bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Left Bundle-Branch Block Induced by Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Increases Risk of Death
Authors: Houthuizen Patrick , Van Garsse Leen A.F.M. , Poels Thomas T. , de Jaegere Peter , van der Boon Robert M.A. , Swinkels Ben M. , ten Berg Jurriën M. , van der Kley Frank , Schalij Martin J. , Baan Jan , Cocchieri Ricardo , Brueren Guus R.G. , van Straten Albert H.M. , den Heijer Peter , Bentala Mohamed , van Ommen Vincent , Kluin Jolanda , Stella Pieter R. , Prins Martin H. , Maessen Jos G. , Prinzen Frits W. 
Published: July 2012

Background—
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a novel therapy for treatment of severe aortic stenosis. Although 30% to 50% of patients develop new left bundle-branch block (LBBB), its effect on clinical outcome is unclear.

Methods and Results—

Data were collected in a multicenter registry encompassing TAVI patients from 2005 until 2010. The all-cause mortality rate at follow-up was compared between patients who did and did not develop new LBBB. Of 679 patients analyzed, 387 (57.0%) underwent TAVI with the Medtronic CoreValve System and 292 (43.0%) with the Edwards SAPIEN valve. A total of 233 patients (34.3%) developed new LBBB. Median follow-up was 449.5 (interquartile range, 174–834) days in patients with and 450 (interquartile range, 253–725) days in patients without LBBB (
P
=0.90). All-cause mortality was 37.8% (n=88) in patients with LBBB and 24.0% (n=107) in patients without LBBB (
P
=0.002). By multivariate regression analysis, independent predictors of all-cause mortality were TAVI-induced LBBB (hazard ratio [HR], 1.54; confidence interval [CI], 1.12–2.10), chronic obstructive lung disease (HR, 1.56; CI, 1.15–2.10), female sex (HR, 1.39; CI, 1.04–1.85), left ventricular ejection fraction ≤50% (HR, 1.38; CI, 1.02–1.86), and baseline creatinine (HR, 1.32; CI, 1.19–1.43). LBBB was more frequent after implantation of the Medtronic CoreValve System than after Edwards SAPIEN implantation (51.1% and 12.0%, respectively;
P
<0.001), but device type did not influence the mortality risk of TAVI-induced LBBB.

Conclusions—
All-cause mortality after TAVI is higher in patients who develop LBBB than in patients who do not. TAVI-induced LBBB is an independent predictor of mortality.
High and Dry: New Observations of Tropospheric and Cloud Properties above the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Shupe Matthew D. , Turner David D. , Walden Von P. , Bennartz Ralf , Cadeddu Maria P. , Castellani Benjamin B. , Cox Christopher J. , Hudak David R. , Kulie Mark S. , Miller Nathaniel B. , Neely Ryan R. , Neff William D. , Rowe Penny M. 
Published: July 2012

Cloud and atmospheric properties strongly influence the mass and energy budgets of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GIS). To address critical gaps in the understanding of these systems, a new suite of cloud- and atmosphere-observing instruments has been installed on the central GIS as part of the Integrated Characterization of Energy, Clouds, Atmospheric State, and Precipitation at Summit (ICECAPS) project. During the first 20 months in operation, this complementary suite of active and passive ground-based sensors and radiosondes has provided new and unique perspectives on important cloud–atmosphere properties.
High atop the GIS, the atmosphere is extremely dry and cold with strong near-surface static stability predominating throughout the year, particularly in winter. This low-level thermodynamic structure, coupled with frequent moisture inversions, conveys the importance of advection for local cloud and precipitation formation. Cloud liquid water is observed in all months of the year, even the particularly cold and dry winter, while annual cycle observations indicate that the largest atmospheric moisture amounts, cloud water contents, and snowfall occur in summer and under southwesterly flow. Many of the basic structural properties of clouds observed at Summit, Greenland, particularly for low-level stratiform clouds, are similar to their counterparts in other Arctic regions.
The ICECAPS observations and accompanying analyses will be used to improve the understanding of key cloud–atmosphere processes and the manner in which they interact with the GIS. Furthermore, they will facilitate model evaluation and development in this data-sparse but environmentally unique region.
Rain Rate and Water Content in Hurricanes Compared with Summer Rain in Miami, Florida
Authors: Black Robert A. , Hallett John 
Published: July 2012

