bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive Time and Frequency Predictors of Long‐Standing Atrial Fibrillation Early Recurrence after Electrical Cardioversion
Authors: ALCARAZ RAÚL , HORNERO FERNANDO , RIETA JOSÉ J. 
Published: May 2011

Background:
Several clinical factors have been studied to predict atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after electrical cardioversion (ECV) with limited predictive value.
Methods:
A method able to predict robustly long‐standing AF early recurrence by characterizing noninvasively the electrical atrial activity (AA) with parameters related to its time course and spectral features is presented. To this respect, 63 patients (20 men and 43 women; mean age 73.4 ± 9.0 years; under antiarrhythmic drug treatment with amiodarone) who were referred for ECV of persistent AF were studied. During a 4‐week follow‐up, AF recurrence was observed in 41 patients (65.1%).
Results:
RR variability and the studied AA spectral features, including dominant atrial frequency (DAF), its first harmonic and their amplitude, provided poor statistical differences between groups. On the contrary, f waves power (fWP) and Sample Entropy (SampEn) of the AA behaved as very good predictors. Patients who relapsed to AF presented lower fWP (0.036 ± 0.019 vs 0.081 ± 0.029 n.u.2, P < 0.001) and higher SampEn (0.107 ± 0.022 vs 0.086 ± 0.033, P < 0.01). Furthermore, fWP presented the highest predictive accuracy of 82.5%, whereas SampEn provided a 79.4%. The remaining features revealed accuracies lower than 70%. A stepwise discriminant analysis (SDA) provided a model based on fWP and SampEn with 90.5% of accuracy.
Conclusions:
The fWP has proved to predict long‐standing AF early recurrence after ECV and can be combined with SampEn to improve its diagnostic ability. Furthermore, a thorough analysis of the results allowed outlining possible associations between these two features and the concomitant status of atrial remodeling. PACE 2011; 34:1241–1250)
Autonomic Dysfunction in Patients with Brugada Syndrome: Further Biochemical Evidence of Altered Signaling Pathways
Authors: PAUL MATTHIAS , MEYBORG MATTHIAS , BOKNIK PETER , GERGS ULRICH , SCHMITZ WILHELM , BREITHARDT GÜNTER , WICHTER THOMAS , NEUMANN JOACHIM 
Published: May 2011

Background:
In patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS), life‐threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias predominantly occur during vagal stimulation at rest or during sleep. Previous imaging studies displayed an impaired autonomic function in BrS patients. However, it remains unclear whether these alterations primarily stem from a reduction of synaptic release of norepinephrine (NE) or an enhanced presynaptic reuptake. Both conditions could lead to reduced NE concentrations in the synaptic cleft. Therefore, we analyzed key components of the sympathoadrenergic signaling pathways in patients with BrS.
Methods and Results:
Endomyocardial biopsies were obtained from eight BrS patients (seven male; age 49 ± 15 years) and five controls (three male; age 43 ± 13 years; P = ns). The concentrations of NE, epinephrine (Epi), NE transport (NET) carrier protein, cyclic adenosine 5′monophosphate (cyclic adenosine monophosphate [cAMP]), inhibitory G‐proteins (Gi1,2α), troponin‐I (TNI), and phosphorylated TNI were analyzed. Levels of NET, Gi1,2α, TNI, Epi, and phosphorylated TNI were comparable between the groups. Compared to controls, patients with BrS showed reduced cAMP and NE concentrations.
Conclusions:
The current findings expand the concept of adrenergic dysfunction in BrS: the reduction of NE in BrS could lead to an impaired stimulation of β‐adrenoceptors resulting in a reduction of cAMP and alterations of the subsequent signaling pathway with potential implication for arrhythmogenesis. (PACE 2011; 34:1147–1153)
Electromagnetic Interference between External Defibrillator and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy‐Pacemaker (CRT‐P) Devices
Authors: GHANBARI HAMID , AL‐AMERI HAZIM , OTTINO JESSICA , HASTINGS CORDELL , KIPPOLA JAMES , GUERON IONI , DACCARETT MARCOS , MACHADO CHRISTIAN 
Published: May 2011

Background:
Implantable heart rhythm devices are susceptible to interference in hospitals where electromagnetic interference (EMI) sources are ubiquitous.
