bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stress Distribution Within Rotator Cuff Tendons With a Crescent-Shaped and an L-Shaped Tear
Authors: Sano Hirotaka , Hatta Taku , Yamamoto Nobuyuki , Itoi Eiji 
Published: August 2013

Background: There are 2 representative shapes of full-thickness rotator cuff tears commonly observed: crescent-shaped and L-shaped tears. To date, the exact process of tear propagation in each shape remains unknown. Purpose: To determine the stress distribution pattern in rotator cuff tendons with a crescent-shaped tear and an L-shaped tear. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: The computed tomography (CT) data of a normal cadaveric shoulder from a 69-year-old man were used to develop a 3-dimensional finite element model of the rotator cuff tendons. Three different sizes (1.0-, 2.0-, and 3.0-cm widths) of crescent-shaped and L-shaped tears were created. Tensile load was applied to each cuff tendon that simulated shoulder abduction and external rotation in the hanging-arm position. Elastic analysis was performed, and distribution of the von Mises equivalent stress was calculated. Then, the stress distribution pattern was compared between the 2 tear shapes and among the 3 different tear sizes. Results: In the crescent-shaped tear models, stress concentration was seen in both the anterior and the posterior edges of the torn tendon stump. In the L-shaped tear models, stress concentration was seen in the posterior torn tendon edge as well as the bottom of the longitudinal tear. The areas with high stress concentration increased with increasing tear size. At the posterior torn tendon edge, a common site of delamination, the articular half represented a higher equivalent stress than the bursal half in all models. The highest equivalent stress increased with an increase in tear size for both the abduction and the external rotation loads. Conclusion: A high stress concentration was seen in both the anterior and the posterior tendon edge in crescent-shaped tears and in both the posterior tendon edge and the bottom of the longitudinal tear in L-shaped tears. Stress concentration inside the tendon increased with increasing tear size. Clinical relevance: Crescent-shaped tears may propagate in the anterior and posterior directions, whereas L-shaped tears may propagate in the posterior and medial directions. Tear propagation may accelerate with an increase in tear size.
The effects of carbon nanoparticles on thermal and dielectric properties of bisphenol A polycarbonate
Authors: Abdelaziz Mohamed 
Published: August 2013

A series of composite films consisting of bisphenol A polycarbonate (BAPC) and carbon black (CB) as nanofillers were prepared by solution mixing followed by film casting. The influence of both CB content and temperature on thermal and dielectric properties of BAPC was investigated. X-Ray diffraction patterns show semicrystalline nature of the prepared films. The thermal and dielectric properties were carried out as a function of frequency in the range from 20 Hz to 3 MHz, temperature in the range from 20 to 80°C for concentrations 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 15 wt% CB. Differential scanning calorimetric results show a decrease in the glass transition temperature and apparent activation energy at decomposition temperature when the CB content increases. The dielectric measurements show that the dielectric constant ( ε′) and alternating current conductivity increase with CB content and also with the temperature. However, the ε′ and dissipation factor decrease with frequency. The increase in ε′ with temperature is due to the formation of new dipoles or accumulation of charge carriers in a nanoparticle–polymer interface. Parameters relating to thermal and dielectric properties of these composites can be controlled by adjusting the CB nanoparticles content in the BAPC matrix and temperature. It could be concluded that the obtained composites should be desirable candidates for high ε′ materials in embedded capacitor applications.
Measuring the Transgression-Related Interpersonal Motivations Inventory in Marital Relationships
Authors: Wong Lai Cheung , Chu Amanda M. Y. , Chan Cecilia L. W. 
Published: August 2013

