bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac Arrhythmogenic Remodeling in a Rat Model of Long-Term Intensive Exercise Training
Authors: Benito Begoña , Gay-Jordi Gemma , Serrano-Mollar Anna , Guasch Eduard , Shi Yanfen , Tardif Jean-Claude , Brugada Josep , Nattel Stanley , Mont Lluis 
Published: December 2010

Background—
Recent clinical studies suggest that endurance sports may promote cardiac arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to use an animal model to evaluate whether sustained intensive exercise training induces potentially adverse myocardial remodeling and thus creates a potential substrate for arrhythmias.

Methods and Results—

Male Wistar rats were conditioned to run vigorously for 4, 8, and 16 weeks; time-matched sedentary rats served as controls. Serial echocardiograms and in vivo electrophysiological studies at 16 weeks were obtained in both groups. After euthanasia, ventricular collagen deposition was quantified by histological and biochemical studies, and messenger RNA and protein expression of transforming growth factor-β1, fibronectin-1, matrix metalloproteinase-2, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, procollagen-I, and procollagen-III was evaluated in all 4 cardiac chambers. At 16 weeks, exercise rats developed eccentric hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction, together with atrial dilation. In addition, collagen deposition in the right ventricle and messenger RNA and protein expression of fibrosis markers in both atria and right ventricle were significantly greater in exercise than in sedentary rats at 16 weeks. Ventricular tachycardia could be induced in 5 of 12 exercise rats (42%) and only 1 of 16 sedentary rats (6%;
P
=0.05). The fibrotic changes caused by 16 weeks of intensive exercise were reversed after an 8-week exercise cessation.

Conclusions—
In this animal model, we documented cardiac fibrosis after long-term intensive exercise training, together with changes in ventricular function and increased arrhythmia inducibility. If our findings are confirmed in humans, the results would support the notion that long-term vigorous endurance exercise training may in some cases promote adverse remodeling and produce a substrate for cardiac arrhythmias.
The Wirewalker: A Vertically Profiling Instrument Carrier Powered by Ocean Waves
Authors: Pinkel R. , Goldin M. A. , Smith J. A. , Sun O. M. , Aja A. A. , Bui M. N. , Hughen T. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Ocean wave energy is used to drive a buoyant instrument platform down a wire suspended from a surface float. At the lower terminus of the profiling range, the cam that rectifies wave vertical motion is released and the package, termed the Wirewalker, free ascends. No electronic components are used in the profiler, and only a few moving parts are involved. The Wirewalker is tolerant of a broad range of payloads: the ballast is adjusted by adding discrete foam blocks. The Wirewalker profiles 1000–3000 km month−1, vertically, with typical missions lasting from days to months. A description of the profiler is presented along with a discussion of basic profiling dynamics.
Building new competencies for government administrators and managers in an era of public sector reforms: the case of Mozambique
Authors: Awortwi Nicholas 
Published: December 2010

African public administration today is mixed with elements of the old bureaucratic model continuing alongside the new public management (NPM). The increasing application of the NPM approach has placed public administration and management systems in the spotlight and raised a number of challenges. Among them are the relevance of policy importation and the availability of civil servants with the requisite competence to perform the very critical responsibilities of government that reforms introduce. Using the case of Mozambique, this article shows that implementation of public sector reforms has brought in its trail considerable gaps between reform strategies and the competences needed to execute them. Convinced that competences of public administrators are a vital prerequisite for the success of reforms, the government of Mozambique has instituted a series of training programmes to provide the kind of competences that would reflect the new demands and realities facing the public sector. Though it is too early to expect results, the article concludes that the technical, managerial and leadership skills of public administrators and managers are being improved through better training curricula than were provided in the past. Points for practitioners The structure, functions, and processes of public administration and management have undergone remarkable changes as a result of NPM approaches. But as new approaches are being introduced, government managers have found themselves trying very hard to manage using old skills. In almost every profession, new circumstances require the development of new, or a redefinition of existing, skills. Institutionalizing new training curricula to provide technical, managerial and leadership competence for government administrators has become imperative now more than ever before. The caveat is that building new competencies will not necessarily fix all the problems unless other structural problems such as remuneration, promotion and utilization of ex-trainees are also addressed.
Water sector reform in Italy and in the Netherlands: ambitious change with an uncertain outcome versus consensus-seeking moderate change
Authors: Argento Daniela , van Helden G. Jan 
Published: December 2010

