bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of Genetic Markers for Treatment Success in Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Schmitz Boris , De Maria Renata , Gatsios Dimitris , Chrysanthakopoulou Theodora , Landolina Maurizio , Gasparini Maurizio , Campolo Jonica , Parolini Marina , Sanzo Antonio , Galimberti Paola , Bianchi Michele , Lenders Malte , Brand Eva , Parodi Oberdan , Lunati Maurizio , Brand Stefan-Martin 
Published: September 2014

Background—
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) can improve ventricular size, shape, and mass and reduce mitral regurgitation by reverse remodeling of the failing ventricle. About 30% of patients do not respond to this therapy for unknown reasons. In this study, we aimed at the identification and classification of CRT responder by the use of genetic variants and clinical parameters.

Methods and Results—

Of 1421 CRT patients, 207 subjects were consecutively selected, and CRT responder and nonresponder were matched for their baseline parameters before CRT. Treatment success of CRT was defined as a decrease in left ventricular end-systolic volume >15% at follow-up echocardiography compared with left ventricular end-systolic volume at baseline. All other changes classified the patient as CRT nonresponder. A genetic association study was performed, which identified 4 genetic variants to be associated with the CRT responder phenotype at the allelic (
P
<0.035) and genotypic (
P
<0.031) level: rs3766031 (
ATPIB1
), rs5443 (
GNB3
), rs5522 (
NR3C2
), and rs7325635 (
TNFSF11
). Machine learning algorithms were used for the classification of CRT patients into responder and nonresponder status, including combinations of the identified genetic variants and clinical parameters.

Conclusions—

We demonstrated that rule induction algorithms can successfully be applied for the classification of heart failure patients in CRT responder and nonresponder status using clinical and genetic parameters. Our analysis included information on alleles and genotypes of 4 genetic loci, rs3766031 (
ATPIB1
), rs5443 (
GNB3
), rs5522 (
NR3C2
), and rs7325635 (
TNFSF11
), pathophysiologically associated with remodeling of the failing ventricle.
Gain-of-Function Mutation of the
SCN5A
Gene Causes Exercise-Induced Polymorphic Ventricular Arrhythmias
Authors: Swan Heikki , Amarouch Mohamed Yassine , Leinonen Jaakko , Marjamaa Annukka , Kucera Jan P. , Laitinen-Forsblom Päivi J. , Lahtinen Annukka M. , Palotie Aarno , Kontula Kimmo , Toivonen Lauri , Abriel Hugues , Widen Elisabeth 
Published: September 2014

Background—
Over the past 15 years, a myriad of mutations in genes encoding cardiac ion channels and ion channel interacting proteins have been linked to a long list of inherited atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. The purpose of this study was to identify the genetic and functional determinants underlying exercise-induced polymorphic ventricular arrhythmia present in a large multigenerational family.

Methods and Results—

A large 4-generation family presenting with exercise-induced polymorphic ventricular arrhythmia, which was followed for 10 years, was clinically characterized. A novel
SCN5A
mutation was identified via whole exome sequencing and further functionally evaluated by patch-clamp studies using human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Of 37 living family members, a total of 13 individuals demonstrated ≥50 multiformic premature ventricular complexes or ventricular tachycardia upon exercise stress tests when sinus rate exceeded 99±17 beats per minute. Sudden cardiac arrest occurred in 1 individual during follow-up. Exome sequencing identified a novel missense mutation (p.I141V) in a highly conserved region of the
SCN5A
gene, encoding the Na
v
1.5 sodium channel protein that cosegregated with the arrhythmia phenotype. The mutation p.I141V shifted the activation curve toward more negative potentials and increased the window current, whereas action potential simulations suggested that it lowered the excitability threshold of cardiac cells.

