bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary Artery Stent Implantation in Children with Single Ventricle Malformation Before and After Completion of Partial and Total Cavopulmonary Connections
Authors: KRETSCHMAR OLIVER , SGLIMBEA ANCA , PRÊTRE RENÉ , KNIRSCH WALTER 
Published: April 2009

Objectives: Relief of pulmonary artery stenosis before and after cavopulmonary connections (CPC) in patients with single ventricle malformation is essential to optimize pulmonary hemodynamics. We evaluated the risk factors for pulmonary artery stenosis and assessed the outcome after stent implantation.
Interventions: Seventeen stents in twelve patients were implanted for pulmonary artery stenosis before and after CPC at a mean age of 4.5 (0.1–17.6) years.
Results: Fourteen stents were placed in the left pulmonary artery (82%) and three stents in the right pulmonary artery (18%). One stent was implanted intraoperatively. Mean time between surgery and stent implantation was 28 (1–132) months. The mean (SD) size of the pulmonary artery stenosis was 3.1 ± 2.1 mm before and 8.1 ± 3.3 mm (P < 0.001) after stent implantation. Six out of seventeen stents (35.2%) had to be redilated after a mean time interval of 19 (5–48) months. Two patients’ stents were removed during the next surgical procedure; both needed an early restenting of the affected vessel. There were no procedure‐related complications for stent implantation or redilatation. Anatomical risk factors for pulmonary artery stenosis were right aortic arch and hypoplastic pulmonary arteries, whereas dilatation of the ascending aorta for LPA stenosis and Blalock–Taussig shunt for RPA stenosis were surgical risk factors.
Conclusions: Stent implantation to treat pulmonary artery stenosis in pediatric patients with CPC is effective and can be realized safely. Close follow‐up is recommended in patients with risk for pulmonary artery stenosis. During total cavopulmonary connection, previously implanted stents at that site should be left in place or be changed in a hybrid procedure to a larger diameter, because the etiology of stenosis may persist after surgery and the surgical removal could result in vessel injury that promotes restenosis.
Mechanisms of Late Stent Malapposition After Primary Stenting in ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Subanalysis of the Selection Trial
Authors: CHECHI TANIA , VECCHIO SABINE , LILLI ALESSIO , GIULIANI GABRIELE , SPAZIANI GAIA , BALDERESCHI GIORGIO , MONTEREGGI ALESSIO , RUBBOLI ANDREA , MARGHERI MASSIMO 
Published: April 2009

Background: One of the major predictors of late stent malapposition (LSM) is primary stenting in acute myocardial infarction. However, mechanisms of LSM are still under debate.
Methods: Patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and enrolled in the SELECTION trial (38 patients in the paclitaxel‐eluting stent, PES, and 35 in the bare metal stent, BMS, cohort) were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate LSM, by means of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) data recorded at the index and 7‐month follow‐up procedures.
Results: Stent malapposition was documented in 21 lesions in 21 patients (28.8%): in 8 of these 21 patients (38.1%) it was LSM. Although statistical significance was not reached, LSM was more frequent after PES than BMS implantation (15.8% vs. 5.7%). LSM was mainly located within the body of the stent (62.5% of the cases). At the LSM segment, a significant increase of vessel area (19.2 ± 3.3 mm2 vs. 21.9 ± 5.3 mm2, P = 0.04) and a reduction of plaque area (12.6 ± 4.6 mm2 vs. 9.1 ± 3.9 mm2, P = 0.04) were observed at IVUS between the index and follow‐up procedure.
Conclusions: After primary stenting for STEMI, LSM seems to be more frequent after PES rather than BMS implantation. In the STEMI setting, possible mechanisms leading to LSM include positive remodeling and plaque mass decrease.
Intervention for Jailed Diagonal Branch Is Not Necessary While Stenting the Left Anterior Descending Artery
Authors: IKEDA NOBUTAKA , YAJIMA SUGURU , ASAHARA TOSHIYUKI , SAKAI HIDEYUKI 
Published: April 2009

Objectives: To evaluate whether or not to treat diagonal branches interventionally while implanting sirolimus‐eluting stents (SES) in left anterior descending artery (LAD).
Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures are complicated, especially in the case of a bifurcation lesion. The complicated strategy of PCI may increase the quantity of contrast medium, fluoroscopy time, and the number of devices.
Methods: We retrospectively included 35 patients with stable angina who were treated with SES between July 2005 and December 2006. They had 40 LAD/diagonal branch bifurcation lesions. The diagonal branches had a diameter greater than 1.5 mm. We finished the procedure without inflating diagonal branches when their flow showed thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade 3, even if the ostium of the branches had severe stenosis. Follow‐up angiographies were performed 6 months later. The LAD and ostium of diagonal branches were evaluated according to the quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) measurements.
Results: The percent diameter stenosis (%DS) of the ostium of diagonal branches was worse post‐PCI than at baseline (P = 0.0101). When comparing the follow‐up values with the baseline values, there were no significant differences. Additionally, follow‐up values were significantly better than the post‐PCI values (P = 0.0016). There was no hospitalization for heart failure, angina, or cardiac death. There was only one restenosis in LAD at follow‐up, and no diagonal branch became totally occluded or delayed.
Conclusions: In the diagonal branches, the minimal lumen diameter decreased and diameter stenosis progressed temporarily; however, both parameters recovered at the time of follow‐up.
Regulation of oxidative‐stress responsive genes by arecoline in human keratinocytes
Authors: Thangjam G. S. , Kondaiah P. 
Published: April 2009

Background and Objective:  Arecoline, an arecanut alkaloid present in the saliva of betel quid chewers, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory oral diseases, including oral submucous fibrosis and periodontitis. To understand the molecular basis of arecoline action in epithelial changes associated with these diseases, we investigated the effects of arecoline on human keratinocytes with respect to cell growth regulation and the expression of stress‐responsive genes.Material and Methods:  Human keratinocyte cells (of the HaCaT cell line) were treated with arecoline, following which cell viability was assessed using the Trypan Blue dye‐exclusion assay, cell growth and proliferation were analyzed using the MTT (3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine incorporation assays, cell cycle arrest and generation of reactive oxygen species were examined using flow cytometry, and gene expression changes were investigated using the reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction technique. The role of oxidative stress, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways were studied using specific inhibitors. Western blot analysis was performed to study p38 MAPK activation.Results:  Arecoline induced the generation of reactive oxygen species and cell cycle arrest at the G1/G0 phase in HaCaT cells without affecting the expression of p21/Cip1. Arecoline‐induced epithelial cell death at higher concentrations was caused by oxidative trauma without eliciting apoptosis. Sublethal concentrations of arecoline upregulated the expression of the following stress‐responsive genes: heme oxygenase‐1; ferritin light chain; glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase; glutamate‐cysteine ligase catalytic subunit; and glutathione reductase. Additionally, there was a dose‐dependent induction of interleukin‐1alfa mRNA by arecoline via oxidative stress and p38 MAPK activation.Conclusion:  Our data highlight the role of oxidative stress in arecoline‐mediated cell death, gene regulation and inflammatory processes in human keratinocytes.
The minor salivary gland proteome in Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Hjelmervik TOR , Jonsson R , Bolstad AI 
Published: April 2009

Objective:  To identify the global protein expression (the proteome) in the minor salivary glands from primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) patients and non‐SS controls.Materials and methods:  Minor labial salivary glands were obtained from six pSS patients and from six age‐matched non‐SS controls, lysed in SDS buffer and pooled into two groups, respectively. The lysates were analysed by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization combined with tandem mass spectrometry. Also, the proteins were separated by two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and protein spots were subjected to mass spectrometry.Results:  Heat shock proteins, mucins, carbonic anhydrases, enolase, vimentin and cyclophilin B were among the proteins identified. The differences in the proteomes of minor salivary glands from pSS patients and non‐SS controls were mainly related to ribosomal proteins, immunity and stress. Alpha‐defensin‐1 and calmodulin were among six proteins exclusively identified in pSS patients.Conclusion:  We have identified several minor salivary gland proteins that may have implications for clarifying the SS pathophysiology. This experiment adds to the knowledge of proteins produced in salivary glands in health and disease, and may form the basis of further studies on biomarkers of prognostic and diagnostic value.
