bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cerebrovascular responses to submaximal exercise in women with COPD
Authors: Hartmann Sara E , Leigh Richard , Poulin Marc J 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Background
COPD patients have decreased physical fitness, and have an increased risk of vascular disease. In the general population, fitness is positively associated with resting cerebral blood flow velocity, however, little is known about the cerebrovascular response during exercise particularly in COPD patients. We hypothesized that COPD patients would have lower cerebral blood flow during exercise secondary to decreased physical fitness and underlying vascular disease.

Methods
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was conducted in 11 women with GOLD stage I-II COPD, and 11 healthy controls to assess fitness. Cerebro- and cardio-vascular responses were compared between groups during two steady-state exercise tests (50% peak O2 consumption and 30 W). The main outcome variable was peak middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (

V
¯

P

) during exercise using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography.

Results
Physical fitness was decreased in COPD patients.

V
¯

P

was comparable between COPD and controls (25 ± 22% versus 15 ± 13%, respectively; P > 0.05) when exercising at the same relative intensity, despite patients having higher blood pressure and greater arterial desaturation. However,

V
¯

P

was elevated in COPD (31 ± 26% versus 13 ± 10%; P ≤ 0.05) when exercising at the same workload as controls.

Conclusions
Our results are contradictory to our a-priori hypothesis, suggesting that during matched intensity exercise, cerebral blood flow velocity is similar between COPD and controls. However, exercise at a modestly greater workload imposes a large physical demand to COPD patients, resulting in increased CBF compared to controls. Normal activities of daily living may therefore impose a large cerebrovascular demand in COPD patients, consequently reducing their cerebrovascular reserve capacity.
A prospective study of midfoot osteotomy combined with adjacent joint sparing internal fixation in treatment of rigid pes cavus deformity
Authors: Zhou You , Zhou Binghua , Liu Junpeng , Tan Xiaokang , Tao Xu , Chen Wan , Tang Kanglai 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Background
Midfoot osteotomy has been previously confirmed to be a good method to correct pes cavus. How to fix the osteotomy and which point to choose for the procedure has been a focus for most surgeons. The aim of this study was to analyse the outcomes of a series of patients who had been treated for pes cavus deformity using midfoot osteotomy combined with adjacent joint sparing internal fixation.

Materials and methods
Between 2008 and 2012, 17 patients with a mean age of 16.8 years (12–36 years) were tracked after treatment by midfoot osteotomy combined with adjacent joint sparing internal fixation with three cannulated screws between the Lisfranc line and Cyma line. Clinical outcomes were assessed by measuring improvements of appearance and function, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, and radiographic changes.

Results
The mean follow-up time was 25.3 months (range, 10–50). The mean healing time from the osteotomy was 7.8 weeks (range, 6–12). The appearance and weight-bearing function were significantly improved in all patients. At a final follow-up, the mean AOFAS score was 75.8/100 points (range, 63–90). The mean Meary's angle, calcaneal pitch angle, tibiotalar angle, and Hibb's angle values improved from 26.3 to 5.5, 44.5 to 28.3, 133.1 to 100.8 and 66.9 to 41.1, respectively. Adjacent joints presented no obviously arthritic degeneration at the follow-up. Subjectively, 94.1% of patients were very satisfied or satisfied with minor reservations. Objective outcomes were excellent or good in 88.2% of feet.

Conclusion
For the treatment of rigid pes cavus deformity, extra-articular midfoot osteotomy combined with adjacent joint sparing internal fixation is effective and safe. This surgical technique is especially effective with low rates of arthritic degeneration and joint stiffness in the adjacent joints and little reduction of ankle and foot flexibility.
Evaluation of antitumor activity of a TGF-beta receptor I inhibitor (SD-208) on human colon adenocarcinoma
Authors: Akbari Abolfazl , Amanpour Saeid , Muhammadnejad Samad , Ghahremani Mohammad Hossein , Ghaffari Seyed Hamidollah , Dehpour Ahmad Reza , Mobini Gholam Reza , Shidfar Fatemeh , Abastabar Mahdi , Khoshzaban Ahad , Faghihloo Ebrahim , Karimi Abbas , Heidari Mansour 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Background
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathway is involved in primary tumor progression and in promoting metastasis in a considerable proportion of human cancers such as colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, blockage of TGF-β pathway signaling via an inhibitor could be a valuable tool in CRC treatment.

Methods
To evaluate the efficacy of systemic targeting of the TGF-β pathway for therapeutic effects on CRC, we investigated the effects of a TGβRI (TGF-β receptor 1) or TβRI kinase inhibitor, SD-208, on SW-48, colon adenocarcinoma cells. In this work, in vitro cell proliferation was studied by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assays. Also, the histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations were conducted by hematoxylin and eosin, and Ki-67 and CD34 markers were stained, respectively.

