bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diabetes Mellitus and Trends in Hospital Survival After Myocardial Infarction, 1994 to 2006
Authors: Gore M. Odette , Patel Mahesh J. , Kosiborod Mikhail , Parsons Lori S. , Khera Amit , de Lemos James A. , Rogers William J. , Peterson Eric D. , Canto John C. , McGuire Darren K. ,   for the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction Investigators
Published: November 2012

Background—
Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at high risk for mortality after myocardial infarction (MI). Despite an overall trend of reduced mortality after MI, the mortality gap between MI patients with and without DM did not decrease over time in previous analyses. We assessed recent trends in hospital mortality for patients with MI according to DM status.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed data from the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction, a contemporary registry of MI patients treated in 1964 hospitals, representing approximately one fourth of all US acute care hospitals. The study comprised 1734431 MI patients enrolled from 1994 to 2006, including 502315 (29%) with DM. Crude hospital mortality decreased in all patients between 1994 and 2006 but remained higher in patients with DM compared with those without DM throughout the study. The absolute difference in mortality between patients with and without DM significantly narrowed over time, from 15.6% versus 11.5% in 1994 to 8.0% versus 6.8% in 2006 (
P
<0.001 for DM × time interaction). The adjusted odds ratio for mortality associated with DM declined from 1.24 (95% confidence interval, 1.16–1.32) in 1994 to 1.08 (95% confidence interval, 0.99–1.19) in 2006 (
P
<0.001 for trend). The largest improvement in hospital mortality was observed in diabetic women (17.9% in 1994 versus 8.4% in 2006;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—
The hospital mortality gap between MI patients with and without DM narrowed significantly from 1994 to 2006, with the greatest improvement observed in women with DM.
Neutrophil-Derived Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Triggers Acute Aortic Dissection
Authors: Kurihara Tomohiro , Shimizu-Hirota Ryoko , Shimoda Masayuki , Adachi Takeshi , Shimizu Hideyuki , Weiss Stephen J. , Itoh Hiroshi , Hori Shingo , Aikawa Naoki , Okada Yasunori 
Published: November 2012

Background—
Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening vascular disease without effective pharmaceutical therapy. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in the development of chronic vascular diseases including aneurysm, but the key effectors and mechanism of action remain unknown. To define further the role of MMPs in AAD, we screened circulating MMPs in AAD patients, and then generated a novel mouse model for AAD to characterize the mechanism of action.

Methods and Results—

MMP9 and angiotensin II were elevated significantly in blood samples from AAD patients than in those from the patients with nonruptured chronic aortic aneurysm or healthy volunteers. Based on the findings, we established a novel AAD model by infusing angiotensin II to immature mice that had been received a lysyl oxidase inhibitor, β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate. AAD was developed successfully in the thoracic aorta by angiotensin II administration to β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate-treated wild-type mice, with an incidence of 20%, 80%, and 100% after 6, 12, and 24 hours, respectively. Neutrophil infiltrations were observed in the intima of the thoracic aorta, and the overexpression of MMP9 in the aorta was demonstrated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, gelatin zymography, and immunohistochemistry. The incidence of AAD was reduced significantly by 40% following the administration of an MMP inhibitor and was almost blocked completely in
MMP
−/−
mice without any influence on neutrophil infiltration. Neutrophil depletion by injection of anti-granulocyte-differentiation antigen-1 (anti-Gr-1) antibody also significantly decreased the incidence of AAD.

Conclusions—
These data suggest that AAD is initiated by neutrophils that have infiltrated the aortic intima and released MMP9 in response to angiotensin II.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Treatment of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms
Authors: Brinjikji Waleed , Rabinstein Alejandro A. , Lanzino Giuseppe , Cloft Harry J. 
Published: November 2012

Background and Purpose—
Minorities in the United States have less access to healthcare system resources, especially preventative treatments. We sought to determine whether racial and sex disparities existed in the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Methods—

Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, hospitalizations for clipping and coiling of intracranial aneurysms from 2001 to 2009 were identified by cross-matching
International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision
codes for diagnosis of unruptured aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with procedure codes for clipping or coiling of cerebral aneurysms. Demographic information analyzed included age (<50, 50–64, 65–79, and ≥80 years), race (white, black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander), sex, income quartile, primary payer (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, self-pay, no charge, other), and Charlson comorbidity index.

