bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A controlled pilot trial of two commercial video games for rehabilitation of arm function after stroke
Authors: Chen Mei-Hsiang , Huang Lan-Ling , Lee Chang-Franw , Hsieh Ching-Lin , Lin Yu-Chao , Liu Hsiuchih , Chen Ming-I , Lu Wen-Shian 
Published: October 2014

Objectives: To investigate the acceptability and potential efficacy of two commercial video games for improving upper extremity function after stroke in order to inform future sample size and study design. Design: A controlled clinical trial design using sequential allocation into groups. Setting: A clinical occupational therapy department. Subjects: Twenty-four first-stroke patients. Interventions: Patients were assigned to one of three groups: conventional group, Wii group, and XaviX group. In addition to regular one-hour conventional rehabilitation, each group received an additional half-hour of upper extremity exercises via conventional devices, Wii games, or XaviX games, for eight weeks. Main measures: The Fugl-Meyer Assessment of motor function, Box and Block Test of Manual Dexterity, Functional Independence Measure, and upper extremity range of motion were used at baseline and postintervention. Also, a questionnaire was used to assess motivation and enjoyment. Results: The effect size of differences in change scores between the Wii and conventional groups ranged from 0.71 (SD 0.59) to 0.28 (SD 0.58), on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of motor function ( d = 0.74) was larger than that between the XaviX and conventional groups, ranged from 0.44 (SD 0.49) to 0.28 (SD 0.58) ( d = 0.30). Patient enjoyment was significantly greater in the video game groups (Wii mean 4.25, SD 0.89; XaviX mean 4.38, SD 0.52) than in the conventional group (mean 2.25, SD 0.89, F = 18.55, p < 0.001), but motivation was not significantly different across groups. Conclusion: Patients were positive to using video games in rehabilitation. A sample size of 72 patients (24 per group) would be appropriate for a full study.
The effect of a workplace intervention programme on return to work after stroke: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Ntsiea MV , Van Aswegen H , Lord S , Olorunju S S 
Published: October 2014

Objective: To determine the effect of a workplace intervention programme on the rate of return to work of previously employed stroke survivors in the Gauteng province of South Africa. Design: A randomised controlled trial. Setting: Participants’ workplaces and three hospitals with stroke rehabilitation facilities. Subjects: Eighty stroke survivors between the ages of 18 and 60 years who were employed at the time of stroke onset. Intervention: The workplace intervention programme was tailored according to functional ability and workplace challenges of each stroke survivor. The control group received usual stroke care which took into consideration job requirements but without workplace intervention. Main outcomes: The primary outcome was return to work rate. Secondary outcomes included activities of daily living (ADLs), mobility, basic cognitive function and perceived quality of life. Results: At six months follow-up 60% ( n = 24) of stroke survivors in the intervention group returned to work compared to 20% ( n = 8) in the control group ( P <0.001). The odds ratio for return to work for stroke survivors in the intervention group was 5.2. For every unit increase in the ADLs and cognitive assessment score, the odds of return to work increased by 1.7 and 1.3 respectively; those who returned to work had better quality of life than those who did not return to work ( P = 0.05). Conclusion: A workplace intervention consisting of workability assessments and workplace visits was effective in facilitating return to work for stroke survivors in the Gauteng province of South Africa.
Radiographic Identification of the Primary Lateral Ankle Structures
Authors: Haytmanek C. Thomas , Williams Brady T. , James Evan W. , Campbell Kevin J. , Wijdicks Coen A. , LaPrade Robert F. , Clanton Thomas O. 
Published: October 2014

