bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor recovery and motor cortex excitability in patients with stroke: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Du J. , Tian L. , Liu W. , Hu J. , Xu G. , Ma M. , Fan X. , Ye R. , Jiang Y. , Yin Q. , Zhu W. , Xiong Y. , Yang F. , Liu X. 
Published: July 2016

Background and purposeRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) changes the excitability of the motor cortex and thereby has the potential to enhance motor recovery after stroke. This randomized, sham‐controlled, double‐blind study was to compare the effects of high‐frequency versus low‐frequency rTMS on motor recovery during the early phase of stroke and to identify the neurophysiological correlates of motor improvements.MethodsA total of 69 first‐ever ischemic stroke patients with motor deficits were randomly allocated to receive five daily sessions of 3‐Hz ipsilesional rTMS, 1‐Hz contralesional rTMS or sham rTMS in addition to standard physical therapy. Outcome measures included motor deficits, neurological scores and cortical excitability, which were assessed at baseline, after the intervention and at 3‐month follow‐up.ResultsThe rTMS groups manifested greater motor improvements than the control group, which were sustained for at least 3 months after the end of the treatment sessions. 1‐Hz rTMS over the unaffected hemisphere produced more profound effects than 3‐Hz rTMS in facilitating upper limb motor performance. There was a significant correlation between motor function improvement and motor cortex excitability change in the affected hemisphere.ConclusionsRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a beneficial neurorehabilitative strategy for enhancing motor recovery in the acute and subacute phase after stroke.
Induced community tolerance of periphyton towards combined salt and toxic stress
Authors: Schmitt‐Jansen Mechthild , Bley Lisa‐Marie , Krumbiegel Marie‐Luise , Rotter Stefanie 
Published: July 2016

Summary

Aquatic ecosystems are exposed to multiple stressors requiring better integration of distinct disciplines such as ecotoxicology and ecology. Stressors select for increasing community tolerance which can be evidenced by the concept of ‘pollution‐induced community tolerance’ (PICT). However, for analysing combined stressor effects on community tolerance, suitable metabolic tests are needed.

Salinisation and toxic exposure often co‐occur in aquatic systems. We aimed to develop a metabolic test to quantify salt tolerance by using proline as an indicator. This method was applied in microcosms, exposing periphyton to salt and an herbicide, individually and in combination.

Proline was a suitable marker for salt stress in periphyton. Long‐term exposure to single stressors resulted in toxicant‐ and salt‐induced community tolerance, but not in co‐tolerances between the stressors. Induction ratios of proline suggest that proline may have different protective functions in organisms depending on stressor quality and resulting in contrasting tolerance patterns in periphyton.

Biochemical markers provide a set of metabolic tests needed for a broader application of the PICT approach in ecology and ecotoxicology, especially for analysing combined stress. Induced community tolerance may therewith improve ecological relevance in environmental risk assessment of toxicants.
Comparing microscopic counts and pigment analyses in 46 phytoplankton communities from lakes of different trophic state
Authors: Schlüter Louise , Behl Stephan , Striebel Maren , Stibor Herwig 
Published: July 2016

Summary

Comparison between algal pigment analyses using HPLC and subsequent CHEMTAX analysis with microscopic counts from different lakes ranging from ultra‐oligotrophic to eutrophic allowed testing of pigment:chlorophyll a ratios for lakes of different trophic conditions. Microscopic counts and pigment analyses were positively correlated for all groups except for the chrysophytes.

When examining the oligotrophic lakes only, microscopic analyses and pigment analyses of chrysophytes were positively correlated, which showed that the oligotrophic pigment ratios were well suited for determining the abundance of the chrysophytes in oligotrophic lakes. In the eutrophic lakes, where chrysophytes constituted less than 10% of the biomass, the weak correlation was most likely related to counting inaccuracies.

Chrysophytes, generally indicative of oligotrophic conditions, were three times more abundant in the oligotrophic lakes. They constituted 28% of the total phytoplankton biomass as chlorophyll a measured by the pigment method and 26% of the total phytoplankton biomass measured as biovolume by microscopy. In mesotrophic/eutrophic lakes, chrysophytes constituted only 9% (pigment method) and 8% (microscopy).

