bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endovascular Therapy of 623 Patients With Anterior Circulation Stroke
Authors: Galimanis Aekaterini , Jung Simon , Mono Marie-Luise , Fischer Urs , Findling Oliver , Weck Anja , Meier Niklaus , Marco De Marchis Gian , Brekenfeld Caspar , El-Koussy Marwan , Mattle Heinrich P. , Arnold Marcel , Schroth Gerhard , Gralla Jan 
Published: February 2012

Background and Purpose—
Endovascular therapy of acute ischemic stroke has been shown to be beneficial for selected patients. The purpose of this study is to determine predictors of outcome in a large cohort of patients treated with intra-arterial thrombolysis, mechanical revascularization techniques, or both.

Methods—
We prospectively acquired data for 623 patients with acute cerebral infarcts in the carotid artery territory who received endovascular treatment at a single center. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of outcome.

Results—

Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at admission was 15. Partial or complete recanalization was achieved in 70.3% of patients; it was independently associated with hypercholesterolemia (
P
=0.02), absence of coronary artery disease (
P
=0.023), and more proximal occlusion site (
P
<0.0001). After 3 months, 80.5% of patients had survived, and 48.9% of patients reached favorable outcome (modified Rankin scale score 0–2). Good collaterals (
P
<0.0001), recanalization (
P
=0.023), hypercholesterolemia (
P
=0.03), lower NIHSS at admission (
P
=0.001), and younger age (
P
<0.0001) were independent predictors for survival. More peripheral occlusion site (
P
<0.0001), recanalization (
P
<0.0001), hypercholesterolemia (
P
=0.002), good collaterals (
P
=0.002), lower NIHSS (
P
<0.0001), younger age (
P
<0.0001), absence of diabetes (
P
=0.002), and no previous antithrombotic therapy (
P
=0.036) predicted favorable outcome. Time to treatment was only a predictor of outcome, when collaterals were excluded from the model. Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 5.5% and was independently predicted by poor collaterals (
P
=0.004).

Conclusions—
Several independent predictors for outcome and complications were identified. Unlike in intravenous thrombolysis trials, time to treatment was a predictor of outcome only when collaterals were excluded from the model, indicating the important role of collaterals for the time window.
Contrast Delay on Perfusion CT as a Predictor of New, Incident Infarct
Authors: Keedy Alexander W. , Fischette W. Scott , Soares Bruno P. , Arora Sandeep , Lau Benison C. , Magge Rajiv , Bredno Joerg , Cheng SuChun , Wintermark Max 
Published: February 2012

Background and Purpose—
The purpose of this study was to determine if the assessment of intracranial collateral circulation by CT angiography and/or perfusion CT (PCT) can predict the risk of future ischemic stroke in a large, retrospective cohort study.

Methods—
We identified 135 consecutive patients who underwent CT angiography of the head and neck and PCT of the brain at baseline and with subsequent follow-up brain imaging. Clinical and demographic information and carotid wall features were collected. Collateral circulation was assessed anatomically at CT angiography and functionally by measuring the mean transit time delay at PCT. The clinical, carotid, CT angiography, and PCT variables were compared between those with and without new incident infarct at follow-up imaging using mixed effect logistic statistical models.

Results—

During the follow-up period, 15 patients developed a new infarct and 120 patients did not. Clinical features associated with the stroke risk were age, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and atrial fibrillation. The carotid features associated with stroke risk were wall thickness. Anatomic assessment of collaterals on CT angiography was not associated with stroke risk, whereas the functional assessment of collaterals (mean transit time delay on PCT) was associated with stroke risk. In a multivariate model, age, atrial fibrillation, and mean transit time delay (OR, 22.8;
P
<0.001) were the only covariates that were independent predictors of future ischemic stroke.

Conclusions—
The mean transit time delay on PCT contains important physiological information and should not be discarded. Along with age and atrial fibrillation, this functional assessment of intracranial collateral circulation predicts the risk of future hemispheric infarct.
Discrepancy Between Cardiac and Physical Functional Reserves in Stroke
Authors: Jakovljevic Djordje G. , Moore Sarah A. , Tan Lip-Bun , Rochester Lynn , Ford Gary A. , Trenell Michael I. 
Published: February 2012

Background and Purpose—
Understanding the physiological limitations to exercise after stroke will assist the development of targeted therapies to improve everyday function. This study defines (1) whether exercise capacity is limited by the cardiovascular system (oxygen supply) or skeletal muscles (oxygen utilization); and (2) cardiac function and pumping capability in people with stroke.

