bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors and Characteristics of Multiple (More Than 2) Catheter Ablation Procedures for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: LO LI‐WEI , LIN YENN‐JIANG , CHANG SHIH‐LIN , HU YU‐FENG , CHAO TZE‐FAN , CHUNG FA‐PO , LIAO JO‐NAN , CHIOU CHEUN‐WANG , TSAO HSUAN‐MING , CHEN SHIH‐ANN 
Published: July 2015

Characteristics of Multiple AF Ablation ProceduresBackgroundThe recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is not uncommon in the era of catheter ablation. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of AF patients who underwent multiple (>2) ablation procedures.Methods and ResultsOf 666 consecutive patients (53 ± 11 y/o, 484 men) who underwent catheter ablation of AF (paroxysmal AF, n = 530), 144 (22%) underwent 2 procedures and 52 (8%) underwent more than 2 procedures due to symptomatic recurrences refractory to medication during 48 ± 23 months of follow‐up. Baseline and procedural characteristics at the index procedure were investigated to determine their impact on the necessity of multiple procedures. After 2 procedures, 48 (92%) of 52 patients had pulmonary vein (PV) ectopic beats initiating AF. Coexisting PV and non‐PV triggers were found in 23 of 48 patients. In a multivariate analysis, the presence of non‐PV triggers (P = 0.004; odds ratio 2.69, 95% CI 1.37–5.28) at the index procedure was the only independent predictor of necessary multiple procedures. Among patients with non‐PV ectopic beats initiating AF at the index procedure, the presence of ligament of Marshall triggers (P = 0.001, odds ratio 6.74, 95% CI 2.13–21.32) could predict the necessity of multiple procedures.ConclusionsThe need for multiple catheter ablation procedures can be predicted by the presence of non‐PV ectopic beats initiating AF at the index procedure. However, PV‐initiated AF remains the major cause of AF recurrence despite multiple catheter ablation procedures.
Modifying Ventricular Fibrillation by Targeted Rotor Substrate Ablation: Proof‐of‐Concept from Experimental Studies to Clinical VF
Authors: KRUMMEN DAVID E. , HAYASE JUSTIN , VAMPOLA STEPHEN P. , HO GORDON , SCHRICKER AMIR A. , LALANI GAUTAM G. , BAYKANER TINA , COE TAYLOR M. , CLOPTON PAUL , RAPPEL WOUTER‐JAN , OMENS JEFFREY H. , NARAYAN SANJIV M. 
Published: July 2015

Rotor Substrate Ablation Suppresses VFIntroductionRecent work has suggested a role for organized sources in sustaining ventricular fibrillation (VF). We assessed whether ablation of rotor substrate could modulate VF inducibility in canines, and used this proof‐of‐concept as a foundation to suppress antiarrhythmic drug‐refractory clinical VF in a patient with structural heart disease.Methods and ResultsIn 9 dogs, we introduced 64‐electrode basket catheters into one or both ventricles, used rapid pacing at a recorded induction threshold to initiate VF, and then defibrillated after 18±8 seconds. Endocardial rotor sites were identified from basket recordings using phase mapping, and ablation was performed at nonrotor (sham) locations (7 ± 2 minutes) and then at rotor sites (8 ± 2 minutes, P = 0.10 vs. sham); the induction threshold was remeasured after each. Sham ablation did not alter canine VF induction threshold (preablation 150 ± 16 milliseconds, postablation 144 ± 16 milliseconds, P = 0.54). However, rotor site ablation rendered VF noninducible in 6/9 animals (P = 0.041), and increased VF induction threshold in the remaining 3. Clinical proof‐of‐concept was performed in a patient with repetitive ICD shocks due to VF refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs. Following biventricular basket insertion, VF was induced and then defibrillated. Mapping identified 4 rotors localized at borderzone tissue, and rotor site ablation (6.3 ± 1.5 minutes/site) rendered VF noninducible. The VF burden fell from 7 ICD shocks in 8 months preablation to zero ICD therapies at 1 year, without antiarrhythmic medications.ConclusionsTargeted rotor substrate ablation suppressed VF in an experimental model and a patient with refractory VF. Further studies are warranted on the efficacy of VF source modulation.
