bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intracranial hemorrhage alters scalp potential distribution in bioimpedance cerebral monitoring: Preliminary results from FEM simulation on a realistic head model and human subjects
Authors: Atefi Seyed Reza , Seoane Fernando , Kamalian Shervin , Rosenthal Eric S. , Lev Michael H. , Bonmassar Giorgio 
Published: January 2016

Purpose:Current diagnostic neuroimaging for detection of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is limited to fixed scanners requiring patient transport and extensive infrastructure support. ICH diagnosis would therefore benefit from a portable diagnostic technology, such as electrical bioimpedance (EBI). Through simulations and patient observation, the authors assessed the influence of unilateral ICH hematomas on quasisymmetric scalp potential distributions in order to establish the feasibility of EBI technology as a potential tool for early diagnosis.Methods:Finite element method (FEM) simulations and experimental left–right hemispheric scalp potential differences of healthy and damaged brains were compared with respect to the asymmetry caused by ICH lesions on quasisymmetric scalp potential distributions. In numerical simulations, this asymmetry was measured at 25 kHz and visualized on the scalp as the normalized potential difference between the healthy and ICH damaged models. Proof‐of‐concept simulations were extended in a pilot study of experimental scalp potential measurements recorded between 0 and 50 kHz with the authors' custom‐made bioimpedance spectrometer. Mean left–right scalp potential differences recorded from the frontal, central, and parietal brain regions of ten healthy control and six patients suffering from acute/subacute ICH were compared. The observed differences were measured at the 5% level of significance using the two‐sample Welch t‐test.Results:The 3D‐anatomically accurate FEM simulations showed that the normalized scalp potential difference between the damaged and healthy brain models is zero everywhere on the head surface, except in the vicinity of the lesion, where it can vary up to 5%. The authors' preliminary experimental results also confirmed that the left–right scalp potential difference in patients with ICH (e.g., 64 mV) is significantly larger than in healthy subjects (e.g., 20.8 mV; P < 0.05).Conclusions:Realistic, proof‐of‐concept simulations confirmed that ICH affects quasisymmetric scalp potential distributions. Pilot clinical observations with the authors' custom‐made bioimpedance spectrometer also showed higher left–right potential differences in the presence of ICH, similar to those of their simulations, that may help to distinguish healthy subjects from ICH patients. Although these pilot clinical observations are in agreement with the computer simulations, the small sample size of this study lacks statistical power to exclude the influence of other possible confounders such as age, sex, and electrode positioning. The agreement with previously published simulation‐based and clinical results, however, suggests that EBI technology may be potentially useful for ICH detection.
The Influence of Added Mass on Optimal Step Length in Running
Authors: Reenalda Jasper , Maas Maurice T.F. , de Koning Jos J. 
Published: January 2016

Purpose:To examine the influence of induced changes in the morphology of the leg by adding mass on the optimal step length (OSL) in experienced runners to get more insight into parameters that influence preferred step length (PSL) and OSL.Methods:Thirteen experienced male runners (mean age 26.9 ± 6.1 y, height 183.7 ± 7.1 cm, mass 71.8 ± 5.9 kg) ran on a treadmill in 3 different conditions: unloaded (UL), loaded with 2 kg mass at the ankles (MA), and loaded with 2 kg mass at the hips (MH) at 7 different step lengths (SLs). SL deviations were expressed as deviations in relative leg length (%LL) from the individual PSL: 0%LL, ±5%LL, ±10%LL, and ±15%LL. Trials lasted 8 min, and 8 min of rest was given between trials. Oxygen uptake (V̇O2) was expressed as a fraction of V̇O2 at PSL + 0%LL in the unloaded condition (%V̇O2). The %SL with the lowest value of %V̇O2 was considered the OSL for this group of participants.Results:OSL at the UL condition was 6% shorter than PSL. The MA condition resulted in a 7%LL larger OSL than at UL and MH (P < .05).Conclusions:The mass distribution of the leg is a determinant of the OSL. As a consequence of the added mass to the ankles, OSL was 7%LL longer. Morphological characteristics of the leg might therefore play an important role in determining the runner’s individual optimal SL.