Clinical effectiveness of an acellular dermal regenerative tissue matrix compared to standard wound management in healing diabetic foot ulcers: a prospective, randomised, multicentre study
Authors: Reyzelman Alexander , Crews Ryan T , Moore John C , Moore Lily , Mukker Jagpreet S , Offutt Stephen , Tallis Arthur , Turner William B , Vayser Dean , Winters Christopher , Armstrong David G 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis 12‐week, prospective, randomised, controlled multi‐centre study compared the proportion of healed diabetic foot ulcers and mean healing time between patients receiving acellular matrix (AM) (study group) and standard of care (control group) therapies. Eighty‐six patients were randomised into study (47 patients) and control (39 patients) groups. No significant differences in demographics or pre‐treatment ulcer data were calculated. Complete healing and mean healing time were 69·6% and 5·7 weeks, respectively, for the study group and 46·2% and 6·8 weeks, respectively, for the control group. The proportion of healed ulcers between the groups was statistically significant (P = 0·0289), with odds of healing in the study group 2·7 times higher than in the control group. Kaplan–Meier survivorship analysis for time to complete healing at 12 weeks showed a significantly higher non healing rate (P = 0·015) for the control group (53·9%) compared with the study group (30·4%). After adjusting for ulcer size at presentation, which was a statistically significant covariate (P = 0·0194), a statistically significant difference in non healing rate between groups was calculated (P = 0·0233), with odds of healing 2·0 times higher in the study versus control group. This study supports the use of single‐application AM therapy as an effective treatment of diabetic, neuropathic ulcers.
SHELF LIFE AND BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BONITO FISH (Sarda sarda, BLOCH, 1758) STORED AT 4C AND FISHING WITH DIFFERENT FISHING TOOLS
Authors: ERDEM MEHMET EMIN , KALAYCI FERHAT , DUYAR HUNKAR AVNI , SAMSUN SERAP 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to determine the effects of harvesting method and refrigerated storage on biochemical composition of Atlantic Bonito. Samples were fish caught with a surround trammel net and a drift net in the Middle Black Sea region by fisherman and were brought to the laboratory. Quality control analyses for soluble solid, protein, fat and ashes were performed. On the 10th day after refrigerated storage (4C), pH, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N), trimethylamine (TMA‐N) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values were found in the drift net. In the fresh fish samples caught by surround trammel net and drift net, fat, proteins, soluble solids and ash contents were calculated. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe results of the proximate content of Atlantic bonito caught with a trammel net and drift net showed that fat contents were 5.76; protein contents were 20.35; dry matter contents were about 30.5% and ash contents was 1–1.2%. After 10 days of storage at 4C, pH, TVB‐N, TMA‐N and TBA values were 6.17, 34.46 mg/100 g, 7.34 mg/100 g and 7.72 mg malonaldehyde/kg, respectively, in the surround trammel net, and 5.98, 40.60 mg/100 g, 8.02 mg/100 g and 8.03 mg malonaldehyde/kg in the drift net, respectively. Based on these results, there were significant differences between surround trammel net fishing and drift net fishing in terms of meat quality.
The Form and Formlessness of Śiva: TheLingain Indian Art, Mythology, and Pilgrimage1
Authors: Fleming Benjamin J. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThelingais well‐known as the dominant emblem of the Hindu god Śiva. This article seeks to provide an accessible survey of the mythology and iconography of thelinga, and the scholarly discussion about them. It considers some of the ancient objects that scholars have identified aslingas, reflecting on the methodological challenges involved in their interpretation. It also considers major narrative, theological, and pilgrimage traditions surroundinglingas, as preserved in the Pur?ṇas, and some of the prescriptions for their construction and installation, as outlined in ?gamas and reflected in current practice. The author suggests, moreover, thatlingaworship may have played an important role in the trans‐regional spread and consolidation of Śaivism as we know it.
