bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlates of carotid stenosis in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting – a case control study
Authors: Kiernan Thomas J , Taqueti Viviany , Crevensten Gwen , Yan Bryan P , Slovut David P , Jaff Michael R 
Published: August 2009

Abstract Carotid duplex ultrasonography (DUS) is routinely performed prior to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) on all patients > 65 years old because of the reported associated risk of finding concomitant carotid artery stenosis. Identifying risk factors that correlate with severe carotid stenosis may result in more cost-effective screening for patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease prior to CABG. We performed a retrospective study to identify risk factors for significant carotid artery disease in patients scheduled to undergo CABG between March 2005 and March 2008 at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Patients with carotid stenosis ≥ 70% identified by DUS ( n = 50) were matched by age and sex to control patients who had < 50% stenosis ( n = 50). Data were analyzed using the chi-squared test or analysis of variance as appropriate. Logistic regression was used to examine multivariate correlates of carotid stenosis. A total of 643 patients were screened to arrive at the patient cohorts described below. This produced a prevalence of 7.7% for significant (> 70%) carotid disease. The patient cohorts were predominantly male with no significant difference in the incidence of diabetes, hypertension, extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) (i.e. left main coronary artery disease (LMCA) and one, two-, or three-vessel CAD) or lipid abnormalities in the two groups. Univariate analysis identified the presence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD, p = 0.001), a cervical bruit ( p < 0.0001), a prior neurological event ( p = 0.020), and the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA; p = 0.046) as significant predictors of ≥ 70% internal carotid artery stenosis. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of a carotid bruit ( p = 0.0068) and PAD ( p = 0.0194) were associated with an increased risk of significant carotid artery disease. In conclusion, the presence of a carotid bruit or PAD predicts an increased likelihood of significant carotid artery disease in patients undergoing CABG. Unlike previous studies, LMCA or extent of CAD did not correlate with significant carotid artery disease. Using these predictive models, a prospective outcomes trial is required to validate these criteria.
Efficacy of arm-ergometry versus treadmill exercise training to improve walking distance in patients with claudication
Authors: Treat-Jacobson Diane , Bronas Ulf G , Leon Arthur S 
Published: August 2009

Abstract The efficacy of treadmill walking training to improve pain-free (PFWD) and maximal (MWD) walking distance in patients with claudication is well documented. The effects of aerobic arm-ergometry to improve PFWD and MWD compared to treadmill walking or usual care are not known. Forty-one participants (29 male, 12 female, mean age 67.7 years, 92.7% smoking history, 36.6% with diabetes) with lifestyle-limiting claudication were randomized to 12 weeks of 3 hours/week of supervised exercise training using either arm-ergometry, treadmill walking, or a combination, versus control. PFWD and MWD were assessed before and after training, and after 12 weeks of follow-up. The 12-week MWD increased significantly in the arm-ergometry (+53%), treadmill (+69%), and combination (+68%) groups ( p < 0.002 versus control). The 24-week MWD was maintained in the arm-ergometry ( p = 0.009) and treadmill ( p = 0.019) groups, whereas the combination group declined ( p = 0.751) versus control. The 12-week PFWD increased significantly in the arm-ergometry group (+82%; p = 0.025 versus control). Change in PFWD in treadmill (+54%; p = 0.196 versus control) and combination (+60%; p = 0.107 versus control) groups did not reach statistical significance. PFWD improvement was maintained in the arm-ergometry group after a 12-week follow-up (+123%; p = 0.011 versus control). In conclusion, these pilot data demonstrate for the first time that dynamic arm exercise training can improve walking capability in people with peripheral arterial disease (PAD)-induced claudication compared to participants receiving usual care and that improvement was not different from that seen with treadmill walking exercise training. Dynamic arm exercise may be a therapeutic exercise option for patients with PAD.
Association of serum myeloperoxidase with the ankle–brachial index and peripheral arterial disease
Authors: Ali Zeenat , Sarcia Paul , Mosley Thomas H , Kondragunta Venkateswarlu , Kullo Iftikhar J 
Published: August 2009

