bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Automatic filtering of outliers in RR intervals before analysis of heart rate variability in Holter recordings: a comparison with carefully edited data
Authors: Karlsson Marcus , Hörnsten Rolf , Rydberg Annika , Wiklund Urban 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Undetected arrhythmic beats seriously affect the power spectrum of the heart rate variability (HRV). Therefore, the series of RR intervals are normally carefully edited before HRV is analysed, but this is a time consuming procedure when 24-hours recordings are analysed. Alternatively, different methods can be used for automatic removal of arrhythmic beats and artefacts. This study compared common frequency domain indices of HRV when determined from manually edited and automatically filtered RR intervals.

Methods and Results
Twenty-four hours Holter recordings were available from 140 healthy subjects of age 1-75 years. An experienced technician carefully edited all recordings. Automatic filtering was performed using a recursive procedure where RR intervals were removed if they differed from the mean of the surrounding RR intervals with more than a predetermined limit (ranging from 10% to 50%). The filtering algorithm was evaluated by replacing 1% of the beats with synthesised ectopic beats. Power spectral analysis was performed before and after filtering of both the original edited data and the noisy data set. The results from the analysis using the noisy data were used to define an age-based filtering threshold. The age-based filtration was evaluated with completely unedited data, generated by removing all annotations from the series of RR intervals, and then comparing the resulting HRV indices with those obtained using edited data. The results showed equivalent results after age-based filtration of both the edited and unedited data sets, where the differences in HRV indices obtained by different preprocessing methods were small compared to the mean values within each age group.

Conclusions
The study showed that it might not be necessary to perform the time-consuming careful editing of all detected heartbeats before HRV is analysed in Holter recordings.
In most subjects, it is sufficient to perform the regular editing needed for valid arrhythmia analyses, and then remove undetected ectopic beats and artefacts by age-based filtration of the series of RR intervals, particularly in subjects older than 30 years.
Analysis of EBNA-1 and LMP-1 variants in diseases associated with EBV infection in Chinese children
Authors: Ai Junhong , Xie Zhengde , Liu Chunyan , Huang Zhizuo , Xu Junmei 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
In China, primary EBV infection occurs during childhood with seroprevalence reaching about 100% by 10 years of age. There are few studies on EBV variants in diseases associated with EBV infection in Chinese children. In this study, we investigated the diversity of the EBV genes (EBNA-1 and LMP-1) and the relationship between EBV variants and the clinical phenotypes in diseases associated with EBV infections in Chinese pediatric cases.

Results
The frequencies of EBV type I in the IM, HLH and HL samples were 98.4%, 100% and 95.8%, respectively. Three known EBNA-1 variants were identified, including V-val (all were V-val-v1 sub-variant), P-thr' and V-Leu (MT). The frequency of V-val-v1 was 98.6% in the IM samples, 100% in the HLH samples and 97.1% in the HL samples. There were no significant differences of the distribution of EBNA-1 variants between IM, HLH and HL samples (P > 0.05). Three known LMP-1 variants, including China 1, China 2 and Med, were identified and China 1 was predominant in all groups (IM 88.6%, HLH 100% and HL 100%). The frequency of del-LMP-1 was 88.6% in the IM samples, 100% in the HLH samples and 96.0% in the HL samples. There were no significant differences in the frequency of del-LMP-1 between the IM, HLH and HL samples (P > 0.05). The frequency of Xho I loss was 90.6% in the IM samples, 100% in the HLH samples and 100% in the HL samples, with no significant difference in frequency (P > 0.05). In the EBV type I strain, V-val-v1 variant (EBNA-1) was linked with China1 variant (LMP-1) in 88.9% of the IM samples, 100% of the HLH samples and 80.0% of the HL samples in this study.

