bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine‐funded randomised controlled trials of acupuncture: a systematic review
Authors: Ernst Edzard , Snyder John , Dunlop Rachael A 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe work of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has repeatedly been criticised. Much of this criticism relates to the past funding of studies of acupuncture. The aim of this article is to provide an independent, critical evaluation of the data produced by NCCAM‐funded RCTs of acupuncture. Relevant studies were identified using PubMed. Studies were included if they were NCCAM‐funded RCTs of acupuncture. Excluded were secondary reports of primary studies, RCTs not testing the effectiveness of acupuncture and National Institutes of Health‐funded studies not mentioning NCCAM support. One author extracted the data according to predefined criteria and assessed the risk of bias. The other authors verified these tasks. Thirteen RCTs were included, with sample sizes ranging from seven to 570. Most studies reported pain as the primary outcome. Six RCTs suggested acupuncture was effective. Seven RCTs had a low risk of bias. Numerous methodological shortcomings were identified. Many NCCAM‐funded RCTs of acupuncture have important limitations. These findings might improve future studies of acupuncture and could be considered in the ongoing debate regarding NCCAM‐funding.
Genome Sequence of the White Koji Mold Aspergillus kawachii IFO 4308, Used for Brewing the Japanese Distilled Spirit Shochu
Authors: Futagami Taiki , Mori Kazuki , Yamashita Ayaka , Wada Shotaro , Kajiwara Yasuhiro , Takashita Hideharu , Omori Toshiro , Takegawa Kaoru , Tashiro Kosuke , Kuhara Satoru , Goto Masatoshi 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

The filamentous fungus
Aspergillus kawachii
has traditionally been used for brewing the Japanese distilled spirit shochu.
A. kawachii
characteristically hyperproduces citric acid and a variety of polysaccharide glycoside hydrolases. Here the genome sequence of
A. kawachii
IFO 4308 was determined and annotated. Analysis of the sequence may provide insight into the properties of this fungus that make it superior for use in shochu production, leading to the further development of
A. kawachii
for industrial applications.
Occurrence of potentially pathogenic vibrios and related environmental factors in Songkhla Lake, Thailand
Authors: Thongchankaew Uraiwan , Mittraparp-arthorn Pimonsri , Sukhumungoon Pharanai , Tansila Natta , Nuidate Taiyeebah , Nishibuchi Mitsuaki , Vuddhakul Varaporn 
Published: November 2011

Vibrios are halophilic bacteria that are ubiquitous in marine environments. Their occurrence in tropical lakes has rarely been investigated. In this study, the predominance and diversity of Vibrio spp. was investigated over a 12-month period in a coastal lagoon, Songkhla Lake, in southern Thailand. Water samples were collected at 2 stations in the estuary near Yor Island in Songkhla Lake. The predominant vibrios were detected by a culture-based method, using thiosulfate–citrate–bile salt–sucrose agar and CHROMagar Vibrio. The diversity of Vibrio spp. was evaluated using denaturant density gradient electrophoresis (DGGE). The highest numbers of total vibrios and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in both areas were observed during the summer. There was no significant correlation between the numbers of vibrios, including V. parahaemolyticus, and either the water temperature or plankton density. Variations in Vibrio species were observed with changes in salinity. Vibrio parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139 were detected during the rainy season when the salinity dropped to nearly 0 parts per thousand. In both areas, V. alginolyticus was the most prominent species detected by the culture method, whereas Vibrio parahaemolyticus was detected by DGGE, every month. Other Vibrio spp. of potential public health concern were also detected by the culture method; they included V. vulnificus , V. fluvialis , and V. mimicus .
MicroRNA-494 Downregulates KIT and Inhibits Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Cell Proliferation
Authors: Kim Won Kyu , Park Misun , Kim Young-Kook , Tae You Kwon , Yang Han-Kwang , Lee Jae Myun , Kim Hoguen 
Published: November 2011