Conclusions—

Gain-of-function of Na
v
1.5 may cause familial forms of exercise-induced polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias.
Training At-Risk Youth to Become Diabetes Self-management Coaches for Family Members
Authors: Gefter Liana , Rosas Lisa G. , Rodriguez Eunice , Morioka-Douglas Nancy 
Published: September 2014

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of a school-based health program in which family medicine residents trained healthy at-risk adolescents to become diabetes self-management coaches for family members with diabetes. Methods A mixed methods study included 97 adolescents from 3 San Francisco Bay Area high schools serving primarily ethnic minority youth of low socioeconomic status. Physicians came to schools once a week for 8 weeks and trained 49 adolescents to become coaches. Student coaches and 48 nonparticipant students completed pre- and posttest intervention questionnaires, and 15 student coaches and 9 family members with diabetes gave in-depth interviews after participation. Linear regression was used to determine differences in knowledge and psychosocial assets on pre- and posttests between student coaches and nonparticipant students, and NVIVO was used to analyze interview transcripts. Results After controlling for initial score, sex, grade, and ethnicity, student coaches improved from pre- to posttest significantly compared to nonparticipants on knowledge, belonging, and worth scales. Student coaches reported high satisfaction with the program. Articulated program benefits included improvement in diet, increased physical activity, and improved relationship between student coach and family member. Conclusions Overall, this program can increase diabetes knowledge and psychosocial assets of at-risk youth, and it holds promise to promote positive health behaviors among at-risk youth and their families.
Anatomy of the Hunter’s canal and its role in the venous outlet syndrome of the lower limb
Authors: Uhl JF , Gillot C 
Published: September 2014

Background The “Adductor canal syndrome” has been described as an unusual cause of acute arterial occlusion inside the Hunter’s canal in young sportsmen. It may also produce a compressive neuropathy of the saphenous nerve. To our knowledge, femoral vein compression in the canal has never been reported. Objective To describe the anatomy, to propose a physiology of this canal, and to show that the femoral vein is much more exposed than the artery to compression inside this adductor hiatus, particularly at the outlet. Material and methods The whole adductor canal was exposed in 100 limbs for anatomical study following latex injection. A series of 200 phlebographies and 100 CT venograms were also analyzed. Results Anatomically, we found a musculotendinous band called the “vastoadductor membrane,” which jointed the adductor tendon to the vastus medialis in all the cases. The femoral vein, located more posteriorly, was frequently narrowed at this level. This band can create a notch with a venous stenosis at the outlet of the Hunter’s canal, usually located 12–14 cm above the femoral condyle. Two femoral valves constitute the landmark of the canal on the venograms: the lower is just below the outlet, 9 cm above the condyle. The second valve is 3 cm higher inside the canal. Functionally, the cadaveric simulations showed that the contraction of the adductor longus closes the hiatus, while the adductor magnus opens it. Our hypothesis is that Hunter’s canal prevents femoropopliteal axis reflux by synchronizing with calf pump ejection during ambulation. Conclusion Compression of the femoral vein inside the adductor’s canal is an underestimated and misdiagnosed cause of postural stenosis of the femoral vein. Ultrasound investigation of both limbs in patients with chronic venous disease (CVD) should be systematically carried out at this precise level in order to prevent future occlusion and onset of acute deep vein thrombosis.
Evaluation of bone repair of critical size defects treated with simvastatin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres in rat calvaria
Authors: Ferreira Lorraine B , Bradaschia-Correa Vivian , Moreira Mariana M , Marques Natasha DM , Arana-Chavez Victor E 
Published: September 2014

