bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of task‐oriented intervention and trunk restraint on upper limb movement quality in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: SCHNEIBERG SHEILA , MCKINLEY PATRICIA A , SVEISTRUP HEIDI , GISEL ERIKA , MAYO NANCY E , LEVIN MINDY F 
Published: August 2010

Aim  The goal of this study was to contribute evidence towards the effectiveness of task‐oriented training with and without restriction of trunk movement (trunk restraint) on the quality of upper limb movement in children with cerebral palsy (CP).Method  We used a prospective, single‐subject research design in 12 children (three males, nine females; aged 6–11y; median 9y) with di‐, hemi‐, or quadriplegia. Movements of the most affected arm were assessed five times: three times before training, immediately after training, and 3 months after training. The main outcome measures were the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function (Melbourne) and upper limb movement kinematics during a functional reaching task. Children were randomly allocated to one of two groups: task‐oriented training with or without trunk restraint. Treatment consisted of three 1‐hour sessions per week for 5 weeks (total training duration 15h). Treatment effects were determined using single‐subject research design analysis – regression through baseline data and standard mean differences.Results  Although the Melbourne scores were largely unchanged after training, some children in each group improved arm trajectory smoothness (effect size 0.55–1.87), and most children improved elbow extension range (effect size 0.55–4.79). However, more children in the trunk restraint group than in the no restraint group demonstrated reduced trunk displacement (effect size 0.94–2.25) and longer‐term improvements in elbow extension and trunk use. Among the group who underwent training without trunk restraint, trunk displacement was unchanged or increased, and fewer carry‐over effects were apparent at follow‐up.Interpretation  This proof‐of‐principle study showed that greater improvement in the quality of upper limb movement in children with CP, including less compensatory trunk use and better carry‐over effects, was achieved by training with trunk restraint.
Motor proficiency of 6‐ to 9‐year‐old children with speech and language problems
Authors: VISSCHER CHRIS , HOUWEN SUZANNE , MOOLENAAR BEN , LYONS JIM , SCHERDER ERIK J A , HARTMAN ESTHER 
Published: August 2010

Aim  This study compared the gross motor skills of school‐age children (mean age 7y 8mo, range 6–9y) with developmental speech and language disorders (DSLDs; n=105; 76 males, 29 females) and typically developing children (n=105; 76 males, 29 females). The relationship between the performance parameters and the children’s age was investigated as well as the role of the type of DSLD.Method  The children with DSLDs were classified by their schools’ speech and language therapists into three subgroups: children with speech disorders (n=16), those with language disorders (n=41), or those with both (n=48). They were tested with the Test of Gross Motor Development, 2nd edition.Results  Compared with their typically developing peers, all three DSLD subgroups scored lower on the locomotor (all p values <0.001) and object control sub tests (all p values <0.001). Significant performance differences were found between the three types of DSLD (all p values <0.01) where the children with language disorders only performed better. Older children performed better than the younger ones (plocomotor=0.029, pobject control <0.001), but the magnitude of differences between the children with DSLDs and their peers did not change with increasing age.Interpretation  Children with DSLDs have poor gross motor skills. Although the performance of children with DSLDs improves with increasing age, it lags behind that of typically developing children. The present results emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for children with motor deficits.