Results—

When compared with patients treated for SAH, those treated for unruptured intracranial aneurysm were significantly more likely to be women (75.0% versus 69.0%;
P
<0.0001). In all, 9.7% of patients receiving treatment for SAH were self-payers versus 3.0% of patients being treated for unruptured intracranial aneurysm (
P
<0.0001). In all, 62.2% of patients receiving treatment for SAH were white compared with 76.4% of patients being treated for unruptured intracranial aneurysm (
P
<0.0001). There was a higher proportion of black, Hispanic, and Asian patients in the SAH treatment group when compared with the unruptured aneurysm treatment group (
P
<0.0001 for all groups).

Conclusions—
When compared with patients undergoing treatment for SAH, patients undergoing surgical and endovascular treatment for unruptured intracranial aneurysm are generally from higher socioeconomic strata and are more likely to be insured, women, and white. Future studies are needed to determine the underlying causes and solutions for this disparity.
Radiation Impacts on Conditionally Unstable Moist Convection
Authors: Pauluis Olivier , Schumacher Jörg 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
The present work analyzes the impacts of radiative cooling in three-dimensional high-resolution direct numerical simulations of moist Rayleigh–Bénard convection. An atmospheric slab is destabilized by imposing a warm, moist lower boundary and a colder, dryer upper boundary. These boundary conditions are chosen such that the atmosphere is relaxed toward a conditionally unstable state in which unsaturated air parcels experience a stable stratification and unsaturated parcels experience an unstable one. Conditionally unstable moist Rayleigh–Bénard convection in the absence of radiative transfer produces self-aggregated convectively active cloudy regions separated by a quiescent unsaturated environment. Such convection is strongly limited by diffusion and is unable to transport much energy. As radiative cooling partially compensates for the adiabatic warming in the unsaturated environment and destabilizes the lower unsaturated boundary, its inclusion results in a significant enhancement of convective activity and cloud cover. A dry convectively unstable region develops at the lower boundary in a way that is reminiscent of the planetary boundary layer. Convective transport increases through the entire layer, leading to a significant enhancement of the upward transport of energy and water.
The Effect of Keyboard Key Spacing on Typing Speed, Error, Usability, and Biomechanics
Authors: Pereira Anna , Lee David L. , Sadeeshkumar Harini , Laroche Charles , Odell Dan , Rempel David 
Published: November 2012

Objective: In this study, we evaluated the effects of key spacing on a conventional computer keyboard on typing speed, percentage error, usability, and forearm muscle activity and wrist posture. Background: International standards that specify the spacing between keys on a keyboard have been guided primarily by design convention because few studies have evaluated the effects of key spacing on productivity, usability, and biomechanical factors. Method: Experienced male typists ( N = 37) with large fingers (middle finger length ≥ 8.7 cm or finger breadth of ≥ 2.3 cm) typed on five keyboards that differed only in horizontal and vertical key spacing (19 × 19 mm, 18 × 19 mm, 17 × 19 mm, 16 × 19 mm, and 17 × 17 mm) while typing speed, percentage error, fatigue, preference, extensor carpi ulnaris and flexor carpi ulnaris muscle activity, and wrist extension and ulnar deviation were recorded. Results: Productivity and usability ratings were significantly worse for the keyboard with spacing of 16 × 19 mm compared with the other keyboards. Differences on these measures between the other keyboards were not significant. Muscle activity tended to increase in the left forearm and decrease in the right with decreasing horizontal key spacing. There was also a trend for left wrist extension to increase and left ulnar deviation to decrease with decreasing horizontal key spacing. Reducing vertical key spacing from 19 to 17 mm had no significant effect on productivity or usability ratings. Conclusions: The study findings support key spacing on a computer keyboard between 17 and 19 mm in both vertical and horizontal directions. Applications: These findings may influence keyboard standards and the design of keyboards.
Oncologic and Functional Outcomes of Partial Laryngeal Surgery for Intermediate‐Stage Laryngeal Cancer
Authors: Caicedo‐Granados Emiro , Beswick Daniel M. , Christopoulos Apostolos , Cunningham Diana E. , Razfar Ali , Ohr James P. , Heron Dwight E. , Ferris Robert L. 
Published: November 2012

