bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved survival after acute myocardial infarction in patients with advanced killip class
Authors: Miller Wayne L. , Scott Wright R. , Grill Joseph P. , Kopecky Stephen L. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground: The continuing applicability of the Killip classification system to the effective stratification of long‐term and short‐term outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) and its influence on treatment strategy calls for reanalysis in the setting of today's primary reperfusion treatments.Hypothesis: Our study sought to test the hypothesis that Killip classification, established on admission in patients with acute Ml, is an effective tool for early prediction of in‐hospital mortality and long‐term survival.Methods: A series of 909 consecutive Olmsted County patients admitted with acute MI to St. Marys Hospital, Mayo Clinic, between January 1988 and March 1998 was analyzed. Killip classification was the primary variable. Endpoints were in‐hospital death, major in‐hospital complications, and post‐hospital death.Results: Patients analyzed included 714 classified as Killip 1,170 classified as Killip II/III, and 25 classified as Killip IV. Increases in in‐hospital mortality and prevalence of in‐hospital complications correspond significantly with advanced Killip class (p < 0.01), with in‐hospital mortality 7% in class I, 17.6% in classes II/III, and 36% in class IV patients (p < 0.001). Killip classification was strongly associated with mode of therapy administered within 24 h of admission (p < 0.01). Killip IV patients underwent primary angioplasty most commonly and were less likely to receive medical therapy.Conclusions: Killip classification remains a strong independent predictor of in‐hospital mortality and complications, and of long‐term survival. Early primary angioplasty has contributed to a decrease in mortality in Killip IV patients, but effective adjunctive medical therapy is underutilized.
Transient increase in plasma brain (b‐type) natriuretic peptide after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
Authors: Tateishi Jun , Masutani Motomaru , Ohyanagi Mitsumasa , Iwasaki Tadaaki 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground: Brain (B‐type) natriuretic peptide (BNP) is known to be secreted predominantly from the myocardium. Brain natriuretic peptide plasma concentrations have been shown to be markedly increased in patients with acute myocardial infarction; however, plasma BNP response during episodes of myocardial ischemia has not been established.Hypothesis: This study was designed to examine plasma BNP in patients with transient myocardial ischemia induced by inflation of a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) balloon.Methods: Thirty consecutive patients (26 men and 4 women; mean age 61 years) who underwent PTCA, and another 49 patients (39 men and 10 women; mean age 63 years) who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography were enrolled in this study. Serum BNP concentrations were assayed in all patients.Results: Plasma BNP was increased significantly with a peak concentration of 66.1 ± 65.2 pg/ml 24 h after PTCA. Coronary angiography did not cause plasma BNP increase (immediately before 30.4 ± 29.0 pg/ml, 24 h after 33.7 ± 30.6 pg/ml). No significant differences were present in hemodynamic parameters measured immediately before and 24 h after PTCA.Conclusion: Plasma BNP is increased by transient myocardial ischemia induced by PTCA.
Transcatheter closure of a patent ductus arteriosus in an elderly patient with the gianturco‐grifka vascular occlusion device
Authors: Befeler Benjamin , Justiniano Alberto , Zahn Evan 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis paper reports the unusual case of a 76‐year‐old woman who was discovered to have a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus following uneventful mitral valve replacement, utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass. The shunt was successfully eliminated using a new transcatheter device, thereby obviating the need for further surgery. The patient did not have calcification within the ductus, making diagnosis prior to surgery more difficult.
Lack of compensatory enlargement at sites of coronary vasospasm: Identification by ultrasound and successful treatment with stenting
Authors: Kinlay Scott , Selwyn Andrew P. , Ganz Peter , O'gara Patrick T. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe case of a young man with spontaneous vasospasm at two sites in his left anterior descending coronary artery is described. Intravascular ultrasound demonstrated mild eccentric atherosclerosis with smaller total artery cross‐sectional area (defined as the external elastic membrane) compared with reference segments. Impaired compensatory enlargement (remodeling) in response to mild atherosclerosis may derive from one or more biologic mechanisms that are also responsible for vasospasm. This characteristic is easily identified by intravascular ultrasound. In this case, coronary stenting of the vasospastic sites led to excellent long‐term control of symptoms more than 1 year after intervention.
Bosentan and the endothelin system in congestive heart failure
Authors: Ellahham Samer H. , Choucair Wassim K. , Charlon Vincent , Abassi Zaid , Calis Karim A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe endothelin system appears to play an important role in the pathophysiology of congestive heart failure (CHF). Endothelin receptor antagonists represent a novel class of agents that are being evaluated for their potential benefits in treating various cardiovascular disorders. Bosentan is an orally active endothelin receptor antagonist that has been studied for the treatment of CHF. Early clinical experience with bosentan has confirmed some benefits on hemodynamic parameters in patients with CHF. Its role in slowing the progression of the disease and improving survival remains to be elucidated.
