6±0.26 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
atorvastatin versus placebo; 33% versus 34% had chronic kidney disease, respectively;
P
=0.55). After 60 months, eGFR increased 3.46±0.33 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
in those randomized to atorvastatin versus 1.42±0.34 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
in those randomized to placebo (
P
<0.001) independent of baseline renal function. In the subgroup with diabetes mellitus at randomization, eGFR increased 1.12±0.92 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
in the atorvastatin group and decreased 1.69±0.92 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
in placebo group during a period of 60 months (
P
=0.016).

Conclusions—
This post hoc analysis suggests that atorvastatin treatment may improve renal function in patients with prior stroke or transient ischemic attack with and without chronic kidney disease, and that atorvastatin treatment may prevent eGFR decline in patients with stroke and diabetes mellitus.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00147602.
Investigation of Low-Cloud Characteristics Using Mesoscale Numerical Model Data for Improvement of Fog-Detection Performance by Satellite Remote Sensing
Authors: Ishida Haruma , Miura Kentaro , Matsuda Teruaki , Ogawara Kakuji , Goto Azumi , Matsuura Kuniaki , Sato Yoshiko , Nakajima Takashi Y. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe comprehensive relationship between meteorological conditions and whether low water cloud touches the surface, particularly at sea, is examined with the goal of improving low-cloud detection by satellite. Gridpoint-value data provided by an operational mesoscale model with integration of Multifunction Transport Satellite-2 data can provide sufficient data for statistical analyses to find general parameters that can discern whether low clouds touch the surface, compensating for uncertainty due to the scarcity of observation sites at sea and the infrequent incidence of fog. The analyses reveal that surface-touching low clouds tend to have lower cloud-top heights than those not touching the surface, although the frequency distribution of cloud-top height differs by season. The bottom of the Γ > Γm layer (where Γ and Γm are the vertical gradient and the moist-adiabatic lapse rate of the potential temperature, respectively) with surface-touching low-cloud layers tends to be very low or almost attached to the surface. In contrast, the tops of low-cloud layers not touching the surface tend to occur near the bottom of the Γ > Γm layer. Mechanisms to correlate these meteorological conditions with whether low clouds touch the surface are inferred from investigations into the vertical structure of equivalent potential temperature. These results indicate that the temperature difference between cloud-top height and the surface can be an appropriate parameter to infer whether low clouds touch the surface. It is also suggested that only a little addition of meteorological ancillary data, such as the forecast sea surface temperature, to satellite data allows successful performance of the discrimination.
A Method to Deconvolve Errors in GPS RO-Derived Water Vapor Histograms
Authors: Kursinski E. Robert , Gebhardt Thomas 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWater vapor is an important constituent in the earth’s atmosphere that must be understood to predict weather and climate. Water vapor is challenging to measure, and observations of water vapor must be as independent of weather and climate models as possible in order to assess and improve those models. When combined with independent atmospheric temperature estimates, GPS radio occultation (RO) refractivity profiles yield unique, all-weather, high-vertical-resolution, globally distributed profiles of tropospheric water vapor whose vertical extent is maximum at low latitudes. A method for retrieving water vapor, known as the direct method, combines GPS RO-derived refractivity with temperatures from global weather analyses. Unlike variational methods, the direct method does not use the water vapor estimates from analyses because of their potential systematic errors. While utilization of the direct method has been limited because it produces negative values, these unphysical negative values reveal unique information about errors. A deconvolution technique is presented here that uses the negative values to estimate and remove random errors in histograms of water vapor derived via the direct method. Results indicate direct method specific humidity errors at low latitudes range from 0.4 g kg−1 at 725 hPa to 0.14 g kg−1 near 350 hPa, which can be removed via deconvolution. The deconvolved histograms extend to about the 240-K level in the troposphere, corresponding to 10 km at low latitudes. Unlike the limited information of low-order statistical moments like means and variances, histograms capture the full range of variability, which opens a new window into water vapor behavior and increases understanding of processes at work in the hydrological cycle.
On the Mesoscale Structure of Surface Wind and Pressure Fields near Tornadic and Nontornadic Cold Fronts
Authors: Clark Matthew R. , Parker Douglas J. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Observations from a mesoscale network of automatic weather stations are analyzed for 15 U.K. cold fronts exhibiting narrow cold frontal rainbands (NCFRs). Seven of the NCFRs produced tornadoes. A time-compositing approach is applied to the minute-resolution data using the radar-observed motion vectors of NCFR precipitation segments. Interpolated onto a 5-km grid, the analyses resolve much of the small-mesoscale structure in surface wind, temperature, and pressure fields. Postfrontal winds varied substantially between cases. Tornadic NCFRs exhibited a near-90° wind veer and little or no reduction in wind speed on NCFR passage; these attributes were generally associated with large vertical vorticity, horizontal convergence, and vorticity stretching at the NCFR. Nontornadic NCFRs exhibited smaller wind veers and/or marked decreases in wind speed across the NCFR, and weaker vorticity, convergence, and vorticity stretching. In at least four tornadic NCFRs, increases in vorticity stretching preceded tornadogenesis. Doppler radar observations of two tornadic NCFRs revealed the development of misocyclones, some tornadic, during the latter stages of vorticity-stretching increase. The presence of cyclonic vortices only, in one case occurring at regular intervals along the NCFR, provides limited circumstantial evidence for horizontal shearing instability (HSI), though other vortex-genesis mechanisms cannot be discounted. Vorticity-stretching increases were associated with coherent mesoscale structures in the postfrontal wind field, which modified the cross-frontal convergence. Where cross-frontal convergence was large, extremely narrow, intense shear zones were observed; results suggest that tornadoes occurred when such shear zones developed in conjunction with conditional instability in the prefrontal environment.
“Do-Live-Well”: A Canadian framework for promoting occupation, health, and well-being
Authors: Moll Sandra E. , Gewurtz Rebecca E. , Krupa Terry M. , Law Mary C. , Larivière Nadine , Levasseur Mélanie 
Published: August 2014

