bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Atrial Radiofrequency Ablation Designed to Cure Atrial Fibrillation on Atrial Mechanical Function
Authors: THOMAS STUART P. , NICHOLSON IAN A. , NUNN GRAHAM R. , REES ARIANWEN , TRIEU LAWRENCE , DALY MICHAEL P.J. , WALLACE ELISABETH M. , ROSS DAVID L. 
Published: April 2007

RF Ablation for AF and Atrial Contractile Function. Introduction: The effects of linear radiofrequency lesions in the atria for cure of atrial fibrillation on atrial contraction have not previously been quantified. Methods and Results: Atrial function was measured before and 30 ± 24 days after a biatrial ablation procedure designed to cure atrial fibrillation in eight dogs and after a sham procedure in three dogs. Atrial mechanical function was assessed using Doppler diastolic blood flow velocities, atrial systolic pressure wave amplitude, and assessment of atrial contribution to cardiac output estimated by comparison of AV sequential pacing to ventricular pacing at the same heart rate. The mitral Doppler A/E velocity ratio was 1.03 ± 0.45 before and 0.72 ± 0.43 after ablation (P = 0.048). The tricuspid A/E ratio was 0.88 ± 0.17 before and 0.71 ± 0.12 after ablation (P = 0.04). The estimated atrial contribution to cardiac output was 18%± 9% before and 5%± 4% after ablation (P < 0.01). The left atrial systolic pressure wave amplitude was 2.8 ± 1.5 mmHg before and 1.7 ± 1.0 mmHg after ablation (P = 0.1). These changes were not observed in control dogs. Lesions covered 25%± 6% of tbe atrial endocardia) surface. Conclusion: Multiple linear radiofrequency lesions in the atria designed to cure atrial fibrillation may impair atrial contractility. Reduced atrial function is partly due to loss of atrial myocardial mass, but regional delays in atrial activation and splinting of the atria by scarring also may contribute.
Right A trial Flutter Isthmus Revisited:
Authors: WAKI KENJI , SAITO TSUKASA , BECKER ANTON E. 
Published: April 2007

Flutter Isthmus Anatomy Revisited. Introduction: The “flutter isthmus.” the part of the lower right atrium between the eustachian valve and the tricuspid annulus inferior to the coronary sinus os, is considered the crucial zone for conduction delay necessary for the genesis of atrial flutter. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Methods and Results: We studied the “flutter isthmus” in 50 hearts obtained at autopsy from patients without atrial tachyarrhythmias. The muscular trabecular arrangement was dissected carefully by peeling off the endocardium. Documentation of the trabecular arrangement focused, in particular, on the question of whether there was a uniform pattern of well‐aligned muscle trabeculae or a nonuniform architecture. It appeared that a nonuniform trabecular pattern prevailed (37/50 [74%]). In these hearts, the muscular arrangement showed abundant cross‐overs and interlacing traheculae, particularly in the zone immediately inferior to the coronary sinus os. Connections also occurred along the Inferior rim of the os. Conclusion: The normal anatomy of the lower right atrium favors nonuniform muscular trabeculation, with Interlacing bundles and a multitude of cross‐overs. The potential for conduction delay is present in the vast majority of normal hearts. This raises the question as to what has changed in the hearts of patients with atrial flutter such that the potential for conduction delay and reentry has become effective.
Radiofrequency Ablation of Idiopathic Left Ventricular Tachycardia at the Site of Earliest Activation as Determined by Noncontact Mapping
Authors: BETTS TIM R. , ROBERTS PAUL R. , AELEN STUART A. , MORGAN JOHN M. 
Published: April 2007

