bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Problem of Species Comparison of Developmental Toxicity: Can We Extrapolate Human Developmental Toxicity Induced by Environmental Chemicals from the Data of Rodents?
Authors: Nakanishi Tsuyoshi 
Published: June 2007

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Electronic and Vibrational Spectroscopies Applied to Organic/Inorganic Interfaces
Authors: Zahn Dietrich R. T. , Gavrila Gianina N. , Salvan Georgeta 
Published: June 2007

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Preintervention arterial remodeling as a predictor of intimal hyperplasia after intracoronary stenting: A serial intravascular ultrasound study
Authors: Hong Myeong‐Ki , Park Seong‐Wook , Lee Cheol Whan , Kim Jae‐Joong , Park Seung‐Jung 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground: The impact of vascular remodeling pattern on intimal hyperplasia (IH) after coronary stenting is unknown.Hypothesis: The preintervention remodeling pattern of the lesion might be associated with IH after the coronary stenting procedure.Methods: Serial (pre‐, post‐stent implantation, and follow‐up) intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images were obtained in 58 patients with single‐stent implantation (GFX stents in 41 and NIR in 17). The matching IVUS image slices at the preintervention lesion site were selected for serial comparisons. The remodeling index (RI) was defined as lesion/ proximal reference external elastic membrane cross‐sectional area (CSA) at preintervention lesion site. Adequate remodeling was defined as a RI > 0.95 and inadequate remodeling as a RI ≤0.95. Vessel stretching, percent vessel stretching, and percent IH CSA, as well as pre‐ and postintervention IVUS variables were evaluated according to the remodeling pattern.Results: The percent IH CSA was 31% in adequate remodeling (n = 29, mean RI = 1.05) and 41% in inadequate remodeling (n = 29, mean RI = 0.88) (p = 0.049). Percent vessel stretching was 15% in adequate remodeling and 22% in inadequate remodeling (p = 0.007). The RI inversely correlated with percent vessel stretching (r = −0.435, p = 0.001).Conclusions: Compared with preintervention adequate remodeling, inadequate remodeling was associated with increased percent IH CSA, which might be related with more vessel stretching.
Significance of anterior Q waves in left anterior fascicular block—A clinical and noninvasive assessment
Authors: Shettigar Udipi R. , Pannuri Anu , Barbier George H. , Appunn Doreen O. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground: Electrocardiographic (ECG) Q waves in V leads (V2 or V3) pose a diagnostic challenge in the presence of left anterior fascicular block (LAFB). Benign Q waves in the absence of coronary artery disease (CAD) primarily due to LAFB have been described. This study evaluates Q waves in the presence of LAFB.Hypothesis: Anterior Q waves in the presence of LAFB may not be indicative of myocardial infarction (MI).Methods: From 1990 to 1997, ECGs of 236 male patients with LAFB were analyzes for presence of Q waves in the V leads. Records were reviewed for evidence of CAD. Of 236 patients with LAFB, 61 (26%) had Q waves in the V leads. In this group, 31 patients were available for further analysis.Results: Of the 31 patients with Q waves in the V leads who were available for further study, LAFB was present in 22 patients (71%) and LAFB plus right bundle‐branch block (RBBB) were present in 9 (29%). Of 20 patients with Q waves due to MI, 13 (65%) had LAFB and 7 (35%) had LAFB plus RBBB. Of 11 patients with benign Q waves, 9 (82%) and 2 (18%) had LAFB and LAFB plus RBBB, respectively. Benign Q waves were noted in 5.3% (11/206) patients with LAFB. The mean duration of Q waves and Q‐wave location limited to V2 and/or V3 are 0.029 s and 64% versus 0.053 s and 15% in benign versus pathologic Q waves, respectively.Conclusion: Patients with LAFB in the absence of MI may have Q waves in the V leads that are approximately 0.02 s in duration and restricted to one or two leads. This anomaly may represent a variation of conduction in the initial 0.02 s QRS vector due to LAFB.
