bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early N400 development and later language acquisition
Authors: Friedrich Manuela , Friederici Angela D. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractRecent developmental research on word processing has shown that mechanisms of lexical priming are already present in 12‐month‐olds whereas mechanisms of semantic integration indexed by the N400 mature a few months later. In a longitudinal setting we investigated whether the occurrence of an N400 at 19 months is associated with the children's language skills later on. To this end children were retrospectively grouped according to their verbal performance in a language test at 30 months. Children with later age‐adequate expressive language skills already displayed an N400 at 19 months. In contrast, children with later poor expressive language skills who have an enhanced risk for the development of specific language impairment (SLI) did not show an early N400. The results imply that children who have deficits in their expressive language at the age of 30 months are already impaired in their semantic development about one year earlier.
Instrument‐ and protocol‐dependent variation in the enumeration of CD34+ cells by flow cytometry
Authors: Rivadeneyra‐Espínoza Liliana , Pérez‐Romano Beatriz , González‐Flores Adriana , Guzmán‐García María Olga , Carvajal‐Armora Fernando , Ruiz‐Argüelles Alejandro 
Published: February 2006

BACKGROUND:  The information regarding the minimum number of CD34+ cells that are necessary to reconstitute hematopoiesis in patients undergoing peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation is quite controversial. Some of the differences in these figures might be due to the selection of antibodies, staining protocols, and acquisition strategies for the flow cytometric enumeration of these cells.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Twenty‐seven human umbilical cord blood samples and 33 leukapheresis products were consecutively collected for this study. Cells were stained following two different protocols, both using monoclonal antibodies to CD45 and CD34, and analyzed by the same operator in two different flow cytometers to enumerate the percentage of CD34+ mononuclear cells.RESULTS:  Relevant differences in the proportion of cells were encountered, and the correlation between the results yielded by both instruments and protocols, although statistically valid, was suboptimal.CONCLUSIONS:  Both interinstrument and interprotocol variation can provide additional explanation for the redundantly reported discrepancies concerning the numbers of CD34 cells that suffice to secure hemopoietic grafting. These results point to the need for new and different standardization approaches in this clinically relevant field.
Decreasing Pain and Anxiety Associated with Patient‐Activated Atrial Shock: A Placebo‐Controlled Study of Adjunctive Sedation with Oral Triazolam
Authors: FABIAN TANYA J. , SCHWARTZMAN DAVID S. , UJHELYI MICHAEL R. , COREY SHARON E. , BIGOS KRISTIN L. , POLLOCK BRUCE G. , KROBOTH PATRICIA D. 
Published: February 2006

Introduction: Implantable atrial defibrillators (IADs) have proved to be safe and effective in the management of atrial fibrillation. A potential limitation of self‐activated IAD therapy is patient‐reported pain and anxiety. The main objective of the present study was to determine whether triazolam improved patient perception of the shock experience or altered patient memory of shock discomfort relative to placebo. Methods and Results: A total of 15 men and women (mean age: 59 ± 6 years) were enrolled in this double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study of triazolam. Randomized study medication was administered orally 75 minutes prior to scheduled atrial shock delivery. Patient perception of the shock experience was assessed along with sedation, memory, anxiety, and mood. Triazolam reduced mean pre‐shock anxiety (t= 2.98, df = 14, P = 0.01) and shock‐related pain (t= 2.74, df = 13, P = 0.01) and intensity (t= 2.64, df = 13, P = 0.018) relative to placebo. Similarly, participants recalled less discomfort the morning after shock with triazolam than with placebo (t= 2.82, df = 11, P = 0.017). Conclusions: This study was the first to investigate the use of an oral benzodiazepine administered prior to patient‐activated shock delivery with an IAD. Our data indicate that oral triazolam is beneficial in decreasing pain and anxiety associated with self‐activated atrial defibrillation. If triazolam provides a similar benefit in the community to that which has been reported here, this medication could be offered to patients as an adjunct to intermittent IAD therapy.
Mechanisms of Atrial Tachyarrhythmias Following Surgical Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Authors: MAGNANO ANTHONY R. , ARGENZIANO MICHAEL , DIZON JOSE M. , VIGILANCE DEON , WILLIAMS MATHEW , YEGEN HILARY , RUETER KEVIN , OZ MEHMET , GARAN HASAN 
Published: February 2006

