bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measurement of tibial nerve excursion during ankle joint dorsiflexion in a weight‐bearing position with ultrasound imaging
Authors: Carroll Matthew , Yau Janet , Rome Keith , Hing Wayne 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe ability of peripheral nerves to stretch and slide is thought to be of paramount importance to maintain ideal neural function. Excursion in peripheral nerves such as the tibial can be measured by analysis of ultrasound images. The aim of this study was to assess the degree of longitudinal tibial nerve excursion as the ankle moved from plantar flexion to dorsiflexion in a standardised weight‐bearing position. The reliability of ultrasound imaging to measure tibial nerve excursion was also quantified.MethodsThe tibial nerve was imaged over two separate sessions in sixteen asymptomatic participants in a weight‐bearing position. Longitudinal nerve excursion was calculated from a three‐second video loop captured by ultrasound imaging using frame‐by‐frame cross‐correlation analysis. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the intra‐rater reliability. Standard error of the measurement (SEM) and smallest real difference (SRD) were calculated to assess measurement error.ResultsMean nerve excursion was 2.99 mm SEM ± 0.22 mm. The SRD was 0.84 mm for session 1 and 0.66 mm for session 2. Intra‐rater reliability was excellent with an ICC = 0.93.ConclusionsAssessment of real‐time ultrasound images of the tibial nerve via frame‐by‐frame cross‐correlation analysis is a reliable non‐invasive technique to assess longitudinal nerve excursion. The relationship between foot posture and nerve excursion can be further investigated.
Moving instead of asking? Performance-based tests and BASFI-questionnaire measure different aspects of physical function in ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: van Weely Salima FE , van Denderen J Christiaan , Steultjens Martijn PM , van der Leeden Marike , Nurmohamed Michael T , Dekker Joost , Dijkmans Ben AC , van der Horst-Bruinsma Irene E 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Introduction

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is characterised by limitations in physical function. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) is considered to be the gold-standard to assess physical function in AS patients. However, the BASFI questionnaire is a self-reported outcome measure and susceptible to subjective interpretation (under- or over-estimation). More objective outcome measures, like performance-based tests, could provide an objective outcome measurement for the evaluation of limitations in physical function. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to determine the association between performance-based measures and the BASFI questionnaire.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study 126 AS patients completed the BASFI questionnaire and eight performance-based tests based on BASFI-items. Each test received three scores: one for performance (time or points) and a score for exertion and pain experienced during performance (using modified Borg-scale and VAS 0-100 mm, respectively). Linear regression analyses were used to assess the associations between the BASFI questionnaire and performance-based tests.

Results

The univariable association between performance and BASFI-score was moderate with a R-square of 0.31 and Beta of 0.56 (p's < 0.05). In a multivariable analysis, the association between performance, exertion and pain on the one hand and BASFI-score on the other was assessed; R-square increased to 0.54: the Beta's for exertion and pain during performance were 0.38 and 0.26, respectively; the Beta for performance decreased to 0.19 (p's < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that alongside actual performance, patients seem to incorporate exertion and pain in their assessment of perceived physical function on the BASFI questionnaire. Performance-based tests could provide an objective outcome measurement for the evaluation of physical function and give relevant new information in addition to the BASFI questionnaire.
Wundermittel Medien? Medienbeziehungen der britischen und deutschen Militärführung in der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts
Authors: Götter Christian 
Published: March 2012

Zusammenfassung
Zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts entwickelten die Militärs in Deutschland und Großbritannien ihre Medienstrategien von einem stark auf die Medien reagierenden Ansatz hin zur Umsetzung eigener, aktiver Ziele. Dazu gehörte der Versuch, ganze Bevölkerungen in ihrem Denken und Handeln zu beeinflussen. Derartige Ziele wurden in der Folge gerade dann als machbar eingestuft, wenn militärische Situationen aussichtslos schienen. Beispiele hierfür bilden unbewegliche Fronten im Ersten Weltkrieg ebenso wie die militärische Schwäche Großbritanniens im Vergleich zur Sowjetunion im beginnenden Kalten Krieg. Wann immer jedoch begrenzte Ressourcen die Militärs vor die Entscheidung zwischen Medienstrategien und etablierten militärischen Vorgehensweisen stellten, entschieden sie sich für die Letzteren.
Nachrichten aus der Forschung
Authors: Sabanci Zeynep , Detering Nicolas , Töppel Roman , Ziemann Benjamin , Bresselau von Bressensdorf Agnes 
Published: March 2012

