bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability of a Progressive Maximal Cycle Ergometer Test to Assess Peak Oxygen Uptake in Children With Mild to Moderate Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Brehm Merel-Anne , Balemans Astrid C.J. , Becher Jules G. , Dallmeijer Annet J. 
Published: September 2013

BackgroundRehabilitation research in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is increasingly addressing cardiorespiratory fitness testing. However, evidence on the reliability of peak oxygen uptake (V̇o2peak) measurements, considered the best indicator of aerobic fitness, is not available in this population.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to establish the reliability of a progressive maximal cycle ergometer test when assessing V̇o2peak in children with mild to moderate CP.DesignRepeated measures were used to assess test-retest reliability.MethodsEligible participants were ambulant, 6 to 14 years of age, and classified as level I, II, or III according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Two progressive maximal cycle ergometer tests were conducted (separated by 3 weeks), with the workload increasing every minute in steps of 3 to 11 W, dependent on height and GMFCS level. Reliability was determined by means of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC [2,1]) and smallest detectable change (SDC).ResultsTwenty-one children participated (GMFCS I: n=4; GMFCS II: n=12; and GMFCS III: n=5). Sixteen of them (9 boys, 7 girls; GMFCS I: n=3; GMFCS II: n=11; and GMFCS III: n=2) performed 2 successful tests, separated by 9.5 days on average. Reliability for V̇o2peak was excellent (ICC=.94, 95% confidence interval=.83–.98). The SDC was 5.72 mL/kg/min, reflecting 14.6% of the mean.LimitationsThe small sample size did not allow separate analysis of reliability per GMFCS level.ConclusionsIn children with CP of GMFCS levels I and II, a progressive maximal cycle ergometer test to assess V̇o2peak is reliable and has the potential to detect change in cardiorespiratory fitness over time. Further study is needed to establish the reliability of V̇o2peak in children of GMFCS level III.
Decreased head circumference in shunt-treated compared with healthy children
Authors: Nilsson Daniel , Svensson Johanna , Korkmaz Betül A. , Nelvig Helena , Tisell Magnus 
Published: September 2013

Object
In this study, the authors' goal was to compare head circumference in hydrocephalic children during the first 4 years of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt treatment with data on healthy children and to investigate predictors of skull growth in children with a VP shunt.

Methods
Children from western Sweden treated for hydrocephalus with an initial VP shunt insertion performed between 2001 and 2006 who were younger than 12 months of age at the time of surgery were included. Children with major brain malformations, craniofacial syndromes, large cysts, and tumors were excluded. Head circumference, weight, and height at 9 defined ages up to 4 years were obtained and compared with data from a reference population of 3650 healthy children using the standard deviation score (SDS). Predictors (length, weight, etiology of hydrocephalus, valve type, number of revisions, valve setting, number of adjustments, and time of first surgery) for head circumference SDS and changes in head circumference SDS from shunt insertion at 1 year to last measurement were analyzed using bivariate and multiple linear regression analysis.

Results
Fifty children were included. The mean SDSs for head circumference in shunt-treated compared with healthy children were 1.95 ± 2.50 at shunt insertion (p < 0.001, n = 44), 0.38 ± 1.97 at 1 year (p = 0.27, n = 33), −0.96 ± 2.05 at 2 years (p = 0.046, n = 21), −1.39 ± 2.25 at 3 years (p = 0.026, n = 16), and 0.63 ± 3.34 at 4 years (p = 0.73, n = 4). Significant predictors for low head circumference SDS at 1 year of age were low weight (p = 0.002) and short height (p = 0.022) and at last measurement low weight (p < 0.0001), short height (p = 0.002), and 1–4 shunt revisions (p = 0.034). A significant predictor for change in head circumference SDS from shunt insertion to 1 year of age was the number of shunt valve revisions (p = 0.04) and at last measurement an etiology of intraventricular hemorrhage (p = 0.0058).

