bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do social allowance transfers crowd out private transfers? An analysis of responses among elderly households in Taiwan
Authors: Chuang Jason Cheng‐Chung 
Published: March 2011

Chuang JCC. Do social allowance transfers crowd out private transfers? An analysis of responses among elderly households in TaiwanThis article examines whether public transfers ‘crowd out’ private inter‐household transfers in Taiwan, focusing on two old age social allowance schemes (old age allowance and old age farmer allowance) during the 2002–2008 period. This study used a data set from the Survey of Family Income and Expenditure in Taiwan. Empirical evidence suggests that Taiwanese donors are strongly motivated by altruism, and that the increase of public transfers will crowd out private transfers, and vice versa. Besides, altruism is more likely to dominate among poorer elderly recipients, whereas the exchange motive would dominate among richer recipients. Thus, the response of Taiwanese donors is likely to neutralise the distributional impact of public transfers. Finally, the elderly are not a homogenous group, and the effect of public transfers on private transfers varies significantly by household characteristics, in particular depending on age, marital status and living arrangements.
Therapeutic agents and herbs in topical application for acne treatment
Authors: Kanlayavattanakul M. , Lourith N. 
Published: March 2011

SynopsisAcne vulgaris suppresses an individual’s self‐confidence by causing distress with regard to physical appearance, which affects a significant number of individuals during puberty and is delineated by adolescence. Several treatments have been introduced to decrease the aesthetic and psychological problems caused by acne. The topical application of therapeutic agents has been found to be more feasible than hormonal treatment and laser therapy. The ingredients in topical acne treatments, particularly herbs and naturally derived compounds, have received considerable interest as they have fewer adverse effects than synthetic agents.
Advantages of preoperative ultrasound in conjunction with lymphoscintigraphy in detecting malignant melanoma metastases in sentinel lymph nodes: a retrospective analysis in 221 patients with malignant melanoma AJCC Stages I and II
Authors: Stoffels I. , Dissemond J. , Poeppel T. , Klötgen K. , Hillen U. , Körber A. , Schadendorf D. , Klode J. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground  Sentinel lymph node excision (SLNE) for the detection of regional nodal metastases and staging of malignant melanoma has resulted in some controversies in international discussions as it is a surgical intervention with potential morbidity.Objective  The present retrospective study seeks to clarify the reliability of preoperative ultrasonography (US) in direct comparison to the result of SLNE and seeks to identify potential advantages of preoperative ultrasound if performed in conjunction with lymphoscintigraphy in detecting malignant melanoma metastases in sentinel lymph node (SLN).Patients  We retrospectively analysed data from 221 patients with primary malignant melanoma with a Breslow index of ≥1.0 mm.Results  Of the 221 patients, 77.4% (n = 171) had a negative SLN. In 50 patients (22.6%), the histopathological investigation of 71 excised lymph nodes resulted in a positive SLN. The US examination demonstrated a sensitivity of 13.6%, a specificity of 96.9%, a positive predictive value of 97.2% and a negative predictive value of 12.6%. SLNE alone shows a sensitivity of 94%, a specificity of 98.6%, a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 98.3%. Preoperative US in conjunction with dynamic lymphoscintigraphy, followed by SLNE, demonstrated a detecting ratio of 100% (n = 28) for micrometastases and 98.6% (n = 42/43) for macrometastases.Conclusion  In conclusion, this study confirms that preoperative US alone cannot replace the vital information obtained during dynamic lymphoscintigraphy. But preoperative US is an important component of the staging procedure in melanoma patients and has clear advantages when performed in conjunction with dynamic lymphoscintigraphy. Therefore, we recommend preoperative US before every SLNE.
Development and preliminary validation of the PC‐SAD5, a screener‐derived short depression severity measure
Authors: Picardi A. , Adler D.A. , Chang H. , Lega I. , Gigantesco A. , Pasquini P. , Matteucci G. , Zerella M.P. , Caredda M. , Tarsitani L. , Biondi M. , Rogers W.H. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground  The prevalence of depressive disorders is high among patients with skin disease. The PC‐SAD is a 37‐item self‐administered depression screening questionnaire that has been validated in dermatological patients.Objective  The aim of this study was to develop and validate a brief depression severity instrument derived from the PC‐SAD that can be used to assess severity and monitor ongoing clinical course.Methods  Two patient samples participated in the study: 72 adult dermatological inpatients and 73 adults attending six primary care practices. Psychiatric assessment included the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV and an 18‐item version of the PC‐SAD; moreover, dermatological patients completed the Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ‐9), while primary care patients were administered the