Does left ventricular shape influence clinical outcome in heart failure?
Authors: Harjai Kishore J. , Edupuganti Ravindra , Nunez Eduardo , Turgut Tansel , Scott Luis , Pandian Natesa G. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground: Left ventricular (LV) shape tends to become spherical in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy of diverse etiology. Clinical and echocardiographic factors which affect the degree of LV spherical distortion and the impact of altered LV shape on prognosis have not been studied adequately.Hypothesis: This study was undertaken to investigate the prognostic implications of altered LV shape on clinical outcome in dilated cardiomyopathy.Methods: In 112 patients with depressed LV ejection fraction (19 ± 9%) and symptomatic heart failure, and in 10 age‐and gender‐matched normal controls, we performed 2‐dimensional echocardiography to assess LV shape using the eccentricity index. Eccentricity index was defined as the ratio of the LV long axis to the LV transverse diameter, measured at end systole and end diastole in the apical four‐chamber view. We sought univariate and multivariate clinical and echocardiographic correlates of LV shape. Further, we sought correlations between eccentricity index and clinical outcomes (death and composite outcome of death or emergent heart transplant).Results: Compared with controls, patients with cardiomyopathy had significantly lower systolic (2.04 vs. 1.56; p = 0.001) and diastolic (1.75 vs. 1.53; p = 0.003) eccentricity index, implying a more spherical LV shape. Of all clinical and echocardiographic variables tested, mitral regurgitation, right ventricular dysfunction, and increased LV mass were independently associated with spherical LV shape. At a follow‐up period of 17 ± 12 months, no correlation was found between eccentricity index and the occurrence of death or the combined endpoint of death or emergent heart transplant, in univariate or multivariate analysis.Conclusions: In patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, the degree of spherical distortion of the LV does not correlate with prognosis.
Lipoprotein(a) Is Related to the Extent of Lesions in the Coronary Vasculature and to Unstable Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Zampoulakis John D. , Kyriakousi Areti A. , Poralis Kostas A. , Karaminas Naoum T. , Palermos Ioannis D. , Chimonas Elias T. , Cokkinos Dennis V. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground: Lp(a) is a highly atherogenic particle with a prothrombotic effect. Until now its relation to the extent and severity of the atheromatic lesions had not been established by standard procedures.Hypothesis: This study examined the correlation of Lp(a) to the extent and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its relation to unstable clinical events (not including sudden death).Methods: In 202 patients undergoing coronary angiography, plasma lipids were measured with the usual procedures and Lp(a) with the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The extent of CAD was expressed in the number of diseased vessels and its severity in terms of the severity coefficient and the obstruction coefficient.Results: A very strong relationship between LP(a) and the number of diseased vessels (p = 0.0007) signifying diffuse atherosclerosis, but no relation with the severity of the lesions, was found. However, it was the only lipid that correlated significantly with the number of totally occluded vessels (p = 0.0003). The thrombogenic ability of Lp(a) was manifested by increased incidence of myocardial infarction and unstable angina episodes in patients with elevated Lp(a) (p = 0.0157).Conclusion: Elevated Lp(a) predisposes to the extent of CAD and total occlusions but not to the severity of lesions. Patients with increased Lp(a) levels and unstable angina are at increased danger of suffering myocardial infarction. Thus, Lp(a) may predispose to plaque destabilization and thrombosis of noncritical lesions.
Combined Thallium‐201 and Dynamic Iodine‐123 Iodophenylpentadecanoic Acid Single‐Photon Emission Computed Tomography in Patients after Acute Myocardial Infarction with Effective Reperfusion
Authors: Richter Wolf–S. , Cordes Michael , Schuppenhauer Torsten , Munz Dieter L. , Beckmann Stephan , Schartl Michael 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground: Considerable derangements of energy metabolism are to be expected during ischemia and reperfusion. In ischemic myocardium, the oxidative degradation of carbohydrates is shifted toward the anaerobic production of lactate and the oxidation of fatty acids is suppressed.Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to examine the uptake and metabolism of iodine‐123 (123I) iodophenylpentadecanoic acid (IPPA) in stunned myocardium.Methods: In 15 patients, SPECT with 201T1 and 123I IPPA as well as echocardiography with low‐dose dobutamine stimulation were performed 12 ± 5 days after myocardial infarction with reperfusion. Follow‐up echocardiography was carried out 24 ± 8 days later for documentation of functional improvement. Uptake of 201T1 and 123I IPPA were obtained in five left ventricular segments, and dynamic SPECT imaging was used for calculation of the fast and the slow components of the biexponential myocardial 123I IPPA clearance.Results: Wall motion improved in 14 of 26 dysfunctional segments (54%). Stunned segments were characterized by a reduced 123I IPPA extraction, a shorter half‐life of the fast, and a longer half‐life of the slow clearance component. All parameters of the combined 201T1/123I IPPA study predicted functional recovery with similar accuracies (area under the receiver operator characteristic curves between 0.68 and 0.76; p = NS). Analysis of 201T1 uptake alone could not predict functional recovery in this study.Conclusions: Stunned myocardium is characterized by a disturbance of fatty acid metabolism. For prediction of functional improvement, 123I IPPA imaging added significant diagnostic information.
