bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations of the Stair Climb Power Test With Muscle Strength and Functional Performance in People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Roig Marc , Eng Janice J. , MacIntyre Donna L. , Road Jeremy D. , Reid W. Darlene 
Published: October 2010

Background
The Stair Climb Power Test (SCPT) is a functional test associated with leg muscle power in older people.

Objective
The purposes of this study were to compare the results of the SCPT in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and people who were healthy and to explore associations of the SCPT with muscle strength (force-generating capacity) and functional performance.

Design
The study was a cross-sectional investigation.

Methods
Twenty-one people with COPD and a predicted mean (SD) percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 47.2 (12.9) and 21 people who were healthy and matched for age, sex, and body mass were tested with the SCPT. Knee extensor and flexor muscle torque was assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer. Functional performance was assessed with the Timed “Up & Go” Test (TUG) and the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT).

Results
People with COPD showed lower values on the SCPT (28%) and all torque measures (∼32%), except for eccentric knee flexor muscle torque. In people with COPD, performance on the TUG and 6MWT was lower by 23% and 28%, respectively. In people with COPD, the SCPT was moderately associated with knee extensor muscle isometric and eccentric torque (r≥.46) and strongly associated (r=.68) with the 6MWT. In people who were healthy, the association of the SCPT with knee extensor muscle torque tended to be stronger (r≥.66); however, no significant relationship between the SCPT and measures of functional performance was found.

Limitations
The observational design of the study and the use of a relatively small convenience sample limit the generalizability of the findings.

Conclusions
The SCPT is a simple and safe test associated with measures of functional performance in people with COPD. People with COPD show deficits on the SCPT. However, the SCPT is only moderately associated with muscle torque and thus cannot be used as a simple surrogate for muscle strength in people with COPD.
Effects of insulin-like growth factor–I and platelet-rich plasma on sciatic nerve crush injury in a rat model
Authors: Emel Erhan , Ergün Selma Sönmez , Kotan Dilcan , Gürsoy Esra Başar , Parman Yeşim , Zengin Asli , Nurten Asiye 
Published: October 2010

Object
Local administration of insulin-like growth factor–I (IGF-I) has been shown to increase the rate of axon regeneration in crush-injured and freeze-injured rat sciatic nerves. Local administration of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been also shown to have a measurable effect on facial nerve regeneration after transection in a rat model. The objective of the study was to compare the effects of locally administered IGF-I and PRP on the parameters of the Sciatic Function Index (SFI), sensory function (SF), axon count, and myelin thickness/axon diameter ratio (G-ratio) in a rat model of crush-injured sciatic nerves.

Methods
The right sciatic nerve of Wistar albino rats (24 animals) was crushed using a Yasargil-Phynox aneurysm clip for 45 minutes. All animals were randomly divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (control group) was treated with saline, Group 2 was treated with IGF-I, and Group 3 was treated with PRP. Injections were performed using the tissue expander's injection port with a connecting tube directed at the crush-injured site. Functional recovery was assessed with improvement in the SFI. Recovery of sensory function was using the pinch test. Histopathological examination was performed 3 months after the injury.

Results
The SFI showed an improved functional recovery in the IGF-I–treated animals (Group 2) compared with the saline-treated animals (Group 1) 30 days after the injury. In IGF-I–treated rats, sensory function returned to the baseline level significantly faster than in saline-treated and PRP-treated rats as shown in values between SF-2 and SF-7. The G-ratios were found to be significantly higher in both experimental groups than in the control group.

Conclusions
This study suggests that the application of IGF-I to the crush-injured site may expedite the functional recovery of paralyzed muscle by increasing the rate of axon regeneration.
The transorbital keyhole approach: early and long-term outcome analysis of approach-related morbidity and cosmetic results
Authors: Beseoglu Kerim , Lodes Sabrina , Stummer Walter , Steiger Hans-Jakob , Hänggi Daniel 
Published: October 2010

Object
In 2003 the authors introduced a minimally invasive transorbital keyhole approach. Because this approach requires removal of the orbital rim and orbital roof, there have been concerns regarding perioperative morbidity, long-term morbidity, and cosmetic results. The authors evaluated approach-related morbidity and cosmetic results in their patients to determine the rate of complications and compared this to published reports of similar approaches.

