bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost analysis of the Communication and Low Mood (CALM) randomised trial of behavioural therapy for stroke patients with aphasia
Authors: Humphreys Ioan , Thomas Shirley , Phillips Ceri , Lincoln Nadina 
Published: June 2014

Objective: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of a behavioural therapy intervention shown to be clinically effective in comparison with usual care for stroke patients with aphasia. Design: Randomised controlled trial with comparison of costs and calculation of incremental cost effectiveness ratio. Setting: Community. Participants: Participants identified as having low mood on either the Visual Analog Mood Scale sad item (≥50) or Stroke Aphasic Depression Questionnaire Hospital version 21 (SADQH21) (≥6) were recruited. Interventions: Participants were randomly allocated to behavioural therapy or usual care using internet-based randomisation generated in advance of the study by a clinical trials unit. Main measures: Outcomes were assessed at six months after randomisation, blind to group allocation. The costs were assessed from a service use questionnaire. Effectiveness was defined as the change in SADQH21 scores and a cost-effectiveness analysis was performed comparing the behavioural group with the usual care control group. The cost analysis was undertaken from the perspective of the UK NHS and Social Services. Results: The greatest difference was in home help costs where there was a saving of £56.20 in the intervention group compared to an increase of £61.40 in the control group. At six months the SADQH21 score for the intervention group was 17.3 compared to the control group value of 20.4. This resulted in a mean increase of 0.7 in the control group, compared to a mean significant different decrease of 6 in the intervention group ( P = 0.003). The Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio indicated that the cost per point reduction on the SADQH21 was £263. Conclusion: Overall the behavioural therapy was found to improve mood and resulted in some encouraging savings in resource utilisation over the six months follow-up.
Rehabilitation for post-stroke cognitive impairment: an overview of recommendations arising from systematic reviews of current evidence
Authors: Gillespie David C , Bowen Audrey , Chung Charlie S , Cockburn Janet , Knapp Peter , Pollock Alex 
Published: June 2014

Background: Although cognitive impairments are common following stroke, there is considerable uncertainty about the types of interventions that can reduce activity restrictions and improve quality of life. Indeed, a recent project to identify priorities for research into life after stroke determined that the top priority for patients, carers and health professionals was how to improve cognitive impairments. Objective: To provide an overview of the evidence for the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation for patients with stroke and to determine the main gaps in the current evidence base. Methods: Evidence was synthesised for the six Cochrane reviews relating to rehabilitation for post-stroke cognitive impairment and any subsequently published randomized controlled trials to February 2012. Results: Data arising from 44 trials involving over 1500 patients was identified. Though there was support for the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation for some cognitive impairments, significant gaps were found in the current evidence base. All of the Cochrane reviews identified major limitations within the evidence they identified. Conclusions: There is currently insufficient research evidence, or evidence of insufficient quality, to support clear recommendations for clinical practice. Recommendations are made as to the research required to strengthen the evidence base, and so facilitate the delivery of effective interventions to individuals with cognitive impairment after stroke.
Clinical, Functional, and Morphological Evaluations of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Remnant Preservation
Authors: Lee Dhong Won , Jang Hyoung Won , Lee Yong Seuk , Oh Soo Jin , Kim Jae Young , Song Han Eui , Kim Jin Goo 
Published: June 2014

