bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry Needling for Plantar Heel Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Cotchett Matthew P. , Munteanu Shannon E. , Landorf Karl B. 
Published: April 2014

Background
Plantar heel pain can be managed with dry needling of myofascial trigger points; however, there is only poor-quality evidence supporting its use.

Objective
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of dry needling for plantar heel pain.

Design
The study was a parallel-group, participant-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Setting
The study was conducted in a university health sciences clinic.

Patients
Study participants were 84 patients with plantar heel pain of at least 1 month's duration.

Intervention
Participants were randomly assigned to receive real or sham trigger point dry needling. The intervention consisted of 1 treatment per week for 6 weeks. Participants were followed for 12 weeks.

Measurements
Primary outcome measures included first-step pain, as measured with a visual analog scale (VAS), and foot pain, as measured with the pain subscale of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ). The primary end point for predicting the effectiveness of dry needling for plantar heel pain was 6 weeks.

Results
At the primary end point, significant effects favored real dry needling over sham dry needling for pain (adjusted mean difference: VAS first-step pain=−14.4 mm, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]=−23.5 to −5.2; FHSQ foot pain=10.0 points, 95% CI=1.0 to 19.1), although the between-group difference was lower than the minimal important difference. The number needed to treat at 6 weeks was 4 (95% CI=2 to 12). The frequency of minor transitory adverse events was significantly greater in the real dry needling group (70 real dry needling appointments [32%] compared with only 1 sham dry needling appointment [&lt;1%]).

Limitations
It was not possible to blind the therapist.

Conclusion
Dry needling provided statistically significant reductions in plantar heel pain, but the magnitude of this effect should be considered against the frequency of minor transitory adverse events.
Reduced Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Increased Sedentary Behavior Are Associated With Elevated Blood Pressure Values in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Ryan Jennifer M. , Hensey Owen , McLoughlin Brenda , Lyons Alan , Gormley John 
Published: April 2014

Background
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) participate in reduced levels of physical activity and spend increased time in sedentary behavior. The effect of reduced activity and increased sedentary behavior on their cardiometabolic health has not been investigated.

Objectives
The purposes of this study were: (1) to investigate the prevalence of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure (BP) among a cohort of ambulatory children with CP and (2) to investigate the associations among physical activity, sedentary behavior, overweight/obesity, and BP in children with CP.

Study Design
This was a cross-sectional study of 90 ambulatory children, aged 6 to 17 years, with CP.

Methods
Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-height ratio, and BP were measured on 1 occasion. Habitual physical activity was measured by accelerometry over 7 days.

Results
The prevalence of overweight/obesity in the cohort was 18.9%. Twenty-two percent of the children had BP values within the hypertensive or prehypertensive range. Systolic BP was positively associated with waist circumference (β=.324, P&lt;.05) and BMI (β=.249, P&lt;.05). Elevated BP values were associated with reduced time in moderate-to-vigorous activity, vigorous activity, and total activity, as well as increased time in sedentary behavior. The strongest association was observed between elevated BP and vigorous activity alone (odds ratio=0.61, 95% confidence interval=0.37–0.99, P&lt;.05).

Limitations
A convenience sample was recruited for this study, and it is possible that this limitation resulted in selection bias.

Conclusions
Despite the relatively low prevalence of overweight/obesity, a relatively high proportion of children with CP had elevated BP values. Reducing sedentary behavior and increasing habitual physical activity, particularly vigorous activity, should be primary aims of rehabilitation in order to reduce cardiometabolic disease risk in this population.
Indications, Benefits, and Risks of Pilates Exercise for People With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Delphi Survey of Pilates-Trained Physical Therapists
Authors: Wells Cherie , Kolt Gregory S. , Marshall Paul , Bialocerkowski Andrea 
Published: April 2014

Background
The effectiveness of Pilates exercise for treating people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) is yet to be established. Understanding how to identify people with CLBP who may benefit, or not benefit, from Pilates exercise and the benefits and risks of Pilates exercise will assist in trial design.

