bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Effect of Aerobic Cycle Training and Progressive Resistance Training on Walking Ability After Stroke: A Randomized Sham Exercise–Controlled Study
Authors: Lee Mi‐Joung , Kilbreath Sharon L. , Singh Maria Fiatarone , Zeman Brian , Lord Stephen R. , Raymond Jacquelene , Davis Glen M. 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether changes in strength or cardiorespiratory fitness after exercise training improve walking ability in individuals who have had a stroke.DESIGN: A sham exercise‐controlled, randomized two‐by‐two factorial design, in which the two factors investigated were cycle training (AEROBIC) and resistance training (STRENGTH).SETTING: University exercise laboratory.PARTICIPANTS: Fifty‐two individuals with a history of stroke (aged 63±9; time since stroke, 57±54 months).INTERVENTION: Participants undertook 30 exercise sessions over 10 to 12 weeks. Depending on group allocation, individuals underwent aerobic cycling plus sham progressive resistance training (PRT) (n=13), sham cycling plus PRT (n=13), aerobic cycling plus PRT (n=14), or sham cycling plus sham PRT (n=12).MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcomes were 6‐minute walk distance, habitual and fast gait velocities, and stair climbing power. Secondary outcomes included measures of cardiorespiratory fitness; muscle strength, power, and endurance; and psychosocial attributes.RESULTS: Neither AEROBIC nor STRENGTH improved walking distance or gait velocity significantly more than sham exercise, although STRENGTH significantly improved participants' stair climbing power by 17% (P=.009), as well as their muscle strength, power, and endurance; cycling peak power output; and self‐efficacy. Conversely, AEROBIC improved indicators of cardiorespiratory fitness only. Cycling plus PRT produced larger effects than either single modality for mobility and impairment outcomes.CONCLUSION: Single‐modality exercises targeted at existing impairments do not optimally address the functional deficits of walking but do ameliorate the underlying impairments. The underlying cardiovascular and musculoskeletal impairments are significantly modifiable years after stroke with targeted robust exercise.
Autonomic Markers as Predictors of Nonfatal Acute Coronary Events after Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Perkiömäki Juha S. , Jokinen Vesa , Tapanainen Jari , Airaksinen K.E. Juhani , Huikuri Heikki V. 
Published: April 2008

Background: Autonomic markers, such as heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate turbulence (HRT), and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) provide information on the risk of all‐cause mortality after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but their value in predicting nonfatal cardiac events is not well known. Methods: A consecutive series of 675 patients with an AMI were followed up to 30 months. At baseline, the patients underwent a 24‐hour Holter recording, and assessment of BRS using phenylephrine test. Several parameters of HRV and HRT were determined. Results: After the follow‐up, 98 patients (15%) had a nonfatal acute coronary event. Among the studied variables, the short‐term scaling exponent alpha1 (P = 0.002), power‐law slope beta (P = 0.008), low‐frequency component of HRV power spectrum (P < 0.001), turbulence slope (P < 0.001), and BRS (P < 0.001) had the strongest association with the occurrence of nonfatal acute coronary events in univariate comparisons. After adjustment with relevant clinical variables (such as age, gender, ejection fraction, functional class, medication, diabetes) in the Cox proportional hazards model, alpha1 and beta remained as statistically significant predictors of nonfatal acute coronary events (HR = 2.0 [1.2–3.2, 95% CIs, P = 0.006] for alpha1 ≤ 1.025), (HR = 1.9 [1.2–3.1, P = 0.008] for beta ≤–1.507). Conclusion: Several autonomic markers provide information on the risk of recurrent nonfatal coronary events after an AMI. Altered fractal heart rate behavior seems to be the strongest independent predictor of such events.
Comparison of Wavelet Transform Modulus Maxima and Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis of Heart Rate in Patients with Systolic Dysfunction of Left Ventricle
Authors: Galaska Rafal , Makowiec Danuta , Dudkowska Aleksandra , Koprowski Andrzej , Chlebus Krzysztof , Wdowczyk‐Szulc Joanna , Rynkiewicz Andrzej 
Published: April 2008

