bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘‘We Don’t Talk to Terrorists’’: On the Rhetoric and Practice of Secret Negotiations
Authors: Browne Julie , Dickson Eric S.
Published: March 2010

Political actors sometimes make public commitments not to negotiate with adversaries whom they label as being beneath diplomacy. Such commitments are sometimes made even as they are being broken. Why do actors sometimes publicly denounce adversaries with whom they intend to negotiate? What effect does such prenegotiation rhetoric have on the prospects for successful negotiated settlements? In this paper, the authors present a novel game-theoretic model of conflict bargaining, in which actors can make public commitments not to negotiate before deciding whether to engage in secret negotiations with adversaries. The authors model such commitments as affecting actors’ audience costs; a denunciation increases an actor’s motivation to reach a negotiated settlement if negotiations are undertaken. Although such a decision weakens an actor’s bargaining power, in equilibrium actors sometimes publicly denounce their counterparts. The authors present and interpret equilibrium behavior in their model and discuss the implications of their results for future research.
Readability of Special Education Procedural Safeguards
Authors: Mandic Carmen Gomez , Rudd Rima , Hehir Thomas , Acevedo-Garcia Dolores
Published: March 2010

This study focused on literacy-related barriers to understanding the rights of students with disabilities and their parents within the special education system. SMOG readability scores were determined for procedural safeguards documents issued by all state departments of education. The average reading grade level was 16; 6% scored in the high school range, 55% scored in the college range, and 39% scored in the graduate or professional range. Comparisons of national literacy data and national data on the educational attainment of parents of students with disabilities suggest that there is a disproportionate burden of limited literacy among these parents compared to the general population. The significance of results is discussed with respect to relevant regulatory requirements, case law, and evidence from the legal and health literacy fields.
The Effects of Cognitive Strategy Instruction on the Mathematical Problem Solving of Adolescents With Spina Bifida
Authors: Coughlin Judy , Montague Marjorie
Published: March 2010

This study investigated the effects of cognitive strategy instruction on the mathematical problem solving of three adolescents with spina bifida. Conditions of the multiple-baseline across-individuals design included baseline, two levels of treatment, posttesting, and maintenance. Treatment 1 focused on one-step math problems, and Treatment 2 focused on two-step problems. All students substantially improved as measured by performance on criterion tests of math problem solving. Discussion centers on the need for intervention studies with students with spina bifida that specifically address their unique characteristics and the adaptations and accommodations that benefit these students.
Correlation Between Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Mycophenolic Acid in Liver Transplant Patients
Authors: Minmin Shi , Zhidong Gu , Hao Chen , Weixia Zhang , Baiyong Shen , Bing Chen , Chuan Shen , Xiaxing Deng , Xi Zhan
Published: March 2010

This study investigated the relationship between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of mycophenolic acid (MPA) in liver transplant patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Total and free plasma MPA concentrations were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography before MMF dose and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours after dosing in 27 patients. The inhibitory capacity of serum MPA on proliferation of CEM cells was monitored at 0, 1, and 2 hours. The concentration of free MPA at 0, 1, and 2 hours (C0h, C1h, C2h) and the area under the concentration‐time curve at 0 to 12 hours (AUC0‐12h) of free MPA were significantly related to those of total MPA (P < .05). C1h and C2h of total and free MPA were conversely related with the rate of proliferation of CEM cells (P < .05). At 1 and 2 hours after an MMF dose, the percentage of CEM cell proliferation was below 40% in the majority of patients compared with the percentage before dosing. Thus, there was a significant relationship between total and free plasma MPA concentrations in liver transplant patients. After MMF dose, the inhibitory capacity of serum MPA on proliferation of CEM cells was enhanced significantly. This effect was related greatly to MPA concentrations.
Job insecurity and its relation to work—family conflict: Mediation with a longitudinal data set
Authors: Richter Anne , Näswall Katharina , Sverke Magnus
Published: March 2010

Previous research on the consequences of job insecurity has for the most part focused on individual as well as organizational outcomes, but rarely considered potential family consequences. Based on longitudinal data from Swedish teachers, the present study tests the relation between job insecurity and work—family conflict. In addition, workload was introduced as a mediator in order to contribute to the understanding of the mechanism relating the two phenomena. Gender differences were taken into account when testing this relation. The results provided partial support for workload as a mediator of the effects of job insecurity on subsequent work—family conflict. However, these results were found only for men, indicating gender differences in how job insecurity relates to workload and work—family conflict.
Decision Making Within and Between Organizations
Authors: Walter Jorge , Kellermanns Franz W. , Lechner Christoph
Published: March 2010

This study extends research on strategic decision making into the realm of strategic alliances by examining the interactive effect of decision process characteristics at the firm and alliance levels on alliance performance. Located both within and at the boundary between partners, alliance-related decision processes have to balance each partner’s self-interest on one hand and collective actions on the other hand, with both partners being dependent on each other’s collaboration. Using primary, cross-sectional data obtained from 103 high-technology alliances, the authors study the effects of procedural rationality and politics in decision making. The results corroborate the importance of procedural rationality that facilitates collective actions between alliance partners but also uncover the pitfall of an unconditional reliance on procedural rationality at the firm level. The results further show that politically charged decision processes impair decision makers’ ability to reconcile individual interests both within and between alliance partners and therefore jeopardize alliance performance.
Spaces that Matter: Gender Performativity and Organizational Space
Authors: Tyler Melissa , Cohen Laurie
Published: March 2010