Background: Numerous posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction techniques have evolved and have revealed satisfactory outcomes; however, the optimal operative method for PCL reconstruction remains controversial. Hypothesis: Transtibial PCL reconstruction with a remnant preservation technique would result in successful clinical, radiological, functional, and morphological outcomes. In addition, it was hypothesized that the results of combined PCL and posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction would be comparable with those of isolated PCL reconstruction. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 168 patients who underwent arthroscopic PCL reconstruction with or without reconstruction of the PLC between March 2006 and June 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Ninety-two patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled, and 47 of 92 patients who underwent combined PCL and PLC reconstruction were evaluated as a subgroup. The PLC was reconstructed using the single fibular sling method. The patients were assessed by means of the Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee score, and Tegner activity score. Stability was evaluated using a KT-2000 arthrometer and Telos device. Proprioception was assessed using the Biodex System. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 34 patients, and second-look arthroscopic surgery was conducted in 36 patients. Results: The minimum follow-up duration was 24 months in all patients. Clinical outcomes and posterior instability improved significantly. The mean Lysholm score improved from 56.7 ± 7.1 to 89.3 ± 7.3, the mean IKDC subjective knee score improved from 53.3 ± 9.6 to 86.2 ± 6.1, and the mean Tegner activity score was 2.5 ± 0.8 preoperatively and 5.1 ± 1.3 postoperatively (all P < .001). The mean side-to-side difference on posterior stress radiography with the Telos device improved significantly, decreasing from 12.1 ± 2.5 mm to 2.7 ± 1.3 mm ( P < .001). The mean side-to-side difference on varus stress radiography was reduced from 5.9 ± 0.8 mm preoperatively to 1.3 ± 1.0 mm after combined PCL and PLC reconstruction ( P < .001). Postoperative proprioception recovered to a level similar to that of the uninvolved side, and MRI and second-look arthroscopic surgery showed a high rate of complete healing and synovialization in patients who underwent either isolated PCL reconstruction or combined PLC and PCL reconstruction. Conclusion: Transtibial PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation resulted in satisfactory clinical, functional, radiological, and morphological outcomes. The results of combined posterolateral rotatory instability were comparable with those for isolated PCL reconstruction with adequate PLC reconstruction.
Differential efficiency in exogenous DNA acquisition among closely related Salmonella strains: implications in bacterial speciation
Authors: Bao Hong-Xia , Tang Le , Yu Lu , Wang Xu-Yao , Li Yang , Deng Xia , Li Yong-Guo , Li Ang , Zhu Da-Ling , Johnston Randal N , Liu Gui-Rong , Feng Ye , Liu Shu-Lin 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Background
Acquisition of exogenous genetic material is a key event in bacterial speciation. It seems reasonable to assume that recombination of the incoming DNA into genome would be more efficient with higher levels of relatedness between the DNA donor and recipient. If so, bacterial speciation would be a smooth process, leading to a continuous spectrum of genomic divergence of bacteria, which, however, is not the case as shown by recent findings. The goal of this study was todetermine if DNA transfer efficiency is correlated with the levels of sequence identity.

Results
To compare the relative efficiency of exogenous DNA acquisition among closely related bacteria, we carried out phage-mediated transduction and plasmid-mediated transformation in representative Salmonella strains with different levels of relatedness. We found that the efficiency was remarkably variable even among genetically almost identical bacteria. Although there was a general tendency that more closely related DNA donor-recipient pairs had higher transduction efficiency, transformation efficiency exhibited over a thousand times difference among the closely related Salmonella strains.

