bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
D-dimer and residual vein obstruction as risk factors for recurrence during and after anticoagulation withdrawal in patients with a first episode of provoked deep-vein thrombosis
Authors: Legnani Cristina , Cini Michela , Guazzaloca Giuliana , Palareti Gualtiero , Cosmi Benilde 
Published: March 2011

SummaryD-dimer and residual venous obstruction (RVO) have been separately shown to be risk factors for recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) after a first episode of unprovoked proximal deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). It was the objective of this study to assess the predictive value of D-dimer and residual vein obstruction (RVO), alone and in combination, for recurrence after provoked DVT of the lower limbs. A total of 296 consecutive patients with a first episode of symptomatic provoked proximal DVT were evaluated at a university hospital in Bologna, Italy. On the day of anticoagulation withdrawal (T0), RVO was determined by compression ultrasonography. D-dimer levels (cut-off: 500 ng/ml) were measured at T0 and after 30 ±10 days (T1). The main outcome was recurrent VTE during a two-year follow-up. D-dimer was abnormal in 11.6% (32/276) and 31% (85/276) of subjects at T0 and at T1, respectively. RVO was present in 44.8% (132/294) of patients. Recurrence rate was 5.1% (15/296; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3–8%; 3% patient-years; 95% CI: 2–5 %). An abnormal D-dimer either at T0 or at T1 was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for recurrence of 4.2 (95% CI:1.2–14.2; p=0.02) and 3.8 (95%CI: 1.2–12.1; p=0.02), respectively, when compared with normal D-dimer. The HR for recurrence associated with RVO was not significant, and RVO did not increase the recurrence risk associated with an abnormal D-dimer either at T0 or T1. In conclusion, an abnormal D-dimer during vitamin K antagonist (VKA) treatment or at one month after VKA withdrawal is a risk factor for recurrence in patients with provoked DVT, while RVO at the time of anticoagulation withdrawal is not.
High soluble Fas and soluble Fas Ligand serum levels before stent implantation are protective against restenosis
Authors: Speidl Walter , Kastl Stefan , Huber Kurt , Zorn Gerlinde , Niessner Alexander , Glogar Dietmar , Maurer Gerald , Katsaros Katharina , Wiesbauer Franz , Wojta Johann 
Published: March 2011

SummaryPercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) represents the most important treatment of coronary artery stenosis today. But instent restenosis (ISR) is a limitation for the outcome. Fas and Fas Ligand have been implicated in apoptosis and vessel wall inflammation. Their role in ISR is not known so far. In this prospective study we studied 137 patients with stable coronary artery disease who underwent elective PCI. Blood samples were taken directly before and 24 hours after PCI. Soluble (s)Fas and sFas Ligand serum levels were measured by ELISA. Restenosis was evaluated six to eight months later either by coronary angiography or by exercise testing. During the follow-up period, 18 patients (13%) developed ISR. At baseline, patients with ISR had significantly lower median sFas, as well as sFas Ligand levels compared to patients without ISR (sFAS: ISR 492 pg/ml, no ISR 967 pg/ml, p=0.014; sFAS Ligand: ISR: 26 pg/ml, no ISR: 42 pg/ml, p=0.001). After PCI median sFas levels significantly decreased in patients with ISR compared to patients without ISR [ISR: –152 pg/ml (IQR –36 to –227), no ISR: –38 pg/ml (IQR –173 to +150 pg/ml), p=0.03]. sFas Ligand levels after PCI significantly increased in ISR patients compared to patients without ISR [ISR: 14 pg/ ml (IQR –3 to +26 pg/ml), no ISR –6 pg/ml (IQR –22 to +21 pg/ml), p=0.014]. In conclusion, sFas and sFas Ligand seem to be associated with the development of ISR. Determination of serum levels before and after PCI might help identifying patients at higher risk of ISR.
Comparison of Zotarolimus-Eluting Stents With Sirolimus-Eluting and Paclitaxel-Eluting Stents
Authors: Kang Soo-Jin , Mintz Gary S. , Park Duk-Woo , Lee Seung-Whan , Kim Young-Hak , Lee Cheol Whan , Han Ki-Hoon , Kim Jae-Joong , Park Seong-Wook , Park Seung-Jung 
Published: March 2011

Background—
As a substudy of the large, randomized ZEST (Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Zotarolimus-Eluting Stent with Sirolimus-Eluting and PacliTaxel-Eluting Stent for Coronary Lesions) trial comparing first- and second-generation drug-eluting stents, we evaluated intimal hyperplasia (IH) and vascular changes using volumetric intravascular ultrasound analysis.

