bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serious neck injuries in U19 rugby union players: an audit of admissions to spinal injury units in Great Britain and Ireland
Authors: MacLean James GB , Hutchison James D
Published: December 2011

Objectives

To obtain data regarding admissions of U19 rugby players to spinal injury units in Great Britain and Ireland and to compare this with a recent peak in presentation in Scotland. To assess the current state of data collection and subsequent analysis of serious neck injuries. To analyse the mechanism of injury in this group of at-risk players.

Design

Retrospective case series.

Participants

Spinal injury units in Great Britain and Ireland.

Outcome measures

Annual frequency of serious neck injuries. Analysis of injury types, neurological deficit and mechanism of injury.

Results

36 Injuries were recorded. 10 Of these occurred in Scotland since 1996 of which six have occurred in the past 4 years. This compared with 14 in Ireland over the same period. 12 Cases were traced in England and Wales since 2000; records were not available before this date. No prospective collation of data is performed by the home unions and inconsistency of data collection exists. The mean age was 16.2 years. 16 Of the 36 admissions had complete neurological loss, 9 had incomplete neurological injury and 11 had cervical column injury without spinal cord damage. The mechanism of injury was tackle in 17 (47%), scrum in 13 (36%), two each due to the maul and collision, and one each due to a kick and a ruck. Some degree of spinal cord injury occurred in 92% of scrum injuries (61% complete) and 53% of tackle injuries (29% complete).

Conclusion

U19 rugby players continue to sustain serious neck injuries necessitating admission to spinal injury units with a low but persistent frequency. The recent rate of admission in Scotland is disproportionately high when the respective estimated playing populations are considered. While more injuries were sustained in the tackle, spinal cord injury was significantly more common in neck injury sustained in the scrum (p<0.001). No register of catastrophic neck injuries exists despite repeated calls over the past three decades, and a study such as this has not been reported before. Data collection of this serious category of injury is incomplete and very variable across the home unions, as a consequence a large proportion of the serious neck injuries that have occurred in U19 players over the past 14 years have not been analysed. Rigorous data collection and analysis have to be established so that problem areas of the game such as scrum engagement and the tackle can be made safer.
Monitoring performance, pituitary–adrenal hormones and mood profiles: how to diagnose non-functional over-reaching in male elite junior soccer players
Authors: Schmikli Sándor L , de Vries Wouter R , Brink Michel S , Backx Frank JG
Published: December 2011

Objective

To verify if in male elite junior soccer players a minimum 1-month performance decrease is accompanied by a mood profile and hormone levels typical of non-functional over-reaching (NFOR).

Design

A prospective case-control study using a monthly performance monitor with a standardised field test to detect the performance changes. Players with a performance decrease lasting at least 1 month were compared with control players without a performance decrease on mood scores and pre-exercise and postexercise levels of stress hormones.

Setting

Sporting field and sports medical laboratory.

Participants

Ninety-four young elite soccer players were monitored during the 2006–2008 seasons. Twenty-one players were invited to the laboratory, seven of whom showed a significant performance decrease.

Main outcome measures

Performance change over time, scores on the profile of mood states and premaximal and postmaximal exercise serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH) and cortisol.

Results

Players with a performance decrease showed psychological and hormonal changes typical of the non-functional state of over-reaching. Scores were higher on depression and anger, whereas the resting GH levels and ACTH levels after maximal exercise were reduced. ACTH and GH were capable of classifying all but one player correctly as either NFOR or control.

Conclusions

Performance-related criteria in field tests are capable of identifying players with worsened mood and adaptations of the endocrine system that fit the definition of NFOR. Performance, mood and hormone levels may therefore be considered as valid instruments to diagnose NFOR in young elite soccer players.
MOTION OF CHARGED PARTICLES ON THE REISSNER–NORDSTRÖM (ANTI)-DE SITTER BLACK HOLE SPACETIME
Authors: OLIVARES MARCO , SAAVEDRA JOEL , LEIVA CARLOS , VILLANUEVA JOSÉ R.
Published: December 2011

We study the motion of relativistic, electrically charged point particles in the background of charged black holes with nontrivial asymptotic behavior. We compute the exact trajectories of massive particles and express them in terms of elliptic Jacobi functions. As a result, we obtain a detailed description of particles orbits in the gravitational field of Reissner–Nordström (anti)-de Sitter black hole, depending of their charge, mass and energy.
OPTIMIZING PARAMETERS IN SYNTHESIS OF LiF NANOPOWDERS VIA SOL–GEL METHOD
Authors: NIKANJAM FAEZEH , SARRAF-MAMOORY RASOUL , RIAHI-NOORI NASTARAN
Published: December 2011

