bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Establishment of cell lines stably expressing HNA‐1a, ‐1b, and ‐2a antigen with low background reactivity in flow cytometric analysis
Authors: Yasui Kazuta , Miyazaki Toru , Matsuyama Nobuki , Kojima Yoshitaka , Furuta Rika A. , Fujisawa Jun‐ichi , Tani Yoshihiko , Shibata Hirotoshi , Sato Shin‐ichirou , Kato Toshiaki , Ikeda Hisami , Hirayama Fumiya 
Published: February 2007

BACKGROUND:Antibodies to neutrophil antigens have been implicated in neonatal alloimmune neutropenia, autoimmune neutropenia, and transfusion‐related acute lung injury. Most often, neutrophil‐specific antibodies are directed toward human neutrophil antigen (HNA)‐1 (Fcγ receptor 3b) and HNA‐2a (CD177) in these disorders.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:To detect the alloantibodies in the serum samples, a panel of cell lines was established in which the HNA‐1a, HNA‐1b (polymorphisms of HNA‐1), or HNA‐2a gene was transduced with a retrovirus vector to confer stable transgene expression in K562 cells that exhibited low background reactivity to human serum samples obtained from healthy donors in flow cytometric analysis.RESULTS:It was shown that several well‐characterized human serum samples containing antibodies against HNA‐1a, ‐1b, and ‐2a were unambiguously identified by the established panel cell lines and observed a lower background reactivity and longer shelf life of the K562 panel cell lines compared with isolated neutrophils, which have been used for the cell panel to identify antibodies against HNA in human serum samples.CONCLUSION:These results indicate that the K562 panel cell lines provide a good panel for detecting HNA‐reactive neutrophil antibodies in human serum samples.
Different inactivating mutations in theLUgenes of three individuals with the Lutheran‐null phenotype
Authors: Karamatic Crew Vanja , Mallinson Gary , Green Carole , Poole Joyce , Uchikawa Makoto , Tani Yoshihiko , Geisen Christof , Oldenburg Johannes , Daniels Geoff 
Published: February 2007

BACKGROUND:The null phenotype of the Lutheran blood group system, Lunullor Lu(a–b–), is characterized by the lack of all Lutheran system antigens. It can arise from three genetic backgrounds: recessive, dominant, or X‐linked. Lunullof the recessive type appears to result from homozygosity for an inactiveLUgene.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:Three unrelated recessive Lunullindividuals were assessed by standard serologic tests. All exons of theLUgene were directly sequenced from amplified genomic DNA. The validity of the observed mutations within theLUgene was confirmed by the use of either restriction enzymes or allele‐specific primers.RESULTS:All three individuals had the serologic characteristics of recessive Lunull. One individual was doubly heterozygous for a nonsense mutation 691C>T in exon 6 (Arg231STOP) and a deletion ofLUexons 3 and 4. The other two samples showed homozygous nonsense mutations: one had 711C>A in exon 6 (Cys237STOP) and the other 361C>T in exon 3 (Arg121STOP).CONCLUSIONS:The results revealed four unique genetic backgrounds from three examples of the rare recessive Lunullphenotype, each encoding Lutheran glycoproteins with a disrupted structure.
Sustained Benefit of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: DELNOY PETER PAUL H.M. , OTTERVANGER JAN PAUL , LUTTIKHUIS HENK OUDE , NICASTIA DEBBIE M. , ELVAN ARIF , MISIER ANAND R. RAMDAT , BEUKEMA WILLEM 
Published: February 2007

