bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visualization of the Antegrade Fast and Slow Pathway Inputs in Patients with Slow‐Fast Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia
Authors: SUZUKI ATSUSHI , YOSHIDA AKIHIRO , TAKEI ASUMI , FUKUZAWA KOJI , KIUCHI KUNIHIKO , TANAKA SATOKO , ITOH MITSUAKI , IMAMURA KIMITAKE , FUJIWARA RYUDO , NAKANISHI TOMOYUKI , YAMASHITA SOICHIRO , MATSUMOTO AKINORI , KONISHI HIROKI , ICHIBORI HIROTOSHI , HIRATA KEN‐ICHI 
Published: February 2014

IntroductionMapping of the antegrade fast pathway (A‐FP) exact sites and antegrade slow pathway (A‐SP) input locations has not been well described.MethodsIn 56 patients with slow‐fast atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (SF‐AVNRT), pacing during sinus rhythm and entrainment pacing during SF‐AVNRT were performed at various sites in the triangle of Koch and coronary sinus (CS) to identify the A‐FP and A‐SP inputs. User‐defined three‐dimensional electro‐anatomical mapping of the stimulus‐His potential (St‐H) interval and anatomical location was performed. The A‐FP input was defined as the site of the shortest St‐H interval, and A‐SP input as the site of the shortest St‐H interval and with a postpacing‐interval equal to the tachycardia cycle length. The locations of the A‐FP and A‐SP inputs were mapped as a ratio of the distance between the His bundle (HB) and CS orifice (CSO), and the HB‐CSO axis was divided into three zones: superior‐, mid‐, and inferior septum. The distance between the A‐SP and A‐FP inputs was calculated using the distance from each input to the HB and HB‐CSO axis.ResultsOnly 30 patients were included in this study because the A‐SP mapping failed in 26. The A‐SP input was distributed to the superior septum in four, mid‐ or inferior septum in 25, and CS in one. An A‐SP input which was located less than 10 mm from the A‐FP input was observed in one of four patients with a superior septum A‐SP.ConclusionsAn A‐SP input at the superior septum seemed to be a potential risk for atrioventricular nodal injury during ablation.
Sensitivity of Transesophageal Electrophysiologic Study in Children with Supraventricular Tachycardia on Electrocardiography
Authors: AKIN ALPER , ÖZER SEMA , KARAGÖZ TEVFİK , AYKAN HAYRETTİN HAKAN , GÜLGÜN MUSTAFA , ÖZKUTLU SÜHEYLA , ALEHAN DURSUN , ÇELİKER ALPAY 
Published: February 2014

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the inducibility of tachycardia by transesophageal electrophysiologic study (TEEPS) in patients with documented supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) on electrocardiography and to investigate the accuracy of TEEPS records by comparing with intracardiac electrophysiologic study (IEPS).Material and MethodsThe TEEPS records of patients having documented electrocardiography during SVT were reviewed. The results of TEEPS in 43 of 85 patients were compared with results of IEPS for compatibility of diagnosis.ResultsA total 85 patients, 46 male and 39 female, mean weight 35.1 kg (36–87), aged 1 month–17 years, were included. Tachycardia was induced by TEEPS in 79 of 85 patients with documented electrocardiography (sensitivity 92.9%). IEPS for diagnosis or ablation was conducted in 40 patients having inducible tachycardia and three of six who had no inducible tachycardia by TEEPS. Tachycardia was induced by IEPS in 39 of 40 (97.5%) patients who had inducible tachycardia and two of three who had no inducible tachycardia by TEEPS. Mechanisms of tachycardias were similar in 97.5% of patients (37/39) who had inducible tachycardia in TEEPS and IEPS. One of the patients with atrioventricular reentry tachycardia by TEEPS was diagnosed as atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) and the other one was diagnosed as atypical AVNRT and atrial tachycardia by IEPS.ConclusionThe rates of inducibility and mechanisms of tachycardias by TEEPS in children having documented SVT were similar with those obtained from IEPS.
