bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Response of Day-to-Day Home Blood Pressure Variability by Antihypertensive Drug Class After Transient Ischemic Attack or Nondisabling Stroke
Authors: Webb Alastair J.S. , Wilson Michelle , Lovett Nicola , Paul Nicola , Fischer Urs , Rothwell Peter M. 
Published: August 2014

Background and Purpose—
Visit-to-visit variability in systolic blood pressure (SBP) is associated with an increased risk of stroke and was reduced in randomized trials by calcium channel blockers and diuretics but not by renin–angiotensin system inhibitors. However, time of day effects could not be determined. Day-to-day variability on home BP readings predicts stroke risk and potentially offers a practical method of monitoring response to variability-directed treatment.

Methods—
SBP mean, maximum, and variability (coefficient of variation=SD/mean) were determined in 500 consecutive transient ischemic attack or minor stroke patients on 1-month home BP monitoring (3 BPs, 3× daily). Hypertension was treated to a standard protocol. Differences in SBP variability from 3 to 10 days before to 8 to 15 days after starting or increasing calcium channel blockers/diuretics versus renin–angiotensin system inhibitors versus both were compared by general linear models, adjusted for risk factors and baseline BP.

Results—

Among 288 eligible interventions, variability in SBP was reduced after increased treatment with calcium channel blockers/diuretics versus both versus renin–angiotensin system inhibitors (−4.0 versus 6.9 versus 7.8%;
P
=0.015), primarily because of effects on maximum SBP (−4.6 versus −1.0 versus −1.0%;
P
=0.001), with no differences in effect on mean SBP. Class differences were greatest for early-morning SBP variability (3.6 versus 17.0 versus 38.3;
P
=0.002) and maximum (−4.8 versus −2.0 versus −0.7;
P
=0.001), with no effect on midmorning (
P
=0.29), evening (
P
=0.65), or diurnal variability (
P
=0.92).

Conclusions—
After transient ischemic attack or minor stroke, calcium channel blockers and diuretics reduced variability and maximum home SBP, primarily because of effects on morning readings. Home BP readings enable monitoring of response to SBP variability-directed treatment in patients with recent cerebrovascular events.
TeleStroke Units Serving as a Model of Care in Rural Areas
Authors: Müller-Barna Peter , Hubert Gordian J. , Boy Sandra , Bogdahn Ulrich , Wiedmann Silke , Heuschmann Peter U. , Audebert Heinrich J. 
Published: August 2014

Background and Purpose—
Stroke Unit care improves stroke prognosis and is recommended for all patients with stroke. In rural areas, population-wide implementation of Stroke Units is challenging. Therefore, the TeleMedical Project for integrative Stroke Care (TEMPiS) was established in 2003 as a TeleStroke Unit network to overcome this barrier in Southeast Bavaria/Germany. Evaluation of its implementation between 2003 and 2005 had revealed improved process quality and clinical outcomes compared with matched hospitals without TeleStroke Units. Data on sustainability of these effects are lacking.

Methods—
Effects on the stroke care of the local population were analyzed by using data from official hospital reports. Prospective registries from 2003 to 2012 describe processes and outcomes of consecutive patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack treated in TEMPiS hospitals. Quality indicators assess diagnostics, treatment, and outcome. Rates and timeliness of intravenous thrombolysis as well as data on teleconsultations and secondary interhospital transfers were reported over time.

Results—
Within the covered area, network implementation increased the number of patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack treated in hospitals with (Tele-)Stroke Units substantially from 19% to 78%. Between February 2003 and December 2012, 54 804 strokes and transient ischemic attacks were treated in 15 regional hospitals, and 31 864 teleconsultations were performed. Intravenous thrombolysis was applied 3331 stroke cases with proportions increasing from 2.6% to 15.5% of all patients with ischemic stroke. Median onset-to-treatment times decreased from 150 (interquartile range, 127–163) to 120 minutes (interquartile range, 90–160) and door-to-needle times from 80 (interquartile range, 68–101) to 40 minutes (interquartile range, 29–59).

