bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety and Efficacy of a Steerable Temperature Monitoring Microwave Catheter System for Ventricular Myocardial Ablation
Authors: VANDERBRINK BRIAN A. , GILBRIDE CHARLES , ARONOVITZ MARK J. , LENIHAN TIM , SCHORN GREG , TAYLOR KEVIN , REGAN JAMES F. , CARR KENNETH , SCHOEN FREDERICK J. , LINK MARK S. , HOMOUD MUNTHER K. , ESTES N.A. MARK , WANG PAUL J. 
Published: April 2007

Microwave Ablation of Canine Ventricle. Introduction: Radiofrequency current delivered during cardiac ablation is limited by a rise in impedance secondary to coagulum formation on the ablation electrode. Microwave antennas continue to deliver energy despite the presence of coagulum; thus, temperature control of the ablation electrode may be even more important for microwave than for radiofrequency ablations to avoid thromboembolic risks. The purpose of this study was to test the safety and efficacy of an ablation system utilizing a feedback control system to maintain a fixed target temperature for creating lesions with multiple applications of microwave energy.Methods and Resutts: Microwave ablation was assessed using an 8.5‐French catheter at 2 to 4 sites in 11 dogs. Microwave energy delivery was performed for 60 seconds three times at the same site. Power was regulated using a feedback control mechanism to maintain a target temperature of 75°C. Ambulatory ECG monitoring was performed before and after ablation to assess arrhythmia occurrence. After follow‐up, the dogs were euthanized, and lesion dimensions measured after fixation. The mean power appllied to achieve the target temperature of 75°C was 9.3 ± 44 W. The mean depth of the lesions was 8.8 ± 4.2 mm. Tbe mean volume of the lesions was 304 ± 240 mm3. Forty‐four percent of the lesions were transmural. No endocardial thrombus was found. Ventricular tachycardia was observed acutely but resolved after 1 week.Conclusion: Temperature feedback control systems for microwave ablation using a temperature‐controlled system is feasible for myocardial ablation and creates uniform and large lesions; however, such large lesions can be acutely proarrbythmic.
Factors Determining Clockwise and Connterclockwise Conduction Patterns in Atrial Reentrant Tachycardias
Authors: SHOJI SATOSHI , ADANIYA HITOSHI , NUMANO FUJIO , HIRAOKA MASAYASU 
Published: April 2007

Clockwise and Counterclockwise Rotation in AFL Model. Introdaction: In the development of atrial flutter due to reentry, the crista terminalis is supposed to pose a conduction barrier, but the role of its longitudinal conduction in determining the propagation pattern of the reentrant impulse is not known. In rahbit right atrial preparations, we induced reentrant atrial tachycardias and examined the effects of transverse section of the crista terminalis on the development and conduction patterns of arrhythmias.Methods and Results: Right atrial preparations from 12 albino rahbits were placed endocardial surface down in a chamber with an array of 48 bipolar electrodes to draw activation maps. A single premature stimulus was delivered to induce tachycardias at the free wall. In the control, five instances of tachycardia per preparation were induced and another five were induced after cutting the crista terminalis. In the control, the mean duration of tachycardia was 127.1 ± 25.2 seconds. The tachycardia was counterclockwise in 39 of 60 instances, clockwise in 12, and undetermined in 4 defined as “atypical.” After transverse section of the crista terminalis, the duration was prolonged to 372.6 ± 30.4 seconds, but the conduction patterns were not changed. In the free wall, counterclockwise reentry had a broader wavefront and faster conduction than clockwise reentry.Conclusion: Longitudinal conduction block at the crista terminalis contributed to maintenance of reentrant atrial tachycardias, but had no influence on their propagation patterns. Clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of impulses in reentrant tachycardias bad different paths and velocities of the wavefront in the free wall of the right atrium.