Methods—
Twenty-eight male participants with mild ischemic stroke (70±6 years of age, 18±20 months poststroke) and 25 male, age-matched healthy control subjects performed a graded cardiopulmonary exercise test with gas exchange and noninvasive hemodynamic measurements. Maximal oxygen extraction was calculated as the ratio between peak oxygen consumption and peak cardiac output. Cardiac function and pumping capability were assessed by peak exercise cardiac power output (expressed in watts) and cardiac output.

Results—

Peak oxygen consumption (18.4±4.6 versus 26.8±5.5 mL/kg/min,
P
<0.01) and arterial–venous O
2
difference (9.3±2.5 versus 12.6±1.9 mlO
2
/100 mL of blood,
P
<0.01) were both reduced in stroke participants compared with healthy control subjects. In contrast, peak exercise cardiac power output (4.79±0.79 versus 4.51±0.96 W,
P
=0.49), cardiac output (16.4±3.1 versus 17.1±2.5 L/min,
P
=0.41), and the pressure-generating capacity of the heart (127±11 versus 125±14 mm Hg,
P
=0.97) were similar between stroke participants and healthy control subjects.

Conclusions—
The ability of skeletal muscles to extract oxygen is diminished after stroke. However, cardiac function and pumping capability are maintained. Appropriate therapies targeting muscle oxygen uptake such as exercise rehabilitation may improve exercise capacity after stroke.
Influence of the Subgrid Variability of the Raindrop Size Distribution on Radar Rainfall Estimators
Authors: Jaffrain Joël , Berne Alexis 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis work aims at quantifying the variability of the parameters of the power laws used for rain-rate estimation from radar data, on the basis of raindrop size distribution measurements over a typical weather radar pixel. Power laws between the rain rate and the reflectivity or the specific differential phase shift are fitted to the measured values, and the variability of the parameters is analyzed. At the point scale, the variability within this radar pixel cannot be solely explained by the sampling uncertainty associated with disdrometer measurements. When parameters derived from point measurements are applied at the radar pixel scale, the resulting error in the rain amount varies between −2% and +15%.
Diurnal Characteristics of Rainfall over the Contiguous United States and Northern Mexico in the Dynamically Downscaled Reanalysis Dataset (US10)
Authors: Yamada Tomohito J. , Lee Myong-In , Kanamitsu Masao , Kanamaru Hideki 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
The diurnal characteristics of summer rainfall in the contiguous United States and northern Mexico were examined with the United States reanalysis for 5 years in 10-km horizontal resolution (US10), which is dynamically downscaled from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) Global Reanalysis 1 using the Regional Spectral Model (RSM). The hourly precipitation outputs demonstrate a realistic structure in the temporal evolution of the observed rainfall episodes and their magnitudes across the United States without any prescriptions of the observed rainfall to the global reanalysis and the downscaled regional reanalysis. Nighttime rainfall over the Great Plains associated with eastward-propagating, mesoscale convective systems originating from the Rocky Mountains is also represented realistically in US10, while the original reanalysis and most general circulation models (GCMs) have difficulties in capturing the series of nocturnal precipitation events in summer over the Plains. The results suggest an important role of the horizontal resolution of the model in resolving small-scale, propagating convective systems to improve the diurnal cycle of summer rainfall.
Incidence of neoplasia in Diamond Blackfan anemia: a report from the Diamond Blackfan Anemia Registry
Authors: Vlachos Adrianna , Rosenberg Philip S. , Atsidaftos Eva , Alter Blanche P. , Lipton Jeffrey M. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractDiamond Blackfan anemia (DBA) is an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome characterized by red cell aplasia and congenital anomalies. A predisposition to cancer has been suggested but not quantified by case reports. The DBA Registry of North America (DBAR) is the largest established DBA patient cohort, with prospective follow-up since 1991. This report presents the first quantitative assessment of cancer incidence in DBA. Among 608 patients with 9458 person-years of follow-up, 15 solid tumors, 2 acute myeloid leukemias, and 2 cases of myelodysplastic syndrome were diagnosed at a median age of 41 years in patients who had not received a bone marrow transplant. Cancer incidence in DBA was significantly elevated. The observed-to- expected ratio for all cancers combined was 5.4 (P < .05); significant observed-to-expected ratios were 287 for myelodysplastic syndrome, 28 for acute myeloid leukemia, 36 for colon carcinoma, 33 for osteogenic sarcoma, and 12 for female genital cancers. The median survival was 56 years, and the cumulative incidence of solid tumor/leukemia was approximately 20% by age 46 years. As in Fanconi anemia and dyskeratosis congenita, DBA is both an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome and a cancer predisposition syndrome; cancer risks appear lower in DBA than in Fanconi anemia or dyskeratosis congenita. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00106015.
Lung transplantation in children and young adults: a 20-year single-centre experience
Authors: Gruber Saskia , Eiwegger Thomas , Nachbaur Edith , Tiringer Kerstin , Aigner Clemens , Jaksch Peter , Keplinger Maya , Klepetko Walter , Lang György , Taghavi Shahrokh , Graf Alexandra , Eichler Irmgard , Frischer Thomas , Szépfalusi Zsolt 
Published: February 2012