Material
Seventy-one patients (41 female, 30 male) underwent operations using this approach between 2004 and 2008. Immediate approach-related morbidity was recorded after the operation. Late morbidity was determined after 7 months by an independent examiner while cosmetic results were self-rated by the patient using a questionnaire.

Results
Fifty-one (72%) of 71 patients had no postoperative complications and 12 (16.9%) had minor complications, the most common of which was subgaleal CSF collection (7.0%). Other minor complications included facial nerve palsy (2.8%), hyposphagma (2.8%), periorbital swelling due to periorbital hematoma (2.8%), and subdural hematoma (1.4%). Major complications requiring surgical revision occurred in 4 patients (5.6%); these were CSF fistulas in 2 patients, pneumocephalus in 1 patient, and a hematoma in 1 patient. Forty-nine (90.7%) of all 54 examined patients rated the cosmetic results as very good or good. Major long-term morbidity was hyposmia or anosmia (14 patients) followed by hypoesthesia around the scar (9 patients).

Conclusions
The transorbital keyhole approach is a feasible approach with a low-risk profile for postoperative or long-term morbidity and excellent cosmetic outcome.
Éviter ou réduire la déforestation pour atténuer le changement climatique : le pari de la REDD
Authors: Tsayem Demaze Moïse 
Published: October 2010

Depuis quelques années, la Réduction des Emissions de gaz à effet de serre dues à la Déforestation et à la Dégradation forestière (REDD) fait l’objet de débats et de propositions dans le cadre des négociations internationales pour l’élaboration d’un traité devant succéder au protocole de Kyoto. Cet article synthétise les connaissances sur cette initiative émergente qui a un double objectif : intégrer les forêts tropicales dans la lutte contre le changement climatique et faire participer les pays en développement aux efforts internationaux de réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre. L’article montre que les divergences entre les propositions formulées par les États, ajoutées aux difﬁcultés de quantiﬁcation de la déforestation et de la dégradation forestière réellement évitées, n’augurent pas d’une évidente et efﬁcace mise en œuvre de cette initiative à forte connotation marchande dans le contexte actuel de crise ﬁnancière et économique.
Du terrain vague à la friche paysagée
Authors: Lizet Bernadette 
Published: October 2010

