bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of Inappropriate Defibrillator Therapy in a Modern Cohort of Remotely Monitored Patients
Authors: SHAH HEMAL , MEZU URE , PATEL DIVYANG , FLANIGAN SUSAN , HREYBE HAITHAM , ADELSTEIN EVAN , JAIN SANDEEP , LANG VOLKER , SABA SAMIR 
Published: February 2013

IntroductionDefibrillator (ICD) technology and monitoring are evolving rapidly. We investigated the mechanisms of inappropriate ICD therapies in a modern cohort of patients followed at our institution via remote monitoring.MethodsFrom September 2009 to March 2011, a total of 2,050 ICD patients (19,600 patient‐months) were remotely followed. All events (shocks and antitachycardia pacing) were adjudicated by arrhythmia specialists.ResultsA total of 249 patients received ICD therapy (34% inappropriate therapy). Inappropriate ICD shocks affected 33 (1.6%) patients. There were a total of 249 inappropriate episodes in 85 patients. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with 1:1 atrioventricular association was the predominant mechanism accounting for 133 episodes in 50 patients, followed by atrial fibrillation (97 episodes in 27 patients). T‐wave oversensing (16 episodes in five patients), electromagnetic interference (two episodes in two patients), and ectopic beats (one episode in one patient) accounted for a small proportion of events. There were 35 arrhythmic episodes in five patients that could not be classified, all in patients with single‐chamber devices. There were no differences in these results by device manufacturer.ConclusionsDespite many technological advances, inappropriate ICD shocks still occur but at very low rates and SVT with 1:1 atrioventricular association represents their most common mechanism.
The Efficacy of Amiodarone‐Propranolol Combination for the Management of Childhood Arrhythmias
Authors: AKIN ALPER , KARAGÖZ TEVFIK , AYKAN HAYRETTIN HAKAN , ÖZER SEMA , ALEHAN DURSUN , ÖZKUTLU SÜHEYLA 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to present our data regarding the efficacy and safety of combining amiodarone and propranolol for the management of arrhythmias in infants.MethodsChildren aged between 0 and 18 years who received combination therapy with amiodarone and propranolol for persistent monotherapy resistance tachyarrhythmia between 2007 and 2011 were included in the study. Treatment efficacy and adverse effects were evaluated by review of clinical signs and symptoms, 12‐lead electrocardiogram, 24‐hour Holter monitorization, liver enzymes, thyroid function tests, chest x‐ray, and ophthalmologic examination.ResultsA total of 25 patients (15 male and 10 female) were enrolled in this study with a mean age of 17.9 months (0–132) and a mean weight of 8.65 kg (2.2–25). In 18 patients, treatment was started before their first age. Tachyarrhythmia persisted in two patients despite combination therapy, and treatment regimen was changed. Complete control of the arrhythmia was achieved within the first 2 months of combination treatment in 20 patients, whereas in the remaining three patients short attacks of tachycardia who responded to dose increases were controlled beyond 2 months of treatment and no recurrence were observed. Overall, success of amiodarone‐propranolol combination treatment was 92%. Mild elevation in thyroid‐stimulating hormone level was observed in one patient that required discontinuation of treatment.ConclusionOur results suggest that a combination of amiodarone and propranolol is an effective and safe option for the treatment of persistent arrhythmias in neonates and infants, and may serve as a bridge to ablation therapy in older children.
Spontaneous Return of Biodiversity in Restored Subtropical Thicket: Portulacaria afra as an Ecosystem Engineer
Authors: van der Vyver Marius L. , Cowling Richard M. , Mills Anthony J. , Difford Mark 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAn accepted criterion for measuring the success of ecosystem restoration is the return of biodiversity relative to intact reference ecosystems. The emerging global carbon economy has made landscape‐scale restoration of severely degraded Portulacaria afra (spekboom)‐dominated subtropical thicket, by planting multiple rows of spekboom truncheons, a viable land‐use option. Although large amounts of carbon are sequestered when planting a monoculture of spekboom, it is unknown whether this is associated with the return of other thicket biodiversity components. We used available carbon stock data from degraded, restored, and intact stands at one site, and sampled carbon stocks at restored stands at another site in the same plant community. We also sampled plant community composition at both sites. The total carbon stock of the oldest (50 years) post‐restoration stand (250.8 ± 14 t C ha−1) approximated that of intact stands (245 t C ha−1) and we observed a general increase in carbon content with restoration age (71.4 ± 24 t C ha−1 after 35 and 167.9 ± 20 t C ha−1 after 50 years). A multiple correspondence analysis separated degraded stands from stands under restoration based on ground cover, floristic composition, and total carbon stock. Older post‐restoration and intact stands were clustered according to woody canopy recruit abundance. Our results suggest that spekboom is an ecosystem engineer that promotes spontaneous return of canopy species and other components of thicket biodiversity. The spekboom canopy creates a cooler micro‐climate and a dense litter layer, both likely to favor the recruitment of other canopy species.