How Do World-Class Nordic Combined Athletes Differ From Specialized Cross-Country Skiers and Ski Jumpers in Sport-Specific Capacity and Training Characteristics?
Authors: Sandbakk Øyvind , Rasdal Vegard , Bråten Steinar , Moen Frode , Ettema Gertjan 
Published: January 2016

Purpose:To compare sport-specific laboratory capacities and the annual training of world-class Nordic combined (NC) athletes with specialized ski jumpers (SJ) and cross-country (XC) skiers.Methods:Five world-class athletes from each sports discipline were compared. Ski jump imitations were performed on a 3-dimensional force plate in NC athletes and SJ, whereas XC skiing characteristics were obtained from submaximal and maximal roller ski skating on a treadmill in NC athletes and XC skiers. In addition, anthropometrics and annual training characteristics were determined.Results:NC athletes demonstrated 9% higher body mass and showed 17% lower vertical speed in the ski jump imitation than SJ (all P < .05). NC athletes had 12% lower body mass and showed 10% lower peak treadmill speed and 12% lower body-mass-normalized peak oxygen uptake than XC skiers (all P < .05). NC athletes performed half the number of ski-jumping-specific sessions and outdoor ski jumps compared with SJ. NC athletes performed 31% less endurance training, mainly caused by lower amounts of low- and moderate-intensity training in the classical technique, whereas high-intensity strength and speed training and endurance training in the skating technique did not differ substantially from XC skiers.Conclusions:To simultaneously optimize endurance, explosive, and technical capacities in 2 different disciplines, world-class NC athletes train approximately two-thirds of the XC skier’s endurance training volume and perform one-half of the ski-jump-specific training compared with SJ. Still, the various laboratory capacities differed only 10–17% compared with SJ and XC skiers.
Functional Lower-Body Power: A Comparison Study Between Physically Inactive, Recreationally Active, and Masters Athlete Late-Middle-Aged Adults
Authors: Glenn Jordan M. , Gray Michelle , Vincenzo Jennifer L. , Stone Matthew S. 
Published: January 2016

Muscular power decreases with age, and lower-body power relates to overall functional fitness; however, functional lower-body power has not been evaluated in late-middle-aged (LMA) populations. Purpose:To evaluate average and peak lower-body functional power and velocity among sedentary (SED), recreationally active (RA), and masters athlete (MA) LMA adults.Methods:Participants were SED (n = 13, age = 59.3 ± 4.5 years), RA (n = 35, age = 59.6 ± 5.0 years), and MA (n = 26, age = 56.7 ± 5.4 years). Five sit-to-stand trials were completed to assess lower-body functional power. Average/peak power and velocity were calculated for each trial. Power was expressed relatively to account for participant body weight. Results:MA (13.44 ± 2.76 W/kg) had significantly (p < .01) greater peak power compared with SED (9.99 ± 2.70 W/ kg) and RA (9.93 ± 2.30 W/kg). Similar significant (p < .01) differences existed for peak velocity (SED = 1.02 ± 0.22 m/s, RA = 1.04 ± 0.22 m/s, MA = 1.25 ± 0.19 m/s). No differences existed for average power or velocity between groups.Conclusions:Maintaining a competitively active lifestyle results in greater lower-body functional power in LMA adults and may support longitudinal functionality.
Assessment and Training of Visuomotor Reaction Time for Football Injury Prevention
Authors: Wilkerson Gary B. , Simpson Kevin A. , Clark Ryan A. 
