bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Population-Based Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Multidisciplinary Heart Failure Clinics and Identify Important Service Components
Authors: Wijeysundera Harindra C. , Trubiani Gina , Wang Xuesong , Mitsakakis Nicholas , Austin Peter C. , Ko Dennis T. , Lee Douglas S. , Tu Jack V. , Krahn Murray 
Published: December 2012

Background—
Multidisciplinary heart failure (HF) clinics are efficacious in clinical trials. Our objectives were to compare real-world outcomes of patients with HF treated in HF clinics versus usual therapy and identify HF clinic features associated with improved outcomes.

Methods and Results—

The service components at all HF clinics in Ontario, Canada, were quantified using a validated instrument and categorized as high/medium/low intensity. We used propensity-scores to match HF clinic and control patients discharged alive after a HF readmission in 2006–2007. Outcomes were mortality, and both all-cause and HF readmission. Cox-proportional hazard models were used to evaluate HF clinic-level characteristics associated with improved outcomes. We identified 14 468 patients with HF, of whom 1288 were seen in HF clinics. Within 4 years of follow-up, 52.1% of patients treated at a HF clinic died versus 54.7% of control patients (
P
=0.02). Patients treated at HF clinics had increased readmissions (87.4% versus 86.6% for all-cause [
P
=0.009]; 58.7% versus 47.3% for HF related [
P
<0.001]). There was no difference between high, medium, or low intensity clinics in terms of mortality, all-cause, or HF readmissions. HF clinics with greater frequency of visits (>4 contacts of significant duration for 6 months) were associated with lower mortality (hazard ratio, 0.14;
P
<0.0001) and hospitalization (hazard ratio, 0.69;
P
=0.039). More intensive medication management was associated with lower all-cause (hazard ratio, 0.46;
P
<0.001) and HF readmission (hazard ratio, 0.42;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—
In this real-world population-based study, we found that multidisciplinary HF clinics are associated with a decrease in mortality, but an increase in readmissions.
Genetic and Pharmacological Inhibition of Galectin-3 Prevents Cardiac Remodeling by Interfering With Myocardial Fibrogenesis
Authors: Yu Lili , Ruifrok Willem P.T. , Meissner Maxi , Bos Eelke M. , van Goor Harry , Sanjabi Bahram , van der Harst Pim , Pitt Bertram , Goldstein Irwin J. , Koerts Jasper A. , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Bank Ruud A. , van Gilst Wiek H. , Silljé Herman H.W. , de Boer Rudolf A. 
Published: December 2012

Background—
Galectin-3 has been implicated in the development of organ fibrosis. It is unknown whether it is a relevant therapeutic target in cardiac remodeling and heart failure.

Methods and Results—

Galectin-3 knock-out and wild-type mice were subjected to angiotensin II infusion (2.5 µg/kg for 14 days) or transverse aortic constriction for 28 days to provoke cardiac remodeling. The efficacy of the galectin-3 inhibitor N-acetyllactosamine was evaluated in TGR(mREN2)27 (REN2) rats and in wild-type mice with the aim of reversing established cardiac remodeling after transverse aortic constriction. In wild-type mice, angiotensin II and transverse aortic constriction perturbations caused left-ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, decreased fractional shortening, and increased LV end-diastolic pressure and fibrosis (
P
<0.05 versus control wild type). Galectin-3 knock-out mice also developed LV hypertrophy but without LV dysfunction and fibrosis (
P
=NS). In REN2 rats, pharmacological inhibition of galectin-3 attenuated LV dysfunction and fibrosis. To elucidate the beneficial effects of galectin-3 inhibition on myocardial fibrogenesis, cultured fibroblasts were treated with galectin-3 in the absence or presence of galectin-3 inhibitor. Inhibition of galectin-3 was associated with a downregulation in collagen production (collagen I and III), collagen processing, cleavage, cross-linking, and deposition. Similar results were observed in REN2 rats. Inhibition of galectin-3 also attenuated the progression of cardiac remodeling in a long-term transverse aortic constriction mouse model.

