bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH: Experimental introduction of the alien plant Hieracium lepidulum reveals no significant impact on montane plant communities in New Zealand
Authors: Meffin Ross , Miller Alice L. , Hulme Philip E. , Duncan Richard P. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAim  There is debate over whether alien plants necessarily alter the communities they invade or can coexist with native species without discernable impacts. We followed the fate of montane plant communities in response to the experimental sowing of the alien weed Hieracium lepidulum, looking for changes in plant community composition and structure over 6 years.Location  Craigieburn Range, New Zealand.Methods  We used a replicated randomised block design, with 30 × 30 cm plots (n = 756) subdivided into 5 × 5 cm cells to examine and compare the effects of H. lepidulum at 0.09 m2 (plot) and 0.0025 m2 (cell) scales. Plots were sown with between 0 and 15,625 H. lepidulum seeds in 2003, forming gradients of invader density and cover. Measurements comprised community richness, evenness and diversity along with H. lepidulum density and cover at both scales. The relationships between the invader and local community attributes were modelled using hierarchical mixed‐effect models.Results  Plant communities differed in the extent to which they became invaded, with H. lepidulum cover in the plots ranging from 0% to 52%, with a mean of only 1.89%. Plot species richness increased from 2003 to 2009, with a component of this increase (+0.002 species per year) associated with increasing H. lepidulum density. Other relationships between the plant community and H. lepidulum were generally non‐significant.Main conclusions  In these montane plant communities, it appears H. lepidulum coexists with the native community with no measurable negative effects after 6 years on species richness, evenness or diversity, even where density and cover of the invader are highest. We suggest H. lepidulum has persisted preferentially at those sites with abiotic conditions sufficient to support a species‐rich assemblage.
Price Discovery and Dissemination of Private Information by Loan Syndicate Participants
Authors: BUSHMAN ROBERT M. , SMITH ABBIE J. , WITTENBERG‐MOERMAN REGINA 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTWe delineate key channels through which flows of confidential information to loan syndicate participants impact the dynamics of information arrival in prices. We isolate the timing of private information flows by estimating the speed of price discovery over quarterly earnings cycles in both secondary syndicated loan and equity markets. We identify borrowers disseminating private information to lenders relatively early in the cycle with firms exhibiting relatively early price discovery in the secondary loan market, documenting that price discovery is faster for loans subject to financial covenants, particularly earnings‐based covenants; for borrowers who experience covenant violations; for borrowers with high credit risk; and for loans syndicated by relationship‐based lenders or highly reputable lead arrangers. We then ask whether early access to private information in the loan market accelerates the speed of information arrival in stock prices. We document that the stock returns of firms identified with earlier private information dissemination to lenders indeed exhibit faster price discovery in the stock market, but only when institutional investors are involved in the firm's syndicated loans. Further, the positive relation between institutional lending and the speed of stock price discovery is more pronounced in relatively weak public disclosure environments. These results are consistent with institutional lenders systematically exploiting confidential syndicate information via trading in the equity market.
Lifespan of Commodities, Part I
Authors: Murakami Shinsuke , Oguchi Masahiro , Tasaki Tomohiro , Daigo Ichiro , Hashimoto Seiji 
Published: July 2010

SummaryLifespan is an essential parameter for the accounting and analysis of material stocks and flows, one of the main research topics in industrial ecology. Lifespan is also important as a parameter that portrays the current and historical situation of industrial metabolism, which is an area of interest to industrial ecologists.In the present article, the available information from various reports on product lifespan was reviewed. Although we found a large number of data for many durables, the definition of lifespan in published articles varied, which limited our ability to compare reported values. We therefore first defined lifespan and then compared the international and historical data.We compiled more than 1,300 data sets from various sources and identified some differences among the types of goods and among regions. With the reviewed data noted in this article, we established a database, named LiVES (Lifespan Database for Vehicles, Equipment, and Structures), and will disclose it on the Internet to share the information.