Similarity analyses comparing the results of these two methods on functional group level documented the high accuracy of the pigment method in detecting all the functional groups present.

The results of the pigment analyses showed a more even composition of phytoplankton groups than found by microscopy, where often one or two of the less abundant groups were absent or only sporadically present. The Shannon's diversity index, H’, for functional groups determined from results of the pigment method were higher than the H’ values based on microscopic counts, confirming a more continuous composition of the phytoplankton groups when detected by the pigment method. The pigment method was found to be a useful alternative, which supplemented microscopic counts.
Exposure to elevatedpCO2alters post‐treatment diel movement patterns of largemouth bass over short time scales
Authors: Hasler Caleb T. , Midway Stephen R. , Jeffrey Jennifer D. , Tix John A. , Sullivan Cody , Suski Cory D. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryStudies with marine fishes indicate that exposure to elevated partial pressures of CO2(pCO2) related to climate change have negative consequences for fish behaviour. Freshwater fishes may experience similar increases inpCO2due to a number of different mechanisms, but there is a paucity of information on how freshwater fishes may respond to exposure to elevatedpCO2.To define the effects of elevatedpCO2on a free‐swimming freshwater fish, 19 adult largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were tagged with acoustic transmitters, held in water withpCO2levels of either ˜10 000 μatm or ambientpCO2(<100 μatm) for 5 days and released into a naturalised, earthen‐bottom pond outfitted with an acoustic telemetry array.Findings indicate that largemouth bass not exposed to elevated levels ofpCO2decreased movement over 35% during the daylight periods; however, fish exposed to elevated levels ofpCO2did not exhibit this pattern. This difference in diel movement patterns between fish exposed to elevatedpCO2and fish not exposed was not detectable after 11 days.Changes in home range size and daily distance travelled were not observed. However, based on an assessment of position estimates after the completion of the telemetry monitoring portion of the study, space use differed for fish exposed to elevatedpCO2.Exposure to elevatedpCO2therefore can have consequences for some movement behaviours of freshwater fish and this may influence a variety of ecological processes including energetics, foraging and predator–prey dynamics. CO2‐induced alterations to behaviour should recover upon a return to ambient water.
Clinical frailty and functional trajectories in hospitalized older adults: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Hartley Peter , Adamson Jennifer , Cunningham Carol , Embleton Georgina , Romero‐Ortuno Roman 
Published: July 2016