Abstract Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzymatic mediator of several inflammatory cascades and higher serum levels have been associated with increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. We investigated the association of serum MPO with the ankle–brachial index (ABI) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in a bi-ethnic cohort of African-Americans and non-Hispanic white individuals. Participants included 1324 African-Americans (mean age 64 years, 71% women) and 1237 non-Hispanic white individuals (mean age 59 years, 57% women) belonging to hypertensive sibships. Serum levels of MPO were measured by solid phase sandwich immunoassay. ABI was measured using a standard protocol and PAD was defined as an ABI < 0.90. Multivariable regression analysis using generalized estimating equations were performed to assess whether serum MPO levels were associated with ABI and the presence of PAD. After adjustment for age and sex, higher MPO levels were significantly associated with lower ABI and the presence of PAD in African-Americans ( p = 0.004 and p = 0.005, respectively) and in non-Hispanic white individuals ( p = 0.001 and p = 0.016, respectively). After additional adjustment for conventional risk factors (diabetes, smoking status, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, waist circumference, hypertension), prior history of myocardial infarction or stroke, and medication use (statins, aspirin, estrogen), higher MPO levels remained significantly associated with lower ABI and the presence of PAD in both African-Americans ( p = 0.008 and p = 0.010, respectively) and non-Hispanic white individuals ( p = 0.001 and p = 0.018, respectively). We conclude that higher MPO levels are associated with lower ABI and the presence of PAD in African-Americans and non-Hispanic white individuals.
An evaluation of the performance of HapMap SNP data in a Shanghai Chinese population: Analyses of allele frequency, linkage disequilibrium pattern and tagging SNPs transferability on chromosome 1q21-q25
Authors: Hu Cheng , Jia Weiping , Zhang Weihua , Wang Congrong , Zhang Rong , Wang Jie , Ma Xiaojing ,   The International Type 2 Diabetes 1q Consortium, Xiang Kunsan 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background
The HapMap project aimed to catalog millions of common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human genome in four major populations, in order to facilitate association studies of complex diseases. To examine the transferability of Han Chinese in Beijing HapMap data to the Southern Han Chinese in Shanghai, we performed comparative analyses between genotypes from over 4,500 SNPs in a 21 Mb region on chromosome 1q21-q25 in 80 unrelated Shanghai Chinese and 45 HapMap Chinese data.

Results
Three thousand and forty-two SNPs were analyzed after removal of SNPs that failed quality control and those not in the HapMap panel. We compared the allele frequency distributions, linkage disequilibrium patterns, haplotype frequency distributions and tagging SNP sets transferability between the HapMap population and Shanghai Chinese population. Among the four HapMap populations, Beijing Chinese showed the best correlation with Shanghai population on allele frequencies, linkage disequilibrium and haplotype frequencies. Tagging SNP sets selected from four HapMap populations at different thresholds were evaluated in the Shanghai sample. Under the threshold of r2 equal to 0.8 or 0.5, both HapMap Chinese and Japanese data showed better coverage and tagging efficiency than Caucasian and African data.

Conclusion
Our study supported the applicability of HapMap Beijing Chinese SNP data to the study of complex diseases among southern Chinese population.
The ABC transporter gene family of Daphnia pulex
Authors: Sturm Armin , Cunningham Phil , Dean Michael 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background
The large gene superfamily of ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporters encodes membrane proteins involved in trafficking processes across biological membranes and further essential cell biological functions. ABC transporters are evolutionary ancient and involved in the biochemical defence against toxicants. We report here a genome-wide survey of ABC proteins of Daphnia pulex, providing for the first time information on ABC proteins in crustacea, a primarily aquatic arthropod subphylum of high ecological and economical importance.

