bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short‐term results of intensive physiotherapy in clubfoot deformity treated with the Ponseti method
Authors: Nilgün Bek , Suat Erel , Engin Şimşek İbrahim , Fatma Uygur , Yakut Yakut 
Published: September 2010

AbstractPurpose:  We aimed to determine the efficacy of the physical therapy program as an adjunct to the Ponseti technique in the treatment of idiopathic clubfoot. This study was carried out with the presumption of a difference in results between the study group who were included in the physiotherapy program and the control group who performed home exercises.Patients and method:  Forty affected feet of 29 patients were included in the study. The average ages of the control and study groups were 15.00 ± 21.33 and 20.30 ± 15.78 months, respectively. Passive range of motion of dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion, eversion, rear foot varus angle and forefoot adduction angle were measured and the Dimeglio classification system was utilized in order to determine the severity of clubfoot deformity. Reassessments were carried out for the study group at the end of 1 month's therapy and for the control group during the first month follow‐up.Results:  Comparison of pre‐ and post‐treatment assessment results revealed a difference in terms of recovery, concerning all parameters except passive inversion values in the study group and for all parameters in the control group (P < 0.05). For study and control group comparisons, since deformity severity was higher in the study group an effect size analysis was carried out. The effect size analysis showed that the change in range of motion of dorsiflexion and Dimeglio and decrease of rear foot varus angle was higher in the study group.Conclusion:  The results of this study imply that an intensive physiotherapy program may enhance the effectiveness of the Ponseti protocol.
Nebulized hypertonic saline and recombinant human DNase in the treatment of pulmonary atelectasis in newborns
Authors: Dilmen Ugur , Karagol Belma Saygili , Oguz Serife Suna 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjective:  The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the efficacy of nebulized 3% hypertonic saline (HS) and recombinant human DNase (rhDNase) treatment for resolution of persistent atelectasis in newborns.Study design:  Forty newborns (38 preterms) who did not respond to conventional treatment were enrolled to receive either nebulized 3% HS solution (n = 20) or rhDNase (n = 20) between September 2007 and March 2008. Clinical parameters, oxygen saturation and radiological response (chest X‐ray scoring) were analyzed before and after administration of 3% HS or rhDNase.Results:  The patients of the nebulized 3% HS solution group improved better chest X‐ray scores parameters than the patients of the rhDNase group: chest X‐ray scores were 5.1 ± 1.9 vs 4.8 ± 1.7 before treatment and 1.0 ± 0.8 vs 2.1 ± 1.4 after treatment (P < 0.001). Resolution time of atelectasis did not differ between the two groups after whole treatment but the percentage of atelectasis resolution after 3 days treatment were 90% (18/20) in the 3% HS group and 70% (14/20) in the rhDNase group. The patients in the 3% HS group improved better also in clinical parameters in comparison to the rhDNase treatment. The difference of oxygen saturation before and after the treatment was 4.6 ± 0.8 in 3% HS group in comparison to 2.6 ± 0.1 in the rhDNase group (P < 0.05). All serum sodium levels were normal in two groups before and after the treatment modalities.Conclusion:  This is the first study on the usefulness of nebulized 3% hypertonic saline solution in treating newborns with pulmonary atelectasis. In addition, 3% HS solution was a more effective therapeutic option on the basis of clinical and radiological improvement compared to rhDNase treatment in newborns with pulmonary atelectasis.