AbstractPurpose: Gain-of-function mutations and KIT overexpression are well-known tumorigenesis mechanisms in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). This study aimed to discover microRNAs (miRNA) that target KIT and reveal the relationship between the discovered miRNAs and KIT expression in GISTs.Experimental Design: Fresh-frozen GISTs from 31 patients were used to confirm the relationship between miR-494 and KIT expression using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR to assess miR-494 expression levels and Western blotting to assess KIT protein expression levels. A luciferase assay was conducted for the target evaluation. The functional effects of miR-494 on GIST882 cells (GIST cell line with activating KIT mutation) were validated by a cell proliferation assay and fluoresce-activated cell sorting analysis.Results: An inverse relationship was found between the expression levels of miR-494 and KIT in GISTs (r = −0.490, P = 0.005). The direct targeting of KIT by miR-494 was shown by the reduction in KIT expression after miR-494 overexpression and the increase in KIT expression after inhibiting endogenous miR-494 expression. We showed that miR-494 regulates KIT by binding two different seed match sites. Induced miR-494 overexpression in GIST882 reduced the expression of downstream molecules in KIT signaling transduction pathways, including phospho-AKT and phospho-STAT3. Finally, miR-494 overexpression provoked apoptosis and inhibited GIST cell growth, which were accompanied by changes in G1 and S phase content.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that miR-494 is a negative regulator of KIT in GISTs and overexpressing miR-494 in GISTs may be a promising approach to GIST treatment. Clin Cancer Res; 17(24); 7584–94. ©2011 AACR.
Integrating Pain Metrics into Oncology Clinical Trials
Authors: Cleeland Charles S. , O'Mara Ann , Zagari Martin , Baas Carole 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Cancer-related pain is highly prevalent and often severe, and as a result is often one of the defining experiences for patients with malignancy. Patients and patients' families almost always live with the ever-present reality that cancer treatment and progression may be accompanied by pain. For patients nearing the end of life, most fear that their final days will be spent living with the terrible effects of the disease, the most important of which is pain. Despite this, there is far less systematic research on the mechanisms of cancer-related pain or on the development of new agents to reduce or eliminate pain in cancer patients compared with research to combat the disease itself. Further, even when the focus of research is treatment of the tumor, the effects of anticancer treatments on pain are often underreported in publications and other forums. To illustrate the relative drought in the cancer pain control area, there have been no new drugs approved for cancer-related pain in recent years. A number of methodologic and logistical challenges that hinder the ability to assess pain response in clinical trials are discussed in this article. Possible ways to address these challenges are also discussed. Clin Cancer Res; 17(21); 6646–50. ©2011 AACR.
Trigger-Based Mechanism of the Persistence of Atrial Fibrillation and Its Impact on the Efficacy of Catheter Ablation
Authors: Inoue Koichi , Kurotobi Toshiya , Kimura Ryusuke , Toyoshima Yuko , Itoh Norihisa , Masuda Masaharu , Higuchi Yoshiharu , Date Motoo , Koyama Yasushi , Okamura Atsunori , Iwakura Katsuomi , Fujii Kenshi 
Published: November 2011

Background—
We investigated the possibility that a frequent trigger action might play a role in the development of persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) and the presence of a substrate.

Methods and Results—

In 263 consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation (CA) for PeAF, electric cardioversion was performed at the beginning of the procedure to determine the presence or absence of an immediate recurrence of AF (IRAF). We defined an IRAF as a reproducible AF recurrence within 90 s after restoration of sinus rhythm by electric cardioversion. We performed a mean±SD of 1.3±0.5 sessions of CA, including pulmonary vein isolation and ablation of the premature atrial contractions that triggered the IRAF (IRAF triggers), and observed the patients for 17 (10–27) months. An IRAF was observed in 70 patients (27%), but we could not ablate the IRAF triggers in 16 (23%) of these IRAF patients. The recurrence rate of PeAF was higher in patients with an unsuccessful IRAF trigger ablation than in those with successful IRAF trigger ablation (63% versus 11%;
P
<0.001). A multivariable analysis also revealed that an unsuccessful IRAF trigger ablation was 1 of the independent predictors of recurrent PeAF (odds ratio, 10.9; 95% CI, 3.4–36.7).