Conclusions—
TeleStroke Units can provide sustained high-quality stroke care in rural areas.
A Semihydrostatic Theory of Gravity-Dominated Compressible Flow
Authors: Dubos Thomas , Voitus Fabrice 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
From Hamilton’s least-action principle, compressible equations of motion with density diagnosed from potential temperature through hydrostatic balance are derived. Slaving density to potential temperature suppresses the degrees of freedom supporting the propagation of acoustic waves and results in a soundproof system. The linear normal modes and dispersion relationship for an isothermal state of rest on f and β planes are accurate from hydrostatic to nonhydrostatic scales, except for deep internal gravity waves. Specifically, the Lamb wave and long Rossby waves are not distorted, unlike with anelastic or pseudoincompressible systems.
Compared to similar equations derived by A. Arakawa and C. S. Konor, the semihydrostatic system derived here possesses an additional term in the horizontal momentum budget. This term is an apparent force resulting from the vertical coordinate not being the actual height of an air parcel but its hydrostatic height (the hypothetical height it would have after the atmospheric column it belongs to has reached hydrostatic balance through adiabatic vertical displacements of air parcels). The Lagrange multiplier λ introduced in Hamilton’s principle to slave density to potential temperature is identified as the nonhydrostatic vertical displacement (i.e., the difference between the actual and hydrostatic heights of an air parcel).
The expression of nonhydrostatic pressure and apparent force from λ allow the derivation of a well-defined linear symmetric positive definite problem for λ. As with hydrostatic equations, vertical velocity is diagnosed through Richardson’s equation. The semihydrostatic system has therefore precisely the same degrees of freedom as the hydrostatic primitive equations, while retaining much of the accuracy of the fully compressible Euler equations.
Volumetric Lidar Scanning of Wind Turbine Wakes under Convective and Neutral Atmospheric Stability Regimes
Authors: Iungo Giacomo Valerio , Porté-Agel Fernando 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Optimization of a wind farm’s layout is a strategic task to reduce wake effects on downstream turbines, thus maximizing wind power harvesting. However, downstream evolution and recovery of each wind turbine wake are strongly affected by the characteristics of the incoming atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) flow, such as the vertical profiles of the mean wind velocity and the turbulence intensity, which are in turn affected by the ABL thermal stability. Therefore, the characterization of the variability of wind turbine wakes under different ABL stability regimes becomes fundamental to better predict wind power harvesting and to improve wind farm efficiency. To this aim, wind velocity measurements of the wake produced by a 2-MW Enercon E-70 wind turbine were performed with three scanning Doppler wind lidars. One lidar was devoted to the characterization of the incoming wind—in particular, wind velocity, shear, and turbulence intensity at the height of the rotor disc. The other two lidars performed volumetric scans of the wind turbine wake under different atmospheric conditions. Through the evaluation of the minimum wake velocity deficit as a function of the downstream distance, it is shown that the ABL stability regime has a significant effect on the wake evolution; in particular, the wake recovers faster under convective conditions. This result suggests that atmospheric inflow conditions, and particularly thermal stability, should be considered for improved wake models and predictions of wind power harvesting.
High speed trot-running: Implementation of a hierarchical controller using proprioceptive impedance control on the MIT Cheetah
Authors: Hyun Dong Jin , Seok Sangok , Lee Jongwoo , Kim Sangbae 
Published: August 2014