ObjectiveTo evaluate the oncologic and functional outcomes of partial laryngeal surgery (PLS) using transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) and supracricoid laryngectomy (SCL) in patients with intermediate‐stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).Study DesignHistorical cohort study.SettingSingle tertiary care center.Subjects and MethodsRetrospective review of oncologic and functional outcomes in intermediate‐stage (T2‐3/N0‐1, stage II and III) LSCC patients who underwent TLM or SCL from 1998 to 2010.ResultsSixty patients were included, of whom 28 (47%) underwent TLM and 32 (53%) underwent SCL. For the entire cohort, 2‐ and 5‐year probabilities were 86.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73.0%‐93.2%) and 72.9% (95% CI, 52.4%‐85.6%), respectively, for overall survival (OS) and 79.3% (95% CI, 65.6%‐88.0%) and 62.4% (95% CI, 41.9%‐77.4%), respectively, for recurrence‐free survival (RFS). There was no difference between the TLM and SCL cohorts in OS (P =. 542) or RFS (P =. 483). More than 75% of patients avoided adjuvant therapy. Communication Scale and Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale scores at median follow‐up of 33 months were 2 or better in 97% and 91% of patients, respectively, reflecting functional voice and swallowing postoperatively. Eighty‐eight percent of patients retained a functional larynx.ConclusionPLS provides excellent oncologic and functional outcomes for intermediate‐stage LSCC and should be considered an alternative to chemoradiation or total laryngectomy in selected patients.
A proposed modification to the McDonald 2010 criteria for the diagnosis of primary progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kelly SB , Kinsella K , Duggan M , Tubridy N , McGuigan C , Hutchinson M 
Published: November 2012

Background: The diagnostic criteria for primary–progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) have undergone revision over the last 20 years. Cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands (CSFOBs) have received less emphasis in recent revisions of the McDonald criteria. The aim of this study was to examine the sensitivity of the diagnostic criteria for PPMS with particular reference to spinal cord criteria and examine the utility of CSFOBs in a cohort of PPMS patients. Methods: All new PPMS diagnoses between 1990 and 2011 were identified. Baseline clinical details and paraclinical evaluations including MRI of the brain, spinal cord, CSF and visually evoked responses (VERs) were assessed. The proportion of patients who met the requirements for diagnosis of PPMS on the basis of Thompson’s and the McDonald Criteria (2001, 2005, 2010) were determined. Results: There were 88/95 PPMS patients who had at least two diagnostic investigations. The sensitivity of Thompson’s and the McDonald 2001 criteria was 64%; the McDonald 2010 revisions gave the highest sensitivity (77%); the McDonald 2005 criteria had intermediate sensitivity (74%). The combination of CSFOBs and MRI of the brain yielded the greatest number of patients demonstrating dissemination in space (DIS) on only two investigations. VERs did not aid diagnosis. Reducing requirements for the number of spinal cord lesions (symptomatic or not) to one increased diagnostic sensitivity to 84%. Conclusion: An alternative criterion requiring two of: i) MRI of the brain with one or more lesions in two of three regions typical for demyelination; ii) the presence of one T2-weighted spinal cord plaque (typical for demyelination); iii) CSFOBs; would increase the diagnostic sensitivity for PPMS.
Entrepreneurial marketing and accommodation businesses in East Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Jaafar Mastura 
Published: November 2012

The development of tourism and the hospitality industry has paved the way for the proliferation in this region of many small- and medium-accommodation businesses, which are usually dependent on the attractiveness of tourism products offered in each tourist destination. The present study focuses on the entrepreneurial marketing aspect of accommodation businesses in three urban cities and islands in East Peninsular Malaysia. Mixed-method research was conducted on 64 urban hotels and 52 island chalet operators in East Peninsular Malaysia. The results indicate that urban operators are more entrepreneurial than island operators. To remain competitive, urban operators adopt various marketing practices. Different tourist destinations attract different tourist profiles and deploy different marketing strategies. The present study explores in detail the significant differences in the types of entrepreneurial marketing practiced by urban and island operators.
The Yak genome database: an integrative database for studying yak biology and high-altitude adaption
Authors: Hu Quanjun , Ma Tao , Wang Kun , Xu Ting , Liu Jianquan , Qiu Qiang 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
The yak (Bos grunniens) is a long-haired bovine that lives at high altitudes and is an important source of milk, meat, fiber and fuel. The recent sequencing, assembly and annotation of its genome are expected to further our understanding of the means by which it has adapted to life at high altitudes and its ecologically important traits.

