bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
International casemix and funding models: lessons for rehabilitation
Authors: Turner-Stokes Lynne , Sutch Stephen , Dredge Robert , Eagar Kathy 
Published: November 2011

This series of articles for rehabilitation in practice aims to cover a knowledge element of the rehabilitation medicine curriculum. Nevertheless they are intended to be of interest to a multidisciplinary audience. The competency addressed in this article is ‘An understanding of the different international models for funding of health care services and casemix systems, as exemplified by those in the US, Australia and the UK.’ Background: Payment for treatment in healthcare systems around the world is increasingly based on fixed tariff models to drive up efficiency and contain costs. Casemix classifications, however, must account adequately for the resource implications of varying case complexity. Rehabilitation poses some particular challenges for casemix development. Objective: The objectives of this educational narrative review are (a) to provide an overview of the development of casemix in rehabilitation, (b) to describe key characteristics of some well-established casemix and payment models in operation around the world and (c) to explore opportunities for future development arising from the lessons learned. Results: Diagnosis alone does not adequately describe cost variation in rehabilitation. Functional dependency is considered a better cost indicator, and casemix classifications for inpatient rehabilitation in the United States and Australia rely on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Fixed episode-based prospective payment systems are shown to contain costs, but at the expense of poorer functional outcomes. More sophisticated models incorporating a mixture of episode and weighted per diem rates may offer greater flexibility to optimize outcome, while still providing incentive for throughput. Conclusion: The development of casemix in rehabilitation poses similar challenges for healthcare systems all around the world. Well-established casemix systems in the United States and Australia have afforded valuable lessons for other countries to learn from, but have not provided all the answers. A range of casemix and payment models is required to cater for different healthcare cultures, and casemix tools must capture all the key cost-determinants of treatment for patients with complex needs.
Effectiveness of constraint-induced movement therapy on activity and participation after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Peurala Sinikka H , Kantanen Mari P , Sjögren Tuulikki , Paltamaa Jaana , Karhula Maarit , Heinonen Ari 
Published: November 2011

Objective: To examine the effect of constraint-induced movement therapy and modified constraint-induced movement therapy on activity and participation of patients with stroke (i.e. the effect of different treatment durations and frequency) by reviewing the results of randomized controlled trials. Data sources: A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PEDro, OTSeeker, CENTRAL and by manual search. Review methods: Randomized controlled trials for patients over 18 years old with stroke and published in Finnish, Swedish, English or German were included. Studies were collected up to the first week in May 2011. The evidence was high, moderate, low or no evidence according to the quality of randomized controlled trial and the results of meta-analyses. Results: Search resulted in 30 papers reporting constraint-induced movement therapy, including 27 randomized controlled trials published between 2001 and 2011. Constraint-induced movement therapy practice for 60–72 hours over two weeks produced better mobility (i.e. ability to carry, move and handle objects) with high evidence compared to control treatment. Constraint-induced movement therapy for 20–56 hours over two weeks, 30 hours over three weeks and 15–30 hours over 10 weeks improved mobility of the affected upper extremity. However, with self-care as an outcome measure, only 30 hours of constraint-induced movement therapy practice over three weeks demonstrated an improvement. Conclusion: Constraint-induced movement therapy and modified constraint-induced movement therapy proved to be effective on affected hand mobility and to some extent self-care on the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health activity and participation component, but further studies are needed to find out the optimal treatment protocols for constraint-induced movement therapy.
Naming the ‘R’ word in racial victimization: Violence against Indian students in Australia
Authors: Mason Gail 
Published: November 2011

In 2009, thousands of international students, led by the Federation of Indian Students in Australia, staged a public protest in the central business district of Melbourne in Australia. One focus of the demonstration was the claim that Indian students living in Australia were being deliberately targeted for racist violence and crime. In the months following the demonstrations, many deep-seated problems in the international education industry were revealed, generating multiple and ongoing reviews of the education, migration, housing, transport and criminal justice sectors. This article focuses on the ways in which police services and political leaders have responded to the claim that racism is behind the victimization of Indian students studying and living in Australia. It will argue that, with one or two exceptions, both have responded with a range of discursive strategies that, ultimately, amount to a form of denial. Significantly, this is not a denial of the problem of violence itself but, rather, a denial of the racial character of that violence. Such denial raises the question: can racist victimization, or any form of hate crime, truly be acknowledged if the prejudiced or biased nature of that victimization is not accorded public recognition and condemnation?
RhoA/ROCK may involve in cardiac hypertrophy induced by experimental hyperthyroidism
Authors: Na Wang , Peng Guan , Jianping Zhang , Yanzhong Chang , Shengjiang Guan , Li Chu 
Published: November 2011