This paper examines the relationship between gender performativity and organizational space. Specifically, it focuses on some of the ways in which gender is materialized in and through workspace in accordance with the dominant gender norms shaping organizational life, a theme that has been relatively neglected within organization studies to date. Judith Butler’s (1988, 1993, 2000 [1990], 2004) performative analysis of gender draws critical attention to the body as a medium through which the gendered subject is brought into being, or made to ‘matter’, as she puts it. This paper seeks to extend Butler’s analysis of gender performativity, focusing on the evocation and materialization of these norms through the gendered inhabitation of organizational space. Inspired by a piece of work by contemporary video artist Sofia Hulten called Grey Area, it develops Butler’s analysis with reference to data generated in a series of focus groups and interviews with women working in diverse roles within a university setting. The analysis of the findings of this research links Butler’s work on ‘bodies that matter’ to Lefebvre’s (1991) concept of ‘representational spaces’, arguing that an important but relatively neglected aspect of the organizational materialization of the gendered self is the performance of ‘spaces that matter’.
The effect of the use of video texts on ESL listening test-taker performance
Authors: Wagner Elvis
Published: March 2010

Video is widely used in the teaching of L2 listening, and SLA researchers have argued that the visual components of spoken texts are useful for the listener in comprehending aural information. Yet video texts are rarely used on tests of L2 listening ability, perhaps in part due to the belief that including the visual channel involves assessing something beyond listening ability. In this study, a quasi-experimental design was used to compare the performance of two groups of learners on an ESL listening test. The control group took a listening test with audio-only texts. The experimental group took the same listening test, except that test-takers received the input through the use of video texts. Multi-variate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) was used to compare the two groups’ performance, and it was found that the video (experimental) group scored 6.5% higher than the audio-only (control) group on the overall post-test, and this difference was statistically significant. The results of the study suggest that the non-verbal information in the video texts contributed to the video group’s superior performance.
Early Adolescent Risk Behavior Outcomes of Childhood Externalizing Behavioral Trajectories
Authors: Thompson Richard , Jiyoung Kim Tabone  , Litrownik Alan J. , Briggs Ernestine C. , Hussey Jon M. , English Diana J. , Dubowitz Howard
Published: March 2010

Little is known about the early childhood indicators of adolescent risk. The link between trajectories of externalizing behavioral problems and early adolescent risk behavior was examined in a longitudinal sample of 875 child participants in the LONGSCAN studies. Five trajectory groups of children defined by externalizing behavior problems were identified: Low, Low-Medium, Moderate, Increasing-High, and High. After controlling for demographics and maltreatment, violent/delinquent behavior was significantly predicted by membership in the Moderate and Increasing-High problem behavior groups. Substance use in early adolescence was significantly predicted by membership in the High behavior problem group. These findings suggest that there is a great deal of continuity between patterns of externalizing behavior in childhood and risk-taking in early adolescence. Understanding the course of externalizing behavior in childhood can help identify children at particular risk for more serious behavioral problems in early adolescence.
Moderating Effect of Intimate Exchange on Delinquent Socialization Processes
Authors: Gaertner Alden E. , Fite Paula J. , Colder Craig R.
Published: March 2010

Research indicates peer socialization processes affect the development of problem behavior in childhood and adolescence; however moderating peer factors have not been readily examined. Friendship intimate exchange may be an important factor to consider, as literature suggests that intimate exchange becomes an increasingly important aspect of friendships as children age into adolescence. Accordingly, the current study examined the moderating effect of intimate exchange on the relation between peer socialization and change in externalizing behavior over 1 year. Participants included 65 children (67% male), age 10 to 13 years at baseline ( M = 11.95, SD = 1.29), and their primary caregivers. Intimate exchange was found to moderate the relation between peer delinquency and externalizing behavior over time. At low levels of intimate exchange, peer delinquency predicted increases in externalizing behavior; whereas at high levels of intimate exchange, peer delinquency predicted decreases in externalizing behavior. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Levels of nitric oxide metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid in cluster headache
Authors: Steinberg Anna , Wiklund N Peter , Brundin Lou , Remahl A Ingela M Nilsson
Published: March 2010

