bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation between Global Longitudinal Strain and QRS Voltage on Electrocardiogram in Patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Authors: Beladan Carmen C. , Popescu Bogdan A. , Calin Andreea , Rosca Monica , Matei Florin , Gurzun Maria‐Magdalena , Popara Anca V. , Curea Fabiana , Ginghina Carmen 
Published: September 2013

PurposeLeft ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is as an independent risk factor. Discrepancies were reported between LV mass (LVM) estimated by echocardiography and electrocardiography (ECG) findings. We hypothesized that QRS voltage criteria may reflect not only anatomical changes (LVM) but also changes in LV function and we tested the relationship between QRS voltage and echocardiographic parameters of LV function in patients (pts) with different types of LVH.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled pts with LVH and preserved ejection fraction (LVEF >50%): 20 pts with isolated arterial hypertension, HTN, 20 pts with severe aortic stenosis, AS (indexed aortic valve area <0.6 cm2/m2), and 20 pts with symmetric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, HCM. Standard 12‐lead ECG (including Sokolow and Cornell voltage indices) and a comprehensive two‐dimensional (2D) echocardiography were performed in all. Left ventricular mass was calculated according to Devereux formula. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography.ResultsA significant correlation was found between both ECG indices and LVM assessed by echocardiography. Moreover, significant correlations were found between Sokolow–Lyon voltage and LVEF (r = 0.26; P = 0.03), GLS (r = 0.59; P < 0.001) and E/e' average (r = 0.43; P < 0.001). Cornell voltage index correlated significantly only with GLS. In multivariable analysis GLS emerged as the only independent correlate of both Sokolow–Lyon (ß = 0.6, P < 0.001) and Cornell voltage indices (ß = 0.45, P < 0.001).ConclusionThese findings suggest that in pts with LVH, ECG should no longer be used only as a surrogate method for LVM estimation (structural changes only), but rather as an investigation complementary to imaging, incorporating information on overall LV remodeling (changes in structure and function).
Cassava stems: a new resource to increase food and fuel production
Authors: Zhu Wanbin , Lestander Torbjörn A. , Örberg Håkan , Wei Maogui , Hedman Björn , Ren Jiwei , Xie Guanghui , Xiong Shaojun 
Published: September 2013

AbstractGiven the growing global population, mankind must find new ways to lower competition for land between food and fuel production. Our findings for cassava suggest that this important crop can substantially increase the combined production of both food and fuel. Cassava stems have previously been overlooked in starch and energy production. These food‐crop residues contain about 30% starch (dry mass) mostly in the xylem rather than phloem tissue. Up to 15% starch of the stem dry mass can be extracted using simple water‐based techniques, potentially leading to an 87% increase in global cassava starch production. The integration of biofuel production, using residues and wastewater from starch extraction, may bring added value. The cassava roots on which biofuels and other products are based can be replaced by cassava stems without land use expansion, making root starch available as food for additional 30 million people today.
Transonic, thermodilution, or ionic dialysance to manage vascular access: Which method is best?
Authors: Badr Bouchra , Bories Pierre , Marais Richard , Frat Béatrice , Seigneuric Bruno , Longlune Nathalie , Kamar Nassim , Maggioni Sébastien , Rostaing Lionel 
Published: September 2013

AbstractRegularly monitoring blood flow through a vascular access (Qa) can predict a dysfunction and dramatically reduce the number of thromboses. The aim of our study was to compare two integrated access flow devices, thermodilution (Qa‐BTM: BTM®, Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany) and ionic dialysance (Qa‐ID: OCM®, Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany), with the “gold standard” saline dilution (Qa‐T: Transonic®, Systems Inc., Ithaca, NY, USA). Measurements were performed sequentially and were repeated in the first 90 minutes of a single dialysis session in 24 long‐term hemodialysis patients with a vascular access. Bland–Altman, linear regression (r2), and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) assessed reproducibility, correlations, and concordance between the techniques. Average access flow for Qa‐T was 1549 (± 844) mL/minute, Qa‐BTM was 1530 (± 856) mL/minute (P = NS), and Qa‐ID was 1619 (± 1085) mL/minute (P = NS). Respectively, ICC, (r2), and bias were 0.99, (0.98), and −19 mL/minute for Qa‐BTM, and 0.75, (0.65), and +69 mL/minute for Qa‐ID. The limits of agreement were −287 to +250 mL/minute for Qa‐BTM and −1647 to +1785 mL/minute for Qa‐ID. Reproducibility of thermodilution and ionic dialysance, expressed as relative differences, was not significantly different from saline dilution. Recirculation, measured by saline dilution, was 0% (0–4%), the same as the 0% measured by thermodilution, with correct placement of bloodlines and corrected for cardiopulmonary recirculation. The integrated access flow measurement devices, thermodilution and ionic dialysance, are reasonable alternatives to using saline dilution to measure Qa: Thermodilution showed better precision and correlation. They are reliable, make monitoring of vascular access easier, incur no extra costs, and use no additional consumables.
