bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Function, Activity, and Participation of Stroke Patients Undergoing Intensive Rehabilitation: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study Protocol
Authors: Hakiki Bahia , Paperini Anita , Castagnoli Chiara , Hochleitner Ines , Verdesca Sonia , Grippo Antonello , Scarpino Maenia , Maiorelli Antonio , Mosca Irene Eleonora , Gemignani Paola , Borsotti Marco , Gabrielli Maria Assunta , Salvadori Emilia , Poggesi Anna , Lucidi Giulia , Falsini Catiuscia , Gentilini Monica , Martini Monica , Luisi Maria Luisa Eliana , Biffi Barbara , Mainardi Paolo , Barretta Teresa , Pancani Silvia , Mannini Andrea , Campagnini Silvia , Bagnoli Silvia , Ingannato Assunta , Nacmias Benedetta , Macchi Claudio , Carrozza Maria Chiara , Cecchi Francesca 
Published: April 2021

Background: The complex nature of stroke sequelae, the heterogeneity in rehabilitation pathways, and the lack of validated prediction models of rehabilitation outcomes challenge stroke rehabilitation quality assessment and clinical research. An integrated care pathway (ICP), defining a reproducible rehabilitation assessment and process, may provide a structured frame within investigated outcomes and individual predictors of response to treatment, including neurophysiological and neurogenetic biomarkers. Predictors may differ for different interventions, suggesting clues to personalize and optimize rehabilitation. To date, a large representative Italian cohort study focusing on individual variability of response to an evidence-based ICP is lacking, and predictors of individual response to rehabilitation are largely unexplored. This paper describes a multicenter study protocol to prospectively investigate outcomes and predictors of response to an evidence-based ICP in a large Italian cohort of stroke survivors undergoing post-acute inpatient rehabilitation.Methods: All patients with diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke confirmed both by clinical and brain imaging evaluation, admitted to four intensive rehabilitation units (adopting the same stroke rehabilitation ICP) within 30 days from the acute event, aged 18+, and providing informed consent will be enrolled (expected sample: 270 patients). Measures will be taken at admission (T0), at discharge (T1), and at follow-up 6 months after a stroke (T2), including clinical data, nutritional, functional, neurological, and neuropsychological measures, electroencephalography and motor evoked potentials, and analysis of neurogenetic biomarkers.Statistics: In addition to classical multivariate logistic regression analysis, advanced machine learning algorithms will be cross-validated to achieve data-driven prognosis prediction models.Discussion: By identifying data-driven prognosis prediction models in stroke rehabilitation, this study might contribute to the development of patient-oriented therapy and to optimize rehabilitation outcomes.Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03968627. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03968627?term=Cecchi&amp;cond=Stroke&amp;draw=2&amp;rank=2.
Statistical Analysis of Graph-Theoretic Indices to Study EEG-TMS Connectivity in Patients With Depression
Authors: Olejarczyk Elzbieta , Jozwik Adam , Valiulis Vladas , Dapsys Kastytis , Gerulskis Giedrius , Germanavicius Arunas 
Published: April 2021

AimThe objective of this work was to demonstrate the usefulness of a novel statistical method to study the impact of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on brain connectivity in patients with depression using different stimulation protocols, i.e., 1 Hz repetitive TMS over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (protocol G1), 10 Hz repetitive TMS over the left DLPFC (G2), and intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) consisting of three 50 Hz burst bundle repeated at 5 Hz frequency (G3).MethodsElectroencephalography (EEG) connectivity analysis was performed using Directed Transfer Function (DTF) and a set of 21 indices based on graph theory. The statistical analysis of graph-theoretic indices consisted of a combination of thek-NN rule, the leave-one-out method, and a statistical test using a 2 × 2 contingency table.ResultsOur new statistical approach allowed for selection of the best set of graph-based indices derived from DTF, and for differentiation between conditions (i.e., before and after TMS) and between TMS protocols. The effects of TMS was found to differ based on frequency band.ConclusionA set of four brain asymmetry measures were particularly useful to study protocol- and frequency-dependent effects of TMS on brain connectivity.SignificanceThe new approach would allow for better evaluation of the therapeutic effects of TMS and choice of the most appropriate stimulation protocol.
Long-Term Effects of Ivabradine on Cardiac Vagal Parasympathetic Function in Normal Rats
Authors: Scridon Alina , Halaţiu Vasile Bogdan , Balan Alkora Ioana , Cozac Dan Alexandru , Moldovan Valeriu , Bănescu Claudia , Perian Marcel , Şerban Răzvan Constantin 
Published: April 2021

