bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Very long term follow‐up of cardiac resynchronization therapy: Clinical outcome and predictors of mortality
Authors: Kronborg Mads Brix , Mortensen Peter Thomas , Kirkfeldt Rikke Esberg , Nielsen Jens Cosedis 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground:Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves symptoms, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and survival in patients with heart failure and wide QRS, however, long term clinical outcome is unknown.Aims:To identify predictors of mortality and evaluate the effects of CRT after long term follow‐up.Methods:Consecutive patients treated with CRT between 1997 and 2002 were included. We collected clinical information from patient files. Patients who were still alive underwent echocardiography and clinical evaluation.Results:We included 179 patients (median age 65.5 years, 144 male). Median follow‐up for survival was 4.0 years. Mortality at one and five years was 15% and 53%, respectively. Predictors of mortality were, ischaemic heart disease (IHD), higher NYHA class and lower LVEF (<22.5%) at baseline, and no improvement in NYHA class at early follow‐up. NYHA class remained stable from early to long term follow‐up after a median of 5.1 years. In patients with non‐IHD median LVEF increased significantly from early to long term follow‐up (39% vs. 50% p=0.007).Conclusion:Predictors of mortality in patients with CRT are IHD, lower LVEF and higher NYHA class at baseline, and no symptomatic response to CRT. After 5 years follow‐up, clinical effects are sustained, and in patients with non‐IHD further improvements in LVEF are observed.
Does evidence support physiotherapy management of adult Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type One? A systematic review
Authors: Daly Anne E. , Bialocerkowski Andrea E. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTObjective: To source and critically evaluate the evidence on the effectiveness of Physiotherapy to manage adult CRPS‐1.Design: Systematic literature review.Methods: Electronic databases, conference proceedings, clinical guidelines and text books were searched for quantitative studies on CRPS‐1 in adults where Physiotherapy was a sole or significant component of the intervention. Data were extracted according to predefined criteria by two independent reviewers. Methodological quality was assessed using the Critical Review Form.Results: The search strategy identified 1320 potential articles. Of these, 14 articles, representing 11 studies, met inclusion criteria. There were five randomised controlled trials, one comparative study and five case series. Methodological quality was dependent on study type, with randomised controlled trials being higher in quality. Physiotherapy treatments varied between studies and were often provided in combination with medical management. This did not allow for the ‘stand‐alone’ value of Physiotherapy to be determined. Heterogeneity across the studies, with respect to participants, interventions evaluated and outcome measures used, prevented meta‐analysis. Narrative synthesis of the results, based on effect size, found there was good to very good quality level II evidence that graded motor imagery is effective in reducing pain in adults with CRPS‐1, irrespective of the outcome measure used. No evidence was found to support treatments frequently recommended in clinical guidelines, such as stress loading.Conclusions: Graded motor imagery should be used to reduce pain in adult CRPS‐1 patients. Further, the results of this review should be used to update CRPS‐1 clinical guidelines.
