bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting In-Hospital Mortality in Acute Type B Aortic Dissection
Authors: Tolenaar Jip L. , Froehlich Whit , Jonker Frederik H.W. , Upchurch Gilbert R. , Rampoldi Vincenzo , Tsai Thomas T. , Bossone Eduardo , Evangelista Arturo , O’Gara Patrick , Pape Linda , Montgomery Dan , Isselbacher Eric M. , Nienaber Christoph A. , Eagle Kim A. , Trimarchi Santi 
Published: September 2014

Background—
The outcome of patients with acute type B aortic dissection (ABAD) is strongly related to their clinical presentation. The purpose of this study was to investigate predictors for mortality among patients presenting with ABAD and to create a predictive model to estimate individual risk of in-hospital mortality using the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD).

Methods and Results—

All patients with ABAD enrolled in IRAD between 1996 and 2013 were included for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to investigate predictors of in-hospital mortality. Significant risk factors for in-hospital death were used to develop a prediction model. A total of 1034 patients with ABAD were included for analysis (673 men; mean age, 63.5±14.0 years), with an overall in-hospital mortality of 10.6%. In multivariable analysis, the following variables at admission were independently associated with increased in-hospital mortality: increasing age (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–1.06;
P
=0.044), hypotension/shock (OR, 6.43; 95% CI, 2.88–18.98;
P
=0.001), periaortic hematoma (OR, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.38–6.78;
P
=0.006), descending diameter ≥5.5 cm (OR, 6.04; 95% CI, 2.87–12.73;
P
<0.001), mesenteric ischemia (OR, 9.03; 95% CI, 3.49–23.38;
P
<0.001), acute renal failure (OR, 3.61; 95% CI, 1.68–7.75;
P
=0.001), and limb ischemia (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.05–8.68;
P
=0.040). Based on these multivariable results, a reliable and simple bedside risk prediction tool was developed.

Conclusions—
We present a simple prediction model using variables that are independently associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with ABAD. Although it needs to be validated in an independent population, this model could be used to assist physicians in their choice of management and for informing patients and their families.
Long-Term Results (≤18 Years) of the Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair Without Annuloplasty in Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: De Bonis Michele , Lapenna Elisabetta , Maisano Francesco , Barili Fabio , La Canna Giovanni , Buzzatti Nicola , Pappalardo Federico , Calabrese Mariachiara , Nisi Teodora , Alfieri Ottavio 
Published: September 2014

Background—
To assess the long-term results of the edge-to-edge mitral repair performed without annuloplasty in degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR).

Methods and Results—

From 1993 to 2002, 61 patients with degenerative MR were treated with an isolated edge-to-edge suture without any annuloplasty. Annuloplasty was omitted in 36 patients because of heavy annular calcification and in 25 for limited annular dilatation. A double-orifice repair was performed in 53 patients and a commissural edge-to-edge in 8. Hospital mortality was 1.6%. Follow-up was 100% complete (mean length, 9.2±4.21 years; median, 9.7; longest, 18.1). Survival at 12 years was 51.3±7.75%. At the last echocardiographic examination, MR ≥3+ was demonstrated in 33 patients (55%). At 12 years, freedom from reoperation was 57.8±7.21% and freedom from recurrence of MR ≥3+ was 43±7.6%. Residual MR >1+ at hospital discharge was identified as a risk factor for recurrence of MR ≥3+ (hazard ratio, 3.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.7–8.2;
P
=0.001). In patients with residual MR ≤1+ immediately after surgery, freedom from MR ≥3+ at 5 and 10 years was 80±6% and 64±7.58%, respectively.

