bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is activation of transversus abdominis and obliquus internus abdominis associated with long-term changes in chronic low back pain? A prospective study with 1-year follow-up
Authors: Unsgaard-Tøndel Monica , Lund Nilsen Tom Ivar , Magnussen Jon , Vasseljen Ottar 
Published: July 2011

ObjectiveTo investigate associations between deep abdominal muscle activation and long-term pain outcome in chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP).MethodsRecruitment of transversus abdominis and obliquus internus abdominis during the abdominal drawing-in manoeuvre was recorded by B-mode ultrasound and anticipatory onset of deep abdominal muscle activity with M-mode ultrasound. Recordings were done before and after 8 weeks with guided exercises for 109 patients with chronic non-specific LBP. Pain was assessed with a numeric rating scale (0–10) before and 1 year after intervention. Associations between muscle activation and long-term pain were examined by multiple linear and logistic regression methods.ResultsParticipants with a combination of low baseline lateral slide in transversus abdominis and increased slide after intervention had better odds for long-term clinically important pain reduction (≥2 points on the numeric rating scale) compared with participants with small baseline slide and no improvement in slide (OR 14.70, 95% CI 2.41 to 89.56). There were no associations between contraction thickness ratios in transversus abdominis or obliquus internus abdominis and pain at 1-year follow-up. Transversus abdominis lateral slide before intervention was marginally associated with a lower OR for clinically important improvement in pain at 1-year follow-up (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.93). Delayed onset of the abdominal muscles after the intervention period was weakly associated with higher long-term pain.ConclusionImproved transversus abdominis lateral slide among participants with low baseline slide was associated with clinically important long-term pain reduction. High baseline slide and delayed onset of abdominal muscles after the intervention period were weakly associated with higher pain at 1-year follow-up.Clinical Trial Registration numberThe study was preregistered in ClinicalTrials.gov with identifierNCT00201513.
Structural cardiac disease diagnosed by echocardiography in asymptomatic young male soccer players: implications for pre-participation screening
Authors: Rizzo Marta , Spataro Antonio , Cecchetelli Cristiano , Quaranta Federico , Livrieri Simona , Sperandii Fabio , Cifra Barbara , Borrione Paolo , Pigozzi Fabio 
Published: July 2011

PurposeTo evaluate the prevalence of structural cardiac lesions using echocardiography in apparently healthy boys referred for pre-participation screening (PPS).Subjects and methods3100 male soccer players were evaluated by echocardiography in addition to the standard PPS.ResultsIn 56 subjects (1.8%), a structural cardiac lesion with potential future complication was detected. Specifically, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) was found in two boys; bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) in 24; mitral valve prolapse in 10 and atrial septal defects (ASDs) in 20. Resting physical examination (PE) failed to identify any abnormalities in the majority of the subjects. All the boys presented an uncomplicated echocardiography, except two boys with HCM, one with BAV associated with aortic dilatation and one with a large ASD.ConclusionAsymptomatic young athletes may have a structural cardiac alteration with the potential of present or future haemodynamic and arrhythmic consequences. A majority of mild cardiac lesions are difficult to diagnose or suspect by the current screening based on medical history, PE and ECG. Transthoracic echocardiography significantly improves the diagnostic power of screening in the detection of both mild and serious cardiac conditions in the athletic population.
Physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors in children
Authors: Andersen Lars Bo , Riddoch Chris , Kriemler Susi , Hills Andrew 
Published: July 2011