Introduction: Most data on cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are from trials with highly selected patients, with limited long‐term echocardiographic data. This study was performed to evaluate long‐term echocardiographic remodeling after CRT in daily practice. Methods and Results: A biventricular pacemaker was implanted in 130 patients with advanced heart failure who met the general accepted criteria for CRT or in heart failure patients with a conventional pacemaker indication. Two years echocardiographic follow‐up was available. Mean age (73 years) was higher than in the randomized trials. Forty‐one patients (32%) died during the 2 year follow‐up period. Mortality was higher in males, in patients with increased NT‐proBNP, renal dysfunction, or left atrial dilatation before implantation. Echocardiographic response (LVEF improvement of 5% or more) was documented in 69, 88, and 91% of the survivors, after 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively. Echocardiographic response after 3 months was associated with a significantly higher long‐term survival (P = 0.04). Mean LVEF was 22% at baseline compared to 31.8, 38.3, and 39.7% after 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively (P < 0.01). Reverse remodeling (a reduction of LV end systolic volume of more than 10%) was observed in 70.7, 81.0, and 91.7% of the survivors after 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively. Long‐term LV improvement was more pronounced in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Conclusion: LV reverse remodeling and beneficial echocardiographic changes were sustained during 2 years follow‐up. A 5% or more increase in LVEF after 3 months was associated with a better long‐term survival.
Computed Tomography‐Fluoroscopy Image Integration‐Guided Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: SRA JASBIR , NARAYAN GIRISH , KRUM DAVID , MALLOY ANGELA , COOLEY RYAN , BHATIA ATUL , DHALA ANWER , BLANCK ZALMEN , NANGIA VIKRAM , AKHTAR MASOOD 
Published: February 2007

Introduction: This study examines the feasibility of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation using registered three‐dimensional computed tomography (CT) images of the left atrium with fluoroscopy. Methods and Results: A total of 50 consecutive patients with symptomatic AF refractory to medical therapy (32 paroxysmal, 18 persistent, age 55 ± 10 years) were randomized to undergo a catheter‐based AF ablation procedure with or without the CT‐fluoroscopy guidance system. All patients underwent preprocedural contrast‐enhanced CT imaging and segmentation of the left atrium. For the CT‐fluoroscopy group, circumferential lesions encompassing the pulmonary vein (PV) antrum and linear lesions along the roof of the left atrium between the superior PVs and the mitral isthmus were created on the CT image, which was registered with real‐time fluoroscopy. The registered images were then used to navigate the ablation catheters to the sites of planned ablation. After the ablation sites were completed, any remaining PV potentials were isolated with electrophysiological guidance. In the control patients, the same technique was performed without using the CT‐fluoro guidance system. CT scans were accurately registered to fluoroscopic images with minimal manual correction. Operators could navigate catheters on the registered images to preplanned, extraostial sites for ablation. CT‐fluoroscopy guidance decreased procedure duration and fluoro times (P < 0.05). At a mean follow‐up of 9 ± 2 months, 21 patients (84%) in the CT‐fluoro guidance group and 16 patients (64%) in the control group have had no recurrence of AF. Conclusion: CT‐fluoroscopic‐guided left atrial ablation is feasible and allows appropriate catheter manipulation in the left atrium.
Nonlinear Indices of Heart Rate Variability in Chronic Heart Failure Patients: Redundancy and Comparative Clinical Value
Authors: MAESTRI ROBERTO , PINNA GIAN DOMENICO , ACCARDO AGOSTINO , ALLEGRINI PAOLO , BALOCCHI RITA , D'ADDIO GIANNI , FERRARIO MANUELA , MENICUCCI DANILO , PORTA ALBERTO , SASSI ROBERTO , SIGNORINI MARIA GABRIELLA , LA ROVERE MARIA TERESA , CERUTTI SERGIO 
Published: February 2007