Introduction: Typical and atypical atrial flutters (AFLs) and atrial tachycardias (ATs) have been reported in patients with prior surgical atrial fibrillation ablation. The underlying mechanisms for this group of atrial tachyarrhythmias have not been well characterized and the efficacy of catheter ablation in their treatment is unknown. Methods and Results: Twenty patients (6 females) with a surface ECG diagnosis of AFL or AT following surgical atrial fibrillation ablation underwent 26 electrophysiology studies. Patients manifesting sustained, organized, and beat‐by‐beat reproducible atrial electrical activity underwent complete right and left atrial catheter mapping and catheter ablation. One patient had no inducible tachyarrhythmia, while 5 patients had nonmappable arrhythmias. Nineteen of the 31 potentially mappable atrial tachyarrhythmias were completely characterized in 14 patients. The underlying mechanisms were macro‐reentrant left AFL (n = 9), focal left AT (n = 3), typical right AFL (n = 6), and atypical right AFL (n = 1). Of the 19 completely characterized atrial arrhythmias, catheter ablation was performed for 18, and the procedure was successful for 13 of these. After a mean follow‐up of 15 ± 10 months, 15 of 20 patients (75%) were in sinus rhythm including 10 of 13 patients (77%) with AT/flutter ablation. Ten patients, including 6 following ablation, were maintaining sinus rhythm without antiarrhythmic medications. Conclusions: Patients with an ECG diagnosis of AFL or AT following surgical atrial fibrillation ablation may have multiple tachycardia mechanisms with the right or left atrium as the site of origin. Many of these rhythms may resolve with further maturation of surgical atrial fibrillation ablation (SAFA) lesions or be treatable with antiarrhythmic medication. However, persistent tachyarrhythmias can often be treated successfully with catheter mapping and ablation.
Calmodulin Antagonist W‐7 Prevents Sparfloxacin‐Induced Early Afterdepolarizations (EADs) in Isolated Rabbit Purkinje Fibers: Importance of Beat‐to‐Beat Instability of the Repolarization
Authors: LU HUA RONG , VLAMINCKX EDDY , VAN DE WATER ANDRE , GALLACHER DAVID J. 
Published: February 2006

Introduction:The occurrence of early afterdepolarizations (EADs) has been related to the incidence of torsades de pointes in drug‐induced long QT (LQT). The generation of EADs may be facilitated by Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase).Methods and Results:In the present study, we investigated a possible involvement of Ca2+/Calmodulin dependent protein kinase in the generation of sparfloxacin‐induced EADs in isolated rabbit Purkinje fibers by means of a calmodulin antagonist W‐7. EADs were evident in 8 of the 10 preparations perfused with sparfloxacin at 1 × 10−4M and stimulated at 0.2 Hz. The induction of EADs by sparfloxacin was associated with a large prolongation of the duration of the action potential (APD), an increase in the triangulation, and the short‐term instability of the repolarization. CaM kinase blockade with the calmodulin antagonist W‐7 inhibited sparfloxacin‐induced EADs in a concentration‐dependent manner (EADs were induced in 3 of 10, 1 of 10, and 0 of 8 preparations in the presence of W‐7 at 5 × 10−7M, 5 × 10−6M, and 5 × 10−5M, respectively; P < 0.01 at 5 × 10−6M and 5 × 10−5M). The inhibition of sparfloxacin‐induced EADs by W‐7 at 5 × 10−7M and 5 × 10−6M was associated with a significant decrease in the beat‐to‐beat instability but not associated with a significant shortening of the APD and reduction of Vmax.Conclusion:The present findings support the hypothesis that CaM kinase may be a proarrhythmic signaling molecule and demonstrate that CaM kinase may be involved in the generation of EADs in drug‐induced LQT and enhanced beat‐to‐beat instability of repolarization is essential for the genesis of EADs in rabbit in vitro.
Intravenous Cocaine and QT Variability
Authors: HAIGNEY MARK C.P. , ALAM SHAMA , TEBO SCOT , MARHEFKA GREGARY , ELKASHEF AHMED , KAHN ROBERTA , CHIANG C. NORA , VOCCI FRANK , CANTILENA LOUIS 
Published: February 2006