Cost‐effectiveness of budesonide/formoterol for maintenance and reliever asthma therapy in Denmark – Cost‐effectiveness analysis based on five randomised controlled trials
Authors: Wickstrøm Jannie , Dam Nanna , Malmberg Irena , Hansen Brian Bekker , Lange Peter 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy (Symbicort SMART®) is an effective asthma‐management regime where patients use budesonide/formoterol both as maintenance treatment and as additional doses as needed to improve overall asthma control by reducing symptoms and exacerbations. The aim of this study was to determine the cost‐effectiveness of the Symbicort SMART® regime in Denmark vs higher dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) plus reliever medication, similar dose inhaled corticosteroid/long‐acting β2‐agonist (ICS/LABA) combination therapy plus reliever medication or higher dose of inhaled ICS/LABA combination therapy plus reliever medication.Methods:  The cost‐effectiveness analyses were based on effectiveness and resource utilisation data, which were prospectively collected during the treatment period in five randomised clinical trials (duration: 24 weeks, 26 weeks or 1 year). Economic analyses were conducted from both a health care sector (direct costs) and a societal perspective [total costs, i.e direct costs + indirect costs (sick leave)]. The time horizon for the economic analyses was 1 year. The effectiveness measure used was the number of avoided severe exacerbations per patient per year.Results:  Patients treated with budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy showed statistically significant fewer severe exacerbations per patient compared with the alternative treatment regimes in all comparisons. Budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy was a dominant treatment option when compared with higher dose ICS or higher dose ICS/LABA, i.e. it was more effective at a lower total cost. In two of the three comparisons with a similar ICS/LABA dose, Symbicort SMART® was dominant.Conclusion:  Cost‐effectiveness analyses of budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy show that the significant reduction in the number of severe exacerbations observed in all the included clinical studies is predominately obtained at lower costs compared with alternative treatment regimes. This indicates that budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy is a cost‐effective treatment option in a Danish setting.Please cite this paper as: Wickstrøm J, Dam N, Malmberg I, Hansen BB and Lange P. Cost‐effectiveness of budesonide/formoterol for maintenance and reliever asthma therapy in Denmark – Cost‐effectiveness analysis based on five randomised controlled trials. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2009; 3: 169–180.
Contribution of molecular cladistics to the taxonomy of Rutaceae in China*
Authors: BUT Paul Pui‐Hay , POON Alice Wing‐Sem , SHAW Pang‐Chui , SIMMONS Mark P. , GREGER Harald 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe treatment of Rutaceae in the Chinese flora chose to follow Engler in recognizing Rutoideae and Toddalioideae as two separate subfamilies. Morphological and chemical comparisons, however, suggested grouping those two subfamilies in one subfamily, Rutoideae. This move has received support from molecular phylogenetic analyses, which also showed that the Chinese taxa in Euodia should be placed in Tetradium and Melicope following Hartley. Investigations into the chemistry and molecular phylogeny of Murraya also indicated that the species in the section Bergera without yuehchukene should be removed from Murraya. These findings clearly show the value of molecular cladistics to the taxonomy of Rutaceae in China and also directions for further investigations.