Lithium fluoride (LiF) nanopowders were prepared by trifluoroacetate-based sol–gel processing. In this work, lithium acetate dehydrate ( LiAc ⋅ 2H2O ) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) was used as lithium and fluorine sources. The thermal behavior of initial gel was examined using differential thermal analysis (DTA). Effects of solvent (glacial acetic acid, absolute ethanol, and ethylene glycol), Li+ concentration (0.5, 1, and 2 mol/l) and decomposition temperature (200, 250, and 300°C) on synthesis of LiF nanopowders by sol–gel method were investigated. The results of LPSA, FE-SEM, and XRD showed that the growth of particles and aggregation can be controlled by changing above parameters. However, it is indicated that optimum conditions are; solvent as ethanol, Li ion concentration (0.5 mol/l), and decomposition temperature (300°C), respectively. Also, the addition of oleic acid as an organic additive made the final LiF particles finer and about 70–90 nm.
CHARACTERIZATION AND MORPHOLOGY CONTROL OF POLY(p-PHENYLENEDIAMINE) MICROSTRUCTURES IN DIFFERENT pH
Authors: YANG SI-WEI , LIAO FANG
Published: December 2011

A novel and shape-controlled synthesis method for uniformly-shaped poly(p-phenylenediamine) (PpPD) microparticles was developed using ( NH 4)2 S 2 O 8 (APS) as an oxidant. The results demonstrated that the morphologies of PpPD varied from nanofibers to nanospheres and nest-like microspheres by tuning the pH of solution. Tiny pH change leads to the significant change in product morphology. The structure of microspheres is similar to graphene which was first discovered. Further study showed that the PpPD nanofibers were dimer. The difference in the structure of PpPD nanofibers and nanospheres (microspheres) resulted in different solubility in water. The nanosized oligomer crystallites served as starting templates for the nucleation of PpPD nanofibers. Further growth of nanofibers was proceeded by the self-organization of phenazine units or their blocks located at the ends of the PpPD chains.
Endothelial cells express a unique transcriptional profile under very high wall shear stress known to induce expansive arterial remodeling
Authors: Dolan Jennifer M. , Sim Fraser J. , Meng Hui , Kolega John
Published: December 2011

Chronic high flow can induce arterial remodeling, and this effect is mediated by endothelial cells (ECs) responding to wall shear stress (WSS). To assess how WSS above physiological normal levels affects ECs, we used DNA microarrays to profile EC gene expression under various flow conditions. Cultured bovine aortic ECs were exposed to no-flow (0 Pa), normal WSS (2 Pa), and very high WSS (10 Pa) for 24 h. Very high WSS induced a distinct expression profile compared with both no-flow and normal WSS. Gene ontology and biological pathway analysis revealed that high WSS modulated gene expression in ways that promote an anti-coagulant, anti-inflammatory, proliferative, and promatrix remodeling phenotype. A subset of characteristic genes was validated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction: very high WSS upregulated ADAMTS1 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif-1), PLAU (urokinase plasminogen activator), PLAT (tissue plasminogen activator), and TIMP3, all of which are involved in extracellular matrix processing, with PLAT and PLAU also contributing to fibrinolysis. Downregulated genes included CXCL5 and IL-8 and the adhesive glycoprotein THBS1 (thrombospondin-1). Expressions of ADAMTS1 and uPA proteins were assessed by immunhistochemistry in rabbit basilar arteries experiencing increased flow after bilateral carotid artery ligation. Both proteins were significantly increased when WSS was elevated compared with sham control animals. Our results indicate that very high WSS elicits a unique transcriptional profile in ECs that favors particular cell functions and pathways that are important in vessel homeostasis under increased flow. In addition, we identify specific molecular targets that are likely to contribute to adaptive remodeling under elevated flow conditions.
Review:Evidence for a functional intracellular angiotensin system in the proximal tubule of the kidney
Authors: Ellis Brianne , Li Xiao C. , Miguel-Qin Elisa , Gu Victor , Zhuo Jia L.
Published: December 2011

ANG II is the most potent and important member of the classical renin-angiotensin system (RAS). ANG II, once considered to be an endocrine hormone, is now increasingly recognized to also play novel and important paracrine (cell-to-cell) and intracrine (intracellular) roles in cardiovascular and renal physiology and blood pressure regulation. Although an intracrine role of ANG II remains an issue of continuous debates and requires further confirmation, a great deal of research has recently been devoted to uncover the novel actions and elucidate underlying signaling mechanisms of the so-called intracellular ANG II in cardiovascular, neural, and renal systems. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the intracellular actions of ANG II, either administered directly into the cells or expressed as an intracellularly functional fusion protein, and its effects throughout a variety of target tissues susceptible to the impacts of an overactive ANG II, with a particular focus on the proximal tubules of the kidney. While continuously reaffirming the roles of extracellular or circulating ANG II in the proximal tubules, our review will focus on recent evidence obtained for the novel biological roles of intracellular ANG II in cultured proximal tubule cells in vitro and the potential physiological roles of intracellular ANG II in the regulation of proximal tubular reabsorption and blood pressure in rats and mice. It is our hope that the new knowledge on the roles of intracellular ANG II in proximal tubules will serve as a catalyst to stimulate further studies and debates in the field and to help us better understand how extracellular and intracellular ANG II acts independently or interacts with each other, to regulate proximal tubular transport and blood pressure in both physiological and diseased states.
Role of vascular potassium channels in the regulation of renal hemodynamics
Authors: Sorensen Charlotte Mehlin , Braunstein Thomas Hartig , Holstein-Rathlou Niels-Henrik , Salomonsson Max
Published: December 2011

