bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Rosiglitazone Administration on Cardiovascular Function in Severe Obesity
Authors: Brunani Amelia , Liuzzi Antonio , Titon AnnaMaria , Graci Salvatore , Castagna Giovanna , Viberti Gian Carlo , Gondoni Luca A. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackgroundObese patients have myocardial structural and functional alterations related to insulin resistance.HypothesisThe purpose of the study was to analyze the effects of rosiglitazone, an insulin sensitizer agent, on cardiac morphometry and functioning.MethodsIn 2 groups of sex‐ and age‐matched, nondiabetic, obese patients (5 men and 7 women, age 19–51 y; group A: body mass index [BMI] 40.6 ± 3.4 kg/m2; group B: BMI 42.6 ± 2.7 kg/m2), we evaluated the basal insulin sensitivity index (HOMA[IS]), body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis and 24‐h blood pressure monitoring. Furthermore, all patients underwent conventional 2‐Dimensional and color Doppler echocardiography, and pulsed‐wave tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). After the baseline evaluation, all patients were put on a hypocaloric diet (70% basal metabolic rate) plus placebo if they were in group A, or plus rosiglitazone (4 mg twice daily; Avandia [GlaxoSmithKline plc., Brentford, Middlesex, United Kingdom]) if they were in group B, for 6 mo.ResultsSignificant decreases in body weight, total fat mass, BMI, and systolic blood pressure were registered in both groups. Rosiglitazone administration appeared more efficient in improving HOMA(IS) (mean difference: 0.30 ± 0.19 versus 0.11 ± 0.21, p < 0.05). Left ventricular (LV) diastolic diameter (49.4 ± 7.7 versus 52.3 ± 5.4 mm, p < 0.05) and E wave (0.89 ± 0.18 versus 0.99 ± 0.20 m/sec, p < 0.05) increased in the rosiglitazone group due to a rise in preload and water content without peripheral edema. The increase in systolic (Sa) wave velocity in both groups was probably a result of the general improvement in insulin metabolism and the decrease in blood pressure.ConclusionsWe confirmed the positive effect of rosiglitazone on glucose metabolism in obese, nondiabetic patients, but changes in insulin sensitivity did not explain the cardiac effects produced by further mechanisms. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony in Hypertensive Patients Without Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Yang Benjamin , Chettiveettil Dennis , Jones Fermon , Aguero Millan , Lewis Jannet F. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackgroundNormal left ventricular (LV) systolic function is present in as many as 50% of patients with congestive heart failure. The majority of such patients have systemic hypertension. Recent studies have demonstrated LV dyssynchrony among patients with heart failure and normal systolic function. However, it is unclear whether such abnormalities exist in hypertensive patients who have not developed clinical evidence of heart failure.MethodsHospitalized patients with established hypertension undergoing echocardiography who met the following criteria were eligible for the study: LV ejection fraction (EF) ≥ 50%, wall ≥11 mm, absence of valvular or known ischemic disease, and normal QRS duration. Complete 2‐Dimensional and Doppler echocardiography studies with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) were performed in all patients. Dyssynchrony was measured using time from QRS to peak systolic velocity on TDI (T‐P) in 3 apical views. Normal values for dyssynchrony were established in a group of normotensive patients with normal echocardiography studies.ResultsThe study included 42 patients (19 women, 23 men with a, mean age of 59.6 y (range 32–96 y). Left ventricular dyssynchrony was common, occurring in 20 of 42 patients (47.6%). Dyssynchrony assessed with the maximum T‐P (T‐Pmax) was significantly related to LV mass (r = 0.32, p = 0.036), left atrial volume (r = 0.59, p < 0.0001), and LV sphericity index (0.32, p = 0.037). Dyssynchrony was not related to age or LV filling pressure calculated from the Doppler study.ConclusionsLeft ventricular dyssynchrony is common among hypertensive patients with normal LV systolic function and no evidence of congestive heart failure. The severity of LV dyssynchrony is related to the magnitude of LV hypertrophy, left atrial size, and LV remodeling. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Prior Myocardial Infarction: How Does it Affect Management and Outcomes in Recurrent Acute Coronary Syndromes?
