bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum leptin concentration during in vitro fertilization treatment with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation: Serum leptin concentration decreases in the early luteal phase in pregnancy
Authors: Ayustawati  , Shibahara Hiroaki , Taneichi Akiyo , Takamizawa Satoru , Ohkuchi Akihide , Suzuki Mitsuaki
Published: January 2004

Purpose:  To investigate the change pattern of leptin during in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF‐ET) treatment with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and at the stages of very early pregnancy.

Methods:  The serum leptin concentration was investigated in 65 patients treated with assisted reproductive technology (ART) in five different periods (ART‐1: on the first day of ovarian stimulation with follicle‐stimulating hormone; ART‐2: at human chorionic gonadotropin administration before oocyte retrieval; ART‐3: 7 days after oocyte retrieval; ART‐4: 14 days after oocyte retrieval and ART‐5: 21 days after oocyte retrieval).

Results:  The leptin concentration showed significant lower values in the pregnancy group than the non‐pregnancy group at ART‐3 and ART‐4 (P < 0.05). In the pregnancy group, leptin concentration increased from ART‐1 (13.5 ± 8.2 ng/mL) to ART‐2 (23.0 ± 15.1 ng/mL) (P < 0.001). The values significantly decrease at 7 days after oocyte retrieval, from ART‐2 to ART‐3 (18.1 ± 12.0 ng/mL) (P < 0.01), and then showed no remarkable change until 21 days after oocyte retrieval. In the non‐pregnancy groups, leptin concentration increased from ART‐1 (17.3 ± 11.5 ng/mL) to ART‐2 (25.7 ± 12.1 ng/mL) (P < 0.0001). There was no remarkable change in leptin concentration until 14 days after oocyte retrieval, followed by a significant decrease in leptin concentration at ART‐4 (21.9 ± 11.9 ng/mL) to ART‐5 (18.1 ± 11.8 ng/mL) (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  The serum leptin concentration increases during COH in the pregnancy and non‐pregnacy groups. In the pregnancy group, leptin concentration showed a fall of leptin values at early luteal phase. These findings might be useful to elucidate the role of leptin in the IVF‐ET patients. (Reprod Med Biol 2003; 2: 177–182)
Striatal neurons in striatal grafts are derived from both post‐mitotic cells and dividing progenitors
Authors: Fricker‐Gates Rosemary A. , White Anna , Gates Monte A. , Dunnett Stephen B.
Published: January 2004

Transplants of embryonic striatal tissue are characteristically heterogeneous, containing patches (P‐zones) of striatal medium spiny projection neurons. It is not yet known how this morphology develops, and whether the striatal neurons in the grafts are derived from post‐mitotic neuroblasts in the embryonic brain or from striatal progenitors that continue to divide after transplantation. To address this question we labelled dividing cells in the transplants with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), either prior to or after transplantation into the adult lesioned rat striatum. Cells for transplantation were either pre‐labelled in utero by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of BrdU, or post‐labelled after transplantation by i.p. injections to the hosts. Either two or six months after transplantation the brains were processed using double immunohistochemical techniques to detect BrdU and calbindin‐positive neurons in the transplants. In the transplants pre‐labelled with BrdU, approximately 30% of calbindin‐positive cells were heavily labelled with BrdU, suggesting these had undergone a final division prior to transplantation. In transplants where cells had been labelled post‐transplantation, approximately 17% of calbindin cells were heavily BrdU labelled. These results suggest that whereas a proportion of striatal medium spiny neurons in the striatal grafts were post‐mitotic at the time of transplantation, other striatal progenitor cells can continue to divide after transplantation, and then complete an appropriate neuronal maturation programme in the adult host brain environment.
Local γ‐aminobutyric acid and glutamate circuit control of hypophyseotrophic corticotropin‐releasing factor neuron activity in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
Authors: Bartanusz V. , Muller D. , Gaillard R. C. , Streit P. , Vutskits L. , Kiss J. Z.
Published: January 2004

Paraventricular corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) neurons play a pivotal role in regulating neuroendocrine responses to stress. The mechanisms by which synaptic inputs control the activity of these neurons are not well understood. The present study was undertaken to determine the role of the intrinsic γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐ and glutamatergic neural circuits of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in the control of CRF neural activity. We show that in organotypic cultures of the PVN, blockade of the intrinsic GABAergic neurotransmission by the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline resulted in a significant increase in CRF secretion. The bicuculline‐induced CRF secretory activity was abolished by the coadministration of the selective α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazoleprionic acid (AMPA)/kainate receptor antagonist 6‐cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione (CNQX). Electrical stimulation of the CRF cell division elicited glutamatergic extracellular field potentials that were dramatically enhanced by bicuculline and were suppressed by CNQX. These results show that the functional activity of CRF neurons in organotypic cultures of the PVN is under a tonic inhibitory influence of an intrinsic GABAergic circuit. Suppression of GABAergic transmission appears to have a permissive role for inducing an increased secretory activity of CRF neurons that is driven by an excitatory glutamatergic network via AMPA/kainate receptors.
The orientation and dynamics of cell division within the plane of the developing vertebrate retina
Authors: Tibber Marc S. , Kralj‐Hans Ines , Savage Janet , Mobbs Peter G. , Jeffery Glen
Published: January 2004

