bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dog Ownership, Walking Behavior, and Maintained Mobility in Late Life
Authors: Thorpe Roland J. , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Brach Jennifer S. , Ayonayon Hilsa , Satterfield Suzanne , Harris Tamara B. , Garcia Melissa , Kritchevsky Stephen B. ,   for the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study
Published: July 2006

OBJECTIVES: To examine dog walking among dog owners and the relationship between walking behavior of dog owners and non‐dog owners and maintained gait speed over 3 years.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses of a prospective cohort study.SETTING: Memphis, Tennessee, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand five hundred thirty‐three community‐dwelling adults aged 71 to 82 at 36 months of the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study.MEASUREMENTS: Dog ownership, reported walking behavior, change in walking behavior, and usual and rapid gait speed over 3 years.RESULTS: Of 394 dog owners, only 36% walked their dogs at least three times per week. Cross‐sectionally, dog walkers were more likely to achieve 150 minutes of walking per week and had faster usual and rapid walking speeds (1.20 vs 1.14 m/s and 1.62 vs 1.52 m/s, respectively; P<.01 for both) than non‐dog owners who did not walk at least three times per week and similar speeds as non‐dog owners who walked at least 150 minutes per week (P>.50). Three years later, subjects who had been dog walkers at baseline were approximately twice as likely as any other group to achieve recommended walking levels, independent of covariates. Dog walkers experienced similar declines in usual and rapid walking speed as non‐dog owners who walked at least three times per week but maintained their initial mobility advantage.CONCLUSION: Although dog ownership appears to facilitate walking behavior, only a minority of older dog owners walk their dogs. The mobility advantage of dog ownership was seen only in dog walkers and was similar to that associated with any walking. Given suboptimal walking activity in older adults, examining the degree to which dog ownership promotes walking activity in persons who do little walking on their own appears worth pursuing.
Ventricular Fibrillation Induced by Stretch Pulse: Implications for Sudden Death Due to Commotio Cordis
Authors: BODE FRANK , FRANZ MICHAEL R. , WILKE IRIS , BONNEMEIER HENDRIK , SCHUNKERT HERIBERT , WIEGAND UWE K.H. 
Published: July 2006

Introduction: Nonpenetrating chest wall impact (commotio cordis) may lead to sudden cardiac death due to the acute initiation of ventricular fibrillation (VF). VF may result from sudden stretch during a vulnerable window, which is determined by repolarization inhomogeneity. Methods: We examined action potential morphologies and VF inducibility in response to sudden myocardial stretch in the left ventricle (LV). In six Langendorff perfused rabbit hearts, the LV was instrumented with a fluid‐filled balloon. Increasing volume and pressure pulses were applied at different times of the cardiac cycle. Monophasic action potentials (MAPs) were recorded simultaneously from five LV epicardial sites. Inter‐site dispersion of repolarization was calculated in the time and voltage domains. Results: Sudden balloon inflation induced VF when pressure pulses of 208–289 mmHg were applied within a window of 35–88 msec after MAP upstroke, a period of intrinsic increase in repolarization dispersion. During the pressure pulse, MAPs revealed an additional increase in repolarization dispersion (time domain) by 9 ± 6 msec (P < 0.01). The maximal difference in repolarization levels (voltage domain) between sites increased from 19 ± 3% to 26 ± 3% (P < 0.05). Earliest stretch‐induced activation was observed near a site with early repolarization, while sites with late repolarization showed delayed activation. Conclusions: Sudden myocardial stretch can elicit VF when it occurs during a vulnerable window that is based on repolarization inhomogeneity. Stretch pulses applied during this vulnerable window can lead to nonuniform activation. Repolarization dispersion might play a crucial role in the occurrence of fatal tachyarrhythmias during commotio cordis.
Long‐Term Safety and Efficacy of Circumferential Ablation with Pulmonary Vein Isolation
Authors: CHEEMA AAMIR , DONG JUN , DALAL DARSHAN , VASAMREDDY CHANDRASEKHAR R. , MARINE JOSEPH E. , HENRIKSON CHARLES A. , SPRAGG DAVID , CHENG ALAN , NAZARIAN SAMAN , SINHA SUNIL , HALPERIN HENRY , BERGER RONALD , CALKINS HUGH 
Published: July 2006

