bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi‐Center Clinical Experience with a Lumenless, Catheter‐Delivered, Bipolar, Permanent Pacemaker Lead: Implant Safety and Electrical Performance
Authors: GAMMAGE MICHAEL D. , LIEBERMAN RANDY A. , YEE RAYMOND , MANOLIS ANTONIS S. , COMPTON STEVEN J. , KHAZEN CÉSAR , SCHAAF KATIE , OLESON KIMBERLY A. , CROSSLEY GEORGE H. ,   for the Worldwide SelectSecure Clinical Investigators
Published: August 2006

Purpose: Reduced lead diameter and reliability can be designed into transvenous permanent pacing leads through use of redundant insulation and removal of the stylet lumen. The model 3830 lead (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) is a bipolar, fixed‐screw, steroid‐eluting, lumenless, 4.1‐Fr pacing lead. Implantation can be performed in a variety of right heart sites using a deflectable catheter (Model 10600, Medtronic). Lead performance and safety were studied.
Methods: Two prospective trials of 338 implanted subjects from 56 global sites were conducted. Electrical and safety data were obtained at implant, pre‐discharge, and up to 18 months post‐implant. Leads were implanted at traditional and alternate right heart sites.
Results: The study enrolled 338 subjects (204 males, 70.6 ± 11.6 years) followed‐up for a mean of 10.2 months (range, 0–21.6). Mean P‐wave amplitudes ranged from 3.2 mV at 3 months to 2.9 mV at 18 months, while mean atrial pulse width thresholds at 2.5 V ranged from 0.07 ms at 3 months to 0.09 ms at 18 months. Mean R‐wave amplitudes ranged from 11.3 mV to 11.1 mV and mean ventricular pulse width thresholds at 2.5 V ranged from 0.10 ms to 0.14 ms. There were 22 ventricular and 12 atrial lead complications within 3 months post‐implant. Survival from lead‐related complications improved to a clinically acceptable rate in the cohort of patients when revised implant techniques were employed.
Conclusions: With the use of recommended implant techniques, the study results support the electrical efficacy and safety of a catheter‐delivered, lumenless lead in traditional or alternate right atrium or right ventricle sites through 18 months post‐implant.
Role of Rate Control and Regularization Through Pacing in Patients With Chronic Atrial Fibrillation and Preserved Ventricular Function: The VRR Study
Authors: CIARAMITARO GIANFRANCO , SGARITO GIUSEPPE , SOLIMENE FRANCESCO , MAGLIA GIANPIERO , VICENTINI ALFREDO , DI DONATO GIOVANNI , RACITI GIOVANNI , PARRINELLO GIOVANNI , DEL GIUDICE GIOVANNI BATTISTA 
Published: August 2006

Aim: High heart rates in chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF) is one of the factors responsible for hemodynamic alterations and may lead to tachycardiomyopathies. The ventricular rate regulation (VRR) study evaluates the effect of ventricular rate regularization in CAF patients with preserved ventricular function, marked ventricular rate variability, and indications for pacemaker (PM) implantation owing to symptomatic pauses. Rate regularization was achieved using VRR algorithm (INSIGNIA® pacemakers, Guidant Corp., St. Paul, MN, USA).
Methods: One month after PM implantation, 58 patients followed two 3‐month crossover periods (VRR‐OFF; VRR‐ON) in which the VRR algorithm was randomized and compared to fixed rate stimulation at 60 ppm. During follow‐up visits a 6‐minute walk test was performed under partially inhibited conditions (PM at 40 ppm) and ventricular response was recorded. The following parameters were measured: mean ventricular rate (MR), rate variability (RR30), rate recovery after exercise (SLOPE = (R‐END – R‐REC)/(R‐END – 40)), R‐END being the rate at end of walk and R‐REC the rate 1 minute after exercise.
Results: The VRR algorithm decreased rate variability (RR30: −7.36 ± 8.8; P < 0.01) without increasing ventricular rate (MR: −1.11 ± 8.3 P = NS), while SLOPE improved significantly (SLOPE: +15.41 ± 16.8 P < 0.01).
Conclusions: VRR effectively stabilizes rate, without increasing pacing rate above spontaneous rhythm and helps achieve a more favorable autonomic balance, improving rate recovery after exercise.
Percutaneous Lead Implantation Connected to an External Device in Stimulation‐Dependent Patients with Systemic Infection—A Prospective and Controlled Study
Authors: BRAUN MARTIN U. , RAUWOLF THOMAS , BOCK MANIA , KAPPERT UTZ , BOSCHERI ALESSANDRA , SCHNABEL ANDREAS , STRASSER RUTH H. 
Published: August 2006