BackgroundA number of recent systematic reviews have resulted in changes in international recommendations for children's participation in physical activity (PA) for health. The World Health Authority (WHO) has recently released new recommendations. The WHO still recommends 60 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), but also emphasises that these minutes should be on top of everyday physical activities. Everyday physical activities total around 30 min of MVPA in the quintile of the least active children, which means that the new recommendations constitute more activity in total compared with earlier recommendations.Objective To summarise evidence justifying new PA recommendation for cardiovascular health in children.MethodsThe results of recent systematic reviews are discussed and supplemented with relevant literature not included in these reviews. PubMed was searched for the years 2006–2011 for additional topics not sufficiently covered by the reviews.ResultsPA was associated with lower blood pressure and a healthier lipid blood profile in children. The association was stronger when a composite risk factor score was analysed, and the associations between physical fitness and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors were even stronger. Muscle strength and endurance exercise each had an effect on blood lipids and insulin sensitivity even if the effect was smaller for muscle strength than for aerobic exercise. New evidence suggests possible effects of PA on C-reactive protein.ConclusionThere is accumulating evidence that PA can have beneficial effects on the risk factors of CVD in children. Public health policy to promote PA in children, especially the most sedentary children, may be a key element to prevent the onset of CVD later in the children's lives.
Exploring the role of fish in a lake ecosystem (Lake Kinneret, Israel) by coupling an individual-based fish population model to a dynamic ecosystem model
Authors: Makler-Pick Vardit , Gal Gideon , Shapiro James , Hipsey Matthew R. 
Published: July 2011

To explore the role that fish play in aquatic ecosystems, a hydrodynamic–ecological model (DYRESM–CAEDYM) was coupled to a novel fish population model. The coupled model (DYCD–FISH) combined two modelling approaches: a complex dynamic model and an individual-based model. The coupled model simulates fish growth population dynamics and predicts fish impacts on various ecosystem components, including nutrients and lower trophic levels. The model was employed to explore the role of the dominant fish in Lake Kinneret (Israel), Acanthobrama terraesanctae (Kinneret bleak, or in Hebrew, lavnun ha’kinneret; hereafter lavnun). Model results suggested that the lavnun has a significant impact (p < 0.05) on the magnitude of output variables including its prey food (the predatory and microzooplankton), major nutrients such as ammonium (NH4) and phosphate (PO4), and on several phytoplankton species, but not on the seasonality of any of the output variables. Since the model incorporates trophic levels from nutrients to fish, it revealed the nonlinear dynamic impacts of fish on different ecosystem components and in particular has led to quantitative insights into the relative influence of top-down control on water quality attributes. Besides being an ecosystem research tool, DYCD–FISH can also be employed as a fishery management tool, and in particular facilitate ecosystem-based fishery management.
Home range of European lobster (Homarus gammarus) in a marine reserve: implications for future reserve design
Authors: Moland Even , Olsen Esben Moland , Andvord Kristian , Knutsen Jan Atle , Stenseth Nils Chr. 
Published: July 2011

Marine reserves are perceived as a critical component in successful rebuilding of overharvested marine populations. Such efforts can be particularly successful in species with limited movement rates. However, long-term data on movement is sparse for most marine species. Here, we investigated space use in European lobster ( Homarus gammarus ) by ultrasonic tracking in a reserve on the Norwegian Skagerrak coast from September 2006 to August 2007. Over the period, 95% of tagged lobsters remained either within the reserve or near reserve boundaries. Home range estimates based on a kernel density estimator of the 95% utilization distribution ranged from 5728 to 41 548 m2 (mean 19 879 ± 2152 m2 standard error), representing 0.57%–4.15% of the reserve area (1 km2), with no significant difference among males, non-ovigerous females, and ovigerous females for an overlapping observation period of 242 days. Logistic regression predicted average time to reach 50% and 95% of minimum convex polygon home range area at 98 and 259 days, respectively. These results show that European lobsters can be resident with limited home ranges. Small coastal reserves can be designed to afford complete or partial protection by letting boundaries engulf or intersect patches of habitat preferred by this species.
A deathly odor suggests a new sustainable tool for controlling a costly invasive species
Authors: Wagner C. Michael , Stroud Eric M. , Meckley Trevor D. 
Published: July 2011

Here we confirm a long-standing anecdotal observation; the sea lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus ) actively avoids the odor emitted by decaying conspecifics. We extracted the semiochemical mixture produced by the putrefying carcasses of sea lampreys via Soxhlet extraction in ethanol and exposed groups of 10 migratory-phase lampreys to either the putrefaction extract (N = 8) or an ethanol control (N = 8) in a laboratory raceway. Sea lampreys rapidly avoided the putrefaction odor while exhibiting no response to the ethanol control. This response was elicited with a diluted mixture (1:373 000) and was maintained for 40 min (the duration of exposure), after which the lampreys quickly returned to their nominal distribution. The ease with which this odor is obtained, and the rapid and consistent behavioral response, suggests the substance will prove useful as a repellent in the sea lamprey control program carried out in the Laurentian Great Lakes.
Genome size variation inCorchorus olitorius(Malvaceae s.l.) and its correlation with elevation and phenotypic traits
Authors: Benor Solomon , Fuchs Jörg , Blattner Frank R. 
Published: July 2011