Published: January 2016

Context:Neurocognitive reaction time has been associated with musculoskeletal injury risk, but visuomotor reaction time (VMRT) derived from tests that present greater challenges to visual stimulus detection and motor response execution may have a stronger association.Objective:To assess VMRT as a predictor of injury and the extent to which improvement may result from VMRT training.Design:Cohort study.Setting:University athletic performance center.Participants:76 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I FCS football players (19.5 ± 1.4 y, 1.85 ± 0.06 m, 102.98 ± 19.06 kg).Interventions:Preparticipation and postseason assessments. A subset of players who exhibited slowest VMRT in relation to the cohort’s postseason median value participated in a 6-wk training program.Main Outcome Measures:Injury occurrence was related to preparticipation VMRT, which was represented by both number of target hits in 60 s and average elapsed time between hits (ms). Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified the optimum cut point for a binary injury risk classification. A nonparametric repeated-measures analysis of ranks procedure was used to compare posttraining VMRT values for slow players who completed at least half of the training sessions (n = 15) with those for untrained fast players (n = 27).Results:A preparticipation cut point of ≤85 hits (≥705 ms) discriminated injured from noninjured players with odds ratio = 2.30 (90% confidence interval, 1.05–5.06). Slow players who completed the training exhibited significant improvement in visuomotor performance compared with baseline (standardized response mean = 2.53), whereas untrained players exhibited a small performance decrement (group × trial interaction effect, L2 = 28.74; P < .001).Conclusions:Slow VMRT appears to be an important and modifiable injury risk factor for college football players. More research is needed to refine visuomotor reaction-time screening and training methods and to determine the extent to which improved performance values can reduce injury incidence.
Modulation of Stretch-Shortening-Cycle Behavior With Eccentric Loading of Triceps Surae: A Possible Therapeutic Mechanism
Authors: Debenham James R. , Gibson William I. , Travers Mervyn J. , Campbell Amity C. , Allison Garry T. 
Published: January 2016

Context:Eccentric exercises are increasingly being used to treat lower-limb musculoskeletal conditions such as Achilles tendinopathy. Despite widespread clinical application and documented efficacy, mechanisms underpinning clinical benefit remain unclear. Positive adaptations in motor performance are a potential mechanism.Objective:To investigate how an eccentric loading intervention influences measures of stretch-shortening-cycle (SSC) behavior during a hopping task.Design:Within-subjects repeated-measures observational study.Setting:University motion-analysis laboratory.Participants:Healthy adults.Interventions:A single intervention of 5 sets of 10 eccentric plantar-flexion contractions at 6 repetitions maximum using a commercial seated calf-raise machine.Main Outcome Measures:Lower-limb stiffness, sagittal-plane ankle kinematics, and temporal muscle activity of the agonist (soleus) and antagonist (tibialis anterior) muscles, measured during submaximal hopping on a custom-built sledge-jump system.Results:Eccentric loading altered ankle kinematics during submaximal hopping; peak angle shifted to a less dorsiflexed position by 2.9° and ankle angle precontact shifted by 4.4° (P < .001). Lower-limb stiffness increased from 5.9 to 6.8 N/m (P < .001), while surface EMG measures of soleus occurred 14–44% earlier (P < .001) after the loading intervention.Conclusions:These findings suggest that eccentric loading alters SSC behavior in a manner reflective of improved motor performance. Decreased ankle excursion, increased lower-limb stiffness, and alterations in motor control may represent a positive adaptive response to eccentric loading. These findings support the theory that mechanisms underpinning eccentric loading for tendinopathy may in part be due to improved “buffering” of the tendon by the neuromuscular system.
Is the Combination of COL1A1 Gene Polymorphisms a Marker of Injury Risk?
