bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary Vein Isolation Using a Pace-Capture–Guided Versus an Adenosine-Guided Approach
Authors: Andrade Jason G. , Pollak Scott J. , Monir George , Khairy Paul , Dubuc Marc , Roy Denis , Talajic Mario , Deyell Marc , Rivard Léna , Thibault Bernard , Guerra Peter G. , Nattel Stanley , Macle Laurent 
Published: October 2013

Background—
Atrial fibrillation recurrence after pulmonary vein (PV) isolation is associated with PV to left atrium reconduction. We prospectively studied the use of 2 procedural techniques designed to facilitate identification of residual gaps within the index ablation line.

Methods and Results—

After wide circumferential PV isolation, 40 patients received additional ablation targeted at locations of left atrial capture during high-output pacing (pace-capture group), while 40 patients underwent adenosine testing with targeted ablation at sites of dormant conduction (adenosine group). Patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months. After PV isolation, high-output pace-capture was documented in 39 PVs (25%; 50% of patients) in the pace-capture group. Dormant conduction was unmasked in 34 PVs (22%; 53% of patients) in the adenosine group. A subset of 25 patients in the pace-capture group underwent adenosine testing without targeted ablation of dormant conduction. In these patients, only 10 out of 86 PVs (11.6%; 24% of patients) demonstrated dormant conduction after the elimination of local pace-capture. At a follow-up of 329±124 days, the single procedure off antiarrhythmic drug freedom from recurrent atrial fibrillation was 67.5% in the adenosine group and 65.0% in the pace-capture group (
P
=0.814). Procedure duration and fluoroscopy time were significantly longer in the pace-capture group (
P
=0.002 and
P
<0.001), whereas radiofrequency ablation time was comparable (
P
=0.192).

Conclusions—
The use of high-output pacing post-PV isolation results in a significant reduction in the incidence of dormant conduction with a comparable long-term freedom from recurrent atrial fibrillation (versus adenosine-guided ablation). The use of these approaches requires evaluation in a long-term prospective randomized study.
Multicenter Study Comparing Shunt Type in the Norwood Procedure for Single-Ventricle Lesions
Authors: Marx Gerald R. , Shirali Girish , Levine Jami C. , Guey Lin T. , Cnota James F. , Baffa Jeanne M. , Border William L. , Colan Steve , Ensing Gregory , Friedberg Mark K. , Goldberg David J. , Idriss Salim F. , John J. Blaine , Lai Wyman W. , Lu Minmin , Menon Shaji C. , Ohye Richard G. , Saudek David , Wong Pierre C. , Pearson Gail D. 
Published: October 2013

Background—
The Pediatric Heart Network’s Single Ventricle Reconstruction (SVR) trial randomized infants with single right ventricles (RVs) undergoing a Norwood procedure to a modified Blalock-Taussig or RV-to-pulmonary artery shunt. This report compares RV parameters in the 2 groups using 3-dimensional echocardiography.

Methods and Results—

Three-dimensional echocardiography studies were obtained at 10 of 15 SVR centers. Of the 549 subjects, 314 underwent 3-dimensional echocardiography studies at 1 to 4 time points (pre-Norwood, post-Norwood, pre–stage II, and 14 months) for a total of 757 3-dimensional echocardiography studies. Of these, 565 (75%) were acceptable for analysis. RV volume, mass, mass:volume ratio, ejection fraction, and severity of tricuspid regurgitation did not differ by shunt type. RV volumes and mass did not change after the Norwood, but increased from pre-Norwood to pre–stage II (end-diastolic volume [milliliters]/body surface area [BSA]
1.3
, end-systolic volume [milliliters]/BSA
1.3
, and mass [grams]/BSA
1.3
mean difference [95% confidence interval]=25.0 [8.7–41.3], 19.3 [8.3–30.4], and 17.9 [7.3–28.5], then decreased by 14 months (end-diastolic volume/BSA
1.3
, end-systolic volume/BSA
1.3
, and mass/BSA
1.3
mean difference [95% confidence interval]=−24.4 [−35.0 to −13.7], −9.8 [−17.9 to −1.7], and −15.3 [−22.0 to −8.6]. Ejection fraction decreased from pre-Norwood to pre–stage II (mean difference [95% confidence interval]=−3.7 [−6.9 to −0.5]), but did not decrease further by 14 months.