Results
We identified 64 ABC proteins in the Daphnia genome, which possesses members of all current ABC subfamilies A to H. To unravel phylogenetic relationships, ABC proteins of Daphnia were compared to those from yeast, worm, fruit fly and human. A high conservation of Daphnia of ABC transporters was observed for proteins involved in fundamental cellular processes, including the mitochondrial half transporters of the ABCB subfamily, which function in iron metabolism and transport of Fe/S protein precursors, and the members of subfamilies ABCD, ABCE and ABCF, which have roles in very long chain fatty acid transport, initiation of gene transcription and protein translation, respectively. A number of Daphnia proteins showed one-to-one orthologous relationships to Drosophila ABC proteins including the sulfonyl urea receptor (SUR), the ecdysone transporter ET23, and the eye pigment precursor transporter scarlet. As the fruit fly, Daphnia lacked homologues to the TAP protein, which plays a role in antigene processing, and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which functions as a chloride channel. Daphnia showed two proteins homologous to MDR (multidrug resistance) P-glycoproteins (ABCB subfamily) and six proteins homologous to MRPs (multidrug resistance-associated proteins) (ABCC subfamily). However, lineage specific gene duplications in the ABCB and ABCC subfamilies complicated the inference of function. A particularly high number of gene duplications were observed in the ABCG and ABCH subfamilies, which have 23 and 15 members, respectively.

Conclusion
The in silico characterisation of ABC transporters in the Daphnia pulex genome revealed that the complement of ABC transporters is as complex in crustaceans as that other metazoans. Not surprisingly, among currently available genomes, Daphnia ABC transporters most closely resemble those of the fruit fly, another arthropod.
Evidence for niche adaptation in the genome of the bovine pathogen Streptococcus uberis
Authors: Ward Philip N , Holden Matthew TG , Leigh James A , Lennard Nicola , Bignell Alexandra , Barron Andy , Clark Louise , Quail Michael A , Woodward John , Barrell Bart G , Egan Sharon A , Field Terence R , Maskell Duncan , Kehoe Michael , Dowson Christopher G , Chanter Neil , Whatmore Adrian M , Bentley Stephen D , Parkhill Julian 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

Background

Streptococcus uberis, a Gram positive bacterial pathogen responsible for a significant proportion of bovine mastitis in commercial dairy herds, colonises multiple body sites of the cow including the gut, genital tract and mammary gland. Comparative analysis of the complete genome sequence of S. uberis strain 0140J was undertaken to help elucidate the biology of this effective bovine pathogen.

Results
The genome revealed 1,825 predicted coding sequences (CDSs) of which 62 were identified as pseudogenes or gene fragments. Comparisons with related pyogenic streptococci identified a conserved core (40%) of orthologous CDSs. Intriguingly, S. uberis 0140J displayed a lower number of mobile genetic elements when compared with other pyogenic streptococci, however bacteriophage-derived islands and a putative genomic island were identified. Comparative genomics analysis revealed most similarity to the genomes of Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. In contrast, streptococcal orthologs were not identified for 11% of the CDSs, indicating either unique retention of ancestral sequence, or acquisition of sequence from alternative sources. Functions including transport, catabolism, regulation and CDSs encoding cell envelope proteins were over-represented in this unique gene set; a limited array of putative virulence CDSs were identified.

