bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fall Prediction in Inpatients by Bedside Nurses Using the St. Thomas's Risk Assessment Tool in Falling Elderly Inpatients (STRATIFY) Instrument: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Milisen Koen , Staelens Nele , Schwendimann René , De Paepe Leen , Verhaeghe Jeroen , Braes Tom , Boonen Steven , Pelemans Walter , Kressig Reto W. , Dejaeger Eddy 
Published: April 2007

OBJECTIVES: To assess the predictive value of the St. Thomas's Risk Assessment Tool in Falling Elderly Inpatients (STRATIFY) instrument, a simple fall‐risk assessment tool, when administered at a patient's hospital bedside by nurses.DESIGN: Prospective multicenter study.SETTING: Six Belgian hospitals.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2,568 patients (mean age±standard deviation 67.2±18.4; 55.3% female) on four surgical (n=875, 34.1%), eight geriatric (n=687, 26.8%), and four general medical wards (n=1,006, 39.2%) were included in this study upon hospital admission. All patients were hospitalized for at least 48 hours.MEASUREMENTS: Nurses completed the STRATIFY within 24 hours after admission of the patient. Falls were documented on a standardized incident report form.RESULTS: The number of fallers was 136 (5.3%), accounting for 190 falls and an overall rate of 7.3 falls per 1,000 patient days for all hospitals. The STRATIFY showed good sensitivity (≥84%) and high negative predictive value (≥99%) for the total sample, for patients admitted to general medical and surgical wards, and for patients younger than 75, although it showed moderate (69%) to low (52%) sensitivity and high false‐negative rates (31–48%) for patients admitted to geriatric wards and for patients aged 75 and older.CONCLUSION: Although the STRATIFY satisfactorily predicted the fall risk of patients admitted to general medical and surgical wards and patients younger than 75, it failed to predict the fall risk of patients admitted to geriatric wards and patients aged 75 and older (particularly those aged 75–84).
Access to Primary Care for Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Chou William C. , Cooney Leo M. , Van Ness Peter H. , Allore Heather G. , Gill Thomas M. 
Published: April 2007

OBJECTIVES: To determine the acceptance rate of new Medicare patients by all primary care physicians. Among primary care physicians accepting new patients, to determine whether demographic and geographic factors are associated with the likelihood of accepting new Medicare patients.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional.SETTING: Primary care physicians drawn from a national sample.PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred forty‐eight primary care physicians.MEASUREMENTS: Percentage of physicians accepting, not accepting, or conditionally accepting new Medicare patients.RESULTS: Of the 848 primary care physicians contacted, only 58% unconditionally accepted all new Medicare patients; 20% accepted new patients but restricted new Medicare patients using policies of nonacceptance or conditional acceptance. Of the 665 physicians accepting new patients, those in the south and west were more likely not to accept new Medicare patients than those in the northeast, with multivariable odds ratios (ORs) of 2.79 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.34–5.78) and 3.14 (95% CI=1.35–7.33), respectively. Similarly, family physicians were more likely than internists not to accept new Medicare patients (OR=2.36, 95% CI=1.39–3.99). Primary care physicians in the Midwest were more likely to conditionally accept new Medicare patients than those in the northeast (OR=4.84, 95% CI=1.32–17.76), and primary care physicians in metropolitan areas with a population less than 100,000 were more likely to conditionally accept new Medicare patients than those in areas with a population greater than 100,000 (OR=2.39, 95% CI=1.18–4.84).CONCLUSION: Medicare beneficiaries' access to primary care is limited and varies significantly by region, population size, and type of provider.
Cumulative Index of Health Deficiencies as a Characteristic of Long Life
Authors: Kulminski Alexander M. , Ukraintseva Svetlana V. , Akushevich Igor V. , Arbeev Konstantin G. , Yashin Anatoli I. 
Published: April 2007

