bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Funnel plots for comparing performance of PCI performing hospitals and cardiologists: Demonstration of utility using the New York hospital mortality data
Authors: Kunadian Babu , Dunning Joel , Roberts Anthony P. , Morley Robert , de Belder Mark A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground:The New York State Department of Health collects and reports outcome data on the hospitals and cardiologists who perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to allow them to examine their quality of care. Results are provided in tabular form. However funnel plots are the display method of choice for comparison of institutions and operators, using the principles of statistical process control (SPC). We aimed to demonstrate that funnel plots, which aid a meaningful interpretation of the results, can be derived from the New York PCI dataset.Methods:The risk‐adjusted mortality rates for 48 hospitals and cardiologists performing PCI were used for this analysis. Funnel plots (with control limits at 3 and 2 σ) of all hospitals and operators performing PCI procedures were generated. Separate plots for emergency and nonemergency PCI procedures were derived.Results:149,888 patients underwent PCI procedures between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2004. The 3‐year risk‐adjusted mortality rates for all PCI patients ranged from 0.00 to 1.37%. The funnel plots show risk‐adjusted mortality rates against the denominator for that percentage (number of cases), displayed as a scatter plot and compared with the binomial funnel plot calculated around the mean for all cases reported. The risk‐adjusted mortality rates of all hospitals were within 3 σ (99.8%) upper control limits. The risk‐adjusted mortality rates for three hospitals were above or on the upper warning limit (2 σ control limit, equating to the 95% confidence interval) and three hospitals had risk‐adjusted mortality rates below the 2 and 3 σ control limits.Conclusion:The SPC funnel plot is an easy‐to‐interpret, risk‐adjusted means of identifying units whose performance, in terms of mortality, diverges significantly from the population mean. Funnel plots may be applied to a complex dataset and allow a visual comparison of data derived from multiple healthcare units. Variation is readily identified permitting hospitals and cardiologists to appraise their practices so that effective quality improvement may take place. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aspiration of embolized thrombus during primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Stoel Martin G. , von Birgelen Clemens , Zijlstra Felix 
Published: November 2008

AbstractDuring percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction, distal embolization of thrombus and plaque material often occurs, despite the use of thrombectomy and aspiration catheters. Large embolized thrombi can cause occlusion of distal coronary vessels for which angioplasty most often leads to no more than poor results. We describe the successful use of an aspiration catheter to treat distally embolized thrombus, to optimize coronary reperfusion therapy, and to improve salvage of myocardial tissue. We discuss the manifestation and incidence of distal embolization and show its clinical relevance. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The valve‐in‐valve technique: Transcatheter treatment of aortic bioprothesis malposition
Authors: Ussia Gian Paolo , Mulè Massimiliano , Tamburino Corrado 
Published: November 2008

AbstractPercutaneous aortic valve replacement is an emerging alternative to palliative medical therapy for nonsurgical patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. The impossibility of repositioning of the current transcatheter prosthesis in case of suboptimal placement is the main limit of these devices. Here, we report on a case of an 84‐year‐old woman successfully treated with implantation of two 18‐Fr CoreValve® prosthesis (CoreValve®, Irvine, California), because of the suboptimal deployment of the first one, analyzing the procedural technique and the immediate and short‐term clinical and hemodynamic results. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
cis/trans Isomerism of Hydroalumination and Hydrogallation Products—Reflections on Stability and Rearrangement Mechanism
Authors: Uhl Werner , Bock Henrik Rene , Claesener Michael , Layh Marcus , Tiesmeyer Ines , Würthwein Ernst‐Ulrich 
Published: November 2008

AbstractTreatment of (silylalkynyl)benzenes with (Me3C)2GaH afforded stable cis‐addition products, for example, (Me3C)2GaC(SiMe3)C(H)C6H5 (1), while spontaneous cis/trans rearrangement was observed for sterically less shielded gallium hydrides. The corresponding trans‐di(tert‐butyl)gallium compounds (13, 14) were obtained by the reaction of C6H6−n[C(H)C(SiMe3)GaCl2]n (11, 12) with LiCMe3. In contrast, spontaneous isomerization took place upon reaction of (Me3C)2AlH with phenyltrimethylsilylethyne. In this case the cis isomer (17) was detected only at low temperature, while the trans product (18) formed quantitatively above 0 °C. Quantum‐chemical calculations showed that the trans forms are thermodynamically favored, essentially caused by a better mesomeric interaction of the CC double bonds with the phenyl groups, a smaller steric stress in the molecules, and a short bonding contact of the coordinatively unsaturated Al or Ga atoms to CH bonds of the aromatic rings. The rotation about the CC double bonds follows a zwitterionic mechanism, and the relatively small rotational barrier is further lowered by an interaction to a Lewis acidic lithium cation.
