bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Minireview: Applications of Next-Generation Sequencing on Studies of Nuclear Receptor Regulation and Function
Authors: Meyer Clifford A. , Tang Qianzi , Liu X. Shirley 
Published: August 2012

AbstractNext-generation sequencing technologies have expanded the experimental possibilities for studying the genome-wide regulation of transcription by nuclear receptors, their collaborating transcription factors, and coregulators. These technologies allow investigators to obtain abundance and DNA sequence information in a single experiment. In this review, we highlight proven and potential uses of next-generation sequencing in the study of gene regulation by nuclear receptors. We also provide suggestions on how to effectively leverage this technology in a collaborative environment.
MRI evaluation of rotational alignment and synovitis in patients with pain after total knee replacement
Authors: Murakami A. M. , Hash T. W. , Hepinstall M. S. , Lyman S. , Nestor B. J. , Potter H. G. 
Published: August 2012

Component malalignment can be associated with pain following total knee replacement (TKR). Using MRI, we reviewed 50 patients with painful TKRs and compared them with a group of 16 asymptomatic controls to determine the feasibility of using MRI in evaluating the rotational alignment of the components. Using the additional soft-tissue detail provided by this modality, we also evaluated the extent of synovitis within these two groups. Angular measurements were based on the femoral transepicondylar axis and tibial tubercle. Between two observers, there was very high interobserver agreement in the measurements of all values. Patients with painful TKRs demonstrated statistically significant relative internal rotation of the femoral component (p = 0.030). There was relative internal rotation of the tibial to femoral component and combined excessive internal rotation of the components in symptomatic knees, although these results were significant only with one of the observers (p = 0.031). There was a statistically significant association between the presence and severity of synovitis and painful TKR (p < 0.001).MRI is an effective modality in evaluating component rotational alignment.
The effect on mechanical axis deviation of femoral lengthening with an intramedullary telescopic nail
Authors: Burghardt R. D. , Paley D. , Specht S. C. , Herzenberg J. E. 
Published: August 2012

Internal lengthening devices in the femur lengthen along the anatomical axis, potentially creating lateral shift of the mechanical axis. We aimed to determine whether femoral lengthening along the anatomical axis has an inadvertent effect on lower limb alignment. Isolated femoral lengthening using the Intramedullary Skeletal Kinetic Distractor was performed in 27 femora in 24 patients (mean age 32 years (16 to 57)). Patients who underwent simultaneous realignment procedures or concurrent tibial lengthening, or who developed mal- or nonunion, were excluded. Pre-operative and six-month post-operative radiographs were used to measure lower limb alignment. The mean lengthening achieved was 4.4 cm (1.5 to 8.0). In 26 of 27 limbs, the mechanical axis shifted laterally by a mean of 1.0 mm/cm of lengthening (0 to 3.5). In one femur that was initially in varus, a 3 mm medial shift occurred during a lengthening of 2.2 cm.In a normally aligned limb, intramedullary lengthening along the anatomical axis of the femur results in a lateral shift of the mechanical axis by approximately 1 mm for each 1 cm of lengthening.
The incidence and consequences of early wound infection after internal fixation for trauma in HIV-positive patients
Authors: Bates J. , Mkandawire N. , Harrison W. J. 
Published: August 2012

We report a prospective single-blind controlled study of the incidence of early wound infection after internal fixation for trauma in 609 patients, of whom 132 were HIV-positive. Wounds were assessed for healing using the ASEPSIS score. There was no significant difference in the rate of infection between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients undergoing clean surgery (4.2% vs 6%, respectively; p = 0.65). HIV-positive patients did not receive additional antibiotic prophylaxis or antiretroviral therapy as part of their management. The difference in the rate of infection between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients with an open fracture or other contamination was not significant (33% vs 15%, respectively; p = 0.064). There was no relationship between CD4 count and infection rate. HIV status did not significantly influence the number of secondary surgical procedures (p = 0.183) or the likelihood of developing chronic osteomyelitis (p = 0.131). Although previous contamination from the time of injury was a risk factor for infection in mal- and nonunions, it was not significantly increased in HIV-positive patients (p = 0.144). We conclude that clean implant surgery in HIV-positive patients is safe, with no need for additional prophylaxis.
Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction
Authors: Howells N. R. , Barnett A. J. , Ahearn N. , Ansari A. , Eldridge J. D. 
Published: August 2012

