bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The SWIFT Cast Trial Protocol: A Randomized Controlled Evaluation of the Efficacy of an Ankle–Foot Cast on Walking Recovery Early after Stroke and the Neural–Biomechanical Correlates of Response
Authors: Pomeroy Valerie M. , Rowe Phillip , Baron Jean-Claude , Clark Allan , Sealy Richard , Ugbolue Ukadike C. , Kerr Ander ,   SWIFT Cast Investigators
Published: December 2011

Rationale An ankle–foot cast may enable people to repeatedly practice walking with a more normal movement pattern early after stroke. Aims To evaluate the clinical efficacy of using an ankle–foot cast [soft scotch ankle-foot (SWIFT) Cast] to enhance walking recovery and to find whether site of stroke lesion and/or baseline biomechanical characteristics predict response to a SWIFT Cast. Design Randomized, controlled, observer-blind trial. Study Participants ( n = 120), 3–42 days after stroke with walking difficulty. All will receive conventional physical therapy. Those allocated to the experimental group will also receive a SWIFT Cast for up to six-weeks. During therapy sessions, the SWIFT Cast will be worn for retraining of walking as clinically appropriate. Outside therapy sessions, participants will initially wear the SWIFT Cast for the whole of their waking day, and this will be adjusted as clinically appropriate. Outcomes Measures will be undertaken before randomization, six-weeks thereafter and six-months after stroke. Primary outcome will be walking speed. Secondary outcomes will include the Functional Ambulation Category and efficiency of gait (e.g. step-time symmetry). Structural brain imaging using magnetic resonance imaging (standard fluid attenuated inversion recovery and T1-weighted high-resolution ‘volume’ spoiled gradient) will be undertaken at baseline. The clinical efficacy analysis will use analysis of covariance. The relationship between clinical response to therapy and biomechanical data will use correlation and multivariate regression techniques as required. For neuroimaging data, the relationship to clinical response to therapy will be computed using voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping. An interaction test across groups will identify which voxels are associated with different mean levels of treatment efficacy.
Association of Laterality and Size of Perfusion Lesions on Neurological Deficit in Acute Supratentorial Stroke
Authors: Lee Meng , Saver Jeffrey L. , Alger Jeffry R. , Hao Qing , Salamon Noriko , Starkman Sidney , Ali Latisha K. , Ovbiagele Bruce , Kim Doojin , Villablanca J Pablo , Froehler Michael T. , Tenser Matthew S. , Liebeskind David S. 
Published: December 2011

Background The influence of lesion size and laterality on each component of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale has not been delineated. The objective of this study was to use perfusion-weighted imaging to characterize the association of ischaemic volume and laterality on each component item and the total score of the <National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Methods We analysed consecutive right-handed patients with first-ever supratentorial acute ischaemic strokes who underwent acute perfusion-weighted imaging at a single centre. Perfusion deficits were defined as mean transit time > 10 s. Ordinal regression was used to clarify the relationship between ischaemic volume, laterality, and <National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores. Results Among 111 patients, 58 were left-hemisphere stroke, and 53 right-hemisphere stroke. Median ischaemic volume was 53 ml in left-hand stroke and 65 ml in right-hand stroke and median total National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 10 in left-hand stroke and eight in right-hand stroke. For individual National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale items, ischaemic volume correlated most closely with commands and visual field and most weakly with ataxia and neglect. Left-hand stroke predicted higher scores of total National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale items of questions, commands, right limb weakness, and language. Right-hand stroke predicted higher scores of left limb weakness and extinction. Conclusions Larger perfusion defects contribute to higher scores on the total and most individual items of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. However, lesion laterality contributes substantially to half the item scores, with greater association of left than right-brain side. These findings indicate that imaging-deficit correlations will be improved by designating lesions into an atlas, taking into account side in addition to size.
Impact of the US Economic Crisis on East Asian Economies: Production Networks and Triangular Trade through Chinese Mainland
Authors: Kuroiwa Ikuo , Kuwamori Hiroshi 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis paper investigates the impact of the 2008 economic crisis on industries in East Asia. It attempts to identify the transmission mechanism and the magnitude of the impact of the crisis on industries in East Asia using the updated Asian international input–output table for 2008. The analyses reveal that the crisis significantly affected industrial output of the nine East Asian economies included in the present study. The economies that are deeply involved in production networks were affected most seriously. Our analyses also show that the impact was transmitted to East Asian industries through triangular trade, in which Chinese mainland imports parts and components from neighboring East Asian economies and then exports final products to the US and EU markets. Although such intricate production networks have improved the competitiveness of East Asian economies, they have also increased vulnerability to external shocks.
Rural–urban Migration and Dynamics of Income Distribution in China: A Non–parametric Approach
Authors: Liu Yong , Zou Wei 
Published: December 2011

