bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurocognitive Improvement After Carotid Artery Stenting in Patients With Chronic Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion and Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Lin Mao-Shin , Chiu Ming-Jang , Wu Yen-Wen , Huang Ching-Chang , Chao Chi-Chao , Chen Ying-Hsien , Lin Hung-Ju , Li Hung-Yuan , Chen Ya-Fang , Lin Lung-Chun , Liu Yen-Bin , Chao Chia-Lun , Tseng Wen-Yih Isaac , Chen Ming-Fong , Kao Hsien-Li 
Published: August 2011

Background and Purpose—
Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion may lead to impairment in neurocognitive performance in patients with chronic internal carotid artery occlusion, and the effects of carotid artery stenting on neurocognitive function have been unclear.

Methods—
We prospectively enrolled 20 chronic internal carotid artery occlusion patients with objective ipsilateral hemisphere ischemia, in whom carotid artery stenting was attempted. Functional assessments, including the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Barthel Index, and a battery of neuropsychological tests, including the Mini-Mental State Examination, Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale–Cognitive Subtest, verbal fluency, and Color Trail Making A and B, were administered before and 3 months after intervention.

Results—

Successful recanalization was achieved in 12 of 20 patients (60%). There was no procedural or new cerebral ischemic event, except for 1 intracranial hemorrhage, which occurred during the procedure and had neurologic sequelae; this case was excluded from analysis. The demographics and baseline cognitive performance were similar between the group with a successful outcome (group 1, n=12) and patients who did not (group 2, n=7). Ten of 12 patients in group 1 had improvement in ipsilateral brain perfusion after the procedure, but none in group 2 had improvement. Significant improvement in the scores on the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale–Cognitive Subtest (before, 7.7±8.9 versus after, 5.7±7.1;
P
=0.024), Mini-Mental State Examination (before, 25.8±3.8 versus after, 27.7±2.7;
P
=0.015), and Color Trail Making A (before, 123.2±68.6 versus after, 99.3±51.5;
P
=0.017) were found in group 1 but not in group 2.

Conclusions—
Successful carotid artery stenting improves global cognitive function as well as attention and psychomotor processing speed in patients with chronic internal carotid artery occlusion.
Measures of Abdominal Adiposity and the Risk of Stroke
Authors: Bodenant Marie , Kuulasmaa Kari , Wagner Aline , Kee Frank , Palmieri Luigi , Ferrario Marco M. , Montaye Michèle , Amouyel Philippe , Dallongeville Jean 
Published: August 2011

Background and Purpose—
Excess fat accumulates in the subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue compartments. We tested the hypothesis that indicators of visceral adiposity, namely, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), are better predictors of stroke risk than body mass index (BMI).

Methods–
The association of BMI, WC, WHR, and WHtR with stroke was assessed in 31 201 men and 23 516 women, free of vascular disease at baseline, from the MOnica Risk, Genetics, Archiving and Monograph (MORGAM) study. During a mean follow-up of 11 years, 1130 strokes were recorded. Relative risks (95% CI) were calculated by Cox regression after stratification for center and adjustment for age, smoking, educational level, alcohol consumption, hypertension, diabetes, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and BMI and model fit was assessed using log-likelihoods.

Results—

BMI, WC, WHR, and WHtR were associated with the risk of stroke in men. After full adjustment including BMI, the relative risks for stroke remained significant for WC (1.19 [1.02 to 1.34] per 1 SD increase in WC), WHR (1.14 [1.03 to 1.26]), and WHtR (1.50 [1.28 to 1.77]). Among women, the extent of the associations with stroke risk was similar for WHtR (1.31 [1.04 to 1.65]), WC (1.19 [0.96 to 1.47]), and WHR (1.08 [0.97 to 1.22]). Further analyses by World Health Organization obesity categories showed that WC, WHR, and WHtR were associated with the risk of stroke also in lean men and women (BMI <25 kg/m
2
), independently of confounders, cardiovascular risk factors, and BMI.

