bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial on Clinical Practice
Authors: Ho Ivan C.K. , Passeri Jonathan J. , Guy Mary L. , Ruskin Jeremy N. , Ellinor Patrick T. 
Published: February 2006

Background: The first multicenter automatic defibrillator implantation trial (MADIT‐I) was a landmark study that identified a significant reduction in mortality among high‐risk patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy treated prophylactically with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), yet the direct and indirect impact of this trial on clinical practice is unknown. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the 679 patients who underwent primary ICD implantation between 1994 and 2000 at a single academic center. The baseline characteristics of each patient were determined at the time of ICD implantation, and the vital status of all patients was determined as of January 1, 2004. Results: The number of patients who received an ICD based on the MADIT‐I criteria increased from 1.4% in 1994 to 6.1% in 2000. An additional 60 patients were identified that met many but not all of the trial criteria and consisted of patients with a history of a recent revascularization or myocardial infarction, syncope, or an ejection fraction ≥35%. The number of patients who received ICDs in this expanded MADIT‐I subset also grew from 5.6% in 1994 to 14.6% in 2000. Mortality during a mean follow‐up of 4.7 years was significantly higher in the MADIT‐I group than in the expanded MADIT‐I, or the remaining primary prevention and secondary prevention subsets. Conclusion: The MADIT‐I has not only led to an increase in the number of patients undergoing prophylactic ICD implantation, but in clinical practice it has also been extrapolated to a broader population that has a different degree of risk than originally studied.
The Association of QT Dispersion and QT Dispersion Ratio with Extent and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Yilmaz Remzi , Demirbag Recep , Gur Mustafa 
Published: February 2006

Background: Although prolongation of the QT intervals in acute ischemic conditions, such as acute myocardial infarction, intracoronary balloon inflation, and exercise induced ischemia, has been shown, association of rest QT intervals with extent and severity of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been assessed so far. The effects of extent and severity of stable CAD on rest QT interval were analyzed in this study. Methods: Rest 12‐lead electrocardiograms (ECG) were recorded in 162 clinically stable subjects undergoing coronary angiography before the angiography for measurement of corrected QT dispersion (cQTd) and the QT dispersion ratio (QTdR) defined as QT dispersion divided by cycle length and expressed as a percentage. Angiographic “vessel score,”“diffuse score,” and “Gensini score” were used to evaluate the extent and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Subjects were grouped as follows: those with normal angiogram (Group 1), those with insignificant (<50%) coronary stenosis (Group 2), and those with 1‐ (Group 3), 2‐ (Group 4), or 3‐vessel disease (Group 5). Results: cQTd and QTdR were higher in Group 3 compared with Group 1 (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively), in Group 4 compared with Group 1 (P < 0.001 for both) and Group 2 (P = 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively), and in Group 5 compared with Group 1 (P < 0.001 for both) and Group 2 (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). cQTd and QTdR were positively correlated with the vessel score (r = 0.422, P < 0.001; r = 0.358, P < 0.001, respectively), diffuse score (r = 0.401, P < 0.001; r = 0.357, P < 0.001, respectively) and Gensini score (r = 0.378, P < 0.001; r = 0.373, P < 0.001, respectively). In multiple linear regression analyses, cQTd was found to be independently associated only with diffuse score (β= 0.325, P = 0.038). Also, QTdR was independently associated with diffuse score (β= 0.416, P = 0.006) and Gensini score (β= 0.374, P = 0.011). Conclusions: Rest cQTd and QTdR are increased, and related to the extent and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with stable CAD.
Effects of Three Fluoroquinolones on QT Analysis After Standard Treatment Courses
Authors: Tsikouris James P. , Peeters Michael J. , Cox Craig D. , Meyerrose Gary E. , Seifert Charles F. 
Published: February 2006