Methods and Results—

Complete angiographic and volumetric intravascular ultrasound data immediately after stenting and at 9-month follow-up were available in 162 patients with 183 lesions: 61 sirolimus-eluting stents (SES), 64 paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES), and 58 zotarolimus-eluting stents (ZES). External elastic membrane, stent, lumen, and peristent plaque volumes (external elastic membrane minus stent) were normalized by stent length. Percent IH volumes were calculated as [IH volume/stent volume]×100, %. Reduction of minimal luminal area) was greater in PES than SES (−1.4±1.5 mm
2
versus −0.7±0.9 mm
2
,
P
=0.003), whereas minimal luminal area change in ZES was not significantly different from SES (−1.2±1.0 mm
2
versus −0.7±0.9 mm
2
,
P
=0.055). Percent IH volume was less in SES compared with PES (9.8±6.0% versus 17.5±11.2%,
P
=0.002) or with ZES (9.8±6.0% versus 18.2±7.6%,
P
=0.005). Comparing ZES versus PES, there were no significant differences in %IH volume (17.5±11.2% versus 18.2±7.6%,
P
=0.779) or changes in normalized lumen volume (−1.2±1.3 mm
2
versus −1.1±0.8 mm
2
,
P
=0.452). Late stent malapposition was identified in 8 (13%) SES and 2 (3%) PES but in no ZES (
P
=0.050). Angiographic restenosis was detected in 6 lesions (3 PES and 3 ZES).

Conclusions—
The degree of neointimal growth in ZES was similar to that in PES but less than that in SES. ZES had no late stent malappositions.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00418067.
Effectiveness of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy by QRS Morphology in the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial–Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (MADIT-CRT)
Authors: Zareba Wojciech , Klein Helmut , Cygankiewicz Iwona , Hall W. Jackson , McNitt Scott , Brown Mary , Cannom David , Daubert James P. , Eldar Michael , Gold Michael R. , Goldberger Jeffrey J. , Goldenberg Ilan , Lichstein Edgar , Pitschner Heinz , Rashtian Mayer , Solomon Scott , Viskin Sami , Wang Paul , Moss Arthur J. 
Published: March 2011

Background—
This study aimed to determine whether QRS morphology identifies patients who benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) and whether it influences the risk of primary and secondary end points in patients enrolled in the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial–Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (MADIT-CRT) trial.

Methods and Results—

Baseline 12-lead ECGs were evaluated with regard to QRS morphology. Heart failure event or death was the primary end point of the trial. Death, heart failure event, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation were secondary end points. Among 1817 patients with available sinus rhythm ECGs at baseline, there were 1281 (70%) with left bundle-branch block (LBBB), 228 (13%) with right bundle-branch block, and 308 (17%) with nonspecific intraventricular conduction disturbances. The latter 2 groups were defined as non-LBBB groups. Hazard ratios for the primary end point for comparisons of CRT-D patients versus patients who only received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) were significantly (
P
<0.001) lower in LBBB patients (0.47;
P
<0.001) than in non-LBBB patients (1.24;
P
=0.257). The risk of ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or death was decreased significantly in CRT-D patients with LBBB but not in non-LBBB patients. Echocardiographic parameters showed significantly (
P
<0.001) greater reduction in left ventricular volumes and increase in ejection fraction with CRT-D in LBBB than in non-LBBB patients.

Conclusions—
Heart failure patients with New York Heart Association class I or II and ejection fraction ≤30% and LBBB derive substantial clinical benefit from CRT-D: a reduction in heart failure progression and a reduction in the risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. No clinical benefit was observed in patients with a non-LBBB QRS pattern (right bundle-branch block or intraventricular conduction disturbances).