Results
Our results showed no significant reduction in cell proliferation and vessel formation (170 ± 70 and 165 ± 70, P > 0.05) in treated SW-48 cells with SD-208 compared to controls.

Conclusion
Our data suggested that SD-208 could not significantly reduce tumor growth and angiogenesis in human colorectal cancer model at least using SW-48 cells.
Concomitant use of tamoxifen and endoxifen in postmenopausal early breast cancer: prediction of plasma levels by physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling
Authors: Dickschen Kristin , Eissing Thomas , Mürdter Thomas , Schwab Matthias , Willmann Stefan , Hempel Georg 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Purpose
To overcome cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) mediated tamoxifen resistance in postmenopausal early breast cancer, CYP2D6 phenotype-adjusted tamoxifen dosing in patients with impaired CYP2D6 metabolism and/or the application of endoxifen, the most potent tamoxifen metabolite, are alternative treatment options. To elucidate both strategies comprehensively we used a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling approach.

Methods
Firstly simulation of increasing tamoxifen dosages was performed by a virtual clinical trial including populations of CYP2D6 poor (PM), intermediate (IM) and extensive metabolizers (EM) (N = 8,000). Secondly we performed PBPK-simulations under consideration of tamoxifen use plus concomitant increasing dosages of endoxifen (N = 7,000).

Results
Our virtual study demonstrates that dose escalation of tamoxifen in IMs resulted in endoxifen steady-state plasma concentrations similar to CYP2D6 EMs whereas PMs did not reach EM endoxifen levels. Steady-state plasma concentrations of tamoxifen, N-desmethyl-tamoxifen, 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen and endoxifen were similar in CYP2D6 IMs and PMs versus EMs using once daily dosing of 20 mg tamoxifen and concomitant CYP2D6 phenotype-adjusted endoxifen dosing in IMs and PMs (1 mg/d and 3 mg/d, respectively).

Conclusion
In conclusion, we suggest that co-administration of endoxifen in tamoxifen treated early breast cancer women with impaired CYP2D6 metabolism is a promising alternative to reach plasma concentrations comparable to CYP2D6 EM patients.
Reconciling findings on the employment effect of disability insurance
Authors: Bound John , Lindner Stephan , Waidmann Timothy 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Over the last 25 years, the Social Security Disability Insurance Program (DI) has grown dramatically. During the same period, employment rates for men with work limitations showed substantial declines in both absolute and relative terms. While the timing of these trends suggests that the expansion of DI was a major contributor to employment decline among this group, raising questions about the targeting of disability benefits, studies using denied applicants suggest a more modest role of the DI expansion. To reconcile these findings, we decompose total employment changes into population and employment changes for three categories: DI beneficiaries, denied applicants, and non-applicants. Our results show that during the early 1990s, the growth in DI can fully explain the employment decline for men only under an extreme assumption about the employment potential of beneficiaries. For the period after the mid-1990s, we find little role for the DI program in explaining the continuing employment decline for men with work limitations.

JEL codes

I3, J2
Fluorescence Quenching of Hen Egg Lysozyme and Bovine Serum Albumin by Azobenzene Polymer at Different pH
Authors: Han Guoxiang , Feng Ning , Wang Guojie 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The interactions of hen egg lysozyme (HEL) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) with an azobenzene polymer (P(AZO-co-AA)) were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. The azobenzene chromophore could strongly quench the intrinsic fluorescence of the proteins through the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and the quenching effect was dependent on the pH values since the polymer also contained pH-sensitive carboxylic groups. The fluorescence quenching by azobenzene shows great potential applications in protein sensing.
Circadian Rhythm Features of Sympathatic and Parasympathatic Interaction According to Data of Spectral Components of Heart Rate in Pregnant Women and Puerperas in Perinatal Period
Authors: Гиршева  , Girsheva E. , Ерохин  , Erokhin Aleksander 
Published: June 2014

By means of daily ECG monitoring on the device “Kardiоtechnika-06” (Inkart Ltd, St. Petersburg, Russia) the authors studied the character of sympathetic and parasympathetic interaction as correlation of the percentage inputs of high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), and very low frequency (VLF) spectrum components of the heart rate variability in 73 pregnant women aged of 27.7+6.1 years in perinatal period (before and after the delivery). The control group consisted of 30 healthy non-pregnant women aged 32.8+7.6 years on average. It was revealed that the daily dynamics of sympathetic and parasympathetic interaction in pregnant and the puerperas in perinatal period was similar to the control group of women provided that the delivery was without complications. The dynamics was characterized by the increase of parasympathetic effects at the night time and the increase of sympathetic ones at the day time. The time period between 6.00 a.m. and 9.00 a.m. is especially important for the functional condition of the vegetative nervous system in the perinatal period of both pregnant women and puerperas as far as sharp changes in the sympathetic and parasympathetic interaction were noted. Throughout 24 hours period in the perinatal period, the sympathetic and parasympathetic interaction is characterized by considerable changes in the puerperas in comparison with the pregnant women. The revealed feature of daily dynamics of heart rate variability in the pregnant women and the puerperas provide the physiological conditions to optimize the cycle of sleeping and wakeful states in the women in perinatal period.
Optimization of Regimes of Laser Cut Biological Tissues in Surgery
Authors: Брехов  , Brekhov E. , Плешанов  , Pleshanov P. 
Published: June 2014