The pathophysiology of cluster headache (CH) is only partly understood. Nitric oxide (NO), a potent vasodilator, has been suggested to be involved, and increased plasma levels of nitrite, a stable product on NO degradation, have been identified in the active period and in remission. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of NO in CH by measuring its oxidation products, nitrite and nitrate, in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a biological compartment closer to the supposed focus of the disorder. We collected CSF from 14 episodic CH patients. Lumbar puncture (LP) was performed at two occasions: in active period between headache attacks, and in remission, not earlier than three weeks after the last CH attack. Eleven healthy volunteers served as controls. To estimate NO production, we determined the levels of NO-oxidation end products (NOx), that is, the sum of nitrite and nitrate, by using capillary electrophoresis. CH patients in the active period had significantly increased NOx levels (mean 9.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.5–10.1) compared with those in remission (mean 7.6, 95% CI 6.9–8.2; p < 001) and control subjects (mean 6.2, 95% CI 4.9–7.5; p < 0.001). CH patients also had statistically significant enhanced NOx levels in remission compared with those of control subjects ( p = 0.034). CSF was also analysed with regard to inflammatory parameters and protein content. CSF showed signs of pleocytosis or oligoclonal bands or albumin increase in 43% of CH patients although these results were not conclusive. We suggest that CH patients have a generally raised NO tonus, both in the active period and in remission. We interpret these results as indications of a basal hyperfunction of the L-arginine-NO pathway, possibly as an expression of inflammatory activity, and sensitization of pain pathways. This is the first study analysing NOx in CSF in CH, and the results support NO involvement in the pathogenesis of CH.
Comparison of self-reported cutaneous allodynia and brushing allodynia during migraine attacks
Authors: Chou Chi-Hsiang , Fuh Jong-Ling , Wu Jaw-Ching , Wang Shuu-Jiun
Published: March 2010

This study compares the results of brushing allodynia (BA) during migraine attacks to those of self-reported cutaneous allodynia. We recruited 100 patients (20 with chronic migraine, 80 with episodic migraine) and performed a gauze-brushing test to detect BA. A previous experience of cutaneous allodynia was queried. Seventeen patients reported having allodynia before, whereas 22 patients exhibited BA. The frequency of self-reported allodynia (12.5% vs. 35.0%, p = .040) but not BA (21.3% vs. 25.0%, p = .765) differed between patients with episodic migraine and those chronic migraine. Patients with aura ( N = 8) had a higher frequency of both self-reported allodynia (62.5% vs. 12.2%, p = .003) and BA (87.5% vs. 17.6%, p < .001) than those without aura ( N = 92). Some allodynia symptoms, including avoidance of washing hair, touching the head, combing hair and lying on the site of head pain, were associated with BA (all p < .05). Our study showed that BA during migraine attacks correlated well with prior allodynia symptoms. The frequencies of BA and self-reported allodynia depend on the composition of different migraine subtypes and the timing of the gauze-brushing test.
Quality of life in adolescents with headache: Results from a population-based survey
Authors: Milde-Busch Astrid , Heinrich Sabine , Thomas Silke , Kühnlein Anja , Radon Katja , Straube Andreas , Bayer Otmar , von Kries Rüdiger
Published: March 2010

The aim of the investigation was to study the impact of headache on quality of life (QOL) in adolescents in a population-based sample ( N = 1047, aged between 13 and 17 years). QOL was assessed using the KINDL-R (Revidierter Kinder Lebensqualitätsfragebogen) questionnaire with its six dimensions. In order to assess potential differences in the impact on QOL according to the type of headache, a stratified analysis was performed. QOL differences compared to the ‘no headache’ group are presented with adjustment for socio-demographic confounders. Headache at least once per month was reported in 48% of the adolescents and accounted for a small but significant reduction of 2.5 points in the total KINDL-R score, which was mainly caused by a reduction in physical wellbeing by 6.8 points. Adolescents with migraine reported higher reductions in physical wellbeing and total QOL than subjects with tension-type headache (TTH). The size of the reduction in QOL scores was small but similar to that observed for other chronic conditions in adolescents. Headache prevention programs might therefore have an impact on QOL in adolescents.
Cerebral distribution of white matter lesions in migraine with aura patients
Authors: Rossato G , Adami A , Thijs VN , Cerini R , Pozzi-Mucelli R , Mazzucco S , Anzola GP , Sette M Del , Dinia L , Meneghetti G , Zanferrari C
Published: March 2010

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the cerebral distribution of white matter lesions (WMLs) between migraine patients with different aura symptoms.

Methods: Migraine with aura (MA) patients were consecutively enrolled as part of the Shunt-Associated Migraine (SAM) study. According to clinical symptoms, aura was classified as motor, aphasic, sensory, visual or vertebrobasilar. Standard and FLAIR (fluid attenuated inversion recovery) T2-weighted MRI sequences were inspected for WMLs by three independent raters blinded to clinical data. WMLs were assessed in the periventricular areas (PV-WMLs) with the Fazekas scale and in the deep white matter (D-WMLs) with the Schelten's scale. Interobserver agreement was good to excellent ( k = 0.64 to 0.96, p < .0001).

Results: One hundred and eighty-five patients (77% women) were included. Aura symptoms were classified as visual in 172 (99%) patients, sensory in 76 (42%), aphasic in 54 (30%), motor in 39 (21%) and vertebrobasilar in 17 (9%) patients. One hundred and four patients (57%) exhibited more than one type of aura. D-WMLs were mainly detected in the frontal lobes (86%). There was no association between type of aura and the presence of WMLs in any cerebral location.