Objectively measured and self‐reported nonadherence among Jordanian patients receiving hemodialysis
Authors: Khalil Amani A. , Darawad Mohammad Waleed 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThis study assessed nonadherence behavior to diet and fluid restrictions and examined the association between nonadherence behavior and demographic and clinical characteristics among Jordanian adults with end‐stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis. A descriptive, correlational, cross‐sectional design was used. The patients were interviewed within the first 90 minutes of dialysis session using the Dialysis Dietary and Fluid Nonadherence questionnaire (DDFQ). Demographic and clinical data were gathered from the patients and the medical records. The objective markers of dietary and fluid nonadherence (potassium, phosphorus, blood urea nitrogen, and interdialytic weight gain) were followed for the last 3 months, and average values were calculated. Diet and fluid nonadherence was common among Jordanian hemodialysis patients as 17–80% were nonadherent using different measures. Significant strong associations were found between the DDFQ subscales, and significant moderate associations between DDFQ and objective markers of dietary and fluid nonadherence. Youth, male gender, smokers, prolonged dialysis vintage, and less residual renal function were associated with nonadherence regardless of the measures used. There was substantial consistency between the DDFQ and objective measures of dietary and fluid nonadherence among Jordanian adults with end‐stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis. Future interventional research should incorporate DDFQ and objective markers to measure dietary and fluid nonadherence and health‐related outcomes.
Calcific mitral stenosis in the hemodialysis patient
Authors: Sequeira Adrian , Morris Liam , Patel Brijesh , Duvall Lucas , Gali Deepa , Menendez Denisse , Alexander Guy 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThe dialysis patient is prone to elevations in the calcium phosphorus product and hyperparathyroidism, which contributes to valvular and vascular calcification. We present the case of a young lady on chronic dialysis that developed mitral calcification complicated by severe mitral stenosis, caseous calcification and retinal embolization. She subsequently required mitral valve replacement.
Randomized, Multicenter, Comparative Study of NEURO versus CIMT in Poststroke Patients with Upper Limb Hemiparesis: The NEURO-VERIFY Study
Authors: Abo Masahiro , Kakuda Wataru , Momosaki Ryo , Harashima Hiroaki , Kojima Miki , Watanabe Shigeto , Sato Toshihiro , Yokoi Aki , Umemori Takuma , Sasanuma Jinichi 
Published: September 2013

Background Many poststroke patients suffer functional motor limitation of the affected upper limb, which is associated with diminished health-related quality of life. Aims The aim of this study is to conduct a randomized, multicenter, comparative study of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with intensive occupational therapy, NEURO (NovEl intervention Using Repetitive TMS and intensive Occupational therapy) versus constraint-induced movement therapy in poststroke patients with upper limb hemiparesis. Methods In this randomized controlled study of NEURO and constraint-induced movement therapy, 66 poststroke patients with upper limb hemiparesis were randomly assigned at 2:1 ratio to low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation plus occupational therapy (NEURO group) or constraint-induced movement therapy (constraint-induced movement therapy group) for 15 days. Fugl–Meyer Assessment and Wolf Motor Function Test and Functional Ability Score of Wolf Motor Function Test were used for assessment. Results No differences in patients' characteristics were found between the two groups at baseline. The Fugl–Meyer Assessment score was significantly higher in both groups after the 15-day treatment compared with the baseline. Changes in Fugl–Meyer Assessment scores and Functional Ability Score of Wolf Motor Function Test were significantly higher in the NEURO group than in the constraint-induced movement therapy group, whereas the decrease in the Wolf Motor Function Test log performance time was comparable between the two groups (changes in Fugl–Meyer Assessment score, NEURO: 5·39 ± 4·28, constraint-induced movement therapy: 3·09 ± 4·50 points; mean ± standard error of the mean; P < 0·05) (changes in Functional Ability Score of Wolf Motor Function Test, NEURO: 3·98 ± 2·99, constraint-induced movement therapy: 2·09 ± 2·96 points; P < 0·05). Conclusions The results of the 15-day rehabilitative protocol showed the superiority of NEURO relative to constraint-induced movement therapy; NEURO improved the motion of the whole upper limb and resulted in functional improvement in activities of daily living.