This article aims at analysing the commonalities and differences in recent water sector reforms in Italy and in the Netherlands. The reforms in both countries are characterized by similar goals of achieving greater transparency and efficiency, and comparable governance ideas regarding the establishment of integrated water companies. However, there appears to be a gap between the reforms as initially intended and the way in which they were realized. Although the reform idea of forming integrated water companies has been maintained in Italy, its realization has been postponed, whereas in the Netherlands this reform idea has been replaced by a bottom-up implementation approach, stimulating cooperation rather than integration projects within the water sector. An assessment of the accomplishment of the reform goals conducted in the Netherlands shows that greater transparency and efficiency have been realized to some extent, whereas in Italy any systematic information on this issue has been unavailable. Our analysis of the reasons for the gaps between the reforms as originally intended and the way in which they have been realized shows some similarities between the two countries in the sense of highly institutionalized practices. There are, however, also substantial differences between these two countries. In Italy, there are no networks of water organizations, which explains the lack of local and regional commitment to the centrally desired changes, resulting in their slow execution. In the Netherlands, these networks are powerful enablers with strong coalitions, which have resisted the compulsory implementation of radical changes. Points for practitioners The success of a radical water sector reform, which proposes that the current types of organizations be replaced by new types of organizations, is dependent upon the approval of all powerful stakeholders. However, if radical reform is only supported by some of these powerful stakeholders, it is wise to focus mainly on the relevant goals, and have the stakeholders achieve these goals at their own discretion. The reform implementation will benefit from the involvement of stakeholders at the executive level in both the discussions about the reform content and the processes through which this content can be realized.
Eosinophilic Allergic Polyp
Authors: Jeong Woo‐Jin , Lee Chul Hee , Cho Sang‐Heon , Rhee Chae‐Seo 
Published: December 2010

ObjectiveTissue eosinophilia is a hallmark of nasal polyposis. However, there is no universally accepted definition for eosinophilic nasal polyp. The aims of this study were to histologically analyze the inflammatory cell population in the nasal polyp and propose the concept of eosinophilic allergic polyp (EAP), a simple and objective concept that would be clinically and practically valuable.Study DesignA cohort study with histological analysis of tissue sections and chart review.SettingA tertiary university hospital.Subjects and MethodsNasal polyp tissues were harvested during routine endoscopic sinus surgery from a cohort of 118 patients. Total number of inflammatory cells, including eosinophils, was counted. The presence of allergy and asthma was assessed, which was then correlated with the histologic findings. To determine a criterion for EAP, a receiver operating characteristic curve was used to identify the best cutoff point, which was further validated by comparing the eosinophil proportion in each group with reference to the clinical parameters.ResultsEosinophil accounted for an average of 18.7% of all inflammatory cells. The proportion of nasal polyps with at least 1 or more eosinophil infiltration accounted for 90.7% of all nasal polyps. When the concept of EAP was applied, a tissue eosinophil count of 11% was found to be significant and clinically most useful. Using this criterion, the proportion of EAP among nasal polyps was 62.7%.ConclusionThe authors suggest a tissue eosinophil proportion of more than 11% as a criterion for EAP, a clinically useful concept of nasal polyp that bears good correlation with asthma and allergy.
Can the Reparability of Meniscal Tears Be Predicted With Magnetic Resonance Imaging?
Authors: Bernthal Nicholas M. , Seeger Leanne L. , Motamedi Kambiz , Stavrakis Alexandra I. , Kremen Thomas J. , McAllister David R. , Motamedi Ali R. 
Published: December 2010