MODELING THE EVOLUTION OF THE PERFORMANCE OF A SENSORY PANEL: A MIXED‐MODEL AND CONTROL CHART APPROACH
Authors: PINEAU NICOLAS , CHABANET CLAIRE , SCHLICH PASCAL 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT A sensory panel is often used to profile the same type of product with the same set of attributes for many years. We are interested in characterizing the evolution of the performance of such a panel (and its panelists) over time. This article presents a methodology based on a mixed‐model approach that takes into account the evolution of both panel and panelist in the same model. At the panel level, linear and quadratic evolutions of the performance are tested. At the panelist level, the method allows detection of whether some panelists perform better than others, and whether this difference remains the same or evolves over time. This mixed‐model approach is followed by a graphical representation using a control chart method to identify occasional outliers. Data used to illustrate this methodology are eight sensory profiling data sets collected on ready‐made frozen meals between 1997 and 2001 (every 6 months). The performance index chosen as an example in this study is the individual repeatability measured by standard deviation over replicates.
A Social Network Analysis of the Journal of Supply Chain Management: Knowledge Generation, Knowledge Diffusion and Thought Leadership
Authors: Carter Craig R. , Leuschner Rudolf , Rogers Dale S. 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARYThe authors conduct a citation analysis of the Journal of Supply Chain Management over its first 40 years of publication, with the objectives of better understanding the sources that supply management scholars have drawn upon to generate research appearing in the Journal. Social network analysis is introduced and used to better understand how research that has been published in the Journal has been diffused across universities, and to identify university thought leaders. The authors provide future research directions based on additional, potential applications of social network analysis.
The PMI, the T‐Bill and Inventories: A Comparative Analysis of Neural Network and Regression Forecasts
Authors: Larrain Maurice 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARYThe PMI is widely used as an indicator of economic trends, and as a short‐term forecaster of several important lagging output variables. The PMI's importance has led to several attempts at forecasting its direction. This research builds on this foundation by attempting to forecast the PMI through the use of regression and neural network methodology. Findings indicate that short‐term interest rates lead and forecast changes in the PMI by 10 months. Additionally, the paper focuses on the PMI as a predictor. Of the many variables the PMI can fit or predict, results reveal inventories as the most relevant example for supply chain managers, showing the PMI is a predictor of real inventory changes 8 months out.
Noise and Hearing Loss: A Review
Authors: Daniel Eileen 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTBackground:  Noise‐induced hearing loss is a major cause of deafness and hearing impairment in the United States. Though genetics and advanced age are major risk factors, temporary and permanent hearing impairments are becoming more common among young adults and children especially with the increased exposure to portable music players. Though treatment options are limited for most people with noise‐related hearing loss, several modifiable health behaviors that should begin in childhood might prevent or delay the onset of hearing impairment. The purpose of this article is to review modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors, comorbidity, and the role of health education in the prevention of noise‐induced hearing loss.Methods:  Review of current literature in the etiology, prevention, and treatment of noise‐induced hearing loss as well as the role of health education.Results:  Nonmodifiable risk factors related to noise‐related hearing loss include increasing age, genetics, male gender, and race. Modifiable risk factors are voluntary exposure to loud noise, nonuse of hearing protection, smoking, lack of exercise, poor diet, tooth loss, and the presence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.Conclusions:  As hearing impairment among children and teenagers rises due to mostly voluntary exposure to loud noise, there are many implications for health education. Health educators need to address barriers to the use of hearing protection, deliberate exposure to loud music, and other modifiable risk factors, which cause and exacerbate hearing loss among those exposed to loud noise.
Association of Relative Backpack Weight With Reported Pain, Pain Sites, Medical Utilization, and Lost School Time in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Moore Michael J. , White Gregory L. , Moore Donna L. 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTBackground: There is debate about a 10% versus 15% of body weight cutoff point for safe weight of school backpacks. Estimation of the cutoff may be affected by use of survey methods and failure to assess pain experienced while wearing a backpack. Previous research also suggests that younger students and females are more at risk for developing backpack pain.Methods: Five hundred and thirty‐one 5th‐ to 12th‐grade Northern California students and their backpacks were weighed. Students were individually interviewed about how often they experienced pain while carrying a backpack, the site of their pain, and if the pain had interfered with school activities or led to medical care.Results: Data support the use of a 10% of body weight cutoff for safe use of backpacks for all grade levels. Younger students and females are more at risk due to relatively lower body weight while females also carry heavier backpacks than males. Greater relative backpack weight is associated with upper– and mid–back pain reports but not neck or lower back pain; it is also associated with lost school time, lost school sports time, and greater chiropractic utilization.Conclusions: The 10% cutoff is recommended along with a variety of practical methods to help schools achieve that goal for middle and high school students.
