bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patterns of diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging associated with etiology improve the accuracy of prognosis after transient ischaemic attack
Authors: Purroy F. , Begué R. , Gil M. I. , Quílez A. , Sanahuja J. , Brieva L. , Piñol‐Ripoll G. 
Published: May 2010

Objective:  Diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) is a sensitive diagnostic tool for detecting acute ischaemic lesions in patients with transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs). The additional predictive value of DWI lesion patterns is not well known.Methods:  Two hundred and fifty‐four consecutive patients with TIA underwent DWI within 7 days of symptom onset. The presence and pattern of acute ischaemic lesions were related to clinical features, etiology, and stroke recurrence at seven‐ and 90‐day follow‐up.Results:  Diffusion‐weighted images abnormalities were identified in 117 (46.1%) patients. The distribution of DWI lesions was cortical, 31; subcortical, 32; scattered lesions in one arterial territory (SPOT) 42; and in multiple areas, 12. SPOT were significantly associated with motor weakness, large‐artery atherosclerosis (LAA), and the cardioembolic subtype of TIA. Single cortical lesions were also associated with cardioembolism, whereas subcortical acute lesions were associated with recurrent episodes, dysarthria, and motor weakness. During follow‐up, seven patients had a stroke within 7 days (2.8%, 95% CI 2.9–6.4%), and 12 had a stroke within 3 months (4.7%%, 95% CI 2.9–6.4%). In the Cox logistic regression model, the combination of LAA and positive DWI remained as independent predictors of stroke recurrence at 90‐day follow‐up (HR 5.78, 95 CI 1.74–19.21, P = 0.004).Conclusion:  According to our results, MRI, including DWI, should be considered a preferred diagnostic test when investigating patients with potential TIAs. The combination of neuroimaging and vascular information could improve prognostic accuracy in patients with TIA.
Genetic variation on chromosome 9p21 shows association with the ischaemic stroke subtype large‐vessel disease in a Swedish sample aged ≤70
Authors: Olsson S. , Jood K. , Blomstrand C. , Jern C. 
Published: May 2010

Background:  The aim of this study was to investigate whether we could replicate a recent finding of an association between genetic variants on chromosome 9p21 and the ischaemic stroke (IS) subtype large‐vessel disease (LVD).Methods:  The Sahlgrenska Academy Study on Ischemic Stroke comprises 844 patients with IS, who suffered IS before reaching the age of 70, and 668 healthy controls. IS subtype was defined according to the TOAST criteria, and 111 patients were categorized as LVD. Seven single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on 9p21 were analyzed. Functional outcome was assessed 3 months after IS using the modified Rankin scale.Results:  The SNP rs7857345 showed a significant association with the subtype LVD independent of traditional vascular risk factors. In addition, an association between rs7857345 and functional outcome after LVD was observed.Conclusion:  In this relatively young sample of patients with IS, genetic variation on 9p21 is associated with LVD.
Association of the glucocerebrosidase N370S allele with Parkinson’s disease in two separate Chinese Han populations of mainland China
Authors: Hu F.‐Y. , Xi J. , Guo J. , Yu L.‐H. , Liu L. , He X.‐H. , Liu Z.‐L. , Zou X.‐Y. , Xu Y.‐M. 
Published: May 2010

Background and purpose:  Mutations in the glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene have been implicated in the development of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, recent screenings for GBA mutations in PD subjects from different ethnic populations have yielded contradictory results.Methods:  We performed a case–control study to look for a possible association between PD and the GBA N370S allele involving 628 subjects in two separate Chinese Han populations from mainland China. All subjects were successfully genotyped by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.Results:  A total of six patients with PD and two control subjects carried the N370S allele. Although PD cases (1.8%) had an increased frequency of N370S compared to controls (0.7%), the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.290). However, when PD cases were stratified by age at onset, a higher frequency of N370S in late‐onset PD (LOPD) cases (3.2%) compared to controls was observed.Conclusions:  Our results suggest that the N370S allele might be associated with LOPD in Chinese Han population and that this phenomenon should be further examined in a larger study.
Clinical outcome after acute ischaemic stroke: the influence of restless legs syndrome
Authors: Medeiros C. A. M. , de Bruin P. F. C. , Paiva T. R. , Coutinho W. M. , Ponte R. P. , de Bruin V. M. S. 
Published: May 2010

