bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does physiotherapy based on the Bobath concept, in conjunction with a task practice, achieve greater improvement in walking ability in people with stroke compared to physiotherapy focused on structured task practice alone? A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Brock Kim , Haase Gerlinde , Rothacher Gerhard , Cotton Susan 
Published: July 2011

Objective: To compare the short-term effects of two physiotherapy approaches for improving ability to walk in different environments following stroke: (i) interventions based on the Bobath concept, in conjunction with task practice, compared to (ii) structured task practice alone. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Two rehabilitation centres Participants: Twenty-six participants between four and 20 weeks post-stroke, able to walk with supervision indoors. Interventions: Both groups received six one-hour physiotherapy sessions over a two-week period. One group received physiotherapy based on the Bobath concept, including one hour of structured task practice. The other group received six hours of structured task practice. Outcome measures: The primary outcome was an adapted six-minute walk test, incorporating a step, ramp and uneven surface. Secondary measures were gait velocity and the Berg Balance Scale. Measures were assessed before and after the intervention period. Results: Following the intervention, there was no significant difference in improvement between the two groups for the adapted six-minute walk test (89.9 (standard deviation (SD) 73.1) m Bobath versus 41 (40.7) m task practice, P = 0.07). However, walking velocity showed significantly greater increases in the Bobath group (26.2 (SD 17.2) m/min versus 9.9 (SD  = 12.9) m/min, P = 0.01). No significant differences between groups were recorded for the Berg Balance Scale ( P = 0.2). Conclusion: This pilot study indicates short-term benefit for using interventions based on the Bobath concept for improving walking velocity in people with stroke. A sample size of 32 participants per group is required for a definitive study.
Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 drives annexin A2 system-mediated perivascular fibrin clearance in oxygen-induced retinopathy in mice
Authors: Huang Bihui , Deora Arun B. , He Kai-Li , Chen Kang , Sui Guangzhi , Jacovina Andrew T. , Almeida Dena , Hong Peng , Burgman Paul , Hajjar Katherine A. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractOxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) is a well-characterized model for retinopathy of prematurity, a disorder that results from rapid microvascular proliferation after exposure of the retina to high oxygen levels. Here, we report that the proliferative phase of OIR requires transcriptional induction of the annexin A2 (A2) gene through the direct action of the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 complex. We show, in addition, that A2 stabilizes its binding partner, p11, and promotes OIR-related angiogenesis by enabling clearance of perivascular fibrin. Adenoviral-mediated restoration of A2 expression restores neovascularization in the oxygen-primed Anxa2−/− retina and reinstates plasmin generation and directed migration in cultured Anxa2−/− endothelial cells. Systemic depletion of fibrin repairs the neovascular response to high oxygen treatment in the Anxa2−/− retina, whereas inhibition of plasminogen activation dampens angiogenesis under the same conditions. These findings show that the A2 system enables retinal neoangiogenesis in OIR by enhancing perivascular activation of plasmin and remodeling of fibrin. These data suggest new potential approaches to retinal angiogenic disorders on the basis of modulation of perivascular fibrinolysis.
Global and organ-specific chronic graft-versus-host disease severity according to the 2005 NIH Consensus Criteria
Authors: Arai Sally , Jagasia Madan , Storer Barry , Chai Xiaoyu , Pidala Joseph , Cutler Corey , Arora Mukta , Weisdorf Daniel J. , Flowers Mary E. D. , Martin Paul J. , Palmer Jeanne , Jacobsohn David , Pavletic Steven Z. , Vogelsang Georgia B. , Lee Stephanie J. 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
In 2005, the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Project on Criteria for Clinical Trials in Chronic GVHD proposed a new scoring system for individual organs and an algorithm for calculating global severity (mild, moderate, severe). The Chronic GVHD Consortium was established to test these new criteria. This report includes the first 298 adult patients enrolled at 5 centers of the Consortium. Patients were assessed every 3-6 months using standardized forms recommended by the Consensus Conference. At the time of study enrollment, global chronic GVHD severity was mild in 10% (n = 32), moderate in 59% (n = 175), and severe in 31% (n = 91). Skin, lung, or eye scores determined the global severity score in the majority of cases, with the other 5 organs determining 16% of the global severity scores. Conventional risk factors predictive for onset of chronic GVHD and nonrelapse mortality in people with chronic GVHD were not associated with NIH global severity scores. Global severity scores at enrollment were associated with nonrelapse mortality (P < .0001) and survival (P < .0001); 2-year overall survival was 62% (severe), 86% (moderate), and 97% (mild). Patients with mild chronic GVHD have a good prognosis, while patients with severe chronic GVHD have a poor prognosis. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as no. NCT00637689.
The mismatch repair pathway functions normally at a non-AID target in germinal center B cells
Authors: Green Blerta , Belcheva Antoaneta , Nepal Rajeev M. , Boulianne Bryant , Martin Alberto 
Published: July 2011