Background: In recent years the WTMM (wavelet transform modulus maxima) and MDFA (multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis) methods have become widely used techniques for the determination of nonlinear, multifractal heart rate (HR) dynamics. The purpose of our study was to compare multifractal parameters of heart rate calculated using both methods in a group of 90 patients with reduced left ventricular systolic function (rlvs group) and in a group of 39 healthy persons (nsr group). Methods: For each subject from the rlvs group (LVEF ≤40%) and the nsr group, a 24‐hour ECG Holter monitoring was performed. The width of the multifractal spectrum and global Hurst exponent were calculated by means of WTMM and MDFA methods for 5‐hour daytime and nighttime subsets. Results: The width of the multifractal spectrum was significantly lower and the Hurst exponent was significantly higher in rlvs group in comparison to nsr group both during diurnal activity and nocturnal rest according to MDFA and only during diurnal activity according to WTMM method. In both groups we observed significant differences of the multifractal spectrum width and the global Hurst exponent between the nighttime and daytime recordings. Conclusions: MDFA seems to be more sensitive as compared with WTMM method in differentiation between multifractal properties of the heart rate in healthy subjects and patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
Angiogenic transforming capacity of IgG purified from plasma of type 1 diabetic patients
Authors: Tramentozzi Elisa , Pagetta Andrea , Frasson Martina , Brunati Anna Maria , Montopoli Monica , Finotti Paola 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe previously demonstrated that plasma of type 1 diabetic patients contains antibodies complexed irreversibly with Grp94 that also display proteolytic activity. In this work, we wanted to test whether antibodies obtained from diabetic plasma may convey an inflammatory risk on vascular cells. To this aim, IgG were purified on the Protein‐G column from individual plasma of eight type 1 diabetic patients, and then tested on HUVECs to measure effects on cell growth and morphologic changes at different incubation times. The purified fractions of IgG contained a significant amount of Fab/(Fab)2, both free and in big aggregates, and anti‐Grp94 antibodies, mostly irreversibly linked with, but also free of Grp94. The purified fractions of both Fab/(Fab)2 and whole IgG stimulated the proliferation and sustained the angiogenic differentiation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) at sub‐nanomolar concentrations. IgG from normal plasma neither stimulated the cell growth nor induced any differentiation of HUVECs. The maximum cell growth stimulation occurred at 6–9 hrs and associated with the strong activation of the ERK1/2 pathway, whereas angiogenic transformation was completed later when the ERK1/2 activation was silenced and cell growth stimulation significantly reduced. Neither proteolytic activity of MMP‐9 nor VEGF were apparently involved in mediating the angiogenic differentiation of HUVECs that mostly correlated with an increased expression of HSP70 closely coupled with cell membrane‐bound inactive species of MMP‐9. Results indicate that effects displayed on HUVECs by antibodies purified from diabetic plasma are likely sustained by immune complexes with Grp94 that may thus predict an increased risk of angiogenic transformation in vivo.
Topical application of statin affects bone healing around implants
Authors: Moriyama Yasuko , Ayukawa Yasunori , Ogino Yoichiro , Atsuta Ikiru , Koyano Kiyoshi 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjectives: 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) are widely used for hyperlipidemia. Recent studies demonstrate that statins stimulate bone morphogenetic protein‐2 expression and lead to bone formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the topical application of statin enhances the osteogenesis around a titanium implant.Materials and methods: Ten‐week‐old female rats received pure titanium rods in both tibiae with or without fluvastatin. Propylene glycol alginate (PGA) was used as a carrier. The rats were divided into five groups: implant‐only group, implant with PGA group, low‐dose group [implant+PGA containing 3 μg of fluvastatin (FS)], medium‐dose group (15 μg of FS), and high‐dose group (75 μg of FS). The animals were sacrificed at 1 and 2 weeks after implantation. Peri‐implant bone formation was assessed by histomorphometric procedures, i.e., measuring the bone–implant contact (BIC) and peri‐implant bone volume (BV). A mechanical push‐out test was also performed to evaluate the implant fixation strength. Statistical differences among the groups were determined by ANOVA and P<0.05 was considered significant.Results: At week 1, there was no significant difference in BIC among the groups, however, BV and the push‐out strength were significantly higher in the high‐dose group than in the implant‐only group. At week 2, BIC and BV had significantly increased in the high‐dose group in comparison with the non‐statin groups. The fluvastatin‐treatment group showed a significant increase in push‐out strength compared with the non‐statin groups.Conclusion: Our histomorphometrical and mechanical evaluations revealed the positive effect of topically applied fluvastatin on the bone around the implant.
The expression of molecular mediators in the idiopathic cutaneous calcification and ossification
Authors: Kim So Young , Choi Hae Young , Myung Ki Bum , Choi You Won 
Published: April 2008