Zusammenfassung
Zeynep Sabancı: Ottoman Military Technology and Armaments Policy (1870-1918)
Nicolas Detering: "Populäre Kriegslyrik im Ersten Weltkrieg". Bericht des Studientages des Deutschen Volksliedarchivs in Zusammenarbeit mit der School of Language & Literature des Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), 4. bis 5. März 2011 in Freiburg
Roman Töppel: "Kolloquium zur Geschichte der Waffen-SS". Tagung des Deutschen Komitees für die Geschichte des Zweiten Weltkrieges und des Instituts für Geschichte der Universität Würzburg, 6. bis 7. Mai 2011 in Würzburg
Benjamin Ziemann: "Unthinking the Imaginary War. Intellectual Reflections of the Nuclear Age, 1945-1990". Internationale Tagung am Deutschen Historischen Institut London, 4. bis 6. November 2010
Agnes Bresselau von Bressensdorf: "Der KSZE-Prozess. Internationale Politik und gesellschaftliche Transformation (1975-1989/90)". Tagung des Instituts für Zeitgeschichte in München, 21. bis 23. Oktober 2010
End of the Spectacular Decrease in Fall-Related Mortality Rate: Men Are Catching Up
Authors: Hartholt Klaas A. , Polinder Suzanne , van Beeck Ed F. , van der Velde Nathalie , van Lieshout Esther M. M. , Patka Peter , van der Cammen Tischa J. M. 
Published: March 2012

Objectives. We determined time trends in numbers and rates of fall-related mortality in an aging population, for men and women. Methods. We performed secular trend analysis of fall-related deaths in the older Dutch population (persons aged 65 years or older) from 1969 to 2008, using the national Official-Cause-of-Death-Statistics. Results. Between 1969 and 2008, the age-adjusted fall-related mortality rate decreased from 202.1 to 66.7 per 100 000 older persons (decrease of 67%). However, the annual percentage change (change per year) in mortality rates was not constant, and could be divided into 3 phases: (1) a rapid decrease until the mid-1980s (men −4.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −4.9, −3.2; women −6.5%; 95% CI, −7.1, −5.9), (2) flattening of the decrease until the mid-1990s (men −1.4%; 95% CI = −2.4, −0.4; women −2.0%; 95% CI = −3.4, −0.6), and (3) stable mortality rates for women (0.0%; 95% CI = −1.2, 1.3) and rising rates for men (1.9%; 95% CI = 0.6, 3.2) over the last decade. Conclusions. The spectacular decrease in fall-related mortality ended in the mid-1990s and is currently increasing in older men at similar rates to those seen in women. Because of the aging society, absolute numbers in fall-related deaths are increasing rapidly.
Taking It Like a Man: Masculine Role Norms as Moderators of the Racial Discrimination–Depressive Symptoms Association Among African American Men
Authors: Hammond Wizdom Powell 
Published: March 2012

Objectives. I examined the association between everyday racial discrimination and depressive symptoms and explored the moderating role of 2 dimensions of masculine role norms, restrictive emotionality and self-reliance.Methods. Cross-sectional survey data from 674 African American men aged 18 years and older recruited primarily from barbershops in 4 US regions (2003–2010) were used. Direct and moderated associations were assessed with multivariate linear regression analyses for the overall sample and different age groups. Models were adjusted for recruitment site, sociodemographics, masculine role norms salience, and general social stress.Results. Everyday racial discrimination was associated with more depressive symptoms across all age groups. Higher restrictive emotionality was associated with more depressive symptoms among men aged 18 to 29 and 30 to 39 years. Self-reliance was associated with fewer depressive symptoms among men aged 18 to 29 years and 40 years and older. The positive association between everyday racial discrimination and depressive symptoms was stronger among men with high restrictive emotionality, but this moderated effect was limited to men older than 30 years.Conclusions. Interventions designed to reduce African American men’s depression instigated by racism should be life-course specific and address masculine role norms that encourage emotion restriction.
Perceived Discrimination and Hypertension Among African Americans in the Jackson Heart Study
Authors: Sims Mario , Diez-Roux Ana V. , Dudley Amanda , Gebreab Samson , Wyatt Sharon B. , Bruce Marino A. , James Sherman A. , Robinson Jennifer C. , Williams David R. , Taylor Herman A. 
Published: March 2012