Specific developmental reductions in subventricular zone ErbB1 and ErbB4 mRNA in the human brain
Authors: Chong Victor Z. , Webster Maree J. , Rothmond Debora A. , Weickert Cynthia Shannon 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe primate postnatal subventricular zone (SVZ) lies under the ventrolateral borders of the lateral ventricles as a discrete region of cells with gliogenic and neurogenic capacity regulated by ErbB receptors. However, the specific role of each ErbB subtype in SVZ cell development remains unclear, particularly in the human brain. The postnatal spatial and temporal expression profile of ErbB subtypes in the human brain may provide valuable insight into their distinct functions in the SVZ following birth. Hence, we examined the expression profile of ErbB1, ErbB2, ErbB3 and ErbB4 mRNA in the SVZ of human postmortem brains from neonates, infants, toddlers, school age subjects, adolescents, young adults and adults using in situ hybridization. SVZ transcript levels of ErbB1 and ErbB4 were highest in neonates and diminished with age. SVZ ErbB4 mRNA quantities significantly decreased by >85% to almost undetectable levels after the first year of life, while SVZ ErbB1 transcript levels displayed more gradual reductions, stabilizing to ∼30–40% of neonate levels after the age of 5 years. In the neonate and infant SVZ, ErbB4 mRNA was localized to cell clusters resembling migratory neuroblast aggregates whereas ErbB1 mRNA was expressed in cells along but not within these clusters. ErbB2 mRNA appeared to be constantly expressed in the human SVZ at all postnatal ages as opposed to ErbB3 transcripts, which were not detected in the human SVZ at any age following birth. These findings suggest that ErbB1 and ErbB4 may play more salient roles than ErbB2 and ErbB3 in mediating early postnatal neurodevelopmental events. In addition, ErbB1‐ and ErbB4‐immunoreactive cells and fibers were extensive throughout the human infant SVZ, but did not appear to overlap with PSA‐NCAM‐immunopositive clusters. The restriction of robust SVZ ErbB4 expression to neonate and infant age groups may indicate that SVZ‐derived ErbB4‐dependent postnatal neuronal development is most extensive within a narrow time frame early after birth.
East Asian monsoon variation and climate changes in Jeju Island, Korea, during the latest Pleistocene to early Holocene
Authors: Lee Seung Hyoun , Lee Yong Il , Yoon Ho Il , Yoo Kyu-Cheul 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA 4.96-m-long sediment core from the Hanon paleo-maar in Jeju Island, Korea was studied to investigate the paleoclimatic change and East Asian monsoon variations during the latest Pleistocene to early Holocene (23,000–9000 cal yr BP). High-resolution TOC content, magnetic susceptibility, and major element composition data indicate that Jeju Island experienced the coldest climate around 18,000 cal yr BP, which corresponds to the last glacial maximum (LGM). Further, these multi-proxy data show an abrupt shift in climatic regime from cold and arid to warm and humid conditions at around 14,000 cal yr BP, which represents the commencement of the last major deglaciation. After the last major deglaciation, the TOC content decreased from 13,300 to 12,000 cal yr BP and from 11,500 to 9800 cal yr BP, thereby reflecting the weakening of the summer monsoon. The LGM in Jeju Island occurred later in comparison with the Chinese Loess Plateau. Such a disparity in climatic change events between central China and Jeju Island appears to be caused by the asynchrony between the coldest temperature event and the minimum precipitation event in central China and by the buffering effect of the Pacific Ocean.
Hepatic metabolism of glucose and linoleic acid varies in relation to susceptibility to fatty liver inad libitum-fed Muscovy and Pekin ducks
Authors: Saez Gladys , Baéza Elisabeth , Davail Stéphane , Durand Denys , Bauchart Dominique , Gruffat Dominique 
Published: July 2008

The susceptibility to develop hepatic steatosis is known to differ between duck species, especially between Muscovy and Pekin ducks. This difference could be explained by either differential responses of species to overfeeding or genetic differences in hepatic lipid metabolism. The aim of the present study was to compare the intensities of the different hepatic pathways (oxidation, lipogenesis, esterification, secretion, etc.) of the two main nutrients (glucose and linoleic acid (LA)) reaching the liver ofad libitum-fed Muscovy (n6) and Pekin (n6) ducks using theex vivomethod of liver slices incubated for 16 h with [U-14C]glucose, [1-14C]LA and [35S]methionine added to the survival medium. In such experimental conditions, the lipogenesis pathway from glucose was 2-fold higher (P < 0·05) in the liver of the Muscovy duck than in that of the Pekin duck. Furthermore, the hepatic uptake of LA was 2-fold higher (P < 0·05) in the Muscovy duck than in the Pekin duck leading to a 2-fold higher (P < 0·05) esterification of this fatty acid in the liver of the Muscovy duck. The hepatic secretion of VLDL was higher (P < 0·01) in the Muscovy duck than in the Pekin duck but insufficient to prevent lipid accumulation in the liver of the Muscovy duck. In conclusion, these results show the influence of the species on the hepatic metabolism of ducks in relation to their susceptibility to develop fatty liver. These results should shed light on the metabolic regulations that might underlie susceptibility to hepatic steatosis in the the human liver.