Background: Fluoroquinolone (FQ) agents have been speculated to influence the risk of Torsades de pointes (Tdp). Methods of evaluating this risk are varied and not systematic. QTc interval (QTc) prolongation is the most commonly used marker of Tdp, but has questionable utility. QT dispersion (QTd) may be a more selective marker of Tdp. No assessment of QTd for FQs has been reported. The current study evaluates the effects of three commonly prescribed FQs by comprehensive QT analysis. Methods: In an open‐label crossover study, 13 healthy participants received 3 treatments in random order: ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily, levofloxacin 500 mg once daily, and moxifloxacin 400 mg once daily. Each treatment was given for 7 days with a 1‐week washout period. Twelve‐lead electrocardiographic measurements were performed prior to the first dose, 2 hours after the first dose, and following the 7‐day medication course. QTc prolongation was determined by measurement of lead II, and QTd from the difference between the maximum and minimum QTc intervals among the 12 leads. The data were analyzed using Friedman ANOVA, with the Wilcoxon signed rank test post hoc analysis, with P < 0.05 significance. Results and Conclusions: No difference was seen in baseline QTc (P = 0.48) or QTd (P = 0.92). Following 7 days of moxifloxacin, the QTc was prolonged by 6 ms relative to baseline (408 ms, P = 0.022), and 11 ms from the 2‐hour measurement (403 ms, P = 0.003). Ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin had no effect on QTc, and no FQ changed the QTd. Within our study population, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin did not display an increased risk for Tdp. Moxifloxacin, while showing QTc prolongation, did not affect QTd, and an increased Tdp risk is questionable.
MODELING THE BEHAVIOR OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN pH‐MODIFIED CHICKEN SALAD DURING COLD STORAGE AND TEMPERATURE ABUSE CONDITIONS
Authors: GUENTERT ANN M. , MOHTAR RABI H. , LINTON RICHARD H. , TAMPLIN MARK , LUCHANSKY JOHN B. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTListeria monocytogenes grows at refrigeration temperatures (5C or below) and tolerates various environmental stressors. The Food and Drug Administration specifies a zero tolerance for this pathogen in certain ready‐to‐eat processed foods. Modeling its dynamic behavior to fluctuation in temperature at various pH levels is critical to the safety of food. This study presents linear and nonlinear models to predict the behavior of L. monocytogenes in pH‐modified chicken salad at various cold storage and temperature abuse conditions. A linear model of the kinetics accounting for simple and interactive effects of storage time, temperature and pH was developed. Predictions of the linear model were inconsistent with laboratory observations. The limitations of the linear model were reflected in the poor correlation of model predictions to the observed values (r2 = 0.58). A proposed nonlinear model was therefore used to model the observed data. The four model parameters (N(0), Cc(0), kmax and Nres ) were optimized for each of the nine treatments. Correlation coefficient (r2) values ranged from 0.70 (pH 5.2, 7.2C) to 0.99 (pH 4.0, 21.1C), indicating an improved accuracy. Developing a functional and validated microbial predictive model for chicken salad requires further analyses and collection of data at additional pH and temperature values to determine a single set of parameter values that would represent the microbial behavior at the full range of pH and temperatures observed under storage conditions. Future experiments should address the adaptive nature of L. monocytogenes, as the response to environmental stressors affects the survival of the organism in food systems.
MONTE CARLO‐BASED FOOD IRRADIATION SIMULATOR
Authors: KIM J. , MOREIRA R.G. , RIVADENEIRA R. , CASTELL‐PEREZ M.E. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT The Monte Carlo electron‐transport simulation (MCNP‐5) and computer axial tomography (CT) scan technology were used to predict the dose distribution in an irregular‐shaped food product, an apple‐phantom composed of paraffin wax, chloroform and methyl yellow. The Monte Carlo code used was successfully tested against the experimental data, resulting in less than 5% discrepancy between the simulation and measured data. The geometry and composition CT data of a real apple (Red Delicious) was then used to simulate the dose distribution in an apple irradiated by 1‐ and 5‐MeV photon‐beams. For the 5‐MeV photon simulations, a lesser amount of energy was deposited closer to the surface (at the right‐side surface) of the apple. It also shows a more uniform distribution in the forward direction. For a 1‐MeV simulation, a higher energy was distributed at the right half of the apple, and there was no warming‐up region as shown in the 5‐MeV simulation.
ESTIMATION OF HEDONIC RESPONSES FROM DESCRIPTIVE SKIN SENSORY DATA BY CHI‐SQUARE MINIMIZATION
Authors: ALMEIDA I.F. , GAIO A.R. , BAHIA M.F. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT Six topical formulations were evaluated by a trained panel according to a descriptive analysis methodology and by a group of consumers who rated the products on a hedonic scale. We present a new approach that describes the categorical appreciation of appearance, texture and skinfeel of the formulations by the consumers as a function of related sensory attributes assessed by the trained panel. For each hedonic attribute, a latent random variable depending on the sensory attributes is constructed and made discrete (in a nonlinear fashion) according to the distribution of consumer‐hedonic scores in such a way as to minimize a corresponding chi‐square criterion. Standard partial least squares (PLS) regression, bootstrapping and cross‐validation techniques describing the overall liking of the hedonic attributes as a function of associated sensory attributes were also applied. Results from both methods were compared, and it was concluded that chi‐square minimization can work as a complementary method to the PLS regression.
Owners’assessments of their dog's quality of life during palliative chemotherapy for lymphoma
Authors: Mellanby R. J. , Herrtage M. E. , Dobson J. M. 
Published: February 2006

