bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atrial Tachyarrhythmias and Repolarization Changes Induced by Discrete Activation of Dorsal Mediastinal Cardiac Nerves in Canines
Authors: Cardinal René , Armour J. Andrew , Bouchard Caroline , Vermeulen Michel , Vinet Alain , Nadeau Réginald , Pagé Pierre 
Published: August 2010

Background—
Chronotropic “vagal responses” elicited by high-frequency stimulation have been used to identify atrial targets for ablative treatment of atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT), whereas an anatomic approach consisting of extensive ablation of the ganglionated plexus areas has been proposed as an alternative. Therefore, there is a need for precise delineation of juxtacardiac nerves involved in AT initiation and clarification of their regional influences throughout the atria in relation to AT sites of origin, beyond chronotropic effects related to sinus node modulation.

Methods and Results—
Unipolar electrograms were recorded from 191 biatrial epicardial sites in 13 anesthetized canines, with concomitant left atrial endocardial recording from 63 sites in 5 of 13 animals. When electric stimuli were delivered to dorsal mediastinal nerves during the atrial refractory period, atrial premature depolarizations initiating AT were elicited in all animals, most frequently without prior sinus cycle length modification. Among 63 episodes, the sites of origin of early AT beats were localized to (1) the posterolateral left atrial wall in the pulmonary vein region (33%), (2) superior left atrial loci along the Bachmann bundle (55%), and (3) the region of Bachmann bundle insertion into the superior right atrial wall (11%). Moreover, the AT sites of origin were spatially concordant with regional waveform changes during the repolarization phase of unipolar recordings. AT induction and repolarization changes were abolished after atropine administration.

Conclusions—
Activation of individual dorsal mediastinal nerves induces AT arising from distinct sites of origin which are spatially concordant with regional atrial repolarization changes.
Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Successfully Treated by Left Atrial Ablation
Authors: Takahashi Yoshihide , Takahashi Atsushi , Kuwahara Taishi , Fujino Tadashi , Okubo Kenji , Kusa Shigeki , Fujii Akira , Yagishita Atsuhiko , Miyazaki Shinsuke , Nozato Toshihiro , Hikita Hiroyuki , Hirao Kenzo , Isobe Mitsuaki 
Published: August 2010

Background—
We sought to characterize patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) who were successfully treated by ablation targeting the left atrium (LA).

Methods and Results—

Ninety-three patients (58±10 years, 79 male) undergoing ablation of persistent AF were studied. During the first procedure, ablation was performed in the LA and coronary sinus, consisting of pulmonary vein isolation, linear ablation, and electrogram-based ablation. During follow-up after the first procedure, 35 patients (38%) remained free from tachyarrhythmias, 27 patients (29%) had atrial tachycardia, and 31 patients (33%) had AF. Duration of persistent AF according to medical history and whether AF was terminated by ablation were associated with the outcome (
P
=0.005,
P
=0.004, respectively). In multivariate analysis, the duration of persistent AF was the only predictor of freedom from AF (sinus rhythm or atrial tachycardia) (odds ratio, 0.80 for a 1-year increase; 95% confidence interval, 0.67 to 0.95;
P
=0.01). Of 31 patients in whom AF recurred during follow-up, electrogram-based ablation was performed in the right atrium in 26 patients. Sixteen of those patients (62%) remained free from AF during follow-up. Overall, 82% of patients were free from any tachyarrhythmias at 2-year follow-up after a median of 2 procedures.

Conclusions—
Patients with shorter duration of persistent AF were more likely to be free from AF by LA ablation. Right atrial ablation may provide incremental efficacy in patients who are refractory to LA ablation.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Activation Prevents Reperfusion Arrhythmias by Inhibiting Local Renin Release From Cardiac Mast Cells
Authors: Koda Kenichiro , Salazar-Rodriguez Mariselis , Corti Federico , Chan Noel Yan-Ki , Estephan Racha , Silver Randi B. , Mochly-Rosen Daria , Levi Roberto 
Published: August 2010

