bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Paretic and Nonparetic Step Tests Are Noninterchangeable in Stroke: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Thilarajah Shamala , Bower Kelly J , Williams Gavin , Clark Ross A , Tan Dawn , Pua Yong-Hao 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Objective
The step test (ST) is a common clinical assessment of dynamic balance among survivors of stroke. The ST assesses a person’s ability to place their paretic (paretic ST) or nonparetic (nonparetic ST) foot rapidly and repeatedly on and off a standardized block while standing. No study has formally explored if the 2 tests are interchangeable. Our study aimed to: (1) differentiate the correlates of paretic and nonparetic ST, and (2) compare their associations with physical function and falls.

Methods
Eighty-one survivors of stroke were consecutively recruited from inpatient rehabilitation units (n = 4) and were assessed within 1 week prior to discharge. In addition to the ST, a handheld dynamometer and computerized posturography were used to measure lower limb muscle strength and standing balance, respectively. Self-selected gait speed and Timed Up and Go test were also assessed as measures of physical function. Falls data were monitored for 12 months post discharge using monthly calendars. Multivariable regression analyses were used to differentiate (1) the correlates of paretic and nonparetic STs, and (2) their associations with physical function and falls.

Results
The median score for the paretic and nonparetic STs were 8 and 9 steps, respectively. Paretic ankle plantar-flexor and dorsiflexor strength were the strongest correlates of nonparetic ST, whereas both paretic ankle and knee extensor strength were the strongest correlates of paretic ST. In multivariable analyses adjusting for each other, both STs were independently associated with gait speed and Timed Up and Go scores. Paretic ST (odds ratio = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.22 to 0.62) was a stronger predictor than nonparetic ST (odds ratio = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.34 to 0.78) in predicting future falls.

Conclusion
This study confirmed that the paretic and nonparetic STs are noninterchangeable. ST scores should be assessed separately to achieve a more complete interpretation.

Impact
To our knowledge, this study is the first to objectively evaluate the similarities and differences between paretic and nonparetic STs. This information may refine the use and interpretation of the 2 STs for survivors of stroke.
A Nationwide Cohort Study of Nonrandom Mating in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Greve Aja Neergaard , Uher Rudolf , Als Thomas Damm , Jepsen Jens Richardt Møllegaard , Mortensen Erik Lykke , Gantriis Ditte Lou , Ohland Jessica , Burton Birgitte Klee , Ellersgaard Ditte , Christiani Camilla Jerlang , Spang Katrine S , Hemager Nicoline , Plessen Kerstin J , Thorup Anne A E , Bliksted Vibeke , Nordentoft Merete , Mors Ole 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Nonrandom mating in parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder increases the population-level genetic variance among the offspring generation and creates familial (risk) environments likely to be shaped by specific conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of mental disorder and levels of cognitive and social functioning in individuals who have children by partners with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder compared to controls. The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study VIA 7 is a population-based cohort study conducted in Denmark between 2013 and 2016. This study focus on parents diagnosed with schizophrenia (n = 150) or bipolar disorder (n = 100) and control parents (n = 182), as well as their partners without schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (n = 440). We used linear mixed-effect models, and main outcomes were mental disorders, intelligence, processing speed, verbal working memory, and social functioning. We found that parents having children by a partner with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder more often fulfilled the criteria for a mental disorder and had poorer social functioning compared to parents having children by a partner without schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Furthermore, parents having children by a partner with schizophrenia performed poorer on processing speed compared to parents in the control group. The presence of nonrandom mating found in this study has implications for our understanding of familial transmission of these disorders and our findings should be considered in future investigations of potential risk factors for children with a parent with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Rest–activity functioning is related to white matter microarchitecture and modifiable risk factors in older adults at-risk for dementia
Authors: Palmer Jake R , Duffy Shantel L , Meares Susanne , Pye Jonathon , Calamante Fernando , Cespedes Marcela , Hickie Ian B , Naismith Sharon L 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Study Objectives
Growing evidence demonstrates pronounced alterations in rest–activity functioning in older adults at-risk for dementia. White matter degeneration, poor cardiometabolic functioning, and depression have also been linked to a greater risk of decline; however, limited studies have examined the white matter in relation to rest–activity functioning in at-risk older adults.