Conclusions—
We found no statistically significant differences between study groups in 3-dimensional echocardiography measures of RV size and function, or magnitude of tricuspid regurgitation. Volume unloading was seen after stage II, as expected, but ejection fraction did not improve. This study provides insights into the remodeling of the operated univentricular RV in infancy.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00115934.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Investigation of Macrophages in Acute Cardiac Allograft Rejection After Heart Transplantation
Authors: Wu Yijen L. , Ye Qing , Eytan Danielle F. , Liu Li , Rosario Bedda L. , Hitchens T. Kevin , Yeh Fang-Cheng , Rooijen van Nico , Ho Chien 
Published: October 2013

Background—
Current immunosuppressive therapy after heart transplantation either generally suppresses the recipient’s entire immune system or is mainly targeting T-lymphocytes. Monocytes/macrophages are recognized as a hallmark of acute allograft rejection, but the roles that they play are not well characterized in vivo, because the tools for accessing in situ macrophage infiltration are lacking. In this study, we used MRI to investigate the role of macrophages in acute heart allograft rejection by cellular and functional MRI with selectively depleted systemic macrophages without affecting other leukocyte population, as well as to explore the possibility that macrophages could be an alternative therapeutic target.

Methods and Results—
A rodent heterotopic working heart–lung transplantation model was used for studying acute allograft rejection. Systemic macrophages were selectively depleted by treating recipient animals with clodronate-liposomes. Macrophage infiltration in the graft hearts was monitored by cellular MRI with in vivo ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide particles labeling. Graft heart function was evaluated by tagging MRI followed by strain analysis. Clodronate-liposome treatment depletes circulating monocytes/macrophages in transplant recipients, and both cellular MRI and pathological examinations indicate a significant reduction in macrophage accumulation in the rejecting allograft hearts. In clodronate-liposome–treated group, allograft hearts exhibited preserved tissue integrity, partially reversed functional deterioration, and prolonged graft survival, compared with untreated controls.

Conclusions—
Cardiac cellular and functional MRI is a powerful tool to explore the roles of targeted immune cells in vivo. Our results indicate that macrophages are essential in acute cardiac allograft rejection, and selective depletion of macrophages with clodronate-liposomes protects hearts against allograft rejection, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue. Our findings show that there is a finite risk of forming an intraventricular mass, presumably from the cellular debris or lipid material. Further optimization of the dosing protocol is necessary before clinical applications.
Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation
Authors: Lee Cheol Whan , Ahn Jung-Min , Park Duk-Woo , Kang Soo-Jin , Lee Seung-Whan , Kim Young-Hak , Park Seong-Wook , Han Seungbong , Lee Sang-Gon , Seong In-Whan , Rha Seung-Woon , Jeong Myung-Ho , Lim Do-Sun , Yoon Jung-Han , Hur Seung-Ho , Choi Yun-Seok , Yang Joo-Young , Lee Nae-Hee , Kim Hyun-Sook , Lee Bong-Ki , Kim Kee-Sik , Lee Seung-Uk , Chae Jei-Keon , Cheong Sang-Sig , Suh Il-woo , Park Hun-Sik , Nah Deuk-Young , Jeon Doo-Soo , Seung Ki-Bae , Lee Keun , Jang Jae-Sik , Park Seung-Jung 
Published: October 2013

Background—
The risks and benefits of long-term dual antiplatelet therapy remain unclear.

Methods and Results—

This prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized comparison trial was conducted in 24 clinical centers in Korea. In total, 5045 patients who received drug-eluting stents and were free of major adverse cardiovascular events and major bleeding for at least 12 months after stent placement were enrolled between July 2007 and July 2011. Patients were randomized to receive aspirin alone (n=2514) or clopidogrel plus aspirin (n=2531). The primary end point was a composite of death resulting from cardiac causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke 24 months after randomization. At 24 months, the primary end point occurred in 57 aspirin-alone group patients (2.4%) and 61 dual-therapy group patients (2.6%; hazard ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.66–1.35;
P
=0.75). The 2 groups did not differ significantly in terms of the individual risks of death resulting from any cause, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, or stroke. Major bleeding occurred in 24 (1.1%) and 34 (1.4%) of the aspirin-alone group and dual-therapy group patients, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.42–1.20;
P
=0.20).