New 3π‐2Spiro Ladder‐Type Phenylene Materials: Synthesis, Physicochemical Properties and Applications in OLEDs
Authors: Cocherel Nicolas , Poriel Cyril , Rault‐Berthelot Joëlle , Barrière Frédéric , Audebrand Nathalie , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Vignau Laurence 
Published: November 2008

AbstractNew routes to ladder‐type phenylene materials 1 and 2 are described. The oligomers 1 and 2, which possess a “3π‐2spiro” architecture, have been synthesized by using extended diketone derivatives 3 and 10 as key intermediates. The physicochemical properties of the new blue‐light emitter 2 were studied in detail and compared with those of the less‐extended 1. Owing to the recent development of fluorenone derivatives and their corresponding more conjugated analogues as potential electron‐transport materials in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) and as n‐type materials for photovoltaic applications, we also report herein the thermal, optical and electrochemical behavior of the key intermediates, diketones 3 and 10. Finally, the application of dispiro 2 as a new light‐emitting material in OLEDs is reported.
Stereoselective analysis of labetalol in human plasma by LC‐MS/MS: Application to pharmacokinetics
Authors: De Jesus Ponte Carvalho Teresa Maria , De Carvalho Cavalli Ricardo , Marques Maria Paula , Da Cunha Sérgio Pereira , De Oliveira Baraldi Claúdia , Lanchote Vera Lúcia 
Published: November 2008

AbstractLabetalol is clinically available as a mixture of two racemates (four stereoisomers). The stereoisomer (R,R) has as main activity the β1‐antagonism and the stereoisomer (S,R) is highly selective for the α1adrenoceptor and is responsible for most of the α‐blocker activity. In the present investigation, a method for the analysis of labetalol stereoisomers in human plasma was developed and applied to pharmacokinetic studies. Plasma samples (0.5 ml) were extracted with methyl tert‐butyl ether at pH 9.5. The four labetalol stereoisomers were analyzed by LC‐MS/MS on a Chirobiotic® V column using a mobile phase consisting of methanol, acetic acid, and diethylamine, with a recovery of more than 90% for all four. The quantitation limit was 0.5 ng/ml and linearity was observed at 250 ng/ml plasma for each stereoisomer. Studies of precision and accuracy presented coefficients of variation and percentage inaccuracy of less than 15%, indicating that the method is precise and accurate. The method was applied to the study of the kinetic disposition of labetalol over a period of 12 h after oral administration of a single 100 mg dose to a hypertensive pregnant woman. The clinical study revealed stereoselectivity in the pharmacokinetics of labetalol, with a lower plasma proportion for the active stereoisomers (R,R)‐labetalol and (S,R)‐labetalol. The stereoselectivity observed after oral administration is due to the hepatic metabolism and the first pass effect, with an AUC(R,R)/AUC(S,S)ratio of 0.5. Chirality, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative studies between covalently immobilized and coated chiral stationary phases based on polysaccharide derivatives for enantiomer separation of N‐protected α‐amino acids and their ester derivatives
Authors: Jin Jing Yu , Bae Su Kyoung , Lee Wonjae 
Published: November 2008

AbstractLiquid chromatographic enantiomer separation of several N‐benzyloxycarbonyl (CBZ) and N‐tert‐butoxycarbonyl (BOC) α‐amino acids and their corresponding ethyl esters was performed on covalently immobilized chiral stationary phases (CSPs) (Chiralpak IA and Chiralpak IB) and coated‐type CSPs (Chiralpak AD and Chiralcel OD) based on polysaccharide derivatives. The solvent versatility of the covalently immobilized CSPs in enantiomer separation of N‐CBZ and BOC‐α‐amino acids and their ester derivatives was shown and the chromatographic parameters of their enantioselectivities and resolution factors were greatly influenced by the nature of the mobile phase. In general, standard mobile phases using 2‐propanol and hexane on Chiralpak IA showed fairly good enantioselectivities for resolution of N‐CBZ and BOC‐α‐amino acids and their esters. However, 50% MTBE/hexane (v/v) for resolution of N‐CBZ‐α‐amino