Conclusion
DNA acquisition efficiency is greatly variable among bacteria that have as high as over 99% identical genetic background, suggesting that bacterial speciation involves highly complex processes affected not only by whether beneficial exogenous DNA may exist in the environment but also the “readiness” of the bacteria to accept it.
Morphology and composition controlled synthesis of flower-like silver nanostructures
Authors: Zhou Ning , Li Dongsheng , Yang Deren 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Flower-like silver nanostructures with controlled morphology and composition were prepared through wet-chemical synthesis. The reaction rate is simply manipulated by the amount of catalyzing agent ammonia added which is the key point to determine the ratio of hexagonal close-packed (HCP) to face-centered cubic (FCC) phase in silver nanostructures. The existence of formic acid that is the oxidation product of aldehyde group is demonstrated to play a crucial role in achieving the metastable HCP crystal structures by replacing ionic surfactants with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Utilizing flower-like silver nanostructures as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates, Raman signal of Rhodamine 6G, or 4-aminothiophenol with concentration as low as 10−7 M was detected. Moreover, it is demonstrated that phase composition has no direct relation to the SERS enhancing factor which is mainly determined by the amount of hot spots.
Worst-case-based robust beamforming for wireless cooperative networks
Authors: Zhang Li , Chen Haihua , He Ming 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
It is known that distributed beamforming techniques can improve the performance of relay networks by using channel state information (CSI). In practical applications, there exist unavoidably estimation errors of the CSI, which results in outage of quality of service (QoS) or overconsumption of transmit power. In this paper, we propose two worst-case-based distributed beamforming techniques that are robust to the channel estimation errors. In the worst-case-based approaches, the worst case in a set that includes the actual case is optimized. Therefore, the performance of the actual case can be guaranteed. In our first approach, the maximal total relay transmit power in the set is minimized subject to the QoS constraint. This distributed beamforming problem can be approximately solved using second-order cone programming (SOCP). In our second method, the worst QoS in the set is maximized subject to the constraints of individual relay transmit powers. It is shown that the resultant problem can be approximately formulated as a quasi-convex problem and can be solved by using a bisection search method. Simulation results show that the proposed beamforming techniques are robust to the CSI errors and there is no outage of QoS or power in the proposed methods.
Peripheral Administration of Morphine Attenuates Postincisional Pain by Regulating Macrophage Polarization through COX-2-Dependent Pathway
Authors: Godai Kohei , Hasegawa-Moriyama Maiko , Kurimoto Tae , Saito Takayuki , Yamada Tomotsugu , Sato Takahiro , Kojima Masayasu , Kanmura Yuichi 
Published: June 2014

Background: Macrophage infiltration to inflammatory sites promotes wound repair and may be involved in pain hypersensitivity after surgical incision. We recently reported that the development of hyperalgesia during chronic inflammation is regulated by macrophage polarity, often referred to as proinflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2) macrophages. Although opioids such as morphine are known to alter the inflammatory milieu of incisional wounds through interactions with immunocytes, the macrophage-mediated effects of morphine on the development of postincisional pain have not been well investigated. In this study, we examined how morphine alters pain hypersensitivity through phenotypic shifts in local macrophages during the course of incision-induced inflammation. Results: Local administration of morphine in the early phase, but not in the late phase alleviated mechanical hyperalgesia, and this effect was reversed by clodronate-induced peripheral depletion of local macrophages. At the morphine-injected incisional sites, the number of pro-inflammatory F4/80+iNOS+M1 macrophages was decreased during the course of pain development whereas increased infiltration of wound healing F4/80+CD206+M2 macrophages was observed during the early phase. Morphine increased the gene expression of endogenous opioid, proenkephalin, and decreased the pronociceptive cytokine, interleukin-1β. Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 promotes the differentiation of macrophages to the M2 phenotype. An inhibitor of HO-1, tin protoporphyrin reversed morphine-induced analgesic effects and the changes in macrophage phenotype. However, local expression levels of HO-1 were not altered by morphine. Conversely, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, primarily produced from peripheral macrophages in acute inflammation states, was up-regulated in the early phase at morphine-injected sites. In addition, the analgesic effects and a phenotype switching of infiltrated macrophages by morphine was reversed by local administration of a COX inhibitor, indomethacin. Conclusions: Local administration of morphine alleviated the development of postincisional pain, possibly by altering macrophage polarity at the incisional sites. A morphine-induced shift in macrophage phenotype may be mediated by a COX-2-dependent mechanism. Therefore, μ-opioid receptor signaling in macrophages may be a potential therapeutic target during the early phase of postincisional pain development.
Validation of the self-reported hearing questions in the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing against the Whispered Voice Test
Authors: Kenny Gibson William , Cronin Hilary , Kenny Rose Anne , Setti Annalisa 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Background
Self report questions are often used in population studies to assess sensory efficacy and decline. These questions differ in their validity in assessing sensory impairment depending on the wording of the question and the characteristics of the population. We tested the validity of the self-report questions on hearing efficacy (self reported hearing, ability in following a conversation, use of a telephone and use of hearing aids) used in The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA).

Methods
We tested sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive values of each question against the Whispered Voice Test, a relatively easy to administer and cost effective alternative to the standard audiometric test.