Momentum/continuity coupling with large non‐isotropic momentum source terms
Authors: Franklin J. D. , Lee Joon Sang 
Published: February 2009

AbstractPressure‐based methods such as the SIMPLE algorithm are frequently used to determine a coupled solution between the component momentum equations and the continuity equation. This paper presents a colocated variable pressure correction algorithm for control volumes of polyhedral/polygonal cell topologies. The correction method is presented independent of spatial approximation. The presence of non‐isotropic momentum source terms is included in the proposed algorithm to ensure its applicability to multi‐physics applications such as gas and particulate flows. Two classic validation test cases are included along with a newly proposed test case specific to multiphase flows. The classic validation test cases demonstrate the application of the proposed algorithm on truly arbitrary polygonal/polyhedral cell meshes. A comparison between the current algorithm and commercially available software is made to demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is competitively efficient. The newly proposed test case demonstrates the benefits of the current algorithm when applied to a multiphase flow situation. The numerical results from this case show that the proposed algorithm is more robust than other methods previously proposed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A hybrid scheme based on finite element/volume methods for two immiscible fluid flows
Authors: Wan Tian , Aliabadi Shahrouz , Bigler Christopher 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWe have successfully extended our implicit hybrid finite element/volume (FE/FV) solver to flows involving two immiscible fluids. The solver is based on the segregated pressure correction or projection method on staggered unstructured hybrid meshes. An intermediate velocity field is first obtained by solving the momentum equations with the matrix‐free implicit cell‐centered FV method. The pressure Poisson equation is solved by the node‐based Galerkin FE method for an auxiliary variable. The auxiliary variable is used to update the velocity field and the pressure field. The pressure field is carefully updated by taking into account the velocity divergence field. This updating strategy can be rigorously proven to be able to eliminate the unphysical pressure boundary layer and is crucial for the correct temporal convergence rate. Our current staggered‐mesh scheme is distinct from other conventional ones in that we store the velocity components at cell centers and the auxiliary variable at vertices. The fluid interface is captured by solving an advection equation for the volume fraction of one of the fluids. The same matrix‐free FV method, as the one used for momentum equations, is used to solve the advection equation. We will focus on the interface sharpening strategy to minimize the smearing of the interface over time. We have developed and implemented a global mass conservation algorithm that enforces the conservation of the mass for each fluid. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Kerr Enda , Craig David , McGuinness Bernadette , Dynan Kevin B. , Fogarty Damian , Johnston Janet A. , Passmore A. Peter 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectivesRenal disease is increasingly regarded as an independent risk factor for vascular disease which in itself is believed to influence risk of AD. Alterations in amyloid homeostasis via reduced renal clearance of peripheral beta‐amyloid (A|*beta*|) may represent another potential role for variation in renal function leading to increased risk of AD. We sought to examine estimates of glomerular filtration rate in AD and control groups.MethodsAD patients were randomly recruited from the Memory Clinic of the Belfast City Hospital (n = 83). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leucocytes and was genotyped for Apolipoprotein E using standard methods. Using creatinine values, age and gender, estimated Glomerular Filtration Rates (eGFR) were calculated using the isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS)‐traceable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation (using the United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Scheme (UKNEQAS) correction factor). IDMS eGFR values were then compared between AD and control groups.ResultsSignificant baseline differences in age, diastolic blood pressure, education level attained and APOE |*epsilon*|4 carriage were noted between cases and controls. The AD group had a significantly lower eGFR versus controls (69 vs 77 ml/min) which persisted after adjustment for possible confounders (p = 0.045).ConclusionsThis case‐control analysis suggests that using a relatively accurate estimate of renal function, patients with AD have greater renal impairment than cognitively normal controls. This may reflect impaired renal clearance of peripheral A|*beta*| or be a marker of shared vascular processes altering cerebral and renal functioning. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exogenous thioredoxin prevents ethanol-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in mouse liver #