Background: The complex interactions that exist between the pacemaker current, If, and the parasympathetic nervous system could significantly influence the course of patients undergoing chronic therapy with the If blocker ivabradine. We thus aimed to assess the effects of chronic ivabradine therapy on autonomic modulation and on the cardiovascular response to in situ and in vitro parasympathetic stimulation. The right atrial expression of HCN genes, encoding proteins for If, was also evaluated.Methods: Sympathetic and parasympathetic heart rate variability parameters and right atrial HCN(1-4) RNA levels were analyzed in 6 Control and 10 ivabradine-treated male Wistar rats (IVA; 3 weeks, 10 mg/kg/day). The heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) responses to in situ electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve (2–20 Hz) were assessed in 6 additional Control and 10 IVA rats. The spontaneous sinus node discharge rate (SNDR) response to in vitro cholinergic receptors stimulation using carbamylcholine (10−9–10−6 mol/L) was also assessed in these later rats.Results: Ivabradine significantly increased vagal modulation and shifted the sympatho-vagal balance toward vagal dominance. In Control, in situ vagus nerve stimulation induced progressive decrease in both the SBP (p = 0.0001) and the HR (p&lt; 0.0001). Meanwhile, in IVA, vagal stimulation had no effect on the HR (p = 0.16) and induced a significantly lower drop in SBP (p&lt; 0.05). IVA also displayed a significantly lower SNDR drop in response to carbamylcholine (p&lt; 0.01) and significantly higher right atrial HCN4 expression (p = 0.02).Conclusion: Chronic ivabradine administration enhanced vagal modulation in healthy rats. In addition, ivabradine reduced the HR response to direct muscarinic receptors stimulation, canceled the cardioinhibitory response and blunted the hemodynamic response to in situ vagal stimulation. These data bring new insights into the mechanisms of ivabradine-related atrial proarrhythmia and suggest that long-term If blockade may protect against excessive bradycardia induced by acute vagal activation.
Hypothermic Shock Applied After Perinatal Asphyxia Prevents Retinal Damage in Rats
Authors: Rey-Funes Manuel , Contartese Daniela S. , Peláez Rafael , García-Sanmartín Josune , Narro-Íñiguez Judit , Soliño Manuel , Fernández Juan Carlos , Sarotto Aníbal , Ciranna Nicolás S. , López-Costa Juan José , Dorfman Verónica B. , Larrayoz Ignacio M. , Loidl C. Fabián , Martínez Alfredo 
Published: April 2021