We report a prospective analysis of clinical outcome in patients treated with medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction using an autologous semitendinosus graft. The technique includes superolateral portal arthroscopic assessment before and after graft placement to ensure correct graft tension and patellar tracking before fixation. Between October 2005 and October 2010, a total of 201 consecutive patients underwent 219 procedures. Follow-up is presented for 211 procedures in 193 patients with a mean age of 26 years (16 to 49), and mean follow-up of 16 months (6 to 42). Indications were atraumatic recurrent patellar dislocation in 141 patients, traumatic recurrent dislocation in 50, pain with subluxation in 14 and a single dislocation with persistent instability in six. There have been no recurrent dislocations/subluxations. There was a statistically significant improvement between available pre- and post-operative outcome scores for 193 patients (all p < 0.001). Female patients with a history of atraumatic recurrent dislocation and all patients with history of previous surgery had a significantly worse outcome (all p < 0.05). The indication for surgery, degree of dysplasia, associated patella alta, time from primary dislocation to surgery and evidence of associated cartilage damage at operation did not result in any significant difference in outcome.This series adds considerably to existing evidence that MPFL reconstruction is an effective surgical procedure for selected patients with patellofemoral instability.
The effectiveness of injections of hyaluronic acid or corticosteroid in patients with subacromial impingement
Authors: Penning L. I. F. , de Bie R. A. , Walenkamp G. H. I. M. 
Published: August 2012

A total of 159 patients (84 women and 75 men, mean age of 53 (20 to 87)) with subacromial impingement were randomised to treatment with subacromial injections using lidocaine with one of hyaluronic acid (51 patients), corticosteroid (53 patients) or placebo (55 patients). Patients were followed up for 26 weeks. The primary outcome was pain on a visual analogue score (VAS), and secondary outcomes included the Constant Murley score, shoulder pain score, functional mobility score, shoulder disability questionnaire and pain-specific disability score. The different outcome measures showed similar results. After three, six and 12 weeks corticosteroid injections were superior to hyaluronic acid injections and only at six weeks significantly better than placebo injections. The mean short-term reduction in pain on the VAS score at 12 weeks was 7% (sd 2.7; 97.5% confidence interval (CI) 0.207 to 1.55; p = 0.084) in the hyaluronic acid group, 28% (sd 2.8; 97.5% CI 1.86 to 3.65; p < 0.001) in the corticosteroid group and 23% (sd 3.23; 97.5% CI 1.25 to 3.26; p < 0.001) in the placebo group. At 26 weeks there was a reduction in pain in 63% (32 of 51) of patients in the hyaluronic acid group, 72% (38 of 53) of those in the corticosteroid group and 69% (38 of 55) of those in the placebo group.We were not able to show a convincing benefit from hyaluronic acid injections compared with corticosteroid or placebo injections. Corticosteroid injections produced a significant reduction in pain in the short term (three to 12 weeks), but in the long term the placebo injection produced the best results.
Can T1-rho MRI detect acetabular cartilage degeneration in femoroacetabular impingement?
Authors: Rakhra K. S. , Lattanzio P-J. , Cárdenas-Blanco A. , Cameron I. G. , Beaulé P. E. 
Published: August 2012

