bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wall Motion Abnormalities with Low‐Dose Dobutamine Predict a High Risk of Cardiac Death in Medically Treated Patients with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Maskoun Waddah , Mustafa Nowwar , Mahenthiran Jothiharan , Gradus‐Pizlo Irmina , Kamalesh Masoor , Feigenbaum Harvey , Sawada Stephen G. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackgroundSevere and extensive coronary artery disease is the underlying cause of stress‐induced wall motion abnormalities (SWMA) with low‐dose (10 µg/kg/min) dobutamine suggesting that these abnormalities may identify those with poor outcome.HypothesisWe assessed the prognostic value of low‐dose SWMA in medically treated patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.MethodsLow‐ and peak‐dose dobutamine echocardiography was performed in 235 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction 31% ± 8%) who were treated with medical therapy. The survival of patients with low‐dose SWMA (n = 33) was compared with the survival of patients without ischemia (n = 85) and those with peak‐dose SWMA (n = 117).ResultsThere were 123 cardiac deaths (52%) during follow‐up of 4.1 ± 3.3 years. Multivariate predictors of cardiac death were age (p = 0.002, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.03), diabetes (p = 0.028, HR: 1.54), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III, IV heart failure (p = 0.001, HR: 1.94), the presence of peak dose SWMA (p < 0.001, HR: 2.59), and low‐dose SWMA (p = 0.005, HR: 2.28). Survival of patients without ischemia was significantly better than those with peak‐dose SWMA (p < 0.0001) and those with low‐dose SWMA (p = 0.001). The survival of patients with low‐dose SWMA was the same as those with peak‐dose SWMA (p = 0.89).ConclusionsLow‐dose SWMA is an independent predictor of cardiac mortality in medically treated patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Patients with low‐dose SWMA are at equivalent risk to those with peak‐dose SWMA. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Value of Early Cardiac Troponin I to Predict Long‐Term Adverse Events After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in Patients Presenting with Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Amin Amit P. , Mukhopadhyay Ekanka , Napan Sirikarn , Mamtani Manju , Kelly Russell F. , Kulkarni Hemant 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackgroundHigh values of both preoperative and postoperative cardiac troponin I (cTnI) contribute to higher rates of short‐term cardiac events following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The prognostic value of very early cTnI in this context is unclear.HypothesisMeasurement of cTnI very early after admission to the emergency room can be used as a prognosticator for long‐term outcomes after CABG.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study on 160 consecutive patients with ACS undergoing CABG at The John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County (Chicago, IL) representing a total follow‐up of 290.42 person‐years. Adverse outcomes were defined as death or reinfarction. We used robust multivariate survival analyses to determine whether early cTnI measurement can independently predict the adverse outcomes in the study subjects.ResultsIn univariate and stepwise multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling we found that unit rise in early cTnI is associated with a 3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2%− 5%, p < 0.001) faster progression to long‐term adverse events after CABG even after adjusting for the type of ACS. Prognostically, the most informative cut off value for cTnI was 5.6 ng/mL. Above this value, CABG patients progressed 2.58 times faster to adverse outcomes (95% CI: 1.05–6.36, p = 0.039). This effect remained after adjustment for other significant confounders namely, poor compliance to medications, female sex, Medicaid insurance, and electrocardiographic ischemia.ConclusionEarly cTnI measurement after admission can predict adverse outcomes after CABG. This association extends to long‐term adverse events after CABG. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Omega‐3 Dietary Supplements and the Risk of Cardiovascular Events: A Systematic Review
