bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: BRUCE AMELIA S. , HOWARD JENNIFER S. , VAN WERKHOVEN HERMAN , MCBRIDE JEFFREY M. , NEEDLE ALAN R. 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT

Purpose
Given maladaptive neuroplasticity after musculoskeletal injury, interventions capable of restoring corticospinal excitability should be considered. We therefore aimed to determine if a 4-wk intervention of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (aTDCS) with eccentric exercise would improve neural excitability, functional performance, and patient-reported function in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Methods
Twenty-six individuals with CAI were recruited to undergo 4 wk of eccentric evertor strengthening. Subjects were randomized into aTDCS (n = 13) and sham (n = 13) groups, where the aTDCS group received 18 min of aTDCS (1.5 mA) over the primary motor cortex. Participants were assessed for cortical excitability, dynamic balance, muscle activation, functional performance, strength, and patient-reported function at baseline, week 2, week 4, and week 6.

Results
Twenty-two subjects completed the training and test sessions. Cortical excitability (resting motor threshold) to peroneus longus in aTDCS increased from baseline (36.92 ± 11.53) to week 6 (32.91 ± 12.33, P = 0.024), whereas sham increased excitability from baseline (36.67 ± 12.74) to week 2 (27.86 ± 14.69, P = 0.007), but decreased at week 4 (35.63 ± 13.10, P = 0.022) and week 6 (35.99 ± 13.52, P = 0.006). Dynamic balance and muscle activation also improved in the aTDCS group from baseline to week 6 (P = 0.034). Functional performance on a side-hop test increased in all participants from baseline to week 2 (P = 0.003). The aTDCS group had decreased perceived disablement from week 2 (18.09 ± 6.41) to week 4 (15.55 ± 4.82, P = 0.046), whereas the sham group reported increased disablement from baseline (17.91 ± 4.59) to week 2 (21.00 ± 8.52, P = 0.047).

Conclusions
Our results provide preliminary evidence that 4 wk of eccentric training with aTDCS improves cortical excitability, functional performance, and patient-reported function in individuals with CAI. These data are the first to show the efficacy of noninvasive brain stimulation therapies in patients with musculoskeletal injury, and demonstrate the link between improved neural excitability and functional outcomes.
Boosting diabetes and pre-diabetes detection in rural Ghana
Authors: Effah Nyarko Bernard , Amoah Rosemary Serwah , Crimi Alessandro 
Published: August 2019

Background: Diabetes is a growing worldwide disease with serious consequences to health and with a high financial burden. Ghana is one of the developing African countries where the prevalence of diabetes is increasing. Moreover, many cases remain undiagnosed, when along with pre-diabetic cases they can be easily detected. The main objective of this study is to propose a novel method to increase diabetes and pre-diabetes early detection in rural areas. A secondary aim is to look for new related behavioral determinants specific to rural Ghana, by comparing subjects at risk with those already diagnosed as diabetic. Methods: The detection approach was based on tests performed pro-actively by community nurses using glucometers and mobile phone apps. As a pilot for future policies, glycemic tests were carried out on 101 subjects from rural communities in Ghana deemed at risk and unaware of their diabetic/pre-diabetic status. A comparison of dietary and lifestyle habits of the screened people was conducted in regards to a cohort of 103 diabetic patients from the same rural communities. Participants for both groups were found through snow-ball sampling. Results: The pilot screening detected 2 diabetic subjects (2% of the cohort) showing WHO diabetic glycemic values, and 20 pre-diabetic subjects (19.8% of the cohort) which showed the effectiveness of the user-friendly approach. Conclusions: Policies based on prevention screening as reported in the manuscript have the potential to reduce diabetes incidence, if actions are taken while patients are pre-diabetic, reduce complication related to late diagnosis and indirectly related health-care costs in the country. The need for further campaigns on alcohol consumption and physical activity has emerged, even in rural areas.
Analysis of correlation-based biomolecular networks from different omics data by fitting stochastic block models
Authors: Baum Katharina , Rajapakse Jagath C. , Azuaje Francisco 
Published: August 2019