Ablation of Idiopathic LV Tachycardia. Introduction. The most effective method for guiding radiofrequency (RF) ablation of idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT) has yet to be determined. We investigated the use of noncontact mapping in five patients with this condition.Methods and Results. The multielectrode array was positioned in the left ventricular apex via the retrograde approach. Isopotential color maps of ILVT were examined to determine the site of earliest endocardial activation. The ablation catheter was steered to the target site using the locator signal. Pace mapping was performed and contact electrograms examined for diastolic potentials. RF energy was applied to the target site. Sustained ventricular tachycardia was induced in 2 patients and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in 3. The site of earliest activation was at the apical Septum in 3. the inferior apex in I, and the base of the inferior wall in 1. Mean timing was 21 ± 10) msec before onset of the surface QRS. Diastolic activity was visualized with noncontact mapping at the base of the septum in 1 patient. A Purkinje potential was seen at the ablation site in only 1 patient. No diastolic activity was seen in the remaining 3 patients. Tachycardia was successfully terminated in all 5 patients with a median of four RF applications. No patient suffered a recurrence after 9.6 ± 4.7 months of follow‐up.Conclusion. By identifying the precise site of earliest activation during ILVT, noncontact mapping has been shown to be an effective and safe method for guiding RF ablation. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol Vol. 11. pp 1094‐1101. October 2000)
Patterns of Accelerated Junctional Rhythm During Slow Pathway Catheter Ablation for Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia: Temperature Dependence, Prognostic Value, and Insights into the Nature of the Slow Pathway
Authors: WAGSHAL ALAN B. , CRYSTAL EUGENE , KATZ AMOS 
Published: April 2007

Slow Pathway Accelerated Junctional Rhythm. Introduction: Although accelerated junctional rhythm (AJR) is a knuwn marker for successful slow pathway (SP) ablation sites. AJR may just be a regional effect of the anisotropic conduction properties of this area of the heart. We believe that detailed assessment of the AJR might provide insight into the SP specificity of this AJR and perhaps the nature of the SP itself.Methods and Results: Our ablation protocol consisted of 30‐second, 70°C temperature‐controlled ablation pulses with assessment after each pulse. Serial booster ablations were performed at the original successful site and at least 2 to 3 nearby sites to assess for residual AJR after the procedure in 50 consecutive SP ablations. We defined three distinct patterns of AJR: continuous AJR that persisted until the end of energy delivery (group 1, 25 patients); alternating or “stuttering” AJR that persisted throughout energy delivery (group II, 9 patients); and AJR that ended abruptly during energy delivery (group III, 16 patients). Mean ablation temperatures in the three groups was 57°± 5°C, 54°± 5°C, and 63°± 5°C, respectively (P = 0.0002 for groups I and II vs group III). Ten of 34 (29%) patients in groups I and II (“low‐temperature ablation”) exhibited residual SP (jump and/or single echo heats) despite tachycardia noninducibility, and 25 of 34 (73%) patients had residual AJR during the booster ablations, but neither of these was seen in any group III patients.Conclusion: Ablation temperature correlates with the pattern of AJR produced during SP ablation. That higher temperature lesions simultaneously abolish all SP activity as well as the focus of AJR suggests that this AJR is specific for the SP and is not a nonspecific regional effect.
Simplified “ATP Test” for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Dual AV Nodal Physiology and Assessment of Results of Slow Pathway Ablation in Patients with AV Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia
Authors: BELHASSEN BERNARD , FISH ROMAN , ELDAR MICHAEL , GLICK AHARON , GLIKSON MICHAEL , VISKIN SAMI 
Published: April 2007