In this study, we report genome size variations in Corchorus olitorius L. (Malvaceae s.l.), a crop species known for its morphological plasticity and broad geographical distribution, and Corchorus capsularis L., the second widely cultivated species in the genus. Flow cytometric analyses were conducted with several tissues and nuclei isolation buffers using 69 accessions of C. olitorius and 4 accessions of C. capsularis, representing different habitats and geographical origins. The mean 2C nuclear DNA content (± SD) of C. olitorius was estimated to be 0.918 ± 0.011 pg, with a minimum of 0.882 ± 0.004 pg, and a maximum of 0.942 ± 0.004 pg. All studied plant materials were found to be diploid with 2n = 14. The genome size is negatively correlated with days to flowering (r = –0.29, p < 0.05) and positively with seed surface area (r = 0.38, p < 0.05). Moreover, a statistically significant positive correlation was detected between genome size and growing elevation (r = 0.59, p < 0.001) in wild populations. The mean 2C nuclear DNA content of C. capsularis was estimated to be 0.802 ± 0.008 pg. In comparison to other economically important crop species, the genome sizes of C. olitorius and C. capsularis are much smaller, and therewith closer to that of rice. The relatively small genome sizes will be of general advantage for any efforts into genomics or sequencing approaches of these species.
HER2-Affitoxin: A Potent Therapeutic Agent for the Treatment of HER2-Overexpressing Tumors
Authors: Zielinski Rafal , Lyakhov Ilya , Hassan Moinuddin , Kuban Monika , Shafer-Weaver Kimberly , Gandjbakhche Amir , Capala Jacek 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Purpose: Cancers overexpressing the HER2/neu gene are usually more aggressive and are associated with poor prognosis. Although trastuzumab has significantly improved the outcome, many tumors do not respond or acquire resistance to current therapies. To provide an alternative HER2-targeted therapy, we have developed and characterized a novel recombinant protein combining an HER2-specific Affibody and modified Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (PE 38), which, after binding to HER2, is internalized and delivered to the cytosol of the tumor cell, where it blocks protein synthesis by ADP ribosylation of eEF-2.
Experimental Design: The effect of the Affitoxin on cell viability was assessed using CellTiter-Glo (Promega). To assess HER2-specific efficacy, athymic nude mice bearing BT-474 breast cancer, SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer, and NCI-N87 gastric carcinoma xenografts were treated with the Affitoxin (HER2- or Tag-specific), which was injected every third day. Affitoxin immunogenicity in female BALB/c mice was investigated using standard antibody production and splenocyte proliferation assays.
Results: In vitro experiments proved that HER2-Affitoxin is a potent agent that eliminates HER2-overexpressing cells at low picomolar concentrations. Therapeutic efficacy studies showed complete eradication of relatively large BT-474 tumors and significant effects on SK-OV-3 and NCI-N87 tumors. HER2-Affitoxin cleared quickly from circulation (T1/2 &lt; 10 minutes) and was well tolerated by mice at doses of 0.5 mg/kg and below. Immunogenicity studies indicated that HER2-Affitoxin induced antibody development after the third injected dose.
Conclusions: Our findings showed that HER2-Affitoxin is an effective anticancer agent and a potential candidate for clinical studies. Clin Cancer Res; 17(15); 5071–81. ©2011 AACR.
Results of a Phase II Trial of Gemcitabine Plus Doxorubicin in Patients with Recurrent Head and Neck Cancers: Serum C18-Ceramide as a Novel Biomarker for Monitoring Response
Authors: Saddoughi Sahar A. , Garrett-Mayer Elizabeth , Chaudhary Uzair , O'Brien Paul E. , Afrin Larry B. , Day Terry A. , Gillespie M. Boyd , Sharma Anand K. , Wilhoit Christina S. , Bostick Robin , Senkal Can E. , Hannun Yusuf A. , Bielawski Jacek , Simon George R. , Shirai Keisuke , Ogretmen Besim 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Purpose: Here we report a phase II clinical trial, which was designed to test a novel hypothesis that treatment with gemcitabine (GEM)/doxorubicin (DOX) would be efficacious via reconstitution of C18-ceramide signaling in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients for whom first-line platinum-based therapy failed.