Background: Lateral ankle ligament injuries rank among the most frequently observed athletic injuries, requiring repair or reconstruction when indicated. However, there is a lack of quantitative data detailing the ligament attachment sites on standard radiographic views. Purpose: To quantitatively describe the anatomic attachment sites of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), and posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL) on standard radiographic views with respect to reproducible osseous landmarks to assist with intraoperative and postoperative assessment of lateral ankle ligament repairs and reconstructions. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Twelve nonpaired, fresh-frozen cadaveric foot and ankle specimens were dissected to identify the origins and insertions of the 3 primary lateral ankle ligaments. Ligament footprint centers were marked with 2-mm stainless steel spheres shallowly embedded at the level of the cortical bone prior to obtaining standard lateral and mortise radiographs. Measurements were performed twice by 2 blinded raters independently to calculate mean distances and assess reliability via intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results: Radiographic measurements demonstrated excellent reproducibility between raters (all interobserver ICCs > 0.97) and across trials (all intraobserver ICCs >0.99). On the lateral view, the ATFL fibular attachment (mean ± SD) was 8.4 ± 1.8 mm proximal and anterior to the inferior tip of the lateral malleolus and attached on the talus 13.8 ± 2.0 mm proximal and anterior to the apex of the lateral talar process. The CFL originated 5.0 ± 1.4 mm superior and anterior to the inferior tip of the lateral malleolus and inserted on the calcaneus 18.5 ± 4.6 mm posterior and superior to the posterior point of the peroneal tubercle. On the mortise view, the ATFL origin was 4.9 ± 1.4 mm proximal to the inferior tip of the lateral malleolus and inserted on the talus 9.0 ± 2.1 mm medial and superior of the apex of the lateral talar process and 18.9 ± 3.1 mm inferior and slightly lateral to the superior lateral corner of the talar dome. The fibular CFL origin was 2.9 ± 1.6 mm proximal and slightly medial to the inferior tip of the lateral malleolus and inserted on the calcaneus 18.0 ± 5.1 mm distal to the apex of the lateral talar process. Conclusion: Radiographic parameters quantitatively describing the anatomic origins and insertions of the lateral ankle ligaments were defined with excellent reproducibility and agreement between reviewers. Clinical Relevance: Quantitative radiographic anatomy data will assist in preoperative planning, improve intraoperative localization, and provide objective measures for postoperative assessment of anatomic repairs and reconstructions.
Predictors identifying those at increased risk for STDs: a theory-guided review of empirical literature and clinical guidelines
Authors: Falasinnu Titilola , Gilbert Mark , Hottes Travis Salway , Gustafson Paul , Ogilvie Gina , Shoveller Jean 
Published: October 2014

Summary Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are leading causes of substantial morbidity worldwide. Identification of risk factors for estimating STD risk provides opportunities for optimising service delivery in clinical settings, including improving case finding accuracy and increasing cost-efficiency by limiting the testing of low-risk individuals. The current study was undertaken to synthesise the evidence supporting commonly cited chlamydia and gonorrhoea risk factors. The level of empirical support for the following predictors was strong/moderate: age, race/ethnicity, multiple lifetime sexual partners, sex with symptomatic partners and concurrent STD diagnosis. The following predictors had weak evidence: socio-economic status, transactional sex, drug/alcohol use, condom use and history of STD diagnosis. The most frequently listed predictors among nine clinical guidelines were younger age and multiple sexual partners; the least consistently listed predictor was inconsistent condom use. We found reasonably good concordance between risk factors consistently listed in the recommendations and predictors found to have strong empirical support in the literature. There is a need to continue building the evidence base to explicate the mechanisms and pathways of STD acquisition. We recommend periodic reviews of the level of support of predictors included in clinical guidelines to ensure that they are in accordance with empirical evidence.
Speech sound learning depends on individuals’ ability, not just experience
Authors: Archila-Suerte Pilar , Bunta Ferenc , Hernandez Arturo E. 
Published: October 2014