Background: Each of the two main approaches to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF, segmental and circumferential) is associated with moderate long‐term efficacy. Objective: To report the long‐term outcomes of a modified technique that combines circumferential ablation with pulmonary vein (PV) isolation, determined by a circular mapping catheter and to determine the relationship between complete PV isolation and long‐term efficacy. Methods: The patient population was composed of 64 consecutive patients (47 men [73%]; age 59 ± 11 years) with AF who underwent catheter ablation. AF was paroxysmal in 29 (45%) and nonparoxysmal in 35 (55%). Each patient was followed for a minimum of 12 months. Results: After a mean follow‐up of 13 ± 1 months, the long‐term single‐procedure success rate was 45% (n = 29) with an additional 4% (n = 3) of patients demonstrating improvement. With repeat procedures in 19 patients, the overall long‐term success rate was 62% (n = 40) with 9% (n = 6) demonstrating improvement. All the patients who underwent repeat ablations had recovered PV conduction. Incomplete PV isolation was the only independent predictor of failure. A major complication occurred in four (6%) patients, including three patients with vascular complications and one with cardiac tamponade. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the long‐term single‐procedure efficacy of circumferential ablation with PV isolation in a cohort of patients with predominantly nonparoxysmal AF approaches 50%. Repeat procedures involving re‐isolation of the PVs result in a significant improvement in outcomes. Complete electrical isolation of the PVs has a significant impact on the long‐term efficacy of the procedure.
Rebalancing Growth in China: A Three‐Handed Approach
Authors: Blanchard Olivier , Giavazzi Francesco 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe present paper is an attempt to define the contours of the right macroeconomic strategy for China. In a nutshell, we believe that the package includes a decrease in saving, with a focus on private saving, an increase in the supply of services, in particular health services, and an appreciation of the RMB. This is why we refer to this strategy as a “three‐handed approach”: action on the fiscal and budgetary front, accompanied by currency revaluation. We start by asking how the Chinese economy got to where it is, what the strategy has been since the beginning of the reforms, and what the main characteristics of the economy are today. We then ask what is the desirable path for the future, and which are the main policy trade‐offs implied by such a path. Finally, we put the various pieces together to describe what we believe is a consistent policy package.(Edited by Xiaoming Feng)
Real Exchange Rate in China: A Long‐run Perspective
Authors: Gao Haihong 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis paper investigates the RMB exchange rate from a long‐run viewpoint. Whether China's rapid economic growth brought about real exchange rate appreciation between 1975 and 2002 is empirically examined, based on a supply‐side model, the Balassa—Semuelson Hypothesis (BSH). The same test is conducted on Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and India. Our result indicates that the BSH only exists where the industrial structure has been upgraded and the economy has been successfully transformed from an agricultural economy to a manufacturing economy. Interestingly, China, among those where the BSH does not present, appears to be upgrading its industrial and trade structure. We then try to answer the question of why past rapid growth has no significant relationship with the RMB real exchange rate and what factors are underlying the trend of the RMB real exchange rate. We expect an appreciating trend of RMB real exchange rate in the foreseeable future, presuming that China's industrial upgrading process continues and the factors pertaining to the BSH's prediction, such as rise of wage rates in both tradables and nontradables, become more significant.(Edited by Xiaoming Feng)
Global Energy and Environmental Impacts of an Expanding China
Authors: McKibbin Warwick J. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractChina accounts for 10 percent of global energy use and will continue to rely on coal for generating approximately 75 percent of its energy over coming decades. The environmental problems associated with coal burning are a concern for China as well as regionally and globally. The present paper summarizes China's energy structure and likely future energy requirements, while exploring the impact of energy use on air quality, black carbon emission, sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions, and carbon dioxide emissions. Although China has begun to take action on local environmental problems from energy, there is still much to be done. In particular, the problem of black carbon and carbon dioxide emissions needs to be addressed. The present paper proposes addressing carbon dioxide emissions through a longer‐term strategy that acknowledges the need for China to continue to grow without a short‐term carbon constraint but with clear pricing of the short‐term and long‐term cost of carbon dioxide.(Edited by Xiaoming Feng)
How we do it: The viability of free mucosal grafts on exposed bone in lacrimal surgery – a prospective study
Authors: Mahendran S. , Stevens‐King A. , Yung M.W. 
Published: July 2006

