bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of long-term resistance training and simultaneous electro-stimulation on muscle strength and functional mobility in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Broekmans Tom , Roelants Machteld , Feys Peter , Alders Geert , Gijbels Domien , Hanssen Ine , Stinissen Piet , Eijnde Bert O 
Published: December 2010

Background: Resistance training studies in multiple sclerosis (MS) often use short intervention periods. Furthermore, training efficiency could be optimized by unilateral training and/or electrical stimulation. Objective: To examine the effect(s) of unilateral long-term (20 weeks) standardized resistance training with and without simultaneous electro-stimulation on leg muscle strength and overall functional mobility. Methods: A randomized controlled trial involving 36 persons with MS. At baseline (PRE) and after 10 (MID) and 20 (POST) weeks of standardized (ACSM) light to moderately intense unilateral leg resistance training (RESO, n = 11) only or resistance training with simultaneous electro-stimulation (RESE, n = 11, 100 Hz, biphasic symmetrical wave, 400 µs), maximal isometric strength of the knee extensors and flexors (45°, 90° knee angle) and dynamic (60–180°/s) knee-extensor strength was measured and compared with a control group (CON, n = 14). Functional mobility was evaluated using the Timed Get Up and Go, Timed 25 Foot Walk, Two-Minute Walk Test, Functional Reach and Rivermead Mobility Index. Results: Maximal isometric knee extensor (90°, MID: +10 ± 3%, POST: +10 ± 4%) in RESO and knee flexor (45°, POST: +7 ± 4%; 90°, POST: +9 ± 5%) in RESE strength increased ( p < 0.05) compared with CON but RESO and RESE did not differ. Also, impaired legs responded positively to resistance training (unilateral leg strength analysis) and functional reaching increased significantly in RESO (+18%) compared with CON. Dynamic muscle strength and the remaining functional mobility tests did not change. Conclusion: Long-term light to moderately intense resistance training improves muscle strength in persons with MS but simultaneous electro-stimulation does not further improve training outcome.
Patient-reported quality of life in multiple sclerosis differs between cultures and countries: a cross-sectional Austrian–German–Polish study
Authors: Pluta-Fuerst A , Petrovic K , Berger T , Fryze W , Fuchs S , Gold R , Kozubski W , Ladurner G , Petereit H , Potemkowski A , Rieckmann P , Sailer M , Szczudlik A , Vass K , Weber T , Zakrzewska-Pniewska B , Fazekas F 
Published: December 2010

Background: Patient-reported quality of life (QOL) is an outcome measure in clinical trials in multiple sclerosis (MS), but translated QOL instruments may affect the actual comparability of data. Objectives: We aimed to investigate possible differences in QOL in MS between cultures and countries. We employed the Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) Version 4 questionnaire, which is a state-of-the-art QOL instrument. Methods: Some 484 MS patients from Austria (145), Germany (144), and Poland (195) aged 20–60 years, and stratified for sex and disease severity as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score completed the respective FAMS translation and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Results: Analysis of variance and post-hoc Scheffé-test showed that 64% of the FAMS items were answered significantly differently ( p < 0.001) between the three countries. A multivariate regression analysis including all the available disease-related and socio-demographic variables revealed the factors age, EDSS score, employment, social contacts, MS course, and country to be significant predictors of both the total FAMS score and the score for items answered differently between the three countries. Conclusions: Differences exist in the QOL of MS patients from Austria, Germany, and Poland which seem to lie beyond the impact of disease severity. They appear to be related to culture or other country-specific factors, as country was an independent predictor of differently answered items of the FAMS and thus also of the whole FAMS. QOL instruments should consider this aspect to faithfully reflect subjective information such as patient-reported benefit of treatment in multinational clinical trials.
