bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plantar stimulation in parkinsonians: From biomarkers to mobility – randomized-controlled trial
Authors: Pagnussat Aline Souza , Kleiner Ana F.R. , Rieder Carlos R.M. , Frantz Anapaula , Ehlers Jaira , Pinto Camila , Dorneles Gilson , Netto Carlos Alexandre , Peres Alessandra , Galli Manuela 
Published: March 2018

Background: The decrease of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) serum levels has been related to the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative diseases as well as to neural plasticity and rehabilitation. Automated Mechanical Peripheral Stimulation (AMPS) has been investigated as a complementary therapy for Parkinson Disease (PD). Objectives: (1) to investigate the effects of AMPS on BDNF and Cortisol serum levels of subjects with PD; (2) to evidence the interplay between BDNF and Cortisol serum levels and the functional mobility improvement after AMPS treatment. Methods: Thirty-three subjects with PD were randomized into two groups: effective stimulation (AMPS, n = 16) or placebo stimulation (AMPS SHAM, n = 17). Fourteen healthy aged-matched subjects were included as a reference group. Each AMPS group received eight sessions of treatment using a commercial medical device (Gondola™). BDNF and Cortisol serum levels, spatiotemporal gait parameters and TUG test were assessed at baseline and after eight sessions of treatment. Results: After the treatment, AMPS group showed significantly higher levels of BDNF and lower levels of Cortisol compared to AMPS SHAM. AMPS group also showed a positive effect on gait pattern as a higher improvement on gait velocity, stride length, and TUG performance was shown. Conclusion: Effective AMPS treatment increased BDNF and decreased Cortisol serum levels and produced improvements in functional mobility.
Axial diffusivity changes in the motor pathway above stroke foci and functional recovery after subcortical infarction
Authors: Liu Gang , Peng Kangqiang , Dang Chao , Tan Shuangquan , Chen Hongbing , Xie Chuanmiao , Xing Shihui , Zeng Jinsheng 
Published: March 2018

Background: Secondary degeneration of the fiber tract of the motor pathway below infarct foci and functional recovery after stroke have been well demonstrated, but the role of the fiber tract above stroke foci remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to investigate diffusion changes in motor fibers above the lesion and identify predictors of motor improvement within 12 weeks after subcortical infarction. Methods: Diffusion tensor imaging and the Fugl-Meyer (FM) scale were conducted 1, 4, and 12 weeks (W) after a subcortical infarct. Proportional recovery model residuals were used to assign patients to proportional recovery and poor recovery groups. Region of interest analysis was used to assess diffusion changes in the motor pathway above and below a stroke lesion. Multivariable linear regression was employed to identify predictors of motor improvement within 12 weeks after stroke. Results: Axial diffusivity (AD) in the underlying white matter of the ipsilesional primary motor area (PMA) and cerebral peduncle (CP) in both proportional and poor recovery groups was lower at W1 compared to the controls and values in the contralesional PMA and CP (all P < 0.05). Subsequently, AD in the ipsilesional CP became relatively stable, while AD in the ipsilesional PMA significantly increased from W4 to W12 after stroke ( P < 0.05). In all of the patients, changes in the FM scores were greater in those with higher changes in AD of the ipsilesional PMA. Only initial impairment or lesion volume was predictive of motor improvement within 12 weeks after stroke in patients with proportional or poor recovery. Conclusion: Increases of AD in the motor pathway above stroke foci may be associated with motor recovery after subcortical infarction. Early measurement of diffusion metrics in the ipsilesional non-ischemic motor pathway has limited value in predicting future motor improvement patterns (proportional or poor recovery).
Potential benefits of a cognitive training program in mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Authors: Mendoza Laiz Nuria , Del Valle Díaz Sagrario , Rioja Collado Natalia , Gomez-Pilar Javier , Hornero Roberto 
Published: March 2018