Aims: The goal of this study was to investigate if phonetic experience with two languages facilitated the learning of novel speech sounds or if general perceptual abilities independent of bilingualism played a role in this learning. Method: The underlying neural mechanisms involved in novel speech sound learning were observed in groups of English monolinguals ( n = 20), early Spanish–English bilinguals ( n = 24), and experimentally derived subgroups of individuals with advanced ability to learn novel speech sound contrasts (ALs, n = 28) and individuals with non-advanced ability to learn novel speech sound contrasts (non-ALs, n = 16). Subjects participated in four consecutive sessions of phonetic training in which they listened to novel speech sounds embedded in Hungarian pseudowords. Participants completed two fMRI sessions, one before training and another one after training. While in the scanner, participants passively listened to the speech stimuli presented during training. A repeated measures behavioral analysis and ANOVA for fMRI data were conducted to investigate learning after training. Results and conclusions: The results showed that bilinguals did not significantly differ from monolinguals in the learning of novel sounds behaviorally. Instead, the behavioral results revealed that regardless of language group (monolingual or bilingual), ALs were better at discriminating pseudowords throughout the training than non-ALs. Neurally, region of interest (ROI) analysis showed increased activity in the superior temporal gyrus (STG) bilaterally in ALs relative to non-ALs after training. Bilinguals also showed greater STG activity than monolinguals. Extracted values from ROIs entered into a 2×2 MANOVA showed a main effect of performance, demonstrating that individual ability exerts a significant effect on learning novel speech sounds. In fact, advanced ability to learn novel speech sound contrasts appears to play a more significant role in speech sound learning than experience with two phonological systems.
Management of renin-angiotensin system blockade in patients with chronic kidney disease under specialist care. Retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Tylicki Leszek , Jakubowska Agnieszka , Lizakowski Sławomir , Świetlik Dariusz , Rutkowski Bolesław 
Published: October 2014

Background: Reduction of blood pressure and proteinuria by blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) has been the cornerstone of renoprotective intervention for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) for many years. Aims: The aims were to check the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and/or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) in CKD patients. Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study analysing data from medical records of patients who received specialist care in 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 in the Outpatient Unit. Results: The numbers of CKD subjects included in the four independent surveys were as follows: 190, 490, 1799, 1696. The usage of RAAS blocking agents overall increased significantly in subsequent years as follows: 25, 49, 63, 74%. Patients with proteinuria and cardiovascular complications and/or diabetes were receiving RAAS blocking agents more commonly than others. The use of ACEI and/ or ARB in stage 4–5 CKD increased in subsequent years. In 2011 dual RAAS blockade was used in 10% CKD patients overall and 19% patients presented proteinuria. Conclusion: The use of RAAS blocking agents were increasing in CKD patients under specialist care between 1996–2011. The quality of the management was gradually improved.
Serum prorenin levels are not associated with ocular diseases in non-diabetic subjects
Authors: Yokota Harumasa , Nagaoka Taiji , Sato Eiichi , Takahashi Atsushi , Shimouchi Akito , Yoshida Akitoshi 
Published: October 2014

Introduction: To determine if the serum prorenin level is useful for detecting ocular disease in a non-diabetic population. Materials and methods: We enrolled non-diabetic men ( n = 402) and women ( n = 349) in our study. We used the antibody-activating direct enzyme kinetic assay of human prorenin to determine serum prorenin levels. We performed multiple regression analysis to determine the factors that affect serum prorenin levels, such as: age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, and HbA1c or estimated glomerular filtration rate. Our study subjects were divided into groups by their ophthalmologic diagnosis. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to detect a significant difference in the serum prorenin levels among the groups. Results: There were no significant differences in serum prorenin levels among the ocular diseases and disorders. The DBP was negatively correlated with serum prorenin levels in men ( r = − 0.1992; p = 0.021) and in women ( r = − 0.2067; p = 0.031). Conclusion: Considering the current results and those of previous studies together, we found that the prorenin value is useful solely for predicting development of diabetic retinopathy in adults.
Transplantation of periaortic adipose tissue from angiotensin receptor blocker-treated mice markedly ameliorates atherosclerosis development in apoE–/– mice
Authors: Irie Daisuke , Kawahito Hiroyuki , Wakana Noriyuki , Kato Taku , Kishida Sou , Kikai Masakazu , Ogata Takehiro , Ikeda Koji , Ueyama Tomomi , Matoba Satoaki , Yamada Hiroyuki 
Published: October 2014

