bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel Robotic Catheter Remote Control System: Feasibility and Safety of Transseptal Puncture and Endocardial Catheter Navigation
Authors: SALIBA WALID , CUMMINGS JENNIFER E. , OH SEIL , ZHANG YOUHUA , MAZGALEV TODOR N. , SCHWEIKERT ROBERT A. , BURKHARDT J. DAVID , NATALE ANDREA 
Published: September 2006

Objectives: The aims of this study were to demonstrate the safety and the feasibility of the robotic catheter remote control system (CCS) in endocardial navigation in all cardiac chambers, as well as facilitation of the transseptal puncture. Background: CCS has been developed to facilitate control and precise positioning of catheters within the cardiovascular system. Methods: CCS consists of a remote catheter manipulator, a set up joint, a physician workstation, and a steerable guide catheter (SGC) and sheath. A conventional 4‐mm tip catheter was inserted through the SGC to perform mapping of five predefined targets in each cardiac chamber. Seven mongrel dogs were used in this study. Intracardiac echocardiography and three‐dimensional (3‐D) electroanatomical mapping were integrated with CCS to facilitate catheter manipulation and to guide transseptal puncture. The time to complete the transseptal puncture and the time to complete access to the predefined targets in each cardiac chamber were measured. Gross and microscopic examinations of the accessed and ablation sites were performed to evaluate safety. Results: Transseptal puncture was performed successfully in all animals with a mean time of 7 ± 3 minutes. Procedure times to access the five targets in the right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle were 5.6 ± 1.7, 4.6 ± 1.5, 13.5 ± 11.0, 7.0 ± 2.9 minutes, respectively. There were no intracardiac damages associated with catheter manipulation noted in the excised hearts. Conclusions: Endocardial catheter navigation and mapping using the robotic catheter remote control is safe and feasible. Moreover, the CCS could be used to perform transseptal puncture and left atrial instrumentation.
Ventricular Fibrillation During No‐Flow Global Ischemia in Isolated Rabbit Hearts
Authors: WU TSU‐JUEY , LIN SHIEN‐FONG , HSIEH YU‐CHENG , TING CHIH‐TAI , CHEN PENG‐SHENG 
Published: September 2006

Introduction: The dominant frequency (DF) during ventricular fibrillation (VF) in Langendorff‐perfused guinea pig hearts is higher in left ventricle (LV) than in right ventricle (RV). However, the onset of VF invariably leads to global ischemia. Whether or not a high DF source exists in LV during global ischemia is unknown. Methods and Results: By using a two‐camera optical mapping system, epicardial activation patterns of VF were studied in 12 isolated rabbit hearts during baseline, no‐flow global ischemia, and reperfusion. Simultaneous endocardial electrode recording was performed in 4 of the 12 hearts. Optical mapping showed type 1 VF at baseline, with multiple wandering and short‐lived wavelets. After the onset of global ischemia, VF showed progressively increased spatiotemporal periodicity. The majority (65%) of VF recorded after 7 minutes of global ischemia showed type 2 VF, containing a single epicardial site with stable (≥3.85 seconds in duration) repetitive activities. Among the 33 sites with these activities, 24 were located near the interventricular septum, and 27 showed an epicardial breakthrough pattern with centrifugal propagation and wavebreaks distant from the focal site. After 10 minutes of global ischemia, the DF was lower on LV epicardium (5.0 ± 1.4 Hz) than on RV epicardium (8.6 ± 2.5 Hz, P < 0.001). However, there was no DF gradient between RV and LV endocardium (9.7 ± 1.0 vs 9.6 ± 0.9 Hz). Conclusions: VF during prolonged global ischemia is consistent with type 2 VF with a single subepicardial source of rapid activation, mostly near the interventricular septum. The DF in LV is not higher than in RV.
Comparison of Cool Tip Versus 8‐mm Tip Catheter in Achieving Electrical Isolation of Pulmonary Veins for Long‐Term Control of Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Randomized Pilot Study
Authors: DIXIT SANJAY , GERSTENFELD EDWARD P. , CALLANS DAVID J. , COOPER JOSHUA M. , LIN DAVID , RUSSO ANDREA M. , VERDINO RALPH J. , PATEL VICKAS V. , KIMMEL STEPHEN E. , RATCLIFFE SARAH J. , HSIA HENRY H. , NAYAK HEMAL M. , ZADO ERICA , REN JIAN‐FANG , MARCHLINSKI FRANCIS E. 
Published: September 2006

