bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High‐Rate Pacing Reduces Variability of Repolarization and Prevents Repolarization‐Dependent Arrhythmias in Dogs With Chronic AV Block
Authors: OOSTERHOFF PETER , THOMSEN MORTEN B. , MAAS JOEP N. , ATTEVELD NICO J.M. , BEEKMAN JET D.M. , VAN RIJEN HAROLD V.M. , VAN DER HEYDEN MARCEL A.G. , VOS MARC A. 
Published: June 2010

High‐Rate Pacing Prevents Drug‐Induced Arrhythmias. Introduction: High‐rate pacing may have an inhibitory effect on the initiation of Torsade de Pointes arrhythmias (TdP). However, permanent pacing is only indicated in high‐risk patients. We performed a proof of concept study into automatic overdrive pacing for prevention of drug‐induced TdP, using short‐term variability of repolarization (STV) as a feedback parameter of arrhythmic risk. Methods and Results: The minimal signal sampling frequency required for measuring STV was determined through computer simulation. Arrhythmogenic response to dofetilide (25 μg/kg/5minutes) was tested at two different paced heart rates (60–65 bpm vs 100–110 bpm) in 7 dogs with chronic atrioventricular block, while recording right and left ventricular (LV) monophasic action potential (MAP) and LV electrogram (EGM). Simulations showed a sampling frequency of 500 Hz is sufficient to capture relevant STV values. High‐rate pacing prevented dofetilide‐induced TdP seen at the low rate (low: 6/7 vs high: 1/7). At the low rate, STV from LV MAP duration increased before occurrence of spontaneous, ectopic activity and TdP (1.7 ± 0.6–3.0 ± 1.8 ms, P < 0.05), but at the high‐rate STV did not change significantly (0.9 ± 0.2–1.5 ± 1.4 ms, NS). Regression analysis showed a close relation between STV calculated from LV MAP and from LV EGM (R2= 0.71). Conclusions: High‐rate pacing increases repolarization reserve in dogs with chronic atrioventricular block, preventing dofetilide‐induced TdP. Changes in repolarization reserve are reflected in values of STV. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 1384‐1391, December 2010)
Teratogen screening using transcriptome profiling of differentiating human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Mayshar Yoav , Yanuka Ofra , Benvenisty Nissim 
Published: June 2010

AbstractTeratogens are substances that may cause defects in normal embryonic development while not necessarily being toxic in adults. Identification of possible teratogenic compounds has been historically beset by the species‐specific nature of the teratogen response. To examine teratogenic effects on early human development we performed non‐biased expression profiling of differentiating human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells treated with several drugs – ethanol, lithium, retinoic acid (RA), caffeine and thalidomide, which is known to be highly species specific. Our results point to the potency of specific teratogens and their affected tissues and pathways. Specifically, we could show that ethanol caused dramatic increase in endodermal differentiation, RA caused misregulation of neural development and thalidomide affected both these processes. We thus propose this method as a valuable addition to currently available animal screening approaches.
Association of Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptor‐Gamma 2 Pro12Ala Polymorphism with Advanced‐Stage Endometriosis
Authors: Hwang Kyu Ri , Choi Young Min , Kim Jong Mee , Lee Gyoung Hoon , Kim Jin Ju , Chae Soo Jin , Moon Shin Yong 
Published: June 2010