Conclusions—
In the PeAF patients with an IRAF, successful elimination of the IRAF triggers, in addition to pulmonary vein isolation, resulted in a successful CA. These results imply that such triggers play a major role in the AF persistence in these PeAF patients.
Association of Genetic Variants and Incident Coronary Heart Disease in Multiethnic Cohorts
Authors: Franceschini Nora , Carty Cara , Bůžková Petra , Reiner Alex P. , Garrett Tiana , Lin Yi , Vöckler Jens-S , Hindorff Lucia A. , Cole Shelley A. , Boerwinkle Eric , Lin Dan-Yu , Bookman Ebony , Best Lyle G. , Bella Jonathan N. , Eaton Charles , Greenland Philip , Jenny Nancy , North Kari E. , Taverna Darin , Young Alicia M. , Deelman Ewa , Kooperberg Charles , Psaty Bruce , Heiss Gerardo 
Published: November 2011

Background—
Genome-wide association studies identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with prevalent coronary heart disease (CHD), but less is known of associations with incident CHD. The association of 13 published CHD SNPs was examined in 5 ancestry groups of 4 large US prospective cohorts.

Methods and Results—

The analyses included incident coronary events over an average 9.1 to 15.7 follow-up person-years in up to 26 617 white individuals (6626 events), 8018 black individuals (914 events), 1903 Hispanic individuals (113 events), 3669 American Indian individuals (595 events), and 885 Asian/Pacific Islander individuals (66 events). We used Cox proportional hazards models (with additive mode of inheritance) adjusted for age, sex, and ancestry (as needed). Nine loci were statistically associated with incident CHD events in white participants: 9p21 (rs10757278;
P
=4.7×10
−41
), 16q23.1 (rs2549513;
P
=0.0004), 6p24.1 (rs499818;
P
=0.0002), 2q36.3 (rs2943634;
P
=6.7×10
−6
),
MTHFD1L
(rs6922269,
P
=5.1×10
−10
),
APOE
(rs429358;
P
=2.7×10
−18
),
ZNF627
(rs4804611;
P
=5.0×10
−8
),
CXCL12
(rs501120;
P
=1.4×10
−6
) and
LPL
(rs268;
P
=2.7×10
−17
). The 9p21 region showed significant between-study heterogeneity, with larger effects in individuals age 55 years or younger and in women. Inclusion of coronary revascularization procedures among the incident CHD events introduced heterogeneity. The SNPs were not associated with CHD in black participants, and associations varied in other US minorities.

Conclusions—
Prospective analyses of white participants replicated several reported cross-sectional CHD-SNP associations.
Randomized Trial of Cutting Balloon Compared With High-Pressure Angioplasty for the Treatment of Resistant Pulmonary Artery Stenosis
Authors: Bergersen Lisa , Gauvreau Kimberlee , Justino Henri , Nugent Alan , Rome Jonathon , Kreutzer Jacqueline , Rhodes John , Nykanen David , Zahn Evan , Latson Larry , Moore Phillip , Lock James , Jenkins Kathy 
Published: November 2011

Background—
We sought to determine the safety and efficacy of Cutting Balloon therapy (CB) compared with conventional high-pressure balloon therapy (HPB) for the treatment of pulmonary artery stenosis.

Methods and Results—

This prospective, randomized, multicenter, investigational device exemption trial compared CB with HPB. Patient eligibility was determined at the precatheterization assessment; vessel eligibility was determined at catheterization. In all vessels, low-pressure balloon dilation to 8 atm was performed, and if it was not successful, the vessel was randomized to CB or HPB. The primary efficacy outcome was percent change in minimum lumen diameter. A core laboratory performed all vessel measurements and angiographic assessment of vessel damage. The primary safety outcome was any serious adverse event attributable to vessel dilation as assessed by the Data and Safety Monitoring Board. Seventy-three patients from 8 institutions were enrolled between 2004 and 2008. In these patients, 72 vessels responded to low-pressure balloon dilation. Of the 173 vessels that met eligibility criteria, 107 were randomized to CB and 66 to HPB. In randomized vessels, CB therapy was associated with greater percent increase in lumen diameter (85% versus 52%;
P
=0.004). After crossover was introduced, 26 of 47 vessels treated with HPB underwent CB therapy and experienced an additional 48% increase in lumen diameter; the final diameter after CB was 99% greater than the initial diameter. There were no serious adverse events related to treatment in a study vessel.