Conclusions—
In degenerative MR, the overall long-term results of the surgical edge-to-edge technique without annuloplasty are not satisfactory. Early optimal competence (residual MR ≤1+) was associated with higher freedom from recurrent severe regurgitation.
Hyperglycemia Inhibits Cardiac Stem Cell–Mediated Cardiac Repair and Angiogenic Capacity
Authors: Molgat André S.D. , Tilokee Everad L. , Rafatian Ghazaleh , Vulesevic Branka , Ruel Marc , Milne Ross , Suuronen Erik J. , Davis Darryl R. 
Published: September 2014

Background—
The impact of diabetes mellitus on the cardiac regenerative potential of cardiac stem cells (CSCs) is unknown yet critical, given that individuals with diabetes mellitus may well require CSC therapy in the future. Using human and murine CSCs from diabetic cardiac tissue, we tested the hypothesis that hyperglycemic conditions impair CSC function.

Methods and Results—

CSCs cultured from the cardiac biopsies of patients with diabetes mellitus (hemoglobin A1c, 10±2%) demonstrated reduced overall cell numbers compared with nondiabetic sourced biopsies (
P
=0.04). When injected into the infarct border zone of immunodeficient mice 1 week after myocardial infarction, CSCs from patients with diabetes mellitus demonstrated reduced cardiac repair compared with nondiabetic patients. Conditioned medium from CSCs of patients with diabetes mellitus displayed a reduced ability to promote in vitro blood vessel formation (
P
=0.02). Similarly, conditioned medium from CSCs cultured from the cardiac biopsies of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice displayed impaired angiogenic capacity (
P
=0.0008). Somatic gene transfer of the methylglyoxal detoxification enzyme, glyoxalase-1, restored the angiogenic capacity of diabetic CSCs (diabetic transgenic versus nondiabetic transgenic;
P
=0.8). Culture of nondiabetic murine cardiac biopsies under high (25 mmol/L) glucose conditions reduced CSC yield (
P
=0.003), impaired angiogenic (
P
=0.02) and chemotactic (
P
=0.003) response, and reduced CSC-mediated cardiac repair (
P
<0.05).

Conclusions—
Diabetes mellitus reduces the ability of CSCs to repair injured myocardium. Both diabetes mellitus and preconditioning CSCs in high glucose attenuated the proangiogenic capacity of CSCs. Increased expression of glyoxalase-1 restored the proangiogenic capacity of diabetic CSCs, suggesting a means of reversing diabetic CSC dysfunction by interfering with the accumulation of reactive dicarbonyls.
Clinical Outcomes After Implantation of a Centrifugal Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device and Concurrent Cardiac Valve Procedures
Authors: Milano Carmelo , Pagani Francis D. , Slaughter Mark S. , Pham Duc Thinh , Hathaway David R. , Jacoski Mary V. , Najarian Kevin B. , Aaronson Keith D. 
Published: September 2014

Background—
Cardiac valve procedures are commonly performed concurrently during implantation of left ventricular assist devices, but the added procedural risk has not been studied in detail.

Methods and Results—

Data from patients receiving the HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device in the ADVANCE bridge to transplant (BTT) trial and continued access protocol were reviewed. Of 382 consecutive patients who completed follow-up between August 2008 and June 2013 (mean time on support 389 days, median 271 days), 262 (68.6%) underwent isolated HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device implantation, 75 (19.6%) a concurrent valve procedure, and 45 (11.8%) concurrent nonvalvular procedures. Of the concurrent valve procedures, 56 were tricuspid, 13 aortic, and 6 mitral. Survival was similar between groups (79% for concurrent valve procedures and 85% for HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device only at 1 year;
P
=0.33). Concurrent valve procedures were also associated with increased unadjusted early right heart failure (RHF). A multivariable analysis for death and RHF (121 total events) identified female sex (odds ratio=2.0 [95% confidence interval, 1.2–3.3;
P
=0.0053]) and preimplant tricuspid regurgitation severity (odds ratio=2.9 [95% confidence interval, 1.8–4.8,
P
<0.0001]) as independent predictors while concurrent tricuspid valve procedures (TVP) were not predictors. Furthermore, patients with significant preimplant tricuspid regurgitation who did not receive a TVP experienced an increased rate of late RHF compared with those who received TVP (0.19 versus 0.05 events per patient-year, respectively;
P
=0.024).