Conclusions—
Genetic disruption and pharmacological inhibition of galectin-3 attenuates cardiac fibrosis, LV dysfunction, and subsequent heart failure development. Drugs binding to galectin-3 may be potential therapeutic candidates for the prevention or reversal of heart failure with extensive fibrosis.
Acute Kidney Injury Following Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery and Long-term Risk of Heart Failure
Authors: Olsson Daniel , Sartipy Ulrik , Braunschweig Frieder , Holzmann Martin J. 
Published: December 2012

Background—
Acute kidney injury (AKI) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is common and increases the risk of postoperative complications and mortality. There is little information on the association between AKI after CABG and long-term risk of incident heart failure (HF).

Methods and Results—
All patients (n=24 018) undergoing primary, isolated CABG in Sweden between 2000 and 2008 with complete information on pre- and postoperative serum creatinine values, and no prior hospitalization for HF were included. The postoperative increase in serum creatinine was used to define different stages of AKI: stage 1, 0.3 to 0.5 mg/dL; stage 2, 0.5 to 1 mg/dL; stage 3, >1 mg/dL. Hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for first hospitalization for HF for each stage of AKI using Cox proportional hazards regression. Twelve percent of the study population developed AKI. During a mean follow-up of 4.1 years, there were 1325 cases (5.5%) of incident HF. Hazard ratios with 95% confidence interval for HF in AKI stage 1, 2, and 3 were 1.60 (1.34–1.92), 1.87 (1.54–2.27), and 1.98 (1.53–2.57), respectively, after multivariable adjustment for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, estimated glomerular filtration rate, left ventricular ejection fraction, and myocardial infarction before surgery or during follow-up.

Conclusions—
AKI is associated with increased long-term risk of HF after CABG. Patients with AKI after CABG should be followed closely to detect early changes in cardiac function.
Soluble Glycoprotein 130 Predicts Fatal Outcomes in Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Askevold Erik Tandberg , Nymo Ståle , Ueland Thor , Gravning Jørgen , Wergeland Ragnhild , Kjekshus John , Yndestad Arne , Cleland John G.F. , McMurray John J.V. , Aukrust Pål , Gullestad Lars 
Published: December 2012

Background—
Glycoprotein 130 (gp130) is the common signal-transducing receptor subunit of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) family, which may be involved in the progression of heart failure (HF). We hypothesized that soluble gp130 would provide prognostic information beyond that of IL-6 in a population with HF from the Controlled Rosuvastatin Multinational Trial in Heart Failure (CORONA).

Methods and Results—

The associations of soluble gp130 and IL-6 with morbidity, mortality, and mode of death were assessed by immunoassays in a subset of 1452 patients enrolled in the CORONA trial, which included patients with HF, aged ≥60 years, in New York Heart Association classes II to IV, who had ischemic heart disease and a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. In multivariable analyses, including C-reactive protein, IL-6, troponin T, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, elevated soluble gp130 (fifth quintile versus all lower quintiles) was associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.47 [1.11–1.93];
P
=0.006), cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio, 1.38 [1.01–1.87];
P
=0.042), and death from worsening HF (hazard ratio, 1.85 [1.09–3.14];
P
=0.002), but not with the primary end point (composite of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke; hazard ratio, 1.12 [0.84–1.50];
P
=0.44). Plasma IL-6 was not associated with outcomes in multivariable analyses.

Conclusions—
Marked elevations in soluble gp130 are associated with total and cardiovascular mortality, as well as deaths from worsening HF, in elderly patients with HF of ischemic cause

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00206310.
Lack of association between the MTHFR C677T variant and migraine with aura in an older population: Could selective survival play a role?
Authors: Scher Ann I , Eiriksdottir Gudny , Garcia Melissa , Feit Preethy , Smith Albert V , Harris Tamara B , Roecklein Kathryn A , Gudmundsson Larus S , Gudnason Vilmundur , Launer Lenore J 
Published: December 2012