Dysregulation of epithelial Na+ absorption induced by inhibition of the kinases TORC1 and TORC2
Authors: Mansley Morag K , Wilson Stuart M 
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Although the serum and glucocorticoid‐inducible protein kinase 1 (SGK1) appears to be involved in controlling epithelial Na+ absorption, its role in this physiologically important ion transport process is undefined. As SGK1 activity is dependent upon target of rapamycin complex 2 (TORC2)‐catalysed phosphorylation of SGK1‐Ser422, we have explored the effects of inhibiting TORC2 and/or TORC1 upon the hormonal control of Na+ absorption.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Na+ absorption was quantified electrometrically in mouse cortical collecting duct cells (mpkCCD) grown to confluence on permeable membranes. Kinase activities were assessed by monitoring endogenous protein phosphorylation, with or without TORC1/2 inhibitors (TORIN1 and PP242) and the TORC1 inhibitor: rapamycin.KEY RESULTS Inhibition of TORC1/2 (TORIN1, PP242) suppressed basal SGK1 activity, prevented insulin‐ and dexamethasone‐induced SGK1 activation, and caused modest (10–20%) inhibition of basal Na+ absorption and substantial (∼80%) inhibition of insulin/dexamethasone‐induced Na+ transport. Inhibition of TORC1 did not impair SGK1 activation or insulin‐induced Na+ transport, but did inhibit (∼80%) dexamethasone‐induced Na+ absorption. Arginine vasopressin stimulated Na+ absorption via a TORC1/2‐independent mechanism.CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Target of rapamycin complex 2, but not TORC1, is important to SGK1 activation. Signalling via phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase/TORC2/SGK1 can explain insulin‐induced Na+ absorption. TORC2, but not TORC1, is also involved in glucocorticoid‐induced SGK1 activation but its role is permissive. Glucocorticoid‐induced Na+ transport displayed a requirement for TORC1 activity. Therefore, TORC1 and TORC2 contribute to the regulation of Na+ absorption. Pharmacological manipulation of TORC1/2 signalling may provide novel therapies for Na+‐sensitive hypertension.
How Might Shadow Price Restrictions Reduce Technical Efficiency? Evidence from a Restricted DEA Analysis of Coffee Farms in Vietnam
Authors: Garcia Andres F. , Shively Gerald E. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractWe use data from smallholder coffee farms in Vietnam to measure the technical efficiency of coffee producers, and the degree to which potential restrictions on the shadow prices of chemical inputs might reduce overall efficiency among these farmers. Using input‐oriented data envelopment analysis (DEA) we find the use of pesticide and herbicide accounts for a relatively small proportion of overall technical efficiency in the sample. We place restrictions on input shadow prices and show that restricting their importance does not dramatically alter patterns or measures of short‐run efficiency.
Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis
Authors: OWLIA Mohammad Bagher , MEHRPOOR Golbarg , SOLEIMANI Hossein 
Published: August 2010

AbstractMulticentric reticulohistiocytosis (MRH) is a rare disease characterized by erosive polyarthritis and nodular skin lesions which is associated with malignancy in some cases. We describe a 44‐year‐old woman with polyarthralgia, numerous skin nodules, mucosal lesions and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate who was admitted to hospital for further evaluation. Tissue biopsy of skin nodules showed large histiocytes with ground‐glass eosinophilic cytoplasm, typical of MRH. Clinical manifestation and radiological pattern of MRH may be misdiagnosed as other diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and nodal osteoarthritis, but histopathology the characteristic pattern can differentiate MRH from any other condition.
Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation: Monitoring the antenatal and short‐term neonatal outcome
Authors: TRAN Hong , FINK Michelle A. , CRAMERI Joe , CULLINANE Fiona 
Published: August 2010

Objective:  To determine the antenatal and short‐term neonatal outcome of antenatally detected congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM).Methods:  A retrospective review was conducted on all women with an antenatal diagnosis of CCAM who attended the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, between January 1995 and December 2005.Results:  An antenatal diagnosis of CCAM was made in 38 singleton pregnancies. Serial ultrasounds were performed in 34 cases. Thirteen lesions (38%) appeared to resolve, ten lesions (29%) appeared to decrease, four lesions (12%) appeared to remain unchanged and seven lesions (21%) appeared to increase in size. Four pregnancies (10.5%) were complicated by hydrops fetalis which was associated with a poor outcome. Thirty‐seven babies were liveborn. Seven babies (18.9%) developed respiratory distress. Two of these babies died within two days of birth resulting in three deaths in total. Two babies were lost to follow up (n = 33). Sixty per cent of babies in whom the CCAM appeared to resolve on antenatal ultrasound had an abnormal chest X‐ray (CXR). All computed tomography (CT) scans (eight of eight) in this group were abnormal. Of the surviving babies, 27.3% (nine of 33) have had surgery to date.Conclusions:  The antenatal diagnosis of CCAM is associated with a good short‐term prognosis. The pregnancy should initially be managed at a tertiary centre with serial ultrasound. Asymptomatic babies should have a postnatal CT even if the CCAM appears to have resolved or decreased on antenatal ultrasound.
