bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index in Rotator Cuff Disease Patients
Authors: de Witte Pieter Bas , Henseler Jan Ferdinand , Nagels Jochem , Vliet Vlieland Thea P.M. , Nelissen Rob G.H.H. 
Published: May 2012

Background: The Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) is an increasingly applied condition-specific outcome measure for rotator cuff (RC) conditions. However, in most WORC validation studies, only a limited number of psychometric properties are studied in indistinct patient groups. Purpose: To assess psychometric properties of the WORC according to the Scientific Advisory Committee quality criteria for health questionnaires in 3 patient groups with distinct RC conditions. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: The WORC (range, 0-100; 21 items, 5 domains) was administered twice (T1, T2) in 92 patients (35 RC tears, 35 calcific tendinitis, 22 impingement). Additionally, the Constant score (CS) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score (DASH) were recorded. Calcific tendinitis patients were reassessed 6 weeks after treatment with needling and lavage or a subacromial injection with corticosteroids (T3). We assessed floor and ceiling effects, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, precision, construct validity, minimally detectable change, and responsiveness in the diagnostic subgroups and the total group. Results: Mean age was 55.0 ± 8.7 years, and 49 of 92 (53%) patients were female. Mean baseline WORC was 46.8 ± 20.4, CS was 63.9 ± 15.4, and DASH was 40.9 ± 18.6. Significant differences were found for the CS and DASH between RC tear patients (severe symptoms) and the other patients, but not for the WORC. There were no floor and ceiling effects. Internal consistency was high: the Cronbach alpha coefficient was .95. The intraclass correlation coefficient of .89 and standard error of measurement of 6.9 indicated high reproducibility. Pearson correlations of the WORC with the CS and DASH were .56 and –.65, respectively (both P < .001). At T3, total WORC improved significantly (mean change, 18.8; 95% confidence interval, 11.3-26.2). Correlations of the WORC change scores with CS and DASH changes were .61 and –.84, respectively (both P < .001). Effect size was 0.96, with a standardized response mean of 0.91, indicating good responsiveness. Conclusion: Applied to a variety of RC patients, the WORC had high internal consistency, moderate to good construct validity, high test-retest reliability, and good responsiveness. These findings support the use of the WORC as a condition-specific self-reported outcome measure in RC patients, but its validity in patients with severe symptoms needs further investigation.
Shortcuts in Arthroscopic Knot Tying
Authors: Riboh Jonathan C. , Heckman Daniel S. , Glisson Richard R. , Moorman Claude T. 
Published: May 2012

Background: Shortcuts for throwing 3 alternating reversed half-hitches on alternating posts (RHAPs), in which the post is switched by alternating strand tension to “flip” the knot, have been advocated but never validated in a biomechanical study. Hypothesis: Shortcut tying techniques will affect knot security or loop security. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A single surgeon tied 90 knots using No. 2 FiberWire through an arthroscopic cannula. Half had a static “surgeon’s base,” and half had a Tennessee slider base. Three techniques were used to create 3 RHAPs: (1) rethreading, (2) knot “flipping” where half-hitches were tensioned by past-pointing, and (3) knot “flipping” where half-hitches were tensioned by alternating past-pointing and over-pointing. Each knot was subjected to a preload of 5 N, followed by 1000 cycles of 5 N to 45 N at 1 Hz, and a single load to failure. Results: When compared with Tennessee knots, surgeon’s knots had a lower incidence of knot slippage and catastrophic failure as well as higher loads to clinical and ultimate failure. Shortcut techniques did not affect the properties of surgeon’s knots. However, when used to secure Tennessee knots, past-pointing decreased load to clinical failure and ultimate load to failure. Over-pointing increased the incidence of knot slippage and catastrophic failure and decreased load to clinical failure and ultimate load to failure. Loop security was marginally increased by both past-pointing and over-pointing. Conclusion: When all tying techniques are considered, surgeon’s knots outperform Tennessee sliding knots. Shortcut techniques do not alter the properties of surgeon’s knots. However, when used to secure Tennessee sliding knots, shortcuts lead to unacceptably high rates of knot slippage and catastrophic failure as well as decreased knot security. Clinical Relevance: The outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff or labral repairs can be compromised when using shortcut tying methods to secure sliding Tennessee knots.
Catastrophic Injuries in Pole Vaulters
Authors: Boden Barry P. , Boden Matthew G. , Peter Rebecca G. , Mueller Fred O. , Johnson Jan E. 
Published: May 2012

