bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ischemic Compression After Dry Needling of a Latent Myofascial Trigger Point Reduces Postneedling Soreness Intensity and Duration
Authors: Martín‐Pintado‐Zugasti Aitor , Pecos‐Martin Daniel , Rodríguez‐Fernández Ángel Luis , Alguacil‐Diego Isabel María , Portillo‐Aceituno Alicia , Gallego‐Izquierdo Tomás , Fernandez‐Carnero Josue 
Published: April 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the effect of ischemic compression (IC) versus placebo and control on reducing postneedling soreness of 1 latent myofascial trigger point and on improving cervical range of motion (CROM) in asymptomatic subjects.DesignA randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial with 72‐hour follow‐up.SettingA university community.ParticipantsAsymptomatic volunteers (N = 90: 40 men and 50 women) aged 18 to 39 years (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 22 ± 3 years).InterventionAll subjects received a dry needling application over the upper trapezius muscle. Participants were then randomly divided into 3 groups: a treatment group who received IC over the needled trapezius muscle, a placebo group who received sham IC, and a control group who did not receive any treatment after needling.Main Outcome MeasuresVisual analog scale (VAS; during needling, at posttreatment and 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours) and CROM (at preneedling, postneedling, and 24 and 72 hours).ResultsSubjects in the IC group showed significantly lower postneedling soreness than the placebo and the control group subjects immediately after treatment (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: IC, 20.1 ± 4.8; placebo, 36.7 ± 4.8; control, 34.8 ± 3.6) and at 48 hours (mean ± SD: IC, 0.6 ± 1; placebo, 4.8 ± 1; control, 3.8 ± 0.7). In addition, subjects in the dry needling+IC group showed significantly lower postneedling soreness duration (P = .026). All subjects significantly improved CROM in contralateral lateroflexion and both homolateral and contralateral rotations, but only the improvements found in the IC group reached the minimal detectable change.ConclusionsIC can potentially be added immediately after dry needling of myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle because it has the effect of reducing postneedling soreness intensity and duration. The combination of dry needling and IC seems to improve CROM in homolateral and contralateral cervical rotation movements.
The Application of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training in Various Non‐neurologic Patient Populations: A Narrative Review
Authors: Herzig David , Maffiuletti Nicola A. , Eser Prisca 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn the last 2 decades, neuromuscular electrical stimulation has been used increasingly in deconditioned patients with the aim of increasing muscle force. Much basic research has been conducted in the area of increasing a muscle's fatigue resistance by neuromuscular electrical stimulation but similarly thorough research with regard to increasing maximal force is missing. Insufficient clinical and basic knowledge exists on the selection of stimulation parameters that will optimize muscle hypertrophy and gains in muscle force. For volitional training, established stimuli for muscle hypertrophy (which more or less parallels maximal muscle force) are muscle tension, metabolic stress, and muscle damage. The present review summarizes findings from clinical and basic research in terms of muscle mechanical as well as acute and chronic physiologic effects of different stimulation protocols, explains the role of the various stimulation parameters in determining the effect of NMES training protocols, and gives clinical recommendations for the choice of stimulation parameters for different patient populations with different training goals, such as increasing muscle force, mass, endurance, or energy consumption. We limit this review to non‐neurologic patients, because training goals of neurologic patients are specific to their functional deficits.
Feasibility of Lung Volume Recruitment in Early Neuromuscular Weakness: A Comparison Between Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Myotonic Dystrophy, and Postpolio Syndrome
Authors: Kaminska Marta , Browman Franceen , Trojan Daria A. , Genge Angela , Benedetti Andrea , Petrof Basil J. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundLung volume recruitment (LVR) is a cough assistance technique used in persons with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs), most typically in those requiring noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Whether it may be useful in persons with NMDs who have milder respiratory impairment is unknown.ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility, impact on quality of life (QOL), and preliminary physiological effects of daily LVR in different categories of persons with NMDs who have an early stage of respiratory impairment.DesignFeasibility study.SettingAcademic tertiary care center.ParticipantsOutpatients diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (n = 8), postpolio syndrome (n = 10), and myotonic dystrophy (n = 6) who had restrictive respiratory defects but were not yet using NIV.MethodsParticipants were asked to perform LVR up to 4 times daily and log their LVR use in a diary. Physiological measurements and questionnaires were completed at baseline and after 3 months.Main Outcome MeasurementsCompliance with LVR use was assessed, along with QOL and willingness to continue the treatment. Physiological measurements included forced vital capacity (FVC), lung insufflation capacity (LIC), and the LIC minus FVC difference.ResultsOf the 24 recruited subjects, 7 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 7 with postpolio syndrome, and 5 with myotonic dystrophy completed the study (n = 19). At baseline, mean values for FVC and spontaneous peak cough flow were 59.9% predicted and 373.1 L/min, respectively. For subjects completing the study, 74% were willing to continue long‐term LVR use, and QOL scores were not adversely affected by LVR in any NMD subgroup. The LIC‐FVC difference increased from baseline to follow‐up by a mean of 0.243 L (P = .006) in all subjects (n = 19), suggesting a possible improvement in respiratory system mechanics.ConclusionsIn patients with NMDs who have early restrictive respiratory defects but do not yet require NIV, regular use of LVR is feasible with no negative impact on QOL over a 3‐month period and may have physiological benefits. Further work is needed to determine whether early institution of LVR can improve respiratory system mechanics and help delay ventilatory failure in persons with NMDs.
The politics and consequences of performance measurement
Authors: M. Lewis Jenny 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Performance measurement is most often considered as the apolitical application of the use of information, collected and used to demonstrate effectiveness against a set of criteria. In reality, many complexities are hidden behind this seemingly rational and technical enterprise. This paper establishes a conceptual framework for the collection of articles in this volume. It examines the politics of performance measurement — who decides what should be measured, how, and why — and its consequences. It analyses why performance measurement is important, outlines its explicit and implicit purposes and the fundamental assumptions underpinning it, and describes its problems, paradoxes and consequences. A chain of performance measurement is then proposed and two contrasting versions of it (one rational-technical and one realistic-political) are presented. This social structural and political institutional approach to performance measurement highlights dynamics, interactivity and power. In doing so, it discloses the politics and consequences of performance measurement.
Reduction of Acute Shoulder Dislocations in a Remote Environment: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study
Authors: Bokor-Billmann Therezia , Lapshyn Hryhoryi , Kiffner Erhard , Goos Matthias F. , Hopt Ulrich T. , Billmann Franck G. 
Published: April 2015