Advanced MRI cartilage imaging such as T1-rho (T1ρ) for the diagnosis of early cartilage degradation prior to morpholgic radiological changes may provide prognostic information in the management of joint disease. This study aimed first to determine the normal T1ρ profile of cartilage within the hip, and secondly to identify any differences in T1ρ profile between the normal and symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) hip. Ten patients with cam-type FAI (seven male and three female, mean age 35.9 years (28 to 48)) and ten control patients (four male and six female, mean age 30.6 years (22 to 35)) underwent 1.5T T1ρ MRI of a single hip. Mean T1ρ relaxation times for full thickness and each of the three equal cartilage thickness layers were calculated and compared between the groups. The mean T1ρ relaxation times for full cartilage thickness of control and FAI hips were similar (37.17 ms (sd 9.95) and 36.71 ms (sd 6.72), respectively). The control group demonstrated a T1ρ value trend, increasing from deep to superficial cartilage layers, with the middle third having significantly greater T1ρ relaxation values than the deepest third (p = 0.008). The FAI group demonstrated loss of this trend. The deepest third in the FAI group demonstrated greater T1ρ relaxation values than controls (p = 0.028).These results suggest that 1.5T T1ρ MRI can detect acetabular hyaline cartilage changes in patients with FAI.
Canadian Survey of Critical Care Pharmacists' Views and Involvement in Clinical Research
Authors: Perreault Marc M , Thiboutot Zoé , Burry Lisa D , Rose Louise , Kanji Salmaan , LeBlanc Jaclyn M , Carr Roxane R , Williamson David R 
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND: The involvement of Canadian critical care pharmacists in clinical research is not well documented. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical research experience of Canadian critical care pharmacists, describe their views about clinical research, and identify factors that facilitate their involvement in clinical research. METHODS: A cross-sectional electronic survey of Canadian critical care pharmacists was developed through an iterative process and conducted from July to October 2010. We invited 325 pharmacists from 129 hospitals across Canada to participate. Surveys with more than 30% of questions unanswered were discarded. RESULTS: Analyzable response rate was 66.2%. Overall, 33 pharmacists (15.7%) were highly involved in research, 54 (25.7%) were moderately involved, and 123 (58.6%) were minimally involved. Most respondents (97.2%) believed that critical care pharmacist involvement in research was desirable, and many (80.4%) expressed interest to be more involved in research. Nearly all respondents (99.5%) agreed that more support should be provided to pharmacists interested in conducting research. Pharmacists currently involved in research have obtained higher academic degrees (adjusted OR 11.23; p < 0.001), express a strong interest in research (adjusted OR 7.44; p < 0.001), report a higher level of training for involvement in research (adjusted OR 2.23; p = 0.047), and practice more often in a university hospital (adjusted OR 3.68; p = 0.004) within an intensive care unit where involvement in research is valued (adjusted OR 5.61; p < 0.001). Support from pharmacy departments is not related to involvement in research (adjusted OR 1.22; p = 0.633). CONCLUSIONS: Canadian critical care pharmacists are involved to varying degrees in clinical research and are very interested in initiating and supporting research activities. Opportunities are present but significant barriers exist. The value of pharmacist-initiated research needs recognition as a priority within hospital pharmacy administration.
Gas Holdup and Frictional Pressure Drop In a Modified Slurry Bubble Column
Authors: Sivaiah Mekala , Majumder Subrata Kumar 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
This article presents the analysis of gas holdup, pressure drop and bubble size of gas-liquid-solid flow in a modified downflow slurry bubble column. The analysis is done based on the Lockhart-Martinelli principle. The Lockhart-Martinelli model is modified and incorporate to predict the frictional pressure drop and gas holdup of three-phase flow in the modified bubble column. The effects of operating variables such as slurry flow rate, gas flow rate, slurry concentration and particle diameter on frictional pressure drop and gas holdup are investigated. To predict the gas holdup, Sauter mean bubble diameter and pressure drop, correlations have also been developed as function of different dimensionless groups by introducing the operating variables and physical properties. The studies of the pressure drop in the downflow slurry bubble column may give insight into a further understanding and modeling of the three-phase flow characteristics in industrial applications.
Youth Unemployment, Terrorism and Political Violence, Evidence from the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict
Authors: Caruso Raul , Gavrilova Evelina 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis paper analyzes the relationship between youth unemployment and Palestinian violence. First a qualitative explanation of the underlying mechanism is given. Eventually, empirical results suggest that there is a positive association between the growth rate of youth unemployment and the brutality and incidence of violence, proxied by the numbers of victims, and incidents. Results also show that: (i) there is a negative association between the added value in the agricultural sector and both measures of violence; (ii) there is a positive association between the share of employment in agriculture and violence; (iii) there is a negative association between manufacturing added value and brutality of incidents. Results also suggest that male youth unemployment rather than female unemployment helps to explain Palestinian violence.
The Impact of the Economic Costs of Conflict on Individuals' Political Attitudes
Authors: Ben Bassat Avi , Dahan Momi , Geys Benny , Klor Esteban F. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractA large number of studies show that war and terrorism have a significant effect on individuals’ political attitudes. Yet, this extensive literature does not inspect the mechanisms behind this effect. This paper concentrates on one possible mechanism, by differentiating between the human toll of terror and war and the economic costs they cause. For these purposes we focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and use variation in the level of violence across time and space together with localities’ different exposure to the tourism sector to estimate their respective effects on political attitudes. Our results suggest that whereas fatalities from the conflict make Israelis more willing to grant territorial concessions to the Palestinians, the associated economic costs of conflict do not have a consistent significant effect on individuals’ political attitudes.
Cyclin A2: a genuine cell cycle regulator?
Authors: Bendris Nawal , Loukil Abdelhalim , Cheung Caroline , Arsic Nikola , Rebouissou Cosette , Hipskind Robert , Peter Marion , Lemmers Bénédicte , Blanchard Jean Marie 
Published: August 2012

