bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COMPARISON OF ECCENTRIC HAMSTRING STRENGTH AND INJURY RATES BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL AND SEMI-PROFESSIONAL AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALLERS
Authors: Duhig S 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundHamstring strain injuries (HSI) are the most common injury within Australian football with reports showing no decrease in incidence over two decades.ObjectiveTo compare differences of HSIs and eccentric hamstring strength, using a field-based testing device, between elite and sub-elite Australian footballers.DesignA prospective cohort study.Setting2 football teams were involved in the study with data collected at their respective club. The first team competes in the elite Australian Football League (AFL) whilst the other competes in the sub-elite North East Australian Football League (NEAFL).Participants82 Australian footballers, 41 footballers from a sub-elite NEAFL team and 41 footballers from an elite AFL team participated in the study.Risk factor assessmentThe teams were tested during their preseason, with each footballer performing 3 repetitions of the Nordic hamstring exercise on a field-based testing device. Between limb imbalance and absolute strength were the independent variables.Main outcome measurementsThe dependent variable was the HSI rates, each team was required to record all injuries for the subsequent ‘home and away’ season.ResultsAlthough not statistically significant,elite AFL players displayed slightly higher average peak torques for the left limb (+17.5N, P=.113) and right limb (+21.1N, P=.09). No difference was observed for between limb imbalance (P=.408) between elite and sub-elite players. However, elite players sustained 3 times more HSIs (9 vs. 3) and missed a greater number of games as a result (28 vs. 6).ConclusionMinimal differences were observed between strength and between limb strength imbalances, however, a 60% increase in HSIs was observed in the elite group. We propose that the strength levels displayed within the AFL and additional study is required to assess whether the elite level has higher physical demands and thus requiring greater strength.
EFFECT OF PREVIOUS CONCUSSION OR INJURY ON SPORT-SPECIFIC SKILLS IN ELITE YOUTH ICE HOCKEY: A PILOT STUDY
Authors: Eliason P , McKay C , Meeuwisse W , Emery CA 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundConcussions can lead to cognitive or neuromotor impairments which may influence skill performance. No published research has investigated the effect of previous concussions on sport-specific skill performance. Skill performance may be an important component of injury prevention strategy development in youth ice hockey.ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of previous concussion or injury on sport-specific skill performance in elite youth ice hockey.DesignCross Sectional pilot study.SettingWinsport arena in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.Participants:A sample of ten teams (n=131, 84 males and 47 females, ages 13-17) representing the most elite 20% of players by division of play (“AA, AAA”).Risk factor assessmentPlayers completed a preseason baseline questionnaire including history of previous concussion and/or injury in the past year.Main outcome measurementsOn-ice skills testing was based on the Hockey Canada Skills Test (HCST) battery which included forward agility weave, forward and backward speed skate, forward to backward transition agility, and a 6-repeat endurance test.ResultsComparing players with a history of concussion and those without, there were no differences in HCST component scores. There were also no differences in HCST scores between those reporting a previous injury within 1 year and those without. Males were faster than females on all HCST timed skill components, except for forward agility weave without the puck. Midget players were faster than Bantam players for transition agility with and without the puck, forward speed with the puck, and backward speed with and without the puck.ConclusionThere were no apparent associations between history of concussion and/or injury and sport-specific skill performance. Our results provide reference values for HCST component scores that can allow assessment of risk and provide a foundation for prevention studies.