The owners of 25 dogs with multicentric lymphoma which were treated by multidrug chemotherapy were interviewed to assess the quality of their pet's life during treatment. Sixty‐eight per cent of the owners considered their dog's quality of life to be the same as before the lymphoma occurred, and the remaining 32 per cent felt that their pet's quality of life on chemotherapy treatment was acceptable but poorer than before the lymphoma occurred.Treatment complications were reported by 52 per cent of owners. Ninety‐two per cent of owners had no regrets about treating their dog with multidrug chemotherapy. The results suggest that, while many dogs developed treatment complications during multidrug chemotherapy, most owners felt that the quality of life of their pets was good during treatment and had no regrets about opting for palliative chemotherapy.
Primary hyperparathyroidism in 29 dogs: diagnosis, treatment, outcome and associated renal failure
Authors: Gear R. N. A. , Neiger R. , Skelly B. J. S. , Herrtage M. E. 
Published: February 2006

Objectives: To review the records of 29 dogs diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism and see if any factors correlate with renal failure.Methods: Dogs were selected retrospectively from case files from the QVSH and the QMH.Results: The majority of dogs were middle‐aged and four were keeshonds. The primary presenting complaints were polyuria and polydipsia. All dogs had an elevated total and ionised plasma calcium concentration. Plasma phosphate concentrations were variable. Ultrasonography of the parathyroid gland revealed nodular enlargement which was found to correlate well with surgical findings. The majority of dogs underwent surgical parathyroidectomy. Five cases were treated by ultrasound‐guided chemical ablation of the parathyroid gland, of which only two cases showed a partial response. Three dogs were euthanased within a week of presentation. Seven other dogs had renal failure diagnosed either at presentation or up to six months after parathyroidectomy. The development of renal failure was correlated with total calcium concentration but did not correlate with any other factor, including the calcium phosphate product. Thirteen treated dogs were known to be alive at the time of writing, which was six months to 3.5 years after parathyroidectomy.ClinicalSignificance: Primary hyperparathyroidism cases with high total calcium were more likely to develop renal failure in this group of dogs; however, the calcium phosphate product did not seem to be a useful predictor. Ultrasound‐guided chemical ablation seemed to have limited advantage over surgery.
Thoracolumbar disc extrusion associated with extensive epidural haemorrhage: a retrospective study of 23 dogs
Authors: Tartarelli C. L. , Baroni M. , Borghi M. 
Published: February 2006

Objectives: To describe the clinical features and outcome in dogs suffering from thoracolumbar disc extrusion associated with extensive epidural haemorrhage (DEEH) and treated with extensive hemilaminectomy (from three to seven vertebrae).Methods: The records of 23 dogs with surgically confirmed DEEH were reviewed retrospectively.Results: All cases were characterised by rapid progression to severe neurological dysfunction (grade III, V and VI). Myelography was performed in 21 cases and showed an absence (16 cases) or attenuation (five cases) of contrast medium column along three to seven vertebrae. In two dogs, magnetic resonance imaging was accurate in confirming extradural compression due to disc material and haemorrhage, determining the extent of compression and side of the lesion. All cases were treated surgically with extensive hemilaminectomy involving all the compressed spinal segments. Twenty‐one dogs (91 per cent) recovered and regained ambulatory function. Two dogs, without deep pain perception before surgery, did not improve. A two‐year follow‐up history was available for 15 dogs. Disc extrusion recurred in two dogs (9 per cent), two and 20 months after surgery.Clinical Significance: Extensive hemilaminectomy can adequately decompress the spinal cord after DEEH and may produce a recovery and recurrence rate similar to thoracolumbar disc extrusion not complicated by extensive epidural haemorrhage.
Effect of various thoracic radiographic projections on the appearance of selected thoracic viscera
Authors: Avner A. , Kirberger R. M. 
Published: February 2006