K+conductance is a major determinant of membrane potential ( Vm) in vascular smooth muscle (VSMC) and endothelial cells (EC). The vascular tone is controlled by Vmthrough the action of voltage-operated Ca2+channels (VOCC) in VSMC. Increased K+conductance leads to hyperpolarization and vasodilation, while inactivation of K+channels causes depolarization and vasoconstriction. K+channels in EC indirectly participate in the control of vascular tone by several mechanisms, e.g., release of nitric oxide and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor. In the kidney, a change in the activity of one or more classes of K+channels will lead to a change in hemodynamic resistance and therefore of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration pressure. Through these effects, the activity of renal vascular K+channels influences renal salt and water excretion, fluid homeostasis, and ultimately blood pressure. Four main classes of K+channels [calcium activated (KCa), inward rectifier (Kir), voltage activated (KV), and ATP sensitive (KATP)] are found in the renal vasculature. Several in vitro experiments have suggested a role for individual classes of K+channels in the regulation of renal vascular function. Results from in vivo experiments are sparse. We discuss the role of the different classes of renal vascular K+channels and their possible role in the integrated function of the renal microvasculature. Since several pathological conditions, among them hypertension, are associated with alterations in K+channel function, the role of renal vascular K+channels in the control of salt and water excretion deserves attention.
A novel U-STAT3-dependent mechanism mediates the deleterious effects of chronic nicotine exposure on renal injury
Authors: Arany Istvan , Reed Dustin K. , Grifoni Samira C. , Chandrashekar Kiran , Booz George W. , Juncos Luis A.
Published: December 2011

Previous data from our group have demonstrated (Arany I, Grifoni S, Clark JS, Csongradi, Maric C, Juncos LA. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 301: F125–F133, 2011) that chronic nicotine (NIC) exposure exacerbates acute renal ischemic injury (AKI) in mice that could increase the risk for development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It has been shown that proximal tubules of the kidney can acquire characteristics that may compromise structural recovery and favor development of inflammation and fibrosis following injury. Chronic NIC exposure can amplify this epithelial process although the mechanism is not identified. Recently, the unphosphorylated form of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (U-STAT3) has emerged as a noncanonical mediator of inflammation and fibrosis that may be responsible for the effects of chronic NIC. We found that levels of transforming growth factor β-1 (TGF-β1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and expression of U-STAT3 were increased in the ischemic kidneys of NIC-exposed mice. Chronic NIC exposure also increased TGF-β1-dependent F-actin reorganization, vimentin, fibronectin, and α-SMA expression as well as promoter activity of α-SMA and MCP-1 without significant loss of epithelial characteristics (E-cadherin) in cultured renal proximal tubule cells. Importantly, transduction of cells with a U-STAT3 mimetic (Y705F-STAT3) augmented stress fiber formation and also amplified NIC+TGF-β1-induced expression of α-SMA, vimentin, fibronectin, as well as promoter activity of α-SMA and MCP-1. Our results reveal a novel, chronic NIC-exposure-related and U-STAT3-dependent mechanism as mediator of a sustained transcription of genes that are linked to remodeling and inflammation in the kidney during injury. This process may facilitate progression of AKI to CKD. The obtained data may lead to devising therapeutic methods to specifically enhance the protective and/or inhibit adverse effects of STAT3 in the kidney.
Angiotensin II stimulates epithelial sodium channels in the cortical collecting duct of the rat kidney
Authors: Sun Peng , Yue Peng , Wang Wen-Hui
Published: December 2011

We examined the effect of angiotensin II (ANG II) on epithelial Na+channel (ENaC) in the rat cortical collecting duct (CCD) with single-channel and the perforated whole cell patch-clamp recording. Application of 50 nM ANG II increased ENaC activity, defined by NPo(a product of channel numbers and open probability), and the amiloride-sensitive whole cell Na currents by twofold. The stimulatory effect of ANG II on ENaC was absent in the presence of losartan, suggesting that the effect of ANG II on ENaC was mediated by ANG II type 1 receptor. Moreover, depletion of intracellular Ca2+with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane- N, N, N′, N′-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA)-AM failed to abolish the stimulatory effect of ANG II on ENaC but inhibiting protein kinase C (PKC) abolished the effect of ANG II, suggesting that the effect of ANG II was the result of stimulating Ca2+-independent PKC. This notion was also suggested by the experiments in which stimulation of PKC with phorbol ester derivative mimicked the effect of ANG II and increased amiloride-sensitive Na currents in the principal cell, an effect that was not abolished by treatment of the CCD with BAPTA-AM. Also, inhibition of NADPH oxidase (NOX) with diphenyleneiodonium chloride abolished the stimulatory effect of ANG II on ENaC and application of superoxide donors, pyrogallol or xanthine and xanthine oxidase, significantly increased ENaC activity. Moreover, addition of ANG II or H2O2diminished the arachidonic acid (AA)-induced inhibition of ENaC in the CCD. We conclude that ANG II stimulates ENaC in the CCD through a Ca2+-independent PKC pathway that activates NOX thereby increasing superoxide generation. The stimulatory effect of ANG II on ENaC may be partially the result of blocking AA-induced inhibition of ENaC.
Intrarenal dopamine modulates progressive angiotensin II-mediated renal injury
Authors: Yang Shilin , Yao Bing , Zhou Yunfeng , Yin Huiyong , Zhang Ming-Zhi , Harris Raymond C.
Published: December 2011