THE EFFECT OF PROTECTIVE TAEKWONDO FOOTPADS ON ATTENUATING IMPACTS OF AN INSTRUMENTED HEAD-FORM
Authors: Fife G , O'Sullivan D , Pieter W , Lee S 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundA recent regulation in boxing, of removing headgear, proposes the question as to whether a similar rule should be adopted in taekwondo.ObjectiveTo assess the effect of protective taekwondo footpads on attenuating impacts of an instrumented head-form. It is hypothesised that footpads with greater thickness would mitigate impacts better than thinner ones.DesignBetween groups.SettingImpact biomechanics laboratory.ParticipantsWorld Taekwondo Federation approved protective footpads.Risk factor assessmentA standardized (ASTM F-2397) martial arts headgear striker was used to impart impacts to a 50th Percentile Male Hybrid III head and neck complex. All impacts were imparted with a terminal striking velocity of 5.0 m/s (min-max: 4.75–5.15 m/s). Six different striking conditions were employed (no footpad (control), KDS, Adidas, Mooto, Mooto MTX, old style footpad [i.e., thick]). Each footpad condition was tested for a total of 3 impacts. The level of significance was set to an effect size of 0.2.Main outcome measurementsResultant linear acceleration (RLA).ResultsSignificant differences were found between all footpads (eta2=0.86). The most effective impact attenuation was provided by the old style footpad (102g), followed by the Adidas (124g), KDS (140g), Mooto (140g), MTX (149g), and non-footpad condition (211g). The greatest difference in RLA was observed between the thick footpad and the non-padded condition (102 g v 211 g, d=2.08, 95% CI=-0.19–3.51).ConclusionsThe footpads when compared with the control condition did decrease the RLA but not to an ASTM standard of 50g. These results do not support the removal of protective taekwondo headgear. Future studies may investigate the use of better designed footpads if a similar regulation were to be adopted.
DEVELOPMENT OF AN OBSERVATIONAL TOOL TO ASSESS QUALITY OF EXERCISE PERFORMANCE BY PARTICIPANTS IN A NEUROMUSCULAR INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM
Authors: Fortington L , Finch CF , Donaldson A , Lathlean T , Cook J , Gabbe B , Lloyd D , Young W 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundIn determining the effectiveness of sports injury prevention programs (IPP), an assessment of program fidelity is needed. This includes considering whether the intervention was delivered and adhered to as it was intended. Evaluation of program fidelity prevents incorrect conclusions being made about the effects of an IPP and can provide information on why it was successful, or not. Program fidelity for IPPs in sport has generally been limited to self-reported measures around frequency of participation. However, for exercise-based IPPs, performing the exercises as they were originally prescribed is important to maximise injury prevention benefits. Therefore, observing the actual exercise performance could give important insight when evaluating overall IPP fidelity.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to develop an observational tool for exercise-based IPPs and assess its inter-rater reliability. This was trialled in the context of FootyFirst, an IPP in Australian Football.DesignThe essential performance criteria of each FootyFirst exercise were described in terms of their technique, volume and intensity, in line with exercise prescription guidelines. The expert FootyFirst development team were consulted until consensus was reached on details of each exercise. Each criterion was evaluated by observing player performance and responding with a yes/no answer.SettingCommunity Australian football clubs.ParticipantsPlayers participating in FootyFirst as part of regular training; two independent raters.Main outcome measurementsInter-rater reliability of tool and correct performance of FootyFirst exercises.ResultsThe observational tool was trialled at eight clubs for 70 observations. The raters agreed on 61 observations (K=0.718, P<.001; substantial agreement), of which 41(67%) scored yes for all performance criteria (technique, volume and intensity), indicating the exercise was performed as prescribed.ConclusionsThe FootyFirst Observational Tool has high inter-rater reliability. This can be used to monitor the quality of exercise performance when assessing overall program fidelity.
