bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between the achievement of successive periodic health examinations and the risk of dying. Appraisal of a prevention scheme
Authors: Henny Joseph , Paulus Amélie , Helfenstein Michel , Godefroy Thierry , Guéguen René 
Published: May 2012

BackgroundIn the field of Periodic Health Examination (PHE), few studies brought information on their efficiency, both on morbidity and mortality.ObjectiveThe association between the reduction of mortality and a regular participation in PHE has been estimated.MethodsThis study concerned 50 116 persons 40–59 years old, of European origin, examined at the Centre of Preventive Medicine, Nancy, France, between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1985 with a maximum duration of follow-up reaching 25 years. The risk of dying according to the number of examination was compared (Cox regression Model). The reduction in mortality (all causes as well as cancer and cardiovascular diseases) was significant for persons whose practice of the PHE continued for at least 10 years or more. The second approach used a propensity score. After stratification on the propensity score, the relative mortality risk of those who returned at least once (compared with never) for a new check-up was 0.75 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.82) in men and 0.89 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.02) in women.ConclusionThe survival analysis evidenced a significant reduction of all-cause mortality, as well as of cancer and cardiovascular-related mortality, in men and women having benefited from several PHEs. On the other hand, the Cox model by class of propensity score allowed to show a reduction in mortality only in men who returned at least once, in particular that of a higher health interest among the regular beneficiaries of PHE.
Sexual behaviour and risk reduction strategies among a multinational sample of women who have sex with women
Authors: Schick Vanessa , Rosenberger Joshua G , Herbenick Debby , Reece Michael 
Published: May 2012

ObjectivesThe development of safer sex recommendations for women who have sex with women (WSW) remains challenging given a limited understanding of sexual behaviour between women. The present study was conducted in order to investigate the sexual repertoires of WSW and the safer sex methods they use to reduce the likelihood of sexually transmitted infection acquisition.MethodsAn online survey targeted towards women with desire, attraction or previous sexual behaviour with women was distributed globally. Women (N=3116) who engaged in at least one sexual act with a woman in the previous year and were currently living in the USA, UK, Canada or Australia were included in the present study. Questions were based upon previously validated items in nationally representative studies.ResultsParticipants indicated a wide diversity of sexual behaviours with the majority of women reporting a history of genital rubbing (99.8%), vaginal fingering (99.2%), genital scissoring (90.8%), cunnilingus (98.8%) and vibrator use (74.1%). Barrier use was reported by a minority (<25%) of the participants.ConclusionsThe variety of sexual acts reported by the sample points to the need for the development of more contextually appropriate sexual health guidelines for WSW.
Attacking a Nexus of the Oncogenic Circuitry by Reversing Aberrant eIF4F-Mediated Translation
Authors: Bitterman Peter B. , Polunovsky Vitaly A. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Notwithstanding their genetic complexity, different cancers share a core group of perturbed pathways converging upon a few regulatory nodes that link the intracellular-signaling network with the basic metabolic machinery. The clear implication of this view for cancer therapy is that instead of targeting individual genetic alterations one by one, the next generation of cancer therapeutics will target critical hubs in the cancer network. One such hub is the translation-initiation complex eIF4F, which integrates several cancer-related pathways into a self-amplifying signaling system. When hyperactivated by apical oncogenic signals, the eIF4F-driven translational apparatus selectively switches the translational repertoire of a cell toward malignancy. This central integrative role of pathologically activated eIF4F has motivated the development of small-molecule inhibitors to correct its function. A genome-wide, systems-level means to objectively evaluate the pharmacologic response to therapeutics targeting eIF4F remains an unmet challenge. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(5); 1051–61. ©2012 AACR.
Prevalence and Clinical Profile of Myocardial Crypts in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Maron Martin S. , Rowin Ethan J. , Lin David , Appelbaum Evan , Chan Raymond H. , Gibson C. Michael , Lesser John R. , Lindberg Jana , Haas Tammy S. , Udelson James E. , Manning Warren J. , Maron Barry J. 
Published: May 2012

Background—
In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), cardiovascular MR can detect morphological abnormalities of the left ventricle (LV) not visualized with echocardiography. Although myocardial crypts (ie, narrow, blood-filled invaginations within the LV wall) have been recognized in HCM, all clinical implications of these structural abnormalities within the broad clinical HCM spectrum are not completely resolved. Therefore, we sought to characterize the prevalence and diagnostic significance of myocardial crypts in HCM patients.

