bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgonomics of unruptured intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Drazin Doniel , Dalfino John C , Donovan Mark , Friedlich Daniel , Feustel Paul J , Popp A John , Boulos Alan S 
Published: June 2010

Background/AimsA comparison of reimbursement for endovascular coil embolization and surgical clipping of unruptured aneurysms has not been previously reported. The aim of this study is to assess the reimbursement to physicians and hospitals for each of these two unruptured aneurysm treatments with long-term follow-up.MethodsHospital and physician payents were determined for 14 patients treated with coil embolization or surgical clipping of a single unruptured aneurysm per patient from 2004 to 2005, retrospectively. For this analysis, each considered hospital and physician payment encompassed one clipping or coiling procedure plus all pre- and post-operative diagnostic angiograms performed through 2007 to evaluate the treated aneurysm. Reimbursements were analyzed in three categories: physician payments, hospital payments and total payments.ResultsAverage physician payments were significantly lower for coil embolization ($3422) than surgical clipping ($5645). Average length of stay after coil embolization was 2.6 days (range: 1–7) and after surgical clipping was 4.7 days (range: 2–11). The length of hospital stay directly affected hospital and total payments only, but was not significantly altered by which procedure was performed.ConclusionThis study suggests that physician payment for an unruptured aneurysm coil embolization treatment was statistically lower than for a surgical clip treatment. Although physicians were compensated at a lower rate for performing a coil embolization, there was no significant difference in the hospital or total payments between coil or clip treatment modalities.
Complete angiographic obliteration of intracranial AVMs with endovascular embolization: incomplete embolic nidal opacification is associated with AVM recurrence
Authors: Reig Adam S , Rajaram Ravi , Simon Scott , Mericle Robert A 
Published: June 2010

BackgroundEmbolization of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is generally a preoperative adjunctive procedure in the USA. However, sometimes embolization can result in complete angiographic obliteration of the AVM. There is significant controversy regarding the best management strategy for this subset of patients. There is a scarcity of literature predicting which embolized, angiographically obliterated AVMs are likely to recur and which ones are cured. We present our series of patients with complete obliteration of their AVMs from embolization.MethodsA prospectively maintained database identified 122 patients who underwent embolization of an intracerebral pial AVM with liquid embolics. Eighteen patients (15%) achieved complete angiographic obliteration of the AVM with embolization. We followed several parameters to assess possible predictors of recurrence.ResultsFifteen of 18 patients (83%) had angiographic/anatomical follow-up to assess for AVM recurrence and 3 (17%) refused angiographic follow-up. Three patients underwent surgical resection with intraoperative angiography despite complete AVM obliteration with embolization alone. Thirteen of the 15 (87%) patients with follow-up remained obliterated at time of follow-up, and all of these patients had an embolic cast that had a similar morphology to the AVM nidus. Two of 15 patients (13%) had AVM recurrence, both of whom had incomplete embolic nidal opacification (proximal pedicle embolization).ConclusionsA minority of intracranial AVMs can be safely obliterated with stand-alone embolization. Proximal occlusion of feeding arteries appears to be associated with recurrence. Prospective studies with longer follow-up and larger patient numbers are necessary.
Initial experience with an everolimus-eluting, second-generation drug-eluting stent for treatment of intracranial atherosclerosis
Authors: Natarajan Sabareesh K , Ogilvy Christopher S , Hopkins L Nelson , Siddiqui Adnan H , Levy Elad I 
Published: June 2010

Background and purposeHigh in-stent restenosis (ISR) rates have been reported after treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). Balloon-mounted drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation has led to an ISR reduction in coronary vessels and may provide a solution to overcome this obstacle in the intracranial circulation. We present our initial experience with the everolimus-eluting stent (EES; Abbott Vascular, Abbott Park, Illinois, USA), a second-generation balloon-mounted DES, for ICAS treatment.MethodsA retrospective review of prospectively collected endovascular data at our institution resulted in the identification of six patients with ICAS treated with EES. Data collected included patient demographics, presentation, comorbidities and lesion, intervention and follow-up details.ResultsThese six patients had >70% angiographic ICAS and history of stroke or recurrent transient ischemic attacks, despite aspirin therapy and medical management of comorbidities. Lesions were located in the V4-vertebral artery segment (n=2), M1 middle cerebral artery segment (n=1), proximal basilar artery (n=1), supraclinoid internal carotid artery (n=1) and petrous internal carotid artery (n=1). Average stenosis severity was 82.8±6.6% (median, 80%); average lesion length was 10.2±2.2 mm. Stent placement was successful in all cases. Average postintervention stenosis was 5.5±4.4% (median, 7.5%). One patient had postintervention reperfusion hemorrhage that required urgent decompressive craniectomy. None of the five patients with angiographic follow-up (5–6 months) had ISR. The six patients had 4–10 months of clinical follow-up. Only the patient with reperfusion hemorrhage had decreased functional status after treatment (modified Rankin scale score=4) and is making a slow recovery.ConclusionThis study confirms feasibility of use of a second-generation DES for ICAS and provides short-term follow-up results.
Attitudes, practices and beliefs towards worksite smoking among administrators of private and public enterprises in Armenia
Authors: Movsisyan Narine K , Thompson Michael E , Petrosyan Varduhi 
Published: June 2010

