bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The scalability of the Rivermead Motor Assessment in nonacute stroke patients
Authors: Adams SA , Pickering RM , Ashburn A. , Lincoln NB 
Published: July 2008

Objective: To examine the scalability of the Rivermead Motor Assessment (RMA) with nonacute stroke patients in the community. Design: This was a prospective study of the patients after discharge from hospital. All subjects were assessed on the RMA at six and 12 months after discharge home from hospital. Coefficients of scalability and reproducibility were calculated for each of the three sections of the RMA at each assessment. Subjects: Subjects were nonacute stroke patients aged 65 years and over, nonacute stroke patients aged under 65 years, and a selected group of those aged under 65 years. Results: Only the items in the gross function section met scaling criteria with nonacute strokes in both age groups, which suggests that the items in this section were in appropriate order of difficulty. The items in the leg and trunk section were not in hierarchical order and were in fact closer to scaling if the present order were reversed. Conclusions: The clinical and research value of the RMA, as an ordered scale, are questioned. Changes in treatment styles and philosophies may mean that some of the items themselves are out-dated.
Effects of electrical stimulation on flexion contractures in the hemiplegic wrist
Authors: Pandyan AD , Granat MH , Stott DJ 
Published: July 2008

Objective: To study the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) on flexion contractures in the hemiplegic wrist. Design: The investigation was carried out following an OFF (two weeks with rehabilitation only) - ON (two weeks with ES treatment and rehabilitation) - OFF (two weeks rehabilitation only) fixed protocol. Setting: A stroke ward and an outpatient stroke service. Subjects: Eleven hemiplegic subjects with reduced range of extension and increased resistance to passive movement at the wrist. Main measure: Quantitative measures of the hemiplegic posture at the wrist, passive range of extension and resistance to passive extension of the wrist. Measurements were taken at the start of the study and then at two-weekly intervals. Two extra measurements were taken at the end of the ON period. Results: Following two weeks treatment with ES the posture of the wrist improved and the passive range of extension increased. However, there were no significant changes in the resistance to passive movement. These benefits appeared largely to be lost two weeks after ES was discontinued. Conclusions: Short-term ES gives temporary improvements in contractures at the wrist in poststroke hemiplegia.
Comparison of postal version of the Frenchay Activities Index with interviewer-administered version for use in people with stroke
Authors: Carter Judy , Mant Frances , Mant Jonathan , Wade Derick , Winner Simon 
Published: July 2008

Objective: To assess the agreement between postal and interviewer-administered versions of the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) and to assess the criterion validity of the postal version, using interviewer administration as a gold standard. Design: Comparison of responses to FAI administered by post and then by interview (median delay 10 days). Subjects: Forty-eight Oxfordshire residents admitted to hospital with acute stroke between 1 August 1994 and 31 January 1995 and discharged alive within six months of their stroke. Results: The limits of agreement of the total FAI score are from -5.4 to 7.2. The kappa statistic for each of the 15 individual items that make up the FAI ranged from 0.35 to 1. For nine items, agreement was moderate or fair, and for six items, agreement was good or very good. The mean difference between the overall scores was 0.9 (95% confidence interval: -0.1 to 1.9). The correlation between the overall scores was 0.94 (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient). Conclusion: The postal version of the FAI is a satisfactory alternative to direct administration, but poor agreement in scores for individual patients emphasizes that the two approaches should not be used sequentially to monitor individual patients.
Subjective well-being one year after stroke
Authors: Wyller Torgeir Bruun , Sveen Unni , Sødring Karen Margrethe , Pettersen Anne Marie , Bautz-Holter Erik 
Published: July 2008