It is well-recognized that excessive angiotensin II (ANG II) can mediate progressive renal injury. Previous studies by us and others have indicated that dopamine may modulate actions of ANG II in the kidney. The current studies investigated whether altering intrarenal dopamine levels affected ANG II-mediated renal fibrosis. We utilized a model of increased intrarenal dopamine, catechol- O-methyl-transferase knockout (COMT KO) mice, which have increased kidney dopamine levels due to deletion of a major intrarenal dopamine-metabolizing enzyme. In wild-type mice, chronic ANG II infusion increased renal expression of both of the major dopamine-metabolizing enzymes, COMT and monoamine oxidase. After 8 wk of ANG II infusion, there were no significant differences in blood pressure between wild-type and COMT KO mice. Compared with wild-type, COMT KO mice had decreased albuminuria and tubulointerstitial injury. In response to ANG II infusion, there was decreased expression of both glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury markers (fibronectin, connective tissue growth factor, fibroblast-specific protein-1, collagen I, podocyte vascular endothelial growth factor) in COMT KO mice. We recently reported that ANG II-mediated tubulointerstitial fibrosis is mediated by src-dependent epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation. In aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase knockout (AADC KO) mice, a model of intrarenal dopamine deficiency due to selective proximal tubule AADC deletion, which inhibits intrarenal dopamine synthesis, ANG II infusion further increased expression of p-src and pTyr845-EGFR. In contrast, their expression was markedly attenuated in COMT KO mice. These results demonstrate a role for intrarenal dopamine to buffer the detrimental effects of ANG II upon the kidney.
Uniform spatial spread of population activity in primate parafoveal V1
Authors: Palmer Chris R. , Chen Yuzhi , Seidemann Eyal
Published: December 2011

What are the shape and size of the region in primate V1 that processes information from a single point in visual space? This region, a fundamental property termed cortical point image (CPI) ( McIlwain 1986 ), represents the minimal population of V1 neurons that can be activated by a visual stimulus and therefore has important implications for population coding in the cortex. Previous indirect attempts to measure the CPI in macaque V1 using sparse microelectrode recordings resulted in conflicting findings. Whereas some early studies suggested that CPI size is constant throughout V1 (e.g., Hubel and Wiesel 1974 ), others have reported large changes in CPI size in parafoveal V1 (e.g., Van Essen et al. 1984 ). To resolve this controversy, we used voltage-sensitive dye imaging in V1 of fixating monkeys to directly measure the subthreshold CPI and several related properties across a range of parafoveal eccentricities. We found that despite large changes in other properties of the retinotopic map, the subthreshold CPI is approximately constant and extends over ∼6 × 8 mm2. This large and invariant CPI ensures a uniform representation of each point in visual space, with a complete representation of all visual features in V1, as originally proposed by Hubel and Wiesel (1974) . In addition, we found several novel and unexpected asymmetries and anisotropies in the shapes of the CPI and the population receptive field. These results expand our understanding of the representation of visual space in V1 and are likely to be relevant for the representations of stimuli in other sensory cortical areas.
Neural saccadic response estimation during natural viewing
Authors: Dandekar Sangita , Privitera Claudio , Carney Thom , Klein Stanley A.
Published: December 2011

Studying neural activity during natural viewing conditions is not often attempted. Isolating the neural response of a single saccade is necessary to study neural activity during natural viewing; however, the close temporal spacing of saccades that occurs during natural viewing makes it difficult to determine the response to a single saccade. Herein, a general linear model (GLM) approach is applied to estimate the EEG neural saccadic response for different segments of the saccadic main sequence separately. It is determined that, in visual search conditions, neural responses estimated by conventional event-related averaging are significantly and systematically distorted relative to GLM estimates due to the close temporal spacing of saccades during visual search. Before the GLM is applied, analyses are applied that demonstrate that saccades during visual search with intersaccadic spacings as low as 100–150 ms do not exhibit significant refractory effects. Therefore, saccades displaying different intersaccadic spacings during visual search can be modeled using the same regressor in a GLM. With the use of the GLM approach, neural responses were separately estimated for five different ranges of saccade amplitudes during visual search. Occipital responses time locked to the onsets of saccades during visual search were found to account for, on average, 79 percent of the variance of EEG activity in a window 90–200 ms after the onsets of saccades for all five saccade amplitude ranges that spanned a range of 0.2–6.0 degrees. A GLM approach was also used to examine the lateralized ocular artifacts associated with saccades. Possible extensions of the methods presented here to account for the superposition of microsaccades in event-related EEG studies conducted in nominal fixation conditions are discussed.
Spatially distinct actions of metabotropic glutamate receptor activation in dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus
Authors: Govindaiah Gubbi , Venkitaramani Deepa V. , Chaki Sulalita , Cox Charles L.
Published: December 2011