AbstractLiquid water content (g m−3), precipitation rate (mm h−1), and radar reflectivity (dBZ) are inferred from cross sections of particle images obtained by aircraft. Each dataset is presented in a probability format to display changing functional relationships for the selected intervals. The probability of intercepting a given quantity during a flight provides guidance in required instrument sensitivity together with the frequency of precipitation and liquid water content events for given rainfall totals. These data are compared with surface rain rate obtained over two years in the May–October warm seasons in Miami, Florida, with a Hotplate rain gauge. The warm season Miami surface rain-rate probability distribution is similar to the 2005 hurricane rain-rate distribution. Rain rates > ~120 mm h−1 were responsible for over one-half of the accumulation, even though lighter rain dominated by time. Hurricane rainfall is somewhat more intense than the normal surface convective rainfall in that 10% of the 1977–2001 (old) hurricane rain rates exceeded 20 mm h−1, whereas only 10% of the surface rain rates exceeded only ~10 mm h−1. The shape of the rain-rate probability distributions from the 2005 (recent) hurricane data was nearly identical to the probability distribution of rain rates in the Miami data. The radar reflectivity distributions were similar, whose 90% level was about 45 dBZ for the old storms and about 35 dBZ for the 2005 storms. These data clearly show the low bias of the 2005 hurricane data caused by the systematic avoidance of heavy precipitation.
Direct Radiative Effect of Mineral Dust on the Development of African Easterly Waves in Late Summer, 2003–07
Authors: Ma Po-Lun , Zhang Kai , Shi Jainn Jong , Matsui Toshihisa , Arking Albert 
Published: July 2012

AbstractEpisodic events of both Saharan dust outbreaks and African easterly waves (AEWs) are observed to move westward over the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean. The relationship between the warm, dry, and dusty Saharan air layer on the nearby storms has been the subject of considerable debate. In this study, the Weather Research and Forecasting model is used to investigate the radiative effect of dust on the development of AEWs during August and September, the months of maximum tropical cyclone activity, in years 2003–07. The simulations show that dust radiative forcing enhances the convective instability of the environment. As a result, most AEWs intensify in the presence of a dust layer. The Lorenz energy cycle analysis reveals that the dust radiative forcing enhances the condensational heating, which elevates the zonal and eddy available potential energy. In turn, available potential energy is effectively converted to eddy kinetic energy, in which local convective overturning plays the primary role. The magnitude of the intensification effect depends on the initial environmental conditions, including moisture, baroclinity, and the depth of the boundary layer. The authors conclude that dust radiative forcing, albeit small, serves as a catalyst to promote local convection that facilitates AEW development.
Assimilating MODIS and AMSR-E Snow Observations in a Snow Evolution Model
Authors: Fletcher Steven J. , Liston Glen E. , Hiemstra Christopher A. , Miller Steven D. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
In this paper four simple computationally inexpensive, direct insertion data assimilation schemes are presented, and evaluated, to assimilate Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) snow cover, which is a binary observation, and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Earth Observing System (EOS) (AMSR-E) snow water equivalent (SWE) observations, which are at a coarser resolution than MODIS, into a numerical snow evolution model. The four schemes are 1) assimilate MODIS snow cover on its own with an arbitrary 0.01 m added to the model cells if there is a difference in snow cover; 2) iteratively change the model SWE values to match the AMSR-E equivalent value; 3) AMSR-E scheme with MODIS observations constraining which cells can be changed, when both sets of observations are available; and 4) MODIS-only scheme when the AMSR-E observations are not available, otherwise scheme 3. These schemes are used in the winter of 2006/07 over the southeast corner of Colorado and the tri-state area: Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska. It is shown that the inclusion of MODIS data enables the model in the north domain to have a 15% improvement in number of days with a less than 10% disagreement with the MODIS observation 24 h later and approximately 5% for the south domain. It is shown that the AMSR-E scheme has more of an impact in the south domain than the north domain. The assimilation results are also compared to station snow-depth data in both domains, where there is up-to-a-factor-of-5 underestimation of snow depth by the assimilation schemes compared with the station data but the snow evolution is fairly consistent.
AGT gene polymorphisms (M235T, T174M) are associated with coronary heart disease in a Chinese population
Authors: Li Xingsheng , Li Qiao , Wang Yongming , Li Yizhen , Ye Ming , Ren Jianli , Wang Zhigang 
Published: July 2012