Lung transplantation in adults is an accepted therapeutic option, whereas there is ongoing debate on its positive impact on survival in children. We report our experience of the first 20 yrs of paediatric lung transplantation at a single centre in Austria.Patient survival, organ survival and freedom from bronchiolitis obliterans were estimated by Kaplan–Meier curves. Pre- and post-transplant parameters were assessed and their influence on patient and organ survival evaluated by univariate tests and stepwise multivariate analyses.A total of 55 transplantations were performed in 43 patients. 1- and 5-yr patient survival rates were 72.1% and 60.6%, respectively, and 52.6% of patients were found to be free from bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome at 5 yrs post-transplant. Analysing different eras of transplantation suggests an improvement over the years with a 5-yr survival rate of 70.6% in the second decade. A positive effect of pre-transplant diabetes mellitus and immunosuppression was found with the newer drug tacrolimus, and a negative effect of pre-transplant in-hospital admission was reported. A high rate of successful re-transplantation prolonged total patient survival.
Survival in pulmonary hypertension in Spain: insights from the Spanish registry
Authors: Escribano-Subias Pilar , Blanco Isabel , López-Meseguer Manuel , Lopez-Guarch Carmen Jimenez , Roman Antonio , Morales Pilar , Castillo-Palma María Jesús , Segovia Javier , Gómez-Sanchez Miguel A. , Barberà Joan Albert 
Published: February 2012

A pulmonary hypertension (PH) registry (Spanish Registry of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension) was undertaken to analyse prevalence, incidence and survival of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in Spain, and to assess the applicability of recent survival prediction equations.Voluntary reporting of previously diagnosed and incident PAH or CTEPH cases (July 2007–June 2008) was performed. Demographic, functional and haemodynamic variables were evaluated.866 patients with PAH and 162 with CTEPH were included. PAH associated with toxic oil syndrome and pulmonary veno-occlusive disease were reported for the first time in a PAH registry. Estimated prevalences were as follows: PAH, 16 and CTEPH, 3.2 cases per million adult inhabitants (MAI). Estimated incidences were as follows: PAH, 3.7 and CTEPH, 0.9 cases per MAI per yr. 1-, 3- and 5-yr survival was 87%, 75% and 65%, respectively, with no differences between PAH and CTEPH. Male sex, right atrial pressure and cardiac index were independent predictors of death. Matching between observed survival and that predicted by different equations was closer when the characteristics of the cohorts were similar.Epidemiology and survival of PAH patients in the Spanish registry are similar to recent registries. Characteristics of the population from which survival prediction equations are derived influence their applicability to a different cohort. CTEPH is much less prevalent than PAH, although has a similar survival rate.
Selexipag: an oral, selective prostacyclin receptor agonist for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Simonneau Gérald , Torbicki Adam , Hoeper Marius M. , Delcroix Marion , Karlócai Kristóf , Galiè Nazzareno , Degano Bruno , Bonderman Diana , Kurzyna Marcin , Efficace Michela , Giorgino Ruben , Lang Irene M. 
Published: February 2012