Objective: To compare safety and efficacy of 8‐mm versus cooled tip catheter in achieving electrical isolation (EI) of pulmonary veins (PV) for long‐term control of atrial fibrillation (AF). Background: There is paucity of studies comparing safety/efficacy of 8‐mm and cooled tip catheters in patients undergoing AF ablation. Methods and Results: This was a randomized and patient‐blinded study. Subjects were followed by clinic visits (at 6 weeks and 6 months) and transtelephonic monitoring (3‐week duration) done around each visit. Primary endpoints were: (1) long‐term AF control (complete freedom and/or >90% reduction in AF burden on or off antiarrhythmic drugs at 6 months after a single ablation), and (2) occurrence of serious adverse events (cardiac tamponade, stroke, LA‐esophageal fistula, and/or death). Eighty‐two patients (age 56 ± 9 years, 60 males, paroxysmal AF = 59) were randomized (42 patients to 8‐mm tip and 40 patients to cooled tip). EI of PVs was achieved in shorter time by the 8‐mm tip as compared with cooled tip catheter (40 ± 23 minutes vs 50 ± 30 minutes; P < 0.05) but long‐term AF control was not different between the two (32 patients [78%] vs 28 patients [70%], respectively; P = NS). One serious adverse event occurred in each group (LA‐esophageal fistula and stroke, respectively) and no significant PV stenosis was observed in either. Conclusion: EI of PVs using either 8‐mm or cooled tip catheter results in long‐term AF control in the majority after a single ablation procedure, with comparable efficacy and safety.
Remote Magnetic Navigation to Map and Ablate Left Coronary Cusp Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: BURKHARDT J. DAVID , SALIBA WALID I. , SCHWEIKERT ROBERT A. , CUMMINGS JENNIFER , NATALE ANDREA 
Published: September 2006

Background: Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and ventricular tachycardia may arise from the coronary cusps. Navigation, mapping, and ablation in the coronary cusps can be challenging. Remote magnetic navigation may offer an alternative to conventional manually operated catheters. Objective: We report a case of left coronary cusp ventricular tachycardia ablation using remote magnetic navigation. Methods: Right ventricular outflow tract and coronary cusp mapping, and ablation of the left coronary cusp using a remote magnetic navigation and three‐dimensional (3‐D) mapping system was performed in a 28‐year‐old male with frequent, symptomatic PVCs and ventricular tachycardia. Results: Successful ablation of left coronary cusp ventricular tachycardia was performed using remote magnetic navigation. Conclusions: Remote magnetic navigation may be used to map and ablate PVCs and ventricular tachycardia originating from the coronary cusps.
“Left‐Variant” Atypical Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia: Electrophysiological Characteristics and Effect of Slow Pathway Ablation within Coronary Sinus
Authors: OTOMO KIYOSHI , OKAMURA HIDEO , NODA TAKASHI , SATOMI KAZUHIRO , SHIMIZU WATARU , SUYAMA KAZUHIRO , KURITA TAKASHI , AIHARA NAOHIKO , KAMAKURA SHIRO 
Published: September 2006