Acute myocardial infarction is associated with increased susceptibility of serum lipids to copper‐induced peroxidation in vitro
Authors: Fainaru O. , Fainaru M. , Assali A. R. , Pinchuk I. , Lichtenberg D. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground: Low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in the arterial intima plays a pivotal role in atherogenesis. Under physiologic conditions, several mechanisms protect LDL against oxidation, including hydrolysis of oxidation products by high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐associated enzymes. Some of these protective mechanisms are less effective under acute phase conditions.Hypothesis: Conditions of acute phase response, including acute myocardial infarction (MI), may be expected to result in increased susceptibility of serum lipids to oxidation. The present study was undertaken to test this possibility.Methods: Using our previously developed spectroscopic method, we have monitored prospectively the kinetics of copper‐induced oxidation of serum lipids obtained from 15 men during and after acute MI. This was tested within 6 h from the onset of chest pain, on Days 1, 3, and 7 of infarction and 1 year after recovery.Results: The lag phase preceding oxidation of serum lipids was much shorter during the first week after MI when compared with values obtained after recovery (52‐59 vs. 107 min, respectively, p < 0.001). During the first week after MI, we observed no significant correlations between kinetic parameters and serum lipid composition, in contrast both to the correlations previously reported for hyperlipidemic patients and to the similar correlations observed in the present study after recovery.Conclusions: Acute MI is associated with an increased susceptibility of serum lipids to oxidation in vitro. This propensity for oxidation may reflect enhanced in vivo formation of free radicals and/or reduced efficiency of defense mechanisms. Both these possibilities may carry detrimental effects on the course, complications, and prognosis of the patients after acute MI.
Reducing global risk for cardiovascular disease: Using lifestyle changes and pharmacotherapy
Authors: Cheng Alan , Braunstein Joel B. , Dennison Cheryl , Nass Caitlin , Blumenthal Roger S. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability in industrialized societies, due in large part to the lack of a comprehensive approach to control the risk factors for atherosclerosis. One strategy for reducing an individual's global CVD risk relies on a targeted approach that modifies each of the major independent risk factors prevalent in both symptomatic (secondary prevention) and asymptomatic (primary prevention) patients. These interventions include lipid lowering, smoking cessation, blood pressure control, glycemic control, regular exercise, and the use of various medications. This review offers an evidence‐based strategy toward reducing an individual's global risk for CVD by addressing the modifiable, major independent risk factors.
Onset of acute myocardial infarction during sleep
Authors: Peters Robert W. , Zoble Robert G. , Brooks Maria M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground: Analysis of the chronology of acute cardiovascular events may provide important pathophysiologic information. There is a circadian pattern in the onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with a mid‐morning peak, ascribed to the catecholamine surge that accompanies awakening and assuming the upright posture. However, in up to 27% of patients the onset of AMI occurs during sleep (without apparent precipitating factors). The reasons for this finding are unknown.Hypothesis: The aim of the study was to determine why the onset of symptoms of AMI occurs during sleep in some individuals rather than being precipitated by known trigger factors such as physical exertion.Methods: Using the database from a large multicenter clinical trial, patients were grouped according to whether or not they were awakened from sleep by the symptoms of AMI.Results: In all, 870 of 3,309 patients (26%) were awakened by AMI. In general, these patients were older and sicker, with poorer left ventricular function, lower quality of life indices, more frequent heart failure, lower ejection fractions, higher incidence of angina, and a greater frequency of atrial arrhythmias. On multivariate analysis, only low ejection fraction and older age were independently associated with awakening by the symptoms of AMI.Conclusions: Patients who are older and sicker are more likely to be awakened from sleep by the onset of symptoms of AMI. Although the reasons are unknown, we speculate that these individuals are less active and therefore less vulnerable to established trigger factors such as vigorous physical exertion.
