bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring clinically important change with the Patient-rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation
Authors: Poltawski Leon , Watson Tim 
Published: September 2011

Introduction The Patient-rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) enables quantitative rating by the patient of pain and functional impairment associated with tennis elbow or lateral elbow tendinopathy. When used as an outcome measure in trials of therapies, a minimum clinically important difference (MCID) value is required to interpret trial outcomes. This study aimed to calculate the MCID for a sample of patients diagnosed with lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET). Methods The PRTEE was used as an outcome measure with participants in a trial of a novel therapy for LET. It was administered at baseline and after treatment, three weeks later. Score changes were compared with patient-rated global change scores using receiver operating curve analysis. MCID values were calculated for two different criteria of clinically important difference and the effects of baseline symptom severity on the MCID were investigated. Results Data were available from 57 participants, with PRTEE scores in the range 13–81/100. For clinical significance defined as ‘a little better’ the MCID for the total PRTEE score was 7/100 or 22% of baseline score. For clinical significance defined as ‘much better’ or ‘completely recovered’, the MCID was 11/100 or 37% of baseline score. The MCID value was higher for a subgroup with greater baseline severity. Conclusions Substantial changes in the PRTEE scores are required before they can be considered clinically significant. Clinically significant change varies according to the baseline score. The instrument may be less sensitive to change when used by people who are symptomatic in their non-dominant arm.
Changes in ECG pattern with advancing age
Authors: Khane Rupali Sachin , Surdi Anil D. , Bhatkar Rajamati Shakar 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background: The rising prevalence of cardiovascular disease with advancing age can be attributed to the cumulative effect of the normal aging process and cardiovascular risk factor. Another factor to consider is the changing age structure of the population. The normal aging process is associated with extensive changes throughout the cardiovascular system that influence the epidemiology, clinical features, response to therapy and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases in older adults. Thus, there is a need for evaluation of cardiac status of the elderly population.

Methods: The resting electrocardiogram (ECG) permits us to suspect or diagnose a large number of cardiac disorders. As a non-invasive, less expensive and simple technique, the ECG can be even more useful in developing countries, such as India where resources are limited and cardiovascular diseases are rapidly emerging as a major health problem. The present study was carried out in 400 apparently healthy asymptomatic subjects (age range: 45–74 years) selected from the general population of Solapur city. All these subjects were screened for prevalence of various ECG abnormalities in relation to age by recording resting 12-lead electrocardiogram. ECGs were coded and classified as abnormal, according to the Minnesota code system.

Results: This study has outlined the overall relationship between the electrocardiographic abnormalities and advancing age. Indeed, the close parallel relationship between the incidence of abnormal ECG and advancing age found in our study suggests that the ECG can be a highly reliable indicator of heart disease even in sixth or seventh decades when the validity of other parameters, such as history or symptoms is often diminished.

Conclusions: In summary, the ECG in apparently healthy asymptomatic subjects identifies subgroups at high risk of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, the resting ECG is an office-based test capable of identifying symptomless heart disease and determining which patient should be referred for further non-invasive testing or cardiac catheterization.
Photodecarbonylation of Diphenylcyclopropenone – a Direct Pathway to Electronically Excited Diphenylacetylene?
Authors: Vennekate Hendrik 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
A comparison of combined IR and UV/Vis pump-probe measurements of diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) and diphenylacetylene (DPA) provides clear evidence that the photodecarbonylation of DPCP following excitation to its S
2-state proceeds non-adiabatically to the electronic ground state of DPA. It is shown that transient absorption of electronically excited DPA is caused exclusively by photoexcitation of ground state DPA generated by preceding DPCP photodecarbonylation.
Influence of bone remodelling rate on quantitative ultrasound parameters at the calcaneus and DXA BMDa of the hip and spine in middle-aged and elderly European men: the European Male Ageing Study (EMAS)
Authors: Boonen Steven , Pye Stephen R , O'Neill Terence W , Szulc Pawel , Gielen Evelien , Borghs Herman , Verschueren Sabine , Claessens Frank , Adams Judith E , Ward Kate A , Bartfai Gyorgy , Casanueva Felipe , Finn Joseph D , Forti Gianni , Giwercman Aleksander , Han Thang S , Huhtaniemi Ilpo T , Kula Krzysztof , Labrie Fernand , Lean Michael E J , Pendleton Neil , Punab Margus , Silman Alan J , Tajar Abdelouahid , Wu Frederick C W , Vanderschueren Dirk , _ _ 
Published: September 2011