Background: Several studies, but not all, of primarily middle-aged or younger adults have suggested that the common MTHFR C677T variant is a genetic risk factor for migraine with aura (MA). Here, we consider whether this variant is associated with MA risk in an older non-clinical population (AGES-Reykjavik cohort). Methods: Participants are a sub-sample ( n = 1976) of subjects from the Reykjavik Study (RS; mean age 50) and its continuation, AGES-RS (mean age 76). We estimated the relative odds of MA in TT versus CC carriers using multinomial logistic regression. As both MA and the TT genotype may be linked with modestly reduced longevity, we performed a simple simulation to illustrate the effect that selective survival may have had on our observed gene–disease association. Results: TT versus CC carriers were at marginally reduced odds of MA (ORTT 0.55 (0.3–1.0), p = 0.07), significantly for women (ORTT 0.45 (0.2–0.9), p = 0.03). Assuming the ‘true’ (e.g. mid-life) effect of the TT genotype is ORTT 1.26, from a recent meta-analysis, our simulation suggested that if 25-year mortality had been (hypothetically) 13% higher in MA subjects with the TT versus CC genotype, the measured effect of the TT genotype on MA would have been attenuated to non-significance (e.g. ORTT 1.00). Our observed protective effect was consistent with the most extreme selective mortality scenario, in which essentially all of the previously reported increased mortality in MA subjects was (hypothetically) found in CT or TT carriers. Conclusion: The MTHFR 677TT genotype was associated with marginally reduced risk of MA in our older population. Our simulation illustrated how even modest selective survival might obscure the apparent effect of a genetic or other risk factor in older populations. We speculate that some of the heterogeneity previously observed for this particular genetic variant may be due to age range differences in the studied populations.
Bismaleimide/preceramic polymer blends for hybrid material transition regions
Authors: McKellar Bernard R. , Venkat Narayanan , Safriet Sirina , Brown Janis M. , Unroe Marilyn R. , Bechel Vernon , Fossum Eric 
Published: December 2012

The problem of phase separation in polycarbosilane (Starfire resin)–Matrimid thermoset blend structures, designed for thermal protection applications, was addressed in this study. The structural design of the compatibilizers synthesized via a hydrosilylation–deprotection sequence was primarily based on a polymer structure with a nonpolar segment consisting of a carbosilane unit and a polar segment with a bisphenol-type moiety. Besides the homopolymer, block copolymers with varying contents of the polycarbosilane unit and the bisphenol A unit were synthesized and characterized. Curing experiments on the blends of Starfire resin–Matrimid incorporating 1–5% of the compatibilizers were performed followed by morphological characterization of the cured resin plaques. The effectiveness of the compatibilizers was assessed by the StarFire domain size and the distribution of cured specimens was examined in the scanning electron micrographs. Results indicated that the compatibilizers that were more effective in minimizing phase separation were relatively more polar and comprised a larger fraction of the phenolic functional units. In fact, the blend composition incorporating 5% of the homopolymer compatibilizer with the largest fraction of the polar bisphenol A unit was highly effective in providing a homogeneous distribution of very small StarFire domains, that is, fairly uniform domain sizes of the order of 5 µm or less.
Basic Trust
Authors: Colonnesi Cristina , Wissink Inge B. , Noom Marc J. , Asscher Jessica J. , Hoeve Machteld , Stams Geert Jan J. M. , Polderman Nelleke , Kellaert-Knol Marijke G. 
Published: December 2012

Objectives: We evaluated a new attachment-oriented intervention aimed at improving parental mind-mindedness, promoting positive parent–child relationships, and reducing child psychopathology in families with adopted children. Method: The sample consisted of 20 families with adopted children (2–5 years of age). After the pretest, the intervention was conducted, followed by a posttest, 6 months later. Results: Positive medium-to-large changes between pretest and posttest were found in children’s insecure attachments to their mothers, disorganized attachments to both their parents and conduct problems. Finally, mothers who had spent more time with their adopted children perceived less peer problems in their children after the intervention. Conclusion: Basic Trust is a promising intervention for improving parent–child relationships in adoptive families and decreasing attachment and conduct problems.
The Hermite-Hadamard inequality for r-convex functions
Authors: Zabandan Gholamreza , Bodaghi Abasalt , Kılıçman Adem 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIn this paper, we establish the Hermite-Hadamard inequality forr-convex functions. We prove thatr-convexity impliess-convexity (0≤r≤s). As a result, we obtain a refinement of the Hermite-Hadamard inequality for anr-convex function (0≤r≤1). We also investigate the Hermite-Hadamard inequality for the product of anr-convex functionfand ans-convex functiong.MSC:26D15, 26D10.
Early repolarization with horizontal ST segment may be associated with aborted sudden cardiac arrest: a retrospective case control study
Authors: Kim Sung Hea , Kim Do Young , Kim Hyun-Joong , Jung Sang Man , Han Seong Woo , Suh Soon Yong , Ryu Kyu-Hyung 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Risk stratification of the early repolarization pattern (ERP) is needed to identify malignant early repolarization. J-point elevation with a horizontal ST segment was recently suggested as a malignant feature of the ERP. In this study, the prevalence of the ERP with a horizontal ST segment was examined among survivors of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) without structural heart disease to evaluate the value of ST-segment morphology in risk stratification of the ERP.