Near-normalization of glucose and microvascular diabetes complications: data from ACCORD and ADVANCE
Authors: O’Connor Patrick J. , Ismail-Beigi Faramarz 
Published: December 2010

Objective: To compare results of clinical trials that assessed the impact of near-normalization of glucose on microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes. Methods: ACCORD ( N = 10,234) and ADVANCE ( N = 11,140) tested the hypothesis that near-normalization of glucose reduces microvascular complications in adults with established type 2 diabetes. Differences in incidence rates (intensive versus standard glucose control) for specific microvascular complications are expressed as ‘number needed to treat’ (NNT) to prevent one microvascular complication. The impact of blood pressure (BP) control and fenofibrate use on microvascular complications was also assessed. Results: In ADVANCE, near-normalization of glucose reduced new or worsening nephropathy (NNT = 77 for 5 years to prevent one occurrence), but not eye or foot complications. In ACCORD, near-normalization of glucose did not reduce prespecified composite measures of advanced microvascular complications, and impact on secondary microvascular outcomes was mixed. The ancillary ACCORD Eye Study found reduced progression in retinopathy with near-normalization of glucose (NNT = 32 for 4 years), and with blinded fenofibrate therapy (NNT = 27 for 4 years), but neither intervention reduced vision loss. ADVANCE showed a benefit of intensive BP control (mean BP 133/70 mmHg) on microvascular complications, independent of glucose control. Conclusions: End-stage microvascular complications were not altered by near-normalization of glucose. Some early manifestations of microvascular complications were reduced, with inconsistencies across studies in which were affected. These early and inconsistent microvascular effects must be weighed against significantly increased severe hypoglycemia, weight gain, and (in ACCORD) increased total mortality (NNT = 94 for 3.5 years for one excess death) consistently found in all prespecified patient subgroups. Alternative clinical strategies, such as moderate BP control or fenofibrate treatment may reduce microvascular complications independent of glucose control. The data strongly support personalized glucose control goals based on clinical factors and patient preferences for outcomes.
Mössbauer spectroscopy of clays, soils and their mineral constituents
Authors: Murad E. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractMössbauer spectroscopy is the technique of recoil-free resonant emission and absorption of gamma rays. It has the advantage of being oblivious to all elements except the one under survey. In the case of materials formed on the earth’s surface, such as soils and clays, the only propitious element is Fe. Iron is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, it is essential for life, and almost all environmental materials contain at least some Fe. It is also fortuitous that57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy is among the most straightforward to operate.57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy thus allows the characterization of iron speciation, and thereby of environmental conditions, over a wide range of concentrations, making it an extremely effective environmental probe.Straightforward as it may seem, Mössbauer spectroscopy nevertheless has many pitfalls. Besides problems arising from the basic physics, complications can arise among other causes from imperfect crystallinity (small particle size), non-stoichiometry, interparticle effects and isomorphous substitutions.In this paper a succinct review of the basic principles of Mössbauer spectroscopy is presented, followed by examples of Mössbauer spectra of minerals that are common constituents of clays and soils, and by more complex cases of soils, clays and fired clays.
Apparent porosity of porous bioceramics prepared with small organic foam spheres as the pore-making reagent
Authors: Zeng Chuisheng , Chen Xiaoming , Yan Yuhua , Tang Xiaoying , Liang Yilong , Zhao Zhiqiang , Zeng Yanjun 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThis study focuses on the main factors determining the apparent porosity of porous bioceramics prepared using small organic foam spheres as the pore-making reagent, in order to determine the best technical parameters for preparing porous bioceramics. In every experiment, only one of these factors (the time of heating, the sintering temperature, the mass ratio between small organic foam spheres and beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) powder, and the rate of the temperature rise) was changed, while the others were kept constant. In each case the apparent porosity was tested and the relation between the specific variable and apparent porosity was observed. Finally, the optimum technical parameters were deduced. The apparent porosity shows an inverse linear relation to the time of heating and the sintering temperature, and is approximately proportional to the mass ratio between the small organic foam spheres and the β-TCP powder and the rate of temperature rise. These factors have important influences on the apparent porosity. The optimum conditions were: heating time (soak time) 120 min, sintering temperature 850ºC, mass ratio 0.25, and a rate of temperature increase of 120ºC h–1.