Primary Grade Teachers’ Perceptions and Practices Regarding Pedestrian Safety Education
Authors: Lartey Grace K. , Price James H. , Telljohann Susan K. , Dake Joseph A. , Yingling Faith 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTBackground:  Pedestrian injury is the third leading cause of unintentional injury and death among children 1‐14 years old. The purpose of this study was to examine primary grade teachers’ perceived role in pedestrian safety education.Methods:  A total of 630 surveys were sent to a national random sample of primary school teachers and 54% responded.Results:  The results of the study found that 85% of primary grade teachers believed it was extremely important or important to teach pedestrian safety. Forty percent of the teachers identified that they had been teaching pedestrian safety for more than 1 year (maintenance stage), whereas 1 in 3 teachers had never thought about (precontemplation stage) teaching pedestrian safety to their students. Eighty‐eight percent of primary grade teachers were very confident about teaching students how to safely cross the street, where to safely cross the street (87%), when to safely cross the street (86%), and how to safely walk along streets with sidewalks (83%). An examination of how pedestrian safety information was presented found that a plurality (39%) of the teachers who taught pedestrian safety presented information through classroom discussion. Also, 46% of the teachers who taught pedestrian safety identified the following as the most common curriculum content: when to safely cross the street (46%), how to safely cross the street (45%), and where to safely cross the street (43%).Conclusions:  Only 16% of primary school teachers reported pedestrian safety education was required for their grade levels. Yet, pedestrian safety education decreases pedestrian‐related deaths. Therefore, it is important for schools and primary grade teachers to expose their students to this essential topic.
Isolation of
Nocardia asiatica
from Cutaneous Ulcers of a Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patient in Italy
Authors: Iona Elisabetta , Giannoni Federico , Brunori Lara , de Gennaro Michele , Mattei Romano , Fattorini Lanfranco 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT

A strain of
Nocardia
was isolated from cutaneous ulcers of a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient in Italy. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the isolate represented a strain of
Nocardia asiatica
. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was essential to guide the clinicians to successfully treat this infection.
Evaluation of Different Clinical Sample Types in Diagnosis of Human Enterovirus 71-Associated Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Authors: Ooi Mong How , Solomon Tom , Podin Yuwana , Mohan Anand , Akin Winnie , Yusuf Mohd Apandi , del Sel Syvia , Kontol Kamsiah Mohd , Lai Boon Fu , Clear Daniela , Chieng Chae Hee , Blake Emma , Perera David , Wong See Chang , Cardosa Jane 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT
Human enterovirus 71 and coxsackievirus A16 are important causes of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD). Like other enteroviruses, they can be isolated from a range of sterile and nonsterile sites, but which clinical sample, or combination of samples, is the most useful for laboratory diagnosis of HFMD is not clear. We attempted virus culture for 2,916 samples from 628 of 725 children with HFMD studied over a 3 1/2-year period, which included two large outbreaks. Overall, throat swabs were the single most useful specimen, being positive for any enterovirus for 288 (49%) of 592 patients with a full set of samples. Vesicle swabs were positive for 169 (48%) of 333 patients with vesicles, the yield being greater if two or more vesicles were swabbed. The combination of throat plus vesicle swabs enabled the identification of virus for 224 (67%) of the 333 patients with vesicles; for this patient group, just 27 (8%) extra patients were diagnosed when rectal and ulcer swabs were added. Of 259 patients without vesicles, use of the combination of throat plus rectal swab identified virus for 138 (53%). For 60 patients, virus was isolated from both vesicle and rectal swabs, but for 12 (20%) of these, the isolates differed. Such discordance occurred for just 11 (10%) of 112 patients with virus isolated from vesicle and throat swabs. During large HFMD outbreaks, we suggest collecting swabs from the throat plus one other site: vesicles, if these are present (at least two should be swabbed), or the rectum if there are no vesicles. Vesicle swabs give a high diagnostic yield, with the added advantage of being from a sterile site.
