bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Correlations of Cervical Myelopathy and the Hoffmann Sign
Authors: Houten John K. , Noce Louis A. 
Published: February 2011

Object
The Hoffmann sign is commonly used in clinical practice to assess cervical spine disease. It is whether the sign correlates with the severity of myelopathy, and no consensus exists regarding the significance a positive sign in asymptomatic individuals.

Methods
In a retrospective review of cervical spine surgeries for myelopathy due to cervical spondylosis, fication of the posterior longitudinal ligament, or disc herniation performed at a tertiary center, the authors data on the presence of hyperreflexia, the Hoffmann and Babinski signs, and modified Japanese Orthopaedic ciation (mJOA) scale scores. Then, in a prospective evaluation, new patients with lumbar spine complaints examined for the presence of a Hoffmann sign, and, if present, a cervical MR imaging study was assessed for compression.

Results
Of the 225 surgically treated patients, a Hoffmann sign occurred in 68%, hyperreflexia in 60%, and Babinski sign in 33%. In patients with milder disability (mJOA Scores 14–16), the Hoffmann sign was present 46%, whereas a Babinski sign occurred in 10%; in those with severe myelopathy and mJOA scores of ≤ 10, Hoffmann sign was present in 81% and the Babinski sign in 83%. Of 290 patients presenting exclusively with bar spine–related complaints, 36 (12%) had a positive Hoffmann sign. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated spinal cord compression in 91% when the sign was present bilaterally and 50% when positive unilaterally.

Conclusions
In patients surgically treated for cervical myelopathy, the Hoffmann sign is more prevalent more likely to be seen in individuals with less severe neurological deficits than the Babinski sign. In patients lumbar symptoms, a bilateral Hoffmann sign was a highly sensitive marker for occult cervical cord compression, whereas a unilateral Hoffmann sign correlated with similar disease in about one-half of patients.
Magnetic resonance imaging versus histological assessment for estimation of lesion volume after experimental spinal cord injury
Authors: Ditor David S. , John Sunil , Cakiroglu Jason , Kittmer Colin , Foster Paula J. , Weaver Lynne C. 
Published: February 2011

Object
The purpose of this study was to compare measures of lesion volume obtained by means of 1.5-T MR imaging to those obtained by the Cavalieri method, 6 weeks after experimental spinal cord injury.

Methods
Nine male Wistar rats were subjected to spinal cord injury by clip compression (50 g) at the T-4 level. Six weeks postinjury, the rats were sacrificed, and spinal cords were analyzed ex vivo for lesion volume by means of 1.5-T MR imaging and subsequently, by the Cavalieri method. In the latter method, cords were cut longitudinally in 25-μm sections and stained with solochrome cyanin for myelin. The area of the lesion was determined for each serial section, and the distance-weighted sum of all area measures was then calculated to estimate the total lesion volume.

Results
Bland–Altman analysis showed that the 2 methods had an acceptable level of agreement for lesion volume estimation, but the Cavalieri method was prone to an overestimation bias. The MR imaging estimates of lesion volume were greater than the Cavalieri method estimates in 3 spinal cords, but the difference between measures was within 1 standard deviation of perfect agreement in these 3 lesions, and the mean difference between measures was 18.3%. In contrast, in those lesions in which the Cavalieri method yielded larger lesion volumes (5 lesions), the difference between measures was 2 standard deviations away from perfect agreement for 2 animals and the mean difference between measures was 72.4%.

Conclusions
The results illustrate that the overestimation bias of the Cavalieri method is due, in part, to artifacts produced during processing of the spinal cord tissue.
Nature, poetry and medicine in late 18th century England: a unified perspective of Erasmus Darwin
Authors: McNEIL M. 
Published: February 2011