Microhabitat Preference of Egernia napoleonis in Undisturbed Jarrah Forest, and Availability and Introduction of Microhabitats to Encourage Colonization of Restored Forest
Authors: Christie Kimberley , Stokes Vicki L. , Craig Michael D. , Hobbs Richard J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAn animal's microhabitat requirements can impact its ability to colonize restored areas, particularly species requiring slow developing microhabitats, such as logs and woody debris piles. Introduction of these microhabitats may be required to facilitate colonization by some species. Restored bauxite mine‐pits in the Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest of south‐western Australia contain introduced log piles at densities of 1 ha−1. However, these have not facilitated colonization by Napoleon's skink (Egernia napoleonis), which rely on logs for habitat and are largely absent from restored sites. We radio‐tracked 12 skinks in unmined forest to determine their microhabitat preferences and examined differences in vegetation structure, and microhabitat and food availability, between restored and unmined forests to identify reasons for their absence. Restored and unmined forests differed in canopy, mid‐ and understory cover and ground substrates, which were all potential barriers to colonization. Food availability was similar between restored and unmined forest, thus not a barrier to colonization. Skinks primarily utilized long logs, large woody debris piles, and large trees; microhabitats that were scarce or absent in restored sites and, therefore, potential barriers to colonization. Using this information, we introduced small woody debris piles into restored sites in close proximity to unmined areas containing skinks to facilitate skink colonization. This showed early signs of success and suggested that the lack of logs and woody debris were barriers to colonization. However, further monitoring is required to accurately determine the long‐term value of woody debris piles in facilitating skink colonization.
Quartzite development in early Palaeozoic nearshore marine environments
Authors: Went David J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractQuartzites are especially characteristic of Proterozoic and Cambro‐Ordovician shallow marine strata, whereas equivalent age fluvial deposits are commonly arkosic. The absence of land vegetation in the pre‐Silurian influenced weathering processes and styles of fluvial deposition. It may also have had an impact on shallow marine sedimentation. Two field studies from the English Channel region are presented to investigate the processes leading to quartzite formation. On Alderney, nearshore marine and fluvial facies occur interbedded on a metre scale and are interpreted to represent deposition on the lower reaches of an alluvial plain, and in beach and upper shoreface environments. The marine and fluvial sandstones display marked differences in textural and mineralogical maturity, pointing to a process of sediment maturation by the destruction of feldspar and labile grains at the shoreline. At Erquy, fully mature, marine quartzites occur bounded above and below by alluvial deposits via sharp or erosional surfaces, and are interpreted to represent high energy, storm and tidally influenced lower shoreface and inner shelf deposits. A model for quartzite development is proposed where, under a cool climate, frequent storms in un‐vegetated, tectonically rejuvenated uplands provided an abundance of arkosic sand to fluvial basins and clastic shorelines. The model proposes that the marine basins were subject to high wave energies, frequent storm events and tidal currents. These were conditions conducive to transforming arkosic sand to quartz‐rich sand by the attrition of feldspar at the shoreline and in the shallow marine environment. On sediment burial, further feldspar destruction occurred during diagenesis. The proposed model highlights the potential for a step change in sediment maturity to occur at the shoreline in early Palaeozoic depositional systems tracts.
The influence of different types of urban land use on soil microbial biomass and functional diversity in Beijing, China
Authors: Zhao D. , Li F. , Yang Q. , Wang R. , Song Y. , Tao Y. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractSoil microbes in urban ecosystems are affected by a variety of abiotic and biotic factors resulting from changes in land use. However, the influence of different types of land use on soil microbial properties and soil quality in urban areas remains largely unknown. Here, by comparing five types of land use: natural forest, park, agriculture, street green and roadside trees, we examined the effects of different land uses on soil microbial biomass and microbial functional diversity in Beijing, China. We found that soil properties varied with land uses in urban environments. Compared to natural forest, soil nutrients under the other four types of urban land use were markedly depleted, and accumulation of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd was apparent. Importantly, under these four types of land use, there was less microbial biomass, but it had greater functional diversity, particularly in the roadside‐tree soils. Furthermore, there were significant correlations between the microbial characteristics and physicochemical properties, such as organic matter, total nitrogen and total phosphorus (P < 0.05), suggesting that lack of nutrients was the major reason for the decrease in microbial biomass. In addition, the larger C/N ratio, Ni concentration and pool of organic matter together with a higher pH contributed to the increase in microbial functional diversity in urban soils. We concluded that different land uses have indirect effects on soil microbial biomass and microbial community functional diversity through their influence on soil physicochemical properties, especially nutrient availability and heavy metal content.