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00180271.
Risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding With Low-Dose Acetylsalicylic Acid Alone and in Combination With Clopidogrel and Other Medications
Authors: García Rodríguez Luis A. , Lin Kueiyu Joshua , Hernández-Díaz Sonia , Johansson Saga 
Published: March 2011

Background—
This study evaluated the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) associated with use of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) alone and in combination with other gastrotoxic medications.

Methods and Results—
The Health Improvement Network UK primary care database was used to identify individuals 40 to 84 years of age with a UGIB diagnosis in 2000 to 2007 (n=2049). An age-, sex-, and calendar year-matched control group (n=20 000) was identified from the same source population. The relative risk (RR) of UGIB associated with use of low-dose ASA (75 to 300 mg/d), clopidogrel, and other commonly coadministered medications was estimated by multivariate logistic regression. The risk of UGIB was increased in current users of low-dose ASA (RR, 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59 to 2.03) or clopidogrel (RR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.24 to 2.24) compared with nonusers. Compared with low-dose ASA monotherapy, the risk of UGIB was significantly increased when low-dose ASA was coadministered with clopidogrel (RR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.34 to 3.21), oral anticoagulants (RR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.15 to 3.45), low-/medium-dose nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (RR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.93 to 3.60), high-dose nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (RR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.88 to 3.76), or high-dose oral corticosteroids (RR, 4.43; 95% CI, 2.10 to 9.34); this was not apparent with coadministration of statins (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.81 to 1.21) or low-dose oral corticosteroids (RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.58 to 1.77).

Conclusions—
Use of low-dose ASA is associated with an almost 2-fold increase in the risk of UGIB compared with nonuse. This risk is increased further in individuals taking low-dose ASA along with clopidogrel, oral anticoagulants, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, or high-dose oral corticosteroids.
Cardiac Raptor Ablation Impairs Adaptive Hypertrophy, Alters Metabolic Gene Expression, and Causes Heart Failure in Mice
Authors: Shende Pankaj , Plaisance Isabelle , Morandi Christian , Pellieux Corinne , Berthonneche Corinne , Zorzato Francesco , Krishnan Jaya , Lerch René , Hall Michael N. , Rüegg Markus A. , Pedrazzini Thierry , Brink Marijke 
Published: March 2011

Background—
Cardiac hypertrophy involves growth responses to a variety of stimuli triggered by increased workload. It is an independent risk factor for heart failure and sudden death. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a key role in cellular growth responses by integrating growth factor and energy status signals. It is found in 2 structurally and functionally distinct multiprotein complexes called mTOR complex (mTORC) 1 and mTORC2. The role of each of these branches of mTOR signaling in the adult heart is currently unknown.

Methods and Results—

We generated mice with deficient myocardial mTORC1 activity by targeted ablation of
raptor
, which encodes an essential component of mTORC1, during adulthood. At 3 weeks after the deletion, atrial and brain natriuretic peptides and β-myosin heavy chain were strongly induced, multiple genes involved in the regulation of energy metabolism were altered, but cardiac function was normal. Function deteriorated rapidly afterward, resulting in dilated cardiomyopathy and high mortality within 6 weeks. Aortic banding–induced pathological overload resulted in severe dilated cardiomyopathy already at 1 week without a prior phase of adaptive hypertrophy. The mechanism involved a lack of adaptive cardiomyocyte growth via blunted protein synthesis capacity, as supported by reduced phosphorylation of ribosomal S6 kinase 1 and 4E-binding protein 1. In addition, reduced mitochondrial content, a shift in metabolic substrate use, and increased apoptosis and autophagy were observed.

Conclusions—
Our results demonstrate an essential function for mTORC1 in the heart under physiological and pathological conditions and are relevant for the understanding of disease states in which the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling axis is affected such as diabetes mellitus and heart failure or after cancer therapy.
Intracardiac Electrogram T-Wave Alternans/Variability Increases Before Spontaneous Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Patients
Authors: Swerdlow Charles , Chow Theodore , Das Mithilesh , Gillis Anne M. , Zhou Xiaohong , Abeyratne Athula , Ghanem Raja N. 
Published: March 2011

Background—
T-wave alternans (TWA) increases before ventricular tachycardia (VT) or fibrillation (VF), suggesting that it may warn of VT/VF in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients. Recently, we described a method for measuring alternans and nonalternans variability (TWA/V) from electrograms (EGMs) stored in implantable cardioverter-defibrillators before VT/VF. The goal of this prospective, multicenter study was to determine whether EGM TWA/V was greater before VT/VF than at baseline.