Effect of the organic groups of difunctional silanes on the preparation of coated clays for olefin polymer modification
Authors: Monasterio F. E. , Dias M. L. , Pita V. J. R. R. , Erdmann E. , Destéfanis H. A. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractSodium montmorillonite (MMT) was organically modified with hexadecyltrimethyl-ammonium ions and subsequently treated with dichlorosilanes and water, aimed atin situsilane condensation polymerization and modification of clay platelets by polysiloxane coatings. Dimethyldichlorosilane, methylphenyldichlorosilane, and diphenyldichlorosilane were used to produce three siloxane-modified organoclays. The structure and morphology of the clay materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric studies (TG) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD results showed that the silanes were effectively polymerized in the clay galleries, forming a nanocomposite of intercalated particles. A fraction of the siloxane formed is bonded to the clay surface by covalent siloxane bonds. Strong structural differences in both morphology and thermal stability of the materials may occur when changing methyl or phenyl groups in the siloxane structure. The formation mechanism of these intercalated nanocomposite particles is considered. Finally, these modified clays were incorporated in an olefin polymer and morphological analyses using transmission electron microscope (TEM) images were carried out.
Preparation of plate-like α-Al2O3 particles in Na2SO4 flux using kaolin as the starting material
Authors: Hongbin Tan 
Published: December 2010

AbstractPlate-like α-Al2O3 particles are used to reinforce metal or ceramics to improve their mechanical properties. Here, we have demonstrated the production of alumina platelets using kaolin as a raw material in a sodium sulphate flux. When kaolin was sintered using Na2SO4 flux, the main phase formed in samples sintered at 900ºC was mullite, but alumina was produced at 1000ºC. Sintering at 1200ºC led to alumina and sodium aluminosilicate, with little of the mullite phase present. Plate-like α-Al2O3 particles were observed in samples sintered at 1200ºC, with diameters ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 µm and thicknesses from 0.05 to 0.1 µm. This production method is economically feasible because the raw materials have a low cost and the sintering temperature is low.
Kerimasite, Ca3Zr2(Fe23+Si)O12, a new garnet from carbonatites of Kerimasi volcano and surrounding explosion craters, northern Tanzania
Authors: Zaitsev A. N. , Williams C. T. , Britvin S. N. , Kuznetsova I. V. , Spratt J. , Petrov S. V. , Keller J. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractKerimasite, ideally is a new calcium zirconium silicate-ferrite member of the garnet group from the extinct nephelinitic volcano Kerimasi and surrounding explosion craters in northern Tanzania. The mineral occurs as subhedral crystals up to 100 μm in size in calcite carbonatites, and as euhedral to subhedral crystals up to 180 μm in size in carbonatite eluvium. Kerimasite is light to dark-brown in colour and transparent with a vitreous lustre. No cleavage or parting was observed and the mineral is brittle. The calculated density is 4.105(1) g/cm3. The micro-indentation, VHN25, ranges from 1168 to 1288 kg/mm2. Kerimasite is isotropic with n = 1.945(5). The average chemical formula of the mineral derived from electron microprobe analyses (sample K 94-25) and calculated for O = 12 and all Fe as Fe2O3 is (Ca3.00Mn0.01Ce0.01Nd0.01)Σ3.03(Zr1.72Nb0.14Ti0.08Mg0.02Y0.02)Σ1.98(Ti0.09)Σ3.00O12. The largest Fe content determined in kerimasite is 21.6 wt.% Fe2O3 and this value corresponds to 1.66 a.p.f.u. in the tetrahedral site. Kerimasite is cubic, space group with a = 12.549(1) Å, V = 1976.2(4) Å3 and Z = 8. The five strongest powder-diffraction lines [d in Å, (I/Io), hkl] are: 4.441 (49) (220), 3.140 (91) (400), 2.808 (70) (420), 2.564 (93) (422) and 1.677 (100) (642). Single-crystal structure refinement revealed the typical structure of the garnet-group minerals. The name is given after the locality, Kerimasi volcano, Tanzania.
