bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiation dose reduction in intra-arterial chemotherapy infusion for intraocular retinoblastoma
Authors: Cooke Daniel L , Stout Charles E , Kim Warren T , Hetts Steven W , Higashida Randall T , Halbach Van V , Dowd Christopher F , Gould Robert G 
Published: January 2014

Background and purposeRetinoblastoma (RB) is a rare malignancy affecting the pediatric population. Intravenous chemotherapy is the longstanding delivery method, although intra-arterial (IA) chemotherapy is gaining popularity given the reduced side effects compared with systemic chemotherapy administration. Given the sensitivity of the target organ, patient age, and secondary tumor susceptibility, a premium has been placed on minimizing procedural related radiation exposure.Materials and methodsTo reduce patient x-ray dose during the IA infusion procedure, customized surgical methods and fluoroscopic techniques were employed. The routine fluoroscopic settings were changed from the standard 7.5 pulses/s and dose level to the detector of 36 nGy/pulse, to a pulse rate of 4 pulses/s and detector dose to 23 nGy/pulse. The angiographic dose indicators (reference point air kerma (Ka) and fluoroscopy time) for a cohort of 10 consecutive patients (12 eyes, 30 infusions) were analyzed. An additional four cases (five eyes, five infusions) were analyzed using dosimeters placed at anatomic locations to reflect scalp, eye, and thyroid dose.ResultsThe mean Kaper treated eye was 20.1±11.9 mGy with a mean fluoroscopic time of 8.5±4.6 min. Dosimetric measurements demonstrated minimal dose to the lens (0.18±0.10 mGy). Measured entrance skin doses varied from 0.7 to 7.0 mGy and were 73.4±19.7% less than the indicated Ka value.ConclusionsOphthalmic arterial melphalan infusion is a safe and effective means to treat RB. Modification to contemporary fluoroscopic systems combined with parsimonious fluoroscopy can minimize radiation exposure.
Stent alone treatment for dissections and dissecting aneurysms involving the basilar artery
Authors: Li Chuanhui , Li Youxiang , Jiang Chuhan , Wu Zhongxue , Wang Yang , Yang Xinjian 
Published: January 2014

Background and purpose:Dissections and dissecting aneurysms involving the basilar artery (BA) are rare lesions with a poor prognosis, and controversies exist on treatment strategy. We describe the clinical presentation, radiologic features, and clinical outcomes of 11 consecutive patients with these lesions, treated using stent alone placement.Materials and methods11 patients were studied (10 men, one woman), with a mean age of 51 years (range 30–68 years). Clinical and angiographic data were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsIt was technically feasible to place stents in all 11 cases, and a multiple stents technique was used in nine patients. Procedure related posterior circulation ischemic complications occurred in two cases. One patient presenting with locked-in syndrome died of a pulmonary embolism 3 months after treatment although the clinical condition was gradually improving after stent placement. In the other eight cases, improvement in initial symptoms or a stable condition was observed on follow-up at 1–48 months. Angiographic follow-up was obtained in nine cases using DSA (n=8) or CT angiography (n=1). Successful occlusion of the aneurysm or dissection sac was noted in two cases, BA occlusion in one case, disappearance of double lumen sign in one case, and delayed retention of contrast medium in one case. For the remaining four patients there was no change in the configuration of the lesions on follow-up angiographic results.ConclusionsStent alone treatment as a potential and disputable alternative therapeutic option for the treatment of BA dissection and dissecting aneurysms, although technically feasible, was effective in only certain lesions, and this treatment carries substantial risks of complications and a high failure rate. The true effect of this strategy is questionable. A study involving larger populations and a longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment modality.
Intra-arterial treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke and internal carotid artery occlusion: a literature review
Authors: Kappelhof Manon , Marquering Henk A , Berkhemer Olvert A , Majoie Charles B L M 
Published: January 2014

