bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is Ablation of Atrial Flutter Always Safe?
Authors: BREMBILLA‐PERROT BEATRICE , FILALI MOURAD LEMDERSI , ZINZIUS PIERRE‐YVES , SELLAL JEAN‐MARC , BEURRIER D. , SCHWARTZ JEROME , DE CHILLOU CHRISTIAN , CISMARU GABRIEL , PAURIAH MAHESH 
Published: July 2012

Background: Radiofrequency ablation of typical atrial flutter is largely used and is considered as safe. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and the causes of severe adverse event (AE) following atrial flutter ablation.
Methods: Ablation of typical flutter was performed by conventional method with an 8‐mm‐tip electrode catheter, a maximum power of 70 W, and a maximum target temperature of 70° for 60 seconds in 883 patients, (685 males and 198 females aged from 18 to 93 years [64 ± 11.5]; 664 had heart disease [HD]).
Results: AE occurred in 44 patients (5%). AE was life threatening in 14 patients: poorly tolerated bradycardia (transient complete atrioventricular block [AVB] or sinus bradycardia [SB] <40 beats per minute) associated with cardiac shock and acute renal failure in five patients, tamponade (n = 1), bleeding leading to death (n = 1), various AE‐related deaths (n = 2), ventricular tachycardia‐related death (n = 1), definitive complete AVB (n = 3), and right coronary artery occlusion‐related complete AVB (n = 1). Less serious AE occurred in 30 patients: transitory major SB or second‐ or third‐degree AVB (n = 23), bleeding (n = 4), transient ischemic attack (n = 1), and various AE (n = 2). Most of the bradycardia was related to β‐blockers or other antiarrhythmic drugs used to slow atrial flutter. Factors of AE were female gender (36% vs 22%, P < 0.02) and the presence of ischemic (P < 0.03) or valvular HD (P < 0.01).
Conclusions: AE following atrial flutter ablation occurred in 5% of patients. Most of them are avoidable by control of anticoagulants and arrest of rate‐control drugs used to slow the rate of atrial flutter. (PACE 2012; 35:1061–1066)
Significant Reduction of Fluoroscopy in Pediatric Catheter Ablation Procedures: Long‐Term Experience from a Single Center
Authors: TUZCU VOLKAN 
Published: July 2012

Background: Traditionally fluoroscopy has been used for navigation of catheters during electrophysiological procedures. Recent advances in electroanatomic mapping technologies resulted in a decrease and even in elimination of fluoroscopy exposure during these procedures.
Methods: Electrophysiological procedures were performed with the use EnSite NavX™ or Velocity™ (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) systems. Following construction of the right atrial geometry, other relevant geometries were formed (right ventricle, coronary sinus, or left atrium). Fluoroscopy was used in patients with complex congenital heart disease, in younger children, and during transseptal punctures. Cryoablation or radiofrequency was used for catheter ablation.
Results: A total of 305 patients underwent catheter ablation for various supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmia substrates using EnSite system guidance. No fluoroscopy was used in 191 (63%) of these cases. The mean fluoroscopy time in the rest of the procedures was 13.9 ± 11.6 minutes (0.2–60 minutes). The mean procedure time was 184 ± 71 minutes. No complications were noted except for temporary diaphragmatic paralysis in one patient and temporary AV block in another patient following cryoablation. Acute success rate in achieving complete elimination of arrhythmia substrates was 95% (290/305). The recurrence rate was (31/271) 11.4% at a mean follow‐up time of 42 ± 23 months.
Conclusions: Fluoroscopy can be significantly decreased or even eliminated in the majority of catheter ablation procedures. Long‐term results demonstrate that this can be done efficiently and safely. (PACE 2012; 35:1067–1073)
Preprocedural Ventricular Rate Predicts Subsequent Sick Sinus Syndrome after Ablation for Long‐Standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: MASUDA MASAHARU , INOUE KOICHI , IWAKURA KATSUOMI , OKAMURA ATSUNORI , KOYAMA YASUSHI , KIMURA RYUSUKE , TOYOSHIMA YUKO , DOI ATSUSHI , SOTOMI YOHEI , KOMURO ISSEI , FUJII KENSHI 
Published: July 2012

Background: Concealed sick sinus syndrome may become manifest after restoration of sinus rhythm by ablation in patients with long‐standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the preprocedural ventricular rate during AF and sinus node function in patients with long‐standing persistent AF.
Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 102) who underwent ablation for long‐standing persistent AF were enrolled. We measured the ventricular rate during AF before ablation in the absence of antiarrhythmic drugs. Sinus node function was assessed by electrophysiological study and serial Holter recordings after ablation.
Results: Patients in the lowest quartile of ventricular rate during AF had longer corrected sinus node recovery time (1.06 ± 1.39 seconds) than those in the other quartiles (0.54 ± 0.31 seconds; P = 0.006) and lower mean heart rate on 24‐hour Holter recording 3 months after ablation (68 ± 9 beats/min vs 75 ± 10 beats/min, P = 0.01). During a mean follow‐up of 23 ± 10 months, sick sinus syndrome necessitating permanent pacemaker implantation developed in five (5%) patients, and multivariate analysis revealed that a low ventricular rate during AF rate was an independent risk factor for sick sinus syndrome (odds ratio = 0.90 for a 1 beat/min increase in AF rate, P = 0.04).
Conclusions: A low preprocedural ventricular rate during AF indicates the existence of sinus node dysfunction after restoration of sinus rhythm by ablation in patients with long‐standing persistent AF. (PACE 2012; 35:1074–1080)
Enhancement of Peak Effect in Y–Ba–Cu–O Bulk Materials by the Addition of Nano‐Sized Sm2O3
Authors: Chen Po Wei , Chen Shih Yun , Chen In Gann , Wu Maw Kuen 
Published: July 2012

Recently, the significant peak effect was observed in the CeO2 doped Y–Ba–Cu–O (YBCO) bulk materials grown using the infiltration growth (IG) method. The peak effect was attributed to the compositional fluctuations in the matrix, (Y,Sm)BCO. However, it was found that the peak effect was strongly spatially dependent. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) results show that the concentration of Sm ranges from 5.8 × 10−2 to 7.0 × 10−3 wt% within the bulk. Notably, the peak effect is only observed in specimens where the concentration of Sm is higher than 1.5 × 10−2 wt%. The spatial distribution of Sm dissolved from the SmBCO seed is the result of the way in which the liquid (BaCuO2 and CuO) flows during the melting process of the IG technique. To suppress the variation in the composition, nano‐sized Sm2O3 particles are added to the precursor powders in this study. Microstructural analysis demonstrates that with the addition of nano‐sized Sm2O3, the concentration of Sm can be enhanced to be higher than 1.5 × 10−2 wt% within the bulk. Therefore, the peak effect can be observed throughout the bulk material. Besides, more symmetrical trapped magnetic field profiles can be obtained.
Resistance factors in pepper inhibit larval development of thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)
Authors: Maharijaya Awang , Vosman Ben , Verstappen Francel , Steenhuis‐Broers Greet , Mumm Roland , Purwito Agus , Visser Richard G.F. , Voorrips Roeland E. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe western flower thrips [Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)] is a major pest in pepper cultivation. Therefore, host plant resistance to thrips is a desirable trait. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of resistance on the development of thrips and to identify metabolite compounds related to the resistance. Three highly resistant, three medium resistant, and three susceptible pepper accessions were used in this study. Adult and pre‐adult survival, developmental time, and oviposition rate were assessed. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry was used to identify compounds that correlate with the level of resistance to thrips. Our results show that resistance of pepper accessions has a significant effect on oviposition rate and larval mortality. Seven compounds were identified that correlate with resistance to thrips and six compounds were identified that correlate with susceptibility to thrips. Some of these compounds, such as tocopherols, were previously shown to have an effect on insects in general. Also, some specific secondary metabolites (alkanes) seem to be more abundant in susceptible accessions and were induced by thrips infestation.