Erasmus Darwin was the focus and embodiment of provincial England in his day. Renowned as a physician, he spent much of his life at Lichfield. He instigated the founding of the Lichfield Botanic Society, which provided the first English translation of the works of Linnaeus, and established a botanic garden; the Lunar Society of Birmingham; the Derby Philosophical Society; and two provincial libraries. A list of Darwin's correspondents and associates reads like a "who's who" of eighteenth century science, industry, medicine and philosophy. His poetry was also well received by his contemporaries and he expounded the evolutionary principles of life. Darwin can be seen as an English equivalent of Lamarck, being a philosopher of nature and human society. His ideas have been linked to a multitude of movements, including the nosological movement in Western medicine, nineteenth century utilitarianism, Romanticism in both Britain and Germany, and associationist psychology. The relationships between various aspects of Darwin's interests and the organizational principles of his writings were examined. His poetical form and medical theory were not peripheral to his study of nature but intrinsically linked in providing his contemporaries with a panorama of nature. A richer, more integrated comprehension of Erasmus Darwin as one of the most significant and representative personalities of his era was presented.
La sociologie et l'empire : Richard Thurnwald et la question de l'autonomie scientifique
Authors: Steinmetz George 
Published: February 2011

Résumé Pourquoi certains sociologues cherchent-ils à maximiser leur autonomie, tandis que d’autres alignent leur travail sur le « principe de réalité » des puissances séculières ? Les sociologues qui étudient le colonialisme et l’empire sont souvent la cible de pressions plus ou moins directes qui les incitent à ajuster leur travail aux besoins et aux présupposés des maîtres d’œuvre de la politique impériale. Dans le but de répertorier les principales formes d’hétéronomisation de la sociologie coloniale, cet article analyse la vie de Richard Thurnwald (1869-1954), un ethno-sociologue et professeur à l’université de Berlin de 1923 à 1949. À plusieurs reprises au cours de sa carrière, Thurnwald a aligné ses recherches sur des forces extérieures au champ scientifique de l’ethnologie, révélant ainsi une forme extrême et polymorphe d’auto-hétéronomisation. Ses premières publications sur le colonialisme visaient des acteurs impliqués dans le domaine de la gouvernance coloniale de l’outre-mer. Au cours des années 1920, son attention s’est déplacée vers le champ en plein essor de la sociologie universitaire, dans lequel il s’est efforcé de pénétrer de façon oblique, en cherchant la reconnaissance du champ sociologique américain. Après 1936, Thurnwald a réorienté son travail vers les programmes coloniaux et impériaux du régime nazi. Cette recherche de reconnaissance en-dehors du champ scientifique auquel appartenait Thurnwald et sa collaboration avec les nazis ne sont pas le résultat d’une position marginale au sein de l’ethnologie, ni d’un simple opportunisme, mais d’une incapacité fondamentale à développer un habitus ou un sens de l’identité scientifique intégré.
Mélancolie postcoloniale ?
Authors: Ducournau Claire 
Published: February 2011

Résumé La notion de « mélancolie postcoloniale » permet de caractériser le traitement que les instances littéraires françaises (maisons d’édition, presse, prix littéraires, réception critique) réservèrent à un ouvrage portant sur la période coloniale, comme le montre l’étude sociologique des conditions de production et de réception du roman Monnè, outrages et défis , de l’auteur ivoirien Ahmadou Kourouma. Alors que l’écrivain voulait, avec ce livre, dénoncer le colonialisme, il a souffert de sa réception immédiate et a modifié par la suite l’orientation de son écriture, en se tournant vers des sujets plus actuels. Prêter attention à l’espace des possibles de la représentation littéraire de la colonisation par des romanciers originaires d’Afrique subsaharienne francophone, des années 1950 jusqu’en 1990, permet de mettre en évidence des effets de champs ayant agi sur le projet originel de Kourouma. La dépendance de la littérature africaine de langue française publiée en France vis-à-vis d’un champ littéraire français où la conception de la littérature engagée a fait son temps, a ainsi été intériorisée et transmuée par l’écrivain, à travers l’élaboration d’une forme littéraire originale.
Modèles économiques d'un marché naissant : le livre numérique
Authors: Benhamou Françoise , Guillon Olivia 
Published: February 2011

Résumé Alors que le marché du livre numérique est encore balbutiant en France et représente moins de 1 % du chiffre d’affaires des éditeurs, les stratégies commerciales mises en œuvre par les acteurs traditionnels de la chaîne du livre et par de nouveaux entrants permettent d’esquisser différentes configurations des marchés du livre numérique. La dématérialisation induit des mutations qui auront des conséquences sur l’ensemble de la filière : disparition et apparition d’acteurs, perte, création et déplacement de valeur, restructuration industrielle. Les enjeux de marché, soumis à certaines contraintes techniques comme celle de l’interopérabilité entre normes de fichiers et matériels de lecture, dépendent aussi du maintien ou de l’évolution de la législation régissant le commerce du livre en France : droits de propriété intellectuelle, fiscalité, mode de fixation du prix. Cette photographie cherche à synthétiser les futurs possibles de l’économie du livre numérique.
Les mutations de l'identité professionnelle des enseignants
Authors: Rayou Patrick 
Published: February 2011