Perinatal asphyxia (PA) can cause retinopathy and different degrees of visual loss, including total blindness. In a rat model of PA, we have previously shown a protective effect of hypothermia on the retina when applied simultaneously with the hypoxic insult. In the present work, we evaluated the possible protective effect of hypothermia on the retina of PA rats when applied immediately after delivery. Four experimental groups were studied: Rats born naturally as controls (CTL), animals that were exposed to PA for 20 min at 37°C (PA), animals exposed to PA for 20 min at 15°C (HYP), and animals that were exposed to PA for 20 min at 37°C and, immediately after birth, kept for 15 min at 8°C (HYP-PA). To evaluate the integrity of the visual pathway, animals were subjected to electroretinography at 45 days of age. Molecular (real time PCR) and histological (immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, TUNEL assay) techniques were applied to the eyes of all experimental groups collected at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h, and 6 days after birth. PA resulted in a significant reduction in the amplitude of the a- and b-wave and oscillatory potentials (OP) of the electroretinogram. All animals treated with hypothermia had a significant correction of the a-wave and OP, but the b-wave was fully corrected in the HYP group but only partially in the HYP-PA group. The number of TUNEL-positive cells increased sharply in the ganglion cell layer of the PA animals and this increase was significantly prevented by both hypothermia treatments. Expression of the cold-shock proteins, cold-inducible RNA binding protein (CIRP) and RNA binding motif protein 3 (RBM3), was undetectable in retinas of the CTL and PA groups, but they were highly expressed in ganglion neurons and cells of the inner nuclear layer of the HYP and HYP-PA groups. In conclusion, our results suggest that a post-partum hypothermic shock could represent a useful and affordable method to prevent asphyxia-related vision disabling sequelae.
Contemplating or Acting? Which Immersive Modes Should Be Favored in Virtual Reality During Physiotherapy for Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
Authors: Buche Hélène , Michel Aude , Piccoli Christina , Blanc Nathalie 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundEven though virtual reality (VR) is more and more considered for its power of distraction in different medical contexts, the optimal conditions for its use still have to be determined in order to design interfaces adapted to therapeutic support in oncology.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine the benefits of VR using two immersion methods (i.e., one participatory, one contemplative) and comparing them with each other in a population of women with breast cancer who have undergone breast surgery, during scar massage sessions.MethodsIn a physiotherapy center, each patient participated in four experimental conditions in a random order: two sessions used virtual immersion (i.e., one participatory and one contemplative), one session proposed musical listening and the fourth one was a standard session care. The impact of the level of patient involvement in the virtual world was apprehended through the evaluation of the feeling of presence; the estimation of elapsed time of the physiotherapy sessions and particular attention was paid to the evaluation of patient emotional state.ResultsOur study showed an increase in positive emotions (i.e., joy and happiness) and a decrease in anxiety regardless which support methods were offered. Participatory VR created a feeling of more intense spatial presence.ConclusionOur results highlight the importance of the context in which VR should be offered. The presence of the practitioner and his interactions with the patient can provide a context just as favorable in reducing anxiety as the emotional regulation tools used (VR, music). The use of technological tools should be favored when the practitioner is unavailable during the treatment phase or, even, in order to reduce the monotonous nature of repetitive therapeutic sessions.
Formal Thought Disorder and Self-Disorder: An Empirical Study
Authors: Nordgaard Julie , Gravesen-Jensen Mette , Buch-Pedersen Marlene , Parnas Josef 
Published: April 2021

Background: Formal thought disorder was constitutively linked to the original concept of schizophrenia and has since been one of central features supporting its diagnosis. Bleuler considered formal thought disorder as a fundamental symptom of schizophrenia among other fundamental symptoms, including ego disorders. The contemporary concept of self-disorder represents a more developed, nuanced, and systematic approach to disturbances of self-experience than the Bleulerian concept of ego disorders. As fundamental symptoms, on Bleuler's account, are persistently present in every case, an association between these symptoms could be expected. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between self-disorder and formal thought disorder.Methods: A sample of 94 diagnostically heterogeneous patients was examined for formal thought disorder using clinical rating and a proverb test. The proverb test was analyzed for two different aspects of formal thought disorder: literal responses and bizarre responses. The sample was comprehensively assessed for psychopathology, including self-disorder as measured with the Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience scale.Results: The patients, who provided bizarre responses, had a higher level of self-disorder, more negative symptoms, lower level of social functioning, and lower level of intelligence. Bizarre answers aggregated in patients diagnosed within the schizophrenia spectrum compared with patients outside the schizophrenia spectrum. We found moderate correlations between the two measures of formal thought disorder (clinically rated and bizarre responses) and self-disorder (0.454 [p &lt; 0.01] and 0.328 [p &lt; 0.01]). Literal responses did not differ between diagnostic groups and also did not correlate with bizarre responses. Specificity of bizarre responses for a diagnosis within schizophrenia spectrum was 86.89%, whereas sensitivity was 40.85%.Conclusion: The close relation between formal thought disorder and self-disorder further adds to the notion of self-disorder as a unifying psychopathological core beneath the apparently heterogeneous symptoms of schizophrenia.
NF-κB and TNF Affect the Astrocytic Differentiation from Neural Stem Cells
Authors: Birck Cindy , Ginolhac Aurélien , Pavlou Maria Angeliki S. , Michelucci Alessandro , Heuschling Paul , Grandbarbe Luc 
Published: April 2021