Crystal chemistry of natural layered double hydroxides. 2. Quintinite-1M: first evidence of a monoclinic polytype in M2+-M3+ layered double hydroxides
Authors: Krivovichev S. V. , Yakovenchuk V. N. , Zhitova E. S. , Zolotarev A. A. , Pakhomovsky Y. A. , Ivanyuk G. Yu. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractQuintinite-1M, [Mg4Al2(OH)12](CO3)(H2O)3, is the first monoclinic representative of both synthetic and natural layered double hydroxides (LDHs) based on octahedrally coordinated di- and trivalent metal cations. It occurs in hydrothermal veins in the Kovdor alkaline massif, Kola peninsula, Russia. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R1 = 0.031 on the basis of 304 unique reflections. It is monoclinic, space group C2/m, a = 5.266(2), b = 9.114(2), c = 7.766(3) Å, β = 103.17(3)°, V = 362.9(2) Å3. The diffraction pattern of quintinite-1M contains sharp reflections corresponding to the layer stacking sequence characteristic of the 3R rhombohedral polytype, and rows of weak superlattice reflections superimposed upon a background of streaks of modulated diffuse intensity parallel to c*. These superlattice reflections indicate the formation of a 2-D superstructure due to Mg-Al ordering. The structure consists of ordered metal hydroxide layers and a disordered interlayer. As the unit cell contains exactly one layer, the polytype nomenclature dictates that the mineral be called quintinite-1M. The complete layer stacking sequence can be described as …=Ac1B=Ba1C=Cb1A=… Quintinite-1M is isostructural with the monoclinic polytype of [Li2Al4(OH)12](CO3)(H2O)3.
Alunite supergroup: recommended nomenclature
Authors: Bayliss P. , Kolitsch U. , Nickel E. H. , Pring A. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractMinamiite has been discredited and renamed natroalunite-2c to show a double unit-cell structure and natroalunite can be designated as natroalunite-1c to show a single unit-cell structure. Kintoreite can be designated as kintoreite-1c to show the same single unit-cell structure, and IMA 1993-039 is a new superstructure of kintoreite and can be designated as kintoreite-2c to show a double unit-cell structure. Beaverite has been renamed beaverite-(Cu). The Zn-bearing beaverite of Sato et al. (2008) has been named “beaverite-(Zn)”, but data for the mineralhave not been approved by the CNMNC. Orpheite has been discredited as P-rich hinsdalite. Proposal 07-D was approved by the CNMNC.
Role of NF-κB and PPAR-γ in lung inflammation induced by monocyte-derived microparticles
Authors: Neri T. , Armani C. , Pegoli A. , Cordazzo C. , Carmazzi Y. , Brunelleschi S. , Bardelli C. , Breschi M.C. , Paggiaro P. , Celi A. 
Published: December 2010

Microparticles (MP) are phospholipid vesicles shed by cells upon activation or apoptosis. Monocyte-derived MP upregulate the synthesis of proinflammatory mediators by lung epithelial cells; the molecular bases of such activity are unknown. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) have been demonstrated to be involved in the modulation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB transcriptional activity and inflammation.We investigated whether the upregulation of the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines by human lung epithelial cells induced by monocyte/macrophage-derived MP involves NF-κB activation and is modulated by PPAR-γ.MP were generated by stimulation of human monocytes/macrophages with the calcium ionophore, A23187. MP were incubated with human lung epithelial cells. NF-κB translocation was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Interleukin (IL)-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 synthesis was assessed by ELISA and RT-PCR.Stimulation of A549 alveolar cells with monocyte/macrophage-derived MP caused an increase in NF-κB activation and IL-8 and MCP-1 synthesis that was inhibited by pre-incubation with the PPAR-γ agonists, rosiglitazone and 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin-J2. Parallel experiments with normal human bronchial epithelial cells largely confirmed the results. The effects of PPAR-γ agonists were reversed by the specific antagonist, GW9662.Upregulation of the synthesis of proinflammatory mediators by human lung epithelial cells induced by monocyte/macrophage-derived MP is mediated by NF-κB activation through a PPAR-γ dependent pathway.
The impact of a lung cancer computed tomography screening result on smoking abstinence
Authors: van der Aalst C.M. , van Klaveren R.J. , van den Bergh K.A.M. , Willemsen M.C. , de Koning H.J. 