Effectiveness of Opioid Analgesics in Chronic Noncancer Pain
Authors: Ferrari Renata , Zanolin Maria E. , Duse Genni , Visentin Marco 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundThere is general agreement about the need to perform a screening test to assess the risk of opioid misuse prior to starting a long‐term opioid treatment for chronic noncancer pain. The evidence supporting the effectiveness of opioid long‐term treatment is weak, and no predictors of its usefulness have been assessed.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the effect on pain and quality of life of chronic opioid treatment, and detect the possible predictors of its effectiveness.MethodsThis observational, prospective study was conducted in 2 Italian Pain Relief Units on 77 patients affected by intractable chronic pain. Patients were submitted to psychological tests, investigating the individual pain experience, risk of opioid misuse, mood states, quality of life, and personality characteristics prior to starting treatment and at 2,4, and 6‐month follow‐up.ResultsBoth maximum and habitual pain, as measured with VAS, underwent a statistically significant reduction at 2, 4, and 6‐month follow‐up. In multivariate analysis, lower scores in the Pain Medication Questionnaire (PMQ) were predictive of a major reduction in maximum VAS (P = 0.005). Both low PMQ and MMPI‐cynicism scores were predictive of habitual VAS decrease (P = 0.012 and P = 0.028, respectively).ConclusionThe results indicate that pain relief significantly improved over a 6‐month period of opioid treatment, together with quality of life. The outcome was better in patients with a pretreatment low risk of opioid misuse, low scores in the Cynicism scale of MMPI‐2, and no aberrant drug behaviors at follow‐up. Therefore, a psychological screening and support is crucial for a good outcome of opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain patients.
Characterization of Somatosensory Profiles in Patients with Crohn's Disease
Authors: Münster Tino , Eckl Stefanie , Leis Stefan , Göhring‐Waldeck Gabriele , Ihmsen Harald , Maihöfner Christian 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundCrohn's disease (CD) is a painful chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It primarily affects terminal ileum, but the involvement of large and small intestines or extraintestinal manifestations is very common. CD may go along with neurogenic inflammation, mediated by substance P and CGRP, which are also key players in pain transmission. This may in turn contribute to hyperalgesia and altered somatosensory function in CD.MethodsOne hundred and three (103) patients with CD and 80 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Patient characteristics and disease history were documented. We used quantitative sensory testing (QST) to investigate the somatosensory profile in patients and volunteers. We also calculated z‐scores for the QST results of the patients with CD based on the data of our control group. A 2‐step cluster analysis, using all QST data, was performed to find subgroups within patients and volunteers.ResultsThresholds of warm detection, mechanical pain, and vibration detection did significantly differ between patients with CD and volunteers. Z‐scores indicated a general trend of sensory loss in CD patients with a significant relationship between patients with a sensory loss for cold and warm detection. In the hyposensitive cluster of the CD cohort, patients were more frequently male, had a higher incidence of extraintestinal manifestations, and suffered longer from CD.ConclusionsOur findings are consistent with the presence of a subclinical small fiber neuropathy. The group of CD patients with pronounced neuropathy findings were predominantly males, had a higher incidence of extraintestinal manifestations, and tended to have a longer history of disease duration.
The nuclear protein Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase 3 (AtPARP3) is required for seed storability in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Rissel D. , Losch J. , Peiter E. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe deterioration of seeds during prolonged storage results in a reduction of viability and germination rate. DNA damage is one of the major cellular defects associated with seed deterioration. It is provoked by the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) even in the quiescent state of the desiccated seed. In contrast to other stages of seed life, DNA repair during storage is hindered through the low seed water content; thereby DNA lesions can accumulate. To allow subsequent seedling development, DNA repair has thus to be initiated immediately upon imbibition. Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerases (PARPs) are important components in the DNA damage response in humans. Arabidopsis thaliana contains three homologues to the human HsPARP1 protein. Of these three, only AtPARP3 was very highly expressed in seeds. Histochemical GUS staining of embryos and endosperm layers revealed strong promoter activity of AtPARP3 during all steps of germination. This coincided with high ROS activity and indicated a role of the nuclear‐localised AtPARP3 in DNA repair during germination. Accordingly, stored parp3‐1 mutant seeds lacking AtPARP3 expression displayed a delay in germination as compared to Col‐0 wild‐type seeds. A controlled deterioration test showed that the mutant seeds were hypersensitive to unfavourable storage conditions. The results demonstrate that AtPARP3 is an important component of seed storability and viability.