Methods and Results—

We enrolled 63 implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients. TWA/V was computed from stored EGMs before spontaneous VT/VF and from sequential windows of 8 pairs of beats using 4 different control recordings: baseline rhythm, rapid pacing at 105 bpm, segments of ambulatory Holter EGMs matched to the time of VT/VF episodes, and EGMs before spontaneous supraventricular tachycardia. During follow-up, 28 patients had 166 episodes of VT/VF. TWA/V was greater before VT/VF (62.9±3.1 μV; n=28) than during baseline rhythm (12.8±1.8 μV;
P
<0.0001; n=62), during rapid pacing (14.5±2.0 μV;
P
<0.0001; n=52), before supraventricular tachycardia (27.5±6.1 μV;
P
<0.0001; n=9), or during time-matched ambulatory controls (12.3±3.5 μV;
P
<0.0001; n=16). By logistic regression, the odds of VT/VF increased by a factor of 2.2 for each 10-μV increment in TWA/V (
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions—
In implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients, EGM TWA/V is greater before spontaneous VT/VF than in control recordings. Future implantable cardioverter-defibrillators that measure EGM TWA/V continuously may warn patients and initiate pacing therapies to prevent VT/VF.
Contacts des langues et contact dans la langue : heterogeneite, construction de l'homogene et emergence du 'linguistique'
Authors: Nicolaï Robert 
Published: March 2011

AbstractLes travaux sur le contact des langues donnent peu de place aux recherches sur les variations diastratiques et diaphasiques or, ces phénomènes sont concernés par cette problématique. Je tente de montrer que leur approche permet d'élargir le débat en questionnant des procès essentiels tels ceux de la construction du sens et de la sémiotisation des formes et je me propose d'appréhender le contact de ce point de vue.Je partirai d'un exemple simple puis, je présenterai ensuite l'arrièreplan conceptuel qui me conduit à ouvrir le débat : il s'articule autour de trois approches qui ont un rapport avec la dynamique des langues et qui gagnent à être liées : l'approche de la 'discursivité', celle de la 'variabilité' et celle du 'feuilletage'. Chacune d'elles privilégie un point de vue sur le fonctionnement de la communication humaine mais toutes trois s'intéressent au fait que dans l'espace global de la communication et en rapport avec la multiplicité des formes langagières et/ou linguistiques actualisées ou potentielles, finissent par émerger des formes, des représentations et des façons de parler qui présupposent l'existence nécessaire d'un contexte de contact interne au développement linguistique lui-même. Je tenterai de montrer que, loin d'être limité à des cas de figure qui impliquent la saisie d'un rapport entre des langues différentes, le contact se situe tout d'abord dans le dynamisme même qui conduit aux langues. Finalement, je présenterai le cas de l'indoubill qui, à une autre échelle, montre la pertinence de la problématique du contact, exemplifie la construction d'entités homogènes au travers d'une hétérogénéité manifeste, suggère quelques ouvertures de recherche et rejoint le questionnement sur le contact entre les langues.
Le code-switching comme ressource pour l'organisation de la parole-en-interaction
Authors: Mondada Lorenza 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe aim of the paper is both to present existing research in interactional linguistics and to highlight some broader issues it raises for general linguistics. Thus, code-switching is dealt with not just as a particular phenomenon, but as a key area of study revealing important contemporary issues for linguistics.Plurilingualism has been approached from several perspectives: among them, the interactional approaches have focussed their inquiries on code-switching as it can be observed in naturally occurring interactional materials, recorded in various social settings. This empirical base has been fruitful for the exploration not only of the socio-pragmatic functionalities of code-switching but also for a redefinition of the grammatical resources involved in the organization of talk-in-interaction. In order to present these contributions, the paper will sketch some approaches coming from a broad interactional perspective, and develop more explicitly the approach inspired by conversation analysis.This leads us to formulate a series of issues to which code-switching can contribute in a powerful way :- issues dealing with the very definition of what the grammatical resources are: code-switching is not just the use of two or more codes by the speakers, but involves the active reconfiguration of what a "code" or, better, what a grammatical resource can be - as a flexible, indexical resource endogenously and locally redefined by the speakers for the practical purposes of the interaction.- issues dealing with the accomplishment of identities and social categories in interaction, dealt with as the emergent product of locally organized socio-linguistic practices;- issues dealing with the organization of sequentiality of talk-in-interaction : the way in which code-switching is mobilized both adjust and shape the interactional order and can teach us much about it.These issues are discussed by referring to the state of the art of this field and to the detailed analysis of a few excerpts of naturally occurring interactions recorded at work.
Representations linguistiques et accents regionaux du français
Authors: Petitjean Cécile 
Published: March 2011