Published: December 2010

Receiving a lung cancer computed tomography screening result might be a teachable moment for smoking cessation, but it might also unintentionally reassure smokers to continue smoking. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether test results were associated with smoking abstinence in the Dutch–Belgian Randomised Controlled Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NELSON trial).Two random samples of male smokers who had received either only negative test results (n = 550) or one or more indeterminate test result (n = 440) were sent a questionnaire 2 yrs after randomisation.Smokers with an indeterminate result reported more quit attempts (p = 0.02), but the prolonged abstinence rate in smokers receiving a negative test (46 (8.9%) out of 519 subjects) was comparable with the abstinence rate in smokers with one or more indeterminate results (48 (11.5%) out of 419 subjects) (p = 0.19). A statistically insignificant increase was found after one or more indeterminate test result (10.9 and 15.0%, respectively) compared with receiving only negative test results (8.9%) (p = 0.26).In conclusion, the outcome of the screening test had no impact on future smoking abstinence in male smokers, although all results suggest more favourable implications after one or more follow-up recommendations. Screening test outcomes could be used as a teachable moment for smoking cessation.
Chronic hypoxia increases rat diaphragm muscle endurance and sodium–potassium ATPase pump content
Authors: McMorrow C. , Fredsted A. , Carberry J. , O’Connell R.A. , Bradford A. , Jones J.F.X. , O’Halloran K.D. 
Published: December 2010

The effects of chronic hypoxia (CH) on respiratory muscle are poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of CH on respiratory muscle structure and function, and to determine whether nitric oxide is implicated in respiratory muscle adaptation to CH.Male Wistar rats were exposed to CH for 1–6 weeks. Sternohyoid and diaphragm muscle contractile properties, muscle fibre type and size, the density of fibres expressing sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase (SERCA) 2 and sodium–potassium ATPase (Na+,K+-ATPase) pump content were determined. Muscle succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) dehydrogenase activities were also assessed. Acute and chronic blockade of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was employed to determine whether or not NO is critically involved in functional remodelling in CH muscles.CH improved diaphragm, but not sternohyoid, fatigue tolerance in a time-dependent fashion. This adaptation was not attributable to increased SDH or NADPH dehydrogenase activities. The areal density of muscle fibres and relative area of fibres expressing SERCA2 were unchanged. Na+,K+-ATPase pump content was significantly increased in CH diaphragm. Chronic NOS inhibition decreased diaphragm Na+,K+-ATPase pump content and prevented CH-induced increase in muscle endurance.This study provides novel insight into the mechanisms involved in CH-induced muscle plasticity. The results may be of relevance to respiratory disorders characterised by CH, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Influenza vaccination is associated with reduced severity of community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Tessmer A. , Welte T. , Schmidt-Ott R. , Eberle S. , Barten G. , Suttorp N. , Schaberg T. 
Published: December 2010

Pneumonia is an important cause of influenza-associated morbidity and mortality. Influenza vaccination has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality during influenza seasons. Protection from severe pneumonia may contribute to the beneficial effect of influenza vaccination. Therefore, we investigated the impact of prior influenza vaccination on disease severity and mortality in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).Analysis from an observational, multicentre cohort study initiated by the German competence network for CAP was performed. Patients were analysed separately as an influenza season and off-season cohort. Associations between vaccination status and outcome parameters were evaluated by multivariate analyses.In the season cohort (2,368 patients) CAP in vaccinated patients was significantly less severe according to most analysed parameters (CURB index ≥1: OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.60–0.98; procalcitonin ≥2.0 ng·mL−1: OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.35–0.81; procalcitonin ≥0.5 ng·mL−1: OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.51–0.99) and these patients showed a significantly better overall survival within the 6-month follow-up period (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.45–0.89). Within the off-season cohort (2,632 patients) there was no significant influence of vaccination status on CAP severity or disease outcome.In conclusion, prior influenza vaccination was associated with less severe clinical course and improved overall long-term survival in patients with CAP during influenza seasons.