Authors: Marik Paul E. , Varon Joseph 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackgroundEpidemiologic data suggest that omega‐3 fatty acids derived from fish oil reduce cardiovascular disease. The clinical benefit of dietary fish oil supplementation in preventing cardiovascular events in both high and low risk patients is unclear.ObjectiveTo assess whether dietary supplements of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) decrease cardiovascular events across a spectrum of patients.Data SourcesMEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and citation review of relevant primary and review articles.Study SelectionProspective, randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trials that evaluated clinical cardiovascular end points (cardiovascular death, sudden death, and nonfatal cardiovascular events) and all‐cause mortality in patients randomized to EPA/DHA or placebo. We only included studies that used dietary supplements of EPA/DHA which were administered for at least 1 year.Data ExtractionData were abstracted on study design, study size, type and dose of omega‐3 supplement, cardiovascular events, all‐cause mortality, and duration of follow‐up. Studies were grouped according to the risk of cardiovascular events (high risk and moderate risk). Meta‐analytic techniques were used to analyze the data.Data SynthesisWe identified 11 studies that included a total of 39 044 patients. The studies included patients after recent myocardial infarction, those with an implanted cardioverter defibrillator, and patients with heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, and hypercholesterolemia. The average dose of EPA/DHA was 1.8 ± 1.2 g/day and the mean duration of follow‐up was 2.2 ± 1.2 years. Dietary supplementation with omega‐3 fatty acids significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular deaths (odds ratio [OR]: 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.79–0.95, p = 0.002), sudden cardiac death (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.76–0.99, p = 0.04), all‐cause mortality (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.85–0.99, p = 0.02), and nonfatal cardiovascular events (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.85–0.99, p = 0.02). The mortality benefit was largely due to the studies which enrolled high risk patients, while the reduction in nonfatal cardiovascular events was noted in the moderate risk patients (secondary prevention only). Meta‐regression failed to demonstrate a relationship between the daily dose of omega‐3 fatty acid and clinical outcome.ConclusionsDietary supplementation with omega‐3 fatty acids should be considered in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Some Clinical Trials Get No Respect
Authors: Richard Conti C. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThere is something to be learned from every randomized clinical trial. However, because of physician bias and/or misinterpretation by the cardiovascular community and by the lay press, some trials seem to generate a lot of heat before they generate light. This is particularly true for trials comparing medical therapy to revascularization, (eg, PCI/stent or coronary artery bypass surgery). Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Underground variations in BEarth: Implications for near‐surface MRI
Authors: Bray Christina L. , Hornak Joseph P. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been proposed as a possible near‐surface imaging technique for locating objects buried to a depth of a few meters in fully hydrated soils. The viability of this proposed technique will depend on the choice of the static magnetic field, which could be the Earth's magnetic field (BEarth) or some conveniently applied higher value. This study addresses the practicality of using various magnitude static magnetic fields to perform near‐surface imaging by focusing on the restrictions the magnetic field places on major aspects of the MRI procedure. Measurements of the magnitude and direction of the Earth's magnetic field were made as a function of depth down to 6 m at a test site. These values were used to simulate in situ magnetic resonance images arising from the water in the hydrated soil. Images show that the greatest limitation is spatial susceptibility variations that affect the static magnetic field used by the hypothetical system. Higher applied magnetic fields alone only improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio. Systems with a low Q resonant coil are needed when using either the Earth's magnetic field or a higher applied magnetic field. These conditions produce a spatial distortion of less than 9 cm. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 35B: 153–167, 2009
Minimum stored energy MRI superconducting magnets: From low to high field
Authors: Vegh Viktor , Tieng Quang M. , Brereton Ian M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe aim of this article is to describe superconducting magnet coil arrangements from low to high field, particularly from 1T to 7T, within the context of the minimum stored energy designs. The findings illustrate that at low field, the maximum peak magnetic fields are located away from the most inner coils of the magnet configuration, whereas in high field designs, the maximum peak magnetic fields are created on coils lying on the inner diameter of the magnet bore. This becomes a critical aspect of any high field design, since there appears to be much less freedom of design at higher fields, due to the inherent limitations posed by peak magnetic fields on superconductors. Our findings also indicate that at low fields, 3T and less, reverse current coils can be used to shorten superconducting magnets, whereas at high field, above 3T, this is not necessarily the case, due to the large peak fields produced between adjacent, alternating current coils. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 35B: 180–189, 2009