Background and purpose:  The objective was to evaluate the presence of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) in acute stroke, its association with sleep disturbances and clinical outcome during long‐term follow‐up.Methods:  This was a longitudinal study (N = 96, 59 men, mean age 64.0 ± 8.9) of cases with acute ischaemic stroke. Patients were asked about the occurrence of RLS symptoms before the cerebrovascular event. RLS was diagnosed using the criteria established by the International RLS Study Group. Stroke outcome was estimated by the Barthel Index and the modified Rankin Scale. Daytime somnolence (Epworth Sleepiness Scale –ESS > 10), poor sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index –PSQI > 5) and risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (Berlin questionnaire) were evaluated.Results:  Twelve patients (12.5%) met the diagnostic criteria for RLS. All cases had symptoms of RLS before stroke. However, none of the cases had a previous medical diagnosis of RLS or were on use of specific medication. In only one case, a family history of RLS was found. In all patients, RLS symptoms started after the age of 40 (mean age 64 ± 6.7). Daytime sleepiness (44.8%) and poor quality sleep (62.8%) were present. Patients with RLS (12.5%) presented greater neck circumference (P = 0.04) and worse sleep quality (P = 0.007). Risk of OSA (56.2%) was associated with hypertension [OR = 0.12; CI=0.03–0.42]. Stroke outcome was significantly worse at three and 12 months (ancova, P < 0.005) in patients with RLS, remaining after adjustment for diabetes and body mass index (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Patients with acute stroke and RLS have worse clinical outcome, at three and 12 months of follow‐up.
Plasma brain natriuretic peptide predicts death during hospitalization in acute ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Shibazaki K. , Kimura K. , Iguchi Y. , Aoki J. , Sakai K. , Kobayashi K. 
Published: May 2010

Background and purpose:  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most powerful predictor of early death in patients with acute ischaemic stroke. We investigated whether the plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level on admission can serve as a biological marker of in‐hospital death in acute ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) patients with AF.Methods:  We prospectively enrolled ischaemic stroke and TIA patients with AF within 24 h of onset and measured plasma BNP on admission. Patients were divided into two groups: the deceased group, who died during hospitalization, and the survival group. The factors associated with in‐hospital death were investigated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:  A total of 221 patients with AF were enrolled. Death occurred in 24 (10.9%) patients. The mean ± SD of the plasma BNP level of the deceased group was significantly higher than that of the survival group (714.1 ± 716.3 vs. 320.0 ± 380.7 pg/ml, P < 0.0001). The optimal cutoff level, sensitivity, and specificity of BNP levels to distinguish the deceased group from the survival group were 320 pg/ml, 79.2, and 69.0%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age per 10 years increase (OR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.728–7.346, P = 0.0006), internal carotid artery occlusion (OR, 10.20; 95% CI, 2.525–41.177, P = 0.0011), NIHSS score of >17 (OR, 4.68; 95% CI, 1.137–19.286, P = 0.0325), and plasma BNP level of >320 pg/ml (OR, 4.74; 95% CI, 1.260–17.800, P = 0.0213) were independent factors associated with in‐hospital death.Conclusion:  The plasma BNP level on admission can predict in‐hospital death in acute ischaemic stroke and TIA patients with AF.
Addiction and Self‐Deception: A Method for Self‐Control?
Authors: WALKER MARY JEAN 
Published: May 2010

abstractNeil Levy argues that while addicts who believe they are not addicts are self‐deceived, addicts who believe they are addicts are just as self‐deceived. Such persons accept a false belief that their addictive behaviour involves a loss of control. This paper examines two implications of Levy's discussion: that accurate self‐knowledge may be particularly difficult for addicts; and that an addict's self‐deceived belief that they cannot control themselves may aid their attempts at self‐control. I argue that the self‐deceived beliefs of addicts in denial and of self‐described addicts differ in kind. Unlike the self‐deception of an addict in denial, that of the self‐described addict allows them to acknowledge their behaviour. As such, it may aid an addict to develop more self‐control. A paradoxical implication is that this self‐deception may allow an addict more self‐knowledge.
Expression of intermediate filaments at muscle insertions in human fetuses
Authors: Abe Shinichi , Rhee Sun‐ki , Osonoi Makoto , Nakamura Takuo , Cho Baik Hwan , Murakami Gen , Ide Yoshinobu 
Published: May 2010