Conclusions
Shunt-treated children have smaller head circumferences at 2 and 3 years of age than healthy children. Low weight, short height, etiology of intraventricular hemorrhage, and frequent shunt valve revisions are predictors for decreased head circumference. Prospective, randomized studies comparing skull growth using fixed and adjustable pressure-regulated shunt valves and flow-regulated valves are needed.
The Evidence for Early Seventeenth-Century Climate from Scottish Ecclesiastical Records
Authors: Macdonald Alan R. , McCallum John 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
This article argues that the records kept by Scottish church courts in the early modern period provide a rich and untapped source of information on historical weather patterns. This is primarily because severe weather events caused disruption to court meetings, and the nature of the records means that fluctuations in weather can potentially be traced across a wide geographical range and for long periods of time. Based on a sample of records from 1615-25, a period which included a known severe weather event, the flooding of Perth in 1621, the article provides quantitative and qualitative analysis of weather trends, drawing particular attention to an extended period of severe weather from 1619-22, of which the flooding of Perth was a part. It also identifies periods that witnessed much less severe weather and identifies important regional variations in weather patterns which emerge from the study of church court records, in contrast to more traditional sources such as diaries and chronicles. The article thus demonstrates the value of this new methodology for climate history and points the way forward to future studies.
Book Reviews
Authors: Hess Scott , Walton John K. , Kirby Keith , Brutsch Marco 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
John Rignall and H. Gustav Klaus, eds., in association with Valerie Cunningham, Ecology and the Literature of the British Left: The Red and the Green (Scott Hess)
Raél López Romo, Euskadi en Duelo: la Central Nuclear de Lemóniz como Simbolo de la Transicion Vasca (John K. Walton)
L. Auricchio, E. Heckendon and G. Pavini (eds.), Invaluable Trees: Cultures of Nature, 1660-1830 (Keith Kirby)
William Beinart and Luvuyo Wotshela, Prickly Pear: The Social History of a Plant in the Eastern Cape (Marco Brutsch)
Endovascular therapy in acute ischemic stroke: The way forward after results from the IMS 3, SYNTHESIS and MR Rescue trials
Authors: Menon Bijoy , Goyal Mayank 
Published: September 2013

AbstractEndovascular therapy (EVT) has gained vogue in the management of patients with acute stroke. Newer stent-retriever devices have led to better recanalization rates. In many centers, EVT is slowly being used as an add on to or in some instances, even as an alternative to intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA). The publication of the results of the SYNTHESIS expansion, Interventional Management of Stroke III and Mechanical Retrieval Recanalization of Stroke Clots Using Embolectomy trials in 2013 has questioned the enthusiastic use of EVT in acute stroke. They demonstrate that EVT (using a variety of devices) is no superior to IV tPA in the management of acute stroke. In the light of these controversial findings, we review the current status of EVT in the management of acute stroke.
Endoscopic posterior decompression of lumbar canal stenosis
Authors: Yadav Nishtha , Parihar Vijay , Kher Yatin , Ratre Shailendra , Yadav Yad 
Published: September 2013