Accuracy of fetal gender detection using a conventional nested PCR assay of maternal plasma in daily practice
Authors: TUNGWIWAT Warunee , FUCHAROEN Supan , FUCHAROEN Goonnapa , RATANASIRI Thawalwong , SANCHAISURIYA Kanokwan 
Published: August 2010

We have prospectively examined the diagnostic accuracy of a conventional multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of maternal plasma for fetal gender determination in daily practice. Plasma DNAs were obtained from 168 pregnant women between five and 32 weeks of gestation. The 198‐bp‐specific sequence on Y‐chromosome and the 261 bp ATL1‐gene‐specific sequence on X‐chromosome were coamplified in a multiplex nested PCR manner. The results of fetal sex prediction were compared with routine analysis of fetal tissues and birth outcomes. The ATL1‐specific sequences were detected in all cases but Y‐chromosome‐specific signals were observed in 95 of 97 plasma samples of women carrying male fetuses, leading to the sensitivity of 97.9, 100 and 100% for the first, second and third trimesters, respectively, and the specificity of 100% at all gestational stages. Therefore, fetal gender detection in maternal plasma with a conventional multiplex PCR assay is highly accurate in daily practice which should prove useful for non‐invasive prenatal screening of sex‐linked genetic disorders.
How accurate is the reporting of obstetric haemorrhage in hospital discharge data? A validation study
Authors: LAIN Samantha J. , ROBERTS Christine L. , HADFIELD Ruth M. , BELL Jane C. , MORRIS Jonathan M. 
Published: August 2010

Background: Routinely collected datasets are frequently used for population‐based research but their accuracy needs to be assured.Aim: This study aims to assess the accuracy of hospital discharge data in identifying obstetric haemorrhage diagnoses and procedures, and estimate their population incidence.Methods: The medical records of 1200 randomly selected women were reviewed and compared with obstetric haemorrhage diagnoses and procedures in the hospital discharge data. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated using the medical records as the ‘gold standard’. Estimates of population incidence were calculated and weighted by the sampling probabilities.Results: Estimated population incidence for any antepartum haemorrhage was 1.8 per 100, and post partum haemorrhage was 7.2 per 100 women. Obstetric haemorrhage diagnosis and procedure codes tended to be underreported, with sensitivities ranging from 28.3% to 100%. All codes had specificities of 98.9% or greater. The identification of obstetric haemorrhage differed between levels of severity.Conclusion: The results indicate that population health datasets can be a reliable information source; however, these datasets could be improved with more complete documentation in medical records.
Combining first and second trimester markers for Down syndrome screening: Think twice
Authors: COCCIOLONE Robert , BRAMELD Kate , O’LEARY Peter , HAAN Eric , MULLER Peter , SHAND Karen 
Published: August 2010

Aims: This study compares different screening strategies for the detection of Down syndrome and considers practical implications of using multiple screening protocols.Methods: The performance characteristics of each screening strategy were assessed based on datasets of Down syndrome (n = 11) and unaffected pregnancies (n = 1006) tested in both first and second trimester, as well as data from first trimester (n = 18 901) and second trimester (n = 40 748) pregnancies.Results: For a detection rate of 91%, the false positive rates for integrated and serum integrated screening were 2.5% and 6.3%, respectively, compared with combined first trimester (4.6%) and second trimester (12.6%) screening. Contingent and sequential screening protocols achieved detection rates of 82 to 91% with false positive rates between 2.6 and 2.9%. Contingent protocols require retesting of 15 to 20% of cases in the second trimester. Sequential and integrated protocols require retesting of 98 to 100% of cases in the second trimester. The various screening strategies did not always detect the same Down syndrome pregnancies.Conclusions: Combining first and second trimester markers for Down syndrome screening better defines the at‐risk population. However, integrated protocols complicate management of screening programs and may not be suitable as primary screening strategies. It may be a better use of resources to refine current first and second trimester programs through improved access and new markers. We therefore suggest thinking twice before embracing integrated population screening programs.