Case Description:
We report three cases in which EMI from the external defibrillator caused the inability to interrogate Boston Scientific cardiac resynchronization therapy‐pacemaker (CRT‐P) devices. We have documented interference with the Boston Scientific CRT‐P Contact Renewal device model numbers H120/H125 (Natick, MA, USA) and two brands of external defibrillators: the Philips Heartstart XL model number M4735A (Andover, MA, USA) and the Hewlett‐Packard Codemaster model number M1722B (Palo Alto, CA, USA). For device implants, we routinely place external pacing pads with the external defibrillator in the “standby” mode for transcutaneous pacing so that only the pacer “start/stop” button needs to be pressed when necessary. We have not been able to interrogate three consecutive Boston Scientific CRT‐P devices prior to closure while the external defibrillator had the back‐up pacing mode on “standby.” In our initial case, a second device was opened because this interaction was not recognized. We documented EMI with the standby pacing mode ON and discovered that by disabling only the “standby” pacing mode on the external defibrillator, the device could be interrogated without difficulty.
Conclusions:
This is a case series reporting EMI with a Boston Scientific CRT‐P Contact Renewal device H120/H125 telemetry from an external defibrillator with pacing mode on “standby.” Failure to recognize this important interaction may lead to inappropriate device and resource utilization. (PACE 2011; 34:1087–1091)
A novel treatment approach for paediatric Gorham–Stout syndrome with chylothorax
Authors: Brodszki Nicholas , Länsberg John‐Kalle , Dictor Michael , Gyllstedt Erik , Ewers Sven‐Börje , Larsson Marcus K , Eklund Erik A 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  To expand the treatment options in paediatric Gorham–Stout syndrome (GSS) when conventional therapy is ineffective.Method:  Two children with biopsy confirmed GSS, a rare disorder with progressive lymphangiomatosis, were treated with a combination of interferon‐α‐2b, low anticoagulant, low molecular weight heparin, radiotherapy and surgery.Results:  The combined therapy resolved the symptoms in the acute phase, and both patients have since been free of symptoms for >2 years.Conclusion:  The successful addition of a low anticoagulant, low molecular weight heparin (tafoxiparin) to the treatment protocol in two paediatric cases of the GSS may justify the use of this approach in similar cases.
Randomized phase 2 sequencing and pharmacokinetic study of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in advanced non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: MITCHELL Paul L , BROAD Adam , ROSENTHAL Mark A , GALETTIS Peter , ABRAHAM Rick , BURNS Ivon , CLARKE Stephen , MILNER Alvin , DIIULIO Juliana , LINKS Matthew 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  This multicentre phase II trial examined the combination of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The effect of sequence administration was randomized and pharmacokinetics (PK) assessed.Methods:  Eligible patients had stage IIIB or IV or recurrent NSCLC, no prior chemotherapy, World Health Organization performance status ≤2 and measurable disease. Treatment comprised: gemcitabine (1250 mg/m2) and oxaliplatin (70 mg/m2), each given on days 1 and 8 of a 21‐day cycle. Patients were randomized 1:1 to the sequencing of the two drugs for the duration of their treatment. The primary end‐point was response rate (RR). Secondary end‐points included progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), toxicity, PK and the effect of drug sequencing.Results:  A total of 46 patients were enrolled of whom 43 were evaluable for response. Overall 13 patients (30%) achieved a partial response, PFS was 4.2 months (95% CI 2.8–5.8 months), and OS was 6.8 months (95% CI 4.4–10.1 months). There was only one case of grade 3 neurosensory toxicity despite a median cumulative oxaliplatin dose in excess of 500 mg/m2. No differences in clinical or PK end‐points were observed between the two different sequencing arms.Conclusion:  This oxaliplatin and gemcitabine schedule has shown activity in advanced NSCLC with modest toxicity. Neither clinical nor PK outcomes were influenced by the sequencing of these agents, although definite conclusions are limited by small patient numbers. The favorable toxicity profile of this doublet, in light of an encouraging RR, warrants its further investigation in NSCLC.