Montgomery‐Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). A subset of five PC‐SAD items showing the best psychometric properties were selected, and the reliability and validity of the resulting instrument (PC‐SAD5) were examined.Results  The PC‐SAD5 showed satisfactory internal consistency in both samples. There was a high correlation between PC‐SAD5 and PHQ‐9 and MADRS scores. Multiple regression analysis revealed a gradient of PC‐SAD5 scores from patients with no mental disorder, those with milder forms of depression, to those with Major Depressive Disorder. Similar results were observed for the 18‐item version of the PC‐SAD.Conclusion  The availability of valid and reliable continuous measures of depression severity derived from the PC‐SAD extends its field of application from depression screening to use as a follow‐up measure of depression severity in routine clinical practice. A validated very short instrument such as the PC‐SAD5 may have substantial clinical value.
Advanced protein glycation in psoriasis
Authors: Damasiewicz‐Bodzek A. , Wielkoszyński T. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground  The aetiopathogenesis of psoriasis is very complex and has not been well known. Recently, it has been proposed that mechanisms dependent on free radicals may be involved in the development of this dermatosis. Also, psoriasis coincides with lipid disturbances, diabetes and diseases of cardiovascular system. However, the common mechanism connecting these diseases is still unknown.Objectives  The aim of this study was to measure concentration of peptides containing glycated residues (AGE‐peptides) and IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies against carboxymethyllysine (anti‐CML) and carboxyethyllysine (anti‐CEL) in the sera of patients at different phases of psoriasis activity in comparison with the sera of healthy individuals.Methods  The study material consisted of sera from psoriasis patients (n = 80) in active phase and in the remission phase and healthy individuals (n = 80) (controls). Concentrations of AGE‐peptides were measured spectrofluorimetrically. Anti‐CML and anti‐CEL antibody concentrations were determined using ELISA.Results  In psoriasis patients in active phase disease concentrations of AGE‐peptides and anti‐CML and anti‐CEL antibodies in all tested classes were significantly higher than those in healthy individuals. At remission, concentrations of AGE‐peptides and tested antibodies decreased significantly, but concentrations of anti‐CEL IgG and anti‐CML IgG and IgM antibodies were remaining significantly higher in comparison with the control group.Conclusion  The obtained results indicate for existence of increased oxidative stress in psoriasis and resulting increased protein glycation and stimulation of the immune system to response to these end‐products. Increased protein glyco‐oxidation consist a linker between psoriasis and increased prevalence of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular incidents and vascular complications of diabetes.
Can intensive agricultural landscapes favour some raptor species? The Marsh harrier in north‐eastern Spain
Authors: Cardador L. , Carrete M. , Mañosa S. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAgricultural intensification over the last 60 decades has been linked to decreases in biodiversity and in the breeding populations of several avian species in farmlands. However, agricultural intensification has not affected all species in the same way and transformed landscapes can still provide suitable habitats for species tolerant to some degree of anthropogenic change. Understanding habitat selection in man‐made landscapes is a pre‐requisite to effective management and conservation of the species that use them. However, habitat‐related choices made by individuals occupying these landscapes are often difficult to explain, as the cues they use may be decoupled from the ecological context in which they evolved. Here, we investigated nesting habitat selection in a ground‐nesting raptor breeding mainly in wetlands, which, unlike many other species occupying farmlands, has experienced a population increase in some agricultural regions. We used multivariate analysis to assess the extent to which habitat characteristics, human disturbance or proximity to other occupied sites influenced nesting‐site occupancy. Our results indicate that Marsh harriers occupied breeding sites according to habitat cues obtained at two complementary spatial scales (i.e. the breeding site and the foraging area). This study indicates that a raptor species that uses human‐made structures such as ponds for breeding while exploiting their surrounding crops for hunting can take advantage of agricultural intensification. Environmental disturbances are often viewed only in terms of their harmful impacts on the affected species. However, human activities are causing many types of alterations in natural landscapes that can be exploited by certain species with positive responses towards these transformations. The adaptation of some raptors to human‐altered environments, such as the Marsh harrier in our study area, raises doubts regarding the appropriateness of using such species as indicators of natural habitat quality.
Are balance problems connected to reading speed or the familial risk of dyslexia?
Authors: VIHOLAINEN HELENA , ARO MIKKO , AHONEN TIMO , CRAWFORD SUSAN , CANTELL MARJA , KOOISTRA LIBBE 
Published: March 2011