OBJECTIVES: To describe the accumulation of aging‐associated health disorders using a cumulative measure known as a frailty index (FI) and to evaluate its ability to differentiate long‐ and short‐life phenotypes as well as the FI's connection to aging‐associated processes in older people.DESIGN: Retrospective cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies.SETTING: The National Long‐Term Care Survey (NLTCS) data that assessed health and functioning of U.S. older individuals (≥65) in 1982, 1984, 1989, 1994, and 1999 were analyzed. The NLTCS sample in each survey represents a mixture of longitudinal and cross‐sectional components.PARTICIPANTS: Approximately 5,000 individuals in each survey.MEASUREMENTS: A cumulative index of health and well‐being deficiencies (disabilities, signs, diseases) was calculated as a count of deficits observed in an individual divided by the total number of all considered deficits.RESULTS: Men and women who died before the age of 75 and those who died after the age of 85 exhibited remarkably similar FI frequency patterns despite the 10‐year age difference between age profiles in these samples. Long life is consistently characterized in longitudinal analyses by lower FIs. FI dynamics are found to be strongly sex sensitive.CONCLUSION: The FI appears to be a sensitive age‐independent indicator of sex‐specific physiological decline in aging individuals and a sex‐specific discriminator of survival chances. The FI is a promising characteristic suitable for improving sex‐sensitive forecasts of risks of adverse health outcomes in older people.
Cognitive Decline and Markers of Inflammation and Hemostasis: The Edinburgh Artery Study
Authors: Rafnsson Snorri B. , Deary Ian J. , Smith Felicity B. , Whiteman Martha C. , Rumley Ann , Lowe Gordon D. O. , Fowkes F. Gerald R. 
Published: April 2007

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether circulating markers of activated inflammation and hemostasis are associated with cognitive decline in older people.DESIGN: Prospective cohort study (Edinburgh Artery Study).SETTING: Eleven general practices in Edinburgh, Scotland.PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 452 men and women followed for 16 years.MEASUREMENTS: Biomarker data were collected in 1987/88, and cognitive assessment was first conducted in 1998/99, when the mean age of the sample ± standard deviation was 73.1±5.0), and subsequently in 2002/03. Information was obtained on verbal declarative memory (Wechsler Logical Memory Test (LMT)), nonverbal reasoning (Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices), verbal fluency (Verbal Fluency Test), information processing speed (Wechsler Digit Symbol Test), and a general cognitive factor representing the variance common to the individual test scores.RESULTS: In age‐adjusted analyses, plasma fibrinogen, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1) were negatively associated with performance on all cognitive measures in 2002/03 except the LMT (correlation coefficients from −0.10 to −0.24). In multivariate analyses controlling for demographic characteristics, depression, and cardiovascular morbidity and risk factors, fibrinogen independently predicted 4‐year decline in nonverbal reasoning (P<.05). Also, when cognitive change was estimated from peak prior level, IL‐6 turned out to be inversely related to decline in information processing speed (P<.05). Similarly, ICAM‐1 was associated with a greater decline in general cognitive ability (P<.05) and nonverbal ability (P<.05).CONCLUSION: Systemic markers of inflammation and hemostasis are associated with a progressive decline in general and specific cognitive abilities in older people, independent of major vascular comorbidity.
Secondary Hyperparathyroidism Due to Hypovitaminosis D Affects Bone Mineral Density Response to Alendronate in Elderly Women with Osteoporosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Barone Antonella , Giusti Andrea , Pioli Giulio , Girasole Giuseppe , Razzano Monica , Pizzonia Monica , Palummeri Ernesto , Bianchi Gerolamo 
Published: April 2007

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPTH) due to hypovitaminosis D affects bone mineral density (BMD) response to alendronate (ALN) in elderly women with osteoporosis.DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial with 1‐year follow‐up.SETTING: Two osteoporosis centers in northern Italy.PARTICIPANTS: Community‐dwelling women aged 60 and older with a BMD T‐score below –2.5 and secondary HPTH with vitamin D insufficiency.INTERVENTION: One hundred twenty subjects were randomly assigned to receive ALN 70 mg once a week alone or ALN 70 mg once a week plus calcitriol (1,25D3) 0.5 μg daily.MEASUREMENTS: BMD measured using dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine (L1‐L4), femoral neck, and total hip and serum levels of intact PTH at baseline and 12 months.RESULTS: After 1 year, BMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip significantly increased from baseline in both groups (P<.001). Patients allocated to ALN plus 1,25D3 demonstrated a significantly higher increase in lumbar spine BMD than those receiving ALN alone (mean percentage±standard deviation 6.8±4.6 vs 3.7±3.2, P<.001). Serum levels of PTH did not change significantly at 1 year in the ALN group (mean percentage, −3.7±27.1, P=.13) but decreased significantly in the ALN plus 1,25D3 group (−32.1±22.1, P<.001). At 12 months, subjects with normalized PTH independent of therapy allocation had a greater increase in lumbar spine BMD than those with persistent HPTH (6.5±4.6% vs 3.7±3.4%, P<.001). Lumbar spine BMD changes showed a significant negative correlation with PTH at 1 year (correlation coefficient (ρ) =−0.399, P<.001) and a positive correlation with PTH changes (i.e., baseline value – 1 year value; ρ=0.295, P=.005).CONCLUSION: Persistence of secondary HPTH reduces BMD response to ALN in older women with osteoporosis.
The Right Ventricular Outflow Tract: The Road to Septal Pacing
Authors: MOND HARRY G. , HILLOCK RICHARD J. , STEVENSON IRENE H. , McGAVIGAN ANDREW D. 
Published: April 2007

