bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging of old myocardial infarction in young patients with a history of Kawasaki disease
Authors: Fujiwara Motoki , Yamada Naoaki , Ono Yasuo , Yoshibayashi Muneo , Kamiya Tetsuro , Furukawa Susumu 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground: On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐DTPA) as contrast medium, images of infarct regions are enhanced in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In old myocardial infarction (OMI), thinning of the myocardial walls is present, but images are no longer enhanced by Gd‐DTPA. On the other hand, MI in children with a history of Kawasaki disease (KD), several differences from adult MI are observed.Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to evaluate the lesions that result from OMI in children with a history of KD using MRI with Gd‐DTPA as a contrast medium.Methods: The subjects were 16 young patients with a history of KD who were diagnosed as having OMI. Of these, both thinning of the myocardial wall and MRI enhancement by Gd‐DTPA were observed in 4 cases, thinning alone was observed in 6 cases, Gd‐DTPA image enhancement alone was observed in 3 cases, and neither thinning nor Gd‐DTPA image enhancement was observed in 3 cases.Results: The Gd‐DTPA‐image‐enhanced, OMI‐induced lesions observed in patients with KD were different from those observed in adults; this might be attributable to histologic differences.Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging using Gd‐DTPA can evaluate myocardial thinning and presence of circulation noninvasively at the same time and is considered to be useful for long‐term follow up of the patients with KD and OMI.
Assessment of coronary morphology and flow in a patient with guillain‐barré syndrome and st‐segment elevation
Authors: Dagres Nikolaos , Haude Michael , Baumgart Dietrich , Sack Stefan , Erbel Raimund 
Published: February 2009

AbstractPatients with Guillain‐Barré syndrome often have cardiac disturbances as a manifestation of autonomic dysfunction. Such abnormalities consist of arrhythmias and disturbances of heart rate and blood pressure. We report a case of a patient with Guillain‐Barré syndrome who developed ST‐segment elevation in the inferolateral leads, suggestive of an acute coronary syndrome. Cardiac catheterization revealed angiographically normal coronary arteries. Intracoronary ultrasound was also normal. Intracoronary Doppler flow measurements revealed an elevated baseline coronary flow velocity of up to 41 cm/s and decreased coronary flow reserve, particularly in the left circumflex artery. Myopericarditis as cause of the electrocardiographic changes could be ruled out by echocardiography and endomyocardial biopsy. We postulate that the intracoronary Doppler findings are caused by autonomic dysfunction with decrease of coronary resistance and redistribution of the transmural myocardial blood flow.
Diagnostic superiority of continuous‐loop electrocardiographic recording over other testing in a patient with recurrent syncope and underlying coronary artery disease with severe left ventricular dysfunction
Authors: Chiladakis John A. , Davlouros Periklis , Simeonidou Eftihia , Manolis Antonis S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractDysrhythmic causes of syncope may elude diagnosis in postinfarction patients despite elaborate testing, including electrophysiologic study. For a correct diagnosis, capture of cardiac rhythm during patient's typical symptoms is crucial. This report describes a patient with coronary artery disease and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction who experienced recurrent syncopal episodes without obvious precipitating factors. The 12‐lead electrocardiogram showed left bundle‐branch block indicating a possible conduction abnormality as the underlying cause of syncope. Twenty‐four‐h Holter monitoring exhibited no sinus rhythm or conduction disturbances but revealed a nonsustained run of ventricular tachycardia. Findings at electrophysiologic testing led to a presumptive diagnosis of tachyarrhythmic cause of syncope; however, the correct diagnosis was only made with use of a loop monitor which documented a 15‐s sinus pause during a syncopal episode.