Diagnostic ATP Test for AVNRT. Introduction: We recently reported that administration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during sinus rhythm identifies dual AV nodal physiology (DAVNP) in 76% of patients with inducible sustained AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) at electrophysiologic (EP) study. In that report, however, the ATP test was considered positive for DAVNP only when the results were reproducible at a given dose of ATP. The aim of the present study was to assess the value of a simplified ATP test for noninvasive diagnosis of DAVNP and abolition or modification of the slow pathway (SP) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with inducible sustained AVNRT.Methods and Results: The value of a single dose of ATP was studied in 105 patients with inducible sustained AVNRT and in 31 control patients before placement of EP catheters in the cardiac chambers. ATP (10 to 60 mg, in 10‐mg increments) was injected during sinus rhythm until ECG signs of DAVNP (≤ 50 msec increase or decrease in PR interval in two consecutive beats, or occurrence of ≤ 1 AV nodal echo beat) or ≤ second‐degree AV block was observed. DAVNP was observed in only 1 (3.2%) control patient. The test could he completed in 96 study patients. DAVNP was found by ATP test in 72 (75%) patients, whereas it was diagnosed by EP criteria in 82 (85%) patients. DAVNP hy ATP test disappeared in 27 (96%) of 28 patients who underwent SP abolition and in 18 (60%) of 30 patients who underwent SP modification. In the 12 patients with persistent DAVNP determined by ATP test after SP modification, the number of beats conducted over the SP was significantly reduced (from 6.3 ± 3.3 to 2.5 ± 2.2 beats; P = 0.002).Conclusion: A single administration of ATP during sinus rhythm (at a given dose) enables noninvasive diagnosis of DAVNP in a high percentage of patients with inducible AVNRT and reliably confirms the results of RFA of the SP.
Revising Wulfstan's Antichrist in the Twelfth Century: A Study in Medieval Textual Re‐appropriation
Authors: Conti Aidan 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe following article considers medieval methods of textual composition and modern methods of textual analysis in light of increasing scholarly interest directed towards the continued use of English after the Conquest. The re‐use of Wulfstan's eschatological material in the twelfth century is used as a case study. The revisions to three Wulfstan homilies demonstrate that by examining works in their manuscript context literary scholars and historians better understand the way in which medieval compilers could exploit the fertility of earlier material to produce new texts for new audiences. Such texts, frequently ignored as unoriginal, present innovative compositional techniques while upholding the inherently conservative interpretative framework of the church.
Could bystander first‐aid prevent trauma deaths at the scene of injury?
Authors: Ashour Amer , Cameron Peter , Bernard Stephen , Fitzgerald Mark , Smith Karen , Walker Tony 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjective:  To identify potentially preventable prehospital deaths following traumatic cardiac arrest.Methods:  Deaths following prehospital traumatic cardiac arrest during 2003 were reviewed in the state of Victoria, Australia. Possible survival with optimal bystander first‐aid and shorter ambulance response times were identified. Injury Severity Scores (ISS) were calculated. Victims with an ISS <50 and signs of life were reviewed for potentially preventable factors contributing to death including signs of airway obstruction, excessive bleeding and/or delayed ambulance response times.Results:  We reviewed 112 cases that had full ambulance care records, hospital records and autopsy details in Victoria 2003. Most deaths involved road trauma and 55 victims had an ISS <50. Twelve patients received first‐aid from bystanders. Ambulance response times >10 min might have contributed to five deaths with an ISS <25.Conclusion:  Five (4.5%) potentially preventable prehospital trauma deaths were identified. Three deaths potentially involved airway obstruction and two involved excessive bleeding. There is a case for increased awareness of the need for bystander first‐aid at scene following major trauma.
Fatal haemorrhage from a caput medusae: A differential to a stabbing
Authors: Hoi Kent Y , Mignanelli Emilio D , Lightfoot David 
Published: April 2007

AbstractFatal haemorrhage from caput medusae is reported once previously in the literature. We report the case of a 48‐year‐old man who presented to the ED in hypovolaemic shock, with a suspected stab wound to the abdomen. He was subsequently found to have exsanguinated from a cutaneous varix secondary to chronic liver disease.
THE JUST‐ABOUT‐RIGHT INTENSITY SCALE: FUNCTIONAL ANALYSES AND RELATION TO HEDONICS
Authors: GACULA MAXIMO , RUTENBECK SHERI , POLLACK LANA , RESURRECCION ANNA V.A. , MOSKOWITZ HOWARD R. 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT This study assessed the meaning of just‐about‐right (JAR) categories when used with a 5‐point intensity scale. The panelists comprised both consumer and in‐house respondents. The JAR categories have various meanings as perceived by the respondents: “prefer product,”“very good,”“I like the product,”“like it very much,”“highly favorable,”“high acceptability,”“desirable like the product,”“best for the situation” and “correct.” Thus, the JAR meanings invoke preference and acceptability. This article presents two additional analyses to help the product tested. One method of analysis divides below‐JAR deviation from the above‐JAR deviation, with standard statistical procedures applied in each data set. The second method introduces the signal‐to‐noise ratio statistic for analyzing the relation of JAR to overall liking. Both analytic methods provide new ways to look at the JAR data, especially with respect to hedonics and product improvement.
Strategic Buyer–Supplier Relationships, Information Technology and External Logistics Integration
Authors: Paulraj Antony , Chen Injazz J. 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARYThe advent of vertical disintegration coupled with the globalization of markets has brought about increased attention to how firms coordinate flow of materials and information across their supply chain partners. The current research explores the impact of strategic buyer–supplier relationships and information technology on a firm's external logistics integration and agility performance using data collected from over 200 firms. The proposed structural equation model reveals that strategic buyer–supplier relationships and information technology engender external logistics integration, which in turn, affects agility performance of firms. Furthermore, information technology moderates the link between buyer–supplier relationships and logistics integration. Implications for future research and practice are also discussed.
Comparison of an ESAT-6/CFP-10 Peptide-Based Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay to a Tuberculin Skin Test for Screening of a Population at Moderate Risk of Contracting Tuberculosis
Authors: Porsa Esmaeil , Cheng Lee , Graviss Edward A. 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT

Screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) with the Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) has many limitations including false-positive results due to
Mycobacterium bovis
bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination. Three hundred ninety adult inmates with normal screening chest radiographs in a county jail were evaluated for LTBI using TST and an ESAT-6/CFP-10 peptide-based enzyme-linked immunospot assay (T-SPOT.
TB
). LTBI prevalence rates were 19.0% and 8.5% by T-SPOT.
TB
and TST, respectively. Overall agreement between test results was 82.8% (κ = 0.29). Positive T-SPOT.
TB
results were significantly associated with increased age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.06) and intravenous drug use history (OR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.36 to 6.27). Positive TST results were significantly associated with increased age (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.09) and foreign birth (OR, 6.61; 95% CI, 1.98 to 22.01). Discordant covariates between the assay results included increased age (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94 to 0.99) and intravenous drug use history (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.88). T-SPOT.
TB
reactivity is unaffected by prior BCG vaccination. T-SPOT.
TB
may be more sensitive than TST in diagnosing LTBI among a moderate risk population of inmates, particularly those with intravenous drug use history. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess the positive predictive value of T-SPOT.
TB
in identifying those most likely to convert to active disease in general populations as well as in high-risk subpopulations.
Rapid Detection of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen by an Agglutination Assay Mediated by a Bispecific Diabody against Both Human Erythrocytes and Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen
Authors: Chen Yu-Ping , Qiao Yuan-Yuan , Zhao Xiao-Hang , Chen Hong-Song , Wang Yan , Wang Zhuozhi 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTBispecific antibodies have immense potential for use in clinical applications. In the present study, a bispecific diabody against human red blood cells (RBCs) and hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) was used to detect HBsAg in blood specimens. The bispecific diabody was constructed by crossing over the variable region of the heavy chains and the light chains of anti-RBC and anti-HBsAg antibodies with a short linker, SRGGGS. In enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, this bispecific diabody showed specific binding to both RBCs and HBsAg. When this bispecific diabody was mixed with human blood specimens in the presence of HBsAg, the dual binding sites of the diabody caused agglutination of human RBCs. This diabody-mediated agglutination assay was then used to test 712 clinical blood specimens and showed 97.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity when the results were compared with those of the conventional immunoassay, which was used as a reference. This autologous RBC agglutination assay provides a simple approach for rapid screening for HBsAg in blood specimens.
Both Human Immunodeficiency Virus Cellular DNA Sequencing and Plasma RNA Sequencing Are Useful for Detection of Drug Resistance Mutations in Blood Samples from Antiretroviral-Drug-Naive Patients
Authors: Parisi Saverio G. , Boldrin Caterina , Cruciani Mario , Nicolini Giangiacomo , Cerbaro Isabella , Manfrin Vinicio , Dal Bello Federico , Franchin Elisa , Franzetti Marzia , Rossi Maria C. , Cattelan Anna M. , Romano Laura , Zazzi Maurizio , Andreoni Massimo , Palù Giorgio 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTGenotypic antiretroviral testing is recommended for newly infected drug-naive subjects, and the material of choice is plasma RNA. Since drug resistance mutations (DRMs) may persist longer in cellular DNA than in plasma RNA, we investigated whether the use of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) DNA increases the sensitivity of genotypic testing in antiretroviral-drug-naive subjects. We compared the rate of primary drug resistance in plasma RNA and PBMC DNA in 288 HIV type 1-infected drug-naive persons tested at a single clinical virology center from June 2004 to October 2006. Resistance in the plasma compartment to at least one drug was detected for 64 out of 288 (22.2%) naive patients and in the PBMC compartment for 56 (19.4%) patients. Overall, DRMs were found in 80 out of 288 (27.8%) patients. PBMC DRMs were present in plasma RNA from 16 subjects with wild-type virus infections. Another nine patients had additional DRMs in PBMCs with respect to those detected in plasma RNA. On the other hand, extra plasma DRMs were detected in PBMCs for 24 and 8 subjects with wild-type and drug-resistant virus, respectively. Resistance to more than one class of antiretroviral drug was detected by plasma and PBMC analysis for 25.0% and 36.2% of the subjects, respectively. Our data support the potential utility of genotypic resistance testing of PBMC DNA in conjunction with the currently recommended plasma RNA analysis.
StaphPlex System for Rapid and Simultaneous Identification of Antibiotic Resistance Determinants and Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Detection of Staphylococci from Positive Blood Cultures
Authors: Tang Yi-Wei , Kilic Abdullah , Yang Qunying , McAllister Sigrid K. , Li Haijing , Miller Rebecca S. , McCormac Melinda , Tracy Karen D. , Stratton Charles W. , Han Jian , Limbago Brandi 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT

Phenotypic methods take several days for identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of staphylococcal isolates after gram-positive cocci in clusters (GPCC) are observed in positive blood cultures. We developed and validated a StaphPlex system that amplifies and detects 18 gene targets simultaneously in 1 reaction for species-level identification of staphylococci, detection of genes encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), and antimicrobial resistance determinants of staphylococci. The StaphPlex system was compared to phenotypic methods for organism identification and antimicrobial resistance detection for positive blood culture specimens in which GPCC were observed. Among a total of 360 GPCC specimens, 273 (75.8%), 37 (10.3%), 37 (10.3%), 1 (0.3%), 3 (0.8%), and 9 (2.5%) were identified by StaphPlex as coagulase-negative
Staphylococcus
(CoNS), methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA), methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
(MSSA), or mixed infections of CoNS and MRSA, CoNS and MSSA, or nonstaphylococci, respectively, with an overall accuracy of 91.7%. The 277 CoNS-containing specimens were further identified to the species level as containing 203 (73.3%)
Staphylococcus epidermidis
isolates, 10 (3.6%)
Staphylococcus haemolyticus
isolates, 27 (9.7%)
Staphylococcus hominis
isolates, 1 (0.4%)
Staphylococcus lugdunensis
isolate, and 36 (13.0%) other CoNS isolates, with an overall accuracy of 80.1% compared to an API STAPH test and CDC reference identification. Numerous very major errors were noticed when detection of
aacA
,
ermA
,
ermC
,
tetM
, and
tetK
was used to predict in vitro antimicrobial resistance, but relatively few major errors were observed when the absence of these genes was used to predict susceptibility. The StaphPlex system demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity, ranging from 95.5% to 100.0% when used for staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
typing and PVL detection. StaphPlex provides simultaneous staphylococcal identification and detection of PVL and antimicrobial resistance determinants within 5 h, significantly shortening the time needed for phenotypic identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Multicenter Laboratory Evaluation of the MB/BacT
Mycobacterium
Detection System and the BACTEC MGIT 960 System in Comparison with the BACTEC 460TB System for Susceptibility Testing of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Garrigó Montserrat , Aragón Lina Marcela , Alcaide Fernando , Borrell Sonia , Cardeñosa Eugenia , Galán Juan José , Gonzalez-Martín Julián , Martin-Casabona Nuria , Moreno Carmen , Salvado Margarita , Coll Pere 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT

In this multicenter study, the reliability of two nonradiometric, fully automated systems, the MB/BacT and BACTEC MGIT 960 systems, for testing the susceptibilities of 82
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
strains to isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and streptomycin was evaluated in comparison with the radiometric BACTEC 460TB system. The arbitration of discrepant results was done by the reanalysis of the strain, the determination of the MIC, and the molecular characterization of some resistance determinants. The overall level of agreement with BACTEC 460TB results was 96% with the MB/BacT test and 97.2% with the BACTEC MGIT 960 system. With both methods, the level of agreement with BACTEC 460TB results was 96.3% for isoniazid, 98.8% for rifampin, and 98.8% for ethambutol. The level of agreement for streptomycin was 90.2% with MB/BacT and 97.5% with BACTEC MGIT 960. Overall, there were 11 very major errors and 2 major errors with the MB/BacT method and 5 very major errors and 2 major errors with the BACTEC MGIT 960 system. In general, the MB/BacT and BACTEC MGIT 960 systems showed good performance for susceptibility testing with first-line antituberculosis drugs.