Nitric Oxide Synthase Isoforms Undertake Unique Roles During Excitotoxicity
Authors: Parathath Susana R. , Gravanis Iordanis , Tsirka Stella E. 
Published: April 2007

Background and Purpose—Excitotoxicity is a component of many neurodegenerative diseases. The signaling events that lead from excitotoxic injury to neuronal death remain incompletely defined. Pharmacological approaches have shown that nitric oxide production is critical for the progression of neurodegeneration after the initiation of excitotoxicity by the glutamate analog kainate. Although nitric oxide additionally triggers blood–brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, the breakdown does not in itself inevitably lead to neuronal cell death, because neuroprotective pharmacological means can be used subsequently to prevent the neural death.Methods—In this study, we use a genetic approach to analyze the contribution of 3 nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms, neuronal NOS, endothelial NOS, and inducible NOS, to neurodegeneration and BBB breakdown in this setting.Results—We find that neuronal NOS is critical for the progression of kainate-stimulated neurodegeneration, whereas endothelial NOS is required only for BBB breakdown. Inducible NOS is not required for either event.Conclusions—The observation that endothelial NOS-deficient mice undergo excitotoxic neurodegeneration in the absence of BBB breakdown unlinks the two processes. These findings suggest that it may be possible to achieve full amelioration of excitotoxic-triggered neurodegeneration through developing isoform-specific inhibitors solely for neuronal NOS.
New onset heightened interest or drive for gambling, shopping, eating or sexual activity in patients with Parkinson's disease: the role of dopamine agonist treatment and age at motor symptoms onset
Authors: Giladi Nir , Weitzman Nina , Schreiber Shaul , Shabtai Herzel , Peretz Chava 
Published: April 2007

Alterations of impulse control that have recently been associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) are serious behavioural disturbances with significant impact on PD patients and their families. A total of 193 consecutive PD patients with no history of psychiatric illness and 190 age/gender-matched healthy controls were queried on the presence of new onset heightened interest or drive for gambling, shopping, eating or sexual activity (GSES). Clinical data were retrieved from medical charts and interviews. logistic regressions models assessed risk factors for these specific troublesome behaviours. New or heightened interests or drives for GSES behaviours were reported by 27 patients (14% vs 0% for controls). Younger age at PD motor symptoms onset (OR = 0.99, p = 0.0172), male gender (OR = 1.10, p = 0.0576) and longer duration of treatment with dopamine agonists (DAs)(OR = 1.18, ≥6 years versus never treated, p = 0.0459) contributed additively to the risk of developing one or more of these behavioural features. New onset heightened interests or drives for GSES are not rare behavioural disturbances among patients with PD. Age, gender and duration of treatment with DAs have an independent and additive effect on the risk to develop such behavioural changes. Patients should be informed about potential treatment-associated behavioural changes.
Mast cells are crucial for early inflammation, migration of Langerhans cells, and CTL responses following topical application of TLR7 ligand in mice
Authors: Heib Valeska , Becker Marc , Warger Tobias , Rechtsteiner Gerd , Tertilt Christine , Klein Matthias , Bopp Tobias , Taube Christian , Schild Hansjörg , Schmitt Edgar , Stassen Michael 
Published: April 2007

Abstract
Until recently, IgE-activated mast cells have been regarded merely as effector cells of adaptive immune responses, involved in allergic reactions and mucosal immunity to parasites. Herein, we report that murine dermal mast cells, activated by local administration of a cream containing the synthetic TLR7 ligand imiquimod, are essential to initiate an early inflammatory reaction. The mast-cell–derived cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β play an important role in this process. Furthermore, TLR7-activated mast cells are also able to promote the emigration of Langerhans cells, which partly depends on the expression of mast-cell–derived IL-1β. We have previously shown that TLR7 ligation enhances transcutaneous immunization evoked by topical application of vaccine antigens to the skin, a procedure that directly targets skin-resident antigen-presenting cells. Consequently, we now demonstrate here that the capacity to mount a peptide-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response following transcutaneous immunization using imiquimod as adjuvant is severely impaired in mast-cell–deficient mice. Thus, these findings demonstrate the potent versability of alternatively activated mast cells at the interface of innate and adaptive immunity.
