bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing Baseball Revenue from the Female Market
Authors: Dodds Mark , DeGaris Larry , Morse Alan L. , Velez-Colon Luisa , Perricone David
Published: November 2015

Claire Monroe was challenged to increase a minor league baseball team’s revenue and was in charge of developing a marketing plan to target female baseball fans. This would be a new target market for the team. The increasing female fan base can create revenue for baseball franchises through ticket, merchandise, and concession sales, as well as connecting with sponsors who specifically target female customers. Although there are many gender similarities in regards to fan avidity, there are important differences between the sexes in terms of motivation, media, and merchandise needs. Claire must research the target audience, analyze marketing research data, and make recommendations to increase female attendance to have those women spend more money on baseball-related items.
The mode of agonist binding to a G protein–coupled receptor switches the effect that voltage changes have on signaling
Authors: Rinne Andreas , Mobarec Juan Carlos , Mahaut-Smith Martyn , Kolb Peter , Bünemann Moritz
Published: November 2015

Whether changes in membrane potential enhance or inhibit GPCR signaling depends on the binding position of the ligand.
Oncogenic PI3Kα promotes multipotency in breast epithelial cells
Authors: Okkenhaug Klaus , Roychoudhuri Rahul
Published: November 2015

An activating mutation in phosphoinositide 3-kinase makes breast epithelial cells forget their heritage.
How the Par complex excludes proteins
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: November 2015

A phosphorylation-regulated basic and hydrophobic (PRBH) motif enables dynamic control of proteins with the cytosolic side of the plasma membrane.
Endocannabinoids mediate runner’s high
Authors: Prabakaran Sudhakaran
Published: November 2015

Endocannabinoids, rather than endorphins, mediate some of the feelings associated with “runner’s high.”
A Dishevelled paradox
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: November 2015

In worms, a homolog of Dishevelled promotes Wnt signaling in one part of a cell and inhibits Wnt signaling in another part of the same cell.
Role of Non-Active-Site Residue Trp-93 in the Function and Stability of New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase 1
Authors: Khan Asad U. , Rehman M. Tabish
Published: November 2015

New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) is expressed by various members of
Enterobacteriaceae
as a defense mechanism to hydrolyze β-lactam antibiotics. Despite various studies showing the significance of active-site residues in the catalytic mechanism, there is a paucity of reports addressing the role of non-active-site residues in the structure and function of NDM-1. In this study, we investigated the significance of non-active-site residue Trp-93 in the structure and function of NDM-1. We cloned
bla
NDM-1
from an
Enterobacter cloacae
clinical strain (EC-15) and introduced the mutation of Trp-93 to Ala (yielding the Trp93Ala mutant) by PCR-based site-directed mutagenesis. Proteins were expressed and purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography. The MICs of the Trp93Ala mutant were reduced 4- to 8-fold for ampicillin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefoxitin, imipenem, and meropenem. The poor hydrolytic activity of the Trp93Ala mutant was also reflected by its reduced catalytic efficiency. The overall catalytic efficiency of the Trp93Ala mutant was reduced by 40 to 55% (the

K
m

was reduced, while the
k
cat
was similar to that of wild-type NDM-1 [wtNDM-1]). Heat-induced denaturation showed that the Δ
G
D
o
and

T
m

of Trp93Ala mutant were reduced by 1.8 kcal/mol and 4.8°C, respectively. Far-UV circular dichroism (CD) analysis showed that the α-helical content of the Trp93Ala mutant was reduced by 2.9%. The decrease in stability and catalytic efficiency of the Trp93Ala mutant was due to the loss of two hydrogen bonds with Ser-63 and Val-73 and hydrophobic interactions with Leu-65, Val-73, Gln-123, and Asp-124. The study provided insight into the role of non-active-site amino acid residues in the hydrolytic mechanism of NDM-1.
Acquired Flucytosine Resistance during Combination Therapy with Caspofungin and Flucytosine for Candida glabrata Cystitis
Authors: Charlier Caroline , El Sissy Carine , Bachelier-Bassi Sophie , Scemla Anne , Quesne Gilles , Sitterlé Emilie , Legendre Christophe , Lortholary Olivier , Bougnoux Marie-Elisabeth
Published: November 2015

Treatment ofCandida glabratacystitis remains a therapeutic challenge, and an antifungal combination using flucytosine is one option. We describe two patients with refractoryC. glabratacystitis who failed flucytosine combined with caspofungin with early-acquired high-level resistance to flucytosine due to nonsense mutations in theFUR1gene. Rapidly acquired flucytosine resistance with microbiological failure should discourage combination of caspofungin and flucytosine during urinary candidiasis.
Incompatible Natures of the HIV-1 Envelope in Resistance to the CCR5 Antagonist Cenicriviroc and to Neutralizing Antibodies
Authors: Kuwata Takeo , Enomoto Ikumi , Baba Masanori , Matsushita Shuzo
Published: November 2015