Catheter Ablation of Idiopathic Epicardial Ventricular Arrhythmias Originating from the Vicinity of the Coronary Sinus System
Authors: CHEN YI‐HE , LIN JIA‐FENG 
Published: July 2015

Catheter Ablation of Idiopathic Epicardial Ventricular Arrhythmias. Idiopathic epicardial ventricular arrhythmias (IEVAs) originating from the vicinity of the coronary sinus system are not uncommon, accounting for about 9% of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmia cases. IEVAs share clinical presentation and electrophysiological characteristics with ventricular arrhythmias arising from the right ventricular outflow tract possibly as manifestations of cAMP‐mediated triggered activity and delayed after‐depolarizations. Detailed analysis of standard 12‐lead electrocardiogram morphology by using unique variables and algorithms allows clinicians to predict probable location of epicardial foci and informs optimal catheter ablation strategy. Epicardial mapping and ablation through the coronary sinus and its branches is effective and safe, and increasingly favored. However, it is important because of the common perivascular origin of IEVAs to perform coronary angiography prior to or after ablation and to select the appropriate ablation energy form to avoid serious complications.
Exposure to 50 Hz magnetic field modulates GABAA currents in cerebellar granule neurons through an EP receptor‐mediated PKC pathway
Authors: Yang Guang , Ren Zhen , Mei Yan‐Ai 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPrevious work from both our lab and others have indicated that exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields (ELF‐MF) was able to modify ion channel functions. However, very few studies have investigated the effects of MF on γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptors (GABAARs) channel functioning, which are fundamental to overall neuronal excitability. Here, our major goal is to reveal the potential effects of ELF‐MF on GABAARs activity in rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). Our results indicated that exposing CGNs to 1 mT ELF‐MF for 60 min. significantly increased GABAAR currents without modifying sensitivity to GABA. However, activation of PKA by db‐cAMP failed to do so, but led to a slight decrease instead. On the other hand, PKC activation or inhibition by PMA or Bis and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) mimicked or eliminated the field‐induced‐increase of GABAAR currents. Western blot analysis indicated that the intracellular levels of phosphorylated PKC (pPKC) were significantly elevated after 60 min. of ELF‐MF exposure, which was subsequently blocked by application of DHA or EP1 receptor‐specific (prostaglandin E receptor 1) antagonist (SC19220), but not by EP2‐EP4 receptor‐specific antagonists. SC19220 also significantly inhibited the ELF‐MF‐induced elevation on GABAAR currents. Together, these data obviously demonstrated for the first time that neuronal GABAA currents are significantly increased by ELF‐MF exposure, and also suggest that these effects are mediated via an EP1 receptor‐mediated PKC pathway. Future work will focus on a more comprehensive analysis of the physiological and/or pathological consequences of these effects.
The antineoplastic properties of FTY720: evidence for the repurposing of fingolimod
Authors: Patmanathan Sathya Narayanan , Yap Lee Fah , Murray Paul G. , Paterson Ian C. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAlmost all drugs approved for use in humans possess potentially beneficial ‘off‐target’ effects in addition to their principal activity. In some cases this has allowed for the relatively rapid repurposing of drugs for other indications. In this review we focus on the potential for re‐purposing FTY720 (also known as fingolimod, Gilenya™), an immunomodulatory drug recently approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). The therapeutic benefit of FTY720 in MS is largely attributed to the immunosuppressive effects that result from its modulation of sphingosine 1‐phosphate receptor signalling. However, this drug has also been shown to inhibit other cancer‐associated signal transduction pathways in part because of its structural similarity to sphingosine, and consequently shows efficacy as an anti‐cancer agent both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we review the effects of FTY720 on signal transduction pathways and cancer‐related cellular processes, and discuss its potential use as an anti‐cancer drug.