Citation Hwang KR, Choi YM, Kim JM, Lee GH, Kim JJ, Chae SJ, Moon SY. Association of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma 2 Pro12Ala polymorphism with advanced‐stage endometriosis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010ProblemTo investigate whether the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)‐γ2 Pro12Ala polymorphism is associated with a risk of advanced‐stage endometriosis in a Korean population.Methods of study  Case–control study in a collective of 446 patients and 427 controls. The Pro12Ala polymorphism of PPAR‐γ2 gene was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.Results  The distribution of the PPAR‐γ2 Pro12Ala polymorphism was different between the advanced‐stage endometriosis group and the control group (non‐CC rates were 5.2% for patients with advanced endometriosis and 10.1% for the control group, respectively, P = 0.006). The frequency for the Ala‐12 allele variant was significantly lower in patients with advanced stage of endometriosis (2.7%) than in the control group (5.3%) (P = 0.006).Conclusion  These findings suggest that the PPAR‐γ2 Pro12Ala polymorphism is associated with advanced‐stage endometriosis in the Korean population. Unlike results from other studies reported so far, the Ala‐12 allele may have protective effects against advanced‐stage endometriosis in the Korean population.
Incidence of infectious diseases in infants fed follow‐on formula containing synbiotics: an observational study
Authors: Picaud Jean‐Charles , Chapalain Véronique , Paineau Damien , Zourabichvili Othar , Bornet Francis RJ , Duhamel Jean‐François 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAim:  Infectious diseases in infants are a major public health issue. Synbiotic‐enriched formulas (EF) are intended to mimic the beneficial effects of human milk on infectious diseases. We performed an observational study in infants switching to follow‐on formula to determine the effects of synbiotic‐enriched formula compared to standard formula (SF).Methods:  We recorded family characteristics, medical history and growth data, as well as the symptoms, severity and treatment of infectious diseases. Main outcome measures were compared after adjustments for baseline characteristics.Results:  Between January and June 2007, 771 healthy infants were included in the study; 35.4% experienced at least one infectious disease during the 3‐month study period. The most common were upper respiratory tract (24.1%), otitis (6.6%) and gastrointestinal infectious diseases (5.0%). Infants fed synbiotic‐enriched formula had fewer infectious diseases overall (EF: 31.0%; SF: 40.6%; p = 0.005) and significantly fewer gastrointestinal infectious diseases (EF: 3.5%; SF: 6.8%; p = 0.03). During follow‐up, weight gain was significantly higher (p = 0.0467) in infants fed synbiotic‐enriched formula (18.3 ± 8.7 g/day) versus SF (16.9 ± 7.5 g/day).Conclusions:  Supplementation with synbiotics may have beneficial effects on the incidence of infectious disease and growth in infants. Further studies are needed determine optimal doses and composition of synbiotics in infant formula.
Coronary Phenotypes in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction and Silent Ischemic Heart Disease: A Pilot Study
Authors: Chang Shih-Tai , Chu Chi-Ming , Hsiao Ju-Feng , Chung Chang-Min , Shee Jia-Jen , Chen Chih-Shou , Hsu Jen-Te 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Accumulated evidence shows that erectile dysfunction (ED) may be a precursor of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Aims
The purpose of this study was to explore the differences in coronary phenotypes between patients with ED and patients with angina pectoris.

Methods
The study enrolled 30 ED patients (study group) and 120 age-matched angina patients who had no ED (control group). All patients had angiographically documented CAD.

Main Outcome Measures
The differences in demographic characteristics, biochemical profiles and coronary characteristics between the study and control groups were compared.

Results
Diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity defined by body mass index were more common in the study group than in the control group. The mean number of lesions and mean number of vessels with evidence of CAD were significantly different between the study and control groups (2.3 ± 0.1 vs. 2.2 ± 0.1, P &lt;0.001; 2.0 ± 0.2 vs. 1.8 ± 0.1, P &lt;0.001). The distribution of vessel involvement was similar between the groups, except for more common involvement of the ramus in the study group. There were no differences in distribution of lesion sites between the two groups. The control group had a higher percentage of type A stenotic lesions than the study group (16.3% vs. 2.9%, P = 0.004). Significant differences were also observed in type C lesions (52.9% in study group vs. 38.0% in control group, P = 0.026). Fewer calcified, irregular, and bifurcated lesions were present in the study group compared to control.