Authors: Motivala Apurva A. , Tamhane Umesh , Ramanath Vijay S. , Saab Fadi , Montgomery Daniel G. , Fang Jianming , Kline‐Rogers Eva , May Niquole , Ng Garry , Froehlich James , Gurm Hitinder , Eagle Kim A. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackgroundDespite improved secondary prevention efforts, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) recurrence among patients with prior history of coronary events remains high. The differences in presentation, management, and subsequent clinical outcomes in patients with and without a prior myocardial infarction (MI) and presenting with another episode of ACS remain unexplored.MethodsA total of 3,624 consecutive patients admitted to the University of Michigan with ACS from January 1999 to June 2006 were studied retrospectively. In‐hospital management, outcomes, and postdischarge outcomes such as death, stroke, and reinfarction in patients with and without a prior MI were compared.ResultsPatients with a prior MI were more likely to be older and have a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and peripheral vascular disease. In‐hospital outcomes were not significantly different in the 2 groups, except for a higher incidence of cardiac arrest (4.3% versus 2.5%, p < 0.01) and cardiogenic shock (5.7% versus 3.9%, p = 0.01) among patients without a prior MI. However, at 6 mo postdischarge, the incidences of death (8.0% versus 4.5%, p < 0.0001) and recurrent MI (10.0% versus 5.1%, p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in patients with a prior history of MI compared with those without.ConclusionPatients with prior MI with recurrent ACS remain at a higher risk of major adverse events on follow‐up. This may be partly explained by the patients not being on optimal medications at presentation, as well as disease progression. Increased efforts must be directed at prevention of recurrent ACS, as well as further risk stratification of these patients to improve their overall outcomes. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biomarkers on Admission for the Prediction of Cardiovascular Events After Primary Stenting in Patients with ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Jeong Young‐Hoon , Lee Seung‐Whan , Lee Cheol Whan , Hong Myeong‐Ki , Kim Jae‐Joong , Park Seong‐Wook , Park Seung‐Jung , Park Duk‐Woo , Kim Young‐Hak 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackgroundSeveral cardiac biomarkers have been shown to have predictive values for the development of cardiovascular disease and clinical outcome after events, and are now broadly used by clinicians. Little is known about the utility of these biomarker values on admission in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) cases of primary drug‐eluting stent (DES) implantation and intense medical therapy.HypothesisBecause little is known about the utility of these biomarkers on admission in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in cases primary drug‐eluting stent (DES) implantation and intense medical therapy, we evaluated clinical outcomes.MethodsWe enrolled 207 consecutive STEMI patients treated with primary stenting (mean age, 57.3 ± 12.0 y). We evaluated the association between B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) on admission, and death, reinfarction, and new or worsening congestive heart failure (CHF) through 1 y.ResultsIn backward‐elimination models including all biomarkers, only the cTnI level was retained as a predictor of 1‐y CHF (odds ratio [OR]: 1.017, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001–1.034, p = 0.039). There were no predictors in terms of 1‐y death, reinfarction, and composite endpoint. When we applied a simple score system, in which patients were categorized on the basis of the number of elevated biomarkers, the 1‐y risks of death (p = 0.600), reinfarction (p = 0.185), and composite endpoint (p = 0.620) did not increase in proportion to the number of elevated biomarkers on admission. One‐y CHF only tended to increase according to the number of elevated biomarkers (p = 0.067).ConclusionsThe use of cardiac biomarkers on admission, in each or in combination, had only a minimal impact for the prediction of long‐term cardiovascular events after primary stenting in STEMI patients. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
With Personal and Professional Gratitude: An Editor's Thank You to J. Willis Hurst