IntroductionAcute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion has a poor prognosis if treated by intravenous thrombolysis. Intra-arterial (IA) treatment is a promising alternative. However, its effectiveness is still unproven.MethodsWe collected all publications describing results of IA treatment in acute ICA occlusions. All studies with 10 patients or more providing data on clinical outcome were included. We pooled the results by occlusion site (intracranial, extracranial or tandem occlusions) and treatment method, using recanalization, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, mortality and favorable clinical outcome (defined as modified Rankin Scale score 0–2) as outcome measures.Results32 studies totaling 1107 patients were included. In the population with intracranial ICA occlusion, recanalization (69% vs 38%, p<0.001) and favorable outcome (34% vs 12%, p<0.001) rates were significantly higher for mechanical thrombectomy than for IA thrombolysis. In the population with extracranial ICA occlusion, stenting resulted in a higher recanalization rate (87% vs 48%, p=0.001) and favorable outcome rate (68% vs 15%, p<0.001) and lower mortality (18% vs 41%, p=0.048) than IA thrombolysis. In the tandem occlusion population, a statistically significant lower death rate was found for the group treated with IA thrombolysis only compared with the groups with any mechanical treatment of the intracranial occlusion (0% vs 34%, p=0.002 and 0% vs 33%, p=0.001).ConclusionsThis review shows that, for patients with AIS due to an extracranial and/or intracranial ICA occlusion, stenting and mechanical thrombectomy are associated with higher recanalization rates and improved functional outcomes compared with IA thrombolysis.
Pathogen-Driven Cancers and Emerging Immune Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Vandeven Natalie , Nghiem Paul 
Published: January 2014

AbstractInfectious agents play an etiologic role in approximately 20% of cancer cases worldwide. Eleven pathogens (seven viruses, three parasites, and one bacterium) are known to contribute to oncogenesis either directly via the expression of their protein products or indirectly via chronic inflammation. Although prevention of infection and antimicrobial treatments have helped in reducing infection rates and the incidence of associated malignancies, therapies for these cancers remain limited. The importance of immune control over malignant progression is highlighted by the fact that many cancers, particularly those induced by pathogens, occur more frequently among immunosuppressed patients as compared with healthy individuals. Therefore, therapeutic strategies that can elicit a robust immune response and restore tumor detection may be a beneficial approach for treating these cancers. In addition, the study of immune escape mechanisms used by pathogens and their associated cancers may provide insight into the mechanisms of malignant transformation and improved therapies for cancer more generally. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(1); 9–14. ©2014 AACR.
M‐Atrial Natriuretic Peptide and Nitroglycerin in a Canine Model of Experimental Acute Hypertensive Heart Failure: Differential Actions of 2 cGMP Activating Therapeutics
Authors: McKie Paul M. , Cataliotti Alessandro , Ichiki Tomoko , Sangaralingham S. Jeson , Chen Horng H. , Burnett John C. 
Published: January 2014

Background

Systemic hypertension is a common characteristic in acute heart failure (
HF
). This increasingly recognized phenotype is commonly associated with renal dysfunction and there is an unmet need for renal enhancing therapies. In a canine model of
HF
and acute vasoconstrictive hypertension we characterized and compared the cardiorenal actions of
M
‐atrial natriuretic peptide (
M
‐
ANP
), a novel particulate guanylyl cyclase (pGC) activator, and nitroglycerin, a soluble guanylyl cyclase (
sGC
) activator.

Methods and Results

HF
was induced by rapid RV pacing (180 beats per minute) for 10 days. On day 11, hypertension was induced by continuous angiotensin II infusion. We characterized the cardiorenal and humoral actions prior to, during, and following intravenous
M
‐
ANP
(n=7), nitroglycerin (n=7), and vehicle (n=7) infusion. Mean arterial pressure (
MAP
) was reduced by
M
‐
ANP
(139±4 to 118±3 mm Hg,
P
<0.05) and nitroglycerin (137±3 to 116±4 mm Hg,
P
<0.05); similar findings were recorded for pulmonary wedge pressure (
PCWP
) with
M
‐
ANP
(12±2 to 6±2 mm Hg,
P
<0.05) and nitroglycerin (12±1 to 6±1 mm Hg,
P
<0.05).
M
‐
ANP
enhanced renal function with significant increases (
P
<0.05) in glomerular filtration rate (38±4 to 53±5 mL/min), renal blood flow (132±18 to 236±23 mL/min), and natriuresis (11±4 to 689±37 mEq/min) and also inhibited aldosterone activation (32±3 to 23±2 ng/dL,
P
<0.05), whereas nitroglycerin had no significant (
P
>0.05) effects on these renal parameters or aldosterone activation.