Development of a QA phantom and protocol for proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Woo Dong‐Cheol , Choi Chi‐Bong , Kim Sang‐Soo , Rhim Hyang‐Shuk , Jahng Geon‐Ho , Baek Hyeon‐Man , Nalcioglu Orhan , Choe Bo‐Young 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to develop a special proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) phantom, to establish and verify a quality assurance (QA) protocol, and to perform QA for a MR system. For a complete QA protocol, seven principal quality factors (PQFs) were measured. For evaluation of localization and quantification accuracy, two PQFs which are difficult to measure in commercial phantoms, we developed the layered dumbbell‐shaped phantom. The performance sensitivity of our phantom was determined as a function of the voxel size on three occasions over ∼1 year. All MRS QA factors were optimized on two different MRI/MRS systems. The correlation between the metabolite signal intensity and the metabolite concentration was verified. The seven principal MRS QA factors studied can be used to evaluate MR spectra as well as to measure the stability of MR systems. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 35B: 168–179, 2009
Protective effect of curcumin, a Curcuma longa constituent, in early colonic inflammation in rats
Authors: Sánchez‐Calvo Juan Manuel , Villegas Isabel , Sánchez‐Fidalgo Susana , Camacho‐Barquero Laura , Talero Elena , Motilva Virginia , Alarcón de la Lastra Catalina 
Published: July 2009

AbstractCurcumin, a polyphenol derived from the plant, Curcuma longa, has a variety of pharmacological effects, including chemotherapeutic, anti‐inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and antioxidant activities. To gain a better understanding of the effects and mechanisms of action of curcumin on the acute injury caused by intra‐colonic administration of acetic acid (AA) in rats, inflammation was assessed by histology and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO; an index of neutrophil infiltration in the mucosa); Th1 and Th2 cytokine production; histological and histochemical analysis of the lesions; nitrite production in colon mucosa; and the expression of iNOS, COX‐1 and ‐2 using Western blotting and inmmunohistochemistry. We also studied the involvement of the p38 MAPK/JNK signalling pathway in the protective effect of curcumin in acute colonic inflammation. Curcumin (50–100 mg/kg/day) reduced the degree of colonic injury, the index of neutrophil infiltration and Th1 cytokine secretion, and increased IL‐10 production, reduced colonic levels of nitrites, and reduced COX‐2 and iNOS overexpression. A reduction in the activation of p38 and JNK MAPKs was also observed. Thus, we show that the widely used food additive, curcumin reduced the development of AA‐induced colitis and alleviated the inflammatory response. Inhibition of MAPK signalling by curcumin could explain the changes on the cytokine Th1/Th2 profile, the reduction of COX‐2 and iNOS signaling, as well as the decreased nitrite production in colonic mucosa, suggesting that curcumin may be useful in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Drug Dev Res, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diabetes mellitus and gastric emptying: questions and issues in clinical practice
Authors: Samsom Melvin , Bharucha Adil , Gerich John E. , Herrmann Kathrin , Limmer Jörg , Linke Rainer , Maggs David , Schirra Jörg , Vella Adrian , Wörle Hans‐Jürgen , Göke Burkhard 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIt is long known that both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be associated with changes in gastric emptying; a number of publications have linked diabetes to delayed gastric emptying of variable severity and often with poor relationship to gastrointestinal symptomatology. In contrast, more recent studies have reported accelerated gastric emptying when adjusted for glucose concentration in patients with diabetes, indicating a reciprocal relationship between gastric emptying and ambient glucose concentrations. This review proposes that gastroparesis or gastroparesis diabeticorum, a severe condition characterized by a significant impairment of gastric emptying accompanied by severe nausea, vomiting, and malnutrition, is often overdiagnosed and