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in an extremely low‐birth‐weight neonate: Molecular characterization and rapid detection by multiplex and real‐time PCR of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Shi Da , Ishii Shiro , Sato Takashi , Yamazaki Hajime , Matsunaga Masamichi , Higuchi Wataru , Takano Tomomi , Yabe Shizuka , Tanaka Kenichi , Yamamoto Tatsuo 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackground:  Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS), caused by methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) producing exfoliative toxin (ET), is a life‐threatening infection for neonates in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). SSSS in extremely low‐birth‐weight (ELBW) neonates is rare. A new class of MRSA (community‐acquired MRSA, CA‐MRSA) has been emerging in the community. The aim of this study was to characterize MRSA from an ELBW neonate with SSSS, and to develop rapid detection methods for SSSS‐associated and emerging pediatric MRSA.Methods:  An ELBW infant in the NICU developed SSSS on day 16 after birth. Isolated MRSA was genetically characterized and compared with CA‐MRSA from bullous impetigo (biCA‐MRSA), which is positive for the ET and collagen‐adhesin (CNA) genes in many cases, and the Panton‐Valentine leucocidin (PVL) gene rarely. Specific primers and probes for five virulence genes (for ETA, ETB, ETD, PVL, CNA) were designed for multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real‐time PCR.Results:  MRSA strain H5 from SSSS exhibited the genotype (ST91, spa416[t375], agr3, SCCmecIVa, CoaI), and possessed the ETB and CNA genes, similar to ST91 biCA‐MRSA (albeit with a divergence). Multiplex PCR detected the ETB and CNA genes of strain H5, and real‐time PCR detected strain H5 at as low as 102 CFU/mL. The assays were 100% specific and 100% sensitive, for the five virulence genes.Conclusion:  ETB‐positive ST91 MRSA, which was very similar to ST91 biCA‐MRSA, was isolated from an ELBW infant with SSSS. The multiplex and real‐time PCR assays specifically or quantitatively detected SSSS‐associated and emerging pediatric MRSA.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism in patients with Henoch‐Schönlein purpura
Authors: Emre Sevinc , Sirin Aydan , Ergen Arzu , Bilge Ilmay , Sucu Aysegul , Yilmaz Alev , Isbir Turgay 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAim:  Associations between several vascular diseases such as Kawasaki disease, venous and arterial thromboembolism, cardiovascular disease, diabetic nephropathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism have been reported. This is a clinical study designed to investigate the possible effects of MTHFR C677T polymorphism on the development of Henoch‐Schönlein purpura (HSP).Methods:  Forty‐one patients with HSP (25 male/16 female) with a mean age of 7.8 ± 2.9 years were included in the study. The control group consisted of 50 healthy children. MTHFR genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction and by Hindf I restriction enzyme analysis and subsequent 3% agarose gel electrophoresis techniques.Results:  No significant differences were observed in the distribution of MTHFR genotypes or allele frequencies in the HSP cases versus controls. Plasma homocysteine levels and vitamin B12 levels were almost comparable in the HSP patients and control group without a significant difference. Folic acid levels were within normal limits in the HSP cases and the control group, HSP patients' levels being significantly higher than the control group. No significant relationship was present with the MTHFR genotype and plasma homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in HSP patients.Conclusion:  No association with MTHFR gene polymorphism and homocysteine plasma levels could be found in patients with HSP. The results of this study indicate that other mechanisms should be operative in the development of HSP.
A low fructose diet in the treatment of pediatric obesity: A pilot study
Authors: Maier Ina B. , Stricker Laura , Özel Yelda , Wagnerberger Sabine , Bischoff Stephan C. , Bergheim Ina 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackground:  Over the last three decades the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased dramatically among children and adolescents worldwide. As the results of animal and human studies suggest that a diet rich in fructose may be a risk factor for the development of overweight, the aim of the pilot study was to evaluate if a dietary counseling aimed at a moderate reduction of dietary fructose intake (−50% in comparison to intake at baseline) has a positive effect on the body mass index (BMI) of overweight and obese children.Methods:  Fifteen overweight or obese children aged 5–8 years were included into the 3 month dietary intervention study. At baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks children and their parents were trained to reduce fructose in the children's diet. Anthropometric parameters for calculating BMI and BMI standard deviation scores (BMI‐SDS) as well as nutritional intake were assessed at baseline, after the 12‐week intervention and after 12 week of follow up.Results:  After the 12‐week intervention children had significantly reduced their total energy, fructose, sucrose and glucose intake. BMI and BMI‐SDS were significantly reduced by 0.68 kg/m2 and 0.21, respectively, at the end of the intervention. At follow up, the BMI‐SDS was significantly lower in comparison to baseline while the BMI was only decreased by trend (P= 0.08).Conclusions:  The results of our pilot study indicate that counseling aimed towards a moderate reduction of dietary fructose and/or general sugar intake may have a positive effect on BMI in overweight and obese children.
