bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Natural History and Long-Term Outcomes of Ablated Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Hussein Ayman A. , Saliba Walid I. , Martin David O. , Bhargava Mandeep , Sherman Minerva , Magnelli-Reyes Christina , Chamsi-Pasha Mohammed , John Seby , Williams-Adrews Michelle , Baranowski Bryan , Dresing Thomas , Callahan Thomas , Kanj Mohamed , Tchou Patrick , Lindsay Bruce D. , Natale Andrea , Wazni Oussama 
Published: April 2011

Background—
Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is increasingly used in clinical practice. We aimed to study the natural history and long-term outcomes of ablated AF.

Methods and Results—
We followed 831 patients after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) performed in 2005. We documented clinical outcomes using our prospective AF registry with most recent update on this group of patients in October 2009. In the first year after ablation, 23.8% had early recurrence. Over long-term follow-up (55 months), only 8.9% had late arrhythmia recurrence defined as occurring beyond the first year after ablation. Repeat ablations in patients with late recurrence revealed conduction recovery in at least 1 of the previously isolated PVs in all of them and right-sided triggers with isoproterenol testing in 55.6%. At last follow-up, clinical improvement was 89.9% (79.4% arrhythmia-free off antiarrhythmic drugs and 10.5% with AF controlled with antiarrhythmic drugs). Only 4.6% continued to have drug-resistant AF. It was possible to safely discontinue anticoagulation in a substantial proportion of patients with no recurrence in the year after ablation (CHADS score ≤2, stroke incidence of 0.06% per year). The procedure-related complication rate was very low.

Conclusions—
Pulmonary vein isolation is safe and efficacious for long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm and control of symptoms in patients with drug-resistant AF. It obviates the need for antiarrhythmic drugs, negative dromotropic agents, and anticoagulants in a substantial proportion of patients.
A Phase II Multicentered, Single-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial of the Stroke Self-Management Program
Authors: Cadilhac Dominique A. , Hoffmann Sally , Kilkenny Monique , Lindley Richard , Lalor Erin , Osborne Richard H. , Batterbsy Malcolm 
Published: April 2011

Background and Purpose—
The benefits of chronic disease self-management programs for stroke survivors are uncertain because individuals with severe impairments have been excluded from previous research. We undertook a phase II randomized controlled trial to determine whether a self-management program designed for survivors (SSMP; 8 weeks) was safe and feasible compared to standard care (control) or a generic self-management program (generic; 6 weeks).

Methods—
Stroke survivors were recruited from 7 South Australian hospitals via a letter or indirectly (eg, newspapers). Eligible participants were randomized at a 1:1:1 ratio of 50 per group. Primary outcomes were recruitment, participation, and participant safety. Secondary outcomes were positive and active engagement in life using the Health Education Impact Questionnaire and characteristics of quality of life and mood at 6 months from program completion.

Results—

Of 315 people screened, 149 were eligible and 143 were randomized (48 SSMP, 47 generic, 48 control); mean age was 69 years (SD, 11) and 59% were female. Demographic features were similar between groups and 41% had severe cognitive impairment; 57% accessed the interventions, with 52% SSMP and 38% generic completing >50% of sessions (
P
=0.18). Thirty-two participants reported adverse events (7 control, 12 generic, 13 SSMP;
P
=0.3; 34% severe); however, none was attributable to the interventions. Potential benefits for improved mood were found.

Conclusions—
SSMP was safe and feasible. Benefits of the stroke-specific program over the generic program included greater participation and completion rates. An efficacy trial is warranted given the forecast growth in the stroke population and improved survival trends.
Paradoxical Trends in the Management of Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms in the United States
Authors: Huang Michael C. , Baaj Ali A. , Downes Katheryne , Youssef A. Samy , Sauvageau Eric , van Loveren Harry R. , Agazzi Siviero 
Published: April 2011

Background and Purpose—
The objective of this study was to characterize demographics, treatments, and outcomes in the management of unruptured cerebral aneurysms in the United States using a national healthcare database.