AimFrailty predicts inpatient mortality and length of stay, but its link to functional trajectories is under‐researched. Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK, collects the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) within 72 h of admission for those aged ≥75 years. We studied whether the CFS links to functional trajectories in hospitalized older adults.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study in an English university hospital. We analyzed all first episodes of county residents aged ≥75 years admitted to the Department of Medicine for the Elderly wards between December 2014 and May 2015. Data were extracted from the hospital's information systems. Patients were classified as non‐frail (CFS 1–4), moderately frail (CFS 5–6) and severely frail (CFS 7–8). Function was retrospectively measured with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at preadmission, admission and discharge.ResultsOf 539 eligible patients, 46 died during admission (mortality rates: 2% in CFS 1–4, 5% in CFS 5–6, 19% in CFS 7–8). Among the 493 survivors, 121 were non‐frail, 235 moderately and 137 severely frail. The mean mRS of the non‐frail was 1.8 (95% CI 1.7–2.0) at baseline, 3.3 (95% CI 3.1–3.5) on admission and 2.2 (95% CI 2.0–2.3) on discharge (mean length of stay 9 days). The moderately frail had a mean mRS of 2.9 (95% CI 2.8–3.0) at baseline, 4.0 (95% CI 3.8–4.1) on admission and 3.2 (95% CI 3.1–3.3) on discharge (mean length of stay 15 days). The severely frail had mean mRS of 3.5 (95% CI 3.3–3.6) at baseline, 4.3 (95% CI 4.1–4.4) on admission and 3.7 (95% CI 3.6–3.9) on discharge, respectively (mean length of stay 17 days).ConclusionsIn older inpatients, frailty might be linked to lower and slower functional recovery. Prospective work is required to confirm these trajectories and understand how to influence them. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1063–1068.
Detection of new pathogenic mutations in patients with congenital haemolytic anaemia using next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Del Orbe Barreto R. , Arrizabalaga B. , De la Hoz A. B. , García‐Orad Á. , Tejada M. I. , Garcia‐Ruiz J. C. , Fidalgo T. , Bento C. , Manco L. , Ribeiro M. L. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryIntroductionCongenital haemolytic anaemia (CHA) refers to a group of genetically heterogeneous disorders, mainly caused by changes in genes encoding globin chains, cytoskeletal proteins and red cell enzymes, in which accurate diagnosis can be challenging with conventional techniques.MethodsTo set‐up a comprehensive assay for detecting mutations that could improve aetiological diagnosis, we designed a custom panel for sequencing coding regions from 40 genes known to be involved in the pathogenesis of CHA, using the Ion Torrent™ (Thermo Fisher Scientific, S.L. Waltham, MA, USA) Personal Genome Machine (PGM) Sequencer. A control group of 16 samples with previously known mutations and a test group of 10 patients with unknown mutations were included for assay validation and application, respectively.ResultsIn the test group, we identified pathogenic mutations in all cases: four patients had novel mutations in genes related to membrane defects (SPTB, ANK1, SLC4A1 and EPB41), four were homozygous or compound heterozygous for mutations in genes related to enzyme deficiencies (GPI, TPI1 and GSS), one had a mutation in the HBB gene and another presented a homozygous mutation in the ADAMTS13 gene.ConclusionsIon PGM sequencing with our custom panel is a highly efficient way to detect mutations causing haemolytic anaemia, including new variations. It is a high‐throughput detection method that is ready for application in clinical laboratories.
Corporate Social Responsibility in Developing Countries as an Emerging Field of Study
Authors: Jamali Dima , Karam Charlotte 
Published: July 2016

AbstractGiven the rising interest in corporate social responsibility (CSR) globally, its local expressions are as varied as they are increasingly visible in both developed and developing countries. This paper presents a multilevel review of the literature on CSR in developing countries and highlights the key differentiators and nuanced CSR‐related considerations that qualify it as a distinctive field of study. This review entails a content analysis of 452 articles spanning two‐and‐a‐half decades (1990–2015). Based on this comprehensive review, the authors identify the key differentiating attributes of the literature on CSR in developing countries in relation to depictions of how CSR is conceived or ‘CSR Thinking’ and depictions of how CSR is practiced and implemented or ‘CSR Doing’. The authors synthesize from there five key themes that capture the main aspects of variation in this literature, namely: (1) complex institutional antecedents within the national business system (NBS); (2) complex macro‐level antecedents outside the NBS; (3) the salience of multiple actors involved in formal and informal governance; (4) hybridized and other nuanced forms of CSR expressions; and (5) varied scope of developmental and detrimental CSR consequences. The paper concludes by accentuating how the nuanced forms of CSR in the developing world are invariably contextualized and locally shaped by multi‐level factors and actors embedded within wider formal and informal governance systems.
Presidentas Rise: Consequences for Women in Cabinets?
Authors: Reyes-Housholder Catherine 
Published: July 2016

AbstractSince 1999, women have democratically won the presidency eight times in Latin America and have named hundreds of ministers. This study argues that under certain conditions,presidentasare more likely than male presidents to improve women's cabinet representation. Two mechanisms,presidentamandates and gendered networks, appear to drive the relationship. Furthermore, because the pool of ministerial candidates is shallower for women than for men,presidentasare most likely to advance women's representation in cabinets at the beginning of their term and for “feminine” ministries. A case study of Michelle Bachelet's 2006 ministerial appointments reveals initial evidence for the argument. Empirical implications are then tested with an original dataset of 1,908 ministers of all democratically elected Latin American presidents since 1999. Model results are consistent with the theory thatpresidentasare most likely to “make a difference” when they are least constrained by the supply of female ministerial candidates.
Characterization of virulence, cell surface characteristics and biofilm‐forming ability of Aeromonas spp. isolates from fish and sea water
Authors: Chenia H Y , Duma S 
Published: July 2016

