bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heart rate variability in patients undergoing univentricular heart repair
Authors: Madan Kushal , Garg Pankaj , Deepak Kishore Kumar , Talwar Sachin , Airan Balram , Choudhary Shiv Kumar 
Published: October 2013

Objective Altered cardiac autonomic control may play a role in the long-term outcome of patients undergoing univentricular heart repair. This study was undertaken to compare bidirectional superior cavopulmonary anastomosis with preserved antegrade pulmonary blood flow and total cavopulmonary connection, with regard to their effects on cardiac autonomic activity, as measured by heart rate variability indices, prior to and early after surgery. Methods This prospective study included 46 patients (27 with bidirectional superior cavopulmonary anastomosis and 19 with total cavopulmonary connection. Heart rate variability was measured preoperatively and at 2 and 9 months postoperatively. The heart rate variability was measured by a 900-s electrocardiogram recording. Comparisons were drawn between and within groups, using standard statistical methods. Results All heart rate variability parameters were comparable in the 2 groups preoperatively. At the first follow-up, all heart rate variability parameters had decreased in both groups, but the decreases were not statistically significant. Between-group comparisons showed significantly higher parasympathetic and lower sympathetic tone in the bidirectional superior cavopulmonary anastomosis group. At the second follow-up, the bidirectional superior cavopulmonary anastomosis group had a significant increase in overall cardiac autonomic tone, and the total cavopulmonary connection group had a significant increase in parasympathetic tone, compared to the first follow-up. Between-group comparisons showed higher cardiac autonomic tone in the bidirectional superior cavopulmonary anastomosis group. Conclusion Total cavopulmonary connection leads to a significant reduction in overall cardiac autonomic tone, compared to bidirectional superior cavopulmonary anastomosis with antegrade pulmonary blood flow.
The cardiac model of rehabilitation for reducing cardiovascular risk factors post transient ischaemic attack and stroke: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kirk Hayden , Kersten Paula , Crawford Pamela , Keens Angela , Ashburn Ann , Conway Joy 
Published: October 2013

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a standard National Health Service cardiac rehabilitation programme on risk factor reduction for patients after a minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting: Cardiac rehabilitation classes. Subjects: Twenty-four patients. Intervention: All participants received standard care. In addition, the intervention group undertook an eight-week cardiac rehabilitation programme consisting of weekly exercise and education classes. Outcome measures: Cardiovascular disease risk score; lipid profiles; resting blood pressure; C-reactive protein (measured with a high sensitive assay) and fibrinogen levels; blood glucose; obesity; physical activity levels; subjective health status (SF-36); Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: Group comparison with independent t-tests showed a significantly greater improvement in the cardiovascular disease risk score for participants in the intervention group compared to standard care (intervention 25.7 ± 22.8 to 23.15 ± 18.3, control 25.03 ± 15.4 to 27.12 ± 16.1, t = −1.81, P < 0.05). There were also significant improvements for the intervention group in activity levels (intervention 9.41 ± 7.7 to 8.08 ± 5.7, control 14.50 ± 5.5 to 9.83 ± 6.6, t = −2.00, P < 0.05) and the SF-36 domains of physical functioning (intervention 70 ± 24.6 to 75.4 ± 11.1, control 90.00 ± 12.4 to 83.16 ± 17.3, t = −2.72, P < 0.05) and mental health (intervention 84 ± 40 to 92 ± 40, control 88.00 ± 60 to 84 ± 44, z = −2.06, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that standard cardiac rehabilitation programmes are a feasible and effective means of reducing the risk of future cardiovascular events for patients after minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack.
What do Canadian uro-oncologists believe patients should know about androgen deprivation therapy?
Authors: Tran Susan , Walker Lauren M , Wassersug Richard J , Matthew Andrew G , McLeod Deborah L , Robinson John W 
Published: October 2013