Methods
We investigated associations between nonparametric actigraphy measures and white matter microarchitecture using whole-brain fixel-based analysis of diffusion-weighted imaging in older adults (aged 50 years or older) at-risk for cognitive decline and dementia. The fixel-based metrics assessed were fiber density, fiber cross-section, and combined fiber-density, and cross-section. Interactions between rest–activity functioning and known clinical risk factors, specifically body mass index (BMI), vascular risk factors, depressive symptoms and self-reported exercise, and their association with white matter properties were then investigated.

Results
Sixty-seven older adults were included (mean = 65.78 years, SD = 7.89). Lower relative amplitude, poorer 24-h synchronization and earlier onset of the least active 5-h period were associated with reductions in markers of white matter atrophy in widespread regions, including cortico-subcortical and cortical association pathways. Preliminary evidence was also found indicating more pronounced white matter alterations in those with lower amplitude and higher BMI (β = 0.25, 95% CI [0.05, 0.46]), poorer 24-h synchronization and more vascular risk factors (β = 0.17, 95% CI [–0.02, 0.36]) and earlier onset of inactivity and greater depressive symptoms (β = 0.17, 95% CI [0.03, 0.30]).

Conclusions
These findings highlight the complex interplay between rest–activity rhythms, white matter, and clinical risk factors in individuals at-risk for dementia that should be considered in future studies.
Quantification of cooling effects on basic tissue measurements and exposed cross-sectional brain area of cadaver heads from market pigs
Authors: Anderson Karly N , Albers Sarah E , Allen Kaysie J , Bishop Katherine D , Greco Brian J , Huber Christina M , Kirk Ashlynn A , Olsen Hannah , Vogel Kurt D 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The objective of this project was to determine the impact of cooling on the soft tissue thickness, cranial thickness, and cross-sectional brain area of cadaver heads from market pigs. Documenting the effect of cooling on tissue dimensions of swine heads is valuable and important for future investigations of physical stunning and euthanasia methods that use cadaver heads. Scalded and dehaired cadaver heads with intact jowls were sourced from market pigs stunned with CO2 gas. After transport to the data collection location, a penetrating captive bolt (PCB) shot (Jarvis Model PAS—Type P 0.25R Caliber Captive Bolt Pistol with Medium Rod Assembly and Blue Powder Cartridges) was applied in the frontal position. Following PCB application, each head (n = 36) underwent an UNCHILLED treatment followed by CHILLED treatment. The UNCHILLED treatment involved images collected immediately after splitting each head along the bolt path, and the CHILLED treatment involved images of the same heads after storage in a walk-in cooler for 24 h at 2 to 4°C. All measurements for each treatment were collected from images of the heads on the plane of the bolt path immediately prior to and immediately after the refrigeration treatment. Measurements were performed by two observers. Across all measurements, mean interobserver coefficient of variation was 11.3 ± 0.6%. The soft tissue caudal to the bolt path was different (P = 0.0120) between treatments (CHILLED: 6.4 ± 0.2 mm; UNCHILLED: 7.2 ± 0.2 mm). The soft tissue thickness rostral to the bolt path was different (P = 0.0378) between treatments (CHILLED: 5.5 ± 0.2 mm; UNCHILLED: 6.1 ± 0.2 mm). Cranial thickness caudal to the bolt path was not different (P = 0.8659; CHILLED: 18.1 ± 0.6 mm; UNCHILLED: 18.3 ± 0.6 mm), nor was there a significant difference (P = 0.2593) in cranial thickness rostral to the bolt path between treatments (CHILLED: 16.2 ± 0.6 mm; UNCHILLED: 15.2 ± 0.6 mm). Cross-sectional brain area did not differ (P = 0.0737; CHILLED: 3633.4 ± 44.1 mm; UNCHILLED: 3519.9 ± 44.1 mm). A correction factor of 1.12 was determined from this study for cases where estimation of UNCHILLED soft tissue thickness from CHILLED soft tissue thickness is necessary.