AbstractDeficiency in Msh2, a component of the mismatch repair (MMR) system, leads to an approximately 10-fold increase in the mutation frequency in most tissues. By contrast, Msh2 deficiency in germinal center (GC) B cells decreases the mutation frequency at the IgH V region as a dU:dG mismatch produced by AID initiates modifications by MMR, resulting in mutations at nearby A:T base pairs. This raises the possibility that GC B cells express a factor that converts MMR into a globally mutagenic pathway. To test this notion, we investigated whether MMR corrects mutations in GC B cells at a gene that is not mutated by AID. Strikingly, we found that GC B cells accumulate 5 times more mutations at a reporter gene than during the development of the mouse. Notably, the mutation frequency at this reporter gene was approximately 10 times greater in Msh2−/− compared with wild-type GC B cells cells. In contrast to the V region, the increased level of mutations at A:T base pairs in GC B cells was not caused by MMR. These results show that in GC B cells, (1) MMR functions normally at an AID-insensitive gene and (2) the frequency of background mutagenesis is greater in GC B cells than in their precursor follicular B cells.
Mn bioavailability by polarized Caco-2 cells: comparison between Mn gluconate and Mn oxyprolinate
Authors: Foglieni Chiara , Cavarelli Mariangela , Piscopiello Mariarosaria , Fulgenzi Alessandro , Ferrero Maria Elena 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Micronutrient inadequate intake is responsible of pathological deficiencies and there is a need of assessing the effectiveness of metal supplementation, frequently proposed to rebalance poor diets. Manganese (Mn) is present in many enzymatic intracellular systems crucial for the regulation of cell metabolism, and is contained in commercially available metal supplements.

Methods
We compared the effects of two different commercial Mn forms, gluconate (MnGluc) and oxyprolinate (MnOxP). For this purpose we used the polarized Caco-2 cells cultured on transwell filters, an established in vitro model of intestinal epithelium. Since micronutrient deficiency may accelerate mitochondrial efficiency, the mitochondrial response of these cells, in the presence of MnGluc and MnOxP, by microscopy methods and by ATP luminescence assay was used.

Results
In the presence of both MnOxP and MnGluc a sustained mitochondrial activity was shown by mitoTraker labeling (indicative of mitochondrial respiration), but ATP intracellular content remained comparable to untreated cells only in the presence of MnOxP. In addition MnOxP transiently up-regulated the antioxidant enzyme Mn superoxide dismutase more efficiently than MnGluc. Both metal treatments preserved NADH and βNADPH diaphorase oxidative activity, avoided mitochondrial dysfunction, as assessed by the absence of a sustained phosphoERK activation, and were able to maintain cell viability.