The orientation of a dividing cell within the plane of the tissue plays an essential role in regulating cell fate in a range of developing structures. To assess its potential role in the developing vertebrate retina we used standard confocal microscopy of fixed tissue and time‐lapse confocal imaging of living tissue to examine the orientation of cell division and mitotic spindle rotation within the plane of the retinal neuroepithelium. Based on the study of three rat strains and chick, we report in contrast to recent findings that during the main phase of cell production (E18–P4 in the rat and E6–E11 in the chick) dividing cells are randomly orientated with respect to key anatomical landmarks as well as the orientation of their dividing neighbours. Results from live imaging of neonatal rat retinae support these findings and suggest that unlike the developing cortex, in which metaphase plates often rotate extensively before coming to rest in anaphase, retinal mitotic spindle rotations prior to cell division are minimal. Furthermore, the orientation of metaphase entry largely defines that which is finally adopted during anaphase. Hence, the dynamics of metaphase progression through to anaphase in the retina appear to differ markedly from the brain, and cell divisions within the plane of the tissue are randomly orientated. These results contribute to a growing body of evidence that suggests that the current paradigm with respect to asymmetric division derived from the study of invertebrates cannot be generalized to the developing vertebrate nervous system.
Identification of genes regulated by chronic psychosocial stress and antidepressant treatment in the hippocampus
Authors: Alfonso Julieta , Pollevick Guido D. , Van Der Hart Marieke G. , Flügge Gabriele , Fuchs Eberhard , Frasch Alberto C. C.
Published: January 2004

Analysis of differentially expressed genes in the brain is a promising tool for elucidating pathological mechanisms that lead to central nervous disorders. Stress is known to be involved in the development of psychopathologies such as depression. In the present study, we searched for differentially expressed genes in the hippocampal formation after chronic psychosocial stress and after treatment with the antidepressant clomipramine. Experiments were conducted in male tree shrews, a valid psychosocial stress model in which antidepressant drugs prevent diverse effects of stress. Because many effects of stress have been attributed to the stress‐induced elevation in glucocorticoids, we screened two subtractive hippocampal cDNA libraries generated from RNA of chronic cortisol‐treated animals. Using real‐time PCR to measure mRNA amounts, we identified five sequences whose expression levels differed between stressed animals and controls. Transcript levels of four of them, nerve growth factor (NGF), membrane glycoprotein 6a (M6a), CDC‐like kinase 1 (CLK‐1) and G‐protein alpha q (GNAQ) were reduced by chronic psychosocial stress. Reduced amounts of these genes, which are all related to processes of cell differentiation, is in agreement with previous findings showing a retraction of dendrites and an impairment of neurogenesis in the hippocampal formation after chronic stress. An additional expressed sequence that was also regulated by stress could not be assigned to any known gene. Treatment with the antidepressant clomipramine prevented stress effects on expression of M6a, CLK‐1, GNAQ and the novel sequence, but showed no effect on NGF stress‐induced down‐regulation. These findings support the concept that depressive disorders are accompanied by processes of neuronal dedifferentiation, at least in the hippocampal formation, and that antidepressants prevent these processes.
Temporary inactivation of the perirhinal cortex by muscimol injections block acquisition and expression of fear‐potentiated startle
Authors: Schulz Brigitte , Fendt Markus , Richardson Rick , Schnitzler Hans‐Ulrich
Published: January 2004

The present study examined the role of the perirhinal cortex (PRh) in aversive information processing and emotional learning. Specifically, we studied the effects of temporary inactivation of the PRh on acquisition and expression of conditioned fear as measured by fear‐potentiated startle in rats, as well as on shock sensitization of startle. Temporary inactivation of the PRh was induced by local injections of the GABAA agonist muscimol (0.0, 1.1, 2.2, 4.4 nmol/0.5 µL). Muscimol injections into the PRh blocked both the expression and acquisition of fear‐potentiated startle, as well as shock sensitization of startle. Shock sensitivity was not affected by muscimol injections, indicating that the observed blockade of acquisition and shock sensitization was not caused by a disruption in the perception of shock. Taken together, the present data show that the PRh is critical for the processing of aversive information and is necessary for the expression of emotional learning.
Conflict management and organizational attitudes among Japanese: individual and group goals and justice
Authors: Ohbuchi Ken‐Ichi , Suzuki Mariko , Hayashi Yoichiro
Published: January 2004

By asking 341 Japanese employees to rate experiences of conflict with their supervisors in terms of conflict concerns and outcomes, we attempted to examine the following two hypotheses: attainment of the individual and group goals would increase the perceived justice (H2), and the perceived justice would increase the outcome satisfaction and organizational commitment (H1: the justice‐bond hypothesis). The results of structural equation analysis supported H1, but only partially supported H2; that is, only the group goals increased the perceived justice. Instead, the individual goals directly increased the outcome satisfaction, not by way of the perception of justice. These findings suggest that Japanese employees felt that justice was achieved when they saw the conflicts were resolved in the group‐oriented manner, relatively independent of personal interests.
Burnout and duration of service among Chinese voluntary workers
Authors: Yiu Chun , Au Wing Tang , Tang Catherine So‐kum
Published: January 2004