acids ethyl esters and 20% THF/hexane (v/v) for resolution of N‐BOC‐α‐amino acids ethyl esters afforded the greatest enantioselectivities on Chiralpak IA. Also, liquid chromatographic comparisons of the enantiomer resolution of these analytes were made on amylose tris(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate)‐derived CSPs (Chiralpak IA and Chiralpak AD) and cellulose tris(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate)‐derived CSPs (Chiralpak IB and Chiralcel OD). Chiralpak AD and/or Chiralcel OD showed the highest enantioselectivities for resolution of N‐CBZ‐α‐amino acids and esters, while Chiralpak AD or Chiralpak IA showed the highest resolution of N‐BOC‐α‐amino acids and esters. Chirality 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prognosis of Large, Symptomatic Pericardial Effusion Treated by Echo‐guided Percutaneous Pericardiocentesis
Authors: Kil Uk Hyun , Jung Hae Ok , Koh Yoon Seok , Park Hun Jun , Park Chan Seok , Kim Pum Joon , Baek Sang‐Hong , Seung Ki‐Bae , Choi Kyu‐Bo 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundsThe causes and prognosis of pericardial effusion (PE) may be different according to time, region, economy, and hospital. This study was performed to evaluate the etiology, clinical outcome, and prognosis of patients with large, symptomatic PE treated by echo‐guided pericardiocentesis at Kangnam St. Mary's Hopital (the Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea).HypothesisAccording to etiologies of large, symptomatic PE, the prognosis of patients may be different.MethodsWe reviewed 116 consecutive patients who underwent echo‐guided pericardiocentesis due to large, symptomatic PE over the last 12 y. The Kaplan‐Meier survival curve with log‐rank method was applied for the survival analysis.ResultsProcedural success rate of echo‐guided pericardiocentesis was 99.1%. Common causes of PE requiring pericardiocentesis were lung cancer (27.6%), tuberculosis (TB) (13.8%), and uremia (6.9%). The mortality rate of 6 mo after the pericardiocentesis was 80.3% in malignant PE, whereas the over‐all mortality rate was 18.2% in nonmalignant PE (p < 0.0001). Among the malignant PE, lung cancer (27.6%) and breast cancers (6.9%) were the most common causes. The mean cytologic detection rate and mean life expectancy of malignant PE were 44% and 5‐7 mo. Patients with breast cancer and lymphoma had relatively better life expectancy (11.4 and 7.7 mo), whereas those with stomach cancer and metastases of unknown origin (MUO) had poorer prognosis (1.2 and 2.3 mo). The most common causes of nonmalignant PE were TB, uremia, and iatrogenic, and their mean life expectancy was approximately 54 mo.ConclusionsMalignancy, especially lung cancer and TB, were the most common causes of large symptomatic PE. The prognosis of large symptomatic PE was related to the underlying disease. Malignant PE was associated with the poorest prognosis. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Axospinous synaptic subtype‐specific differences in structure, size, ionotropic receptor expression, and connectivity in apical dendritic regions of rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons
Authors: Nicholson Daniel A. , Geinisman Yuri 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe morphology of axospinous synapses and their parent spines varies widely. Additionally, many of these synapses are contacted by multiple synapse boutons (MSBs) and show substantial variability in receptor expression. The two major axospinous synaptic subtypes are perforated and nonperforated, but there are several subcategories within these two classes. The present study used serial section electron microscopy to determine whether perforated and nonperforated synaptic subtypes differed with regard to their distribution, size, receptor expression, and connectivity to MSBs in three apical dendritic regions of rat hippocampal area CA1: the proximal and distal thirds of stratum radiatum, and the stratum lacunosum‐moleculare. All synaptic subtypes were present throughout the apical dendritic regions, but there were several subclass‐specific differences. First, segmented, completely partitioned synapses changed in