Alors que de nombreux travaux témoignent d’une réelle souffrance au travail pour les enseignants, la question de l’identité professionnelle peut expliquer pour une bonne part ce malaise. S’il faut bien évidemment s’intéresser au contexte politique global où cette identité professionnelle est mise à l’épreuve, il faut s’intéresser aussi à la réalité du métier et à l’évolution des missions de l’école. À l’heure où un relativisme social des connaissances remet en cause le statut de l’enseignant comme passeur privilégié du savoir, l’école, qui a réussi à imposer ses normes et ses contraintes à la société, se voit-elle chargée de régler des problèmes que les autres institutions n’arrivent plus à résoudre. De plus la massification du système éducatif a provoqué une grande hétérogénéité des publics : de nombreux bacheliers ne maitrisent plus tous les savoirs implicites nécessaires à la réussite scolaire. Face à ces bouleversements du métier d’enseignant, il faut renforcer et repenser la professionnalisation.
Enseigner le français en lycée professionnel : quels changements dans le métier ?
Authors: Lopez Maryse 
Published: February 2011

En 1969, l’enseignement professionnel constitue, malgré un début d’alignement, un ordre parallèle. Dans ce contexte, la question des contours et des enjeux de la discipline français dans l’enseignement professionnel n’est pas évoquée dans le manifeste de Charbonnières. Mais les changements qui ont depuis touché la voie professionnelle ont eu des incidences sur l’évolution de la discipline. Selon les acteurs impliqués, enseignants, formateurs et inspecteurs, la discipline s’est bien renouvelée. Cela étant, ses référents habituels que sont la littérature et la langue obéissent à des enjeux qui tiennent à la dimension professionnelle de la formation autant qu’au profil des élèves. Il est essentiel, selon les acteurs interrogés, de se dégager d’un modèle trop centré sur les savoirs, modèle qui a mis les élèves en échec. Malgré ces changements le lycée professionnel reste avant tout, pour les acteurs interrogés, un lieu d’innovations pédagogiques dont la formation s’est pendant longtemps fait l’écho.
Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Performance of the Mothers of Children Affected by Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Authors: Hejazi S.H. , Hazavei S.M.M. , Bidabadi L. Shirani , Shademani A. , Siadat A.H. , Zolfaghari-Baghbaderani A. , Nilforoushzadeh M.A. , Hosseini S.M. 
Published: February 2011

Background Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the health problems of many tropical and subtropical regions and is endemic in many parts of Iran especially. Cutaneous leishmaniasis not only is a health problem but also is a social and cultural problem in Iran. Education about health for high risk population seems to have a critical role in prevention of leishmaniasis and therefore evaluation of knowledge, attitude and performance are of importance. For the success of prevention and control programs of any disease, the most important prerequisite is community participation. Program implementers need to understand the disease-related knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of the community, because these are the important determinants of community participation. There are no data from Iran focusing on these aspects, and thus this study presents the information on KAP related to cutaneous leishmaniasis (C.L) in Iran. Methods In this study 166 mothers that had at least one child with CL were studied. Data collection was performed using questionnaires that were designed by epidemiologist and were analyzed using SPSS software. Results The mean of KAP score was 15.7 ± 1.6 (range of 11.5–19). 48 mothers (28.9%) had weak KAP, 79 mothers (47.6%) had average KAP and 39 mothers (23.5%) had excellent KAP. Conclusion According to our results, about 28.9% the mothers had inappropriate KAP score about leishmaniasis highlighting the fact that at least one third of the Isfahan population needs practical education about combating with leishamaniasis. To close the gap between the knowledge and practice of the mothers, face to face education and use of instructional aides are recommended.
Cytokine-mediated Regulation of CX3CL1 in Osteoblasts from Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Isozaki Takeo , Sato Michihito , Takahashi Ryo , Wakabayashi Kuninobu , Odai Tsuyoshi , Yajima Nobuyuki , Miwa Yusuke , Tezuka Masakazu , Kasama Tsuyoshi 
Published: February 2011