A survey study conducted among 226 Chinese voluntary workers in Hong Kong showed that satisfaction with voluntary work, integration into the voluntary institution, and burnout syndromes contributed to volunteers' expected duration of service. Regression analyses also showed that different sets of variables predicted different spans of expected duration of service. Work satisfaction was the most salient predictor for expected duration of service from six months to ten years. Lack of personal accomplishment predicted expected duration of service for six to twelve months, whereas emotional exhaustion and depersonalization influenced volunteers' expectation to continue in the service for five to ten years.
Collectivism coexisting with individualism: an Indian scenario
Authors: Sinha Jai B. P. , Sinha T. N. , Verma Jyoti , Sinha R. B. N.
Published: January 2004

A sample of 292 respondents, drawn from three locations, participated in a study designed to examine the effects of eighteen situations on the choice of collectivist and individualist behaviour and intentions, or their combinations. The findings indicated that concerns for family or family members evoked a purely collectivist behaviour. Compelling and urgent personal needs and goals in conflict with the interests of family or friends led to a mix of individualist and collectivist behaviour and intentions. Individualist behaviour intended to serve collectivist interests was the third most frequently opted choice. Respondents' education had a significant effect and other background variables had indeterminate effects on the choice of either purely collectivist or a mix of collectivist and individualist behaviour and intentions.
John Hick, Philosophy of Religion, and the Clarity of God's Existence
Authors: Anderson Owen
Published: January 2004

Book reviewed in this article:

David Cheetham, John Hick: A Critical Introduction and Reflection
What Lenny Bruce Really Died For
Authors: Webb Stephen H.
Published: January 2004

Book reviewed in this article:

Ronald K. L. Collins and David M. Skover, The Trials of Lenny Bruce: The Fall and Rise of an American Icon
Dispelling the “Fog of Half‐Forgotten History”
Authors: Glade Shirley A.
Published: January 2004

Kyzlasova, Irina L. Aleksandr Ivanovich Anisimov. Iz istorii issledovaniia khudozhestvennoi kul'tury Vyzantii i Drevnei Rusi. Vol. 1. Moscow: Izdatel'stvo Moskovskogo gosudarstvennogo gornogo universiteta, 2000. 90 pp. (paper).

Kyzlasova, Irina L. Istoriia otechestvennoi nauki ob iskusstve Vyzantii i Drevnei Rusi 1920–1930 gody: Po materialam arkhivam. Moscow: Izdatel'stvo Akademii gornikh nauk, 2000. 450 pp. ISBN 5‐7892‐0055‐9.
A Polynomial-Time Algorithm for Efficient Extraction of Boundary Rectangles From Interval Templates
Authors: Nataraj P. S. V. , Satyanarayan R. , Sheela S.
Published: January 2004

A polynomial-time On2 algorithm is presented for extracting the boundary rectangles from a given interval template having no “inner windings.” The algorithm involves only comparisons and list operations. The performance of the algorithm is tested and compared with those of four boundary extraction algorithms existing in the QFT literature. The testing is done on a benchmark suite of eleven transfer function examples, using computational time and effort (flops) as the performance metrics. The test results show the proposed algorithm to be superior in every example. The typical improvement in terms of these metrics is by several orders of magnitude.
Structural Dynamic System Reconstruction Method for Vibrating Structures
Authors: Kim Hyeung-Yun
Published: January 2004

To determine the natural frequencies and damping ratios of composite laminated plates, we present an efficient modal parameter estimation technique by developing a residual spectrum based structural dynamic system reconstruction. The modal parameters can be estimated from poles and residues of the system transfer functions derived from the state space system matrices. However, for modal parameter estimation of multivariable and higher order structural systems over broad frequency bands, this noniterative algorithm gives high accuracy in determining the natural frequencies and damping ratios. It is numerically well-behaved unlike iterative frequency-response-function (FRF) curve-fitting methods. We also discuss necessary conditions for convergence in Hankel norm and the error bounds of the approximated transfer function for the IDFT-based reconstruction system. From vibration tests on cross-ply and angle-ply composite laminates, the natural frequencies and damping ratios can be identified from the eigenvalues of the structural dynamic system matrix derived by the reconstruction method from the experimental frequency response functions. These results are compared with those of finite-element analysis and single-degree-of-freedom curve-fitting.
Thermal Control in Solids With Rapid Relaxation
Authors: Tzou D. Y.
Published: January 2004

Feedback control of temperature in solids with a finite speed of heat propagation is investigated in this work. The emphases are placed on the effect of rapid thermal relaxation in high-rate heating and the possible delay during the short-time operations. Fundamental characteristics and dominating parameters are identified for effective feedback control in proportional heating. Transient instability, including the intrinsic transition from the desirable stability, neutral stability, to the ultimate unstable response are investigated in a wide spectrum of heating rates. Delayed heating is found to have a destabilizing effect during the short-time transient.
A Gantry Crane Problem Solved
Authors: O’Connor William J.
Published: January 2004