The NF-κB signaling pathway is crucial during development and inflammatory processes. We have previously shown that NF-κB activation induces dedifferentiation of astrocytes into neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Here, we provide evidence that the NF-κB pathway plays also a fundamental role during the differentiation of NPCs into astrocytes. First, we show that the NF-κB pathway is essential to initiate astrocytic differentiation as its early inhibition induces NPC apoptosis and impedes their differentiation. Second, we demonstrate that persistent NF-κB activation affects NPC-derived astrocyte differentiation. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-treated NPCs show NF-κB activation, maintain their multipotential and proliferation properties, display persistent expression of immature markers and inhibit astrocyte markers. Third, we analyze the effect of NF-κB activation on the main known astrocytic differentiation pathways, such as NOTCH and JAK-STAT. Our findings suggest that the NF-κB pathway plays a dual fundamental role during NPC differentiation into astrocytes: it promotes astrocyte specification, but its persistent activation impedes their differentiation.
Effectiveness of Distribution Channel in a Co-operative Dairy Plant: A Marketing Perspective
Authors: Magesh Kumar C , Agalya G 
Published: April 2021

The present study investigates the effectiveness of distribution channels in the marketing perspective of a co-operative dairy plant. The study was conducted to improve the effectiveness of the distribution channel by identifying the pitfalls in the present system. The descriptive type of research is employed, and the questionnaire method was used to collect the agents’ data. Analyzing the collected data, it is understood that the distribution channel is satisfied with the service in the organization, and it is also insisted that the need for further improving the delivery service of the distribution channel would certainly lead to a better outcome.
Gender and Behaviour Differences Influencing on Web Shopping
Authors: Ashok P 
Published: April 2021

Despite several pieces of evidence showing the growth of Internet usage by Indian consumers. Online sales show less than 1 percent of the total retail sales in India. This may represent a great potential to grow yet some obstacles to overcome for online retailers. Many Indian consumers have low self-efficacy in using the Internet and feel shopping online to be eccentric. It seems that even for those who use the Internet regularly, the Internet is mainly for searching product information, comparing prices, and checking consumer reviews rather than making a purchase. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify factors affecting Indian consumers’ attitudes towards shopping online. This information will help Internet retailers find a way to encourage Indian shopper’s online purchase behavior. Previous studies (i.e., Bhatnagar et al., 2000; Jarvenpaa and Todd, 1997; Vijayasarathy and Jones, 2000) attempted to identify factors affecting Indian online consumers’ online purchases. However, only risk and benefit factors identified from the US studies were applied to the Indian web shopping context, failing to incorporate Indian culturespecific factors. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify factors affecting Indian consumers’ web shopping gender behavior, specifically elucidating them in the Indian context. In addition to the previously identified factors (i.e., Convenient and time-saving, on-time delivery, availability of detailed information about the product, safe and secure while shopping online, selection of goods available on the internet is a very broad, special offer/discounted prices, convenient and time-saving, shop online from a trustworthy website, easy price comparison to online and offline stores. Web shopping only if online prices are lower than actual price etc.); this study included Indian gender-specific factors that may play an important role in determining Internet adoption for e-commerce. Also, a potential gender difference in identifying factors affecting male/female purchase behavior was investigated.
Changing Objectives of Firms and Managerial Preferences: A Review of Models in Microeconomics
Authors: Pradeep Kumar B 
Published: April 2021

