bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability and responsiveness of the Jebsen‐Taylor Test of Hand Function and the Box and Block Test for children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Araneda Rodrigo , Ebner‐Karestinos Daniela , Paradis Julie , Saussez Geoffroy , Friel Kathleen M , Gordon Andrew M , Bleyenheuft Yannick 
Published: February 2019

AimTo assess the reliability and to evaluate the responsiveness of both the Jebsen‐Taylor Test of Hand Function (JTTHF) and the Box and Block Test (BBT) in children with cerebral palsy (CP).MethodIn this retrospective study, the reliability analyses were conducted with paired t‐tests considering a short (mean 14d) and a long (mean 120d) time in between two assessment periods. In addition, an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess the level of congruency. The responsiveness to therapy was conducted with a paired t‐test in the whole sample regarding the age, the manual ability level as classified with the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and the topography.ResultsOur main results confirmed the tests’ reliability in a short time period for the JTTHF in both hands and for the BBT on the less affected hand. These results were consistent with the ICC. The responsiveness was confirmed, except on the less affected hand for the JTTHF, with similar results for age, MACS, and topography approach.InterpretationThis study supports the use of the JTTHF and the BBT to examine changes after short‐term interventions for children with CP. These results should be interpreted with association to normative values or with a control group when used over long assessment periods.What this paper adds

The Box and Block Test (BBT) is reliable in a brief period of assessment in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

The Jebsen‐Taylor Test of Hand Function (JTTHF) is reliable in a brief period of assessment in children with CP.

The JTTHF and BBT are responsive to changes in a brief period of intensive therapy in children with CP.

The reliability and responsiveness of the JTTHF and BBT are weak over long assessment periods.
Association between uric acid, renal haemodynamics and arterial stiffness over the natural history of type 1 diabetes
Authors: Lytvyn Yuliya , Bjornstad Petter , Lovshin Julie A. , Singh Sunita K. , Boulet Genevieve , Farooqi Mohammed A. , Lai Vesta , Tse Josephine , Cham Leslie , Lovblom Leif E. , Weisman Alanna , Keenan Hillary A. , Brent Michael H. , Paul Narinder , Bril Vera , Advani Andrew , Sochett Etienne , Perkins Bruce A. , Cherney David Z. I. 
Published: February 2019

AimsTo examine the relationship between normal plasma uric acid (PUA) levels, renal haemodynamic function, arterial stiffness and plasma renin and aldosterone over a wide range of type 1 diabetes (T1D) durations in adolescents, young adults and older adults.Materials and methodsPUA, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), vascular stiffness parameters (aortic augmentation index [AIx], carotid AIx, carotid femoral pulse wave velocity [cfPWV]), and plasma renin and aldosterone were measured during a euglycaemic clamp in people with T1D: 27 adolescents (mean ± SD age 16.8 ± 1.9 years), 52 young adults (mean ± SD age 25.6 ± 5.5 years) and 66 older adults (mean ± SD age 65.7 ± 7.5 years).ResultsPUA was highest in patients with the longest T1D duration: 197 ± 44 μmol/L in adolescents versus 264 ± 82 μmol/L in older adults (P < 0.001). Higher PUA correlated with lower GFR only in older adults, even after correcting for age, glycated haemoglobin and sex (β = −2.12 ± 0.56; P = 0.0003), but not in adolescents or young adults. Higher PUA correlated with lower carotid AIx (β = −1.90, P = 0.02) in adolescents. In contrast, PUA correlated with higher cfPWV (P = 0.02) and higher plasma renin (P = 0.01) in older adults with T1D.ConclusionsThe relationship between higher PUA with lower GFR, increased arterial stiffness and renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) activation was observed only in older adults with longstanding T1D. T1D duration may modify the association between PUA, renal haemodynamic function and RAAS activation, leading to renal vasoconstriction and ischaemia. Further work must determine whether pharmacological PUA‐lowering prevents or reverses injurious haemodynamic and neurohormonal sequelae of longstanding T1D, thereby improving clinical outcomes.
Effect of cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase‐3 inhibitor, on coronary artery stenosis and plaque characteristics in patients with type 2 diabetes: ESCAPE study
Authors: Lee Dong‐Hwa , Chun Eun Ju , Oh Tae Jung , Kim Kyoung Min , Moon Jae Hoon , Choi Sung Hee , Park Kyong Soo , Jang Hak Chul , Lim Soo 
Published: February 2019