Background: Dementia is a disease that is constantly evolving in older people. Its diverse symptoms appear with varying degrees of severity affecting the daily life of those who suffer from it. The rate in which dementia progresses depends on different aspects of the treatment, chosen to try to control and slow down the development of the illness. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of cognitive training through a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) and the NeuronUp platform in two age groups whose MMSE is between 18–23 MCI (mild dementia). Method: 32 subjects took part in the study. There were 22 subjects in Group 1 (61–69 years of age) and 10 subjects in Group 2 (70–81 years of age). The criterium for the selection of the groups was to identify the age range with greater improvements due to the training. In order to estimate neuropsychological performance, the subjects were evaluated with the Luria-DNA neuropsychological battery before and after training. This design enables us to evaluate five cognitive areas: visuospatial, spoken language, memory, intellectual processes and attention. Results: After training, Group 1 showed significant improvements in almost all the variables measured when compared with Group 2. This reveals a significant increase in cognitive ability, the degree of which depends on the age. Conclusion: People with mild dementia may delay cognitive impairment with a suitable cognitive training program.
Clinical features of patients who might benefit more from walking robotic training
Authors: Morone Giovanni , Masiero Stefano , Coiro Paola , De Angelis Domenico , Venturiero Vincenzo , Paolucci Stefano , Iosa Marco 
Published: March 2018

Background: Robotic walking training improves probability to reach an autonomous walking in non-ambulant patients affected by subacute stroke. However, little information is available regarding the prognostic factors for identifying best responder patients. The purpose of the present study is therefore to investigate the clinical features of patients with subacute stroke that might benefit more from robotic walking therapy. Methods: One hundred subacute inpatients randomized in robotic or conventional gait training were assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks of training performed 5 times per week. Forward Binary Logistic Regression was performed using functional ambulation category (FAC) as dependent variable and as independent variables: trunk function (trunk control test), global ability (Barthel Index), age, sex, time from stroke and beginning of rehabilitation, side and type of stroke, and in the first analysis also type of treatment. Results: The parameters that have a significant effect on the FAC-score at discharge were a higher BI-score at admission, a higher TCT-score at admission, a short time from the ictus and a robotic therapy. The variance explained by these four factors was 78%. When the two groups were separately analysed for type of treatment, a higher BI-score and a short time from stroke resulted in good prognosis for conventional therapy, whereas only a high TCT-score improved efficacy of robotic training. Conclusion: Efficacy of robotic walking training was not associated with global ability at admission. Hence, more severely disabled patients may obtain greater benefit from robotic training, independently by other factors, except the need of a residual trunk control that was identified as a good prognostic factor for robotic walking training.
Association of serum vitamin D3 with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Anwar Taznuva , Rahman Md. Matiur , Mollah Forhadul Hoque , Biswas Subrata Kumar 
Published: March 2018

Vitamin D has an important role and supposed to be a risk factor in the development of pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus by affecting either insulin sensitivity or β-cell function, or both. The present study was conducted to evaluate the relation of serum vitamin D3 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Total 80 individuals were enrolled in this study. Forty newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic individual were enrolled as cases and 40 healthy glucose tolerant subjects were enrolled as controls. Serum vitamin D3 was measured by chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay. Fasting and 2 hours plasma glucose level were measured by hexokinase method using the Dimension clinical chemistry system. The mean serum vitamin D3 level was significantly low in type 2 diabetes mellitus than in controls (p= 0,007). The individual with vitamin D3 deficiency showed 3.4 times higher chances to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus compare to the individual with normal vitamin D status. Correlation test showed significant (r= -0.351) negative correlation (p=0.026) between serum vitamin D3 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. It can be concluded that vitamin D3 deficiency is related to type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Thyroid Function and 25 (OH) Vitamin D Level among Sudanese Women in Early Pregnancy
Authors: Musa Imad R. , Rayis Duria A. , Ahmed Mohmamed A. , Khamis Ammar H. , Nasr Abubakr M. , Adam Ishag 
Published: March 2018