The HYDE 3.1 spatially explicit database of human‐induced global land‐use change over the past 12,000 years
Authors: Klein Goldewijk Kees , Beusen Arthur , van Drecht Gerard , de Vos Martine 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTAim  This paper presents a tool for long‐term global change studies; it is an update of the History Database of the Global Environment (HYDE) with estimates of some of the underlying demographic and agricultural driving factors.Methods  Historical population, cropland and pasture statistics are combined with satellite information and specific allocation algorithms (which change over time) to create spatially explicit maps, which are fully consistent on a 5′ longitude/latitude grid resolution, and cover the period 10,000 bc to ad 2000.Results  Cropland occupied roughly less than 1% of the global ice‐free land area for a long time until ad 1000, similar to the area used for pasture. In the centuries that followed, the share of global cropland increased to 2% in ad 1700 (c. 3 million km2) and 11% in ad 2000 (15 million km2), while the share of pasture area grew from 2% in ad 1700 to 24% in ad 2000 (34 million km2) These profound land‐use changes have had, and will continue to have, quite considerable consequences for global biogeochemical cycles, and subsequently global climate change.Main conclusions  Some researchers suggest that humans have shifted from living in the Holocene (emergence of agriculture) into the Anthropocene (humans capable of changing the Earth's atmosphere) since the start of the Industrial Revolution. But in the light of the sheer size and magnitude of some historical land‐use changes (e.g. as result of the depopulation of Europe due to the Black Death in the 14th century and the aftermath of the colonization of the Americas in the 16th century) we believe that this point might have occurred earlier in time. While there are still many uncertainties and gaps in our knowledge about the importance of land use (change) in the global biogeochemical cycle, we hope that this database can help global (climate) change modellers to close parts of this gap.
The effect of biodiversity on tree productivity: from temperate to boreal forests
Authors: Paquette Alain , Messier Christian 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTAim  An important issue regarding biodiversity concerns its influence on ecosystem functioning. Experimental work has led to the proposal of mechanisms such as niche complementarity. However, few attempts have been made to confirm these in natural systems, especially in forests. Furthermore, one of the most interesting unresolved questions is whether the effects of complementarity on ecosystem functioning (EF) decrease in favour of competitive exclusions over an increasing productivity gradient. Using records from permanent forest plots, we asked the following questions. (1) Is tree productivity positively related to diversity? (2) Does the effect of diversity increase in less productive forests? (3) What metric of diversity (e.g. functional or phylogenetic diversity) better relates to tree productivity?Location  Temperate, mixed and boreal forests of eastern Canada.Methods  Over 12,000 permanent forest plots, from temperate to boreal forests, were used to test our hypotheses in two steps. (1) Stepwise regressions were used to identify the best explanatory variables for tree productivity. (2) The selected climatic and environmental variables, as well as density and biodiversity indices, were included in a structural equation model where links (paths) between covarying variables are made explicit, making structural equation modelling the best tool to explore such complicated causal networks.Results  This is the first large‐scale demonstration of a strong, positive and significant effect of biodiversity on tree productivity with control for climatic and environmental conditions. Important differences were noted between the two forest biomes investigated.Main conclusions  We show for the first time that complementarity may be less important in temperate forests growing in a more stable and productive environment where competitive exclusion is the most probable outcome of species interactions, whereas in the more stressful environment of boreal forests, beneficial interactions between species may be more important. The present work is also a framework for the analysis of large datasets in biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (B‐EF) research.