Aim  The aim of this study was to examine the connection between balance problems and reading speed in children with and without a familial risk of dyslexia by controlling for the effects of attention, hyperactivity, and cognitive and motor functioning.Method  The prevalence of balance problems was studied in 94 children (48 females, 46 males) with a familial risk of dyslexia (at‐risk group) and 85 children (38 females, 47 males) without a risk of dyslexia (comparison group). Further, the relationships between balance problems (at age 8y 6mo), reading proficiency (at age 9y), attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder (at age 8y), and cognitive (at age 8y 6mo) and motor functioning (at age 6y 6mo) were examined. Inclusion criteria for the at‐risk group were that at least one parent had a confirmed reading problem and one or more of the parents’ close relatives also had a reading problem. The Good Balance System was used to assess static standing balance, word‐list and text reading tasks were used to measure reading proficiency. The Behavioural Assessment System for Children – Parent Rating Scale was used to assess attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children was used to assess cognitive functioning, and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children was used to measure motor functioning.Results  Balance (F(1,177)=4.82; p=0.029; =0.027) and reading (F(1,176)=11.95; p=0.001; =0.064) problems were more common in the at‐risk group than in the comparison group. Furthermore, attention, hyperactivity, IQ, and motor functioning were not related to balance problems. However, attention (F(1,154)=10.80; p=0.001; =0.066) and IQ (F(1,170)=22.08; p<0.001; =0.115) were individually connected to reading speed.Interpretation  Balance problems alone could not produce any differences in reading skills. Instead, both balance problems and reduced reading skills were mainly associated separately with a familial risk of dyslexia. This indicates that there may be a shared genetic mechanism between balance and reading problems.
Randomized trial of constraint‐induced movement therapy and bimanual training on activity outcomes for children with congenital hemiplegia
Authors: SAKZEWSKI LEANNE , ZIVIANI JENNY , ABBOTT DAVID F , MACDONELL RICHARD A L , JACKSON GRAEME D , BOYD ROSLYN N 
Published: March 2011

Aim  To determine if constraint‐induced movement therapy (CIMT) is more effective than bimanual training (BIM) in improving upper limb activity outcomes for children with congenital hemiplegia in a matched‐pairs randomized trial.Method  Sixty‐three children (mean age 10.2, SD 2.7, range 5–16y; 33 males, 30 females), 16 in Manual Ability Classification System level I, 46 level II, and 1 level III and 16 in Gross Motor Function Classification level I, 47 level II) were randomly allocated to either CIMT or BIM group day camps (60 hours over 10 days). The Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function assessed unimanual capacity of the impaired limb and Assisting Hand Assessment evaluated bimanual coordination at baseline, 3 and 26 weeks, scored by blinded raters.Results  After concealed random allocation, there was no baseline difference between groups. CIMT had superior outcomes compared with BIM for unimanual capacity at 26 weeks (estimated mean difference [EMD] 4.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2–6.7; p<0.001). There was no other significant difference between groups post‐intervention. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in bimanual performance at 3 weeks, with gains maintained by BIM at 26 weeks (EMD 2.3; 95% CI 0.6–4.0; p=0.008).Interpretation  Overall, there were only small differences between the two training approaches. CIMT yielded greater changes in unimanual capacity of the impaired upper limb compared with BIM. Results generally reflect specificity of practice, with CIMT improving unimanual capacity and BIM improving bimanual performance. Considerable inter‐individual variation in response to either intervention was evident. Future research should consider serial sequencing unimanual then BIM approaches to optimize upper limb outcomes for children with congenital hemiplegia.
Expression of human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 in mouse neurons regulates adenosine levels in physiological and hypoxic‐ischemic conditions
Authors: Zhang Dali , Xiong Wei , Albensi Benedict C. , Parkinson Fiona E. 
Published: March 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 10.1111/j.1471‐4159.2011.07242.xAbstractActivation of adenosine A1 receptors inhibits excitatory synaptic transmission. Equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) regulate extracellular adenosine levels; however, the role of neuronal ENTs in adenosine influx and efflux during cerebral ischemia has not been determined. We used mice with neuronal expression of human ENT type 1 and wild type (Wt) littermates to compare responses to in vitro hypoxic or ischemic conditions. Extracellular recordings in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices from transgenic (Tg) mice revealed increased basal synaptic transmission, relative to Wt slices, and an absence of 8‐cyclopentyl‐1,3‐dipropyl‐xanthine mediated augmentation of excitatory neurotransmission. Adenosine (10–100 μM) had a reduced potency for inhibiting synaptic transmission in slices from Tg mice; inhibitory concentration 50% values were approximately 25 and 50 μM in Wt and Tg slices, respectively. Potency of the A1 receptor agonist N6‐cyclopentyladenosine (1 nM–1 μM) was unchanged. Transient hypoxia or oxygen‐glucose deprivation produced greater inhibition of excitatory neurotransmission in slices from Wt than Tg, mice. The ENT1 inhibitor S‐(4‐nitrobenzyl)‐6‐thioinosine abolished these differences. Taken together, our data provide evidence that neuronal ENTs reduce hypoxia‐ and ischemia‐induced increases in extracellular adenosine levels and suggest that inhibition of neuronal adenosine transporters may be a target for the treatment of cerebral ischemia.
A revision of the fossil Canidae (Mammalia) of north‐western Africa
Authors: GERAADS DENIS 
Published: March 2011