Cenicriviroc is a CCR5 antagonist which prevents human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) from cellular entry. The CCR5-binding regions of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein are important targets for neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), and mutations conferring cenicriviroc resistance may therefore affect sensitivity to NAbs. Here, we used the
in vitro
induction of HIV-1 variants resistant to cenicriviroc or NAbs to examine the relationship between resistance to cenicriviroc and resistance to NAbs. The cenicriviroc-resistant variant KK
652-67
(strain KK passaged 67 times in the presence of increasing concentrations of cenicriviroc) was sensitive to neutralization by NAbs against the V3 loop, the CD4-induced (CD4i) region, and the CD4-binding site (CD4bs), whereas the wild-type (WT) parental HIV-1 strain KK
WT
from which cenicriviroc-resistant strain KK
652-67
was obtained was resistant to these NAbs. The V3 region of KK
652-67
was important for cenicriviroc resistance and critical to the high sensitivity of the V3, CD4i, and CD4bs epitopes to NAbs. Moreover, induction of variants resistant to anti-V3 NAb 0.5γ and anti-CD4i NAb 4E9C from cenicriviroc-resistant strain KK
652-67
resulted in reversion to the cenicriviroc-sensitive phenotype comparable to that of the parental strain, KK
WT
. Resistance to 0.5γ and 4E9C was caused by the novel substitutions R315K, G324R, and E381K in the V3 and C3 regions near the substitutions conferring cenicriviroc resistance. Importantly, these amino acid changes in the CCR5-binding region were also responsible for reversion to the cenicriviroc-sensitive phenotype. These results suggest the presence of key amino acid residues where resistance to cenicriviroc is incompatible with resistance to NAbs. This implies that cenicriviroc and neutralizing antibodies may restrict the emergence of variants resistant to each other.
Identification and Characterization of a New 7-Aminocephalosporanic Acid Deacetylase from Thermophilic Bacterium Alicyclobacillus tengchongensis
Authors: Ding Jun-Mei , Yu Ting-Ting , Han Nan-Yu , Yu Jia-Lin , Li Jun-Jun , Yang Yun-Juan , Tang Xiang-Hua , Xu Bo , Zhou Jun-Pei , Tang Hong-Zhi , Huang Zun-Xi
Published: November 2015

Deacetylation of 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) at position C-3 provides valuable starting material for producing semisynthetic β-lactam antibiotics. However, few enzymes have been characterized in this process before now. Comparative analysis of the genome of the thermophilic bacteriumAlicyclobacillus tengchongensisrevealed a hypothetical protein (EstD1) with typical esterase features. The EstD1 protein was functionally cloned, expressed, and purified fromEscherichia coliBL21(DE3). It indeed displayed esterase activity, with optimal activity at around 65°C and pH 8.5, with a preference for esters with short-chain acyl esters (C2to C4). Sequence alignment revealed that EstD1 is an SGNH hydrolase with the putative catalytic triad Ser15, Asp191, and His194, which belongs to carbohydrate esterase family 12. EstD1 can hydrolyze acetate at the C-3 position of 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) to form deacetyl-7-ACA, which is an important starting material for producing semisynthetic β-lactam antibiotics. EstD1 retained more than 50% of its initial activity when incubated at pH values ranging from 4 to 11 at 65°C for 1 h. To the best of our knowledge, this enzyme is a new SGNH hydrolase identified from thermophiles that is able to hydrolyze 7-ACA.

IMPORTANCEDeacetyl cephalosporins are highly valuable building blocks for the industrial production of various kinds of semisynthetic β-lactam antibiotics. These compounds are derived mainly from 7-ACA, which is obtained by chemical or enzymatic processes from cephalosporin C. Enzymatic transformation of 7-ACA is the main method because of the adverse effects chemical deacylation brought to the environment. SGNH hydrolases are widely distributed in plants. However, the tools for identifying and characterizing SGNH hydrolases from bacteria, especially from thermophiles, are rather limited. Here, our work demonstrates that EstD1 belongs to the SGNH family and can hydrolyze acetate at the C-3 position of 7-ACA. Moreover, this study can enrich our understanding of the functions of these enzymes from this family.
Regulation of Chlamydia Gene Expression by Tandem Promoters with Different Temporal Patterns
Authors: Rosario Christopher J. , Tan Ming
Published: November 2015

Chlamydia
is a genus of pathogenic bacteria with an unusual intracellular developmental cycle marked by temporal waves of gene expression. The three main temporal groups of chlamydial genes are proposed to be controlled by separate mechanisms of transcriptional regulation. However, we have noted genes with discrepancies, such as the early gene
dnaK
and the midcycle genes
bioY
and
pgk
, which have promoters controlled by the late transcriptional regulators EUO and σ
28
. To resolve this issue, we analyzed the promoters of these three genes
in vitro
and in
Chlamydia trachomatis
bacteria grown in cell culture. Transcripts from the σ
28
-dependent promoter of each gene were detected only at late times in the intracellular infection, bolstering the role of σ
28
RNA polymerase in late gene expression. In each case, however, expression prior to late times was due to a second promoter that was transcribed by σ
66
RNA polymerase, which is the major form of chlamydial polymerase. These results demonstrate that chlamydial genes can be transcribed from tandem promoters with different temporal profiles, leading to a composite expression pattern that differs from the expression profile of a single promoter. In addition, tandem promoters allow a gene to be regulated by multiple mechanisms of transcriptional regulation, such as DNA supercoiling or late regulation by EUO and σ
28
. We discuss how tandem promoters broaden the repertoire of temporal gene expression patterns in the chlamydial developmental cycle and can be used to fine-tune the expression of specific genes.