Background—Renin released by ischemia/reperfusion from cardiac mast cells activates a local renin-angiotensin system (RAS). This exacerbates norepinephrine release and reperfusion arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation), making RAS a new therapeutic target in myocardial ischemia.Methods and Results—We investigated whether ischemic preconditioning (IPC) prevents cardiac RAS activation in guinea pig hearts ex vivo. When ischemia/reperfusion (20 minutes of ischemia/30 minutes of reperfusion) was preceded by IPC (two 5-minute ischemia/reperfusion cycles), renin and norepinephrine release and ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation duration were markedly decreased, a cardioprotective anti-RAS effect. Activation and blockade of adenosine A2b/A3receptors and activation and inhibition of protein kinase Cε (PKCε) mimicked and prevented, respectively, the anti-RAS effects of IPC. Moreover, activation of A2b/A3receptors or activation of PKCε prevented degranulation and renin release elicited by peroxide in cultured mast cells (HMC-1). Activation and inhibition of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase type-2 (ALDH2) also mimicked and prevented, respectively, the cardioprotective anti-RAS effects of IPC. Furthermore, ALDH2 activation inhibited degranulation and renin release by reactive aldehydes in HMC-1. Notably, PKCε and ALDH2 were both activated by A2b/A3receptor stimulation in HMC-1, and PKCε inhibition prevented ALDH2 activation.Conclusions—The results uncover a signaling cascade initiated by A2b/A3receptors, which triggers PKCε-mediated ALDH2 activation in cardiac mast cells, contributing to IPC-induced cardioprotection by preventing mast cell renin release and the dysfunctional consequences of local RAS activation. Thus, unlike classic IPC in which cardiac myocytes are the main target, cardiac mast cells are the critical site at which the cardioprotective anti-RAS effects of IPC develop.
Numerical simulation of the relationship between pressure and displacement for the top part of men’s socks
Authors: Rui Dan  , Fan Xue-rong , Chen Dong-sheng , Qiang Wang  
Published: August 2010

Numerical simulation of elastic human body deformation and garment pressure distribution is critical for optimal design of apparel products. This paper reports an analytical study of the relationship between pressure and displacement at the top part of a man’s sock using a finite element method (FEM). Through three-dimensional body scanning, we present a model of the cross-section of the lower leg where the top part of a man’s sock is located. In this study, the human body is regarded as an elastomer and the contact between the lower leg and the top part of the sock is considered to be an elastic contact. The pressure—displacement quadratic equation can be obtained using ANSYS software and fitting curves. Meanwhile, we divide the lower leg cross-section into four equal regions according to angle and the area shrinkage mass of the cross-section of the leg can be calculated, respectively; all these solutions supply a theoretical reference for optimal design of the top part of a man’s sock.
Are two heads better than one? An experiment with novice share traders
Authors: Heaney Richard , Foster F. Douglas , Gregor Shirley , O'Neill Terry , Wood Robert 
Published: August 2010

We compare the performance of individual and two-person teams in an electronic share-trading task. Trader profits are negatively related to the amount of trader market activity and positively related to trader confidence. While we find no evidence of a difference in trading profit between individual and team traders, profit volatility is more sensitive to trading activity for teams. Team trading profit is positively related to attitude and negatively related to perceptions of the difficulty of the task, with overall team trading activity negatively related to views of team members’ abilities. JEL Code: D44, G14
Evaluation of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients requiring permanent pacing
Authors: Alexopoulos Alexandros , Perpinia Anastasia , Michelakakis Nikolaos , Kossyvakis Charalambos , Deftereos Spyridon , Pyrgakis Vlassios 
Published: August 2010