ObjectiveTo assess the influence of sex hormones on markers of bone turnover and to explore the association between these markers and bone health in middle-aged and elderly European men.DesignA cross-sectional population-based survey.MethodsMen aged 40–79 years were recruited from population registers in eight European centres. Subjects completed a postal questionnaire which included questions concerning lifestyle and were invited to undergo quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the calcaneus and to provide a fasting blood sample from which the bone markers serum N-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen (P1NP) and crosslinks (β C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide (β-cTX)), total testosterone, total oestradiol (E2), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) were measured. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the hip and lumbar spine was performed in two centres.ResultsA total of 3120, mean age 59.9 years (s.d.=11.0) were included. After adjustment for centre, age, height, weight, lifestyle factors, season and other hormones, total and free E2were negatively associated with β-cTX but not P1NP while SHBG, IGF1 and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were positively associated with both β-cTX and P1NP. Total or free testosterone was not independently associated with either bone marker. After the same adjustments, higher levels of both bone markers were significantly associated with lower QUS parameters and lower DXA-assessed bone density at the total hip and lumbar spine.ConclusionsE2, SHBG, IGF1 and PTH contribute significantly to the regulation/rate of bone turnover in middle-aged and older European men. Higher rates of bone remodelling are negatively associated with male bone health.
Genetic Architecture of Male Sterility and Segregation Distortion in Drosophila pseudoobscura Bogota–USA Hybrids
Authors: Phadnis Nitin 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Understanding the genetic basis of reproductive isolation between recently diverged species is a central problem in evolutionary genetics. Here, I present analyses of the genetic architecture underlying hybrid male sterility and segregation distortion between the Bogota and USA subspecies of Drosophila pseudoobscura. Previously, a single gene, Overdrive (Ovd), was shown to be necessary but not sufficient for both male sterility and segregation distortion in F1 hybrids between these subspecies, requiring several interacting partner loci for full manifestation of hybrid phenomena. I map these partner loci separately on the Bogota X chromosome and USA autosomes using a combination of different mapping strategies. I find that hybrid sterility involves a single hybrid incompatibility of at least seven interacting partner genes that includes three large-effect loci. Segregation distortion involves three loci on the Bogota X chromosome and one locus on the autosomes. The genetic bases of hybrid sterility and segregation distortion are at least partially—but not completely—overlapping. My results lay the foundation for fine-mapping experiments to identify the complete set of genes that interact with Overdrive. While individual genes that cause hybrid sterility or inviability have been identified in a few cases, my analysis provides a comprehensive look at the genetic architecture of all components of a hybrid incompatibility underlying F1 hybrid sterility. Such an analysis would likely be unfeasible for most species pairs due to their divergence time and emphasizes the importance of young species pairs such as the D. pseudoobscura subspecies studied here.
Genomically Biased Accumulation of Seed Storage Proteins in Allopolyploid Cotton
Authors: Hu Guanjing , Houston Norma L , Pathak Dharminder , Schmidt Linnea , Thelen Jay J , Wendel Jonathan F 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Allopolyploidy is an important process during plant evolution that results in the reunion of two divergent genomes into a common nucleus. Many of the immediate as well as longer-term genomic and epigenetic responses to polyploidy have become appreciated. To investigate the modifications of gene expression at the proteome level caused by allopolyploid formation, we conducted a comparative analysis of cotton seed proteomes from the allopolyploid Gossypium hirsutum (AD genome) and its model A-genome and D-genome diploid progenitors. An unexpectedly high level of divergence among the three proteomes was found, with about one-third of all protein forms being genome specific. Comparative analysis showed that there is a higher degree of proteomic similarity between the allopolyploid and its D-genome donor than its A-genome donor, reflecting a biased accumulation of seed proteins in the allopolyploid. Protein identification and genetic characterization of high-abundance proteins revealed that two classes of seed storage proteins, vicilins and legumins, compose the major component of cotton seed proteomes. Analyses further indicate differential regulation or modification of homoeologous gene products, as well as novel patterns in the polyploid proteome that may result from the interaction between homoeologous gene products. Our findings demonstrate that genomic merger and doubling have consequences that extend beyond the transcriptome into the realm of the proteome and that unequal expression of proteins from diploid parental genomes may occur in allopolyploids.
Distinguishing Driver and Passenger Mutations in an Evolutionary History Categorized by Interference
Authors: Illingworth Christopher J R , Mustonen Ville 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn many biological scenarios, from the development of drug resistance in pathogens to the progression of healthy cells toward cancer, quantifying the selection acting on observed mutations is a central question. One difficulty in answering this question is the complexity of the background upon which mutations can arise, with multiple potential interactions between genetic loci. We here present a method for discerning selection from a population history that accounts for interference between mutations. Given sequences sampled from multiple time points in the history of a population, we infer selection at each locus by maximizing a likelihood function derived from a multilocus evolution model. We apply the method to the question of distinguishing between loci where new mutations are under positive selection (drivers) and loci that emit neutral mutations (passengers) in a Wright–Fisher model of evolution. Relative to an otherwise equivalent method in which the genetic background of mutations was ignored, our method inferred selection coefficients more accurately for both driver mutations evolving under clonal interference and passenger mutations reaching fixation in the population through genetic drift or hitchhiking. In a population history recorded by 750 sets of sequences of 100 individuals taken at intervals of 100 generations, a set of 50 loci were divided into drivers and passengers with a mean accuracy of &gt;0.95 across a range of numbers of driver loci. The potential application of our model, either in full or in part, to a range of biological systems, is discussed.
Warfarin in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Hart Robert G. , Pearce Lesly A. , Asinger Richard W. , Herzog Charles A. 
Published: September 2011