A novel method to remotely measure food intake of free-living individuals in real time: the remote food photography method
Authors: Martin Corby K. , Han Hongmei , Coulon Sandra M. , Allen H. Raymond , Champagne Catherine M. , Anton Stephen D. 
Published: July 2008

The aim of the present study was to report the first reliability and validity tests of the remote food photography method (RFPM), which consists of camera-enabled cell phones with data transfer capability. Participants take and transmit photographs of food selection and plate waste to researchers/clinicians for analysis. Following two pilot studies, adult participants (n52; BMI 20–35 kg/m2inclusive) were randomly assigned to the dine-in or take-out group. Energy intake (EI) was measured for 3 d. The dine-in group ate lunch and dinner in the laboratory. The take-out group ate lunch in the laboratory and dinner in free-living conditions (participants received a cooler with pre-weighed food that they returned the following morning). EI was measured with the RFPM and by directly weighing foods. The RFPM was tested in laboratory and free-living conditions. Reliability was tested over 3 d and validity was tested by comparing directly weighed EI to EI estimated with the RFPM using Bland–Altman analysis. The RFPM produced reliable EI estimates over 3 d in laboratory (r0·62;P < 0·0001) and free-living (r0·68;P < 0·0001) conditions. Weighed EI correlated highly with EI estimated with the RFPM in laboratory and free-living conditions (r>0·93;P < 0·0001). In two laboratory-based validity tests, the RFPM underestimated EI by − 4·7 % (P = 0·046) and − 5·5 % (P = 0·076). In free-living conditions, the RFPM underestimated EI by − 6·6 % (P = 0·017). Bias did not differ by body weight or age. The RFPM is a promising new method for accurately measuring the EI of free-living individuals. Error associated with the method is small compared with self-report methods.
Familial Ménière's disease: clinical and genetic aspects
Authors: Morrison A W , Bailey M E S , Morrison G A J 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground and purpose:Ménière's disease is not uncommon, with an incidence in Caucasians of about one in 2000. The incidence peaks in the fifth decade. Cases are usually isolated or sporadic, but in perhaps five per cent other family members are affected. We report here the clinical and genetic characteristics of a comprehensive set of familial Ménière's disease cases from the UK.Methods:Forty-six affected families were studied. All cases were diagnosed using the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery committee on hearing and equilibrium 1995, or more stringent, criteria.Outcomes and results:Autosomal dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance was the most likely mode of inheritance overall. Apparent genetic anticipation was observed, but may also be a result of ascertainment bias given the collection strategy. There was also a slight tendency for cases to result from maternal transmission within the families in this set. The family pedigrees are presented, and the authors have also set up a website at which all the pedigrees may be viewed in greater detail.
Simulations of two-dimensional magnetic electron drift vortex mode turbulence in plasmas
Authors: SHAIKH DASTGEER , SHUKLA P. K. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractSimulations are performed to investigate the turbulent properties of nonlinearly interacting two-dimensional magnetic electron drift vortex (MEDV) modes in a non-uniform unmagnetized plasma. The relevant nonlinear equations governing the dynamics of the MEDV modes are the wave magnetic field and electron temperature perturbations in the presence of the equilibrium density and temperature gradients. The important nonlinearities come from the advection of the electron fluid velocity perturbation and the electron temperature, as well as from the nonlinear electron Lorentz force. Computer simulations of the governing equations for the nonlinear MEDV modes reveal the generation of streamer-like electron flows, such that the corresponding gradients in the direction of the inhomogeneities tend to flatten out. In contrast, the gradients in an orthogonal direction vary rapidly. Consequently, the inertial range energy spectrum in decaying MEDV mode turbulence exhibits a much steeper anisotropic spectral index. The magnetic structures in the MEDV mode turbulence produce non-thermal electron transport in our non-uniform plasma.