Background: Permanent pacemaker implantation usually is contraindicated in patients with systemic infection. The aim of the present study was to compare two different techniques of transvenous temporary pacing to bridge the infectious situation until permanent pacemaker implantation under infection‐free conditions is possible.
Methods and Results: Forty‐nine patients with systemic infection and hemodynamic‐relevant bradyarrhythmia/asystole were temporarily paced using either a conventional pacing wire/catheter (n = 26, reference group) or a permanent bipolar active pacing lead, which was placed transcutaneously in the right ventricle and connected to an external pacing generator (n = 23, external lead group). In both groups, there were no significant differences in patient characteristics. Whereas the sensing values were almost identical, the median pacing threshold was significantly higher in the reference group (1.0 V vs 0.6 V, P < 0.05). Within comparable duration of pacing (median: 8.2 vs 7.7 days), there were 24 pacing‐related adverse events (including dislocation, resuscitation due to severe bradycardia, or local infection) in the reference group as compared to one event in the external lead group (P < 0.01). None of these complications resulted in cardiac death.
Conclusion: Thus, transvenous pacing with active fixation is safe and associated with a significantly lower rate of pacing‐related adverse events as compared to the standard technique of transvenous pacing using a passive external pacing catheter.
Improvement of Congestive Heart Failure by Upgrading of Conventional to Resynchronization Pacemakers
Authors: MARAI IBRAHIM , GUREVITZ OSNAT , CARASSO SHEMY , NOF EYAL , BAR‐LEV DAVID , LURIA DAVID , ARBEL YARON , FREIMARK DOV , FEINBERG MICHA S. , ELDAR MICHAEL , GLIKSON MICHAEL 
Published: August 2006

Aims: To compare the clinical response of patients with right ventricular apical pacing (RVAP) upgraded to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) to that of previously nonpaced heart failure (HF) patients who had de novo CRT implantation.
Background: The role of CRT in patients with wide QRS and HF due to RVAP is less well established than in other CRT candidates.
Methods: Ninety‐eight consecutive patients with CRT were studied (mean age 70, mean ejection fraction 0.23). Group A: patients having RVAP prior to CRT implantation (n = 25), group B: patients without prior RVAP (n = 73). Clinical and echocardiographic parameters were recorded prior to, and 3 months after, CRT implantation.
Results: Group A patients had a wider QRS at baseline compared to group B (203 ± 32 ms vs 163 ± 30 ms respectively, P < 0.001), and a shorter 6‐minute walking distance (222 ± 118 m vs 362 ± 119 m, respectively, P < 0.005). Otherwise, clinical and echocardiographic parameters were not different. At follow up, group A patients had an average 0.7 ± 0.5 decrease in their NYHA functional class, compared to 0.3 ± 0.7 in group B patients (P < 0.05). Six‐minute walking distance increased by 93 ± 113 m in group A, versus 36 ± 120 m in group B (P = 0.22). There was no difference in echocardiographic response to CRT between the groups.
Conclusions: HF patients with prior RVAP demonstrate clinical improvement after upgrading to CRT that is comparable, and in some aspects, even better than that observed in HF patients with native conduction delay who undergo de novo CRT implantation.
Present Understanding of Shock Polarity for Internal Defibrillation: The Obvious and Non‐Obvious Clinical Implications
Authors: KROLL MARK W. , EFIMOV IGOR R. , TCHOU PATRICK J. 
Published: August 2006

Background: Uncertainty about the best electrode configuration has combined with the programming flexibility in modern implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICDs) to result in routine polarity reversal during an implant to deal with a high defibrillation threshold (DFT). We feel that this practice is not always supported by the clinical data and the present scientific understanding of defibrillation.
Method: A meta‐analysis of the clinical studies on ICD shock polarity was performed. Subgroup analyses were also performed to test the impact of high DFTs, various tilts, and the use of the hot can electrode. A review of the basic research surrounding the effects of polarity in defibrillation is also presented.
Results: A total of 224 patients were studied. The use of an anodal right ventricular (RV) coil lowers the mean DFT by 14.8% (P = 0.00001). It provides thresholds equal to or lower than cathodal defibrillation in 83% of patients. The fraction of patients with lower anodal DFTs was 94/224 versus 38/224 for cathodal polarity. This phenomenon may be explained by virtual electrode effects. In particular, anodal electrodes tend to produce collapsing wavefronts while cathodal electrodes tend to produce expanding proarrhythmic wavefronts.
Conclusion: In an ICD implant, the RV coil should be the anode. Furthermore, DFT testing beginning with cathodal defibrillation is most likely unnecessary and needlessly extends the procedure's duration and increases the risks for the patient.
Characterization of Conduction Recovery Across Left Atrial Linear Lesions in Patients with Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: ROSTOCK THOMAS , O'NEILL MARK D. , SANDERS PRASHANTHAN , ROTTER MARTIN , JAÏS PIERRE , HOCINI MÉLÈZE , TAKAHASHI YOSHIHIDE , SACHER FRÉDERIC , JÖNSSON ANDERS , HSU LI‐FERN , CLÉMENTY JACQUES , HAÏSSAGUERRE MICHEL 
Published: August 2006