Purpose Statins are hypolipemiant drugs with osteoinductive effect. We evaluated the potential of simvastatin loaded into poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres to heal critical size defects in rat calvaria. Methods PLGA scaffolds (50:50 ratio) were synthesized as pure membranes or as microspheres loaded with 2.5% simvastatin. Critical size defects (5-mm diameter) were created in the parietal bone of 3-month-old male Wistar rats; they were either left filled with blood clot (C group), covered with a PLGA membrane (M group) or with PLGA microspheres loaded with simvastatin (MSI group) or not (MM group), and then covered with the PLGA membrane. The defects were evaluated after 30 or 60 days by light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry for osteopontin (OPN), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteoadherin (OSAD), and immunocytochemistry for OPN. Results Scanning electron microscopy showed that the calvarial defects treated with MSI were almost completely healed after 60 days, while groups M and C presented less bone formation, whereas the bone matrix formed into the defects of MSI group was more organized and mature. The immunolabeling for OPN and BSP on the matrix in groups C and M showed typical areas of primary bone unlike the MSI that presented weak labeling at the formed area. In the MSI group, there was an intense immunostaining for OSAD in osteoid, as well as in osteocyte cytoplasm. The immunocytochemistry showed intense labeling for OPN with homogeneous distribution in the interfibrillar spaces in all groups after 30 days and after 60 days; however, while C and M groups exhibited similar aspect, the MSI specimens showed weak labeling. The ultrastructural evaluation showed the interaction between the biomaterial and the surrounding tissue where some cells established intimate contact with microspheres. Conclusions The repair of critical size bone defects was accelerated and enhanced by the implantation of simvastatin-loaded PLGA microspheres.
Availability of Consumer Prices for Bunion Surgery
Authors: Willey James C. , Reuter Lainee S. , Belatti Daniel A. , Phisitkul Phinit , Amendola Ned 
Published: September 2014

Background: Today, insurance insulates most patients from the true costs of the health care services they consume. Economists believe that the absence of price signals incentivizes patients to pursue more extensive care than they would otherwise. Reformers propose restoring price consciousness to patients as a way to tame the soaring costs of American health care. To test this idea, we decided to gauge the availability and variability of price quotes for a common elective surgery—bunion repair. Methods: Orthopedic clinics were sorted by state and randomly selected from an online directory maintained by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Each selected clinic was contacted up to 3 times in an attempt to get a full, bundled price quote using a standardized patient script. If this was unavailable, an isolated quote for the physician fee alone was solicited. Results: Of the 141 clinics contacted, 56 (39.7%) could provide a physician price estimate and 12 (8.5%) could give a complete bundled estimate, including hospital fees. The overall mean bundled price quoted was $18 332, while the overall mean physician fee quoted was $2487. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean price quoted by academic and private clinics, nor was regional variation observed. Conclusion: We found low price availability for elective bunion procedures. Clinical Relevance: However, the wide variation observed in the prices that were quoted suggests that a very determined patient may be able to spend substantially less on an elective surgery if they were willing to select a provider carefully.
Periodontal Health Condition in Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Martande Santosh S. , Pradeep A. R. , Singh Sonender Pal , Kumari Minal , Suke Deepak Kumar , Raju Arjun P. , Naik Savitha B. , Singh Priyanka , Guruprasad C. N. , Chatterji Anirban 
Published: September 2014

Objective: To compare periodontal health status in individuals with and without Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: A total of 58 individuals with AD and 60 cognitively normal (ND) adult individuals, ranging in age from 50 to 80 years, were assessed for periodontal health status. Individuals with AD were further divided as mild, moderate, and severe, based on degree of cognitive impairment as evaluated using Mini-Mental State Examination. Gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and percentage of bleeding sites (%BOP) were evaluated. Results: All the evaluated periodontal parameters were higher in individuals with AD than that in ND individuals, and the periodontal status deteriorated with the progression of AD. There were significant differences in mean GI, PI, PD, CAL, and %BOP between all the groups. Conclusion: The periodontal health status ofindividuals with AD deteriorates with disease progression and was closely related to their cognitive function.
The in vivo characterization of electrospun heparin-bonded polycaprolactone in small-diameter vascular reconstruction
Authors: Duan Hong-Yong , Ye Lin , Wu Xin , Guan Qiang , Yang Xiao-Fei , Han Feng , Liang Ning , Wang Zhen-Feng , Wang Zhong-Gao 
Published: September 2014