Effect of bioactive proteins on gait kinematics and systemic inflammatory markers in mature horses
Authors: Fikes K K , Coverdale J A , Leatherwood J L , Campbell J M , Welsh T H , Hartz C J , Goehring M , Millican A A , Bradbery A N , Wickersham T A 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Twenty-seven mature Quarter horses were used in a randomized design to determine the effects of bioactive protein supplementation on gait kinematics and systemic inflammatory markers in a 34-d trial. Treatments consisted of oral doses of 230 g/d of pelleted supplements containing 0 g (CON; n = 9), 40 g of bioactive protein (40BP; n = 9; LIFELINE, APC, LLC, Ankeny, IA), and 80 g of bioactive protein (80BP; n = 9) daily. Horses were fed a commercial concentrate at 0.5% BW (as-fed) and received ad libitum coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay daily. On day 33, horses consistent in exercise (CON, n = 6; 40BP, n = 8; 80BP, n = 7) participated in a trailering and riding challenge. Kinematic gait analysis was performed on day 0 for use as a covariate, and on day 14, 28, and 34 to allow for the determination of potential time and dosage effects. Video footage was collected and analyzed using gait analysis software (EquineTec, Monroe, GA) for the determination of stride length (SL) and range of motion (ROM). Blood was collected via jugular venipuncture on days 0, 14, 28, and 34 for determination of systemic expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-1β. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. A trend towards treatment × time interaction was observed in ROM of the knee at the walk (P = 0.10), due to the increasing ROM for 40BP and 80BP as time increased and decreasing ROM for CON. A treatment × time interaction was observed (P &lt; 0.01) for hock ROM at a walk resulting from CON and 80BP decreasing from day 14 to 28 with 40BP increasing, while from day 28 to 34 ROM at a walk decreased for 40BP and increased for 80BP. The main effect of treatment on hock ROM at the walk was quadratic (P &lt; 0.01) and characterized by higher ROM values for 40BP compared to CON or 80BP. Dietary treatment lengthened (P = 0.04) SL of the hind limb at the walk for 40BP and 80BP compared to CON on both days 14 and 28. A significant treatment × time interaction was observed in the expression of IL-1β (P &lt; 0.01) and can be explained by lower concentrations of IL-1β for 80BP on day 34 compared to the other treatments, with 40BP being intermediate and CON being the highest. Increased articular ROM with decreased expression of IL-1β may indicate potential anti-inflammatory effects of 80 g/d of bioactive proteins.
Maintaining continuity of nutrient intake after weaning. I. Review of pre-weaning strategies
Authors: Wensley Madie R , Tokach Mike D , Woodworth Jason C , Goodband Robert D , Gebhardt Jordan T , DeRouchey Joel M , McKilligan Denny 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWeaning is a crucial phase of swine production marked by a multitude of biological and environmental stressors, which have a significant impact on immediate postweaning behavior and feed intake (FI). During this time, the piglet’s gastrointestinal (GI) system is also undergoing extensive epithelial, immune, and nervous system development. In this review, our objective is to describe the different preweaning strategies that can be used to minimize nutrient intake disruption and improve FI in the immediate postweaning period. Reducing nutrient disruption postweaning can be accomplished through the implementation of management and nutritional strategies. Research consistently demonstrates that weaning older, more developmentally mature pigs helps prevent many of the adverse GI effects associated with weaning stress. Providing creep feed to pigs during lactation is another reliable strategy that