Objectives. Using Jackson Heart Study data, we examined whether perceived discrimination was associated with prevalent hypertension in African Americans. Methods. Everyday discrimination, lifetime discrimination, burden of discrimination, and stress from discrimination were examined among 4939 participants aged 35 to 84 years (women = 3123; men = 1816). We estimated prevalence ratios of hypertension by discrimination, and adjusted for age, gender, socioeconomic status, and risk factors. Results. The prevalence of hypertension was 64.0% in women and 59.7% in men. After adjustment for age, gender, and socioeconomic status, lifetime discrimination and burden of discrimination were associated with greater hypertension prevalence (prevalence ratios for highest vs lowest quartile were 1.08 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02, 1.15] and 1.09 [95% CI = 1.02,1.16] for lifetime discrimination and burden of discrimination, respectively). Associations were slightly weakened after adjustment for body mass index and behavioral factors. No associations were observed for everyday discrimination. Conclusions. Further understanding the role of perceived discrimination in the etiology of hypertension may be beneficial in eliminating hypertension disparities.
Health in Working-Aged Americans: Adults With High School Equivalency Diploma Are Similar to Dropouts, Not High School Graduates
Authors: Zajacova Anna 
Published: March 2012

Objectives. We compared health outcomes for adults with the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and regular high school diploma to determine whether GED recipients are equivalent to regular graduates despite research that documents their disadvantages in other outcomes. Methods. We used 1997 to 2009 National Health Interview Survey cross-sectional data on high school dropouts, graduates, and GED recipients aged 30 to 65 years (n = 76 705). Five general health indicators and 20 health conditions were analyzed using logistic models. Results. GED recipients had a significantly higher prevalence of every health outcome compared with high school graduates (odds ratios = 1.3–2.7). The GED–high school differences attenuated but remained evident after controlling for health insurance, economic status, and health behaviors. For most conditions, the 95% confidence interval for GED earners overlapped with that for high school dropouts. Conclusions. The high school equivalency diploma was associated with nonequivalent health: adults with a GED had health comparable to that of high school dropouts, not graduates. GED recipients were at increased risk for many health conditions, and their health should be viewed as distinct from regular graduates. The findings have implications for health and educational policies.
Work Safety Climate, Musculoskeletal Discomfort, Working While Injured, and Depression Among Migrant Farmworkers in North Carolina
Authors: Arcury Thomas A. , O’Hara Heather , Grzywacz Joseph G. , Isom Scott , Chen Haiying , Quandt Sara A. 
Published: March 2012

Objectives. This analysis described Latino migrant farmworkers’ work safety climate and its association with musculoskeletal discomfort, working while injured or ill, and depressive symptoms. Methods. Data were from a cross-sectional survey of 300 farmworkers conducted in North Carolina in 2009. Generalized estimating equations models were used to investigate the association of work safety climate with health and safety outcomes. Results. Farmworkers perceived their work safety climate to be poor. About 40% had elevated musculoskeletal discomfort, 5.0% had worked at least 1 day while injured or ill, and 27.9% had elevated depressive symptoms. The odds of elevated musculoskeletal discomfort were 12% lower and the odds of working while injured or ill were 15% lower with each 1-unit increase in the work safety climate. Work safety climate was not associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusions. Work safety climate was important for agricultural workers. Poor work safety climate was associated with health outcomes (musculoskeletal discomfort) and safety (working while injured or ill). Interventions to improve work safety climate in agriculture are needed, with these interventions being directed to employers and workers.
Modeling the Impact of Social Discrimination and Financial Hardship on the Sexual Risk of HIV Among Latino and Black Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Ayala George , Bingham Trista , Kim Junyeop , Wheeler Darrell P. , Millett Gregorio A. 
Published: March 2012