AbstractLumbar canal stenosis (LCS) is quite common. Surgery is indicated when patient fails to improve after conservative treatment. Endoscopic technique can be used in LCS and lateral recess stenosis. It can be performed in degenerative canal stenosis or with disc bulges. Bilateral severe bony canal stenosis and unstable spine are the contraindications. This procedure should be avoided in patients with a history of trauma. Detailed history and thorough physical examination should be performed to find out exact level of pathology responsible for symptoms. Patient’s symptoms must correlate with radiological findings. Magnetic resonance imaging is the investigation of choice because of its superior visualization of soft-tissue. Computed tomography scan does give a more accurate and detailed picture of the bony anatomy. Although the operative time and the complication rate could be more in the initial learning curve, the results of endoscopic decompression are comparable with conventional open procedures with the additional benefit of decreased complications and lower morbidity, when sufficient experience is gained. Complications in endoscopic surgery for LCS could be dural tears, hematomas and root and facet injury. This procedure is also associated with limitations such as steep learning curve and the contra lateral decompression may not be as good as ipsilateral side. Some of the limitations of this technique can be overcome by attending live operative workshop, practice on models and hands on cadaveric dissection. Conversion to an open procedure may be required when there is disorientation, management of dural tear and for control of bleeding.
Factors influencing shunt malfunction in patients with tuberculous meningitis
Authors: Ambekar Sudheer , Pandey Paritosh , Sampath Somanna , Bangalore Chandramouli , Indira Devi , Srinivas Dwarakanath 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Hydrocephalus secondary to tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a challenging condition to treat. Though ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt is an accepted modality of treatment for hydrocephalus in TBM, there is a high rate of complications associated with the same.
The study was planned to evaluate various factors associated with shunt malfunction in patients undergoing VP shunt surgery for hydrocephalus due to TBM.
A retrospective review of all the patients undergoing VP shunt and shunt revision for TBM between 2004 and 2008 was performed. 449 VP shunt surgeries were performed in 432 patients for hydrocephalus due to TBM. Among these 70 shunt revisions were performed in 53 patients.
Shunt malfunction rate in our series was 16.2%. High cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein concentration (>200 mg/dL) was associated with 5 times increased incidence of shunt malfunction. Patients with hyponatremia (Na+ <130 mEq/dL) prior to surgery had a 3 times increased incidence of shunt malfunction (P < 0.05). Other factors such as duration of symptoms, presence of neurological deficits, Evan’s index, third ventricular diameter, thickness of exudates, presence of infarcts, anemia, CSF cellularity and CSF glucose concentration were not associated with increased incidence of shunt malfunction. Analysis showed that shunt viability was longest in patients with normal serum sodium levels and CSF protein concentration less than 200 mg/dL and shortest in patients with low serum sodium and CSF protein concentration more than 200 mg/dL.
Patients with pre-operative hyponatremia and high CSF protein concentration have a higher incidence of shunt malfunction and need to be followed-up closely.
Suicidal rare craniocerebral injury and its complications
Authors: Kaushal Sona , Gupta Uday , Gupta Pradeep 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
The authors here describe a rare cranio-cerebral injury, which occurred due to a self-inflicted suicidal attempt by the patient, who hammered an 8 cm long nail into his skull. This patient was a known case of schizophrenia. The nail entered in the region of the left parafalx area and reached almost up to the base of skull of the patient. This nail was removed by a mid-line craniotomy. Approximately six months later, the patient presented with the symptoms of raised intra cranial pressure and right hemi paresis. Repeat computed tomography scan showed a large brain abscess at the site of the previous surgery and the patient was re-explored through the previous incision; the abscess was drained and the wall was excised. The patient then made a good recovery.
Transarterial onyx embolization of arteriovenous malformation in the infratemporal fossa and parotid region
Authors: Huang Qinghai , Liu Jianmin , Chen Xinpu 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Maxillofacial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare, but potentially life-threatening entity. Surgical excision usually associates with a high rate of significant blood loss and cosmetic defects. We report a patient who had an AVM involving infratemporal fossa and parotid region, supplied by an enlarged branch of the left ophthalmic artery, cavernous internal carotid artery, middle meningeal artery, and internal maxillary. Successful treatment of this lesion was achieved by transarterial embolization with Onyx. Less invasive transarterial embolization with Onyx is rewarding when curing certain types of maxillofacial AVMs.
Comparative in Vitro Study of Four Commercial Biomaterials Used for Bone Grafting
Authors: Bosetti Michela , Bianchi Andrea E. , Zaffe Davide , Cannas Mario 
Published: September 2013