Authors: Stepien-Slodkowska Marta , Ficek Krzysztof , Zietek Pawel , Kaczmarczyk Mariusz , Lubkowska Wioletta , Szark-Eckardt Miroslawa , Cieszczyk Pawel 
Published: January 2016

Context:The most commonly injured body part for skiing has been found to be the knee. The rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was the most frequent diagnosis. ACL ruptures are determined by several extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors including those that are hormonal, neuromuscular, anatomical, or genetic.Objectives:To examine the association of both COL1A1 rs1800012 (+1245G/T) and COL1A1 rs1107946 (–1997G/T) polymorphisms, individually and as haplotypes, with ACL ruptures in recreational Polish skiers.Design:Genomic DNA was extracted from buccal cells donated by the subjects, and genotyping was carried out using real-time polymerase chain reaction.Settings:University laboratory.Participants:138 male recreational skiers with surgically diagnosed primary ruptures and 183 apparently healthy male recreational skiers not differing markedly in age or level of exposure to ACL injury.Main Outcome Measures:COL1A1 rs1800012 and COL1A1 rs1107946 polymorphisms.Results:There were significant differences in genotype distribution of the COL1A1 rs1800012 polymorphism between the ACL rupture group and the control group. The GG homozygotes were underrepresented in the ACL rupture group compared with the control group. There were no significant differences in genotype distribution or allele frequency of COL1A1 rs1107946 polymorphisms between the ACL rupture group and the control group. The G-G (COL1A1 rs1800012G and COL1A1 rs1107946G) haplotype was the most common. There were no significant differences in haplotype distribution between the ACL-rupture and control groups.Conclusion:The study showed that GG homozygotes were underrepresented in the ACL-rupture group compared with the control group, which suggests an association with reduced risk of ACL injury.
Effects of Treated versus Untreated Polystyrene on Caspofungin
In Vitro
Activity against Candida Species
Authors: Fothergill Annette W. , McCarthy Dora I. , Albataineh Mohammad T. , Sanders Carmita , McElmeel Maria , Wiederhold Nathan P. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Significant interlaboratory variability is observed in testing the caspofungin susceptibility of
Candida
species by both the CLSI and EUCAST broth microdilution methodologies. We evaluated the influence of treated versus untreated polystyrene microtiter trays on caspofungin MICs using 209 isolates of four
Candida
species, including 16
C. albicans
and 11
C. glabrata
isolates with defined
FKS
mutations. Caspofungin MICs were also determined using the commercially available YeastOne and Etest assays and 102 isolates. All
C. glabrata
isolates had caspofungin MICs of ≥0.5 μg/ml, the clinical breakpoint for caspofungin resistance in this species, measured using trays made of treated polystyrene, regardless of the
FKS
status. In contrast, susceptible isolates could readily be distinguished from resistant/non-wild-type isolates when caspofungin MICs were measured using untreated polystyrene trays and both the YeastOne and Etest assays. Similar results were also observed for
C. krusei
isolates, as all isolates had caspofungin MICs above the threshold for resistance measured using treated polystyrene trays. In contrast,
C. albicans
isolates could be correctly identified as susceptible or resistant when caspofungin MICs were measured with treated or untreated trays and with the YeastOne and Etest assays. MICs falsely elevated above the resistance breakpoint were also not observed for
C. tropicalis
isolates. These results demonstrated that the use of treated polystyrene may be one factor that leads to falsely elevated caspofungin
in vitro
susceptibility results and that this may also be a greater issue for some
Candida
species than for others.
Interferon Gamma Release Assays for Latent Tuberculosis: What Are the Sources of Variability?
Authors: Banaei Niaz , Gaur Rajiv L. , Pai Madhukar 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT
Interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) are blood-based tests intended for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). IGRAs offer logistical advantages and are supposed to offer improved specificity over the tuberculin skin test (TST). However, recent serial testing studies of low-risk individuals have revealed higher false conversion rates with IGRAs than with TST. Reproducibility studies have identified various sources of variability that contribute to nonreproducible results. Sources of variability can be broadly classified as preanalytical, analytical, postanalytical, manufacturing, and immunological. In this minireview, we summarize known sources of variability and their impact on IGRA results. We also provide recommendations on how to minimize sources of IGRA variability.
Evaluation of Xpert MTB/RIF for Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Cerebrospinal Fluid
Authors: Pink F. , Brown T. J. , Kranzer K. , Drobniewski F. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT
Studies investigating Xpert MTB/RIF diagnostic performance on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples are lacking in resource-rich settings. Xpert MTB/RIF results for 740 CSF samples from 698 patients across England were retrospectively compared with the results of culture of the same and contemporary samples. The overall sensitivity was calculated at 55%.