Thalamocortical neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) dynamically communicate visual information from the retina to the neocortex, and this process can be modulated via activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Neurons within dLGN express different mGluR subtypes associated with distinct afferent synaptic pathways; however, the physiological function of this organization is unclear. We report that the activation of mGluR5, which are located on presynaptic dendrites of local interneurons, increases GABA output that in turn produces an increased inhibitory activity on proximal but not distal dendrites of dLGN thalamocortical neurons. In contrast, mGluR1 activation produces strong membrane depolarization in thalamocortical neurons regardless of distal or proximal dendritic locations. These findings provide physiological evidence that mGluR1 appear to be distributed along the thalamocortical neuron dendrites, whereas mGluR5-dependent action occurs on the proximal dendrites/soma of thalamocortical neurons. The differential distribution and activation of mGluR subtypes on interneurons and thalamocortical neurons may serve to shape excitatory synaptic integration and thereby regulate information gating through the thalamus.
Recruitment of a contralateral head turning synergy by stimulation of monkey supplementary eye fields
Authors: Chapman Brendan B. , Pace Michael A. , Cushing Sharon L. , Corneil Brian D.
Published: December 2011

The supplementary eye fields (SEF) are thought to enable higher-level aspects of oculomotor control. The goal of the present experiment was to learn more about the SEF's role in orienting, specifically by examining neck muscle recruitment evoked by stimulation of the SEF. Neck muscle activity was recorded from multiple muscles in two monkeys during SEF stimulation (100 μA, 150–300 ms, 300 Hz, with the head restrained or unrestrained) delivered 200 ms into a gap period, before a visually guided saccade initiated from a central position (doing so avoids confounds between initial position and prestimulation neck muscle activity). SEF stimulation occasionally evoked overt gaze shifts and/or head movements but almost always evoked a response that invariably consisted of a contralateral head turning synergy by increasing activity on contralateral turning muscles and decreasing activity on ipsilateral turning muscles (when background activity was present). Neck muscle responses began well in advance of evoked gaze shifts (∼30 ms after stimulation onset, leading gaze shifts by ∼40–70 ms on average), started earlier and attained a larger magnitude when accompanied by progressively larger gaze shifts, and persisted on trials without overt gaze shifts. The patterns of evoked neck muscle responses resembled those evoked by frontal eye field (FEF) stimulation, except that response latencies from the SEF were ∼10 ms longer. This basic description of the cephalomotor command evoked by SEF stimulation suggests that this structure, while further removed from the motor periphery than the FEF, accesses premotor orienting circuits in the brain stem and spinal cord in a similar manner.
Evidence for a link between the experiential allocation of saccade preparation and visuospatial attention
Authors: Kan Janis Y. Y. , Niel Ullanda , Dorris Michael C.
Published: December 2011

Whether a link exists between the two orienting processes of saccade preparation and visuospatial attention has typically been studied by using either sensory cues or predetermined rules that instruct subjects where to allocate these limited resources. In the real world, explicit instructions are not always available and presumably expectations shaped by previous experience play an important role in the allocation of these processes. Here we examined whether manipulating two experiential factors that clearly influence saccade preparation—the probability and timing of saccadic responses—also influences the allocation of visuospatial attention. Occasionally, a visual probe was presented whose spatial location and time of presentation varied relative to those of the saccade target. The proportion of erroneous saccades directed toward this probe indexed saccade preparation, and the proportion of correct discriminations of probe orientation indexed visuospatial attention. Overall, preparation and attention were significantly correlated to each other across these manipulations of saccade probability and timing. Saccade probability influenced both preparation and attention processes, whereas saccade timing influenced only preparation processes. Unexpectedly, discrimination ability was not improved in those trials in which the probe triggered an erroneous saccade despite particularly heightened levels of saccade preparation. To account for our results, we propose a conceptual dual-purpose threshold model based on neurophysiological considerations that link the processes of saccade preparation and visuospatial attention. The threshold acts both as the minimum activity level required for eliciting saccades and a maximum level for which neural activity can provide attentional benefits.
Effect of feature-selective attention on neuronal responses in macaque area MT
Authors: Chen X. , Hoffmann K.-P. , Albright T. D. , Thiele A.
Published: December 2011

Attention influences visual processing in striate and extrastriate cortex, which has been extensively studied for spatial-, object-, and feature-based attention. Most studies exploring neural signatures of feature-based attention have trained animals to attend to an object identified by a certain feature and ignore objects/displays identified by a different feature. Little is known about the effects of feature-selective attention, where subjects attend to one stimulus feature domain (e.g., color) of an object while features from different domains (e.g., direction of motion) of the same object are ignored. To study this type of feature-selective attention in area MT in the middle temporal sulcus, we trained macaque monkeys to either attend to and report the direction of motion of a moving sine wave grating (a feature for which MT neurons display strong selectivity) or attend to and report its color (a feature for which MT neurons have very limited selectivity). We hypothesized that neurons would upregulate their firing rate during attend-direction conditions compared with attend-color conditions. We found that feature-selective attention significantly affected 22% of MT neurons. Contrary to our hypothesis, these neurons did not necessarily increase firing rate when animals attended to direction of motion but fell into one of two classes. In one class, attention to color increased the gain of stimulus-induced responses compared with attend-direction conditions. The other class displayed the opposite effects. Feature-selective activity modulations occurred earlier in neurons modulated by attention to color compared with neurons modulated by attention to motion direction. Thus feature-selective attention influences neuronal processing in macaque area MT but often exhibited a mismatch between the preferred stimulus dimension (direction of motion) and the preferred attention dimension (attention to color).
ENU Mutagenesis Screen to Establish Motor Phenotypes in Wild‐Type Mice and Modifiers of a Pre‐Existing Motor Phenotype in Tau Mutant Mice
Authors: Liu Xin , Dobbie Michael , Tunningley Rob , Whittle Belinda , Zhang Yafei , Ittner Lars M. , Götz Jürgen
Published: December 2011