Rest to rest movement of a crane’s swinging load, at the bottom end of a cable, by moving a speed-limited gantry trolley at the top, involves resolving the apparently conflicting demands of exact load positioning and active swing damping. If system parameters are unknown beforehand, best existing strategies offer only asymptotic solutions. The proposed control strategy stops the load dead, exactly on target, in a finite time. It is robust and self-adapting. Using mechanical wave concepts, the gantry controller “learns” from the previously unknown dynamic response in the first part of the motion exactly how to terminate the motion. All results are verified numerically.
Direct Hybrid Adaptive Control of Gear Pair Vibration
Authors: Guan Yuan H. , Shepard, W. Steve , Lim Teik C.
Published: January 2004

A direct hybrid adaptive approach based on the Lyapunov stability theorem is proposed for performing active vibration control of a rotational gear pair subject to multiple-harmonic, transmission error disturbances. The analysis applies a reduced single-degree-of-freedom gear pair model of the elastic mesh mode with time-varying tooth mesh stiffness. It is assumed that the resultant actuation force for suppressing the rotational vibration of the gear pair can be directly applied along the tooth contact line-of-action by employing a set of suitably configured inertial actuators. The proposed controller simultaneously adapts both the feedback and feed-forward gains, and only requires knowledge of the fundamental gear mesh frequency that is given by the product of the instantaneous gear rotational speed and the number of gear teeth. The analysis indicates that the proposed controller is insensitive to the gear mesh frequency estimation errors, and the resulting vibration control is more effective than those provided by the adaptive notch filter and filtered-x LMS algorithms. The control theory also incorporates dynamic normalization and leakage enhancements in order to optimize performance and improve robustness. Finally, the salient features are demonstrated in several numerical examples.
Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) for Chattering Reduction and Improved Tracking in Sliding Mode Control (SMC)
Authors: Taha, E. Z. , Happawana, G. S. , Hurmuzlu Y.
Published: January 2004

Sliding mode control (SMC) is a robust control technique with chattering as a major drawback. Chattering is undesirable because it can excite unmodeled high-frequency dynamics of the system. One way to reduce chattering is to introduce a boundary layer around the sliding surface while keeping the boundary layer attractive. Introduction of the boundary layer, however, causes the system response to oscillate around the sliding manifold. These oscillations, in turn, may lead to undesirable tracking errors. In this paper, we propose a quantitative feedback theory (QFT) controller (a low pass filter) to minimize the oscillations within the boundary layer and considerably improve the tracking response. We also provide an example to demonstrate the key features of the proposed method.
Using Robust Stability Analysis Theorems for Robust Controller Design
Authors: Ngamsom P. , Hoberock L. L.
Published: January 2004

We propose a technique that extends the uses of robust stability analysis (RSA) theorems in a particular class over robust controller design of linear systems subjected to various classes of nonlinear time-varying uncertainties. The technique is based on a new approach of forcing some surfaces in n-space to have a certain relative orientation. A numerical example is included to demonstrate its effectiveness.
On the Guaranteed Nonsingularity of a Class of Banded Matrices for Optimal Control Generation
Authors: Driessen Brian J. , Sadegh Nader
Published: January 2004

The contribution of the present paper is to further extend the generality of the method presented in [Driessen et al., [2]], for model-based minimum-time trajectory generation for dynamic systems with equality and inequality path constraints. In the above reference, the guaranteed nonsingularity of the sub-problem’s banded-matrix (footnote 2 therein) was stated for the case where no constraint involved both inputs and states. In the last sentence here we are referring to the modified-Gauss-Newton (MGN) matrix from footnote 2 of [Driessen et al., [2]]. We are simultaneously referring to the matrix in the left hand side of equation (3.8) of the present paper; the two differ only in a re-ordering of the rows and columns. Herein, this matrix will be referred to as the MGN matrix irrespective of row/column-ordering which has no bearing on the singularity/nonsingularity of a matrix. While it is often the case that no constraint contains both inputs and states, it is not the case for some problems. The contribution of the present paper is the proof that the above-mentioned banded MGN matrix is guaranteed nonsingular for absolutely any constraints, with or without mixed terms, and is furthermore still assured to provide the descent property.
Lacticin 481: In Vitro Reconstitution of Lantibiotic Synthetase Activity
Authors: Xie Lili , Miller Leah M. , Chatterjee Champak , Averin Olga , Kelleher Neil L. , van der Donk Wilfred A.
Published: January 2004

The lantibiotic lacticin 481 is synthesized on ribosomes as a prepeptide (LctA) and posttranslationally modified to its mature form. These modifications include dehydration of serines and threonines, followed by intramolecular addition of cysteines to the unsaturated amino acids, which generates cyclic thioethers. This process breaks eight chemical bonds and forms six newbonds and is catalyzed by one enzyme, LctM. We have characterized the in vitro activity of LctM, which completely processed a series of LctA mutants, displaying a permissive substrate specificity that holds promise for antibiotic engineering.
Elastic Torque and the Levitation of Metal Wires by a Nematic Liquid Crystal
Authors: Lapointe C. , Hultgren A. , Silevitch D. M. , Felton E. J. , Reich D. H. , Leheny R. L.
Published: January 2004