NORMATIVE DATA FOR THE FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT SCREEN™ IN MALE GAELIC FIELD SPORTS
Authors: Fox D , O'Malley E , Blake C 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundHurling and Gaelic Football are amateur team field sports which are native to Ireland. Due to the speed, player to player contact and multidirectional nature of the sports, injury to players is inevitable.ObjectiveDetermine normative values for the Functional Movement Screen™ (FMS) in Elite and Sub-Elite male Gaelic Football and Hurling players.DesignA cross sectional study of functional movement in Gaelic games. Players were video recorded completing the FMS™ and scored post-test.SettingTesting of Elite and Sub-Elite Gaelic players in a gym and university biomechanics laboratory.ParticipantsA total of 62 players (injury-free) were included. This consisted of 41 Hurling, and 21 Gaelic Football players. 30 of these participants were deemed Elite and 32 were deemed Sub-Elite. The mean age of the sample was 22.15±3.02 years.Risk factor assessmentThe FMS™ is a screening method which is proposed to identify potential injury causing deficits in the human body. There are 7 specific components to the test (Deep Squat, Hurdle Step, In-line Lunge, Shoulder Mobility, Active Straight Leg Raise, Trunk Stability Push Up, Rotary Stability), accompanied by 3 clearing tests (Spinal flexion, Spinal extension, Shoulder internal rotation with flexion). Each is scored out of 3 for a maximum of 21. The clearing tests are not scored.Main outcome measurementFunctional Movement Screen™ (FMS).ResultsThe FMS mean score for the sample was 15.56±1.456. The Elite group (15.8±1.58) scored higher than the Sub-Elite group (15.34±1.31), but there was no significant difference between groups.ConclusionsThis study provides normative reference values for Gaelic Players. Elite Gaelic Players perform no better than a young, active population in the FMS indicating a potential problem with the FMS as a measure. The ability of the FMS to detect injury risk is not well supported and clinicians should be cautious using it as such.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HARM PREVENTION–EATING DISORDERS IN BRITISH ATHLETICS
Authors: Fylan J , Currie A , Lightfoot L 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundEating disorders are prevalent in athletics and impact on health and performance. Knowledge of how the sports environment contributes to risk can be translated into effective prevention and harm reduction.ObjectivesTo ensure that the workforce (including volunteers) of British Athletics can: 1) Practice in a manner that minimizes the eating disorder risk, 2) Recognise the early warning signs of disordered eating, 3) Support and direct athletes to appropriate help.DesignThe Welfare Department of British Athletics consulted with eating disorders experts to develop an education package and describe a referral pathway.SettingBritish Athletics–the organisation responsible for the sport's governance, funding and development throughout the United Kingdom.Participants50 leaders in medical, coaching and support staff with a cascade mechanism for dissemination to all staff and athletes.InterventionsA seminar for all key personnel (covering the extent of the problem, prevention, early detection and access to treatment), supplemented by educational articles in athletics press, training videos uploaded to coach education website (ucoach.com) and resource pack for all staff.Main outcome measurements50 key personnel attended the seminar including the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Referral pathways are now clear and managed by British Athletics. The CMO can direct immediate further action for funded athletes. All other athletes are signposted to appropriate help by the Welfare Department.ResultsThere was a 100% approval rating for the resource pack. 96% reported improved understanding of the problem, 92% were confident with the referral pathways and 93% reported increased awareness of sources of support. 800 resource packs distributed and 1500 visits to ucoach.com.ConclusionsPreventive measures for eating disorders are important and can be widely disseminated within national sports organisations. Prompt action minimises harm but requires clear pathways to assessment and further treatment.
Maternal alcohol intake prior to and during pregnancy and risk of adverse birth outcomes: evidence from a British cohort
Authors: Nykjaer Camilla , Alwan Nisreen A , Greenwood Darren C , Simpson Nigel A B , Hay Alastair W M , White Kay L M , Cade Janet E 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundEvidence is conflicting regarding the relationship between low maternal alcohol consumption and birth outcomes. This paper aimed to investigate the association between alcohol intake before and during pregnancy with birth weight and gestational age and to examine the effect of timing of exposure.MethodsA prospective cohort in Leeds, UK, of 1303 pregnant women aged 18–45 years. Questionnaires assessed alcohol consumption before pregnancy and for the three trimesters separately. Categories of alcohol consumption were divided into ≤2 units/week and >2 units/week with a non-drinking category as referent. This was related to size at birth and preterm delivery, adjusting for confounders including salivary cotinine as a biomarker of smoking status.ResultsNearly two-thirds of women before pregnancy and over half in the first trimester reported alcohol intakes above the Department of Health (UK) guidelines of ≤2 units/week. Associations with birth outcomes were strongest for intakes >2 units/week before pregnancy and in trimesters 1 and 2 compared to non-drinkers. Even women adhering to the guidelines in the first trimester were at significantly higher risk of having babies with lower birth weight, lower birth centile and preterm birth compared to non-drinkers, after adjusting for confounders (p<0.05).ConclusionsWe found the first trimester to be the period most sensitive to the effect of alcohol on the developing fetus. Women adhering to guidelines in this period were still at increased risk of adverse birth outcomes. Our findings suggest that women should be advised to abstain from alcohol when planning to conceive and throughout pregnancy.