Objectives. We examined the impact of social discrimination and financial hardship on unprotected anal intercourse with a male sex partner of serodiscordant or unknown HIV status in the past 3 months among 1081 Latino and 1154 Black men who have sex with men (MSM; n = 2235) residing in Los Angeles County, California; New York, New York; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Methods. We administered HIV testing and a questionnaire assessing 6 explanatory variables. We combined traditional mediation analysis with the results of a path analysis to simultaneously examine the direct, indirect, and total effects of these variables on the outcome variable. Results. Bivariate analysis showed that homophobia, racism, financial hardship, and lack of social support were associated with unprotected anal intercourse with a serodiscordant or sero-unknown partner. Path analysis determined that these relations were mediated by participation in risky sexual situations and lack of social support. However, paths between the explanatory variable and 2 mediating variables varied by participants’ serostatus. Conclusions. Future prevention research and program designs should specifically address the differential impact of social discrimination and financial hardship on lack of social support and risky sexual situations among Latino and Black MSM.
Independent Associations of Glucose Status and Arterial Stiffness With Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction
Authors: van den Hurk Katja , Alssema Marjan , Kamp Otto , Henry Ronald M. , Stehouwer Coen D. , Smulders Yvo M. , Nijpels Giel , Paulus Walter J. , Dekker Jacqueline M. 
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVE
To investigate relative contributions of glucose status and arterial stiffness to markers of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic dysfunction after 8 years of follow-up.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
In the population-based prospective Hoorn Study, 394 individuals with preserved LV systolic and diastolic function participated, of whom 87 had impaired glucose metabolism and 128 had type 2 diabetes. Measurements including arterial ultrasound and echocardiography were performed according to standardized protocols.

RESULTS
The presence of type 2 diabetes was associated with more severe LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction 8 years later: LV ejection fraction was 2.98% (95% CI 0.46–5.51) lower, and left atrial (LA) volume index, LV mass index, and tissue Doppler-derived E/e′ were 3.71 mL/m2 (1.20–6.22), 5.86 g/m2.7 (2.94–8.78), and 1.64 units (0.95–2.33) higher, respectively. Furthermore, presence of impaired glucose metabolism or type 2 diabetes was associated with 8-year increases in LV mass index. More arterial stiffness (measured as a lower distensibility) was associated with LV diastolic dysfunction 8 years later: LA volume index, LV mass index, and E/e′ at follow-up were higher. Subsequent adjustments for baseline mean arterial pressure and/or LV diastolic dysfunction did not eliminate these associations. Associations of type 2 diabetes and arterial stiffness with markers of LV diastolic dysfunction were largely independent of each other.