BackgroundIn March 2005, Armenia enacted legislation protecting employees from secondhand smoke. This research was the first attempt to understand the attitudes, beliefs and practices of managers of public and private enterprises regarding smoke-free worksite policies.MethodsMixed methods were used. The study team conducted focus group discussions with worksite administrators to explore their beliefs, attitudes and practices related to worksite smoking. These findings guided development of a quantitative instrument to collect more representative data on the same issues. Using stratified random sampling, 243 worksites were interviewed from June-July 2005, representing state/municipal, health, educational, culture and business institutions in three of Armenia's largest cities.Results/DiscussionSmoking-related practices differed significantly across institutions. More than half of the managers (55.6%) reported having smoking restrictions at worksites, including 37.0% who reported smoke-free workplaces; however, smoking or the presence of ashtrays was observed in 27.8% of workplaces reported to be smoke-free. A substantial proportion of the administrators favored both banning indoor smoking and allowing smoking in special areas. Only 38.0% of managers were aware of employees' existing legal protections from exposure to secondhand smoke. Knowledge of these regulations was not related to adherence to smoke-free worksite policies. The research also revealed widespread confusion between the concepts of worksite smoking restrictions and smoke-free workplaces. Public awareness campaigns that promote promulgation and enforcement of worksite smoking regulations could increase employee demand for smoke-free worksites.ConclusionAs one of the first studies to investigate smoking-related worksite practices, attitudes and beliefs in former Soviet countries, these findings provide insight into law enforcement processes in economies in transition.
Mechanism of antibacterial activity of the white-rot fungusHypholoma fascicularecolonizing wood
Authors: de Boer Wietse , Folman Larissa B. , Klein Gunnewiek Paulien J.A. , Svensson Teresia , Bastviken David , Öberg Gunilla , del Rio José C. , Boddy Lynne 
Published: June 2010

In a previous study it was shown that the number of wood-inhabiting bacteria was drastically reduced after colonization of beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) wood blocks by the white-rot fungus Hypholoma fasciculare , or sulfur tuft ( Folman et al. 2008 ). Here we report on the mechanisms of this fungal-induced antibacterial activity. Hypholoma fasciculare was allowed to invade beech and pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) wood blocks that had been precolonized by microorganisms from forest soil. The changes in the number of bacteria, fungal biomass, and fungal-related wood properties were followed for 23 weeks. Colonization by the fungus resulted in a rapid and large reduction in the number of bacteria (colony-forming units), which was already apparent after 4 weeks of incubation. The reduction in the number of bacteria coincided with fungal-induced acidification in both beech and pine wood blocks. No evidence was found for the involvement of toxic secondary metabolites or reactive oxygen species in the reduction of the number of bacteria. Additional experiments showed that the dominant bacteria present in the wood blocks were not able to grow under the acidic conditions (pH 3.5) created by the fungus. Hence our research pointed at rapid acidification as the major factor causing reduction of wood-inhabiting bacteria upon colonization of wood by H. fasciculare.
ADAM17 Regulates Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression through the Activation of Notch1 in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Baumgart Anja , Seidl Stefan , Vlachou Petros , Michel Lars , Mitova Nadya , Schatz Nicole , Specht Katja , Koch Ina , Schuster Tibor , Grundler Rebekka , Kremer Marcus , Fend Falko , Siveke Jens T. , Peschel Christian , Duyster Justus , Dechow Tobias 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression and activation are hallmarks of non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Although EGFR-targeted therapies are used, the prognosis of NSCLC remains poor. ADAM17 induces activation of the EGFR through ligand cleavage. However, we show that inhibition or knockdown of ADAM17 markedly reduces tumorigenesis and survival to a large part independently from EGFR ligand shedding in NSCLC cells. These findings strongly indicate additional oncogenic mechanisms regulated by ADAM17. We identified Notch1 signaling as an ADAM17-controlled pathway and a critical regulator of anchorage-independent growth by using both Notch1 shRNA and ectopic expression of the active intracellular Notch1 fragment. Strikingly, Notch1 knockdown led to a strong reduction of EGFR expression in all analyzed cell lines. Proliferation, survival, and colony formation of Notch1-deficient cells were insensitive to EGF stimulation. Moreover, targeting Notch1 or ADAM17 resulted in substantial cell death, whereas EGFR inhibition predominantly induced cell cycle arrest. Immunohistochemical analysis of primary human tissue revealed a significant correlation between ADAM17, Notch1 signaling, and high EGFR expression levels. In conclusion, this article describes a novel molecular circuitry in NSCLC, incorporating ADAM17 as a regulator of EGFR expression through the activation of Notch1. Due to their central role in tumorigenesis and survival of NSCLC cells, both ADAM17 and Notch1 constitute promising targets for the treatment of NSCLC. Cancer Res; 70(13); 5368–78. ©2010 AACR.
Exercise Hemodynamics Enhance Diagnosis of Early Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Borlaug Barry A. , Nishimura Rick A. , Sorajja Paul , Lam Carolyn S.P. , Redfield Margaret M. 
Published: June 2010