number, proportion, and α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) receptor expression with distance from the soma beyond that found within other perforated synaptic subtypes. Second, atypically large, nonperforated synapses showed N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor immunoreactivity identical to that of perforated synapses, levels of AMPA receptor expression intermediate to that of nonperforated and perforated synapses, and perforated synapse‐like changes in structure with distance from the soma. Finally, MSB connectivity was highest in the proximal stratum radiatum, but only for those MSBs composed of nonperforated synapses. The immunogold data suggest that most MSBs would not generate simultaneous depolarizations in multiple neurons or spines, however, because the vast majority of MSBs are comprised of two synapses with abnormally low levels of receptor expression, or involve one synapse with a high level of receptor expression and another with only a low level. J. Comp. Neurol. 512:399–418, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An opportunistic cross‐layer architecture for voice in multi‐hop wireless LANs
Authors: Obeidat Suhaib A. , Syrotiuk Violet R. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe propose an opportunistic cross‐layer architecture for adaptive support of Voice over IP in multi‐hop wireless LANs. As opposed to providing high call quality, we target emergencies where it is important to communicate, even if at low quality, no matter the harshness of the network conditions.With the importance of delay on voice quality in mind, we select adaptation parameters that control the ratio of real‐time traffic load to available bandwidth. This is achieved in two ways: minimizing the load and maximizing the bandwidth. The PHY/MAC interaction improves the use of the spectral resources by opportunistically exploiting rate‐control and packet bursts, while the MAC/application interaction controls the demand per source through voice compression. The objective is to maximize the number of calls admitted that satisfy the end‐to‐end delay budget.The performance of the protocol is studied extensively in the ns‐2 network simulator. Results indicate that call quality degrades as load increases and overlonger paths, and a larger packet size improves performance. For long paths having low‐quality channels, forward error correction, header compression, and relaxing the delay budget of the system are required to maintain call admission and quality. The proposed adaptive protocol achieves high performance improvements over the traditional, non‐adaptive approach. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TLR3 modulates immunopathology during a Schistosoma mansoni egg‐driven Th2 response in the lung
Authors: Joshi Amrita D. , Schaller Matthew A. , Lukacs Nicholas W. , Kunkel Steven L. , Hogaboam Cory M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe examined the role of TLR3 in Th2‐driven pulmonary granulomatous disease, using wildtype (TLR3+/+) and TLR3 gene‐deficient (TLR3−/−) mice in a well‐established model of Schistosoma mansoni egg‐induced pulmonary granuloma. The intravenous bolus injection of S. mansoni eggs into S. mansoni‐sensitized TLR3+/+ mice was associated with an increase in TLR3 transcript expression in alveolar macrophages and ex vivo spleen and lung cultures at day 8 after egg injection. Lungs from TLR3−/− mice showed an increase in granuloma size, greater collagen deposition around the granuloma, and increased Th2 cytokine and chemokine levels compared with similarly sensitized and challenged TLR3+/+ mice. Macrophages from TLR3−/− mice exhibited an M2 phenotype characterized by increased arginase and CCL2 expression. Significantly greater numbers of CD4+CD25+ T cells were present in the lungs of TLR3−/− mice compared with TLR3+/+ mice at day 8 after egg embolization. Cells derived from granulomatous lung and lung draining lymph nodes of TLR3−/− mice released significantly higher levels of IL‐17 levels relative to TLR3+/+ cells. Thus, our data suggest that TLR3 has a major regulatory role during a Th2‐driven granulomatous response as its absence enhanced immunopathology.