Background:Dynamic instability in cardiac repolarization may contribute to drug‐induced arrhythmogenesis. We hypothesized that intravenous cocaine would significantly destabilize repolarization as measured by QT variability.Methods and Results:Twenty‐nine cocaine‐experienced volunteers not seeking treatment for cocaine addiction received randomized, sequential intravenous infusions of placebo or cocaine (20 and 40 mg). Five‐minute epochs of digitized ECG were recorded 10 minutes before, during, and at intervals following the infusions. QT variability was measured using a semiautomated method and expressed as the log ratio of normalized QT variance to normalized heart rate variance (QTVI). Seventeen subjects received a repeat course of cocaine infusions 1 week later. Placebo infusion resulted in a small but significant increase in QTVI, while cocaine caused a highly significant, dose‐dependent increase in QTVI that peaked at 10 minutes and dissipated by 45 minutes following infusion (P < 0.0001). The increase in QTVI was reproducible at 1 week (P = 0.8).Conclusions:Cocaine injection results in a significant dose‐dependent increase in QT variability as indexed by QTVI. This destabilizing effect on repolarization may increase vulnerability to reentrant arrhythmias and may partially explain an increased risk of sudden cardiac death associated with cocaine use.
The Full Stomach Test as a Novel Diagnostic Technique for Identifying Patients at Risk of Brugada Syndrome
Authors: IKEDA TAKANORI , ABE ATSUKO , YUSU SATORU , NAKAMURA KENTARO , ISHIGURO HARUHISA , MERA HISAAKI , YOTSUKURA MASAYUKI , YOSHINO HIDEAKI 
Published: February 2006

Introduction: Autonomic modulation, particularly high vagal tone, plays an important role in the occurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in the Brugada syndrome. Food intake modulates vagal activity. We assessed the usefulness of a novel diagnostic technique, the “full stomach test,” for identifying a high‐risk group in patients with a Brugada‐type electrocardiogram (ECG). Methods and Results: In 35 patients with a Brugada‐type ECG, we assessed 12‐lead ECGs before and after a large meal, a pilsicainide pharmacological test, spontaneous ST‐segment change, late potentials by signal‐averaged ECG, microvolt T‐wave alternans, and four other ECG parameters. These patients were divided into two groups (i.e., high‐risk group [n = 17] and indeterminate risk group [n = 18]). The full stomach test was defined as positive when augmentation of characteristic ECG abnormalities was observed after meals. Thirteen patients had a prior history of life‐threatening events such as aborted sudden death and syncope, with a total of 30 episodes. These episodes had a circadian pattern, at night and after meals. The full stomach test was positive in 17 of the study patients (49%). A positive test outcome was characterized by a higher incidence of a history of life‐threatening events than a negative test outcome (P = 0.015, odds ratio = 7.1). In comparison between the two groups, the incidence (82%) of positive outcomes in the high‐risk group was significantly higher than that (17%) in the indeterminate risk group (P = 0.0002). Conclusions: Characteristic ECG changes diagnostic of Brugada syndrome are augmented by a large meal. These data are associated with a history of life‐threatening events in Brugada syndrome.
Right Ventricular versus Biventricular Antitachycardia Pacing in the Termination of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia in Patients Receiving Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: The ADVANCE CRT‐D Trial
Authors: SCHWAB JOERG O. , GASPARINI MAURIZIO , ANSELME FRÉDÉRIC , MABO PHILIPPE , PEINADO RAFAEL , LAVERGNE THOMAS , BOCCHIARDO MARIO , MASCIOLI GIOSUÈ , PASSARDI MICAELA , MAINARDIS MARC 
Published: February 2006