Women with high exercise tolerance and the role of myocardial perfusion imaging
Authors: Chatziioannou Sofia N. , Moore Warren H. , Dhekne Ramesh D. , Ford Patrick V. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground: Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) provides incremental diagnostic and prognostic information, even in patients with high exercise tolerance.Hypothesis: Myocardial perfusion imaging provides significant diagnostic value, specifically in women with high exercise tolerance.Methods: Our study population consisted of all women who underwent exercise MPI in our Department from January 1992 to June 1996 and reached at least Stage IV in the Bruce protocol. Patients were divided into those with known and those with possible coronary artery disease (CAD). All patients were followed for 3 years from the performance of MPI.Results: Of 4,803 women who underwent myocardial perfusion imaging, 3,183 had exercise stressing, and of those, 311 reached at least Stage IV in the Bruce protocol. Of these 311 MPI scans, only 23 (7.4%) were abnormal (reversible, fixed, or mixed) and the remaining 288 (92.6%) were normal. Of the 82 patients with known CAD, 13 (15.8%) had an abnormal MPI, while only 10 (4.4%) of the 229 patients with possible CAD. No myocardial infarction or cardiac death occurred within 3 years; one patient with normal MPI needed revascularization.Conclusion: in women with high exercise tolerance, especially in those without already known CAD, the yield of MPI is very low. Women with high exercise tolerance have an excellent prognosis.
A critical review of clinical trials for low‐molecular‐weight heparin therapy in unstable coronary artery disease
Authors: Husted Steen , Becker Richard , Kher Andre 
Published: February 2009

AbstractUnstable angina and non‐ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI) are collectively referred to as unstable coronary artery disease (UCAD). They are conditions that share a common pathophysiology and represent frequently encountered, potentially life‐threatening clinical manifestations of advanced atherosclerosis. Therefore, treatment of UCAD is a major focus for practicing clinicians, and although pharmacologic agents have been developed that impact on patient outcome, recent data suggest that a further reduction in ischemic complications is possible. Acute‐phase treatment with aspirin is associated with a significant reduction in death and nonfatal MI in patients with UCAD. This benefit is enhanced by the addition of unfractionated heparin (UFH) to the treatment strategy; however, UFH requires careful monitoring and titration. in contrast, low‐molecular‐weight heparins (LMWHs), produced by chemical or enzymatic depolymerization of UFH, yield a predictable and consistent pharmacokinetic profile and anticoagulant response, making them an attractive treatment alternative to UFH in patients with UCAD. The optimal duration of treatment with LMWH is an important question influenced by the observation that reactivation of coagulation occurs following the early and abrupt discontinuation of heparin treatment. Early trials, such as FRISC and FRIC, demonstrated the benefit of acute therapy with dalteparin sodium; however, the results of extended treatment with dalteparin were inconclusive. The extended phase of these studies included relatively low‐risk patients, and a once‐daily, relatively low‐dose strategy was employed. The findings derived from the FRISC II trial, which used a twice‐daily dose of dalteparin, suggest a benefit for at least 60 days with extended treatment in high‐risk patients with UCAD. Although an early‐invasive treatment strategy is particularly beneficial, patients in whom early revascularization is not possible should be considered for extended treatment with dalteparin for up to 45 days, especially those awaiting percutaneous coronary intervention. Extended treatment with dalteparin therefore provides a protective “bridge” to enhance the outcome of patients with UCAD awaiting revascularization.
N‐Acetylcysteine improves microcirculatory flow during smoking: New effects of an old drug with possible benefits for smokers
Authors: Lu Qing , Björkhem Ingemar , Xiu R.‐J. , Henrksson Peter , Freyschuss Anna 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground: Cigarette smoking provokes marked acute changes in the microcirculatory vasculature, including a reduced blood flow velocity. in accordance with the hypothesis that the reduced blood flow is due to an imbalance between pro‐oxidants and oxidants, we recently showed that most of the reduction could be reversed by a high dose of vitamin C.Hypothesis: in the present work we tested the hypothesis that N‐acetylcysteine, a mucolyticum and an antioxidant, may have an effect on the smoking‐induced changes observed by vital capillary microscopy of the nailfold.Methods: in all, 37 healthy volunteers of both genders and with varied smoking habits were treated with N‐acetylcysteine 200 mg t.i.d. for 2 weeks. in vivo investigation of the microcirculation by capillaroscopy was performed before and after treatment.Results: Treatment with N‐acetylcysteine significantly reduced the smoking‐induced relative decrease in capillary blood flow velocity in a group of volunteers with varied smoking habits (p=0.0016). The preventive effect was clearly significant in smokers (p=0.003).Conclusion: Treatment with N‐acetylcysteine has a positive impact on microcirculatory flow during smoking, particularly in habitual smokers.