Background: Left atrial (LA) linear lesions are effective in substrate modification for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, achievement of complete conduction block remains challenging and conduction recovery is commonly observed. The aim of the study was to investigate the localization of gap sites of recovered LA linear lesions. Methods and Results: Forty‐eight patients with paroxysmal (n = 26) and persistent/permanent (n = 22) AF underwent repeat ablation after pulmonary vein (PV) isolation and LA linear ablation at the LA roof and/or mitral isthmus due to recurrences of AF or flutter. In 35 patients, conduction through the mitral isthmus line (ML) had recovered whereas roof‐line recovery was observed in 30 patients. The gaps within the ML were distributed to the junction between left inferior PV and left atrial appendage in 66%, the middle part of the ML in 20%, and in 8% to the endocardial aspect of the ML while only 6% of lines showed an epicardial site of recovery. The RL predominantly recovered close to the right superior PV (54%) and less frequently in the mid roof or close to the left PV (both 23%). Reablation of lines required significantly shorter RF durations (ML: 7.24 ± 5.55 minutes vs 24.08 ± 9.38 minutes, RL: 4.24 ± 2.34 minutes vs 11.54 ± 6.49 minutes; P = 0.0001). Patients with persistent/permanent AF demonstrated a significantly longer conduction delay circumventing the complete lines than patients with paroxysmal AF (228 ± 77 ms vs 164 ± 36 ms, P = 0.001). Conclusions: Gaps in recovered LA lines were predominantly located close to the PVs where catheter stability is often difficult to achieve. Shorter RF durations are required for reablation of recovered linear lesions. Conduction times around complete LA lines are significantly longer in patients with persistent/permanent AF as compared to patients with paroxysmal AF.
Clinical Course and Risk Stratification of Patients Affected with the Jervell and Lange‐Nielsen Syndrome
Authors: GOLDENBERG ILAN , MOSS ARTHUR J. , ZAREBA WOJCIECH , MCNITT SCOTT , ROBINSON JENNIFER L. , QI MING , TOWBIN JEFFREY A. , ACKERMAN MICHAEL J. , MURPHY LAURA 
Published: August 2006