Conclusions—
Indicators of abdominal adiposity, especially WHtR, are more strongly associated with stroke risk than BMI. These results emphasize the importance of measuring abdominal adiposity, especially in lean subjects.
Early Biomarkers of Clinical–Diffusion Mismatch in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Rodríguez-Yáñez Manuel , Sobrino Tomás , Arias Susana , Vázquez-Herrero Fernando , Brea David , Blanco Miguel , Leira Rogelio , Castellanos Mar , Serena Joaquín , Vivancos José , Dávalos Antonio , Castillo José 
Published: August 2011

Background and Purpose—
Clinical–diffusion mismatch (CDM; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥8 and diffusion-weighted imaging lesion volume <25 mL) has been suggested as a surrogate of ischemic brain at risk of infarction and might be used to recognize salvageable ischemic tissue. Our aim was to identify early biomarkers associated with the presence of CDM.

Methods—
We prospectively evaluated CDM in 226 patients (71.6±11.1 years, 58% men) with hemispheric ischemic stroke within 12 hours from symptom onset (median, 3.6 hours). Diffusion-weighted MRI lesion volume was measured by manual segmentation method. Serum levels of glutamate, aspartate, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, S100β, neuron-specific enolase, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, active matrix metalloproteinase-9, and cellular fibronectin were determined by immunoassay or high-performance liquid chromatography techniques in blood samples obtained at admission.

Results—

CDM was found in 61 patients (26.9%). Patients with CDM had higher serum levels of interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and glutamate and lower serum levels of neuron-specific enolase, interleukin-6, and active matrix metalloproteinase-9 (all
P
<0.0001). Binary logistic regression showed that tumor necrosis factor-α ≥21 pg/mL (OR, 21), glutamate ≥230 μmol/L (OR, 27), neuron-specific enolase ≥23 ng/mL (OR, 0.05), interleukin-6 ≥10 pg/mL (OR, 0.06), and active matrix metalloproteinase-9 ≥21 ng/mL (OR, 0.28) were independent molecular predictors of CDM after adjustment for covariates. The association of interleukin-10 ≥23 pg/mL and glutamate ≥230 μmol/L levels predicted CDM with a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 98%.

Conclusions—
High levels of interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and glutamate as well as low levels of neuron-specific enolase, interleukin-6, and active matrix metalloproteinase-9 are associated with CDM.
Intracranial Hemorrhage Is Much More Common After Carotid Stenting Than After Endarterectomy
Authors: McDonald Robert J. , Cloft Harry J. , Kallmes David F. 
Published: August 2011

Background and Purpose—
Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a rare and devastating complication of carotid revascularization. We sought to determine the prevalence of, type of, and risk factors associated with ICH among recipients of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) within the National Inpatient Sample (NIS).

Methods—

Postoperative cases of ICH after CEA (International Classification of Disease 9
th
edition [ICD-9]: 38.12) or CAS (ICD-9: 00.63) were retrieved from the 2001 to 2008 NIS. Clinical presentation (asymptomatic versus symptomatic), discharge status, in-hospital mortality, demographics, and hospital characteristics were extracted from NIS data. Charlson indices of comorbidity were determined based on ICD-9 and clinical classification software codes. Multivariate regression was used to determine the impact of revascularization procedure type and symptom status on adverse outcomes, including ICH, in-hospital mortality, and unfavorable discharge status.

Results—

Among 57 663 486 NIS hospital admissions, 215 012 CEA and 13 884 CAS procedures were performed. Symptomatic presentations represented the minority of CEA (N=10 049; 5%) and CAS cases (N=1251; 10%). ICH occurred significantly more frequently after CAS than CEA in both symptomatic (4.4% versus 0.8%;
P
<0.0001) and asymptomatic presentations (0.5% versus 0.06%;
P
<0.0001). Multivariate regression suggested that symptomatic presentations (versus asymptomatic) and CAS procedures (versus CEA) were both independently predictive of 6-fold to 7-fold increases in the frequency of postoperative ICH. ICH was independently predictive in a 30-fold increased risk of mortality before discharge.