Influences of nodular chert rhythmites on natural fracture networks in carbonates: an outcrop and two-dimensional discrete element modelling study
Authors: Spence Guy H. , Finch Emma 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Natural fractures control primary fluid flow in low-matrix-permeability carbonate hydrocarbon reservoirs, making it important to understand the factors that affect natural fracture distributions and networks. Away from the influence of folds and faults, stratigraphic controls are accepted to be the major control on fracture networks. The influence of carbonate nodular chert rhythmite successions on natural fracture networks is investigated here using a Discrete Element Modelling (DEM) technique that draws on outcrop observations of naturally fractured carbonates in the Eocene Thebes Formation, exposed in the west central Sinai of Egypt, that also form reservoir rocks in the subsurface. Stratally-bound chert nodules below bedding surfaces create lateral heterogeneities that vary over short distances. The resulting distribution of physical properties (differing stiffnesses) caused by chert rhythmites is shown to generate extra complexity in natural fracture networks in addition to that caused by bed thickness and lithological physical properties. Chert rhythmite successions need to be considered as a distinct type of carbonate fractured reservoir. Stratigraphic rules for predicting the distribution, lengths and spacing of natural fractures, and quantitative fracture indices (
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22
and fractal dimension) are generated from the DEM outcomes. In a less-stiff carbonate medium, the presence of chert nodules reduces fracture intensity at chert horizons, and fractures per unit area are higher in chert-free vertical corridors. In a stiff carbonate medium, chert has little influence on fracture development. In a peritidal cyclic succession with constant layer thicknesses, the presence of chert in less-stiff carbonate horizons results in a reduction in fracture intensity. When chert is introduced in a subtidal cyclic sequence with constant layer thicknesses, it has little effect on fracture distribution. The study has widespread significance for characterizing naturally fractured reservoirs containing carbonate nodular chert rhythmites.
Gas injection test in the Callovo-Oxfordian claystone: data analysis and numerical modelling
Authors: De La Vaissière Rémi , Gerard Pierre , Radu Jean-Pol , Charlier Robert , Collin Frédéric , Granet Sylvie , Talandier Jean , Piedevache Médéric , Helmlinger Benjamin 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
This paper describes a field-scale experiment on gas transport mechanisms performed at Andra's Underground Research Laboratory (URL) in a clay rock. The experimental layout consists of two parallel boreholes that are equipped with multiple packer completions isolating three intervals each, which have been continuously monitoring the pore pressure evolution of the clay rock. Nitrogen gas was injected in the middle test interval of one of the boreholes at increasing rates. The entire gas test comprised six periods of controlled gas injections, each followed by a shut-in pressure recovery phase. The experimental data are presented along with their interpretation by means of numerical modelling of two-phase flow of gas and water using different numerical codes and different geometrical approaches that include axisymmetric, half-space and full 3D models. An iterative modelling process was used to show step-by-step how an accurate description of each component of the experiment system produced a satisfactory reproduction of the experimental data and an improved understanding of the relevant phenomena. For instance, the initial volume of remaining water in the test interval, and the presence of a damaged zone around the boreholes, was important for the models to obtain good agreement with the field data.