Aims:We aimed to assess the mutual interrelationships and to compare the prognostic value of a comprehensive set of nonlinear indices of heart rate variability (HRV) in a population of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients.Methods and Results:Twenty nonlinear HRV indices, representative of symbolic dynamics, entropy, fractality‐multifractality, predictability, empirical mode decomposition, and Poincaré plot families, were computed from 24‐hour Holter recordings in 200 stable CHF patients in sinus rhythm (median age [interquartile range]: 54 [47–58] years, LVEF: 23 [19–28]%, NYHA class II–III: 88%). End point for survival analysis (Cox model) was cardiac death or urgent transplantation. Homogeneous variables were grouped by cluster analysis, and in each cluster redundant variables were discarded. A prognostic model including only known clinical and functional risk factors was built and the ability of each selected HRV variable to add prognostic information to this model assessed. Bootstrap resampling was used to test the models stability. Four nonlinear variables showed a correlation >0.90 with classical linear ones and were discarded. Correlations >0.80 were found between several nonlinear variables. Twelve clusters were obtained and from each cluster a candidate predictor was selected. Only two variables (from empirical mode decomposition and symbolic dynamics families) added prognostic information to the clinical model.Conclusion:This exploratory study provides evidence that, despite some redundancies in the informative content of nonlinear indices and strong differences in their prognostic power, quantification of nonlinear properties of HRV provides independent information in risk stratification of CHF patients.
Physiologic Evaluation of Translesion Pressure Gradients in Peripheral Arteries: Comparison of Pressure Wire and Catheter‐Derived Measurements
Authors: GARCIA LAWRENCE A. , CARROZZA JOSEPH P. 
Published: February 2007

Background: Catheter‐derived pressure gradient (CPG) measurements across vascular lesions are used to determine the hemodynamic significance of a stenosis prior to peripheral vascular intervention. We tested the hypothesis that CPGs overestimate the true translesion gradient during hemodynamic interrogation.
Methods: We evaluated 20 lesions (iliac, subclavian, or renal) in 16 patients undergoing angiography for peripheral vascular disease. Mean arterial pressure gradients were measured across each lesion using a 4‐ or 5‐Fr fluid‐filled catheter and compared to gradients measured with a 0.014″ pressure wire (PWG).
Results: In all lesions, the CPG was higher than the PWG (28.3 ± 4.5 mmHg vs 11.6 ± 1.8 mmHg; P < 0.05). Both CPG and PWG correlated with diameter stenosis (CPG = 0.78 [DS]− 29; r2= 0.44; P < 0.05 and PWG = 0.30 [DS]− 10.5; r2= 0.43; P < 0.05), but the CPG overestimated the pressure gradient compared with the PWG.
Conclusion: Peripheral arterial vascular lesion pressure gradients assessed with large diameter catheters consistently overestimate the actual PG. Although both CPG and PWG correlated with anatomic stenosis, the overestimation of the physiologic significance of these lesions may lead to inappropriate intervention. Use of a pressure wire for hemodynamic interrogation may be a better tool for assessment of the hemodynamic significance of a peripheral vascular lesion.
Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defects in Adults ≥40 Years of Age: Immediate and Follow‐Up Results
Authors: PATEL ANGIRA , LOPEZ KEILA , BANERJEE ANIRBAN , JOSEPH ANNETTE , CAO QI‐LING , HIJAZI ZIYAD M. 
Published: February 2007