Conclusion

S. uberis utilises nutritional flexibility derived from a diversity of metabolic options to successfully occupy a discrete ecological niche. The features observed in S. uberis are strongly suggestive of an opportunistic pathogen adapted to challenging and changing environmental parameters.
Development of High-performance n-Type Organic Field-effect Transistors Based on Nitrogen Heterocycles
Authors: Yamashita Yoshiro 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Nitrogen heterocycles containing C=N double bonds have electron-accepting properties and can be used as n-type semiconductors for organic field-effect transistors. Thiazole, benzothiadiazole, pyrazine, and related heterocycles have been incorporated in π-conjugated systems. The effects of the structures and electron affinity of the heterocycles on transistor characteristics have been investigated here.
Changes of Aqueous Self-assemblies of Zinc Chlorophyll Derivatives Possessing a Hydrophilic Chain by Treatment with Organic Solvents
Authors: Saga Yoshitaka , Nakagawa Toshihiro , Miyatake Tomohiro , Tamiaki Hitoshi 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Visible absorption and circular dichroism spectra of zinc chlorophyll derivatives possessing an oligo(oxyethylene) moiety at the 17-propionate in aqueous media were drastically changed by treatment with dichloromethane or chloroform, indicating that dimeric and monomeric species were converted into chlorosome-like large self-aggregates.
Regioselective Acetylation of 2-Aryl-2-butene-1,4-diols and Hydrolysis of Their Diacetates Using Porcine Pancreas Lipase
Authors: Koyata Naka , Nagai Takuya , Kawasaki Masashi , Noguchi Takuya , Kirihara Masayuki , Imai Nobuyuki 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Acetylation of 2-aryl-2-butene-1,4-diols with 10 equivalents of vinyl acetate in the presence of 50 wt % of porcine pancreas lipase (PPL) Type II regioselectively proceeded to afford the corresponding 3-aryl-4-hydroxy-2-butenyl acetates in 83–93% yields. Hydrolysis of 2-aryl-2-butene-1,4-diyl diacetates in the presence of 100 wt % of PPL Type II regioselectively afforded the corresponding 2-aryl-4-hydroxy-2-butenyl acetates in 68–95% yields.
The use of alendronate in the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head
Authors: Agarwala S. , Shah S. , Joshi V. R. 
Published: August 2009

The use of bisphosphonates in the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head is an encouraging but relatively new option with most published data being derived from small trials with limited follow-up. We present a clinicoradiological analysis of 395 hips with avascular necrosis which were treated with oral alendronate for three years with a mean follow-up of four years (1 to 8). Our results show an improvement in the clinical function, a reduction in the rate of collapse and a decrease in the requirement for total hip replacement, compared with the findings of other studies in which no treatment was given. This improvement is particularly marked if the treatment is begun in the pre-collapse stages of the disease. Even in Ficat stage-III hips some benefit was obtained from treatment with alendronate by at least a delay in the need for total hip replacement.
Soft-tissue metastases
Authors: Abed R. , Grimer R. J. , Carter S. R. , Tillman R. M. , Abudu A. , Jeys L. 
Published: August 2009

In our database of 7935 patients referred for investigation of a soft-tissue mass, only 100 were found to have a soft-tissue metastasis (1.3%). Our aim was to define the clinical features of such patients and to identify the site of their primary tumour. The most common presentation was a painful lump, deep to the fascia, ranging between 2 cm and 35 cm (mean 8.3 cm) with 78% of the lumps located deep to the fascia. The mean age of the patients at presentation was 64 years (22 to 84) and there were almost equal numbers of men and women. Of 53 patients with a history of malignancy, 52 had metastases from the same primary (lung in 12, melanoma in ten, kidney in nine, gastrointestinal track in four, breast in five, bladder in four, and others in eight). The other 47 had no history of malignancy and the metastasis was the first presentation. The primary sites in these cases were the lung in 19, gastro-intestinal track in four, kidney in two, melanoma in nine, other in three, and unknown (despite investigations) in ten. There was no correlation between the site of the metastases and the primary tumour. Of the 7935 patients, 516 had a history of malignancy. Of these, only 10% had a soft-tissue metastasis, 29% had a benign diagnosis, 55% a soft-tissue sarcoma and 6% another malignancy. Patients with soft-tissue metastases have similar clinical features to those with soft-tissue sarcomas and should be considered for assessment at appropriate diagnostic centres for patients with suspicious soft-tissue lumps.
Autologous capping during resection arthroplasty of the hip in patients with cerebral palsy
Authors: Egermann M. , Döderlein L. , Schläger E. , Müller S. , Braatz F. 
Published: August 2009