AimTo perform a prospective study to evaluate the effect of cilostazol (CTZ) compared with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid; ASA) in Korean people with diabetes and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.Materials and methodsA total of 100 people with diabetes who had mild to moderate coronary atherosclerosis, assessed by coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA), were randomly assigned to either 200 mg/d CTZ or 100 mg/d ASA (n = 50 each group). The primary outcome was change in coronary artery stenosis assessed by CCTA after 12 months of treatment. Secondary outcomes included changes in plaque composition, coronary artery calcium score and cardiac markers.ResultsThe mean age, body mass index and glycated haemoglobin concentration were 61.5 years, 25.0 kg/m2 and 56.8 mmol/mol, respectively, and were well matched between the two groups. Coronary artery stenosis decreased in the CTZ group (from 44.0 ± 2.1% to 40.4 ± 2.5%) but remained unchanged in the ASA group (from 38.9 ± 2.1% to 40.6 ± 2.1%). In the CTZ group, the non‐calcified portion of plaques decreased significantly (from 20.6 ± 3.0 to 17.3 ± 3.0 mm3), whereas it did not change significantly in the ASA group (15.2 ± 2.8 vs 16.6 ± 2.9 mm3). Increases in HDL cholesterol, decreases in triglycerides, liver enzyme and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein levels, and reductions in abdominal visceral fat area and insulin resistance were observed only in the CTZ group.ConclusionCTZ treatment for 12 months decreased coronary artery stenosis and the non‐calcified plaque component. These results suggest that CTZ treatment may be an option for preventing the progression of coronary atherosclerosis in people with diabetes.
Axonal water fraction as marker of white matter injury in primary‐progressive multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal study
Authors: Margoni M. , Petracca M. , Schiavi S. , Fabian M. , Miller A. , Lublin F. D. , Inglese M. 
Published: February 2019

Background and purposeDiffuse white matter (WM) injury is prominent in primary‐progressive multiple sclerosis (PP‐MS) pathology and is a potential biomarker of disease progression. Diffusion kurtosis imaging allows the quantification of non‐Gaussian water diffusion, providing metrics with high WM pathological specificity. The aim of this study was to characterize the pathological changes occurring in the normal‐appearing WM of patients with PP‐MS at baseline and at 1‐year follow‐up and to assess their impact on disability and short‐term disease progression.MethodsA total of 26 patients with PP‐MS and 20 healthy controls were prospectively enrolled. Diffusion kurtosis imaging single‐shot echo‐planar imaging (EPI) was acquired on a 3‐T scanner (Philips Achieva, Best, The Netherlands) (voxel size, 2 × 2 × 2 mm3, 30 directions for each b‐value = 1000, 2000 s/mm2 and one b = 0 s/mm2). A two‐compartment biophysical model of WM tract integrity was used to derive spatial maps of axonal water fraction (AWF), intra‐axonal diffusivity, extra‐axonal axial and radial diffusivities (De,axial, De,radial) and tortuosity from the following WM tracts: corpus callosum (CC), corticospinal tract (CST) and posterior thalamic radiation (PTR).ResultsAt baseline, patients with PP‐MS showed a widespread decrease of AWF, tortuosity and De,axial and an increase of De,radial in CC, CST and PTR (P ranging from 0.001 to 0.036). At 1‐year follow‐up, a significant AWF decrease was detected in the body of CC (P = 0.048), PTR (P = 0.008) and CST (P = 0.044). Baseline AWF values in CST significantly discriminated progressed from non‐progressed patients (P = 0.021; area under the curve, 0.854).ConclusionBased on its change over time and its relationship with disease progression, among the analyzed metrics, AWF seems the most sensitive metric of WM tissue damage in PP‐MS and therefore it could be considered as a marker for monitoring disease progression.
Structural insights into the unique polylactate‐degrading mechanism of Thermobifida alba cutinase
Authors: Kitadokoro Kengo , Kakara Mizuki , Matsui Shingo , Osokoshi Ryouhei , Thumarat Uschara , Kawai Fusako , Kamitani Shigeki 
Published: February 2019