Conclusions
This study documented coronary phenotypes in ED patients without symptomatic CAD. Although the artery size hypothesis and ED had well been thought to be a precursor of CAD, the severity of coronary lesions in these patients was not more benign than that observed in angina pectoris patients who have no ED.
Sexual Function after Sacrocolpopexy
Authors: Kuhn Annette , Häusermann Aline , Brandner Sonja , Herrmann Gudrun , Schmid Corina , Mueller Michael D. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Pelvic organ prolapse affects approximately 50% of parous women over 50 years of age and has a lifetime risk of 30–50%. Vault descent or prolapse occurs in about 20% after hysterectomy and can have a negative effect on sexual function.
Sacrocolpopexy is the gold standard of surgical treatment for apical prolapse in fit, sexually active patients. Few data exist which determine sexual function after sacrocolpopexy.

Aim
The aim of this study was to determine sexual function in sexually active patients before and after sacrocolpopexy for the treatment of vault prolapse or descent.

Main Outcome Measures
Main outcome measures were the International Continence Society (ICS) Pelvic Organ Prolapse (ICS POP) Staging and the Female Sexual Function Index, which were filled in before the intervention and at follow-up.

Methods
Between December 2000 and December 2009, we asked sexually active female patients who were to undergo sacrocolpopexy for vault descent or prolapse to participate in this study. The patients were gynecologically examined before and after surgery and prolapse staging was performed using the ICS POP Staging.

Results
Sixty-two patients were included in the study and follow-up was 24 months.
The domains sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction, and pain improved significantly postoperatively but orgasm remained unchanged.
There was no vaginal shortening postoperatively, and no serious intra- or postoperative complications occurred.

Conclusion
Sacrocolpopexy is a valuable option for sexually active patients with vault descent or prolapse with an amelioration of most aspects of sexual function but not all.
Other factors as hormonal treatment, concomitant surgery, physiological, and psychological factors have to be taken into consideration.
In Vitro Assessment of Antimicrobial Properties of Rifampin-Coated Titan® Coloplast Penile Implants and Comparison with Inhibizone®
Authors: Dhabuwala Chirpriya 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

Introduction
It is a common practice to soak Titan® Coloplast penile implants in antibiotic solution prior to implantation.

Aim
The aim of this study is to identify an ideal solution for soaking the Titan® Coloplast penile implants prior to implantation.

Methods
Titan® strips were soaked in a different combination of antibiotics and the zone of inhibition was studied against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli. This zone of inhibition was compared against zone of inhibition produced by Inhibizone®-coated silicone strips. Zones of inhibitions were also compared for different components of Inhibizone® implant such as cylinder, tubing, connector, rear tip extender, and reservoir, and compared with similar components of Titan® Coloplast penile implants.

Main Outcome Measures
The zone of inhibition against S. epidermidis and E. coli for Titan strips dipped in Rifampin and Gentamicin was compared against other antibiotics. The clinical significance of dipping Titan®-coated Coloplast implant in Rifampin and Gentamicin solution was determined.

Results
Rifampin 10 mg/mL+gentamicin 1 mg/mL (R10/G1) and rifampin 1 mg/mL+gentamicin 1 mg/mL (R1/G1) had excellent coverage against S. epidermidis and E. coli. The zone of inhibition (utilizing the Titan® coating) produced by both these solutions exceeds that produced by Inhibizone® by 40% to 56% for S. epidermidis and 33% for E. coli. Components of the American Medical System implant (tubing connectors and rear tip extenders) are not coated with antibiotics and had no zone of inhibition.

Conclusion
Soaking Titan®-coated Coloplast implants in R10/G1 solution produces a zone of inhibition greater than that produced by Inhibizone®-coated penile implants. The clinical significance of this increased zone of inhibition can only be determined by a separate clinical study. Dhabuwala C. In vitro assessment of antimicrobial properties of rifampin coated Titan®coloplast penile implants and comparison with Inhibizone®.
Modest Impact of a Brief Curricular Intervention on Poor Documentation of Sexual History in University-Based Resident Internal Medicine Clinics
Authors: Loeb Danielle F. , Aagaard Eva M. , Cali Steve R. , Lee Rita S. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Providers need an accurate sexual history for appropriate screening and counseling. While curricula on sexual history taking have been described, the impact of such interventions on resident physician performance of the sexual history remains unknown.