Inducible ventricular arrhythmias and patency of infarct‐related artery in survivors of acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Paganelli Franck , Barnay Pierre , Franceschi Frédéric , Yapo Florence , Geélaisse Richard , Lévy Samuel 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground: Patency of infarct‐related artery in patients who suffered an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been shown to be associated with improved survival. Ventricular tachyarrhythmias induced by programmed electrical stimulation may be predictive of arrhythmic events and sudden death.Hypothesis: The study was undertaken to assess the possible effect of a patent infarct‐related coronary artery on induced ventricular tachyarrhythmias during programmed ventricular stimulation in survivors of AMI.Methods: In this prospective study, programmed electrical stimulation was performed before hospital discharge (14 ± 2 days) in 79 patients who survived an AMI. Patients were subdivided into two groups: Group 1 with patent infarct‐related coronary artery (n = 64) and Group 2 with occluded infarct‐related artery (n = 15) at coronary angiography performed at 14 ± 2 days. These two groups were comparable in terms of mean left ventricular ejection fraction, location of infarct‐related artery, number of diseased vessels, peak creatine kinase value, and infarct location.Results: Ventricular arrhythmias were induced in 21 patients (32.6%) of Group 1 and 4 patients (26.6%) of Group 2. This difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion: This study suggests that ventricular arrhythmias induced by programmed ventricular stimulation in survivors of AMI did not differ whether the infarct‐related artery was patent or occluded. Other factors may play a role in electrical instability as assessed by programmed ventricular stimulation.
Usefulness of lavage cytology during endoscopic transpapillary catheterization into the gallbladder in the cytological diagnosis of gallbladder disease
Authors: Naito Yoshiki , Okabe Yoshinobu , Kawahara Akihiko , Taira Tomoki , Isida Yusuke , Kaji Ryouhei , Sata Michio , Ureshino Hiroki , Mikagi Kazuhiro , Kinoshita Hisafumi , Yasumoto Makiko , Kusano Hironori , Kage Masayoshi , Yano Hirohisa 
Published: February 2009

AbstractMany studies have reported methods of cell collection involving percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD) and fine‐needle aspiration cytology for the diagnosis of gallbladder disease. However, few studies have described the use of a transpapillary approach, i.e., endoscopic transpapillary catheterization into the gallbladder (ETCG). In this study, we analyzed cells collected by ETCG to evaluate its usefulness in the cytological diagnosis of gallbladder disease.The subjects were 19 patients who had undergone ETCG for the diagnosis of gallbladder disease. Of these patients, 11 and 8 had gallbladder cancer and benign gallbladder disease, respectively. We also evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of PTCD cytology performed in 15 patients with gallbladder cancer.Specimens were cytologically diagnosed as normal or benign, indeterminate, suspected malignancy, malignant, and inadequate in 47% (9/19), 11% (2/19), 0% (0/19), 37% (7/19), and 5% (1/19) of patients, respectively. Specimens were diagnosed as malignant, indeterminate, normal or benign, and inadequate in 7, 2, 1, and 1, respectively, of the 11 patients diagnosed with gallbladder cancer. The sensitivity and specificity of ETCG cytology were 78 and 100%, respectively, whereas the diagnostic accuracy of PTCD cytology was 20% (3/15). None of the patients developed complications of ETCG.Despite its technical difficulty, ETCG for bile cytology allows the collection of adequate cell numbers from patients with benign disease or gallbladder cancer and facilitates a cytological diagnosis, making it a useful method for collecting cells. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acheate‐scute like 1 (Ascl1) is required for normal delta‐like (Dll) gene expression and notch signaling during retinal development