Conclusions—
Among patients who were on 12-month dual antiplatelet therapy without complications, an additional 24 months of dual antiplatelet therapy versus aspirin alone did not reduce the risk of the composite end point of death from cardiac causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01186146.
Combined
18
F-FDG PET-CT and DCE-MRI to Assess Inflammation and Microvascularization in Atherosclerotic Plaques
Authors: Truijman Martine T.B. , Kwee Robert M. , van Hoof Raf H.M. , Hermeling Evelien , van Oostenbrugge Robert J. , Mess Werner H. , Backes Walter H. , Daemen Mat J. , Bucerius Jan , Wildberger Joachim E. , Kooi Marianne Eline 
Published: October 2013

Background and Purpose—

Hallmarks of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques are inflammation that can be assessed with
18
fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and increased neovascularization that can be evaluated by dynamic contrast–enhanced-MRI. It remains unclear whether these parameters are correlated or represent independent imaging parameters. This study determines whether there is a correlation between inflammation and neovascularization in atherosclerotic carotid plaques.

Methods—

A total of 58 patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke in the carotid territory and ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis of 30% to 69% were included. All patients underwent positron emission tomography/computed tomography and dynamic contrast–enhanced-MRI of the carotid plaque.
18
Fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose standard uptake values with target/background ratio were determined. Neovascularization was quantified by the mean (leakage) volume transfer constant
K
trans
. Spearman rank correlation coefficients between target/background ratio and
K
trans
were calculated.

Results—

Images suitable for further analysis were obtained in 49 patients. A weak but significant positive correlation between target/background ratio and mean
K
trans
(Spearman ρ=0.30 [
P
=0.035]) and 75th percentile
K
trans
(Spearman ρ=0.29 [
P
=0.041]) was found.

Conclusions—
There is a weak but significant positive correlation between inflammation on positron emission tomography/computed tomography and neovascularization as assessed with dynamic contrast–enhanced-MRI. Future studies should investigate which imaging modality has the highest predictive value for recurrent stroke, as these are not interchangeable.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00451529.
Costs of psychosis in 2010: Findings from the second Australian National Survey of Psychosis
Authors: Neil Amanda L , Carr Vaughan J , Mihalopoulos Cathrine , Mackinnon Andrew , Morgan Vera A 
Published: October 2013

Objectives: To estimate the annual costs of psychosis in Australia from societal and government perspectives and assess whether average costs per person differ by principal service provider at time of census. Methods: Costs of psychosis encompassing health sector costs, other sector costs, and productivity losses were assessed for 2010 using a prevalence-based, bottom-up approach. Resource use data were obtained from the second Australian National Survey of Psychosis and unit costs were from government and non-government organization (NGO) sources. Costs to society were assessed by principal service provider at census: public specialized mental health services (PSMHS) and NGOs during the census month (current clients), and PSMHS in the 11 months preceding census (recent clients), and any differences were ascertained. Results: The average annual costs of psychosis to society are estimated at $77,297 per affected individual, comprising $40,941 in lost productivity, $21,714 in health sector costs, and $14,642 in other sector costs. Health sector costs are 3.9-times higher than those for the average Australian. Psychosis costs Australian society $4.91 billion per annum, and the Australian government almost $3.52 billion per annum. There are significant differences between principal service providers for each cost category. Current PSMHS clients had the highest health sector costs overall, and the highest mental health ambulatory, inpatient, and antipsychotic medication costs specifically. NGO clients had the highest other sector costs overall and the highest NGO assistance, supported employment, and supported accommodation costs. Recent PSMHS clients had the lowest productivity losses for reduced participation and the highest costs for absenteeism and presenteeism. Conclusions: The costs of psychosis are broad ranging and very high. Development and implementation of cost-effective prevention, treatment, and support strategies is critical to maximizing the efficiency of service delivery. A needs-based framework based on principal service provider and recency of contact may facilitate this process.
Predictors of insight in first-episode schizophrenia: A 5-year cohort study from India
Authors: Johnson Shanthi , Sathyaseelan Manoranjitham , Charles Helen , Jeyaseelan Visalakshi , Jacob Kuruthukulangara S 
Published: October 2013