Conclusions—
CAS procedures are associated with elevated adverse outcomes, including ICH, in-hospital death, and unfavorable discharges, especially among symptomatic presentations.
Low Carotid Calcium Score Is Associated With Higher Levels of Glycosaminoglycans, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, and Parathyroid Hormone in Human Carotid Plaques
Authors: Edsfeldt Andreas , Dias Nuno , Elmståhl Barbara , Müller Markus F. , Berg Katarina , Nitulescu Mihaela , Persson Ana , Ekberg Olle , Gonçalves Isabel 
Published: August 2011

Background and Purpose—
Computed tomography (CT) is used to study coronary artery plaques, but little is known about its potential to characterize plaque composition. This study assesses the relation between carotid calcium score (CCS) by CT and plaque composition, namely extracellular matrix, inflammatory mediators, and calcium metabolites.

Methods—
Thirty patients with significant carotid stenosis underwent preoperative CT. CCS was quantified by Agaston calcium score. Plaque components were studied histologically and biochemically (collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans). Fraktalkine, interferon-γ, interleukin-10, interleukin-12 p70, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, platelet-derived growth factor-AB/BB, RANTES and tumor necrosis factor-α, and parathyroid hormone were measured using Luminex technology.

Results—

Plaques with CCS ≥400 had more calcium (
P
=0.012), less glycosaminoglycan (
P
=0.002), tumor necrosis factor-α (
P
=0.013), and parathyroid hormone (
P
=0.028) than those with CCS <400. CCS correlated with plaque content of calcium (
r
=0.62;
P
<0.001) and inversely with glycosaminoglycan (
r
=−0.49;
P
=0.006) and tumor necrosis factor-α (
r
=−0.56;
P
=0.001).

Conclusions—
Human carotid plaques with high CCS are richer in calcium and have lower amounts of glycosaminoglycan, parathyroid hormone, and tumor necrosis factor-α, which is one of the main proinflammatory cytokines involved in atherosclerosis. This suggests that CCS not only reflects the degree of calcification, but also other important biological components relevant for stability such as inflammation.
Chronically Epileptic Human and Rat Neocortex Display a Similar Resistance Against Spreading Depolarization In Vitro
Authors: Maslarova Anna , Alam Mesbah , Reiffurth Clemens , Lapilover Ezequiel , Gorji Ali , Dreier Jens P. 
Published: August 2011

Background and Purpose—
Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that prolonged spreading depolarizations (SDs) are a promising target for therapeutic intervention in stroke because they recruit tissue at risk into necrosis by protracted intracellular calcium surge and massive glutamate release. Unfortunately, unlike SDs in healthy tissue, they are resistant to drugs such as N-methyl-d-aspartate-receptor antagonists. This drug resistance of SD in low perfusion areas may be due to the gradual rise of extracellular potassium before SD onset. Brain slices from patients undergoing surgery for intractable epilepsy allow for screening of drugs, targeting pharmacoresistant SDs under elevated potassium in human tissue. However, network changes associated with epilepsy may interfere with tissue susceptibility to SD. This could distort the results of pharmacological tests.

Methods—
We investigated the threshold for SD, induced by a gradual rise of potassium, in neocortex slices of patients with intractable epilepsy and of chronically epileptic rats as well as age-matched and younger control rats using combined extracellular potassium/field recordings and intrinsic optical imaging.

Results—
Both age and epilepsy significantly increased the potassium threshold, which was similarly high in epileptic rat and human slices (23.6±2.4 mmol/L versus 22.3±2.8 mmol/L).

Conclusions—
Our results suggest that chronic epilepsy confers resistance against SD. This should be considered when human tissue is used for screening of neuroprotective drugs. The finding of similar potassium thresholds for SD in epileptic human and rat neocortex challenges previous speculations that the resistance of the human brain against SD is markedly higher than that of the rodent brain.
Remote Ischemic Per-Conditioning
Authors: Hahn Cecil D. , Manlhiot Cedric , Schmidt Michael R. , Nielsen Torsten T. , Redington Andrew N. 
Published: August 2011

Background and Purpose—
Remote ischemic preconditioning is a phenomenon by which a short period of sublethal ischemia to an organ protects against subsequent ischemia in another organ. We have recently demonstrated that remote ischemic conditioning by transient hind limb ischemia delivered during ischemia and before reperfusion can provide potent cardioprotection, a phenomenon we termed per-conditioning. This study evaluated whether remote ischemic per-conditioning may provide neuroprotection in a clinically relevant rat model of acute ischemic stroke.