Conclusions
Collectively, our data indicate that MnOxP and MnGluc, and primarily the former, produce a moderate and safe modification of Caco-2 cell metabolism, by activating positive enzymatic mechanisms, thus could contribute to long-term maintenance of cell homeostasis.
Effect of mesoporous silica under Neisseria meningitidis transformation process: environmental effects under meningococci transformation
Authors: Hollanda Luciana M , Cury Gisele CG , Pereira Rafaella FC , Ferreira Gracielle A , Sousa Andreza , Sousa Edesia MB , Lancellotti Marcelo 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
This study aimed the use of mesoporous silica under the naturally transformable Neisseria meningitidis, an important pathogen implicated in the genetic horizontal transfer of DNA causing a escape of the principal vaccination measures worldwide by the capsular switching process. This study verified the effects of mesoporous silica under N. meningitidis transformation specifically under the capsular replacement.

Methods
we used three different mesoporous silica particles to verify their action in N. meningitis transformation frequency.

Results
we verified the increase in the capsular gene replacement of this bacterium with the three mesoporous silica nanoparticles.

Conclusion
the mesouporous silica particles were capable of increasing the capsule replacement frequency in N. meningitidis.
Rapeseed and milk protein exhibit a similar overall nutritional value but marked difference in postprandial regional nitrogen utilization in rats
Authors: Boutry Claire , Fouillet Hélène , Mariotti François , Blachier François , Tomé Daniel , Bos Cécile 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Rapeseed is an emerging and promising source of dietary protein for human nutrition and health. We previously found that rapeseed protein displayed atypical nutritional properties in humans, characterized by low bioavailability and a high postprandial biological value. The objective of the present study was to investigate the metabolic fate of rapeseed protein isolate (RPI) and its effect on protein fractional synthesis rates (FSR) in various tissues when compared to a milk protein isolate (MPI).

Methods
Rats (n = 48) were given a RPI or MPI meal, either for the first time or after 2-week adaptation to a MPI or RPI-based diet. They were divided in two groups for measuring the fed-state tissue FSR 2 h after the meal (using a flooding dose of 13C-valine) and the dietary N postprandial distribution at 5 h (using 15N-labeled meals).

Results
RPI and MPI led to similar FSR and dietary nitrogen (N) losses (ileal and deamination losses of 4% and 12% of the meal, respectively). By contrast, the dietary N incorporation was significantly higher in the intestinal mucosa and liver (+36% and +16%, respectively) and lower in skin (-24%) after RPI than MPI.

Conclusions
Although RPI and MPI led to the same overall level of postprandial dietary N retention in rats (in line with our findings in humans), this global response conceals marked qualitative differences at the tissue level regarding dietary N accretion. The fact that FSR did not however differed between groups suggest a differential modulation of proteolysis after RPI or MPI ingestion, or other mechanisms that warrant further study.
Desmoid tumor of the abdominal wall: a case report
Authors: Economou Athanasios , Pitta Xanthi , Andreadis Efstathios , Papapavlou Leonidas , Chrissidis Thomas 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Desmoid tumors are rare lesions without any metastatic potential but a strong tendency to invade locally and to recur. These tumors are associated with women of fertile age, especially during and after pregnancy.

Case presentation
The case of a desmoid tumor of the anterior abdominal wall in a 40-year-old Caucasian man with no relevant family history is presented, describing its appearance on computed tomography and ultrasonography. The patient, who presented with a painless mass in the left anterolateral abdomen, had a history of previous urgent abdominal surgery after a shotgun injury two years earlier. Radical resection of the affected abdominal wall musculature was performed, and the defect was reconstructed with polypropylene mesh.