Anisotropic particles suspended in a nematic liquid crystal disturb the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules and experience small forces that depend on the particles' orientation. We have measured these forces using magnetic nanowires. The torque on a wire and its orientation-dependent repulsion from a flat surface are quantitatively consistent with theoretical predictions based on the elastic properties of the liquid crystal. These forces can also be used to manipulate submicrometer-scale particles. We show that controlled spatial variations in the liquid crystal's alignment convert the torque on a wire to a translational force that levitates the wire to a specified height.
Reactivation of the Paternal X Chromosome in Early Mouse Embryos
Authors: Mak Winifred , Nesterova Tatyana B. , de Napoles Mariana , Appanah Ruth , Yamanaka Shinya , Otte Arie P. , Brockdorff Neil
Published: January 2004

It is generally accepted that paternally imprinted X inactivation occurs exclusively in extraembryonic lineages of mouse embryos, whereas cells of the embryo proper, derived from the inner cell mass (ICM), undergo only random X inactivation. Here we show that imprinted X inactivation, in fact, occurs in all cells of early embryos and that the paternal X is then selectively reactivated in cells allocated to the ICM. This contrasts with more differentiated cell types where X inactivation is highly stable and generally irreversible. Our observations illustrate that an important component of genome plasticity in early development is the capacity to reverse heritable gene silencing decisions.
A Predator Unmasked: Life Cycle of
Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus
from a Genomic Perspective
Authors: Rendulic Snjezana , Jagtap Pratik , Rosinus Andrea , Eppinger Mark , Baar Claudia , Lanz Christa , Keller Heike , Lambert Carey , Evans Katy J. , Goesmann Alexander , Meyer Folker , Sockett R. Elizabeth , Schuster Stephan C.
Published: January 2004

Predatory bacteria remain molecularly enigmatic, despite their presence in many microbial communities. Here we report the complete genome of
Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus
HD100, a predatory Gram-negative bacterium that invades and consumes other Gram-negative bacteria. Its surprisingly large genome shows no evidence of recent gene transfer from its prey. A plethora of paralogous gene families coding for enzymes, such as hydrolases and transporters, are used throughout the life cycle of
B. bacteriovorus
for prey entry, prey killing, and the uptake of complex molecules.
Promises and Perils of Technology's Future
Authors: Goldman Michael A.
Published: January 2004

Living with the Genie
Essays on Technology and the Quest for Human Mastery. Alan Lightman, Daniel Sarewitz, and Christina Desser, Eds. Island Press, Washington, DC, 2003. 355 pp. $27. ISBN 1-55963-419-7.

The editors offer a balanced set of fresh commentary on the promises and perils posed by our accelerating technologies--especially biotechnology, nanotechnology, and robotics.
Projecting Information
Authors: Stumpf Michael
Published: January 2004

The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint
. by Edward R. Tufte. Graphics Press, Cheshire, CT, 2003. 27 pp. Paper, $7. ISBN 0-9613921-5-0.

Tufte's short booklet discusses some unfortunate consequences of using PowerPoint or similar slideware programs to prepare presentations.
Extinct Technetium in Silicon Carbide Stardust Grains: Implications for Stellar Nucleosynthesis
Authors: Savina Michael R. , Davis Andrew M. , Tripa C. Emil , Pellin Michael J. , Gallino Roberto , Lewis Roy S. , Amari Sachiko
Published: January 2004

The isotopic composition of ruthenium (Ru) in individual presolar silicon carbide (SiC) stardust grains bears the signature of
s
-process nucleosynthesis in asymptotic giant branch stars, plus an anomaly in
99
Ru that is explained by the in situ decay of technetium isotope
99
Tc in the grains. This finding, coupled with the observation of Tc spectral lines in certain stars, shows that the majority of presolar SiC grains come from low-mass asymptotic giant branch stars, and that the amount of
99
Tc produced in such stars is insufficient to have left a detectable
99
Ru anomaly in early solar system materials.
Eccentric training in patients with chronic Achilles tendinosis: normalised tendon structure and decreased thickness at follow up
Authors: Öhberg L , Lorentzon R , Alfredson H
Published: January 2004

Objective:To prospectively investigate tendon thickness and tendon structure by ultrasonography in patients treated with eccentric calf muscle training for painful chronic Achilles tendinosis located at the 2–6 cm level in the tendon.

Methods:The patients were examined with grey scale ultrasonography before and 3.8 years (mean) after the 12 week eccentric training regimen. At follow up, a questionnaire assessed present activity level and satisfaction with treatment.

Results:Twenty six tendons in twenty five patients (19 men and six women) with a mean age of 50 years were followed for a mean of 3.8 years (range 1.6–7.75). All patients had a long duration of painful symptoms (mean 17.1 months) from chronic Achilles tendinosis before treatment. At follow up, 22 of 25 patients were satisfied with treatment and active in Achilles tendon loading activities at the desired level. Ultrasonography showed that tendon thickness (at the widest part) had decreased significantly (p<0.005) after treatment (7.6 (2.3)v8.8 (3) mm; mean (SD)). In untreated normal tendons, there was no significant difference in thickness after treatment (5.3 (1.3) mm before and 5.9 (0.8) mm after). All tendons with tendinosis had structural abnormalities (hypoechoic areas and irregular structure) before the start of treatment. After treatment, the structure was normal in 19 of the 26 tendons. Six of the seven patients with remaining structural abnormalities experienced pain in the tendon during loading.