Cutinases are enzymes known to degrade polyester‐type plastics. Est119, a plastic‐degrading type of cutinase from Thermobifida alba AHK119 (herein called Ta_cut), shows a broad substrate specificity toward polyesters, and can degrade substrates including polylactic acid (PLA). However, the PLA‐degrading mechanism of cutinases is still poorly understood. Here, we report the structure complexes of cutinase with ethyl lactate (EL), the constitutional unit. From this complex structure, the electron density maps clearly showed one lactate (LAC) and one EL occupying different positions in the active site cleft. The binding mode of EL is assumed to show a figure prior to reaction and LAC is an after‐reaction product. These complex structures demonstrate the role of active site residues in the esterase reaction and substrate recognition. The complex structures were compared with other documented complex structures of cutinases and with the structure of PETase from Ideonella sakaiensis. The amino acid residues involved in substrate interaction are highly conserved among these enzymes. Thus, mapping the precise interactions in the Ta_cut and EL complex will pave the way for understanding the plastic‐degrading mechanism of cutinases and suggest ways of creating more potent enzymes by structural protein engineering.
Ageing profiles of Caucasian and Chinese cohorts – focus on hands skin
Authors: Messaraa C. , Doyle L. , Mansfield A. , O'Connor C. , Mavon A. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectiveIn spite of hand care being a dynamic segment of skin care, hands skin physiology has been receiving little attention in comparison to facial skin. In the present study, we aimed at gathering a comprehensive set of skin data from the dorsal part of the hand to study age related‐changes in two ethnic groups (Caucasian and Chinese).MethodsSkin topographic, skin colour/colour heterogeneities, skin chromophores and skin biophysical measurements of 116 Caucasian and Chinese female volunteers aged 30–65 years old were collected in Ireland and in China as part of a cross‐sectional study.ResultsTopographic alterations happened at both micro and macro scales with a noticeable delay in the onset of 10 years for the Chinese cohort. Similar evolution of skin colour with ageing was observed between the two cohorts and strong dissimilarities were seen when it came to colour heterogeneities and melanin hyper concentration, with a 20‐year delay in severity for the Chinese cohort. A similar sharp drop of skin hydration occurred when reaching the 60's regardless of the group and substantial differences were recorded for skin biomechanical properties of the skin.ConclusionThese results provide additional insights about hand skin physiology in relation to ageing and ethnic differences, especially when put into perspective with what is currently known about facial ageing. This research yield additional material for hand cream product rationale and strategies for mitigating the appearance of ageing hands.
Effect of tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease 1 on human pulp cells in vitro and rat pulp tissue in vivo
Authors: Okamoto M. , Takahashi Y. , Komichi S. , Ali M. , Watanabe M. , Hayashi M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAimTo evaluate the dentinogenetic effects of tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease (TIMP1) on human pulp cells in vitro and rat pulp tissue in vivo.MethodologyThe effect of TIMP1 on pulp cell functions related to hard tissue formation as part of the wound healing process (i.e. biocompatibility, proliferation, differentiation and mineralized nodule formation) was evaluated in vitro and using a direct pulp capping experimental animal model in vivo. The effects of different‐sized cavity preparations on hard tissue formation induced by ProRoot MTA at 2 weeks were evaluated using micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT). Tertiary dentine formation quality and quantity after pulp capping using TIMP1, ProRoot MTA and phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) was also evaluated after 4 weeks using micro‐CT in term of dentine volume (DV), dentine mineral density (DVD) and histological analysis. The data were evaluated by Student's t‐test, one‐way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test, the Kruskal–Wallis test or the Steel–Dwass test. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsTIMP1 significantly stimulated dental pulp stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization and was more biocompatible compared with the PBS control (P < 0.05). In the pulp capping model, the amount of tertiary dentine that formed was directly proportional to the size of the pulp exposure; greater amounts of tertiary dentine were observed in pulps with larger exposures after 2 weeks. 4‐week samples of TIMP1 and ProRoot MTA had similar characteristics, but both sample significantly induced tertiary dentine formation beneath the cavity compared with PBS (P < 0.05) under standardized cavity preparations.ConclusionsTIMP1 has an important role in pulpal wound healing, which makes it a potential biological pulp capping material and candidate molecule for regenerative endodontic therapy.
Predictors of victimization among youth who are overweight in a national sample
Authors: Nabors Laura , Odar Stough Cathy , Garr Katlyn , Merianos Ashley 
Published: February 2019