Asymmetric boundary shifts of tropical montane Lepidoptera over four decades of climate warming
Authors: Chen I‐Ching , Hill Jane K. , Shiu Hau‐Jie , Holloway Jeremy D. , Benedick Suzan , Chey Vun Khen , Barlow Henry S. , Thomas Chris D. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTAim  To estimate whether species have shifted at equal rates at their leading edges (cool boundaries) and trailing edges (warm boundaries) in response to climate change. We provide the first such evidence for tropical insects, here examining elevation shifts for the upper and lower boundaries shifts of montane moths. Threats to species on tropical mountains are considered.Location  Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.Methods  We surveyed Lepidoptera (Geometridae) on Mount Kinabalu in 2007, 42 years after the previous surveys in 1965. Changes in species upper and lower boundaries, elevational extents and range areas were assessed. We randomly subsampled the data to ensure comparable datasets between years. Estimated shifts were compared for endemic versus more widespread species, and for species that reached their range limits at different elevations.Results  Species that reached their upper limits at 2500–2700 m (n= 28 species, 20% of those considered) retreated at both their lower and upper boundaries, and hence showed substantial average range contractions (−300 m in elevational extent and −45 km2 in estimated range area). These declines may be associated with changes in cloud cover and the presence of ecological barriers (geological and vegetation transitions) which impede uphill movement. Other than this group, most species (n= 109, 80% of the species considered) expanded their upper boundaries upwards (by an average of 152 m) more than they retreated at their lower boundaries (77 m).Main conclusions  Without constraints, leading margins shifted uphill faster than trailing margins retreated, such that many species increased their elevational extents. However, this did not result in increases in range area because the area of land available declines with increasing elevation. Species close to a major ecological/geological transition zone on the mountain flank declined in their range areas. Extinction risk may increase long before species reach the summit, even when undisturbed habitats are available.
Health‐Care Reform and ESI: Reconsidering the Relationship Between Employment and Health Insurance
Authors: FLYNN PATRICIA C. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe health‐care reform promised by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of March 2010 continues our dependence on a central feature of the American health‐care system: employer‐sponsored insurance (ESI). In this article I will criticize the assumptions regarding market and welfare concerns on which this dependence is based and argue that efforts to mandate ESI ignore both the dynamics of the employment relation and the nature of health‐care needs. A comparison between investing in employee education and investing in employee health will reveal the pragmatic challenges to ESI and the covert appeal to employer beneficence on which ESI rests. This paper argues that relying on ESI to guarantee appropriate care for a significant segment of the population is undesirable and unsustainable from both market and moral perspectives.
Toward a Framework for Achieving a Sustainable Globalization
Authors: PREBLE JOHN F. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTWidespread trade liberalization and economic integration characterize the current era of globalization. While this approach has resulted in significant job creation, improved living standards, and a wider variety of cheaper consumer goods and services, opponents question if globalization's benefits outweigh the dislocations and downsides that it causes. Protestors are intent on stalling or rolling back globalization's progression and our review of the history of globalization reveals that a backlash is not without precedent. The article carefully examines the myth and reality of these two opposing positions on four key areas of the globalization debate: jobs; inequality and poverty; national sovereignty and cultural diversity; and the natural environment. This information is then utilized to derive a broad set of feasible policy recommendations that could help bring about a more sustainable form of globalization.
Ethical Room for Maneuver: Playground for the Food Business
Authors: POMPE VINCENT , KORTHALS MICHIEL 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTIn a world of glossy corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports, the shallowness of the actual CSR results may well be its counterpart. We claim that the possible gaps between aspirations and implementations are due to the company's overrating abilities to deal with the irrational and complex moral world of business. Many academic approaches aim to lift business ethics up to a higher level by enhancing competences but will fail because they are too rationalistic and generalistic to match the pluralistic and situational practice constituted by the mosaic of values and set of constraints. This is demonstrated by describing and analyzing the CSR development of the multinational caterer Sodexo and in particular its Dutch branch. We explain what they do and why they are not successful. We present a new tool named Ethical Room for Maneuver that centers experiences and concrete situations in a playground of inquiry and experiment to enhance abilities to operate in themoral world and to meliorate business and society with more effectiveness.