Conclusions

Our results advance the differential cardiorenal actions of
pGC
(
M
‐
ANP
) and
sGC
(nitroglycerin) mediated
cGMP
activation. These distinct renal and aldosterone modulating actions make
M
‐
ANP
an attractive therapeutic for
HF
with concomitant hypertension, where renal protection is a key therapeutic goal.
Venous Thromboembolism Increases the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: The Tromsø Study
Authors: Hald Erin M. , Enga Kristin F. , Løchen Maja‐Lisa , Mathiesen Ellisiv B. , Njølstad Inger , Wilsgaard Tom , Braekkan Sigrid K. , Hansen John‐Bjarne 
Published: January 2014

Background

Pulmonary embolism (PE) may trigger atrial fibrillation through increased right atrial pressure and subsequent atrial strain, but the degree of evidence is low. In this study, we wanted to investigate the impact of incident venous thromboembolism (
VTE
) on future risk of atrial fibrillation in a prospective population‐based study.

Methods and Results

The study included 29 974 subjects recruited from the
T
romsø study (1994–1995, 2001–2002, 2007–2008). Incident
VTE
and atrial fibrillation events were registered from date of enrolment to end of follow‐up, December 31, 2010.
C
ox proportional hazard regression models using age as time‐scale and
VTE
as a time‐dependent variable were used to estimate crude and multivariable hazard ratios (
HR
s) for atrial fibrillation with 95% confidence intervals (
CI
s). During 16 years of follow up, 540 (1.8%) subjects had an incident
VTE
event, and 1662 (5.54%) were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Among those with
VTE
, 50 (9.3%) developed subsequent atrial fibrillation. Patients with
VTE
had 63% higher risk of atrial fibrillation compared to subjects without
VTE
(multivariable‐adjusted
HR
: 1.63, 95%
CI
: 1.22 to 2.17). The risk of atrial fibrillation was particularly high during the first 6 months after the
VTE
event (
HR
4.00, 95%
CI
: 2.21 to 7.25) and among those with PE (
HR
1.78, 95%
CI
: 1.13 to 2.80).

Conclusions

We found that incident
VTE
was associated with future risk of atrial fibrillation. Our findings support the hypothesis that PE may lead to cardiac dysfunctions that, in turn, could trigger atrial fibrillation.
Implementation of a Structured Guideline–Based Program for the Secondary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke in China
Authors: Peng Bin , Ni Jun , Anderson Craig S. , Zhu Yicheng , Wang Yongjun , Pu Chuanqiang , Wu Jiang , Wang Jianming , Zhou Lixin , Yao Ming , He Jia , Shan Guangliang , Gao Shan , Xu Weihai , Cui Liying 
Published: January 2014

Background and Purpose—
High rates of ischemic stroke and poor adherence to secondary prevention measures are observed in the Chinese population.

Methods—
We used a national, multicenter, cluster-randomized controlled trial in which 47 hospitals were randomized to either a structured care program group (n=23) or a usual care group (n=24). The structured care program consisted of a specialist-administered, guideline-recommended pharmaceutical treatment and a lifestyle modification algorithm associated with written and Internet-accessed educational material for patients for the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke. The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of patients who adhered to the recommended measures at 12-month postdischarge. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT00664846).

Results—

At 12 months, 1287 (72.1%) patients in the Standard Medical Management in Secondary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke in China (SMART) group and 1430 (72%) patients in the usual care group had completed the 12-month follow-up (
P
=0.342). Compared with the usual care group, those in the SMART group showed higher adherence to statins (56% versus 33%;
P
=0.006) but no difference in adherence to antiplatelet (81% versus 75%;
P
=0.088), antihypertensive (67% versus 69%;
P
=0.661), or diabetes mellitus drugs (73% versus 67%;
P
=0.297). No significant difference in the composite end point (new-onset ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, acute coronary syndrome, and all-cause death) was observed (3.56% versus 3.59%;
P
=0.921).

Conclusions—
The implementation of a program to improve adherence to secondary ischemic stroke prevention efforts in China is feasible, but these programs had only a limited impact on adherence and no impact on 1-year outcomes. Further development of a structured program to reduce vascular events after stroke is needed.