Objective: To compare the subjective well-being of stroke patients with that of a reference group, and to study its relationship to patient characteristics. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Interviews performed in the respondents' homes, tests performed at the outpatient clinic. Subjects: Sixty patients one year after stroke (median age 74 years, interquartile range (IQR) 68-80), and 419 reference individuals (median age 75 years, IQR 71-80). Measures: Subjective well-being assessed with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-20). Explanatory variables were demographic and medical characteristics of the individuals and scores on validated tests: Barthel Index, Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), Sodring Motor Evaluation of Stroke Patients, Assessment of Cerebral Stroke and other Brain Damage, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results: A significantly higher proportion of the stroke patients than of the controls rated their subjective well-being as low, also after adjustment for age and gender (adjusted odds ratio 20.1, 95% confidence interval 9.6-42.0 by logistic regression). In bivariate analyses, leg and arm motor impairment, visuospatial impairment, apraxia, aphasia, low Barthel score, low FAI score, low MMSE score, and institutionalization were highly significant predictors of low subjective well-being (p-values <0.01). In multiple linear regression, a model with gender (p = 0.3) and upper extremity motor score (p <0.01 ) fitted the data well, and explained 48% of the variance in GHQ. Conclusion: Subjective well-being is decreased one year after stroke, and this is mainly attributed to arm motor impairments.
Abnormal illness behaviour in rehabilitation from stroke
Authors: Clark Michael S , Smith Dennis S 
Published: July 2008

Objective: To examine the effect of abnormal illness behaviour (AIB) on rehabilitation outcome following stroke. Design: A longitudinal design, with assessments on admission to and discharge from rehabilitation, and six and 12 months after discharge. Setting: The study was undertaken in the rehabilitation unit at Repatriation General Hospital, in Adelaide, South Australia. Subjects: Ninety-four 12-month stroke survivors who had undergone an inpatient rehabilitation programme. Main outcome measures: AIB was assessed using the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire. Additional psychological measurements comprised the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, General Health Questionnaire, and a visual analogue mood scale. Functional ability was assessed with the Australian ADL Index, and lifestyle activities with the Frenchay Activities Index. Results: Cluster analysis of discharge data was used to define a rule for identifying patients with AIB. AIB was apparent in nearly 30% of patients at discharge, and persisted for 12 months. Patients with AIB scored more poorly than non-AIB patients on functional, social and psychological indicators. Conclusions: AIB emerged as a key determinant of long-term disability. It is important to consider why AIB develops during rehabilitation, and how to identify patients at risk.
The effects of common peroneal stimulation on the effort and speed of walking: a randomized controlled trial with chronic hemiplegic patients
Authors: Burridge JH , Taylor PN , Hagan SA , Wood DE , Swain ID 
Published: July 2008

Objective: To measure the effect of the Odstock Dropped Foot Stimulator (ODFS), a common peroneal stimulator, on the effort and speed of walking. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Subjects: Hemiplegic patients who had suffered a single stroke at least six months prior to the start of the trial whose walking was impaired by a drop-foot. Interventions: The treatment, functional electrical stimulation (FES) group, used the stimulator and received a course of physiotherapy; the control group received physiotherapy alone. Main outcome measures: Changes in walking speed measured over 10 m and the effort of walking measured by physiological cost index (PCI). Results: Thirty-two subjects completed the trial, 16 in the FES group and 16 in the control group. Mean increase in walking speed between the beginning and end of the trial was 20.5% in the FES group (when the stimulator was used), and 5.2% in the control group. Improvement was also measured in PCI with a reduction of 24.9% in the FES group (when the stimulator was used) and 1 % in the control group. No improvement in these parameters was measured in the FES group when the stimulator was not used. Conclusion: Walking was statistically significantly improved when the ODFS was worn but no 'carry-over' was measured. Physiotherapy alone, in this group of subjects with established stroke, did not improve walking.
Practical guidelines for independent assessment in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of rehabilitation
Authors: Siemonsma PC , Walker MF 
Published: July 2008

Objective: To provide guidelines for conducting independent assessments in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of rehabilitation. The article aims to assist those who plan to put independent assessment into practice and to be an introduction for those who are new to independent assessment. Issues: Possible causes of unblinding to group allocation are discussed, such as unblinding by other people, the environment, patients and assessors themselves. Other issues discussed in this paper are bias during assessment and monitoring levels of unblinding. Conclusion: The importance of monitoring levels of unblinding is stressed. Although it may not be possible to always keep an assessor blind in RCTs of rehabilitation, we should strive for perfection. It is therefore advocated that levels of unblinding should be reported.
Early supported hospital discharge following acute stroke: pilot study results
Authors: Rodgers Helen , Soutter Jennifer , Kaiser Wendy , Pearson Pauline , Dobson Ruth , Skilbeck Clive , Bond John 
Published: July 2008