Modifier screening is a powerful genetic tool. While not widely used in the vertebrate system, we applied these tools to transgenic mouse strains that recapitulate key aspects of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), such as tau‐expressing mice. These are characterized by a robust pathology including both motor and memory impairment. The phenotype can be modulated by ENU mutagenesis, which results in novel mutant mouse strains and allows identifying the underlying gene/mutation. Here we discuss this strategy in detail. We firstly obtained pedigrees that modify the tau‐related motor phenotype, with mapping ongoing. We further obtained transgene‐independent motor pedigrees: (i) hyperactive, circling ENU 37 mice with a causal mutation in the Tbx1 gene—the complete knock‐out of Tbx1 models DiGeorge Syndrome; (ii) ENU12/301 mice that show sudden jerky movements and tremor constantly; they have a causal mutation in the Kcnq1 gene, modelling aspects of the Romano‐Ward and Jervell and Lange‐Nielsen syndromes; and (iii) ENU16/069 mice with tremor and hypermetric gait that have a causal mutation in the Mpz (Myelin Protein Zero) gene, modelling Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease type 1 (CMT1B). Together, we provide evidence for a real potential of an ENU mutagenesis to dissect motor functions in wild‐type and tau mutant mice.
Evaluation of Lentiviral-Mediated Expression of Sodium Iodide Symporter in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer and the Efficacy of In Vivo Imaging and Therapy
Authors: Ke Chien-Chih , Hsieh Ya-Ju , Hwu Luen , Wang Fu-Hui , Chen Fu-Du , Chu Lee-Shing , Lee Oscar K. , Chi Chin-Wen , Lee Chen-Hsen , Liu Ren-Shyan
Published: December 2011

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is one of the most deadly cancers. With intensive multimodalities of treatment, the survival remains low. ATC is not sensitive to131I therapy due to loss of sodium iodide symporter (NIS) gene expression. We have previously generated a stable human NIS-expressing ATC cell line, ARO, and the ability of iodide accumulation was restored. To make NIS-mediated gene therapy more applicable, this study aimed to establish a lentiviral system for transferring hNIS gene to cells and to evaluate the efficacy of in vitro and in vivo radioiodide accumulation for imaging and therapy. Lentivirus containing hNIS cDNA were produced to transduce ARO cells which do not concentrate iodide. Gene expression, cell function, radioiodide imaging and treatment were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that the transduced cells were restored to express hNIS and accumulated higher amount of radioiodide than parental cells. Therapeutic dose of131I effectively inhibited the tumor growth derived from transduced cells as compared to saline-treated mice. Our results suggest that the lentiviral system efficiently transferred and expressed hNIS gene in ATC cells. The transduced cells showed a promising result of tumor imaging and therapy.
Aetiology, Clinical Presentation, and Outcome of Meningitis in Patients Coinfected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Tuberculosis
Authors: Bhagwan Smita , Naidoo Kogieleum
Published: December 2011

We conducted a retrospective review of confirmed HIV-TB coinfected patients previously enrolled as part of the SAPiT study in Durban, South Africa. Patients with suspected meningitis were included in this case series. From 642 individuals, 14 episodes of meningitis in 10 patients were identified. For 8 patients, this episode of meningitis was the AIDS defining illness, with cryptococcus (9/14 episodes) and tuberculosis (3/14 episodes) as the commonest aetiological agents. The combination of headache and neck stiffness (78.6%) was the most frequent clinical presentation. Relapsing cryptococcal meningitis occurred in 3/7 patients. Mortality was 70% (7/10), with 4 deaths directly due to meningitis. In an HIV TB endemic region we identified cryptococcus followed by tuberculosis as the leading causes of meningitis. We highlight the occurrence of tuberculous meningitis in patients already receiving antituberculous therapy. The development of meningitis heralded poor outcomes, high mortality, and relapsing meningitis despite ART.
Effect of Cavity Design on the Strength of Direct Posterior Composite Restorations: An Empirical and FEM Analysis
Authors: Anand V. Susila , Kavitha C. , Subbarao C. V.
Published: December 2011

The aim of the present study was to verify the hypothesis that cavity design does not affect the strength of direct composite restorations as do material properties. Finite element modeling (FEM) and empirical testing were done for two cavity designs: a box shape (cube) and a concave shape (U). Two microhybrid composites were used to prepare the samples with the help of split stainless steel moulds. Compressive strength was tested. The results were statistically analyzed. Both FEA and empirical testing were complementary to each other in that the concave shape showed a significantly higher strength than box. Material properties affected the values only when box shape was used. The null hypothesis is thus rejected, and it is concluded that design significantly affects the strength of direct composite restorations.
Obesity and Cancer Screening according to Race and Gender
Authors: Fagan Heather Bittner , Wender Richard , Myers Ronald E. , Petrelli Nicholas
Published: December 2011