Methods and Results—

Cine and late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular MR and 2-dimensional echocardiography were obtained in 292 consecutive patients with HCM including 31 genotype-positive/phenotype-negative family members without LV hypertrophy (28 ± 16 years; 51% male) and 261 patients with LV hypertrophy (46 ± 18 years; 60% male). Ninety-eight subjects without cardiovascular disease were controls. Myocardial crypts (1–6/patient) were identified only by cardiovascular MR in 19 of 31 genotype-positive/phenotype-negative patients (61%) compared with only 10 of 261 (4%) patients with HCM with LV hypertrophy (
P
<0.001) and were absent in control subjects. Twelve-lead electrocardiograms were normal in 10 (53%) of the genotype-positive/phenotype-negative patients with crypts. Crypts were confined to the basal LV, most commonly in the ventricular septum (n=21) or posterior LV free wall (n=4), and associated with normal LV contractility and absence of late gadolinium enhancement in all but one patient.

Conclusions—
LV myocardial crypts represent a distinctive morphological expression of HCM, occurring with different frequency in HCM patients with or without LV hypertrophy. Crypts are a novel cardiovascular MR imaging marker, which may identify individual HCM family members who should also be considered for diagnostic genetic testing. These data support an expanded role for cardiovascular MR in early evaluation of HCM families.
Trends in Management and Outcome of Hospitalized Patients With Acute Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Tanne David , Koton Silvia , Molshazki Noa , Goldbourt Uri , Shohat Tamar , Tsabari Rakefet , Grossman Ehud , Bornstein Natan M. 
Published: May 2012

Background and Purpose—
Improving stroke management, guideline adherence, and outcome is a global priority. Our aim was to examine trends in nationwide use of reperfusion therapy, stroke in-hospital management, and outcome.

Methods—
Data were based on the triennial 2-month period of the National Acute Stroke Israeli registry (February to March 2004, March to April 2007, April to May 2010). The registry includes unselected patients admitted to all hospitals nationwide. There were in total 6279 patients: ischemic stroke, 4452 (70.9%); intracerebral hemorrhage, 485 (7.7%); undetermined stroke, 97 (1.6%); and transient ischemic attacks, 1245 (19.8%).

Results—

Overall use of reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke increased from 0.4% in 2004% to 5.9% in 2010 (
P
<0.001; adjusted OR, 17.0; 95% CI, 7.5–38.7). Use of CT or MR angiography for ischemic events increased from 2.1% in 2004% to 16.6% in 2010 (
P
<0.001; adjusted OR, 9.7; 95% CI, 6.8–13.9). Overall use of antithrombotics and anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation did not differ between periods, whereas clopidogrel use increased nearly 3-fold to 41% and statin use nearly 2-fold to 68%. The relative odds of providing reperfusion therapy, using CT or MR angiography, and prescribing anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation were higher among hospitals with large as compared with small stroke patient volumes. In-hospital mortality after acute ischemic stroke decreased from 7.2% in 2004 to 3.9% in 2010 (
P
<0.001; adjusted OR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.4–1.0), whereas there was no significant change in odds of poor functional outcome.

Conclusions—
Based on a nationwide stroke registry, use of reperfusion therapy, vascular imaging, and statins is steadily increasing, whereas in-hospital mortality is decreasing.
Multimodal Recanalization Therapy in Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion
Authors: Ottomeyer Caroline , Zeller Judith , Fesl Gunther , Holtmannspötter Markus , Opherk Christian , Bender Andreas , Dichgans Martin , Brückmann Hartmut , Pfefferkorn Thomas 
Published: May 2012

Background and Purpose—
Multimodal recanalization therapy in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion provides high recanalization rates. A substantial subset of treated patients survives with only minor or moderate functional handicap. However, long-term functional outcome and quality of life in these patients have rarely been systematically analyzed.