Knowledge of Evidence‐Based Urinary Catheter Care Practice Recommendations Among Healthcare Workers in Nursing Homes
Authors: Mody Lona , Saint Sanjay , Galecki Andrzej , Chen Shu , Krein Sarah L. 
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVES: To assess the knowledge of recommended urinary catheter care practices among nursing home (NH) healthcare workers (HCWs) in southeast Michigan.DESIGN: Self‐administered survey.SETTING: Seven NHs in southeast Michigan.PARTICIPANTS: HCWs.MEASUREMENTS: The survey included questions about respondent characteristics and knowledge about indications, care, and personal hygiene pertaining to urinary catheters. The association between knowledge measures and occupation (nurses vs aides) was assessed using generalized estimating equations.RESULTS: Three hundred fifty‐six of 440 HCWs (81%) responded. More than 90% of HCWs were aware of measures such as cleaning around the catheter daily, glove use, and hand hygiene with catheter manipulation. They were less aware of research‐proven recommendations of not disconnecting the catheter from its bag (59% nurses, 30% aides, P<.001), not routinely irrigating the catheter (48% nurses, 8% aides, P<.001), and hand hygiene after casual contact (60% nurses, 69% aides, P=.07). HCWs were also unaware of recommendations regarding alcohol‐based hand rub (27% nurses and 32% aides with correct responses, P=.38). HCWs reported informal (e.g., nurse supervisors) and formal (in‐services) sources of knowledge about catheter care.CONCLUSION: Significant discrepancies remain between research‐proven recommendations pertaining to urinary catheter care and HCWs' knowledge. Nurses and aides differ in their knowledge of recommendations against harmful practices, such as disconnecting the catheter from the bag and routinely irrigating catheters. Further research should focus on strategies to enhance dissemination of proven infection control practices in NHs.
Targeting and Managing Behavioral Symptoms in Individuals with Dementia: A Randomized Trial of a Nonpharmacological Intervention
Authors: Gitlin Laura N. , Winter Laraine , Dennis Marie P. , Hodgson Nancy , Hauck Walter W. 
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVES: To test the effects of an intervention that helps families manage distressing behaviors in family members with dementia.DESIGN: Two‐group randomized trial.SETTING: In home.PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred seventy‐two caregivers and people with dementia.INTERVENTION: Up to 11 home and telephone contacts over 16 weeks by health professionals who identified potential triggers of patient behaviors, including communication and environmental factors and patient undiagnosed medical conditions (by obtaining blood and urine samples) and trained caregivers in strategies to modify triggers and reduce their upset. Between 16 and 24 weeks, three telephone contacts reinforced strategy use.MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcomes were frequency of targeted problem behavior and caregiver upset with and confidence managing it at 16 weeks. Secondary outcomes were caregiver well‐being and management skills at 16 and 24 weeks and caregiver perceived benefits. Prevalence of medical conditions for intervention patients were also examined.RESULTS: At 16 weeks, 67.5% of intervention caregivers reported improvement in targeted problem behavior, compared with 45.8% of caregivers in a no‐treatment control group (P=.002), and reduced upset with (P=.03) and enhanced confidence managing (P=.01) the behavior. Additionally, intervention caregivers reported less upset with all problem behaviors (P=.001), less negative communication (P=.02), less burden (P=.05), and better well‐being (P=.001) than controls. Fewer intervention caregivers had depressive symptoms (53.0%) than control group caregivers (67.8%, P=.02). Similar caregiver outcomes occurred at 24 weeks. Intervention caregivers perceived more study benefits (P<.05), including ability to keep family members home, than controls. Blood and urine samples of intervention patients with dementia showed that 40 (34.1%) had undiagnosed illnesses requiring physician follow‐up.CONCLUSION: Targeting behaviors upsetting to caregivers and modifying potential triggers improves symptomatology in people with dementia and caregiver well‐being and skills.