Results
In this population the question ‘Is your hearing (with or without a hearing appliance)/ Excellent/Very Good/Good/Fair/Poor?’ showed the best diagnostic value in relation to the other questions (sensitivity 55.56% and specificity 94.67%). The question ‘Can you use a normal telephone?’ was deemed ineffective because of a very poor sensitivity (5.56%) and was proposed for exclusion from subsequent waves of TILDA.

Conclusions
We showed that this validity check was useful to select the questions that most effectively assess hearing deficits and provided crucial information for the subsequent waves. We argue that longitudinal studies using self-reports of sensory efficacy would benefit from a similar check.
Doppler ultrasound findings correlate with tissue vascularity and inflammation in surgical pathology specimens from patients with small intestinal Crohn’s disease
Authors: Sasaki Tomohiko , Kunisaki Reiko , Kinoshita Hiroto , Kimura Hideaki , Kodera Teruaki , Nozawa Akinori , Hanzawa Akiho , Shibata Naomi , Yonezawa Hiromi , Miyajima Eiji , Morita Satoshi , Fujii Shoichi , Numata Kazushi , Tanaka Katsuaki , Tanaka Masanori , Maeda Shin 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Background
Crohn’s disease (CD) is routinely evaluated using clinical symptoms, laboratory variables, and the CD activity index (CDAI). However, clinical parameters are often nonspecific and do not precisely reflect the actual activity of CD small-intestinal lesions. The purposes of this prospective study were to compare color Doppler ultrasound (US) findings with histological findings from surgically resected specimens and confirm the hypothesis that color Doppler US can distinguish tissue inflammation and fibrosis.

Methods
Among 1764 consecutive patients who underwent color Doppler US examinations, 10 patients with CD (12 small-intestinal CD lesions) who underwent US examinations before elective small-intestine resection were evaluated in the present study. Areas of thickened intestinal walls were evaluated in terms of blood flow using color Doppler US imaging. The blood flow was semiquantitatively classified as “hyper-flow” and “hypo-flow” according to the Limberg score. Resected lesions were macroscopically and histopathologically processed. Inflammatory cell infiltration, fibrosis and vascularity were evaluated by myeloperoxidase (granulocytes), CD163 (macrophages), CD79a (B cells), CD3 (T cells), Masson’s trichrome (fibrosis), and factor VIII staining (vascular walls). All histopathological images were entered into virtual slide equipment and quantified using a quantitative microscopy integrated system (TissueMorph™).

Results
There were no significant differences in disease features or laboratory findings between “hypo-flow” lesions (n = 4) and “hyper-flow” lesions (n = 8). Histopathologically, “hyper-flow” lesions showed significantly greater bowel wall vascularity (factor VIII) (p = 0.047) and inflammatory cell infiltration, including CD163 macrophages (p = 0.008), CD3 T cells, and CD79a B cells (p = 0.043), than did “hypo-flow” lesions. There was no apparent association between the blood flow and CDAI.

Conclusions
In this study, active CD lesions were macroscopically visible in surgical specimens of patients with increased blood flow on preoperative color Doppler US imaging. Additionally, these CD lesions exhibited significantly greater vascularity and numbers of inflammatory leukocytes microscopically. Color Doppler US may predict tissue inflammation and fibrosis in small-intenstinal CD lesions.
Recent advances on biobutanol production
Authors: Visioli Luiz J , Enzweiler Heveline , Kuhn Raquel C , Schwaab Marcio , Mazutti Marcio A 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Recent studies have shown that butanol is a potential gasoline replacement that can also be blended in significant quantities with conventional diesel fuel. However, biotechnological production of butanol has some challenges such as low butanol titer, high cost feedstocks and product inhibition. The present work reviewed the technical and economic feasibility of the main technologies available to produce biobutanol. The latest studies integrating continuous fermentation processes with efficient product recovery and the use of mathematical models as tools for process scale-up, optimization and control are presented.
Measuring quality of life of old type 2 diabetic patients in primary care in Portugal: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Prazeres Filipe , Figueiredo Daniela 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Background
With the increasing prevalence of diabetes in patients aged over 75, the task of ensuring a good quality of life became even greater. This study aimed to evaluate quality of life of the very elderly (≥75 years) type 2 diabetic primary care patient, in an urban family practice setting.