Background: Biological entities such as genes, promoters, mRNA, metabolites or proteins do not act alone, but in concert in their network context. Modules, i.e., groups of nodes with similar topological properties in these networks characterize important biological functions of the underlying biomolecular system. Edges in such molecular networks represent regulatory and physical interactions, and comparing them between conditions provides valuable information on differential molecular mechanisms. However, biological data is inherently noisy and network reduction techniques can propagate errors particularly to the level of edges. We aim to improve the analysis of networks of biological molecules by deriving modules together with edge relevance estimations that are based on global network characteristics. Methods: The key challenge we address here is investigating the capability of stochastic block models (SBMs) for representing and analyzing different types of biomolecular networks. Fitting them to SBMs both delivers modules of the networks and enables the derivation of edge confidence scores, and it has not yet been investigated for analyzing biomolecular networks. We apply SBM-based analysis independently to three correlation-based networks of breast cancer data originating from high-throughput measurements of different molecular layers: either transcriptomics, proteomics, or metabolomics. The networks were reduced by thresholding for correlation significance or by requirements on scale-freeness. Results and discussion: We find that the networks are best represented by the hierarchical version of the SBM, and many of the predicted blocks have a biologically and phenotypically relevant functional annotation. The edge confidence scores are overall in concordance with the biological evidence given by the measurements. We conclude that biomolecular networks can be appropriately represented and analyzed by fitting SBMs. As the SBM-derived edge confidence scores are based on global network connectivity characteristics and potential hierarchies within the biomolecular networks are considered, they could be used as additional, integrated features in network-based data comparisons.
EEG anticipation of random high and low arousal faces and sounds
Authors: Duma Gian Marco , Mento Giovanni , Semenzato Luca , Tressoldi Patrizio 
Published: August 2019

Background: In this study, we investigated the neural correlates of the anticipatory activity of randomly presented faces and sounds of both high and low arousal level by recording EEG activity with a high spatial resolution EEG system. Methods: We preregistered the following three hypotheses: 1) a contingent Negative Variation (CNV) difference in the amplitude voltage between auditory vs faces stimuli; 2) a greater amplitude voltage in the CNV, in high arousal stimuli vs low arousal stimuli, both in auditory and faces stimuli, in the temporal window from 0 to 1000 ms before the stimulus presentation; 3) in the time window from 0 to 1000 ms a sensory specific activation at the brain source level in the temporal lobe and auditory cortex before the presentation of an auditory stimulus and an activation of occipital area, dedicated to the elaboration of visual stimuli, before the presentation of faces . Results: Using a preregistered, hypothesis-driven approach, we found no statistically significant differences in the CNV due to an overly conservative correction for multiple comparisons for the control of Type I error. By contrast, using a data-driven approach based on a machine learning algorithm (Support Vector Machine), we found a significantly larger amplitude in the occipital cluster of electrodes before the presentation of faces with respect to sounds, along with a larger amplitude in the right auditory cortex before the presentation of sounds with respect to faces. Furthermore, we found greater CNV activity in the late prestimulus interval for high vs. low-arousal sounds stimuli in the left centro-posterior scalp regions. Conclusions: These findings, although preliminary, seem to support the hypothesis that the neurophysiological anticipatory activity of random events is specifically driven by either the sensory characteristics or the arousal level of future stimuli.
Postpartum family planning in Rwanda: a cost effectiveness analysis
Authors: Williams Pamela , Morales Katie , Sridharan Vikram , Tummala Alekya , Marseille Elliot 
Published: August 2019

Background: Globally, there is a large unmet need for family planning in the postpartum period: 90% of women in this group want family planning for birth spacing or to avoid unintended pregnancies and stop child bearing once desired family size has been reached. In total 76% of Rwandan women want family planning postpartum, yet a 26% unmet need remains. Currently, the four most commonly used postpartum family planning methods in Rwanda are injections, subdermal implants, pills, and condoms. The economic and health benefit impact of the current method selection has not yet been evaluated. Methods: To evaluate the impact of current usage rates and method types, this cost effectiveness analysis (CEA) compared the most frequently used family planning methods in Rwanda broken into two categories, longer-acting reversible contraception (LARC) (injections and subdermal implants) and shorter-acting reversible contraceptives (non-LARC) (pills and condoms). A time horizon of 24 months was used to reflect the World Health Organization suggested two-year spacing from birth until the next pregnancy, and was conducted from a health systems perspective. This CEA compared two service package options to provide a comparator for the two method types, thus enabling insights to differences between the two. Results: For women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Rwanda, including LARC postpartum family planning methods in the options, saves $18.73 per pregnancy averted, compared to family planning options that offer non-LARC methods exclusively. Conclusion: There is an opportunity to avert unplanned pregnancies associated with increased utilization of LARC methods. The full benefits of LARC are not yet realized in Rwanda. Under the conditions presented in this study, a service package that includes LARC has the potential to be cost-saving compared with one non-LARC methods. Effective health messaging of LARC use for the postpartum population could both enhance health and reduce costs.
A mouse model for functional dissection of TAB1 O-GlcNAcylation
Authors: Authier Florence , Muha Villő , van Aalten Daan M.F. 
Published: August 2019