Objective Acute dislocations of the glenohumeral joint are common in wilderness activities. Emergent reduction should take place at the site of trauma to reduce the patient’s pain and the risk of vascular and neurological complications. A limited number of reduction methods are applicable in remote areas. The aim of this study is to present our method of reduction of anterior shoulder luxation that is easily applicable in remote areas without medication, adjuncts, and assistants and is well tolerated by patients. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted during a 5-year period. The patients included underwent closed manual reduction with our technique. After each reduction, the physician who performed the reduction completed a standardized detailed history, and reexamined the patient (for acute complications). The patients were contacted 6 months after the trauma to investigate long-term postreduction complications. Results Reduction was achieved with our method in 39 (100.0%) of 39 patients. The mean pain felt during our reduction procedure was rated 1.7 ± 1.4 (on a scale of 10) using the visual analog scale scoring system. No complications were noted before or after the reduction attempts. We did not find any long-term complications. Conclusions The reduction method presented in the present study is an effective method for the reduction of acute shoulder luxations in remote places. Our data suggest that this method could be applied for safe and effective reduction of shoulder dislocation.
A novel tool for visualizing chronic kidney disease associated polymorbidity: a 13-year cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Chih-Wei , Syed-Abdul Shabbir , Jian Wen-Shan , Iqbal Usman , Nguyen Phung-Anh (Alex) , Lee Peisan , Lin Shen-Hsien , Hsu Wen-Ding , Wu Mai-Szu , Wang Chun-Fu , Ma Kwan-Liu , Li Yu-Chuan (Jack) 
Published: April 2015