Introduction: Recent anatomical and electrophysiological studies have demonstrated the presence of leftward posterior nodal extension (LPNE); however, its role in the genesis of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is poorly understood. This study was performed to characterize successful slow pathway (SP) ablation site and to elucidate the role of LPNE in genesis of atypical AVNRT with eccentric activation patterns within the coronary sinus (CS). Methods and Results: Among 45 patients with atypical AVNRT (slow‐slow/fast‐slow/both = 20/22/3 patients) with concentric (n = 37, 82%) or eccentric CS activation (n = 8, 18%), successful ablation site was evaluated. Among 35/37 patients (95%) with concentric CS activation, ablation at the conventional SP region outside CS eliminated both retrograde SP conduction and AVNRT inducibility. Among eight patients with eccentric CS activation, the earliest retrograde atrial activation was found at proximal CS 16 ± 4 mm distal to the ostium during AVNRT. The earliest retrograde activation site was located at inferior to inferoseptal mitral annulus, consistent with the presumed location of LPNE. Ablation at the conventional SP region with electroanatomical approach only rendered AVNRT nonsustained without elimination of retrograde SP conduction in seven of eight patients (88%). Ablation targeted to the earliest retrograde atrial activation site within proximal CS (15 ± 4 mm distal to the ostium); however, eliminated retrograde SP conduction and rendered AVNRT noninducible in six of eight patients (75%). Conclusion: In 75% of “left‐variant” atypical AVNRT, ablation within proximal CS was required to eliminate eccentric retrograde SP conduction and render AVNRT noninducible, suggesting LPNE formed retrograde limb of reentrant circuit.
A Single Pulmonary Vein as Electrophysiological Substrate of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: HUANG HE , WANG XINGXIANG , CHUN JULIAN , ERNST SABINE , SATOMI KAZUHIRO , UJEYL AMAAR , CHU HUIMIN , SHI HAIFENG , BÄNSCH DIETMAR , ANTZ MATTHIAS , KUCK KARL‐HEINZ , OUYANG FEIFAN 
Published: September 2006

Introduction: It has been demonstrated that pulmonary veins (PVs) play an important role in initiation and maintenance of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is not clearly known whether a single PV acts as electrophysiological substrate for paroxysmal AF. Methods and Results: This study included five patients with paroxysmal AF. All patients underwent complete PV isolation with continuous circular lesions (CCLs) around the ipsilateral PVs guided by a three‐dimensional mapping system. Irrigated radiofrequency (RF) delivery was performed during AF on the right‐sided CCLs in two patients and on the left‐sided CCLs in three patients. The incomplete CCLs resulted in a change from AF to atrial tachycardia (AT), which presented with an identical atrial activation sequence and P wave morphology. Complete CCLs resulted in AF termination with persistent PV tachyarrhythmias within the isolated PV in all five patients. PV tachyarrhythmia within the isolated PV was PV fibrillation from the left common PV (LCPV) in two patients, PV tachycardia from the right superior PV (RSPV) in two patients, and from the left superior PV in one patient. All sustained PV tachyarrhythmias persisted for more than 30 minutes, needed external cardioversion for termination in four patients and a focal ablation in one patient. After the initial procedure, an AT from the RSPV occurred in a patient with PV fibrillation within the LCPV, and was successfully ablated. Conclusion: In patients with paroxysmal AF, sustained PV tachyarrhythmias from a single PV can perpetuate AF. Complete isolation of all PV may provide good clinical outcome during long‐term follow‐up.
The New Urban Governance: Processes for Engaging Citizens and Stakeholders
Authors: Bingham Lisa Blomgren 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe new urban governance requires not only tools (like tax incentives and contracts for privatizing government functions), but also new processes to carry the tools into effect, including deliberation and dialogue for making policy and dispute resolution (like negotiation, mediation, and voluntary monitoring) for implementing and enforcing it. The processes vary with their application in the policy process, from upstream identification of policy preferences to downstream enforcement. These processes share certain characteristics. All empower citizens and stakeholders to exercise their voice and become more engaged in their communities. All can substitute for or supplement traditional governance processes such as rulemaking or adjudication. They make it possible for leaders to collaborate with community stakeholders, and together to consider a broader and perhaps different set of ideas and proposals. These processes may permit participants to develop a consensus on priorities based on community values and interests rather than simply legal rights.
Collaboration and Citizen Participation in Community Mediation Centers
Authors: Gazley Beth , Chang Won Kyung , Bingham Lisa Blomgren 
Published: September 2006