AbstractExtending the income dynamics approach in Quah (2003), the present paper studies the enlarging income inequality in China over the past three decades from the viewpoint of rural–urban migration and economic transition. We establish non‐parametric estimations of rural and urban income distribution functions in China, and aggregate a population‐weighted, nationwide income distribution function taking into account rural–urban differences in technological progress and price indexes. We calculate 12 inequality indexes through non‐parametric estimation to overcome the biases in existing parametric estimation and, therefore, provide more accurate measurement of income inequality. Policy implications have been drawn based on our research.
New Insights on US Aggregate and State Level Trade with the China Region
Authors: Co Catherine Y. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAggregate trade data with breakdown into related and non‐related party components show that US multinational enterprises use different trading strategies in the China region relative to other countries. US trade with the China region in 2002–2007 is characterized by arm's‐length transactions. State‐level trade data show great variability in state engagement with the region through trade: exports to the region range from 1 to 28 percent of state exports. In addition, compared to exports to other countries, exports to the region are highly concentrated. At the extreme, for some states, 96–98 percent of exports to the region are computer and electronic products. Finally, gravity regressions show that state exports to Hong Kong are positively associated with the relative size of the Hong Kong‐born population in the states. There is no evidence that stricter labor regimes lead to lower state exports.
New erythrocyte and reticulocyte parameters on CELL‐DYN Sapphire: analytical and preanalytical aspects
Authors: ERMENS A. A. M. , HOFFMANN J. J. M. L. , KROCKENBERGER M. , Van WIJK E. M. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryIntroduction:  Extended RBC and reticulocyte parameters are useful in diagnosing functional iron deficiency and various other clinical conditions. The newest software of the CELL‐DYN Sapphire measures extended RBC and reticulocyte parameters. The aims of the present communication were to assess the analytical aspects of these parameters compared with the Siemens Advia 120 analyzer, to study the effect of sample aging and to briefly explore their clinical usefulness in patients with anemia.Methods:  Blood samples were obtained from the routine workload of two hospital laboratories and were run on Siemens Advia and Abbott CELL‐DYN Sapphire analyzers in parallel. Data analysis was performed using standard statistics.Results:  In total, 1416 patient samples were analyzed. There was close correlation in microcytic and macrocytic RBC (r2 > 0.97) with small bias. The hypo‐ and hyperchromic RBC showed reasonable correlations, Advia 120 giving higher values. Reticulocyte MCV showed acceptable agreement, with significant proportional bias (Advia 8–9% higher). CELL‐DYN Sapphire MCHr correlated rather well with Advia CHr (r2 > 0.91) with significant absolute bias. Remarkably, the correlation data differed significantly between the two laboratories. It was found that aging of EDTA samples had significant effect on most of the RBC parameters.Conclusions:  The new RBC parameters of CELL‐DYN Sapphire generally correlated well with those of Advia 120, although significant systematic differences were present, particularly in reticulocyte MCH and MCV. These differences necessitate instrument‐specific reference ranges and clinical decision values. To minimize preanalytical effects, these parameters should be measured in fresh blood samples.
The Evolution of “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics”: Its Elliptical Structure of Socialist Principles and China's Realities*
Authors: Choi Yeonsik 
Published: December 2011