Objective To evaluate the possibility of using heparin-bonded polycaprolactone grafts to replace small-diameter arteries. Methods Polycaprolactone was bonded with heparin. The activated partial thromboplastin time of heparin-bonded polycaprolactone grafts was determined in vitro. Small-diameter grafts were electrospun with heparin-bonded polycaprolactone and polycaprolactone and were implanted in dogs to substitute part of the femoral artery. Angiography was used to investigate the patency and aneurysm of the grafts after transplantation. After angiography, the patent grafts were explanted for histology analysis. The degradation of the grafts and the collagen content of the grafts were measured. Results Activated partial thromboplastin time tests in vitro showed that heparin-bonded polycaprolactone grafts exhibit obvious anticoagulation. Arteriography showed that two heparin-bonded polycaprolactone and three polycaprolactone grafts were obstructed. Other grafts were patent, without aneurysm formation. Histological analysis showed that the tested grafts degraded evidently over the implantation time and that the luminal surface of the tested grafts had become covered by endothelial cells. Collagen deposition in heparin-bonded polycaprolactone increased with time. There were no calcifications in the grafts. Gel permeation chromatography showed the heparin-bonded polycaprolactone explants at 12 weeks lose about 32% for Mw and 24% for Mn. The collagen content on the heparin-bonded polycaprolactone grafts increased over time. Conclusion This preliminary study demonstrates that heparin-bonded polycaprolactone is a suitable graft for small artery reconstruction. However, heparin-bonded polycaprolactone degrades more rapidly than polycaprolactone in vivo.
Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose
Authors: Elgart Jorge F. , González Lorena , Rucci Enzo , Gagliardino Juan J. 
Published: September 2014