Aims
Our aims were to assess the rates of documentation of sexual histories, the rates of documentation of specific components of the sexual history, and the impact of a teaching intervention on this documentation by Internal Medicine residents.

Methods
The study design was a teaching intervention with a pre- and postintervention chart review. Participants included postgraduate years two (PGY-2) and three (PGY-3) Internal Medicine residents (N=25) at two university-based outpatient continuity clinics. Residents received an educational intervention consisting of three 30-minute, case-based sessions in the fall of 2007.

Main Outcome Measures
We reviewed charts from health-care maintenance visits pre- and postintervention. We analyzed within resident pre- and postrates of sexual history taking and the number of sexual history components documented using paired t-tests.

Results
In total, we reviewed 369 pre- and 260 postintervention charts. The mean number of charts per resident was 14.8 (range 8–29) pre-intervention and 10.4 (range 3–25) postintervention. The mean documentation rate per resident for one or more components of sexual history pre- and postintervention were 22.5% (standard deviation [SD]=18.1%) and 31.7% (SD=20.4%), respectively, P &lt;0.01. The most frequently documented components of sexual history were current sexual activity, number of current sexual partners, and gender of current sexual partner. The least documented components were history of specific sexually transmitted infections, gender of sexual partners over lifetime, and sexual behaviors.

Conclusion
An educational intervention modestly improved documentation of sexual histories by Internal Medicine residents. Future studies should examine the effects of more comprehensive educational interventions and the impact of such interventions on physician behavior or patient care outcomes.
Carbon budget alteration due to landcover–landuse change in wetlands: the case of afforestation in the Lower Delta of the Paraná River marshes (Argentina)
Authors: Vicari Ricardo , Kandus Patricia , Pratolongo Paula , Burghi Mariana 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe objective of this work was to analyse the effects on carbon budget caused by the replacement of freshwater marshes by salicaceae plantations at ecosystem and regional scales, in the Lower Delta of the Paraná River in Argentina. Biomass and net aboveground primary productivity were estimated for one of the main species planted in the delta, Salix babylonica var. sacramenta, and for the dominant species of the marshes that are most widespread in the study area, Scirpus giganteus and Schoenoplectus californicus. Soil organic carbon was also estimated. Afforestation and marshes were mapped based on the digital classification of Landsat imagery. Aboveground biomass stored by afforestation is higher than by marshes (113.4 Mg/ha vs. around 10 Mg/ha). Nevertheless, soil organic matter accumulation is 10‐fold higher in the marshes. A huge amount of carbon is released into the atmosphere when marshes are converted to forest due to change from a wetland to a terrestrial condition.
A statistical and geographical information system analysis for groundwater intrinsic vulnerability: a validated case study from Sfax–Agareb, Tunisia
Authors: Hentati Imen , Zaïri Moncef , Ben Dhia Hamed 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe groundwater vulnerability to the pollution assessment was considered as an efficient tool to limit and to control its quantitative and qualitative degradation risks. The DRASTIC high, moderate and low groundwater vulnerability zones of the Sfax–Agareb basin (Tunisia) cover about 10, 29 and 61% of the study area, respectively. The validation of the DRASTIC vulnerability map was undertaken through comparison of areas of high nitrate concentration and their relative vulnerability index. The DRASTIC vulnerability map illustrates a good rate of coincidence between the nitrate concentration ranges and the various vulnerability classes as recognized by statistical analysis. The reliability of the final vulnerability map has been tested, showing a general positive trend relating the mean nitrate concentration in the wells to their relative vulnerability classes (R2=0.88). When correlating the 214 available groundwater nitrate concentrations to the DRASTIC index in these wells location, a significant positive correlation with Cor=0.55 was found.
Purinergic regulation of duodenal surface pH and ATP concentration: implications for mucosal defence, lipid uptake and cystic fibrosis
Authors: Kaunitz J. D. , Akiba Y. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe duodenum secretes HCO3− as part of a multi‐layered series of defence mechanisms against damage from luminal acid. In the 1980s, an alkaline surface layer was measured over the mucosa which correlated with the rate of HCO3− secretion. As all biological processes are regulated, we investigated how the alkaline pH of the surface layer was maintained. As the ecto‐phosphorylase alkaline phosphatase (AP) is highly expressed in the duodenal brush border, we hypothesized that its extreme alkaline pH optimum (∼pH 8–9) combined with its ability to hydrolyse regulatory purines such as ATP was part of an ecto‐purinergic signalling system, consisting also of brush border P2Y receptors and cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator‐mediated HCO3− secretion. Extracellular ATP increases the rate of HCO3− secretion through this purinergic system. At high surface pH (pHs), AP activity is increased, which then increases the rate of ATP hydrolysis, decreasing surface ATP concentration ([ATP]s), with a resultant decrease in the rate of HCO3− secretion, which subsequently decreases pHs. This feedback loop is thus hypothesized to regulate pHs over the duodenal mucosa, and in several other HCO3− secretory organs. As AP activity is directly related to pHs, and as AP hydrolyses ATP, [ATP]s and pHs are co‐regulated. As many essential tissue functions such as ciliary motility and lipid uptake are dependent on [ATP]s, dysregulation of pHs and [ATP]s may help explain the tissue dysfunction characteristic of diseases such as cystic fibrosis.
Optimal timing and dosing of platelet transfusions
Authors: Heddle N. M. 
Published: June 2010