Methods—
In this monocentric retrospective study, we analyzed mortality, long-term functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale), and quality of life (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire) in all consecutive patients who had been treated for acute basilar artery occlusion in our institution between December 2002 and December 2009.

Results—

Ninety-one patients (57 male; median age, 65 years; range, 20–89 years) were treated by multimodal recanalization therapy. This included intravenous thrombolysis (n=32) with consecutive on-demand intra-arterial therapy (n=23) or intra-arterial therapy alone (n=59). The overall recanalization rate was 89%. After a median observation time of 4.2 years (range, 0.5–7.4 years), the mortality rate was 59%. Among the 35 survivors, 26 patients (74%) had a good or moderate long-term functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≤3). Health-related quality of life was better than that of unselected patients with stroke. Backward stepwise logistic regression identified intravenous thrombolysis (
P
=0.002) and female sex (
P
=0.001) as predictors of favorable functional long-term outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≤3). Coma at admission (Glasgow Coma Scale ≤8) was associated with poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale ≥4;
P
=0.036).

Conclusions—
Long-term survival is achieved in approximately 40% of patients with basilar artery occlusion treated with multimodal recanalization therapy. Approximately 75% of the survivors have a favorable functional long-term outcome with an acceptable quality of life.
Tropical Cyclone Morphology from Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar
Authors: Li Xiaofeng , Zhang Jun A. , Yang Xiaofeng , Pichel William G. , DeMaria Mark , Long David , Li Ziwei 
Published: May 2012