Objective: The angiotensinogen ( AGT) gene has been shown to be involved in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the results have been inconsistent. In this study, the authors performed a meta-analysis to clarify the associations between AGT polymorphisms and CHD risk among the Chinese population. Methods: Published literature from PubMed, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data were searched. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a fixed- or random-effects model. Results: Fourteen studies (2540 cases and 2173 controls) for M235T polymorphism and five studies (655 cases and 815 controls) for T174M polymorphism were included in the meta-analyses. The results showed that M235T polymorphism was significantly associated with CHD risk under a recessive model (OR=1.65, 95% CI 1.22–2.25). There was also significant association between T174M polymorphism and CHD risk under a homogeneous co-dominant model (OR= 4.20, 95% CI 1.90–9.29) and a recessive model (OR=4.15, 95% CI 1.88–9.15). Further sensitivity analyses confirmed the significant association. Conclusions: The meta-analyses indicated the significant associations of two AGT polymorphisms (M235T, T174M) with CHD risk in the Chinese population.
Toward the Use of Human Resource Development for Societal Development
Authors: Kim Namhee 
Published: July 2012

The Problem. Although current human resource development (HRD) theory does not adequately address the issues and challenges faced by larger contexts, the methods originating from traditional HRD have been increasingly recognized as useful and effective interventions to deal with problems and issues that occur beyond a single organization or group of organizations. The Solution. To address the gap between traditional HRD frameworks and the social reality of complex and large system change projects, this article identifies major issues that encompass typical use of HRD for societal development (SD), including community development, international development, and organizations’ social responsiveness, and emphasizes the usefulness of organization development approach for SD. The Stakeholders. Multiple stakeholders, such as HRD professionals in the public sector, HRD students, nongovernmental organizations, policy developers, and nonprofit organizations, all of whom engage in SD in various contexts, can take advantage of these scholarly efforts to broaden the scope and boundaries of HRD.
Basal or stress-induced cortisol and asthma development: the TRAILS study
Authors: Vink Nienke M. , Boezen H. Marike , Postma Dirkje S. , Rosmalen Judith G.M. 
Published: July 2012