Background: Historically, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been very useful in diagnosing meniscal tears but not as valuable in predicting whether a meniscal tear is reparable. Given that several recent studies suggested that MRI can be used to predict tear reparability, the topic has resurfaced as a controversy in the orthopaedic and radiology literatures. Hypothesis: Experienced musculoskeletal radiologists can use MRI to predict the reparability of meniscal tears with good to excellent accuracy using the same arthroscopic criteria used by surgeons intraoperatively. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Fifty-eight patients with meniscal tears treated with repair were matched by age and sex with 61 patients with tears treated with meniscectomy. Two senior musculoskeletal radiologists independently and blindly reviewed preoperative MRI of these 119 meniscal tears. Using established arthroscopic criteria, the radiologists were asked to grade each tear 0 to 4, with 1 point for each of the following: a tear larger than 10 mm, within 3 mm of the meniscosynovial junction, greater than 50% thickness, and with an intact inner meniscal fragment. Only a tear with a score of 4 would be predicted to be reparable. Results: The 2 radiologists’ ability to correctly estimate reparability was poor, with 58.0% and 62.7% correct predictions (κ = 0.155 and 0.250, respectively). Interrater reliability assessment showed that the raters agreed on a score of 4 (reparable) versus <4 (not reparable) 73.7% of the time (κ = 0.434) but came to identical scores only 38.1% of the time (κ = 0.156). Determining the status of the inner fragment was the most predictive individual criterion and the only one to reach statistical significance (χ2 = 14.9, P <.001). Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging is not an effective or efficient predictor of reparability of meniscal tears with the current arthroscopic criteria.
Esterified eicosanoids are acutely generated by 5-lipoxygenase in primary human neutrophils and in human and murine infection
Authors: Clark Stephen R. , Guy Christopher J. , Scurr Martin J. , Taylor Philip R , Kift-Morgan Ann P. , Hammond Victoria J. , Thomas Christopher P. , Coles Barbara , Roberts Gareth W. , Eberl Matthias , Jones Simon A. , Topley Nicholas , Kotecha Sailesh , O'Donnell Valerie B. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) plays key roles in infection and allergic responses. Herein, four 5-LOX–derived lipids comprising 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) attached to phospholipids (PLs), either phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) or phosphatidylcholine (18:0p/5-HETE-PE, 18:1p/5-HETE-PE, 16:0p/5-HETE-PE, and 16:0a/5-HETE-PC), were identified in primary human neutrophils. They formed within 2 minutes in response to serum-opsonized Staphylococcus epidermidis or f-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine, with priming by lipopolysaccharide, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, or cytochalasin D. Levels generated were similar to free 5-HETE (0.37 ± 0.14 ng vs 0.55 ± 0.18 ng/106 cells, esterified vs free 5-HETE, respectively). They remained cell associated, localizing to nuclear and extranuclear membrane, and were formed by fast esterification of newly synthesized free 5-HETE. Generation also required Ca2+, phospholipase C, cytosolic and secretory phospholipase A2, 5-LOX activating protein, and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase 1. 5-HETE-PLs were detected in murine S epidermidis peritonitis, paralleling neutrophil influx, and in effluent from Gram-positive human bacterial peritonitis. Formation of neutrophil extracellular traps was significantly enhanced by 5-LOX inhibition but attenuated by HETE-PE, whereas 5-HETE-PE enhanced superoxide and interleukin-8 generation. Thus, new molecular species of oxidized PL formed by human neutrophils during bacterial infection are identified and characterized.
Excellent Outcome With Reduced Treatment in Infants With Nonmetastatic and Unresectable Neuroblastoma Without MYCN Amplification: Results of the Prospective INES 99.1
Authors: Rubie Hervé , De Bernardi Bruno , Gerrard Mary , Canete Adela , Ladenstein Ruth , Couturier Jérôme , Ambros Peter , Munzer Caroline , Pearson Andrew D.J. , Garaventa Alberto , Brock Penelope , Castel Victoria , Valteau-Couanet Dominique , Holmes Keith , Di Cataldo Andrea , Brichard Bénédicte , Mosseri Véronique , Marquez Catalina , Plantaz Dominique , Boni Luca , Michon Jean 
Published: December 2010