A Multicenter, Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial of Intravenous Ibuprofen (IV‐Ibuprofen) in the Management of Postoperative Pain Following Abdominal Hysterectomy
Authors: Kroll Peter B. , Meadows Laura , Rock Amy , Pavliv Leo 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackground:  Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs are widely used to block pain and inflammation in a variety of settings. Contrarily, opioid analgesia does not block the inflammatory component of pain and the use of these agents can be accompanied by serious side effects. We conducted a multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous ibuprofen (IV‐ibuprofen) as a postoperative analgesic.Methods:  A total of 319 patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive 800 IV‐ibuprofen or placebo every 6 hours; in addition patients had access to morphine at a dose of 1–2 mg every 5 minutes. The primary outcome measure was median morphine consumption within the first 24 hours following surgery.Results:  During the first 24 hours of treatment, the median morphine requirement was reduced by 19% (P ≤ 0.001) and resulted in a significant reduction in pain at rest (AUC, 6 to 24 hours and 12 to 24 hours, P < 0.001) and pain with movement (AUC, 6 to 24 hours, P = 0.010 and 12 to 24 hours, P ≤ 0.001) as measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) in patients receiving 800 mg IV‐ibuprofen compared to placebo. Time to ambulation was significantly faster (P = 0.018) in the IV‐ibuprofen treated group, as well. Similar treatment‐emergent adverse events occurred across both study groups and there was no difference in the overall incidence of these events.Conclusion:  This study demonstrated that IV‐ibuprofen is an effective analgesic medication that is safe and well tolerated when administered as an 800 mg dose every 6 hours in patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy surgery.
Meningismus Associated with Malpositioned Intraspinal Catheter for Drug Delivery
Authors: Hoelzer Bryan C. , Knievel Sarah L. , Michiels Whitney B. , McGlothlen Gail L. , Grigsby Eric J. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackground:  Implanted delivery systems for intrathecal drug administration have become more common in the management of nonmalignant pain. Many postprocedural complications have been described in the literature including infection and headache provoked by position changes. Determining the etiology of a postimplant headache is important particularly when considering the possibility of a life‐threatening infection.Case Report:  We present a patient who underwent placement of an implantable drug delivery system (IDDS) for intractable abdominal pain that developed positional headaches, and significant neck and back pain. Attempted cerebrospinal fluid aspiration reproduced her symptoms and imaging revealed a malpositioned intraspinal catheter tip approximated to the meninges. Revision of the system completely relieved her symptoms.Conclusion:  Meningismus from malpositioned catheters is a rare complication that can mimic meningitis but should be considered in the differential for postimplant headaches. Given the increased use of IDDS, it is important to recognize and evaluate postimplant complication and treat it appropriately. We discuss this case report and appropriate work‐up and differential diagnosis for meningismus following implant.
A Novel Mutation in theHCN4Gene Causes Symptomatic Sinus Bradycardia in Moroccan Jews
Authors: LAISH‐FARKASH AVISHAG , GLIKSON MICHAEL , BRASS DOVRAT , MAREK‐YAGEL DINA , PRAS ELON , DASCAL NATHAN , ANTZELEVITCH CHARLES , NOF EYAL , REZNIK HAYA , ELDAR MICHAEL , LURIA DAVID 
Published: July 2010

NovelHCN4Mutation. Objectives:To conduct a clinical, genetic, and functional analysis of 3 unrelated families with familial sinus bradycardia (FSB).Background:Mutations in the hyperpolarization‐activated nucleotide‐gated channel (HCN4) are known to be associated with FSB.Methods and Results:Three males of Moroccan Jewish descent were hospitalized: 1 survived an out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest and 2 presented with weakness and presyncopal events. All 3 had significant sinus bradycardia, also found in other first‐degree relatives, with a segregation suggesting autosomal‐dominant inheritance. All had normal response to exercise and normal heart structure. Sequencing of theHCN4gene in all patients revealed a C to T transition at nucleotide position 1,454, which resulted in an alanine to valine change (A485V) in the ion channel pore found in most of their bradycardiac relatives, but not in 150 controls. Functional expression of the mutated ion channel inXenopusoocytes and in human embryonic kidney 293 cells revealed profoundly reduced function and synthesis of the mutant channel compared to wild‐type.Conclusions:We describe a new mutation in theHCN4gene causing symptomatic FSB in 3 unrelated individuals of similar ethnic background that may indicate unexplained FSB in this ethnic group. This profound functional defect is consistent with the symptomatic phenotype.(J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 1365‐1372, December 2010)
Recent History of Vasovagal Syncope in a Young, Referral‐Based Population Is a Stronger Predictor of Recurrent Syncope Than Lifetime Syncope Burden
Authors: SUMNER GLEN L. , ROSE M. SARAH , KOSHMAN MARY LOU , RITCHIE DEBBIE , SHELDON ROBERT S. ,   for the Prevention of Syncope Trial Investigators
Published: July 2010

Syncope Prediction. Introduction: Accurate selection of patients for vasovagal syncope studies requires strong risk stratification and knowledge of the natural history of syncope. We aimed to test the hypothesis that recent history of vasovagal syncope compared to distant history better predicts subsequent recurrence of syncope.