Authors: Conti C. Richard 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis editorial is about a friend who I met years ago when I had to debate him at an American College of Cardiology (ACC) meeting, and we have known and respected each other ever since. As always, he was a gentleman in that debate, and he has remained so for as long as I have known him. Education of his colleagues, teaching of medical students, residents, and fellows‐in‐training has been J. Willis Hurst's lifelong passion, and he will continue to do that until January 1st, 2009, when he retires from Emory University. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Endovascular stents: Preliminary clinical results and future developments
Authors: De Jaegere Peter P. T. , De Feyter Pim J. , Van Der Giessen Willem J. , Serruys Patrick W. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAt present, there is an exponential use of new interventional techniques whose proper role and value have not yet been defined. The intracoronary stent is just one example. There is no doubt that stents can be implanted with a high technical success rate associated with highly predictable immediate angiographic results and that they appear to be superior to all other interventional techniques. However, the intrinsic thrombogenicity of all devices currently available for clinical use warrants a vigorous anticoagulation, exposing the patient either to the risk of (sub) acute stent thrombosis or to the risk of hemorrhage and vascular complications. It remains to be determined whether stent implantation will reduce the incidence of restenosis and whether this results in an improved long‐term event and symptom‐free survival. Experimental studies indicate that the thrombogenic nature of stents may be controlled by coating the struts with endothelial cells or polymers. With respect to restenosis, it is evident that as long as mechanical injury is applied to the vessel wall, the vessel wall will respond with neointimal thickening. The intracoronary stent has the potential to control this tissue response by serving as a carrier for local antiproliferative drug delivery or eventually for genetic manipulation. The intensive research which is now going on in combination with experimental animal data, human postmortem pathologic observations, and angiographic studies is yielding clear insights and future directions to address these issues.
Development and Validation of a Pharmacophore‐Based QSAR Model for the Prediction of CNS Activity
Authors: Gozalbes Rafael , Barbosa Frédérique , Nicolaï Eric , Horvath Dragos , Froloff Nicolas 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA QSAR model for the prediction of CNS activity was developed and validated based on data from an in‐house database of “drug‐like” compounds. The model has demonstrated its applicability for novel chemical structures and its usefulness for the design of CNS‐focused compound libraries.magnified imageA QSAR model aimed at predicting central nervous system (CNS) activity was developed based on the structure–activity relationships of compounds from an in‐house database of “drug‐like” molecules. These compounds were initially identified as “CNS‐active” or “CNS‐inactive”, and pharmacophore 3D descriptors were calculated from multiple conformations for each structure. A linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was performed on this structure–activity matrix, and this QSAR model was able to correctly classify approximately 80 % in both a learning set and a validation set. For validation purposes, the LDA model was applied to compounds for which the blood–brain barrier (BBB) penetration was known, and all of them were correctly predicted. The model was also applied to 960 other in‐house compounds for which in vitro binding tests were performed on 20 receptors known to be present at the CNS level, and a high correlation was observed between compounds predicted as CNS‐active and experimental hits. Finally, the model was also applied to a set of 700 structures with known CNS activity or inactivity randomly chosen from public sources, and more than 70 % of the compounds were correctly classified, including novel CNS chemotypes. These results demonstrate the applicability of the model to novel chemical structures and its usefulness for designing original CNS‐focused compound libraries.