Background: The purpose of this investigation is to compare the efficacy of antitachycardia pacing (ATP) delivered via the right ventricular (RV) lead versus ATP delivered simultaneously via the right and left ventricular leads (biventricular [BiV]) in the termination of ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with ICD capabilities. Methods and Results: The ADVANCE CRT is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel trial evaluating RV versus BiV ATP in the termination of VT in CRT patients. The study will test the hypothesis that BiV ATP is superior to RV ATP in the termination of VT and fast VT. All patients with class I and IIa indications for an ICD implantation and CRT are included. The sample size has been estimated to 400 participants followed for 12 months to show a 10% benefit of BiV versus RV ATP. The efficacy of BiV ATP to terminate all VT presents the primary endpoint. The investigation is expected to be completed in 2007. Conclusions: The ADVANCE CRT trial is the first large randomized clinical investigation evaluating the efficacy of BiV ATP in patients under CRT and ICD therapy.
Catheter Ablation of Stable and Unstable Ventricular Tachycardias in Patients with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia
Authors: SATOMI KAZUHIRO , KURITA TAKASHI , SUYAMA KAZUHIRO , NODA TAKASHI , OKAMURA HIDEO , OTOMO KIYOSHI , SHIMIZU WATARU , AIHARA NAOHIKO , KAMAKURA SHIRO 
Published: February 2006

Introduction: A reentrant circuit within an area of abnormal myocardium is suspected as the origin of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD). Objectives: To examine the relationship between the reentrant circuits of VT and the abnormal electrograms in ARVD, and to assess the feasibility of a block line formation in the reentrant circuit isthmus utilizing electroanatomical mapping system (CARTO) guidance. Methods and Results: An electrophysiological study and catheter ablation (CA) were performed in 17 ARVD patients (13 men, 47 ± 17 year) using CARTO. Endocardial mapping during sinus rhythm demonstrated electrogram abnormalities extended from the tricuspid annulus (TA) or the right ventricular outflow tract in 16 of 17 patients. In 13 hemodynamically stable VTs, the reentrant circuits and critical slow conduction sites for the CA were investigated during VTs. The entire macro‐reentrant pathway was identified in 6/13 stable VTs (figure‐of‐8 in 4, single loop in 2). In the remaining seven VTs, a focal activation pattern was found in four and an unidentifiable pattern in three. CA successfully abolished all the macro‐reentrant and focal tachycardias, however, not effective in three unidentifiable VTs. In the 13 cases with unstable VT, the linear conduction block zone was produced between the sites with abnormal electrograms and the TA. Ultimately, 23/26 VTs (88%) became noninducible after the CA. During follow‐up (26 ± 15 months), 13/17 patients remained free from any VT episodes. Conclusions: CARTO is useful for characterizing the anatomical and electrophysiological substrates, and for identifying the optimal ablation sites for VT associated with ARVD.
Psychological impact of sports activity in spinal cord injury patients
Authors: Gioia M. C. , Cerasa A. , Di Lucente L. , Brunelli S. , Castellano V. , Traballesi M. 
Published: February 2006

Objective: To investigate whether sports activity is associated with better psychological profiles in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to evaluate the effect of demographic factors on psychological benefits.Methods: The State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, Form X2 (STAI‐X2), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire for extraversion (EPQ‐R (E)) and the questionnaire for depression (QD) were administered in a cross‐sectional study of 137 males with spinal cord injury including 52 tetraplegics and 85 paraplegics. The subjects were divided into two groups according to sports activity participation (high frequency vs no sports participation). Moreover, multiple regression analysis was adopted to investigate the influence of demographic variables, such as age, educational level, occupational status and marital status, on psychological variables.Results: Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the groups for anxiety (STAI‐X2), extraversion (EPQ‐R (E)) and depression (QD). In particular, SCI patients who did not practice sports showed higher anxiety and depression scores and lower extraversion scores than sports participants. In addition, with respect to the paraplegics, the tetraplegic group showed the lowest depression scores. Following multiple regression analysis, only the sports activity factor remained as an independent factor of anxiety scores.Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that sports activity is associated with better psychological status in SCI patients, irrespective of tetraplegia and paraplegia, and that psychological benefits are not emphasized by demographic factors.
RANKL in human periapical granuloma: possible involvement in periapical bone destruction
Authors: Vernal R , Dezerega A , Dutzan N , Chaparro A , León R , Chandía S , Silva A , Gamonal J 
Published: February 2006