Methods
We reviewed the data of 83 survivors of SCA who were admitted from August 2005 to August 2010. Among them, 25 subjects without structural heart disease were included. The control group comprised 60 healthy subjects who visited our health promotion center; all control subjects were matched for age, sex, and underlying disease (diabetes mellitus, hypertension). Early repolarization was defined as an elevation of the J point of at least 0.1 mV above the baseline in at least two continuous inferior or lateral leads that manifested as QRS slurring or notching. An ST-segment pattern of <0.1 mV within 100 ms after the J point was defined as a horizontal ST segment.

Results
The SCA group included 17 men (64%) with a mean age of 49.7 ± 14.5 years. The corrected QTc was not significantly different between the SCA and control groups (432.7 ± 37.96 vs. 420.4 ± 26.3, respectively; p = 0.089). The prevalence of ERP was not statistically different between the SCA and control groups (5/25, 20% vs. 4/60, 6.7%, respectively; p = 0.116). The prevalence of early repolarization with a horizontal ST segment was more frequent in the SCA than in the control group (20% vs. 3.3%, respectively; p = 0.021). Four SCA subjects (16%) and one control subject (1.7%) had a J-point elevation of >2 mm (p = 0.025). Four SCA subjects (16%) and one (1.7%) control subject had an ERP in the inferior lead (p = 0.025).

Conclusion
The prevalence of ERP with a horizontal ST segment was higher in patients with aborted SCA than in matched controls. This result suggests that ST morphology has value in the recognition of malignant early repolarization.
Prevalences and associated risk factors of HCV/HIV co-infection and HCV mono-infection among injecting drug users in a methadone maintenance treatment program in Taipei, Taiwan
Authors: Yen Yung-Feng , Yen Muh-Yong , Su Lien-Wen , Li Lan-Huei , Chuang Peing , Jiang Xiao-Ru , Deng Chung-Yeh 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Injecting drug users (IDUs) in Taiwan contributed significantly to an HIV/AIDS epidemic in 2005. In addition, studies that identified risk factors of HCV/HIV co-infection among IDUs were sparse. This study aimed to identify risk factors of HCV/HIV co-infection and HCV mono-infection, as compared with seronegativity, among injecting drug users (IDUs) at a large methadone maintenance treatment program (MMTP) in Taipei, Taiwan.

Methods
Data from enrollment interviews and HCV and HIV testing completed by IDUs upon admission to the Taipei City Hospital MMTP from 2006–2010 were included in this cross-sectional analysis. HCV and HIV testing was repeated among re-enrollees whose HCV or HIV test results were negative at the preceding enrollment. Backward stepwise multinomial logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with HCV/HIV co-infection and HCV mono-infection.

Results
Of the 1,447 IDUs enrolled, the prevalences of HCV/HIV co-infection, HCV mono-infection, and HIV mono-infection were 13.1%, 78.0%, and 0.4%, respectively. In backward stepwise multinomial regression analysis, after controlling for potential confounders, syringe sharing in the 6 months before MMTP enrollment was significantly positively associated with HCV/HIV co-infection (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=27.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 13.30–57.76). Incarceration was also significantly positively associated with HCV/HIV co-infection (AOR=2.01, 95% CI 1.71–2.37) and HCV mono-infection (AOR=1.77, 95% CI 1.52–2.06), whereas smoking amphetamine in the 6 months before MMTP enrollment was significantly inversely associated with HCV/HIV co-infection (AOR=0.44, 95% CI 0.25–0.76) and HCV mono-infection (AOR=0.49, 95% CI 0.32–0.75). HCV seroincidence was 45.25/100 person-years at risk (PYAR; 95% CI 24.74–75.92/100 PYAR) and HIV seroincidence was 0.53/100 PYAR (95% CI 0.06–1.91/100 PYAR) among re-enrolled IDUs who were HCV- or HIV-negative at the preceding enrollment.