18‐month outcomes of a community‐based treatment for childhood obesity
Authors: Foster G. D. , Sundal D. , Lent M. R. , McDermott C. , Jelalian E. , Vojta D. 
Published: September 2013

SummaryBackgroundFew studies have evaluated community‐based interventions for childhood obesity and even fewer provide efficacy data 1 year later.ObjectivesThis study assessed changes in relative weight 1 year after a 6‐month treatment for childhood obesity.MethodsParticipants were 155 overweight/obese children/adolescents and their caregivers. The primary outcome was change in child percent over body mass index (BMI) from 6 to 18 months. The primary outcome was also assessed from 0 to 18 months and changes in secondary outcomes (BMI z‐score, guardian weight, health‐related quality of life [HRQoL]) were examined from 6–18 to 0–18 months.ResultsFrom 6 to 18 months, there were no significant changes in any outcome. From 0 to 18 months, there were improvements in BMI z‐score (P < 0.001), HRQoL (P < 0.001) and guardian weight (P = 0.02).ConclusionsChanges in relative weight and HRQoL observed after 6 months persisted 1 year later. The programme produced reductions in BMI z‐score and obesity prevalence but not in percent over BMI from 0 to 18 months.
Role of insulin sensitivity and beta cell function in the development of periodontal disease in adults without diabetes
Authors: Timonen Petra , Saxlin Tuomas , Knuuttila Matti , Suominen Anna Liisa , Jula Antti , Tervonen Tellervo , Ylöstalo Pekka 
Published: September 2013

AbstractAimThe goal of this study was to explore whether insulin resistance and beta cell function are related to periodontal pocket formation, indicative of infectious periodontal disease in non‐smoking adults without manifest diabetes.Material and MethodsWe analysed data from a Health 2000 Survey consisting of dentate subjects without any indication of diabetes, aged between 30 and 64, who had never smoked and who had participated in the Follow‐up Study on Finnish Adults' Oral Health about 4 years later (n = 157). The Homeostasis Model Assessment Indices were used to measure insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and β‐cell function (HOMA‐B). The development of periodontal disease was measured by means of the incidence of deepened periodontal pockets (4 mm deep or deeper) during the follow‐up period. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) were estimated using Poisson regression models.ResultsBoth HOMA‐IR and HOMA‐B indices were associated with periodontal pocket formation during the 4‐year follow‐up.ConclusionThe results of this follow‐up study suggest that impaired glucose metabolism measured as insulin resistance and altered beta cell function predict the breakdown of periodontal tissues. Further studies about their role in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases are needed.
Are obesity and overweight associated with gingivitis occurrence in Brazilian schoolchildren?
