bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interferon beta treatment of multiple sclerosis increases serum interleukin-7
Authors: Lundström Wangko , Hermanrud Christina , Sjöstrand Maria , Brauner Susanna , Wahren-Herlenius Marie , Olsson Tomas , Karrenbauer Virginija , Hillert Jan , Fogdell-Hahn Anna 
Published: May 2014

Background: Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a non-redundant cytokine for T-cell development and survival. The IL-7 signaling pathway has been genetically and functionally associated with several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: The objective of this paper is to elucidate the effect of the widely used immunomodulatory MS therapy interferon beta (IFNβ) on IL-7 homeostasis. Methods: Swedish MS patients were screened for IL-7 concentration in serum and blood cell counts. IL-7 receptor alpha chain (IL-7Rα) expression was determined by semi-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and flow cytometry. Results: IFNβ treatment led to significantly increased serum IL-7 levels (mean: 17 pg/ml) compared with healthy controls (mean: 7.6 pg/ml) and natalizumab-treated patients (mean: 5.3 pg/ml). In vitro and in vivo, peripheral blood leukocytes showed decreased IL-7Rα expression and IL-7 consumption upon IFNβ exposure, suggesting that their IL-7 responsiveness is impaired during treatment. Conclusions: MS patients undergoing IFNβ treatment have increased serum IL-7 levels and decreased IL-7 consumption. Given IL-7’s important role in T-cell immunity, this relationship may be highly relevant for IFNβ’s treatment efficacy.
Cost-effectiveness of a physiotherapist-led service for orthopaedic outpatients
Authors: Comans Tracy , Raymer Maree , O'Leary Shaun , Smith David , Scuffham Paul 
Published: May 2014

Objective Non-surgical treatment can be effective for many musculoskeletal conditions. Improving access to these options may improve the efficiency of hospitals. The Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Screening Clinic and Multidisciplinary Service offers early comprehensive assessment and coordinated, patient-centred care within a multidisciplinary framework. Our aim was to assess its cost-effectiveness compared with usual orthopaedic care. Methods A Markov model was constructed to estimate the quality-adjusted life years and health care costs from the perspective of health care payers for outpatients with low back, knee or shoulder conditions compared to usual orthopaedic care. Data were obtained from a retrospective chart review, administrative sources, literature and expert opinion. The time frame was five years and all costs were reported in 2011 $AUD. Results Compared with usual orthopaedic care, the physiotherapist-led service costs an additional $495 per Quality Adjusted Life Year gained. The model remained cost-effective over a range of one-way sensitivity analyses. Conclusion The physiotherapist-led service is likely to be highly cost-effective. Determining the optimal mix of hospital orthopaedic outpatient services may require more advanced modeling techniques to be applied.
Relationship Between Tightness of the Hip Joint and Elbow Pain in Adolescent Baseball Players
Authors: Saito Manabu , Kenmoku Tomonori , Kameyama Kentaro , Murata Ryo , Yusa Takashi , Ochiai Nobuyasu , Kijima Takehiro , Takahira Naonobu , Fukushima Kensuke , Ishige Noriyuki , Takaso Masashi 
Published: May 2014

Background: Repetitive tensile stresses from valgus torque can induce elbow injury in adolescent baseball players. Insufficient hip range of motion (ROM) can change throwing mechanics, reducing the transfer of energy from the lower to the upper extremities. Thus, hip ROM limitations may force the upper extremities to bear the burden of a strong throw. Improper pitching mechanics caused by insufficient hip ROM are thought to increase valgus torque on the elbow when throwing, increasing the risk of elbow injury. Purpose: To investigate the relationship between elbow pain and hip ROM in adolescent baseball players. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 122 adolescent baseball players with a mean age of 12.0 years (range, 6-14 years) participated in this study. Elbow pain, hip flexion angle, and the internal rotation angles of the hip at 0° and 90° of flexion were assessed. Participants were divided into a pain group and a normal group based on the pain assessment, and each hip angle was compared between groups using Student t tests. P values <.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Thirty-one of 122 players had elbow pain. The hip flexion angle of the trail leg was 121.9° ± 12.3° for the normal group and 111.2° ± 11.3° for the pain group ( P = .0001). The plant leg hip flexion angles were 122.0° ± 12.4° and 113.6° ± 11.3° ( P = .0014) for the normal and pain groups, respectively. The internal rotation angle at 0° of hip flexion of the trail leg was 49.4° ± 12.6° and 45.6° ± 8.8° (not significant), and of the plant leg was 49.1° ± 12.5° and 48.7° ± 11.5° (not significant), for the normal and pain groups, respectively. The internal rotation of the trail leg at 90° of hip flexion was 46.9° ± 13.3° in the normal group and 36.1° ± 15.7° in the pain group ( P = .0005). In the plant leg, the internal rotation angle at 90° of hip flexion was 46.9° ± 12.2° and 36.4° ± 18.1° for the normal and pain groups, respectively ( P = .0013). Conclusion: Limitations to hip flexion and internal rotation at 90° of hip flexion were risk factors for elbow injury. Differences in internal rotation angles between 0° and 90° of hip flexion may be important criteria for identifying adolescent baseball players at risk of elbow pain.
Single-Leg Balance Impairments Persist in Fully Operational Military Special Forces Operators With a Previous History of Low Back Pain
Authors: Sell Timothy C. , Clark Nicholas C. , Wood Dallas , Abt John P. , Lovalekar Mita , Lephart Scott M. 
Published: May 2014