Repeatability of gingival crevicular fluid collection and quantification, as determined through its alkaline phosphatase activity: implications for diagnostic use
Authors: Perinetti G. , Di Leonardo B. , Di Lenarda R. , Contardo L. 
Published: July 2012

Background and Objective:  In spite of four decades of studies on gingival crevicular fluid, no data have been reported on the repeatability of gingival crevicular fluid collection and the subsequent quantification procedures. The present study reports, for the first time, on the repeatability and method error of gingival crevicular fluid collection and quantification, as determined through its alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Diagnostic considerations are then explored.Material and Methods:  Twenty‐seven healthy subjects (17 women and 10 men; mean age ± SD, 21.2 ± 4.8 years) with optimal periodontal status were enrolled according to a blind prospective design. The gingival crevicular fluid was collected at baseline, and after 1 d, 1 wk and 3 mo. At each clinical session, two consecutive rounds of gingival crevicular fluid collection were made from each of the four maxillary incisors, allowing the recovery of resting and flow gingival crevicular fluid. The total ALP activities were determined spectrophotometrically, and repeatability and method errors for the resting, flow and overall (resting + flow) gingival crevicular fluid ALP activities were calculated, relative to the corresponding baseline levels.Results:  No significant differences were seen over time, although the flow gingival crevicular fluid ALP activity was generally lower than that for the resting gingival crevicular fluid. The method errors ranged from 40 to 58%, with the flow and overall gingival crevicular fluid activities showing the highest and lowest errors, respectively.Conclusion:  Reliable use of the gingival crevicular fluid ALP collection and quantification, both in research and diagnosis on an individual basis, should take into account relevant errors, and variations are to be considered as true only above relevant thresholds.
Obese children suffer more often from migraine
Authors: Verrotti Alberto , Di Fonzo Alessia , Agostinelli Sergio , Coppola Giangennaro , Margiotta Milena , Parisi Pasquale 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAim:  To determine a possible relationship between migraine and body mass index.Methods:  Migraine shows a wide spectrum of comorbidities, including cardiocerebral, vascular, psychiatric, metabolic, neurological as well as other pathologies. Recent researches suggest that obesity was significantly correlated with migraine frequency and disability in children, as well as in adult population studies. We reviewed data from the literature to clarify this possible relationship.Results:  Translational and basic science research shows multiple areas of overlap between migraine pathophysiology and the central and peripheral pathways regulating feeding. Specifically, neurotransmittors such as serotonin, peptides such as orexin, and adipocytokines such as adiponectin and leptin have been suggested to have roles in both feeding and migraine. A relationship between migraine and body mass index exists, and therefore, interventions to modify body mass index may provide a useful treatment model for investigating whether modest weight loss reduces headache frequency and severity in obese migraineurs.Conclusion:  The effect of obesity and weight change on headache outcomes may have important implications for clinical care.
Population Dynamics of the Andean Lizard Anolis heterodermus: Fast‐slow Demographic Strategies in Fragmented Scrubland Landscapes
Authors: Moreno‐Arias Rafael A. , Urbina‐Cardona J. Nicolás 
Published: July 2012

AbstractHabitat fragmentation and loss affect population stability and demographic processes, increasing the extinction risk of species. We studied
Anolis heterodermus populations inhabiting large and small Andean scrubland patches in three fragmented landscapes in the Sabana de Bogotá (Colombia) to determine the effect of habitat fragmentation and loss on population dynamics. We used the capture‐mark‐recapture method and multistate models to estimate vital rates for each population. We estimated growth population rate and the most important processes that affect λ by elasticity analysis of vital rates. We tested the effects of habitat fragmentation and loss on vital rates of lizard populations. All six isolated populations showed a positive or an equilibrium growth rate (λ = 1), and the most important demographic process affecting λ was the growth to first reproduction. Populations from landscapes with less scrubland natural cover showed higher stasis of young adults. Populations in highly fragmented landscapes showed highest juvenile survival and growth population rates. Independent of the landscape's habitat configuration and connectivity, populations from larger scrubland patches showed low adult survivorship, but high transition rates. Populations varied from a slow strategy with low growth and delayed maturation in smaller patches to a fast strategy with high growth and early maturation in large patches. This variation was congruent with the fast‐slow continuum hypothesis and has serious implications for Andean lizard conservation and management strategies. We suggest that more stable lizard populations will be maintained if different management strategies are adopted according to patch area and habitat structure.