Background—
When advanced, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is readily apparent. However, diagnosis of earlier disease may be challenging because exertional dyspnea is not specific for heart failure, and biomarkers and hemodynamic indicators of volume overload may be absent at rest.

Methods and Results—
Patients with exertional dyspnea and ejection fraction >50% were referred for hemodynamic catheterization. Those with no significant coronary disease, normal brain natriuretic peptide assay, and normal resting hemodynamics (mean pulmonary artery pressure <25 mm Hg and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure [PCWP] <15 mm Hg) (n=55) underwent exercise study. The exercise PCWP was used to classify patients as having HFpEF (PCWP ≥25 mm Hg) (n=32) or noncardiac dyspnea (PCWP <25 mm Hg) (n=23). At rest, patients with HFpEF had higher resting pulmonary artery pressure and PCWP, although all values fell within normal limits. Exercise-induced elevation in PCWP in HFpEF was confirmed by greater increases in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and was associated with blunted increases in heart rate, systemic vasodilation, and cardiac output. Exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension was present in 88% of patients with HFpEF and was related principally to elevated PCWP, as pulmonary vascular resistances dropped similarly in both groups. Exercise PCWP and pulmonary artery systolic pressure were highly correlated. An exercise pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥45 mm Hg identified HFpEF with 96% sensitivity and 95% specificity.

Conclusions—
Euvolemic patients with exertional dyspnea, normal brain natriuretic peptide, and normal cardiac filling pressures at rest may have markedly abnormal hemodynamic responses during exercise, suggesting that chronic symptoms are related to heart failure. Earlier and more accurate diagnosis using exercise hemodynamics may allow better targeting of interventions to treat and prevent HFpEF progression.
What Do Reliquaries Do for Relics?
Authors: Hahn Cynthia 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis article introduces prominent issues that surround the Christian use of reliquaries, first discussing examples from Trier made by the renowned Archbishop Egbert in the tenth century, then turning to early Christian texts to investigate the beginnings of relic practice and belief. Of special interest are the letters and poems of Paulinus of Nola, but also the commentaries of Augustine, Ambrose, Victricius of Rouen and others that flesh out an understanding of how reliquaries were essential to the project of creating an appropriate reverentia for relics (Peter Brown's term). The materiality of reliquaries, their creation of social relations, particular issues of enclosure and beauty, and questions of potential visibility are given special consideration.
Efficacy and usability of assistive technology for patients with cognitive deficits: a systematic review
Authors: de Joode Elsbeth , van Heugten Caroline , Verhey Frans , van Boxtel Martin 
Published: June 2010

Objective: To determine the efficacy of portable electronic aids such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers or mobile phones for patients with cognitive deficits by means of a systematic review. The usability of these aids is also briefly discussed.Data sources: PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched up to February 2009. The references of identified and relevant articles were scanned to find additional relevant titles.Review methods: Papers referring to ‘electronic aids’, ‘cognition’ and ‘brain injury’ were included. The population had to be adult and have cognitive impairments as a result of acquired brain injury. Outcome measures were change in cognitive or occupational performance or the level of participation in daily life. The criteria of Cicerone et al. were used to evaluate the quality of the retrieved studies.Results: Twenty-eight papers presenting 25 studies were reviewed. The total number of participants was 423. Most identified papers described case reports or non-randomized clinical trials. Only one randomized controlled trial was identified, in which the NeuroPage proved effective in supporting prospective memory. Other kinds of assistive technology such as PDAs and voice recorders showed positive results in supporting retrospective and prospective memory.Conclusion: The efficacy of assistive technology in general is not yet sufficiently studied in randomized controlled trials, although promising results has been reported. Furthermore, several survey studies established that both potential users and clinicians have optimistic expectations about the usability of assistive technology.
Butler’s neuromobilizations combined with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation are effective in reducing of upper limb sensory in late-stage stroke subjects: a three-group randomized trial
Authors: Wolny Tomasz , Saulicz Edward , Gnat Rafał , Kokosz Mirosław 
Published: June 2010