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of low-dose chemotherapy in infants with nonmetastatic and unresectable neuroblastoma (NB) without MYCN amplification. Patients and Methods Infants with localized NB and no MYCN amplification were eligible in the SIOPEN Infant Neuroblastoma European Study 99.1 study. Primary tumor was deemed unresectable according to imaging defined risk factors. Diagnostic procedures and staging were carried out according to International Staging System recommendations. Children without threatening symptoms received low-dose cyclophosphamide (5 mg/kg/d × 5 days) and vincristine (0.05 mg/kg at day 1; CyV), repeated once to three times every 2 weeks until surgical excision could be safely performed. Children with either one threatening symptom or insufficient response to CyV were given carboplatin and etoposide (CaE), sometimes followed by vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin. No postoperative treatment was to be administered. Results Between December 1999 and April 2004, 120 infants were included in the study. Eighty-eight had no threatening symptoms and 79 received CyV. CaE was given to 49 of them because of insufficient response. Thirty-two children had threatening symptoms, 30 of whom received CaE. Anthracyclines were given to 46 children. Surgery was attempted in 102 patients, leading to gross surgical excision in 93. Relapse occurred in 12 patients (nine local and three metastatic). Five-year overall and event-free survivals were 99% ± 1% and 90% ± 3%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 6.1 years (range, 1.6 to 9.1). Conclusion Low-dose chemotherapy without anthracyclines is effective in 62% of infants with an unresectable NB and no MYCN amplification, allowing excellent survival rates without jeopardizing their long-term outcome.
Phase II Study of the Antibody Drug Conjugate Trastuzumab-DM1 for the Treatment of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) –Positive Breast Cancer After Prior HER2-Directed Therapy
Authors: Burris Howard A. , Rugo Hope S. , Vukelja Svetislava J. , Vogel Charles L. , Borson Rachel A. , Limentani Steven , Tan-Chiu Elizabeth , Krop Ian E. , Michaelson Richard A. , Girish Sandhya , Amler Lukas , Zheng Maoxia , Chu Yu-Waye , Klencke Barbara , O'Shaughnessy Joyce A. 
Published: December 2010

Purpose The antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab-DM1 (T-DM1) combines the biologic activity of trastuzumab with targeted delivery of a potent antimicrotubule agent, DM1, to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) –overexpressing cancer cells. Based on results from a phase I study that showed T-DM1 was well tolerated at the maximum-tolerated dose of 3.6 mg/kg every 3 weeks, with evidence of efficacy, in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who were previously treated with trastuzumab, we conducted a phase II study to further define the safety and efficacy of T-DM1 in this patient population. Patients and Methods This report describes a single-arm phase II study (TDM4258g) that assessed efficacy and safety of intravenous T-DM1 (3.6 mg/kg every 3 weeks) in patients with HER2-positive MBC who had tumor progression after prior treatment with HER2-directed therapy and who had received prior chemotherapy. Results With a follow-up of ≥ 12 months among 112 treated patients, the objective response rate by independent assessment was 25.9% (95% CI, 18.4% to 34.4%). Median duration of response was not reached as a result of insufficient events (lower limit of 95% CI, 6.2 months), and median progression-free survival time was 4.6 months (95% CI, 3.9 to 8.6 months). The response rates were higher among patients with confirmed HER2-positive tumors (immunohistochemistry 3+ or fluorescent in situ hybridization positive) by retrospective central testing (n = 74). Higher response rates were also observed in patients whose tumors expressed ≥ median HER2 levels by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for HER2 expression, compared with patients who had less than median HER2 levels. T-DM1 was well tolerated with no dose-limiting cardiotoxicity. Most adverse events (AEs) were grade 1 or 2; the most frequent grade ≥ 3 AEs were hypokalemia (8.9%), thrombocytopenia (8.0%), and fatigue (4.5%). Conclusion T-DM1 has robust single-agent activity in patients with heavily pretreated, HER2-positive MBC and is well tolerated at the recommended phase II dose.
Improved Prognosis for Older Adolescents With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Pui Ching-Hon , Pei Deqing , Campana Dario , Bowman W. Paul , Sandlund John T. , Kaste Sue C. , Ribeiro Raul C. , Rubnitz Jeffrey E. , Coustan-Smith Elaine , Jeha Sima , Cheng Cheng , Metzger Monika L. , Bhojwani Deepa , Inaba Hiroto , Raimondi Susana C. , Onciu Mihaela , Howard Scott C. , Leung Wing , Downing James R. , Evans William E. , Relling Mary V. 
Published: December 2010