High‐resolution melting analysis for rapid detection and characterization of Botrytis cinerea phenotypes resistant to fenhexamid and boscalid
Authors: Chatzidimopoulos M. , Ganopoulos I. , Madesis P. , Vellios E. , Tsaftaris A. , Pappas A. C. 
Published: February 2014

A novel, high‐resolution melting (HRM) analysis was developed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with resistance to fenhexamid (hydroxyanilides) and boscalid (succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors) in Botrytis cinerea isolates. Thirty‐six single‐spore isolates arising from 13 phenotypes were selected and tested for fungicide sensitivity. Germ tube elongation assays showed two distinct sensitivity levels for each fungicide. Sequencing revealed that resistance to fenhexamid was due to a nucleotide change in the erg27 gene, resulting in an amino acid replacement of phenylalanine (F) with serine (S) or valine (V) at position 412 of the protein, whereas in isolates resistant to boscalid, a nucleotide change in the sdhB gene resulted in the replacement of histidine (H) with arginine (R) or tyrosine (Y) at position 272 of the respective protein. In each case, melting curve analysis generated three distinct profiles corresponding to the presence of each nucleotide in the targeted areas. HRM analysis successfully detected and differentiated the substitutions associated with resistance to both fungicides. In vitro bioassays, direct sequencing and high‐resolution melting analysis showed a 100% correlation with detection of resistance. The results demonstrate the utility of HRM analysis as a potential molecular tool for routine detection of fungicide resistance using known polymorphic genes of B. cinerea populations.
Cognition and psychopathology in nonagenarians and centenarians living in geriatric nursing homes in Switzerland: a focus on anosognosia
Authors: Mall Jean‐Frédéric , Chouiter Leila , Antonietti Jean‐Philippe , Ebbing Karsten , von Gunten Armin 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe number of nonagenarians and centenarians is rising dramatically, and many of them live in nursing homes. Very little is known about psychiatric symptoms and cognitive abilities other than memory in this population. This exploratory study focuses on anosognosia and its relationship with common psychiatric and cognitive symptoms.MethodsFifty‐eight subjects aged 90 years or older were recruited from geriatric nursing homes and divided into five groups according to Mini‐Mental State Examination scores. Assessment included the five‐word test, executive clock‐drawing task, lexical and categorical fluencies, Anosognosia Questionnaire‐Dementia, Neuropsychiatric Inventory, and Charlson Comorbidity Index.ResultsSubjects had moderate cognitive impairment, with mean ± SD Mini‐Mental State Examination being 15.41 ± 7.04. Anosognosia increased with cognitive impairment and was associated with all cognitive domains, as well as with apathy and agitation. Subjects with mild global cognitive decline seemed less anosognosic than subjects with the least or no impairment. Neither anosognosia nor psychopathological features were related to physical conditions.ConclusionsAnosognosia in oldest‐old nursing home residents was mostly mild. It was associated with both cognitive and psychopathological changes, but whether anosognosia is causal to the observed psychopathological features requires further investigation.
Market Access, Export Performance and Survival: Evidence fromPeruvian Firms
Authors: Fugazza Marco , McLaren Alain 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThis paper explores the effect of market access on firms' export performance and their survival in foreign markets. The data used covers allPeruvian exporting firms between 2002 and 2008, a period during whichPeru was active in joining the global economy. This is done using two indices, one that summarizes the tariffs faced by exporters, the other that measures the preferential margin at the bilateral level. Results show that more than market access conditionsper se, it is market access conditions relative to those faced by competitors that significantly influences export performance and survival. About a fifth of the increase of exports directed to Mercosur countries is due to improvement in preference margins.