Objectives:  The cytokine receptor activator of nuclear factor κB‐ligand (RANKL) has been involved in both the physiological and pathological regulation of osteoclast life span and bone metabolism. Periapical granuloma is a periradicular lesion characterized by periapical bone destruction. The aims of this study were to associate the RANKL mRNA levels to periapical granulomas using the real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) technique and to determine the specific cell involved in RANKL synthesis.Methods:  In eight periapical granuloma and eight periodontal ligament samples from periodontally healthy volunteers, RANKL mRNA was detected by real‐time RT‐PCR. Expression of RANKL on infiltrate leukocytes was further investigated by flow cytometry in six periapical granulomas.Results:  Receptor activator of nuclear factor κB‐ligand mRNA levels were higher in periapical granulomas than in healthy periodontal ligament as its RANKL mRNA cycle threshold (Ct) and ΔCt were significantly lower than that of controls (33.07 ± 1.24 vs 36.96 ± 1.69 and 11.58 ± 3.02 vs 15.60 ± 3.31, respectively). A 16.2‐fold (2.0–131.6) higher RANKL gene expression was detected in the granulomas compared with the control tissues. We determined by flow cytometry that lymphocytes were the predominant leukocyte cells (53.31%), and monocytes and dendritic cells were the main RANKL synthesizers in granuloma lesions.Conclusions:  These data indicate that monocytes synthesized RANKL in periapical granulomas and suggest that RANKL is involved in bone loss associated with periapical lesions.
Pilocarpine for the treatment of salivary glands’ impairment caused by radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer
Authors: Aframian DJ , Helcer M , Livni D , Markitziu A 
Published: February 2006

Objectives:  To study the effect of single‐dose pilocarpine hydrochloride 5 mg on the whole unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow in patients suffering from thyroid cancer treated with radioiodine therapy, and to investigate the changes in vital signs during the treatment.Subjects and methods:  Five such patients were referred with complaints of dry mouth, rampant caries, and pain in the parotid gland region or history of chronic recurrent suppurative sialodenitis. A single dose of 5 mg pilocarpine hydrochloride was administered to each patient and blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and salivary secretion rate were monitored at 1, 2 and 3 h.Results:  A significant elevation of unstimulated and stimulated saliva flow rate was observed in four patients without significant alteration of the monitored vital signs.Conclusions:  Treatment with pilocarpine hydrochloride may be beneficial in the case of impaired salivary function in patients treated with radioiodine.
CD10 expression in stromal cells of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: a clinic and pathologic correlation
Authors: Piattelli A , Fioroni M , Iezzi G , Perrotti V , Stellini E , Piattelli M , Rubini C 
Published: February 2006

Objective:  CD10 is expressed on the majority of follicle‐center lymphomas and Burkitt lymphomas. CD10 has also been shown to be present in a variety of other neoplasms.Design:  The aim of this study was a correlation of CD10 and several parameters: age, tumor size, presence of lymph node metastases, clinic stage, histologic grading, presence of local recurrences.Materials and Methods:  The tissues of 77 consecutive patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma were evaluated using immunostaining with monoclonal antibody for CD10.Main Outcome Measures:  Highly significant correlations were found with the lymph node status, the presence of local recurrences and the histologic grading. The presence of CD10‐positive cells was not correlated with the age of patients, tumor size and clinic stage.Results:  The results of the present study show that in oral squamous cell carcinoma CD10 positivity is an indicator of worse prognosis. Another strong correlation was found with the presence of local recurrences. Also the histologic grade was significantly correlated with the CD10 positivity.Conclusion:  Our results point to the fact that CD10 expression can, perhaps, have an important role in tumor invasion, probably facilitating the occurrence of metastases.
Effect of deproteinization on composite bond strength in hypocalcified amelogenesis imperfecta
Authors: Şaroğlu I , Aras Ş , Öztaş D 
Published: February 2006

Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the treatment of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) after acid conditioning of the enamel and dentin of the primary teeth affected with hypocalcified amelogenesis imperfecta (HCAI) on the shear bond strength of the composite material.Materials and Methods:  Primary teeth from a 12‐year‐old girl affected with HCAI and primary teeth collected from apparently healthy children were used. A total of four groups, experimental and control with and without NaOCl treatment were specified. In the control group conventional composite procedure was performed and in the treatment group 5% NaOCl was applied after acid conditioning and then the procedure continued as in the control group.Results:  In teeth affected with HCAI, enamel shear bond strengths were significantly enhanced in the treatment group compared with the conventional procedure.Conclusion:  Deproteinization could be attributed as effective in enhancing the enamel bonding in HCAI teeth and could be used to overcome the high failure rates of adhesive restorations in HCAI cases.