Purpose The prognosis for older adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been historically much worse than that for younger patients. We reviewed the outcome of older adolescents (age 15 to 18 years) treated in four consecutive Total Therapy studies to determine if recent improved treatment extended to this high-risk group. Patients and Methods Between 1991 and 2007, 963 pediatric patients, including 89 older adolescents, were enrolled on Total Therapy studies XIIIA, XIIIB, XIV, and XV. In the first three studies, treatment selection was based on presenting clinical features and leukemic cell genetics. In study XV, the level of residual disease was used to guide treatment, which featured intensive methotrexate, glucocorticoid, vincristine, and asparaginase, as well as early triple intrathecal therapy for higher-risk ALL. Results The 89 older adolescents were significantly more likely to have T-cell ALL, the t(4;11)(MLL-AF4), and detectable minimal residual disease during or at the end of remission induction; they were less likely to have the t(12;21)(ETV6-RUNX1) compared with younger patients. In the first three studies, the 44 older adolescents had significantly poorer event-free survival and overall survival than the 403 younger patients. This gap in prognosis was abolished in study XV: event-free survival rates at 5 years were 86.4% ± 5.2% (standard error) for the 45 older adolescents and 87.4% ± 1.7% for the 453 younger patients; overall survival rates were 87.9% ± 5.1% versus 94.1% ± 1.2%, respectively. Conclusion Most older adolescents with ALL can be cured with risk-adjusted intensive chemotherapy without stem-cell transplantation.
A Study of the Ability of Meteodyn WT to Replicate Measurements around Steep Hills Using Wind Tunnel Data from the ‘RUSHIL’ Experiment
Authors: Manning Joel , Hancock Philip , Whiting Richard 
Published: December 2010

Comparisons are made between Meteodyn WT (MWT) and wind tunnel measurements from the three RUSHIL test cases that represent hills of increasing steepness. The two steeper cases are of interest; in one the flow on the lee side is close to separation (Hill 5), for the other the flow has clearly separated (Hill 3). Although it is well known that WAsP 8.3 (WP) cannot predict separation, its predictions are included to represent the current industry standard. Both models agree well with mean wind speeds measured upstream of the Hill 5 crest. MWT gives significantly better but not good agreement upstream of the Hill 3 crest, where WP significantly over-predicts the speed-up. Downstream, MWT predictions are closer to measurements, but predict a smaller separation bubble on Hill 3, due to limitations of the turbulence model. A practical viewpoint requires improved modelling to have only a minimal impact on computational resource requirements.
Predicting Oral Contraceptive Continuation Using The Transtheoretical Model of Health Behavior Change
Authors: Dempsey Angela R. , Johnson Sara S. , Westhoff Carolyn L. 
Published: December 2010

CONTEXT: Improved continuation of oral contraceptive use may decrease the incidence of unintended pregnancy. Therefore, identifying predictors of continuation is important to informing targeted interventions.
METHODS: A survey conducted in 2003–2005 collected data from young women who sought oral contraceptives at three family planning clinics in New York, Dallas and Atlanta. Cluster analysis of data from 1,245 women was used to identify three distinct groups on the basis of baseline responses to items measuring constructs from the transtheoretical model of health behavior change: perceived advantages of pill use, perceived disadvantages and self‐confidence in ability to sustain use. Logistic regression was used to assess the likelihood of continuation among the clusters.
RESULTS: Participants who were confident in their ability to use the pill and who considered both its advantages and its disadvantages important were more likely to continue use for six months than were those who gave low scores to the method’s advantages and their ability to use it (odds ratio, 1.4). The same appeared to be true for those who gave high scores to the pill’s advantages and their ability to use it, but a low score to the method’s disadvantages (1.3); however, this finding was only marginally significant. Demographic variables were not significant after adjustment for cluster membership.
CONCLUSIONS: Cluster membership based on transtheoretical model constructs helps predict oral contraceptive continuation. Women who undervalue the advantages of pill use and have low confidence in their ability to use the method represent a target for interventions and future research.