Objective: To establish the feasibility and method of evaluation of an early supported hospital discharge policy for patients with acute stroke. Design: A randomized controlled trial comparing an early supported discharge service to conventional care. Setting: Three acute hospitals in Newcastle upon Tyne. Subjects: Ninety-two eligible patients with acute stroke admitted between 1 February 1995 and 31 January 1996. Main outcome measures: Placement, length of stay, readmission rates, mortality, functional ability (Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Scale), handicap (Oxford Handicap Scale), global health status (Dartmouth Coop Function Charts) and carer stress (General Health Questionnaire 30 item). Results: The median length of stay for patients randomized to early supported discharge was 13 days compared to 22 days in the conventional care group (p = 0.02). The median Barthel ADL Index at seven days post stroke of patients randomized to early supported discharge was 15, and 13 for those randomized to conventional care (NS). At three months post stroke the median Nottingham EADL score of patients randomized to early supported discharge was 10 compared to 7 for those who received conventional care (NS). There were no statistically significant differences in the global health status of patients or carer stress. Conclusion: An early supported discharge service following acute stroke with individualized rehabilitation in the community is feasible and can be evaluated by a randomized controlled trial but a larger multicentre trial is needed before such a service is widely adopted.
The Barthel Index and its relationship to nursing dependency in rehabilitation
Authors: AI-Khawaja Imad , Wade Derick T , Turner Fiona 
Published: July 2008

Objectives: To investigate the clinical application of the Barthel Index as an indicator of nursing dependency in a younger disabled unit. Design: A prospective study of 132 patients (mean age 49) with chronic neurological problems. Setting: A younger disabled unit at a District General Hospital, Oxford. Main outcome measures: The Barthel Index, and total nursing hours. Results: The Median Barthel Index was 7 (95% confidence interval 6-9). The mean nursing hours were 2.7 ± 1.7 (Cl 2.41-2.99). Spearman rank order correlation coefficient between the Barthel Index and nursing hours was r = -0.69 (CI -0.79 to -0.59). Conclusions: Regression analysis showed that it was possible to use the Barthel Index as an indicator of nursing dependency particularly in physical care, and that it was independent of age and diagnosis.
Towards a Renewed Universalism in Law
Authors: Fauvarque-Cosson Bénédicte 
Published: July 2008