Conclusions
Type I EBV was the most prevalent subtype EBV in Chinese pediatric cases and V-val-v1 (EBNA-1) and China1 (LMP-1) variants were the most dominant variants. There was a strong linkage between V-val-v1 (EBNA-1) variant and China1 (LMP-1) variant in type I EBV. The sequence variation in EBV genes may represent a geographic polymorphism since no preferential associations were found between specific EBV variants and specific diseases in this study.
Managing co-morbid depression and anxiety in primary care patients with asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pommer Antoinette M , Pouwer François , Denollet Johan , Pop Victor J M 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma are common chronic diseases that are frequently accompanied by depression and/or anxiety. However, symptoms of depression and anxiety are often not recognized and therefore not treated. Currently, only a few studies have tested new clinical approaches that could improve the treatment of co-morbid depression and anxiety in these groups of patients.Methods/designThe present randomized controlled study will be conducted within the framework of PoZoB (Praktijk Ondersteuning Zuid-Oost Brabant), a large primary care organization in the Netherlands. Patients with asthma/COPD and co-morbid anxiety/depression will be included in order to test the effectiveness of a disease management approach to treat these co-morbid disorders. Important elements of this approach are: 1) systematic screening to improve detection of anxiety and depression 2) treatment in case of positive screening 3) monitoring of anxiety and depression 4) intensified treatment in case of non-remission (stepped care).DiscussionThe present study is a large primary care study on the treatment of co-morbid depression and anxiety in patients with asthma and COPD. Strengths of this study are its randomized design, the focus on implementation in primary care and the fact that it applies the latest findings on the treatment of depression and anxiety. First results are expected in 2012/2013.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register (NTR):NTR2626
Molecular detection of Setaria tundra (Nematoda: Filarioidea) and an unidentified filarial species in mosquitoes in Germany
Authors: Czajka Christina , Becker Norbert , Poppert Sven , Jöst Hanna , Schmidt-Chanasit Jonas , Krüger Andreas 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundKnowledge of the potential vector role of Culicidae mosquitoes in Germany is very scanty, and until recently it was generally assumed that they are not involved in the transmission of anthroponotic or zoonotic pathogens in this country. However, anticipated changes in the course of global warming and globalization may alter their status.MethodsWe conducted a molecular mass screening of mosquitoes for filarial parasites using mitochondrial 12S rRNA-based real-time PCR.ResultsNo parasites causing disease in humans such asDirofilariaspp. were detected in about 83,000 mosquitoes tested, which had been collected in 2009 and 2010 in 16 locations throughout Germany. However, minimum infection rates of up to 24 per 1000 mosquitoes were revealed, which could be attributed to mosquito infection withSetaria tundraand a yet unidentified second parasite.Setaria tundrawas found to be widespread in southern Germany in various mosquito species, exceptCulexspp. In contrast, the unidentified filarial species was exclusively found inCulexspp. in northern Baden-Württemberg, and is likely to be a bird parasite.ConclusionsAlthough dirofilariasis appears to be emerging and spreading in Europe, the absence ofDirofilariaspp. or other zoonotic filariae in our sample allows the conclusion that the risk of autochthonous infection in Germany is still very low. Potential vectors ofS. tundrain Germany areOchlerotatus sticticus,Oc. cantans,Aedes vexansandAnopheles claviger. Technically, the synergism between entomologists, virologists and parasitologists, combined with state-of-the-art methods allows a very efficient near-real-time monitoring of a wide spectrum of both human and veterinary pathogens, including new distribution records of parasite species and the incrimination of their potential vectors.
Hyperinsulinemia enhances c-Myc-mediated mammary tumor development and advances metastatic progression to the lung in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ferguson Rosalyn D , Novosyadlyy Ruslan , Fierz Yvonne , Alikhani Nyosha , Sun Hui , Yakar Shoshana , LeRoith Derek 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Hyperinsulinemia, which is common in early type 2 diabetes (T2D) as a result of the chronically insulin-resistant state, has now been identified as a specific factor which can worsen breast cancer prognosis. In breast cancer, a high rate of mortality persists due to the emergence of pulmonary metastases.

Methods
Using a hyperinsulinemic mouse model (MKR+/+) and the metastatic, c-Myc-transformed mammary carcinoma cell line Mvt1, we investigated how high systemic insulin levels would affect the progression of orthotopically inoculated primary mammary tumors to lung metastases.