Clinical Trial Registration—URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00664846.
Prognostic Value of Plasma β-Amyloid Levels in Patients With Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Martí-Fàbregas Joan , Delgado-Mederos Raquel , Marín Rebeca , de la Ossa Natalia Pérez , de Leciñana María Alonso , Rodríguez-Yáñez Manuel , Sanahuja Jordi , Purroy Francisco , De Arce Ana María , Carrera David , Dinia Lavinia , Guardia-Laguarta Cristina , Lleó Alberto 
Published: January 2014

Background and Purpose—
It has been proposed that the deposition of the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) in the brain parenchyma and brain blood vessels has deleterious effects. We tested the hypothesis that the levels of plasma Aβ are related to the outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Methods—
In a multicenter study, we prospectively included patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage within the first 24 hours after onset. At admission, we measured plasma Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels using ELISA techniques. Also, we recorded age, sex, vascular risk factors, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, presence of intraventricular hemorrhage, localization, cause, and volume of the hematoma. We obtained the modified Rankin scale and defined a unfavorable outcome as modified Rankin scale >2 at 3 months. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed.

Results—

We studied 160 patients (mean age, 73.8±11.3 years; 59.4% of them were men). A favorable outcome was observed in 64 (40%) of the patients. In the bivariate analyses, unfavorable outcome was associated with high age, female sex, diabetes mellitus, presence of intraventricular hemorrhage, high blood glucose, high National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, high volume, and high plasma levels of Aβ42 and Aβ40. The multivariate analysis showed that increased age (odds ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.035–1.21;
P
<0.0001), high admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (odds ratio, 1.29, 95% confidence interval, 1.17–1.42;
P
<0.0001), presence of diabetes mellitus (odds ratio, 4.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.21–14.1;
P
=0.02), and Aβ42 levels >9.7 pg/mL (odds ratio, 4.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.65–10.1;
P
=0.02) were independently associated with an increased likelihood of an unfavorable outcome.

Conclusions—
High levels of plasma Aβ42 in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage are associated with a poor functional prognosis.
Ekman Veering, Internal Waves, and Turbulence Observed under Arctic Sea Ice
Authors: Cole Sylvia T. , Timmermans Mary-Louise , Toole John M. , Krishfield Richard A. , Thwaites Fredrik T. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
The ice–ocean system is investigated on inertial to monthly time scales using winter 2009–10 observations from the first ice-tethered profiler (ITP) equipped with a velocity sensor (ITP-V). Fluctuations in surface winds, ice velocity, and ocean velocity at 7-m depth were correlated. Observed ocean velocity was primarily directed to the right of the ice velocity and spiraled clockwise while decaying with depth through the mixed layer. Inertial and tidal motions of the ice and in the underlying ocean were observed throughout the record. Just below the ice–ocean interface, direct estimates of the turbulent vertical heat, salt, and momentum fluxes and the turbulent dissipation rate were obtained. Periods of elevated internal wave activity were associated with changes to the turbulent heat and salt fluxes as well as stratification primarily within the mixed layer. Turbulent heat and salt fluxes were correlated particularly when the mixed layer was closest to the freezing temperature. Momentum flux is adequately related to velocity shear using a constant ice–ocean drag coefficient, mixing length based on the planetary and geometric scales, or Rossby similarity theory. Ekman viscosity described velocity shear over the mixed layer. The ice–ocean drag coefficient was elevated for certain directions of the ice–ocean shear, implying an ice topography that was characterized by linear ridges. Mixing length was best estimated using the wavenumber of the beginning of the inertial subrange or a variable drag coefficient. Analyses of this and future ITP-V datasets will advance understanding of ice–ocean interactions and their parameterizations in numerical models.
BMA Probabilistic Quantitative Precipitation Forecasting over the Huaihe Basin Using TIGGE Multimodel Ensemble Forecasts
Authors: Liu Jianguo , Xie Zhenghui 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Bayesian model averaging (BMA) probability quantitative precipitation forecast (PQPF) models were established by calibrating their parameters using 1–7-day ensemble forecasts of 24-h accumulated precipitation, and observations from 43 meteorological stations in the Huaihe Basin. Forecasts were provided by four single-center (model) ensemble prediction systems (EPSs) and their multicenter (model) grand ensemble systems, which consider exchangeable members (EGE) in The Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment (THORPEX) Interactive Grand Global Ensemble (TIGGE). The four single-center EPSs were from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the National Centers for Environment Prediction (NCEP), and the Met Office (UKMO). Comparisons between the raw ensemble, logistic regression, and BMA for PQPFs suggested that the BMA predictive models performed better than the raw ensemble forecasts and logistic regression. The verification and comparison of five BMA EPSs for PQPFs in the study area showed that the UKMO and ECMWF were a little superior to the NCEP and CMA in general for lead times of 1–7 days for the single-center EPSs. The BMA model for EGE outperformed those for single-center EPSs for all 1–7-day ensemble forecasts, and mostly improved the quality of PQPF. Based on the percentile forecasts from the BMA predictive PDFs for EGE, a heavy-precipitation warning scheme is proposed for the test area.
Antioxidant effect of garlic (Allium sativum) and black seeds (Nigella sativa) in healthy postmenopausal women
Authors: Mostafa Randa M , Moustafa Yasser M , Mirghani Zien , AlKusayer Ghader M , Moustafa Kareem M 
Published: January 2014

