bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The central role of trunk control in the gross motor function of children with cerebral palsy: a retrospective cross‐sectional study
Authors: Curtis Derek John , Butler Penny , Saavedra Sandy , Bencke Jesper , Kallemose Thomas , Sonne‐Holm Stig , Woollacott Marjorie 
Published: November 2014

AimImprovement of gross motor function and mobility are primary goals of physical therapy in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between segmental control of the trunk and the corresponding gross motor function in children with CP.MethodThis retrospective cross‐sectional study was based on 92 consecutive referrals of children with CP in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to V, 39 females, 53 males (median age 4y [range 1–14y]), and 77, 12, and 3 with spastic, dyskinetic, and ataxic CP respectively. The participants were tested using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), and the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo).ResultsLinear regression analysis showed a positive relationship between the segmental level of trunk control and age, with both gross motor function and mobility. Segmental trunk control measured using the SATCo could explain between 38% and 40% of variation in GMFM and between 32% and 37% of variation in PEDI.InterpretationThis study suggests a strong association between segmental trunk postural control and gross motor function and mobility with significant clinical implications for the treatment of children with CP.
Which commercial partners are important for the most recently admitted EU countries?
Authors: Tello Alicia Gómez‐ 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis paper describes the degree of trade integration inside the European Union (EU) after the fifth enlargement in 2004. To achieve this goal, we build a database of information on trade flows between the new EU countries (EU‐10) and 180 commercial partners in six different sectors from 1999 to 2011. Using the standard gravity model and estimating a difference‐in‐differences specification, we analyze how joining the EU affected the intensity and direction of the EU‐10's trade flows. Our results show that though trade exchanges between the EU‐10 and EU‐15 intensified after 2004, the impact of integration was much more significant to the EU‐10 group.
The primer fITS9 prevents chimera formation during fungal DNA amplification in a bark beetle DNA background
Authors: Strid Y. , Ihrmark K. , Stenlid J. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryInsects are frequently associated with fungi in natural habitats. Molecular detection of fungal species using the primer pair ITS1F and ITS4 to amplify the ribosomal ITS region has become standard for studies of fungal ecology. When addressing insect and fungal DNA together, sequencing of the ITS region often results in chimeras due to ITS4 binding to both insect and fungal DNA. Using the newly developed primer fITS9, placed in the 5.8S region in the middle of the ITS region, we show that chimeras (insect–fungal, fungal–fungal, fungal–plants or fungal–mammals) can be avoided and a shorter and less variable DNA sequence product can be obtained. This method allows a more targeted amplification of fungal DNA from mixed samples and decreases the necessity for a nested PCR approach.
Dietary influences on production, stoichiometry and decomposition of particulate wastes from shredders
Authors: Halvorson Halvor M. , Fuller Chris , Entrekin Sally A. , Evans‐White Michelle A. 
Published: November 2014

Summary

Aquatic shredders produce large quantities of fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) as fragments and egesta, but the significance of shredder FPOM as a pathway of consumer‐mediated nutrient transformation remains understudied.

We fed the stream shredders Pycnopsyche lepida, Lepidostoma sp. and Tipula abdominalis oak or maple litter conditioned under contrasting phosphorus concentrations to produce gradients in dietary carbon:phosphorus (C:P) and carbon:nitrogen (C:N) content (range = 850–4480 and 30–49 by moles, respectively). We measured total production and stoichiometry of FPOM to estimate particulate N and P release rates, compared resultant rates to those of P excretion and measured microbial decomposition of FPOM.

FPOM production was lowest for Lepidostoma and higher for Tipula and Pycnopsyche; FPOM production by Tipula increased on higher‐nutrient diets. The C:P, C:N and N:P of FPOM from Pycnopsyche and Tipula often diverged from diet stoichiometry depending on litter type, and rates of particulate N and P release by shredders were greater with increasing nutrient content of the diet.

Shredders fed high‐nutrient diets produced FPOM with greater microbial decomposition rates, although these trends differed between litter types.