Background: Perivascular adipose tissue is implicated in vasoreactivity; however, its effect on atherosclerosis remains undefined. Methods and results: We examined the effect of a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) on phenotypic alterations of the thoracic periaortic adipose tissue (tPAT) in apoE-deficient (apoE–/–) mice. Gene expression of the components of the renin angiotensin system and that of macrophage markers were significantly higher in apoE–/– mice fed an HCD than in those fed a chow diet (CD). These changes were absent both in angiotensin II (AngII) receptor blocker (ARB)-treated apoE–/– mice and in Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor-deficient apoE–/– (Agtr1–/–/apoE–/–) mice. To evaluate their effect on atherosclerosis, we transplanted tPAT into apoE–/– mice alongside the distal abdominal aorta. Transplanted tPAT was harvested from apoE–/– and Agtr1–/–/apoE–/– mice fed a CD (tPAT-CD/apoE–/–, tPAT-CD/Agtr1–/–/apoE–/–), HCD (tPAT-HCD/apoE–/–, tPAT-HCD/Agtr1–/–/apoE–/–), or HCD in combination with ARB treatment (tPAT-HCD/ARB/apoE–/–). Four weeks after transplantation, a significantly increased oil red O-positive area was observed in the aorta of tPAT-HCD/apoE–/– mice than in tPAT-CD/apoE–/– mice. Such a change was absent in tPAT-HCD/ARB/apoE–/– and tPAT-HCD/Agtr1–/–/apoE–/– mice. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that AT1 receptor plays a crucial role in HCD-induced phenotypic alterations of tPAT, modulation of which could exert beneficial effects on atherosclerosis.
Breathprints of model murine bacterial lung infections are linked with immune response
Authors: Bean Heather D. , Jiménez-Díaz Jaime , Zhu Jiangjiang , Hill Jane E. 
Published: October 2014

In this model study, we explored the host's contribution of breath volatiles to diagnostic secondary electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry (SESI-MS) breathprints for acute bacterial lung infections, their correlation with the host's immune response, and their use in identifying the lung pathogen.Murine airways were exposed toPseudomonas aeruginosaandStaphylococcus aureusbacterial cell lysates or to PBS (controls), and their breath and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected at six time points (from 6 to 120 h) after exposure. Five to six mice per treatment group and four to six mice per control group were sampled at each time. Breath volatiles were analysed using SESI-MS and the BALF total leukocytes, polymorphonuclear neutrophils, lactate dehydrogenase activity, and cytokine concentrations were quantified.Lysate exposure breathprints contain host volatiles that persist for up to 120 h; are pathogen specific; are unique from breathprints of controls, active infections and cleared infections; and are correlated with the host's immune response.Bacterial lung infections induce changes to the host's breath volatiles that are selective and specific predictors of the source of infection. Harnessing the pathogen-specific volatiles in the host's breath may provide useful information for detecting latent bacterial lung infections and managing the spread of respiratory diseases.
Altered exhaled biomarker profiles in children during and after rhinovirus-induced wheeze
Authors: van der Schee Marc P. , Hashimoto Simone , Schuurman Annemarie C. , Repelaer van Driel Janine S. , Adriaens Nora , van Amelsfoort Romy M. , Snoeren Tessa , Regenboog Martine , Sprikkelman Aline B. , Haarman Eric G. , van Aalderen Wim M.C. , Sterk Peter J. 
Published: October 2014