Conclusion—
CB therapy for pulmonary artery stenosis not responsive to low-pressure balloon is more effective than HPB therapy and has an equivalent safety profile.
Derivation and Validation of a Simple Exercise-Based Algorithm for Prediction of Genetic Testing in Relatives of LQTS Probands
Authors: Sy Raymond W. , van der Werf Christian , Chattha Ishvinder S. , Chockalingam Priya , Adler Arnon , Healey Jeffrey S. , Perrin Mark , Gollob Michael H. , Skanes Allan C. , Yee Raymond , Gula Lorne J. , Leong-Sit Peter , Viskin Sami , Klein George J. , Wilde Arthur A. , Krahn Andrew D. 
Published: November 2011

Background—
Genetic testing can diagnose long-QT syndrome (LQTS) in asymptomatic relatives of patients with an identified mutation; however, it is costly and subject to availability. The accuracy of a simple algorithm that incorporates resting and exercise ECG parameters for screening LQTS in asymptomatic relatives was evaluated, with genetic testing as the gold standard.

Methods and Results—
Asymptomatic first-degree relatives of genetically characterized probands were recruited from 5 centers. QT intervals were measured at rest, during exercise, and during recovery. Receiver operating characteristics were used to establish optimal cutoffs. An algorithm for identifying LQTS carriers was developed in a derivation cohort and validated in an independent cohort. The derivation cohort consisted of 69 relatives (28 with LQT1, 20 with LQT2, and 21 noncarriers). Mean age was 35±18 years, and resting corrected QT interval (QTc) was 466±39 ms. Abnormal resting QTc (females ≥480 ms; males ≥470 ms) was 100% specific for gene carrier status, but was observed in only 48% of patients; however, mutations were observed in 68% and 42% of patients with a borderline or normal resting QTc, respectively. Among these patients, 4-minute recovery QTc ≥445 ms correctly restratified 22 of 25 patients as having LQTS and 19 of 21 patients as being noncarriers. The combination of resting and 4-minute recovery QTc in a screening algorithm yielded a sensitivity of 0.94 and specificity of 0.90 for detecting LQTS carriers. When applied to the validation cohort (n=152; 58 with LQT1, 61 with LQT2, and 33 noncarriers; QTc=443±47 ms), sensitivity was 0.92 and specificity was 0.82.

Conclusions—
A simple algorithm that incorporates resting and exercise-recovery QTc is useful in identifying LQTS in asymptomatic relatives.
Controlling for High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Does Not Affect the Magnitude of the Relationship Between Alcohol and Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Magnus Per , Bakke Eirin , Hoff Dominic A. , Høiseth Gudrun , Graff-Iversen Sidsel , Peggy Knudsen Gun , Myhre Ronny , Trygve Normann Per , Næss Øyvind , Tambs Kristian , Thelle Dag S. , Mørland Jørg 
Published: November 2011

Background—
This study tested the hypothesis that moderate alcohol intake exerts its cardioprotective effect mainly through an increase in the serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Methods and Results—
In the Cohort of Norway (CONOR) study, 149 729 adult participants, recruited from 1994 to 2003, were followed by linkage to the Cause of Death Registry until 2006. At recruitment, questionnaire data on alcohol intake were collected, and the concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum was measured. Using Cox regression, we found that the adjusted hazard ratio for men for dying from coronary heart disease was 0.52 (95% confidence interval, 0.39–0.69) when consuming alcohol more than once a week compared with never or rarely. The ratio changed only slightly, to 0.55 (0.41–0.73), after the regression model included the serum level of high-density cholesterol. For women, the corresponding hazard ratios were 0.62 (0.32–1.23) and 0.68 (0.34–1.34), respectively.

Conclusions—
Alcohol intake is related to a reduced risk of death from coronary heart disease in the follow-up of a large, population-based Norwegian cohort study with extensive control for confounding factors. Our findings suggest that the serum level of high-density cholesterol is not an important intermediate variable in the possible causal pathway between moderate alcohol intake and coronary heart disease.
Renal Function After Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Takahashi Yoshihide , Takahashi Atsushi , Kuwahara Taishi , Okubo Kenji , Fujino Tadashi , Takagi Katsumasa , Nakashima Emiko , Kamiishi Tetsuo , Hikita Hiroyuki , Hirao Kenzo , Isobe Mitsuaki 
Published: November 2011

Background—
Kidney function is a known predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) often have kidney dysfunction, less is known about the association between AF and kidney function. We sought to assess changes in kidney function after catheter ablation of AF.