Background: Single-leg balance (SLB) can be chronically impaired after low back pain (LBP). Impaired SLB is a risk factor for recurrent LBP and lower extremity injury. In the United States military, the special forces operator (SFO) deploys on high-risk missions under extreme conditions, and impaired SLB can potentially threaten SFO safety and mission success. Purpose: To compare SLB in fully operational SFOs with and without a history of LBP. The hypothesis was that SLB deficits would be present in SFOs with a history of LBP. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 226 SFOs were included in this analysis. Comparisons were made between SFOs with and without medical chart documented history of LBP (LBP group [n = 43]: mean age = 31.2 ± 10.3 years, mean height = 177.3 ± 7.2 cm, mean mass = 87.3 ± 11.8 kg; healthy group [n = 183]: mean age = 28.0 ± 6.0 years, mean height = 177.9 ± 6.0 cm, mean mass = 84.9 ± 8.8 kg). Bilateral SLB was tested (eyes open and eyes closed) in both groups using a force plate. The variability in the ground-reaction forces was averaged across 3 trials for each leg for both conditions. Comparisons were made between legs in the LBP and between the LBP and healthy group (α = .05). Results: There were significant between-group differences for each leg for both conditions, with the healthy group demonstrating better SLB compared with the LBP group. P values ranged from .01 to .03. Conclusion: Impaired SLB persists in SFOs with previously reported LBP. Balance assessments of individuals who report LBP may assist with designing targeted interventions to address potential deficits that may increase the risk of future injury. Clinical Relevance: SFOs with a known history of LBP would benefit from examination of SLB and may benefit from balance training to resolve any deficits that may be present to lower the potential risk for future injury.
Field testing the alternative criteria for tension-type headache proposed in the third beta edition of the international classification of headache disorders: results from the Korean headache-sleep study
Authors: Chu Min Kyung , Cho Soo-Jin , Kim Jae-Moon , Hwang Sung-Hee 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Background
According to the third beta edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorder (ICHD-3 beta), the diagnostic criteria for tension-type headache (TTH) might lead to the inclusion of individuals with headaches showing migrainous features. To better define TTH, the alternative diagnostic criteria were proposed in the appendix of ICHD-3 beta. This study attempted to test the alternative criteria for diagnosis of TTH proposed in ICHD-3 beta in a population-based sample from Korea.

Methods
We selected participants from the Korean population aged 19–69 years using stratified random sampling and evaluated them by interview using a questionnaire designed to identify headache type, headache characteristics, and psychiatric comorbidities.

Results
Of the 2,762 participants, 586 (21.3%) were diagnosed as having TTH using the standard criteria. Among these, 238 (40.6%) were also classified as having TTH using the alternative criteria. All 238 TTH subjects first diagnosed as having TTH by the alternative criteria were also classified as having TTH by the standard criteria. If the standard criteria were not applied, the remaining 348 patients were subclassified as having probable migraine (115, 19.6%) and unclassified headache (233, 39.7%). Compared with subjects diagnosed with TTH using the standard criteria, those diagnosed using the alternative criteria were less likely to demonstrate unilateral, pulsating headache, which is aggravated by movement, photophobia, phonophobia, and osmophobia.