Bottom‐up changes in litter type and nutrient content may modify production, stoichiometry and decomposition of FPOM from shredders, and shredder‐mediated nutrient transformations may differ across shredder species.
Diet‐switching by omnivorous freshwater shrimp diminishes differences in nutrient recycling rates and body stoichiometry across a food quality gradient
Authors: Snyder Marcia N. , Small Gaston E. , Pringle Catherine M. 
Published: November 2014

Summary

In tropical streams, omnivorous shrimp may be important nutrient recyclers, because they have a lower body P demand than fish. However, little is known about the controls on nutrient recycling by freshwater shrimp.

Across a series of lowland tropical streams that range in dissolved P, we describe: (i) shrimp body stoichiometry in relation to stream P level; (ii) rates of P excretion by shrimp; (iii) shrimp trophic level using natural stable isotope values (δ15N); and (iv) the importance of shrimp as nutrient recyclers.

Shrimp body elemental composition varied across the study streams, with higher shrimp %C and %N in low‐P streams. P content of shrimp did not change despite large differences in P content of their likely food resources. Also, shrimp P recycling rates did not increase in high‐P streams with P‐enriched food resources.

Stable isotope results combined with change in body nutrient content (%N and %C) suggest that shrimp show different diet choices over the P gradient, feeding at a higher trophic level in low‐P streams. This dietary shift may partially compensate for the lower P content in a given food resource in the low‐P streams. However, P recycling rates were more variable than predicted based on diet choice and stream P level, suggesting that other physiological or behavioural mechanisms are involved.

In comparison to fish species in these same study sites, shrimp species recycle P at lower rates per unit body mass than the majority of fish species, despite their lower body P content. Diet switching may be an important strategy for omnivorous shrimp in correcting the stoichiometric imbalance between food resource and consumer biomass.
A critical analysis of regulated river ecosystem responses to managed environmental flows from reservoirs
Authors: Gillespie Ben R. , Desmet Simon , Kay Paul , Tillotson Martin R. , Brown Lee E. 
Published: November 2014

Summary

The flow regime of a river is fundamental in determining its ecological characteristics. Impoundment of rivers has been documented to severely impact the natural flow regime, resulting in abiotic and biotic changes in downstream ecosystems. Contemporary water legislation is driving increasing concern among environmentalists and water resource managers with respect to how these impacts can be mitigated. This has stimulated research aimed at assessing the relationship between reservoir outflow modification (i.e. managed environmental flows) and downstream ecosystem responses.

We carried out a critical review and synthesis of the global literature concerning post‐impoundment reservoir outflow modification and associated downstream biotic and abiotic responses. Seventy‐six studies published between 1981 and 2012 were analysed. In contrast to previous studies of this subject, we systematically assessed the methodological quality of research to identify strengths and weaknesses of the approaches. We also undertook a novel quantification of ecosystem responses to flow modification, thus enabling identification of priorities for future research.

We identified that: (i) there was a research bias towards North American and Western European studies; (ii) the majority of studies reported changes in flow magnitude (e.g. artificial floods) and primarily focused on traditionally monitored ecological groups (e.g. fish); (iii) relationships between flow, biota (e.g. macroinvertebrates) and water quality (e.g. electrical conductivity and suspended solids concentration) were evident, demonstrating the potential for managed environmental flows to manipulate river ecosystems; (iv) site‐specific factors (e.g. location, climate) are likely to be important as some ecosystem responses were inconsistent between studies (e.g. fish movement in response to increases in flow magnitude); and (v) quality of study design, methodological and analytical techniques varied, and these factors may have contributed to the reported variability of ecosystem response.