Conclusions:Ultrasonographic follow up of patients with mid-portion painful chronic Achilles tendinosis treated with eccentric calf muscle training showed a localised decrease in tendon thickness and a normalised tendon structure in most patients. Remaining structural tendon abnormalities seemed to be associated with residual pain in the tendon.
Prevalence ofStaphylococcus aureuscarriage by young Malaysian footballers during indoor training
Authors: William J L , Radu S , Aziz S A , Rahim R A , Cheah Y K , Liwan A , Lihan S
Published: January 2004

Background:Research has shown that athletes are carrriers ofStaphylococcus aureusduring physical activity.

Objective:To estimate the mean total plate count ofS aureuscarrried by footballers before and after training at an indoor venue.

Methods:Forty Malay and 20 Indian students volunteered to participate. There was also a control group consisting of 40 Malay and 20 Indian students who were not active. The experimental group were active footballers who had played at school or club level. The subjects were healthy and free of skin infection. The experiment was divided into three sessions, with 20 subjects present at each. At each session, the subjects trained for one hour. Swabs were taken from the skin, nose, and ear before and after training. For the control group, swabs were taken only once from the skin, nose, and ear. The swabs were subjected to biochemical tests and then streaked and cultured aerobically in Baird Parker agar plates for 24 hours at 37°C. Black colonies with a clear zone were presumed to beS aureus, and the mean total plate count of the colonies was estimated. Gram staining, catalase, coagulase slide, coagulase tube, acetoin production,o-nitrophenyl β-d-galactopyranoside (ONPG), and mannitol fermentation tests were used to confirm the colonies asS aureus. A haemolysin test was conducted with human blood to confirm haemolytic activity.

Results:All subjects in the experimental group were carryingS aureusboth before and after training. The estimated mean total counts of colonies from the skin, ear, and nose for the Malays before training were 33, 71, and 312 respectively. Counts after training were 21, 44, and 452 respectively. The results for the Indians were 72, 80, and 309 respectively before training and 55, 200, and 466 respectively after training. The positive results for Gram staining, catalase, coagulase slide, coagulase tube, acetoin production, ONPG, and mannitol fermentation tests were 100%, 96%, 95%, 95%, 93%, 93%, and 90% respectively. All subjects in the control group were also carryingS aureus.

Conclusions:All of the players were carriers ofS aureusduring training. The decrease in total count from the skin for both races may be due to lysozyme activity lysing the bacterial cells. Contamination of the environment with these bacteria may have increased the estimated total plate count in the nose. The experimental group face a higher risk of infection because of lower immunity during training and higher rate of injuries compared with the control group.
99mTc-MDP bone SPECT in evaluation of the knee in asymptomatic soccer players
Authors: Yildirim M , Gursoy R , Varoglu E , Oztasyonar Y , Cogalgil S
Published: January 2004

Objective:To evaluate stress fractures in leg (particularly around the knee, tibia, and femur) and knee pathology in active asymptomatic (no symptoms in the preceding month) soccer players.

Method:The study included 42 asymptomatic soccer players (21 women, 21 men; age range 19–31 years). Players from seven teams in the major female professional and amateur male soccer leagues were examined by technetium-99m-methylene diphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) bone scintigraphy during the soccer season. Four hours after intravenous injection of 20 mCi99mTc-MDP, standard imaging included anterior planar spot images of the legs, lateral images of the knee, and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Results:Although the players were asymptomatic, increased tracer uptake, indicating stress fracture, was found in 28 (66%). Most of the stress fractures were in the tibia (62%) and femur (5%). In the 42 subjects (84 legs), 35 sites (42%) showed rupture of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus and bone bruising of the tibial plateau, 16 sites (19%) showed rupture of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus, 11 sites (13%) showed bone bruising of the lateral femoral condyle, eight sites (10%) showed bone bruising of the medial femoral condyle, and there was avulsion injury to the infrapatellar tendon insertion in the anterior tibia in 34 sites (40%). There were 11 anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Conclusion:Bone SPECT is very accurate, easy to perform, cost effective, may give valuable information before magnetic resonance imaging studies in the detection of meniscal tears, and may be used successfully when magnetic resonance imaging is unavailable.
Deep cutting injury from the edges of a snowboard
Authors: Matsunaga T , Saitoh S , Tanikawa H , Hayashi M , Ohira M , Kimura T
Published: January 2004

A laceration deep enough to reach the bone occurs very rarely in skiing or snowboarding. Two such cases are presented here. In one case, the popliteal fossa of a skier was cut during a collision with a snowboarder. All structures posterior to the knee were severed and the leg became ischaemic. The other case was of a snowboarder who sustained a deep cut to the distal forearm during landing after a jump, resulting in a “spaghetti wrist”.
Arthrogenic muscle response to a simulated ankle joint effusion
Authors: Palmieri R M , Ingersoll C D , Hoffman M A , Cordova M L , Porter D A , Edwards J E , Babington J P , Krause B A , Stone M B
Published: January 2004

Background:Arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) is a continuing reflex reaction of the musculature surrounding a joint after distension or damage to the structures of that joint. This phenomenon has been well documented after knee joint injury and has been generalised to occur at other joints of the human body, yet minimal research has been conducted in this regard. The response of the muscles crossing the ankle/foot complex after ankle injury and effusion is not well understood. AMI may occur after an ankle sprain contributing to residual dysfunction.