Objectives: To assess the effect of different radiographic projections on thoracic width, as well as position and visibility of the trachea, principal bronchi, cardiac silhouette, aorta, caudal vena cava (CVC) and oesophagus.Methods: Right lateral recumbency (RLR), left lateral recumbency (LLR), dorsoventral (DV) and ventrodorsal (VD) thoracic radiographs of 42 dogs were reviewed retrospectively.Results: In 78 per cent of cases the thoracic width was significantly larger on the VD projection than on the DV projection. The angle of divergence formed by the principal bronchi was significantly larger on the VD projection than on the DV projection in 80 per of dogs. A cardiac silhouette bulge at 1 to 2 o'clock was apparent on the VD projection in 22 per cent of dogs but was never seen DV projections. The descending aorta was more visible at the 4 to 5 o'clock cardiac silhouette level on the DV projection and laterally at the T8 level on LLR projections. The CVC was better seen on VD and LLR projections. The oesophagus was visible as a soft tissue opacity in LLR in large dogs with normal thoracic conformation in 35 per cent of cases.ClinicalSignificance: The DV projection appears to be more reliable for assessing the cardiac silhouette, the descending aorta and the angle of divergence of the principal bronchi. The VD projection should be considered for evaluating the CVC. LLR should be used for assessing the descending aorta and CVC.
Canine hyperadrenocorticism: effects of trilostane on parathyroid hormone, calcium and phosphate concentrations
Authors: Tebb A. J. , Arteaga A. , Evans H. , Ramsey I. K. 
Published: February 2006

Objectives: To determine the effects of treating canine hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) on parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium and phosphate concentrations in dogs.Methods: Serum calcium, phosphate and PTH concentrations were analysed in 22 dogs with HAC before treatment with trilostane and at a median of 210 days after commencing treatment. Pretreatment data were compared with data from an age‐ and weight‐matched group of hospitalised patients, and post‐treatment data were compared with pretreatment data.Results: PTH and phosphate concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with HAC compared with control dogs. PTH concentrations reduced significantly with treatment, such that there was no longer difference between the HAC and control groups. Phosphate concentrations also reduced significantly with treatment but there was still a significant difference between those in dogs with HAC and control dogs. Despite no significant difference between calcium concentrations in the pretreatment HAC and control groups, calcium concentrations increased significantly with treatment.ClinicalSignificance: These results show that adrenal secondary hyperparathyroidism resolves with treatment and suggest that increased calcium and phosphate levels have a role in its pathogenesis.
Evaluation of clinical signs and causes of lower urinary tract disease in European cats
Authors: Gerber B. , Boretti F. S. , Kley S. , Laluha P. , Müller C. , Sieber N. , Unterer S. , Wenger M. , Flückiger M. , Glaus T. , Reusch C. E. 
Published: February 2006

Objectives: To investigate the clinical signs and causes of lower urinary tract disease (LUTD) in 77 cats.Methods: Cats diagnosed with LUTD over a two‐year period were included in the study.Results: The study population comprised 67 male and 10 female cats. Uroliths occurred in 17 of the 77 cats (22 per cent), urethral plugs in eight cats (10 per cent) and urinary tract infection in six cats (8 per cent). In 44 cats (57 per cent), no specific cause for the disease was found and they were classified as having idiopathic LUTD. In two of the 77 cats (3 per cent) no definitive diagnosis was established. Pain was less common in cats with uroliths and haematuria was more often seen in cats with urinary tract infection. At presentation, urethral obstruction was diagnosed in 45 of the 77 cats (58 per cent).ClinicalSignificance: The causes of LUTD found in cats in this study are similar to those that have been previously documented, and idiopathic LUTD is the most frequent diagnosis. However, the rate of urethral obstruction, particularly in cats with idiopathic LUTD, was higher than in other reports. The cause of this difference is unknown.
Efficacy and safety of pimobendan in canine heart failure caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease
Authors: Smith P. J. , French A. T. , Van Israr̈l N. , Smith S. G. W. , Swift S. T. , Lee A. J. , Corcoran B. M. , Dukes‐McEwan J. 
Published: February 2006