Summary

Background and objectives
The efficacy of adjusted-dose warfarin for prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unknown.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
Patients with stage 3 CKD participating in the Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation 3 trials were assessed to determine the effect of warfarin anticoagulation on stroke and major hemorrhage, and whether CKD status independently contributed to stroke risk. High-risk participants (n = 1044) in the randomized trial were assigned to adjusted-dose warfarin (target international normalized ratio 2 to 3) versus aspirin (325 mg) plus fixed, low-dose warfarin (subsequently shown to be equivalent to aspirin alone). Low-risk participants (n = 892) all received 325 mg aspirin daily. The primary outcome was ischemic stroke (96%) or systemic embolism (4%).

Results
Among the 1936 participants in the two trials, 42% (n = 805) had stage 3 CKD at entry. Considering the 1314 patients not assigned to adjusted-dose warfarin, the primary event rate was double among those with stage 3 CKD (hazard ratio 2.0, 95% CI 1.2, 3.3) versus those with a higher estimated GFR (eGFR). Among the 516 participants with stage 3 CKD included in the randomized trial, ischemic stroke/systemic embolism was reduced 76% (95% CI 42, 90; P < 0.001) by adjusted-dose warfarin compared with aspirin/low-dose warfarin; there was no difference in major hemorrhage (5 patients versus 6 patients, respectively).