Background: A prior review of catastrophic pole vaulting injuries from 1982 through 1998 revealed an average of 2.0 injuries per year, with 69% (1.38 per year) of the injuries secondary to athletes landing off the sides or back of the landing pad and 25% (0.5 per year) from athletes landing in the vault box. In 2003, several rule changes for the sport of pole vaulting were mandated, including enlarging the minimum dimensions of the landing pad. Hypothesis/Purpose: Our goals were to (1) identify the post-2003 rule change incidence and profile of catastrophic pole vaulting injuries through 2011 and compare them, where possible, with the prior incidence and profile and (2) determine, via a questionnaire, the frequency with which pole vaulters land in the vault box. We hypothesized that the new, larger landing pads would reduce the number of catastrophic injuries. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: We prospectively reviewed all catastrophic pole vaulting injuries (ie, brain hemorrhage; skull, spine, or pelvic fracture; substantial pulmonary or intra-abdominal injury) in the United States from 2003 through 2011, surveyed 3335 pole vaulters to determine the frequency of landing in the vault box, and compared results with those in the literature. Results: From 2003 to 2011, 19 catastrophic injuries occurred (average of 2.1 per year), with the majority (n = 14, 74%, 1.55 per year) landing in or around the vault box. Four (21%, 0.44 per year) injuries occurred when an athlete landed off the sides or back of the landing pad and 1 (5%) when the pole broke. There were 11 (58%) major head injuries (1 fatality), 4 (21%) spine fractures (1 with paraplegia), 2 (11%) pelvic fractures (both with intra-abdominal injuries), 1 (5%) brain stem injury (fatal), and 1 (5%) thoracic injury (rib fractures and pneumothorax). The annual fatality rate fell from 1.0 in the prior study to 0.22 in the current study. According to the pole vaulters survey, during their careers, 77.12% (n = 2572) landed in the vault box 1 to 3 times, 15.92% (n = 531) never landed in the vault box, 6.12% (n = 204) landed in the vault box 4 to 6 times, and 0.84% (n = 28) landed in the vault box 7 or more times. Conclusion: The 2003 rule changes have markedly reduced the number of catastrophic injuries, especially fatalities, from pole vaulters missing the back or sides of the landing pads; however, the average annual rate of catastrophic injuries from pole vaulters landing in the vault box has more than tripled over the past decade and remains a major problem.
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction With Gracilis Tendon in Athletes With Intraligamentous Bony Excision
Authors: Dugas Jeffrey R. , Bilotta Jessica , Watts Chad D. , Crum Joshua A. , Fleisig Glenn S. , McMichael Christopher S. , Cain E. Lyle , Andrews James R. 
Published: May 2012

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction is frequently performed in throwing athletes, but outcomes of UCL reconstruction requiring excision of bone, either within the substance of or replacing the UCL, have not been studied. Hypothesis: Clinical outcome for throwing athletes after UCL reconstruction with gracilis tendon will be less favorable for patients requiring concurrent excision of bone from within the substance of the UCL than for patients with no bone excision within, or replacing, the ligamentous anatomy. Study Design: Cohort Study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: One hundred twenty pitchers of competitive levels between high school and major league who underwent UCL reconstruction using contralateral gracilis autografts completed a phone survey, and their medical charts were reviewed. Follow-up was a minimum of 2 years. Among the 120 patients, 42 (35%) had bone within, or replacing, the substance of the native UCL (bony group), and 78 (65%) had no bony abnormalities (nonbony group). The latter group of 78 underwent UCL reconstruction using gracilis tendon graft due to the absence of a palmaris longus tendon. Clinical outcomes were compared between the 2 study groups using t tests and χ2 analyses. Results: There were no statistical differences regarding time to return to throwing, time to return to competition, postoperative complications, or need for additional surgeries. The percentage of patients who returned to the same or higher level was higher in the nonbony group (91%) than in the bony group (81%), but this trend was not statistically significant ( P = .083), likely due to a relatively small sample size. Changes in self-reported pitch control were different ( P = .029) between the 2 groups, with a greater percentage of pitchers experiencing decreased control in the bony group. Conclusion: The presence of bone concomitant with UCL damage can lead to pitch control problems after UCL reconstruction and may also decrease the chance of return to play.
Laser processing of continuous carbon fibre reinforced polyphenylene sulphide organic sheets—Correlation of process parameters and reduction in static tensile strength properties
Authors: Jaeschke Peter , Kern Manuel , Stute Uwe , Kracht Dietmar , Haferkamp Heinz 
Published: May 2012