In this phase 2 proof-of-concept study we examined the safety and efficacy of selexipag, an orally available, selective prostacyclin receptor (IP receptor) agonist, as a treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).43 adult patients with symptomatic PAH (receiving stable endothelin receptor antagonist and/or a phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor therapy) were randomised three to one to receive either selexipag or placebo. Dosage was up-titrated in 200-μg increments from 200 μg twice daily on day 1 to the maximum tolerated dose by day 35 (maximum allowed dose of 800 μg twice daily). Change in pulmonary vascular resistance at week 17 expressed as a percentage of the baseline value was the primary efficacy end-point, and was analysed in the per protocol set first and then in the all-treated set to assess robustness of results.A statistically significant 30.3% reduction in geometric mean pulmonary vascular resistance was observed after 17 weeks' treatment with selexipag compared with placebo (95% confidence limits -44.7– -12.2; p=0.0045, Wilcoxon rank sum test). This was supported by a similar result from the all-treated set. Selexipag was well tolerated with a safety profile in line with the expected pharmacological effect.Our results encourage the further investigation of selexipag for the treatment of PAH.
The effect of airway pressure and oscillation amplitude on ventilation in pre-term infants
Authors: Miedema Martijn , de Jongh Frans H. , Frerichs Inez , van Veenendaal Mariette B. , van Kaam Anton H. 
Published: February 2012

We determined the effect of lung recruitment and oscillation amplitude on regional oscillation volume and functional residual capacity (FRC) in high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) used in pre-term infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).Changes in lung volume, oscillation volume and carbon dioxide levels were recorded in 10 infants during a stepwise recruitment procedure, and an increase in pressure amplitude of 5 cmH2O was measured using electrical impedance tomography and transcutaneous monitoring. The pressures at maximal respiratory system compliance, maximal oscillation volume and minimal carbon dioxide levels were determined. Impedance data were analysed for the chest cross-section and predefined regions of interest.Despite the fixed pressure amplitude, the oscillation volume changed during the incremental pressure steps following a parabolic pattern, with an inverse relationship to the carbon dioxide pressures. The pressures corresponding with maximal compliance, maximal oscillation volume and minimal carbon dioxide were similar and highly correlated. Regional analysis showed similar findings. The increase in pressure amplitude resulted in increased oscillation volumes and decreased carbon dioxide levels, while FRC remained unchanged.In HFV pre-term infants with RDS, oscillation volumes are closely related to the position of ventilation in the pressure–volume envelope and the applied pressure amplitude. Changes in pressure amplitude do not seem to affect FRC.
Quadriceps wasting and physical inactivity in patients with COPD
Authors: Shrikrishna Dinesh , Patel Mehul , Tanner Rebecca J. , Seymour John M. , Connolly Bronwen A. , Puthucheary Zudin A. , Walsh Simon L.F. , Bloch Susannah A. , Sidhu Paul S. , Hart Nicholas , Kemp Paul R. , Moxham John , Polkey Michael I. , Hopkinson Nicholas S. 
Published: February 2012

Quadriceps weakness is an important complication of advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but few data exist concerning muscle bulk in early disease. We hypothesised that quadriceps bulk, measured by ultrasound rectus femoris cross-sectional area (USRFCSA), would be reduced in mild, as well as advanced, COPD compared with controls, and would correlate with physical activity.161 patients with stable COPD and 40 healthy subjects had a measurement of USRFCSAand wore a multisensor armband to record physical activity.USRFCSAwas reduced in Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage I patients compared with healthy subjects (p=0.0002). Stage II–IV patients had reduced USRFCSA(p<0.0001) compared with controls but were not significantly different from those with stage I disease. Physical activity level was reduced in stage I (p=0.002) and stage II–IV disease compared with controls. Using regression analysis, physical activity level was independently associated with USRFCSAin stage I (p=0.01) but not stage II–IV disease, where residual volume to total lung capacity ratio was the only independent predictor of physical activity level.Quadriceps wasting exists in patients with mild, as well as advanced, COPD, and is independently associated with physical inactivity in GOLD stage I disease. The identification of these patients may guide early lifestyle and therapeutic interventions.
Sleep-disordered breathing in deep vein thrombosis and acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Arzt Michael , Luigart Ruth , Schum Carola , Lüthje Lars , Stein Annika , Koper Iris , Hecker Cornelia , Dumitrascu Rio , Schulz Richard ,   for the “Circulation and Sleep” working group of the German Society of Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine (DGSM)
Published: February 2012