AbstractCommunity mediation programs could be viewed simply as community‐based alternatives to court‐based adjudicatory systems. Alternatively, they provide broader services and offer deeper benefits as “community‐owned” programs that foster citizen participation and democratic governance. However, little research has been conducted on the extent to which they fulfill these expectations. This study of the scope and structure of relationships forged by community mediation centers with their stakeholders, funders, and referral sources attempts to fill this gap in the scholarship. Data were obtained from a national sample of 174 agencies through the National Association for Community Mediation. Qualitative and quantitative descriptive data suggest that community mediation centers have established moderate to strong interorganizational linkages, multiple funding and referral streams, and broadly representative boards of directors. Their experience with participatory decision making and other means of citizen involvement is also present, although weaker.
A Preliminary Assessment of Water Institutions in India: An Institutional Design Perspective
Authors: Ananda Jayanath , Crase Lin , Pagan P.G. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWater institutions in India play a crucial role in managing scarce water resources and are central to economic development and poverty alleviation. Designing appropriate institutional mechanisms to allocate scarce water and river flows has been an enormous challenge due to the complex legal, constitutional, and social issues involved. The Indian water sector has been grappling with poor performance and deterioration of public (canal and tank) irrigation systems, high extraction levels of groundwater, and related economic and environmental problems. The objective of this article is to carry out a preliminary assessment of institutional mechanisms available to manage water resources in India. The article surveys various formal and informal institutional arrangements that are used at present and their design features in order to identify those institutions related to superior performance. The analysis indicates that crafting “winning institutions” and the policy frameworks to strengthen them should take into account not only the proven criteria of institutional design but also the changing socioeconomic, political, and cultural factors.
Initial and late prognostic factors to predict survival in adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Le Quoc‐Hung , Thomas Xavier , Ecochard René , Iwaz Jean , Lhéritier Véronique , Michallet Mauricette , Fiere Denis 
Published: September 2006

Abstract:Factors able to predict overall survival in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia were assessed according to the period since initiation of the treatment using a Cox proportional hazards model. This period covers successively an initial period during the induction treatment and a consolidation period during the postinduction treatment. From 1994 to 2002, 922 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (excluding French‐American‐British L3 subtype) were enrolled in a multicentre protocol and followed, with a mean follow up of 58 months. A multivariate time‐segmented analysis was performed on 658 patients. Analyses of the initial (before 100 d) and the late phases were realised after stratification on the type of induction treatment and on the different treatment strategies respectively. Age was the sole factor that influenced survival during the initial phase (hazard ratio 1.48 per 10‐yr increase;P < 0.01). Factors that predicted survival during the late phase were age (hazard ratio 1.12,P = 0.02), white blood cells count (hazard ratio 1.01 per 1010cells/L increase;P < 0.05), lactic dehydrogenase level (hazard ratio 1.001 for 10 IU/L increase;P < 0.01) and t(9;22) karyotype or miscellaneous others vs. normal karyotype (hazard ratios 1.40;P < 0.01 and 1.06;P = 0.04 respectively). This analysis suggests that predictive factors may be split into tolerance factors and haematological factors. Determination of such factors is crucial to adapt postremission therapeutic strategies in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Race, Colorblindness, and Continental Philosophy
Authors: Monahan Michael J. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe “colorblind” society is often offered as a worthy ideal for individual interaction as well as public policy. The ethos of liberal democracy would seem indeed to demand that we comport ourselves in a manner completely indifferent to race (and class, and gender, and so on). But is this ideal of colorblindness capable of fulfillment? And whether it is or not, is it truly a worthy political goal? In order to address these questions, one must first explore the nature of “race” itself. Is it ultimately real, or merely an illusion? What kind of reality, if any, does it have, and what are the practical (moral and political) consequences of its ontological status? This paper will explore the issue of colorblindness, focusing particularly on recent developments dealing with this topic in Continental philosophy. Beginning with the question of racial ontology, I will argue that race has a social reality that makes the practice of colorblindness, at least for the time being, politically untenable, and it may remain suspect even as a long‐term goal.
Comparative Genomic Hybridization Analysis of
Enterococcus faecalis
: Identification of Genes Absent from Food Strains
Authors: Lepage E. , Brinster S. , Caron C. , Ducroix-Crepy Céline , Rigottier-Gois L. , Dunny G. , Hennequet-Antier C. , Serror P. 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACT

Enterococcus faecalis
, a member of the natural microbiota of animal and human intestinal tracts, is also present as a natural contaminant in a variety of fermented foods. Over the last decade,
E. faecalis
has emerged as a major cause of nosocomial infections. We investigated the genetic diversity in 30 clinical and food isolates, including strains V583 and MMH594, in order to determine whether clinical and food isolates could be distinguished. Data were obtained using comparative genomic hybridization and specific PCR with a total of 202 probes of
E. faecalis
, selected using the available V583 genome sequence and part of the MMH594 pathogenicity island. The cognate genes encoded mainly exported proteins. Hybridization data were analyzed by a two-component mixture model that estimates the probability of any given gene to be either present or absent in the strains. A total of 78 genes were found to be variable, as they were absent in at least one isolate. Most of the variable genes were clustered in regions that, in the published V583 sequence, related to prophages or mobile genetic elements. The variable genes were distributed in three main groups: (i) genes equally distributed between clinical and dairy food isolates, (ii) genes absent from dairy food-related isolates, and (iii) genes present in MMH594 and V583 strains only. Further analysis of the distribution of the last gene group in 70 other isolates confirmed that six of the probed genes were always absent in dairy food-related isolates, whereas they were detected in clinical and/or commensal isolates. Two of them corresponded to prophages that were not detected in the cognate isolates, thus possibly extending the number of genes absent from dairy food isolates. Genes specifically detected in clinical isolates may prove valuable for the development of new risk assessment markers for food safety studies and for identification of new factors that may contribute to host colonization or infection.
TheEscherichia coliGTPase CgtAEIs Involved in Late Steps of Large Ribosome Assembly
Authors: Jiang Mengxi , Datta Kaustuv , Walker Angela , Strahler John , Bagamasbad Pia , Andrews Philip C. , Maddock Janine R. 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTThe bacterial ribosome is an extremely complicated macromolecular complex the in vivo biogenesis of which is poorly understood. Although several bona fide assembly factors have been identified, their precise functions and temporal relationships are not clearly defined. Here we describe the involvement of anEscherichia coliGTPase, CgtAE, in late steps of large ribosomal subunit biogenesis. CgtAEbelongs to the Obg/CgtA GTPase subfamily, whose highly conserved members are predominantly involved in ribosome function. Mutations in CgtAEcause both polysome and rRNA processing defects; small- and large-subunit precursor rRNAs accumulate in acgtAEmutant. In this study we apply a new semiquantitative proteomic approach to show that CgtAEis required for optimal incorporation of certain late-assembly ribosomal proteins into the large ribosomal subunit. Moreover, we demonstrate the interaction with the 50S ribosomal subunits of specific nonribosomal proteins (including heretofore uncharacterized proteins) and define possible temporal relationships between these proteins and CgtAE. We also show that purified CgtAEassociates with purified ribosomal particles in the GTP-bound form. Finally, CgtAEcofractionates with the mature 50S but not with intermediate particles accumulated in other large ribosome assembly mutants.
Alterations of Cellular Physiology inEscherichia coliin Response to Oxidative Phosphorylation Impaired by Defective F1-ATPase
Authors: Noda Sakiko , Takezawa Yuji , Mizutani Tomohiko , Asakura Tomoaki , Nishiumi Eiichiro , Onoe Kazunori , Wada Masaru , Tomita Fusao , Matsushita Kazunobu , Yokota Atsushi 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTThe physiological changes in an F1-ATPase-defective mutant ofEscherichia coliW1485 growing in a glucose-limited chemostat included a decreased growth yield (60%) and increased specific rates of both glucose consumption (168%) and respiration (171%). Flux analysis revealed that the mutant showed approximately twice as much flow in glycolysis but only an 18% increase in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, owing to the excretion of acetate, where most of the increased glycolytic flux was directed. Genetic and biochemical analyses of the mutant revealed the downregulation of many TCA cycle enzymes, including citrate synthase, and the upregulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in both transcription and enzyme activities. These changes seemed to contribute to acetate excretion in the mutant. No transcriptional changes were observed in the glycolytic enzymes, despite the enhanced glycolysis. The most significant alterations were found in the respiratory-chain components. The total activity of NADH dehydrogenases (NDHs) and terminal oxidases increased about twofold in the mutant, which accounted for its higher respiration rate. These changes arose primarily from the increased (3.7-fold) enzyme activity of NDH-2 and an increased amount of cytochromebdin the mutant. Transcriptional upregulation appeared to be involved in these phenomena. As NDH-2 cannot generate an electrochemical gradient of protons and as cytochromebdis inferior to cytochromebo3in this ability, the mutant was able to recycle NADH at a higher rate than the parent and avoid generating an excess proton-motive force. We discuss the physiological benefits of the alterations in the mutant.