Wound blotting: A convenient biochemical assessment tool for protein components in exudate of chronic wounds
Authors: Minematsu Takeo , Nakagami Gojiro , Yamamoto Yuko , Kanazawa Toshiki , Huang Lijuan , Koyanagi Hiroe , Sasaki Sanae , Uchida Gentaro , Fujita Hideki , Haga Nobuhiko , Yoshimura Kotaro , Nagase Takashi , Sanada Hiromi 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBecause wound exudate includes secreted proteins that affect wound healing, its biochemical analysis is useful for objective assessment of chronic wounds. Wound blotting allows for collection of fresh exudate by attaching a nitrocellulose membrane onto the wound surface. To determine its applicability for several analysis methods and its executability in clinical wound assessment, this study comprised an animal experiment and clinical case reports. In the animal experiment, full‐thickness wounds were created on the dorsal skin of mice, and exudate samples were collected daily by a conventional method and by wound blotting. Extremely small but adequate volumes of exudate were collected by wound blotting for subsequent analysis in the animal experiments. Immunostaining showed the concentration and distribution of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α. The activity of alkaline phosphatase was visualized by reaction with chemiluminescent substrate. The TNF distribution analysis indicated three different patterns: wound edge distribution, wound bed distribution, and a mostly negative pattern in both the animal and clinical studies, suggesting association between the TNF distribution pattern and wound healing. Our results indicate that wound blotting is a convenient method for biochemical analysis of exudate and a candidate tool with which to predict the healing/deterioration of chronic ulcers.
Randomized controlled trial on collagen/oxidized regenerated cellulose/silver treatment
Authors: Gottrup Finn , Cullen Breda Mary , Karlsmark Tonny , Bischoff‐Mikkelsen Morten , Nisbet Lorraine , Gibson Molly Camilla 
Published: February 2013

AbstractCollagen/oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC)/silver therapy has been designed to facilitate wound healing by normalizing the microenvironment and correcting biochemical imbalances in chronic wounds. The aim of this study was to compare collagen/ORC/silver therapy to control (standard treatment). Patients with diabetic foot ulcers were randomized to either collagen/ORC/silver (24) or control treatment (15). Wound area measurements and wound fluid samples were taken weekly. Protease levels were measured in wound fluid samples to investigate differences between responders (≥50% reduction in wound area by week 4) and nonresponders (<50% reduction in wound area by week 4). There were significantly more responders in the collagen/ORC/silver group compared with the control group (79% vs. 43%, p = 0.035). There were significantly fewer withdrawals from the study because of infection in the collagen/ORC/silver group compared with the control group (0% vs. 31%, p = 0.012). The sum of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 and elastase concentration was higher in nonresponders compared with responders at baseline (p = 0.0705) and week 4 (p = 0.012). The results suggest that collagen/ORC/silver normalizes the wound microenvironment and protects against infection, resulting in improved wound healing. It was also demonstrated that measuring a combination of proteases may be a more relevant prognostic healing marker than any individual protease alone.
Transgenic mice overexpressing CD109 in the epidermis display decreased inflammation and granulation tissue and improved collagen architecture during wound healing
Authors: Vorstenbosch Joshua , Gallant‐Behm Corrie , Trzeciak Alissa , Roy Stéphane , Mustoe Thomas , Philip Anie 
Published: February 2013

AbstractTransforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) is a multifunctional growth factor involved in all aspects of wound healing. TGF‐β accelerates wound healing, but an excess of its presence at the wound site has been implicated in pathological scar formation. Our group has recently identified CD109, a glycophosphatidylinositol‐anchored protein, as a novel TGF‐β coreceptor and inhibitor of TGF‐β signaling in vitro. To determine the effects of CD109 in vivo on wound healing, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing CD109 in the epidermis. In excisional wounds, we show that CD109 transgenic mice display markedly reduced macrophage and neutrophil recruitment, granulation tissue area, and decreased Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation, whereas wound closure remains unaffected as compared with wild‐type littermates. Futhermore, we demonstrate that the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin‐1α and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, and extracellular matrix components is markedly decreased during wound healing in CD109 transgenic mice. In incisional wounds, CD109 transgenic mice show improved dermal architecture, whereas the tensile strength of the wound remains unchanged. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that CD109 overexpression in the epidermis reduces inflammation and granulation tissue area and improves collagen organization in vivo.
The feasibility of a piecewise‐linear dynamic bowtie filter
Authors: Hsieh Scott S. , Pelc Norbert J. 
