bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of enhanced secondary prevention on health behaviour in patients following minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gillham Sarah , Endacott Ruth 
Published: August 2010

Objective: To evaluate whether enhanced secondary prevention more significantly influences readiness to change health behaviour after minor stroke/transient ischaemic attack, compared with conventional stroke secondary prevention. Design: Single-blind randomized control trial. Setting: Rural district general hospital outpatient clinic. Subjects: Fifteen women and 37 men with a mean age of 68.3 years with first minor stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Interventions: The intervention group received ‘enhanced secondary prevention’ (additional advice, motivational interviewing and telephone support) to change health behaviour. Both groups received ‘conventional care’ which included advice given during routine care. Main measures: The primary outcome was ‘readiness to change behaviour’ measured using a validated stroke specific score based on the transtheoretical model. Secondary outcomes were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and self-reported alcohol consumption, smoking behaviour, exercise frequency, and fruit and vegetable consumption. Results: Analysis of the data for the 52 participants showed no statistical difference in the groups for the primary outcome of readiness to change behaviour. Statistically significant improvements for change in self-reported exercise were demonstrated (P = 0.007); to 2—3 times per week in the intervention group compared to 0—1 times per week in the control group, and in fruit and vegetable consumption (P = 0.033); to 10 portions of fruit and vegetables consumed per week in the intervention group compared to 1 or 2 portions a week for the control group. No evidence of a difference between groups was seen for alcohol consumption or Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Conclusions: While no difference was demonstrated between the groups for readiness to change behaviour, a clinically significant effect in reported exercise behaviour and diet were demonstrated in the intervention group. This interesting finding indicates a dissonance between the behaviour scale and actual behaviour change, potentially indicating a lack of sensitivity of the scale to detect a change in this patient group.
Psychosocial adjustment in children and adolescents with a parent with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review
Authors: Bogosian Angeliki , Moss-Morris Rona , Hadwin Julie 
Published: August 2010

Objective: This systematic review explored the potential impact of parental multiple sclerosis on their offspring. It considered adjustment to parental multiple sclerosis at different developmental stages and the factors associated with good versus poor adjustment. Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Web of Science were searched for studies on children with a parent with multiple sclerosis. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were formulated. Hand-searching journals and reference lists, contacting authors and multiple sclerosis societies for additional unpublished papers complemented the searches. Review methods: Twenty studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria were included. The research articles were ranked according to a quality assessment checklist and were categorized as good, medium or poor quality. Results: The review found good evidence to suggest that parental multiple sclerosis has a negative impact on children’s social and family relationships and their psychological well-being. The review also identified potential factors associated with poor adjustment. These factors included parental negative emotions, increased illness severity, family dysfunction, children’s lack of knowledge about the illness and lack of social support. Adolescent children also seemed to be more at risk for psychosocial problems than school-age children. Conclusions: There is good evidence that parental multiple sclerosis has a negative psychosocial impact on children, especially on adolescents.
Active, passive and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching are comparable in improving the knee flexion range in people with total knee replacement: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chow Tiffany PY , Ng Gabriel YF 
Published: August 2010

Objective: To compare the immediate and medium-term effects of three stretching methods on the knee flexion range in people with a total knee replacement. Design: Randomized clinical trial. Setting: Rehabilitation hospital. Subjects: 117 patients were recruited and 100 (mean age: 68.43 ± 7.95 years) of them completed the study. Interventions: Patients receiving total knee replacement due to knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned into 3 groups of: active stretching (group 1, n =32), passive stretching (group 2, n =35) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching (group 3, n =33). Main measures: The immediate change in both active and passive knee flexion range after the first treatment session and the pattern of change in these ranges throughout the 2-week study period were compared among the three groups. Results: All groups demonstrated significant improvement in knee ranges with time. The active range of group 1 improved by 19.9°, group 2 by 25.3° and group 3 by 22.5° throughout the 2-week period, whereas the improvements in the passive range were 18.8°, 24.5° and 22.7°, respectively. For between-group comparisons, no significant difference was found in both active (P = 0.647) and passive (P = 0.501) knee range immediately after stretching. For the changes at 2 weeks, there was also no significant difference among the groups in both active (P = 0.716) and passive (P = 0.959) knee ranges. Conclusion: This study revealed that all three modes of stretching were associated with an increase in the knee flexion range of patients after total knee replacement, with no statistically significant differences between the changes seen.
Children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis on gait and electrical stimulation
Authors: Cauraugh James H , Naik Sagar K , Wen Hao Hsu  , Coombes Stephen A , Holt Kenneth G 
Published: August 2010