Description
The Yak Genome Database (YGD) is an internet-based resource that provides access to genomic sequence data and predicted functional information concerning the genes and proteins of Bos grunniens. The curated data stored in the YGD includes genome sequences, predicted genes and associated annotations, non-coding RNA sequences, transposable elements, single nucleotide variants, and three-way whole-genome alignments between human, cattle and yak. YGD offers useful searching and data mining tools, including the ability to search for genes by name or using function keywords as well as GBrowse genome browsers and/or BLAST servers, which can be used to visualize genome regions and identify similar sequences. Sequence data from the YGD can also be downloaded to perform local searches.

Conclusions
A new yak genome database (YGD) has been developed to facilitate studies on high-altitude adaption and bovine genomics. The database will be continuously updated to incorporate new information such as transcriptome data and population resequencing data. The YGD can be accessed at http://me.lzu.edu.cn/yak.
Purification and characterization of a surfactin-like molecule produced by Bacillus sp. H2O-1 and its antagonistic effect against sulfate reducing bacteria
Authors: Korenblum Elisa , de Araujo Livia Vieira , Guimarães Carolina Reis , de Souza Lauro M , Sassaki Guilherme , Abreu Fernanda , Nitschke Márcia , Lins Ulysses , Freire Denise Maria Guimarães , Barreto-Bergter Eliana , Seldin Lucy 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background

Bacillus sp. H2O-1, isolated from the connate water of a Brazilian reservoir, produces an antimicrobial substance (denoted as AMS H2O-1) that is active against sulfate reducing bacteria, which are the major bacterial group responsible for biogenic souring and biocorrosion in petroleum reservoirs. Thus, the use of AMS H2O-1 for sulfate reducing bacteria control in the petroleum industry is a promising alternative to chemical biocides. However, prior to the large-scale production of AMS H2O-1 for industrial applications, its chemical structure must be elucidated. This study also analyzed the changes in the wetting properties of different surfaces conditioned with AMS H2O-1 and demonstrated the effect of AMS H2O-1 on sulfate reducing bacteria cells.

Results
A lipopeptide mixture from AMS H2O-1 was partially purified on a silica gel column and identified via mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). It comprises four major components that range in size from 1007 to 1049 Da. The lipid moiety contains linear and branched β-hydroxy fatty acids that range in length from C13 to C16. The peptide moiety contains seven amino acids identified as Glu-Leu-Leu-Val-Asp-Leu-Leu.
Transmission electron microscopy revealed cell membrane alteration of sulfate reducing bacteria after AMS H2O-1 treatment at the minimum inhibitory concentration (5 μg/ml). Cytoplasmic electron dense inclusions were observed in treated cells but not in untreated cells. AMS H2O-1 enhanced the osmosis of sulfate reducing bacteria cells and caused the leakage of the intracellular contents. In addition, contact angle measurements indicated that different surfaces conditioned by AMS H2O-1 were less hydrophobic and more electron-donor than untreated surfaces.

Conclusion
AMS H2O-1 is a mixture of four surfactin-like homologues, and its biocidal activity and surfactant properties suggest that this compound may be a good candidate for sulfate reducing bacteria control. Thus, it is a potential alternative to the chemical biocides or surface coating agents currently used to prevent SRB growth in petroleum industries.
Low prevalence of connexin-40 gene variants in atrial tissues and blood from atrial fibrillation subjects
Authors: Tchou Gregory D , Wirka Robert C , Van Wagoner David R , Barnard John , Chung Mina K , Smith Jonathan D 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
The atrial gap junction protein connexin-40 (Cx40) has been implicated to play an important role in atrial conduction and development of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the frequency of Cx40 mutations in AF populations and their impact on Cx40 expression remains unclear. In this study, we sought to identify polymorphisms in the Cx40 gene GJA5, investigate the potential functional role of these polymorphisms, and determine their allelic frequencies. The prevalence of nonsynonymous Cx40 mutations in blood and atrial tissue was also compared to mutation frequencies reported in prior studies.