AIM: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Saad Abualila Hospital (Khartoum, Sudan) to evaluate the vitamin D levels and thyroid function among pregnant Sudanese women (132) in early pregnancy.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Saad Abualila hospital (Khartoum, Sudan) during the period from March to July 2015. Women who were in early pregnancy with a singleton pregnancy were approached to participate in the study after signing informed consent. A sample size of 132 participants was calculated guided by the normal interval of thyroid function in Sudanese women in the first trimester and not the level of 25(OH) vitamin D. The 25 - hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) vitamins levels were measured using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on an Elecsys 2010 Analyzer (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany).RESULTS: The mean (SD) of age, gravidity and gestational age was 27.6 (5.5) years, 2.2 (1.6) and 10.4 (2.2) weeks, respectively. The mean (SD) of the body mass index (BMI) and haemoglobin was 27.1 (5.2) kg/m2 and 10.8 (1.1) g/dl, respectively. Median (interquartile) values of TSH, FT3, and FT4 were 1.164 IU/ml (0.079 -2.177 IU/ml), 4.639 nmol/l (3.843 - 6.562 nmol/l), and 16.86 pmol/l (13.02 - 31.48 pmol/l), respectively. There was no significant correlation between vitamin D levels and TSH, FT3 and FT4CONCLUSION: There is no correlation between 25 (OH) vitamin D levels and thyroid function during early pregnancy among Sudanese pregnant women, despite prevalent vitamin D deficiency among these women.
Relations sociales et cartographie cognitive. Les points de référence comme noyau central des représentations spatiales
Authors: Dias Pierre , Ramadier Thierry 
Published: March 2018

Cette étude explore l’existence d’un noyau central dans la cartographie cognitive par l’approche des processus d’ancrage et d’objectivation des représentations, Il s’agit de démontrer que ce n’est pas l’objet géographique qui contribue à qualifier et à organiser la représentation spatiale, mais les processus socio-cognitifs de catégorisation. La réalisation d’analyses de similitude sur la base d’associations hiérarchisées de lieux permet de décrire cinq représentations de l’espace urbain dans notre échantillon. Ces dernières se différencient par leurs points de référence spatiaux, qui eux même sont en étroite relation avec la position (capital) et la trajectoire sociale (socialisation) des individus. Les schèmes de cognition spatiale se révèlent comme des dispositions sociales insérées dans un système de relations sociales et soulignent l’importance d’appréhender les cartographies cognitives comme de véritables représentations sociales. Mots clefs : cartographie cognitive ; représentation sociale ; noyau central ; points de référence ; trajectoires sociales.
The Sensitivity of Clinical Outcomes to Centration on the Light-Constricted Pupil for a Shape-Changing Corneal Inlay
Authors: Barragán-Garza Enrique , Koch Douglas D. , Vargas Luis G. , Lang Alan , Roy Adam 
Published: March 2018

PURPOSE:
To assess the clinically acceptable range of inlay decentration with respect to the light-constricted pupil center and the coaxially sighted corneal light reflex (CSCLR) for an inlay (Raindrop Near Vision Inlay; ReVision Optics, Inc., Lake Forest, CA) that reshapes the anterior corneal surface.

METHODS:
In this retrospective, observational cohort study of 115 patients with emmetropic or low hyperopic presbyopia who were implanted with a shape-changing corneal inlay, visual acuity, task performance (in good and dim light), reports of halos and glare, and satisfaction data were collected from the preoperative and 3-month postoperative examinations. Inlay centration with respect to the pupil center and CSCLR was determined from the center of the inlay effect derived from iTrace (Tracey Technologies, Houston, TX) wavefront measurements. Multivariate regression models assessed the influence of inlay position on visual outcomes.

RESULTS:

On average, monocular uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) improved 4.9 ± 1.7 lines in the treated eye, with no loss in binocular distance vision. Eighty-three percent of implants were centered radially within 0.5 mm of the pupil center. Multivariate analysis of decentration with respect to both the pupil center and CSCLR revealed no significant interaction with the above clinical outcomes, with the exception of UNVA in the treated eye (all
P
> .05, α = 0.05). For decentration of less than 0.75 mm, the change in UNVA was less than 1 line.

CONCLUSIONS:
Distance and near visual acuity, task performance, severity of halos and glare, and satisfaction were independent of radial decentration of the Raindrop Near Vision Inlay of less than 0.75 mm from the light-constricted pupil.