Background: Controversy still exists regarding closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) in patients >40 years of age who are largely asymptomatic or do not have large shunts (LS). If left unrepaired, the majority of patients will experience symptoms and will have a shorter life span compared to patients who undergo repair. This study presents the outcomes of closure of ASDs in adults >40 years using the Amplatzer septal occluder.
Methods: A total of 113 patients (79F/34M) with a mean age of 57.9 years (SD 11.9) who had indications for closure (right ventricular [RV] enlargement by echocardiograpy, clinically symptomatic) underwent an attempt of transcatheter closure. The mean size of ASD as measured by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) (30 patients) or intracardiac echocardiography (83 patients) was 17.2 mm (SD 7.3) with mean Qp:Qs of 2.2:1 (SD 1.1). Follow‐up at 24 hours, 6 month, and yearly thereafter included physical examination, TEE, and/or transthoracic echocardiography; furthermore, chart review (n = 112) as well as telephone interviews (n = 56) were conducted to determine clinical symptomatic status.
Results: The procedure was successful in 112 patients and 1 patient failed due to the presence of a large defect (44 mm). One hundred four patients had a single device implanted, 7 had two, and 1 had three. Following the procedure, 96 patients had immediate complete closure (CC), 3 had trivial shunt (TS), 11 had small shunt (SS), and 2 had moderate shunt (MS). At 24 hours postprocedure, 100 patients had CC, 7 had TS, 3 had SS, 1 had MS, and 1 had LS. Four patients had complications: one had device migration within 24 hours, two had atrial arrhythmias (supraventricular tachycardia, atrial tachycardia), and one had large hematoma. At 6 months postprocedure, 100 patients had CC, 6 had TS, 5 had SS, and 1 had MS. At 6‐month follow‐up, the right ventricle end‐diastolic dimension decreased from 35.3 mm (SD 7.6) preprocedure to 23.8 mm (SD 6.6) (P < 0.001) and the majority of patients reported improvement in their symptoms.
Conclusions: ASD closure is safe and effective in patients over 40 years of age with minimal complications. The procedure resulted in a decrease in the RV size that was accompanied by improvement in clinical symptoms. Our findings suggest that device closure of ASDs in adult patients >40 years of age should be the first option of management.
Political Science and Prediction: What's Next for U.S. Climate Change Policy?
Authors: Selin Henrik , VanDeveer Stacy D. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis article analyzes how U.S. climate change politics and policy making are changing in the public, private and civil society sectors, and how such changes are likely to influence U.S. federal policies. It outlines the current status of U.S. climate change action and explores four overlapping pathways of policy change: (1) the strategic demonstration of the feasibility of climate change action; (2) the creation and expansion of markets; (3) policy diffusion and learning; and (4) the creation and promulgation of norms about the need for more aggressive climate change action. These four pathways seek to fruitfully draw from rationalist and constructivist approaches to policy analysis, without collapsing or confusing the different logics. Building on this analysis, it predicts that future federal U.S. climate policy will include six major components: (1) A national cap on GHG emissions; (2) A national market based cap‐and‐trade GHG emissions trading scheme; (3) Mandatory renewable energy portfolio standards; (4) Increased national product standards for energy efficiency; (5) Increased vehicle fleet energy efficiency standards; and (6) Increased federal incentives for research and development on energy efficiency issues and renewable energy development. In addition, expanding federal climate policy may bring about significant changes in U.S. foreign policy as U.S. international re‐engagement on climate change is likely to occur only after the development of more significant federal policy.
State Environmental Policies: Analyzing Green Building Mandates
Authors: May Peter J. , Koski Chris 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis research addresses state requirements that public facilities be constructed as “green buildings” that promote environmental friendly, energy efficient, and healthy workplaces. We consider state choices to adopt green building mandates and the form of their policy enactment. In considering the way that low salience issues like green buildings get on state agendas and the circumstances under which governors decide to engage the issue, we extend William Gormley's (1986) depiction of “board room” regulatory politics. State energy agencies provide an attention‐focusing role while governors behave strategically in deciding whether to issue executive orders about green buildings. This research adds to the growing understanding of states as innovators in aspects of environmental policy not normally subject to state regulation.
Mixing God's Work and the Public Business: A Framework for the Analysis of Faith‐Based Service Delivery
Authors: Hula Richard , Jackson‐Elmoore Cynthia , Reese Laura 
Published: February 2007