AbstractObjective The aim of this study is to analyze and visualize the polymorbidity associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study shows diseases associated with CKD before and after CKD diagnosis in a time-evolutionary type visualization.Materials and Methods Our sample data came from a population of one million individuals randomly selected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database, 1998 to 2011. From this group, those patients diagnosed with CKD were included in the analysis. We selected 11 of the most common diseases associated with CKD before its diagnosis and followed them until their death or up to 2011. We used a Sankey-style diagram, which quantifies and visualizes the transition between pre- and post-CKD states with various lines and widths. The line represents groups and the width of a line represents the number of patients transferred from one state to another.Results The patients were grouped according to their states: that is, diagnoses, hemodialysis/transplantation procedures, and events such as death. A Sankey diagram with basic zooming and planning functions was developed that temporally and qualitatively depicts they had amid change of comorbidities occurred in pre- and post-CKD states.Discussion This represents a novel visualization approach for temporal patterns of polymorbidities associated with any complex disease and its outcomes. The Sankey diagram is a promising method for visualizing complex diseases and exploring the effect of comorbidities on outcomes in a time-evolution style.Conclusions This type of visualization may help clinicians foresee possible outcomes of complex diseases by considering comorbidities that the patients have developed.
Seven-Year Outcomes Following Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation Stratified by ASTRO Consensus Groupings
Authors: Jawad Maha S. , Shah Chirag , Wilkinson J. Ben , Wallace Michelle , Mitchell Christina K. , Wobb Jessica , Gustafson Gregory S. , Brabbins Donald S. , Grills Inga S. , Chen Peter Y. 
Published: April 2015

Objectives:
Limited long-term data exist regarding outcomes for patients treated with accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), particularly, when stratified by American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Consensus Statement (CS) risk groups. The purpose of this analysis is to present 5- and 7-year outcomes following APBI based on CS groupings.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 690 patients with early-stage breast cancer underwent APBI from 1993 to 2012, receiving interstitial brachytherapy (n=195), balloon-based brachytherapy (n=290), or 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (n=205) at a single institution. Patients were stratified into suitable, cautionary, and unsuitable groups with 5-year outcomes analyzed. Seven-year outcomes were analyzed for a subset with follow-up of ≥2 years (n=625).

Results:
Median follow-up was 6.7 years (range, 0.1 to 20.1 y). Patients assigned to cautionary and unsuitable categories were more likely to have high-grade tumors (21% to 25% vs. 9%, P=0.001), receive chemotherapy (15% to 38% vs. 6%, P<0.001), and have close/positive margins (9% to 11% vs. 0%, P<0.001). There was no difference in ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence at 5 or 7 years: 2.2%, 1.2%, 2.8% at 5 years (P=0.57), and 2.2%, 1.9%, 4.6% at 7 years (P=0.58) in the suitable, cautionary, and unsuitable groups, respectively. As compared with the suitable group, increased rates of distant metastases were noted for the unsuitable and cautionary groups at 5 years (P=0.04).

Conclusions:
No differences in rates of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence were seen at 5 or 7 years when stratified by ASTRO CS groupings. Modest increases in distant recurrence were noted in the cautionary and unsuitable groups. These findings suggest that the ASTRO CS groupings stratify more for systemic recurrence and may not appropriately select patients for whole versus partial breast irradiation.
Factors Associated With Guideline-recommended KRAS Testing in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Charlton Mary E. , Karlitz Jordan J. , Schlichting Jennifer A. , Chen Vivien W. , Lynch Charles F. 
Published: April 2015

Objectives:
Response to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors is poorer among stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with KRAS mutations; thus KRAS testing is recommended before treatment. KRAS testing was collected by Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries for 2010 CRC cases, and our goal was to provide the first population-based estimates of testing in the United States.

Methods:
SEER CRC cases diagnosed in 2010 were evaluated (n=30,351). χ2 tests and logistic regression were conducted to determine patient characteristics associated with KRAS testing, stratified by stages I-III versus stage IV. Log-rank tests were used to examine survival by testing status.