Introduction:
Data regarding risk factors and clinical course of patients affected with Jervell and Lange‐Nielsen syndrome (JLNS), an autosomal recesssive form of the congenital long‐QT syndrome (LQTS), are limited to several reported cases and a retrospective analysis.
Methods and Results:
We prospectively followed‐up 44 JLNS patients from the U.S. portion of the International LQTS Registry and compared their clinical course with 2,174 patients with the phenotypically determined dominant form of LQTS (Romano‐Ward syndrome [RWS]) and a subgroup of 285 patients with type 1 LQTS (LQT1). Mean (±SD) corrected QT interval (QTc) in the JLNS, RWS, and LQT1 groups were 548 ± 73, 500 ± 48, and 502 ± 46 msec, respectively (P < 0.001). The cumulative rates of cardiac events from birth through age 40 among JLNS and RWS patients were 93% (mean [±SD] age: 5.0 ± 7.0 years) and 54% (mean [±SD] age: 14.2 ± 9.3 years), respectively (P < 0.001). The JLNS:RWS and JLNS:LQT1 adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for cardiac events were highest among patients with a baseline QTc ≥550 msec (HR = 15.83 [P < 0.001] and 13.80 [P < 0.001], respectively). Among JLNS patients treated with beta‐blockers, the cumulative probability of LQTS‐related death was 35%; defibrillator therapy was associated with a 0% mortality rate during a mean (±SD) follow‐up period of 4.9 ± 3.4 years.
Conclusions:
Patients with JLNS experience a high rate of cardiac and fatal events from early childhood despite medical therapy. Defibrillator therapy appears to improve outcome in this high‐risk population, although longer follow‐up is needed to establish its long‐term efficacy.
No correlation of five gene polymorphisms with periodontal conditions in a Greek population
Authors: Sakellari D. , Katsares V. , Georgiadou M. , Kouvatsi A. , Arsenakis M. , Konstantinidis A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground: Various studies have examined possible correlations between a number of cytokine gene polymorphisms and periodontal disease in populations of different origins. The present study sought the correlation between four single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (IL1A+3954, IL1B+4845, TNFA−308, COL1A1 Sp1), a variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism (IL1RN intron 2) and periodontal conditions in subjects of Greek origin.Methods: One hundred and ninety‐two healthy subjects, stratified as non‐periodontitis and periodontitis (chronic and aggressive) cases, participated in the present study. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction‐based techniques using the primers and conditions described in the literature. The frequencies of genotypes between study groups were compared using Genepop v3.3 genetic software and Instat statistical package.Results: No differences were observed among the groups concerning the distributions of genotypes under investigation.Conclusions: Carriage rates of the polymorphisms under investigation in systemically healthy subjects of Greek origin are well within the range reported for Caucasians but these polymorphisms cannot discriminate between non‐periodontitis and periodontitis (chronic or aggressive) cases.
The influence of diabetes on gingival crevicular fluid β‐glucuronidase and interleukin‐8
Authors: Engebretson Steven P. , Vossughi Faranak , Hey‐Hadavi Judith , Emingil Gülnur , Grbic John T. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractObjectives: Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) dysfunction is associated with diabetes. We examined the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) β‐glucuronidase (BG) and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) levels of periodontitis patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).Material and methods: Forty five adults with type 2 DM and 32 adults without DM, both with chronic periodontitis were enrolled. GCF was collected from eight posterior sites in each quadrant, and periodontal parameters were recorded. GCF was assayed for IL‐8 by ELISA and BG by a flourometric assay.Results: GCF IL‐8 was positively correlated with probing depth (PD), and GCF BG but not clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), or plaque index (PI). In contrast, GCF BG was strongly correlated with each of the clinical measures of periodontal disease. Subjects with DM significantly lower levels of both BG (73.0±44.8 versus 121.9±84.6 pg/sample; p=0.002) and IL‐8 (32.1±33.1 versus 90.8±83.2 pg/sample; p<0.0001) even after adjustments for age, gender, PD, CAL, BOP, and PI. Neither BG nor IL‐8 was correlated with HbA1c levels in subjects with DM.Conclusion: These data suggest that an inadequate local response by PMN, partially explained by an altered chemokine gradient, may contribute to periodontal disease in patients with type 2 DM.
Is there an association between physical exercise and the quality of life of hypertensive patients?
Authors: Cuevas Fernandez F. J. , Marco Garcia M. T. , Rodriguez Alvarez C. , Iglesias Giron M. J. , Aguirre‐Jaime A. 
Published: August 2006

Context: Quality of life of hypertensive patients (QOLHP) is associated with factors that are not always taken into account in the recommendations made by doctors.Objective: To evaluate the association between QOLHP and physical exercise in an effectiveness approach, i.e. under the actual conditions of application of these treatments.Methodology: In a sample of 361 hypertensive patients registered in a primary care center in Tenerife, Spain, the QOLHP is measured using the PECVEC questionnaire. The main factor considered is physical exercise. In addition, we compiled a set of control variables: pharmacological and dietetic treatments, pathological, clinical, functional, psychological, social, lifestyle and demographic characteristic of the patients. We explored the association between all these factors and the QOLHP by adjusting multiple linear regression models.Results: The PECVEC results were between 2.0 and 3.5, with an overall Cronbach's α reliability statistic of 0.88. From the sample, 58% of the patients engage in physical exercise, 75% maintain a anti‐hypertension diet and 89% take hypertension medication. From all the treatments evaluated, only physical exercise is associated directly with all PECVEC scales, especially for women and patients over 65.Conclusions: Recommending the practice of physical exercise may be a useful tool for doctors to improve the QOLHP.
Oral cancer: experiences and diagnostic abilities elicited by dentists in North‐western Spain
Authors: Seoane J , Warnakulasuriya S , Varela‐Centelles P , Esparza G , Dios PD 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Opinions, knowledge, behaviours and attitudes of general dental practitioners on oral cancer prevention and detection have been reported from many countries. However, experiences and skills of oral cancer detection have not been evaluated systematically.Objective:  To obtain information on behaviours of screening and ability to correctly detect oral cancer and precancer among general dentists (GDP) in North‐western Spain.Subjects and methods:  Thirty‐two randomly selected GDPs completed questionnaires and then classified 50 projected images of clinical lesions, into cancer, precancer or benign lesions.Results:  87.5% reported conducting routine oral examinations, 84.4% provided routine advice to their subjects for risk modifications and 84.4% claimed to biopsy a suspected oral mucosal lesion that they detected in practice. In a quasi research setting using clinical slides, the sensitivity of visual diagnosis of a cancerous lesion was 61.4% and precancer 59.5%. The diagnostic accuracy reported here is lower than what is already reported by evaluation of published screening programmes by dentists.Conclusions:  Our data from Spain suggest a need for improving the diagnostic ability of GDPs in the visual detection of oral cancer/precancer by strengthening continuing professional education.
Sialadenitis following radioiodine therapy – a new diagnostic and treatment modality
Authors: Nahlieli O , Nazarian Y 
Published: August 2006