We examined the association between: 1) cortisol levels and asthma or asthma development; 2) cortisol levels upon stress and asthma. In addition, we performed apost hocmeta-analysis on results from the literature.Cortisol, cortisol upon stress, asthma (doctor diagnosis of asthma and/or symptoms and/or treatment in the past 12 months) and asthma development (asthma at a specific survey while not having asthma at the previous survey(s)) were assessed in the TRAILS study (n=2230, mean age at survey 1 11 years, survey 2 14 years and survey 3 16 years). Logistic regression models were used to study associations between: 1) cortisol (cortisol awakening response, area under the curve (AUC) with respect to the ground (AUCg) or with respect to the increase (AUCi), and evening cortisol) and asthma or asthma development; 2) cortisol upon stress (AUCg or AUCi) and asthma. The meta-analyses included nine case–control articles on basal cortisol in asthma.No significant association was found between: 1) cortisol and asthma (age 11 years) or asthma development (age 14 or 16 years); 2) cortisol upon stress and asthma (age 16 years). The meta-analysis found lower morning and evening cortisol levels in asthmatics compared to non-asthmatics; however, the summary estimates were not significant.We found no evidence supporting a role for cortisol in asthma and asthma development.
Discordant antibody and cellular responses to Pneumocystis major surface glycoprotein variants in mice
Authors: Bishop Lisa R , Helman Daniel , Kovacs Joseph A 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe major surface glycoprotein (Msg) ofPneumocystisis encoded by approximately 50 to 80 unique but related genes. Msg diversity may represent a mechanism for immune escape from host T cell responses. We examined splenic T cell proliferative and cytokine as well as serum antibody responses to recombinant and nativePneumocystisantigens in immunized orPneumocystis-infected mice. In addition, immune responses were examined in 5 healthy humans.ResultsProliferative responses to each of two recombinant Msg variant proteins were seen in mice immunized with either recombinant protein, but no proliferation to these antigens was seen in mice immunized with crudePneumocystisantigens or in mice that had cleared infection, although the latter animals demonstrated proliferative responses to crudePneumocystisantigens and native Msg. IL-17 and MCP-3 were produced in previously infected animals in response to the same antigens, but not to recombinant antigens. Antibody responses to the recombinantP. murinaMsg variant proteins were seen in all groups of animals, demonstrating that all groups were exposed to and mounted immune responses to Msg. No human PBMC samples proliferated following stimulation withP. jiroveciiMsg, while antibody responses were detected in sera from 4 of 5 samples.ConclusionsCross-reactive antibody responses to Msg variants are common, while cross-reactive T cell responses are uncommon; these results support the hypothesis thatPneumocystisutilizes switching of Msg variant expression to avoid host T cell responses.
Association of polymorphism of PTPN 11 encoding SHP-2 with gastric atrophy but not gastric cancer in Helicobacter pylori seropositive Chinese population
Authors: Jiang Jing , Jia Zhi-Fang , Kong Fei , Jin Mei-Shan , Wang Yin-Ping , Tian Suyan , Suo Jian , Cao Xueyuan 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
The interaction between Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP-2) of gastric epithelial cells and cagA from H. pylori plays a crucial role in developments of gastric atrophy and gastric cancer. This study aimed to investigate the association of haplotype tagging SNPs (htSNPs) in the PTPN11 gene encoding SHP-2 with gastric atrophy and gastric cancer in Chinese population.

Methods
The subjects comprised 414 patients with gastric cancer, 109 individuals with gastric atrophy and 923 healthy controls. Blood was collected from October 2008 to October 2010. Five htSNPs rs2301756, rs12423190, rs12229892, rs7958372 and rs4767860 from the PTPN11 gene were selected and genotyped by Taqman assay. Serum Ig G antibodies to H. pylori were detected by ELISA. Gastric atrophy was screened by the levels of serum pepsinogenIandII, and confirmed by endoscopy and histopatholgical examinations. Odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by a multivariate logistic regression.

Results
Among H. pylori seropositive subjects, age and gender-adjusted OR of gastric atrophy was 2.47 (95%CI 1.13-4.55, P = 0.02) for CC genotype compared with CT/TT genotypes, suggesting a recessive model of genetic risk for rs12423190. The prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity were significantly higher in groups of gastric cancer and gastric atrophy compared to the control group (70.3% vs. 75.2% vs. 49.7%, P <0.001). However, the distributions of genotypes and haplotypes in patients with gastric cancer were not significantly different from healthy controls.

Conclusions
Our study provides the first evidence that rs12423190 polymorphism of the PTPN11 gene is significantly associated with an increased risk of gastric atrophy in H. pylori infected Chinese Han population, suggesting that rs12423190 polymorphism could be used as a useful marker of genetic susceptibility to gastric atrophy among H. pylori infected subjects. The biological roles of this polymorphism require a further investigation.
Usage and appraisal of educational media by homeopathic therapists – A cross sectional survey
Authors: Escher Max , Vollmar Horst Christian , Holling Andreas , Raak Christa , Ostermann Thomas 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
During recent years the market for homeopathic education media has increasingly diversified with old (books, seminars) and new media (video-seminars, pc-programs, homeo-wiki and internet-courses). However, little is known about homeopaths’ preferences in using educational media and their requirements of this topic.

Aim
This survey was designed to gain a better understanding of the usage and appraisal of educational media by homeopaths.

Methods
192 homeopathic practitioners (GPs and health practitioners) at a educational conference were asked to answer a standardized questionnaire covering the topics “formal education and context of work” (9 items), “homeopathic practise and usage (24 items), “utilization of educational media” (9 items) and “favoured attributes for educational media” (11 items).