Female‐borne cues affecting Psyttalia concolor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) male behavior during courtship and mating
Authors: Canale Angelo , Benelli Giovanni , Lucchi Andrea 
Published: July 2012

AbstractKnowledge of the mechanisms that regulate courtship and mating behavior in Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti)–a koinobiont endophagous solitary parasitoid of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), and of other fruit flies–is essential to its mass rearing and management. Augmentative releases of P. concolor for olive fruit fly control started in the Mediterranean areas in the 1950s and still continue with limited success. We determined the influence of visual and chemical cues on courtship and mating behavior of this braconid and the possible effect of the mating status of males and females in the perception of these cues. Our results suggest that integration of visual and chemical stimuli are fundamental for mate location and courtship. Indeed, the optimal response of the male was achieved when physical and chemical cues were simultaneously presented and vision and olfaction worked synergistically.
What Is TemperamentNow? Assessing Progress in Temperament Research on the Twenty‐Fifth Anniversary of Goldsmith et al. ()
Authors: Shiner Rebecca L. , Buss Kristin A. , McClowry Sandee G. , Putnam Samuel P. , Saudino Kimberly J. , Zentner Marcel 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe now‐classic article “What Is Temperament? Four Approaches” by H. H. Goldsmith et al. (1987) brought together originators of four prominent temperament theories—Rothbart, Thomas and Chess, Buss and Plomin, and Goldsmith—to address foundational questions about the nature of temperament. This article reviews what has been learned about the nature of temperament in the intervening 25 years, It begins with an updating of the 1987 consensus definition of temperament that integrates more complex current findings. Next, 4 “progeny” trained in the original temperament traditions assess contributions of their respective approaches. The article then poses essential questions for the next generation of research on the fundamentals of temperament, including its structure, links with personality traits, interaction with context, and change and continuity over time.
“Organizing Creativity: Enabling Creative Output, Process, and Organizing Practices”
Authors: Chen Katherine K. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractHow individuals can exercise creativity in collectivities is unclear. We thus need to more thoroughly investigate the ‘black box’ of organizational creativity. Future research should consider creativity in a variety of organizations, rather than just those that are known for creative outputs or practices. In addition, we need to examine what I call everyday, relational, and proto‐institutional forms of organizational creativity. Intra‐ and inter‐organizational aspects can enhance or depress such organizational creativity: (1) within the organization’s boundary: internal interactions among organizational members and (2) outside the organization’s boundary: the surrounding organizational environment or field, which include competing or supporting organizations, other organizational actors, and the state. These two aspects pose dilemmas about how to organize that can constrain or enhance organizational creativity. In addressing these dilemmas, organizations must mediate between under‐ and over‐organizing extremes. Organizations can enable creativity by incorporating changing interests and conditions. Organizations can eschew convention, increase rank‐and‐file involvement with corresponding authority, tolerate ambiguity and deviance, encourage improvisation, and support members’ diverse experiences and perspectives.
Marriage Promotion Policy and Family Inequality
Authors: Randles Jennifer M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn 1996, Congress overhauled welfare policy to promote marriage and work as ways to lift American families out of poverty. Almost all of the funding for governmental marriage promotion has been devoted to relationship skills programs intended to help couples strengthen their relationships, encourage them to marry, and thereby prevent poverty. Marriage promotion policy has sparked intense debate, especially over the connection between marriage and family inequality. While advocates of the policy argue the government should promote marriage because it fosters social and economic well‐being, critics challenge the assumption that marriage itself causes these benefits or will help lift poor families out of poverty. Recent sociological research on why poor and low‐income couples marry less finds that they tend not to marry if they cannot meet a specific economic threshold. This suggests that rather than promoting the view that relationship skills en route to marriage can help prevent poverty, marriage promotion policy could likely better serve disadvantaged families by acknowledging and addressing the socioeconomic roots of family inequality.