Introduction Patients prescribed luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists for androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) have significant misconceptions about treatment side effects and how to manage them. We surveyed a subset of Canadian physicians about what they think is important information to tell patients starting on ADT to determine the degree to which there is consensus of opinion. Method A questionnaire about ADT side effects and management strategies was distributed to physicians–urologists, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists – actively practicing within cancer and urology centers in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and the Maritime Provinces. Result A total of 75 physicians filled out the survey. Physicians agreed that osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction, hot flashes, loss of libido, and loss of muscle mass were drug responses that were essential or important to warn patients about. However, for six commonly reported side effects (i.e. depression, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, anemia, delayed or absent orgasm, and genital shrinkage), physicians showed great variance, with less than 60% agreeing on whether to discuss these topics or not. Conclusion There is little consensus among physicians regarding what to tell patients when prescribing this treatment. The lack of agreement among physicians may partially explain the lack of awareness of ADT side effects by patients and partners. The current findings may help guide strategies for the design, evaluation, and implementation of educational interventions for both physicians and patients that will better prepare patients to recognize, adapt to, and overcome ADT side effects.
Utilization of bevacizumab in US elderly patients with colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy
Authors: Fu Alex Z , Tsai Huei-Ting , Marshall John L , Freedman Andrew N , Potosky Arnold L 
Published: October 2013

Objective Bevacizumab, the first FDA-approved anti-angiogenesis agent, has been used for metastatic colorectal cancer since 2004. This study evaluated the utilization of bevacizumab among elderly metastatic colorectal cancer patients in the United States. Methods Using Surveillance and Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data, this retrospective cohort study consisted of individuals aged 65 years or older with a colorectal cancer diagnosis between 2005 and 2009, who received chemotherapy any time through 2010. This included patients with newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal cancer and patients who progressed from initially diagnosed earlier-stage disease. We ascertained comorbid conditions using ICD-9 codes and conducted logistic regression to identify patients’ characteristics associated with bevacizumab use. Results A total of 8645 patients were identified (mean age 74 years; 52% male); 57% of patients received bevacizumab with initially diagnosed metastatic colorectal cancer and 44% of patients with treated progressive or recurrent disease. After adjusting for other covariates, we found that patients aged ≥80 years were less likely to receive bevacizumab compared with those aged 65–69 years (odds ratio (OR), 0.64 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57–0.73)), or if they had evidence of comorbid cardiomyopathy/congestive heart failure (OR, 0.82 (CI: 0.70–0.95)) or arrhythmic disorder (OR, 0.85 (CI: 0.75–0.96)). Adoption of bevacizumab into practice was rapid following its approval, and the use increased from 36% to 40% from 2005 to 2010 ( p = 0.013). There were significant regional variations in bevacizumab use. Conclusions Despite rapid uptake since its original approval, there appears to be low use of bevacizumab in elderly metastatic colorectal cancer patients in the United States. Regional variations and the strong effects of age and comorbidity suggest lack of consensus among oncologists regarding benefits and risks of bevacizumab in elderly patients.
BenchFriend
Authors: Che Shuai , Skadron Kevin 
Published: October 2013

Graphics processing units (GPUs) have become an important platform for general-purpose computing, thanks to their high parallel throughput and high memory bandwidth. GPUs present significantly different architectures from CPUs and require specific mappings and optimizations to achieve high performance. This makes GPU workloads demonstrate application characteristics different from those of CPU workloads. It is critical for researchers to understand the first-order metrics that most influence GPU performance and scalability. Furthermore, methodologies and associated tools are needed to analyze and predict the performance of GPU applications and help guide users’ purchasing decisions. In this work, we study the approach of predicting the performance of GPU applications by correlating them to existing workloads. One tenet of benchmark design, also a motivation of this paper, is that users should be given the capability to leverage standard workloads to infer the performance of applications of their interest. We first identify a set of important GPU application characteristics and then use them to predict performance of an arbitrary application by determining its most similar proxy benchmarks. We demonstrate the prediction methodology and conduct predictions with benchmarks from different suites to achieve better workload coverage. The experimental results show that we are able to achieve satisfactory performance predictions, although errors are higher for outlier applications. Finally, we discuss several considerations for systematically constructing future benchmark suites.
Rituximab maintenance after first-line therapy with rituximab, fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and mitoxantrone (R-FCM) for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Abrisqueta Pau , Villamor Neus , Terol María José , González-Barca Eva , González Marcos , Ferrà Christelle , Abella Eugenia , Delgado Julio , García-Marco Jose A. , González Yolanda , Carbonell Felix , Ferrer Secundino , Monzó Encarna , Jarque Isidro , Muntañola Ana , Constants Mireia , Escoda Lourdes , Calvo Xavier , Bobillo Sabela , Montoro José Bruno , Montserrat Emili , Bosch Francesc 
Published: October 2013

Key Points
Maintenance rituximab attained a prolonged PFS and improved the quality of response in patients with detectable disease after R-FCM.
Thermal imaging comparison of Signature, Infiniti, and Stellaris phacoemulsification systems
Authors: Ryoo Na Kyung , Kwon Ji-Won , Wee Won Ryang , Miller Kevin M , Han Young Keun 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
To compare the heat production of 3 different phacoemulsification machines under strict laboratory test conditions. More specifically, the thermal behavior was analyzed between the torsional modality of the Infiniti system and longitudinal modalities of the Abbot WhiteStar Signature Phacoemulsification system and Bausch and Lomb Stellaris system.