Objective: Because forgiveness is an important aspect of studies in marital relationships, there is a need for a culturally relevant measure of forgiveness for Chinese couples. This study aims to validate the Transgression-related Interpersonal Motivations Inventory in marital relationships within a Chinese context (C-TRIM). Method: Data were collected from 665 married individuals in Hong Kong who completed a self-administered questionnaire. Results: It is suggested that C-TRIM is a one-factor scale consisting of 12 items. It is also found that C-TRIM and benevolence are two distinct dimensions in measuring forgiveness in a marriage. C-TRIM represents negative forgiveness, whereas benevolence refers to positive forgiveness. Conclusion: C-TRIM demonstrates to be a valid and reliable scale with which to assess the forgiveness level of individuals toward their offending partner in Chinese communities.
External Fixator Kickstands for Free Soft Tissue Flap Protection
Authors: Ting Beverlie L. , Abousayed Mostafa M. , Holzer Paul , Cetrulo Curtis L. , Kwon John Y. 
Published: August 2013

Background: Protected elevation represents a critical component of postoperative care, particularly in posteriorly located flaps, to prevent pressure on the flap’s vascular pedicle and ensure a successful skin graft. Although several short case series and technique papers have described kickstand placement to prevent heel ulcers as an adjuvant to fixator placement for fracture management, there remains a paucity of reports describing external fixator placement solely for extremity elevation and pressure alleviation in the postoperative care of flap coverage procedures. Methods: Patients who underwent lower extremity free flap coverage procedures requiring temporary elevation were included. Age, diagnosis, soft tissue procedures performed, type of external fixator placed, duration of frame placement, mode of removal, and complications related to external fixator placement were documented. Patients requiring external fixator placement for fracture management were excluded. Results: Twelve patients with 13 lower limb soft tissue defects were included in our case series. A thin-wire ring external fixator kickstand was applied in 5 limbs while the rest underwent placement of a uniplanar carbon fiber bar type external fixator kickstands. The average time for removal of the frames was 4 weeks. No complications were reported from kickstand placement. Conclusion: The use of external fixator kickstands is an effective and safe adjuvant to soft tissue flap procedures for the lower extremity. Our case series is the largest in the literature and first to address the technical considerations for frame placement, positioning, and removal for external fixator kickstands placed solely for flap coverage procedures. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Outcome of Nonoperative Management of Displaced Oblique Spiral Fractures of the Fifth Metatarsal Shaft
Authors: Aynardi Michael , Pedowitz David I. , Saffel Heather , Piper Christine , Raikin Steven M. 
Published: August 2013

Background: Nonoperative management has been the preferred treatment for displaced oblique spiral fractures of the fifth metatarsal shaft; yet a paucity of literature supports this claim. The purpose of this investigation was to report the incidence and long-term outcome in the largest cohort of these fractures reported to date. Methods: From 2006 through 2010, 2990 patients sustaining closed metatarsal fractures were seen and treated. Displaced, oblique, spiral fractures of the distal shaft of the fifth metatarsal were identified and follow-up was conducted. Only patients who were initially treated with nonoperative management were included. Patients were seen at 6 and 12 weeks, and a minimum 2-year follow-up was conducted. In addition, demographic information was obtained, and the Short Form–12 (SF-12) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) were administered. Average follow-up was 3.5 years. Results: In all, 142 acute fractures were managed for an incidence of 4.8% of all metatarsal fractures. There were 117 females and 25 males, average age was 55. FAAM activities of daily living subscale scores averaged 95.5 (±5.7), while FAAM sports subscales were 92.7 (±9.1). SF-12 physical and mental scores averaged 51.4 (±4.9) and 50.3 (±4.6), respectively. There were 2 delayed unions, 1 asymptomatic nonunion treated nonoperatively, and 2 painful nonunions that required open reduction internal fixation with bone grafting. Conclusion: This large cohort described the relative incidence and functional outcomes of displaced oblique fracture of shaft of the fifth metatarsal bone treated nonoperatively. Nonoperative management of these fractures resulted in excellent, long-term functional outcomes. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective cohort study.
Implication of World Health Organization growth standards on estimation of malnutrition in young Chinese children
Authors: Dang Shaonong , Yan Hong , Wang Duolao 
Published: August 2013