Background: Pacing from the right ventricular apex is associated with long‐term adverse effects on left ventricular function. This has fuelled interest in alternative pacing sites, especially the septal aspect of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). However, it is a common perception that septal RVOT pacing is difficult to achieve.
Methods and Results: In this article, we will review the anatomy of the RVOT and discuss the importance of standard radiographic views and the 12‐lead electrocardiogram in aiding lead placement. We will also describe a method utilizing a novel stylet shape, whereby a conventional active‐fixation, stylet‐driven lead can be easily and reliably deployed onto the RVOT septum.
Cardiac Tamponade as Complication of Active‐Fixation Atrial Lead Perforations: Proposed Mechanism and Management Algorithm
Authors: GEYFMAN VITALY , STORM RANDLE H. , LICO SERRIE C. , OREN JESS W. 
Published: April 2007

Background: Cardiac tamponade is a rare complication after implantation of dual chamber pacemaker or defibrillator systems. Its pathophysiology and optimal management are not currently well established.
Methods: Three cases of cardiac tamponade following successful implantation of transvenous dual chamber pacemakers with active‐fixation atrial leads were identified.
Results: All three patients with post‐implant cardiac tamponade were suspected to have the same etiology of bleeding into the pericardial space. This was due to protrusion of the helix of the active‐fixation atrial pacing lead through the atrial wall with subsequent abrasion of visceral pericardial layer and bleeding from the atrium through the perforation. In two patients, the perforation sites were visualized and repaired during open thoracotomy in the operating room. The third patient underwent lead repositioning under fluoroscopic guidance in the electrophysiology laboratory.
Conclusion: Based on the reviewed cases, we describe the pathophysiology of, and recommend a safe conservative algorithm for, the management of cardiac tamponade after successful transvenous lead implantation. Percutaneous pericardiocentesis with placement of the pericardial drain followed by lead repositioning under fluoroscopic guidance with surgical backup appears to be safe and effective.
Reverse Electrical Remodeling of the Atria Post Cardioversion in Patients Who Remain in Sinus Rhythm Assessed by Signal Averaging of the P‐Wave
Authors: CHALFOUN NAGIB , HARNICK DAVID , PE ELENA , UNDAVIA MANISH , MEHTA DAVENDRA , GOMES J. ANTHONY 
Published: April 2007

Objectives: This study was designed to determine whether the signal‐averaged electrocardiogram of the P‐wave (SAPW) is an independent predictor of recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) post cardioversion (CV), and to assess atrial remodeling using SAPW.
Background: There are limited electrophysiologic data to predict the recurrence of AF post‐CV. The electrical remodeling that occurs post‐CV is poorly understood.
Methods: Sixty‐four patients with persistent AF undergoing CV were prospectively enrolled. SAPW parameters were measured the day of CV and repeated at 1 month. These SAPW parameters were compared to other baseline indices for the recurrence of AF.
Results: Sixty patients (94%) had successful CV. At 1 month, 22 (37%) maintained sinus rhythm (SR). The SAPW total duration decreased significantly in those who remained in SR (159 ms ± 19 to 146 ms ± 17; P < 0.0001). Only the duration of AF (46 ± 50 days vs 147 ± 227 days, P = 0.03) and the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH, 12% vs 65%, P = 0.0006) were significantly associated with recurrence of AF. Atrial size strongly correlated with the SAPW duration in patients who remained in SR (R2= 0.67, P = 0.003) but not in those who returned to AF (R2= 0.11, P = 0.65).
Conclusions: Atrial electrical reverse remodeling occurs in patients with AF who maintain SR post‐CV. This remodeling is likely inversely related to the duration of AF and LVH. SAPW duration does not predict recurrence of AF post‐CV.
Elimination of Fluoroscopy Use in a Pediatric Electrophysiology Laboratory Utilizing Three‐Dimensional Mapping
Authors: SMITH GRACE , CLARK JOHN M. 
Published: April 2007