To advance scientific understanding and guide future management of regulated flow regimes, we highlight a pressing need for: (i) diversification of study locations as well as flow modification and ecosystem response types assessed; (ii) a focus on understanding flow–ecosystem response relationships at regional scales; (iii) further quantitative studies to enable robust statistical analyses in future meta‐analyses; and (iv) robust monitoring of flow experiments and the use of contemporary statistical techniques to extract maximum knowledge from ecological response data.
Late Permian marine ecosystem collapse began in deeper waters: evidence from brachiopod diversity and body size changes
Authors: He W.‐H. , Shi G. R. , Twitchett R. J. , Zhang Y. , Zhang K.‐X. , Song H.‐J. , Yue M.‐L. , Wu S.‐B. , Wu H.‐T. , Yang T.‐L. , Xiao Y.‐F. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAnalysis of Permian–Triassic brachiopod diversity and body size changes from different water depths spanning the continental shelf to basinal facies in South China provides insights into the process of environmental deterioration. Comparison of the temporal changes of brachiopod diversity between deepwater and shallow‐water facies demonstrates that deepwater brachiopods disappeared earlier than shallow‐water brachiopods. This indicates that high environmental stress commenced first in deepwater settings and later extended to shallow waters. This environmental stress is attributed to major volcanic eruptions, which first led to formation of a stratified ocean and a chemocline in the outer shelf and deeper water environments, causing the disappearance of deep marine benthos including brachiopods. The chemocline then rapidly migrated upward and extended to shallow waters, causing widespread mass extinction of shallow marine benthos. We predict that the spatial and temporal patterns of earlier onset of disappearance/extinction and ecological crisis in deeper water ecosystems will be recorded during other episodes of rapid global warming.
Differences in coagulation in clotting of vascular access in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Nweke Chinedu , Martin Erika , Gehr Todd , Brophy Donald , Carl Daniel 
Published: November 2014

AbstractArteriovenous graft (AVG) thrombosis is a frequent cause of graft failure. We evaluated coagulation protein concentrations, platelet function, and viscoelasticity factors in 20 hemodialysis (HD) patients with AVGs. The goal was to determine whether significant differences in protein concentrations, platelet function, and viscoelasticity factors exist among dialysis patients requiring frequent AVG declot procedures vs. those who do not. Twenty HD patients were enrolled: 10 frequent clotters (>3 declots in the previous year) and 10 were nonclotters. Patients on antiplatelets or chronic anticoagulation were excluded. Laboratories were drawn pretreatment and heparinase was added to counteract any potential heparin effect. Coagulation protein concentrations including tissue factor (TF), thrombin/antithrombin III complex (TAT), and prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1+2) were assayed. The time to clot onset was measured by force onset time (FOT). Platelet contractile force (PCF) measured the force produced by platelets during clot retraction, whereas clot rigidity was measured as clot elastic modulus (CEM). FOT, CEM, and PCF were measured by Hemodyne. Both groups had upregulation of the TF pathway, as TF, TAT, and F1+2 levels were similarly increased over baseline levels. Hemodialysis patients with frequent AVG clotting had higher levels of both PCF and CEM compared with nonclotters. Additionally, the frequent clotters had a lower FOT relative to nonclotters, although both were considered in the normal range. Our study suggests that HD patients with recurrent AVG thrombotic events form clots with higher tensile strength compared with HD patients without recurrent graft thrombosis.
Improving the cytological diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma from vitreous fluid
Authors: Ranty Marie‐Laure , Laurent Camille , Aziza Jacqueline , Mahieu Laurence , Olle Priscille , Quintyn Jean‐Claude , Garnier Lorna , Bienvenu Jacques , Collin Laetitia , Delisle Marie‐Bernadette , Courtade‐Saidi Monique 
Published: November 2014

AimsTo improve the cytological diagnosis of retinal lymphoma on vitreous fluid using improved cell collection and systematic analyses.Methods and resultsSince October 2010, we have developed and optimized in our department a method with which to perform the diagnosis of retinal lymphoma. The vitreous sample was collected in a tube containing RPMI‐1640 medium, decomplemented fetal bovine serum, and gentamicin. The transport and technical steps were performed at 4°C. Systematically, cytological examination with May–Grünwald–Giemsa staining and immunocytochemistry (mainly anti‐CD3, anti‐CD20 and anti‐CD68 antibodies) were performed on cytospins. Whenever possible, determination of B‐cell clonality, flow cytometry and determination of the interleukin (IL)‐10/IL‐6 ratio were performed. From October 2010 to June 2013, with this optimized protocol, 38 vitreous cytological samples from 32 patients were analysed, and a final diagnosis was possible, avoiding a biopsy, in all cases except one.ConclusionThe preservation of vitreous fluid cells on culture medium led to the diagnosis of retinal lymphoma in 10 of 12 cases, and exclusion of this diagnosis in 26 cases. This protocol may be applied even when the delay in shipping from the surgery to the pathology departments exceeds 1 h.
A note on the asymmetric part of an outranking relation
Authors: Bouyssou Denis , Pirlot Marc 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis paper discusses the properties of the asymmetric part of an outranking relation built as in ELECTRE. Such relations have been used in the pseudodisjunctive version of ELECTRE TRI‐B. We show that they have properties that are somewhat different from that of outranking relations. Indeed, contrary to outranking relations, they allow to have at the same time veto and bonus effects. We suggest that this explains the difficulty in analyzing the properties of the pseudodisjunctive version of ELECTRE TRI‐B and the complexity of the elicitation methods of its parameters. We present conditions that characterize such relations.
Reinforcing Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications
Authors: Petry Nancy M. , Alessi Sheila M. , Byrne Shannon , White William B. 
Published: November 2014