Background  Over the past 20 years there have been more than 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have investigated various aspects of platelet transfusion therapy in haematology/oncology patients. These studies have focused on the best platelet product, the importance of ABO compatibility, pathogen inactivation of platelets, platelet triggers and the optimal platelet dose.Aims  This article summarizes current evidence to support the timing and dosing of platelet transfusions and to explore some ideas of where clinical research in this area may be heading.Materials and Methods  The articles reviewed in this presentation were identified through a search of PubMed using the term, platelet transfusion and setting limits to identify clinical studies, human studies and manuscripts in English.Results and Discussion  Three RCTs have informed practices around platelet transfusion trigger with the largest study by Rebulla et al., being the primary study that has changed practices worldwide, with a move towards a lower prophylactic platelet transfusion trigger of 10 × 109/l. Two groups (Germany and Oxford, UK) are currently investigating whether we can push the boundaries of prophylactic platelet transfusions even further by eliminating this form of therapy. Preliminary results from these studies have been published but we will await the final results to determine whether this research will indeed change practice. Over the past year there has also been two major studies (one by the BEST Collaborative, and the second by the US Transfusion Medicine/Hemostasis Network), that provide new information to guide platelet dosing. The Study by the BEST Collaborative (SToP) compared low dose platelets to standard dose platelets with WHO bleeding greater than or equal to Grade 2 as the primary outcome. The US study (PLADO) compared three doses (low, medium and high) and measured the same outcome (WHO bleeding ≥ Grade 2).Conclusions  Although all of these studies further our knowledge to prescribe platelet transfusions, they also raise some interesting questions about the clinical relevance of the outcomes that we are currently using for these studies. The trend over the past decade has been to use bleeding as the primary outcome; however, bleeding is a complex composite outcome (Grades 2, 3 and 4) comprised of some surrogate components (Grades 2 and 3). It is also an outcome that may be difficult to measure and grade in a consistent and reliable manner. The clinical relevance of this outcome is also complex and may vary depending on the perspective from which it is viewed.