Sleep quality, use of hypnotics and sleeping habits in different age‐groups among older people
Authors: Hägg Miriam , Houston Britta , Elmståhl Sölve , Ekström Henrik , Wann‐Hansson Christine 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundSleep disturbances are common among older people (>65 years). Further, long‐term use of sedative‐hypnotics in older people is associated with morbidity and mortality. However, older people represent a large span of life years, and few studies have included the oldest‐old above 85 years.AimTo investigate and compare sleep quality, use of hypnotics and sleeping habits in different age groups of the older population in the Scania region, Sweden and in relation to sociodemographic‐ and functional status.Design and participantsA cross‐sectional population‐based study including 2931 people aged 60–93 years from five different municipalities in Scania was performed during 2001–2004.MethodThe sample was divided into age groups, young‐old (60–72 years), old‐old (78–84 years) and oldest‐old (87–93) years. Data constitutes of sleep related questions, sociodemographic‐ and functional status from the study ‘Good Ageing in Skåne’. Descriptive statistics were used to describe sleep quality, hypnotics use and sleeping habits in relation to sociodemographic‐ and functional status. The aim was to investigate associations, not the magnitude of associations between variables.ResultsIn all age groups, those who used hypnotics and were living alone had significantly poorer sleep quality and shortest sleeping time than nonhypnotic users and those who lived together. A significant increase of hypnotics and frequency of use was seen with increasing age. Frequency of napping increased significantly with degree of dependence in all age groups and with increasing age.ConclusionsInsomnia is still a problem and hypnotic use has not improved sleep for a large number of older people. Hypnotics are effective as short‐term treatment, however, nonpharmacological interventions and psychological and behavioural therapies should be considered for treating older people with chronic insomnia.
Identification of Facilitators and Barriers to Home Dialysis Selection by Canadian Adults with ESRD
Authors: Osterlund Katherine , Mendelssohn David , Clase Catherine , Guyatt Gordon , Nesrallah Gihad 
Published: February 2014

AbstractHome dialysis (home HD or home PD) remains underutilized in most jurisdictions. Physicians, advanced‐practice nurses, and policy makers working with chronic kidney disease populations can provide insights into patient, healthcare professional, and system‐level barriers to home dialysis selection by suitable patients. We used in‐depth interviews, with a purposive sampling strategy until informational redundancy was achieved, to elicit barriers and facilitators to home dialysis selection from thirteen informants. We triangulated these data against qualitative data collected in a related survey of nephrologist attitudes. We used a modified grounded theory approach to construct a taxonomy of barriers and facilitators. Informants included nephrologists (n = 11), an advanced‐practice nurse, and a health administrator with a provincial renal care organization. We constructed separate taxonomies of barriers and related facilitators that were specific to PD, specific to home HD, and common to both. We distinguished between factors favoring, modifiable factors opposing, and nonmodifiable factors opposing home dialysis selection. Several major themes emerged, including: medical factors, home physical environment, psychological and cognitive factors (knowledge, attitudes, coping styles), social factors (supports, lifestyle), dialysis program, local hospital or regional factors (expertise, resources, local culture), healthcare professional‐related factors (knowledge, attitudes, reimbursement), health system‐related factors (funding models), and exogenous factors (late referral, technology). We identified several modifiable practices at the level of patient, healthcare professional, dialysis facility, and healthcare system to increase appropriate use of home dialysis. We discuss potential facilitating factors, knowledge gaps, and priorities for future research, and propose potential applications for this novel taxonomy of determinants of dialysis modality choice.
The influence of materialism and ideal body internalization on body‐dissatisfaction and body‐shaping behaviors of young men and women: Support for the Consumer Culture Impact Model
Authors: Guðnadóttir Unnur , Garðarsdóttir Ragna B. 
Published: February 2014

Exposure to media images of the ‘body‐perfect’ ideal has been partly blamed for the pursuit of thinness among women and muscularity among men. Research has largely overlooked the materialistic messages frequently associated with these images. We present findings from two studies with Icelandic students aged 18–21, one focusing on young women (n = 303) and one on young men (n = 226), which test associations of materialistic and body‐perfect ideals with body dissatisfaction and excessive body shaping behaviors. In both studies, the internalization of materialistic values is strongly linked to the internalization of body‐perfect ideals: the thin‐ideal for young women, and the muscular‐ideal for young men. A materialist value orientation also predicted body dissatisfaction in both studies, and was linked to body shaping behaviors, albeit differently for young women and men. Thus, the research identifies materialism as a further correlate of both body dissatisfaction and excessive body‐shaping behaviors. The findings support Dittmar's () Consumer Culture Impact Model, which proposes that the body‐perfect and ‘material good life’ ideals jointly impact well‐being.