IMPORTANCE
Chlamydia
is a pathogenic bacterium that is responsible for the majority of infectious disease cases reported to the CDC each year. It causes an intracellular infection that is characterized by coordinated expression of chlamydial genes in temporal waves. Chlamydial transcription has been shown to be regulated by DNA supercoiling, alternative forms of RNA polymerase, and transcription factors, but the number of transcription factors found in
Chlamydia
is far fewer than the number found in most bacteria. This report describes the use of tandem promoters that allow the temporal expression of a gene or operon to be controlled by more than one regulatory mechanism. This combinatorial strategy expands the range of expression patterns that are available to regulate chlamydial genes.
Prevalence and temporal pattern of hospital readmissions for patients with type I and type II diabetes
Authors: Liu Xiaoqian , Liu Yuanyuan , Lv Yuanjun , Li Changping , Cui Zhuang , Ma Jun
Published: November 2015

Objective

Repeated hospitalisation for patients is common and costly, yet partly preventable. However, we know little about readmissions for patients with diabetes in China. The current study aims to assess the frequency and temporal pattern of and risk factors for all-cause readmission among hospitalised patients with diabetes in Tianjin, China.

Method

This retrospective, cohort analysis used the Tianjin Basic Medical Insurance Register System data of 2011. The patterns of and the reasons for all-cause readmissions for patients with diabetes were described. The differences of readmission-free survival (RFS) between newly and previously diagnosed patients were compared. Time-dependent Cox models were established to identify the risk factors for readmission at different time intervals after discharge.

Results

Readmission rates were approximately 30%, with the most common diagnoses of cerebral infarction (for type I) or diabetes (for type II) for patients with diabetes. The majority of patients were readmitted to the hospital after more than 90 days, followed by 8–30 days (all p=0.002). Approximately 37.2% and 42.8% of readmitted patients with type I and type II diabetes were diagnosed previously, and the RFS rates for previously diagnosed patients were significantly lower than for newly diagnosed patients at any time interval after discharge. Prior history of diabetes (all p<0.05), length of stay (all p<0.01) and reimbursement ratio (90% vs >92%, all p<0.0002) were consistently associated with the RFS for patients readmitted to the hospital at <7, 8–30, 31–60 and 61–90 days.

Conclusions

Hospital readmissions among patients with diabetes were affected by the diagnosis status. Patient characteristics and the quality of healthcare might regulate short-interval and long-interval hospital readmission, respectively, after discharge.
Bicycling injury hospitalisation rates in Canadian jurisdictions: analyses examining associations with helmet legislation and mode share
Authors: Teschke Kay , Koehoorn Mieke , Shen Hui , Dennis Jessica
Published: November 2015

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to calculate exposure-based bicycling hospitalisation rates in Canadian jurisdictions with different helmet legislation and bicycling mode shares, and to examine whether the rates were related to these differences.

Methods

Administrative data on hospital stays for bicycling injuries to 10 body region groups and national survey data on bicycling trips were used to calculate hospitalisation rates. Rates were calculated for 44 sex, age and jurisdiction strata for all injury causes and 22 age and jurisdiction strata for traffic-related injury causes. Inferential analyses examined associations between hospitalisation rates and sex, age group, helmet legislation and bicycling mode share.

Results

In Canada, over the study period 2006–2011, there was an average of 3690 hospitalisations per year and an estimated 593 million annual trips by bicycle among people 12 years of age and older, for a cycling hospitalisation rate of 622 per 100 million trips (95% CI 611 to 633). Hospitalisation rates varied substantially across the jurisdiction, age and sex strata, but only two characteristics explained this variability. For all injury causes, sex was associated with hospitalisation rates; females had rates consistently lower than males. For traffic-related injury causes, higher cycling mode share was consistently associated with lower hospitalisation rates. Helmet legislation was not associated with hospitalisation rates for brain, head, scalp, skull, face or neck injuries.

Conclusions

These results suggest that transportation and health policymakers who aim to reduce bicycling injury rates in the population should focus on factors related to increased cycling mode share and female cycling choices. Bicycling routes designed to be physically separated from traffic or along quiet streets fit both these criteria and are associated with lower relative risks of injury.
Independent and joint effects of sedentary time and cardiorespiratory fitness on all-cause mortality: the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study
Authors: Shuval Kerem , Finley Carrie E , Barlow Carolyn E , Nguyen Binh T , Njike Valentine Y , Pettee Gabriel Kelley
Published: November 2015

Objectives

To examine the independent and joint effects of sedentary time and cardiorespiratory fitness (fitness) on all-cause mortality.

Design, setting, participants

A prospective study of 3141 Cooper Center Longitudinal Study participants. Participants provided information on television (TV) viewing and car time in 1982 and completed a maximal exercise test during a 1-year time frame; they were then followed until mortality or through 2010. TV viewing, car time, total sedentary time and fitness were the primary exposures and all-cause mortality was the outcome. The relationship between the exposures and outcome was examined utilising Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

A total of 581 deaths occurred over a median follow-up period of 28.7 years (SD=4.4). At baseline, participants’ mean age was 45.0 years (SD=9.6), 86.5% were men and their mean body mass index was 24.6 (SD=3.0). Multivariable analyses revealed a significant linear relationship between increased fitness and lower mortality risk, even while adjusting for total sedentary time and covariates (p=0.02). The effects of total sedentary time on increased mortality risk did not quite reach statistical significance once fitness and covariates were adjusted for (p=0.05). When examining this relationship categorically, in comparison to the reference category (≤10 h/week), being sedentary for ≥23 h weekly increased mortality risk by 29% without controlling for fitness (HR=1.29, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.63); however, once fitness and covariates were taken into account this relationship did not reach statistical significance (HR=1.20, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.51). Moreover, spending >10 h in the car weekly significantly increased mortality risk by 27% in the fully adjusted model. The association between TV viewing and mortality was not significant.