not well contrasted with delays in gastric emptying. The article offers a clinically relevant definition of gastroparesis that should help differentiate this rare condition from (often asymptomatic) delays in gastric emptying. The fact that delayed gastric emptying can also be observed in non‐diabetic individuals under experimental conditions in which hyperglycaemia is artificially induced suggests that a delay in gastric emptying rate when blood glucose concentrations are high is actually an appropriate physiological response to hyperglycaemia, slowing further increases in blood glucose.The article discusses the strengths and weaknesses of various methodologies for assessing gastric emptying, especially with respect to the diabetes population, and reviews newer diabetes therapies that decelerate the rate of gastric emptying. These therapies may be a beneficial tool in managing postprandial hyperglycaemia because they attenuate rapid surges in glucose concentrations by slowing the delivery of meal‐derived glucose. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diversification of the expression patterns and developmental functions of the dishevelled gene family during chordate evolution
Authors: Gray Ryan S. , Bayly Roy D. , Green Stephen A. , Agarwala Seema , Lowe Christopher J. , Wallingford John B. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractDishevelled (Dvl) proteins are key transducers of Wnt signaling encoded by members of a multi‐gene family in vertebrates. We report here the divergent, tissue‐specific expression patterns for all three Dvl genes in Xenopus embryos, which contrast dramatically with their expression patterns in mice. Moreover, we find that the expression patterns of Dvl genes in the chick diverge significantly from those of Xenopus. In addition, in hemichordates, an outgroup to chordates, we find that the one Dvl gene is dynamically expressed in a tissue‐specific manner. Using knockdowns, we find that Dvl1 and Dvl2 are required for early neural crest specification and for somite segmentation in Xenopus. Most strikingly, we report a novel role for Dvl3 in the maintenance of gene expression in muscle and in the development of the Xenopus sclerotome. These data demonstrate that the expression patterns and developmental functions of specific Dvl genes have diverged significantly during chordate evolution. Developmental Dynamics 238:2044–2057, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Emx3 is required for the differentiation of dorsal telencephalic neurons
Authors: Viktorin Gudrun , Chiuchitu Christina , Rissler Michael , Varga Zoltán M. , Westerfield Monte 
Published: July 2009

Abstractemx3 is first expressed in prospective telencephalic cells at the anterior border of the zebrafish neural plate. Knockdown of Emx3 function by morpholino reduces the expression of markers specific to dorsal telencephalon, and impairs axon tract formation. Rescue of both early and late markers requires low‐level expression of emx3 at the one‐ or two‐somite stage. Higher emx3 expression levels cause dorsal telencephalic markers to expand ventrally, which points to a possible role of emx3 in specifying dorsal telencephalon and a potential new function for Wnt/beta‐catenin pathway activation. In contrast to mice, where Emx2 plays a major role in dorsal telencephalic development, knockdown of zebrafish Emx2 apparently does not affect telencephalic development. Similarly, Emx1 knockdown has little effect. Previously, emx3 was thought to be fish‐specific. However, we found all three emx orthologs in Xenopus tropicalis and opossum (Monodelphis domestica) genomes, indicating that emx3 was present in an ancestral tetrapod genome. Developmental Dynamics 238:1984–1998, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of Rex1 (zfp42) function in embryonic stem cell differentiation
Authors: Scotland Kymora B. , Chen Siming , Sylvester Renia , Gudas Lorraine J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractRex1 (zfp42) is a zinc finger protein expressed primarily in undifferentiated stem cells, both in the embryo and the adult. Upon all‐trans retinoic acid induced differentiation of murine embryonic stem (ES) cells, Rex1 mRNA levels decrease several fold. To characterize the function(s) of Rex1 more extensively, we generated Rex1 double knockout ES cell lines. The disruption of the Rex1 gene enhanced the expression of ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm markers as compared to wild‐type (Wt) cells. We propose that Rex1 acts to reduce retinoic acid induced differentiation in ES cells. We performed microarray analyses on Wt and Rex1−/− cells cultured in the presence or absence of LIF to identify potential Rex1 targets. We also evaluated gene expression in a Wt line that overexpresses Rex1 and in a Rex1−/− line in which Rex1 expression was restored. These data, taken together, suggest that Rex1 influences differentiation, cell cycle regulation, and cancer progression. Developmental Dynamics 238:1863–1877, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Frequency of binge eating episodes in bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder: Diagnostic considerations