Ex Vivo Model of Meningococcal Bacteremia Using Human Blood for Measuring Vaccine-Induced Serum Passive Protective Activity
Authors: Plested Joyce S. , Welsch Jo Anne , Granoff Dan M. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTThe binding of complement factor H (fH) to meningococci was recently found to be specific for human fH. Therefore, passive protective antibody activity measured in animal models of meningococcal bacteremia may overestimate protection in humans, since in the absence of bound fH, complement activation is not downregulated. We developed an ex vivo model of meningococcal bacteremia using nonimmune human blood to measure the passive protective activity of stored sera from 36 adults who had been immunized with an investigational meningococcal multicomponent recombinant protein vaccine. Before immunization, human complement-mediated serum bactericidal activity (SBA) titers of ≥1:4 against group B strains H44/76, NZ98/254, and S3032 were present in 19, 11, and 8% of subjects, respectively; these proportions increased to 97, 22, and 36%, respectively, 1 month after dose 3 (P< 0.01 for H44/76 and S3032). Against the two SBA-resistant strains, NZ98/254 and S3032, passive protective titers of ≥1:4 were present in 11 and 42% of sera before immunization, respectively, and these proportions increased to 61 and 94% after immunization (P< 0.001 for each strain). Most of the sera with SBA titers of <1:4 and passive protective activity showed a level of killing in the whole-blood assay (>1 to 2 log10decreases in CFU/ml during a 90-min incubation) similar to that of sera with SBA titers of ≥1:4. In conclusion, passive protective activity was 2.6- to 2.8-fold more frequent than SBA after immunization. The ability of SBA-negative sera to killNeisseria meningitidisin human blood where fH is bound to the bacteria provides further evidence that SBA titers of ≥1:4 measured with human complement may underestimate meningococcal immunity.
Splicing of the Large Intron Present in the Nonstructural Gene of Minute Virus of Mice Is Governed by TIA-1/TIAR Binding Downstream of the Nonconsensus Donor
Authors: Choi Eun-Young , Pintel David 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT
The essential proteins NS1 and NS2 of minute virus of mice are encoded by mRNAs R1 and R2, respectively. R2 is derived from R1 by excision of a large intron and thus splicing governs the relative ratios of NS1 and NS2. Excision of the large intron utilizes a nonconsensus 5′ donor site. We identified a U-rich and A-rich intronic sequence immediately downstream of the nonconsensus 5′ donor site that functions as an intronic splicing enhancer (ISE) required for efficient large-intron excision. The ISE binds the cellular RNA-processing proteins TIA-1 and TIAR, which enhance usage of the nonconsensus donor.
Using factor analysis to confirm the validity of children's self-reported health-related quality of life across different modes of administration
Authors: Varni James W , Limbers Christine A , Newman Daniel A 
Published: April 2009

Background The measurement of pediatric health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in pediatric medicine and health services research has grown significantly over the past decade. While HRQOL instruments are often administered in clinic settings, alternative modes of administration are also utilized such as mail and telephone surveys. In order for comparisons across in-person, mail, and telephone administration to be valid, items on a HRQOL measure must have equivalent meaning across mode of administration. That is, they must demonstrate factorial invariance (stable factor structure) across mode of administration. Purpose The objective of the present study was to implement the multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) method for invariance testing across mode of administration for children's self-reported HRQOL. Methods Multigroup CFA was performed specifying a five-factor model across three modes of administration groups (in-person, mail, and telephone survey). The 23-item PedsQLTM 4.0 Generic Core Scales was utilized as the measure of children's self-reported HRQOL in a sample of 3741 children ages 5—18. Results Strong factorial invariance across the mode of administration groups was demonstrated based on stability of the Comparative Fit Index (CFI) between the models, and several additional indices of practical fit including the Root Mean Squared Error of Approximation (RMSEA), the Non-Normed Fit Index (NNFI), and the Parsimony Normed Fit Index (PNFI). Limitations The mode of administration subpopulations in our study differed with regard to health status. Conclusion The multigroup CFA statistical methods utilized in the present study have important implications for clinical trials in which mixed modes of administration are used. The present findings support an equivalent five-factor structure of the PedsQL TM 4.0 Generic Core Scales across the three modes of administration studied. Based on these data, it can be concluded that children across the three modes of administration groups interpreted items on the PedsQL TM 4.0 Generic Core Scales in a similar manner. Clinical Trials 2009; 6: 185—195. http://ctj.sagepub.com