Conclusion: Aura symptoms do not influence the cerebral distribution of WMLs associated with migraine disease.
Use of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, Second Edition, criteria in the diagnosis of primary headache in schoolchildren: Epidemiology study from eastern Turkey
Authors: Alp Recep , Alp Selen Ilhan , Palanci Yılmaz , Sur Haydar , Boru Ulku Turk , Ozge Aynur , Yapici Zuhal
Published: March 2010

We aimed to determine the prevalence of primary headache among schoolchildren in the city of Agri, located in eastern Turkey, where geographical, climatic and socio-economic conditions differ greatly from those of other regions of Turkey. A cross-sectional school-based (ages ranging from 11 to 18) study was conducted from January to April 2006. Diagnosis was based on the second edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. This population was evaluated by a two-stage clustered sampling procedure. In the first phase, 1385 children were asked whether they had had a headache within the past year. For the second-step interview, 540 children (38.9%) with a complaint of headache were selected. Five children who had complained of headaches in the first interview did not agree to participate in the second stage. Of the remaining 535, 473 were identified as having primary headache and 62 as having secondary headache. Overall, one-year prevalence of headache subtypes was 14.3% for migraine, 3.5% for probable migraine, 8.6% for pure tension-type headache, 4.6% for migraine plus tension-type headache, and 3.0% for probable migraine plus tension-type headache. The prevalence of migraine was higher in our study than in previous studies.
Factors predicting the probability of relapse after discontinuation of migraine preventive treatment with topiramate
Authors: Schoenen Jean , Reuter Uwe , Diener Hans-Christoph , Pfeil Joop , Schwalen Susanne , Schäuble Barbara , van Oene Joop
Published: March 2010

Introduction: Demographic and clinical variables were examined in a post hoc analysis of the PROlonged Migraine Prevention with Topiramate (PROMPT) study to determine potential contribution to relapse.

Methods: After a six-month open-label (OL) topiramate phase, patients were randomised to continue topiramate or switch to placebo in a six-month double-blind (DB) phase. ‘Relapse’ was investigated in terms of change in monthly migraine days after randomisation compared with the month before randomisation, and was analysed during the first (‘initial relapse’) and last month (‘sustained relapse’) of the DB phase. More than 40 potential predicting factors were entered into analyses of variance and covariance.

Results: For initial relapse, variable-by-treatment interactions were significant for the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) at DB baseline, and decline in acute medication intake or reporting of ‘anxiety’ in the OL phase. For sustained relapse, no statistically significant interactions were observed.

Conclusion: Relapse after topiramate discontinuation in migraine prophylaxis appears to be unaffected by patient characteristics or baseline migraine frequency.
Effect of Fluoride-substituted Apatite on In Vivo Bone Formation
Authors: Inoue Miho , Rodriguez Andrea P. , Nagai Noriyuki , Nagatsuka Hitoshi , LeGeros Racquel Z. , Tsujigiwa Hidetsugu , Inoue Masahisa , Kishimoto Etsuo , Takagi Shin
Published: March 2010

Biological apatites are characterized by the presence of minor constituents such as magnesium (Mg), chloride (Cl), or fluoride (F) ions. These ions affect cell proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation during bone tissue formation. F-substituted apatites are being explored as potential bonegraft materials. The aim of the present study is to investigate the mechanism of bone formation induced by fluoride-substituted apatite (FAp) by analyzing the effect of FAp on the process of in vivo bone formation. FAps containing different F concentrations ( l-FAp: 0.48wt%, m-FAp: 0.91wt%, h-FAp: 2.23wt%) and calcium-deficient apatite (CDA), as positive control, were implanted in rat tibia and bone formation was evaluated by histological examination, immuhistochemistry, in situ hybridization and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase examinations. The results showed that l-FAp, m-FAp, h-FAp, and CDA biomaterials allowed migration of macrophages, attachment, proliferation, and phenotypic expression of bone cells leading to new bone formation in direct apposition to the particles. However, the l-FAp preparation allowed faster bone conduction compared to the other experimental materials. These results suggest that FAp with low F concentration may be an efficient bonegraft material for dental and medical application.
Is Biocompatibility Affected by Constant Shear Stress? - Comparison of Three Commercially Available Meshes in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Böhm G. , Steinau G. , Krähling E. , Schumpelick V. , Hermanns-Sachweh B. , Stanzel S. , Öttinger A.
Published: March 2010

Mesh implants as standard treatment for tissue defects can be adapted to patient’s needs by specific bioactive coatings. The biophysical interaction with the surrounding tissue must be understood to describe the influence of coatings qualitatively and quantitatively. This study investigates the use of meshes to repair diaphragmatic defects. The physical stress in this tissue is high in comparison to other applications. Therefore, knowledge gained from this experimental model can be applied to other locations. Meshes were implanted on surgically created diaphragmatic defects in growing rabbits. A standardized load model was used to investigate 33 rabbits. The commercial products Ultrapro®, Surgisis®, and Proceed ® were implanted. The adhesive properties of the meshes as well as the defect size were determined macroscopically at explantation after 4 months. Sections of the explanted meshes and diaphragms were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. The median defect size for all mesh groups decreased from the initial size of 10 mm down to 4.5 mm at explantation. No statistically significant differences were seen between the three mesh groups. Surgisis ® was found to be completely disintegrated after 4 months. Ultrapro ® and Proceed® showed no macroscopic differences compared to their original appearance. Both sealed the original diaphragmatic defect as tightly as at time of implantation. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses showed significant differences between the three mesh groups. Proceed ® caused stronger inflammatory reaction in the surrounding tissue and inferior connective tissue formation. Regarding the composition of the newly generated tissue within the defect area, Ultrapro® and Surgisis® were found superior. This can sufficiently be explained by the different gradient of inflammatory reaction in the surrounding tissue. Because Surgisis® offers no sufficiently lasting support for the diaphragmatic defect, our future main focus for mesh modification is laid on Ultrapro®.
Titanium and Strontium-doped Phosphate Glasses as Vehicles for Strontium Ion Delivery to Cells
Authors: Lakhkar Nilay , Abou Neel Ensanya A. , Salih Vehid , Knowles Jonathan Campbell
Published: March 2010