The aim of this study was to determine how malnutrition rates change in young Chinese children when 2006 World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards are used instead of 1978 WHO/National Center for Health Statistics reference. Cross-sectional survey data were used from rural western China and the Tibet region. The heights and weights of children of <36 months of age were measured. The nutritional status of the children was assessed by two references. Using 2006 reference instead of 1978 reference, the prevalence of stunting increased significantly (17.9% vs. 12.3% in rural western China and 37.5% vs. 28.1% in rural Tibet). The prevalence of underweight was lower in rural western China (7.7% vs. 11.7%) than rural Tibet (13.1% vs. 15.3%). For all ages, the prevalence of stunting increased and the greatest relative increase appeared in the first six months (102.9% in rural western China vs. 134.9% in rural Tibet). With respect to underweight, the relative increase occurred only during the first six months (314.3% in rural western China vs. 48.1% in rural Tibet); however, the reduction was observed in other age groups. For young Chinese Han and Tibetan children, the difference in estimation of malnutrition between two references differed in magnitude. The scale of change in the prevalence rates of stunting and underweight is much greater when 2006 reference was introduced.
Family socioeconomic status, household tobacco smoke, and asthma attack among children below 12 years of age
Authors: Strong Carol , Chang Ly-Yun 
Published: August 2013

Studies have demonstrated the negative impact of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) or parental cigarette smoking on pediatric asthma. Little is known, however, regarding whether there is a gender difference in the effect of household ETS on pediatric asthma. Using a nationwide survey in Taiwan, we examined the relationship between asthma prevalence in the past year and household ETS among children below 12 years of age ( N = 3761). We used multivariate regression models to assess odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association of household ETS and asthma attacks by gender. In about 3% of the sample, parents reported that their children had an asthma attack in the past year, confirmed by physicians. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that household ETS predicted asthma attacks for girls (OR = 3.11, 95%CI = 1.24–7.76) but not for boys. Father’s education was significantly associated with asthma attack for both girls (OR = 1.24, 95%CI = 1.04–1.47) and boys (OR = 1.15, 95%CI = 1.05–1.26). Girls with lower family income were more likely to have had an asthma attack in the last year (OR = .48, 95%CI = .27–.87). The impact of household ETS and family socioeconomic status on asthma attacks differs by gender among children below 12 years.
Screening colonoscopy bowel preparation: experience in an urban minority population
Authors: Basch Corey H. , Basch Charles E. , Wolf Randi L. , Zybert Patricia , Lebwohl Benjamin , Shmukler Celia , Neugut Alfred I. , Shea Steven 
Published: August 2013

Methods: Suboptimal bowel preparation, present in over 20% of colonoscopies, can severely compromise the effectiveness of the colonoscopy procedure. We surveyed 93 primarily urban minority men and women who underwent asymptomatic ‘screening’ colonoscopy regarding their precolonoscopy bowel-preparation experience. Results: Print materials alone (39.8%) and in-person verbal instructions alone (35.5%) were reportedly the most common modes of instruction from the gastroenterologists. Liquid-containing laxative (70.6%) was the most common laxative agent; a clear liquid diet (69.6%) the most common dietary restriction. Almost half of the participants mentioned ‘getting the laxative down’ as one of the hardest parts of the preparation; 40.9% mentioned dietary restrictions. The 24.7% who mentioned ‘understanding the instructions’ as one of the hardest parts were more likely to be non-US born and to have lower education and income. There was no relationship between difficulty in understanding instructions and mode of instruction or preparation protocol. One quarter suggested that a smaller volume and/or more palatable liquid would have made the preparation easier. Three quarters agreed that it would have been helpful to have someone to guide them through the preparation process. Conclusions: These findings suggest a variety of opportunities for both physician- and patient-directed educational interventions to promote higher rates of optimal colonoscopy bowel preparation.
Outdoor respirable particulate matter and the lung function status of residents of selected communities in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Ana GREE , Odeshi TA , Sridhar MKC , Ige MO 
Published: August 2013