Objective: Hypertension may lead to left ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis and degeneration of the conduction system. Our aim was to study the association of hypertrophy with certain arrhythmias such as complete atrioventricular block (AVB) and symptomatic sick sinus syndrome (SSS) that require implantation of permanent pacemaker. Methods: We studied 130 patients that had been given a pacemaker because of complete AVB, 130 patients that had been given a pacemaker because of symptomatic SSS and 45 patients without cardiac conduction disturbances. In order to estimate left ventricular hypertrophy, indexes of relative wall thickness (RWT) and left ventricular mass (LVM) were evaluated by echocardiography. Results: We observed significant association between complete AVB and abnormal values of echocardiographic indexes. Conclusions: Our results lend further support to the hypothesis that complete AVB is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. This hypothesis is enhanced by the observation that the majority of patients with complete AVB were hypertensive.
Rapid modification of the insect elicitor N-linolenoyl-glutamate via a lipoxygenase-mediated mechanism on Nicotiana attenuata leaves
Authors: VanDoorn Arjen , Kallenbach Mario , Borquez Alejandro A , Baldwin Ian T , Bonaventure Gustavo 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
Some plants distinguish mechanical wounding from herbivore attack by recognizing specific constituents of larval oral secretions (OS) which are introduced into plant wounds during feeding. Fatty acid-amino acid conjugates (FACs) are major constituents of Manduca sexta OS and strong elicitors of herbivore-induced defense responses in Nicotiana attenuata plants.

Results
The metabolism of one of the major FACs in M. sexta OS, N-linolenoyl-glutamic acid (18:3-Glu), was analyzed on N. attenuata wounded leaf surfaces. Between 50 to 70% of the 18:3-Glu in the OS or of synthetic 18:3-Glu were metabolized within 30 seconds of application to leaf wounds. This heat-labile process did not result in free α-linolenic acid (18:3) and glutamate but in the biogenesis of metabolites both more and less polar than 18:3-Glu. Identification of the major modified forms of this FAC showed that they corresponded to 13-hydroxy-18:3-Glu, 13-hydroperoxy-18:3-Glu and 13-oxo-13:2-Glu. The formation of these metabolites occurred on the wounded leaf surface and it was dependent on lipoxygenase (LOX) activity; plants silenced in the expression of NaLOX2 and NaLOX3 genes showed more than 50% reduced rates of 18:3-Glu conversion and accumulated smaller amounts of the oxygenated derivatives compared to wild-type plants. Similar to 18:3-Glu, 13-oxo-13:2-Glu activated the enhanced accumulation of jasmonic acid (JA) in N. attenuata leaves whereas 13-hydroxy-18:3-Glu did not. Moreover, compared to 18:3-Glu elicitation, 13-oxo-13:2-Glu induced the differential emission of two monoterpene volatiles (β-pinene and an unidentified monoterpene) in irlox2 plants.

Conclusions
The metabolism of one of the major elicitors of herbivore-specific responses in N. attenuata plants, 18:3-Glu, results in the formation of oxidized forms of this FAC by a LOX-dependent mechanism. One of these derivatives, 13-oxo-13:2-Glu, is an active elicitor of JA biosynthesis and differential monoterpene emission.
Continued breathing followed by gasping or apnea in a swine model of ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest
Authors: Zuercher Mathias , Ewy Gordon A , Hilwig Ronald W , Sanders Arthur B , Otto Charles W , Berg Robert A , Kern Karl B 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
Continued breathing following ventricular fibrillation has here-to-fore not been described.

Methods
We analyzed the spontaneous ventilatory activity during the first several minutes of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in our isoflurane anesthesized swine model of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The frequency and type of ventilatory activity was monitored by pneumotachometer and main stream infrared capnometer and analyzed in 61 swine during the first 3 to 6 minutes of untreated VF.

Results
During the first minute of VF, the air flow pattern in all 61 swine was similar to those recorded during regular spontaneous breathing during anesthesia and was clearly different from the patterns of gasping. The average rate of continued breathing during the first minute of untreated VF was 10 breaths per minute. During the second minute of untreated VF, spontaneous breathing activity either stopped or became typical of gasping. During minutes 2 to 5 of untreated VF, most animals exhibited very slow spontaneous ventilatory activity with a pattern typical of gasping; and the pattern of gasping was crescendo-decrescendo, as has been previously reported. In the absence of therapy, all ventilatory activity stopped 6 minutes after VF cardiac arrest.