Characterization and Genetic Analysis of a Light‐ and Temperature‐sensitive Spotted‐leaf Mutant in Rice
Authors: Huang Qi‐Na , Shi Yong‐Feng , Yang Yang , Feng Bao‐Hua , Wei Yan‐Lin , Chen Jie , Baraoidan Marietta , Leung Hei , Wu Jian‐Li 
Published: May 2011

Abstract A rice spotted‐leaf mutant was isolated from an ethane methyl sulfonate (EMS) ‐induced IR64 mutant bank. The mutant, designated as spl30 (spotted‐leaf30), displayed normal green leaf color under shade but exhibited red‐brown lesions under natural summer field conditions. Initiation of the lesions was induced by light and the symptom was enhanced at 33 °C relative to 26 °C. Histochemical staining did not show cell death around the red‐brown lesions. Chlorophyll contents in the mutant were significantly lower than those of the wild type while the ratio of chlorophyll a/b remained the same, indicating that spl30 was impaired in biosynthesis or degradation of chlorophyll. Disease reaction patterns of the mutant to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae were largely unchanged to most races tested except for a few strains. Genetic analysis showed that the mutation was controlled by a single recessive gene, tentatively named spl30(t), which co‐segregated with RM15380 on chromosome 3, and was delimited to a 94 kb region between RM15380 and RM15383. Spl30(t) is likely a novel rice spotted‐leaf gene since no other similar genes have been identified near the chromosomal region. The genetic data and recombination populations provided in this study will enable further fine‐mapping and cloning of the gene.
Overexpression of Vasostatin‐1 Protects Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injuries in Cardiomyocytes Independent of Endothelial Cells
Authors: Yu Min , Wang Zheng , Fang Yue , Xiao Ming‐di , Yuan Zhong‐xiang , Lu Cheng‐bao , Lin Lei , Yang Di‐Cheng 
Published: May 2011

SUMMARYIntroduction: Vasostatin‐1 (VS‐1) has been suggested in protecting hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injuries in isolated hearts. However, the molecular mechanisms remained to be elucidated. Methods: Cardiomyocytes were treated with recombinant Ad‐VS‐1 adenoviral vector before H/R. Cell viability was studied using MTT methods and annexin V‐FITC flow cytometry. Intracellular oxidative stress was measured by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and inflammatory reactions by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Measurement of myocardial nitrous oxide synthase (NOS) was determined by serum nitric oxide (NO) concentrations using nitrite reductase and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) by Western blotting. Inhibitors of the NOS system, including hemoglobin and KT5823, were applied to verify the results. Results: In comparison of the blank group, cardiac myocytes overexpressing VS‐1 showed significant decrease in apoptosis, intracellular oxidative stress, and inflammatory reactions (P < 0.05). In addition, serum NO concentrations and expression of eNOS were notably enhanced (P < 0.05). These protective effects of VS‐1 were suppressed in the presence of apoptosis‐inducing agents. Conclusions: Overexpression of VS‐1 in cardiomyocytes could limit the H/R injuries at molecular levels. The protective effects were independent of endothelial cell function, suggestive of a potential therapeutic target for patients with myocardial ischemia in the future.
Cost analysis for efficient management: diabetes treatment at a public district hospital in Thailand
Authors: Riewpaiboon Arthorn , Chatterjee Susmita , Piyauthakit Piyanuch 
Published: May 2011

AbstractObjectiveThe study estimated cost of illness from the provider's perspective for diabetic patients who received treatment during the fiscal year 2008 at Waritchaphum Hospital, a 30-bed public district hospital in Sakhon Nakhon province in northeastern Thailand.MethodsThis retrospective, prevalence-based cost-of-illness study looked at 475 randomly selected diabetic patients, identified by the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, codes E10–E14. Data were collected from the hospital financial records and medical records of each participant and were analysed with a stepwise multiple regression.Key findingsThe study found that the average public treatment cost per patient per year was US$94.71 at 2008 prices. Drug cost was the highest cost component (25% of total cost), followed by inpatient cost (24%) and outpatient visit cost (17%). A cost forecasting model showed that length of stay, hospitalization, visits to the provincial hospital, duration of disease and presence of diabetic complications (e.g. diabetic foot complications and nephropathy) were the significant predictor variables (adjusted R2 = 0.689).ConclusionsAccording to the fitted model, avoiding nephropathy and foot complications would save US$19 386 and US$39 134 respectively per year. However, these savings are missed savings for the study year and the study hospital only and not projected savings, as that would depend on the number of diabetic patients managed in the year, the ratio of complicated to non-complicated cases and effectiveness of the prevention programmes. Nonetheless, given the high avoidable cost associated with complications of diabetes, healthcare providers in Thailand should focus on initiatives that delay the progression of complications in diabetic patients.