Right bundle‐branch block unmasking a myocardial infarction
Authors: Gonzalez Mario D. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractA patient with an acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction and intermittent right bundle‐branch block is presented. Abnormal Q waves in right precordial leads were only observed during right bundle‐branch block. In the absence of right bundle‐branch block, depolarization of the right ventricular free wall concealed the abnormal Q waves typical of an anteroseptal infarct. Right bundle‐branch block, by preventing early activation of the right ventricular free wall, facilitated the correct diagnosis and localization of the infarction.
Prevention of coronary restenosis with radiation therapy: A review
Authors: Hafeez Nabeel 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe problem of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty remains the major limiting factor of the procedure. Over the last 10 years, investigators have been studying the use of radiation therapy for preventing restenosis after angioplasty or stent placement. Since radiotherapy has been proven in other cases to be effective in disrupting the cell cycle regulatory proteins and thereby slowing or stopping growth, it was decided to apply the same principle to neointimal hyperplasia. To review the data that have emerged regarding vascular radiation with an emphasis on irradiated stents, 65 articles were reviewed and both pre‐clinical and clinical experiments were included. Overall, studies with gamma and beta radiation show promising results. Endovascular gamma radiation has been shown effective in randomized trials, even at 3‐year follow‐up. Beta radiation is preferred because of greater safety and localization, and because it has also shown encouraging results in initial clinical trials, as well as in larger randomized studies. Consequently, the Federal Drug Administration has approved the use of both. In both types of endovascular brachytherapy, it seems the greater the dose, the better the initial response. Safety concerns include an increased incidence of late thrombosis and greater restenosis at margins. With irradiated stents, however, the situation is not as clear. At times, animal models have presented confusing results. These have ranged from significant suppression of hyperplasia to outright adverse effects of radiation on the vessel wall. While some clinical trials have been encouraging, others have not. Follow‐up of up to 1 year has been disappointing so far. Many issues, such as the “candy wrapper” effect and rebound hyperplasia, must be dealt with before this becomes a viable form of therapy. It has become clear that radiation therapy in this setting, while having potentially great benefits, can cause deleterious effects as well. However, the mixed bag of positive and negative results seen so far, and the attractiveness of stents or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty being “restenosis‐proofed,” eventually is cause for cautious optimism.
Low‐molecular‐weight heparin for the treatment of patients with mechanical heart valves
Authors: Shapira Yaron , Sagie Alex , Battler Alexander 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground: The interruption of oral anticoagulant (OAC) administration is sometimes indicated in patients with mechanical heart valves, mainly before noncardiac surgery, non‐surgical interventions, and pregnancy. Unfractionated heparin (UH) is currently the substitute for selected patients. Low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH) offers theoretical advantages over UH, but is not currently considered in clinical guidelines as an alternative to UH in patients with prosthetic valves.Hypothesis: The aim of the present study was to review the data accumulated so far on the use of LMWH in this patient population and to discuss its applicability in common practice.Methods: For this paper, the current medical literature on LMWH in patients with mechanical heart valves was extensively reviewed.Results: There were eight series and six case reports. None of the studies was randomized, and only one was prospective. Data to establish the thromboembolic risk were incomplete. After excluding case reports, the following groups were constructed: (a) short‐term administration, after valve insertion (n = 212);(b) short‐term, perioperative (noncardiac)/periprocedural (n = 114);(c) long‐term, due to intolerance to OAC (n = 16);(d) long‐term, in pregnancy (n = 10). The incidence rate of thromboembolism was 0.9% for all the studies and 0.5, 0, 20, and 0% in groups a, b, c, and d, respectively; for hemorrhage, the overall rate was 3.4% (3.8, 2.6, 10, and 0% for the respective groups).Conclusions: In patients with mechanical heart valves, short‐term LMWH therapy compares favorably with UH. Data on mid‐ and long‐term LMWH administration in these patients are sparse. Further randomized studies are needed to confirm the safety and precise indications for the use of LMWH in patients with mechanical heart valves.