Conclusion
In our swine model of VF cardiac arrest, we documented that normal breathing continued for the first minute following cardiac arrest.
In vitro effects of imatinib mesylate on radiosensitivity and chemosensitivity of breast cancer cells
Authors: Weigel Marion T , Dahmke Linda , Schem Christian , Bauerschlag Dirk O , Weber Katrin , Niehoff Peter , Bauer Maret , Strauss Alexander , Jonat Walter , Maass Nicolai , Mundhenke Christoph 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackgroundBreast cancer treatment is based on a combination of adjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy effecting intracellular signal transduction. With the tyrosine kinase inhibitors new targeted drugs are available. Imatinib mesylate is a selective inhibitor of bcr-abl, PRGFR alpha, beta and c-kit. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Imatinib has an influence on the effectiveness of radiotherapy in breast cancer cell lines and if a combination of imatinib with standard chemotherapy could lead to increased cytoreduction.MethodsColony-forming tests of MCF 7 and MDA MB 231 were used to study differences in cell proliferation under incubation with imatinib and radiation. Changes in expression and phosphorylation of target receptors were detected using western blot. Cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis assays were performed combining imatinib with doxorubicin.ResultsThe combination of imatinib and radiotherapy showed a significantly stronger inhibition of cell proliferation compared to single radiotherapy. Differences in PDGFR expression could not be detected, but receptor phosphorylation was significantly inhibited when treated with imatinib. Combination of imatinib with standard chemotherapy lead to an additive effect on cell growth inhibition compared to single treatment.ConclusionsImatinib treatment combined with radiotherapy leads in breast cancer cell lines to a significant benefit which might be influenced through inhibition of PDGFR phosphorylation. Combining imatinib with chemotherapy enhances cytoreductive effects. Further in vivo studies are needed to evaluate the benefit of Imatinib in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy on the treatment of breast cancer.
Tumor Antigen–Targeted, Monoclonal Antibody–Based Immunotherapy: Clinical Response, Cellular Immunity, and Immunoescape
Authors: Ferris Robert L. , Jaffee Elizabeth M. , Ferrone Soldano 
Published: August 2010

Purpose Tumor antigen (TA) –targeted monoclonal antibodies (mAb), rituximab, trastuzumab, and cetuximab, are clinically effective for some advanced malignancies, especially in conjunction with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. However, these results are only seen in a subset (20% to 30%) of patients. We discuss the immunologic mechanism(s) underlying these clinical findings and their potential role in the variability in patients' clinical response. Methods We reviewed the evidence indicating that the effects of TA-targeted mAb-based immunotherapy are mediated not only by inhibition of signaling pathways, but also by cell-mediated cytotoxicity triggered by the infused TA-targeted mAb. We analyzed the immunologic variables that can influence the outcome of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in vitro and in animal model systems. We also analyzed the correlation reported between these variables and the clinical response to mAb-based immunotherapy. Results Of the variables that influence ADCC mediated by TA-targeted mAb, only polymorphisms of Fcγ receptors (FcγR) expressed by patients' lymphocytes were correlated with clinical efficacy. However, this correlation is not absolute and is not observed in all malignancies. Thus other variables may be responsible for the antitumor effects seen in mAb-treated patients. We discuss the evidence that triggering of TA-specific cellular immunity by TA-targeted mAb, in conjunction with immune escape mechanisms used by tumor cells, may contribute to the differential clinical responses to mAb-based immunotherapy. Conclusion Identification of the mechanism(s) underlying the clinical response of patients with cancer treated with TA-targeted mAb is crucial to optimizing their application in the clinic and to selecting the patients most likely to benefit from their use.
Final Results From a Multicenter, International, Pivotal Study of Romidepsin in Refractory Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Whittaker Sean J. , Demierre Marie-France , Kim Ellen J. , Rook Alain H. , Lerner Adam , Duvic Madeleine , Scarisbrick Julia , Reddy Sunil , Robak Tadeusz , Becker Jürgen C. , Samtsov Alexey , McCulloch William , Kim Youn H. 
Published: August 2010