Generalization of the two-dimensional Child–Langmuir law for non-zero injection velocities in a planar diode
Authors: QUAN YA-MIN , DING YAO-GEN 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA simple analytic expression of the two-dimensional Child–Langmuir law is derived for non-zero injection velocities and Lau's result is obtained in our model by setting the injection velocity equal to zero. The calculation results show that the modify term in our model is larger than Lau's with a non-zero electronic initial energy, and it is twice as large as Lau's when the electronic initial energy is much greater than the potential energy of the gap.
Measurement of macular pigment optical density and distribution using the steady-state visual evoked potential
Authors: ROBSON ANTHONY G. , PARRY NEIL R.A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to specify isoluminance at different retinal eccentricities and to characterize macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and distribution using the steady-state visual evoked potential (VEP). Red–green (R/G) and blue–green (B/G) gratings were generated within two circular stimulus fields (radius = 0.55 or 1.1 deg) and within four annular fields (maximum mean radius = 6.0 deg) on a color monitor. Temporal frequency was 15 Hz. Isoluminance was determined for each stimulus using minimum flicker photometry. Steady-state onset–offset VEPs were recorded to the same annular stimuli as the luminance ratio between adjacent chromatic components was changed from 0.25 to 0.85 in 11 automated steps (0.5 representing photometric isoluminance). Fourier analysis showed that the power of the first harmonic was minimized at the isoluminant ratio specific to each subject. Relative OD was computed by comparing the isoluminant ratio at any location with that for the most eccentric annulus. To compensate for the broadband characteristics of the monitor, OD values were corrected according to minimum flicker measurements made through known concentrations of carotenoid solution. MPOD was additionally measured using minimum motion photometry.There was high correlation between the isoluminant ratios determined by minimum flicker and VEPs for both R/G and B/G stimulation (r = 0.91, P < 0.005, slope = 1). Calibrated OD values computed from VEP estimates of B/G isoluminance correlated with those derived from minimum flicker (r = 0.96, P < 0.0005, slope = 0.85) and motion photometry (r = 0.94, P < 0.0005, slope = 0.88). OD values derived from B/G VEPs increased toward the fovea and corresponded closely with minimum flicker and minimum motion assessment of MP distribution profiles. The steady-state VEP can be used to determine isoluminance at different retinal eccentricities. MPOD and distribution can be measured by steady-state VEPs to B/G stimuli.
Primordial follicular assembly in humans – revisited
Authors: Maheshwari A. , Fowler P. A. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryRecent interest in the initial phases of ovarian follicular formation and development has lead to a number of publications in this area, most of which address the autocrine and paracrine factors involved in primordial follicle activation to primary follicle. Primordial follicle assembly (first step in follicle formation) determines the lifetime supply of primordial follicles and remains a poorly understood phenomenon. Despite a number of recent articles that are concentrating on immuno-histochemistry, basic steps in the process are not clear. Hence, we feel it is time to take a step back and see what is available in the literature and identify the gaps in which future research about primordial follicle assembly in humans needs to be directed.