AbstractDesmin and vimentin are intermediate filaments that play crucial roles in the maturation, maintenance and recovery of muscle fibers and mesenchymal cells. The expression of these proteins has not been investigated extensively in human fetuses. In the present study, we examined the immunohistochemical expression of intermediate filaments in skeletal muscles of the head, neck and thorax in 12 mid‐term human fetuses at 9–18 weeks of gestation. We also used immunohistochemistry to localize the expression of the myosin heavy chain and silver impregnation to identify the fetal endomysium. Expression of desmin and vimentin was already detectable in intercostal muscle at 9 weeks, especially at sites of muscle attachment to the perichondrium. At this stage, myosin heavy chain was expressed throughout the muscle fibers and the endomysium had already developed. Beginning with punctate expression, the positive areas became diffusely distributed in the muscle fibers. At 15–18 weeks, intermediate filament proteins were extensively expressed in all of the muscles examined. Expression at the bone–muscle interface was continuous with expression along the intramuscular tendon fibres. These results suggest that the development of intermediate filaments begins in areas of mechanical stress due to early muscle contraction. Their initially punctate distribution, as observed here, probably corresponds to the earliest stage of fetal enthesis formation.
Unbroken mirror neurons in autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Fan Yang‐Teng , Decety Jean , Yang Chia‐Yen , Liu Ji‐Lin , Cheng Yawei 
Published: May 2010

Background:  The ‘broken mirror’ theory of autism, which proposes that a dysfunction of the human mirror neuron system (MNS) is responsible for the core social and cognitive deficits in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), has received considerable attention despite weak empirical evidence.Methods:  In this electroencephalographic study, we examined mu suppression, as an indicator of sensorimotor resonance, concurrent with oculomotor performance while individuals (n = 20) with ASD and control participants (n = 20) either executed hand actions or observed hand actions or a moving dot. No difference in visual attention between groups was found as indicated by fixation duration and normalized fixation number on the presented stimuli.Results:  The mu suppression over the sensorimotor cortex was significantly affected by experimental conditions, but not by group membership, nor by the interaction between groups and conditions. Individuals with ASD, similar to the controls, exhibited stronger mu suppression when watching hand actions relative to a moving dot. Notably, participants with ASD failed to imitate the observed actions while their mu suppression indicating the MNS activity was intact. In addition, the mu suppression during the observation of hand actions was positively associated with the communication competence of individuals with ASD.Conclusion:  Our study clearly challenges the broken mirror theory of autism. The functioning of the mirror neuron system might be preserved in individuals with ASD to a certain degree. Less mu suppression to action observation coupled with more communicational severity can reflect the symptom heterogeneity of ASD. Additional research needs to be done, and more caution should be used when reaching out to the media.
Practitioner Review: Beyond shaken baby syndrome: what influences the outcomes for infants following traumatic brain injury?
Authors: Ashton Rebecca 
Published: May 2010

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in infancy is relatively common, and is likely to lead to poorer outcomes than injuries sustained later in childhood. While the headlines have been grabbed by infant TBI caused by abuse, often known as shaken baby syndrome, the evidence base for how to support children following TBI in infancy is thin. These children are likely to benefit from ongoing assessment and intervention, because brain injuries sustained in the first year of life can influence development in different ways over many years.Methods: A literature search was conducted and drawn together into a review aimed at informing practitioners working with children who had a brain injury in infancy. As there are so few evidence‐based studies specifically looking at children who have sustained a TBI in infancy, ideas are drawn from a range of studies, including different age ranges and difficulties other than traumatic brain injury.Results: This paper outlines the issues around measuring outcomes for children following TBI in the first year of life. An explanation of outcomes which are more likely for children following TBI in infancy is provided, in the areas of mortality; convulsions; endocrine problems; sensory and motor skills; cognitive processing; language; academic attainments; executive functions; and psychosocial difficulties. The key factors influencing these outcomes are then set out, including severity of injury; pre‐morbid situation; genetics; family factors and interventions.Conclusions: Practitioners need to take a long‐term, developmental view when assessing, understanding and supporting children who have sustained a TBI in their first year of life. The literature suggests some interventions which may be useful in prevention, acute care and longer‐term rehabilitation, and further research is needed to assess their effectiveness.
Evidence of validity in a new method for measurement of dexterity in children and adolescents
Authors: VOLLMER BRIGITTE , HOLMSTRÖM LINDA , FORSMAN LEA , KRUMLINDE‐SUNDHOLM LENA , VALERO‐CUEVAS FRANCISCO J , FORSSBERG HANS , ULLÉN FREDRIK 
Published: May 2010