Résumé Le jardin « naturel » est à la mode, et il déstabilise le modèle longtemps hégémonique du jardin fleuri. Il exerce une séduction croissante en ville, où il symbolise la nature ordinaire, concrétise les idées et les valeurs de l’écologie urbaine et du développement « durable ». Le jardin naturel se radicalise dans l’hybridation entre friche et jardin, figure nouvelle qui valorise l’esthétique brouillonne du terrain vague et cristallise toutes les ambiguïtés du rapport à la nature aujourd’hui : accueillir les mécanismes naturels et s’en assurer le contrôle. Une recherche a été effectuée sur une petite friche parisienne, dans un quartier particulièrement dense et soumis à de forts enjeux politiques. Du terrain vague à la friche paysagée, elle a permis de comprendre les paradoxes d’un nouveau modèle de nature urbaine, un « sauvage » singulièrement socialisé.
Brucellosis: Review on the Recent Trends in Pathogenicity and Laboratory Diagnosis
Authors: Christopher Supriya , L. Umapathy B , L. Ravikumar K 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTBrucellosis is a zoonotic infection transmitted from animals to humans by the ingestion of infected food products, direct contact with an infected animal or inhalation of aerosols. The last method is remarkably efficient given the relatively low concentration of organisms (10 – 100 bacteria) needed to establish infection in humans, and has brought renewed attention to this old disease. Brucella is a facultative intracellular pathogen that has the ability to survive and multiply in the phagocytes and cause abortion in cattle and undulant fever in humans. Brucella spp particularly B. melitensis, B. abortus, and B. suis represent a significant public health concern. At present, B. melitensis is the principle cause of human brucellosis in India. Molecular studies have demonstrated the phylogenetic affiliation of Brucella to Agrobacterium, Ochrobactrum, and Rhizobium. Human brucellosis still presents scientists and clinicians with several challenges, with regard to the understanding of its pathogenic mechanism, severity, progression, and development of improved treatment regimens. Molecular studies have now highlighted the pathogenesis of Brucella, for the development of newer diagnostic tools that will be useful in developing countries where brucellosis is a common, but often a neglected disease. This review compiles all these issues in general and the pathogenicity and newer diagnostic tools in particular.
Emerging Infections: Shewanella – A Series of Five Cases
Authors: Sharma Krishna Kanchan , Kalawat Usha 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACT
Background: Shewanella spp. are unusual cause of disease in humans; however, reports of Shewanella infections have been increasing. Shewanella is a ubiquitous organism that has been isolated from many foods, sewage, and both from fresh and salt water. Earlier it was named as Pseudomonas putrefaciens or Shewanella putrefaciens. There are several reports describing this organism causing human infections such as cellulitis, abscesses, bacteremia, wound infection, etc. It is oxidase and catalase-positive non-fermenter gram-negative rod that produces hydrogen sulfide.
Aims: The study was conducted to identify Shewanella spp., which was wrongly reported as Pseudomonas spp.
Materials and Methods: Clinical samples were cultured as per standard clinical laboratory procedure. We tested the non-lactose-fermenting colonies for oxidase positivity. Oxidase-positive colony was inoculated in triple sugar iron slant (TSI) to know the hydrogen sulfide production. Hydrogen sulfide positive colonies were further tested for citrate, urease, indole, and amino acid decarboxylation and acid and gas production from sugars.
Results: Five isolates identified as Pseudomonas spp. during preliminary testing were proved to be Shewanella spp. on further testing.
Conclusions: It will help in better understanding the epidemiology, pathogenesis and risk factors associated with these and prevention of the rare pathogenic organisms.
Effect of Intradialytic Change in Plasma Volume on Blood Pressure in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis
Authors: Khalaj Ali-Reza , Sanavi Suzan , Afshar Reza , Rajabi Muhammad-Reza 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACT
Background: Hypervolemia is a common complication in patients on hemodialysis (HD). To determine the effect of volume change on blood pressure in HD population, this cohort was conducted.
Materials and Methods: The study population was composed of 60 non-diabetic patients on maintenance HD, with mean age of 59.95±15.28 years. They were divided into hypertensive group A (n=26) and normotensive group B (n=34). Data were collected by a questionnaire. Pre and post-dialysis blood levels of urea, sodium, total protein, and hemoglobin were measured and intradialytic change of plasma volume were calculated. Data analyses were performed by the SPSS v.16.
Results: Out of 60 patients, 58.3% were male and 41.7% female. Post-dialysis systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were significantly lower than pre-dialysis values in both groups (P=0.001, each). No correlation was found between intradialytic change in plasma volume or body weight and alterations of SBP or DBP during HD in the study groups (P>0.05, each). Intradialytic changes of body weight did not correlate to intradialytic changes of plasma volume (P=0.15).