Methods—
Clinical data were derived from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the years 1997 through 2006. Patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms were identified using the appropriate International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision code (437.3). Hospitalizations, length of stay, hospital charges, discharge pattern, age and gender distribution, and nature of intervention were analyzed. A Bureau of Labor statistics tool was used to adjust hospital and national charges for inflation. Population-adjusted rates were calculated using population estimates generated by the US Census Bureau.

Results—
Over 100 000 records were retrieved for analysis. During the time period studied, there was a 75% increase in the number of hospitalizations associated with unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Inflation adjusted hospital charges increased by 60%, whereas the total national bill increased by 200%. Overall, length of stay decreased by 37% and in-hospital mortality rates decreased by 54%. The increasing number of hospitalizations and total national charges related to inpatient treatment of unruptured aneurysms were significantly associated with endovascular treatment rather than surgical clipping.

Conclusions—
Despite recent studies suggesting a low risk of rupture of incidentally diagnosed cerebral aneurysms, data from this study suggest an increasing trend of treatment for this entity in the United States. Furthermore, endovascular intervention is now the major driving force behind the increasing overall national charges. Given the current healthcare climate, the impact of these trends warrants discussion and debate.
Patient Outcomes With Endovascular Embolectomy Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Brinjikji Waleed , Rabinstein Alejandro A. , Kallmes David F. , Cloft Harry J. 
Published: April 2011

Background and Purpose—
Maturing techniques have spurred widespread implementation of endovascular embolectomy therapy for ischemic stroke. We evaluated a large administrative database to determine outcomes in patients treated with endovascular embolectomy in the general population.

Methods—
Using the National Inpatient Sample, we evaluated outcomes of patients treated for acute ischemic stroke in the United States from 2006 to 2008. Patients who had an ischemic stroke and underwent endovascular clot retrieval were identified. Morbidity, defined as “discharge to long-term facility,” and mortality were evaluated as a function of patient age and of concomitant thrombolytic agent administration.

Results—

For 2006 to 2008, a total of 3864 patients received endovascular clot retrieval with 266 (6.9%) patients in 2006, 800 (20.7) patients in 2007, and 2798 (72.4%) patients in 2008. The discharge to a long-term facility rate was 51.3% (1983 of 3864). The in-hospital mortality rate was 24.3% (940 of 3864). For patients <65 years old, the rate of in-hospital death was 17.1% (283 of 1658) as compared with a rate of 29.7% (656 of 2206) for patients ≥65 years old (
P
<0.0001). The rate of discharge to a long-term facility was 47.6% (789 of 1658) for patients <65 years old and 54.1% (1193 of 2206) for patients ≥65 years old (
P
<0.0001). The rate of intracranial hemorrhage was 15.5% without concomitant thrombolysis and 20.0% with concomitant thrombolysis (
P
=0.0009).

Conclusions—
Rates of morbidity and mortality remain high for patients with acute stroke, even in the setting of endovascular embolectomy. Advanced age portends a worse outcome and patients treated with concomitant use of thrombolytic agent had higher rates of intracranial hemorrhage than those without such therapy.
RAPID Automated Patient Selection for Reperfusion Therapy
Authors: Lansberg Maarten G. , Lee Jun , Christensen Soren , Straka Matus , De Silva Deidre A. , Mlynash Michael , Campbell Bruce C. , Bammer Roland , Olivot Jean-Marc , Desmond Patricia , Davis Stephen M. , Donnan Geoffrey A. , Albers Gregory W. 
Published: April 2011

Background and Purpose—
The aim of this study was to determine if automated MRI analysis software (RAPID) can be used to identify patients with stroke in whom reperfusion is associated with an increased chance of good outcome.

Methods—
Baseline diffusion- and perfusion-weighted MRI scans from the Diffusion and Perfusion Imaging Evaluation for Understanding Stroke Evolution study (DEFUSE; n=74) and the Echoplanar Imaging Thrombolytic Evaluation Trial (EPITHET; n=100) were reprocessed with RAPID. Based on RAPID-generated diffusion-weighted imaging and perfusion-weighted imaging lesion volumes, patients were categorized according to 3 prespecified MRI profiles that were hypothesized to predict benefit (Target Mismatch), harm (Malignant), and no effect (No Mismatch) from reperfusion. Favorable clinical response was defined as a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 0 to 1 or a ≥8-point improvement on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at Day 90.