Background and aims: There is a dearth of data on the predictors of insight in schizophrenia. This study attempted to assess the predictors of insight in a cohort of first-episode schizophrenia followed up over 5 years. Methods: Patients diagnosed to have Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) schizophrenia ( n = 131) were assessed prospectively for insight, psychopathology and explanatory models of illness over a 5-year period using standard instruments. Multiple linear regression and generalized estimating equations (GEE) were employed to assess predictors of insight. Results: We could follow up 95 (72.5%) patients, 5 years after recruitment. A total of 65 of these patients interviewed at 60 months (68.4%) achieved remission. Cross-sectional evaluations suggest a relationship between insight, psychosis rating and explanatory models of illness with good insight and medical models associated with good outcome. However, baseline and early illness data do not predict insight scores at 5 years. Serial longitudinal assessment of insight is negatively associated with Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores and positively associated with the number of nonmedical explanatory models of illness held by patients. Conclusion: These findings argue that insight and explanatory models of illness are secondary to psychopathology, course and outcome. They are dependent on the trajectory of the person’s illness, are not independent of the condition and call for multifaceted understanding of the issues.
Incidence of skeletal fractures after traumatic spinal cord injury: a 10-year follow-up study
Authors: Gifre Laia , Vidal Joan , Carrasco Josep , Portell Enric , Puig Josep , Monegal Ana , Guañabens Núria , Peris Pilar 
Published: October 2013

Objective: To analyse the incidence and factors related to the development and clinical evolution of fractures in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury. Design: A retrospective 10-year follow-up study. Setting: Neurorehabilitation centre. Subjects: Sixty-three patients (50M/13F) with a mean age of 36 ± 20 years with recent traumatic spinal cord injury attended over a one-year period (January to December 2000). Main measures: Medical reports were reviewed, evaluating risk factors for osteoporosis, fracture incidence during the 10 years following spinal cord injury, severity (ASIA score) and level of spinal cord injury (paraplegia/tetraplegia), type of lesion (spastic/flaccid), weight-bearing standing activity, and the cause, location and evolution of the fracture. Results: Of the 129 patients attending during the study period, 75 had traumatic spinal cord injury (7 died and 5 had no follow-up). Finally, 63 patients were included. Fifty-four per cent had complete motor injury (ASIA A). Twenty-five per cent of these patients developed fractures, with 2.9 fractures per 100 patient-years. The femur was the most frequent location of the fractures. Fractures were observed 6.4 ± 2.4 years after spinal cord injury (range 2–10 years), all in males. Most fractures (70%) were related to low-impact injuries. Fifty per cent presented with associated clinical complications and only 20% of the patients had received anti-osteoporotic treatment. Spinal cord injury severity was the only risk factor for the development of fractures (complete spinal cord injury (ASIA A)) (RR 4.043; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.081–23.846, P = 0.037). Conclusion: The incidence of fractures after spinal cord injury is high, with severity and time since spinal cord injury being the main determinants for their development. Fractures were frequently associated with clinical complications. However, the use of anti-osteoporotic treatment was uncommon.
Evaluation of teratogenic effects of crocin and safranal, active ingredients of saffron, in mice
Authors: Moallem Seyed Adel , Afshar Mohammad , Etemad Leila , Razavi Bibi Marjan , Hosseinzadeh Hossein 
Published: October 2013