Since the early 20th century, China has sought an avenue for the Sinification of Marxism. China has attempted to integrate the socialist principles with China's concrete realities under the condition of new historical contexts. “Socialism with Chinese characteristics” is a product of those efforts. The fundamental nature of “socialism with Chinese characteristics” though, is at the center of controversy because its conceptual definition is unclear and incoherent. Indeed, socialism with Chinese characteristics has unceasingly evolved along with changes in historical settings, showing diverse patterns of practice. Accordingly, this paper sees “socialism with Chinese characteristics” as a work in progress that is still evolving along with the interaction between the socialist principles (ideology) and Chinese characteristics (reality). Ideally the ultimate goal of “socialism with Chinese characteristics” is to achieve national salvation by making China strong and rich. However, this desire for a strong China has been revealed in a range of volatile actions and reactions swinging between socialist principles and China's realities.This paper sheds light on the development of Chinese socialism by examining three historical periods: the integration of Marxism and China's realities in the Mao era; the road of reform and socialist modernization in the post‐Mao era; and the new road to socialist spiritual civilization in the 1990s. The journey for a new Chinese civilization started with complete denial about its traditional culture. However, what we are seeing today is China's deliberate paying attention to the traditional culture. Nonetheless, socialism with Chinese characteristics that highlights the positive influence of cultural factors is still equivocal as to whether China will maintain its current pattern of development.
Antinociceptive activity of the monoterpene α-phellandrene in rodents: possible mechanisms of action
Authors: Lima David F , Brandão Marcela S , Moura Joelma B , Leitão Joseana M R S , Carvalho Fernando A A , Miúra Leiz M C V , Leite José R S A , Sousa Damião P , Almeida Fernanda R C 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this work was to investigate the antinociceptive property of α-phellandrene (α-PHE) in experimental nociception models and possible mechanisms involved.

Methods
Mass spectrometry was used to evaluate the purity and molecular mass of α-PHE. Macrophages from mice peritoneal cavity were used in an MTT test. Rodents were used in tests of chemical and mechanical nociception. In the study of the mechanisms, the animals were treated with pharmacological tools and then submitted to the glutamate test.

Key findings
α-PHE purity was 98.2% and molecular mass 136.1 Da. α-PHE did not show cytotoxicity. In the writhing and capsaicin tests, α-PHE promoted the antinociceptive effect in all evaluated doses (minimum dose 3.125 mg/kg). In the formalin test, α-PHE (50 mg/kg) was effective in inhibiting both phases. In the glutamate test, the monoterpene (12.5 mg/kg) decreased the nociceptive response. In carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia, α-PHE (50 mg/kg) decreased the hypernociception index. In the study of the mechanisms involved, pretreatment with naloxone reversed the α-PHE antinociceptive effect, the same occurred with glibenclamide, l-arginine, atropine and yohimbine. α-PHE did not show muscle relaxant activity or central depressant effects in open field and rota rod tests.

Conclusions
α-PHE has an antinociceptive effect and it possibly involves the glutamatergic, opioid, nitrergic, cholinergic and adrenergic systems.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus cereus Bacteriophage BCP78
Authors: Lee Ju-Hoon , Shin Hakdong , Son Bokyung , Ryu Sangryeol 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

Bacillus cereus
is generally found in soil habitats, and it contaminates a wide variety of foods, causing food poisoning with symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. To develop a novel biocontrol agent to inhibit this pathogen, bacteriophage BCP78 belonging to the
Siphoviridae
family was isolated from a fermented food sample. Here we announce the complete genome sequence of BCP78, which may be useful for understanding its inhibition mechanism against
B. cereus
, and describe major findings from the genome annotation.
Five Genome Sequences of Subspecies B1 Human Adenoviruses Associated with Acute Respiratory Disease
Authors: Dehghan Shoaleh , Liu Elizabeth B. , Seto Jason , Torres Sarah F. , Hudson Nolan R. , Kajon Adriana E. , Metzgar David , Dyer David W. , Chodosh James , Jones Morris S. , Seto Donald 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT
Five genomes of human subspecies B1 adenoviruses isolated from cases of acute respiratory disease have been sequenced and archived for reference. These include representatives of two prevalent genomic variants of HAdV-7, i.e., HAdV-7h and HAdV-7d2. The other three are HAdV-3/16, HAdV-16 strain E26, and HAdV-3+7 strain Takeuchi. All are recombinant genomes. Genomics and bioinformatics provide detailed views into the genetic makeup of these pathogens and insight into their molecular evolution. Retrospective characterization of particularly problematic older pathogens such as HAdV-7h (1987) and intriguing isolates such as HAdV-3+7 strain Takeuchi (1958) may provide clues to their phenotypes and serology and may suggest protocols for prevention and treatment.
Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome in a 35-year-old woman following hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
Authors: Moussavi Mohammad , Korya Daniel , Panezai Spozhmy , Peeraully Tasneem , Gizzi Martin , Kirmani Jawad F 
Published: December 2011

IntroductionReversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes (RCVS) have been documented to take place after an inciting event or illness. They present with headache, altered mental status and focal neurologic findings. The differential diagnosis includes primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) but one major clinical difference is that the symptoms of RCVS usually resolve within days or weeks whereas PACNS is often fatal. Females of childbearing age are most commonly affected with RCVS. Cases of reversible vasculopathy have also been reported in menopausal women. The hormonal and physiologic changes that take place during the postpartum period and menopause may not be very different from those that occur after a hysterectomy and oophorectomy.MethodsA case is presented of a 35-year-old woman who underwent a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and then began experiencing severe headaches, visual changes and hemi-sensory loss. Physical examination, imaging and laboratory findings were descriptive of RCVS, and the patient's rapid recovery was consistent with the usual disease progression of a reversible vasculopathy.ConclusionA reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome may occur in some circumstances after a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The mechanisms involved in the development of this condition are explained by current research concerning effects on the vasculature of sudden drops in estrogens and progesterones. More studies are required to further establish the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
Costs and efficiency of integrating HIV/AIDS services with other health services: a systematic review of evidence and experience
Authors: Sweeney Sedona , Obure Carol Dayo , Maier Claudia B , Greener Robert , Dehne Karl , Vassall Anna 
Published: December 2011

ObjectivesTo review the literature on the potential efficiency gains of integrating HIV services with other health services.DesignSystematic literature review. Search of electronic databases, manual searching and snowball sampling. Studies that presented results on cost, efficiency or cost-effectiveness of integrated HIV services were included, focusing on low- and middle-income countries. Evidence was analysed and synthesised through a narrative approach and the quality of studies assessed.ResultsOf 666 citations retrieved, 46 were included (35 peer reviewed and 11 from grey literature). A range of integrated HIV services were found to be cost-effective compared with ‘do-nothing’ alternatives, including HIV services integrated into sexual and reproductive health services, integrated tuberculosis/HIV services and HIV services integrated into primary healthcare. The cost of integrated HIV counselling and testing is likely to be lower than that of stand-alone counselling and testing provision; however, evidence is limited on the comparative costs of other services, particularly HIV care and treatment. There is also little known about the most efficient model of integration, the efficiency gain from integration beyond the service level and any economic benefit to HIV service users.ConclusionsIn the context of increasing political commitment and previous reviews suggesting a strong public health argument for the integration of HIV services, the authors found the evidence on efficiency broadly supports further efforts to integrate HIV services. However, key evidence gaps remain, and there is an urgent need for further research in this area.
PREDICTION PHASE IN ASSOCIATIVE CLASSIFICATION MINING
Authors: THABTAH FADI , HADI WAEL , ABDELHAMID NEDA , ISSA AYMAN 
Published: December 2011