Results—

In Target Mismatch patients, reperfusion was strongly associated with a favorable clinical response (OR, 5.6; 95% CI, 2.1 to 15.3) and attenuation of infarct growth (10±23 mL with reperfusion versus 40±44 mL without reperfusion;
P
<0.001). In Malignant profile patients, reperfusion was not associated with a favorable clinical response (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.1 to 5.8) or attenuation of infarct growth (85±74 mL with reperfusion versus 95±79 mL without reperfusion;
P
=0.7). Reperfusion was also not associated with a favorable clinical response (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.1 to 9.4) or attenuation of lesion growth (10±15 mL with reperfusion versus 17±30 mL without reperfusion;
P
=0.9) in No Mismatch patients.

Conclusions—
MRI profiles that are associated with a differential response to reperfusion can be identified with RAPID. This supports the use of automated image analysis software such as RAPID for patient selection in acute stroke trials.
Diagnosing Initial Condition Sensitivity of Typhoon Sinlaku (2008) and Hurricane Ike (2008)
Authors: Komaromi William A. , Majumdar Sharanya J. , Rappin Eric D. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
The response of Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model predictions of two tropical cyclones to perturbations in the initial conditions is investigated. Local perturbations to the vorticity field in the synoptic environment are created in features considered subjectively to be of importance to the track forecast. The rebalanced analysis is then integrated forward and compared with an unperturbed “control” simulation possessing similar errors to those in the corresponding operational model forecasts. In the first case, Typhoon Sinlaku (2008), the premature recurvature in the control simulation is found to be corrected by a variety of initial perturbations; in particular, the weakening of an upper-level low directly to its north, and the weakening of a remote short-wave trough in the midlatitude storm track. It is suggested that one or both of the short waves may have been initialized too strongly. In the second case, the forecasts for Hurricane Ike (2008) initialized 4 days prior to its landfall in Texas were not sensitive to most remote perturbations. The primary corrections to the track of Ike arose from a weakening of a midlevel ridge directly to its north, and the strengthening of a short-wave trough in the midlatitudes. For both storms, the targets selected by the ensemble transform Kalman filter (ETKF) were often, but not always, consistent with the most sensitive regions found in this study. Overall, the results can be used to retrospectively diagnose features in which the initial conditions require improvement, in order to improve forecasts of tropical cyclone track.
Priming CD8+ T cells with dendritic cells matured using TLR4 and TLR7/8 ligands together enhances generation of CD8+ T cells retaining CD28
Authors: Pufnock Jeffrey S. , Cigal Melinda , Rolczynski Lisa S. , Andersen-Nissen Erica , Wolfl Mathias , McElrath M. Juliana , Greenberg Philip D. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractTLRs expressed on dendritic cells (DCs) differentially activate DCs when activated alone or in combination, inducing distinct cytokines and costimulatory molecules that influence T-cell responses. Defining the requirements of DCs to program T cells during priming to become memory rather than effector cells could enhance vaccine development. We used an in vitro system to assess the influence of DC maturation signals on priming naive human CD8+ T cells. Maturation of DCs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; TLR4) concurrently with R848 (TLR7/8) induced a heterogeneous population of DCs that produced high levels of IL12 p70. Compared with DCs matured with LPS or R848 alone, the DC population matured with both adjuvants primed CD8+ T-cell responses containing an increased proportion of antigen-specific T cells retaining CD28 expression. Priming with a homogenous subpopulation of LPS/R848–matured DCs that were CD83Hi/CD80+/CD86+ reduced this CD28+ subpopulation and induced T cells with an effector cytokine signature, whereas priming with the less mature subpopulations of DCs resulted in minimal T-cell expansion. These results suggest that TLR4 and TLR7/8 signals together induce DCs with fully mature and less mature phenotypes that are both required to more efficiently prime CD8+ T cells with qualities associated with memory T cells.
Skeletal muscle hemojuvelin is dispensable for systemic iron homeostasis
Authors: Chen Wenjie , Huang Franklin W. , de Renshaw Tomasa Barrientos , Andrews Nancy C. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Hepcidin, a hormone produced mainly by the liver, has been shown to inhibit both intestinal iron absorption and iron release from macrophages. Hemojuvelin, a glycophosphatidyl inositol–linked membrane protein, acts as a bone morphogenetic protein coreceptor to activate hepcidin expression through a SMAD signaling pathway in hepatocytes. In the present study, we show in mice that loss of hemojuvelin specifically in the liver leads to decreased liver hepcidin production and increased tissue and serum iron levels. Although it does not have any known function outside of the liver, hemojuvelin is expressed at very high levels in cardiac and skeletal muscle. To explore possible roles for hemojuvelin in skeletal muscle, we analyzed conditional knockout mice that lack muscle hemojuvelin. The mutant animals had no apparent phenotypic abnormalities. We found that systemic iron homeostasis and liver hepcidin expression were not affected by loss of hemojuvelin in skeletal muscle regardless of dietary iron content. We conclude that, in spite of its expression pattern, hemojuvelin is primarily important in the liver.
Women in post-trafficking services in moldova: diagnostic interviews over two time periods to assess returning women's mental health
Authors: Ostrovschi Nicolae V , Prince Martin J , Zimmerman Cathy , Hotineanu Mihai A , Gorceag Lilia T , Gorceag Viorel I , Flach Clare , Abas Melanie A 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Trafficking in women is a widespread human rights violation commonly associated with poor mental health. Yet, to date, no studies have used psychiatric diagnostic assessment to identify common forms of mental distress among survivors returning to their home country.