AbstractL'étude des représentations linguistiques (RL) constitue aujourd'hui un regard indispensable sur la dynamique des langues. Parce qu'elles portent sur la langue de la communauté d'appartenance, mais également sur celles des groupes extérieurs à cette communauté, les RL sont simultanément actrices et révélatrices des contacts entre langues et entre communautés linguistiques. Nous nous intéresserons ici à la question des français régionaux, et plus spécifiquement aux habitudes articulatoires inhérentes à ces derniers. Ce faisant, il s'agira d'observer la manière dont les locuteurs gèrent conjointement la diversité et la confrontation des pratiques linguistiques. L'observation et l'analyse d'un corpus constitué d'entretiens réalisés avec des locuteurs marseillais nous permettront d'éclairer les stratégies définies par les locuteurs afin de co-construire les connaissances communes leur permettant d'appréhender l'hétérogénéité de leur paysage linguistique et de partager, in fine, une même réalité linguistique. L'appréhension de l'altérité sociale et linguistique, ainsi que la considération des enjeux identitaires en découlant, reposeront sur une approche des processus linguistiques impliqués dans la co-construction des RL dans le champ discursif.
The Limits of Convergence in Language Contact
Authors: Silva-Corvalán Carmen 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis article discusses the contact situation between English and Spanish in the United States, a situation characterized by both maintenance of the minority language and shift to English. Of relevance to understanding the linguistic phenomena that develop in this situation of societal bilingualism is the fact that the minority language is constantly being revitalized by interaction with large groups of immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries.The article identifies some of the linguistic changes that affect the minority language at different points in the proficiency continuum or different stages of attrition, and argues that in this particular contact situation convergence toward English is constrained by the structure of the minority language undergoing change.
Convergence and the Retention of Marked Consonants in Sango: the Creation and Appropriation of a Pidgin
Authors: Samarin William 
Published: March 2011

AbstractSango challenges allegations that the sound inventories of pidgins are small and that in language contact sound change often leads to loss or assimilation in phonemic distinctions. Sango has retained almost the whole phonological system of Ngbandi, on which it is based. This is explained, not by substratal influence—the systems of co-territorial Ubangian languages of the Banda and Gbaya groups—but by similar systems of several West African and especially central Bantu languages spoken by the workers and soldiers who were brought to the Ubangi River basin by Belgian colonizers, beginning in 1887 and very soon after by the French, and who, with the indigenes, very quickly created a new language that was soon appropriated by the Ngbandis, thereby preserving at least this part of their own language.
Variation, Contact and Convergence in French Spoken Outside France
Authors: Gadet Françoise , Jones Mari 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis article focuses on syntactic phonemena observed in situations of language contact in the French-speaking world, where French finds itself in (usually unfavorable) competition with English. A number of cases are examined where a superficial analysis might conceivably point to a change caused by transfer from English: more specifically, in the verb system (auxiliaries, the subjunctive), the use of clitic pronouns, adjective position (preposed or postposed), certain infinitival constructions, prepositions (including preposition stranding), the use of relative pronouns and que-deletion, the particle back and the marker comme. Our conclusions draw on theories of linguistic contact and change, both with respect to French and, more broadly, the study of language.