Authors: Nelson Branden R. , Hartman Byron H. , Ray Catherine A. , Hayashi Toshinori , Bermingham‐McDonogh Olivia , Reh Thomas A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractDelta gene expression in Drosophila is regulated by proneural basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors, such as acheate‐scute. In vertebrates, multiple Delta‐like and proneural bHLH genes are expressed during neurogenesis, especially in the retina. We recently uncovered a relationship between Acheate‐scute like 1 (Ascl1), Delta‐like genes, and Notch in chick retinal progenitors. Here, we report that mammalian retinal progenitors are also the primary source of Delta‐like genes, likely signaling through Notch among themselves, while differentiating neurons expressed Jagged2. Ascl1 is coexpressed in Delta‐like and Notch active progenitors, and required for normal Delta‐like gene expression and Notch signaling. We also reveal a role for Ascl1 in the regulation of Hes6, a proneurogenic factor that inhibits Notch signaling to promote neural rather than glial differentiation. Thus, these results suggest a molecular mechanism whereby attenuated Notch levels coupled with reduced proneurogenic activity in progenitors leads to increased gliogenesis and decreased neurogenesis in the Ascl1‐deficient retina. Developmental Dynamics 238:2163–2178, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
c‐fos elimination compensates for disabled‐2 requirement in mouse extraembryonic endoderm development
Authors: Yang Dong‐Hua , Smith Elizabeth R. , Cai Kathy Qi , Xu Xiang‐Xi 
Published: February 2009

AbstractDisabled‐2 (Dab2) is expressed in primitive endoderm cells as they are differentiating from the inner cell mass and dab2 deficiency in mice results in lethality at E5.5–E6.5 due to the disorganization of the endoderm layers. Here we show that Dab2 suppresses c‐Fos expression in endoderm cells. A morphological normal primitive endoderm layer was observed in putative E5.5 dab2 (−/−):c‐fos (−/−) embryos, indicating that the primitive endoderm defect due to the loss of Dab2 is rescued by deletion of the c‐fos gene. The lethality of the double knockout embryos was delayed until E9.5–E10.5 and the defective embryos failed to undergo organogenesis. We conclude that Dab2 plays a role in epithelial organization by suppression of c‐Fos expression and suggest that unsuppressed c‐Fos can lead to disruption of primitive endoderm epithelial organization, yet an additional dab2 function is required for later organogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 238:514–523, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of embryonic pancreatic genes using Xenopus DNA microarrays
Authors: Hayata Tadayoshi , Blitz Ira L. , Iwata Nahoko , Cho Ken W.Y. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe pancreas is both an exocrine and endocrine endodermal organ involved in digestion and glucose homeostasis. During embryogenesis, the anlagen of the pancreas arise from dorsal and ventral evaginations of the foregut that later fuse to form a single organ. To better understand the molecular genetics of early pancreas development, we sought to isolate markers that are uniquely expressed in this tissue. Microarray analysis was performed comparing dissected pancreatic buds, liver buds, and the stomach region of tadpole stage Xenopus embryos. A total of 912 genes were found to be differentially expressed between these organs during early stages of organogenesis. K‐means clustering analysis predicted 120 of these genes to be specifically enriched in the pancreas. Of these, we report on the novel expression patterns of 24 genes. Our analyses implicate the involvement of previously unsuspected signaling pathways during early pancreas development. Developmental Dynamics 238:1455–1466, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A study of uniform approximation of equivalent permittivity for index‐modulated gratings
Authors: Sugano Shota , Wakabayashi Hideaki , Inai Hiroshi 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIt is well known that surface‐relief dielectric gratings with rectangular profile can be treated by uniform approximation of the equivalent permittivity when the periodicity is very small compared with the wavelength. In optics, this phenomenon is the equivalent anisotropic effects or the form birefringence. When the periodicity is very small, the equivalent anisotropic effects will be shown in index‐modulated gratings. In this paper, the uniform approximation is described for the electromagnetic scattering problem of index‐modulated gratings. The scattering properties of dielectric slabs are calculated by transmission‐line theory and the equivalent permittivity obtained from our proposed formulation of the uniform approximation. Scattering by index‐modulated gratings is analyzed rigorously by matrix eigenvalue calculations using the Fourier expansion method and spatial harmonics expansions. When the periodicity is very small, the results are in good agreement. By investigating the difference between the equivalent permittivity and the numerical values corresponding to the permittivity of the index‐modulated gratings, the conditions of applicability of the uniform approximation are shown. The equivalent anisotropic effects of various profiles are compared. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 91(11): 28–36, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10181