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis using the International Classification of Functioning to determine the summary effect of electrical stimulation on impairment and activity limitations relevant to gait problems of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: We identified 40 cerebral palsy and electrical stimulation studies, and 17 gait studies qualified for inclusion. Applying enablement classification methods to walking abnormalities created two subgroups: impairment (N = 14) and activity limitations (N = 15). Overall, 238 participants experienced electrical stimulation treatments and 224 served as a no stimulation control group. Calculations followed conventional data extraction and meta-analysis techniques: (a) individual standardized mean differences, (b) summary effect size, (c) I 2heterogeneity test, (d) fail-safe N analysis and (e) moderator variable analyses. Results: Common outcome measures associated with impairment (n = 3) and activity limitations (n = 6) were submitted to separate random effects models meta-analyses, and revealed significant cumulative effect sizes: (a) impairment = 0.616 (SE = 0.10) and (b) activity limitations = 0.635 (SE = 0.14). I 2indicated low and medium amounts of dispersion, whereas fail-safe analyses revealed high N-values for both disablement categories. Moderator variable analyses further confirmed the positive treatment effects from both functional and neuromuscular stimulation. Conclusions: The present systematic review and meta-analyses determined medium effect sizes for electrical stimulation on walking impairment and activity limitations of children with cerebral palsy.
Challenges in screening for depression in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Patten Scott B , Berzins Sandy , Metz Luanne M 
Published: August 2010

Background: Screening has frequently been proposed as a strategy for detection of depression in multiple sclerosis (MS). In a recent study, we found a minimal impact of screening, even when this was coupled with rapidly responsive and evidence-based depression care. Methods: In order to explore the challenges involved in screening we analyzed prospective data from the Canadian Impact of MS (CIMS) database, which provides annual ratings on a self-report depression rating scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Rating Scale (CES-D). Results: Approximately 30% of respondents screened positive at each visit. CES-D ratings correlated fairly strongly from year to year, Pearson’s r ranged from 0.65 to 0.73. Approximately 10% of those below the CES-D cut-point at each assessment exceeded the cut-point when rated 1 year later, but only about half of these cases had large (≥10 points) increases in their scores. Conclusions: Screening interventions are generally oriented towards early detection, whereas the longitudinal pattern of depressive symptoms in MS appears to be characterized more prominently by a persistent burden of depressive symptoms in a substantial proportion of the population. Resources invested in screening efforts can probably be more effectively deployed in other areas, such as improved long-term clinical management.
T2 hypointense rims and ring-enhancing lesions in MS
Authors: Llufriu Sara , Pujol Teresa , Blanco Yolanda , Hankiewicz Karolina , Squarcia Mattia , Berenguer Joan , Villoslada Pablo , Graus Francesc , Saiz Albert 
Published: August 2010