Conclusions—
Compared with HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device alone, survival was equivalent for the concurrent valve procedure group. Tricuspid regurgitation severity was the most important predictor of increased postoperative RHF, and concurrent TVP was not an independent predictor of RHF overall. Concurrent TVP may reduce the rate of late RHF for patients with significant preimplant tricuspid insufficiency.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00751972.
Cross Talk of Combined Gene and Cell Therapy in Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Ong Sang-Ging , Lee Won Hee , Huang Mei , Dey Devaveena , Kodo Kazuki , Sanchez-Freire Veronica , Gold Joseph D. , Wu Joseph C. 
Published: September 2014

Background—
Despite the promise shown by stem cells for restoration of cardiac function after myocardial infarction, the poor survival of transplanted cells has been a major issue. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF1) is a transcription factor that mediates adaptive responses to ischemia. Here, we hypothesize that codelivery of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) with a nonviral minicircle plasmid carrying HIF1 (MC-HIF1) into the ischemic myocardium can improve the survival of transplanted CPCs.

Methods and Results—

After myocardial infarction, CPCs were codelivered intramyocardially into adult NOD/SCID mice with saline, MC-green fluorescent protein, or MC-HIF1 versus MC-HIF1 alone (n=10 per group). Bioluminescence imaging demonstrated better survival when CPCs were codelivered with MC-HIF1. Importantly, echocardiography showed mice injected with CPCs+MC-HIF1 had the highest ejection fraction 6 weeks after myocardial infarction (57.1±2.6%;
P
=0.002) followed by MC-HIF1 alone (48.5±2.6%;
P
=0.04), with no significant protection for CPCs+MC-green fluorescent protein (44.8±3.3%;
P
=NS) when compared with saline control (38.7±3.2%). In vitro mechanistic studies confirmed that cardiac endothelial cells produced exosomes that were actively internalized by recipient CPCs. Exosomes purified from endothelial cells overexpressing HIF1 had higher contents of miR-126 and miR-210. These microRNAs activated prosurvival kinases and induced a glycolytic switch in recipient CPCs, giving them increased tolerance when subjected to in vitro hypoxic stress. Inhibiting both of these miRs blocked the protective effects of the exosomes.

Conclusions—
In summary, HIF1 can be used to modulate the host microenvironment for improving survival of transplanted cells. The exosomal transfer of miRs from host cells to transplanted cells represents a unique mechanism that can be potentially targeted for improving survival of transplanted cells.
Cardiac Tissue Slice Transplantation as a Model to Assess Tissue-Engineered Graft Thickness, Survival, and Function
Authors: Riegler Johannes , Gillich Astrid , Shen Qi , Gold Joseph D. , Wu Joseph C. 
Published: September 2014

Background—
Cell therapies offer the potential to improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction. Although injection of single-cell suspensions has proven safe, cell retention and survival rates are low. Tissue-engineered grafts allow cell delivery with minimal initial cell loss and mechanical support to the heart. However, graft performance cannot be easily compared, and optimal construct thickness, vascularization, and survival kinetics are unknown.

Methods and Results—

Cardiac tissue slices (CTS) were generated by sectioning mouse hearts (n=40) expressing firefly luciferase and green fluorescent protein into slices of defined size and thickness using a vibrating blade microtome. Bioluminescence imaging of CTS transplanted onto hearts of immunodeficient mice demonstrated survival of ≤30% of transplanted cells. Cardiac slice perfusion was re-established within 3 days, likely through anastomosis of pre-existing vessels with the host vasculature and invasion of vessels from the host. Immunofluorescence showed a peak in cell death 3 days after transplantation and a gradual decline thereafter. MRI revealed preservation of contractile function and an improved ejection fraction 1 month after transplantation of CTS (28±2% CTS versus 22±2% control;
P
=0.05). Importantly, this effect was specific to CTS because transplantation of skeletal muscle tissue slices led to faster dilative remodeling and higher animal mortality.