Conclusions
IDUs enrolled in Taipei MMTPs had very high prevalences of HCV/HIV co-infection and HCV mono-infection. Interventions such as expansion of syringe exchange programs and education regarding HCV/HIV prevention should be implemented for this high-risk group of drug users.
Occupational heavy lifting and risk of ischemic heart disease and all-cause mortality
Authors: Petersen Christina B , Eriksen Louise , Tolstrup Janne S , Søgaard Karen , Grønbæk Morten , Holtermann Andreas 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Occupational heavy lifting is known to impose a high cardiovascular strain, but the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) from occupational heavy lifting is unknown. The objective was to investigate the association between occupational heavy lifting and risk of IHD and all-cause mortality, and the influence of occupational and leisure time physical activity on this association.

Methods
Data were analyzed from 1987, 1994, and 2000 from the Danish National Health Interview Surveys providing a sample of 6,692 working men and 5,921 working women aged 16–85 years without cardiovascular disease at baseline. Conventional risk factors for the outcomes IHD and all-cause mortality were controlled for in Cox analyses.

Results
Among men, heavy lifting was associated with increased risk for IHD (hazard ratio (HR): 1.52, 95% Confidence interval (95% CI): 1.15, 2.02), while a decreased risk was associated with occupational (HR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.68) and leisure time (HR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.95) physical activity. Referencing men with high occupational physical activity and no heavy lifting, men with high occupational physical activity and heavy lifting did not have an increased risk (HR: 1.11, 95% CI:0.68, 1.82), while men with low occupational physical activity and heavy lifting had a substantial increased risk (HR: 2.56, 95% CI:1.52, 4.32). No significant associations were found for all-cause mortality or for females.

Conclusion
These findings indicate an excessive risk for IHD from occupational heavy lifting among men, particularly among those with low occupational and leisure time physical activity.
Highly efficient site-specific transgenesis in cancer cell lines
Authors: Michael Iacovos P , Monetti Claudio , Chiu Anthony C , Zhang Puzheng , Baba Takeshi , Nishino Koichiro , Agha-Mohammadi Siamak , Woltjen Knut , Sung Hoon-Ki , Nagy Andras 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Transgenes introduced into cancer cell lines serve as powerful tools for identification of genes involved in cancer. However, the random nature of genomic integration site of a transgene highly influences the fidelity, reliability and level of its expression. In order to alleviate this bottleneck, we characterized the potential utility of a novel PhiC31 integrase-mediated site-specific insertion system (PhiC31-IMSI) for introduction of transgenes into a pre-inserted docking site in the genome of cancer cells.

Methods
According to this system, a “docking-site” was first randomly inserted into human cancer cell lines and clones with a single copy were selected. Subsequently, an “incoming” vector containing the gene of interest was specifically inserted in the docking-site using PhiC31.

Results
Using the Pc-3 and SKOV-3 cancer cell lines, we showed that transgene insertion is reproducible and reliable. Furthermore, the selection system ensured that all surviving stable transgenic lines harbored the correct integration site. We demonstrated that the expression levels of reporter genes, such as green fluorescent protein and luciferase, from the same locus were comparable among sister, isogenic clones. Using in vivo xenograft studies, we showed that the genetically altered cancer cell lines retain the properties of the parental line. To achieve temporal control of transgene expression, we coupled our insertion strategy with the doxycycline inducible system and demonstrated tight regulation of the expression of the antiangiogenic molecule sFlt-1-Fc in Pc-3 cells. Furthermore, we introduced the luciferase gene into the insertion cassette allowing for possible live imaging of cancer cells in transplantation assays. We also generated a series of Gateway cloning-compatible intermediate cassettes ready for high-throughput cloning of transgenes and demonstrated that PhiC31-IMSI can be achieved in a high throughput 96-well plate format.

Conclusions
The novel PhiC31-IMSI system described in this study represents a powerful tool that can facilitate the characterization of cancer-related genes.