[
J Refract Surg.
2018;34(3):164–170.]
15-epi-Lipoxin A4, Resolvin D2, and Resolvin D3 Induce NF-κB Regulators in Bacterial Pneumonia
Authors: Sham Ho Pan , Walker Katherine H. , Abdulnour Raja-Elie E. , Krishnamoorthy Nandini , Douda David N. , Norris Paul C. , Barkas Ioanna , Benito-Figueroa Sarah , Colby Jennifer K. , Serhan Charles N. , Levy Bruce D. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs) decrease NF-κB activity to prevent excessive tissue damage and promote the resolution of acute inflammation. Mechanisms for NF-κB regulation by SPMs remain to be determined. In this study, after LPS challenge, the SPMs 15-epi-lipoxin A4 (15-epi-LXA4), resolvin D1, resolvin D2, resolvin D3, and 17-epi-resolvin D1 were produced in vivo in murine lungs. In LPS-activated human bronchial epithelial cells, select SPMs increased expression of the NF-κB regulators A20 and single Ig IL-1R–related molecule (SIGIRR). Of interest, 15-epi-LXA4 induced A20 and SIGIRR in an lipoxin A4 receptor/formyl peptide receptor 2 (ALX/FPR2) receptor–dependent manner in epithelial cells and in murine pneumonia. This SPM regulated NF-κB–induced cytokines to decrease pathogen-mediated inflammation. In addition to dampening lung inflammation, surprisingly, 15-epi-LXA4 also enhanced pathogen clearance with increased antimicrobial peptide expression. Taken together, to our knowledge these results are the first to identify endogenous agonists for A20 and SIGIRR expression to regulate NF-κB activity and to establish mechanisms for NF-κB regulation by SPMs for pneumonia resolution.
Calcification in a marginal sea – influence of seawater [Ca2+] and carbonate chemistry on bivalve shell formation
Authors: Thomsen Jörn , Ramesh Kirti , Sanders Trystan , Bleich Markus , Melzner Frank 
Published: March 2018

Abstract. In estuarine coastal systems such as the Baltic Sea, mussels suffer from low
salinity which limits their distribution. Anthropogenic climate change is
expected to cause further desalination which will lead to local extinctions
of mussels in the low saline areas. It is commonly accepted that mussel
distribution is limited by osmotic stress. However, along the salinity
gradient, environmental conditions for biomineralization are successively
becoming more adverse as a result of reduced [Ca2+] and dissolved
inorganic carbon (CT) availability. In larvae, calcification is
an essential process starting during early development with formation of the
prodissoconch I (PD I) shell, which is completed under optimal conditions
within 2 days. Experimental manipulations of seawater [Ca2+] start to impair PD I
formation in Mytilus larvae at concentrations below 3 mM, which
corresponds to conditions present in the Baltic at salinities below
8 g kg−1. In addition, lowering dissolved inorganic carbon to critical
concentrations (< 1 mM) similarly affected PD I size, which was well
correlated with calculated ΩAragonite and
[Ca2+][HCO3-] ∕ [H+] in all treatments. Comparing
results for larvae from the western Baltic with a population from the central
Baltic revealed a significantly higher tolerance of PD I formation to lowered
[Ca2+] and [Ca2+][HCO3-] ∕ [H+] in the low saline
adapted population. This may result from genetic adaptation to the more
adverse environmental conditions prevailing in the low saline areas of the
Baltic. The combined effects of lowered [Ca2+] and adverse carbonate chemistry
represent major limiting factors for bivalve calcification and can thereby
contribute to distribution limits of mussels in the Baltic Sea.
Autocalibration of a one-dimensional hydrodynamic-ecological model (DYRESM 4.0-CAEDYM 3.1) using a Monte Carlo approach: simulations of hypoxic events in a polymictic lake
Authors: Luo Liancong , Hamilton David , Lan Jia , McBride Chris , Trolle Dennis 
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Automated calibration of complex deterministic water quality
models with a large number of biogeochemical parameters can reduce
time-consuming iterative simulations involving empirical judgements of model
fit. We undertook autocalibration of the one-dimensional
hydrodynamic-ecological lake model
DYRESM-CAEDYM, using a Monte Carlo sampling (MCS) method, in order to test
the applicability of this procedure for shallow, polymictic Lake Rotorua (New
Zealand). The calibration procedure involved independently minimizing the
root-mean-square error (RMSE), maximizing the Pearson correlation coefficient
(r) and Nash–Sutcliffe efficient coefficient (Nr) for comparisons
of model state variables against measured data. An assigned number of
parameter permutations was used for 10 000 simulation iterations. The
“optimal” temperature calibration produced a RMSE of 0.54 ∘C,
Nr value of 0.99, and r value of 0.98 through the whole water
column based on comparisons with 540 observed water temperatures collected
between 13 July 2007 and 13 January 2009. The modeled bottom dissolved oxygen
concentration (20.5 m below surface) was compared with 467 available
observations. The calculated RMSE of the simulations compared with the
measurements was 1.78 mg L−1, the Nr value was 0.75, and the
r value was 0.87. The autocalibrated model was further tested for an
independent data set by simulating bottom-water hypoxia events from 15
January 2009 to 8 June 2011 (875 days). This verification produced an
accurate simulation of five hypoxic events corresponding to
DO < 2 mg L−1 during summer of 2009–2011. The RMSE was
2.07 mg L−1, Nr value 0.62, and r value of 0.81, based on
the available data set of 738 days. The autocalibration software of
DYRESM-CAEDYM developed here is substantially less time-consuming and more
efficient in parameter optimization than traditional manual calibration which
has been the standard tool practiced for similar complex water quality
models.
Characterizing drought in terms of changes in the precipitation–runoff relationship: a case study of the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Feng Xiaoming , Wang Xiaofeng , Fu Bojie 
Published: March 2018