In this article, the impact of laser-induced thermal damage on the static strength properties of consolidated continuous carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastics induced by high-power laser cutting is presented. Organic sheets based on a polyphenylene sulphide matrix are machined using a fibre laser providing a maximum output power of 6000 W. In this context, the influence of the applied laser power and the feed rate on the cut quality as well as the resulting tensile strength is discussed. In order to analyse the laser cutting edge through a quantitative evaluation of the damaged areas due to laser impact, optical micrographs are prepared. The results of tensile strength tests are compared with those measured from the specimens that were generated by a conventional processing technique (milling). A linear dependency between a specific part of the heat-influenced zone and the corresponding maximum tensile load is found. A reduced load bearing area, as a consequence of a modified fibre–matrix-structure due to laser impact, is identified as the responsible factor for reduced tensile strengths, especially for low feed rates.
Characterization of TLR4-mediated auto-antibody production in a mouse model of histidyl-tRNA synthetase-induced myositis
Authors: Harlow Lisa , Fernandez Irina , Soejima Makoto , Ridgway William M , Ascherman Dana P 
Published: May 2012

We have previously shown that intramuscular immunization with a recombinant fragment of murine histidyl-tRNA synthetase (HRS) in the absence of exogenous adjuvant generates Ag-specific, IgG class switched Abs a murine model of myositis. Markedly diminished IgG anti-HRS auto-Ab responses in TLR4 signaling-deficient C3H/HeJ mice indicate that TLR4 is required for auto-Ab formation and/or class switching in this system. Comparative time course assessment of HRS-immunized C3H/HeOuJ (wild type) and C3H/HeJ (TLR4 mutant) mice shows here that despite significant impairment of class switched IgG anti-HRS responses in TLR4-deficient C3H/HeJ mice, production of IgM anti-HRS auto-Abs is relatively preserved—suggesting that TLR4-mediated signals modulate IgG class switching rather than auto-Ab formation in this genetic background. In C57BL/6-derived knockout mice lacking either MyD88 (B6.MyD88−/−) or TRIF (B6.TRIF−/−) adaptor molecules, immunization studies indicate that TRIF exerts a dominant role in the generation of HRS-specific IgG auto-Abs. Complementing these analyses, in vitro stimulation of unfractionated, as well as T cell-depleted, C3H/HeOuJ splenocytes with recombinant murine HRS reveals that TLR4-mediated generation of class switched auto-Abs can occur independently of T cell help. Overall, these findings support a broader role for TLR4 in the breakdown of immune tolerance and development of autoimmunity.
Targeting antiapoptotic A1/Bfl-1 by in vivo RNAi reveals multiple roles in leukocyte development in mice
Authors: Ottina Eleonora , Grespi Francesca , Tischner Denise , Soratroi Claudia , Geley Stephan , Ploner Andreas , Reichardt Holger M. , Villunger Andreas , Herold Marco J. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractGene-targeting studies in mice have identified the essential roles of most prosurvival Bcl-2 family members in normal physiology and under conditions of stress. The function of one member, Bcl2a1/Bfl-1/A1, is only poorly understood because of quadruplication of its gene locus in mice, hindering conventional knockout studies. To overcome this problem, we generated mouse models allowing traceable constitutive or reversible ablation of A1 in the hematopoietic system by RNA interference. Knockdown of A1 impaired early stages of T-cell differentiation, B-cell homeostasis, and sensitized transitional as well as follicular B cells to apoptosis induced by ligation of the B-cell receptor. As a consequence, B-cell proliferation in response to mitogens was severely impaired, whereas that of T cells appeared unaffected. Furthermore, depending on the extent of A1 knockdown, granulocytes showed increased spontaneous death in culture or failed to accumulate in significant numbers in vivo. These models highlight the critical role of A1 in leukocyte development and homeostasis, constituting valuable tools for investigating presumed roles of this Bcl-2 family member in immunity, tumorigenesis, and drug resistance.