Methods—
Remote ischemic conditioning by transient limb ischemia was used in a rat transient middle cerebral artery occlusion model of acute stroke. A total of 39 P60 rats were randomly allocated to receive preconditioning, per-conditioning, or sham conditioning. Cerebral ischemia was maintained for 120 minutes followed by reperfusion. The resulting infarct size at 24 hours was quantified using computerized image analysis of 2–3-5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride-stained brain sections.

Results—
Compared with control, both pre- and per-conditioning significantly reduced brain infarct size with the more clinically relevant per-conditioning stimulus being superior to preconditioning.

Conclusions—
Remote per-conditioning by transient limb ischemia is a facile, clinically relevant stimulus that provides potent neuroprotection in a model of regional brain ischemia–reperfusion injury. Further studies are required to better understand the mechanisms and biology of this response before translation to randomized controlled trials of remote per-conditioning for acute ischemic stroke.
Tight Analysis of the (1+1)-EA for the Single Source Shortest Path Problem
Authors: Doerr Benjamin , Happ Edda , Klein Christian 
Published: August 2011

We conduct a rigorous analysis of the (1+1) evolutionary algorithm for the single source shortest path problem proposed by Scharnow, Tinnefeld, and Wegener (The analyses of evolutionary algorithms on sorting and shortest paths problems, 2004, Journal of Mathematical Modelling and Algorithms, 3(4):349–366). We prove that with high probability, the optimization time is O(n2 max{ℓ, log(n)}), where ℓ is the smallest integer such that any vertex can be reached from the source via a shortest path having at most ℓ edges. This bound is tight. For all values of n and ℓ we provide a graph with edge weights such that, with high probability, the optimization time is of order Ω(n2 max{ℓ, log(n)}). To obtain such sharp bounds, we develop a new technique that overcomes the coupon collector behavior of previously used arguments. Also, we exhibit a simple Chernoff type inequality for sums of independent geometrically distributed random variables, and one for sequences of random variables that are not independent, but show a desired behavior independent of the outcomes of the previous random variables. We are optimistic that these tools find further applications in the analysis of evolutionary algorithms.
Analysis of Local Air–Sea Interaction in East Asia Using a Regional Air–Sea Coupled Model
Authors: Qian Huang , Suxiang Yao , Yaocun Zhang 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
A regional air–sea coupled climate model based on the third regional climate model (RegCM3) and the regional oceanic model [the Princeton Ocean Model (POM)] is used to analyze the local air–sea interaction over East Asia in this study. The results indicate that the simulated sea surface temperature (SST) of the coupled model RegCM3–POM is reasonably accurate, and that the spatial pattern and temporal variation are consistent with that of the Global Sea Ice and Sea Surface Temperature dataset (GISST). The correlation between the SST and the atmospheric variables shows that the uncoupled model RegCM3 forced by the given SST cannot reproduce the real-time and SST lag correlation between SST and precipitation, and between SST and surface wind speed, whereas the relationship in the coupled model RegCM3–POM is reasonably accurate. RegCM3–POM reflects the air–sea interaction in the South China Sea and western Pacific Ocean, where the SST lead correlation is the inverse of the SST lag correlation between SST and precipitation, and strong winds bring warm water to the midlatitudes, so the correlation between wind speed and SST is negative in low latitudes and positive in the Kuroshio area. The uncoupled model fails to reproduce the effect of the atmosphere on the ocean. The further study on air–sea interaction in the South China Sea indicates that the earlier warm seawater corresponds to strong sensible heat flux, evaporation, precipitation, and weak net solar radiation, and the early strong sensible heat flux, evaporation, wind at the 10-m level, and weak net solar radiation cause the cold SST.
Simulated Interannual Variations of Freshwater Content and Sea Surface Height in the Beaufort Sea*
Authors: Long Z. , Perrie W. , Tang C. L. , Dunlap E. , Wang J. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