Methods and Results—

Patients who underwent catheter ablation of AF were recruited for the present prospective study. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was evaluated before and 1 year after the ablation. Three hundred eighty-six patients (paroxysmal AF, 135; persistent AF, 106; longstanding persistent AF, 145) were studied. Their baseline eGFR was 68±14 mL · min
−1
· 1.73 m
−2
. Sixty-six percent and 26% of patients had eGFR of 60 to 89 and 30 to 59 mL · min
−1
· 1.73 m
−2
, respectively. Overall, 278 patients (72%) were arrhythmia free over a 1-year follow-up. In patients free from arrhythmia, eGFR increased 3 months later and was maintained until 1 year, whereas in patients with recurrences, eGFR had decreased over 1 year. Changes in eGFR over 1 year in patients free from arrhythmia differed significantly compared with those with recurrences (3±8 versus −2±8 mL · min
−1
· 1.73 m
−2
;
P
<0.0001). In all quartiles of baseline eGFR, changes in eGFR over 1 year after the ablation were greater in patients free from arrhythmia compared with those with recurrences.

Conclusion—
Elimination of AF by catheter ablation was associated with improvement of kidney function over a 1-year follow-up in patients with mild to moderate kidney dysfunction.
TC-Permitting GCM Simulations of Hurricane Frequency Response to Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies Projected for the Late-Twenty-First Century
Authors: Zhao Ming , Held Isaac M. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
A tropical cyclone–permitting global atmospheric model is used to explore the hurricane frequency response to sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies generated by coupled models for the late-twenty-first century. Results are presented for SST anomalies averaged over 18 models as well as from 8 individual models. For each basin, there exists large intermodel spread in the magnitude and even the sign of the frequency response among the different SST projections. These sizable variations in response are explored to understand features of SST distributions that are important for the basin-wide hurricane responses. In the North Atlantic, the eastern Pacific, and the southern Indian basins, most (72%–86%) of the intermodel variance in storm frequency response can be explained by a simple relative SST index defined as a basin’s storm development region SST minus the tropical mean SST. The explained variance is significantly lower in the South Pacific (48%) and much lower in the western Pacific basin (27%). Several atmospheric parameters are utilized to probe changes in tropical atmospheric circulation and thermodynamical properties relevant to storm genesis in the model. While all present strong correlation to storm response in some basins, a parameter-measuring tropospheric convective mass flux stands out as skillful in explaining the simulated differences for all basins. Globally, in addition to a modest reduction of total storm frequency, the simulations exhibit a small, but robust eastward and poleward migration of genesis frequency in both the North Pacific and the North Atlantic Oceans. This eastward migration of storms can also be explained by changes in convection.
Month of birth is associated with multiple sclerosis but not with HLA-DR15 in Finland
Authors: Saastamoinen Kari-Pekka , Auvinen Marja-Kaisa , Tienari Pentti J 
Published: November 2011

Background: Spring birth has been found to be associated with increase in the risk of MS. However, this effect is reportedly found particularly in HLA-DR15 positive patients. Objective: Examine the month of birth (MOB) effect in Finnish MS patients and its association with HLA-DR15. Methods: Using the national register on hospitalizations during 1979–2004 we identified 8359 MS patients. We used a χ2-analysis to compare the distribution of MOB in MS patients versus age-adjusted controls. Patients were subdivided into 10-year birth cohorts to analyse temporal variations in MOB. A subgroup of HLA-typed MS patients ( n = 657) and a population sample of healthy donors from the Finnish Bone Marrow Donor Registry ( n = 19,805) were included to analyse connections between HLA-DR15 and MOB. Results: An April birth was associated with a 9.4% increased risk of MS ( p = 0.008), whereas November birth was associated with an 11.1% decreased risk ( p = 0.004) compared with the expected birth distribution. No temporal clustering in the MOB effect was found during 1900–1988. Both HLA-DR15 positive (34% increase, p = 0.043) and DR15 negative (48% increase, p = 0.0095) MS patients exhibited an increase in spring births (in May). HLA-DR15 in healthy subjects was not associated with MOB. Conclusions: We confirm that spring birth increases MS risk. This phenomenon was not associated with HLA-DR15 and there was no evidence of temporal clustering. The MOB effect suggests that early developmental processes may modulate MS risk.