Conclusion
Using the alternative criteria, less than half of the subjects with TTH according to the standard criteria were classified as having TTH. All the subjects with TTH by the alternative criteria were classified as having TTH by the standard criteria. This study also demonstrated that subjects diagnosed with TTH using the standard criteria could include people with headaches showing migrainous features.
Robust stability analysis for Lur’e systems with interval time-varying delays via Wirtinger-based inequality
Authors: Park Myeongjin , Kwon Ohmin , Park Juhyun , Lee Sangmoon , Cha Eunjong 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
This paper considers the problem of robust stability for Lur’e systems with interval time-varying delays and parameter uncertainties. It is assumed that the parameter uncertainties are norm bounded. By constructing a newly augmented Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, less conservative sufficient stability conditions of the concerned systems are introduced within the framework of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Three numerical examples are given to show the improvements over the existing ones and the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Upper bounds for the decay rate in a nonlocal p-Laplacian evolution problem
Authors: Esteve Carlos , Rossi Julio D , San Antolin Angel 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
We obtain upper bounds for the decay rate for solutions to the nonlocal problem

∂
t

u
(
x
,
t
)
=

∫

R
n

J
(
x
,
y
)

|
u
(
y
,
t
)
−
u
(
x
,
t
)
|

p
−
2

(
u
(
y
,
t
)
−
u
(
x
,
t
)
)

d
y

with an initial condition

u
0

∈

L
1

(

R
n

)
∩

L
∞

(

R
n

)

and a fixed

p
>
2

. We assume that the kernel J is symmetric, bounded (and therefore there is no regularizing effect) but with polynomial tails, that is, we assume a lower bounds of the form

J
(
x
,
y
)
≥

c
1

|
x
−
y
|

−
(
n
+
2
σ
)

, for

|
x
−
y
|
>

c
2

and

J
(
x
,
y
)
≥

c
1

, for

|
x
−
y
|
≤

c
2

. We prove that

∥
u
(
⋅
,
t
)
∥

L
q

(

R
n

)

≤
C

t

−

n

(
p
−
2
)
n
+
2
σ

(
1
−

1
q

)

for

q
≥
1

and t large.

MSC: 35K05, 45P05, 35B40.
Comparison of enzymatic reactivity of corn stover solids prepared by dilute acid, AFEX™, and ionic liquid pretreatments
Authors: Gao Xiadi , Kumar Rajeev , Singh Seema , Simmons Blake A , Balan Venkatesh , Dale Bruce E , Wyman Charles E 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Background
Pretreatment is essential to realize high product yields from biological conversion of naturally recalcitrant cellulosic biomass, with thermochemical pretreatments often favored for cost and performance. In this study, enzymatic digestion of solids from dilute sulfuric acid (DA), ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX™), and ionic liquid (IL) thermochemical pretreatments of corn stover were followed over time for the same range of total enzyme protein loadings to provide comparative data on glucose and xylose yields of monomers and oligomers from the pretreated solids. The composition of pretreated solids and enzyme adsorption on each substrate were also measured to determine. The extent glucose release could be related to these features.

Results
Corn stover solids from pretreatment by DA, AFEX, and IL were enzymatically digested over a range of low to moderate loadings of commercial cellulase, xylanase, and pectinase enzyme mixtures, the proportions of which had been previously optimized for each pretreatment. Avicel® cellulose, regenerated amorphous cellulose (RAC), and beechwood xylan were also subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis as controls. Yields of glucose and xylose and their oligomers were followed for times up to 120 hours, and enzyme adsorption was measured. IL pretreated corn stover displayed the highest initial glucose yields at all enzyme loadings and the highest final yield for a low enzyme loading of 3 mg protein/g glucan in the raw material. However, increasing the enzyme loading to 12 mg/g glucan or more resulted in DA pretreated corn stover attaining the highest longer-term glucose yields. Hydrolyzate from AFEX pretreated corn stover had the highest proportion of xylooligomers, while IL produced the most glucooligomers. However, the amounts of both oligomers dropped with increasing enzyme loadings and hydrolysis times. IL pretreated corn stover had the highest enzyme adsorption capacity.

Conclusions
Initial hydrolysis yields were highest for substrates with greater lignin removal, a greater degree of change in cellulose crystallinity, and high enzyme accessibility. Final glucose yields could not be clearly related to concentrations of xylooligomers released from xylan during hydrolysis. Overall, none of these factors could completely account for differences in enzymatic digestion performance of solids produced by AFEX, DA, and IL pretreatments.
Neoadjuvant Dose-Dense Methotrexate, Vinblastine, Doxorubicin, and Cisplatin With Pegfilgrastim Support in Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Cancer: Pathologic, Radiologic, and Biomarker Correlates
Authors: Choueiri Toni K. , Jacobus Susanna , Bellmunt Joaquim , Qu Angela , Appleman Leonard J. , Tretter Christopher , Bubley Glenn J. , Stack Edward C. , Signoretti Sabina , Walsh Meghara , Steele Graeme , Hirsch Michelle , Sweeney Christopher J. , Taplin Mary-Ellen , Kibel Adam S. , Krajewski Katherine M. , Kantoff Philip W. , Ross Robert W. , Rosenberg Jonathan E. 
Published: May 2014