Background: O-GlcNAcylation is a posttranslational modification associated with various physiological and pathophysiological processes including diabetes, cancer, neurodegeneration and inflammation. However, the biological mechanisms underlying the role of specific O-GlcNAc sites and their link to phenotypes remain largely unexplored due to lack of suitable in vivo models. TGF-β activated kinase-1 binding protein-1 (TAB1) is a scaffolding protein required for TGF-β activated kinase-1 (TAK1) mediated signalling. A single O-GlcNAc site has been identified on TAB1 that modulates TAK1-mediated cytokine release in cells. Methods: Here, we report the generation of the Tab1S393A mouse model using a constitutive knock-in strategy. The Tab1S393A mice carry a Ser393Ala (S393A) mutation that leads to loss of the single O-GlcNAcylation site on TAB1. Results: We did not observe any obvious phenotype in Tab1S393A mice. Loss of O-GlcNAcylation on TAB1 has no consequences on TAB1 protein level or on TAB1-TAK1 interaction. Conclusions: The homozygous Tab1S393A mice are viable and develop with no obvious abnormalities, providing a powerful tool to further investigate the role of O-GlcNAc on TAB1 in the inflammatory response in the context of a whole organism.
Unstimulated high-sensitive thyroglobulin is a powerful prognostic predictor in patients with thyroid cancer
Authors: Giovanella Luca , Castellana Marco , Trimboli Pierpaolo 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Background
Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) has an excellent prognosis and the role of high-sensitive thyroglobulin measured during levothyroxine (ON-T4 hs-Tg) testing to discriminate patients with structural from not-evidence of disease (SED and NED, respectively) has been investigated. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the performance of ON-T4 hs-Tg in two clinical scenarios considering its negative predictive value (NPV) as primary outcome: (1) diagnostic performance of Tg when undetectable value and NED status are simultaneously demonstrated; (2) prognostic performance of undetectable Tg in predicting NED in the subsequent follow-up.

Methods
This systematic review and meta-analysis were registered on PROSPERO (CRD42019125092). PubMed, Scopus, CENTRAL and Web of Science were searched until February 12, 2019. Original articles reporting data on SED/NED in patients with detectable/undetectable ON-T4 hs-Tg were selected. Summary operating points were estimated using a random-effects model.

Results
Out of 1413 retrieved papers, 10 studies evaluating 1796 patients were included. Participants were outpatients diagnosed with DTC, treated with near-total (NTx) or total thyroidectomy (TTx) with or without radioactive iodine (RAI). The NPV of ON-T4 hs-Tg for diagnostic and prognostic performance was 99.4% (95% CI 98.9–99.9; I2 = 13%) and 99.4% (95% CI 98.8–100; I2 = 0%), respectively.