Conclusions
Among atrial fibrillation patients participating in the Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation III trials, stage 3 CKD was associated with higher rates of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism. Adjusted-dose warfarin markedly reduced ischemic stroke/systemic embolism in high-risk atrial fibrillation patients with stage 3 CKD.
Interaction of Time-Varying Albumin and Phosphorus on Mortality in Incident Dialysis Patients
Authors: Zitt Emanuel , Lamina Claudia , Sturm Gisela , Knoll Florian , Lins Friederike , Freistätter Otto , Kronenberg Florian , Lhotta Karl , Neyer Ulrich 
Published: September 2011

Summary

Background and objectives
Hypoalbuminemia and hyperphosphatemia have been shown to be strong predictors of mortality in dialysis patients that might not be independent from each other. We prospectively investigated the relationship and interaction between serum albumin and phosphorus with all-cause mortality in an inception cohort of incident dialysis patients.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
We followed 235 incident dialysis patients in a prospective single-center cohort study (INVOR study) applying a time-dependent Cox proportional hazards model using all measured laboratory values (2887 albumin and 10306 phosphorus values).

Results
Eighty-two patients (35%) died during a median follow-up of 35.1 months. Albumin was inversely associated with mortality (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.23 [0.14 to 0.36]; P < 0.001), whereas higher phosphorus concentrations showed a trend to an increasing risk for mortality (hazard ratio 1.57 [95% confidence interval 0.97 to 2.54]; P = 0.07). Importantly, we observed a significant interaction between albumin and phosphorus (P = 0.01). The lowest risk was found with concurrent low phosphorus and high albumin values, whereas risk was increased with either concurrent low phosphorus and low albumin values or high phosphorus and high albumin values.

Conclusions
In incident dialysis patients the associations of serum phosphorus and albumin concentrations with mortality are modified by each other over time. Phosphorus-lowering interventions that concomitantly can cause a fall in serum albumin level may be harmful and warrant additional studies. If confirmed, epidemiologic studies and therapeutic guidelines aiming for target values should consider this interplay.
Cultural Dimensions and Leadership Styles Perceived by Future Managers: Differences between Slovenia and a Cluster of Central European Countries
Authors: Pučko Danijel , Čater Tomaž 
Published: September 2011

Cultural Dimensions and Leadership Styles Perceived by Future Managers: Differences between Slovenia and a Cluster of Central European Countries
The article contributes to the body of knowledge about the perceptions of future managers (i.e. business and engineering students) in both Slovenia and a cluster of Central European (CE) countries regarding actual cultural practices in their social environments, the value systems they possess and their attitudes to leadership styles. The main question addressed is whether future Slovenian managers are good representatives of the average future manager from CE (transitional) countries as far as their value system and attitudes to individual leadership styles are concerned.
The research results confirm that the Slovenian (potential) future managers perceive actual cultural practices in their environment rather differently from their counterparts from the cluster of CE countries. Two decades of transition from socialist/communist socio-economic systems were apparently not long enough periods to achieve a higher level of harmonisation of existing cultures. The relevant value systems held by the Slovenian (potential) future managers and the CE cluster's future managers still differ significantly. The Slovenian future managers have (statistically) significantly different attitudes to individual leadership styles than their counterparts in the CE countries' cluster. The smallest differences in perceptions between the two stated groups of (potential) future managers exist regarding their views on what are the most important traits and skills of managers.
An Example of Two-Dimensional Interpolation Using a Linear Combination of Bicubic B-Splines
Authors: Rosłoniec Stanisław 
Published: September 2011

An Example of Two-Dimensional Interpolation Using a Linear Combination of Bicubic B-Splines
The paper describes how a linear combination of bicubic B-splines can be effectively used in a two-dimensional interpolation. It is assumed that values of a function to be interpolated are evaluated at the uniformly located nodes of a corresponding rectangular grid. All formulae of importance have been derived step by step and are presented in a form convenient for computer implementations. To ensure clarity of considerations a short description of one-dimensional B-spline is also given in Appendix 1. The usefulness of the presented interpolation algorithm has been confirmed by the real engineering example of applications.
Experimental Investigation of Factors Affecting Stability of Interferometric Measurements with Ground Based Noise Waveform SAR
Authors: Lukin Konstantin , Palamarchuk Volodymyr , Vyplavin Pavlo , Kudriashov Volodymyr 
Published: September 2011