Associative classification (AC) is an important data mining approach which effectively integrates association rule mining and classification. Prediction of test data is a fundamental step in classification that impacts the outputted system accuracy. In this paper, we present three new prediction methods (Dominant Class Label, Highest Average Confidence per Class, Full Match Rule) and one rule pruning procedure (Partial Matching) in AC. Furthermore, we review current prediction methods in AC. Experimental results on large English and Arabic text categorisation data collections (Reuters, SPA) using the proposed prediction methods and other popular classification algorithms (SVM, KNN, NB, BCAR, MCAR, C4.5, etc.), have been conducted. The bases of the comparison in the experiments are classification accuracy and the Break-Even-Point (BEP) evaluation measures. The results reveal that our prediction methods are very competitive with reference to BEP if compared with known AC prediction approaches such as those of 2-PS, ARC-BC and BCAR. Moreover, the proposed prediction methods outperform other existing methods in traditional classification approaches such as decision trees, and probabilistic with regards to accuracy. Finally, the results indicate that using the proposed pruning procedure in AC improved the accuracy of the outputted classifier.
Constitutive K-RasG12D Activation of ERK2 Specifically Regulates 3D Invasion of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells via MMP-1
Authors: Botta Gregory P. , Reginato Mauricio J. , Reichert Maximilian , Rustgi Anil K. , Lelkes Peter I. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) are highly invasive and metastatic neoplasms commonly unresponsive to current drug therapy. Overwhelmingly, PDAC harbors early constitutive, oncogenic mutations in K-RasG12D that exist prior to invasion. Histologic and genetic analyses of human PDAC biopsies also exhibit increased expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and proinvasive matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), indicators of poor prognosis. However, the distinct molecular mechanisms necessary for K-Ras/ERK1/2 signaling and its influence on MMP-directed stromal invasion in primary human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (PDEC) have yet to be elucidated in three-dimensions. Expression of oncogenic K-RasG12D alone in genetically defined PDECs reveals increased invadopodia and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers, but only when cultured in a three-dimensional model incorporating a basement membrane analog. Activation of ERK2, but not ERK1, also occurs only in K-RasG12D–mutated PDECs cultured in three-dimensions and is a necessary intracellular signaling event for invasion based upon pharmacologic and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) inhibition. Increased active invasion of K-RasG12D PDECs through the basement membrane model is associated with a specific microarray gene expression signature and induction of MMP endopeptidases. Specifically, MMP-1 RNA, its secreted protein, and its proteolytic cleavage activity are amplified in K-RasG12D PDECs when assayed by real-time quantitative PCR, ELISA, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Importantly, shRNA silencing of MMP-1 mimics ERK2 inhibition and disrupts active, vertical PDEC invasion. ERK2 isoform and MMP-1 targeting are shown to be viable strategies to attenuate invasion of K-RasG12D–mutated human pancreatic cancer cells in a three-dimensional tumor microenvironment. Mol Cancer Res; 10(2); 183–96. ©2011 AACR.
Revisiting the molecular epidemiology of factor XI deficiency: Nine new mutations and an original large 4qTer deletion in western Brittany (France)
Authors: Guéguen Paul , Chauvin Angélique , Quémener-Redon Sylvia , Pan-Petesch Brigitte , Férec Claude , Abgrall Jean-François , Maréchal Cédric 
Published: December 2011

SummaryConstitutional deficiency in factor XI (FXI) is a rare bleeding disorder in the general population, with the exception of Ashkenazi Jews. During the last decade, the detection of FXI-deficient patients has shifted from clinical screening identifying mostly severe bleeders to biological screening combining findings of prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time and FXI coagulation activity (FXI:C) below 50 U/dl. The goal of this study was to determine the molecular basis of FXI deficiency in western Brittany, France. Over the course of four years, we detected 98 FXI-deficient patients through biological screening, and 44 patients agreed to participate in this study corresponding to 25 index cases. We developed an efficient mutation detection strategy (combining direct sequencing and QFM-PCR to search for heterozygous rearrangements in a routine setting) that detected F11 mutations in 24 out of the 25 index cases. An unexpected allelic heterogeneity was found, with 14 different single point mutations being detected, among which nine are new. Moreover, a large heterozygous deletion of the entire F11 gene was detected, and was then further defined using a CGH array as a 4q34.2 telomeric deletion of 7 Mb containing 77 genes. We propose that the observed recurrent mutations may be considered as genetic tags of a population. This study highlights the importance of screening for large deletions in molecular studies of F11.