Authors: Cohen Jessica I. , Roychowdhury Sanjoy , DiBello Patricia M. , Jacobsen Donald W. , Nagy Laura E. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractEthanol-induced liver injury is characterized by increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokines, resulting in the development of hepatic steatosis, injury, and cell death by necrosis and apoptosis. Thioredoxin (Trx), a potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory molecule with antiapoptotic properties, protects animals from a number of inflammatory diseases. However, the effects of ethanol on Trx or its role in ethanol-induced liver injury are not known. Female C57BL/6 mice were allowedad libitumaccess to a Lieber-deCarli ethanol diet with 5.4% of calories as ethanol for 2 days to acclimate them to the diet, followed by 2 days with 32.4% of calories as ethanol or pair-fed control diet. Hepatic Trx-1 was decreased by ethanol feeding; daily supplementation with recombinant human Trx (rhTrx) prevented this ethanol-induced decrease. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that administration of rhTrx during ethanol exposure would attenuate ethanol-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokine production, and apoptosis. Mice were treated with a daily intraperitoneal injection of either 5 g/kg of rhTrx or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).Conclusion:Ethanol feeding increased accumulation of hepatic 4-hydroxynonenal protein adducts, expression of hepatic tumor necrosis factor α, and resulted in hepatic steatosis and increased plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. In ethanol-fed mice, treatment with rhTrx reduced 4-hydroxynonenal adduct accumulation, inflammatory cytokine expression, decreased hepatic triglyceride, and improved liver enzyme profiles. Ethanol feeding also increased transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling-positive cells, caspase-3 activity, and cytokeratin-18 staining in the liver. rhTrx treatment prevented these increases. In summary, rhTrx attenuated ethanol-induced increases in markers of oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokine expression, and apoptosis. (Hepatology 2009.)
MicroRNA-21 is overexpressed in human cholangiocarcinoma and regulates programmed cell death 4 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 #
Authors: Selaru Florin M. , Olaru Alexandru V. , Kan Takatsugu , David Stefan , Cheng Yulan , Mori Yuriko , Yang Jian , Paun Bogdan , Jin Zhe , Agarwal Rachana , Hamilton James P. , Abraham John , Georgiades Christos , Alvarez Hector , Vivekanandan Perumal , Yu Wayne , Maitra Anirban , Torbenson Michael , Thuluvath Paul J. , Gores Gregory J. , LaRusso Nicholas F. , Hruban Ralph , Meltzer Stephen J. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs) are aggressive cancers, with high mortality and poor survival rates. Only radical surgery offers patients some hope of cure; however, most patients are not surgical candidates because of late diagnosis secondary to relatively poor accuracy of diagnostic means. MicroRNAs (miRs) are involved in every cancer examined, but they have not been evaluated in primary CCA. In this study, miR arrays were performed on five primary CCAs and five normal bile duct specimens (NBDs). Several miRs were dysregulated and miR-21 was overexpressed in CCAs. miR-21 differential expression in these 10 specimens was verified by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). To validate these findings, qRT-PCR for miR-21 was then performed on 18 additional primary CCAs and 12 normal liver specimens. MiR-21 was 95% sensitive and 100% specific in distinguishing between CCA and normal tissues, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.995. Inhibitors of miR-21 increased protein levels of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 (TIMP3). Notably, messenger RNA levels of TIMP3 were significantly lower in CCAs than in normals. Conclusions: MiR-21 is overexpressed in human CCAs. Furthermore, miR-21 may be oncogenic, at least in part, by inhibiting PDCD4 and TIMP3. Finally, these data suggest that TIMP3 is a candidate tumor suppressor gene in the biliary tree. (Hepatology 2009.)
A bimodal four‐parameter lognormal linear model of soil water repellency persistence
Authors: Regalado C. M. , Ritter A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractSoil water repellency may be characterized in terms of the delayed infiltration time of a water droplet resting on the soil surface, which is, water drop penetration time (WDPT), or repellency persistence. Such repellency persistence varies nonlinearly with soil water content (θg), although no models have been proposed to reproduce the variation of WDPT with θg in soils. Dynamic factor analysis (DFA) is used to identify two common patterns of unexplained variability in a scattered dataset of WDPT versus θg measurements. A four‐parameter lognormal distribution was fitted to both common patterns obtained by DFA, and these were combined additively in a weighted multiple linear bimodal model. We show how such an empirical model is capable of reproducing a large variety of WDPT versus θg curve shapes (N = 80) both within a wide range of measured WDPTs (0–17 000 s) and for samples with organic matter content ranging from 21·7 to 80·6 g (100 g)−1. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.