Survival in Patients with High-Risk Prostate Cancer Is Predicted by miR-221, Which Regulates Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Invasion of Prostate Cancer Cells by Inhibiting IRF2 and SOCS3
Authors: Kneitz Burkhard , Krebs Markus , Kalogirou Charis , Schubert Maria , Joniau Steven , van Poppel Hein , Lerut Evelyne , Kneitz Susanne , Scholz Claus Jürgen , Ströbel Philipp , Gessler Manfred , Riedmiller Hubertus , Spahn Martin 
Published: March 2014

AbstractA lack of reliably informative biomarkers to distinguish indolent and lethal prostate cancer is one reason this disease is overtreated. miR-221 has been suggested as a biomarker in high-risk prostate cancer, but there is insufficient evidence of its potential utility. Here we report that miR-221 is an independent predictor for cancer-related death, extending and validating earlier findings. By mechanistic investigations we showed that miR-221 regulates cell growth, invasiveness, and apoptosis in prostate cancer at least partially via STAT1/STAT3-mediated activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. miR-221 directly inhibits the expression of SOCS3 and IRF2, two oncogenes that negatively regulate this signaling pathway. miR-221 expression sensitized prostate cancer cells for IFN-γ–mediated growth inhibition. Our findings suggest that miR-221 offers a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in high-risk prostate cancer. Cancer Res; 74(9); 2591–603. ©2014 AACR.
COX-2 Drives Metastatic Breast Cells from Brain Lesions into the Cerebrospinal Fluid and Systemic Circulation
Authors: Allen Joshua E. , Patel Akshal S. , Prabhu Varun V. , Dicker David T. , Sheehan Jonas M. , Glantz Michael J. , El-Deiry Wafik S. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBreast cancer is among the most common malignancies that metastasize to the brain, with 15% to 20% of patients with metastatic breast cancer eventually developing brain metastases. We previously reported a method to enumerate tumor cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with breast cancer with central nervous system (CNS) metastases, a setting that lacks sufficiently informative biomarkers. Here, we show that breast cancer cells can spontaneously disseminate into the CSF from brain lesions in mice in a COX-2–dependent manner and can escape from the CNS to systemic circulation. Enumeration of tumor cells in the peripheral blood (circulating tumor cells, CTC) and CSF (cerebrospinal fluid tumor cells, CSFTC) of nine breast cancer patients with brain metastases revealed dynamic changes in tumor cell burden in both the peripheral blood and CSF compartments that correlated with clinical disease progression. Interestingly, four of the enrolled patients exhibited rapid intercompartmental transitioning of the disease reflected in the CTC and CSFTC counts that preceded corresponding evidence by clinical imaging or neurologic symptoms. Two of these patients had systemic disease recurrence involving the primary malignant site. Intercompartmental cycling of tumor cells may represent an important mechanism for disease persistence and recurrence that may involve tumor self-seeding. Our findings demonstrate the involvement of COX-2 in the genesis of CSFTCs and suggest that COX-2 inhibitors should be investigated in patients with breast cancer with brain metastases for their ability to reduce CSFTC counts and prevent systemic recurrence. Cancer Res; 74(9); 2385–90. ©2014 AACR.
Molecular Pathways: BRAF Induces Bioenergetic Adaptation by Attenuating Oxidative Phosphorylation
Authors: Haq Rizwan , Fisher David E. , Widlund Hans R. 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Cancers acquire mutations in cooperating pathways that sustain their growth and survival. To support continued proliferation, tumor cells adapt their metabolism to balance energy production with their augmented biosynthetic needs. Although most normal differentiated cells use mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) as the bioenergetic source, cancer cells have been proposed to rely principally on cytoplasmic glycolysis. The molecular basis for this shift, termed the Warburg effect, is the subject of intense investigation, because mechanistic understanding may lead to novel approaches to target the altered metabolism of cancer cells. Recently, mutations BRAF(V600E) have emerged as a major regulator of metabolic homeostasis. Melanoma cells may use a metabolic shift to circumvent BRAF(V600E)-induced senescence though limiting their reliance on OXPHOS and promote proliferation. Furthermore, BRAF(V600E) acts to suppress expression of the melanocyte master regulator microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and the mitochondrial biogenesis coactivator PGC1α. Accordingly, therapeutic inhibition of BRAF(V600E) reverses metabolic reprogramming in melanoma cells and elevates OXPHOS through increased MITF–PGC1α levels. BRAF-targeted drugs modulate the metabolic state of malignant melanoma cells, and counteracting these adaptive responses using pharmacologic agents may prove useful in combinatorial therapeutic strategies. Clin Cancer Res; 20(9); 2257–63. ©2014 AACR.