Results
We found that orthotopically injected Mvt1 cells gave rise to larger mammary tumors and to a significantly higher mean number of pulmonary macrometastases in hyperinsulinemic mice over a period of six weeks (hyperinsulinemic, 19.4 ± 2.7 vs. control, 4.0 ± 1.3). When Mvt1-mediated mammary tumors were allowed to develop and metastasize for approximately two weeks and were then surgically removed, hyperinsulinemic mice demonstrated a significantly higher number of lung metastases after a four-week period (hyperinsulinemic, 25.1 ± 4.6 vs. control, 7.4 ± 0.42). Similarly, when Mvt1 cells were injected intravenously, hyperinsulinemic mice demonstrated a significantly higher metastatic burden in the lung than controls after a three-week period (hyperinsulinemic, 6.0 ± 1.63 vs. control, 1.5 ± 0.68). Analysis of Mvt1 cells both in vitro and in vivo revealed a significant up-regulation of the transcription factor c-Myc under hyperinsulinemic conditions, suggesting that hyperinsulinemia may promote c-Myc signaling in breast cancer. Furthermore, insulin-lowering therapy using the beta-adrenergic receptor agonist CL-316243 reduced metastatic burden in hyperinsulinemic mice to control levels.

Conclusions
Hyperinsulinemia in a mouse model promotes breast cancer metastasis to the lung. Therapies to reduce insulin levels in hyperinsulinemic patients suffering from breast cancer could lessen the likelihood of metastatic progression.
Early initiation of low-dose corticosteroid therapy in the management of septic shock: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Park Hye Yun , Suh Gee Young , Song Jae-Uk , Yoo Hongseok , Jo Ik Joon , Shin Tae Gun , Lim So Yeon , Woo Sookyoung , Jeon Kyeongman 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Introduction
The use of low-dose steroid therapy in the management of septic shock has been extensively studied. However, the association between the timing of low-dose steroid therapy and the outcome has not been evaluated. Therefore, we evaluated whether early initiation of low-dose steroid therapy is associated with mortality in patients with septic shock.

Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 178 patients who received low-dose corticosteroid therapy for septic shock between January 2008 and December 2009. Time-dependent Cox regression models were used to adjust for potential confounding factors in the association between the time to initiation of low-dose corticosteroid therapy and in-hospital mortality.

Results
The study population consisted of 107 men and 71 women with a median age of 66 (interquartile range, 54 to 71) years. The 28-day mortality was 44% and low-dose corticosteroid therapy was initiated within a median of 8.5 (3.8 to 19.1) hours after onset of septic shock-related hypotension. Median time to initiation of low-dose corticosteroid therapy was significantly shorter in survivors than in non-survivors (6.5 hours versus 10.4 hours; P = 0.0135). The mortality rates increased significantly with increasing quintiles of time to initiation of low-dose corticosteroid therapy (P = 0.0107 for trend). Other factors associated with 28-day mortality were higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) 3 (P < 0.0001) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores (P = 0.0007), dose of vasopressor at the time of initiation of low-dose corticosteroid therapy (P < 0.0001), need for mechanical ventilation (P = 0.0001) and renal replacement therapy (P < 0.0001), while the impaired adrenal reserve did not affect 28-day mortality (81% versus 82%; P = 0.8679). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the time to initiation of low-dose corticosteroid therapy was still significantly associated with 28-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.025, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.007 to 1.044, P = 0.0075). The early therapy group (administered within 6 hours after the onset of septic shock, n = 66) had a 37% lower mortality rate than the late therapy group (administered more than 6 hours after the onset of septic shock, n = 112) (32% versus 51%, P = 0.0132).