Inherited thrombophilia in children with venous thromboembolism and the familial risk of thromboembolism: an observational study
Authors: Holzhauer Susanne , Goldenberg Neil A. , Junker Ralf , Heller Christine , Stoll Monika , Manner Daniela , Mesters Rolf , Krümpel Anne , Stach Michael , Nowak-Göttl Ulrike 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Screening for inherited thrombophilia (IT) is controversial; persons at high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) who benefit from screening need to be identified. We tested 533 first- and second-degree relatives of 206 pediatric VTE patients for IT (antithrombin, protein C, protein S, factor V G1691A, factor II G20210A) and determined the incidence of symptomatic VTE relative to their IT status. The risk for VTE was significantly increased among family members with, versus without, IT (hazard ratio = 7.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.0-14.5; P < .001) and highest among carriers of antithrombin, protein C, or protein S deficiency (hazard ratio = 25.7; 95% CI, 12.2-54.2; P < .001). Annual incidences of VTE were 2.82% (95% CI, 1.63%-4.80%) among family members found to be carriers of antithrombin, protein C, or protein S deficiency, 0.42% (0.12%-0.53%) for factor II G202010A, 0.25% (0.12%-0.53%) for factor V G1691A, and 0.10% (0.06%-0.17%) in relatives with no IT. Given the high absolute risk of VTE in relatives with protein C, protein S, and antithrombin deficiency, we suggest screening for these forms of hereditary thrombophilia in children with VTE and their relatives. Interventional studies are required to assess whether thromboembolism can be prevented in this high-risk population.
Sublytic concentrations of Staphylococcus aureus Panton-Valentine leukocidin alter human PMN gene expression and enhance bactericidal capacity
Authors: Graves Shawna F , Kobayashi Scott D , Braughton Kevin R , Whitney Adeline R , Sturdevant Daniel E , Rasmussen Devon L , Kirpotina Liliya N , Quinn Mark T , DeLeo Frank R 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
PVL-mediated priming of PMNs enhances the host innate immune response.
CA-MRSA infections are often caused by strains encoding PVL, which can cause lysis of PMNs and other myeloid cells in vitro, a function considered widely as the primary means by which PVL might contribute to disease. However, at sublytic concentrations, PVL can function as a PMN agonist. To better understand this phenomenon, we investigated the ability of PVL to alter human PMN function. PMNs exposed to PVL had enhanced capacity to produce O2− in response to fMLF, but unlike priming by LPS, this response did not require TLR signal transduction. On the other hand, there was subcellular redistribution of NADPH oxidase components in PMNs following exposure of these cells to PVL—a finding consistent with priming. Importantly, PMNs primed with PVL had an enhanced ability to bind/ingest and kill Staphylococcus aureus. Priming of PMNs with other agonists, such as IL-8 or GM-CSF, altered the ability of PVL to cause formation of pores in the plasma membranes of these cells. Microarray analysis revealed significant changes in the human PMN transcriptome following exposure to PVL, including up-regulation of molecules that regulate the inflammatory response. Consistent with the microarray data, mediators of the inflammatory response were released from PMNs after stimulation with PVL. We conclude that exposure of human PMNs to sublytic concentrations of PVL elicits a proinflammatory response that is regulated in part at the level of gene expression. We propose that PVL-mediated priming of PMNs enhances the host innate immune response.
Wtip and Vangl2 are required for mitotic spindle orientation and cloaca morphogenesis
Authors: Bubenshchikova Ekaterina , Ichimura Koichiro , Fukuyo Yayoi , Powell Rebecca , Hsu Chaonan , Morrical Stephen O. , Sedor John R. , Sakai Tatsuo , Obara Tomoko 
Published: May 2012