In patients with severe quadriplegic cerebral palsy and painful hip dislocation proximal femoral resection arthroplasty can reduce pain, but the risk of heterotopic ossification is significant. We present a surgical technique of autologous capping of the femoral stump in order to reduce this risk, using the resected femoral head as the graft. A retrospective study of 31 patients (43 hips) who had undergone proximal femoral resection arthroplasty with (29 hips) and without autologous capping (14 hips) was undertaken. Heterotopic ossification was less frequent in patients with autologous capping, and a more predictable pattern of bony overgrowth was found. For a selected group of non-ambulatory patients with long-standing painful dislocation of the hip, we recommend femoral resection arthroplasty over more complicated reconstructive operations. The risk of heterotopic ossification, which is a major disadvantage of this operation, is reduced by autologous capping.
Biceps muscle trauma at birth with pseudotumour formation
Authors: MacNamara P. , Yam A. , Horwitz M. D. 
Published: August 2009

We retrospectively studied the possibility that direct trauma to the biceps muscle might be the cause of poor elbow flexion and supination in 18 consecutive children with birth lesions of the brachial plexus who had delayed or impaired biceps recovery despite neurophysiological evidence of reinnervation. All had good shoulder and hand function at three months of age. Eight recovered a strong biceps after six months, but nine required a pectoralis minor to biceps transfer to augment elbow flexion and supination. One had a delayed but good recovery of the biceps after microsurgical reconstruction of the plexus. All had a clinical ‘pseudotumour’ in the biceps muscle, which was biopsied during pectoralis minor transfer in two patients and showed rupture and degeneration of muscle fibres with a fibro-fatty infiltrate, suggesting previous muscle trauma. Direct muscle trauma is an uncommon but important cause of delayed or impaired biceps recovery after brachial plexus birth injuries. Surgery to reinnervate the biceps muscle will not work if substantial muscle damage is present when a suitable muscle transfer should be considered.
The effect of rheumatoid arthritis on the anatomy of the female cervical spine
Authors: Higashino K. , Sairyo K. , Katoh S. , Nakano S. , Enishi T. , Yasui N. 
Published: August 2009

The effect of rheumatoid arthritis on the anatomy of the cervical spine has not been clearly documented. We studied 129 female patients, 90 with rheumatoid arthritis and 39 with other pathologies (the control group). There were 21 patients in the control group with a diagnosis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy, and 18 with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. All had plain lateral radiographs taken of the cervical spine as well as a reconstructed CT scan. The axial diameter of the width of the pedicle, the thickness of the lateral mass, the height of the isthmus and internal height were measured. The transverse diameter of the transverse foramen (d1) and that of the spinal canal (d2) were measured, and the ratio d1/d2 calculated. The width of the pedicles and the thickness of the lateral masses were significantly less in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than in those with other pathologies. The area of the transverse foramina in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was significantly greater than that in the other patients. The ratio of d1 to d2 was not significantly different. A high-riding vertebral artery was noted in 33.9% of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in 7.7% of those with other pathologies. This difference was statistically significant. In the rheumatoid group there was a significant correlation between isthmus height and vertical subluxation and between internal height and vertical subluxation.
Modified Pressure Plate Apparatus and Column Testing Device for Measuring SWCC of Sand
Authors: Lins Yvonne , Schanz Tom , Fredlund Delwyn G. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
The determination of soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) is of major concern in unsaturated soil mechanics. For decades experimental and theoretical studies are performed to investigate the constitutive relationship between soil suction and volumetric water content. The major objective of our study is to generate an extensive experimental database for sand with a relevant suction range of just a few kPa. This database enables to derive conclusions on the sensitivity of hydraulic properties regarding different experimental procedures. Further, one objective is the comparison of results for SWCC derived from steady state and transient state tests. While the first type of tests considers equilibrium states, the subsequent test is related to non-equilibrium states. Experimental results are generated from a so called homogenous element test (modified pressure plate apparatus) and an initial boundary value experiment (column testing device) considering different hydraulic loading path directions. The experiments are analysed for sand with different initial states. Finally results are presented for SWCC including initial curves, main curves, and scanning paths. Discussion is focused on transient state versus steady state flow tests. No significant dynamic effects are observed for the sand studied. Results of well controlled element tests compare very well to initial boundary value experiments implying higher experimental efforts.