Conclusions

The relationship between total sedentary time and higher mortality risk is less pronounced when fitness is taken into account. Increased car time, but not TV viewing, is significantly related to higher mortality risk, even when taking fitness into account, in this cohort.
Correlates of sport participation in adults with long-standing illness or disability
Authors: Heron Neil , Kee Frank , Cupples Margaret E , Tully Mark A
Published: November 2015

Background

Little is known about why people with a long-standing illness/disability are less likely to participate in sport than others. This study aimed to identify for the first time sport participation levels and their correlates among Northern Ireland (NI) adults who report a long-standing illness/disability.

Method

Using data collected in the Continuous Household Survey, an annual survey of a random sample of the NI population, during 2007–2011, we examined responses for the total sample, those with a long-term illness/disability and those with no long-term health issues. We conducted univariate binary regression analysis for the whole sample and for those with a long-standing illness or disability, using sport participation as the dependent variable, and then carried significant variables into a multivariate analysis.

Results

The sample included 13 683 adults; 3550 (26%) reported a long-term illness or disability. Multivariate analysis showed that, for the total sample and for those with a long-standing illness or disability, sport participation correlated positively with being male, aged <56 years, having a household car/van, health being ‘fairly good’/‘good’ in the previous year, doing work and living in an urban location. Also, for those with a long-standing illness or disability, being single and less socioeconomically deprived correlated positively with sport participation.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that more focused efforts may promote sport participation for people with a long-standing illness or disability who are female, older, not working, living rurally, married/cohabiting, socioeconomically deprived and report having had poor health in the past year. Our findings should inform public health policy and help in developing initiatives to support sport participation and reduce health inequalities.
Cardiac systolic regional function and synchrony in endurance trained and untrained females
Authors: Hedman Kristofer , Tamás Éva , Bjarnegård Niclas , Brudin Lars , Nylander Eva
Published: November 2015

Background

Most studies on cardiac function in athletes describe overall heart function in predominately male participants. We aimed to compare segmental, regional and overall myocardial function and synchrony in female endurance athletes (ATH) and in age-matched sedentary females (CON).

Methods

In 46 ATH and 48 CON, echocardiography was used to measure peak longitudinal systolic strain and myocardial velocities in 12 left ventricular (LV) and 2 right ventricular (RV) segments. Regional and overall systolic function were calculated together with four indices of dyssynchrony.

Results

There were no differences in regional or overall LV systolic function between groups, or in any of the four dyssynchrony indices. Peak systolic velocity (s′) was higher in the RV of ATH than in CON (9.7±1.5 vs 8.7±1.5 cm/s, p=0.004), but not after indexing by cardiac length (p=0.331). Strain was similar in ATH and CON in 8 of 12 LV myocardial segments. In septum and anteroseptum, basal and mid-ventricular s′ was 6–7% and 17–19% higher in ATH than in CON (p<0.05), respectively, while s′ was 12% higher in CON in the basal LV lateral wall (p=0.013). After indexing by cardiac length, s′ was only higher in ATH in the mid-ventricular septum (p=0.041).

Conclusions

We found differences between trained and untrained females in segmental systolic myocardial function, but not in global measures of systolic function, including cardiac synchrony. These findings give new insights into cardiac adaptation to endurance training and could also be of use for sports cardiologists evaluating female athletes.
Previous injury as a risk factor for reinjury in rock climbing: a secondary analysis of data from a retrospective cross-sectional cohort survey of active rock climbers
Authors: Jones Gareth , Llewellyn David , Johnson Mark I
Published: November 2015

Background

The aim of this article is to report the findings of a secondary analysis of a previous injury study to consider previous injury as a risk factor for reinjury in rock climbing.

Methods

We completed a secondary analysis of 201 questionnaires that were gathered as part of a retrospective cross-sectional cohort survey that investigated the epidemiology of injuries in a representative sample of British rock climbers. Participants had actively engaged in rock climbing over the previous 12-month period and were recruited from six indoor climbing centres and five outdoor climbing venues (men n=163, mean±SD, age=35.2±11.8 years, participating in rock climbing=13.88+11.77 years; women n=38, mean±SD, age=35.1±10.7 years, participating in rock climbing=11.62+9.19 years).

Results

Of the 101 participants who sustained a previous injury, 36 were found to have sustained at least one reinjury. The total number of reinjuries was 82, with the average probability of sustaining at least one reinjury being 35.6% (95% CI 34.71% to 36.8%; p<0.001, McNemar's χ2test) with the relative risk of reinjury being 1.55 (95% CI 1.34 to 1.80). The fingers were the most common site of reinjury (12 participants, 26%; χ2=43.12, df=5, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Previous injury was found to be a significant risk factor for reinjury, particularly at the site of the fingers. Technical difficulty in bouldering and sport climbing behaviours were significantly associated with repetitive overuse reinjury. As participatory figures increase, so does the likelihood that a high proportion of climbers may sustain a reinjury of the upper extremity.
Reduction in cardiorespiratory fitness after lung resection is not related to the number of lung segments removed
Authors: Edvardsen Elisabeth , Anderssen Sigmund A , Borchsenius Fredrik , Skjønsberg Ole Henning
Published: November 2015

Aim

To evaluate the effect of lung cancer surgery on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and to assess the agreement between the predicted postoperative (ppo) V̇O2peakand actually measured postoperative peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak).