Abstract:  The fossil record of the Canidae in North‐western Africa begins near the Miocene–Pliocene boundary with a form close to Nyctereutes, a genus best known in the late Pliocene of Ahl al Oughlam. This site yields two other canids. Vulpes hassani sp. nov. is a small fox, probably ancestral to the modern V. rueppelli, recorded from the Middle Pleistocene onwards. Lupulella paralius sp. nov. is a primitive jackal that probably belongs to the clade of modern African jackals. In the middle Pleistocene, the most common canid is Lupulella mohibi sp. nov., remarkable by its Nyctereutes‐like dentition and primitive skull‐features. These are all endemic forms, but V. vulpes and C. aureus, of northern origin, appear in the course of the middle Pleistocene. Lycaon has a sparse record in the middle and late Pleistocene.
The Views of People With Spinal Cord Injury About the Use of Functional Electrical Stimulation
Authors: Donovan‐Hall Maggie K. , Burridge Jane , Dibb Bridget , Ellis‐Hill Caroline , Rushton David 
Published: March 2011

AbstractFunctional electrical stimulation (FES) is a specialist technique that can be applied in several areas of spinal rehabilitation. The aim of the study was to explore views of people with spinal cord injuries (SCI), health care professionals specializing in SCI, and researchers in FES about the current and future use of FES. A qualitative design using eight focus groups lasting 90 to 120 min was carried out throughout the UK. Purposive sampling was used to ensure diversity in age, level of SCI, severity of injury, and experience using FES. Thematic analysis identified five key themes. Decisions to use FES related to concerns over the screening and suitability of FES, ensuring parity between patients, and offering FES at the right stage of rehabilitation. Positive aspects of using FES related to themes regarding “physical improvements” and “doing something active.” Barriers to using FES concerned a lack of resources, such as equipment and staff training, and the view that some FES devices were unreliable. This research highlights the importance of understanding the user's needs in the design of FES devices; improving provision, prescription and allocation of FES resources, and the need to consider psychosocial issues related to the initiation and use of FES.
Can the Human Lumbar Posterior Columns Be Stimulated by Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation? A Modeling Study
Authors: Danner Simon M. , Hofstoetter Ursula S. , Ladenbauer Josef , Rattay Frank , Minassian Karen 
Published: March 2011

AbstractStimulation of different spinal cord segments in humans is a widely developed clinical practice for modification of pain, altered sensation, and movement. The human lumbar cord has become a target for modification of motor control by epidural and, more recently, by transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation. Posterior columns of the lumbar spinal cord represent a vertical system of axons and when activated can add other inputs to the motor control of the spinal cord than stimulated posterior roots. We used a detailed three‐dimensional volume conductor model of the torso and the McIntyre–Richard–Grill axon model to calculate the thresholds of axons within the posterior columns in response to transcutaneous lumbar spinal cord stimulation. Superficially located large‐diameter posterior column fibers with multiple collaterals have a threshold of 45.4 V, three times higher than posterior root fibers (14.1 V). With the stimulation strength needed to activate posterior column axons, posterior root fibers of large and small diameters as well as anterior root fibers are coactivated. The reported results inform on these threshold differences, when stimulation is applied to the posterior structures of the lumbar cord at intensities above the threshold of large‐diameter posterior root fibers.
Availability and Potential Effect of Rural Rotations in Emergency Medicine Residency Programs
Authors: Talley Brad E. , Ann Moore S. , Camargo Carlos A. , Rogers John , Ginde Adit A. 
Published: March 2011

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2011; 18:297–300 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency MedicineAbstractObjectives:  Increased exposure of emergency medicine (EM) residents to rural rotations may enhance recruitment to rural areas. This study sought to characterize the availability and types of rural rotations in EM residency programs and to correlate rotation type with rural practice after graduation.Methods:  Program directors from all 126 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)‐accredited EM residency programs with at least 2 years of graduates were surveyed. Directors were asked about availability of rural rotations, categorized as: 1) required, 2) elective (with or without predesignated sites), or 3) not available. Completion of rotations and initial practice location after graduation by rotation type were compared.Results:  The 111 (88%) directors reported 2,380 graduates over the past 2 years. Rural rotations were required by six (5%) programs, elective at 92 (83%), and not available at 13 (12%). Overall, 197 (8%) residents completed a rural rotation during residency, and 160 (7%) selected their initial job in a rural area. More residents completed an elective rural rotation in programs with versus without a predesignated site (7% vs. 4%, respectively). EM residency graduates were more likely to select a rural job when rural rotations were required (22%), compared to other options: predesignated (7%) or no predesignated (6%) elective or not available (7%; p < 0.001).Conclusions:  Elective rural rotations at predesignated sites increase resident exposure to rural areas compared to programs without predesignated sites, but neither approach was associated with rural practice after graduation. EM residency programs that required a rural rotation had increased resident selection of rural jobs, but only 5% of programs had this requirement.