In 2008, the Canadian Space Agency sponsored the Radarsat Hurricane Applications Project (RHAP), for researching new developments in the application of Radarsat-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data and innovative mapping approaches to better understand the dynamics of tropical cyclone genesis, morphology, and movement. Although tropical cyclones can be detected by many remote sensors, SAR can yield high-resolution (subkilometer) and low-level storm information that cannot be seen below the clouds by other sensors. In addition to the wind field and tropical cyclone eye information, structures associated with atmospheric processes can also be detected by SAR. We have acquired 161 Radarsat-1 SAR images through RHAP between 2001 and 2007. Among these, 73 images show clear tropical cyclone eye structure. In addition, we also acquired 10 images from the European Space Agency's Envisat SAR between 2004 and 2010. Both Atlantic hurricanes and Pacific typhoons are included.
In this study, we analyze these 83 (73 Radarsat-1 and 10 Envisat) images with tropical cyclone eye information along with ancillary tropical cyclone intensity information from the archive to generate tropical cyclone morphology statistics. Histograms of wave-number asymmetry and intensity are presented. The statistics show that when the storm has higher intensity, the tropical cyclone eye tends to become more symmetric, and the area of the tropical cyclone eye, defined by the minimum wind area, tends to be smaller. Examples of finescale structures within the tropical cyclone (i.e., eye/eyewall mesovortices, arc clouds, double eyewalls, and abnormally high wind or rain within eyes) are presented and discussed.
Assessing Atmospheric Response to Surface Forcing in the Observations. Part II: Cross Validation of Seasonal Response Using GEFA and LIM
Authors: Liu Zhengyu , Fan Lei , Shin Sang-Ik , Liu Qinyu 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The authors compared the assessment of the seasonal cycle of the atmospheric response to surface forcing in three statistical methods, generalized equilibrium feedback analysis (GEFA), linear inverse modeling (LIM), and fluctuation–dissipation theorem (FDT). These methods are applied to both a conceptual climate model and the observation. It is found that LIM and GEFA are able to reproduce the major features of the seasonal response consistently, whereas FDT tends to generate a bias of the phase of the seasonal cycle. The success of LIM and GEFA for the assessment of the seasonal response is due to the slowly varying nature of the annual cycle relative to the atmospheric response time. Therefore, the authors recommend GEFA and LIM as two independent methods for the assessment of the seasonal atmospheric response in the observation.
Toward Development of Improved QPE in Complex Terrain Using Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Data: A Case Study for the 2005 Monsoon in Southern Arizona
Authors: Minjarez-Sosa Carlos Manuel , Castro Christopher L. , Cummins Kenneth L. , Krider E. Philip , Waissmann Julio 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The relationship between convective precipitation and cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning is examined over a study area in southwest Arizona and northwest Mexico. Using seasonal-to-daily and hourly time resolution, the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) stage IV precipitation product and the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network lightning data have been analyzed with the aim of developing an improved understanding of the relationship between these variables. A Gaussian method of spatially smoothing discrete lightning counts is used to estimate convective rainfall and improve the quality and spatial coverage of radar-derived precipitation in areas of complex terrain. For testing the dependence of the relationship between CG lightning and precipitation, a precipitation “sensor coverage” analysis has been performed. If locations that have poor sensor coverage are excluded, R2 between lightning and precipitation improves by up to 15%. A complementary way to estimate convective precipitation is proposed based on 1-h lightning occurrence intervals, which is the maximum time resolution in this study. We find that ~67% of the seasonal 2005 precipitation over the analysis domain is associated with CG lightning. Daily precipitation estimates are improved by specifying a “diurnal day” based on the diurnal maxima and minima in precipitation and CG lightning within the domain. Our method for improving quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) using lightning is able to track and estimate convective precipitation over regions that have poor sensor coverage, particularly in both air mass storms and large multicellular events, with R2 up to 70%.
Lightning Distribution and Eyewall Outbreaks in Tropical Cyclones during Landfall
Authors: Zhang Wenjuan , Zhang Yijun , Zheng Dong , Zhou Xiuji 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Cloud-to-ground lightning data and storm intensity data (winds and central pressure) for 33 northwest Pacific tropical cyclones were used to analyze lightning distributions during the period of landfall in China. Lightning activities varied enormously from storm to storm with an average flash rate over 500 km of radius from 3 to 3201 flashes per hour, and no obvious relationship between average intensity and average flash rate occurred. The maximum flash density shifted from the eyewall region (0–60 km) to outer rainbands (180–500 km) as the intensity level increased. The average ratio of flash density in the eyewall to outer rainband was highest (1:0.5) for storms with the level of a tropical storm (17.2–24.4 m s−1) and lowest (1:8.6) for severe typhoons (41.5–50.9 m s−1). After storm landfall, flash density in the rainband decreased more rapidly in severe typhoons than in severe tropical storms (24.5–32.6 m s−1) and typhoons, but increased in tropical depressions (10.8–17.1 m s−1) and tropical storms. With the strength of intensity level, lightning in the outer rainband gradually weakened after the storm landfall.
Lightning outbreaks were identified in a consistent manner for all tropical cyclones to inspect the relationship of eyewall flashes to the changes of structure and intensity. Eyewall flash outbreaks were found during the period of intensity change (15% of outbreaks in intensification and 43% in weaken), and the period of maximum intensity (15% of outbreaks) of storms. A new result of this analysis found that 10% of the outbreaks occurred prior to and during periods of storm turning, which is potentially important for the trajectory change forecasting of tropical cyclones.
Extending the Numerical Stability Limit of Terrain-Following Coordinate Models over Steep Slopes
Authors: Zängl Günther 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
To extend the numerical stability limit over steep slopes, a truly horizontal pressure-gradient discretization based on the ideas formulated by Mahrer in the 1980s has been developed. Conventionally, the pressure gradient is evaluated in the terrain-following coordinate system, which necessitates a metric correction term that is prone to numerical instability if the height difference between adjacent grid points is much larger than the vertical layer spacing. The alternative way pursued here is to reconstruct the pressure gradient at auxiliary points lying at the same height as the target point on which the velocity is defined. This is accomplished via a second-order Taylor-series expansion in this work, using the hydrostatic approximation to transform the second derivatives into first derivatives to facilitate second-order accurate discretization in the presence of strong vertical grid stretching. Moreover, a reformulated lower boundary condition is used that avoids the extrapolation of vertical derivatives evaluated in potentially very thin layers. A sequence of tests at varying degrees of idealization reveals that the truly horizontal pressure-gradient discretization improves numerical stability over steep slopes for a wide range of horizontal mesh sizes, ranging from a few hundreds of meters to tens of kilometers. In addition, tests initialized with an atmosphere at rest reveal that the spurious circulations developing over steep mountains are usually smaller than for the conventional discretization even in configurations for which the latter does not suffer from stability problems.
Practice Patterns for Arthroscopy of Osteoarthritis of the Knee in the United States
Authors: Potts Aaron , Harrast John J. , Harner Christopher D. , Miniaci Anthony , Jones Morgan H. 
Published: May 2012