Lasers are generating systems that implement the extreme concentration of the emitted energy in the spectrum, space and time. Heating of biological tissues by electromagnetic radiation, including powerful infrared laser radiation, can cause of their destruction: evaporation, sublimation and dissection. Blood circulation causes efficient cooling, and mechanical pressure tissueinduces intensive penetration of the laser radiation with lower loss of coherence.
The special series of surgical instruments has been developed, patented and used in practical activities for 4 decades. Theinstruments allowed to reaching a mechanical compression of tissue, positioning and moving the laser beam, locally block the blood circulation, the optimal regimes of laser surgical exposure of tissues were estimated by using the real thermo-physical characteristics for different tissues.
Double-Tap in a Beam of Second Order Surfaces
Authors: Короткий  , Korotkiy Viktor 
Published: June 2014

A beam of second order surfaces which are in a real
or imaginary double-tap is considered. The analysis of all possible
events related to bi-quadratic curve disintegration in two plane
curves of second order has been performed. The synthetic proof of
generalized Dandelin theorem has been presented.
Status and Trends of Geometrical-Graphic Training as a Component of Engineering Education in Bulgaria
Authors: Попов  , Popov M. , Лепаров  , Leparov M. 
Published: June 2014

Four issues are analyzed in this work: a) Status of
geometrical and graphic training at technical universities in Bulgaria
in general; b) The same one at the Technical University of Sofia in
particular; c) This training’s development prospects; d) Accompanying
problems. An analysis is conducted both on a base on curricula and
annotations of programs related to all civil technical universities in
Bulgaria and accessible information related to military technical
universities in this country, and on authors’ personal observations
and impressions.
On Some Problems of Graphics Training at Technical High Educational Institutions (view from St. Petersburg)
Authors: Тихонов-Бугров  , Tikhonov-Bugrov Dmitriy 
Published: June 2014

A review of problems related to geometry and graphics
training at school and high educational institution has been
presented within the meaning of discussions on meeting of «Descriptive
Geometry, Graphics, CADD» section of Saint Petersburg House
of Scientists. It has been shown that in connection with minimization
in the school program of graphics and due to focused training
on geometry, the competence level of freshmen does not meet high
educational institutions’ requirements. It is firmly established that
descriptive geometry is the only subject to facilitate these gaps
liquidation during the first year of educating. Different variants of
educating programs are considered and analyzed.
Scientist, Inventor, Head of Chair
Authors: Цуранов  , Tsuranov N. , Вышнепольский  , Vyshnyepolskiy Vladimir , Волошин  , Voloshin A. 
Published: June 2014

Scientific, scientific-pedagogical, and organizational-
pedagogical activity of head of «Engineering Graphics» chair of
Lomonosov Moscow State University of Fine Chemical Technologies
professor E.K. Voloshin-Chelpan is considered. This paper also
treats of his father — the creator of the first in the world tank diesel
V-2. Life and work of his farther have had a decisive influence
on the fate of Eduard Konstantinovich.
Training, supervision and therapists' adherence to manual-based therapy
Authors: Cox Diane , Burgess Mary , Chalder Trudie , Sharpe Michael , White Peter , Clark Lucy 
Published: June 2014

Objectives To describe the development, delivery and quality control of three manual-based therapies as given in an inter-professional multi-centre randomized controlled trial of therapies for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Methods Experienced therapy leaders were recruited. These therapy leaders then developed the treatments and therapy manuals, piloted them, and planned training and supervision. Appropriately-qualified therapists were recruited to deliver each therapy and trained in the specific therapy philosophy, model and delivery. Training and supervision was face-to-face and by telephone, and included reviewing audio recordings of therapy sessions. Results At the end of the trial, the therapists delivering all three trial therapies were similarly highly rated as adhering well to their manuals and scored similarly and highly on therapeutic alliance with patients and therapy differentiation. Conclusions High-quality delivery of therapy can be achieved if there is an experienced therapy lead, if therapy manuals have been piloted, and if therapists are well trained and supervised, including the review of recorded treatment sessions. Routine clinical practice could benefit from the implementation of these procedures.
Independent living centre occupational therapy (OT) versus routine community OT
Authors: Borrows Anne , Holland Richard 
Published: June 2014