Background: Ambient air pollution remains a major public health hazard in urban communities. In Nigeria, air quality management especially in the urban centres, is fraught with enormous challenges including limited data. We assessed the outdoor respirable particulate matter (PM10) concentration and the pulmonary function status of residents in four selected communities in Ibadan. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed. Four locations – Ojoo Park (OP = high traffic area), Bodija Market (BM = commercial area), Oluyole Estate (OE = industrial area) and the University of Ibadan (UI = academic community – reference) – were selected based on varying intensities of urban activity. PM10 levels were recorded in the morning and afternoon for 12 weeks between January and March 2008. Lung function status (FEV1) of 140 randomly selected participants was measured. Daily mean of PM10 levels were compared with WHO guideline limits. Data analysis was done using descriptive, χ2, ANOVA and Spearman-rank correlation tests at 5% level of significance. Results: For all sites, PM10 concentration was generally higher in the afternoon. The highest daily mean PM10 concentration was recorded at BM, followed by OP, OE and UI. These values when compared with WHO guideline limits showed: BM eightfold > OP sevenfold > OE sixfold > UI fivefold ( p < .05). Weekly mean PM10 levels and mean FEV1(obs) gave the following order: UI > OE > OP > BM. There was a significant negative correlation between PM10 burden and FEV1(obs) across the study locations ( r =-0.371, p < .05). Conclusion: Most of the locations with higher particulate burden were observed to have declining lung function status. A longitudinal study to establish more robust associations is advocated.
Factors Influencing Ball-Player Impact Probability in Youth Baseball
Authors: Matta Philip A. , Myers Joseph B. , Sawicki Gregory S. 
Published: August 2013

Background: Altering the weight of baseballs for youth play has been studied out of concern for player safety. Research has shown that decreasing the weight of baseballs may limit the severity of both chronic arm and collision injuries. Unfortunately, reducing the weight of the ball also increases its exit velocity, leaving pitchers and nonpitchers with less time to defend themselves. The purpose of this study was to examine impact probability for pitchers and nonpitchers. Hypothesis: Reducing the available time to respond by 10% (expected from reducing ball weight from 142 g to 113 g) would increase impact probability for pitchers and nonpitchers, and players’ mean simple response time would be a primary predictor of impact probability for all participants. Study Design: Nineteen subjects between the ages of 9 and 13 years performed 3 experiments in a controlled laboratory setting: a simple response time test, an avoidance response time test, and a pitching response time test. Methods: Each subject performed these tests in order. The simple reaction time test tested the subjects’ mean simple response time, the avoidance reaction time test tested the subjects’ ability to avoid a simulated batted ball as a fielder, and the pitching reaction time test tested the subjects’ ability to avoid a simulated batted ball as a pitcher. Results: Reducing the weight of a standard baseball from 142 g to 113 g led to a less than 5% increase in impact probability for nonpitchers. However, the results indicate that the impact probability for pitchers could increase by more than 25%. Conclusion: Pitching may greatly increase the amount of time needed to react and defend oneself from a batted ball. Clinical Relevance: Impact injuries to youth baseball players may increase if a 113-g ball is used.
Comparison of IKDC and SANE Outcome Measures Following Knee Injury in Active Female Patients
Authors: Winterstein Andrew P. , McGuine Timothy A. , Carr Kathleen E. , Hetzel Scott J. 
Published: August 2013