Methods
A cross sectional study was conducted. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed with the Portuguese version of EASY-Care. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed.

Results
Eighty three elderly type 2 diabetics were included in the study, with a mean age of 80.9 ± 4.3 years old. Most were women, widowed or married, with low educational levels, living with family members in urban areas and presented medium/low incomes. Participants were diagnosed with diabetes for 11.2 ± 10.1 years. Most of them were treated with oral antidiabetic agents, presented complications of diabetes and had good glycemic control. Despite that, excess weight, uncontrolled blood pressure and poor lipid management were noticed.
In general, the participants perceived a positive quality of life. The worst perceived domain was “mental health and well-being”. Within the sociodemographic variables, gender, monthly income, and living arrangements interfered the most with the quality of life domains. Studied clinical variables affected quality of life very modestly.

Conclusions
In an urban primary care setting, when treating very elderly type 2 diabetic patients, and despite good glycemic control, attention should be paid to the QoL of women, the low income diabetics, their living arrangements and thoroughly evaluate the mental health and well-being of these patients.
Measuring biomarkers of acute kidney injury during renal replacement therapy: wisdom or folly?
Authors: Ostermann Marlies , Forni Lui G 
Published: June 2014

AbstractEarly data are now appearing relating to the measurement of biomarkers of acute kidney injury during renal replacement therapy. These data go some way in describing the clearance of these molecules during renal support. Understanding the potential clearance, or otherwise, of these proteins may lead to directing our therapies in the future particularly with regard to cessation of renal support. We describe a recent study which has provided data that may aid in addressing this issue.
Genome-wide identification and functional analysis of Apobec-1-mediated C-to-U RNA editing in mouse small intestine and liver
Authors: Blanc Valerie , Park Eddie , Schaefer Sabine , Miller Melanie , Lin Yiing , Kennedy Susan , Billing Anja M , Hamidane Hisham Ben , Graumann Johannes , Mortazavi Ali , Nadeau Joseph H , Davidson Nicholas O 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Background
RNA editing encompasses a post-transcriptional process in which the genomically templated sequence is enzymatically altered and introduces a modified base into the edited transcript. Mammalian C-to-U RNA editing represents a distinct subtype of base modification, whose prototype is intestinal apolipoprotein B mRNA, mediated by the catalytic deaminase Apobec-1. However, the genome-wide identification, tissue-specificity and functional implications of Apobec-1-mediated C-to-U RNA editing remain incompletely explored.

Results
Deep sequencing, data filtering and Sanger-sequence validation of intestinal and hepatic RNA from wild-type and Apobec-1-deficient mice revealed 56 novel editing sites in 54 intestinal mRNAs and 22 novel sites in 17 liver mRNAs, all within 3′ untranslated regions. Eleven of 17 liver RNAs shared editing sites with intestinal RNAs, while 6 sites are unique to liver. Changes in RNA editing lead to corresponding changes in intestinal mRNA and protein levels for 11 genes. Analysis of RNA editing in vivo following tissue-specific Apobec-1 adenoviral or transgenic Apobec-1 overexpression reveals that a subset of targets identified in wild-type mice are restored in Apobec-1-deficient mouse intestine and liver following Apobec-1 rescue. We find distinctive polysome profiles for several RNA editing targets and demonstrate novel exonic editing sites in nuclear preparations from intestine but not hepatic apolipoprotein B RNA. RNA editing is validated using cell-free extracts from wild-type but not Apobec-1-deficient mice, demonstrating that Apobec-1 is required.

Conclusions
These studies define selective, tissue-specific targets of Apobec-1-dependent RNA editing and show the functional consequences of editing are both transcript- and tissue-specific.