Axon terminals expressing vesicular glutamate transporter VGLUT1 or VGLUT2 within the trigeminal motor nucleus of the rat: Origins and distribution patterns
Authors: Pang You‐Wang , Ge Shun‐Nan , Nakamura Kouichi C. , Li Jin‐Lian , Xiong Kang‐Hui , Kaneko Takeshi , Mizuno Noboru 
Published: December 2008

AbstractLittle is known about the significance of the two types of glutamatergic neurons (those expressing vesicular glutamate transporter VGLUT1 or VGLUT2) in the control of jaw movements. We thus examined the origin and distribution of axon terminals with VGLUT1 or VGLUT2 immunoreactivity within the trigeminal motor nucleus (Vm) in the rat. The Vm was divided into the dorsolateral division (Vm.dl; jaw‐closing motoneuron pool) and the ventromedial division (Vm.vm; jaw‐opening motoneuron pool). VGLUT1‐immunopositive terminals were seen within the Vm.dl only, whereas VGLUT2‐immunopositive ones were distributed to both the Vm.dl and the Vm.vm. Transection of the motor root eliminated almost all VGLUT1‐immunopositive axons in the Vm.dl, with no changes of VGLUT2 immunoreactivity in the two divisions, indicating that the VGLUT1‐ and VGLUT2‐immunopositive axons came from primary afferents in the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus and premotor neurons for the Vm, respectively. In situ hybridization histochemistry revealed that VGLUT2 neurons were much more numerous than VGLUT1 neurons in the regions corresponding to the reported premotoneuron pool for the Vm. The results of immunofluorescence labeling combined with anterograde tract tracing further indicated that premotor neurons with VGLUT2 in the trigeminal sensory nuclei, the supratrigeminal region, and the reticular region ventral to the Vm sent axon terminals contacting trigeminal motoneurons and that some of the VGLUT1‐expressing premotor neurons in the reticular region ventral to the Vm sent axon terminals to jaw‐closing motoneurons. The present results suggested that the roles played by glutamatergic neurons in controlling jaw movements might be different between VGLUT1‐ and VGLUT2‐expressing neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 512:595–612, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Telomerization of Butadiene with Glycerol: Reaction Control through Process Engineering, Solvents, and Additives
Authors: Behr Arno , Leschinski Julia , Awungacha Colin , Simic Suzana , Knoth Tanja 
Published: December 2008

AbstractOwing to the large amount of glycerol that is formed as a by‐product during biodiesel production, there have been great efforts to develop new reactions and processes based on glycerol as a renewable feedstock. One example is the telomerization of butadiene with glycerol which provides an atom‐economic route to amphiphilic molecules. The reaction is catalyzed by homogeneous palladium catalysts which necessitates efficient catalyst recycling. By employing an aqueous biphasic system, an increased selectivity towards the desired mono‐ethers was observed in the telomerization reaction. The performance of the reaction and separation and recycling of the catalyst were optimized by the addition of organic solvents as well as cyclodextrins. By adding cyclodextrins, the conversion of glycerol could be increased and the leaching of palladium could be reduced. Leaching of palladium into the organic phase could be lowered also by using 2‐octanol or 2‐propanol as additional solvents. Furthermore, the catalyst system could be stabilized by adding nitriles or phosphonium salts, and radical polymerization, which leads to fouling, could be inhibited successfully.
Natural variation in embryo mechanics: gastrulation in Xenopus laevis is highly robust to variation in tissue stiffness
Authors: von Dassow Michelangelo , Davidson Lance A. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractHow sensitive is morphogenesis to the mechanical properties of embryos? To estimate an upper bound on the sensitivity of early morphogenetic movements to tissue mechanical properties, we assessed natural variability in the apparent stiffness among gastrula‐stage Xenopus laevis embryos. We adapted micro‐aspiration methods to make repeated, nondestructive measurements of apparent tissue stiffness in whole embryos. Stiffness varied by close to a factor of 2 among embryos within a single clutch. Variation between clutches was of similar magnitude. On the other hand, the direction of change in stiffness over the course of gastrulation was the same in all embryos and in all clutches. Neither pH nor salinity—two environmental factors we predicted could affect variability in nature—affected tissue stiffness. Our results indicate that gastrulation in X. laevis is robust to at least twofold variation in tissue stiffness. Developmental Dynamics 238:2–18, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A cyp19a1b‐gfp (aromatase B) transgenic zebrafish line that expresses GFP in radial glial cells
Authors: Tong Sok‐Keng , Mouriec Karen , Kuo Ming‐Wei , Pellegrini Elisabeth , Gueguen Marie‐Madeleine , Brion François , Kah Olivier , Chung Bon‐chu 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAromatase is an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of estrogen in gonads and brain. Teleost fish express aromatase (AroB) strongly in the brain facilitating its detailed examination. To understand the function of AroB in the brain, we generated transgenic zebrafish that expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by the brain aromatase cyp19a1b promoter. GFP was found in the radial glial cells of transgenic larvae and adult fish that overlap with AroB immunoreactivity in the correct temporal and spatial pattern. GFP was also coexpressed with radial cell marker BLBP, but was not in neurons. In addition, GFP expression in the radial glial cells was stimulated by estrogen, same as endogenous AroB expression. Thus, this transgenic line faithfully mimics the regulation of AroB expression in radial glial cells. It provides a powerful tool to further characterize progenitor radial cells in adult and developing fish and to evaluate estrogenic activities of xenoestrogens and phytoestrogens. genesis 47:67–73, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecularly severe roX1 mutations contribute to dosage compensation in Drosophila