Authors: Nascimento Gustavo G. , Seerig Lenise M. , Vargas‐Ferreira Fabiana , Correa Fernanda O. B. , Leite Fábio R. M. , Demarco Flávio F. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractAimThis cross‐sectional study aimed to assess the relationship between weight status and gingival inflammation in Brazilian schoolchildren aged 8‐ to 12‐year old, when controlling for potential confounders.MethodsOverall, 1211 children aged 8‐ to 12‐year old from public and private schools in Southern Brazil were selected by a two‐stage cluster method. Questionnaires were used to assess socio‐demographic data and oral hygiene habits. Oral examination evaluated presence of plaque and gingival bleeding. Anthropometric measures were collected to obtain body mass index. Multivariate Poisson regression was used for data analysis (Prevalence Ratio/95% Confidence Interval).ResultsPrevalence of gingivitis was 44.0%. Mean and median values of gingival bleeding sites were 3.10 and 2.0 respectively. Obese/overweight children totalized 34.6%. In multivariate adjusted analysis, sex (PR 0.86; 95%CI 0.75;0.98), maternal schooling (PR 1.09; 95% CI 1.01;1.18), plaque (PR 1.37; 95% CI 1.26;1.50), dental caries experience (PR 1.16; 95% CI 1.01;1.36) and bleeding during tooth brushing (PR 1.27; 95% CI 1.11;1.48) were associated with the outcome. In the sex‐stratified analysis, overweight/obese boys presented a greater risk for gingivitis (PR 1.22 95% CI 1.01;1.48).ConclusionsGingivitis was not associated with obesity/overweight in the total sample. Gender differences seem to influence the relationship between gingivitis and obesity/overweight; a stronger association was noted among boys than girls.
Salivary IL‐1β and PGE2 as biomarkers of periodontal status, before and after periodontal treatment
Authors: Sánchez Gabriel A. , Miozza Valeria A. , Delgado Alejandra , Busch Lucila 
Published: September 2013

AbstractAimInterleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) are key inflammatory mediators involved in periodontitis. The purpose was to compare their salivary concentrations in relation to periodontal status and their changes after periodontal treatment, to determine their use as non‐invasive diagnostic tools.Materials and MethodsIn this study, 74 subjects grouped in periodontally healthy, mild, moderate and severe periodontitis, according to clinical attachment level (CAL) and probing pocket depth (PPD) served as participants. IL‐1β and PGE2 were determined in unstimulated whole saliva by enzyme‐linked‐immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsInterleukin ‐1β increased with the severity of periodontitis with a large effect size in prediction of CAL (η2 = 0.35, p = 0.0001). PGE2 showed an increment in mild periodontitis and another in moderate. A significant effect size was also found between PGE2 and PPD (η2 = 0.12, p = 0.003). Both mediators decreased after periodontal treatment. With a selected threshold of 212 pg/ml, salivary IL1‐β predicted periodontitis with 78% sensitivity and 100% specificity. With a selected threshold of 121 pg/ml, salivary PGE2 predicted periodontitis with 78% sensitivity and 91% specificity.ConclusionThe high sensitivity and specificity of salivary IL‐1β and PGE2 in identifying periodontitis suggest a potential use as biomarkers for diagnosis of periodontitis presence and severity.
Assessing periodontitis in populations: a systematic review of the validity of partial‐mouth examination protocols
Authors: Tran Duong T. , Gay Isabel , Du Xianglin L. , Fu Yunxin , Bebermeyer Richard D. , Neumann Ana S. , Streckfus Charles , Chan Wenyaw , Walji Muhammad F. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate bias associated with partial‐mouth periodontal examination (PMPE) protocols regarding estimates of prevalence, severity and extent of clinical attachment loss (CAL), pocket depth (PD) and gingival recession (REC).Material and MethodsA search was made for articles published in English, from 1946 to 2012, which compared PMPE versus full‐mouth periodontal examination protocols for CAL or PD ≥ 4 mm or REC ≥3 mm thresholds. PMPE protocols were evaluated for sensitivity of estimates of periodontitis prevalence, relative biases for severity and extent estimates.ResultsA review of the literature identified 12 studies which reported 32 PMPE protocols. Three PMPE protocols which had sensitivities ≥85% and relative biases ≤0.05 in absolute values for severity and extent estimates were as follows: (1) half‐mouth six‐sites, (2) diagonal quadrants six‐sites and (3) full‐mouth mesiobuccal–midbuccal–distobuccal (MB–B–DB). Two other PMPE protocols (full‐mouth and half‐mouth mesiobuccal–midbuccal–distolingual) performed well for prevalence and severity of periodontitis; however, their performance in estimates of extent was unknown.ConclusionsAmong the 32 PMPE protocols listed, the half‐mouth six‐sites and full‐mouth MB–B–DB protocols had the highest sensitivities for prevalence estimates and lowest relative biases for severity and extent estimates.