Results:

KRAS testing among stage IV cases ranged from 39% in New Mexico to 15% in Louisiana. In the model, younger age, being married, living in a metropolitan area, and having primary site surgery were associated with greater odds of receiving KRAS testing. Those who received testing had significantly better survival than those who did not (P<0.0001). Among those who received testing, there was no significant difference in survival by mutated versus wild-type KRAS. Five percent of stage I-III cases received testing.

Conclusions:
Wide variation in documented KRAS testing for stage IV CRC patients exists among SEER registries. Age remained highly significant in multivariate models, suggesting that it plays an independent role in the patient and/or provider decision to be tested. Further research is needed to determine drivers of variation in testing, as well as reasons for testing in stage I-III cases where it is not recommended.
Stage IIIC Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Holloway Caroline L. , Alexander Cheryl , Walter Caroline , Aquino-Parsons Christina , Truong Pauline T. 
Published: April 2015

Purpose:
The optimal radiation (RT) volume for node-positive endometrial cancer is controversial. This study evaluates clinical outcomes in patients with stage IIIC, N1 endometrial cancer who received RT to the pelvis (PV RT) or pelvis plus para-aortic nodes (PV-PAN RT).

Methods:
Overall, there were 89 women with stage IIIC endometrial cancer. Of these, 57 women had N1-only disease, forming the study cohort. Clinicopathologic characteristics, recurrence rates, endometrial cancer–specific survival (ECSS), and overall survival (OS) were examined among patients treated with pelvic RT (n=23) compared with pelvic plus para-aortic RT (n=34). Multivariable analysis of ECSS and OS was performed using Cox regression modeling.

Results:
Median follow-up was 5.1 years. Adjuvant chemotherapy was used in 51/57 (89%) of N1 cases. Women with N1 disease who received PV-PAN RT compared with PV RT experienced lower recurrence (26% vs. 52%, P=0.06) and higher survival rates (5 y ECSS 81.5% vs. 47.0%, P=0.04 and OS 79.1% vs. 47.0%, P=0.01). On multivariable analysis, RT volume was not significantly associated with OS, whereas chemotherapy was associated with improved ECSS and OS.

Conclusions:
RT conferred excellent local control, whereas chemotherapy was associated with improved survival in women with N1 endometrial cancer. Distant relapse remains the most common site of recurrence despite chemotherapy.
3D seismic imaging of the Lalor volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit, Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Bellefleur G. , Schetselaar E. , White D. , Miah K. , Dueck P. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTA three‐component three‐dimensional seismic data set was acquired over the Lalor volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit near Snow Lake, Manitoba, Canada, to assess the reflectivity of the ore and further validate the potential of three‐dimensional reflection seismic methods for deep mineral exploration. The Lalor deposit was chosen as a test site as it provided an intact, well‐characterized 25‐Mt‐deep ore deposit with a rich catalogue of geological and geophysical data, as well as extensive drill‐core and drill‐hole geophysical and geological logs. An analysis of physical rock properties from borehole logging data indicates that massive sulphides associated with the zinc‐rich zones could produce prominent reflections, whereas acoustic impedances of zones with disseminated gold do not sufficiently differ from the impedances of the host rocks to produce reflections. The interpretation of the seismic data is constrained with a detailed three‐dimensional lithofacies model constructed from the categorical kriging of 15 lithological units identified in borehole intersections. Processing of the seismic data included prestack dip‐moveout and poststack time migration. Final images reveal some strong reflections associated with the zinc‐rich massive sulphide zones. The most prominent reflection results from the constructive interference of thin and closely spaced massive sulphide zones and felsic–mafic volcanic rock contacts above and below the mineralization. Contacts between felsic and mafic volcanic rocks, including those that were hydrothermally altered and subsequently metamorphosed, produced prominent and continuous reflections that are used to map the main architecture of the footwall rocks. At depth, a series of continuous and conformable reflections indicate the general geometry of the volcanic sequences in the area of the three‐dimensional seismic survey.
Farmers' Preferences and Social Capital Regarding Agri‐environmental Schemes to Protect Birds
Authors: Alló Maria , Loureiro Maria L. , Iglesias Eva 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe steady decline of birds living in cereal steppe lands is a worrying situation that the European Common Agricultural Policy is attempting to remedy through the application of agri‐environmental schemes (AES). We assess farmers' preferences towards these AES, which call for a number of environmental practices to protect birds. Using a face‐to‐face survey in farming communities in Aragón (Spain), and through the estimation of an Ordered Logit model (OL), we assess the ranking of AES attributes, and obtain their economic valuation according to the farmers' preferences. We find that social factors are also important in determining farmers' decisions. In particular, the importance of social trust and expectation of compliance by other neighbours, encourage farmers to sign up to AES. These and other results may be used to design more effective AES and help to solve this important biodiversity problem.
Associations between sensation seeking and d‐amphetamine reinforcement
Authors: Miller Mollie E. , Badger Gary J. , Heil Sarah H. , Higgins Stephen T. , Sigmon Stacey C. 
Published: April 2015