Aim To determine whether the occupational therapy service from an independent living centre (ILC) was more or less effective than the routine community occupational therapy service. Methods This study is a pragmatic, pilot RCT, following a parallel group design where we randomized the participants to receive either occupational therapy (OT) services from the ILC (intervention) or routine community OT services (control). An automated randomization system allocated participants into one of the two groups. Intervention group participants usually received the intervention during a one-off visit to the centre of approximately 1.5 hours. Community OT assessments varied in length between 0.5 to 2 hours. The same researcher performed outcome assessments at 3 and 12 months after randomization, with one follow-up telephone contact and a further letter, if required. The primary outcome used to assess dependency was the Community Dependence Index (CDI). Secondary outcomes included a measure of quality of life, the EQ-5D. Results On average, the CDI increased (improved) at 3 months, for both the intervention group and control group, by two to three units on the CDI measure. This implies a small change in dependence were it to have been a real effect. Conclusion Our results found no difference between the two forms of care, but should be treated with caution due to the small sample size.
Factors affecting quality of life for people who have experienced a stroke
Authors: Moeller Dorte , Carpenter Christine 
Published: June 2014

Background Quality of life (QoL) after stroke has primarily been the focus of quantitative research; however, the validity and adequacy of QoL measures have been questioned and qualitative research approaches have been advocated. Aim This review aims to gain a subjective understanding of the construct of QoL from the perspectives of people who have experienced a stroke. Method We conducted a metasynthesis, based on primary qualitative research of differing methodologies. Thematic analysis was used to synthesize the findings of the eight studies reviewed. Findings Nine themes, each representing factors affecting QoL after stroke, were identified: physical and cognitive changes; communication; sense of self and identity; activities and participation; dependency and support in relationships; uncertainty and level of control; adaptation and attitude; the personal and social interpretation; new values and perspectives. Conclusion The impact of stroke on QoL is largely determined by how the stroke influences social roles and aspects of self perceived as important to an individual's sense of identity. The findings emphasise QoL as an evaluative concept and contribute to the growing critique of attempts to measure QoL. Further research, using mixed methods research, is required to develop a comprehensive understanding of QoL after stroke.
Paramedic perceptions and attitudes to working with patients with alcohol-related injury or illness
Authors: Glencorse Mark , Wilson Graeme , Birch Dorothy Newbury 
Published: June 2014

Aims To ascertain views, perceptions and attitudes of paramedics when working with patients presenting with alcohol-related injury or illness, and to explore perceived barriers and facilitators for the introduction of alcohol interventions to the NHS ambulance services. Methods A total of 142 (24%) from 589 paramedics from the North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust returned completed surveys between January 2013 to April 2013, which included measures of current perceptions and attitudes of working with patients with alcohol-related injury or illness, and the Shortened Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire (SAAPPQ). Results Paramedics reported little to no formal training on working with patients with alcohol-related injury or illness (77%). Paramedics scored low across all domains of the SAAPPQ for working with both problem and dependent drinkers. Not having suitable counseling materials (77%), not enough training (72%) and no facilities or time to deal with prevention (69%) were key barriers. Conclusions At this present time, levels of commitment, motivation, satisfaction, legitimacy and adequacy are low in front-line paramedics when working with patients with alcohol-related injury and illness. However, they are open to finding ways to provide interventions if they are adequately trained and have appropriate referral pathways open to them.
Support Planning Success Stories From a Provider Organization's Journey
Authors: Bailey Linda , Nixon Yvonne Miller 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The role of community support provider organizations has shifted from one of care and segregation to one of facilitating the full inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their local communities. In this article, we share how Evergreen Life Services, a nonprofit provider of supports for people with intellectual disability, has changed and progressed over time, particularly in the context of the growth of the supports movement. As evidence of our organization's progress, we share success stories of people with disabilities whom the organization supports. The keys to Evergreen's success in shifting from a congregate care provider to an organization that facilitates the provision of personalized supports to empower people with disabilities to live lives that they find fulfilling are discussed. Also discussed are the challenges faced by provider organizations that strive for continuous quality improvement.
Assessment and Planning in K-12 Schools: A Social-Ecological Approach
Authors: Walker Virginia L. , DeSpain Stephanie N. , Thompson James R. , Hughes Carolyn 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The Support Needs Assessment and Problem-Solving (SNAP) process is intended to assist educational teams in identifying and implementing supports for children with intellectual disability and related developmental disabilities (ID/DD) in K-12 schools. Each phase of the SNAP process is described, including identification of high priority support needs based on information derived from the Supports Intensity Scale–Children's Version (SIS-C). Two case studies of school teams using the SNAP process to identify and implement supports that enhanced opportunities for learning and participation of children in inclusive settings are presented. The importance of understanding children with ID/DD by their support needs and implications for team planning in K-12 schools are discussed.