This pilot study evaluated a reinforcement intervention to improve adherence to antihypertensive therapy. Twenty‐nine participants were randomized to standard care or standard care plus financial reinforcement for 12 weeks. Participants in the reinforcement group received a cell phone to self‐record videos of adherence, for which they earned rewards. These participants sent videos demonstrating on‐time adherence 97.8% of the time. Pill count adherence differed significantly between the groups during treatment, with 98.8%±1.5% of pills taken during treatment in the reinforcement condition vs 92.6%±9.2% in standard care (P<.002). Benefits persisted throughout a 3‐month follow‐up, with 93.8%±9.3% vs 78.0%±18.5% of pills taken (P<.001). Pill counts correlated significantly (P<.001) with self‐reports of adherence, which also differed between groups over time (P<.01). Systolic blood pressure decreased modestly over time in participants overall (P<.01) but without significant time‐by‐group effects. These results suggest that reinforcing medication adherence via cellular phone technology and financial reinforcement holds potential to improve adherence.
Risk of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with psoriasis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Candia R. , Ruiz A. , Torres‐Robles R. , Chávez‐Tapia N. , Méndez‐Sánchez N. , Arrese M. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundPsoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the hepatic manifestation of MetS, is now the commonest liver disease worldwide and can evolve into cirrhosis in a subgroup of patients. Psoriasis has been reported to be associated to NAFLD.AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the strength of the association between psoriasis and NAFLD.MethodsA systematic review of the literature was conducted in six databases (Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, LILACS, Cochrane Library and EMBASE). Data from studies assessing frequency of NAFLD in psoriatic and non‐psoriatic patients were extracted and meta‐analysed using the Mantel–Haenszel method. Subgroups analysis of patients with psoriatic arthritis and moderate to severe psoriasis was also performed.ResultsSeven case–control studies were included, all of them of low or moderate quality. Psoriatic patients exhibited an increased risk of NAFLD compared to non‐psoriatic controls (six studies; n = 267 761 patients; odds ratio (OR): 2.15, 95% CI: 1.57–2.94). The association remained significant (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.62–2.64) when only high/moderate quality studies were analysed (three studies; n = 3345 patients). The risk of NAFLD was significantly greater in patients with psoriatic arthritis (three studies; n = 505 patients; OR: 2.25, 95% IC: 1.37–3.71) and in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis compared to those with mild psoriasis (two studies; 51 930 patients, OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.59–2.71).LimitationsData quality and heterogeneity may restrict the interpretation of the pooled risk estimates.ConclusionCase–control studies support an association between psoriasis and NAFLD. Screening of NAFLD in this group of patients may be warranted.
Laser therapy for the treatment of Hailey–Hailey disease: a systematic review with focus on carbon dioxide laser resurfacing
Authors: Falto‐Aizpurua L.A. , Griffith R.D. , Yazdani Abyaneh M.A. , Nouri K. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBenign familial chronic pemphigus, or Hailey–Hailey disease (HHD), is a recurrent bullous dermatitis that tends to have a chronic course with frequent relapses. Long‐term treatment options include surgery with skin grafting or dermabrasion. Both are highly invasive and carry significant risks and complications. More recently, ‘laser‐abrasion’ has been described as a less invasive option with a better side‐effect profile. In this article, we systematically review the safety and efficacy of carbon dioxide laser therapy as a long‐term treatment option for HHD, as well as provide a review of other lasers that have been reported with this goal. A total of 23 patients who had been treated with a carbon dioxide laser were identified. After treatment, 10 patients (43%) had had no recurrence, 10 (43%) had greater than 50% improvement, 2 (8%) had less than 50% improvement and 1 (4%) patient had no improvement at all (follow‐up period ranged from 4 to 144 months). Laser parameter variability was wide and adverse effects were minimal, including dyspigmentation and scarring. Reviewed evidence indicates this therapy offers a safe, effective treatment alternative for HHD with minimal risk of side‐effects. Larger, well‐designed studies are necessary to determine the optimal treatment parameters.
Coronary changes in the Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L: characterization and impact of dietary fatty acid compositions
Authors: Dalum A , Tangen R , Falk K , Hordvik I , Rosenlund G , Torstensen B , Koppang E O 
Published: November 2014