In this study, the role of the RhoA/Rho-kinase (RhoA/ROCK)-signaling pathway in cardiovascular dysfunction associated with hyperthyroidism was examined with the use of fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor. Male Spraque-Dawley rats were treated with l-thyroxine (T4) alone, T4 + low-dose fasudil (2 mg/kg/day) or T4 + high-dose fasudil (10 mg/kg/day) and compared with control animals. Rats in the T4 group showed an increase in the ratio of heart weight to body weight, which was ameliorated by fasudil at both low and high doses. Morphometric and hemodynamic parameters were also evaluated and confirmed that fasudil attenuated the cardiac hypertrophy induced by T4. The extent of phosphorylation of the myosin phosphatase targeting subunit was quantified by Western blotting to evaluate the activity of Rho-kinase in the heart tissue. Both Western blotting and reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed enhancement of Rho-kinase and activator protein 1 activity and reduction of c-FLIPL expression in the T4 group, and this response was inhibited by f asudil in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, f asudil inhibited apoptosis induced by T4 as evidenced by the detection of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling–positive cells and the expressions of bax and bcl-2. These results suggested that the RhoA/ROCK pathway is involved in the cardiac hypertrophy induced by experimental hyperthyroidism. The antagonism of this pathway may thus be useful as an alternative target in the treatment of hyperthyroid heart disease.
Cystatin C is associated with inflammation but not atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Lertnawapan R , Bian A , Rho YH , Raggi P , Oeser A , Solus JF , Gebretsadik T , Shintani A , Stein CM 
Published: November 2011

Background: Even mild renal impairment is associated with increased atherosclerosis and cardiovascular mortality. Cystatin C, a novel measure of renal function, is more sensitive than conventional creatinine-based measures for the detection of subtle renal impairment. Increased cystatin concentrations are also associated with cardiovascular risk, independently of conventional measures of renal function. This study examined the hypothesis that cystatin C is elevated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is associated with coronary atherosclerosis. Methods: Serum cystatin C, creatinine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, coronary artery calcium score (CACS), Framingham risk score (FRS), Modified Diet in Renal Disease estimated glomerular filtration rate (MDRD-eGFR), and other clinical parameters were measured in 118 patients with SLE and 83 control subjects. The independent association between concentrations of cystatin C and SLE was evaluated using multivariable linear regression models, and the relationship between renal measures and coronary calcium was assessed with multivariable proportional odds logistic regression models. Results: Cystatin C, but not other measures of renal function, was significantly higher in patients with SLE than in controls (1.09 [interquartile range, IQR: 0.85–1.28] mg/l vs. 0.89 [IQR: 0.76–0.99] mg/l; p < 0.001 after adjustment for age, race, sex and MDRD-eGFR). Cystatin C was significantly associated with SLICC ( p = 0.04), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ( p = 0.02), TNF-α ( p = 0.008) and IL-6 ( p = 0.01) after adjustment for age, race, and sex. Cystatin C was not significantly correlated with coronary calcium score in SLE (rho=0.096, p = 0.31) and the association remained non-significant after adjustment for age, race, sex, and Framingham risk score ( p = 0.99). Conclusions: Cystatin C was higher in patients with SLE than in control subjects even after adjustment for conventional measures of renal function. Cystatin C was significantly correlated with several markers of inflammation in SLE but was not associated with coronary atherosclerosis. Subtle renal dysfunction does not appear to be directly associated with accelerated atherosclerosis in SLE.
Mutations of NOTCH1 are an independent predictor of survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Rossi Davide , Rasi Silvia , Fabbri Giulia , Spina Valeria , Fangazio Marco , Forconi Francesco , Marasca Roberto , Laurenti Luca , Bruscaggin Alessio , Cerri Michaela , Monti Sara , Cresta Stefania , Famà Rosella , De Paoli Lorenzo , Bulian Pietro , Gattei Valter , Guarini Anna , Deaglio Silvia , Capello Daniela , Rabadan Raul , Pasqualucci Laura , Dalla-Favera Riccardo , Foà Robin , Gaidano Gianluca 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Analysis of the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) coding genome has recently disclosed that the NOTCH1 proto-oncogene is recurrently mutated at CLL presentation. Here, we assessed the prognostic role of NOTCH1 mutations in CLL. Two series of newly diagnosed CLL were used as training (n = 309) and validation (n = 230) cohorts. NOTCH1 mutations occurred in 11.0% and 11.3% CLL of the training and validation series, respectively. In the training series, NOTCH1 mutations led to a 3.77-fold increase in the hazard of death and to shorter overall survival (OS; P < .001). Multivariate analysis selected NOTCH1 mutations as an independent predictor of OS after controlling for confounding clinical and biologic variables. The independent prognostic value of NOTCH1 mutations was externally confirmed in the validation series. The poor prognosis conferred by NOTCH1 mutations was attributable, at least in part, to shorter treatment-free survival and higher risk of Richter transformation. Although NOTCH1 mutated patients were devoid of TP53 disruption in more than 90% cases in both training and validation series, the OS predicted by NOTCH1 mutations was similar to that of TP53 mutated/deleted CLL. NOTCH1 mutations are an independent predictor of CLL OS, tend to be mutually exclusive with TP53 abnormalities, and identify cases with a dismal prognosis.
Increased Activation of the PI3K/AKT Pathway Compromises Decidualization of Stromal Cells from Endometriosis
Authors: Yin Xunqin , Pavone Mary Ellen , Lu Zhenxiao , Wei JianJun , Kim J. Julie 
Published: November 2011