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the antioxidant effects of garlic extract and crude black seeds’ consumption on blood oxidant/antioxidant levels in healthy postmenopausal women. Methods: In total, 30 healthy postmenopausal women (mean age = 50.31 ± 4.23 years) participated. They ingested two garlic soft gels per day (each is equivalent to 1000 mg of fresh garlic bulb) and crude black seed grounded to powder in a dose of 3 g/day for 8 weeks. Oxidant (malondialdehyde) activity in plasma and antioxidants superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in erythrocytes were studied. Results: Significant low levels of plasma malondialdehyde with increased erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities. Discussion: Menopause is associated with an increase in oxidative stress and a decrease in some antioxidant parameters. Consumption of garlic extracts and crude black seeds may have a beneficial effect on improved balance between blood oxidants and antioxidants in healthy postmenopausal women.
Genome-wide comparative analysis of NBS-encoding genes between Brassica species and Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Yu Jingyin , Tehrim Sadia , Zhang Fengqi , Tong Chaobo , Huang Junyan , Cheng Xiaohui , Dong Caihua , Zhou Yanqiu , Qin Rui , Hua Wei , Liu Shengyi 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
Plant disease resistance (R) genes with the nucleotide binding site (NBS) play an important role in offering resistance to pathogens. The availability of complete genome sequences of Brassica oleracea and Brassica rapa provides an important opportunity for researchers to identify and characterize NBS-encoding R genes in Brassica species and to compare with analogues in Arabidopsis thaliana based on a comparative genomics approach. However, little is known about the evolutionary fate of NBS-encoding genes in the Brassica lineage after split from A. thaliana.

Results
Here we present genome-wide analysis of NBS-encoding genes in B. oleracea, B. rapa and A. thaliana. Through the employment of HMM search and manual curation, we identified 157, 206 and 167 NBS-encoding genes in B. oleracea, B. rapa and A. thaliana genomes, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis among 3 species classified NBS-encoding genes into 6 subgroups. Tandem duplication and whole genome triplication (WGT) analyses revealed that after WGT of the Brassica ancestor, NBS-encoding homologous gene pairs on triplicated regions in Brassica ancestor were deleted or lost quickly, but NBS-encoding genes in Brassica species experienced species-specific gene amplification by tandem duplication after divergence of B. rapa and B. oleracea. Expression profiling of NBS-encoding orthologous gene pairs indicated the differential expression pattern of retained orthologous gene copies in B. oleracea and B. rapa. Furthermore, evolutionary analysis of CNL type NBS-encoding orthologous gene pairs among 3 species suggested that orthologous genes in B. rapa species have undergone stronger negative selection than those in B .oleracea species. But for TNL type, there are no significant differences in the orthologous gene pairs between the two species.

Conclusion
This study is first identification and characterization of NBS-encoding genes in B. rapa and B. oleracea based on whole genome sequences. Through tandem duplication and whole genome triplication analysis in B. oleracea, B. rapa and A. thaliana genomes, our study provides insight into the evolutionary history of NBS-encoding genes after divergence of A. thaliana and the Brassica lineage. These results together with expression pattern analysis of NBS-encoding orthologous genes provide useful resource for functional characterization of these genes and genetic improvement of relevant crops.