AbstractConsumption of fatty acids from fishes is widely regarded as beneficial for preventing cardiovascular disorders. Nevertheless, salmonids themselves are victims of vascular diseases. As the pathogenesis and nature of these changes are elusive, they are here addressed using novel morphological and transcriptional approaches. Coronary arteries of wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L., (n = 12) were investigated using histological and immunohistochemical techniques, and RT‐qPCR was employed to investigate expression of stretch‐induced genes. In an experimental trial, fish were fed diets with different fatty acids composition, and histological features of the coronary arteries (n = 36) were investigated. In addition, the heart fatty acid profile (n = 60) was analysed. There were no differences in morphological or immunological features between wild fish and groups of experimental fish. Arteriosclerotic lesions consisted of smooth muscle cells in dissimilar differential stages embedded in considerable amounts of extracellular matrix in a similar fashion to what is seen in early stages of human atherosclerosis. No fat accumulations were observed, and very few inflammatory cells were present. In affected arteries, there was an induction of stretch‐related genes, pointing to a stress‐related response. We suggest that salmon may have a natural resistance to developing atherosclerosis, which corresponds well with their high investment in lipid metabolism.
Alisporivir with peginterferon/ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 infection who failed to respond to or relapsed after prior interferon‐based therapy: FUNDAMENTAL, a Phase II trial
Authors: Buti M. , Flisiak R. , Kao J.‐H. , Chuang W.‐L. , Streinu‐Cercel A. , Tabak F. , Calistru P. , Goeser T. , Rasenack J. , Horban A. , Davis G. L. , Alberti A. , Mazzella G. , Pol S. , Orsenigo R. , Brass C. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryAlisporivir (ALV) is an oral, investigational host‐targeting agent, with pangenotypic activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV). This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, Phase II study explored the efficacy and safety of ALV with peginterferon‐α2a/ribavirin (PR) in patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection in whom prior PR had failed (43% relapsers, 34% null responders and 23% partial responders). Four‐hundred‐and‐fifty‐nine patients were randomized (1:1:1:1) to ALV 600 mg once daily (QD), ALV 800 mg QD, ALV 400 twice daily (BID) or placebo plus PR for 48 weeks. When the global ALV trial programme was put on clinical hold, all patients in this study had received ≥31 weeks of randomized treatment; patients completed 48 weeks on PR alone. All ALV groups demonstrated superior rates of complete early virologic response (cEVR; primary endpoint) vs PR alone (P ≤ 0.0131), with highest cEVR rate seen with ALV 400 mg BID (74% vs 36% with PR alone; P < 0.0001). Respective SVR12 rates (key secondary endpoint) were 65% vs 26% in prior relapsers, 63% vs 5% in partial responders and 68% vs 3% in null responders. In patients who received >40 weeks of randomized treatment, the SVR12 rate was 89% for ALV 400 mg BID vs 30% for PR alone (P = 0.0053). Rates of viral breakthrough and relapse were lowest with ALV 400 mg BID. One case of pancreatitis (fully recovered) occurred with ALV/PR. Common AEs were headache, fatigue, anaemia, neutropenia and nausea. Hypertension was infrequent, but more common with ALV. ALV merits further investigation in interferon‐free regimens in combination with direct‐acting antiviral agents.