SummaryObjectivesThe current cross‐sectional study examined whether children who are overweight experience greater levels of parent‐reported bullying behaviors and victimization using a national sample. Additionally, the relations among child (mental health), family (parent‐child sharing of information), and contextual factors (neighborhood safety, school engagement) and risk of victimization in children who are overweight were assessed.MethodsCaregivers provided data via the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health. A series of multinomial logistic regressions were conducted with the subsample of children aged 10 to 17 years (N = 26 094).ResultsYouth who were overweight were more likely to be victimized, but not more likely to bully. Being engaged in school and neighborhood safety were protective factors among youth who were overweight, while living in families where information is shared and difficulty making friends were risk factors.ConclusionsChildren who were overweight were more likely to be victims, rather than perpetrators, of bullying. Health professionals should assess family and contextual factors in relation to victimization status when developing interventions.
Secreted frizzled‐related protein 5 serum levels in human periodontitis—A nested case–control study
Authors: Schulz Juliane , Knappe Carina , Graetz Christian , Mewes Louisa , Türk Kathrin , Black Anna K. , Lieb Wolfgang , Schäfer Arne S. , Fawzy El‐Sayed Karim M. , Dörfer Christof E. , Schreiber Stefan , Laudes Matthias , Schulte Dominik M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAimRecombinant secreted frizzled‐related protein 5 (sFRP5) improved periodontal status in mice. Thus, this study aimed to investigate this finding in human periodontitis using an epidemiological approach.Materials and MethodssFRP5 and wnt5a concentrations were determined in human serum from the Food Chain Plus cohort using ELISAs. A total of 128 patients with periodontitis and tooth loss and 245 patients with periodontitis without tooth loss were compared to 373 sex‐, smoker‐, age‐ and BMI‐matched individuals in a nested case–control design.ResultsSystemic sFRP5 serum levels were significantly lower in patients with periodontitis and tooth loss (2.5 [0.0–10.4] ng/ml, median [IQR]) compared to patients with periodontitis without tooth loss (6.0 [2.5–15.8] ng/ml, median [IQR], p = 0.04] and matched controls (7.0 [2.5–18.3] ng/ml, median [IQR], p = 0.02). No significant differences in sFRP5 serum levels were found among patients with periodontitis without tooth loss (6.0 [2.5–15.8] ng/ml, median [IQR]) and controls (3.1 [0.0–10.6] ng/ml, median [IQR], p = 0.06).ConclusionssFRP5 might serve as a novel biomarker for periodontitis severity. Modulating the inflammatory background of severe forms of periodontitis, in the time of precision medicine, needs to be revealed in further studies.
JAK inhibitors for alopecia areata: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Phan K. , Sebaratnam D.F. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThere have been a number of case reports and small clinical trials reporting promising outcomes of Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors tofacitinib, ruxolitinib and baricitinib for alopecia areata (AA). The majority of the literature to date is based on small volume data, with a lack of definitive evidence or guidelines. To determine the expected response of AA to JAK inhibitor therapy and factors which influence response and recurrence rates. A systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. From 30 studies and 289 cases, there were 72.4% responders, good responders 45.7% and partial responders 21.4%. Mean time to initial hair growth was 2.2 ± 6.7 months, and time to complete hair regrowth was 6.7 ± 2.2 months. All 37 recurrences occurred when treatment was ceased after 2.7 months. Oral route was significantly associated with response to treatment compared to topical therapy. No difference was found between paediatric and adult cases in proportion of responses. There is promising low‐quality evidence regarding the effectiveness of JAK inhibitors in AA. Future large‐sized randomized studies are required to confirm findings.
Plant peroxisomal solute transporter proteins
Authors: Charton Lennart , Plett Anastasija , Linka Nicole 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPlant peroxisomes are unique subcellular organelles which play an indispensable role in several key metabolic pathways, including fatty acid β‐oxidation, photorespiration, and degradation of reactive oxygen species. The compartmentalization of metabolic pathways into peroxisomes is a strategy for organizing the metabolic network and improving pathway efficiency. An important prerequisite, however, is the exchange of metabolites between peroxisomes and other cell compartments. Since the first studies in the 1970s scientists contributed to understanding how solutes enter or leave this organelle. This review gives an overview about our current knowledge of the solute permeability of peroxisomal membranes described in plants, yeast, mammals and other eukaryotes. In general, peroxisomes contain in their bilayer membrane specific transporters for hydrophobic fatty acids (ABC transporter) and large cofactor molecules (carrier for ATP, NAD and CoA). Smaller solutes with molecular masses below 300–400 Da, like the organic acids malate, oxaloacetate, and 2‐oxoglutarate, are shuttled via non‐selective channels across the peroxisomal membrane. In comparison to yeast, human, mammals and other eukaryotes, the function of these known peroxisomal transporters and channels in plants are discussed in this review.