Experimental Investigation of Factors Affecting Stability of Interferometric Measurements with Ground Based Noise Waveform SAR
Application of ground-based SAR and differential interferometry technique is often used for monitoring manmade objects aiming detection of their structural changes. Recently Ka-band Ground Based Noise Waveform SAR has been developed [1] which may be applied for the above monitoring. The paper is devoted to investigation of stability of Noise Waveform SAR. Monitoring of a simple construction has been carried out. The related measurements enabled estimating the accuracy of differential phase measurements using the above Ka-band Noise Waveform SAR. In the paper we present some results of the experiments and their explanations.
Analysis of ascending spinal tract degeneration in cervical spondylotic myelopathy using 3D anisotropy contrast single-shot echo planar imaging on a 3.0-T system
Authors: Urakawa Takaaki , Matsuzawa Hitoshi , Suzuki Yuji , Endo Naoto , Kwee Ingrid L. , Nakada Tsutomu 
Published: September 2011

ObjectThe authors assessed the role of 3D anisotropy contrast (3DAC) in evaluating specific ascending tract degeneration in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).MethodsThe authors studied 10 patients (2 women, 8 men; mean age 59.8 ± 14.6 years) with CSM and spinal cord compression below the C2–3 disc level, as well as 10 healthy control individuals (3 women, 7 men; mean age 42.0 ± 24.1 years). Images of the cervical cord at the C2–3 level were obtained using a 3.0-T MR imaging system.ResultsThree-dimensional anisotropy contrast imaging clearly made possible tract-by-tract analysis of the fasciculus cuneatus, fasciculus gracilis, and spinocerebellar tract. Tract degeneration identified using 3DAC showed good correlation with a decline in fractional anisotropy. Degeneration of the fasciculus gracilis detected by “vector contrast” demonstrated a good correlation with Nurick grades.ConclusionsThe study unambiguously demonstrated that 3DAC imaging is capable of assessing ascending tract degeneration in patients with CSM. Degeneration of an individual tract can be easily identified as a vector contrast change on the 3DAC image, a reflection of quantitative changes in anisotropism, similar to fractional anisotropy. Excellent correlation between Nurick grades and fasciculus gracilis degeneration suggests potential application of 3DAC imaging for tract-by-tract clinical correlation.
Communicating hydrocephalus following surgery and adjuvant radiochemotherapy for glioblastoma
Authors: Montano Nicola , D'Alessandris Quintino Giorgio , Bianchi Federico , Lauretti Liverana , Doglietto Francesco , Fernandez Eduardo , Maira Giulio , Pallini Roberto 
Published: September 2011

Object
Communicating hydrocephalus is an uncommon complication in patients treated for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Its pathogenesis remains unclear. The authors evaluated the clinical and radiological factors associated with the onset of communicating hydrocephalus and the impact of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery on the outcome of these patients.

Methods
One hundred twenty-four patients harboring GBM, who had undergone craniotomy for tumor resection and adjuvant radiochemotherapy, were retrospectively assessed. Seven of them developed communicating hydrocephalus and were treated with VP shunt surgery. Clinical and radiological estimates included Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score, previous surgery, overall survival (OS), CSF pressure and components, tumor location, and leptomeningeal dissemination.

Results
All 7 patients who developed communicating hydrocephalus had undergone at least 2 craniotomies for tumor resection before the onset of hydrocephalus (p = 0.0006; Fisher exact test). Six cases showed high levels of CSF proteins. There was a highly significant relationship between ventricular opening at surgery for tumor recurrence and onset of hydrocephalus (p = 0.0002; Fisher exact test). In these patients, VP shunt surgery was followed by a significant improvement of KPS score (p = 0.0180; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). The median OS after VP shunt insertion was 5 ± 2.9 months.

Conclusions
Ventricular opening after radiochemotherapy and high CSF protein levels are significant predictors of communicating hydrocephalus in patients with GBM. The VP shunt surgery improves quality of life in these patients.