Authors: Wilson G. Terence , Sysko Robyn 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjective:In DSM‐IV, to be diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa (BN) or the provisional diagnosis of Binge Eating Disorder (BED), an individual must experience episodes of binge eating is “at least twice a week” on average, for 3 or 6 months, respectively. The purpose of this review was to examine the validity and utility of the frequency criterion for BN and BED.Method:Published studies evaluating the frequency criterion were reviewed.Results:Our review found little evidence to support the validity or utility of the DSM‐IV frequency criterion of twice a week binge eating; however, the number of studies available for our review was limited.Discussion:A number of options are available for the frequency criterion in DSM‐V, and the optimal diagnostic threshold for binge eating remains to be determined. © 2009 American Psychiatric Association. Int J Eat Disord 2009
Environmental justice and Roma communities in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Harper Krista , Steger Tamara , Filčák Richard 
Published: July 2009

AbstractEnvironmental injustice and the social exclusion of Roma communities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has roots in historical patterns of ethnic exclusion and widening socioeconomic inequalities following the collapse of state socialism and the transition to multi‐party parliamentary governments in 1989. In this article, we discuss some of the methodological considerations in environmental justice research, engage theoretical perspectives on environmental inequalities and social exclusion, discuss the dynamics of discrimination and environmental protection regarding the Roma in CEE, and summarize two case studies on environmental justice in Slovakia and Hungary. We argue that, when some landscapes and social groups are perceived as ‘beyond the pale’ of environmental regulation, public participation and civil rights, it creates local sites for externalizing environmental harms. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
ATP‐binding cassette transporter hallmarks tissue macrophages and modulates cytokine‐triggered polarization programs
Authors: Pradel Lydie C. , Mitchell Andrew J. , Zarubica Ana , Dufort Laetitia , Chasson Lionel , Naquet Philippe , Broccardo Cyril , Chimini Giovanna 
Published: July 2009

AbstractMacrophages are central players in both lipid metabolism and innate immunity. Their determinant role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is under the control of the ATP‐binding cassette transporter (ABCA1), which by minimizing cellular lipid content, limits development of pro‐inflammatory foam cells. Considering the differential contribution of monocyte subsets to the generation of vascular lesions we analyzed the immunophenotype of ABCA1‐expressing cells in the myeloid lineage, by the combined use of flow cytometry and real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR. ABCA1 expression is limited to “non‐inflammatory” Ly6Clo circulating monocytes and tissue‐resident macrophages expressing markers of alternative activation. In ABCA1−/− peritoneal macrophages the transcriptional programs induced by LPS/IFN‐γ or IL‐4 cytokines are altered and deviated phosphorylation patterns of STAT transcriptional regulators in response to stimuli are observed.
Oxide‐supported tetraethylenepentamine for CO2 capture
Authors: Fisher James C. , Tanthana Jak , Chuang Steven S.C. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractCO2 capture capacity of tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) supported on beta zeolite, SiO2, and Al2O3 has been studied by transient flow switching approach and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) technique coupled with diffuse infrared reflectance Fourier transform spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). TEPA/beta zeolite shows the highest CO2 capture capacity. Adsorbed CO2 on TEPA/beta zeolite can be characterized as weakly and strongly adsorbed CO2. The former desorbs when CO2 partial pressure decreases; the latter desorbs during TPD. Strongly adsorbed CO2 is in the form of carbonates interacting with the NH functional groups of TEPA. This interaction caused the NH and CH intensity to decrease. TEPA/Al2O3 showed the lowest CO2 capture capacity. The infrared results revealed that TEPA/Al2O3 possessed high content of H2O, which inhibited CO2 adsorption. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2009