Background: Although test strips for self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) represent around 50% of diabetes treatment cost in Argentina, little is known about their current use and relationship with different types of treatment. We therefore aimed to estimate the current use of test strips and identify the major use drivers and the percentage they represent of total prescription costs in 2 entities of the social security system (SSS) of Argentina. Methods: Observational retrospective study measuring test strip prescriptions delivered by pharmacies from the province of Buenos Aires (8115 records collected during 3 months provided by the Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aires) of affiliates with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) from 2 large entities of the SSS system. Results: The average monthly test strips/patient used for SMBG was 97.5 ± 70.1. This number varied according to treatment: monotherapy with oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD) < combined OAD therapy < insulin treatment. Test strips represented a higher percentage of the total prescription cost in people under OAD monotherapy (84.6%) and lower in those with insulin analogs (46.9%). Conclusions: In our population, the type of hyperglycemia treatment was the main driver of test strip use for SMBG and its impact on the total prescription cost depends on the kind of such treatment. Since it has been shown that patients’ education and prescription audit can optimize test strip use and treatment outcomes, implementation of such strategies could appropriately support, optimize, and reduce ineffective test strip use in people with T2DM.
Formation of nanostructured silicon surfaces by stain etching
Authors: Ayat Maha , Belhousse Samia , Boarino Luca , Gabouze Noureddine , Boukherroub Rabah , Kechouane Mohamed 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
In this work, we report the fabrication of ordered silicon structures by chemical etching of silicon in vanadium oxide (V2O5)/hydrofluoric acid (HF) solution. The effects of the different etching parameters including the solution concentration, temperature, and the presence of metal catalyst film deposition (Pd) on the morphologies and reflective properties of the etched Si surfaces were studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out to explore the morphologies of the etched surfaces with and without the presence of catalyst. In this case, the attack on the surfaces with a palladium deposit begins by creating uniform circular pores on silicon in which we distinguish the formation of pyramidal structures of silicon. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) demonstrates that the surfaces are H-terminated. A UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer was used to study the reflectance of the structures obtained. A reflectance of 2.21% from the etched Si surfaces in the wavelength range of 400 to 1,000 nm was obtained after 120 min of etching while it is of 4.33% from the Pd/Si surfaces etched for 15 min.
Comparison of SHF and SSF of wet exploded corn stover and loblolly pine using in-house enzymes produced from T. reesei RUT C30 and A. saccharolyticus
Authors: Rana Vandana , Eckard Anahita D , Ahring Birgitte K 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to compare bioethanol production from wet exploded corn stover (WECS) and loblolly pine (WELP) hydrolyzed with in-house and commercial enzymes and fermented separately (SHF) and simultaneously (SSF). In-house enzymes produced fromTrichoderma reesei, RUT-C30 and a novel fungal strain,Aspergillus saccharolyticuswere loaded as 5 and 15 FPU/g glucan and supplemented with 10 and 30 CBU/g glucan, respectively. For hydrolysis and fermentation, slurries of WECS and WELP at 5 and 10% (w/w) solids loading (SL) were utilized.Saccharomyces cerevisaewas used for ethanol fermentation at 33°C. Maximally, 15.6 g/L and 13.4 g/L (corresponding to theoretical ethanol yield of 76% and 67%, respectively) were achieved in SSF process from WECS and WELP, respectively at 5% SL and 15 FPU/g glucan loading of in-house enzymes. Ethanol concentrations in all cases were higher for SSF compared to SHF under same conditions. A cross comparison of SSF with commercial enzymes (Celluclast 1.5 L + Novozym 188) showed highest ethanol concentration of 17.3 g/L and 15.4 g/L (corresponding to theoretical ethanol yield of 84% and 77%, respectively) from WECS and WELP, respectively at 5% SL and 15 FPU/g glucan. These findings demonstrated that in-house enzymes were comparable to commercial enzymes as these fungi produced other lignocellulolytic enzymes beyond cellulase and hence enhanced the overall enzyme activity.
Robust Bayesian estimation for context-based speech enhancement
Authors: Rao Naidu Devireddy Hanumantha , Srinivasan Sriram 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Model-based speech enhancement algorithms that employ trained models, such as codebooks, hidden Markov models, Gaussian mixture models, etc., containing representations of speech such as linear predictive coefficients, mel-frequency cepstrum coefficients, etc., have been found to be successful in enhancing noisy speech corrupted by nonstationary noise. However, these models are typically trained on speech data from multiple speakers under controlled acoustic conditions. In this paper, we introduce the notion of context-dependent models that are trained on speech data with one or more aspects of context, such as speaker, acoustic environment, speaking style, etc. In scenarios where the modeled and observed contexts match, context-dependent models can be expected to result in better performance, whereas context-independent models are preferred otherwise. In this paper, we present a Bayesian framework that automatically provides the benefits of both models under varying contexts. As several aspects of the context remain constant over an extended period during usage, a memory-based approach that exploits information from past data is employed. We use a codebook-based speech enhancement technique that employs trained models of speech and noise linear predictive coefficients as an example model-based approach. Using speaker, acoustic environment, and speaking style as aspects of context, we demonstrate the robustness of the proposed framework for different context scenarios, input signal-to-noise ratios, and number of contexts modeled.
Making materials science and engineering data more valuable research products
Authors: Ward Charles H , Warren James A , Hanisch Robert J 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBoth the global research community and federal governments are embracing a move toward more open sharing of the products of research. Historically, the primary product of research has been peer-reviewed journal articles and published technical reports. However, advances in information technology, new 'open access' business models, and government policies are working to make publications and supporting materials much more accessible to the general public. These same drivers are blurring the distinction between the data generated through the course of research and the associated publications. These developments have the potential to significantly enhance the value of both publications and supporting digital research data, turning them into valuable assets that can be shared and reused by other researchers. The confluence of these shifts in the research landscape leads one to the conclusion that technical publications and their supporting research data must be bound together in a rational fashion. However, bringing these two research products together will require the establishment of new policies and a supporting data infrastructure that have essentially no precedent in the materials community, and indeed, are stressing many other fields of research. This document raises the key issues that must be addressed in developing these policies and infrastructure and suggests a path forward in creating the solutions.
Perinatal programming - myths, fact, and future of research
Authors: Dötsch Jörg 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

Background and Findings
Perinatal programming, i.e., the (epigenetic) modification of (genetic) functions throughout lifetime, suffers from the notion of premature theories and difficult and extensive research strategies.

Conclusions
This mini review aims at depicting 9 current developments and discusses possible future research strategies.