Novel Assays for Measurement of Total Cell-Associated HIV-1 DNA and RNA
Authors: Hong Feiyu , Aga Evgenia , Cillo Anthony R. , Yates Aarika L. , Besson Guillaume , Fyne Elizabeth , Koontz Dianna L. , Jennings Cheryl , Zheng Lu , Mellors John W. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Although a number of PCR-based quantitative assays for measuring HIV-1 persistence during suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) have been reported, a simple, sensitive, reproducible method is needed for application to large clinical trials. We developed novel quantitative PCR assays for cell-associated (CA) HIV-1 DNA and RNA, targeting a highly conserved region in HIV-1
pol
, with sensitivities of 3 to 5 copies/1 million cells. We evaluated the performance characteristics of the assays using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 5 viremic patients and 20 patients receiving effective ART. Total and resting CD4
+
T cells were isolated from a subset of patients and tested for comparison with PBMCs. The estimated standard deviations including interassay variability and intra-assay variability of the assays were modest, i.e., 0.15 and 0.10 log
10
copies/10
6
PBMCs, respectively, for CA HIV-1 DNA and 0.40 and 0.19 log
10
copies/10
6
PBMCs for CA HIV-1 RNA. Testing of longitudinally obtained PBMC samples showed little variation for either viremic patients (median fold differences of 0.80 and 0.88 for CA HIV-1 DNA and RNA, respectively) or virologically suppressed patients (median fold differences of 1.14 and 0.97, respectively). CA HIV-1 DNA and RNA levels were strongly correlated (
r
= 0.77 to 1;
P
= 0.0001 to 0.037) for assays performed using PBMCs from different sources (phlebotomy versus leukapheresis) or using total or resting CD4
+
T cells purified by either bead selection or flow cytometric sorting. Their sensitivity, reproducibility, and broad applicability to small numbers of mononuclear cells make these assays useful for observational and interventional studies that examine longitudinal changes in the numbers of HIV-1-infected cells and their levels of transcription.
Phenotypic, Genotypic, and Antimicrobial Characteristics of Streptococcus halichoeri Isolates from Humans, Proposal To Rename Streptococcus halichoeri as Streptococcus halichoeri subsp. halichoeri, and Description of Streptococcus halichoeri subsp. hominis subsp. nov., a Bacterium Associated with Human Clinical Infections
Authors: Shewmaker P. L. , Whitney A. M. , Humrighouse B. W. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Phenotypic, genotypic, and antimicrobial characteristics of six phenotypically distinct human clinical isolates that most closely resembled the type strain of
Streptococcus halichoeri
isolated from a seal are presented. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA,
rpoB
,
sodA
, and
recN
genes; comparative whole-genome analysis; conventional biochemical and Rapid ID 32 Strep identification methods; and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed on the human isolates, the type strain of
S
.
halichoeri
, and type strains of closely related species. The six human clinical isolates were biochemically indistinguishable from each other and showed 100% 16S rRNA,
rpoB
,
sodA
, and
recN
gene sequence similarity. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis revealed 98.6% similarity to
S. halichoeri
CCUG 48324
T
, 97.9% similarity to
S. canis
ATCC 43496
T
, and 97.8% similarity to
S. ictaluri
ATCC BAA-1300
T
. A 3,530-bp fragment of the
rpoB
gene was 98.8% similar to the
S. halichoeri
type strain, 84.6% to the
S. canis
type strain, and 83.8% to the
S
.
ictaluri
type strain. The
S. halichoeri
type strain and the human clinical isolates were susceptible to the antimicrobials tested based on CLSI guidelines for
Streptococcus
species viridans group with the exception of tetracycline and erythromycin. The human isolates were phenotypically distinct from the type strain isolated from a seal; comparative whole-genome sequence analysis confirmed that the human isolates were
S. halichoeri
. On the basis of these results, a novel subspecies,
Streptococcus
halichoeri
subsp.
hominis
, is proposed for the human isolates and
Streptococcus halichoeri
subsp.
halichoeri
is proposed for the gray seal isolates. The type strain of the novel subspecies is SS1844
T
= CCUG 67100
T
= LMG 28801
T
.