Conclusions
Our findings show that ON-T4 hs-Tg is an excellent diagnostic tool and prognostic factor to rule-out SED. A high level of evidence is provided to decrease the intensity and frequency of follow-up in those DTC patients having undetectable high-sensitive Tg.
Studies On Compatibilization Of Recycled Polyethylene/Thermoplastic Starch Blends By Using Different Compatibilizer
Authors: Oner Barıs , Gokkurt Tolga , Aytac Ayse 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn this study, the aim was to examine the effects of three different compatibilizers on the recycled polyethylene/ thermoplastic starch (r-LDPE/TPS) blends which are used in producing garbage bags. Polyethylene-Grafted-Maleic Anhydride (PEgMAH), maleic-anhydride modified ethylene propylene rubber (EPMgMAH) and ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer (PEMAH) were selected as the compatibilizers. r-LDPE/TPS blends with or without compatibilizer were prepared by using a twin screw extruder and characterized by means of mechanical, thermal, structural and morphological analyses. It was found that tensile strength values increased with the addition of PEgMAH but decreased with the addition of EPMgMAH. Elongations at break values of the r-LDPE/TPS blends were significantly improved by using PEgMAH and EPMgMAH. Tm and Tc values have slightly affected by the compatibilizer usage in the DSC analysis. In addition, the better interfacial interaction was observed for the compatibilized blend with the PEgMAH and EPMgMAH during the SEM analysis. It was concluded that PEgMAH and EPMgMAH showed mainly changed results in elongation at break values and this is the important parameter in the packaging industry.
Ionic liquids modified cobalt/ZSM-5 as a highly efficient catalyst for enhancing the selectivity towards KA oil in the aerobic oxidation of cyclohexane
Authors: Hong Yun , Fang Yanxiong , Sun Dalei , Zhou Xiantai 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe industrial oxidation of cyclohexane is currently performed with very low conversion level, i.e. 4-6% conversion and poor selectivity for cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol (K-A oil), i.e.70-85%, at above 150oC reaction temperature and above 10atm reaction pressure using molecular oxygen oxidant and homogeneous catalyst. Several disadvantages are, however, associated with the process, such as, complex catalyst-product separation, high power input, and low safe operation. Therefore, the oxidation of cyclohexane using heterogeneous catalyst oxygen oxidant from air at mild conditions has received particular attention. Aerobic oxidation of cyclohexane over ionic liquids modified cobalt/ZSM-5 (IL-Co/ZSM-5) in absence of solvents was developed in this article. The prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, N2 adsorption-desorption, SEM, TEM and XPS analyses. The influence of reaction parameters on the oxidation of cyclohexane was researched, such as the various catalysts, reaction temperature, reaction time, and the reaction pressure, on the process. Highly selective synthesis of KA oil was performed by aerobic oxidation of cyclohexane using ionic liquids modified cobalt/ZSM-5 (IL-Co/ZSM-5) as the catalyst in absence of solvents for the first time. A selectivity of up to 93.6% of KA oil with 9.2% conversion of cyclohexane was produced at 150℃ and 1.5 MPa after 3 h, with about 0.1 mol cyclohexane, C7mimHSO4-Co/ZSM-5 catalyst equal to 6.0 wt%, respectively. The induction period of oxidation was greatly shortened when the ionic liquid was supported on ZSM-5. The catalyst was easy to centrifuge and was reused after five cycles. It was found that both the characterization and performance of the catalysts revealed that both the presence of oxygen vacancies with incorporation of Co ions into the framework of ZSM-5 and the introduction of C7mimHSO4 into the ZSM-5 leads to the both satisfactory selectivity and robust stability of the C7mimHSO4-Co/ZSM-5 heterogeneous catalyst.
Heart rate variability and vagus nerve stimulation in epilepsy patients
Authors: Constantinescu Victor , Matei Daniela , Constantinescu Irina , Cuciureanu Dan Iulian 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Background
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) exerts a cortical modulating effect through its diffuse projections, especially involving cerebral structures related to autonomic regulation. The influence of VNS on cardiovascular autonomic function in drug-resistant epilepsy patients is still debated. We aimed to evaluate the impact of VNS on cardiovascular autonomic function in drug-resistant epilepsy patients, after three months of neurostimulation, using the heart rate variability (HRV) analysis.

Methodology
Multiple Trigonometric Regressive Spectral analysis enables a precise assessment of the autonomic control on the heart rate. We evaluated time and frequency-domain HRV parameters in resting condition and during sympathetic and parasympathetic activation tests in five epilepsy patients who underwent VNS procedure.

Results
We found appropriate cardiac autonomic responses to sympathetic and parasympathetic activation tests, described by RMSSD, pNN50, HF and LF/HF dynamics after three months of VNS. ON period of the neurostimulation may generate a transient vagal activation reflected on heart rate and RMSSD values, as observed in one of our cases.