Publication Productivity of Nursing Faculty in Selected Schools of Nursing Across the United States
Authors: Broome Marion E. , Oermann Marilyn H. , Douglas Christian E. , Simmons Denise F. , Woodward Amanda 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPurposeFaculty productivity related to research and scholarship is assessed in schools of nursing throughout the world. The purpose of this study was to examine the publication productivity of nursing faculty at each academic rank and in both tenure and nontenure tracks in selected schools of nursing across the United States.DesignThis was a descriptive study of publications and the h‐index of nursing faculty.MethodsPublication and citation data and the h‐index for faculty (N = 1,354) in 18 schools of nursing were obtained from the Scopus database.FindingsOverall, the number of publications and citations and the h‐index of faculty increased at higher academic ranks. The median number of publications for tenure track faculty was 13 for assistant professors, 33 for associate professors, and 81 for full professors. Citation medians ranged from 80.5 for assistant professors, to 378 for associate professors, to 1,401 for full professors. The median h‐index was 4 for assistant professors, 10 for associate professors, and 20 for full professors. Significant differences were found across academic ranks and between tenure and nontenure track faculty.ConclusionsThe findings provide the first documentation of scholarly productivity of nursing faculty, as measured by number of publications and citations and by h‐index, across schools of nursing in the United States.Clinical RelevanceThese findings can be used as benchmarks by appointment, promotion, and tenure committees and by faculty for self‐assessment.
Exposure to Neoliberalism Increases Resentment of the Elite via Feelings of Anomie and Negative Psychological Reactions
Authors: Hartwich Lea , Becker Julia C. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractFor several decades now, neoliberalism has been the dominant economic and political ideology throughout large parts of the world. In many places, its rise has gone hand in hand with growing social inequality and a cultural emphasis on individualism and competition. Lately, concerns are being raised about the effects of these developments on politics and societies. The renewed rise of populism in Europe, the United States, and other countries has been attributed to economic insecurity among the working and middle classes by politicians, journalists, and academics alike. Similarly, the spread of nationalist and anti‐immigration sentiments is frequently interpreted as a result of fears over job security and perceived competition in a hostile economic climate. We examined the effect of neoliberalism on two types of prejudice (anti‐elitism and anti‐immigrant prejudice) across two studies in Germany (N = 198) and the UK (N = 173). Results show that priming neoliberalism leads to higher levels of anti‐elitism but not anti‐immigrant prejudice and that this effect is mediated by anomie and negative psychological reactions (feelings of threat, unfairness, and hopelessness). Thus, our research suggests that while neoliberalism is linked to lower social cohesion and increased outgroup derogation, this is not primarily directed against disadvantaged social groups but against those at the top.
No Benefit of Eye‐Closure Rehearsal in a Unimodal Recognition Memory Test for Word Items
Authors: Uchiyama Tomomi , Mitsudo Hiroyuki 
Published: February 2019

AbstractRecent studies have suggested that closing the eyes helps memory retrieval in recall tests for audiovisual clips that contain multimodal information. In two experiments, we examined whether eye‐closure improves recognition memory performance for word lists presented unimodally (i.e., visually or aurally). In the encoding phase, participants saw or heard a list of unrelated, meaningful word items. After a fixed retention interval of 1 week (Experiment 1, n = 110) and 5 min (Experiment 2, n = 44), the participants were asked to mentally rehearse the items with their eyes open or closed, and then they performed a recognition test. The results revealed no effect of eye‐closure rehearsal on recognition performance. We discuss the possible reasons why no eye‐closure benefit was found in recognition memory tests for unrelated word items.