Aim  Many everyday activities involve manipulation of objects with the fingertips. Impaired performance in manipulative tasks is common in neurodevelopmental disorders. Thus accurate assessment of an individual’s ability to coordinate fingertip forces is important for planning treatment. We evaluated a recently developed assessment tool (the Strength–Dexterity Test), which is based on manipulation of unstable objects, in a paediatric population.Method  A Rasch model was used to examine the validity and reliability of the Strength–Dexterity Test in a sample of 56 typically developing children and adolescents (30 males, 26 females; age range 4y 10mo–17y 3mo; mean age 9y 8mo, SD 3y 8mo). In addition, we examined how performance on this test relates to widely used tests for assessment of gross manual dexterity (assessed with the Box and Blocks Test) and finger strength measured with a pinch meter.Results  The constructs measured with the 78‐item Strength–Dexterity Test include dexterity and strength, and form a unique unidimensional latent trait, named fingertip force coordination, that improves with age. The test has internal scale validity when applied to a typical paediatric population. Positive correlations (significant at p<0.001) were found among all three tests.Interpretation  We provide preliminary evidence of construct validity in the Strength–Dexterity Test. Our findings suggest that this test has the potential to be developed into a promising tool for assessing dexterity in children.
Prevalence and clinical presentation of constipation in children with severe generalized cerebral palsy
Authors: VEUGELERS REBEKKA , BENNINGA MARC A , CALIS ELSBETH AC , WILLEMSEN STEN P , EVENHUIS HELEEN , TIBBOEL DICK , PENNING CORINE 
Published: May 2010

Aim  Our aim was to study the prevalence and characteristics of constipation in children with profound multiple disabilities, as data in this area are scarce.Method  A cross‐sectional observational study was performed in specialized day‐care centres and schools in the Netherlands. The study included 152 children (81 males, 71 females; mean age 9y 6mo, SD 4y 6mo). Intellectual disability ranged from moderate (7%) to profound (52%) in all participants who also had severe motor disabilities (83% classified at Gross Motor Function Classification System level V). We collected data on defaecation characteristics, food and fluid intake, and laxative consumption using standardized bowel diaries and interviews. Constipation was defined as (1) scybalous, pebble‐like, hard stools in over a quarter of defaecations in combination with a defaecation frequency of less than three times per week during a 2‐week study period; (2) large stools palpable on abdominal examination; or (3) laxative use or manual disimpaction of faeces.Results  Of the studied population, 57% were constipated and 55% used laxatives, 27% of whom showed symptoms of constipation. Daily intakes of water and fibre were below the required standards in 87% and 53% of participants respectively, without a proven relation to constipation.Interpretation  Constipation is a common problem in children with severe disabilities. Laxative use is high but dosing is frequently inadequate to prevent symptoms.
The effects of oral‐motor exercises on swallowing in children: an evidence‐based systematic review
Authors: ARVEDSON JOAN , CLARK HEATHER , LAZARUS CATHY , SCHOOLING TRACY , FRYMARK TOBI 
Published: May 2010