Methods
Experiments were performed under in-vitro conditions in this study.
Three phacoemulsification handpieces (Infiniti, Signature, and Stellaris) were inserted into balanced salt solution-filled silicone test chambers and were imaged side-by-side by using a thermal camera. Incision compression was simulated by suspending 30.66-gram weights from the silicone chambers. The irrigation flow rate was set at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 cc/min and the phacoemulsification power on the instrument consoles was set at 40, 60, 80, and 100%. The highest temperatures generated from each handpiece around the point of compression were measured at 0, 10, 30, and 60 seconds.

Results
Under the same displayed phacoemulsification power settings, the peak temperatures measured when using the Infiniti were lower than when using the other two machines, and the Signature was cooler than the Stellaris. At 10 seconds, torsional phacoemulsification with Infiniti at 100% power showed data comparable to that of the Signature at 80% and the Stellaris at 60%. At 30 seconds, the temperature from the Infiniti at 100% power was lower than the Signature at 60% and the Stellaris at 40%.

Conclusions
Torsional phacoemulsification with the Infiniti generates less heat than longitudinal phacoemulsification with the Signature and the Stellaris. Lower operating temperatures indicate lower heat generation within the same fluid volume, which may provide additional thermal protection during cataract surgery.
Cellular response to micropatterned growth promoting and inhibitory substrates
Authors: Belkaid Wiam , Thostrup Peter , Yam Patricia T , Juzwik Camille A , Ruthazer Edward S , Dhaunchak Ajit S , Colman David R 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundNormal development and the response to injury both require cell growth, migration and morphological remodeling, guided by a complex local landscape of permissive and inhibitory cues. A standard approach for studying by such cues is to culture cells on uniform substrates containing known concentrations of these molecules, however this method fails to represent the molecular complexity of the natural growth environment.ResultsTo mimic the local complexity of environmental conditions in vitro, we used a contact micropatterning technique to examine cell growth and differentiation on patterned substrates printed with the commonly studied growth permissive and inhibitory substrates, poly-L-lysine (PLL) and myelin, respectively. We show that micropatterning of PLL can be used to direct adherence and axonal outgrowth of hippocampal and cortical neurons as well as other cells with diverse morphologies like Oli-neu oligodendrocyte progenitor cell lines and fibroblast-like COS7 cells in culture. Surprisingly, COS7 cells exhibited a preference for low concentration (1 pg/mL) PLL zones over adjacent zones printed with high concentrations (1 mg/mL). We demonstrate that micropatterning is also useful for studying factors that inhibit growth as it can direct cells to grow along straight lines that are easy to quantify. Furthermore, we provide the first demonstration of microcontact printing of myelin-associated proteins and show that they impair process outgrowth from Oli-neu oligodendrocyte precursor cells.ConclusionWe conclude that microcontact printing is an efficient and reproducible method for patterning proteins and brain-derived myelin on glass surfaces in order to study the effects of the microenvironment on cell growth and morphogenesis.
Evaluation of ergonomic and education interventions to reduce occupational sitting in office-based university workers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Radas Antonia , Mackey Martin , Leaver Andrew , Bouvier Anna-Louise , Chau Josephine Y , Shirley Debra , Bauman Adrian 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Prolonged sitting is a specific occupational hazard in office workers. There is growing evidence that prolonged sitting is detrimental to metabolic health. The aim of this study is to determine whether providing office workers with education along with adjustable sit-stand workstations leads to reduction in sitting behavior.

Methods/Design
A randomized control trial (RCT) with three groups (one control group and two intervention groups) will be conducted in an office workplace setting. The education intervention group will receive an education package that encourages reduction in sitting behaviors. The sit-stand desk intervention group will receive the same education package along with an adjustable sit-stand desk. Participants will be included in the study if they are currently employed in a full-time academic or administrative role that involves greater than 15 hours per week or greater than 4 hours per day computer-based work. Baseline data will include participant’s age, gender, weight, height, smoking habit, employment position, level of education, and baseline self-reported leisure time physical activity. The primary outcome is the average daily sedentary time during work hours, measured by an accelerometer. Participant recruitment commenced in March 2013 and will be completed by December 2013.