Summary
Defects in cilia and basal bodies function are linked to ciliopathies, which result in kidney cyst formation. Recently, cell division defects have been observed in cystic kidneys, but the underlying mechanisms of such defects remain unclear. Wtip is an LIM domain protein of the Ajuba/Zyxin family, but its role in ciliogenesis during embryonic development has not been previously described. We report Wtip is enriched in the basal body and knockdown of wtip leads to pronephric cyst formation, cloaca malformation, hydrocephalus, body curvature, and pericardial edema. We additionally show that wtip knockdown embryos display segment-specific defects in the pronephros: mitotic spindle orientation defects are observed only in the anterior and middle pronephros; cloaca malformation is accompanied by a reduced number of ciliated cells; and ciliated cells lack the striated rootlet that originates from basal bodies, which results in a lack of cilia motility. Our data suggest that loss of Wtip function phenocopies Vangl2 loss of function, a core planar cell polarity (PCP) protein located in the basal body protein. Furthermore, we demonstrate that wtip and vangl2 interact genetically. Taken together, our results indicate that in zebrafish, Wtip is required for mitotic spindle orientation in the anterior and middle of the pronephros, cloaca morphogenesis, and PCP, which may underlie the molecular etiology of ciliopathies.
The bromodomain-containing protein tBRD-1 is specifically expressed in spermatocytes and is essential for male fertility
Authors: Leser Katja , Awe Stephan , Barckmann Bridlin , Renkawitz-Pohl Renate , Rathke Christina 
Published: May 2012

Summary
By a conserved cellular differentiation process, spermatogenesis leads to formation of haploid sperm for successful reproduction. In Drosophila and in mammals, post-meiotic spermatid differentiation depends on several translationally repressed and stored mRNAs that are often expressed exclusively in the testis through a cell type specific transcriptional program. In Drosophila, the mRNAs of proteins required for post-meiotic chromatin reorganisation, like ProtB and Mst77F, are transcribed in meiotic spermatocytes and subjected to translational repression for days. Transcription of many of these translationally repressed mRNAs depends on testis-specific homologs of TATA box binding protein-associated factors (tTAFs). Here, we identified the testis-specific bromodomain protein, tBRD-1, that is only expressed in primary spermatocytes. Bromodomain proteins are able to recognise and bind acetylated histones and non-histone proteins. We generated tbrd-1 mutant flies and observed that function of tBRD-1 is required for male fertility. tBRD-1 partially colocalised with tTAFs, TAF1 and Polycomb to a Fibrillarin-deficient region within the spermatocyte nucleolus. The nucleolar localisation of tBRD-1 depended on tTAF function but not the other way round. Further, we could show that ectopically expressed tBRD-1-eGFP is able to bind to the interbands of polytene chromosomes. By inhibitor treatment of cultured testis we observed that sub-cellular localisation of tBRD-1 may depend on the acetylation status of primary spermatocytes.
Prolonged exposure to elevated CO2 promotes growth of the algal symbiont Symbiodinium muscatinei in the intertidal sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima
Authors: Towanda Trisha , Thuesen Erik V. 
Published: May 2012

Summary
Some photosynthetic organisms benefit from elevated levels of carbon dioxide, but studies on the effects of elevated PCO2 on the algal symbionts of animals are very few. This study investigated the impact of hypercapnia on a photosynthetic symbiosis between the anemone Anthopleura elegantissima and its zooxanthella Symbiodinium muscatinei. Anemones were maintained in the laboratory for 1 week at 37 Pa PCO2 and pH 8.1. Clonal pairs were then divided into two groups and maintained for 6 weeks under conditions naturally experienced in their intertidal environment, 45 Pa PCO2, pH 8.1 and 231 Pa PCO2, pH 7.3. Respiration and photosynthesis were measured after the 1-week acclimation period and after 6 weeks in experimental conditions. Density of zooxanthellal cells, zooxanthellal cell size, mitotic index and chlorophyll content were compared between non-clonemate anemones after the 1-week acclimation period and clonal anemones at the end of the experiment. Anemones thrived in hypercapnia. After 6 weeks, A. elegantissima exhibited higher rates of photosynthesis at 45 Pa (4.2 µmol O2 g−1 h−1) and 231 Pa (3.30 µmol O2 g−1 h−1) than at the initial 37 Pa (1.53 µmol O2 g−1 h−1). Likewise, anemones at 231 Pa received more of their respiratory carbon from zooxanthellae (CZAR  = 78.2%) than those at 37 Pa (CZAR  = 66.6%) but less than anemones at 45 Pa (CZAR  = 137.3%). The mitotic index of zooxanthellae was significantly greater in the hypercapnic anemones than in anemones at lower PCO2. Excess zooxanthellae were expelled by their hosts, and cell densities, cell diameters and chlorophyll contents were not significantly different between the groups. The response of A. elegantissima to hypercapnic acidification reveals the potential adaptation of an intertidal, photosynthetic symbiosis for high PCO2.