AbstractMembers of the genus Aeromonas are emerging human pathogens, causing a variety of extra‐intestinal, systemic and gastrointestinal infections in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised persons. Aeromonas virulence is multifaceted and involves surface‐associated molecules, motility, biologically active extracellular products and biofilm formation. Aeromonads, isolated from diverse freshwater fish species as well as sea water, were screened for biofilm formation, with varying physicochemical parameters including temperature, agitation and nutrient availability. Motility, cell surface characteristics (auto‐aggregation, hydrophobicity and S layer), and extracellular virulence factor production (haemolysis, proteolysis, DNase production) were also assessed to identify potential associations with the biofilm phenotype. Biofilm formation was influenced by environmental conditions, with isolates preferentially forming biofilms in nutrient‐rich media at 30 °C, although strong biofilm formation also occurred at 37 °C. Strong biofilm formation was observed for Aeromonas culicicola isolates following exposure to nutrient‐rich conditions, while Aeromonas allosaccharophila isolates preferred nutrient‐poor conditions for biofilm formation. Source‐/species‐specific correlations, ranging from weak to strong, were observed between biofilm formation and motility, cell surface characteristics and/or extracellular virulence factor production. Understanding the specific mechanisms by which Aeromonas species adhere to abiotic surfaces may aid in preventing and/or treating disease outbreaks in aquaculture systems and could lead to effective eradication of these fish pathogens.
Stock Market Response to the Financial Regulations in the Mortgage‐Lending Market in Korea
Authors: Jung Woon‐Oh , Park Sung Ook 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis study investigates the economic impact of the financial regulations that aimed to control the housing market in Korea during the reign of late President Ro's Administration, which had diligently fought against the then speculative bubble in the Korean real‐estate market. We test for the validity of the general prediction that the financial regulations in the form of the loan‐to‐value (LTV) and debt‐to‐income (DTI) restrictions would have adverse impacts on the value of the firms operating in the mortgage‐lending industry. In this event study, we select two critical days as event dates and check whether the stock prices of the financial firms react negatively to the announcements of the regulations. Overall, the initial imposition of the DTI restrictions (i.e., the first event) adversely affects those banks that possess a relatively large number of mortgage loans in their asset portfolio. By contrast, banks that hold a small number of mortgage loans appear to benefit from the risk‐reducing effect of the DTI regulation. Subsequently, the reinforcement of the LTV and DTI rules (i.e., the second event) has negative impacts on the banks with large mortgage loans. The degree of this adverse effect is greater in the second event than in the first event (i.e., the DTI restrictions). The reinforced regulations also unfavorably affect the savings banks with large mortgage loans but to a lesser degree compared with their counterparts in the banks. Meanwhile, the reinforcement of the financial regulations has negligible impacts on the banks and the savings banks with smaller mortgage loans.
Is oral cancer incidence among patients with oral lichen planus/oral lichenoid lesions underestimated?
Authors: Gonzalez‐Moles M. A. , Gil‐Montoya J. A. , Ruiz‐Avila I. , Bravo M. 
Published: July 2016

BackgroundOral lichen planus (OLP) and oral lichenoid lesions (OLL) are considered potentially malignant disorders with a cancer incidence of around 1% of cases, although this estimation is controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze the cancer incidence in a case series of patients with OLP and OLL and to explore clinicopathological aspects that may cause underestimation of the cancer incidence in these diseases.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted of 102 patients diagnosed with OLP (n = 21, 20.58%) or OLL (n = 81) between January 2006 and January 2016. Patients were informed of the risk of malignization and followed up annually. The number of sessions programmed for each patient was compared with the number actually attended. Follow‐up was classified as complete (100% attendance), good (75–99%), moderate (25–74%), or poor (<25% attendance) compliance.ResultsCancer was developed by four patients (3.9%), three males and one male. One of these developed three carcinomas, which were diagnosed at the follow‐up visit (two in lower gingiva, one in floor of mouth); one had OLL and the other three had OLP. The carcinoma developed in mucosal areas with no OLP or OLL involvement in three of these patients, while OLP and cancer were diagnosed simultaneously in the fourth. Of the six carcinomas diagnosed, five (83.3%) were T1 and one (16.7%) T2. None were N+, and all patients remain alive and disease‐free.ConclusionsThe cancer incidence in OLP and OLL appears to be underestimated due to the strict exclusion criteria usually imposed.
A randomised, open‐label, crossover study of the dopamine agonist, pramipexole, in patients with sleep bruxism
Authors: Cahlin Birgitta Johansson , Hedner Jan , Dahlström Lars 
Published: July 2016