Methods

Before and 4–6 weeks after lung cancer surgery, 70 patients (35 women) underwent measurements of pulmonary function and CRF via a cardiopulmonary exercise test. In addition, the 23 non-exercising patients underwent measurements after 6 months. The ppo V̇O2peakcalculated from the number of functional segments removed was compared with the actually measured postoperative values of V̇O2peakfor accuracy and precision.

Results

After surgery, the V̇O2peakdecreased from 23.9±5.8 to 19.2±5.5 mL/kg/min (−19.6±15.7%) (p<0.001). The breathing reserve increased by 5% (p=0.001); the oxygen saturation remained unchanged (p=0.30); the oxygen pulse decreased by −1.9 mL/beat (p<0.001); the haemoglobin concentration decreased by 0.7 g/dL (p=0.001). The oxygen pulse was the strongest predictor for change in V̇O2peak; adjusted linear squared: r2=0.77. Six months after surgery, the V̇O2peakremained unchanged (−3±15%, p=0.27). The ppo V̇O2peak(mL/kg/min) was 18.6±5.4, and the actually measured V̇O2peakwas 19.2±5.5 (p=0.24). However, the limits of agreement were large (CI −7.4 to 8.2). The segment method miscalculated the ppo V̇O2peakby more than ±10 and ±20% in 54% and 25% of the patients, respectively.

Conclusions

The reduction in V̇O2peakand lack of improvement 6 months after lung cancer surgery cannot be explained by the loss of functional lung tissue. Predicting postoperative V̇O2peakbased on the amount of lung tissue removed is not recommendable due to poor precision.

Trial registration number

NCT01748981.
Health promotion activities of sports clubs and coaches, and health and health behaviours in youth participating in sports clubs: the Health Promoting Sports Club study
Authors: Kokko Sami , Selänne Harri , Alanko Lauri , Heinonen Olli J , Korpelainen Raija , Savonen Kai , Vasankari Tommi , Kannas Lasse , Kujala Urho M , Aira Tuula , Villberg Jari , Parkkari Jari
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Sports clubs form a potential setting for health promotion, but the research is limited. The aim of the Health Promoting Sports Club (HPSC) study was to elucidate the current health promotion activities of youth sports clubs and coaches, and to investigate the health behaviours and health status of youth participating in sports clubs compared to non-participants.

Methods and analysis

The study design employs cross-sectional multilevel and multimethod research with aspirations to a prospective cohort study in the next phase. The setting-based variables at sports clubs and coaching levels, and health behaviour variables at the individual level, are investigated using surveys; and total levels of physical activity are assessed using objective accelerometer measurements. Health status variables will be measured by preparticipation screening. The health promotion activity of sports clubs (n=154) is evaluated by club officials (n=313) and coaches (n=281). Coaches and young athletes aged 14–16 (n=759) years evaluate the coaches’ health promotion activity. The survey of the adolescents’ health behaviours consist of two data sets—the first is on their health behaviours and the second is on musculoskeletal complaints and injuries. Data are collected via sports clubs (759 participants) and schools 1650 (665 participants and 983 non-participants). 591 (418 athletes and 173 non-athletes) youth, have already participated in preparticipation screening. Screening consists of detailed personal medical history, electrocardiography, flow-volume spirometry, basic laboratory analyses and health status screening, including posture, muscle balance, and static and dynamic postural control tests, conducted by sports and exercise medicine specialists.

Ethics and dissemination

The HPSC study is carried out conforming with the declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval was received from the Ethics Committee of Health Care District of Central Finland. The HPSC study is close-to-practice, which generates foundations for development work within youth sports clubs.
Validation of a free fall acrobatics intervention protocol to reduce neck loads during parachute opening shock
Authors: Westman Anton , Äng Björn O
Published: November 2015

Background

Elevated neck pain prevalence among skydivers is associated with exposure to repeated parachute opening shock (POS). A study is planned to evaluate a preventive free fall acrobatics intervention, but prior assessment of the protocol is necessary given the complex and safety-critical study environment.

Aim

To validate an intervention protocol to reduce POS neck loads.

Methods

A protocol was developed based on observational data and theoretical calculations. Six experts rated each component of the protocol on a four-point Likert scale, regarding relevance, simplicity/feasibility and safety, and responded to open-ended questions. Two iterations were made, each followed by consensus panel protocol revisions. The content validity index (CVI) was used to quantify ratings. A measure of universal agreement (CVI/UA) was computed as the proportion of components that achieved a rating ≥3 by all raters. For safety, a high-sensitivity CVI/UA was computed with a rating of no <4 (highest score) as acceptable.

Results

CVI/UA for relevance increased from 0.80 in the first assessment to 1.00 in the second; for simplicity from 0.50 to 0.63; and for safety from 0.70 to 1.00. High-sensitivity CVI/UA for safety increased from 0.10 to 0.75. Responses to open-ended questions included safety concerns for free fall stability, altitude awareness and concerns over comprehensibility.