Objectives
The purpose of this study was to establish a consensus regarding the indications, contraindications, and precautions of Pilates exercise and the potential benefits and risks of Pilates exercise for people with CLBP.

Methods
A panel of 30 Australian physical therapists experienced in the use of Pilates exercise were surveyed using the Delphi technique. Three electronic questionnaires were used to collect participant opinions. Answers to open-ended questions were analyzed thematically, combined with research findings, and translated into statements about Pilates exercise. Participants then rated their level of agreement with statements using a 6-point Likert scale. Consensus was achieved when 70% of panel members agreed or disagreed with an item.

Results
Thirty physical therapists completed the 3 questionnaires. Consensus was reached on 100% of items related to the benefits, indications, and precautions of Pilates exercise, on 50% of items related to risks, and on 56% of items related to contraindications. Participants agreed that people who have poor body awareness and maladaptive movement patterns may benefit from Pilates exercise, whereas those with pre-eclampsia, unstable spondylolisthesis, or a fracture may not benefit. Participants also agreed that Pilates exercise may improve functional ability, movement confidence, body awareness, posture, and movement control.

Limitations
The findings reflect the opinions of only 30 Australian physical therapists and not all health professionals nationally or internationally. These findings, therefore, need to be verified in future research trials.

Conclusions
These findings contribute to a better understanding of the indications, contraindications, and precautions of Pilates exercise and the benefits and risks of Pilates exercise for people with CLBP. This information can assist in design of future trials examining the effectiveness of Pilates exercise.
Long-term incidence and risk factors for development of spinal deformity following resection of pediatric intramedullary spinal cord tumors
Authors: Ahmed Raheel , Menezes Arnold H. , Awe Olatilewa O. , Mahaney Kelly B. , Torner James C. , Weinstein Stuart L. 
Published: April 2014

Object
Spinal deformity in pediatric patients with intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs) may be either due to neurogenic disability or due to secondary effects of spinal decompression. It is associated with functional decline and impairment in health-related quality-of-life measures. The authors sought to identify the long-term incidence of spinal deformity in individuals who had undergone surgery for IMSCTs as pediatric patients and the risk factors and overall outcomes in this population.

Methods
Treatment records for pediatric patients (age < 21 years) who underwent surgical treatment for histology-proven primary IMSCTs between 1975 and 2010 were reviewed. All patients were evaluated in consultation with the pediatric orthopedics service. Clinical records were reviewed for baseline and follow-up imaging studies, surgical fusion treatment, and long-term skeletal and disease outcomes.

Results
The authors identified 55 patients (30 males and 25 females) who were treated for pediatric IMSCTs between January 1975 and January 2010. The mean duration of follow-up (± SEM) was 11.4 ± 1.3 years (median 9.3 years, range 0.2–37.2 years). Preoperative skeletal deformity was diagnosed in 11 (20%) of the 55 patients, and new-onset postoperative deformity was noted in 9 (16%). Conservative management with observation or external bracing was sufficient in 8 (40%) of these 20 cases. Surgical fusion was necessary in 11 (55%). Posterior surgical fusion was sufficient in 6 (55%) of these 11 cases, while combined anterior and posterior fusion was undertaken in 5 (45%). Univariate and multivariate analysis of clinical and surgical treatment variables indicated that preoperative kyphoscoliosis (p = 0.0032) and laminectomy/laminoplasty at more than 4 levels (p = 0.05) were independently associated with development of spinal deformity that necessitated surgical fusion. Functional scores and 10-year disease survival outcomes were similar between the 2 groups.

Conclusions
Long-term follow-up is essential to monitor for delayed development of spinal deformity, and regular surveillance imaging is recommended for patients with underlying deformity. The authors' extended follow-up highlights the risk factors associated with development of spinal deformity in patients treated for pediatric IMSCTs. Surgical fusion allows patients who develop progressive deformity to achieve long-term functional and survival outcomes comparable to those of patients who do not develop progressive deformity.
Intracranial pressure following complete removal of a small demarcated brain tumor: a model for normal intracranial pressure in humans
Authors: Andresen Morten , Juhler Marianne 
Published: April 2014

Object
Current published normal values for intracranial pressure (ICP) are extrapolated from lumbar CSF pressure measurements and ICP measurements in patients treated for CSF pressure disorders. There is an emerging agreement that true normal ICP values are needed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This study documents normal ICP in humans.