AbstractOver the past thirty years, there has been a dramatic transformation in the way the American political process operates. There has been a growing public perception that traditional political institutions lack the capacity to meet existing challenges. This has led many observers to call for a rethinking of how government does its work. Numerous alternatives, including the use of faith‐based organizations, have been suggested. The current popular debate on the appropriate role of faith‐based organizations in public service delivery has shed little light on a number of important issues raised by engaging such actors in governance issues. The impact of using faith‐based institutions to design and implement public policy must be considered not only in terms of traditional evaluation standards, but also regarding potential long‐term impacts on the political process itself. This article outlines a theoretical framework for the evaluation of faith‐based organizations as “alternatives” to conventional governance structures. It identifies key practical and theoretical issues raised by such substitution, in both short and long range systemic terms.
Why do transaction costs of agricultural policies vary?
Authors: Rørstad Per Kristian , Vatn Arild , Kvakkestad Valborg 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPolicy related transaction costs (TCs) is an important issue when evaluating different policy options. However, TCs are often not taken into account in policy evaluations, but may be as important for efficiency as the direct production costs. Different policies may result in different TCs, and the main aim of this article is to explore possible reasons for these differences. We compare the level of TCs for 12 different agricultural policy measures in Norway, and we analyze the causes of the differences along three different dimensions: asset specificity, frequency, and point of policy application. At the national level we find that all three dimensions are of importance when explaining the differences, while variation in TCs incurred by farmers are mainly due to differences in point of policy application and asset specificity. Data show that direct price support has the lowest TCs, while more direct payments for environmental amenities has the highest.
How sustainable is participatory watershed development in India?
Authors: Bouma Jetske , Van Soest Daan , Bulte Erwin 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWatershed conservation is widely recognized as a major strategy for rural development throughout the developing world. In India, the apparent success of participatory approaches to watershed development resulted in a decentralization of project planning, implementation, and management to local communities at the village scale. We explore the effectiveness of this so‐called community‐based approach in achieving sustainable soil and water conservation in four semi‐arid regions in India, and analyze what factors explain project success. We confirm the result of earlier studies that participatory approaches are more effective in establishing soil and water conservation in the short run. However, our main result is that investments in community organization fail to ensure household commitment to maintenance in the longer term. Without better returns to investment in soil and water conservation and without local institutions to coordinate investment in the long run, the sustainability of participatory watershed management is seriously threatened.
Visual dysfunctions and ocular disorders in children with developmental delay. I. prevalence, diagnoses and aetiology of visual impairment
Authors: Sandfeld Nielsen Lisbeth , Skov Liselotte , Jensen Hanne 
Published: February 2007

Abstract.Purpose:  To describe the prevalence, diagnoses and aetiologies of visual impairment in children with developmental delay (DD) in a Danish county with a population of 618 000 citizens.Methods:  We carried out a cross‐sectional study in Copenhagen County of children aged 4–15 years with profound to borderline DD (IQ ≤ 80). Children were located through school psychologists or paediatric clinics. The number of children with DD was estimated using the capture‐recapture method.Results:  A total of 1126 children fulfilled the inclusion criteria, corresponding to 97.7% of the estimated number of children with DD in the county. Ophthalmological examinations were performed in 923 children. The prevalence of visual impairment was 10.5% in the study group and 22.4% in those with an IQ ≤ 50. The diagnoses were predominantly cerebral visual impairment, optic atrophy, retinal dystrophies and congenital nystagmus. The aetiology of visual impairment was prenatal in 54 children, perinatal in 29 children and postnatal in seven children.Conclusions:  Visual impairment is highly increased in children with DD and is correlated to low IQ.
Factors associated with parents’ and adolescents’ perceptions of oral health and need for dental treatment
Authors: Weyant Robert J. , Manz Michael , Corby Patricia , Rustveld Luis , Close John 
Published: February 2007

Abstract –  Objective:  The aim of this study was to characterize the association between clinical and psychosocial factors as they related to perceptions by parents and adolescents to the adolescent's oral health status and treatment need. Additionally, the degree to which adolescent's and parent's perceptions of oral health and treatment need were related was examined.Methods:  Data from the Pennsylvania oral health needs assessment for 530 parent–adolescent pairs were used to address the objectives of this study. Comparisons between clinical oral health measures, psychosocial factors, and the parent‐ and adolescent‐reported perceptions of the adolescent's oral health status were made using descriptive and inferential statistics, including exploratory factor analysis and path analysis.Results:  Parents and adolescents exhibited only modest concordance on ratings of the adolescent's oral health status and need for dental treatment. Furthermore, parents tended to rate their adolescent's oral health status as better than did the adolescent. The results of the path analysis showed that adolescents based their ratings of oral health status more on oral symptoms, while parents rated their adolescent's oral health more on esthetic or psychosocial factors.Conclusions:  Adolescents and parents based their perceptions of oral health status and treatment need on different underlying factors. Additionally, adolescents’ perceptions of their oral health status and treatment needs did not appear to be communicated to their parents.