Conclusions
Early initiation of low-dose corticosteroid therapy was significantly associated with decreased mortality.
Carboxyhemoglobin levels in medical intensive care patients: a retrospective, observational study
Authors: Fazekas Andreas S , Wewalka Marlene , Zauner Christian , Funk Georg-Christian 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Critical illness leads to increased endogenous production of carbon monoxide (CO) due to the induction of the stress-response enzyme, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). There is evidence for the cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of CO based on animal studies. In critically ill patients after cardiothoracic surgery, low minimum and high maximum carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels were shown to be associated with increased mortality, which suggests that there is an 'optimal range' for HO-1 activity. Our study aimed to test whether this relationship between COHb and outcome exists in non-surgical ICU patients.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective, observational study in a medical ICU at a university hospital in Vienna, Austria involving 868 critically ill patients. No interventions were undertaken. Arterial COHb was measured on admission and during the course of treatment in the ICU. The association between arterial COHb levels and ICU mortality was evaluated using bivariate tests and a logistic regression model.

Results
Minimum COHb levels were slightly lower in non-survivors compared to survivors (0.9%, 0.7% to 1.2% versus 1.2%, 0.9% to 1.5%; P = 0.0001), and the average COHb levels were marginally lower in non-survivors compared to survivors (1.5%, 1.2% to 1.8% versus 1.6%, 1.4% to 1.9%, P = 0.003). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the association between a low minimum COHb level and increased mortality was independent of the severity of illness and the type of organ failure.

Conclusions
Critically ill patients surviving the admission to a medical ICU had slightly higher minimum and marginally higher average COHb levels when compared to non-survivors. Even though the observed differences are statistically significant, the minute margins would not qualify COHb as a predictive marker for ICU mortality.
Hypercholesterolemic LDL receptor-deficient mice mount a neutrophilic response to tuberculosis despite the timely expression of protective immunity
Authors: Martens Gregory W , Vallerskog Therese , Kornfeld Hardy 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTThe prevalence of hypercholesterolemia is rising in industrialized and developing countries. We reported previously that host defense against Mtb was impaired by hypercholesterolemia in ApoE−/− mice, raising the possibility that people with HC could be more vulnerable to TB. The present study examined whether TB immunity was similarly impaired in a different hypercholesterolemic model, LDL-R−/− mice, which developed comparable elevation of total serum cholesterol as ApoE−/−mice when fed HC or LC diets. Like ApoE−/− mice, LDL-R−/− mice had an exaggerated lung inflammatory response to Mtb with increased tissue necrosis. Inflammation, foamy macrophage formation, and tissue necrosis in LDL-R−/− mice increased with the degree of hypercholesterolemia. Unlike ApoE−/− mice, LDL-R−/− mice fed a HC diet mounted a timely and protective adaptive immune response that restricted mycobacterial replication comparably with WT mice. Thus, ApoE−/− and LDL-R−/− mice share a cholesterol-dependent hyperinflammatory TB phenotype but do not share the impairment of adaptive immunity found in ApoE−/− mice. The impact of hypercholesterolemia on TB immunity is more complex than appreciated by total cholesterol alone, possibly reflecting the different functional effect of specific lipoprotein particles.
Monocyte maturation, HIV susceptibility, and transmigration across the blood brain barrier are critical in HIV neuropathogenesis
Authors: Williams Dionna W , Eugenin Eliseo A , Calderon Tina M , Berman Joan W 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT
HIV continues to be a global health crisis with more than 34 million people infected worldwide (UNAIDS: Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic 2010, Geneva, World Health Organization). HIV enters the CNS within 2 weeks of infection and establishes a spectrum of HAND in a large percentage of infected individuals. These neurologic deficits greatly impact the quality of life of those infected with HIV. The establishment of HAND is largely attributed to monocyte transmigration, particularly that of a mature CD14+CD16+ monocyte population, which is more susceptible to HIV infection, across the BBB into the CNS parenchyma in response to chemotactic signals. To enter the CNS, junctional proteins on the monocytes must participate in homo- and heterotypic interactions with those present on BMVECs of the BBB as they transmigrate across the barrier. This transmigration is responsible for bringing virus into the brain and establishing chronic neuroinflammation. While there is baseline trafficking of monocytes into the CNS, the increased chemotactic signals present during HIV infection of the brain promote exuberant monocyte transmigration into the CNS. This review will discuss the mechanisms of monocyte differentiation/maturation, HIV infectivity, and transmigration into the CNS parenchyma that contribute to the establishment of cognitive impairment in HIV-infected individuals. It will focus on markers of monocyte subpopulations, how differentiation/maturation alters HIV infectivity, and the mechanisms that promote their increased transmigration across the BBB into the CNS.
The NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program: bonding scientists and clinicians
Authors: Gahl William A. , Boerkoel Cornelius F. , Boehm Manfred 
Published: January 2012