SummarySleep bruxism bears several similarities to restless legs syndrome, and a link to changes in central dopamine activity has been considered in both conditions. The dopamine agonist pramipexole is currently indicated for the symptomatic treatment of restless legs. The effect of pramipexole on sleep bruxism was investigated in subjects with ‘probable bruxism’ recruited at the Orofacial Pain Clinic. Thirteen patients underwent polysomnographic recordings, including bilateral masseter electromyographic activity. Following habituation to the recording equipment, a baseline registration was used to confirm bruxism [total episodes per hour, mean 11.3 (6.3)]. Following randomisation, subjects received no treatment or pramipexole titrated from 0.09 to 0.54 mg, o.d., for 3 weeks according to a crossover procedure. A polysomnographic‐electromyographic registration was performed at the end of each period. Pramipexole was associated with more frequent awakenings and a reduction in rapid eye movement sleep (both P ≤ 0.02). Sleep apnea decreased marginally after pramipexole (apnea–hypopnea index 17.1 compared with control 21.5, P ≤ 0.05). The number of bruxism episodes, phasic, tonic and mixed per hour, remained unchanged after pramipexole [total episodes per hour 12.7 (8.5) and 9.8 (5.2) during pramipexole and control conditions, respectively]. It is concluded, from this pilot study, that sleep bruxism is not affected by the dopaminergic agent, pramipexole.
Serum N‐Terminal Type III Procollagen Propeptide: An Indicator of Growth Hormone Excess and Response to Treatment in Feline Hypersomatotropism
Authors: Keyte S.V. , Kenny P.J. , Forcada Y. , Church D.B. , Niessen S.J.M. 
Published: July 2016

BackgroundN‐terminal type III procollagen propeptide (PIIINP) is a biomarker of soft tissue proliferation. Hypersomatotropism (HS) is associated with soft tissue proliferation.HypothesisSerum PIIINP is increased in cats with HS and decreases with effective treatment, and may be an additional tool in the diagnosis and treatment of feline HS.AnimalsCats with uncomplicated diabetes mellitus (DM; n = 30) and with HS‐induced DM (HSDM; n = 30). Pre‐ and posttreatment samples were available from 5 cats undergoing radiotherapy (RT) and 16 cats undergoing hypophysectomy (HPX).MethodsRetrospective and prospective cross‐sectional study. Analytical performance of a serum PIIINP ELISA was assessed and validated for use in cats. PIIINP and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) radioimmunoassays (RIA) were performed pre‐ and post‐treatment in cats with DM and HSDM. PIIINP and IGF‐1 were compared between cats treated by RT and HPX.ResultsSerum PIIINP concentrations were significantly higher (P < .001) in HSDM cats (median, 19.6 ng/mL; range, 1.7–27.9) compared to DM cats (median, 5.0 ng/mL; range, 2.1–10.4). A cut‐off of 10.5 ng/mL allowed differentiation between DM and HSDM cats with 87% sensitivity and 100% specificity (area under the curve [AUC], 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82‐1). After RT, PIIINP increased significantly (P = .043) with no significant change in IGF‐1 concentrations. After HPX, serum PIIINP (P = .034) and IGF‐1 concentrations (P < .001) decreased significantly.Conclusion and clinical importancePIIINP concentrations are increased in cats with untreated HSDM compared to those with DM, demonstrating the effect of excess GH on soft tissue. PIIINP concentrations decreased after HPX in most HSDM cats.