This study investigated the use of a Ti-containing quaternary phosphate glass system P2O5—Na2O—CaO—TiO 2 as a vehicle for strontium ion delivery to cells. Four glass compositions were manufactured: 0.5P2O5— 0.15Na2O—0.05TiO 2—(0.3 - x)CaO—xSrO (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05). Structural characterization revealed that sodium calcium phosphate is the dominant phase in all the glasses. Degradation studies demonstrated highly linear glass degradation, with Sr-containing glasses degrading at higher rates than the Sr-free glass. Biocompatibility studies using MG63 cells showed that the Sr-containing glasses possess excellent cell attachment and growth, particularly over short periods (~4 days).
A biokinetic model to describe the distribution and excretion of arsenic by man following acute and chronic intakes of arsenite/arsenate compounds by ingestion
Authors: Adeyemi A. , Garelick H. , Priest ND
Published: March 2010

An empirical mathematical model, comprising 17 compartments, has been produced to describe the biokinetics of ingested inorganic arsenic (As) in man — required to interpret bioassay data and to predict As tissue concentrations resulting from acute and chronic intakes of inorganic As. The rate constants used to describe the bi-directional transfer of As between compartments were chosen to result in model outcomes that match published data on the distribution of As in tissues and on the retention and excretion of radioisotopes of As administered to human subjects. The model was deployed in acute and chronic intake modes to produce predictions of tissue concentrations and excretion levels. Under conditions of chronic daily intake (1 μg d-1) for 50 years predicted final tissue concentrations vary by a factor of ∼2. Highest concentrations are predicted to occur in skin and bone (∼230ng kg-1). Tissue concentrations in all tissues other than bone are predicted to reach equilibrium after ∼100 days, and at this time, the amount of As excreted in urine has also reached approximate equilibrium at 79% of the daily dietary intake. This level then remains relatively constant unless intake ceases when tissue levels of As fall rapidly. Data on organic and inorganic As concentrations in urine were used to predict inorganic As intake and average tissue content for the USA population. Predicted tissue concentrations ranged from 2.3 μg kg -1 in skin to 1.1 μg kg-1 in muscle for an average inorganic As intake of 9.3 μg d-1.
The Influence of the “They”: An Interpretation of Breastfeeding Culture in New Zealand
Authors: McBride-Henry Karen
Published: March 2010

The society in which a woman breastfeeds has a significant effect on how she will interpret her breastfeeding experiences; however, only limited research has been conducted on the phenomenon of breastfeeding, despite the recognition that the majority of women do not breastfeed beyond 6 months. In this article I present the findings of a research study that explored the experience of breastfeeding for 19 women in New Zealand using an interpretive lifeworld methodology. The participants engaged in interviews about their experience of breastfeeding. The interviews were analyzed alongside Heidegger’s exposition of the “they” as a dialogical partner. The findings are presented in themes that articulate how women experience societal culture when breastfeeding, and how this culture influences their interpretations of their breastfeeding experiences. This research contributes to expanding understandings about why women might wean their infants prematurely, and provides insights into how health care professionals might support women to prolong breastfeeding.
Injury in the National Basketball Association
Authors: Drakos Mark C. , Domb Benjamin , Starkey Chad , Callahan Lisa , Allen Answorth A.
Published: March 2010

Background:

Injury patterns in elite athletes over long periods continue to evolve. The goal of this study was to review of the injuries and medical conditions afflicting athletes competing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) over a 17-year period.

Design:

Descriptive epidemiological study.

Methods:

Injuries and player demographic information were reported by each team’s athletic trainer. Criteria for reportable injuries were those that resulted in (1) physician referral, (2) a practice or game being missed, or (3) emergency care. The demographics, frequency of injury, time lost, and game exposures were tabulated, and game-related injury rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

Results:

A total of 1094 players appeared in the database 3843 times (3.3 ± 2.6 seasons). Lateral ankle sprains were the most frequent orthopaedic injury (n, 1658; 13.2%), followed by patellofemoral inflammation (n, 1493; 11.9%), lumbar strains (n, 999; 7.9%), and hamstring strains (n, 413; 3.3%). The most games missed were related to patellofemoral inflammation (n, 10 370; 17.5%), lateral ankle sprains (n, 5223; 8.8%), knee sprains (n, 4369; 7.4%), and lumbar strains (n, 3933; 6.6%). No correlations were found between injury rate and player demographics, including age, height, weight, and NBA experience.