AbstractCyclin A2 belongs to the core cell cycle regulators and participates in the control of both S phase and mitosis. However, several observations suggest that it is also endowed with other functions, and our recent data shed light on its involvement in cytoskeleton dynamic and cell motility. From the transcription of its gene to its posttranslational modifications, cyclin A2 regulation reveals the complexity of the regulatory network shaping cell cycle progression. We summarize our current knowledge on this cell cycle regulator and discuss recent findings raising the possibility that cyclin A2 might play a much broader role in epithelial tissues homeostasis.
Physiomechanical properties of ultra-lightweight foam core particleboard: different core densities
Authors: Shalbafan Ali , Luedtke Jan , Welling Johannes , Fruehwald Arno 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Ultra-lightweight foam core particleboards have been produced in a novel one-step process with resinated wood particles for the faces and expandable polystyrene (EPS) as core layer material. The mechanical and physical properties of panels were investigated in terms of the different foam core densities and press parameters (temperature, pressing and foaming time). The bending strength properties of the panels were not significantly changed with increasing foam core density from 80 to 120 kg m-3. Panels produced at a press temperature of 130°C (1-EPS) have an improved core-face interface and also a denser surface layer, which positively influences the internal bond and thickness swelling. The panels produced at a press temperature of 160°C (2-EPS) have smaller and more foam cells and an improved fusion of foam beads and properties, which have a positive influence on the edge screw withdrawal resistance and water absorption.
Auditory working memory and early reading skills in Hebrew-speaking preschool children
Authors: Banai Karen , Yifat Rachel 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The hypothesis that different subcomponents of auditory working memory are differentially related to early reading skills was tested in 63 Hebrew speaking 4-year-old children, using a battery of early reading (phonological processing and familiarity with written language) and memory (simple and complex spans) tasks. Complex spans accounted for significant amounts of variance on both facets of early reading even after the contribution of simple spans was accounted for. These findings suggest that the unique contribution of complex working memory to early reading can be identified as early as preschool and that the structure of correlations between reading and memory is similar across ages.
Auditory sensation via moist contact of the bone vibrator with skin at soft tissue sites
Authors: Geal-Dor Miriam , Shore Aliza Frankel , Sohmer Haim 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background: Auditory sensation can be elicited not only by air conduction (AC) with an earphone and by bone conduction by applying a bone vibrator to bony sites on the head, but also by a newly described mode based on applying the bone vibrator to soft tissue sites on the head, neck, and thorax (soft tissue conduction – STC). This study was designed to assess whether it is necessary to compress the skin at the STC sites, which could induce vibrations of the underlying bone.