Background: Knee injury among young, active female patients remains a public health issue. Clinicians are called upon to pay greater attention to patient-oriented outcomes to evaluate the impact of these injuries. Little agreement exists on which outcome measures are best, and clinicians cite several barriers to their use. Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation (SANE) may provide meaningful outcome information while lessening the time burden associated with other patient-oriented measures. Hypothesis: The SANE and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores would be strongly correlated in a cohort of young active female patients with knee injuries from preinjury through 1-year follow-up and that a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) could be calculated for the SANE score. Study Design: Observational prospective cohort. Methods: Two hundred sixty-three subjects completed SANE and IKDC at preinjury by recall, time of injury, and 3, 6, and 12 months postinjury. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess the association between SANE and IKDC. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to determine differences in SANE and IKDC over time. MCID was calculated for SANE using IKDC MCID as an anchor. Results: Moderate to strong correlations were seen between SANE and IKDC (0.65-0.83). SANE, on average, was 2.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.5-3.9; P < 0.00) units greater than IKDC over all time points. MCID for the SANE was calculated as 7 for a 6-month follow-up and 19 for a 12-month follow-up. Conclusion: SANE scores were moderately to strongly correlated to IKDC scores across all time points. Reported MCID values for the SANE should be utilized to measure meaningful changes over time for young, active female patients with knee injuries. Clinical Relevance: Providing clinicians with patient-oriented outcome measures that can be obtained with little clinician and patient burden may allow for greater acceptance and use of outcome measures in clinical settings.
Ikaros is required to survive positive selection and to maintain clonal diversity during T-cell development in the thymus
Authors: Tinsley Kevin W. , Hong Changwan , Luckey Megan A. , Park Joo-Young , Kim Grace Y. , Yoon Hee-won , Keller Hilary R. , Sacks Andrew J. , Feigenbaum Lionel , Park Jung-Hyun 
Published: August 2013

Key Points
Ikaros suppresses thymocyte proliferation but induces antiapoptotic molecule expression upon TCR-induced positive selection. Ikaros function is required to prevent clonal expansion and to maintain a random TCR repertoire during thymocyte differentiation.
MP4CO, a pegylated hemoglobin saturated with carbon monoxide, is a modulator of HO-1, inflammation, and vaso-occlusion in transgenic sickle mice
Authors: Belcher John D. , Young Mark , Chen Chunsheng , Nguyen Julia , Burhop Kenneth , Tran Phuc , Vercellotti Gregory M. 
Published: August 2013

Key PointsCarbon monoxide treatment of murine sickle mice can ameliorate inflammation and vaso-occlusion. MP4CO induces heme oxygenase-1 and Nrf2 to mediate these salutatory effects.
Human regulatory T cells against minor histocompatibility antigens: ex vivo expansion for prevention of graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Veerapathran Anandharaman , Pidala Joseph , Beato Francisca , Betts Brian , Kim Jongphil , Turner Joel G. , Hellerstein Marc K. , Yu Xue-Zhong , Janssen William , Anasetti Claudio 
Published: August 2013

Key PointsThis is the first report about the detection of human Tregs specific for minor histocompatibility antigens. We detected, quantified, and cloned mHA-specific Tregs and expanded these potent Tregs in sufficient numbers for use in human transplantation.
How T cells trigger the dissociation of the endothelial receptor phosphatase VE-PTP from VE-cadherin
Authors: Vockel Matthias , Vestweber Dietmar 
Published: August 2013

Key PointsThe endothelial leukocyte receptor VCAM-1 triggers opening of endothelial junctions via dissociation of VE-PTP from VE-cadherin. VCAM-1 and VEGF signaling use a similar signaling pathway to trigger the dissociation of VE-PTP from VE-cadherin.
Influence of proband’s characteristics on the risk for venous thromboembolism in relatives with factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A polymorphisms
Authors: Bucciarelli Paolo , De Stefano Valerio , Passamonti Serena M. , Tormene Daniela , Legnani Cristina , Rossi Elena , Castaman Giancarlo , Simioni Paolo , Cini Michela , Martinelli Ida 
Published: August 2013

Key Points
The risk for venous thromboembolism in relatives with factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A differs according to the probands’ selection. Relatives belonging to families with heterozygous probands with venous thromboembolism have the highest risk for venous thromboembolism.