Aim  The aim of this unregistered evidence‐based systematic review was to determine the state and quality of evidence on the effects of oral motor exercises (OME) on swallowing physiology, pulmonary health, functional swallowing outcomes, and drooling management in children with swallowing disorders.Method  A systematic search of 20 electronic databases was completed to identify relevant peer‐reviewed literature published in English between 1960 and 2007. Experimental or quasi‐experimental design studies examining OME as a treatment for children with swallowing disorders were appraised for methodological quality by two assessors and reviewed by a third.Results  Sixteen studies of varying methodological quality were included. No study examining the effects of OME on pulmonary health in children was identified. The included studies incorporated a wide variety of OME, and mixed findings were noted across all of the outcomes targeted in this review.Interpretation  Based on the results of this evidence‐based systematic review, there is insufficient evidence to determine the effects of OME on children with oral sensorimotor deficits and swallowing problems. Well‐designed studies are needed to provide clinicians with evidence that can be incorporated into the preferences of the client and the clinicians’ knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and neurodevelopment in the management of this group of children.
The oft‐neglected role of parietal EEG asymmetry and risk for major depressive disorder
Authors: Stewart Jennifer L. , Towers David N. , Coan James A. , Allen John J. B. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractRelatively less right parietal activity may reflect reduced arousal and signify risk for major depressive disorder (MDD). Inconsistent findings with parietal electroencephalographic (EEG) asymmetry, however, suggest issues such as anxiety comorbidity and sex differences have yet to be resolved. Resting parietal EEG asymmetry was assessed in 306 individuals (31% male) with (n=143) and without (n=163) a DSM‐IV diagnosis of lifetime MDD and no comorbid anxiety disorders. Past MDD+ women displayed relatively less right parietal activity than current MDD+ and MDD− women, replicating prior work. Recent caffeine intake, an index of arousal, moderated the relationship between depression and EEG asymmetry for women and men. Findings suggest that sex differences and arousal should be examined in studies of depression and regional brain activity.
Effects of concurrent working memory load on distractor and conflict processing in a name‐face Stroop task
Authors: Jongen Ellen M. M. , Jonkman Lisa M. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractTo examine the time course of effects of working memory (WM) load on interference control, ERPs were measured in a combined WM and Stroop task. A WM load of 0, 2, or 4 letters was imposed, and during the maintenance‐interval Stroop trials were presented that required participants to classify names of famous people while ignoring faces that were either congruent or incongruent with the names.Behavioral interference was not modulated by WM load, but WM load led to an overall reduction of Stroop stimulus encoding as reflected by reduced N170 and N250 amplitudes independent of congruency. Incongruent distractor faces induced interference as shown by a delayed and reduced positivity between 480–600 ms (N450) and an enhanced positivity between 760–1000 ms (P600), indicating longer stimulus evaluation, conflict detection, and conflict resolution, respectively. WM load led to an increase of the P600 at frontal and parietal sites, possibly reflecting PFC‐driven top‐down control of posterior sites, necessary for conflict resolution.
Fashion consumer profiles in the Portuguese market: involvement, innovativeness, self‐expression and impulsiveness as segmentation criteria
Authors: Cardoso Paulo Ribeiro , Costa Helda Sofia , Novais Liliana Andreia 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis study identified fashion consumer profiles among Portuguese young adults. The work was based on four constructs: fashion involvement, fashion innovativeness, self‐expression through fashion products and impulsiveness. Another purpose of this study was to test these instruments in this cultural context in order to contribute to the generalizability of the scales. A cluster analysis uncovered three groups: Moderates, Apathetic and Enthusiasts. On the whole, this study proposes a new way of segmenting Portuguese fashion consumers and demonstrates that the four constructs employed can be used in different cultural contexts.
Importance of blanket testing in promoting US beef for Japanese consumers
Authors: Ishida Takashi , Ishikawa Noriko , Fukushige Mototsugu 
Published: May 2010

AbstractWe carried out and analysed a questionnaire survey on consumer attitudes to verify the effectiveness of blanket testing of US beef in Japan. Applying an ordered probit model to the data yielded the following findings: blanket testing dramatically increases purchase probabilities, so it is one of the most important tools for reviving Japanese consumers’ meat demand. The effect of blanket testing is especially large in the region where the consumers traditionally ate more beef (the Kansai area). Purchase probability is lower in households with awareness of country‐of‐origin of beef before the BSE crisis than households without it. Purchase probability of the households that had eaten US beef before the BSE outbreak is higher than those that had not. Purchase probability is not affected by family structure.