Objectives: The aim of this study was to quantify fluoroscopy use in catheter ablation procedures using a three‐dimensional mapping system as the primary source of catheter guidance.
Background: Three‐dimensional mapping allows continuous visualization of the location of mapping and ablation catheter electrodes. It has been shown to decrease fluoroscopy times. However, the extent to which it can decrease fluoroscopy time has not been completely defined.
Methods: Thirty patients (mean age 12.9 years; range 4–27 years) with reentrant supraventricular tachycardia underwent catheter ablation using standard protocols. Mapping was performed using the EnSite system (St. Jude Medical, St Paul, MN, USA) in the NavX mode (NavX). Eighteen patients had AVNRT, 12 had AVRT. Fluoroscopy times were compared to an age‐matched and rhythm‐matched control population.
Results: Procedural success was achieved in 30 of 30 patients (100%). Mean procedure time was 3.27 hours (range 1.83–5.8 hours). Mean fluoroscopy time was 1.05 minutes (range 0–14.8 minutes). Twenty‐four of 30 (80%) received no fluoroscopy. Mean fluoroscopy time for the control group was 21.37 minutes (range 5.13–77.13 minutes). Thus fluoroscopy time was 95% less in the study group compared to control (1.05 ± 2.96 vs 21.37 ± 18.35 minutes, P < 0.001).
Conclusions: NavX was used to effectively guide catheters during ablation procedures resulting in a significant decrease in fluoroscopy use. In 80% of the procedures, no fluoroscopy was used. Further advances in the technology may permit additional decreases in x‐ray exposure for the 20% of patients who required it.
Ventricular Tachycardia in Non‐Compaction of Left Ventricle: Is This a Frequent Complication?
Authors: FAZIO GIOVANNI , CORRADO GIOVANNI , ZACHARA ELISABETTA , RAPEZZI CARLO , SULAFA ALI K. , SUTERA LOREDANA , PIZZUTO CATERINA , STOLLBERGER CLAUDIA , SORMANI LUCA , FINSTERER JOSEPH , BENATAR ABRAHAM , DI GESARO GABRIELE , CASCIO CATERINA , CANGEMI DEBORA , CAVUSOGLU YUKSEL , BAUMHAKEL MAGNUS , DRAGO FABRIZIO , CARERJ SCIPIONE , PIPITONE SALVATORE , NOVO SALVATORE 
Published: April 2007