AbstractDespite the phenomena of internationalization and Europeanization, legal process remains essentially national in character. However, certain domains of law are already unified. Focusing mainly on the French tradition and its contribution to the construction of a European legal space, this paper: a) criticizes the traditional methods used to manage diversity in law – unifying the law and co-ordinating those legal codes likely to be conflictual; b) studies the debate between universalism and particularism in private international law, a discipline whose essential object is the resolution of the difficulties derived from pluralism; and c) attempts to discern an appropriate path towards a ‘renewed universalism' by pursuing a comparative approach which can open the way towards unification but must also be able to preserve the irreducible diversity of law.
Snapshots from the Development of the Natural Sciences
Authors: Toulouse Gérard 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis paper focuses on how the practitioners of the exact and natural sciences can make a contribution to the project of the social sciences to break free of a reductive Eurocentrism in order to achieve a renewed universalism. Focusing in particular on the last 50 years, the paper: a) describes the 1955–60 turning point that can be perceived in techno-scientific development and its relationship with society; b) analyzes technical developments under the two modes of gigantism and miniaturization, putting them in close relation with the political evolution of the world (Cold War and post-Cold War era) as well as with the phenomena of divergence/convergence among disciplines; c) explains the ‘ethical movement in science' namely by introducing the idea of moral revaluation defined by similarity/contrast with the older and now well-accepted concept of scientific revolution; and d) sketches a typology of the scientific community's varied responses to the growing social protests around topics such as nuclear installations, health crises, genetically modified organisms, nanotechnologies and so on.
Transcriptional repression of the RUNX3/AML2 gene by the t(8;21) and inv(16) fusion proteins in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Cheng Chi Keung , Li Libby , Cheng Suk Hang , Lau Kin Mang , Chan Natalie P. H. , Wong Raymond S. M. , Shing Matthew M. K. , Li Chi Kong , Ng Margaret H. L. 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
RUNX3/AML2 is a Runt domain transcription factor like RUNX1/AML1 and RUNX2/AML3. Regulated by 2 promoters P1 and P2, RUNX3 is frequently inactivated by P2 methylation in solid tumors. Growing evidence has suggested a role of this transcription factor in hematopoiesis. However, genetic alterations have not been reported in blood cancers. In this study on 73 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients (44 children and 29 adults), we first showed that high RUNX3 expression among childhood AML was associated with a shortened event-free survival, and RUNX3 was significantly underexpressed in the prognostically favorable subgroup of AML with the t(8;21) and inv(16) translocations. We further demonstrated that this RUNX3 repression was mediated not by P2 methylation, but RUNX1-ETO and CBFβ-MYH11, the fusion products of t(8;21) and inv(16), via a novel transcriptional mechanism that acts directly or indirectly in collaboration with RUNX1, on 2 conserved RUNX binding sites in the P1 promoter. In in vitro studies, ectopically expressed RUNX1-ETO and CBFβ-MYH11 also inhibited endogenous RUNX3 expression. Taken together, RUNX3 was the first transcriptional target found to be commonly repressed by the t(8;21) and inv(16) fusion proteins and might have an important role in core-binding factor AML.
Modified ultrafiltration in surgical correction of congenital heart disease with cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Maluf Miguel A 
Published: July 2008

The surgical correction of congenital heart disease using haemodilution and hypothermia with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may expose patients to tissue ischaemia and initiate a systemic inflammatory response, increasing the total body water and inducing impairment, especially of heart, lung and brain function. It is possible to use ultrafiltration during CPB in the rewarming phase to remove water accumulation in the third space (conventional ultrafiltration). The reduced volume of prime used in children and the ability only to filter the reservoir blood during CPB led the Great Ormond Street Group to modify the method of ultrafiltration with regards to the placement of the filter and the timing of filtration (post-CPB). The main advantage of the modified technique is the ultrafiltration of the patient. A prospective nonrandomized study has been conducted to compare conventional with conventional+modified ultrafiltration. From January 1996 to March 1998, 41 patients underwent correction of congenital heart disease and were submitted to a comparative study (homogeneous groups), using either the conventional or the conventional+modified ultrafiltration techniques. There were no technical complications, no patient required mediastinal re-exploration due to bleeding and it was possible to close all the chests. There were significant differences in the ultrafiltrate volume balance (143.39 /54.3 versus 2279 /71.4 mL; P B /0.001) but there were no significant differences in clinical postoperative evolution between the conventional and the conventional+modified ultrafiltration.
Fluorescence Properties of Individual Charge-transfer Complexes in Polymer Films Revealed by Single Molecule Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Authors: Masuo Sadahiro , Endo Tohru , Yamame Yasumasa , Machida Shinjiro , Itaya Akira 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
This is the first report of fluorescence dynamics of singly isolated charge-transfer (CT) complexes in a polymer film. It was suggested that relative geometrical structures of donor and acceptor molecules change during the measurement and that microenvironment around individual CT complexes is different.
Asymmetric Cycloaddition of 1,2-Dihydropyridine Derivatives in the Presence of Lewis Acids
Authors: Hirama Masafumi , Kato Yuji , Seki Chigusa , Matsuyama Haruo , Oshikiri Noriko , Iyoda Masahiko 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Asymmetric cycloaddition of 1-phenoxycarbonyl- (1) or 1-methoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydropyridine (2) with N-acryloyl-(1S)-2,10-camphorsultam (3) produced chiral isoquinuclidine 4a or 5a in good yields with excellent diastereoselectivity in the presence of a Lewis acid such as titanium tetrachloride, zirconium tetrachloride, or hafnium tetrachloride. The absolute stereochemistry assignment of endo-cycloaddition products 4a and 5a has been established to be 1S, 4R, and 7S.
Enhancement of Glycerol Conversion to Acetol in High-temperature Liquid Water by High-pressure Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Yamaguchi Aritomo , Hiyoshi Norihito , Sato Osamu , Rode Chandrashekhar V , Shirai Masayuki 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Dehydration of glycerol to acetol proceeded in high-temperature liquid water at 573 K in a batch reactor. The acetol formation rate increased with an addition of high-pressure carbon dioxide.
Preparation and Photoluminescence of ZnO Nanocrystals by a High-temperature Organometallic Route
Authors: Chiang I-Chen , Chen Dong-Hwang 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
ZnO nanocrystals have been prepared via a high-temperature organometallic route. By XRD analysis, the effects of reaction temperature and time on the formation of ZnO were recognized. A possible mechanism was proposed. The product’s size, optical absorption, and photoluminescence were also described.
The use of therapeutic ultrasound in venous leg ulcers: a randomized, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Taradaj J , Franek A , Brzezinska-Wcislo L , Cierpka L , Dolibog P , Chmielewska D , Blaszczak E , Kusz D 
Published: July 2008