Methods
In this study the authors included adult patients scheduled for complete removal of a solitary, clearly demarcated, small brain tumor. The mean age of these patients was 67 years old (range 58–85 years old). Exclusion criteria were intended to create a study population with as normal brains as possible. A new telemetric ICP monitoring device was implanted at the end of surgery and monitoring was conducted 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively.

Results
In the supine position, mean ICP was 0.5 ± 4.0 mm Hg at 4 weeks postoperatively. Postural change to the standing position resulted in a decrease in mean ICP to −3.7 ± 3.8 mm Hg. These results show ICP to be considerably lower than previously estimated.

Conclusions
This study provides a preliminary reference range for normal ICP in humans. It is the first study to show that ICP in the healthy human brain decreases to negative values when assuming the upright position. If these results are later confirmed in a larger series, they might provide reference values for diagnosis and treatment in patients with CSF-related disorders. New normal values also have implications for future shunt design and the ICP target range in hydrocephalus treatment.
Neuroendoscopic lavage for the treatment of intraventricular hemorrhage and hydrocephalus in neonates
Authors: Schulz Matthias , Bührer Christoph , Pohl-Schickinger Anja , Haberl Hannes , Thomale Ulrich-Wilhelm 
Published: April 2014

Object
Neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) may evolve into posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus and cause neurodevelopmental impairment. In this study, an endoscopic surgical approach directed toward the removal of intraventricular hematoma was evaluated for its safety and efficacy.

Methods
Between August 2010 and December 2012 (29 months), 19 neonates with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus underwent neuroendoscopic lavage for removal of intraventricular blood remnants. During a similar length of time (29 months) from March 2008 to July 2010, 10 neonates were treated conventionally, initially using temporary CSF diversion via lumbar punctures, a ventricular access device, or an external ventricular drain. Complications and shunt dependency rates were evaluated retrospectively.

Results
The patient groups did not differ regarding gestational age and birth weight. In the endoscopy group, no relevant procedure-related complications were observed. After the endoscopic lavage, 11 (58%) of 19 patients required a later shunt insertion, as compared with 100% of infants treated conventionally (p < 0.05). Endoscopic lavage was associated with fewer numbers of overall necessary procedures (median 2 vs 3.5 per patient, respectively; p = 0.08), significantly fewer infections (2 vs 5 patients, respectively; p < 0.05), or supratentorial multiloculated hydrocephalus (0 vs 4 patients, respectively; p < 0.01).

Conclusions
Within the presented setup the authors could demonstrate the feasibility and safety of neuroendoscopic lavage for the treatment of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in neonates with IVH. The nominally improved results warrant further verification in a multicenter, prospective study.
Extracranial traumatic aneurysms due to blunt cerebrovascular injury
Authors: Foreman Paul M. , Griessenauer Christoph J. , Falola Michael , Harrigan Mark R. 
Published: April 2014

Object
Traumatic aneurysms occur in 10% of extracranial blunt traumatic cerebrovascular injuries (TCVI). The clinical consequences and optimal management of traumatic aneurysms are poorly understood.

Methods
A prospective study of TCVI at a Level I trauma center identified 7 patients with 19 extracranial traumatic carotid artery or vertebral artery aneurysms. An additional 6 patients with 7 traumatic aneurysms were followed outside of the prospective study, giving a total of 13 patients with 26 traumatic aneurysms. All patients were treated with 325 mg aspirin daily and underwent clinical and imaging follow-up beyond the initial hospitalization. Endovascular treatment was reserved for aneurysms demonstrating significant enlargement on follow-up imaging. Clinical and radiographic features were assessed.