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) may trigger thromboembolic events by enhancing intravascular clot formation. The primary objective of the present nested case–control study was to investigate whether the prevalence of SDB is increased in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or acute pulmonary embolism (PE).82 consecutive patients with DVT and/or PE (cases) were prospectively enrolled irrespective of SDB-related symptoms and formed matched pairs with patients without DVT and/or PE (controls) according to sex and pre-defined categories of age and body mass index.The prevalence of SDB (respiratory disturbance index assessed by polygraphy ≥15 events·h−1) was significantly greater in the cases with DVT and/or PE than in controls (40versus26%, p=0.046) and was predominantly obstructive in nature. Multiple regression analysis revealed that SDB was significantly associated with DVT and/or PE (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.08–4.85; p=0.032) independent of established risk factors for thrombosis. In the sex-specific analyses this association was significant in females (OR 4.14, 95% CI 1.05–16.36; p=0.042), but not in males (OR 1.55, 95% CI 0.57–4.21; p=0.391).SDB occurs more frequently in females with DVT and/or PE than in controls matched for anthropometric variables, and is independently associated with the occurrence of these thromboembolic events.
Cycling to work in London and inhaled dose of black carbon
Authors: Nwokoro Chinedu , Ewin Clare , Harrison Clare , Ibrahim Mubin , Dundas Isobel , Dickson Iain , Mushtaq Naseem , Grigg Jonathan 
Published: February 2012

Modelling studies suggest that urban cycling is associated with an increased inhaled dose of fossil fuel-derived black carbon (BC). Using the amount of black material in airway macrophages as a marker of long-term inhaled BC, we sought to compare inhaled BC dose in London (UK) cyclists and non-cyclists.Airway macrophage carbon was assessed in 28 (58%) out of 48 healthy adults (14 cyclists and 14 non-cyclists) who attended for induced sputum. Short-term (24 h) exposure to BC was assessed on a representative working day in 27 out of 28 subjects. Serum interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α were assessed in 26 out of the 28 subjects.Cyclists were found to have increased airway macrophage carbon when compared with non-cyclists (mean±se1.81±0.21versus1.11±0.07 μm2; p<0.01). Short-term monitoring showed no difference in 24 h BC exposure between the two groups. However, cyclists were exposed to higher concentrations of BC during commuting (p<0.01). Airway macrophage carbon was associated with monitored commute BC (n=28; r=0.47, p<0.05). TNF-α was found to be increased in cyclists (p<0.05), but no other cytokines were increased.Commuting to work by bicycle in London is associated with increased long-term inhaled dose of BC. Whether cyclingper seincreases inhaled BC dose remains unclear.
N-acetylcysteine supplementation for the prevention of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of eight randomized controlled trials
Authors: Gu Wan-Jie , Wu Zhen-Jie , Wang Peng-Fei , Htet Aung Lynn Htet , Yin Rui-Xing 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia after cardiac surgery. An increasing body of evidence demonstrates that oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a free radical scavenger, and may attenuate this pathophysiologic response and reduce the incidence of postoperative AF (POAF). However, it is unclear whether NAC could effectively prevent POAF. Therefore, this meta-analysis aims to assess the efficacy of NAC supplementation on the prevention of POAF.

Methods
Medline and Embase were systematically reviewed for studies published up to November 2011, in which NAC was compared with controls for adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Outcome measures comprised the incidence of POAF and hospital length of stay (LOS). The meta-analysis was performed with the fixed-effect model or random-effect model according to the heterogeneity.

Results
Eight randomized trials incorporating 578 patients provided the best evidence and were included in this meta-analysis. NAC supplementation significantly reduced the incidence of POAF (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.93; P = 0.021) compared with controls, but had no effect on LOS (WMD -0.07, 95% CI -0.42 to 0.28; P = 0.703).

Conclusions
The prophylactic NAC supplementation may effectively reduce the incidence of POAF. However, the overall quality of current studies is poor and further research should focus on adequately powered randomized controlled trials with POAF incidence as a primary outcome measure.