Background and ObjectivesWhile many individuals experiment with stimulants, only a subset transition to abuse or dependence. One characteristic widely associated with stimulant abuse vulnerability in general is sensation seeking (SS), though less clear is how individuals' baseline SS may predict their response to acute stimulant administration.MethodsIn this secondary analysis, we examined associations between SS and d‐AMPH choice and subjective response among healthy male (n = 16) and female (n = 21) adults participating in an outpatient laboratory study wherein they received repeated opportunities to sample and choose between d‐AMPH (5, 10, and 20 mg/70 kg) and placebo.ResultsAmong males, elevated baseline SS was associated with increased d‐AMPH choice and positive subjective effects at 5 and 10 mg/70 kg doses. Among females, there were no significant associations between SS and d‐AMPH choice or subjective effects.Discussion and ConclusionsElevated SS in males may be associated with increased sensitivity to d‐AMPH reinforcement and positive subjective effects. Data from this study suggest that SS may not predict sensitivity to stimulants in females, though future studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to answer this definitively.Scientific SignificanceSensation seeking may reflect an important characteristic underlying sensitivity to stimulant reinforcement. Efforts to better understand these individual differences would inform efforts to identify and intervene with those at risk for developing abuse or dependence. (Am J Addict 2015;24:435 –442)
Autophagic adaptation is associated with exercise‐induced fibre‐type shifting in skeletal muscle
Authors: Tam B. T. , Pei X. M. , Yu A. P. , Sin T. K. , Leung K. K. , Au K. K. , Chong J. T. , Yung B. Y. , Yip S. P. , Chan L. W. , Wong C. S. , Siu P. M. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAimAcute exercise is known to activate autophagy in skeletal muscle. However, little is known about how basal autophagy in skeletal muscle adapts to chronic exercise. In the current study we aim to, firstly, examine whether long‐term habitual exercise alters the basal autophagic signalling in plantaris muscle and, secondly, examine the association between autophagy and fibre‐type shifting.MethodsAdult female Sprague‐Dawley rats aged 2 months were randomly assigned to control and exercise groups. Animals in exercise group were kept in cages equipped with free access running wheels to perform habitual exercise for 5 months. Animals in the control group were caged in the absence of running wheels. Animals were sacrificed after the 5‐month experimental period. Plantaris muscle tissues were harvested for analysis.ResultsWe showed that long‐term habitual exercise enhanced basal autophagy, but without altering expressions of autophagy proteins in plantaris muscle. Interestingly, sirtuin protein, a possible regulator of autophagy, was upregulated in plantaris muscle. Furthermore, we suspected that different types of muscle fibre adapted to chronic exercise in different ways. Long‐term habitual exercise resulted in fibre‐type shifting from type IIX to IIA in both gastrocnemius muscle and plantaris muscle. Intriguingly, our analysis demonstrated that LC3‐II protein abundance is positively correlated with the proportion of type IIA fibre whereas it was negatively correlated with the proportion of type IIX fibre in plantaris muscle. PGC‐1α protein abundance was positively associated with the proportion of type IIA fibre and LC3‐II in plantaris muscle.ConclusionThese results suggest that basal autophagy is enhanced in plantaris muscle after long‐term habitual exercise and associated with fibre‐type shifting.