Purpose In advanced urothelial cancer, treatment with dose-dense methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (ddMVAC) results in a high response rate, less toxicity, and few dosing delays. We explored the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant ddMVAC with pegfilgrastim support in muscle-invasive urothelial cancer (MIUC). Patients and Methods Patients with cT2-cT4, N0-1, M0 MIUC were enrolled. Four cycles of ddMVAC were administered, followed by radical cystectomy. The primary end point was pathologic response (PaR) defined by pathologic downstaging to ≤ pT1N0M0. The study used Simon's optimal two-stage design to evaluate null and alternative hypotheses of PaR rate of 35% versus 55%. Secondary end points included toxicity, disease-free survival (DFS), radiologic response (RaR), and biomarker correlates, including ERCC1. Results Between December 2008 and April 2012, 39 patients (cT2N0, 33%; cT3N0, 18%; cT4N0, 3%; cT2-4N1, 43%; unspecified, 3%) were enrolled. Median follow-up was 2 years. Overall, 49% (80% CI, 38 to 61) achieved PaR of ≤ pT1N0M0, and we concluded this regimen was effective. High-grade (grade ≥ 3) toxicities were observed in 10% of patients, with no neutropenic fevers or treatment-related death. One-year DFS was 89% versus 67% for patients who achieved PaR compared with those who did not (hazard ratio [HR], 2.6; 95% CI, 0.8 to 8.1; P = .08) and 86% versus 62% for patients who achieved RaR compared with those who did not (HR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.3 to 12.5; P = .009). We found no association between serum tumor markers or ERCC1 expression with response or survival. Conclusion In patients with MIUC, neoadjuvant ddMVAC was well tolerated and resulted in significant pathologic and radiologic downstaging.
Triple Intrathecal Therapy Alone With Omission of Cranial Radiation in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Liu Hsi-Che , Yeh Ting-Chi , Hou Jen-Yin , Chen Kuan-Hao , Huang Ting-Huan , Chang Ching-Yi , Liang Der-Cherng 
Published: May 2014

Purpose To eliminate the toxicities and sequelae of cranial irradiation (CrRT) and to minimize the adverse impact of traumatic lumbar puncture (TLP) with blasts, a prospective study of a modified CNS-directed therapy was conducted in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Patients and Methods Since June 1999, children with newly diagnosed ALL have been treated with triple intrathecal therapy (TIT) alone without CrRT. The first TIT was delayed until the disappearance of blasts from peripheral blood (PB) for up to 10 days of multidrug induction, and CrRT was omitted in all patients. If PB blasts persisted on treatment day 10 (d10), the TIT was then performed. Results Of a total of 156 patients, 152 were eligible. Seventeen patients did not have PB blasts at diagnosis. Three fourths of the remaining patients achieved complete clearance of PB blasts by d10. Only hyperleukocytosis at diagnosis showed a significantly lower clearance rate. Six standard-risk patients were upgraded to high risk because of detectable PB blasts on d10. TLPs were encountered in four patients (2.6%), but none were contaminated with lymphoblasts. Neither CNS-2 (less than 5 WBCs/μL with blasts in a nontraumatic sample) nor CNS-3 (≥ 5 WBCs/μL with blasts in a nontraumatic sample or the presence of cranial nerve palsy) was present. The 5-year event-free survival and overall survival rates ± SE were 84.2% ± 3.0% and 90.6% ± 2.4%, respectively. No isolated CNS relapse occurred, but two patients experienced combined CNS relapses. The 7-year cumulative risk of any CNS relapse was 1.4% ± 1.0%. Conclusion Delaying first TIT until circulating blasts have cleared may improve CNS control in children with newly diagnosed ALL and preclude the need for CrRT.
Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibition as a Potential New Therapeutic Target in Obese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Jensterle Mojca , Kocjan Tomaz , Janez Andrej 
Published: May 2014

Context:
Phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes, including members of PDE4, have been investigated in the regulation of endocrine and reproductive functions of ovaries. In addition, selective inhibition of PDE4 enzyme has recently been implicated in the regulation of metabolism with positive effects on glucose homeostasis and weight reduction.

Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast affects body weight and hormonal and metabolic status in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design/Participants/Main Outcome Measures:
A 12-week prospective randomized open-label study was conducted with 36 obese women with PCOS diagnosed by the National Eunice Kennedy Shriver Institute of Child Health and Human Development criteria that had been pretreated with metformin (MET). They were randomized to MET 1000 mg twice a day or combined treatment (COM) with MET 1000 mg twice a day and roflumilast 500 μg every day. The primary outcome was change in anthropometric measures of obesity.

Results:
Thirty-one patients (aged 33.8 ± 7.4 y, twice a day 36.4 ± 5.1 kg/m2, mean ± SD) completed the study: 16 on MET and 15 on COM. Subjects treated with COM lost on average 4.2 ± 2.8 kg compared with a 0.9 ± 2.5 kg weight gain in the MET group (P = .025). Body mass index decreased for 1.6 ± 1.1 kg/m2 in COM arm compared with increase for 0.9 ± 2.4 kg/m2 in the MET arm (P = .046). Visceral adipose tissue area as assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry decreased from 136.7 ± 37.8 to 121.2 ± 36.2 cm2 in the COM arm compared with an increase from 155.3 ± 61.9 to 166.7 ± 67.2 cm2 in the MET arm (P = .02). From baseline to study end, both treatment interventions resulted in a significant reduction of androstenedione (P = .013), free T (P = .002), and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance score (P = .027) and a significant increase in SHBG (P = .024), although the between-treatment differences of the changes have not been statistically significant yet.

Conclusion:
Roflumilast added to metformin reduced body weight in obese women with PCOS, primarily due to a loss of fat mass.
Electrochemical Recovery of Metals from Cadmium Wastewater
Authors: Wang Yanfei , Xu Wenjie , Zhuo Qiongfang , Xu Zhencheng , Guo Qingwei 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Recovery of cadmium in wastewater was investigated by an electrochemical deposition approach in a multianode and multicathode cell in this study. The effects of initial concentration, initial pH, current density, and complexing agents on the recovery of cadmium were examined. Acidic media was found to improve the recovery efficiency. When the current density was 4.46 mA cm−2, the mass was almost increased to be maximum after electrochemical deposition for 90 min. With further increase in current density, little increase of recovery ratio was observed. Presence of aqueous ammonia increased the deposition rate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated that the deposits were composed of cadmium and cadmium hydroxide.
Interplay between Phase Transition of DPPC Bilayer and Photoisomerization of Doped Stilbene Molecules
Authors: Nakazawa Koyomi , Hishida Mafumi , Nagatomo Shigenori , Yamamura Yasuhisa , Saito Kazuya 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) bilayer with stilbene was investigated by using phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared and UV–visible absorption spectroscopy. The results indicate that the temperature of the gel–liquid-crystalline phase transition of the DPPC bilayer with cis-stilbene is much lower than that with trans isomer. Photoirradiation to trans-stilbene in the DPPC bilayer suppresses the pretransition (Lβ′ to Pβ′), while the gel–liquid-crystalline phase transition (Pβ′ to Lα) changes little because of the poor photoisomerization rate in both gel and liquid-crystalline phases. It is shown that the photoisomerization of incorporated stilbene and the phase behavior of the lipid bilayer depend on each other.
Facile Liquid-phase Synthesis and Optical Properties of Small Silver Iodide Quantum Dots
Authors: Yamamoto Takayuki , Kobayashi Hirokazu , Kitagawa Hiroshi 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
We report a low-temperature liquid-phase synthesis method of small AgI quantum dots with a diameter of 3.0 nm. The synthesized AgI quantum dots were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction measurements. In the UV–visible spectrum, the AgI quantum dots had a large blue shift in the absorption band compared to bulk one because of the quantum size effect.
Słownictwo podhalańskie w Etymologicznym słowniku języka polskiego Andrzeja Bańkowskiego
Authors: Rak Maciej 
Published: May 2014

Podhalan vocabulary in A. Bańkowski’s Etymologiczny słownik języka polskiego ‘Polish etymological dictionary’
The paper discusses Podhalan vocabulary contained in Andrzej Bańkowski’s Etymologiczny słownik języka polskiego (SEBań) ‘Polish etymological dictionary’. It scrutinizes the information on the origin of words, and also their dating and other parts of Bańkowski’s commentary. By contrasting data from dialectal atlases and dialectal and etymological dictionaries, this author shows that the material found in SEBań is in a large part inaccurate or even erroneous. In the latter case (e.g. oscypek) own explanations have been proposed.