Stories of weight management: Factors associated with successful and unsuccessful weight maintenance
Authors: Chambers Julie A. , Swanson Vivien 
Published: May 2011

Objective. Although behavioural interventions are successful in achieving short‐term weight loss, most individuals regain most or all of their weight within a few years. Our aim was to investigate factors that can help in long‐term weight maintenance.Design. Qualitative interviews were conducted in order to elicit experiences, successes, and difficulties associated with weight control over the lifespan.Methods. Participants were 20 adult volunteers (aged 30–67) including lifelong weight maintainers, active weight maintainers who have maintained weight loss, and weight gainers. Thematic analysis was used to highlight differences between weight groups.Results. Successful weight maintainers adopt a staged approach to weight management, including monitoring weight fluctuations and having a clear alarm signal for weight gain that triggers immediate action. They have several behavioural strategies for weight control, comprising relatively small adjustments to diet and/or exercise behaviour and also have clear strategies for coping with lifestyle interruptions. In contrast, unsuccessful weight maintainers display negative cognitive factors, including erratic or inconsistent weight vigilance, failure to respond to warning signs of weight gain, and failure to restrict weight unless in a positive mindset. Further, their coping strategies for weight gain or failed actions are poor.Conclusions. The results suggest that successful weight maintainers, irrespective of current weight band, adopt a staged behavioural approach to weight management that allows them to maintain a fairly stable weight. Encouraging the use of such strategies in those who typically regain weight after dieting may aid them in maintaining weight loss.
Courteous but not curious: how doctors' politeness masks their existential neglect. A qualitative study of video-recorded patient consultations
Authors: Agledahl Kari Milch , Gulbrandsen Pål , Førde Reidun , Wifstad Åge 
Published: May 2011

ObjectiveTo study how doctors care for their patients, both medically and as fellow humans, through observing their conduct in patient–doctor encounters.DesignQualitative study in which 101 videotaped consultations were observed and analysed using a Grounded Theory approach, generating explanatory categories through a hermeneutical analysis of the taped consultations.SettingA 500-bed general teaching hospital in Norway.Participants71 doctors working in clinical non-psychiatric departments and their patients.ResultsThe doctors were concerned about their patients' health and how their medical knowledge could be of service. This medical focus often over-rode other important aspects of the consultations, especially existential elements. The doctors actively directed the focus away from their patients' existential concerns onto medical facts and rarely addressed the personal aspects of a patient's condition, treating them in a biomechanical manner. At the same time, however, the doctors attended to their patients with courteousness, displaying a polite and friendly attitude and emphasising the relationship between them.ConclusionsThe study suggests that the main failing of patient–doctor encounters is not a lack of courteous manners, but the moral offence patients experience when existential concerns are ignored. Improving doctors' social and communication skills cannot resolve this moral problem, which appears to be intrinsically bound to modern medical practice. Acknowledging this moral offence would, however, be the first step towards minimising the effects thereof.
PLK1 Is Transcriptionally Activated by NF-κB during Cell Detachment and Enhances Anoikis Resistance through Inhibiting β-Catenin Degradation in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Lin De-Chen , Zhang Yu , Pan Qin-Jing , Yang Hai , Shi Zhi-Zhou , Xie Zhi-Hui , Wang Bo-Shi , Hao Jia-Jie , Zhang Tong-Tong , Xu Xin , Zhan Qi-Min , Wang Ming-Rong 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the molecular mechanisms through which polo-like kinase-1 (PLK1) takes part in anoikis resistance of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells.
Experimental Design: The role of PLK1 in cell anoikis resistance was examined by ectopic gene expression and siRNA-mediated knockdown. Glutathione S-transferase pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assays were utilized to investigate PLK1-interacting proteins. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and reporter gene assays were carried out to identify the transcription factors responsible for PLK1 expression during anoikis resistance.
Results: We found that detachment of ESCC cells triggers the upregulation of PLK1. Elevated PLK1 expression contributes to protection against anoikis in cancer cells through the regulation of β-catenin expression. Moreover, we showed that, through direct binding to the PLK1 promoter, the NF-κB subunit RelA transcriptionally activates PLK1, which inhibits the ubiquitination and degradation of β-catenin. Inhibition of the NF-κB pathway restores the sensitivity of cancer cells to anoikis by downregulating PLK1/β-catenin expression. In addition, RelA gene amplification and protein overexpression was significantly correlated with PLK1 expression in ESCC tissues.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that upregulation of PLK1 triggered by cell detachment is regulated by RelA at the transcriptional level. PLK1 protects esophageal carcinoma cells from anoikis through modulation of β-catenin protein levels by inhibiting their degradation. Taken together, this study reveals critical mechanisms involved in the role of RelA/PLK1/β-catenin in anoikis resistance of ESCC cells. Clin Cancer Res; 17(13); 4285–95. ©2011 AACR.