Berberine via suppression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 channel improves vascular stiffness in mice
Authors: Wang Jie , Guo Tao , Peng Qi‐Sheng , Yue Shou‐Wei , Wang Shuang‐Xi 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBerberine, as an alkaloid found in many Chinese herbs, improves vascular functions in patients with cardiovascular diseases. We determined the effects of berberine in hypertension and vascular ageing, and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. In isolated aortas, berberine dose‐dependently elicited aortic relaxation. In cultured cells, berberine induced the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Overexpression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel by genetic approaches abolished the berberine‐induced reduction in intracellular Ca2+ concentration in VSMCs and attenuated berberine‐elicited vessel dilation in mice aortas. In deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)‐induced hypertensive model, treatment of mice with berberine or RN‐1734, a pharmacological inhibitor of TRPV4, significantly decreased systemic blood pressure (BP) in control mice or mice infected with an adenovirus vector. However, berberine‐induced effects of lowering BP were reversed by overexpressing TRPV4 in mice by infecting with adenovirus. Furthermore, long‐term administration of berberine decreased mean BP and pulse BP, increased artery response to vasodilator and reduced vascular collagen content in aged mice deficient in apolipoprotein E (Apoe‐KO), but not in Apoe‐KO old mice with lentivirus‐mediated overexpression of TRPV4 channel. In conclusion, berberine induces direct vasorelaxation to lower BP and reduces vascular stiffness in aged mice through suppression of TRPV4.
The European Union, Preferential Trade Agreements, and the International Regulation of Sustainable Biofuels
Authors: Poletti Arlo , Sicurelli Daniela 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe EU has increasingly turned to PTAs (Preferential Trade Agreements) to spread environmental norms internationally. We argue that the rationale for this strategy is to be found in the tensions between the rigidity of the domestic dynamics of positive integration in the EU and the increased bindingness of WTO negative integration commitments. Consensual decision‐making procedures in the EU both drive the stringency of environmental regulation and make it resistant to change. When such environmental standards are challenged in the WTO, incentives arise for the EU to push for international environmental rules that can grant immunity from WTO legal challenges. When changing WTO rules is not an option, PTAs become a valid alternative. We illustrate the plausibility of our argument through an in‐depth case study of the EU's attempt to include provisions defining environmental sustainability criteria for the production of biofuels in the ongoing negotiations for a PTA with Malaysia.
New risk‐scoring system including non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease for predicting incident type 2 diabetes in East China: Shanghai Baosteel Cohort
Authors: Chen Guang‐Yu , Cao Hai‐Xia , Li Feng , Cai Xiao‐Bo , Ao Qing‐Hong , Gao Yan , Fan Jian‐Gao 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAims/IntroductionThe present study aimed to explore the incidence of type 2 diabetes, and to develop a risk‐scoring model for predicting diabetes among the adult health check‐up population in East China.Materials and MethodsParticipants from the Shanghai Baosteel Cohort (age ≥20 years) without diabetes at baseline were recruited in a 6‐year follow‐up study. In order to explore risk factors for diabetes, this cohort was categorized into two groups: new diabetes and no diabetes. Three models were developed by Cox regression analysis. The model accuracy was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.ResultsA total of 6,542 individuals were included in the Shanghai Baosteel Cohort Study. Of them, 368 (5.6%) developed type 2 diabetes at the end of the follow‐up period. Cox regression analysis found a close association between incident type 2 diabetes and several risk factors including non‐alcoholic fatty liver diseases at baseline. The Shanghai Baosteel Score including advanced age (2 points), hypertriglyceridemia (2 points), obesity (2 points), non‐alcoholic fatty liver diseases (2 points) and impaired fasting glucose (3 points) had a good diagnostic performance with estimated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.724), sensitivity (57.9%) and specificity (72.2%) at a cut‐off point of >3.ConclusionsA risk‐scoring system including non‐alcoholic fatty liver diseases can help identify individuals at a high risk of diabetes in the East Chinese population.