Objective:To determine if AMI is present in the soleus, peroneus longus, and tibialis anterior musculature after a simulated ankle joint effusion.

Methods:Eight neurologically sound volunteers (mean (SD) age 23 (4) years, height 171 (6) cm, mass 73 (10) kg) participated. Maximum H-reflex and maximum M-wave measurements were collected using surface electromyography after delivery of a percutaneous stimulus to the sciatic nerve before its bifurcation into the common peroneal and posterior tibial nerves.

Results:The H-reflex and M-wave measurements in all muscles increased (p⩽0.05) after the simulated ankle joint effusion.

Conclusions:Simulated ankle joint effusion results in facilitation of the soleus, peroneus longus, and tibialis anterior motoneurone pools. This may occur to stabilise the foot/ankle complex in order to maintain posture and/or locomotion.
Effect of contraction frequency on energy expenditure and substrate utilisation during upper and lower body exercise
Authors: Kang J , Hoffman J R , Wendell M , Walker H , Hebert M
Published: January 2004

Objective:To examine the effect of contraction frequency on energy expenditure and substrate utilisation during upper (UE) and lower (LE) body exercise.

Methods:Twenty four college students were recruited: 12 were tested on an arm ergometer, and the other 12 were tested on a leg ergometer. Each subject underwent three experimental trials on three separate days, and the three trials were presented in a randomised order. Each trial consisted of 10 minutes of arm cranking or leg cycling at 40, 60, or 80 rev/min, with power output being kept constant at 50 W. Steady state oxygen uptake (Vo2) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were measured during each exercise. Energy expenditure was calculated from the steady state Vo2adjusted for substrate metabolism using RER. Carbohydrate and fat oxidation were calculated from Vo2and RER based on the assumption that protein breakdown contributes little to energy metabolism during exercise.

Results:Energy expenditure was greater (p<0.05) at 80 rev/min than at 40 rev/min. No difference was found between 40 and 60 rev/min and between 60 and 80 rev/min during both UE and LE. During LE, carbohydrate oxidation was also higher at 80 rev/min than at 40 rev/min, whereas no difference in fat oxidation was found among all three pedal rates. During UE, no speed related differences in either carbohydrate or fat utilisation were observed.

Conclusions:Pedalling at a greater frequency helped to maximise energy expenditure during exercise using UE or LE despite an unchanging power output. Whereas contraction frequency affects energy expenditure similarly during both UE and LE, its impact on carbohydrate utilisation appears to be influenced by exercise modality or relative exercise intensity.
The Football Association Medical Research Programme: an audit of injuries in professional football—analysis of hamstring injuries
Authors: Woods C , Hawkins R D , Maltby S , Hulse M , Thomas A , Hodson A
Published: January 2004

Objective:To conduct a detailed analysis of hamstring injuries sustained in English professional football over two competitive seasons.

Methods:Club medical staff at 91 professional football clubs annotated player injuries over two seasons. A specific injury audit questionnaire was used together with a weekly form that documented each clubs’ current injury status.

Results:Completed injury records for the two competitive seasons were obtained from 87% and 76% of the participating clubs respectively. Hamstring strains accounted for 12% of the total injuries over the two seasons with nearly half (53%) involving the biceps femoris. An average of five hamstring strains per club per season was observed. A total of 13 116 days and 2029 matches were missed because of hamstring strains, giving an average of 90 days and 15 matches missed per club per season. In 57% of cases, the injury occurred during running. Hamstring strains were most often observed during matches (62%) with an increase at the end of each half (p<0.01). Groups of players sustaining higher than expected rates of hamstring injury were Premiership (p<0.01) and outfield players (p<0.01), players of black ethnic origin (p<0.05), and players in the older age groups (p<0.01). Only 5% of hamstring strains underwent some form of diagnostic investigation. The reinjury rate for hamstring injury was 12%.

Conclusion:Hamstring strains are common in football. In trying to reduce the number of initial and recurrent hamstring strains in football, prevention of initial injury is paramount. If injury does occur, the importance of differential diagnosis followed by the management of all causes of posterior thigh pain is emphasised. Clinical reasoning with treatment based on best available evidence is recommended.
Clinical investigation of athletes with persistent fatigue and/or recurrent infections
Authors: Reid V L , Gleeson M , Williams N , Clancy R L
Published: January 2004

Objective:To investigate whether underlying medical conditions contribute to the fatigue and high incidence of infections that can occur during repeated intense training.

Method:Forty one competitive athletes (22 male, 19 female) with persistent fatigue and/or recurrent infections associated with performance decrements had a thorough medical examination and a series of clinical investigations to identify potential medical causes.