Conclusions

The proposed protocol has been improved in assessed relevance, simplicity and safety, and is considered validated for the start of the empirical trial. To what degree complex interventions should be preceded by open prevalidation is discussed.
Dense genotyping of immune-related loci identifies HLA variants associated with increased risk of collagenous colitis
Authors: Westerlind Helga , Mellander Marie-Rose , Bresso Francesca , Munch Andreas , Bonfiglio Ferdinando , Assadi Ghazaleh , Rafter Joseph , Hübenthal Matthias , Lieb Wolfgang , Källberg Henrik , Brynedal Boel , Padyukov Leonid , Halfvarson Jonas , Törkvist Leif , Bjork Jan , Andreasson Anna , Agreus Lars , Almer Sven , Miehlke Stephan , Madisch Ahmed , Ohlsson Bodil , Löfberg Robert , Hultcrantz Rolf , Franke Andre , D'Amato Mauro
Published: November 2015

Objective

Collagenous colitis (CC) is a major cause of chronic non-bloody diarrhoea, particularly in the elderly female population. The aetiology of CC is unknown, and still poor is the understanding of its pathogenesis. This possibly involves dysregulated inflammation and immune-mediated reactions in genetically predisposed individuals, but the contribution of genetic factors to CC is underinvestigated. We systematically tested immune-related genes known to impact the risk of several autoimmune diseases for their potential CC-predisposing role.

Design

Three independent cohorts of histologically confirmed CC cases (N=314) and controls (N=4299) from Sweden and Germany were included in a 2-step association analysis. Immunochip and targeted single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype data were produced, respectively, for discovery and replication purposes. Classical human leucocyte antigen (HLA) variants at 2-digit and 4-digit resolution were obtained via imputation from single marker genotypes. SNPs and HLA variants passing quality control filters were tested for association with CC with logistic regression adjusting for age, sex and country of origin.

Results

Forty-two markers gave rise to genome-wide significant association signals, all contained within the HLA region on chromosome 6 (best p=4.2×10−10for SNP rs4143332). Among the HLA variants, most pronounced risk effects were observed for 8.1 haplotype alleles including DQ2.5, which was targeted and confirmed in the replication data set (p=2.3×10−11; OR=2.06; 95% CI (1.67 to 2.55) in the combined analysis).

Conclusions

HLA genotype associates with CC, thus implicating HLA-related immune mechanisms in its pathogenesis.
Research in progress—LungSEARCH: a randomised controlled trial of surveillance for the early detection of lung cancer in a high-risk group
Authors: Spiro Stephen G , Hackshaw Allan
Published: November 2015

Low-dose CT screening for lung cancer is effective but expensive. Therefore, cheaper or more focused screening strategies may be required. LungSEARCH is a randomised prospective trial of 1568 high-risk individuals (ie, current or former moderate to heavy smokers with mild/moderate COPD) who undergo either annual sputum cytology/cytometry testing or no screening. Those with abnormal sputum then receive annual CT and fluorescent bronchoscopy for the remainder of 5 years, to identify early stage lung cancer. It is hoped that these simple initial tests could identify those requiring expensive CT scans, and the aim is to demonstrate a stage shift towards early stage cancers.

Trial registration numbers ISRCTN: ISRCTN80745975, clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00512746.
The lattice and quantized Yang–Mills theory
Authors: Creutz Michael
Published: November 2015

Quantized Yang–Mills fields lie at the heart of our understanding of the strong nuclear force. To understand the theory at low energies, we must work in the strong coupling regime. The primary technique for this is the lattice. While basically an ultraviolet regulator, the lattice avoids the use of a perturbative expansion. I discuss the historical circumstances that drove us to this approach, which has had immense success, convincingly demonstrating quark confinement and obtaining crucial properties of the strong interactions from first principles.
The Evolution of Suidae
Authors: Frantz Laurent , Meijaard Erik , Gongora Jaime , Haile James , Groenen Martien A.M. , Larson Greger
Published: November 2015

The Suidae are a family of Cetartiodactyla composed of 17 species classified in a minimum of five extant genera that originated at least 20 million years ago. Their success is evident in the multitude of habitats in which they are found as both natural and feral populations in tropical Island Southeast Asia, the high plateau of the Himalayas, Siberia, North Africa, the Pacific Islands, Australia, and the Americas. Morphological and molecular analyses of these species have revealed numerous aspects of their biology, including the ease with which many lineages have and continue to hybridize. This trait has made them an ideal model for evolutionary biologists. Suid species have also shared a deep history with humans, from their association with early hominids in Africa to their domestication. Here we review the current knowledge of this fascinating group and provide a comprehensive evolutionary history from the Oligocene to the present day.
Molecular Epidemiology ofMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosison Dairy Farms
Authors: Li Lingling , Katani Robab , Schilling Megan , Kapur Vivek
Published: November 2015

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is the etiological agent of severe chronic intestinal inflammatory disease in ruminants, termed Johne's disease, and can infect many other animal species, including humans. MAP has a long incubation period prior to manifestation of clinical signs including diarrhea, weight loss, and loss of production. MAP has a high prevalence in dairy herds and results in considerable adverse impacts on animal health and productivity throughout the world. Recent investigations have leveraged the characterization of the MAP genome for the development of powerful new molecular techniques for MAP strain differentiation. These approaches are providing key insights into the epidemiology and transmission of MAP on and between dairy herds. We summarize the state of the art for MAP diagnostics and strain differentiation and our current knowledge of mechanisms of within- and between-herd transmission of MAP, along with future needs for the development of rational MAP infection control programs.
An Unusual Cause of Posterior Elbow Impingement: Detachment of a Hypertrophied Posterior Fat Pad
Authors: Hamada Daisuke , Matsuura Tetsuya , Sugiura Kosuke , Higuchi Tadahiro , Suzue Naoto , Goto Tomohiro , Tsutsui Takahiko , Wada Keizo , Fukuta Shoji , Sairyo Koichi
Published: November 2015