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of pimobendan by comparing it with ramipril over a six‐month period in dogs with mild to moderate heart failure (HF) caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).Methods: This was a prospective randomised, single‐blind, parallel‐group trial. Client‐owned dogs (n=43) with mild to moderate HF caused by MMVD were randomly assigned to one of two groups, which received either pimobendan (P dogs) or ramipril (R dogs) for six months. The outcome measures studied were: adverse HF outcome, defined as failure to complete the trial as a direct consequence of HF; maximum furosemide dose (mg/kg/day) administered during the study period; and any requirement for additional visits to the clinic as a direct consequence of HF.Results: Treatment with pimobendan was well tolerated compared with treatment with ramipril. P dogs were 25 per cent as likely as R dogs to have an adverse HF outcome (odds ratio 4.09, 95 per cent confidence interval 1.03 to 16.3, P=0.046).ClinicalSignificance: R dogs had a higher overall score and thus may have had more advanced disease than P dogs at baseline (P=0.04). These results should be interpreted cautiously but such a high odds ratio warrants further investigation.
Incidence of post‐anaesthetic arrhythmias in dogs
Authors: Buhl K. , Kersten U. , Kramer S. , Mischke R. , Fedrowitz M. , Nolte I. 
Published: February 2006

Objectives: To assess the use of Holter monitoring for evaluating the incidence of post‐anaesthetic cardiac arrhythmias and associated anaesthetic risk for two different anaesthetic protocols.Methods: Patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery were randomly divided into two groups with different anaesthetic regimens (group A, isoflurane n=30; group B, propofol n=30). Two 24‐hour Holter recordings were performed for each patient: the first directly following anaesthesia and the second, as a comparison, on the fifth postoperative day.Results: Although all dogs were healthy on pre‐anaesthetic cardiac evaluation, 56 dogs showed arrhythmias in the two 24‐hour (Holter) electrocardiograms performed. However, the number of arrhythmias recorded was low in most cases (less than 10 supraventricular extrasystoles and less than 100 ventricular extrasystoles). One patient in group A showed 94 supraventricular extrasystoles during the second monitoring period. Three patients in each group developed more than 100 ventricular extrasystoles during both Holter recordings. There were no statistically significant differences between the two anaesthetic regimens or between the two recordings in both groups.Clinical Significance: The two anaesthetic protocols investigated in this study did not induce an increased incidence of severe arrhythmias in healthy dogs in the post‐anaesthetic phase.
Epidemiology of canine urolithiasis in the Czech Republic from 1997 to 2002
Authors: Sosnar M. , Bulkova T. , Ruzicka M. 
Published: February 2006

Objectives: To compare data on the epidemiology of canine urolithiasis in the Czech Republic with that from other countries.Methods: The records from the Centre for Mineralogical Analysis from 1997 to 2002 were reviewed. The data were obtained from mineralogical analysis of 1366 canine uroliths obtained from patients in the Czech Republic. These included 396 females and 629 males.Results: Sixty‐eight breeds plus crossbreeds were identified. Eight breeds plus the crossbreeds accounted for 71.3 per cent of all cases. Males were affected more frequently than females (61.4 per cent versus 38.6 per cent). Struvites significantly predominated in females, while in males calcium oxalates, brushites and cystines were the most common stones. Most of the uroliths (48.9 per cent) were 5 mm or less in dimension. By 2001, struvite was the most frequent (38.5 to 44.1 per cent) urolith, followed by calcium oxalate (26.5 to 32.0 per cent). In 2002, calcium oxalate became the most frequent calculus, followed by struvite, mixed calculi and others.ClinicalSignificance: Comparison of these results with studies by other authors showed that for most of the monitored parameters there was agreement with respect to the proportions of different breeds within the populations of dogs in different geographical areas.