Background:  Idiopathic cutaneous calcification and ossification occur in the absence of an abnormal serum calcium level or pre‐existing tissue abnormality. The pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of several molecular mediators in the idiopathic cutaneous calcification and ossification.Methods:  Immunohistochemical study was used to evaluate the expression of molecular mediators, bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP‐4), β‐catenin, osteopontin, osteonectin and osteocalcin, and cell markers, smooth muscle actin, CD29 and CD44. And confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to evaluate the colocalization of BMP‐4 and BMP receptor type IA.Results:  BMP‐4, β‐catenin, osteopontin, osteonectin and osteocalcin were expressed on the calcified and ossified tissue. Especially, BMP‐4 was expressed on the surrounding mesenchymal cells. Smooth muscle actin positive mesenchymal cells were on around the immature ossified tissue. Mesenchymal stem cell markers, CD29 and CD44 were not expressed.Conclusion:  Our data suggest that BMP‐4, β‐catenin, osteopontin, osteonectin and osteocalcin may be involved in the idiopathic cutaneous calcification and ossification. And smooth muscle actin positive mesenchymal cells may be involved in the cutaneous ossification. This study suggests that the idiopathic cutaneous calcification and ossification is highly complicated and regulated active process like ectopic calcification of other tissues.
Research: Dying with dementia: The views of family caregivers about quality of life
Authors: Russell Cherry , Middleton Heather , Shanley Chris 
Published: April 2008

Objective:  To document the views of family caregivers of persons with dementia about quality of life for their relative during the late and terminal stages of the disease, as part of an exploratory study of best quality care and support. Methods:  Fifteen former caregivers (five wives, five husbands, two sons, three daughters) participated in in‐depth semistructured interviews. Results:  Participants identified three main sets of indicators of quality of life: the physical body, the physical and social environment and treatment with respect and dignity. The constructs ‘quality of life’ and ‘quality of care’ tended to be conflated in the experience of caregivers. An important role for caregivers was to interpret and represent the subjective experience of the person with dementia. Conclusion:  Quality of life needs to be understood from multiple perspectives. Caregivers’ views are a central part of this understanding and should be used to inform future research and service development.
Research: Ageing, social capital and the Internet: Findings from an exploratory study of Australian ‘silver surfers’
Authors: Russell Cherry , Campbell Andrew , Hughes Ian 
Published: April 2008