Elements of a Sociological Contribution to Happiness Studies
Authors: Bartram David 
Published: July 2012

AbstractA significant body of social‐science research on happiness has accrued in recent decades, produced mainly by economists and psychologists. Sociologists, however, have made more limited contributions to “happiness studies”. This paper provides an overview of concepts, methods and findings and suggests some questions about happiness that ought to be of substantial interest to sociology. Many sociologists are clearly interested in the well‐being of the people they study (sometimes suggesting “policy implications” emerging from their empirical findings); happiness is a presumptively important form of well‐being, and an engagement with happiness studies might constitute a way to develop more systematic connections between well‐being and academic research. Building on existing findings, sociologists would be well‐placed to consider the social context of happiness (as against an individualist orientation more common in other disciplines) as well as the unintended consequences of policy initiatives and happiness discourses.
Reference values for within‐breath pulmonary impedance parameters in asymptomatic elderly
Authors: Aarli Bernt Bøgvald , Eagan Tomas Mikal Lind , Ellingsen Ivar , Bakke Per Sigvald , Hardie Jon Andrew 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIntroductionA new application for the forced oscillation technique (FOT) has been described by Dellaca et al. using sinusoidal pressure variations at 5 Hz to detect expiratory flow limitation by measuring the within‐breath reactance [termed difference between inspiratory and expiratory X5 (DX5)]. Few studies have been performed on respiratory phase differences in the elderly.ObjectiveOur aim was to present reference values for within‐breath impedance measurements and to examine how the earlier mentioned method performs in a study population of asymptomatic elderly.MethodsAn age‐ and sex‐stratified random sample was drawn from the elderly population of Bergen, Norway. Among the healthy non‐smoking responders from a postal questionnaire study, 148 were selected to perform FOT measurements using an impulse oscillometry system (IOS). Seventy five of these participants had a normal spirometry and were able to perform at least two valid FOT measurements. Predictive equations for men and women were created for FOT parameters by linear multiple regression analysis. DX5 was calculated from the within‐breath variation of reactance at 5 Hz.Results/ConclusionThis study presents reference values for whole‐breath and within‐breath impedance parameters in asymptomatic elderly aged >70 years using the IOS method. We found higher resistance measurements than what is reported in previous studies and significantly larger frequency dependence.
Determinants of asthma control and quality of life in stable asthma: evaluation of two new cough provocation tests
Authors: Purokivi Minna , Koskela Heikki , Kontra Kirsi 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIntroductionAsthma control and quality of life are poorly associated with traditional asthma biomarkers.ObjectivesIn the present study, we evaluated two new cough provocation tests in this respect.MethodsAsthma Control Questionnaire and Leicester Cough Questionnaire were completed by 36 stable asthmatics. Cough provocation tests with hypertonic saline and isocapnic hyperpnoea of dry air were performed, as well as spirometry, ambulatory peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) measurement.ResultsLeicester Cough Questionnaire score correlated closely with cough responsiveness to hypertonic saline and isocapnic hyperpnoea (R = −0.66, P < 0.001 and R = −0.49, P = 0.002, respectively). Asthma Control Questionnaire score also correlated with the cough responsiveness to these tests (R = 0.52, P = 0.001 and R = 0.43, P = 0.008, respectively). Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (%predicted), diurnal PEF variation and eNO did not correlate with cough‐related quality of life but showed some association with asthma control. There was a significant correlation between Leicester Cough Questionnaire and Asthma Control Questionnaire (R = −0.54, P = 0.001).ConclusionsAsthma control and cough‐related quality of life are more closely associated with cough responsiveness to the investigated cough provocation tests than to eNO and traditional indices of bronchial obstruction. Cough is a major contributor to poor asthma control.