Results
The 7 patients with traumatic aneurysms identified in the prospective cohort comprised 10.3% of all patients with TCVI. Two (15.4%) of the 13 total patients suffered an ischemic stroke in the setting of TCVI with traumatic aneurysm formation. No patient experienced an ischemic stroke or new symptoms after the initiation of antiplatelet therapy. Clinical and radiographic follow-up averaged 15.8 months (range 0.4–41.7 months) and 22.0 months (range 6.6–55.7 months), respectively. Ten (38.5%) of 26 aneurysms were not visualized on last follow-up, 10 (38.5%) were smaller, 1 (3.8%) was unchanged, and 5 (19.2%) were larger. Saccular aneurysms were more likely to enlarge than fusiform aneurysms (33.3% vs 11.8%). Results of a Fisher exact test tend to support the assertion that the 2 different aneurysm morphologies behave differently (p = 0.07). Two saccular aneurysms were treated with stenting.

Conclusions
The majority of traumatic aneurysms can be managed with an antiplatelet regimen of 325 mg aspirin daily and serial imaging. Saccular aneurysms have a greater tendency to enlarge when compared with fusiform aneurysms.
Gypsum soil restriction drives genetic differentiation in Fouquieria shrevei (Fouquieriaceae)
Authors: Aguirre‐Liguori Jonas A. , Scheinvar Enrique , Eguiarte Luis E. 
Published: April 2014

• Premise of the study: Although species adapted to grow in unusual soils contribute importantly to regional diversity, the microevolutionary processes responsible for that diversity remain to be understood. We aimed to answer this question by analyzing which processes are responsible for the genetic differentiation in Fouquieria shrevei (Fouquieriaceae), a species confined to gypsum soils of northern Mexico.• Methods: We analyzed sequence variation in three chloroplast intergenic spacers from five populations.• Key results: Total genetic diversity was high (Hd = 0.743). Genetic differentiation was high (FST = 0.651), as most haplotypes were unique to individual populations, and three populations had only one haplotype. Haplotypes were more similar in nearby populations, resulting in a phylogeographic structure (i.e., GST = 0.850 was significantly lower than NST = 0.930) and a significant Mantel test (P = 0.04). Tajima's D (−0.019, not significant) indicates that effective population size has remained constant.• Conclusions: We conclude that genetic drift has been intense and gene flow low in differentiating populations that follow an island‐like pattern of gypsum deposits of the deserts of North America. The interaction between these forces could promote speciation events that in turn would increase regional diversity and may explain the high number of narrow endemics associated with soil restrictions.
Comparative analysis of complete chloroplast genome sequence and inversion variation in Lasthenia burkei (Madieae, Asteraceae)
Authors: Walker Joseph F. , Zanis Michael J. , Emery Nancy C. 
Published: April 2014

• Premise of the study: Complete chloroplast genome studies can help resolve relationships among large, complex plant lineages such as Asteraceae. We present the first whole plastome from the Madieae tribe and compare its sequence variation to other chloroplast genomes in Asteraceae.• Methods: We used high throughput sequencing to obtain the Lasthenia burkei chloroplast genome. We compared sequence structure and rates of molecular evolution in the small single copy (SSC), large single copy (LSC), and inverted repeat (IR) regions to those for eight Asteraceae accessions and one Solanaceae accession.• Key results: The chloroplast sequence of L. burkei is 150 746 bp and contains 81 unique protein coding genes and 4 coding ribosomal RNA sequences. We identified three major inversions in the L. burkei chloroplast, all of which have been found in other Asteraceae lineages, and a previously unreported inversion in Lactuca sativa. Regions flanking inversions contained tRNA sequences, but did not have particularly high G + C content. Substitution rates varied among the SSC, LSC, and IR regions, and rates of evolution within each region varied among species. Some observed differences in rates of molecular evolution may be explained by the relative proportion of coding to noncoding sequence within regions.• Conclusions: Rates of molecular evolution vary substantially within and among chloroplast genomes, and major inversion events may be promoted by the presence of tRNAs. Collectively, these results provide insight into different mechanisms that may promote intramolecular recombination and the inversion of large genomic regions in the plastome.
Isolation and characterization of nine polymorphic microsatellite loci in Piper solmsianum (piperaceae)
Authors: Yoshida Nídia C. , Lima Paula F. , Priolli Regina H. G. , Kato Massuo J. , Colombo Carlos A. 
Published: April 2014