Preschool rhinovirus-induced wheeze is associated with an increased risk of asthma. In adult asthma, exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOC) are associated with inflammatory activity. We therefore hypothesised that acute preschool wheeze is accompanied by a differential profile of exhaled VOC, which is maintained after resolution of symptoms in those children with rhinovirus-induced wheeze.We included 178 children (mean±sdage 22±9 months) from the EUROPA cohort comparing asymptomatic and wheezing children during respiratory symptoms and after recovery. Naso- and oropharyngeal swabs were tested for rhinovirus by quantitative PCR. Breath was collectedviaa spacer and analysed using an electronic nose. Between-group discrimination was assessed by constructing a 1000-fold cross-validated receiver operating characteristic curve. Analyses were stratified by rhinovirus presence/absence.Wheezing children demonstrated a different VOC profile when compared with asymptomatic children (p<0.001), regardless of the presence (area under the curve (AUC) 0.77, 95% CI 0.07) or absence (AUC 0.81, 95% CI 0.05) of rhinovirus. After symptomatic recovery, discriminative accuracy was maintained in children with rhinovirus-induced wheeze (AUC 0.84, 95% CI 0.06), whereas it dropped significantly in infants with non-rhinovirus-induced wheeze (AUC 0.67, 95% CI 0.06).Exhaled molecular profiles differ between preschool children with and without acute respiratory wheeze. This appears to be sustained in children with rhinovirus-induced wheeze after resolution of symptoms. Therefore, exhaled VOC may qualify as candidate biomarkers for early signs of asthma.
Quantifying the ventilatory control contribution to sleep apnoea using polysomnography
Authors: Terrill Philip I. , Edwards Bradley A. , Nemati Shamim , Butler James P. , Owens Robert L. , Eckert Danny J. , White David P. , Malhotra Atul , Wellman Andrew , Sands Scott A. 
Published: October 2014

Elevated loop gain, consequent to hypersensitive ventilatory control, is a primary nonanatomical cause of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) but it is not possible to quantify this in the clinic. Here we provide a novel method to estimate loop gain in OSA patients using routine clinical polysomnography alone. We use the concept that spontaneous ventilatory fluctuations due to apnoeas/hypopnoeas (disturbance) result in opposing changes in ventilatory drive (response) as determined by loop gain (response/disturbance). Fitting a simple ventilatory control model (including chemical and arousal contributions to ventilatory drive) to the ventilatory pattern of OSA reveals the underlying loop gain.Following mathematical-model validation, we critically tested our method in patients with OSA by comparison with a standard (continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) drop method), and by assessing its ability to detect the known reduction in loop gain with oxygen and acetazolamide.Our method quantified loop gain from baseline polysomnography (correlationversusCPAP-estimated loop gain: n=28; r=0.63, p<0.001), detected the known reduction in loop gain with oxygen (n=11; mean±semchange in loop gain (ΔLG) −0.23±0.08, p=0.02) and acetazolamide (n=11; ΔLG −0.20±0.06, p=0.005), and predicted the OSA response to loop gain-lowering therapy.We validated a means to quantify the ventilatory control contribution to OSA pathogenesis using clinical polysomnography, enabling identification of likely responders to therapies targeting ventilatory control.
Neural respiratory drive and breathlessness in COPD
Authors: Jolley Caroline J. , Luo Yuanming M. , Steier Joerg , Rafferty Gerrard F. , Polkey Michael I. , Moxham John 
Published: October 2014

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that neural respiratory drive, measured using diaphragm electromyogram (EMGdi) activity expressed as a percentage of maximum (EMGdi%max), is closely related to breathlessness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We also investigated whether neuroventilatory uncoupling contributes significantly to breathlessness intensity over an awareness of levels of neural respiratory drive alone.EMGdiand ventilation were measured continuously during incremental cycle and treadmill exercise in 12 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients (forced expiratory volume in 1 s±sdwas 38.7±14.5 % pred). EMGdiwas expressed both as EMGdi%maxand relative to tidal volume expressed as a percentage of predicted vital capacity to quantify neuroventilatory uncoupling.EMGdi%maxwas closely related to Borg breathlessness in both cycle (r=0.98, p=0.0001) and treadmill exercise (r=0.94, p=0.005), this relationship being similar to that between neuroventilatory uncoupling and breathlessness (cycling r=0.94, p=0.005; treadmill r=0.91, p=0.01). The relationship between breathlessness and ventilation was poor when expansion of tidal volume became limited.In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease the intensity of exertional breathlessness is closely related to EMGdi%max. These data suggest that breathlessness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be largely explained by an awareness of levels of neural respiratory drive, rather than the degree of neuroventilatory uncoupling. EMGdi%maxcould provide a useful physiological biomarker for breathlessness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.