Methods
A longitudinal study was conducted of women aged 18 and over who returned to Moldova between December 2007 and December 2008 registered by the International Organisation for Migration as a survivor of human trafficking. Psychiatric diagnoses in women at a mean of 6 months after return (range 2-12 months) were made by a trained Moldavian psychiatrist using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, and compared with diagnoses recorded in the same women within 5 days of return. We described the socio-demographic characteristics of the women in the sample including both pre and post-trafficking information. We then described the distribution of mental health diagnoses recorded during the crisis intervention phase (1-5 days after return) and the re-integration phase (2-12 months after return). We compared diagnoses at the patient level between the two time points by tabulating the diagnoses and carrying out a kappa test of agreement and the Stuart-Maxwell test for marginal homogeneity (an extension of the McNemar test to kxk table).

Results
120/176 (68%) eligible women participated. At 2-12 months after their return, 54% met criteria for at least one psychiatric diagnoses comprising post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) alone (16%); co-morbid PTSD (20%); other anxiety or mood disorder (18%). 85% of women who had been diagnosed in the crisis phase with co-morbid PTSD or with another anxiety or mood disorder sustained a diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder when followed up during rehabilitation.

Conclusions
Trafficked women returning to their country of origin are likely to suffer serious psychological distress that may endure well beyond the time they return. Women found to have co-morbid PTSD or other forms of anxiety and depression immediately post-return should be offered evidenced-based mental health treatment for at least the standard 12-month period of rehabilitation.
An evaluation of oxygen systems for treatment of childhood pneumonia
Authors: Catto Alastair G , Zgaga Lina , Theodoratou Evropi , Huda Tanvir , Nair Harish , Arifeen Shams El , Rudan Igor , Duke Trevor , Campbell Harry 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Oxygen therapy is recommended for all of the 1.5 – 2.7 million young children who consult health services with hypoxemic pneumonia each year, and the many more with other serious conditions. However, oxygen supplies are intermittent throughout the developing world. Although oxygen is well established as a treatment for hypoxemic pneumonia, quantitative evidence for its effect is lacking. This review aims to assess the utility of oxygen systems as a method for reducing childhood mortality from pneumonia.

Methods
Aiming to improve priority setting methods, The Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) has developed a common framework to score competing interventions into child health. That framework involves the assessment of 12 different criteria upon which interventions can be compared. This report follows the proposed framework, using a semi-systematic literature review and the results of a structured exercise gathering opinion from experts (leading basic scientists, international public health researchers, international policy makers and representatives of pharmaceutical companies), to assess and score each criterion as their “collective optimism” towards each, on a scale from 0 to 100%.