Active coordinated operation of a distribution network system for many connections of distributed generators
Authors: Hayashi Yasuhiro , Kawasaki Shoji , Matsuki Junya , Wakao Shinji , Baba Junpei , Hojo Masahide , Yokoyama Akihiko , Kobayashi Naoki , Hirai Takao , Oishi Kohei 
Published: February 2009

AbstractRecently, the total number of distributed generators (DGs) such as photovoltaic generation system and wind turbine generation system connected to an actual distribution network has increased drastically. The distribution network connected to many distributed generators must be operated keeping reliability of power supply, power quality, and loss minimization. In order to accomplish active distribution network operation to take advantage of many connections of DGs, a new coordinated operation of distribution system with many connections of DGs is necessary. In this paper, the authors propose a coordinated operation of distribution network system connected to many DGs by using newly proposed sectionalizing switch control, sending voltage control, and computation of available DG connection capability. In order to check the validity of the proposed coordinated operation of distribution system, numerical simulations using the proposed coordinated distribution system operation are carried out in a practical distribution network model. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 167(3): 46–57, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20655
A fault location method using air‐gap fluxes of synchronous generator
Authors: Matsuki Junya , Hayashi Yasuhiro , Nakano Toshikazu , Funasaki Yoichi 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis paper deals with an experimental investigation of a novel fault location method using air‐gap flux distributions of a synchronous generator connected to a power system. Air‐gap fluxes are the sum of field fluxes and armature reaction fluxes. Changes in armature current and field current at a fault contribute directly to the armature reaction fluxes and field fluxes, then resultant air‐gap fluxes. Therefore, air‐gap fluxes can be utilized to locate a fault. Wavelet analysis is applied to the induced voltages of search coils, which are wound around a stator tooth top for measurement of the air‐gap flux. It is shown that the fault type and location can be estimated based on the change in the search coil voltages measured during the fault. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 167(3): 20–27, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20707
Surge characteristics of a twisted pair
Authors: Kato Shohei , Solaiman Md. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWe used the method of moments (MoM), which is a numerical electromagnetic field computation method, to study the surge characteristics of twisted pair single‐phase electric power lines. The results show that wires stranded with less than several turns per meter have almost the same surge characteristics as parallel lines, but the surge impedance decreases in tens of % when the number of strands increases. To verify the simulation results, we measured the surge characteristics of a model line of twisted pair experimentally, and there is good accordance between them. It is possible to simulate the surge in twisted pair covered with polymer dielectric insulators by MoM.Moreover, we studied the surge characteristics of twisted pair which is inserted into a metal tube. According to the results, the effect of the strand is smaller than that in free space without the metal pipe. There are two propagation modes in common mode: fast surge and slow surge. Few influences of the number of strands on the surge velocity occur in the fast propagation surge, but the increase of the surge impedance and the slowdown of the propagation speed are caused by twining in the slow propagation mode. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 167(3): 1–9, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20737