Conclusion
The diagnosis of desmoid tumor should be strongly considered even in male patients with an abdominal mass and a history of previous abdominal surgery. The goal of its treatment is complete tumor excision and avoidance of the development of complications such as hernia.
Project summary: a critical synopsis of mechanisms of action of low-dose xenobiotics in mammalian organisms as a basis for assessing aggregated effects of chemical mixtures and identifying "new" toxicological end points
Authors: Heine Karin , Taghavi Ali , Kalberlah Fritz 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
European chemicals legislation (registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemical substances (REACH)) requires a broad assessment of chemicals with respect to, inter alia, their health-relevant properties. Due to the extreme number of substances to be assessed and the limited current toxicological knowledge on their respective properties, REACH implicitly requires a paradigm change: away from knowledge generated mainly from costly animal experiments towards the use of mechanistic findings. Moreover, effect mechanisms at the biochemical or cellular level are essential when conclusions shall be drawn about "new" endpoints and mixtures of xenobiotics. This study (funded by the German Federal Environment Agency) describes examples of biochemical processes in the mammalian organism and how xenobiotics interfere with them. Interference with physiological processes expected to lead to adverse health effects is characterised as "toxicity pathway". The study describes toxicological endpoints not usually covered in routine animal testing and the respective toxicity pathways.

Results and conclusions
Screening for chemicals which exert effects via common toxicity pathways and subsequently conducting targeted short-term tests may generate new information about the toxicity of chemicals without performing extensive substance-by-substance animal experiments. Information on common toxicity pathways may also provide input for the assessment of mixture effects. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working intensely on this concept. It involves the use of enormous amounts of data on relevant biochemical and cellular processes, which are generated by "high-throughput screening" methods, and then are combined with substance-specific kinetic data, experimental apical test outcomes and modelling. Current limitations in the regulatory use of this integrated approach on risk assessment will be outlined.
The efficacy of Link N as a mediator of repair in a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Mwale Fackson , Masuda Koichi , Pichika Rajeswari , Epure Laura M , Yoshikawa Tomoaki , Hemmad Aseem , Roughley Peter J , Antoniou John 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is associated with proteolytic degradation of the extracellular matrix, and its repair requires both the production of extracellular matrix and the downregulation of proteinase activity. These properties are associated with several growth factors. However, the use of growth factors in clinical practice is limited by their high cost. This cost can be circumvented using synthetic peptides, such as Link N, which can stimulate the synthesis of proteoglycan and collagen by IVD cells in vitro. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Link N in vivo in a rabbit model of IVD degeneration.

Methods
New Zealand white rabbits received annular puncture in two lumbar discs. Two weeks after puncture, both punctured discs of each rabbit were injected with either Link N or saline. After 2 weeks, nine rabbits were euthanized and the annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) of Link N-injected and saline-injected IVDs were removed and used to prepare total RNA. Following reverse transcription, quantitative PCR was performed for aggrecan, COL2A1, COL1A1, ADAMTS-4, ADAMTS-5 and MMP-3. After 12 weeks, 19 rabbits were euthanized and the injected IVDs were removed for biochemical and histological analysis. Proteinase K digests were analyzed for DNA and sulfated glycosaminoglycan content. Disc height was monitored radiographically biweekly.

Results
Following needle puncture, disc height decreased by about 25% over 2 weeks, and was partially restored by Link N injection. Puncture of the IVD resulted in a trend towards decreased proteoglycan content in both the NP and AF, and a trend towards partial restoration following Link N injection, although under the time course used this did not achieve statistical significance. Link N did not alter the DNA content of the discs. Link N injection led to a significant increase in aggrecan gene expression and a significant decrease in proteinase gene expression in both the NP and AF, when compared with saline alone.

Conclusions
When administered to the degenerate disc in vivo, Link N stimulated aggrecan gene expression and downregulated metalloproteinase expression, and there was a trend towards increased proteoglycan content of the disc, in both the NP and AF. These are features needed for any agent designed to stimulate disc repair. In principle, therefore, Link N supplementation could be an option for treating disc degeneration.
Women receive more trials of noninvasive ventilation for acute respiratory failure than men: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Shen Hsiu-Nien , Lu Chin-Li , Yang Hsi-Hsing 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Previous studies in western countries have observed that women are less likely than men to receive intensive care and mechanical ventilation (MV). We aimed to investigate whether the gender difference also exists in Asian populations and in the provision of different types of MV including invasive (INV) and noninvasive ventilation (NIV).