Assessment of Teacher Interruptions on Learners during Oral Case Presentations
Authors: Yang Glen , Chin Rachel 
Published: April 2007

Background:Studies have only recently begun to investigate the effects of interruptions on physicians in the emergency department (ED). Objectives:To determine the frequency and nature of interruptions by the training physician that occur when medical trainees do oral case presentations (OCPs) in the ED. Methods:This was an observational study. Learner OCPs to attending emergency physicians were observed in the ED of an urban Level 1 trauma center at a major teaching hospital. A single investigator followed attending physicians blinded to the study objective in a nonrandomized convenience sampling of all ED shifts, recording information regarding teacher interruptions during new patient presentations. Learners completed a brief questionnaire after each OCP. Results:A total of 196 OCPs were observed. The mean (±SD) duration of OCPs was 3.30 (±1.85) minutes, and the mean (±SD) number of interruptions was 0.75 (±0.60) per minute and 2.49 (±1.95) per OCP. The number of interruptions (per OCP) and duration of OCP varied by learner level of training, with more experienced learners giving shorter presentations and being interrupted less often. Frequency (per minute) of interruptions did not vary by learner level. In 40.3% of OCPs, attending physicians interrupted to give an assessment and/or a plan before the learner had done so, but 8.3% of interrupted learners believed that teacher interruptions were “disruptive” to their OCP. Conclusions:Attending emergency physicians frequently interrupt learners during new patient OCPs, with the number of interruptions varying by learner level of training. Teacher interruptions appear to have minimal, if any, detrimental effect on the perceived effectiveness of OCPs as a learning experience.
Variation in Ancillary Testing among Pediatric Asthma Patients Seen in Emergency Departments
Authors: Stanley Rachel M. , Teach Stephen J. , Mann N. Clay , Alpern Elizabeth R. , Gerardi Michael J. , Mahajan Prashant V. , Chamberlain James M. ,   The Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network
Published: April 2007

Background:Variation in the management of acute pediatric asthma within emergency departments is largely unexplored. Objectives:To investigate whether ancillary testing for patients with asthma would be associated with patient, physician, and hospital characteristics. Methods:The authors performed an analysis of a subset of patients from an extensive retrospective chart review of randomly selected charts at all 25 member emergency departments of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network. Patients with a diagnosis of asthma were selected for supplemental review and included in this study. Ancillary tests analyzed were chest radiographs and selected blood tests. Hierarchical analyses were performed to describe the associations between ancillary testing and the variables of interest. Results:A total of 12,744 chart abstractions were completed, of which 734 (6%) were patients with acute exacerbations of asthma. Overall, 302 patients with asthma (41%) had ancillary testing. Of the 734 patients with asthma, 198 (27%) had chest radiographs and 104 (14%) had blood tests. Chest radiographs were more likely to be ordered in patients with fever. Less blood testing was associated with physician subspecialty training in pediatric emergency medicine, patients treated at children's hospitals, higher patient oxygen saturation, and patient disposition to home. Conclusions:Ancillary testing occurred in more than one third of children with asthma, with chest radiographs ordered most frequently. Efforts to reduce the use of chest radiographs should target the management of febrile patients with asthma, whereas efforts to reduce blood testing should target providers without subspecialty training in pediatric emergency medicine and patients treated in nonchildren's hospitals who are more ill.