Keypoints• To ascertain viability of free mucosal of grafts on bare bone and degree of contracture in vivo.• Prospective study to ascertain graft survival where a small piece of mucosa, with a single centrally placed prolene suture for future identification, removed during endoscopic dacrocystorhinostomy (DCR) was replaced to cover exposed bone at the end of the procedure. The presence of the graft and the degree of contracture was assessed endoscopically in outpatients at the second and fourth weeks.• All patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria who underwent DCR in the study period April–October 2002.• All the grafts survived intact at 4 weeks after the operation. Grafts underwent up to 20% contracture over this period.• Free mucosal grafts survive well when applied to denuded bone in DCR operation.
How we do it: Analysing GP referral priorities: the unforeseen effect of ‘Choose and Book’
Authors: Pothier D.D. , Repanos C. , Awad Z. 
Published: July 2006

Keypoints• The introduction of Choose and Book may have a significant effect on the proportion of urgent referrals seen by ENT surgeons.• Much of the responsibility for prioritisation will be transferred to the GP.• Patients who are considered urgent by the ENT surgeon will be added to those considered urgent by the GP.• Our results show that there was little agreement between GPs and ENT surgeon on what constitutes an urgent referral.• The combined effect of joint prioritisation and the removal of the ‘soon’ category resulted in a 270% increase in ‘urgent’ referrals in our sample.• This potentially unforeseen consequence of the Choose and Book system should be taken into consideration by ENT departments to allow for an expansion of the ‘urgent’ category.
The significance of MRI findings for non‐rhinological disease*
Authors: McNeill E. , O'Hara J. , Carrie S. 
Published: July 2006

Objectives:  Mucosal changes in the paranasal sinuses are detected in 30–50% of scans for non‐rhinological disease. This study assesses the relationship between symptoms of rhinosinusitis and radiological evidence of sinus pathology in patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for unrelated pathology.Design:  Prospective observational study, evaluating symptoms of rhinosinusitis in patients undergoing MRI scanning of the internal acoustic meati. A visual analogue scale (VAS) of rhinological symptoms was completed immediately before scanning, specifying symptoms present at the time of completing the questionnaire. Symptom scores were recorded by one of the investigators, blinded to the MRI images. Two investigators independently rated sinus mucosal thickening for each scan, both of whom were blinded to the symptom scores. Lund and Mackay scoring systems were used for both symptom and radiological scores, which were then compared.Setting:  Otolaryngology and Radiology Departments in a large teaching hospital.Participants:  Fifty consecutive patients were recruited over a 2‐month period.Main outcome measures:  Visual analogue scale symptom scores were compared with radiological scores for sinus mucosal thickening.Results:  No statistically significant relationship was demonstrated between rhinological symptoms and radiological features suggestive of rhinosinusitis in patients undergoing MRI scanning for non‐rhinological disease.Conclusions:  The relationship between rhinological symptoms and MRI findings of sinus pathology is not straightforward. Management decisions should be made on the basis of nasal history and endoscopy, rather than radiological findings. This is the first study assessing this relationship by documenting symptoms on the day of scanning, using a validated scoring system.
Assessment of subjective scales for selection of patients for nasal septal surgery
Authors: Boyce J.M. , Eccles R. 
Published: July 2006