Summary
The majority of the biomedical research workforce and funds are focused on studying common diseases and the development of drugs to treat them. However, some of the most remarkable discoveries in physiology and medicine are uncovered by studying rare conditions, because the importance of certain molecular mechanisms is revealed only when their dysfunction results in disease. In 2008, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program (UDP), which recruits and selects patients who suffer from diseases of unknown etiology, and studies their causes at the clinical, genetic and cellular levels. In this Editorial, we discuss how the UDP has enabled the discovery of several new diseases and disease mechanisms through collaborations between clinical and basic science teams, using the power of both clinical medicine and biological models. Establishing programs with similar infrastructure at other centers around the world could help to benefit patients, their families and the entire medical community, by enhancing research productivity for rare and novel diseases.
“Point” Centromeres of Saccharomyces Harbor Single Centromere-Specific Nucleosomes
Authors: Henikoff Steven , Henikoff Jorja G 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
The “point” centromere of budding yeast is genetically defined by an ∼125-bp sequence. Recent fluorescence measurements of kinetochore clusters have suggested that this sequence specifies multiple centromere histone 3 (CenH3) nucleosomes. However, high-resolution mapping demonstrates that there is only one CenH3 nucleosome per centromere, providing biochemical confirmation of the point centromere model.
Field Emission Mechanism of H-Terminated N-Type Diamond NEA Surface
Authors: Yamada Takatoshi , Hasegawa Masataka , Yamaguchi Hisato , Kudo Yuki , Okano Ken , Nebel Christoph E. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTField electron emission model of hydrogen-terminated n-type diamond was discussed. Ultra-violet photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations indicated that the electron affinity was -0.7 eV and an internal barrier of about 3.5 eV existed on the surface. Field electron emission properties depended on anode-diamond distances. Schottky barrier lowering model suggested that this internal barrier was lowered by the electric field (5.4x106 V/cm) applied onto the negative electron affinity surface of the H-terminated n-type diamond.
Fabrication of Organic Small Molecular Thin Films based on Ultrasonic Spray-Assisted Vapor-Deposition Method
Authors: Piao Jinchun , Katori Shigetaka , Ikenoue Takumi , Fujita Shizuo 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTSmall molecular thin films using solution-based method is a challengeable subject in organic optical and electronic devices. In our previous research, we successfully deposited aluminum tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) (Alq3) films on glass substrate. In this paper, aiming at future exploration of electroluminescent devices, we deposited N, N ’-Bis(3-methylphenyl)-N,N’- diphenylbenzidine) (TPD) films on indium-tin-oxide (ITO) substrates using the vapor-deposition method. Photoluminescence characteristics evidenced the actual formation of TPD thin films. Together with the good surface morphology and low leakage current of the films, the results are promising for actual device fabrication at low cost and low material loss.
Initiation and Decomposition of Tetrazole Containing Green Energetic Materials
Authors: Piekiel Nicholas W. , Cavicchi Richard E. , Zachariah Michael R. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTA T-Jump/Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (T-Jump/TOFMS) is used to probe the decomposition of several aminotetrazole containing energetic materials under very high heating rates of 105-106 K/s. Subtle differences between materials in functional group placement and anion composition allow for further understanding of the decomposition pathway of the tetrazole structure and various anions. Two decomposition pathways for the tetrazole ring are observed, which result in the primary formation of HN3 or N2. Further analysis is performed using a rapid-heating μ-DSC device, which revealed lower activation energies than previously reported.