The relationship between obesity and cancer screening varies by screening test, race, and gender. Most studies on cervical cancer screening found a negative association between increasing weight and screening, and this negative association was most consistent in white women. Recent literature on mammography reports no association with weight. However, some studies show a negative association in white, but not black, women. In contrast, obese/overweight men reported higher rates of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. Comparison of prostate cancer screening, mammography, and Pap smears implies a gender difference in the relationship between screening behavior and weight. In colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, the relationship between weight and screening in men is inconsistent, while there is a trend towards lower CRC screening in higher weight women.
Resistance Functions for Two Spheres in Axisymmetric Flow—Part I: Stream Function Theory
Authors: El Naqeeb Thanaa , Schmitz Rudi
Published: December 2011

We consider low‐Reynolds‐number axisymmetric flow about two spheres using a novel, biharmonic stream function. This enables us to calculate analytically not only the forces, but also the dipole moments (stresslets and pressure moments) and the associated resistance functions. In this paper the basics properties of axisymmetric flow and the stream function are discussed. Explicit series expansions, obtained by separation in bispherical coordinates, will be presented in a follow‐up paper.
Effect of Ferrofluid on the Performance and Emission Patterns of a Four-Stroke Diesel Engine
Authors: Shafii M. B. , Daneshvar F. , Jahani N. , Mobini K.
Published: December 2011

Experimental tests were carried out to investigate the effects of adding water-based ferrofluid to diesel fuel in a diesel engine. These effects included the combustion performance and exhaust emission characteristics of the diesel engine. To this end, emulsified diesel fuels of 0, 0.4, and 0.8 ferrofluid/diesel ratios by volume were used in a four-stroke diesel engine, operating at 2200 rpm. The results indicate that adding ferrofluid to diesel fuel has a perceptible effect on engine performance, increasing the brake thermal efficiency relatively up to 12% and decreasing the brake-specific fuel consumption relatively up to 11% as compared to diesel fuel. Furthermore, from the analysis of gaseous species of engine exhaust, it was found that NO x emissions were lower than that of diesel fuel while the CO emissions increased. In addition, it was found that nanoparticles can be collected at the exhaust flow using a magnetic bar.
Monotonicity, Convexity, and Inequalities Involving the Agard Distortion Function
Authors: Chu Yu-Ming , Wang Miao-Kun , Jiang Yue-Ping , Qiu Song-Liang
Published: December 2011

We present some monotonicity, convexity, and inequalities for the Agard distortion function ηK(t) and improve some well‐known results.
Balanced Anaesthetic Approach in a Late-Term Gravid Cow Undergoing Metacarpal Fracture Repair
Authors: Martin Jurado Olga , Jud Rahel , Muggli Evelyne , Bettschart-Wolfensberger Regula
Published: December 2011

An 800 kg Swiss cow, eighth months gravid, was presented for anaesthesia to repair metacarpal fracture. The cow was premedicated with intravenous isoxsuprine, butorphanol, ketoprofen, and xylazine IM and induced with ketamine and diazepam IV. In lateral recumbency, the trachea was intubated, and isoflurane in oxygen and air was administered. Despite a ring block with lidocaine, purposeful movement happened, and xylazine 0.02 mg kg−1 h−1and ketamine 0.6 mg kg−1 h−1constant rate infusion was started. During anaesthesia, slight hypercapnia and hypoxaemia developed. Total time of xylazine and ketamine infusion was 3.5 hours. Total anaesthesia time was 4.5 hours. For recovery of anaesthesia, isoflurane was discontinued, and in sternal recumbency, the trachea was extubated when the cow swallowed. Paralysis of the left radial nerve occurred, and the cow was supported to stand up after 2 hours. The radial nerve paralysis resolved within three days. A healthy calf was born at term. This is the first paper that describes the successful use of adjunctive xylazine and ketamine infusion to isoflurane anaesthesia in a late-term gravid cow undergoing fracture repair during 4.5 hours.
Modulation of Specific and Allergy‐Related Immune Responses by Helminths
Authors: Daniłowicz-Luebert Emilia , O′Regan Noëlle L. , Steinfelder Svenja , Hartmann Susanne
Published: December 2011

Helminths are master regulators of host immune responses utilising complex mechanisms to dampen host protective Th2‐type responses and favour long‐term persistence. Such evasion mechanisms ensure mutual survival of both the parasite and the host. In this paper, we present recent findings on the cells that are targeted by helminths and the molecules and mechanisms that are induced during infection. We discuss the impact of these factors on the host response as well as their effect in preventing the development of aberrant allergic inflammation. We also examine recent findings on helminth‐derived molecules that can be used as tools to pinpoint the underlying mechanisms of immune regulation or to determine new anti‐inflammatory therapeutics.
Management of Melanoma Brain Metastases in the Era of Targeted Therapy
Authors: Shapiro Daniela Gonsalves , Samlowski Wolfram E.
Published: December 2011