Methods and Results:
In all, 208 subjects with a positive tilt test and ≥3 lifetime syncope spells were followed for 1 year. Syncope episodes in the preceding year and total historical spells were compared for their ability to predict a syncope recurrence using the criteria of optimal statistical significance, best linear separation of risk populations, and impact on power calculations.The number of vasovagal syncope spells in the preceding year better predicted syncope recurrence when compared to total number of historical spells (likelihood ratio statistic 28.4, P < 0.0001; versus 20.4, P = 0.001), and showed a substantial effect as the number of syncope events increased. For example, syncope recurred in 22% of those with <2 spells in the previous year compared to 69% in those with >6 spells. A history of no syncope compared to any syncope in the preceding year was associated with a 1‐year probability of 7% versus 46% for syncope recurrence. A study designed to detect a 50% decrease in syncope recurrence at P = 0.05 with 80% power would require 159 patients with at least 3 lifetime spells, and only 108 patients with at least 3 spells in the previous year.
Conclusions:
The number of syncope events in the year preceding clinical evaluation is the best predictor of syncope recurrence. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 1375‐1380, December 2010)
Defibrillation Testing at the Time of ICD Insertion: An Analysis From the Ontario ICD Registry
Authors: HEALEY J. S. , BIRNIE D. H. , LEE D. S. , Krahn A. D. , Crystal E. , Simpson C. S. , Dorian P. , Chen Z. , Cameron D. , Verma A. , Connolly S. J. , Gula L. J. , Lockwood E. , Nair G. , Tu J. V. ,   on behalf of the Ontario ICD Database Investigators
Published: July 2010

Defibrillation Testing at the Time of ICD Insertion. Background: Increasingly, ICD implantation is performed without defibrillation testing (DT).
Objectives:
To determine the current frequency of DT, the risks associated with DT, and to understand how physicians select patients to have DT.
Methods:
Between January 2007 and July 2008, all patients in Ontario, Canada who received an ICD were enrolled in this prospective registry.