Conclusion:

Professional athletes in the NBA experience a high rate of game-related injuries. Patellofemoral inflammation is the most significant problem in terms of days lost in competition, whereas ankle sprains are the most common injury. True ligamentous injuries of the knee were surprisingly rare. Importantly, player demographics were not correlated with injury rates. Further investigation is necessary regarding the consequences and sport-specific treatment of various injuries in NBA players.

Clinical Relevance:

Knowledge of these injury patterns can help to guide treatments and provide more accurate guidelines for an athlete to return to play.
Interactions with heparin-like molecules during erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium falciparum merozoites
Authors: Boyle Michelle J. , Richards Jack S. , Gilson Paul R. , Chai Wengang , Beeson James G.
Published: March 2010

During erythrocyte invasion, Plasmodium falciparum merozoites use multiple receptor-ligand interactions in a series of coordinated events, but current knowledge of these interactions is limited. Using real-time imaging of invasion, we established that heparin-like molecules block early, and essential, events in erythrocyte invasion by merozoites. All P falciparum isolates tested, and parasites using different invasion pathways were inhibited to comparable levels. Furthermore, it was not possible to select for heparin-resistant parasites. Heparin-like molecules occur naturally on the surface of human erythrocytes, where they may act as receptors for binding of merozoite surface proteins. Consistent with this, we demonstrated that MSP1-42, a processed form of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) involved in invasion, bound heparin in a specific manner; furthermore, binding was observed with the secondary processing fragment MSP1-33, but not MSP1-19. We defined key structural requirements of heparin-like molecules for invasion inhibition and interactions with MSP1-42. Optimal activity required a degree of sulfation more than or equal to 2, disulfation of the N-acetylglucosamine or hexuronic acid residue, and a minimum chain length of 6 monosaccharides. These findings have significant implications for understanding P falciparum invasion of erythrocytes and the development of novel therapeutics and vaccines.
Ki DoQ: using docking based energy scores to develop ligand based model for predicting antibacterials
Authors: Garg Aarti , Tewari Rupinder , Raghava Gajendra PS
Published: March 2010

Background

Identification of novel drug targets and their inhibitors is a major challenge in the field of drug designing and development. Diaminopimelic acid (DAP) pathway is a unique lysine biosynthetic pathway present in bacteria, however absent in mammals. This pathway is vital for bacteria due to its critical role in cell wall biosynthesis. One of the essential enzymes of this pathway is dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS), considered to be crucial for the bacterial survival. In view of its importance, the development and prediction of potent inhibitors against DHDPS may be valuable to design effective drugs against bacteria, in general.

Results

This paper describes a methodology for predicting novel/potent inhibitors against DHDPS. Here, quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) models were trained and tested on experimentally verified 23 enzyme's inhibitors having inhibitory value (K
i) in the range of 0.005-22(mM). These inhibitors were docked at the active site of DHDPS (1YXD) using AutoDock software, which resulted in 11 energy-based descriptors. For QSAR modeling, Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) model was engendered using best four energy-based descriptors yielding correlation values R/q
2 of 0.82/0.67 and MAE of 2.43. Additionally, Support Vector Machine (SVM) based model was developed with three crucial descriptors selected using F-stepping remove-one approach, which enhanced the performance by attaining R/q
2 values of 0.93/0.80 and MAE of 1.89. To validate the performance of QSAR models, external cross-validation procedure was adopted which accomplished high training/testing correlation values (q
2/r
2) in the range of 0.78-0.83/0.93-0.95.

Conclusions

Our results suggests that ligand-receptor binding interactions for DHDPS employing QSAR modeling seems to be a promising approach for prediction of antibacterial agents. To serve the experimentalist to develop novel/potent inhibitors, a webserver "Ki DoQ" has been developed http://crdd.osdd.net/raghava/kidoq, which allows the prediction of K
i value of a new ligand molecule against DHDPS.
Dynamics of muscle fibre growth during postnatal mouse development
Authors: White Robert B , Biérinx Anne-Sophie , Gnocchi Viola F , Zammit Peter S
Published: March 2010

Background

Postnatal growth in mouse is rapid, with total skeletal muscle mass increasing several-fold in the first few weeks. Muscle growth can be achieved by either an increase in muscle fibre number or an increase in the size of individual myofibres, or a combination of both. Where myofibre hypertrophy during growth requires the addition of new myonuclei, these are supplied by muscle satellite cells, the resident stem cells of skeletal muscle.

Results

Here, we report on the dynamics of postnatal myofibre growth in the mouse extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle, which is essentially composed of fast type II fibres in adult. We found that there was no net gain in myofibre number in the EDL between P7 and P56 (adulthood). However, myofibre cross-sectional area increased by 7.6-fold, and length by 1.9-fold between these ages, resulting in an increase in total myofibre volume of 14.1-fold: showing the extent of myofibre hypertrophy during the postnatal period. To determine how the number of myonuclei changes during this period of intense muscle fibre hypertrophy, we used two complementary mouse models: 3F-nlacZ-E mice express nlacZ only in myonuclei, while Myf5

nlacZ/+ mice have β-galactosidase activity in satellite cells. There was a ~5-fold increase in myonuclear number per myofibre between P3 and P21. Thus myofibre hypertrophy is initially accompanied by a significant addition of myonuclei. Despite this, the estimated myonuclear domain still doubled between P7 and P21 to 9.2 × 103 μm3. There was no further addition of myonuclei from P21, but myofibre volume continued to increase, resulting in an estimated ~3-fold expansion of the myonuclear domain to 26.5 × 103 μm3 by P56. We also used our two mouse models to determine the number of satellite cells per myofibre during postnatal growth. Satellite cell number in EDL was initially ~14 satellite cells per myofibre at P7, but then fell to reach the adult level of ~5 by P21.