Conclusion: HD effectively reduces blood pressure and volume expansion, however, intradialytic changes of plasma volume and body weight do not influence on SBP and DBP.
Prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Post-operative Wound Infection in a Referral Hospital in Haryana, India
Authors: Ranjan K Prabhat , Ranjan Neelima , Bansal Satish K , Arora D R 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACT
Background: The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the isolates of postoperative wound and its susceptibility pattern to commonly used antibiotics.
Materials and Methods: During a 2-year period, specimens were received as postoperative wound swabs in Microbiology Laboratory, Maharaja Agrasen Medical College, Agroha (Hisar), Haryana, India.
Result: Of the 300 bacterial isolates, 89 (29.6%) were P. aeruginosa, followed by Escherichia coli (61, 20.3%), Klebsiella spp. (50, 16.6%), Staphylococcus aureus (43, 14.3%), Proteus spp. (19, 6.3%), Acinetobacter spp. (9, 3.0%), and Citrobacter freundii (2, 0.6%). There was no growth in 27 (9.0%) specimens.
Conclusion: P. aeruginosa isolation was higher in male patients and most common in the age group of 21-40 years. The susceptibility pattern showed the organism to be most commonly susceptible to imipenem, followed by meropenem, cefoperazone/sulbactam, ticarcillin/clavulanate, and amikacin.Keywords: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, postoperative wound, prevalence, nosocomial, antibiotic
Prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northern India
Authors: Arora Shilpa , Devi Pushpa , Arora Usha , Devi Bimla 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACT
Aim: The emergence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has posed a serious therapeutic challenge. We report the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of MRSA in the hospitals attached to GMC, Amritsar, Punjab.
Materials and Methods: The study comprised of 250 coagulase-positive staphylococci (COPS) isolated from a total of 6743 clinical specimens (like pus, blood, urine, high vaginal swab, sputum, etc.) of patients admitted in hospitals attached to Government Medical College, Amritsar from January 2008−February 2009. Routine antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed and interpreted as per standard guidelines. Methicillin resistance was detected using oxacillin and cefoxitin disc diffusion method, oxacillin screen agar method, and minimum inhibitory concentration using broth macrodilution method.
Results: A total of 115 (46%) strains were found to be methicillin resistant. Multidrug resistance was observed in 73% MRSA strains. However, no strain was resistant to vancomycin.
Conclusion: Regular surveillance of hospital-associated infection and monitoring of antibiotic sensitivity pattern is required to reduce MRSA prevalence.
Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus [MRSA] Isolates at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mangalore, South India
Authors: Pai Vidya , Rao Venkatakrishna I , Rao Sunil P 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACT
Background/Aim: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important cause of nosocomial infections worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MRSA and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in our hospital located in Mangalore, India.
Materials and Methods: The bacterial isolates from various clinical specimens of patients admitted in our hospital were cultured as per standard protocol and all isolates of Staphylococcus aureus obtained were included in the study. The isolates were identified by standard methods like catalase test, slide and tube coagulase tests, and growth on Mannitol salt agar (HiMedia Lab, Mumbai). The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. The D-test for inducible clindamycin resistance was performed. The isolates were tested for methicillin resistance by using oxacillin disc by disc diffusion method and confirmed by agar screen test (oxacillin 6 μgm/ml). The results were interpreted according to CLSI criteria.
Results: During a period of one year, a total of 237 isolates of S. aureus were studied and 69 (29.1%) were found to be methicillin-resistant. MRSA isolates showed greater resistance to multiple drugs than methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus MSSA isolates. Inducible clindamycin resistance was 18.8% in MRSA as against 3.5% in MSSA. About 40–50% of MRSA were resistant to erythromycin, gentamicin, and chloramphenicol, while less than 30% were resistant to ciprofloxacin and amikacin. However, all strains were sensitive to vancomycin.
Conclusion: The regular surveillance of hospital-acquired infections of MRSA may be helpful in formulating and monitoring the antibiotic policy. This may also help in preserving antibiotics like vancomycin, only for life-threatening staphylococcal diseases.
Bacteriologic Profile and Antibiogram of Blood Culture Isolates in a Pediatric Care Unit
Authors: Prabhu Kavitha , Bhat Sevitha , Rao Sunil 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACT
Background / Aims: Septicemia is one of the important causes of mortality and morbidity in neonates and children. Blood culture is the gold standard for the diagnosis. Emergence of multidrug resistant bacterial strains is a major problem in the management of sepsis. Present study was undertaken to identify the common bacterial pathogens associated with pediatric sepsis and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility pattern.
Materials and Methods: Blood cultures from 185 suspected cases of sepsis were examined. The growths from the subcultures were identified by conventional biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and drug resistant strains in primary screening were further processed for extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) status by combination disk method (ESBL) and oxacillin disk diffusion method (MRSA).
Results: Out of the 185 cultures obtained from suspected cases, 81 (44%) were culture positive. Fifty-two (35%) of the culture isolates were Gram negative bacilli. Twenty-eight (64%) of the isolates were Gram positive cocci. One case was of mixed infection. The prevalence of MRSA in 41 strains of S. aureus was found to be 29% (12 strains). The overall prevalence of ESBL producers among 28 Gram negative bacterial isolates was found to be 32% (9 strains).
Conclusion: This study stresses the need for the continuous screening and surveillance for antibiotic resistance in pediatric care unit.
Evaluation of a Rapid Differentiation Test for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis from other Mycobacteria by Selective Inhibition with p-nitrobenzoic Acid using MGIT 960
Authors: Sharma Babita , Pal Nita , Malhotra Bharti , Vyas Leela 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTTuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) as well as Non-tubercular mycobacterium (NTM) with similar clinical presentation. Infections due to NTM are reported to have increased in the past few years. Growth of M.tb is inhibited by p-Nitrobenzoic acid (PNB), whereas, NTM are resistant. One hundred and nine isolates from various clinical samples were identified up to species level by their growth rate, pigmentation, and a battery of biochemical tests, including niacin accumulation, nitrate reduction, and heat-stable catalase (68°C) reactions. Para-nitrobenzoic acid (PNB) inhibition test was performed to differentiate between M.tb and NTM. PNB was added to the Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium and BACTECTM MIGIT (Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube)960 medium to a final concentration of 500 μg/ml. All the M.tb isolates, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (standard strain), were inhibited by PNB on both LJ and MGIT 960. Of the NTM isolates, all were resistant to PNB on MGIT 960 and on LJ PNB, except one isolate of Mycobacterium marinum that was resistant to MGIT 960 PNB, but was susceptible to LJ PNB. The reporting time for M.tb ranged from 4–11 days (median 5.9 days) by MGIT 960 and for NTM it was 2–10 days with an average of 4.5 days. This study was carried out to establish the accuracy and efficiency of MGIT 960 PNB and to differentiate between M.tb and NTM.
Detection of Viral Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies Directed Against EBV or VCP: In Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients of Indian Origin
Authors: Deo Sudha S , Shetty Rashmi R , Mistry Kejal J , Chogle Arun R 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACT
Aim: Study was undertaken to analyze the frequency of anti-viral citrullinated peptide (anti-VCP) antibodies in sera from patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA).
Materials and Methods: Viral citrullinated peptide (VCP) and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA-1) peptide were commercially prepared and antibodies to these were determined in 25 patients of ERA, 40 disease control patients constituting 25 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 7 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 2 scleroderma, 1 spondyloarthritis (SpA), 1 juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), 1 osteoarthritis (OA), 1 psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 1 undifferentiated arthritis (UA), and 1 gout and 25 healthy controls (HCs) were taken for comparison. In-house ELISA was established for both the antibodies while cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody was detected by commercial ELISA kit.
Results: Significant increase in VCP antibody by ERA and disease controls than healthy normal was observed. VCP IgM antibody was significantly increased in RA patients than HC. The presence of VCP antibody signifies a good marker for ERA. We observed significant difference in the VCP IgG and IgM antibody when compared to EBNA-1. In-house ELISA established for EBNA-1 and VCP antibodies showed low sensitivity but 96% specificity.
Conclusions: We observed that sera from early RA patients reacted to the deiminated protein encoded by Epstain Barr Virus (EBV). Thus a possible role of virus in inducing an anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) response reveals viral etiology in this disease.