has been shown to increase immediate postweaning FI by acclimating pigs to solid feed prior to weaning. Likewise, socialization by allowing pigs to mix before weaning improves social skills, minimizing mixing stress, and aggression-related injury immediately postweaning. Supplemental milk replacer has also been shown to elicit a positive response in preweaning growth performance, which may help to reduce preweaning mortality. While socialization and milk replacer are acknowledged to ease the weaning transition, these strategies have not been widely adopted due to labor and application challenges. Additionally, the cost of milk replacer and logistics of retrofitting farrowing houses to accommodate litter socialization have limited adaptation. Further exploration of maternal nutrition strategies, particularly fetal imprinting, is needed to better understand the implications of perinatal learning. Other areas for future research include, combining environmental enrichment with feeding strategies, such as large destructible pellets or play feeders, as well as determining at what time point producers should start socializing pigs before weaning. While more research is needed to develop strategic preweaning management programs, many of the strategies presented in this review provide opportunities for producers to minimize nutrient intake disruption by preventing feed neophobia, reducing stress, and easing the wean pig transition.
Fidelity and factors influencing implementation ofHealthy Me, Healthy: process evaluation of a social marketing campaign for diet and physical activity behaviors of children in childcare
Authors: Luecking Courtney T , Vaughn Amber E , Burney Regan , Hennink-Kaminski Heidi , Hales Derek , Ward Dianne S 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe effectiveness of interventions targeting children's eating and physical activity behaviors through childcare settings is inconsistent. To enhance public health impact, it is imperative to evaluate fidelity of implementing complex interventions in real-world settings. This study evaluated fidelity and contextual factors influencing implementation of Healthy Me, Healthy We (HMHW). HMHW was an 8-month social marketing campaign delivered through childcare to support children's healthy eating and physical activity. HMHW required two levels of implementation support (research team and childcare providers) and two levels of campaign delivery (childcare providers and parents). Process evaluation was conducted among childcare centers in the intervention group (n=48) of the cluster-randomized control trial. Measures included attendance logs, self-report surveys, observation checklists, field notes, and semi-structured interviews. A 35-item fidelity index was created to assess fidelity of implementation support and campaign delivery. The fidelity with which HMHW was implemented by childcare providers and parents was low (mean 17.4 out of 35) and decreased between childcare providers and parents. Childcare providers had high acceptability of the program and individual components (80 – 93%). Only half of parents felt intervention components were acceptable. Frequently cited barriers to implementation by childcare providers included time constraints, parent engagement, staff turnover, and restrictive policies. The lack of observable effect of HMHW on children's dietary or physical activity behaviors may be due to inadequate implementation at multiple levels. Different or additional strategies are necessary to support implementation of multilevel interventions, particularly when individuals are expected to deliver intervention components and support others in doing so.
Genomic Exploration of Bacillus thuringiensis MORWBS1.1, Candidate Biocontrol Agent, Predicts Genes for Biosynthesis of Zwittermicin, 4,5-DOPA Dioxygenase Extradiol, and Quercetin 2,3-Dioxygenase
Authors: Adeniji Adetomiwa A. , Ayangbenro Ayansina S. , Babalola Olubukola O. 
Published: February 2021