This paper presents implementation of a highly dynamic running gait with a hierarchical controller on the MIT Cheetah. The developed controller enables high-speed running of up to 6 m/s (Froude number of Fr ≈ 7.34) incorporating proprioceptive feedback and programmable virtual leg compliance of the MIT Cheetah. To achieve a stable and fast trot gait, we applied three control strategies: (a) programmable virtual leg compliance that provides instantaneous reflexes to external disturbance and facilitates the self-stabilizing shown in the passive dynamics of locomotion; (b) tunable stance-trajectory design, intended to adjust impulse at each foot-end in the stance phase in a high speed trot-running according to the equilibrium-point hypothesis; and (c) a gait-pattern modulation that imposes a desired cyclic gait-pattern taking cues from proprioceptive TD feedback. Based on three strategies, the controller is hierarchically structured. The control parameters for forward speeds, a specific gait-pattern, and desired leg trajectories are managed by a high-level controller. It consists of both a gait-pattern modulator with proprioceptive leg TD detection and a leg-trajectory generator using a Bèzier curve and a tunable amplitude sinusoidal wave. Instead of employing physical spring/dampers in the robot’s leg, the programmable virtual leg compliance is realized using proprioceptive impedance control in individual low-level leg controllers. To verify the developed controller, a robot dynamic simulator is constructed based on the model parameters of the MIT Cheetah. The controller parameters are tuned with the simulator to achieve self-stability, and then applied to the MIT Cheetah in an experimental environment. Using leg kinematics and applied motor current feedbacks, the MIT Cheetah achieved a stable trot-running gait in the sagittal plane.
Hybrid vitronectin-mimicking polycaprolactone scaffolds for human retinal progenitor cell differentiation and transplantation
Authors: Lawley Elodie , Baranov Petr , Young Michael 
Published: August 2014

Many advances have been made in an attempt to treat retinal degenerative diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. The irreversible loss of photoreceptors is common to both, and currently no restorative clinical treatment exists. It has been shown that retinal progenitor and photoreceptor precursor cell transplantation can rescue the retinal structure and function. Importantly, retinal progenitor cells can be collected from the developing neural retina with further expansion and additional modification in vitro, and the delivery into the degenerative host can be performed as a single-cell suspension injection or as a complex graft transplantation. Previously, we have described several polymer scaffolds for culture and transplantation of retinal progenitor cells of both mouse and human origin. This tissue engineering strategy increases donor cell survival and integration. We have also shown that biodegradable poly(ɛ-caprolactone) induces mature photoreceptor differentiation from human retinal progenitor cells. However, poor adhesive properties limit its use, and therefore it requires additional surface modification. The aim of this work was to study vitronectin-mimicking oligopeptides (Synthemax II-SC) poly(ɛ-caprolactone) films and their effects on human retinal progenitor cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Here, we show that the incorporation of vitronectin-mimicking oligopeptide into poly(ɛ-caprolactone) leads to dose-dependent increases in cell adhesion; the optimum dose identified as 30 µg/ml. Inhibition of human retinal progenitor cells proliferation was seen on poly(ɛ-caprolactone) and was maintained with the hybrid scaffold. This has been shown to be beneficial for driving cell differentiation. Additionally, we observed equal expression of Nrl, rhodopsin, recoverin, and rod outer membrane 1 after differentiation on the hybrid scaffold as compared to the standard fibronectin coating of poly(ɛ-caprolactone). After transplantation into rd1 retina degenerative mice, human retinal progenitor cells were able to migrate to the outer nuclear layer and survive for three weeks. We conclude that Synthemax II-SC can be incorporated into poly(ɛ-caprolactone) to create a hybrid chemically defined scaffold for clinical application.
Promoting recovery via an integrated model of care to deliver a bed-based, mental health prevention and recovery centre
Authors: Lee Stuart J , Collister Laura , Stafrace Simon , Crowther Elizabeth , Kroschel Jon , Kulkarni Jayashri 
Published: August 2014

Objective: This research was conducted in order to explore the experience of care and outcomes for people entering a bed-based step-up/step-down Prevention and Recovery Centre (PARC). Methods: An audit of files for PARC participants in 2010 collected demographic (age, gender, and marital, housing, employment and education/training status) and clinical measures (length of stay, entry and exit outcome measures, psychiatric hospital use). Participants were also invited to a feedback group to discuss their PARC experience. Results: In 2010, 118 people entered PARC. Most were single and unemployed and 35% were in temporary housing or homeless. In the six months following PARC exit, participants spent significantly less time in psychiatric hospital than in the six months prior to entry ( p<0.001). Significant reductions in clinician-rated difficulties were documented at exit ( p<0.001). For 40 episodes of care with self-report measures at entry and exit, significant reductions in difficulties with relating to self/others ( p=0.004), daily living/role functioning ( p=0.006), and depression/anxiety ( p=0.019) were seen. Twelve participants attended a feedback group. Positive aspects of PARC included: supportive and caring staff; help with practical issues or community access; therapeutic activities and learning about health; and socialization opportunities. Conclusions: A step-up/step-down PARC can facilitate recovery for people with mental illness through promoting independence and illness self-management.
Evaluating the introduction of joint crisis plans into routine clinical practice in four community mental health services
Authors: Williams Theresa M , Smith Geoffrey P , Lumbus Anita M 
Published: August 2014