CONCLUSIONS
Both glucose status and arterial distensibility are independently associated with more severe LV diastolic dysfunction 8 years later and with deterioration of LV diastolic dysfunction. Therefore, type 2 diabetes and arterial stiffness may relate to LV diastolic dysfunction through different pathways.
Vitamin D Levels Predict All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in Subjects With the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Thomas G. Neil , ó Hartaigh Bríain , Bosch Jos A. , Pilz Stefan , Loerbroks Adrian , Kleber Marcus E. , Fischer Joachim E. , Grammer Tanja B. , Böhm Bernhard O. , März Winfried 
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVEOptimal vitamin D levels are associated with reduced cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. We investigated whether optimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) is protective in individuals with the metabolic syndrome.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThe Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study is a cohort study of subjects referred for coronary angiography between 1997 and 2000, from which 1,801 with the metabolic syndrome were investigated. Mortality was tracked for a median of 7.7 years. Multivariable survival analysis was used to estimate the association between 25(OH)D levels and mortality.RESULTSMost subjects (92%) had suboptimal levels of 25(OH)D (&lt;75 nmol/L), with 22.2% being severely deficient (&lt;25 nmol/L). During follow-up, 462 deaths were recorded, 267 (57.8%) of which were cardiovascular in origin. After full adjustment, including the metabolic syndrome components, those with optimal 25(OH)D levels showed a substantial reduction in all-cause (hazard ratio [HR] 0.25 [95% CI 0.13–0.46]) and cardiovascular disease mortality (0.33 [0.16–0.66]) compared with those with severe vitamin D deficiency. For specific cardiovascular disease mortality, there was a strong reduction for sudden death (0.15 [0.04–0.63]) and congestive heart failure (0.24 [0.06–1.04]), but not for myocardial infarction. The reduction in mortality was dose-dependent for each of these causes.CONCLUSIONSOptimal 25(OH)D levels substantially lowered all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in subjects with the metabolic syndrome. These observations call for interventional studies that test whether vitamin D supplementation provides a useful adjunct in reducing mortality in these subjects.
Changes in Physical Fitness Predict Improvements in Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors Independently of Body Weight Loss in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Participating in the Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study (IDES)
Authors: Balducci Stefano , Zanuso Silvano , Cardelli Patrizia , Salvi Laura , Mazzitelli Giulia , Bazuro Alessandra , Iacobini Carla , Nicolucci Antonio , Pugliese Giuseppe ,   for the Italian Diabetes Exercise Study (IDES) Investigators
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVE
Physical fitness is inversely related to mortality in the general population and in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Here, we present data concerning the relationship between changes in physical fitness and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with type 2 diabetes from the Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Sedentary patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 606) were enrolled in 22 outpatient diabetes clinics and randomized to twice-a-week supervised aerobic and resistance training plus exercise counseling versus counseling alone for 12 months. Baseline to end-of-study changes in cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, and flexibility, as assessed by Vo2max estimation, a 5–8 maximal repetition test, and a hip/trunk flexibility test, respectively, were calculated in the whole cohort, and multiple regression analyses were applied to assess the relationship with cardiovascular risk factors.

RESULTS
Changes in Vo2max, upper and lower body strength, and flexibility were significantly associated with the variation in the volume of physical activity, HbA1c, BMI, waist circumference, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), coronary heart disease (CHD) risk score, and inversely, HDL cholesterol. Changes in fitness predicted improvements in HbA1c, waist circumference, HDL cholesterol, hs-CRP, and CHD risk score, independent of study arm, BMI, and in case of strength, also waist circumference.

CONCLUSIONS
Physical activity/exercise-induced increases in fitness, particularly muscular, predict improvements in cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with type 2 diabetes independently of weight loss, thus indicating the need for targeting fitness in these individuals, particularly in subjects who struggle to lose weight.
Exercise Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: van Dijk Jan-Willem , Tummers Kyra , Stehouwer Coen D.A. , Hartgens Fred , van Loon Luc J.C. 
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVE
Given the transient nature of exercise-induced improvements in insulin sensitivity, it has been speculated that daily exercise is preferred to maximize the benefits of exercise for glycemic control. The current study investigates the impact of daily exercise versus exercise performed every other day on glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Thirty type 2 diabetic patients (age 60 ± 1 years, BMI 30.4 ± 0.7 kg/m2, and HbA1c 7.2 ± 0.2%) participated in a randomized crossover experiment. Subjects were studied on three occasions for 3 days under strict dietary standardization but otherwise free-living conditions. Blood glucose homeostasis was assessed by continuous glucose monitoring over 48 h during which subjects performed no exercise (control) or 60 min of cycling exercise (50% maximal workload capacity) distributed either as a single session performed every other day or as 30 min of exercise performed daily.

RESULTS
The prevalence of hyperglycemia (blood glucose &gt;10 mmol/L) was reduced from 7:40 ± 1:00 h:min per day (32 ± 4% of the time) to 5:46 ± 0:58 and 5:51 ± 0:47 h:min per day, representing 24 ± 4 and 24 ± 3% of the time, when exercise was performed either daily or every other day, respectively (P &lt; 0.001 for both treatments). No differences were observed between the impact of daily exercise and exercise performed every other day.

CONCLUSIONS
A short 30-min session of moderate-intensity endurance-type exercise substantially reduces the prevalence of hyperglycemia throughout the subsequent day in type 2 diabetic patients. When total work is being matched, daily exercise does not further improve daily glycemia compared with exercise performed every other day.