Disseminated metastatic disease, including brain metastases, is commonly encountered in malignant melanoma. The classical treatment approach for melanoma brain metastases has been neurosurgical resection followed by whole brain radiotherapy. Traditionally, if lesions were either too numerous or surgical intervention would cause substantial neurologic deficits, patients were either treated with whole brain radiotherapy or referred to hospice and supportive care. Chemotherapy has not proven effective in treating brain metastases. Improvements in surgery, radiosurgery, and new drug discoveries have provided a wider range of treatment options. Additionally, recently discovered mutations in the melanoma genome have led to the development of “targeted therapy.” These vastly improved options are resulting in novel treatment paradigms for approaching melanoma brain metastases in patients with and without systemic metastatic disease. It is therefore likely that improved survival can currently be achieved in at least a subset of melanoma patients with brain metastases.
The Design of a Patient Transportation Robot's Lifting Arms Considering Comfort and Safety without the Presence of a Sheet
Authors: Lee Yong-Hoon , Bae Bok-Soo , Yim Hong Jae , Lee Yong-Kwun
Published: December 2011

A transportation robot's lifting arms have an effect on the comfort and safety of patients. Improved arms have been designed through dynamic and static analyses to increase safety if a sheet not present on the lifting arms. To design the lifting arms, experimentation is very helpful, however, it is difficult and dangerous to experiment on patients; therefore, a simple human model was made and used for the dynamic analysis. Through the dynamic analysis results, a safe width and comfortable location for the lifting arms were determined. The thickness was then determined by static analysis and optimum design. In addition, tests have been conducted to confirm comfort and safety by deploying the designed lifting arms onto a transportation robot.
A New Anatomically Based Nomenclature for the Roots and Root Canals—Part 1: Maxillary Molars
Authors: Kottoor Jojo , Albuquerque Denzil Valerian , Velmurugan Natanasabapathy
Published: December 2011

Numerous terminologies have been employed in the dental literature to describe the roots and root canal systems of maxillary molars. This multiplicity in naming of roots and canals makes the reader susceptible to misinterpretation and confusion. No consensus thus far has been arrived at for defining the names of roots and root canals in maxillary molars, including their various morphological aberrations. The anatomical relation of roots and their root canals were identified and were subsequently named based on definite sets of criteria. A new method for identification and naming of roots and root canal anatomy in maxillary molars, based on their root and canal relationship, was formulated and is presented in this paper. The nomenclature makes certain essential modifications to the traditional approach to accommodate naming of the various aberrations presented in the maxillary molars. A simple, yet extensive, nomenclature system has been proposed that appropriately names the internal and external morphology of maxillary molars.
Epilepsy, Mental Health Disorder, or Both?
Authors: Beletsky Vadim , Mirsattari Seyed M.
Published: December 2011

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), a subset of the seizure disorder family, represents a complex neuropsychiatric illness, where the neurological presentation may be complemented by varying severity of affective, behavioral, psychotic, or personality abnormalities, which, in turn, may not only lead to misdiagnosis, but also affect the management. This paper outlines a spectrum of mental health presentations, including psychosis, mood, anxiety, panic, and dissociative states, associated with epilepsy that make the correct diagnosis a challenge.
Association between Human Plasma Chondroitin Sulfate Isomers and Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques
Authors: Zinellu Elisabetta , Lepedda Antonio Junior , Cigliano Antonio , Pisanu Salvatore , Zinellu Angelo , Carru Ciriaco , Bacciu Pietro Paolo , Piredda Franco , Guarino Anna , Spirito Rita , Formato Marilena
Published: December 2011

Several studies have evidenced variations in plasma glycosaminoglycans content in physiological and pathological conditions. In normal human plasma GAGs are present mainly as undersulfated chondroitin sulfate (CS). The aim of the present study was to evaluate possible correlations between plasma CS level/structure and the presence/typology of carotid atherosclerotic lesion. Plasma CS was purified from 46 control subjects and 47 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy showing either a soft or a hard plaque. The concentration and structural characteristics of plasma CS were assessed by capillary electrophoresis of constituent unsaturated fluorophore-labeled disaccharides. Results showed that the concentration of total CS isomers was increased by 21.4% (P<0.01) in plasma of patients, due to a significant increase of undersulfated CS. Consequently, in patients the plasma CS charge density was significantly reduced with respect to that of controls. After sorting for plaque typology, we found that patients with soft plaques and those with hard ones differently contribute to the observed changes. In plasma from patients with soft plaques, the increase in CS content was not associated with modifications of its sulfation pattern. On the contrary, the presence of hard plaques was associated with CS sulfation pattern modifications in presence of quite normal total CS isomers levels. These results suggest that the plasma CS content and structure could be related to the presence and the typology of atherosclerotic plaque and could provide a useful diagnostic tool, as well as information on the molecular mechanisms responsible for plaque instability.
Impact of Laparoscopic Fundoplication for the Treatment of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: Review of the Literature
Authors: Mazzini Guilherme da Silva , Gurski Richard Ricachenevsky
Published: December 2011

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is part of the so-called extraesophageal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is presented by unspecific symptoms and signs and is believed to be caused by the reflux of gastric content to the proximal esophagus and larynx. However, evidence considering the role of the antireflux surgery for LPR has failed to demonstrate results comparable to those for GERD. The aim of this paper is to review the current literature regarding the impact of laparoscopic fundoplication for the treatment of LPR.