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the implementation of joint crisis planning into routine clinical practice in community mental health services in Western Australia. Method: Four community mental health services, two metropolitan and two country based, were invited to participate in a 1-year pilot program to field test a crisis planning tool and the implementation process with a view to then rolling it out across Western Australia. Training and extensive support was offered to staff at the four sites. Results: Consumers experienced the process as both empowering and therapeutic. Despite acknowledgement of the value of interagency collaboration in the planning process, almost all plans were completed by consumers with their case managers. The most conspicuous finding was the marked difference in the number of completed plans at each site. Conclusions: This study supports previous research findings that joint crisis planning enhances the therapeutic relationship and empowers consumers. Organisational readiness was a major factor in the differential uptake of crisis plans between sites. Our study highlights the critical importance of addressing the context and culture of each individual service in which a new intervention is being introduced as part of the implementation process.
What has happened to the practice of short term dynamic psychotherapy in Australia’s mental health services? A multidisciplinary training programme in Western Sydney
Authors: Haliburn Joan , Baker Ashley 
Published: August 2014

Objective: Short term psychodynamic psychotherapies have been markedly phased out of Australia’s mental health services. This paper aims to describe the successful introduction of a Conversational Model of Short Term Intensive Psychodynamic Psychotherapy into a public health service in an attempt to revive its practice. Method: A brief review of relevant papers in the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists journals since 1980 gives a background to the decline of dynamic psychotherapy in Australia. The development of a Conversational Model of Short Term Intensive Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in the author’s private practice over 20 years, and its introduction into a hospital-based training programme are described. Results: A structured programme by scholarship has been offered yearly since 2011 to 10 multidisciplinary mental health clinicians of the Western Sydney Health District. Trainees see two patients from their own service. Over three years, 29 trainees have treated 57 patients with weekly supervision provided. Conclusions: The model has been easily learned. Trainees report a sense of re-invigoration, refinement of existing skills and acquisition of new skills. Resolution of problems in a significant number of patients is noted and improvement and satisfaction reported by others. A valuable service is provided and research is underway.
Serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels in reproductive-age women with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Thöne Jan , Kollar Susanne , Nousome Darryl , Ellrichmann Gisa , Kleiter Ingo , Gold Ralf , Hellwig Kerstin 
Published: August 2014

Background: Fertility might be reduced in women with multiple sclerosis (MS), although only few studies exist and the underlying reasons are not well understood. Similar to other autoimmune diseases, a decreased ovarian reserve may contribute to impaired fertility in women with MS. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is an established marker of the ovarian reserve and an objective indicator of ovarian function, which is independent of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis function. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine AMH levels in females with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) in combination with other reproduction and lifestyle factors. Methods: A total of 76 reproductive-age females with RRMS and 58 healthy controls were included in this case control study. An enzymatically amplified two-site immunoassay was used to measure serum AMH level. Results: Mean AMH level was significantly decreased in females with RRMS ( p<0.04), and a higher proportion of females with RRMS showed very low AMH values (<0.4 ng/ml) compared to healthy controls ( p<0.05). The majority of these women were currently without any disease modifying treatment. Conclusions: Our data contribute to our understanding of impaired fertility in women with MS. The unexpected finding that the majority of MS subjects with very low AMH levels were currently without medication requires further evaluation.
Similar biological effect of high-dose oral versus intravenous methylprednisolone in multiple sclerosis relapses
Authors: Grau-López L , Teniente-Serra A , Tintoré M , Rovira A , Ramió-Torrenta L , Brieva L , Saiz A , Cano A , Carmona O , Hervás JV , Martínez-Cáceres EM , Ramo-Tello C 
Published: August 2014