Background: Hypointense rims peripherally on T2-weighted MRI (rim lesions) have been associated with gadolinium ring-enhancing lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) in pathological studies. However, little is known about their frequency, we analyzed clinical significance in a cohort of MS sufferers according to routine clinical practice. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all available MRI scans performed on our MS patients between 2000 and 2009. A total of 580 MRI scans from 257 patients were analyzed. The presence of rim lesions and ring enhancement was assessed and counted blind. Furthermore, the correlation between both patterns, and with clinical characteristics, was evaluated. Results: Thirty-five rim lesions were identified and 9% (24/257) of the patients showed at least one of these lesions. Forty ring-enhancing lesions were counted and 12% (29/245) of the patients who had undergone gadolinium MRI presented at least one such lesion. Thirteen lesions co-localized both patterns (40% of the rim lesions and 33% of the ring-enhancing lesions). Rim lesions and ring-enhancing lesions were observed in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (7%, 7%), relapsing—remitting (11%, 15%) and secondary progressive (13%, 9%) but none with primary progressive MS. Presence of ring-enhancing lesions was significantly associated with a shorter time to reach EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) 4.0 and 6.0 (hazard ratio 7.6, 95% confidence interval 2.3—24.6). Conclusions: Rim lesions and ring-enhancing lesions are present in close to 10% of patients with MS, and frequently both lesions appear independently one to the other. The association of ring enhancement with worst prognosis needs to be confirmed in prospective studies.
A threshold sample-enrichment approach in a clinical trial with heterogeneous subpopulations
Authors: Aiyi Liu  , Chunling Liu  , Qizhai Li  , Yu Kai F , Yuan Vivian W 
Published: August 2010

Background Large comparative clinical trials usually target a wide-range of patients population in which subgroups exist according to certain patients’ characteristics. Often, scientific knowledge or existing empirical data support the assumption that patients’ improvement is larger among certain subgroups than others. Such information can be used to design a more cost-effective clinical trial. Purpose The goal of the article is to use such information to design a more cost-effective clinical trial. Methods A two-stage sample-enrichment design strategy is proposed that begins with enrollment from certain subgroup of patients and allows the trial to be terminated for futility in that subgroup. Results Simulation studies show that the two-stage sample-enrichment strategy is cost-effective if indeed the null hypothesis of no treatment improvement is true, as also so illustrated with data from a completed trial of calcium to prevent preeclampsia. Limitations Feasibility of the proposed enrichment design relies on the knowledge prior to the start of the trial that certain patients can benefit more than others from the treatment. Prolonged accrual and longer-waited outcomes may hinder utilization of the proposed design. Conclusions The two-stage sample-enrichment approach borrows strength from treatment heterogeneity among target patients in a large-scale comparative clinical trial, and is more cost-effective if the treatment arms are indeed of no difference. Clinical Trials 2010; 7: 537—545. http://ctj.sagepub.com
Fetal globin expression is regulated by Friend of Prmt1
Authors: van Dijk Thamar Bryn , Gillemans Nynke , Pourfarzad Farzin , van Lom Kirsten , von Lindern Marieke , Grosveld Frank , Philipsen Sjaak 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
An estimated 6% to 7% of the earth's population carries a mutation affecting red blood cell function. The β-thalassemias and sickle cell disease are the most common monogenic disorders caused by these mutations. Increased levels of γ-globin ameliorate the severity of these diseases because fetal hemoglobin (HbF; α2γ2) can effectively replace adult hemoglobin (HbA; α2β2) and counteract polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS; α2βS2). Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanism of globin switching is of biologic and clinical importance. Here, we show that the recently identified chromatin factor Friend of Prmt1 (FOP) is a critical modulator of γ-globin gene expression. Knockdown of FOP in adult erythroid progenitors strongly induces HbF. Importantly, γ-globin expression can be elevated in cells from β-thalassemic patients by reducing FOP levels. These observations identify FOP as a novel therapeutic target in β-hemoglobinopathies.
Tumor cell-derived PDGF-B potentiates mouse mesenchymal stem cells-pericytes transition and recruitment through an interaction with NRP-1
Authors: Dhar Kakali , Dhar Gopal , Majumder Monami , Haque Inamul , Mehta Smita , Van Veldhuizen Peter J , Banerjee Sushanta K , Banerjee Snigdha 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
New blood vessel formation, or angiogenic switch, is an essential event in the development of solid tumors and their metastatic growth. Tumor blood vessel formation and remodeling is a complex and multi-step processes. The differentiation and recruitment of mural cells including vascular smooth muscle cells and pericytes are essential steps in tumor angiogenesis. However, the role of tumor cells in differentiation and recruitment of mural cells has not yet been fully elucidated. This study focuses on the role of human tumor cells in governing the differentiation of mouse mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to pericytes and their recruitment in the tumor angiogenesis process.