Bulk Fill Composites: An Anatomic Sculpting Technique
Authors: Hirata Ronaldo , Kabbach William , de Andrade Oswaldo Scopin , Bonfante Estevam A , Giannini Marcelo , Coelho Paulo Guilherme 
Published: July 2015

AbstractComposite resins have been routinely used for posterior cavities due to a phasedown on amalgam as a restorative option. However, clinical problems related to polymerization shrinkage demands careful and specific techniques for placement of the composite layers. New low shrinkage composites are now marketed for bulk filling of cavities without the need of a traditional layering. With this new concept, the restoration can be built in one or two layers, depending on the classification of the bulk fill material. This article discusses and presents two alternative techniques using the low shrinkage composites, suggesting a called “amalgam‐like sculpting technique,” one using a flowable bulk fill and other a regular bulk fill material. Clinical cases illustrate these two alternatives compared with the layered technique.Clinical SignificanceNew techniques using low shrinkage composites for bulk filling can provide a simpler technical approach for the clinician in sculpting and generating highly esthetic posterior composites.
Yield of Soybean Protein Isolate from Defatted Soybean Flakes Treated in an Industrial Plant and in Laboratory: Experiments and Modeling
Authors: Brasil Michel , Meleiro Luiz Augusto da Cruz , Benincá Cristina , Zanoelo Everton Fernando 
Published: July 2015

An analysis of effects based on a statistical model was performed with a set of 40 data of yield of protein isolate (Y) as a function of five different factors from an industry of production of soybean protein isolate (SPI). At a probability level higher than 0.925, only the temperature in the desolventizer (T), and pH of the first tank of protein extraction (pH1) had a significant influence on Y. Based on this evidence, an artificial neural network model was suggested to better correlate the yield of protein isolate with the revealed significant variables (i.e., T and pH1). Multilayer perceptron networks with three to seven neurons in the one hidden layer were tested, but the best architecture involved five neurons. Over‐fitting was observed when a number of neurons larger than five was considered. The relative average deviation between measured and calculated yields was reduced from ≈3.9 to ≈1.7% when the neural model instead of the statistical one was used. A second set of 25 data of Y from laboratory experiments mimicking commercial SPI production at the designated plant confirmed the importance of T and pH1 on the examined response.Practical ApplicationsThe yield of protein isolate in industrial plants is dependent on many factors, which makes difficult to set and keep the process under optimal operating conditions. However, the current examination shows that the dynamic control of only the desolventizing temperature of defatted soy flakes and pH of protein extraction, based on a trained artificial neural network model, is a valid real‐time optimization strategy.
Accelerometer‐Derived Pattern of Sedentary and Physical Activity Time in Persons with Mobility Disability: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003 to 2006
Authors: Manns Patricia , Ezeugwu Victor , Armijo‐Olivo Susan , Vallance Jeff , Healy Genevieve N. 
Published: July 2015

ObjectivesTo describe objectively determined sedentary and activity outcomes (volume and pattern) and their associations with cardiometabolic risk biomarkers in individuals with and without mobility disability.DesignCross‐sectional.SettingPopulation based.ParticipantsCommunity‐dwelling older adults (≥60) living in the United States who were participants in the 2003 to 2004 or 2005 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants were classified as with or without mobility disability according to responses to self‐reported questions about ability to walk, climb stairs, and/or use of ambulatory aids.MeasurementsAccelerometer‐derived sedentary and activity variables for volume (time in sedentary (<100 counts per minute (cpm)), very light– (100–759 cpm), light‐ (760–1,951 cpm), and moderate‐ to vigorous‐ (≥1,952 cpm) intensity activity and pattern (number of breaks from sedentary time, duration of sedentary bouts, duration of activity bouts). Survey‐weighted regression models, adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, education, and smoking, were used to examine the associations between pattern of activity and cardiometabolic health risk factors (blood pressure, waist circumference, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol).ResultsOf the 2,017 participants, 547 were classified as having a mobility disability. Participants with mobility disability had more sedentary time and less active time than those without. Sedentary bouts were longer and active bouts shorter in those with disability. The total number of sedentary breaks (transitions from sedentary to nonsedentary) differed between groups after adjustment for total sedentary time. Fewer breaks, longer sedentary bouts, and shorter activity bouts were associated with higher average waist circumference regardless of disability status.ConclusionThis study provides rationale for the development and testing of interventions to change the pattern of activity (e.g., include more breaks and longer activity bout durations) in older adults with mobility disability.