Our aim was to investigate differences in immune mechanisms in multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse, after high-dose oral methylprednisolone (oMP) or intravenous methylprednisolone (ivMP). We measured serum cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α and IFN-γ) in 39 of 49 MS patients with moderate-severe relapse, whom were treated with ivMP or oMP in a placebo-controlled, non-inferiority clinical trial. We assessed these cytokine levels at baseline and at 1 and 4 weeks post-treatment. The cytokine levels between oMP and ivMP were similar at any time. Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IFN-γ) were significantly decreased in both groups at week 1 ( p = 0.05 / p = 0.03) and at week 4 ( p = 0.04 / p = 0.05). This study provides further confirmatory evidence that oMP is not inferior to ivMP. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00753792
Meniscus Injuries Alter the Kinematics of Knees With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency
Authors: Hosseini Ali , Li Jing-Sheng , Gill Thomas J. , Li Guoan 
Published: August 2014

Background: Most knee joint biomechanics studies have involved knees with an isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. However, a large portion of patients with injured ACLs have accompanied meniscus tearing. In this study, the in vivo alteration of knee biomechanics after tearing the ACL with or without combined medial or lateral meniscus tear was investigated during stair-ascending activity. Hypothesis: The kinematic behavior of ACL-deficient knees changes with a combined medial or lateral meniscus tear. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Twenty-one patients with injured ACLs (contralateral side intact) were recruited before undergoing ACL reconstruction. Among these patients, 5 had isolated ACL injuries (group I), 8 had combined ACL and medial meniscus injuries (group II), and 8 had combined ACL and lateral meniscus injuries (group III). Bilateral magnetic resonance scans were obtained on each patient to construct 3-dimensional anatomic knee models. Both knees were then scanned during stair-climbing activity using a dual fluoroscopic imaging system. The knee kinematics during stair climbing were reproduced using a bone model image matching method. Anteroposterior and mediolateral translations and axial tibial rotation of the knee during stair ascent were then compared between the injured and intact contralateral knees of the patients. Results: On average, injured knees in groups I and III showed more than 2 mm increased anterior tibial translation close to full knee extension. In group II, no statistically significant difference was observed between the injured and contralateral side in anteroposterior translation. Near full extension, in groups I and III, injured knees had less than 1 mm of increased medial tibial translation compared with the contralateral side, whereas in group II, a 1.0-mm increase in lateral tibial shift was observed in the injured knees. With regard to axial tibial rotation, group I showed an increased external tibial rotation (approximately 5°), group II had little variation, whereas group III had increased internal tibial rotation (approximately 3°). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that a combined ACL/meniscus injury could alter the kinematics of ACL-injured knees in a different way compared with knees with isolated ACL tears, depending on the pattern of the meniscus tear. Considering the varying effect of meniscus injuries on knee joint kinematics, future studies might focus on specific treatment of patients with combined ACL and meniscus injuries to protect the joint from abnormal kinematics and subsequent postoperative cartilage degeneration.
NUP98/NSD1 and FLT3/ITD coexpression is more prevalent in younger AML patients and leads to induction failure: a COG and SWOG report
Authors: Ostronoff Fabiana , Othus Megan , Gerbing Robert B. , Loken Michael R. , Raimondi Susana C. , Hirsch Betsy A. , Lange Beverly J. , Petersdorf Stephen , Radich Jerald , Appelbaum Frederick R. , Gamis Alan S. , Alonzo Todd A. , Meshinchi Soheil 
Published: August 2014

Key PointsCoexpression of NUP98/NSD1 and FLT3/ITD in AML is associated with very low complete remission rates and poor survival. It is the interaction between NUP98/NSD1 and FLT3/ITD that determines poor outcome in NUP98/NSD1-associated AML.