Introduction CX3CL1 (fractalkine), a membrane-bound chemokine that induces both the adhesion and migration of leukocytes, is involved in the recruitment of cells to tissues undergoing inflammatory responses. To explore the regulation of CX3CL1 in inflammatory bone diseases, we examined CX3CL1 expression in osteoblasts. Methods Human osteoblasts isolated from the femora of rheumatoid arthritis patients were incubated in the presence or absence of various inflammatory stimuli. Culture supernatants were collected, and soluble CX3CL1 levels were determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of CX3CL1 mRNA transcripts in osteoblasts was examined using the quantitative TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results The combination of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ induced dramatic increases in levels of both soluble CX3CL1 protein and mRNA transcripts. CX3CL1 expression in osteoblasts was decreased by the addition of interleukin(IL)-4 or IL-17 but was increased when stimulation by IFN-γ and IL-17 was supplemented with IL-1β In addition, expression was decreased when TNF-α was added. Conclusions Multiple cytokines, including IL-17, are able to either increase or decrease the expression of CX3CL1 by human osteoblasts.
Effect of Iron Fortified Wheat Flour on the Biology and Physiology of Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)
Authors: Ahmed Sohail , Wakil Waqas , Saleem H.M. Salman , Shahid Mohammad , Ghazanfar M. Usman 
Published: February 2011

Iron overload in the fortified flour can influence the life stages and physiology of the insects. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of commercially available premix iron fortified flour as well as effect of different concentrations of post-mix iron fortified flour (30–5 ppm) on biology of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Hebrst.). Larval and pupal duration, total developmental time, fecundity and larval weights in two consecutive generations of beetle were compared with control treatment. Amylase and protease activities of gut of the beetle were also measured in premix and postmix flours. Results showed that larval mortality increased in two sources of premix iron flour when compared with control. Larval weight was reduced in first generation only. The larval mortality was significantly higher in 30 ppm postmix iron fortified flour than in other postmix concentrations and control treatment. The larvae of T. castaneum fed on two sources of premix and in various concentrations of postmix iron fortified flour revealed an increase in amylases and decrease in protease activities.
Serum Levels of Tryptophan, 5-Hydroxytryptophan and Serotonin in Patients Affected with Different Forms of Amenorrhea
Authors: Comai S. , Bertazzo A. , Carretti N. , Podfigurna-Stopa A. , Luisi S. , Costa C.V.L. 
Published: February 2011

Tryptophan (Trp) is present in the serum, partly bound to albumine and in the free form. The unbound portion of circulating tryptophan has the property of crossing the hematoencephalic barrier and being converted within the brain into serotonin (5-HT) through the enzymatic processes of hydroxylation and decarboxylation. The serotoninergic system plays an important role in neuroendocrine control of reproductive hormone secretion, and in particular, it may influence GnRH pulsatility, a function essential for reproductive processes. In this study, we analysed serum levels of tryptophan, serotonin and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in women with three different forms of amenorrhea: 16 patients were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, 60 patients with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, and 14 patients with hyperprolactinemia. Data were compared with those of a group of 25 healthy women. Serum Trp levels were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower in the anorexic (11.64 ± 0.53 μg/ml, mean ± S.E.) than in the control (12.98 ± 0.37 μg/ml) groups. In addition, in the anorexic group a statistical dispersion of Trp values was shown indicating a bimodal data distribution suggesting the existence of two different subgroups of patients. Regarding 5-HTP, an increase of its serum level was observed in all the groups with amenorrhea with the highest value in hyperprolactinemic patients. On the contrary, no statistical differences in serum 5-HT levels among the four analyzed groups were observed. This study shows that women affected by various forms of amenorrhea present an altered metabolism of tryptophan via serotonin and, in particular, markedly high differences are observed between the two subgroups of anorexic patients.
Effects of Acute Tryptophan Depletion on Three Different Types of Behavioral Impulsivity
Authors: Dougherty Donald M. , Richard Dawn M. , James Lisa M. , Mathias Charles W. 
Published: February 2011