Methods
We conducted direct sequencing of the GJA5 coding and 3′ UTR regions in blood samples from 91 lone AF subjects and 67 atrial tissue-derived samples from a lone cohort, a mixed AF cohort, and several transplant donors. Reporter gene transfection and tissue allelic expression imbalance assays were used to assess the effects of a common insertion/deletion polymorphism on Cx40 mRNA stability and expression.

Results
We identified one novel synonymous SNP in blood-derived DNA from a lone AF subject. In atrial tissue-derived DNA from lone and mixed AF subjects, we observed one novel nonsynonymous SNP, one rare previously reported synonymous SNP, and one novel 3′ UTR SNP. A previously noted 25 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the 3′ UTR was found to be common (minor allele frequency = 0.45) but had no effect on Cx40 mRNA stability and expression. The observed prevalence of nonsynonymous Cx40 mutations in atrial tissues derived from lone AF subjects differed significantly (p = 0.03) from a prior atrial tissue study reporting a high mutation frequency in a group of highly selected young lone AF subjects.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that Cx40 coding SNPs are uncommon in AF populations, although rare mutations in this gene may certainly lead to AF pathogenesis. Furthermore, a common insertion/deletion polymorphism in the Cx40 3′ UTR does not appear to play a role in modulating Cx40 mRNA levels.
A longitudinal assessment of alcohol intake and incident depression: the SUN project
Authors: Gea Alfredo , Martinez-Gonzalez Miguel A , Toledo Estefania , Sanchez-Villegas Almudena , Bes-Rastrollo Maira , Nuñez-Cordoba Jorge M , Sayon-Orea Carmen , Beunza Juan J 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundLongitudinal studies assessing the long-term association between alcohol intake and depression are scarce. The type of beverage may also be important. Therefore we aimed to prospectively evaluate the influence of alcohol intake on incident depression in a Mediterranean cohort.MethodsWe assessed 13,619 university graduates (mean age: 38 years, 42% men) participating in a Spanish prospective epidemiological cohort (the SUN Project), initially free of depression. They were recruited between 1999–2008 and biennially followed-up during 2001–2010. At baseline, a 136-item validated food–frequency questionnaire was used to assess alcohol intake. Wine was the preferred beverage. Participants were classified as incident cases of depression if they reported a new clinical diagnosis of depression by a physician and/or initiated the use of antidepressant drugs. Cox regression and restricted cubic splines analyses were performed over 82,926 person-years.ResultsOnly among women, an U-shaped relationship between total alcohol intake and depression risk was found (P=0.01). Moderate alcohol intake (5–15 g/day) was associated with lower risk (Hazard Ratio: 0.62; 95% Confidence Interval: 0.43-0.89). No association was apparent for higher intakes of alcohol or for any specific type of alcoholic beverage.ConclusionsModerate alcohol intake might protect against depression among women. Further confirmatory studies are needed.
InGaN/GaN multilayer quantum dots yellow-green light-emitting diode with optimized GaN barriers
Authors: Lv Wenbin , Wang Lai , Wang Jiaxing , Hao Zhibiao , Luo Yi 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
InGaN/GaN multilayer quantum dot (QD) structure is a potential type of active regions for yellow-green light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The surface morphologies and crystalline quality of GaN barriers are critical to the uniformity of InGaN QD layers. While GaN barriers were grown in multi-QD layers, we used improved growth parameters by increasing the growth temperature and switching the carrier gas from N2 to H2 in the metal organic vapor phase epitaxy. As a result, a 10-layer InGaN/GaN QD LED is demonstrated successfully. The transmission electron microscopy image shows the uniform multilayer InGaN QDs clearly. As the injection current increases from 5 to 50 mA, the electroluminescence peak wavelength shifts from 574 to 537 nm.