Objectives To estimate the usefulness of therapeutic ultrasound for healing of venous leg ulcers. Methods Eighty-one patients were included in this study. Patients in groups 1 and 2 were treated surgically. Patients in groups 3 and 4 were treated conservatively. Patients in groups 1 and 3 were additionally treated with the ultrasound (1 MHz, 0.5 W/cm2) once daily, six times a week for seven weeks. Results Comparison of the number of complete healed wounds indicated statistically significant differences between groups 1 and 4 ( P = 0.03), 2 and 4 ( P = 0.03), 3 and 4 ( P = 0.03) in favour of groups 1, 2 and 3. Comparison of the other parameters also demonstrated more efficient therapy effects in groups 1, 2 and 3 than in group 4. There were no statistical differences in all examined parameters between groups 1, 2 and 3 ( P > 0.05). Conclusions The ultrasound is an efficient and useful method only in conservatively treated venous leg ulcers. There are no special reasons for application of the ultrasound in surgically treated patients. A well-conducted surgical operation is much more effective for a healing process than conservative pharmacological procedures.
Evaluation of a Deuterium-Labeled Internal Standard for the Measurement of Sirolimus by High-Throughput HPLC Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: O'Halloran Sean , Ilett Kenneth F 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Background: Matrix effects in HPLC–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS)1 can cause differences in the ionization of an internal standard (IS) compared with the analyte of interest. Unless sample cleanup or chromatographic conditions eliminate or minimize ion suppression or enhancement, variability in interpatient matrices may cause erroneous results. A stable isotope-labeled IS can be used to minimize analytical interpatient variation.
Methods: We used protein precipitation and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS to quantify sirolimus (SIR) with both desmethoxyrapamycin (DMR) and deuterium-labeled sirolimus (SIR-d3) as the IS to analyze a range of whole-blood and extraction-matrix samples, and to estimate recovery, matrix effects, process efficiency, and interpatient variation. We also analyzed a series of blood samples from 72 patients taking SIR, including external proficiency-testing samples, with these ISs.
Results: The range of interpatient assay imprecision (CV) values for the SIR assay was consistently lower with SIR-d3 (2.7%–5.7%) than with DMR (7.6%–9.7%). The results obtained with the 2 different ISs for the patient samples showed a linear relationship, but the results were higher with DMR as the IS than with SIR-d3.
Conclusions: The use of SIR-d3 as the IS in the high-throughput HPLC-ESI-MS/MS assay of SIR yielded improved results compared with the use of DMR. SIR-d3 appears to be less affected by differences in the ionization of SIR and its IS caused by the variability of interpatient matrices. The IS-related difference in SIR estimation needs further investigation.