One phase of the dormancy developmental pathway is critical for the evolution of insect seasonality
Authors: Wadsworth C. B. , Woods W. A. , Hahn D. A. , Dopman E. B. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractEvolutionary change in the timing of dormancy enables animals and plants to adapt to changing seasonal environments and can result in ecological speciation. Despite its clear biological importance, the mechanisms underlying the evolution of dormancy timing in animals remain poorly understood because of a lack of anatomical landmarks to discern which phase of dormancy an individual is experiencing. Taking advantage of the nearly universal characteristic of metabolic suppression during insect dormancy (diapause), we use patterns of respiratory metabolism to document physiological landmarks of dormancy and test which of the distinct phases of the dormancy developmental pathway contribute to a month‐long shift in diapause timing between a pair of incipient moth species. Here, we show that divergence in life cycle between the earlier‐emerging E‐strain and the later‐emerging Z‐strain of European corn borer (ECB) is clearly explained by a delay in the timing of the developmental transition from the diapause maintenance phase to the termination phase. Along with recent findings indicating that life‐cycle differences between ECB strains stem from allelic variation at a single sex‐linked locus, our results demonstrate how dramatic shifts in animal seasonality can result from simple developmental and genetic changes. Although characterizing the multiple phases of the diapause developmental programme in other locally adapted populations and species will undoubtedly yield surprises about the nature of animal dormancy, results in the ECB moth suggest that focusing on genetic variation in the timing of the dormancy termination phase may help explain how (or whether) organisms rapidly respond to global climate change, expand their ranges after accidental or managed introductions, undergo seasonal adaptation, or evolve into distinct species through allochronic isolation.
Does nasal echolocation influence the modularity of the mammal skull?
Authors: Santana S. E. , Lofgren S. E. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractIn vertebrates, changes in cranial modularity can evolve rapidly in response to selection. However, mammals have apparently maintained their pattern of cranial integration throughout their evolutionary history and across tremendous morphological and ecological diversity. Here, we use phylogenetic, geometric morphometric and comparative analyses to test the hypothesis that the modularity of the mammalian skull has been remodelled in rhinolophid bats due to the novel and critical function of the nasal cavity in echolocation. We predicted that nasal echolocation has resulted in the evolution of a third cranial module, the ‘nasal dome’, in addition to the braincase and rostrum modules, which are conserved across mammals. We also test for similarities in the evolution of skull shape in relation to habitat across rhinolophids. We find that, despite broad variation in the shape of the nasal dome, the integration of the rhinolophid skull is highly consistent with conserved patterns of modularity found in other mammals. Across their broad geographical distribution, cranial shape in rhinolophids follows two major divisions that could reflect adaptations to dietary and environmental differences in African versus South Asian distributions. Our results highlight the potential of a relatively simple modular template to generate broad morphological and functional variation in mammals.
Combining fossil and molecular data to date the diversification of New World Primates
Authors: Schrago C. G. , Mello B. , Soares A. E. R. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractRecent methodological advances in molecular dating associated with the growing availability of sequence data have prompted the study of the evolution of New World Anthropoidea in recent years. Motivated by questions regarding historical biogeography or the mode of evolution, these works aimed to obtain a clearer scenario of Platyrrhini origins and diversification. Although some consensus was found, disputed issues, especially those relating to the evolutionary affinities of fossil taxa, remain. The use of fossil taxa for divergence time analysis is traditionally restricted to the provision of calibration priors. However, new analytical approaches have been developed that incorporate fossils as terminals and, thus, directly assign ages to the fossil tips. In this study, we conducted a combined analysis of molecular and morphological data, including fossils, to derive the timescale of New World anthropoids. Differently from previous studies that conducted total‐evidence analysis of molecules and morphology, our approach investigated the morphological clock alone. Our results corroborate the hypothesis that living platyrrhines diversified in the last 20 Ma and that Miocene Patagonian fossils compose an independent evolutionary radiation that diversified in the late Oligocene. When compared to the node ages inferred from the molecular timescale, the inclusion of fossils augmented the precision of the estimates for nodes constrained by the fossil tips. We show that morphological data can be analysed using the same methodological framework applied in relaxed molecular clock studies.