Tricyclic antidepressants and the brugada syndrome: An example of brugada waves appearing after the administration of desipramine
Authors: Babliaros Vasilis C , Hurst J. Willis 
Published: June 2007

AbstractSince its initial description in the early 1990s, the Brugada syndrome has become increasingly familiar to active researchers and practicing clinicians. The Brugada wave, a characteristic electrocardiographic abnormality of downsloping ST‐segment elevation in leads V1‐V3 and right bundle‐branch block morphology, has Now been associated with an increased risk of sudden death. Currently, very little is known about the relationship between the Brugada syndrome and tricyclic antidepressants. Accordingly, we report the case of a patient who developed prominent Brugada waves with the administration of increasing doses of desipramine. We believe the mechanism of Brugada wave augmentation or production secondary to tricyclic antidepressants is consistent with the current model of early repolarization. We also speculate that the increased risk of sudden death that may occur with tricyclic antidepressants could be related to the development of the Brugada syndrome. We advocate the judicious use of tricyclic antidepressants in cardiac and elderly patients, with careful monitoring of the electrocardiogram for the development Brugada waves.
Electrocardiogram abnormalities predict angiographic coronary artery disease in women with chest pain: Results from the nhlbi wise study
Authors: Holubkov Richard , Pepine Carl J. , Rickens Cheryl R. , Reichek Nathaniel , Rogers William J. , Sharaf Barry L. , Sopko George , Noel Merz C. Bairey , Kelsey Sheryl F. , Olson Marian , Smith Karen M. , Reis Steven E. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground and hypothesis: Noninvasive risk stratification for coronary artery disease (CAD) is less accurate in women than in men. Based on recent reports that gender‐specific exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters predict CAD, we evaluated the independent predictive value of the resting ECG for angiographic CAD in women with chest pain.Methods: Women (n = 850, mean age 58 years) with chest pain in the NHLBI Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) underwent 12‐lead ECG testing and quantitative coronary angiography.Results: Significant angiographic CAD (≥ 50% stenosis in ≥1 coronary) was present in 39% of women. Q waves in ≥2 contiguous ECG leads were present in 107 women (13%), including 49 of 657 (7%) without history of infarction. Among 585 women without prior infarction or revascularization, 48% of those with Q waves in contiguous leads versus 26% of others, had significant CAD (p = 0.003; odds ratio [OR] = 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.3‐4.8). Women with Q waves in ≥2 inferior ECG leads were particularly likely to have CAD (63 vs. 26% of others, p < 0.001; OR = 4.6, 95% CI = 2.0‐10.8). Other ECG findings predictive of CAD were any ST‐T abnormality (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.3‐2.8) and T‐wave inversion (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.3‐4.2). In risk‐adjusted analysis, inferior Q waves and T‐wave inversion independently predicted significant CAD. When considered together with radionuclide perfusion test results, T‐wave inversion on resting ECG added significant independent predictive value (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.1‐7.2, p = 0.03).Conclusions: Selected resting ECG parameters independently predict angiographic CAD in women with chest pain, including women who have also undergone radionuclide stress testing. Prospective studies should consider resting ECG parameters in diagnostic algorithms for CAD in women.