Purpose This work aimed to study and compare the behavior of macrophages and human osteoclast-like cells cultured in contact with four commercial bone substitute materials used as graft for ridge augmentation techniques. Two materials are of natural origin and two are synthetic bone substitutes. Methods Macrophage activation and cytokine release were assessed using SEM analysis and a sandwich ELISA kit while the activity of human osteoclast-like cells was studied quantifying calcium released from the substrata studied together with SEM analysis of cell morphology and pit formation on the bone substitutes. Results Hydroxyapatite proved to be the greatest macrophage activator, while the bovine derived material turned out to be the only bone substitute that does not induce macrophages to release IFNγ. No material had direct induction of osteoclast precursor differentiation even if mature osteoclasts showed the highest activity on the human derived material followed by bone ceramic, while the bovine derived material was the substrate with the least osteoclast activity. Conclusions The four materials reacted differently with the cells tested and between them, the bovine derived bone, being the lowest macrophage and osteoclast activator may be considered a good bone substitute for clinical situations requiring greater time of permanence of the material at the site of implantation, while human derived bone will be more suitable for clinical applications that require lower time of permanence.
Epigenetic studies in Alzheimer's disease: Current findings, caveats, and considerations for future studies
Authors: Lunnon Katie , Mill Jonathan 
Published: September 2013

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a sporadic, chronic neurodegenerative disease, usually occurring late in life. The last decade has witnessed tremendous advances in our understanding about the genetic basis of AD, but a large amount of the variance in disease risk remains to be explained. Epigenetic mechanisms, which developmentally regulate gene expression via modifications to DNA, histone proteins, and chromatin, have been hypothesized to play a role in other complex neurobiological diseases, and studies to identify genome‐wide epigenetic changes in AD are currently under way. However, the simple brute‐force approach that has been successfully employed in genome‐wide association studies is unlikely to be successful in epigenome‐wide association studies of neurodegeneration. A more academic approach to understanding the role of epigenetic variation in AD is required, with careful consideration of study design, methodological approaches, tissue‐specificity, and causal inference. In this article, we review the empirical literature supporting a role for epigenetic processes in AD, and discuss important considerations and future directions for this new and emerging field of research. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Signaling context modulates social function of silent bared‐teeth displays in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Beisner Brianne A. , McCowan Brenda 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThe signaling context has been found to change the meaning of the silent bared‐teeth display (SBT) in pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina) such that the SBT in apparently peaceful contexts communicates subordination, a long‐term pattern of behavior, whereas in conflict contexts it communicates immediate submission (PNAS, 104: 1581–1586). However, the context dependent nature of the SBT has not yet been explored in other species. We investigated SBT usage with respect to grooming, severe aggression, and signaler‐receiver sex, rank difference, and body size in seven captive groups of rhesus macaques. Peaceful SBTs were given most often to male receivers by male and female signalers whereas conflict SBTs were given to both male and female receivers primarily by female signalers. Male signalers rarely gave SBTs (peaceful or conflict) to female receivers. Unlike pigtail macaques, peaceful SBTs in rhesus were often accompanied by withdrawal behavior (referred to as peaceful SBT‐leave), which influenced grooming, but not aggression, at the dyadic level. Severe aggression was less frequent among dyads using peaceful SBTs (regardless of withdrawal behavior) than those using conflict SBTs. In contrast, grooming was more frequent among dyads using peaceful SBT‐stay signals than those using peaceful SBT‐leave signals or conflict SBTs. In total, our results indicate that peaceful SBTs are a functionally different signal from conflict SBTs in rhesus macaques. Am. J. Primatol. 76:111–121, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermal decomposition kinetics of rigid polyurethane foam and ignition risk by a hot particle