Objective: To document the sociodemographic characteristics and online use patterns of older Australian Internet users as part of an exploratory study of the relationship between Internet communication and access to social capital in later life.Methods: A purposive sample of 154 Internet users aged 55 years or older and not employed full time completed an electronic survey about their social characteristics and patterns of Internet use. A subsample of 30 participated in follow‐up in‐depth interviews.Results: The majority of participants comprised married, home‐owning, English‐speaking women and men in good health. They made extensive use of the communication and information functions of the Internet to supplement and enhance their connections with friends and family and their engagement with wider social networks.Conclusion: Policy development should be informed by better understanding of the potential and limitations of the Internet as a tool for generating and sustaining social capital in old age.
PCR METHOD FOR THE DETECTION OF GENUS FUSARIUM AND FUMONISIN‐PRODUCING ISOLATES FROM FRESHLY HARVESTED SORGHUM GRAINS GROWN IN KARNATAKA, INDIA
Authors: SREENIVASA M.Y. , DASS REGINA SHARMILA , RAJ A.P. CHARITH , JANARDHANA G.R. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT Sixty‐four isolates of Fusarium species isolated from 44 sorghum samples collected during 2004–2005 were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. PCR detection was performed on all Fusarium species using two different sets of primers, namely, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and FUM1. The developed protocol is rapid for small‐scale extraction of DNA from fungal mycelia for the detection of Fusarium species using diagnostic PCR. Sixty‐four Fusarium isolates, namely, Fusarium verticillioides (45), Fusarium proliferatum (4), Fusarium anthophilum (4), Fusarium sporotrichioides (3), Fusarium pallidoroseum (6) and Fusarium oxysporum (2), were analyzed by PCR using the ITS and FUM1 set of primers. All Fusarium species scored positive with the ITS set of primers. Among the 64 isolates, 53 have scored positive with the FUM1 set of primers. These 53 isolates represent F. verticillioides (45), F. proliferatum (4) and F. anthophilum (4), respectively. The results of the study revealed that PCR‐based technique could be used to identify a group of potential fumonisin‐producing Fusarium species.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) method provides the basis for a simple, accurate, rapid and precise detection of potential fumonisin producing Fusarium species, which are of considerable risk to animal and human health. The detection of Fusarium species is therefore crucial for the prevention of toxins entering the food chain. The protocols developed in this study are helpful for a rapid and small‐scale extraction of nucleic acid from fungal mycelia, occurring on contaminated sorghum samples. A large number of samples can be screened in relatively less time using this PCR protocol when compared with the conventional methods.
EFFECTIVENESS OFPHYLLANTHUS EMBLICAL. ESSENTIAL OIL TO INHIBIT THE GROWTH OF FOOD‐SPOILING YEASTS
Authors: LIU XIAOLI , ZHAO MOUMING , WANG JINSHUI , WEI LUO 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to verify the effectiveness ofPhyllanthus emblicaL. essential oil to inhibit the growth of various food‐spoiling yeasts. Antiyeast activity was studied by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by solid medium diffusion and microplate bioassay, as well as evaluating the effect of the essential oil at MIC on the yeast cell viability. The essential oil can effectively inhibit the growth of all tested yeasts with MIC values of 12.5 and 0.8 µL/mL for most yeasts. The essential oil in the solid medium diffusion MIC presented significant inhibitory effects on all yeast cell viabilities. In contrast, the essential oil in the microplate MIC significantly inhibitedCandida kruseiandPichia ohmeri.The essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. Thirty compounds representing 92.91% of the essential oil were tentatively identified. β‐Bourbonene, heptadecanol, pentadecanone, thymol, β‐caryophyllene, β‐neoclovene, nerol and borneol were the major compounds.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe study can be considered as the first report on thein vitroantiyeast activity ofPhyllanthus emblicaL. essential oil. The results showed that the essential oil had significant effectiveness to inhibit the growth of all tested yeasts with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 12.5 and 0.8 µL/mL for most yeasts. We hope that our results introduce a unique natural source that possesses strong antimicrobial substances. The essential oil could be used as a natural preservative in food and/or pharmaceutical industry.
Implementing the National Institute of Clinical Excellence improving outcome guidelines for head and neck cancer: developing a business plan with reorganisation of head and neck cancer services
Authors: Jeannon J.‐P. , Abbs I. , Calman F. , Gleeson M. , Lyons A. , Hussain K. , McGurk M. , O’Connell M. , Probert D. , Ng R. , Simo R. 
Published: April 2008

Keypoints

The implementation of the National Institute of Clinical Excellence improving outcome guidelines (NICE‐IOG) manual for head and neck cancer may have a huge potential cost implication.
Head and neck cancer is a rare disease which utilises large quantities of resources which can only be provided in a tertiary centre.
Head and neck cancer services should be centralised into a single site for each cancer network.
A new higher tariff rate for complex head and neck cancer cases is needed which recognises the true cost of this work.
Each network should set its own tariff to make head and neck cancer care financially viable.
Safety and efficacy of endoscopic pharyngeal pouch stapling in a large UK study
Authors: Lieder A. , Nasseri F. , Sharma A. , Jani P. 
Published: April 2008