Methods
We analyzed all adult hospital patients between 2005 and 2007 in the claims data from 1,000,000 randomly selected people in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. NIV-only was defined as patients receiving NIV as the only ventilator treatment during hospitalization. Gender difference was assessed using multivariable analyses with/without considering a hospital cluster effect by generalized estimating equations models. Subgroup analyses for gender difference in NIV use were performed using propensity score matching method.

Results
Of the 128,327 patients enrolled, 53.8% were men, 9.2% received intensive care and 5.2% used MV. After adjusting for potential confounders, women were less likely than men to receive intensive care (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73-0.82) and MV (aOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.78-0.91). Among MV patients, 6.8% received NIV-only; the proportion of which was higher in women than in men (8.6% vs. 5.7%, P < 0.001). After controlling for confounders and a cluster effect, women remained more likely to receive NIV-only (aOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.32-1.96). Subgroup analyses showed that patients with underlying congestive heart failure (CHF) had the highest difference in the provision of NIV-only (female-to-male aOR 2.76, 95% CI 1.38-5.53). A hospital cluster effect on the gender difference in NIV use was found in patients with diseases other than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and CHF.

Conclusions
Gender differences existed not only in the provision but also in the types of MV. Further studies are needed to understand why gender differences occur.
PaCO2 and alveolar dead space are more relevant than PaO2/FiO2 ratio in monitoring the respiratory response to prone position in ARDS patients: a physiological study
Authors: Charron Cyril , Repesse Xavier , Bouferrache Koceïla , Bodson Laurent , Castro Samuel , Page Bernard , Jardin François , Vieillard-Baron Antoine 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Our aims in this study were to report changes in the ratio of alveolar dead space to tidal volume (VDalv/VT) in the prone position (PP) and to test whether changes in partial pressure of arterial CO2 (PaCO2) may be more relevant than changes in the ratio of partial pressure of arterial O2 to fraction of inspired O2 (PaO2/FiO2) in defining the respiratory response to PP. We also aimed to validate a recently proposed method of estimation of the physiological dead space (VDphysiol/VT) without measurement of expired CO2.

Methods
Thirteen patients with a PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 100 mmHg were included in the study. Plateau pressure (Pplat), positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), blood gas analysis and expiratory CO2 were recorded with patients in the supine position and after 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 hours in the PP. Responders to PP were defined after 15 hours of PP either by an increase in PaO2/FiO2 ratio > 20 mmHg or by a decrease in PaCO2 > 2 mmHg. Estimated and measured VDphysiol/VT ratios were compared.

Results
PP induced a decrease in Pplat, PaCO2 and VDalv/VT ratio and increases in PaO2/FiO2 ratios and compliance of the respiratory system (Crs). Maximal changes were observed after six to nine hours. Changes in VDalv/VT were correlated with changes in Crs, but not with changes in PaO2/FiO2 ratios. When the response was defined by PaO2/FiO2 ratio, no significant differences in Pplat, PaCO2 or VDalv/VT alterations between responders (n = 7) and nonresponders (n = 6) were observed. When the response was defined by PaCO2, four patients were differently classified, and responders (n = 7) had a greater decrease in VDalv/VT ratio and in Pplat and a greater increase in PaO2/FiO2 ratio and in Crs than nonresponders (n = 6). Estimated VDphysiol/VT ratios significantly underestimated measured VDphysiol/VT ratios (concordance correlation coefficient 0.19 (interquartile ranges 0.091 to 0.28)), whereas changes during PP were more reliable (concordance correlation coefficient 0.51 (0.32 to 0.66)).

Conclusions
PP induced a decrease in VDalv/VT ratio and an improvement in respiratory mechanics. The respiratory response to PP appeared more relevant when PaCO2 rather than the PaO2/FiO2 ratio was used. Estimated VDphysiol/VT ratios systematically underestimated measured VDphysiol/VT ratios.