We report a case of a 47-year-old woman who developed posterior impingement of the elbow due to detachment of a hypertrophied posterior fat pad. She reported acute left elbow pain after leaning back onto a hard object with her hand and subsequently experienced a “catching” sensation. Comparison with the magnetic resonance images of a normal elbow revealed a hypertrophied posterior fat pad interposed between the olecranon and olecranon fossa in both elbows, with the fat pad in the left elbow located more inferiorly than that in the right elbow. Elbow arthroscopy showed the olecranon fossa covered by the fat pad, a portion of which was detached from the rest of the pad. Debridement of the detached portion was performed until no impingement was evident. Postoperatively, full extension of the elbow did not elicit pain. Clinicians should include this pathology among the differential diagnoses for posterior elbow pain.
Long-Lasting Fever and Lymphadenitis: Think aboutF. tularensis
Authors: Longo Maria Vittoria , Jaton Katia , Pilo Paola , Chabanel David , Erard Véronique
Published: November 2015

We report the case of glandular tularemia that developed in a man supposedly infected by a tick bite in Western Switzerland.Francisella tularensis(F. tularensis) was identified. In Europe tularemia most commonly manifests itself as ulcero-glandular or glandular disease; the diagnosis of tularemia may be delayed in glandular form where skin or mucous lesion is absent, particularly in areas which are assumed to have a low incidence of the disease.
Sequence Variation in HSP40 Gene among 16Toxoplasma gondiiIsolates from Different Hosts and Geographical Locations
Authors: Li Zhong-Yuan , Lu Jing , Zhou Dong-Hui , Chen Jia , Zhu Xing-Quan
Published: November 2015

Toxoplasma gondiiwith worldwide distribution has received substantial medical and scientific attentions as it causes serious clinical and veterinary problems especially for pregnant women and immunocompromised patients. Heat shock protein 40 (HSP40) plays a variety of essential roles in the pathogenesis of this protozoan parasite. In order to detail the genetic diversity of HSP40 gene, 16T. gondiistrains from different hosts and geographical locations were used in this study. Our results showed that HSP40 sequence of the examined strains was between 6621 bp and 6644 bp in length, and their A+T content was from 48.54% to 48.80%. Furthermore, sequence analysis presented 195 nucleotide mutation positions (0.12%–1.14%) including 29 positions in CDS (0.02%–0.12%) compared withT. gondiiME49 strain (ToxoDB: TGME49_265310). Phylogenetic assay revealed thatT. gondiistrains representing three classical genotypes (Types I, II, and III) were completely separated into different clusters by maximum parsimony (MP) method, but Type II and ToxoDB#9 strains were grouped into the same cluster. These results suggested that HSP40 gene is not a suitable marker forT. gondiipopulation genetic research, though three classical genotypes ofT. gondiicould be differentiated by restriction enzymesMscI andEarI existing in amplicon C.
CYP4F18-Deficient Neutrophils Exhibit Increased Chemotaxis to Complement Component C5a
Authors: Vaivoda Rachel , Vaine Christine , Boerstler Cassandra , Galloway Kristy , Christmas Peter
Published: November 2015

CYP4Fs were first identified as enzymes that catalyze hydroxylation of leukotriene B4(LTB4). CYP4F18 has an unusual expression in neutrophils and was predicted to play a role in regulating LTB4-dependent inflammation. We compared chemotaxis of wild-type andCyp4f18knockout neutrophils using anin vitroassay. There was no significant difference in the chemotactic response to LTB4, but the response to complement component C5a increased 1.9–2.25-fold in knockout cells compared to wild-type (P< 0.01). This increase was still observed when neutrophils were treated with inhibitors of eicosanoid synthesis. There were no changes in expression of other CYP4 enzymes in knockout neutrophils that might compensate for loss of CYP4F18 or lead to differences in activity. A mouse model of dextran sodium sulfate colitis was used to investigate the consequences of increased C5a-dependent chemotaxisin vivo, but there was no significant difference in weight loss, disease activity, or colonic tissue myeloperoxidase between wild-type andCyp4f18knockout mice. This study demonstrates the limitations of inferring CYP4F function based on an ability to use LTB4as a substrate, points to expanding roles for CYP4F enzymes in immune regulation, and underscores thein vivochallenges of CYP knockout studies.
Long-Term Therapeutic Plasma Exchange to Prevent End-Stage Kidney Disease in Adult Severe Resistant Henoch-Schonlein Purpura Nephritis
Authors: Hamilton Patrick , Ogundare Olumide , Raza Ammar , Ponnusamy Arvind , Gorton Julie , Alachkar Hana , Choudhury Jamil , Barratt Jonathan , Kalra Philip A.
Published: November 2015