Keypoints

Endoscopic stapling of pharyngeal pouch is minimally invasive surgery, ensuing fast recovery and shorter hospitalisation, but previous small case series may have biased outcome.
Perioperative and long‐term outcome of endoscopic stapling of pharyngeal pouch were examined retrospectively in the largest (n = 62) UK case series.
Stapling was not possible in seven patients because of small size of the pouch. Most patients made a full recovery immediately post‐operatively. Two patients developed a leak at the stapling site, but critical complications or direct mortality were not observed.
Persistence or recurrence of symptoms were observed in 18% of patients and successfully treated by revision endoscopic stapling or open procedure.
We recommend endoscopic stapling for all patients with moderate or large pharyngeal pouches.
Ionomer cement for reconstruction of the long process of the incus: the Pécs experience
Authors: Ráth G. , Bauer M. , Pytel J. , Vóna I. , Szanyi I. , Lujber L. , Gerlinger I. 
Published: April 2008

Keypoints

Experience gained with the repair of the defects of the long process of the incus with ionomer cement in 35 patients is reported.
The integrity of the reconstructed tympanic membrane and the four‐frequency average of the air‐bone gaps of the postoperative audiograms (best, most recent and at around 1 year) were evaluated.
This ‘physiological’ reconstruction of the ossicular chain fulfilled our expectations in 40% of the patients (air‐bone gap ≤ 10 dB).
The background of the unsuccessful cases was investigated.
Intra‐operative parathyroid hormone monitoring using a laboratory based multichannel analyser
Authors: Mace A.D. , Randhawa P.S. , Woolman E. , Stearns M.P. 
Published: April 2008

Keypoints

Parathyroid hormone has a short half life in vivo.
Intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement can guide the surgeon by confirming successful removal of parathyroid adenomas.
Point of care testing with a dedicated analyser and technician in theatre is expensive.
This study shows that intraoperative parathyroid hormone is feasible using a central laboratory based analyser available in most hospitals.
There are potential cost savings when compared with point of care testing.
Identification of predictors and development of a screening protocol for cerebello‐pontine lesions in patients presenting with audio‐vestibular dysfunction
Authors: Chatrath P. , Frosh A. , Gore A. , Nouraei R. , Harcourt J. 
Published: April 2008

Objectives:  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning in the investigation of cerebellopontine angle lesions represents a finite resource, the use of which needs to be carefully rationalised. Our aim was to identify predictive factors that can distinguish between patients with and without cerebellopontine angle lesions, and develop a screening protocol which could be useful in the clinical setting as an aid to clinical judgment.Design:  Case–control study.Setting:  Secondary care.Participants:  Audio‐vestibular features were collated on 136 patients (M : F 1.39 : 1) and 288 controls (M : F 1 : 1.1).Intervention:  Diagnostic by analysis of symptoms and audiometric data using logistic regression, receiver‐operator characteristic curves and backwards elimination.Main outcome measures:  Development of a predictive algorithm comprising those factors which are most strongly predictive of the presence of a cerebellopontine angle lesion.Results:  Positive predictors of a cerebellopontine angle lesion include the interaural threshold difference at 1 (P = 0.044) and 4 kHz (P = 0.034). The threshold in the better hearing ear at 0.25 kHz exerts a negative predictive (i.e. protective) effect (P = 0.005). The presence of tinnitus does not appear to influence the outcome on logistic regression. Although vertigo does exert an influence on the overall model, its impact is highly equivocal.Conclusions:  We have identified audiometric factors which exert a positive and negative predictive influence on the presence of a cerebellopontine angle lesion, and audiovestibular symptoms which appear to exert little effect on the model. Our predictive equation represents a user‐friendly standardised method of risk‐stratification of patients within a general otolaryngology clinic.
Superficial temporal vein graft in stapedotomy: a functional and aesthetic alternative
Authors: Javed F. , Leong A.C. , Fairley J.W. 
Published: April 2008

Keypoints

The Causse technique of performing stapedotomy with vein graft interposition is widely‐employed, with the vein graft harvested from the dorsum of the hand/wrist.
Donor site scarring may be of cosmetic concern, especially in female patients.
A prospective series of 19 patients undergoing stapedotomy with vein graft harvested from the superficial temporal vein is evaluated from aesthetic and functional perspectives.
Results show that vein interposition from this donor site is not only aesthically acceptable but just as successful in improving hearing outcome after stapedotomy.
We suggest the use of the superficial temporal vein and/or its branches as an alternative vein graft in stapedotomy.