The Impact of Participating in Suicide Research Online
Authors: Gibson Susanne , Boden Zoe V. R. , Benson Outi , Brand Sarah L. 
Published: February 2014

The impact of participation in online mixed‐methods suicide research was investigated. Participants, who described feeling suicidal, completed an 18‐item questionnaire before and after taking part (n = 103), and answered open‐ended questions about participation (n = 97). Overall, participation reduced negative experiences and had no effect on positive experiences. Feelings of calm increased, but participants felt less supported. Some participants did experience distress, but some also reported this distress to be manageable. Anonymously sharing experiences of suicidality was viewed as important, had therapeutic benefits, and engendered hopes for recovery. The findings suggest a need to ensure vulnerable participants in online studies are well supported while protecting their anonymity.
Investigation of the mechanical behaviour of the foot skin
Authors: Fontanella C. G. , Carniel E. L. , Forestiero A. , Natali A. N. 
Published: February 2014

Background/purposeThe aim of this work was to provide computational tools for the characterization of the actual mechanical behaviour of foot skin, accounting for results from experimental testing and histological investigation. Such results show the typical features of skin mechanics, such as anisotropic configuration, almost incompressible behaviour, material and geometrical non linearity. The anisotropic behaviour is mainly determined by the distribution of collagen fibres along specific directions, usually identified as cleavage lines.MethodsTo evaluate the biomechanical response of foot skin, a refined numerical model of the foot is developed. The overall mechanical behaviour of the skin is interpreted by a fibre‐reinforced hyperelastic constitutive model and the orientation of the cleavage lines is implemented by a specific procedure. Numerical analyses that interpret typical loading conditions of the foot are performed. The influence of fibres orientation and distribution on skin mechanics is outlined also by a comparison with results using an isotropic scheme.ResultsA specific constitutive formulation is provided to characterize the mechanical behaviour of foot skin. The formulation is applied within a numerical model of the foot to investigate the skin functionality during typical foot movements. Numerical analyses developed accounting for the actual anisotropic configuration of the skin show lower maximum principal stress fields than results from isotropic analyses.ConclusionThe developed computational models provide reliable tools for the investigation of foot tissues functionality. Furthermore, the comparison between numerical results from anisotropic and isotropic models shows the optimal configuration of foot skin.
The seasonal variation in skin hydration, sebum, scaliness, brightness and elasticity in Korean females
Authors: Nam G. W. , Baek J. H. , Koh J. S. , Hwang J.‐K. 
Published: February 2014

Background/purposeAge, gender, regional, and ethnic differences influence skin conditions. The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of environments, especially the air temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, duration of sunshine, and precipitation on skin, and the seasonal variation in skin hydration, sebum, scales, brightness, and elasticity in Korean females.MethodsThe study included 89 Korean subjects, aged 29.7 ± 6.2 years. The five skin biophysical parameters (skin hydration, sebum, scales, brightness, and elasticity) were measured at six sites: forehead, under the eye, frontal cheek, crow's foot, lateral cheek, and inner forearm. Skin hydration was measured using the Corneometer® CM 825. Skin sebum was measured with Sebumeter® SM 815. Skin scaliness was measured with Visioscan® VC 98. Skin brightness (L* value) was measured by using Spectrophotometer. A suction chamber device, Cutometer® MPA 580, was used to measure the skin elasticity. The measurements were performed every month for 13 months, from April 2007 to April 2008.ResultsThere were significantly seasonal variations in environmental factors. The air temperature was the lowest in January (−1.7°C), and the highest in August (26.5°C). The relative humidity was the lowest in February (46%), and the highest in July and August (75%). There was a negative correlation between skin scaliness and three environmental factors such as air temperature, relative humidity, and highest precipitation. There was a positive correlation between skin scaliness and two environmental factors such as air pressure and duration of sunshine. Elasticity was correlated with air temperature positively and with air pressure negatively.ConclusionThe correlations shown between the skin biophysical parameters and environmental factors demonstrate that the skin biophysical parameters are affected by environmental factors.