Background. Occupational therapists can bring a unique and valuable perspective to the national dialogue on health promotion. Current approaches have a narrow focus on diet and exercise; a broader focus on occupation has the potential to enrich understanding regarding forces that contribute to health and well-being. Purpose. A new “Do-Live-Well” framework will be presented that is grounded in evidence regarding the links between what people do every day and their health and well-being. Key Issues. Elements of the framework include eight different dimensions of experience and five key activity patterns that impact health and well-being outcomes. Personal and social forces that shape activity engagement also affect the links to health and well-being. Implications. The framework is designed to facilitate individual reflection, community advocacy, and system-level dialogue about the impact of day-to-day occupations on the health and well-being of Canadians.
Uncovering the theoretical underpinnings of an interprofessional preschool intervention program: Tumbling Together
Authors: Eamer Claire R. , Lefebvre Pascal , Ducharme Daphne A. 
Published: August 2014

Background. Intervention programs are rarely tailored for children with self-regulation and communication challenges. Therefore, clinicians develop their own programs as is the case with the preschool program Tumbling Together. This program combines occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and gymnastics. Purpose. The aim of this study was to take an in-depth look at the program to answer the following questions: (a) What are the fundamental concepts of the program? and (b) What is the underlying theoretical model that illustrates the relationships between concepts? Method. The qualitative research method of grounded theorizing using situational analysis was employed. Findings. Fourteen main concepts of the program were identified and informed the development of a theoretical model. Implications. A theoretical model incorporating Tumbling Together’s concepts is a first step in evaluating its efficacy. Although the concepts involved are not novel, their unique combination forms a promising intervention approach for this population.
Clientelism a Stumbling Block for Democratization?
Authors: Seffer Kristin 
Published: August 2014

Clientelism is a form of social conflict management and as such is more than mere vote buying or a way of undermining rational-legal systems. Integrating clientelism into the debate over the transition to democracy makes it possible to explain the outcomes of stagnating political transition processes. Under the condition of labor surplus, clientelism hinders political inclusion by undermining the class-based organizations that might challenge the privileged access of the elite to resources. Consideration of clientelism helps explain the case of Mexico, which has been classified as a deviant case in transition research because two transition processes there, at the beginning and the end of the twentieth century, did not end in complete democratization. El clientelismo es una forma de gestión del conflicto social y, como tal, es algo más que la mera compra de votos o una manera de socavar los sistemas racional-legales. La integración de clientelismo en el debate sobre la transición a la democracia hace posible explicar los resultados de procesos de transición política estancados. Bajo la condición de mano de obra excedente, el clientelismo dificulta la inclusión política, socavando las organizaciones de clase que podría desafiar el acceso privilegiado de la élite a los recursos. Reflexión sobre el clientelismo ayuda a explicar el caso de México, que ha sido clasificado como un caso anormal en la investigación de transición debido a que dos procesos de transición allí, al principio y al final del siglo XX, no resultaron en la democratización completa.