Results
Out of 192 homeopaths who attended the conference, 118 completed the questionnaire (response rate 61.5%). For their continuing homeopathic education they predominantly indicated to use books (scale value from 0 = never to 2 = always: 1.72) and seminars (1.54) whereas journals (0.98) and the internet (0.65) were used less often. The most favoured attributes concerning medical education media were reliability (1.76), relevance for clinical practice (1.74) and user friendliness (1.6). Less favoured attributes were inexpensiveness (1.1), graphical material (0.92) and interactivity (0.88).

Conclusions
The survey illustrates the current situation of medical education media in homeopathy. Although there are parallels to earlier research conducted in conventional GPs, homeopaths are more likely to refer to classical media. New education tools should be designed according to these preferences.
An evaluation of the content and quality of tinnitus information on websites preferred by General Practitioners
Authors: Fackrell Kathryn , Hoare Derek J , Smith Sandra , McCormack Abby , Hall Deborah A 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Tinnitus is a prevalent and complex medical complaint often co-morbid with stress, anxiety, insomnia, depression, and cognitive or communication difficulties. Its chronicity places a major burden on primary and secondary healthcare services. In our recent national survey of General Practitioners (GPs) from across England, many reported that their awareness of tinnitus was limited and as a result were dissatisfied with the service they currently provide. GPs identified 10 online sources of information they currently use in clinical practice, but welcomed further concise and accurate information on tinnitus assessment and management. The purpose of this study was to assess the content, reliability, and quality of the information related to primary care tinnitus assessment and management on these 10 websites.

Methods
Tinnitus related content on each website was assessed using a summative content analysis approach. Reliability and quality of the information was assessed using the DISCERN questionnaire.

Results
Quality of information was rated using the validated DISCERN questionnaire. Significant inter-rater reliability was confirmed by Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (Wt) which ranged from 0.48 to 0.92 across websites. The website Map of Medicine achieved the highest overall DISCERN score. However, for information on treatment choice, the British Tinnitus Association was rated best. Content analysis revealed that all websites lacked a number of details relating to either tinnitus assessment or management options.

Conclusions
No single website provides comprehensive information for GPs on tinnitus assessment and management and so GPs may need to refer to more than one if they want to maximise their coverage of the topic. From those preferred by GPs we recommend several specific websites as the current ‘best’ sources. Our findings should guide healthcare website providers to improve the quality and inclusiveness of the information they publish on tinnitus. In the case of one website, our preliminary findings are already doing so. Such developments will in turn help facilitate best practice in primary care.
Impact of middle and lower jugular neck dissection on supraclavicular lymph node metastasis from endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Kojima Masataka , Yokoyama Junkichi , Ito Shin , Ohba Shinichi , Fujimaki Mitsuhisa , Ikeda Katsuhisa 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Supraclavicular lymph node metastasis from endometrial carcinoma is considerably rarer than metastasis from uterine cervical cancer. To date, there have been no reported cases regarding systematic neck dissection as a salvage treatment. In this report, we describe the neck dissection procedure carried out on a 74-year-old woman with supraclavicular lymph node metastasis. Our objective was to histologically determine the origin of the metastasis while simultaneously providing appropriate treatment. The patient’s past medical history included two prior cases of cancer: rectal cancer 7 years earlier and endometrial adenocarcinoma 4 years earlier. We determined that middle and lower jugular neck dissection was appropriate in treating this case based on the results of our preoperative FDG-PET and tumor markers. This surgery provided histological evidence that metastasis occurred from endometrial carcinoma. Middle and lower jugular neck dissection was expected to improve the patient’s prognosis without impacting the patient’s active daily life. We have continued to monitor the patient closely over an extended period.
Properties of q-analogue of Beta operator
Authors: Gupta Vijay , Sharma Honey , Kim Taekyun , Lee Sang-Hun 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
In this article, we introduce the q-variant of Beta operator. We find the recurrence formula for m th-order moments. Here, we establish some direct theorems in terms of modulus of continuity for these operators. We also propose conditions for better approximation. In the end, we also propose the Stancu-type generalization.

Mathematical Subject Classification: 41A25; 41A35.