The authors investigate the interannual variations of freshwater content (FWC) and sea surface height (SSH) in the Beaufort Sea, particularly their increases during 2004–09, using a coupled ice–ocean model (CIOM), adapted for the Arctic Ocean to simulate the interannual variations. The CIOM simulation exhibits a (relative) salinity minimum in the Beaufort Sea and a warm Atlantic water layer in the Arctic Ocean, which is similar to the Polar Hydrographic Climatology (PHC), and captures the observed FWC maximum in the central Beaufort Sea, and the observed variation and rapid decline of total ice concentration, over the last 30 years. The model simulations of SSH and FWC suggest a significant increase in the central Beaufort Sea during 2004–09. The simulated SSH increase is about 8 cm, while the FWC increase is about 2.5 m, with most of these increases occurring in the center of the Beaufort gyre. The authors show that these increases are due to an increased surface wind stress curl during 2004–09, which increased the FWC in the Beaufort Sea by about 0.63 m yr−1 through Ekman pumping. Moreover, the increased surface wind is related to the interannual variation of the Arctic polar vortex at 500 hPa. During 2004–09, the polar vortex had significant weakness, which enhanced the Beaufort Sea high by affecting the frequency of synoptic weather systems in the region. In addition to the impacts of the polar vortex, enhanced melting of sea ice also contributes to the FWC increase by about 0.3 m yr−1 during 2004–09.
Seasonal and Interannual Variations of the SST above the Seychelles Dome
Authors: Yokoi Takaaki , Tozuka Tomoki , Yamagata Toshio 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
The seasonal and interannual variations of the sea surface temperature (SST) above the Seychelles Dome (SD) are investigated using outputs from an OGCM. The SST warms from August to April and cools from May to July. The surface heat flux plays the most important role in the seasonal variation, and it is mostly due to shortwave radiation. The horizontal advection tends to warm the SST in austral winter owing to the southward Ekman heat transport associated with the Indian summer monsoon. The cooling by the vertical turbulent diffusion becomes most effective in austral summer owing to the thin mixed layer during that time. On the interannual time scale, the SST becomes anomalously warm (cool) when the SD is weak (strong). In contrast to the seasonal variation, the vertical diffusion plays the most important role and causes anomalous warming (cooling). This warming (cooling) is due to the anomalously warm (cold) water below the mixed layer as a result of the deeper (shallower) thermocline in response to ocean dynamics. Also, the cooling by the vertical diffusion becomes less (more) efficient, because the mixed layer is anomalously thick (thin). The horizontal advection contributes to the anomalous warming (cooling) due to the anomalous southward (northward) Ekman heat transport. On the other hand, the anomalous surface heat flux tends to cool (warm) the mixed layer, because the warming of the mixed layer by the shortwave radiation becomes less (more) efficient due to the anomalously thick (thin) mixed layer.
Long Lead Time Drought Forecasting Using a Wavelet and Fuzzy Logic Combination Model: A Case Study in Texas
Authors: Özger Mehmet , Mishra Ashok K. , Singh Vijay P. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Drought forecasting is important for drought risk management. Considering the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability and persistence in drought characteristics, this study developed a wavelet and fuzzy logic (WFL) combination model for long lead time drought forecasting. The idea of WFL is to separate each predictor and predictand into their frequency bands and then reconstruct the predictand series by using its predicted bands. The strongest-frequency bands of predictors and predictand were determined from the average wavelet spectra. Applying this combination model to the state of Texas, it was found that WFL had a significant improvement over the fuzzy logic model that did not use wavelet banding. Comparison with an artificial neural network (ANN) model and a coupled wavelet and ANN (WANN) model showed that WFL was more accurate for drought forecasting. Also, it should be noted that the ENSO variability is not a global precursor of drought. For this reason, prior to an application of such a data-driven model in different regions, significant work is required to identify appropriate independent predictors. Drought forecasting with longer lead times and higher accuracy is of significant value in engineering applications.
Reducing Water Imbalance in Land Data Assimilation: Ensemble Filtering without Perturbed Observations
Authors: Yilmaz M. Tugrul , DelSole Timothy , Houser Paul R. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
It is well known that the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) requires updating each ensemble member with perturbed observations in order to produce the proper analysis-error covariances. While increased accuracy in a mean square sense may be preferable in many applications, less accuracy might be preferable in other applications, especially if the variables being assimilated obey certain conservation laws. In land data assimilation, for instance, the update in soil moisture often produces a water balance residual, in the sense that the input water is not equal to output water. This study shows that suppressing the perturbation of observations in the EnKF and in the weakly constrained ensemble Kalman filter significantly improves the water balance residuals without significantly increasing the state errors.