Background: Isolated left ventricular non‐compaction is the result of incomplete myocardial morphogenesis, leading to persistence of the embryonic myocardium. The condition is recognized by an excessively prominent trabecular meshwork and deep intertrabecular recesses of the left ventricle. Whether these intertrabecular recesses are a favorable substrate for ventricular arrhythmias is unclear. Some reports have found that the fatal ventricular arrhythmias may occur in approximately half of the patients. In this report we investigated about this association.
Methods and Results: In total we evaluated a continuous series of 238 patients affected by non‐compaction. Periodic Holter monitoring was performed every 6 months for 4 years. Only 11 patients had documented ventricular tachycardia, which was sustained in two cases and non‐sustained in nine. In no cases we observed ventricular fibrillation.
Conclusions: Non‐compaction alone does not seem to be a risk factor for malignant ventricular arrhythmias.
EFFECT OF FLOW RATES ON THE STORAGE PROPERTIES OF PALM OIL‐BASED MARGARINE
Authors: MISKANDAR M. S. , MAN Y. B. CHE , YUSOFF M. S. A. , RAHMAN R. ABD 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTThe effect of flow rates on the production of palm oil‐based margarine was studied. The flow rates studied were 15, 30, and 45 kg/h, with other parameters such as emulsion and tube cooler temperature, speed of the tube cooler, intermediate crystallizer and pin worker unit kept constant. The margarines were significantly different in their consistencies, solid fat content (SFC) and polymorphic behavior during processing and storage at 28C. The SFCs in the tube cooler and the pin worker units corresponded with the flow rates, while crystallization affected the temperatures of the product during processing. Margarine production at a flow rate of 30 kg/h afforded the highest margarine consistency during storage, while 45 kg/h gave the lowest. However, the highest and lowest SFC was from samples of 30 kg/h and 15 kg/h, respectively. The transformation of β to β crystal had occurred at the second, third and fourth week of storage in samples of 45, 15 and 30 kg/h, respectively.
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF ENZYMATIC EXTRACTS FROM AN EDIBLE SEAWEED SARGASSUM HORNERI USING ESR SPECTROMETRY
Authors: PARK PYO‐JAM , SHAHIDI FEREIDOON , JEON YOU‐JIN 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT The antioxidant activity of water‐soluble natural extracts from an edible seaweed, Sargassum horneri, was evaluated by examining the radical scavenging activities of the extracts of hydrolyzates from S. horneri on 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl and alkyl radicals. A spin‐trapping electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrophotometer was employed and the results were compared for their ESR signal intensity. The brown seaweed S. horneri was enzymatically hydrolyzed to prepare water‐soluble extracts by five carbohydrases (AMG, Celluclast, Termamyl, Ultraflo and Viscozyme) and five proteases (Alcalase, Flavourzyme, Kojizyme, Neutrase, Protamex). The extracts so prepared exhibited strong scavenging activity on DPPH, hydroxyl and alkyl radicals. The scavenging activity of the radicals increased with increased concentration of the extracts. The scavenging results were higher or similar for hydroxyl and alkyl radicals, and lower for DPPH radical compared with vitamin C as a reference. Viscozyme and Alcalase extracts were superior and scavenged radicals examined better than the extracts prepared by other carbohydrases and proteases.
ENZYMATIC SYNTHESIS OF THEAFLAVINS AND EPITHEAFLAVIC ACID FROM TEA CATECHINS AND THEIR ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY
Authors: JHOO JIN‐WOO , SANG SHENGMIN , WEI GUOR‐JIEN , LEE TUNG CHING , ROSEN ROBERT T. , HO CHI‐TANG 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTA number of in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that black tea polyphenols have significant biological activities, including antioxidant, antiinflammatory and anticancer activity. The theaflavins have received attention as one of responsible components for biological activities of black tea. However, little information is available for the biological activity of individual theaflavins and minor components in black tea. In the present study, theaflavins and epitheqflavic acid were synthesized from their parent flavan‐3‐ols catechins using an enzymatic oxidation method and employing crude polyphenol oxidase from banana fruit. The compounds were isolated using column chromatographic methods, and their structures confirmed by 1H‐NMR and APCI‐MS. The peroxyl radical scavenging activities of theaflavins and epitheaflavic acids were measured using a modified ORAC method. The results indicated that theaflavins have higher peroxyl radical scavenging activity than EGCG. The hierarchy of radical scavenging activity of theaflavins, epitheaflavic acid and related compounds were in the order of: theaflavin‐3, 3′‐digallate ∼ theflavin‐3‐gallate ∼ theaflavin‐3′‐gallate ∼ theaflavin > epitheaflavic acid > EGCG > purpurogallin.
LIPID CONTENT AND FATTY ACID COMPOSITION IN THE GREEN‐LIPPED MUSSEL PERNA VIRIDIS (L.)
Authors: CHAN K. Y. , GAO Q. F. , YIP K. M. , WONG W. H. , SHIN P. K. S. , CHEUNG S. G. 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTThe lipid content and fatty acid profile in soft tissue of the green‐lipped mussel Perna viridis, a widely distributed tropical and subtropical bivalve species, were investigated. The total and neutral lipid contents were 6.17 ± 0.71 and 2.71 ± 0.42 mg per 100 mg dw, respectively. The content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n‐3) was 24.38 ± 2.50 mg/g dw whereas eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n‐3) was present at 12.29 ± 2.12 mg/g dw. These two fatty acids were also at the top high percentage among all the fatty acids, with 38.06 ± 0.86% and 17.89 ± 1.24% (w/w) in total lipids and 34.64 ± 2.74% and 20.33 ± 1.05% (w/w) in neutral lipids, respectively. Therefore, green‐lipped mussel is a rich source of DHA and EPA, the two n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that are beneficial to human health and nutrition.
EFFECTS OF SESAME LIGNAN EXTRACT ON LINOLEIC ACID, LIPID OXIDATION, COLOR AND TEXTURAL PROPERTIES OF GROUND PORK, AND SAUSAGE PRODUCTS
Authors: CHO S. H. , PARK B. Y. , KIM J. H. , PARK K. M. , RYU S. N. , LEE J. M. 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTSesame lignan extract was prepared from roasted sesame oil and added at 0.02, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.20% (w/w) to linoleic acid and ground pork products. Cooked ground pork containing more than 0.02% of lignan extract showed TBA values lower than those containing butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) during storage. Sausages containing 0.05% of lignan extract had lower thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values when stored at 4C for 14 days; they also showed higher CIE color values than the control meat sample (P < 0.05). There were no differences in textural properties such as hardness, cohesiveness and chewiness between the control and the sausages containing lignan extract when determined by Instron Testing Machine. Thus, lignan extract prepared from roasted sesame oils was highly antioxidative when used in cooked ground pork at > 0.02% or in sausages at > 0.05%.