The use of fresh‐frozen plasma in England: high levels of inappropriate use in adults and children
Authors: Stanworth Simon J. , Grant‐Casey John , Lowe Derek , Laffan Mike , New Helen , Murphy Mike F. , Allard Shubha 
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND: Fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) is given to patients across a range of clinical settings, frequently in association with abnormalities of standard coagulation tests.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A UK‐wide study of FFP transfusion practice was undertaken to characterize the current patterns of administration and to evaluate the contribution of pretransfusion coagulation tests.RESULTS: A total of 4969 FFP transfusions given to patients in 190 hospitals were analyzed, of which 93.3% were in adults and 6.7% in children or infants. FFP transfusions to adults were given most frequently in intensive‐treatment or high‐dependency units (32%), in operating rooms or recovery (23%), or on medical wards (22%). In adult patients 43% of all FFP transfusions were given in the absence of documented bleeding, as prophylaxis for abnormal coagulation tests or before procedures or surgery. There was wide variation in international normalized ratio (INR) or prothrombin times before FFP administration; in 30.9% of patients where the main reason for transfusion was prophylactic in the absence of bleeding the INR was 1.5 or less. Changes in standard coagulation results after FFP administration were generally very small for adults and children.CONCLUSIONS: This study raises important questions about the clinical benefit of much of current FFP usage. It highlights the pressing need for better studies to inform and evaluate quantitative data for the effect of plasma on standard coagulation tests.
Cause‐specific mortality associated with leukoreduced, buffy coat–depleted, or no blood transfusion after elective surgery for colorectal cancer: a posttrial 15‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Mortensen Frank V. , Jensen Lone S. , Sørensen Henrik T. , Pedersen Lars 
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that both leukoreduced (LR) and buffy coat–depleted (BCD) blood transfusions had a detrimental effect on long‐term overall survival in patients who underwent elective surgery for colorectal disease. This analysis investigates long‐term cause‐specific mortality in trial participants diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We used the Danish Civil Registration System to follow 448 trial participants with CRC, from their enrollment in 1992 to 1995 until January 2007. A total of 108 patients were transfused with BCD blood, 94 with LR blood, and 246 did not receive a transfusion (NT). We reviewed death certificates for study patients who died during follow‐up. Cause‐of‐death data were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐8 and ‐10). The Charlson Comorbidity Index was used for risk adjustment.RESULTS: A total of 43% of NT, 28% of BCD, and 27% of LR transfused patients were alive after 15 years of follow‐up (p = 0.001 for transfused vs. NT patients). For LR‐transfused versus NT patients the adjusted mortality ratio for death from rectal cancer was 1.81 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97‐3.38), and for death from cardiovascular disease 2.12 (95% CI, 1.23‐3.62). For BCD versus NT patients the adjusted mortality ratio for death from rectal cancer was 1.19 (95% CI, 0.61‐2.33) and for cardiovascular disease it was 1.68 (95% CI, 0.97‐2.91).CONCLUSION: LR transfusion is associated with decreased long‐term survival due to death from cardiovascular disease. A similar but weaker tendency was observed for BCD transfusion.
Breaking the Winner's Curse in Outsourcing
Authors: Jiang Bin , Talluri Srinivas , Yao Tao , Moon Yongma 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTThis research utilizes real options theory to investigate how to break the winner's curse in contracting through effective contracting mechanisms. We focus on two contracting approaches: flexible price contract and gain‐sharing contract. For reasons of analytical tractability, we first utilize the geometric Brownian motion as the dynamic model to obtain closed‐form solutions to break the outsourcing winner's curse. Subsequently, we extend our model to the mean‐reverting process and provide numerical examples to verify the validity of our closed‐form results, which have not previously been presented in the outsourcing literature. Finally, we provide prescriptions for the problem of the winner's curse in outsourcing.