Purpose The primary objective of this study was to confirm the efficacy of romidepsin in patients with treatment refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Patients and Methods This international, pivotal, single-arm, open-label, phase II study was conducted in patients with stage IB to IVA CTCL who had received one or more prior systemic therapies. Patients received romidepsin as an intravenous infusion at a dose of 14 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days. Response was determined by a composite assessment of total tumor burden including cutaneous disease, lymph node involvement, and blood (Sézary cells). Results Ninety-six patients were enrolled and received one or more doses of romidepsin. Most patients (71%) had advanced stage disease (≥ IIB). The response rate was 34% (primary end point), including six patients with complete response (CR). Twenty-six of 68 patients (38%) with advanced disease achieved a response, including five CRs. The median time to response was 2 months, and the median duration of response was 15 months. A clinically meaningful improvement in pruritus was observed in 28 (43%) of 65 patients, including patients who did not achieve an objective response. Median duration of reduction in pruritus was 6 months. Drug-related adverse events were generally mild and consisted mainly of GI disturbances and asthenic conditions. Nonspecific, reversible ECG changes were noted in some patients. Conclusion Romidepsin has significant and sustainable single-agent activity (including improvement in pruritus) and an acceptable safety profile, making it an important therapeutic option for treatment refractory CTCL.
Prognostic Significance of p16INK4A and Human Papillomavirus in Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer Treated on TROG 02.02 Phase III Trial
Authors: Rischin Danny , Young Richard J. , Fisher Richard , Fox Stephen B. , Le Quynh-Thu , Peters Lester J. , Solomon Ben , Choi Jimin , O'Sullivan Brian , Kenny Lizbeth M. , McArthur Grant A. 
Published: August 2010

Purpose To determine the prognostic importance of p16 and human papillomavirus (HPV) in patients with oropharyngeal cancer treated on a phase III concurrent chemoradiotherapy trial. Patients and Methods Patients with stage III or IV head and neck squamous cell cancer were randomly assigned to concurrent radiotherapy and cisplatin with or without tirapazamine. In this substudy, analyses were restricted to patients with oropharyngeal cancer. p16 was detected by immunohistochemistry, and HPV was detected by in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction. Results Slides were available for p16 assay in 206 of 465 patients, of which 185 were eligible, and p16 and HPV were evaluable in 172 patients. One hundred six (57%) of 185 were p16-positive, and in patients evaluable for both p16 and HPV, 88 (86%) of 102 p16-positive patients were also HPV-positive. Patients who were p16-positive had lower T and higher N categories and better Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status. p16-positive tumors compared with p16-negative tumors were associated with better 2-year overall survival (91% v 74%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.36; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.74; P = .004) and failure-free survival (87% v 72%; HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.74; P = .003). p16 was a significant prognostic factor on multivariable analysis (HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.96; P = .04). p16-positive patients had lower rates of locoregional failure and deaths due to other causes. There was a trend favoring the tirapazamine arm for improved locoregional control in p16-negative patients (HR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.09 to 1.24; P = .13). Conclusion HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer is a distinct entity with a favorable prognosis compared with HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer when treated with cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy.
Recovering What Is Said With Empty Names
Authors: Piccinini Gualtiero , Scott Sam 
Published: August 2010

As our data will show, negative existential sentences containing socalledemptynames evoke the same strong semantic intuitions in ordinary speakers and philosophers alike.(1)(a) Santa Claus does not exist.(b) Superman does not exist.(c) Clark Kent does not exist.Uttering the sentences in (1) seems tosay something truth-evaluable, to say somethingtrue, and to say somethingdifferentfor each sentence. A semantic theory ought to explain these semantic intuitions.The intuitions elicited by (1) are in apparent conflict with the Millian view of proper names. According to Millianism, the meaning (or ‘semantic value’) of a proper name is just its referent. But empty names, such as ‘Santa Claus’ and ‘Superman’, appear to lack a referent. If they do, then Millianism entails that they have no meaning.
Foundationalism for Modest Infi nitists
Authors: Turri John 
Published: August 2010

We find two main contemporary arguments for the infinitist theory of epistemic justification (‘infinitism’ for short): the regress argument (Klein 1999, 2005) and the features argument (Fantl 2003). I've addressed the former elsewhere (Turri 2009a). Here I address the latter.Jeremy Fantl argues that infinitism outshines foundationalism because infinitism alone can explain two of epistemic justification's crucial features, namely, that it comes in degrees and can be complete. This paper demonstrates foundationalism's ample resources for explaining both features.Section II clarifies the debate's key terms. Section III recounts how infinitism explains the two crucial features. Section IV presents Fantl's argument that foundationalism cannot explain the two crucial features. Section V explains how foundationalism can explain the two crucial features. Section VI sums up.