Objective:  To investigate the use of subjective measures to assist the surgeon in patient selection for septal surgery.Study design:  Prospective, observational. Approved by local ethics committee.Setting:  ENT outpatient department, University Hospital of Wales.Participants:  Forty‐six participants on the waiting list for septal surgery for nasal obstruction.Main outcome measure:  Measurement of nasal partitioning of airflow by rhinospirometer (GM Instruments, Scotland), subjective scales, and investigator's assessment of septal deviation.Results:  The subjective scores, and investigator's assessment of septal deviation, were compared with the rhinospirometer objective measurements for correlation, sensitivity and specificity. The rhinospirometry results showed that 20% of the patients on the waiting list had objective measures of partitioning of nasal airflow within a normal range for healthy subjects. The ordinal scale proved to be more useful than the visual analogue scale for patient selection. The subjective scores of airflow partitioning from the double ordinal scale correlated well with the rhinospirometry measurements (r = 0.8). The ordinal scale also had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 60%. The investigator's subjective assessment of septal deviation had a high sensitivity at around 100% but had a lower specificity (30%).Conclusions:  The use of a subjective ordinal scale to measure partitioning of airflow greatly increased the specificity of patient selection and it is proposed that this scale may be useful to the surgeon when assessing patients for septal surgery.
Population Genetics Study of Isoniazid Resistance Mutations and Evolution of Multidrug-Resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Hazbón Manzour Hernando , Brimacombe Michael , Bobadilla del Valle Miriam , Cavatore Magali , Guerrero Marta Inírida , Varma-Basil Mandira , Billman-Jacobe Helen , Lavender Caroline , Fyfe Janet , García-García Lourdes , León Clara Inés , Bose Mridula , Chaves Fernando , Murray Megan , Eisenach Kathleen D. , Sifuentes-Osornio José , Cave M. Donald , Ponce de León Alfredo , Alland David 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACT

The molecular basis for isoniazid resistance in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is complex. Putative isoniazid resistance mutations have been identified in
katG
,
ahpC
,
inhA
,
kasA
, and
ndh
. However, small sample sizes and related potential biases in sample selection have precluded the development of statistically valid and significant population genetic analyses of clinical isoniazid resistance. We present the first large-scale analysis of 240 alleles previously associated with isoniazid resistance in a diverse set of 608 isoniazid-susceptible and 403 isoniazid-resistant clinical
M. tuberculosis
isolates. We detected 12 mutant alleles in isoniazid-susceptible isolates, suggesting that these alleles are not involved in isoniazid resistance. However, mutations in
katG
,
ahpC
, and
inhA
were strongly associated with isoniazid resistance, while
kasA
mutations were associated with isoniazid susceptibility. Remarkably, the distribution of isoniazid resistance-associated mutations was different in isoniazid-monoresistant isolates from that in multidrug-resistant isolates, with significantly fewer isoniazid resistance mutations in the isoniazid-monoresistant group. Mutations in
katG
315 were significantly more common in the multidrug-resistant isolates. Conversely, mutations in the
inhA
promoter were significantly more common in isoniazid-monoresistant isolates. We tested for interactions among mutations and resistance to different drugs. Mutations in
katG
,
ahpC
, and
inhA
were associated with rifampin resistance, but only
katG
315 mutations were associated with ethambutol resistance. There was also a significant inverse association between
katG
315 mutations and mutations in
ahpC
or
inhA
and between mutations in
kasA
and mutations in
ahpC
. Our results suggest that isoniazid resistance and the evolution of multidrug-resistant strains are complex dynamic processes that may be influenced by interactions between genes and drug-resistant phenotypes.
In Vitro Interactions between Piperaquine, Dihydroartemisinin, and Other Conventional and Novel Antimalarial Drugs
Authors: Davis Timothy M. E. , Hamzah Juliana , Ilett Kenneth F. , Karunajeewa Harin A. , Reeder John C. , Batty Kevin T. , Hackett Sara , Barrett P. Hugh R. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACT
In an in vitro assessment of antimalarial combinations, dihydroartemisinin (DHA) showed no interaction or was mildly antagonistic when combined with piperaquine, pyronaridine, or naphthoquine. Interactions between 4-aminoquinolines and related drugs were also indifferent/antagonistic. The clinical significance of mildly antagonistic DHA combinations is uncertain but may become important if parasite drug sensitivity declines.
Naturally Processed Dermcidin-Derived Peptides Do Not Permeabilize Bacterial Membranes and Kill Microorganisms Irrespective of Their Charge
Authors: Steffen H. , Rieg S. , Wiedemann I. , Kalbacher H. , Deeg M. , Sahl H.-G. , Peschel A. , Götz F. , Garbe C. , Schittek B. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACT
Dermcidin (DCD) is a recently described antimicrobial peptide, which is constitutively expressed in eccrine sweat glands and transported via sweat to the epidermal surface. By postsecretory proteolytic processing in sweat the dermcidin protein gives rise to several truncated DCD peptides which differ in length and net charge. In order to understand the mechanism of antimicrobial activity, we analyzed the spectrum of activity of several naturally processed dermcidin-derived peptides, the secondary structure in different solvents, and the ability of these peptides to interact with or permeabilize the bacterial membrane. Interestingly, although all naturally processed DCD peptides can adopt an α-helical conformation in solvents, they have a diverse and partially overlapping spectrum of activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. This indicates that the net charge and the secondary structure of the peptides are not important for the toxic activity. Furthermore, using carboxyfluorescein-loaded liposomes, membrane permeability studies and electron microscopy we investigated whether DCD peptides are able to permeabilize bacterial membranes. The data convincingly show that irrespective of charge the different DCD peptides are not able to permeabilize bacterial membranes. However, bacterial mutants lacking specific cell envelope modifications exhibited different susceptibilities to killing by DCD peptides than wild-type bacterial strains. Finally, immunoelectron microscopy studies indicated that DCD peptides are able to bind to the bacterial surface; however, signs of membrane perturbation were not observed. These studies indicate that DCD peptides do not exert their activity by permeabilizing bacterial membranes.
First Detection of the Plasmid-Mediated Class A Carbapenemase KPC-2 in Clinical Isolates of
Klebsiella pneumoniae
from South America
Authors: Virginia Villegas Maria , Lolans Karen , Correa Adriana , Jose Suarez Carlos , Lopez Jaime A. , Vallejo Marta , Quinn John P. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACT

The plasmid-mediated class A carbapenemase KPC-2 was isolated from unrelated
Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolates in Medellin, Colombia. These KPC enzymes are the first from South America and the second isolation outside of the United States. The expanding geographic spread of KPC carbapenemases underscores the importance of clinical recognition of these enzymes.
Genetic Basis for Natural and Acquired Resistance to the Diarylquinoline R207910 in Mycobacteria
Authors: Petrella Stephanie , Cambau Emmanuelle , Chauffour Aurelie , Andries Koen , Jarlier Vincent , Sougakoff Wladimir 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACT

The
atpE
gene encoding the subunit
c
of the ATP synthase of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, the target of the new diarylquinoline drug R207910, has been sequenced from in vitro mutants resistant to the drug. The previously reported mutation A63P and a new mutation, I66M, were found. The genetic diversity of
atpE
in 13 mycobacterial species was also investigated, revealing that the region involved in resistance to R207910 is conserved, except in
Mycobacterium xenopi
in which the highly conserved residue Ala63 is replaced by Met, a modification that may be associated with the natural resistance of
M. xenopi
to R207910.
Inhibition ofPlasmodium falciparumGrowth In Vitro and Adhesion to Chondroitin-4-Sulfate by the Heparan Sulfate Mimetic PI-88 and Other Sulfated Oligosaccharides
Authors: Adams Yvonne , Freeman Craig , Schwartz-Albiez Reinhard , Ferro Vito , Parish Christopher R. , Andrews Katherine T. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTA panel of sulfated oligosaccharides was tested for antimalarial activity and inhibition of adhesion to the placental malaria receptor chondroitin-4-sulfate (CSA). The heparan sulfate mimetic PI-88, currently undergoing phase II anticancer trials, displayed the greatest in vitro antimalarial activity againstPlasmodium falciparum(50% inhibitory concentration of 7.4 μM) and demonstrated modest adhesion inhibition to cell surface CSA.
Class II Transposon-Borne Structure Harboring Metallo-β-Lactamase Gene
bla
VIM-2
in
Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Poirel Laurent , Cabanne Ludovic , Collet Louis , Nordmann Patrice 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACT

A plasmid-encoded class II transposon element was identified in a carbapenem-resistant
Pseudomonas putida
isolate. Tn
1332
, closely related to Tn
1331
, harbored the metallo-β-lactamase gene
bla
VIM-2
in addition to four other antibiotic resistance genes,
aacA4
,
aadA1
,
bla
OXA-9
, and
bla
TEM-1
, and two novel insertion sequences, IS
Ppu17
and IS
Ppu18
.