Conclusions

Postnatal fast muscle fibre type growth is divided into distinct phases in mouse EDL: myofibre hypertrophy is initially supported by a rapid increase in the number of myonuclei, but nuclear addition stops around P21. Since the significant myofibre hypertrophy from P21 to adulthood occurs without the net addition of new myonuclei, a considerable expansion of the myonuclear domain results. Satellite cell numbers are initially stable, but then decrease to reach the adult level by P21. Thus the adult number of both myonuclei and satellite cells is already established by three weeks of postnatal growth in mouse.
Maternal immunization with ovalbumin prevents neonatal allergy development and up-regulates inhibitory receptor FcγRIIB expression on B cells
Authors: Victor Jefferson R , Muniz Bruno P , Fusaro Ana E , de Brito Cyro A , Taniguchi Eliana F , Duarte Alberto JS , Sato Maria N
Published: March 2010

Background

Preconception allergen immunization prevents neonatal allergen sensitization in mice by a complex interaction between regulatory cells/factors and antibodies. The present study assessed the influence of maternal immunization with ovalbumin (OVA) on the immune response of 3 day-old and 3 week-old offspring immunized or non-immunized with OVA and evaluated the effect of IgG treatment during fetal development or neonatal period.

Results

Maternal immunization with OVA showed increased levels of FcγRIIb expression in splenic B cells of neonates, which were maintained for up to 3 weeks and not affected by additional postnatal OVA immunization. Maternal immunization also exerted a down-modulatory effect on both IL-4 and IFN-γ-secreting T cells and IL-4 and IL-12- secreting B cells. Furthermore, immunized neonates from immunized mothers showed a marked inhibition of antigen-specifc IgE Ab production and lowered Th2/Th1 cytokine levels, whereas displaying enhanced FcγRIIb expression on B cells. These offspring also showed reduced antigen-specific proliferative response and lowered B cell responsiveness. Moreover, in vitro evaluation revealed an impairment of B cell activation upon engagement of B cell antigen receptor by IgG from OVA-immunized mice. Finally, in vivo IgG transference during pregnancy or breastfeeding revealed that maternal Ab transference was able to increase regulatory cytokines, such as IL-10, in the prenatal stage; yet only the postnatal treatment prevented neonatal sensitization. None of the IgG treatments induced immunological changes in the offspring, as it was observed for those from OVA-immunized mothers.

Conclusion

Maternal immunization upregulates the inhibitory FcγRIIb expression on offspring B cells, avoiding skewed Th2 response and development of allergy. These findings contribute to the advancement of prophylactic strategies to prevent allergic diseases in early life.
Population dynamics of two antilisterial cheese surface consortia revealed by temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis
Authors: Roth Emmanuelle , Miescher Schwenninger Susanne , Hasler Madlen , Eugster-Meier Elisabeth , Lacroix Christophe
Published: March 2010

Background

Surface contamination of smear cheese by Listeria spp. is of major concern for the industry. Complex smear ecosystems have been shown to harbor antilisterial potential but the microorganisms and mechanisms involved in the inhibition mostly remain unclear, and are likely related to complex interactions than to production of single antimicrobial compounds. Bacterial biodiversity and population dynamics of complex smear ecosystems exhibiting antilisterial properties in situ were investigated by Temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE), a culture independent technique, for two microbial consortia isolated from commercial Raclette type cheeses inoculated with defined commercial ripening cultures (F) or produced with an old-young smearing process (M).

Results

TTGE revealed nine bacterial species common to both F and M consortia, but consortium F exhibited a higher diversity than consortium M, with thirteen and ten species, respectively. Population dynamics were studied after application of the consortia on fresh-produced Raclette cheeses. TTGE analyses revealed a similar sequential development of the nine species common to both consortia. Beside common cheese surface bacteria (Staphylococcus equorum, Corynebacterium spp., Brevibacterium linens, Microbacterium gubbeenense, Agrococcus casei), the two consortia contained marine lactic acid bacteria (Alkalibacterium kapii, Marinilactibacillus psychrotolerans) that developed early in ripening (day 14 to 20), shortly after the growth of staphylococci (day 7). A decrease of Listeria counts was observed on cheese surface inoculated at day 7 with 0.1-1 × 102 CFU cm-2, when cheeses were smeared with consortium F or M. Listeria counts went below the detection limit of the method between day 14 and 28 and no subsequent regrowth was detected over 60 to 80 ripening days. In contrast, Listeria grew to high counts (105 CFU cm-2) on cheeses smeared with a defined surface culture.