A 27-year-old man presented with a palpable purpuric skin rash and joint and abdominal pain in April 2010. He had acute kidney injury and his creatinine quickly deteriorated to 687 μmol/L, with associated nephrotic range proteinuria. Kidney biopsy showed crescentic Henoch-Schonlein nephritis. He was treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide and prednisolone despite which his renal function deteriorated; he required haemodialysis for a short duration and seven sessions of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). Renal function improved, but after discharge from hospital he suffered 2 further relapses, each with AKI, in 4 months. Cyclophosphamide was not effective and therefore Rituximab was introduced. He initially had a partial response but his renal function deteriorated despite continued therapy. TPE was the only treatment that prevented rapid renal functional deterioration. A novel long-term treatment strategy involving regular TPE every one to two weeks was initiated. This helped to slow his progression to end-stage kidney disease over a 3-year period and to prolong the need for renal replacement therapy over this time.
Three Siblings with Prader-Willi Syndrome: Brief Review of Sleep and Prader-Willi Syndrome
Authors: Bingeliene Arina , Shapiro Colin M. , Chung Sharon A.
Published: November 2015

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder characterized by short stature, mental retardation, hypotonia, functionally deficient gonads, and uncontrolled appetite leading to extreme obesity at an early age. Patients with this condition require multidisciplinary medical care, which facilitates a significant improvement in quality of life. PWS is the first human disorder to be attributed to genomic imprinting. Prevalence varies in the literature, ranging from 1 in 8,000 in the Swedish population to 1 in 54,000 in the United Kingdom. Rarely, the genetic mechanism responsible for Prader-Willi syndrome can be inherited. We report a highly unique case of three siblings who share this condition. This report describes a case of two brothers and one half sister with PWS. All three siblings have sleep-related complaints. The sister died at the age of 24 years in her sleep, with the cause of death reported as obstructive sleep apnea. The outcome was positive in both of the brothers’ cases as a result of professional medical care and specific tailored recommendations implemented by their mother. A review of the relevant literature vis-à-vis sleep and PWS is provided.
Antileukemic Effect of Tualang Honey on Acute and Chronic Leukemia Cell Lines
Authors: Nik Man Nik Muhd Khuzaimi , Hassan Rosline , Ang Cheng Yong , Abdullah Abu Dzarr , Mohd Radzi Muhammad Amiro Rasheeq , Sulaiman Siti Amrah
Published: November 2015

Complementary medicine using natural product as antitumor is on the rise. Much research has been performed on Tualang Honey and it was shown to have therapeutic potential in wound healing, and antimicrobial activity and be antiproliferative against several cancer models such as human osteosarcoma (HOS), human breast (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines. To date, there was limited study on antileukemic properties of Tualang (Koompassia excelsa) Honey. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antileukemic effect of Tualang Honey on acute and chronic leukemia cell lines. Leukemia cell lines (K562 and MV4-11) and human mononuclear cell isolated from peripheral blood were grown in RPM1 1640 culture medium. The cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of Tualang Honey. After incubation, the evaluation of viability and apoptosis was performed. The morphological changes of leukemia cells were the presence of cytoplasmic blebs followed by apoptotic bodies and round shape of cells. IC50against K562 and MV4-11 was determined. Tualang Honey gave 53.9% and 50.6% apoptosis activity on K562 and MV4-11, respectively, while on human mononuclear cell it was 37.4%. Tualang Honey has the apoptosis-inducing ability for acute and chronic myeloid leukemia (K562 and MV4-11) cell lines.
Design and Detection of Multilinear Chirp Signals for Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks
Authors: Cheng En , Chen Shengli , Yuan Fei
Published: November 2015

In Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks (UW-ASNs), some key problems have attracted more and more attention, including power consumption, performance of multiple access, and complexity of node. Motivated by finding reduced power consumption and improved performance of multiple access in UW-ASNs, a multilinear chirp-Code Division Multiple Access (MLC-CDMA) scheme is proposed. The differences between single slope chirp signal and multilinear chirp signal are analyzed in the paper. At the receiving end, a new detection technique called mixing-change rate along with fractional Fourier transform (MCR-FrFT) is proposed to detect the multirate chirp (MRC) signal and reduce complexity of node. There are two steps to realize the detection technique MCR-FrFT. By using the MCR-FrFT, the computation of detection can be decreased to 50% compared with direct FrFT. The simulation results indicate that, using the MCR-FrFT technique, the different users' signal can be separated and detected rapidly.
Sucupira as a Potential Plant for Arthritis Treatment and Other Diseases
Authors: Hoscheid Jaqueline , Cardoso Mara Lane Carvalho
Published: November 2015

Trees of the genus Pterodon, commonly known as “sucupira-branca” or “faveira,” are native to central Brazil. The Pterodon fruits are traditionally used in ethnomedicine as an infusion, in small doses, and at regular time intervals as an antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, tonic, and depurative agent. The various compounds present in the Pterodon class are, generally, water-insoluble and derived from the fusion of high-molecular weight pentacarbonate units. Scientific research has shown that the major compounds isolated from Pterodon species are linear and/or tetracyclic diterpenes with vouacapane skeletons that partly underlie the pharmacological activities of the fruit-derived oil. Material from Pterodon species has several biological properties, such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Therefore, recent studies have sought to microencapsulate these extracts to protect them from potential chemical degradation and improve their water solubility, ensuring greater stability and quality of the end products. This review presents a succinct overview of the available scientific evidence of the biological activity and toxicity of Pterodon species in addition to other important aspects, including phytochemical and technological features.