Theoretically, producer behavior models postulate that firms have had different objectives ranging from profit maximization to setting aspirational levels. The assumption of the objective of profit maximization was shaped based on the rationality principles, which has lost relevance with the coming of the principle of behavioral economics in recent time. The present paper intends to throw some light on changes that have been made in the objective of firms over years and attempts to review some models emphasizing managerial utility as the core objective of firms.
Impact of COVID-19 on FMCG Sector
Authors: Rajamohan S , Jenefer J , Sathish A 
Published: April 2021

Coronavirus pandemic shows an unprecedented change globally, and the impact is even higher in emerging economies like India. Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) is one of the largest sectors in India with varied businesses, including household, personal care, etc., with high demand, consumed frequently, and services are provided for a low cost. This paper is an attempt to study the outbreak of COVID-19 in the FMCG sector. It shows that FMCG is affected uncommonly with many factors like Labours moved to their natives, logistics issues, and changes in the consumer basket like a sudden increase in demand for sanitary products and surged in demand for cosmetics.
An Analysis of Agriculture Sector of Inclusive Growth in India
Authors: Chennakrishnan P , Thenmozhi D 
Published: April 2021

Agriculture remains the dominant supporter of the Indian populace. The thriving industry and service sectors depend on the agricultural sector for their development. The inter-linkage among the three sectors could not be undermined at any cost. It is the massive absorbent of the labor force even though the disguised unemployment exists in varied magnitude. The share of agriculture to the GDP has come down from 57.7% in 1950-51 to 32.2% in 1990-91 at the time of liberalization, 24.6% in 2000-2001, 15.7% in 2009-2010 then 17%. In the post-independence era, stagnant production, low productivity, traditional technology, and poor rural infrastructure were the major challenges for the Government. India is principally an agricultural country. The agriculture sector estimates 18.0% of the GDP and employs 52% of the total workforce. There is a continuous steady decay in its presence towards the GDP, and the agriculture sector is losing its shine and anchor position in the Indian economy. The problems with which the Indian agricultural scenario is charged in present times are many. Still, this in no way undermines the interest of the sector and the role it can play in the holistic and inclusive growth of the country. Agriculture is fundamental for the sustenance of an economy, as is food for a human being.
Hubungan dukungan keluarga dengan pola tidur lansia
Authors: Wijayanti Anin 
Published: April 2021

Lanjut usia merupakan fase terakhir kehidupan yang mengalami berbagai kemunduran dan perubahan, baik secara biologis, fisiologis, psikologis, maupun sosial. Salah satu perubahan yang dialami oleh lanjut usia adalah pola tidur. Perubahan dari pola tidur tersebut, seringkali membuat waktu tidur lansia berkurang dan menyebabkan gangguan tidur yang kronis. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui hubungan dukungan keluarga dengan pola tidur lansia.
Desain penelitian ini adalah observasional crossectional. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah semua lansia yang ada di Dusun Mojosongo Desa Balungbesuk Kecamatan Diwek Kabupaten Jombang sebanyak 105 orang dengan jumlah sampel sebanyak 32 responden dengan menggunakan teknik pengambilan sampel simple random sampling. Variabel independen dukungan keluarga dan variabel dependen pola tidur. Pengumpulan data untuk dukungan keluarga dan pola tidur menggunakan kuesioner. Pengolahan data dengan editing, koding, skoring, tabulating dan analisis menggunakan uji statistik Korelasi Spearman’s rho dengan alpha 0,05.
Hasil penelitian menunjukkan sebagian besar dukungan keluarga kategori baik sebanyak 19 responden (59%) dan pola tidur lansia sebagian besar baik sebanyak 19 responden (59%). Hasil uji statistik Korelasi Spearman’s rho didapatkan nilai p = 0,001 lebih kecil dari alpha 0,05 sehingga H1 diterima.
Kesimpulan dalam penelitian ini adalah ada hubungan dukungan keluarga dengan pola tidur lansia di Dusun Mojosongo Desa Balungbesuk Kecamatan Diwek Kabupaten Jombang.