Published: February 2013

Purpose:The prepatient attenuator (or “bowtie filter”) in CT is used to modulate the flux as a function of fan angle of the x‐ray beam incident on the patient. Traditional, static bowtie filters are tailored only for very generic scans and for the average patient. The authors propose a design for a dynamic bowtie that can produce a time‐dependent piecewise‐linear attenuation profile. This dynamic bowtie may reduce dynamic range, dose or scatter, but in this work they focus on its ability to reduce dynamic range, which may be particularly important for systems employing photon‐counting detectors.Methods:The dynamic bowtie is composed of a set of triangular wedges. Each wedge is independently moved in order to produce a time‐dependent piecewise‐linear attenuation profile. Simulations of the bowtie are conducted to estimate the dynamic range reduction in six clinical datasets. The control of the dynamic bowtie is determined by solving a convex optimization problem, and the dose is estimated using Monte Carlo techniques. Beam hardening artifacts are also simulated.Results:The dynamic range is reduced by factors ranging from 2.4 to 27 depending on the part of the body studied. With a dynamic range minimization objective, the dose to the patient can be reduced from 6% to 33% while maintaining peak image noise. Further reduction in dose may be possible with a specific dose reduction objective. Beam hardening artifacts are suppressed with a two‐pass algorithm.Conclusions:A dynamic bowtie producing a time‐dependent, piecewise‐linear attenuation profile is possible and can be used to modulate the flux of the scanner to the imaging task. Initial simulations show a large reduction in dynamic range. Several other applications are possible.
A TCP model for external beam treatment of intermediate‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Walsh Seán , van der Putten Wil 
Published: February 2013

Purpose:Biological models offer the ability to predict clinical outcomes. The authors describe a model to predict the clinical response of intermediate‐risk prostate cancer to external beam radiotherapy for a variety of fractionation regimes.Methods:A fully heterogeneous population averaged tumor control probability model was fit to clinical outcome data for hyper, standard, and hypofractionated treatments. The tumor control probability model was then employed to predict the clinical outcome of extreme hypofractionation regimes, as utilized in stereotactic body radiotherapy.Results:The tumor control probability model achieves an excellent level of fit, R2 value of 0.93 and a root mean squared error of 1.31%, to the clinical outcome data for hyper, standard, and hypofractionated treatments using realistic values for biological input parameters. Residuals ⩽1.0% are produced by the tumor control probability model when compared to clinical outcome data for stereotactic body radiotherapy.Conclusions:The authors conclude that this tumor control probability model, used with the optimized radiosensitivity values obtained from the fit, is an appropriate mechanistic model for the analysis and evaluation of external beam RT plans with regard to tumor control for these clinical conditions.
Cross-Shelf Dynamics in a Western Boundary Current Regime: Implications for Upwelling
Authors: Schaeffer Amandine , Roughan Moninya , Morris Bradley D. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The cross-shelf dynamics up- and downstream of the separation of the South Pacific Ocean’s Western Boundary Current (WBC) are studied using two years of high-resolution velocity and temperature measurements from mooring arrays. The shelf circulation is dominated by the East Australian Current (EAC) and its eddy field, with mean poleward depth-integrated magnitudes on the shelf break of 0.35 and 0.15 m s−1 up- and downstream of the separation point, respectively. The high cross-shelf variability is analyzed though a momentum budget, showing a dominant geostrophic balance at both locations. Among the secondary midshelf terms, the bottom stress influence is higher upstream of the separation point while the wind stress is dominant downstream. This study investigates the response of the velocity and temperature cross-shelf structure to both wind and EAC intrusions. Despite the deep water (up to 140 m), the response to a dominant along-shelf wind stress forcing is a classic two-layer Ekman structure. During weak winds, the shelf encroachment of the southward current drives an onshore Ekman flow in the bottom boundary layer. Both the bottom velocity and the resultant bottom cross-shelf temperature gradient are proportional to the magnitude of the encroaching current, with similar linear regressions up- and downstream of the WBC separation. The upwelled water is then subducted below the EAC upstream of the separation point. Such current-driven upwelling is shown to be the dominant driver of cold water uplift in the EAC-dominated region, with significant impacts expected on nutrient enrichment and thus on biological productivity.
Seasonal Forecasting in the Pacific Using the Coupled Model POAMA-2
Authors: Cottrill Andrew , Hendon Harry H. , Lim Eun-Pa , Langford Sally , Shelton Kay , Charles Andrew , McClymont David , Jones David , Kuleshov Yuriy 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The development of a dynamical model seasonal prediction service for island nations in the tropical South Pacific is described. The forecast model is the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's Predictive Ocean–Atmosphere Model for Australia (POAMA), a dynamical seasonal forecast system. Using a hindcast set for the period 1982–2006, POAMA is shown to provide skillful forecasts of El Niño and La Niña many months in advance and, because the model faithfully simulates the spatial and temporal variability of rainfall associated with displacements of the southern Pacific convergence zone (SPCZ) and ITCZ during La Niña and El Niño, it also provides good predictions of rainfall throughout the tropical Pacific region. The availability of seasonal forecasts from POAMA should be beneficial to Pacific island countries for the production of regional climate outlooks across the region.