Conclusions—
In summary, this is the first study to use CTS as a benchmark to validate and model tissue-engineered graft studies. CTS transplantation improved cell survival, established reperfusion, and enhanced cardiac function after myocardial infarction. These findings also confirm that dilative remodeling can be attenuated by topical transplantation of CTS but not skeletal muscle tissue grafts.
Validation of the taxon Ixodes aragaoi Fonseca (Acari: Ixodidae) based on morphological and molecular data
Authors: ONOFRIO VALERIA C. , RAMIREZ DIEGO G. , GIOVANNI DALTON N. S. , MARCILI ARLEI , MANGOLD ATILIO J. , VENZAL JOSÉ M. , MENDONÇA RONALDO Z. , LABRUNA MARCELO B. , BARROS-BATTESTI DARCI M. 
Published: September 2014

The species Ixodes aragaoi Fonseca was described as Ixodes ricinus aragaoi, and later placed in synonymy with Ixodes affinis. However, this synonymy was rejected and the subspecies was elevated to species, and named as I. aragaoi. Some researchers did not consider the validity of I. aragaoi and maintained the synonymy proposed until 1998 when I. aragaoi was revalidated, and it was suggested that Ixodes pararicinus could be a synonym. The aim of this study was to confirm the taxonomic validity of I. aragaoi by means of redescription of adults and molecular analysis. Morphological studies were performed by optical and scanning electron microscopy; types of I. aragaoi were compared with those of I. pararicinus from Argentina, and also with material of I. pararicinus from Uruguay and I. affinis from the United States. Mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences were obtained for determining phylogenetic relationships based on maximum parsimony. Morphological and molecular differences between I. aragaoi, I. pararicinus from Argentina, and I. affinis confirm the validity of the first each of these species. The morphological similarities of I. pararicinus from Uruguay with I. aragaoi, and the small distance of nucleotide sequences between them, confirm that the Uruguayan ticks are in fact I. aragaoi and expand the geographical distribution of this species. Based on the specimens of Ixodes examined in the present study, from the same locality of the types of I. ricinus rochensis in Uruguay, we agree with the synonymy of this subspecies with I. aragaoi as previously reported. Finally, our analyses indicate that both I. aragaoi and Ixodes fuscipes, another South American tick species, belong to the I. ricinus complex, currently composed of 19 species.
Two Modes of Change of the Distribution of Rain*
Authors: Pendergrass Angeline G. , Hartmann Dennis L. 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
The frequency and intensity of rainfall determine its character and may change with climate. A methodology for characterizing the frequency and amount of rainfall as functions of the rain rate is developed. Two modes of response are defined, one in which the distribution of rainfall increases in equal fraction at all rain rates and one in which the rainfall shifts to higher or lower rain rates without a change in mean rainfall.
This description of change is applied to the tropical distribution of daily rainfall over ENSO phases in models and observations. The description fits observations and most models well, although some models also have an extreme mode in which the frequency increases at extremely high rain rates. The multimodel mean from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) agrees with observations in showing a very large shift of 14%–15% K−1, indicating large increases in the heaviest rain rates associated with El Niño. Models with an extreme mode response to global warming do not agree as well with observations of the rainfall response to El Niño.
Changes in the Distribution of Rain Frequency and Intensity in Response to Global Warming*
Authors: Pendergrass Angeline G. , Hartmann Dennis L. 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Changes in the frequency and intensity of rainfall are an important potential impact of climate change. Two modes of change, a shift and an increase, are applied to simulations of global warming with models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). The response to CO2 doubling in the multimodel mean of CMIP5 daily rainfall is characterized by an increase of 1% K−1 at all rain rates and a shift to higher rain rates of 3.3% K−1. In addition to these increase and shift modes of change, some models also show a substantial increase in rainfall at the highest rain rates called the extreme mode of response to warming. In some models, this extreme mode can be shown to be associated with increases in grid-scale condensation or gridpoint storms.
A New Cloud Screening Algorithm for Ground-Based Direct-Beam Solar Radiation
Authors: Chen Maosi , Davis John , Gao Wei 
Published: September 2014