Older Adults’ Recognition of Trade‐Offs in Healthcare Decision‐Making
Authors: Case Siobhan M. , O'Leary John , Kim Nancy , Tinetti Mary E. , Fried Terri R. 
Published: July 2015

ObjectivesTo examine older persons’ understanding of healthcare decision‐making involving trade‐offs.DesignCross‐sectional survey.SettingPrimary care clinics.ParticipantsCommunity‐living persons aged 65 and older (N = 50).MeasurementsAfter being primed to think about trade‐offs with a focus on chronic disease management, participants were asked to describe a decision they had made in the past involving a trade‐off. If they could not, they were asked to describe a decision they might face in the future and were then given an example of a decision. They were also asked about communication with their primary care provider about their priorities when faced with a trade‐off.ResultsForty‐four participants (88%) were able to describe a healthcare decision involving a trade‐off; 25 provided a decision in the past, 17 provided a decision they might face in the future, and two provided a future decision after hearing an example. One participant described a nonmedical decision, and two participants described goals without providing a trade‐off. Of the healthcare decisions, 26 involved surgery, seven were end‐of life decisions, seven involved treatment of chronic disease, and four involved chemotherapy. When asked whether their providers should know their health outcome priorities, 44 (88%) replied yes, and 35 (70%) believed their providers knew their priorities, but only 18 (36%) said that they had had a specific conversation about priorities.ConclusionThe majority of participants were able to recognize the trade‐offs involved in healthcare decision‐making and wanted their providers to know their priorities regarding the trade‐offs. Despite being primed to think about the trade‐offs involved in day‐to‐day treatment of chronic disease, participants most frequently described episodic, high‐stakes decisions including surgery and end‐of‐life care.
Some reminiscences on studies of age‐dependent and activity‐dependent degeneration of sensory and motor endings in mammalian skeletal muscle
Authors: Ribchester Richard R. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractI present here an overview of research on the biology of neuromuscular sensory and motor endings that was inspired and influenced partly by my educational experience in the Department of Zoology at the University of Durham, from 1971 to 1974. I allude briefly to neuromuscular synaptic structure and function in dystrophic mice, influences of activity on synapse elimination in development and regeneration, and activity‐dependent protection and degeneration of neuromuscular junctions in WldS mice.
Fibre typing of intrafusal fibres
Authors: Thornell Lars‐Eric , Carlsson Lena , Eriksson Per‐Olof , Liu Jing‐Xia , Österlund Catharina , Stål Per , Pedrosa‐Domellöf Fatima 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe first descriptions of muscle spindles with intrafusal fibres containing striated myofibrils and nervous elements were given approximately 150 years ago. It took, however, another 100 years to establish the presence of two types of intrafusal muscle fibres: nuclear bag and nuclear chain fibres. The present paper highlights primarily the contribution of Robert Banks in fibre typing of intrafusal fibres: the confirmation of the principle of two types of nuclear bag fibres in mammalian spindles and the variation in occurrence of a dense M‐band along the fibres. Furthermore, this paper summarizes how studies from the Umeå University group (Laboratory of Muscle Biology in the Department of Integrative Medical Biology) on fibre typing and the structure and composition of M‐bands have contributed to the current understanding of muscle spindle complexity in adult humans as well as to muscle spindle development and effects of ageing. The variable molecular composition of the intrafusal sarcomeres with respect to myosin heavy chains and M‐band proteins gives new perspectives on the role of the intrafusal myofibrils as stretch‐activated sensors influencing tension/stiffness and signalling to nuclei.