Conclusion
VNS therapy in epilepsy patients seems not to disrupt the cardiac autonomic function. HRV represents a useful tool in evaluating autonomic activity. More extensive studies are needed to further explore cardiac autonomic response after neurostimulation.
Effects of Integrative Neuromuscular Training and Detraining on Countermovement Jump Performance in Youth Volleyball Players
Authors: Nunes Ana C. C. A. , Cattuzzo Maria T. , Faigenbaum Avery D. , Mortatti Arnaldo L. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Nunes, ACCA, Cattuzzo, MT, Faigenbaum, AD, and Mortatti, AL. Effects of integrative neuromuscular training and detraining on countermovement jump performance in youth volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res 35(8): 2242–2247, 2021—The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of integrative neuromuscular training (INT) on countermovement vertical jump height (CVJH) performance in youth volleyball players before and after a detraining period. Thirty-two novice volleyball players were cluster randomized into 2 groups: intervention group—INT (age: 13.1 ± 0.4 years; body mass: 55.3 ± 12.1 kg; and height: 161.1 ± 6.4 cm) and control group—CON (age: 12.8 ± 0.7 years; body mass: 51.8 ± 13.6 kg; and height: 160.1 ± 10.7 cm). The subjects were evaluated for somatic maturation (years from peak height velocity) and for CVJH performance at 4 time points during the 20-week study period: baseline, 6 weeks of INT, 12 weeks of INT, and 8 weeks after INT (detraining). The analysis used repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test to identify possible differences in the CVJH delta in both groups. Spearman correlation was performed to verify the association between the values of the vertical jump tests and maturational levels found. The INT showed a significant improvement in the CVJH from baseline to 12 weeks and maintained training-induced gains after detraining period (p > 0.001). Significant increase in CVJH was found in the percentage of change (Δ%) from baseline to 6 weeks (p < 0.005), 12 weeks (p < 0.001), and detraining (p < 0.001) in INT compared with the CON. The results of this study indicate that INT was able to improve CVJH performance in novice youth volleyball players and these gains were sustained during the detraining period. These findings indicate that regular participation in supervised INT can enhance jumping performance in young volleyball players, and that this type of neuromuscular program may be particularly beneficial for youth with limited fundamental motor skill performance.
Validity and Reliability of the Lode Excalibur Sport Cycle Ergometer for the Wingate Anaerobic Test
Authors: Lunn William R. , Axtell Robert S. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Lunn, WR and Axtell, RS. Validity and reliability of the Lode Excalibur Sport cycle ergometer for the Wingate Anaerobic Test. J Strength Cond Res 35(10): 2894–2901, 2021—Although multiple testing devices advertise Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT), capability, reliability, and validity data are sparse. The purpose was to determine whether the Lode Excalibur Sport cycle ergometer is a reliable and valid instrument to conduct the 30-second WAnT when compared with the Monark 894e Peak Bike ergometer. Recreationally active men (n = 49; 20.6 ± 2.5 years; 1.75 ± 0.07 m; and 79.1 ± 9.8 kg) completed four 30-second WAnTs: 2 each on the Lode and the Monark ergometers for peak power (PP), mean power (MP), minimum power (MinP), fatigue index (FI), and peak cadence (vmax) measurement. Interday and interunit correlation, multivariate analysis of variance, regression, and Bland-Altman analysis determined reliability and validity. Cohen's d was used to determine effect size. Relative reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient) with 95% confidence interval for Monark and Lode was very high for PP, MP, MinP, and vmax and high for FI (r > 0.83; coefficient of variation ≤ 27.0%; p < 0.01). Interunit correlation was strong for PP, MP, MinP, and vmax (r > 0.75; p < 0.001) and moderate for FI (p = 0.001). Lode PP and FI values were significantly less (p < 0.001; d > 1.18) and MinP, MP, and vmax significantly greater (p ≤ 0.001; d > 0.51) than Monark. Proportional bias was demonstrated for all variables (p < 0.04; d > 2.68) except vmax. The Lode ergometer reliably provides WAnT outcomes and correlates well to the Monark ergometer. However, differences in power values and proportional bias between differently braked instruments prevent use of the Lode ergometer for comparison of WAnT data with normative data generated by the Monark ergometer.