AbstractCloud screening of direct-beam solar radiation is an essential step for in situ calibration and atmospheric properties retrieval. The internal cloud screening module of a Langley analysis program [Langley Analyzer (LA)] used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) UV-B Monitoring and Research Program (UVMRP) is used for screening the uncalibrated direct-beam measurements and for deriving Langley offset voltages for calibration of the UV version of the Multifilter Rotating Shadowband Radiometer (UV-MFRSR). The current LA cloud screening module utilizes data from extended clear-sky periods and tends to ignore shorter periods that typify periods of broken cloudiness, and as a result, fewer values are generated for sites with higher frequencies of cloudy days (cloudy sites). A new cloud screening algorithm is presented that calculates the total optical depth (TOD) difference between a target point and pairs of points, and identifies the target as cloudy if the mean TOD difference exceeds a certain threshold. The screening is an iterative process that finishes when no new cloudy points are found. The result at a typical clear/sunny site shows that values from partly cloudy days are consistent with those from cloud-free days, when the new method is employed. The new cloud screening algorithm picks up significantly more values at cloudy sites. The larger decrease of the annual mean value of at cloudy sites than at relatively clear sites suggests the potential for improving calibration accuracy at cloudy sites. The results also show that the new cloud screening method is capable of detecting clear points in short clear windows and in transitional regions.
Gate leakage current induced trapping in AlGaN/GaN Schottky-gate HFETs and MISHFETs
Authors: Liao Wen-Chia , Chen Yan-Lun , Chen Zheng-Xing , Chyi Jen-Inn , Hsin Yue-Ming 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
This study examined the correlation between the off-state leakage current and dynamic on-resistance (RON) transients in AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors (HFETs) with and without a gate insulator under various stress conditions. The RON transients in a Schottky-gate HFET (SGHFET) and metal-insulator-semiconductor HFET (MISHFET) were observed after applying various amounts of drain-source bias stress. The gate insulator in the MISHFET effectively reduced the electron injection from the gate, thereby mitigating the degradation in dynamic switching performance. However, at relaxation times exceeding 10 ms, additional detrapping occurred in both the SGHFET and MISHFET when the applied stress exceeded a critical voltage level, 50 V for the SGHFET and 60 V for MISHFET, resulting in resistive leakage current build-up and the formation of hot carriers. These high-energy carriers acted as ionized traps in the channel or buffer layers, which subsequently caused additional trapping and detrapping to occur in both HFETs during the dynamic switching test conducted.
Detecting documents forged by printing and copying
Authors: Shang Shize , Memon Nasir , Kong Xiangwei 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
This paper describes a method to distinguish documents produced by laser printers, inkjet printers, and electrostatic copiers, three commonly used document creation devices. The proposed approach can distinguish between documents produced by these sources based on features extracted from the characters in the documents. Hence, it can also be used to detect tampered documents produced by a mixture of these sources. We analyze the characteristics associated with laser/inkjet printers and electrostatic copiers and determine the signatures created by the different physical and technical processes involved in each type of printing. Based on the analysis of these signatures, we computed the features of noise energy, contour roughness, and average gradient. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to distinguish documents produced by laser printer, inkjet printer, and copier based on features extracted from individual characters in the documents. Experimental results show that this method has an average accuracy of 90% and works with JPEG compression.
Component resolved diagnosis: when should it be used?
Authors: Luengo Olga , Cardona Victòria 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe knowledge on molecular allergy diagnosis is continuously evolving. It is now time for the clinician to integrate this knowledge and use it when needed to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and thus provide more precise therapeutic and avoidance measures. This review does not intend to comprehensively analyze all the available allergen molecules, but to provide some practical clues on use and interpretation of molecular allergy diagnosis. The potential role of component resolved diagnosis in circumstances such as the indication of allergen immunotherapy, pollen polysensitization, food allergy, latex allergy or anaphylaxis, is assessed. Interpreting the information provided by molecular allergy diagnosis needs a structured approach. It is necessary to evaluate single positivities and negativities, but also to appraise “the big picture” with perspective.