Carcass removal by scavengers and search accuracy affect bird mortality estimates at power lines
Authors: Ponce C. , Alonso J. C. , Argandoña G. , García Fernández A. , Carrasco M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBird mortality as a result of collisions with power lines has been of increasing concern in recent decades, but the real impact on bird populations requires an experimental assessment of scavenger removal rates and searcher detection errors. Farmland and steppe birds, two of the most threatened avian groups, have been shown to be particularly vulnerable to collision with power lines, but few removal and detectability studies have been developed in cereal farmland habitats, and none in the Mediterranean region. We conducted five carcass disappearance trials in central Spain by placing 522 corpses of different sizes under power lines, and searching for remains four times during the following month. The influence of several factors was examined using multivariate approach. The accumulated number of carcasses removed by scavengers increased logarithmically, with 32% removed over the 2‐day period after the initial placement, but only 1.5% removed on a daily basis by day 28. Small birds disappeared earlier and at a higher proportion than larger birds. Carcass removal rates were site‐dependent, but were not influenced by carcass density or season. The detection rate increased with the observer's previous experience and carcass size. Carcass counts at power lines notably underestimate bird casualties. Our 4‐week disappearance equations provide a full range of scavenging rates and observer efficiency correction factors for a wide range of bird weights. Fortnightly to monthly search frequencies may be adequate to detect medium‐ to large‐sized corpses, but are insufficient for smaller birds. Finally, all personnel participating in carcass searches should be trained previously in this task.
Evidence that glycogen synthase kinase‐3 isoforms have distinct substrate preference in the brain
Authors: Soutar Marc P. M. , Kim Woo‐Yang , Williamson Ritchie , Peggie Mark , Hastie Charles James , McLauchlan Hilary , Snider William D. , Gordon‐Weeks Phillip R. , Sutherland Calum 
Published: September 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 115, 974–983.AbstractMammalian glycogen synthase kinase‐3 (GSK3) is generated from two genes, GSK3α and GSK3β, while a splice variant of GSK3β (GSK3β2), containing a 13 amino acid insert, is enriched in neurons. GSK3α and GSK3β deletions generate distinct phenotypes. Here, we show that phosphorylation of CRMP2, CRMP4, β‐catenin, c‐Myc, c‐Jun and some residues on tau associated with Alzheimer’s disease, is altered in cortical tissue lacking both isoforms of GSK3. This confirms that they are physiological targets for GSK3. However, deletion of each GSK3 isoform produces distinct substrate phosphorylation, indicating that each has a different spectrum of substrates (e.g. phosphorylation of Thr509, Thr514 and Ser518 of CRMP is not detectable in cortex lacking GSK3β, yet normal in cortex lacking GSK3α). Furthermore, the neuron‐enriched GSK3β2 variant phosphorylates phospho‐glycogen synthase 2 peptide, CRMP2 (Thr509/514), CRMP4 (Thr509), Inhibitor‐2 (Thr72) and tau (Ser396), at a lower rate than GSK3β1. In contrast phosphorylation of c‐Myc and c‐Jun is equivalent for each GSK3β isoform, providing evidence that differential substrate phosphorylation is achieved through alterations in expression and splicing of the GSK3 gene. Finally, each GSK3β splice variant is phosphorylated to a similar extent at the regulatory sites, Ser9 and Tyr216, and exhibit identical sensitivities to the ATP competitive inhibitor CT99021, suggesting upstream regulation and ATP binding properties of GSK3β1 and GSK3β2 are similar.