Conclusions

This work reports the first population dynamics study of complex smear ecosystems exhibiting in situ antilisterial activity. TTGE revealed the presence of marine lactic acid bacteria that are likely related to the strong Listeria inhibition, as their early development in the smear occurred simultaneously with a decrease in Listeria cell count.
Vibration Response Imaging: evaluation of rater agreement in healthy subjects and subjects with pneumonia
Authors: Bartziokas Konstantinos , Daenas Christos , Preau Sebastien , Zygoulis Paris , Triantaris Apostolos , Kerenidi Theodora , Makris Demosthenes , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos I , Daniil Zoe
Published: March 2010

Background

We evaluated pulmonologists variability in the interpretation of Vibration response imaging (VRI) obtained from healthy subjects and patients hospitalized for community acquired pneumonia.

Methods

The present is a prospective study conducted in a tertiary university hospital. Twenty healthy subjects and twenty three pneumonia cases were included in this study. Six pulmonologists blindly analyzed images of normal subjects and pneumonia cases and evaluated different aspects of VRI images related to the quality of data aquisition, synchronization of the progression of breath sound distribution and agreement between the maximal energy frame (MEF) of VRI (which is the maximal geographical area of lung vibrations produced at maximal inspiration) and chest radiography. For qualitative assessment of VRI images, the raters' evaluations were analyzed by degree of consistency and agreement.

Results

The average value for overall identical evaluations of twelve features of the VRI image evaluation, ranged from 87% to 95% per rater (94% to 97% in control cases and from 79% to 93% per rater in pneumonia cases). Inter-rater median (IQR) agreement was 91% (82-96). The level of agreement according to VRI feature evaluated was in most cases over 80%; intra-class correlation (ICC) obtained by using a model of subject/rater for the averaged features was overall 0.86 (0.92 in normal and 0.73 in pneumonia cases).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest good agreement in the interpretation of VRI data between different raters. In this respect, VRI might be helpful as a radiation free diagnostic tool for the management of pneumonia.
Serum IL-6: a candidate biomarker for intracranial pressure elevation following isolated traumatic brain injury
Authors: Hergenroeder Georgene W , Moore Anthony N , McCoy J Philip , Samsel Leigh , Ward Norman H , Clifton Guy L , Dash Pramod K
Published: March 2010

Background

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a serious, life-threatening, secondary event following traumatic brain injury (TBI). In many cases, ICP rises in a delayed fashion, reaching a maximal level 48-96 hours after the initial insult. While pressure catheters can be implanted to monitor ICP, there is no clinically proven method for determining a patient's risk for developing this pathology.

Methods

In the present study, we employed antibody array and Luminex-based screening methods to interrogate the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the serum of healthy volunteers and in severe TBI patients (GCS≤8) with or without incidence of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). De-identified samples and ELISAs were used to confirm the sensitivity and specificity of IL-6 as a prognostic marker of elevated ICP in both isolated TBI patients, and polytrauma patients with TBI.

Results

Consistent with previous reports, we observed sustained increases in IL-6 levels in TBI patients irrespective of their ICP status. However, the group of patients who subsequently experienced ICP ≥ 25 mm Hg had significantly higher IL-6 levels within the first 17 hours of injury as compared to the patients whose ICP remained ≤20 mm Hg. When blinded samples (n = 22) were assessed, a serum IL-6 cut-off of <5 pg/ml correctly identified 100% of all the healthy volunteers, a cut-off of >128 pg/ml correctly identified 85% of isolated TBI patients who subsequently developed elevated ICP, and values between these cut-off values correctly identified 75% of all patients whose ICP remained ≤20 mm Hg throughout the study period. In contrast, the marker had no prognostic value in predicting elevated ICP in polytrauma patients with TBI. When the levels of serum IL-6 were assessed in patients with orthopedic injury (n = 7) in the absence of TBI, a significant increase was found in these patients compared to healthy volunteers, albeit lower than that observed in TBI patients.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that serum IL-6 can be used for the differential diagnosis of elevated ICP in isolated TBI.
Clinical application of tumor volume in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma to predict outcome
Authors: Lee Ching-Chih , Huang Tze-Ta , Lee Moon-Sing , Hsiao Shih-Hsuan , Lin Hon-Yi , Su Yu-Chieh , Hsu Feng-Chun , Hung Shih-Kai
Published: March 2010

Background

Current staging systems have limited ability to adjust optimal therapy in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study aimed to delineate the correlation between tumor volume, treatment outcome and chemotherapy cycles in advanced NPC.

Methods

A retrospective review of 110 patients with stage III-IV NPC was performed. All patients were treated first with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, then concurrent chemoradiation, and followed by adjuvant chemotherapy as being the definitive therapy. Gross tumor volume of primary tumor plus retropharyngeal nodes (GTVprn) was calculated to be an index of treatment outcome.

Results

GTVprn had a close relationship with survival and recurrence in advanced NPC. Large GTVprn (≧13 ml) was associated with a significantly poorer local control, lower distant metastasis-free rate, and poorer survival. In patients with GTVprn ≧ 13 ml, overall survival was better after ≧4 cycles of chemotherapy than after less than 4 cycles.

Conclusions

The incorporation of GTVprn can provide more information to adjust treatment strategy.