Context:
Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of women in the United States and causes pain and infertility. Decidualization of endometrial stromal cells from women with endometriosis is aberrant.

Objective:
The objective of this study was to investigate a potential mechanism for the inadequate decidual response in stromal cells from ovarian endometriomas.

Design:
Stromal cells of the endometrium from women without endometriosis (HSC) or from ovarian endometriomas (OsisSC) were grown in culture and treated with 10 μm LY294002 or 250 nm MK2206, 100 nm medroxyprogesterone acetate (M), and 0.5 mm dibutyryl cAMP (A) or infection with 100 multiplicity of infection adenoviral constructs containing wild-type Forkhead box O1 or triple-mutant FOXO1. Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of FOXO1, IGF binding protein-1 (IGFBP1), and prolactin (PRL) mRNA, and Western blot and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the levels of progesterone receptor (PR), FOXO1, AKT, and p(Ser473)-AKT protein in vitro or in vivo.

Results:
Expression of the decidua-specific genes, IGFBP1 and PRL, were significantly lower in OsisSC compared with normal HSC in response to M+A treatment. Basal expression levels of PRA, PRB, and FOXO1 proteins were dramatically lower in OsisSC. Overexpression of triple-mutant FOXO1 increased mRNA levels of IGFBP1 and PRL in OsisSC in the presence of M+A, whereas the overexpression of wild-type FOXO1 had no effect. AKT was highly phosphorylated in OsisSC compared with HSC and inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, with LY294002, increased levels of FOXO1 protein as well as IGFBP1 mRNA in the presence of M+A. Moreover, inhibition of AKT with MK2206, an allosteric AKT inhibitor, dramatically increased the accumulation of nuclear FOXO1 as well as expression of IGFBP1. Finally, immunohistochemical staining demonstrated higher p(Ser473)-AKT and lower FOXO1 levels in endometriosis tissues, compared with normal endometrial tissues.

Conclusions:
In endometriotic stromal cells, overactivation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT signaling pathway contributes to the reduced expression of the decidua-specific gene, IGFBP1, potentially through reduced levels of nuclear FOXO1.
Pioglitazone-Mediated Changes in Lipoprotein Particle Composition Are Predicted by Changes in Adiponectin Level in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Sam Susan , Haffner Steven , Davidson Michael H. , D'Agostino Ralph , Perez Alfonso , Mazzone Theodore 
Published: November 2011

Context:
In animal and observational studies, adiponectin is associated with lipoprotein risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Objective:
We analyzed data from a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the relationship between changes in adiponectin to changes in lipoprotein risk factors after an intervention that alters adiponectin levels.

Design and Setting:
Adiponectin levels were measured at baseline and follow-up, as were lipoprotein risk factors for cardiovascular disease, at academic medical centers and ambulatory care centers.

Patients and Other Participants:
Participants included 361 men and women with type 2 diabetes.

Intervention:
Intervention included randomization to treatment with glimepiride or pioglitazone for 72 wk.

Main Outcome Measure:
The relationship of treatment-related differences in adiponectin level to treatment-related differences in lipoprotein cardiovascular risk factors at 72 wk was evaluated.

Results:
Pioglitazone led to an increase in adiponectin compared with glimepiride. Compared with baseline, pioglitazone treatment at 72 wk led to an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particle size and a decrease in very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle size and LDL particle number. Glimepiride treatment more modestly decreased LDL particle number and increased LDL particle size. At 72 wk, there were significant treatment group differences for HDL, LDL, and VLDL particle size, and triglyceride and HDL cholesterol level. The increase in adiponectin predicted treatment-related improvement for triglyceride and HDL cholesterol level and LDL and HDL particle size.