Objectives:  To explore the usage of salivary gland endoscope technique as a diagnostic tool as well as a novel treatment modality for sialadenitis following radioiodine therapy.Subjects and methods:  Fifteen patients suffering from sialadenitis of the major salivary glands after I131 therapy for thyroid carcinoma underwent a single procedure of sialoendoscopy under local anesthesia.Results:  All the patients were free of sialadenitis after one sialoendoscopy procedure with no complications accompanied.Conclusions:  Sialoendoscopy is an efficient technique with low morbidity as well as a relatively simple surgical method for diagnosing and treating sialadenitis induced by radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer patients.
Sexual Function Status in Women with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Authors: Köseoğlu Nalan , Köseoğlu Hikmet , Itil Oya , Öztura İbrahim , Baklan Barış , Ikiz Ahmet Omer , Esen Ahmet Adil 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Several co-morbid diseases have been shown to affect sexual functions in both genders. In the literature, sexual function status in men with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has been studied; however, sexual functions in women with OSAS have not yet been studied.

Aims
In this prospective study, we aimed to determine sexual function status in women with OSAS and its relationship with the disease parameters of OSAS.

Methods
Women, who were diagnosed with OSAS with polysomnography performed in the sleep center of our university hospital, formed the study population. Women with any genital deformity, postmenopausal women, and women without a regular partner were excluded from the study. General demographic properties, medical histories, polysomnography parameters, and frequency of intercourse per month were noted for each patient. Patients completed the Sexual Function Questionnaire Version 2 (SFQ-V2) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. The patients were grouped as mild, moderate, and severe OSAS according to the level of respiratory disturbance index (RDI).

Main Outcome Measures
Scores of sexual function domains were determined from SFQ, and their relationships with parameters of polysomnography and demographics were studied.

Results
Twenty-five patients were included in the study. Mean age was 48.1 ± 2.7 years. All were married with a mean marriage duration of 25.6 ± 3.3 years. Mean frequency of intercourse per month was 3.3 ± 1.8. All domains of sexual functions except pain and enjoyment significantly decreased with increasing severity of OSAS. When we controlled for factors of age and co-morbid diseases, correlation analyses showed significant negative correlation between levels of RDI and all domains of sexual functions except pain and enjoyment (P  &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome negatively impacts sexual function in women independent of age and associated co-morbid diseases.
The Hubble diagram extended to z ≫1: the gamma-ray properties of gamma-ray bursts confirm the Λ cold dark matter model
Authors: Firmani C. , Avila-Reese V. , Ghisellini G. , Ghirlanda G. 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Tight constraints on cosmological parameters can be obtained with standard candles spanning a range of redshifts as large as possible. We propose to treat Type Ia supernovae (SNIa) and long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) as a single class of candles. Taking advantage of the recent release of the Supernova Legacy Survey and the recent finding of a tight correlation among the energetics and other prompt gamma-ray emission properties of GRBs, we are able to standardize the luminosities/energetics of both classes of objects. In this way we can jointly use GRBs and SNIa as cosmological probes to constrain Ωm and ΩΛ and the parameters of the dark energy equation of state through the same Bayesian method that we have, so far, applied to GRBs alone. Despite the large disparity in number (115 SNIa versus 19 GRBs) we show that the constraints on Ωm and ΩΛ are greatly improved by the inclusion of GRBs. More importantly, the result of the combined sample is in excellent agreement with the ΛCDM concordance cosmological model and does not require an evolving equation of state for the dark energy.