Saffron ( Crocus sativus) is a widely used food additive for its color and taste. Crocin and safranal are two main components of this plant. Numerous studies are underway to introduce saffron and its active ingredients as pharmacological agents. Safety assessments of these compounds are important parts of this endeavor. In this study, the effects of crocin and safranal administrations during embryogenesis have been investigated in mice. A total of 75 BALB/c pregnant mice were divided into six experimental and control groups. Four experimental groups received intraperitoneal injection of crocin (200 mg/kg or 600 mg/kg) daily or safranal (0.075 ml/kg or 0.225 ml/kg) on gestational days (GDs) 6 to 15. Control groups received normal saline or paraffin as solvents of crocin and safranal. Dams were dissected on GD18 and embryos were collected. Routine maternal and fetal parameters were recorded. Macroscopic observation of external malformations was also performed. Fetuses were then selected for double skeletal staining with alizarin red and alcian blue. All experimental groups caused significant decrease in length and weight of fetuses when compared with the control groups and revealed malformations such as minor skeletal malformations, mandible and calvaria malformations, and growth retardation. Minor skeletal malformations were the most commonly observed abnormality, which were statistically significant when compared with the control groups ( p < 0.05). The severities of malformations were comparable in the crocin- and safranal-treated groups. This study suggests that crocin or safranal can induce embryonic malformations when administered in pregnant mice. Due to the wide use of saffron, further elaborate studies to understand the malformation mechanisms of these ingredients are recommended.
Effects of aflatoxin B1 on oxidative stress markers and apoptosis of spleens in broilers
Authors: Chen Jin , Chen Kejie , Yuan Shibin , Peng Xi , Fang Jing , Wang Fengyuan , Cui Hengmin , Chen Zhengli , Yuan Jingxin , Geng Yi 
Published: October 2013

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the oxidative damage and apoptosis induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in spleen of broilers. A total of 200 one-day-old avian male broilers were randomly divided into 4 equal groups of 50 each and were fed for 21 days as follows: a control diet and three AFB1 diets containing 0.15, 0.3, and 0.6 mg AFB1/kg diet. Consumption of AFB1 diets induced oxidative stress in the spleen of chicken as evidenced by reduced glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and catalase activities, decreased glutathione contents, and increased malondialdehyde contents in explaining the pathogenesis. Flow cytometer method and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling assay revealed that the apoptotic splenocytes were increased in AFB1 groups. The results suggest that AFB1 induced excessive apoptosis of splenic lymphocytes, which is correlated with increased oxidative stress. The present results may be helpful for explaining the pathogenesis of AFB1-induced immunosuppression.
Histopathological alterations after a growth promoter boldenone injection in rabbits
Authors: Tousson Ehab 
Published: October 2013

Boldenone (BOL) is a derivative of the testosterone that has dual effects on humans, both directly and indirectly; directly as injection to build muscles and indirectly as through consuming meat of animals that where treated with BOL. However, the action of these steroids on different body organs structures is still unclear; therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the intramuscular injection of BOL undecylenate on the different organ structures. A total of 10 adult New Zealand rabbits were divided into two main groups, the first group was the control group, which includes animals that were injected intramuscularly with olive oil and the second group included animals that received two intramuscular injections of 5 mg/kg body weight BOL dissected after 6 weeks. Our results showed that intramuscular injection of rabbits with BOL showed hypertrophy in both skeletal and cardiac muscles, disturbances of the hepatocytes radially arranged cords with multifocal hepatocellular vacuolations in the liver, glomerulus mass reduction with multifocal glomerular injury in the kidney, disturbances of the cycle of spermatogenesis in the testes. In conclusion, using BOL, while preparing for a young bodybuilding contest, may cause an alteration in the histological structure of most of the body organs; these findings suggested that especially young people who misuse anablic androgenic steroids should be careful if they want to use such steroids to enhance their strength and endurance.
Assessment of metal contents in spices and herbs from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Seddigi Z S , Kandhro G A , Shah F , Danish E , Soylak Mustafa 
Published: October 2013

In the recent years, there has been a growing interest in monitoring heavy metal contamination of spices/herbs. Spices and herbs are sources of many bioactive compounds that can improve the tastes of food as well as influence digestion and metabolism processes. In the present study, the levels of some essential and toxic elements such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd), present in common spices/herbs that were purchased from the local market in Saudi Arabia, were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy after digestion with nitric acid/hydrogen peroxide mixture. Samples from the following spices/herbs were used: turmeric, cloves, black pepper, red pepper, cumin, legume, cinnamon, abazir, white pepper, ginger, and coriander. The concentration ranges for the studied elements were found as 48.8–231, 4.7–19.4, 2.5–10.5, below detection level (BDL)–1.0, 8.8–490, 1.0–2.6, and BDL–3.7 µg g−1 for Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Pb, respectively, while Cd and Co levels were below the detection limit. Consumers of these spices/herbs would not be exposed to any risk associated with the daily intake of 10 g of spices per day as far as metals Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Pb are concerned.