Conclusion:
Increased adiponectin contributed to treatment-related benefit in lipoprotein cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese diabetic subjects treated with pioglitazone. These results provide support for a model that mechanistically links changes in adiponectin level to changes in lipoprotein composition in humans.
Are the currently used reference intervals for creatine kinase (CK) reflecting the general population? The Tromsø Study
Authors: Lilleng Hallvard , Johnsen Stein Harald , Wilsgaard Tom , Bekkelund Svein Ivar 
Published: November 2011

AbstractLaboratory reference intervals are not necessarily reflecting the range in the background population. This study compared creatine kinase (CK) reference intervals calculated from a large sample from a Norwegian population with those elaborated by the Nordic Reference Interval Project (NORIP). It also assessed the pattern of CK-normalization after standardized control analyses.New upper reference limits (URL) CK values were calculated after exclusion of individuals with risk of hyperCKemia and including individuals with incidentally detected hyperCKemia after they had completed a standardized control analysis. After exclusion of 5924 individuals with possible causes of hyperCKemia, CK samples were analyzed in 6904 individuals participating in the 6th survey of The Tromsø Study. URL was defined as the 97.5 percentile.New URL in women was 207 U/L. In men <50 years it was 395 U/L and in men ≥50 years 340 U/L. In individuals with elevated CK, normalization grade after control analysis was inversely correlated to the CK level (p<0.04).URL CK values in women and in men <50 years of age were in accordance with URL CK values given by the NORIP. In men ≥50 years, a higher URL was found and the findings suggest an upward adjustment of URL in this age group.
The impacts of nanotechnology on catalysis by precious metal nanoparticles
Authors: Jin Rongchao 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis review article focuses on the impacts of recent advances in solution phase precious metal nanoparticles on heterogeneous catalysis. Conventional nanometal catalysts suffer from size polydispersity. The advent of nanotechnology has significantly advanced the techniques for preparing uniform nanoparticles, especially in solution phase synthesis of precious metal nanoparticles with excellent control over size, shape, composition and morphology, which have opened up new opportunities for catalysis. This review summarizes some recent catalytic research by using well-defined nanoparticles, including shape-controlled nanoparticles, high index-faceted polyhedral nanocrystals, nanostructures of different morphology (e.g., core-shell, hollow, etc.), bi- and multi-metallic nanoparticles, as well as atomically precise nanoclusters. Such well-defined nanocatalysts provide many exciting opportunities, such as identifying the types of active surface atoms (e.g., corner and edge atoms) in catalysis, the effect of surface facets on catalytic performance, and obtaining insight into the effects of size-induced electron energy quantization in ultra-small metal nanoparticles on catalysis. With well-defined metal nanocatalysts, many fundamentally important issues are expected to be understood much deeper in future research, such as the nature of the catalytic active sites, the metal-support interactions, the effect of surface atom arrangement, and the atomic origins of the structure-activity and the structure-selectivity relationships.
Hill-Climbing for a Noisy Potential Field Using Information Entropy
Authors: Kim Piljae , Nakamura Satoru , Kurabayashi Daisuke 
Published: November 2011

AbstractFor a robot navigation system used in an unpredictable environment, it is generally effective to create a pathway that robots can track for carrying out a given task, such as reaching a goal. In the biological world, ants construct a foraging path using a volatile substance called a pheromone, which has been widely studied and whose characteristics have been used in a transportation network model. When a navigation path is constructed by autonomous agents using this pheromone model, the created potential field can be very noisy, with many local peaks due to the unsynchronized updates of the field. In this paper, a new hill-climbing algorithm is proposed. The algorithm minimizes information entropy and can track dynamic and noisy potential fields. The proposed algorithm is evaluated through a computer simulation.
La ségrégation sociale: questions de terminologie et de méthode
Authors: Brun Jacques , Chauviré Yvan 
Published: November 2011

Social segregation: questions of terminology and methodology.
A brief summary of the origins of the concept of segregation reveals how delicate it is to apply this notion to the study of the forms of social divisions of space in contemporary French towns. The article emphasizes the dangers of confusion among several distinct subjects and different levels of analysis which are implicitly linked together by the notion of segregation. The article also mentions the methodological difficulties of quantitative study of social segregation. Nevertheless, the article points out that the notion of social segregation does have certain merits, including its stress on the importance of the cultural dimension of the cleavages of social space and of the retroactive effects that spatial forms exert on mentalities and behaviour.
Grand-Ilet, un isolat blanc des hauts de la Réunion ?
Authors: Dion Michelle 
Published: November 2011

Grand-llet, a white isolât on the Upper Reunion Island ?
The concept of isolât which has been defined only by genetics and hastely taken up by other sciences, is applied at Grand-llet, in the area of the Cirque of Salazie on Reunion Island. The study of natural and socio-cultural boundaries allows us to apprehend the particular features of this population rather than conclude on its isolation.