Methods: In 15 normal-hearing subjects, thresholds were assessed with the bone vibrator in air (control for possible AC), direct contact of the bone vibrator with the mastoid and regions around the lip, and indirect contact (via a cotton wool wick, dry or wet) of the bone vibrator with sites around the lip.

Results: Even though the best (lowest) thresholds were obtained with direct contact, the subjects clearly heard the sound stimulation when presented only by the gentle contact of the wick with the skin, especially when the contact site was moist.

Conclusions: STC stimulation does not require vibrations of the skull bone and seems to involve the transmission of auditory frequency vibrations, through a series of soft tissues, to the inner ear.
Placental transfer of clarithromycin in human pregnancies with preterm premature rupture of membranes
Authors: Park Hyun Soo , Ahn Byung-Jin , Jun Jong Kwan 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the transplacental transfer of clarithromycin, which was used in the treatment of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) in human pregnancies, by comparing umbilical cord and maternal serum clarithromycin concentrations.

Methods: Singleton pregnant women with PPROM (<34 weeks) were prospectively enrolled between April 2009 and January 2011. The diagnosis of PPROM was made with vaginal pooling, leakage, nitrazine, and Amnisure tests. The women were managed expectantly with bed rest, corticosteroids, and a triple antibiotic combination including ceftriaxone, clindamycin, and clarithromycin. Amniocentesis was offered, and culture for aerobe/anaerobe and mycoplasma was performed. After delivery, blood was drawn from the mother’s antecubital and umbilical cord veins. Clarithromycin concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The percentage and correlation between cord and maternal serum clarithromycin concentrations were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors related to the cord and maternal serum clarithromycin concentration percentage.

Results: A total of 34 cord-maternal serum pairs were included in the final analysis. The mean cord-maternal serum clarithromycin concentration percentage was 7.93±0.9%. There was a good correlation between cord serum and maternal serum clarithromycin concentration (r=0.795, P<0.001). The cord-maternal serum clarithromycin concentration percentage significantly increased according to advancing gestation (P<0.001).

Conclusions: Our data showed that the mean placental transfer of clarithromycin is approximately 8% and dependent on gestational age.
Polymorphism 1936A>G in the AKAP10 gene (encoding A-kinase-anchoring protein 10) is associated with higher cholesterol cord blood concentration in Polish full-term newborns
Authors: Łoniewska Beata , Kaczmarczyk Mariusz , Clark Jeremy Simon , Kordek Agnieszka , Ciechanowicz Andrzej 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Aims: A-Kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) coordinate the specificity of protein kinase A signaling by localizing the kinase to subcellular sites. The 1936G (V646) AKAP10 allele has been associated with adults with low cholinergic/vagus nerve sensitivity and with newborns with increased blood pressure. Decreased activity of the parasympathetic system is associated with risk of metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to answer the question of whether 1936A>G AKAP10 polymorphism is associated with metabolic changes in full-term newborns that are predictive factors for the metabolic phenotype in adulthood.

Methods: The study included 114 consecutive healthy Polish newborns born after the end of the 37th week of gestation to healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies. At birth, cord blood of neonates was obtained for isolation of genomic DNA and cholesterol as well as triglyceride concentration.

Results: The cholesterol level in homozygotes GG was significantly higher than that in 1936A variant carriers (AG+AA, recessive mode of inheritance).

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate a possible association between the 1936G AKAP10 variant and the total cholesterol level in the cord blood of the Polish newborn population.