Results
A rough estimate from an analysis of the literature suggests that global strengthening of oxygen systems could save lives of up to 122,000 children from pneumonia annually. Following 12 CHNRI criteria, the experts expressed very high levels of optimism (over 80%) for answerability, low development cost and low product cost; high levels of optimism (60-80%) for low implementation cost, likelihood of efficacy, deliverability, acceptance to end users and health workers; and moderate levels of optimism (40-60%) for impact on equity, affordability and sustainability. The median estimate of potential effectiveness of oxygen systems to reduce the overall childhood pneumonia mortality was ~20% (interquartile range: 10-35%, min. 0%, max. 50%). However, problems with oxygen systems in terms of affordability, sustainability and impact on equity are noted in both expert opinion scores and on review.

Conclusion
Oxygen systems are likely to be an effective intervention in combating childhood mortality from pneumonia. However, a number of gaps in the evidence base exist that should be addressed to complete the investment case and research addressing these issues merit greater funding attention.
Evaluation of the nanotube intrinsic resistance across the tip-carbon nanotube-metal substrate junction by Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Dominiczak Maguy , Otubo Larissa , Alamarguy David , Houzé Frédéric , Volz Sebastian , Noël Sophie , Bai Jinbo 
Published: April 2011

AbstractUsing an atomic force microscope (AFM) at a controlled contact force, we report the electrical signal response of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) disposed on a golden thin film. In this investigation, we highlight first the theoretical calculation of the contact resistance between two types of conductive tips (metal-coated and doped diamond-coated), individual MWCNTs and golden substrate. We also propose a circuit analysis model to schematize the «tip-CNT-substrate» junction by means of a series-parallel resistance network. We estimate the contact resistanceRof each contribution of the junction such asRtip-CNT,RCNT-substrateandRtip-substrateby using the Sharvin resistance model. Our final objective is thus to deduce the CNT intrinsic radial resistance taking into account the calculated electrical resistance values with the global resistance measured experimentally. An unwished electrochemical phenomenon at the tip apex has also been evidenced by performing measurements at different bias voltages with diamond tips. For negative tip-substrate bias, a systematic degradation in color and contrast of the electrical cartography occurs, consisting of an important and non-reversible increase of the measured resistance. This effect is attributed to the oxidation of some amorphous carbon areas scattered over the diamond layer covering the tip. For a direct polarization, the CNT and substrate surface can in turn be modified by an oxidation mechanism.
bOptimizing atomic force microscopy for characterization of diamond-protein interfaces
Authors: Rezek Bohuslav , Ukraintsev Egor , Kromka Alexander 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAtomic force microscopy (AFM) in contact mode and tapping mode is employed for high resolution studies of soft organic molecules (fetal bovine serum proteins) on hard inorganic diamond substrates in solution and air. Various effects in morphology and phase measurements related to the cantilever spring constant, amplitude of tip oscillations, surface approach, tip shape and condition are demonstrated and discussed based on the proposed schematic models. We show that both diamond and proteins can be mechanically modified by Si AFM cantilever. We propose how to choose suitable cantilever type, optimize scanning parameters, recognize and minimize various artifacts, and obtain reliable AFM data both in solution and in air to reveal microscopic characteristics of protein-diamond interfaces. We also suggest that monocrystalline diamond is well defined substrate that can be applicable for fundamental studies of molecules on surfaces in general.
Great blue-shift of luminescence of ZnO nanoparticle array constructed from ZnO quantum dots
Authors: Wang Nengwen , Yang Yuhua , Yang Guowei 
Published: April 2011

AbstractZnO nanoparticle array has been fabricated on the Si substrate by a simple thermal chemical vapor transport and condensation without any metal catalysts. This ZnO nanoparticles array is constructed from ZnO quantum dots (QDs), and half-embedded in the amorphous silicon oxide layer on the surface of the Si substrate. The cathodoluminescence measurements showed that there is a pronounced blue-shift of luminescence comparable to those of the bulk counterpart, which is suggested to originate from ZnO QDs with small size where the quantum confinement effect can work well. The fabrication mechanism of the ZnO nanoparticle array constructed from ZnO QDs was proposed, in which the immiscible-like interaction between ZnO nuclei and Si surface play a key role in the ZnO QDs cluster formation. These investigations showed the fabricated nanostructure has potential applications in ultraviolet emitters.