Question: Are Butler’s neuromobilizations combined with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and traditional post-stroke therapy more effective in reducing affected upper extremity sensory deficits in late-stage stroke subjects than proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combined with traditional therapy or traditional therapy alone? Design: Pretest—posttest three-group randomized clinical experimental design. Participants: A total of 96 late-stage stroke subjects were randomly assigned to three groups. Intervention: The therapeutic programme in the control group was based on traditional post-stroke methods. The second group (experimental 1) received in addition individual therapy based on the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation method. The third group (experimental 2) received a combination: traditional therapeutic programme plus individual proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercises plus neuromobilization of the affected upper extremity. All groups received 18 training sessions lasting about 45 minutes each. Outcome measures: Assessment of the two-point discriminatory sense (distance between the tips of the compass when the subject indicated two-point sensation), stereognosia (identification up to 10 objects by touch) and thermaesthesia (using hot and cold cylinders on dermatomes C6—C8) were performed. Results: Analysis of change scores showed that two-point discriminatory sense for experimental group 2 was significantly better than that in the two other groups (P<0.001). Similar results were registered for thermaesthesia (experimental 2 versus experimental 1 P<0.01; experimental 2 versus control P<0.001). For stereognosia the only significant difference was found between experimental group 2 and the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: In our subjects, application of Butler’s neuromobilizations combined with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation showed greater effectiveness in reducing sensory deficits than proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation or traditional therapy alone.
Long-Term Outcome After Arthroscopic Meniscal Repair Versus Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy for Traumatic Meniscal Tears
Authors: Stein Thomas , Mehling Andreas Peter , Welsch Frederic , von Eisenhart-Rothe Rüdige , Jäger Alwin 
Published: June 2010

Background: The influence of standard meniscus treatment strategies regarding osteoarthritic progress, function, and sports activity has not been estimated in a direct long-term comparison. Hypothesis: Meniscal repair compared with partial meniscectomy (partial meniscal resection) decreases osteoarthritic changes and reduces the effect on sports activity in the long-term follow-up. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Eighty-one patients with an arthroscopic meniscus shape–preserving surgery after isolated traumatic medial meniscal tear (repair: n = 42; meniscectomy: n = 39) were examined clinically (Lysholm score, Tegner score) and radiologically (Fairbank score, compared with the uninjured knee); the follow-up was divided into midterm (3.4 years; n = 35) and long term (8.8 years; n = 46). Additionally, the influences of the preoperative sports activity level and age at surgery were evaluated. Results: In the long-term follow-up, no osteoarthritic progress was detectable in 80.8% after repair compared with 40.0% after meniscectomy ( P = .005) with significant benefit for the “young” subgroup ( P = 0.01). The preinjury activity level was obtained in 96.2% after repair compared with 50% after meniscectomy ( P = .001). The function score revealed no significant difference between these strategies ( P = .114). The athletes showed a significantly reduced loss of sports activity after repair compared with the athletes after meniscectomy ( P = .001). Conclusion: Arthroscopic meniscal repair offers significantly improved results for isolated traumatic meniscal tears regarding the long-term follow-up in osteoarthritis prophylaxis and sports activity recovery compared with partial meniscectomy.
Naturally occurring free thiols within β2-glycoprotein I in vivo: nitrosylation, redox modification by endothelial cells, and regulation of oxidative stress–induced cell injury
Authors: Ioannou Yiannis , Zhang Jing-Yun , Passam Freda H. , Rahgozar Soheila , Qi Jian Cheng , Giannakopoulos Bill , Qi Miao , Yu Pei , Yu Demin M. , Hogg Philip J. , Krilis Steven A. 
Published: June 2010

Abstractβ2-Glycoprotein I (β2GPI) is an evolutionary conserved, abundant circulating protein. Although its function remains uncertain, accumulated evidence points toward interactions with endothelial cells and components of the coagulation system, suggesting a regulatory role in vascular biology. Our group has shown that thioredoxin 1 (TRX-1) generates free thiols in β2GPI, a process that may have a regulatory role in platelet adhesion. This report extends these studies and shows for the first time evidence of β2GPI with free thiols in vivo in both multiple human and murine serum samples. To explore how the vascular surface may modulate the redox status of β2GPI, unstimulated human endothelial cells and EAhy926 cells are shown to be capable of amplifying the effect of free thiol generation within β2GPI. Multiple oxidoreductase enzymes, such as endoplasmic reticulum protein 46 (ERp 46) and TRX-1 reductase, in addition to protein disulfide isomerase are secreted on the surface of endothelial cells. Furthermore, one or more of these generated free thiols within β2GPI are also shown to be nitrosylated. Finally, the functional significance of these findings is explored, by showing that free thiol–containing β2GPI has a powerful effect in protecting endothelial cells and EAhy926 cells from oxidative stress–induced cell death.