Background: Knee arthroscopy is one of the most common orthopaedic procedures performed in the United States. The publication of a randomized controlled trial of arthroscopy versus sham surgery by Moseley et al in 2002 showed no efficacy and challenged the role of arthroscopy for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Hypothesis: (1) Knee arthroscopy for osteoarthritis has decreased after the publication of the study by Moseley et al, (2) arthroscopy as a percentage of orthopaedic cases has decreased, and (3) the average age of patients undergoing arthroscopy has decreased. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: The authors examined the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) database that includes 6-month case logs for each examinee sitting for the Part II board examination for 1999 to 2009. Knee arthroscopy cases were identified by CPT ( Current Procedural Terminology) code and knee osteoarthritis diagnosis was defined by ICD-9 ( International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision) code. Piecewise linear regression was used to evaluate knee arthroscopy before and after the publication of the Moseley et al article in 2002. Results: The number of knee arthroscopy cases for patients with osteoarthritis had greatly decreased by 2009 after peaking in 2001 (1621 vs 966 total cases, 2.36 vs 1.40 cases per surgeon). Cases classified as chondroplasty also decreased from 10.0% to 5.8% of knee arthroscopies ( P < .0001). In addition, the total number of knee arthroscopy cases per surgeon decreased from a high of 11.9 in 2003 to a low of 8.6 in 2009. As expected, knee arthroscopy as a percentage of total orthopaedic cases decreased from a high of 9.9% in 2003 to 6.6% in 2009 ( P < .0001). Conclusion: Knee arthroscopy for patients with osteoarthritis among orthopaedic surgeons during their ABOS examination case collection period has decreased after the publication of a highly publicized article demonstrating a lack of efficacy of this procedure. Further study is needed to determine if this change occurred in the orthopaedic community at large or if practice patterns only changed for surgeons during their board collection periods. Clinical Relevance: Randomized controlled trials can be effective in changing orthopaedic surgeon practice.
Mortality Among Marathon Runners in the United States, 2000-2009
Authors: Mathews Simon C. , Narotsky David L. , Bernholt David L. , Vogt Matthew , Hsieh Yu-Hsiang , Pronovost Peter J. , Pham Julius Cuong 
Published: May 2012

Background: As participation in marathon running has increased, there has also been concern regarding its safety. Purpose: To determine if the increase in marathon participation from 2000 to 2009 has affected mortality and overall performance. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: We used publicly available racing and news databases to analyze the number of marathon races, finishing race times, and deaths from 2000 to 2009 in marathons in the United States. Results: The total number of marathon finishers has increased over this decade from 299,018 in 2000 to 473,354 in 2009. The average overall marathon finishing time has remained unchanged from 2000 to 2009 (4:34:47 vs 4:35:28; P = .85). Of 3,718,336 total marathon participants over the 10-year study period, we identified 28 people (6 women and 22 men) who died during the marathon race and up to 24 hours after finishing. The overall, male, and female death rates for the 10-year period were 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-1.13), 0.98 (95% CI, 0.48-1.36), and 0.41 (95% CI, 0.21-0.79) deaths per 100,000 finishers, respectively. There was no change in the death rate during this time period for overall, male, or female groups ( P = .860, .533, and .238, respectively). The median age among deaths was 41.5 years (interquartile range, 25.5 years). Fifty percent (14/28) of deaths occurred in participants less than 45 years old. Myocardial infarction/atherosclerotic heart disease caused 93% (13/14) of deaths in those 45 years and older. A variety of conditions caused death in younger racers, the most common being cardiac arrest not otherwise specified (21%, n = 3). Conclusion: Participation in marathons has increased without any change in mortality or average overall performance from 2000 to 2009.