Abstract. The frequency and intensity of drought are increasing
dramatically with global warming. However, few studies have characterized
drought in terms of its impacts on ecosystem services, the mechanisms
through which ecosystems support life. As a result, little is known about
the implications of increased drought for resource management. This case
study characterizes drought by linking climate anomalies with changes in the
precipitation–runoff relationship (PRR) on the Loess Plateau of China, a
water-limited region where ongoing revegetation makes drought a major
concern. We analyzed drought events with drought durations ≥ 5 years
and mean annual precipitation anomaly (PA) values ≤ −5 % during
drought periods. The results show that continuous precipitation shifts are
able to change the water balance of watersheds in water-limited areas, and
multi-year drought events cause the PRR to change with a significantly
decreasing trend (p < 0.05) compared to other historical records. For
the Loess Plateau as a whole, the average runoff ratio decreased from
10 to 6.8  % during 1991–1999. The joint probability and return
period gradually increase with increasing of drought duration and severity.
The ecosystem service of water yield is easily affected by drought events
with durations equal to or greater than 6 years and drought severity
values equal to or greater than 0.55 (precipitation ≤ 212 mm). At the
same time, multi-year drought events also lead to significant changes in the
leaf area index (LAI). Such studies are essential for ecosystem management
in water-limited areas.
The influence of sea surface temperature on the intensity and associated storm surge of tropical cyclone Yasi: a sensitivity study
Authors: Lavender Sally L. , Hoeke Ron K. , Abbs Deborah J. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Tropical cyclones (TCs) result in widespread damage
associated with strong winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge. TC Yasi was
one of the most powerful TCs to impact the Queensland coast since records
began. Prior to Yasi, the SSTs in the Coral Sea were higher than average by
1–2 ∘C, primarily due to the 2010/2011 La Niña event. In this
study, a conceptually simple idealised sensitivity analysis is performed
using a high-resolution regional model to gain insight into the influence of
SST on the track, size, intensity and associated rainfall of TC Yasi. A set
of nine simulations with uniform SST anomalies of between −4 and
4 ∘C applied to the observed SSTs are analysed. The resulting
surface winds and pressure are used to force a barotropic storm surge model
to examine the influence of SST on the associated storm surge of TC Yasi. An increase in SST results in an increase in intensity, precipitation and
integrated kinetic energy of the storm; however, there is little influence on
track prior to landfall. In addition to an increase in precipitation, there
is a change in the spatial distribution of precipitation as the SST
increases. Decreases in SSTs result in an increase in the radius of maximum
winds due to an increase in the asymmetry of the storm, although the radius
of gale-force winds decreases. These changes in the TC characteristics also
lead to changes in the associated storm surge. Generally, cooler (warmer)
SSTs lead to reduced (enhanced) maximum storm surges. However, the increase
in surge reaches a maximum with an increase in SST of 2 ∘C. Any
further increase in SST does not affect the maximum surge but the total area
and duration of the simulated surge increases with increasing upper ocean
temperatures. A large decrease in maximum storm surge height occurs when a
negative SST anomaly is applied, suggesting if TC Yasi had occurred during
non-La Niña conditions the associated storm surge may have been greatly
diminished, with a decrease in storm surge height of over 3 m when the SST is
reduced by 2 ∘C. In summary, increases in SST lead to an increase in the potential
destructiveness of TCs with regard to intensity, precipitation and storm
surge, although this relationship is not linear.