Many strains from Bacillus thuringiensis are known for their genomic robustness and antimicrobial potentials. As a result, the quest for their biotechnological applications, especially in the agroindustry (e.g., as biopesticides), has increased over the years. This study documents the genome sequencing and probing of a Fusarium antagonist (B. thuringiensis strain MORWBS1.1) with possible biopesticidal metabolite producing capacity from South Africa. Based on in vitro evaluation and in silico antiSMASH investigation, B. thuringiensis strain MORWBS1.1 exhibited distinctive genomic properties that could be further exploited for in planta and food additive production purposes. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Computed Tomography–Based Measurements of the Cochlear Duct: Implications for Cochlear Implant Pitch Tuning
Authors: Jiam Nicole T. , Gilbert Melanie , Mo Jonathan , Jiradejvong Patpong , Limb Charles J. 
Published: February 2021

Objectives:
To determine the sources of variability for cochlear duct length (CDL) measurements for the purposes of fine-tuning cochlear implants (CI) and to propose a set of standardized landmarks for computed tomography (CT) pitch mapping.

Design:
This was a retrospective cohort study involving 21 CI users at a tertiary referral center. The intervention involved flat-panel CT image acquisition and secondary reconstructions of CIs in vivo. The main outcome measures were CDL measurements, CI electrode localization measurements, and frequency calculations.

Results:
Direct CT-based measurements of CI and intracochlear landmarks are methodologically valid, with a percentage of error of 1.0% ± 0.9%. Round window (RW) position markers (anterior edge, center, or posterior edge) and bony canal wall localization markers (medial edge, duct center, or lateral edge) significantly impact CDL calculations [F(2, 78) = 9.9, p < 0.001 and F(2, 78) = 1806, p < 0.001, respectively]. These pitch distortions could be as large as 11 semitones. When using predefined anatomical landmarks, there was still a difference between researchers [F(2, 78) = 12.5; p < 0.001], but the average variability of electrode location was reduced to differences of 1.6 semitones (from 11 semitones.

Conclusions:
A lack of standardization regarding RW and bony canal wall landmarks results in great CDL measurement variability and distorted pitch map calculations. We propose using the posterior edge of the RW and lateral bony wall as standardized anatomical parameters for CDL calculations in CI users to improve pitch map calculations. More accurate and precise pitch maps may improve CI-associated pitch outcomes.
Comparison of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Outcome in Treating Thoracic Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum Through En Bloc Versus Piecemeal Laminectomy
Authors: Zheng Chaojun , Nie Cong , Zhu Yu , Tang Susu , Jin Xiang , Lyu Feizhou , Jiang Jianyuan , Ma Xiaosheng 
Published: February 2021

Study Design.
A retrospective cohort analysis.

Objective.
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of piecemeal versus en bloc laminectomies on spinal cord in thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (TOLF) through intraoperative changes of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) and somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs).

Summary of Background Data.
Surgical treatment is indicated for symptomatic TOLF, and both piecemeal and en bloc laminectomies are commonly used methods. However, few studies compared both intraoperative interference and prognostic impact of these two laminectomies on spinal cord in TOLF patients.

Methods.
MEPs were recorded from abductor hallucis (AH) and tibialis anterior, and SEPs were performed on tibial nerve in 55 TOLF patients (piecemeal vs. en bloc: 23 vs. 32). Patients were categorized based on MEP/SEP improvement, deterioration, and no change, and MEP/SEP improvement rates were measured in the improvement group. Additionally, all patients were assessed by American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scores, Ashworth scores, and modified Japanese Orthopedic association (mJOA) scores before and after operation.

Results.
The incidences of both MEP/SEP improvement and deterioration were similar between the two laminectomy groups (P > 0.05), and no significant difference is noted in both MEP and SEP amplitudes between the baseline and different critical manipulations in both laminectomy groups (P > 0.05). In the improvement group, patients receiving en bloc laminectomy exhibited increased improvement rates of both MEPs in bilateral AH and left-side SEPs compared to piecemeal laminectomy (P < 0.05). Clinically, all functional scales clearly improved in both laminectomy groups after operation (P < 0.05), and postoperative 1-year mJOA improvement rates were highly correlated with MEP improvement rates (P < 0.05).

Conclusion.
Intraoperative changes of MEPs and SEPs potentially provide a valid method for quantitatively evaluating the safety of different intraoperative manipulations and their prognostic impacts on spinal cord. Both laminectomies are safe and effective methods to treat TOLF, and en bloc laminectomy may cause relatively better spinal cord functional recovery.

Level of Evidence: 3