Authors: Deng Xinxian , Meller Victoria H. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractDrosophila melanogaster males maintain a constant ratio of X‐linked to autosomal gene products by increasing expression from their single X chromosome. This is achieved through the action of a complex composed of protein and roX RNA. This complex binds in the body of genes and increases expression through chromatin modification. The X‐linked roX genes produce RNAs that are essential but redundant for recognition and modification of the male X chromosome. We report that some molecularly severe roX1 mutations with no detectable transcript accumulation contribute dramatically to male rescue by autosomal roX1 transgenes. We propose that this represents genetic complementation between a source of roX RNA (the autosomal transgene) and the severely mutated X‐linked allele. genesis 47:49–54, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The moderation of pessimistic judgments associated with high and low dietary Restraint
Authors: Bentz Bret G. , Sharp Kacey , Teer Jolyn , DeOrnellas Kathy , Barfield Stephanie G. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis study investigated the moderation of pessimistic judgments associated with high and low levels of dietary restraint using the Consider‐An‐Alternative debiasing procedure. Caucasian female participants were randomly assigned to either a control or debiasing group in a mixed factorial repeated measure designed experiment. The participants read and made probability ratings as to the likelihood of future negative eating‐related events. The results showed that the debiasing procedure was effective in the reduction of pessimistic judgmental predictions for low restraint participants only. The results were discussed in terms of the debiasing technique and how it may serve to reduce pessimistic judgments. Finally, a potential for application in psychotherapy and cognitive models of psychopathology was emphasized. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Equivalence of two healthcare costing methods: bottom‐up and top‐down
Authors: Chapko Michael K. , Liu Chuan‐Fen , Perkins Mark , Li Yu‐Fang , Fortney John C. , Maciejewski Matthew L. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis paper compares two quite different approaches to estimating costs: a ‘bottom‐up’ approach, represented by the US Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Decision Support System that uses local costs of specific inputs; and a ‘top‐down’ approach, represented by the costing system created by the VA Health Economics Resource Center, which assigns the VA national healthcare budget to specific products using various weighting systems. Total annual costs per patient plus the cost for specific services (e.g. clinic visit, radiograph, laboratory, inpatient admission) were compared using scatterplots, correlations, mean difference, and standard deviation of individual differences. Analysis are based upon 2001 costs for 14 915 patients at 72 facilities. Correlations ranged from 0.24 for the cost of outpatient encounters to 0.77 for the cost of inpatient admissions, and 0.85 for total annual cost. The mean difference between costing methods was $707 ($4168 versus $3461) for total annual cost. The standard deviation of the individual differences was $5934. Overall, the agreement between the two costing systems varied by the specific cost being measured and increased with aggregation. Administrators and researchers conducting cost analyses need to carefully consider the purpose, methods, characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses when selecting a method for assessing cost. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adjusting life for quality or disability: stylistic difference or substantial dispute?
Authors: Airoldi Mara , Morton Alec 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis paper focuses on the contrast between describing the benefit of a healthcare intervention as gain in health (QALY‐type ideas) or a disability reduction (DALY‐type ideas). The background is an apparent convergence in practice of the work conducted under both traditions. In the light of these methodological developments, we contrast a health planner who wants to maximise health and one who wants to minimise disability. To isolate the effect of framing the problem from a health or a disability perspective, we do not use age‐weighting in calculating DALY and employ a common discounting methodology and the same set of quality of life weights. We find that interventions will be ranked in a systematically different way. The difference, however, is not determined by the use of a health or a disability perspective but by the use of life expectancy tables to determine the years of life lost. We show that this feature of the DALY method is problematic and we suggest its dismissal in favour of a fixed reference age rendering the use of a health or a disability perspective merely stylistic. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.