Strategic Product/Service Innovations of an Online Firm
Authors: Druehl Cheryl T. , Porteus Evan L. 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTWe study the incentives that drive an online firm to make various types of innovations in a competitive environment. We develop and use a simplified price competition model between two retailers, one online and one offline. A given fraction of consumers, called the Internet penetration, comparison shop online, independent of their customer type, thereby creating two markets for the offline retailer, a captive market and a competitive market. The online product has the steeper of the two linear utility functions, which means that the customers who buy online in our model are high end. We focus on the competitive region in which both retailers are (strictly) profitable in the competitive market and consider innovations that increase high‐end appeal, low‐end appeal, and/or reduce unit cost. We find that the online firm has a strong incentive to invest in innovations that either reduce unit cost and/or, equivalently, increase the appeal to all consumers equally. Investments of this type are strategic complements: implementing one increases the value of another, so the value of two innovations of this type is more than the sum of the values of each individually. We identify a relative strength measure of the online firm such that, as its high‐end appeal increases and/or its unit cost decreases, we say that the online firm is stronger. This strength measure facilitates drawing an explicit dividing line between strong and weak online firms. If Internet penetration increases, the online firm's profits increase if and only if it is strong. If penetration increases over time, it is possible for a strong firm to turn weak and see its profits decrease and possibly disappear completely. A strong online firm has more opportunity to profit from low‐end innovations than does a weak one, while the opposite is true for high‐end innovations. Interestingly, some innovations may actually decrease the online firm's profits. We discuss the implications of our results for existing and future online innovations.
Effects of l‐carnitine supplement on serum inflammatory cytokines, C‐reactive protein, lipoprotein (a), and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients with Lp (a) hyperlipoproteinemia
Authors: SHAKERI Azam , TABIBI Hadi , HEDAYATI Mehdi 
Published: August 2010

AbstractInflammation, oxidative stress, and high concentration of serum lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] are common complications in hemodialysis patients. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of l‐carnitine supplement on serum inflammatory cytokines, C‐reactive protein (CRP), Lp (a), and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients with Lp (a) hyperlipoproteinemia [hyper Lp (a)]. This was an unblinded, randomized clinical trial. Thirty‐six hyper Lp (a) hemodialysis patients (23 men and 13 women) were randomly assigned to either a carnitine or control group. Patients in the carnitine group received 1000 mg/d oral l‐carnitine for 12 weeks, whereas patients in the control group did not receive any l‐carnitine supplement. At baseline and the end of week 12, 5 mL of blood were collected after a 12‐ to 14‐hours fast and serum free carnitine, CRP, interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor‐α, Lp (a), and oxidized low‐density lipoprotein were measured. Serum free carnitine concentration increased significantly by 86% in the carnitine group at the end of week 12 compared with baseline (P<0.001), while serum CRP and IL‐6 showed a significant decrease of 29% (P<0.05) and 61% (P<0.001), respectively. No significant changes were observed in serum free carnitine, CRP, and IL‐6 in the control group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean changes of serum interleukin‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α, Lp (a), and oxidized low‐density lipoprotein concentrations. l‐carnitine supplement reduces inflammation in hemodialysis patients, but has no effect on hyper Lp (a) and oxidative stress.
Learning to Learn Causal Models
Authors: Kemp Charles , Goodman Noah D. , Tenenbaum Joshua B. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractLearning to understand a single causal system can be an achievement, but humans must learn about multiple causal systems over the course of a lifetime. We present a hierarchical Bayesian framework that helps to explain how learning about several causal systems can accelerate learning about systems that are subsequently encountered. Given experience with a set of objects, our framework learns a causal model for each object and acausal schemathat captures commonalities among these causal models. The schema organizes the objects into categories and specifies the causal powers and characteristic features of these categories and the characteristic causal interactions between categories. A schema of this kind allows causal models for subsequent objects to be rapidly learned, and we explore this accelerated learning in four experiments. Our results confirm that humans learn rapidly about the causal powers of novel objects, and we show that our framework accounts better for our data than alternative models of causal learning.