Photocatalytic activity of Nd‐doped ZnO for the degradation of C.I. Reactive Blue 4 in aqueous suspension
Authors: Zhou Y. , Lu S.X. , Xu W.G. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractNd‐doped ZnO nanoparticles with different Nd contents were synthesized and characterized by X‐ray power diffraction, UV–vis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectra, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope. The results revealed that the particle size of Nd‐doped ZnO is much smaller than that of pure ZnO, which is critical for enhancing the photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic activity of Nd‐doped ZnO with different Nd loading was compared with pure ZnO, and the effects of the solution pH in the degradation of C.I. Reactive Blue 4 were studied. It was observed that the rate of degradation of C.I. Reactive Blue 4 over Nd‐doped ZnO increases with increasing Nd loading up to 2.5 mol % and then decreases. The rate of degradation reaches a maximum value approximately at pH = 11 and then decreases. Among the catalyst studied, the 2.5 mol % Nd‐doped ZnO was the most active, and the degradation rate of C.I. Reactive Blue 4 could reach 91.25% in 90 min when the concentration of the catalyst was 0.1 g/L. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2009
Longitudinal distributions of river flood power: the combined automated flood, elevation and stream power (CAFES) methodology
Authors: Barker Douglas M. , Lawler Damian M. , Knight Donald W. , Morris David G. , Davies Helen N. , Stewart Elizabeth J. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractStream power can be an extremely useful index of fluvial sediment transport, channel pattern, river channel erosion and riparian habitat development. However, most previous studies of downstream changes in stream power have relied on field measurements at selected cross‐sections, which are time consuming, and typically based on limited data, which cannot fully represent important spatial variations in stream power. We present here, therefore, a novel methodology we call CAFES (combined automated flood, elevation and stream power), to quantify downstream change in river flood power, based on integrating in a GIS framework Flood Estimation Handbook systems with the 5 m grid NEXTMap Britain digital elevation model derived from IFSAR (interferometric synthetic aperture radar). This provides a useful modelling platform to quantify at unprecedented resolution longitudinal distributions of flood discharge, elevation, floodplain slope and flood power at reach and basin scales. Values can be resolved to a 50 m grid. CAFES approaches have distinct advantages over current methodologies for reach‐ and basin‐scale stream power assessments and therefore for the interpretation and prediction of fluvial processes. The methodology has significant international applicability for understanding basin‐scale hydraulics, sediment transport, erosion and sedimentation processes and river basin management. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A food security approach to analyse irrigation efficiency improvement demands at the country level
Authors: Mu Jianxin , Khan Shahbaz , Hanjra Munir A. , Wang Hao 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis paper used a food security approach in an attempt to analyse how much food will be needed in China in 2030 and 2050; to produce that amount of food, at what scale should the irrigation area expand; to realize the development of that irrigation area, how much should the irrigation efficiency improve with the total irrigation water use kept within the range of the goals set up by the Chinese government; and what water management options should be adopted to improve the irrigation efficiency? The results show that there was US$3.1 billion worth of grain deficit in the year 2000 and there will be US$10.8 billion and US$3.2 billion of grain deficits in 2030 and 2050 respectively at the medium population growth and irrigation area development scenarios. To meet the total food demand in 2030 and 2050, 138 and 109 million ha of gross irrigated area are needed, which required 69 and 85% of surface water and groundwater irrigation efficiencies in 2030 and 63 and 83% of surface water and groundwater irrigation efficiencies in 2050 provided the total irrigation diversion is kept around 420 and 400 billion m3 respectively. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrasound increased BMP‐2 expression via PI3K, Akt, c‐Fos/c‐Jun, and AP‐1 pathways in cultured osteoblasts
Authors: Hou Chun‐Han , Hou Sheng‐Mou , Tang Chih‐Hsin 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIt has been shown that ultrasound (US) stimulation accelerates fracture healing in the animal models and in clinical studies. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is a crucial mediator in bone formation during fracture healing. Here we found that US stimulation increased BMP‐2 expression but not other BMPs. US induced BMP‐2 transcription is mediated by AP‐1 element but not estrogen receptor response element and GC‐rich Sp1 response element. Pretreatment of osteoblasts with phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) inhibitor (Ly294002) and Akt inhibitor inhibited the potentiating action of US; these results were further substantiated by transfecting with the dominant negative mutants of p85 and Akt. US stimulation increased the phosphorylation of p85 subunit of PI3K and serine 473 of Akt. Transfection of osteoblasts with c‐Fos and c‐Jun antisense oligonucleotide also reduced US‐increased BMP‐2 expression. US‐increased the binding of c‐Fos and c‐Jun to the AP‐1 element on the BMP‐2 promoter and the enhancement of AP‐1 luciferase activity was inhibited by Ly294002 and Akt inhibitor. Our results suggest that US increased BMP‐2 expression in osteoblasts via the PI3K, Akt, c‐Fos/c‐Jun, and AP‐1 signaling pathway. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 7–15, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.