Authors: Wang Supan , Chen Haixiang , Zhang Linhe 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACTRigid polyurethane foam, one kind of building insulation material used in China, is prone to being ignited by hot particles from fireworks or welding processes and has been the fuel for some catastrophic fire accidents. Thermal decomposition has long been recognized to play an important role in the ignition and fire‐spreading processes of materials, and thus, it is important to understand the behavior and kinetics of material decomposition. In this study, the characteristics of the thermal decomposition of polyurethane foam were investigated in an air atmosphere with nonisothermal thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Model‐free (isoconversional) methods and model‐fitting methods were used to study the decomposition kinetics. The results reveal that the decomposition process of polyurethane foam in air presented three main stages: the loss of low‐stability organic compounds (bond fission of the weakest link in the chain), oxidative degradation of organic components, and oxidative degradation of residue material. A scheme containing three consecutive reactions was proposed to describe the decomposition process, and good agreement was found between the experimental and simulated curves. The heat during decomposition was calculated from DSC measurement. On the basis of the kinetics and heat of decomposition, the critical conditions for a hot particle to ignite polyurethane foam was evaluated, and this was helpful for the understanding the ignition risk of polyurethane foam. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39359.
Composite films of N,O‐carboxymethyl chitosan and bamboo fiber
Authors: Zheng Xue , Zhang Hao , She Ying , Pu Junwen 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACTTo obtain an antibacterial chitosan derivative, composite films of N,O‐Carboxymethyl Chitosan (N,O‐CMCS) and bamboo fiber were prepared. A water‐soluble chitosan derivative‐N,O‐CMCS was synthesized from chitosan with chloroacetic acid in alkaline solution. Composite films with 1–5 wt % N,O‐CMCS content were prepared in NaOH/urea/thiourea solution. The DS of N,O‐CMCS reached 1.70 and the water solubility increased with the increasing of DS. The carboxymethyl group was introduced into chitosan, which led to the decrease of thermal stability and crystallinity. The structural characterization confirmed that N,O‐CMCS was adsorbed on the surface of bamboo fiber. The antibacterial performance of the composite films were enhanced with the increasing of N,O‐CMCS content. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39851.
Production of polyamic acid in supercritical carbon dioxide with N,N‐dimethylformamide
Authors: Haruki Masashi , Hasegawa Yumi , Fukui Naoya , Kihara Shin‐ichi , Takishima Shigeki 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACTTo develop a microscale processing technique for aromatic polyimides (APIs) in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2), the relationships between the polymerization condition, the phase behavior during polymerization and the molecular weight of polyamic acid (PAA)—an intermediate in the production of polyimides—were investigated in scCO2 at 50°C. 4,4′‐Diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) were used as monomers of aromatic diamine and tetracarboxylic dianhydride, respectively, and 19 mol % of N,N‐Dimethylformamide (DMF) was added to scCO2 as a cosolvent. The cloudy phase appeared immediately when ODA and PMDA were mixed under any experimental conditions. However, the appearances of the phase behaviors during polymerization differed depending on the polymerization pressure and the initial monomer concentration. The number average molecular weight of PAA increased as the monomer concentration was increased in scCO2, as was the case with polymerization in pure DMF at atmospheric pressure, despite differences in the phase behavior. On the other hand, the weight average molecular weight of PAA depended on the phase behaviors during polymerization along with the monomer concentration. Moreover, API obtained from the PAA synthesized in scCO2 was analyzed using a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer and thermogravimetric analyzer, and the results were compared with those of APIs obtained by the solution polymerization. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39878.
Optimization of extracellular truncated staphylococcal protein A expression in Escherichia coliBL21 (DE3)
Authors: Rigi Garshasb , Mohammadi Samira Ghaed , Arjomand Maryam Rezaei , Ahmadian Gholamreza , Noghabi Kambiz Akbari 
Published: September 2013

AbstractStaphylococcal protein A (SpA) plays an important role in Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis. The recombinant SpA is also widely used in biotechnology to purify polyclonal and monoclonal immunoglobulin G antibodies. In this study, expression and secretion of a truncated form of SpA containing five immunoglobulin‐binding domains using its own native signal sequence were optimized in Escherichia coli. Optimization was carried out using response surface method (RSM), making use of the interaction between five variables. The initial results revealed that the signal peptide from S. aureus was recognized in E. coli and the resulting SpA was expressed and secreted into the medium. Compounds, such as glycine, affected the secretion of SpA into the culture medium. The central composite design experiment showed that the optimum conditions for the maximum expression of recombinant truncated SpA in E. coli included 10% (w/v) lactose, 1.77% (w/v) glycine, induction time of 11 H, an optical density (600) of 1.1, and a temperature of 33 °C. Optimization using RSM resulted in a fivefold increase in the secretion of SpA. To date, this is the first study of its kind regarding the definite influence of glycine concentration and duration of the cultivation period on the secretion of SpA.