Results:
A total of 2,173 patients were included; 58% had new ICD implants for primary prevention, 25% for secondary prevention, and 17% had pulse generator replacement. DT was carried out at the time of ICD implantation or predischarge in 65%, 67%, and 24% of primary, secondary, and replacement cases respectively (P = <0.0001). The multivariate predictors of a decision to conduct DT included: new ICD implant (OR = 13.9, P < 0.0001), dilated cardiomyopathy (OR = 1.8, P < 0.0001), amiodarone use (OR = 1.5, P = 0.004), and LVEF > 20% (OR = 1.3, P = 0.05). A history of atrial fibrillation (OR = 0.58, P = 0.0001) or oral anticoagulant use (OR = 0.75, P = 0.03) was associated with a lower likelihood of having DT. Age, gender, NYHA class, and history of stroke or TIA did not predict DT. Perioperative complications, including death, myocardial infarction, stroke, tamponade, pneumothorax, heart failure, infection, wound hematoma, and lead dislodgement, were similar among patients with (8.7%) and without (8.3%) DT (P = 0.7)
Conclusions:
DT is performed in two‐thirds of new ICD implants but only one‐quarter of ICD replacements. Physicians favored performance of DT in patients who are at lower risk of DT‐related complications and in those receiving amiodarone. DT was not associated with an increased risk of perioperative complications. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 1344‐1348, December 2010)
Predicting Angiographic Outcome in Contemporary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Lesion‐Specific Logistic Model
Authors: ROBERTS ELVED B. , GRAYSON ANTHONY D. , ALAHMAR ALBERT E. , ANDRON MOHAMMED , PERRY RAPHAEL , STABLES RODNEY H. 
Published: July 2010

Background:
Previous angiographic lesion classification systems were derived from analysis of outcomes and lesion complexity in the early stent era. Advances in equipment design and techniques have altered the association between lesion and target vessel characteristics and procedural outcome in modern percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We evaluated the precise relationship between lesion characteristics and technical outcome on a lesion by lesion basis in a large dataset. We developed a multivariate model to predict technical failure in PCI.
Methods:
Analysis of prospectively collected data on 10,800 lesions in 6,719 consecutive PCI cases between January 2000 and December 2004. Multivariate logistic regression was undertaken to identify predictors of angiographic outcome at each treated lesion (success/failure). Statistical model validation was carried out using data from a further 3,340 treated lesions in 1,940 consecutive cases.
Results:
Independent variables associated with an increased risk of technical failure included total occlusion, severe calcification, proximal vessel tortuosity >90 degrees, lesion in a degenerate vein graft, and lesion angulation ≥90 degrees. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve for the predicted probability of technical failure was 0.85. Failure occurred in 2.2% of treated lesions in the validation set (ROC curve 0.82, model predicted 2.5%).
Conclusions:
We have re‐evaluated the association between lesion characteristics and technical outcome in modern PCI. We have thereby developed a contemporary prediction model for angiographic outcome at each treated lesion. (J Interven Cardiol 2010;23:394–400)
Stent Fracture in the Coronary and Peripheral Arteries
Authors: ADLAKHA SATJIT , SHEIKH MUJEEB , WU JASON , BURKET MARK W. , PANDYA UTPAL , COLYER WILLIAM , ELTAHAWY EHAB , COOPER CHRISTOPHER J. 
Published: July 2010

Inherent risks of stenting include restenosis and thrombosis. Recently, stent fractures have been recognized as a complication that may result in thrombosis, perforation, restenosis, and migration of the stent resulting in morbidity and mortality. Stent fractures were originally seen in the superficial femoral arteries but have since then been reported in almost all vascular sites including the coronary, renal, carotid, iliac, and femoropopliteal arteries. Fractures are the result of the complex interplay between stent manufacturing, the stented segment, pulsatile and nonpulsatile biomechanical forces, and plaque morphology at a particular vascular site. The presentation of a patient with a fracture is highly variable, ranging from asymptomatic in nature, detected on routine screening without any sequelae, to sudden cardiac death related to a thrombosed coronary artery. Despite being recognized as an important complication, consensus on routine surveillance and diagnostic methods to detect fractures continues to be lacking. Fortunately, most cases are relatively benign and can be managed conservatively if detected. In the setting of recurrent symptoms, further intervention is usually sought. In review of the literature most cases are managed with placement of a stent over the fractured area, the stent‐in‐stent technique, but several other alternatives may be available. As the knowledge of the variables that make stents prone to fracture are identified, better technologies and techniques can be employed to minimize the risk of this complication. This article reviews the available literature on stent fractures and complications using data found on PubMed, MEDLINE, the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database, and the Cochrane databases. (J Interven Cardiol 2010;23:411–419)