Dobutamine stress echocardiography in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in women with chest pain: Comparison with different noninvasive tests
Authors: Rollán María Jesús , Román José Alberto San , Vilacosta Isidre , Ortega José Ramón , Bratos José Luis 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground: Diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) in women remains elusive. The classical diagnostic armamentarium has been found to be very limited. Dobutamine stress echocardiography has emerged as a powerful test in assessing CAD in the general population, but most studies failed to include women.Hypothesis: The accuracy of dobutamine stress echocardiography in the diagnosis of CAD in women with chest pain is high and superior to dipyridamole echocardiography, exercise electrocardiography, and sestamibi single‐photon emission tomography (MIBI‐SPECT) scintigraphy.Methods: We studied 99 consecutive women with chest pain and no previous history of CAD who underwent dobutamine echocardiography and coronary angiography. We also compared these results with those of dipyridamole echocardiography in 63 patients, exercise stress testing in 83 (48 conclusive), and MIBI‐SPECT scintigraphy during dobutamine infusion in 54.Results: Significant CAD was found in 42 women. Sensitivity and specificity of dobutamine stress echocardiography were 69 and 89%, respectively. Dipyridamole echocardiography showed similar accuracy (sensitivity 72% and specificity 94%). Finally, sensitivity of exercise test and MIBI‐SPECT was similar (76 and 88%, respectively) and specificity was lower (53 and 57%, respectively). After excluding patients known to have a high incidence of false positive results, MIBI‐SPECT specificity rose up to 80%.Conclusion: Dobutamine stress echocardiography and dipyridamole echocardiography bear a high diagnostic accuracy in women with chest pain. MIBI‐SPECT is also a useful tool after excluding subgroups with a high incidence of false positive results.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors: Defining new options in lipid management
Authors: Brown W. Virgil 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAlthough many studies have documented that reduction of plasma cholesterol levels decreases the risk of coronary artery disease, it remains the most common cause of death in the Western world. Current therapeutic options are effective in lowering cholesterol, especially in clinical trials, but clinical application is not optimized for many reasons. Dietary restriction for long‐term management of hypercholesterolemia is helpful but usually insufficient to reduce low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) to goal levels. Powerful drugs are available, but these are often insufficient to meet the clinical demands for cholesterol‐lowering therapy. Phytosterols and phytostanols have been partially effective by providing some inhibition of absorption of cholesterol. Compounds that specifically and more effectively block intestinal absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol should provide a significant new agent for altering lipoprotein concentrations favorably. Ezetimibe is the first of this class of compounds that act at the gut epithelium to reduce cholesterol absorption in the milligram dose range markedly. Clinical studies indicate that ezetimibe effectively decreases LDL‐C by 15 to 20% as monotherapy, with a favorable safety profile. Moreover, results from preliminary clinical trials indicate that ezetimibe given concomitantly with a statin provides additive efficacy. The combination represents a new approach to lipid management, achieving greater LDL‐C and triglyceride reductions and greater improvements in HDL‐C than statin monotherapy. This could offer another important option in clinical practice for management of hypercholesterolemic patients.
The bezold‐jarisch reflex in acute inferior myocardial infarction: Clinical and sympathovagal spectral correlates
Authors: Chiladakis John A. , Patsouras Nikolaos , Manolis Antonis S. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground: The cardiodepressor Bezold‐Jarisch reflex (BJR) in acute inferior myocardial infarction (AMI) is traditionally considered as an indicator of successful thrombolysis.Hypothesis: The study aim was to elucidate the role of the autonomic nervous system in the pathogenesis of a BJR response in patients with AMI by tracing spectral profiles of heart rate variability (HRV).Methods: We studied 32 patients who presented with BJR after starting intravenous thrombolysis for an inferior AMI. Spectral components of HRV were analyzed over the three specific 5‐min periods preceding and following reflex activation. Clinically, the occurrence of BJR was correlated with the outcome of thrombolysis to achieve timely reperfusion and sustained coronary artery patency.Results: The BJR was associated with early reperfusion in 94% of the patients, and with benign transient bradyarrhythmias and patent Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 3 flow right coronary arteries in 89% of the patients. Spectral analysis revealed a characteristic pattern of a sympathetic predominance with an impending gradual vagal withdrawal up to the onset of BJR, as reflected by progressive increases in low‐frequency and reciprocal changes in high‐frequency powers.Conclusions: The BJR in inferior AMI represents a reliable prognosticator of timely reperfusion and sustained coronary patency. Stimulation of vagal afferents in response to sympathetic overactivity may be the underlying pathogenetic mechanism promoting a BJR response.