Expression of a Functional CCR2 Receptor Enhances Tumor Localization and Tumor Eradication by Retargeted Human T cells Expressing a Mesothelin-Specific Chimeric Antibody Receptor
Authors: Moon Edmund K. , Carpenito Carmine , Sun Jing , Wang Liang-Chuan S. , Kapoor Veena , Predina Jarrod , Powell Daniel J. , Riley James L. , June Carl H. , Albelda Steven M. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPurpose: Adoptive T-cell immunotherapy with tumor infiltrating lymphocytes or genetically-modified T cells has yielded dramatic results in some cancers. However, T cells need to traffic properly into tumors to adequately exert therapeutic effects.Experimental Design: The chemokine CCL2 was highly secreted by malignant pleural mesotheliomas (MPM; a planned tumor target), but the corresponding chemokine receptor (CCR2) was minimally expressed on activated human T cells transduced with a chimeric antibody receptor (CAR) directed to the MPM tumor antigen mesothelin (mesoCAR T cells). The chemokine receptor CCR2b was thus transduced into mesoCAR T cells using a lentiviral vector, and the modified T cells were used to treat established mesothelin-expressing tumors.Results: CCR2b transduction led to CCL2-induced calcium flux and increased transmigration, as well as augmentation of in vitro T-cell killing ability. A single intravenous injection of 20 million mesoCAR + CCR2b T cells into immunodeficient mice bearing large, established tumors (without any adjunct therapy) resulted in a 12.5-fold increase in T-cell tumor infiltration by day 5 compared with mesoCAR T cells. This was associated with significantly increased antitumor activity.Conclusions: CAR T cells bearing a functional chemokine receptor can overcome the inadequate tumor localization that limits conventional CAR targeting strategies and can significantly improve antitumor efficacy in vivo. Clin Cancer Res; 17(14); 4719–30. ©2011 AACR.
The Baptism of Death: Rereading the Life and Death of Lakshmi Kaundinya
Authors: Sebastian J. Jayakiran 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis article re-reads the life and death of a young Brahmin woman, Lakshmi Kaundinya, as reported in a missionary journal in the middle of the nineteenth century. Using the analytical tools of postcolonial theory, it raises urgent questions about our unstable present by giving voice to this woman, who is silenced in a narrative that, though sympathetic, attempts to frame her as an arrogant Brahmin woman who did not want to give up the ways of her culture and conform to the expectations of the mission. It provides a sub-text to the more ‘successful’ story of the conversion of her husband, Anandarao Kaundinya, who is subsequently absorbed into the team of missionaries from the Basel Mission, by focusing on the challenges posed by gender and culture in narratives of nineteenth century conversions to Christianity.
Religion versus the Raj: The Salvation Army’s “Invasion” of British India
Authors: Eason Andrew M. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractEmerging as a mission in East London in 1865, the Salvation Army quickly became known for its militant and unconventional evangelism on the streets of British towns and cities. Convinced that unrepentant souls were headed for hell, Salvationists employed sensational tactics to attract the attention of the lower working classes. This strategy did not change when the Salvation Army sent a small party of missionaries to Bombay in 1882. They not only arrived in Indian dress but held noisy processions through the city’s streets. While these methods reflected the Salvation Army’s revivalist theology, they brought Salvationists into collision with the colonial authorities. Fearing that the Army’s aggressive and sensational evangelism would lead to religious rioting and reduce the religion of the ruling race to ridicule, the Bombay police arrested the Salvationists on several occasions between September 1882 and April 1883. Although the city’s British residents generally approved of the actions of the police, many Indians and missionaries came to the defence of the evangelical organization, believing that imperial officials had acted unjustly towards the Army’s missionaries. Bolstered by this support, Salvationists repeatedly defied colonial authority for the sake of religious liberty, demonstrating through their words and actions that the Salvation Army could be anything but a benefit to imperial stability and prestige on the subcontinent.