Results
We show that C3H/10T1/2 mouse embryonic mesenchymal stem cells, under the influence of different tumor cell-derived conditioned media, differentiate into mature pericytes. These differentiated pericytes, in turn, are recruited to bind with capillary-like networks formed by endothelial cells on the matrigel under in vitro conditions and recruited to bind with blood vessels on gel-foam under in vivo conditions. The degree of recruitment of pericytes into in vitro neo-angiogenesis is tumor cell phenotype specific. Interestingly, invasive cells recruit less pericytes as compared to non-invasive cells. We identified tumor cell-secreted platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B) as a crucial factor controlling the differentiation and recruitment processes through an interaction with neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) in mesenchymal stem cells.

Conclusion
These new insights into the roles of tumor cell-secreted PDGF-B-NRP-1 signaling in MSCs-fate determination may help to develop new antiangiogenic strategies to prevent the tumor growth and metastasis and result in more effective cancer therapies.
Spatiotemporal patterns of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (Mif) expression in the mouse placenta
Authors: Faria Miriam R , Hoshida Mara S , Ferro Eloisa AV , Ietta Francesca , Paulesu Luana , Bevilacqua Estela 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackgroundMacrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has special pro-inflammatory roles, affecting the functions of macrophages and lymphocytes and counter-regulating the effects of glucocorticoids on the immune response. The conspicuous expression of MIF during human implantation and early embryonic development also suggests this factor acts in reproductive functions. The overall goal of this study was to evaluate Mif expression by trophoblast and embryo placental cells during mouse pregnancy.MethodsMif was immunolocalized at implantation sites on gestation days (gd) 7.5, 10.5, 13.5 and 17.5. Ectoplacental cones and fetal placentas dissected from the maternal tissues were used for Western blotting and qRT-PCR assays on the same gestation days.ResultsDuring the post-implantation period (gd7.5), trophoblast giant cells showed strong Mif reactivity. In later placentation phases (gds 10.5-17.5), Mif appeared to be concentrated in the junctional zone and trophoblast giant cells. Mif protein expression increased significantly from gd7.5 to 10.5 (p = 0.005) and from gd7.5 to 13.5 (p = 0.03), remaining at high concentration as gestation proceeded. Higher mRNA expression was found on gd10.5 and was significantly different from gd13.5 (p = 0.048) and 17.5 (p = 0.009).ConclusionsThe up-regulation of Mif on gd10.5 coincides with the stage in which the placenta assumes its three-layered organization (giant cells, spongiotrophoblast and labyrinth zones), fetal blood circulation begins and population of uNK cells reaches high proportions at the maternal counter part of the placenta, suggesting that Mif may play a role in either the placentation or in the adaptation of the differentiated placenta to the uterus or still in gestational immunomodulatory responses. Moreover, it reinforces the possibility of specific activities for Mif at the maternal fetal interface.
An Inositol 1,4,5-Triphosphate (IP3)-IP3 Receptor Pathway Is Required for Insulin-Stimulated Glucose Transporter 4 Translocation and Glucose Uptake in Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Contreras-Ferrat A. E. , Toro B. , Bravo R. , Parra V. , Vásquez C. , Ibarra C. , Mears D. , Chiong M. , Jaimovich E. , Klip A. , Lavandero S. 
Published: August 2010

Intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) and glucose uptake are central to cardiomyocyte physiology, yet connections between them have not been studied. We investigated whether insulin regulates [Ca2+]i in cultured cardiomyocytes, the participating mechanisms, and their influence on glucose uptake via SLC2 family of facilitative glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4).Primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were preloaded with the Ca2+ fluorescent dye fluo3-acetoxymethyl ester compound (AM) and visualized by confocal microscopy. Ca2+ transport pathways were selectively targeted by chemical and molecular inhibition. Glucose uptake was assessed using [3H]2-deoxyglucose, and surface GLUT4 levels were quantified in nonpermeabilized cardiomyocytes transfected with GLUT4-myc-enhanced green fluorescent protein.Insulin elicited a fast, two-component, transient increase in [Ca2+]i. Nifedipine and ryanodine prevented only the first component. The second one was reduced by inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-receptor-selective inhibitors (xestospongin C, 2 amino-ethoxydiphenylborate), by type 2 IP3 receptor knockdown via small interfering RNA or by transfected Gβγ peptidic inhibitor βARKct. Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was prevented by bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetra-acetic acid-AM, 2-amino-ethoxydiphenylborate, and βARK-ct but not by nifedipine or ryanodine. Similarly, insulin-dependent exofacial exposure of GLUT4-myc-enhanced green fluorescent protein was inhibited by bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetra-acetic acid-AM and xestospongin C but not by nifedipine. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt were also required for the second phase of Ca2+ release and GLUT4 translocation. Transfected dominant-negative phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase γ inhibited the latter.In conclusion, in primary neonatal cardiomyocytes, insulin induces an important component of Ca2+ release via IP3 receptor. This component signals to glucose uptake via GLUT4, revealing a so-far unrealized contribution of IP3-sensitive Ca2+ stores to insulin action. This pathway may influence cardiac metabolism in conditions yet to be explored in adult myocardium.
Oxidative Stress Stimulates Apoptosis and Activates NF-κB in Osteoblastic Cells via a PKCβ/p66shc Signaling Cascade: Counter Regulation by Estrogens or Androgens
Authors: Almeida Maria , Han Li , Ambrogini Elena , Bartell Shoshana M. , Manolagas Stavros C. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractAging or acute loss of estrogens or androgens increases the levels of reactive oxygen species, activates nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and promotes the phosphorylation of p66shc, a redox enzyme that amplifies mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation and stimulates apoptosis. We report that in mesenchymal progenitor and osteoblastic cell models, H2O2 activated a protein kinase C (PKC)β/p66shc/NF-κB signaling cascade and that p66shc was an essential mediator of the stimulating effects of H2O2 on the apoptosis of osteoblastic cells as well as their ability to activate NF-κB. 17β-Estradiol (E2) or the nonaromatizable androgen dihydrotestosterone abrogated the effects of H2O2 on p66shc and NF-κB activation by attenuating the phosphorylation of the redox-sensitive cytoplasmic kinase PKCβ. Additionally, both E2 and dihydrotestosterone prevented H2O2-induced apoptosis by a mechanism that involved attenuation of p66shc resulting from decreased phosphorylation of PKCβ. Consistent with a kinase-mediated mechanism of sex steroid action, the effects of E2 were reproduced by a polymeric form of estradiol that is not capable of stimulating the nuclear-initiated actions of ERα. These results demonstrate that p66shc is an essential mediator of the effects of oxidative stress on osteoblastic cell apoptosis, NF-κB activation, and cytokine production. The ability of either estrogen or androgen to attenuate the effects of oxidative stress on osteoblastic cell apoptosis, NF-κB activation, and cytokine production results from their common property to suppress PKCβ-induced p66shc phosphorylation via a mechanism that does not require stimulation of the nuclear-initiated actions of sex steroids.
Supercritical Hydrothermal Synthesis of Carboxylic Acid-surface-functionalized TiO2 Nanocrystals: pH Sensitive Dispersion and Hybridization with Organic Compounds
Authors: Arita Toshihiko , Moriya Ken-ichi , Minami Kimitaka , Naka Takashi , Adschiri Tadafumi 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Surface-functionalized TiO2 (anatase) nanocrystals (NCs) (avg. d = 6.7 ± 1.6 nm) were synthesized by a supercritical hydrothermal method. A phosphonic acid derivative was used as surface modifier of TiO2 NCs. It was verified that the phosphonic acids were bound to the surface of TiO2 with very strong binding energy. The TiO2 NCs also exhibited extraordinarily high chemical stability. Such a strong binding between the phosphonic acid modifier and TiO2 had not been obtained by any other methods. The TiO2 NC showed sharp pH sensitive dispersion. Because of the functional as well as stable surface modifier layer, further manipulations on the surface using chemical reagents could be possible.