• Premise of the study: Nine microsatellite (simple sequence repeat [SSR]) loci were characterized for natural populations of Piper solmsianum, a potential source of bioactive secondary metabolites, and analyzed to assess the levels of genetic diversity in this species.• Methods and Results: Based on an enriched library using the oligonucleotides (CT)8 and (GT)8, a total of 19 pairs of SSR primers were designed and nine of them were highly polymorphic after screening of 37 specimens from two populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to six while the observed heterozygosity for polymorphic loci ranged from 0.000 to 0.875.• Conclusions: The SSR regions characterized were informative, and the genetic markers will be useful to assess the genetic diversity and gene flow in populations of P. solmsianum.
Genus‐wide microsatellite primers for the goldenrods (Solidago; Asteraceae)
Authors: Beck James B. , Semple John C. , Brull Justin M. , Lance Stacey L. , Phillips Mai M. , Hoot Sara B. , Meyer Gretchen A. 
Published: April 2014

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for studies of polyploid evolution, ecological genetics, conservation genetics, and species delimitation in the genus Solidago.• Methods and Results: Illumina sequencing of a shotgun library from S. gigantea identified ca. 1900 putative single‐copy loci. Fourteen loci were subsequently shown to be amplifiable, single‐copy, and variable in a broad range of Solidago species.• Conclusions: The utility of these markers both across the genus and in herbarium specimens of a wide age range will facilitate numerous inter‐ and intraspecific studies in the ca. 120 Solidago species.
Tenofovir Alafenamide is Not a Substrate for Renal Organic Anion Transporters (Oats) and Does Not Exhibit Oat-Dependent Cytotoxicity
Authors: Bam Rujuta A , Yant Stephen R , Cihlar Tomas 
Published: April 2014

Background Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is a novel prodrug of tenofovir that shows enhanced antiretroviral effect and reduced plasma tenofovir exposures at approximately one-tenth the clinically approved dose of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Tenofovir released from TDF undergoes active renal secretion via organic anion transporters (OAT1 and OAT3), leading to higher exposure of renal proximal tubules to tenofovir and a potential for renal adverse effects in a small subset of TDF-treated patients. Here, we evaluate the interaction of TAF with OAT1 and OAT3 to assess the potential for its active accumulation in proximal tubules. Methods OAT-mediated transport and cytotoxicity (CC50) of TAF and tenofovir were assessed in cells expressing OATs and compared with matched transporter-null cells. Results While OAT1 and OAT3 expression increased tenofovir cellular uptake by >70-fold and 8.2-fold, respectively, the expression of either OAT did not significantly change TAF intracellular accumulation under identical conditions. In addition, although tenofovir was significantly more cytotoxic in OAT1- and OAT3-expressing cells (>21 and >3.6 fold change in CC50 values, respectively), TAF in vitro cytotoxicity showed little to no change upon overexpression of either renal transporter (0.5–3.5 fold change in CC50). Conclusions Unlike tenofovir, TAF does not interact with renal transporters OAT1 or OAT3 and exhibits no OAT-dependent cytotoxicity. TAF is thus unlikely to actively accumulate in renal proximal tubules in an OAT-dependent manner, supporting the potential for an improved renal safety profile.
Sparse Grid Collocation Method for an Optimal Control Problem Involving a Stochastic Partial Differential Equation with Random Inputs
Authors: Kim Nary , Lee Hyung-Chun 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIn this article, we propose and analyse a sparse grid collocation method to solve an optimal control problem involving an elliptic partial differential equation with random coefficients and forcing terms. The input data are assumed to be dependent on a finite number of random variables. We prove that an optimal solution exists, and derive an optimality system. A Galerkin approximation in physical space and a sparse grid collocation in the probability space is used. Error estimates for a fully discrete solution using an appropriate norm are provided, and we analyse the computational efficiency. Computational evidence complements the present theory, to show the effectiveness of our stochastic collocation method.