Results:Conditions with the potential to cause fatigue and/or recurrent infections were identified in 68% of the athletes. The most common were partial humoral immune deficiency (28%) and unresolved viral infections (27%). Non-fasting hypoglycaemia was common (28%). Other conditions included allergic disease (15%), new or poorly controlled asthma (13%), upper airway dysfunction (5%), sleep disorders (15%), iron depletion (3%), and one case of a thyroid disorder. A positive antinuclear antibody was detected in 21% of the athletes, without any clinical evidence of autoimmune disorders. Evidence of Epstein-Barr virus reactivation was detected in 22% of the athletes tested.

Conclusions:Athletes with recurrent infections, fatigue, and associated poor performance may benefit from a thorough investigation of potentially reversible underlying medical conditions, especially when these conditions cause disruption to training and competition. Unresolved viral infections are not routinely assessed in elite athletes, but it may be worth considering in those experiencing fatigue and performing poorly.
Strategies for prevention of soccer related injuries: a systematic review
Authors: Olsen L , Scanlan A , MacKay M , Babul S , Reid D , Clark M , Raina P
Published: January 2004

Objectives:To examine evidence on the effectiveness of current injury prevention strategies in soccer, determine the applicability of the evidence to children and youth, and make recommendations on policy, programming, and future research.

Methods:Standard systematic review methodology was modified and adopted for this review. Research questions and relevance criteria were developed a priori. Potentially relevant studies were located through electronic and hand searches. Articles were assessed for relevance and quality by two independent assessors, and the results of relevant articles were abstracted and synthesised.

Results:A total of 44 potentially relevant articles from electronic (n  =  37) and hand (n  =  7) searches yielded four that met inclusion criteria. These four studies addressed a range of intervention strategies and varied with respect to results and quality of evidence.

Conclusions:Some of the strategies look promising but lack adequate evaluation or require further research among younger players. Practice, policy, and research recommendations are provided as a result of the synthesis.
Performance enhanced headgear: a scientific approach to the development of protective headgear
Authors: McIntosh A , McCrory P , Finch C F
Published: January 2004

Background:There is a continuing debate about the performance of protective headgear in rugby union, rugby league, and Australian rules football.

Objectives:To examine the impact energy attenuation performance of foam that could be incorporated into headgear and examine the performance of prototypes of modified headgear.

Methods:Impact tests were conducted on polyethylene foams and protective headgear. Free fall drop tests with a rigid headform on to a flat rigid anvil were conducted. Resultant headform acceleration was measured. Means of the headform acceleration maxima for repeat tests were calculated.

Results:Tests on polyethylene foam indicated that an increase in thickness from 10 mm to 16 mm would improve headgear performance. These modifications were incorporated in part into two headgear models: the Albion Headpro and the Canterbury brand Body Armour honeycomb headgear. The headgear tests show that significant reductions in headform acceleration were achieved by increasing the foam density and thickness. Mean headform acceleration maxima for the 16 mm thick modified rugby headgear was about 25% of that of standard headgear for lateral impact 0.3 and 0.4 m drop heights and 27% for the centre front 0.3 m drop tests. At these impacts, the headform acceleration for the modified rugby headgear was below 200g.

Conclusions:Significant improvements in impact energy attenuation performance are possible with small design changes. Whether these are sufficient to reduce the rate or severity of concussion in rugby and Australian rules football can only be shown by formal prospective studies on the field.
Effect of tai chi exercise on proprioception of ankle and knee joints in old people
Authors: Xu D , Hong Y , Li J , Chan K
Published: January 2004

Objectives:To assess if tai chi, a traditional Chinese form of exercise, could improve proprioception in old people and if the effects of tai chi on proprioception are more evident than other exercise forms in the elderly.

Methods:By detecting the threshold of passive movement, ankle and knee joint kinaesthesis was measured in 21 elderly long term tai chi practitioners (TC group), 20 elderly long term swimmers/runners (S/R group), and 27 elderly sedentary controls (control group).

Results:Ankle joint kinaesthesis differed significantly among the three groups (p  =  0.001). Subjects in the TC group could detect a significantly smaller amount of motion than those in the S/R group (p  =  0.022) and control group (p  =  0.001). No significant difference was found between the S/R group and the control group (p  =  0.701). The threshold for detection of passive motion was significantly different in knee extension and flexion. For knee flexion, the TC group showed a significantly lower mean threshold for detection of passive motion than the control group (p  =  0.026). There were no significant differences between the S/R group and control group (p  =  0.312), or between the TC group and S/R group (p  =  0.533). For knee extension, no significant difference was noted among the three groups (p  =  0.597).

Conclusions:The elderly people who regularly practiced tai chi not only showed better proprioception at the ankle and knee joints than sedentary controls, but also better ankle kinaesthesis than swimmers/runners. The large benefits of tai chi exercise on proprioception may result in the maintenance of balance control in older people.
Use of tissue adhesives in sport? A new application in international ice hockey
Authors: Branfield A S
Published: January 2004

In the tough, competitive environment of international ice hockey, it is vital that a player who sustains a minor facial laceration is returned to play as soon as possible. A method of wound closure that is fast to apply, water resistant, and effective was sought. Dermabond, a cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive, was selected for use during the 2002 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships for the closure of selected facial wounds. The wounds were all closed using prescribed aseptic techniques. The results are presented and discussed. The tissue adhesive met the criteria set out.