Observation of the embryonic development inPseudoplatystoma coruscans(Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) under light and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Marques Camila , Nakaghi Laura Satiko Okada , Faustino Francine , Ganeco Luciana Nakaghi , Senhorini José Augusto 
Published: July 2008

SummaryPseudoplatystoma coruscansis a very popular species for tropical fish culture as it has boneless meat of delicate taste and firm texture. Few studies on fish reproductive biology refer to the morphological features of eggs. The goal, therefore, of this present work was to perform a structural and ultrastructural analysis of fertilization and embryonic development inP. coruscans.The incubation period, from fertilization to hatching, lasts 13 h at 28/29 °C and 18 h at 27 °C. The oocytes had a mean diameter of 0.95 mm and hatched larvae were 2.55 mm in diameter. Analysing their development, we observed round, yellow oocytes that bore a double chorion membrane and a single micropyle. At 10 s after fertilization, several spermatozoa were detected attached to the oocyte surface. After 1 min of development, a fertilization cone that obstructed the micropyle could be observed. Segmentation started between 20 and 30 min after fertilization, when the egg cell was then formed. The first cleavage occurred between 30 and 45 min after fertilization, prior to reaching the morula stage (75 and 90 min after fertilization). The epiboly movement started at 120 and 180 min after fertilization and ended at 360 and 480 min after fertilization. Differentiation between cephalic and caudal region was detected after 420 and 600 min after fertilization and larvae hatched between 780 and 1080 min after fertilization. Seven main embryonic development stages were identified: egg cell, cleavage, morula, blastula, gastrula, segmentation with differentiation between cephalic and caudal regions, and hatching.
General parenting styles are not strongly associated with fruit and vegetable intake and social–environmental correlates among 11-year-old children in four countries in Europe
Authors: De Bourdeaudhuij I , te Velde SJ , Maes L , Pérez-Rodrigo C , de Almeida MDV , Brug J 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate whether fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake in 11-year-olds, and social–environmental correlates of F&V intake such as parental modelling and encouragement, family food rules and home availability, differ according to general parenting styles in Belgium, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingPrimary schools in four countries.SubjectsPupils and one of their parents completed questionnaires to measure F&V intake, related social–environmental correlates and general parenting styles. The sample size was 4555 (49·3 % boys); 1180 for Belgium, 883 for The Netherlands, 1515 for Portugal and 977 for Spain. Parenting styles were divided into authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent and neglectful.ResultsNo differences were found in F&V intake across parenting styles and only very few significant differences in social–environmental correlates. The authoritarian (more parental encouragement and more demands to eat fruit) and the authoritative (more availability of fruit and vegetables) parenting styles resulted in more favourable correlates.ConclusionDespite earlier studies suggesting that general parenting styles are associated with health behaviours in children, the present study suggests that this association is weak to non-existent for F&V intakes in four different European countries.
Dietary habits mediate the relationship between socio-economic status and CVD factors among healthy adults: the ATTICA study
Authors: Panagiotakos Demosthenes B , Pitsavos Christos , Chrysohoou Christina , Vlismas Konstantinos , Skoumas Yannis , Palliou Konstantina , Stefanadis Christodoulos 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe aims of the present work were to investigate whether dietary habits are associated with socio-economic status (SES), and if they modify the relationship between SES and CVD risk factors, in a sample of men and women free from known CVD.MethodsThis population-based study was carried out in the province of Attica, where Athens is a major metropolis. During 2001–2002, information from 1528 men (18–87 years old) and 1514 women (18–89 years old) was collected (75 % participation rate). Among several sociodemographic, clinical and biological factors, adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed by a special diet score (Mediterranean Diet Score, MDS) that incorporated the inherent characteristics of this traditional diet. CVD risk factors were examined across the participants’ educational level and annual income that defined their SES.ResultsLow SES groups exhibited higher prevalence of CVD risk factors, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolaemia (allP< 0·001). Low SES groups also showed less adherence to the Mediterranean diet than high SES groups (MDS: 23·6 (sd8·1)v. 25·6 (sd5·6),P< 0·001). Higher SES index was associated with lower likelihood of having hypercholesterolaemia (OR = 0·91; 95 % CI 0·83, 1·00) and diabetes (OR = 0·83; 95 % CI 0·72, 0·95), after adjusting for various potential confounders. However, the previously mentioned inverse relationship observed between SES and prevalence of CVD risk factors was mainly explained by the dietary habits of the participants.ConclusionsLow SES groups showed less adherence to the Mediterranean diet compared with high SES groups. This finding may, in part, explain the higher CVD risk factors profile observed among low SES participants.