Introduction While central nervous system serotonin has been implicated in a variety of problematic impulsive behaviors, biological manipulation of brain serotonin using acute tryptophan depletion for studying changes in impulsive behavior has received little attention. Methods Using identical treatment conditions, we examined the effects of reduced serotonin synthesis for each of three matched groups using acute tryptophan depletion. Thirty healthy men and women (ages 18–45) were assigned to perform one of three tasks assessing different types of behavioral impulsivity: response initiation, response inhibition, and consequence sensitivity ( N = 90). Participants completed two experimental days during which each consumed either a tryptophan-depletion or balanced-placebo amino-acid formulation and completed 5 sessions of their respective tasks at 0.25 h before and 1.5, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 h after beverage consumption. Results During peak effectiveness (5.0 h to 6.0 h following amino-acid consumption), depletion produced selective differences dependent on the type of impulsivity being tested. Specifically, relative to baseline testing (pre-depletion), response initiation impulsivity was significantly increased during the peak effects of depletion. And, when compared to placebo control, both response initiation and consequence sensitivity impulsivity were increased during the peak effects of depletion. Conclusion Though response initiation and consequence sensitivity impulsivity were affected by tryptophan depletion, response inhibition impulsivity was not, suggesting that other biological processes may underlie this specific component of impulsivity. Future research in other populations or using different pharmacological agents is warranted to further examine the biological processes underlying these components of impulsivity.
Increased Serum Cu/Zn SOD in Individuals with Clinical Depression Normalizes after Zinc and Anti-oxidant Therapy
Authors: Russo A.J. 
Published: February 2011

Aim To assess serum Cu/Zn SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) concentration in individuals with clinical depression. Subjects and Methods Serum from 36 individuals diagnosed with clinical depression and 18 healthy controls were tested for Cu/Zn SOD serum concentration using ELISAs. Results Serum Cu/Zn SOD levels of depressed individuals (both with and without secondary anxiety) were significantly higher than age and gender similar controls. We also found that, post anti-oxidant therapy, Cu/Zn SOD levels normalized to the level of normal healthy controls. Discussion These results suggest an association between Cu/Zn SOD serum levels and clinical depression.
Decreased Serum Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) in Individuals with Anxiety Increases after Zinc Therapy
Authors: Russo A.J. 
Published: February 2011

Aim To assess serum Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) levels in individuals with anxiety and to test the hypothesis that there is a relationship between HGF levels and zinc therapy. Subjects and Methods Serum from 19 individuals with anxiety and 19 controls were tested for serum HGF using ELISAs. HGF serum concentration in individuals with anxiety before zinc and anti-oxidant therapy was compared to levels after therapy. Zinc and copper levels in anxiety patients, pre and post therapy, were also measured and compared. Results Individuals with anxiety had significantly lower serum levels of HGF compared to controls ( P = 0.0005). HGF concentration rose significantly (normalized) after zinc therapy ( P = 0.04) and zinc levels increased significantly in these same patients ( P = 0.0002). Discussion These results suggest an association between HGF serum levels and individuals with anxiety and demonstrate that zinc therapy is associated with increasing HGF levels.
Decreased Serum Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) in Individuals with Bipolar Disorder Normalizes after Zinc and Anti-oxidant Therapy
Authors: Russo A.J. 
Published: February 2011

Aim To assess serum HGF concentration in individuals with bipolar disorder and investigate the efficacy of zinc therapy on these levels. Subjects and Methods Serum from 35 individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder and 19 age and gender similar controls were tested for HGF concentration using ELISAs, and copper and zinc plasma levels using inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results HGF serum levels of individuals with bipolar disorder were significantly lower than age and gender similar controls ( P = 0.0021). HGF serum concentration was significantly lower in Bipolar patients pre-therapy ( P = 0.0009) and HGF levels normalized post-therapy. Zinc levels in these same individuals also normalized ( P = 0.0046) and patient's perceived severity of Bipolar symptoms significantly decreased after therapy ( P = 0.0003). We also found a significant direct correlation between Zinc and HGF serum concentration in the bipolar patients ( P = 0.04). Discussion These results suggest an association between low HGF levels and bipolar disorder and also demonstrate that zinc therapy may be associated with the normalization of HGF levels and decrease in severity of disease.