Discussion
This study will determine whether providing office workers with an adjustable sit-stand desk and individually targeted education, or education alone, is more effective in decreasing sitting behaviors than no intervention.

Trial registration
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry:ACTRN12613000366752
Sustained, neuron-specific IKK/NF-κB activation generates a selective neuroinflammatory response promoting local neurodegeneration with aging
Authors: Maqbool Ayesha , Lattke Michael , Wirth Thomas , Baumann Bernd 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundIncreasing evidence indicates that neuroinflammation is a critical factor contributing to the progression of various neurodegenerative diseases. The IKK/NF-κB signalling system is a central regulator of inflammation, but it also affects neuronal survival and differentiation. A complex interplay between different CNS resident cells and infiltrating immune cells, which produce and respond to various inflammatory mediators, determines whether neuroinflammation is beneficial or detrimental. The IKK/NF-κB system is involved in both production of and responses to these mediators, although the precise contribution depends on the cell type as well as the cellular context, and is only partially understood. Here we investigated the specific contribution of neuronal IKK/NF-κB signalling on the regulation of neuroinflammatory processes and its consequences. To address this issue, we established and analysed a conditional gain-of-function mouse model that expresses a constitutively active allele of IKK2 in principal forebrain neurons (IKK2nCA). Proinflammatory gene and growth factor expression, histopathology, microgliosis, astrogliosis, immune cell infiltration and spatial learning were assessed at different timepoints after persistent canonical IKK2/NF-κB activation.ResultsIn contrast to other cell types and organ systems, chronic IKK2/NF-κB signalling in forebrain neurons of adult IKK2nCAanimals did not cause a full-blown inflammatory response including infiltration of immune cells. Instead, we found a selective inflammatory response in the dentate gyrus characterized by astrogliosis, microgliosis and Tnf-α upregulation. Furthermore, downregulation of the neurotrophic factor Bdnf correlated with a selective and progressive atrophy of the dentate gyrus and a decline in hippocampus-dependent spatial learning. Neuronal degeneration was associated with increased Fluoro-jade staining, but lacked activation of apoptosis. Remarkably, neuronal loss could be partially reversed when chronic IKK2/NF-κB signalling was turned off and Bdnf expression was restored.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that persistent IKK2/NF-κB signalling in forebrain neurons does not induce overall neuroinflammation, but elicits a selective inflammatory response in the dentate gyrus accompanied by decreased neuronal survival and impaired learning and memory. Our findings further suggest that chronic activation of neuronal IKK2/NF-κB signalling, possibly as a consequence of neuroinflammatory conditions, is able to induce apoptosis-independent neurodegeneration via paracrine suppression of Bdnf synthesis.
Ectopic acromegaly due to a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma in the sphenoid sinus: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Ramírez Claudia , Hernández-Ramirez Laura-Cristina , Espinosa-de-los-Monteros Ana-Laura , Franco Juan Manuel , Guinto Gerardo , Mercado Moises 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
In more than 98% of cases, acromegaly is due to a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma. The term “ectopic acromegaly” includes neuroendocrine tumors secreting GH releasing hormone (GHRH), usually located in the lungs, thymus and endocrine pancreas. Considerably less frequent are cases of ectopic acromegaly due to GH-secreting tumors located out of the pituitary fossa; except for one isolated case of a well-documented GH-secreting lymphoma, the majority of these lesions are located in the sphenoid sinus.

Case presentation
We present the case of a 45 year old woman with acromegaly whose MRI showed an empty sella without evidence of a pituitary adenoma but revealed a large mass within the sphenoid sinus. She underwent transsphenoidal surgery and the excised sphenoid sinus mass, proved to be a GH-secreting adenoma; the sellar floor was intact and no other lesions were found in the pituitary fossa. She required postoperative treatment with somatostatin analogs and cabergoline for clinical and biochemical control.

Conclusions
This case highlights the importance of carefully evaluating the structures surrounding the sellar area when a pituitary adenoma is not found with currently available imaging techniques. The finding of an intact sellar floor and duramater lead us to conclude that the patient’s tumor originated de novo from embryological pituitary remnants. Upon a careful review of the literature and a critical evaluation of our case we found neither clinical nor biochemical features that would distinguish an ectopic from the more common eutopically located somatotrophinoma.