Experimental Design: Patients received GEM (1,000 mg/m2) and DOX (25 mg/m2) on days 1 and 8, every 21 days, until disease progression. After completion of 2 treatment cycles, patients were assessed radiographically, and serum samples were taken for sphingolipid measurements.
Results: We enrolled 18 patients in the trial, who were evaluable for toxicity, and 17 for response. The most common toxicity was neutropenia, observed in 9 of 18 patients, and there were no major nonhematologic toxicities. Of the 17 patients, 5 patients had progressive disease (PD), 1 had complete response (CR), 3 exhibited partial response (PR), and 8 had stable disease (SD). The median progression-free survival was 1.6 months (95% CI: 1.4–4.2) with a median survival of 5.6 months (95% CI: 3.8–18.2). Remarkably, serum sphingolipid analysis revealed significant differences in patterns of C18-ceramide elevation in patients with CR/PR/SD in comparison with patients with PD, indicating the reconstitution of tumor suppressor ceramide generation by GEM/DOX treatment.
Conclusions: Our data suggest that the GEM/DOX combination could represent an effective treatment for some patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC, and that serum C18-ceramide elevation might be a novel serum biomarker of chemotherapy response. Clin Cancer Res; 17(18); 6097–105. ©2011 AACR.
Pharmacogenetic Angiogenesis Profiling for First-line Bevacizumab plus Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Gerger Armin , El-Khoueiry Anthony , Zhang Wu , Yang Dongyun , Singh Harpreet , Bohanes Pierre , Ning Yan , Winder Thomas , LaBonte Melissa J. , Wilson Peter M. , Benhaim Leonor , Paez David , El-Khoueiry Rita , Absenger Gudrun , Lenz Heinz-Josef 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Purpose: There is substantial germline genetic variability within angiogenesis pathway genes, thereby causing interindividual differences in angiogenic capacity and resistance to antiangiogenesis therapy. We investigated germline polymorphisms in genes involved in VEGF-dependent and -independent angiogenesis pathways to predict clinical outcome and tumor response in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients treated with bevacizumab and oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.
Experimental Design: A total of 132 patients treated with first-line bevacizumab and FOLFOX or XELOX were included in this study. Genomic DNA was isolated from whole-blood samples by PCR-RFLP or direct DNA sequencing. The endpoints of the study were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and response rate (RR).
Results: The minor alleles of EGF rs444903 A&gt;G and IGF-1 rs6220 A&gt;G were associated with increased OS and remained significant in multivariate Cox regression analysis (HR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.31–0.87; adjusted P = 0.012 and HR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.36–0.99; adjusted P = 0.046, respectively). The minor allele of HIF1α rs11549465 C&gt;T was significantly associated with increased PFS but lost its significance in multivariate analysis. CXCR1 rs2234671 G&gt;C, CXCR2 rs2230054 T&gt;C, EGFR rs2227983 G&gt;A, and VEGFR-2 rs2305948 C&gt;T predicted tumor response, with CXCR1 rs2234671 G&gt;C remaining significant in multiple testing (Pact = 0.003).
Conclusion: In this study, we identified common germline variants in VEGF-dependent and -independent angiogenesis genes predicting clinical outcome and tumor response in patients with mCRC receiving first-line bevacizumab and oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. Clin Cancer Res; 17(17); 5783–92. ©2011 AACR.
Frequency of Rearrangements in Lynch Syndrome Cases Associated with MSH2: Characterization of a New Deletion Involving both EPCAM and the 5′ Part of MSH2
Authors: Pérez-Cabornero Lucia , Sanz Mar Infante , Sampedro Eladio Velasco , Aras Enrique Lastra , Becares Alberto Acedo , Pino Cristina Miner , Domínguez Mercedes Durán 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Lynch syndrome is caused by germline mutations in MSH2, MLH1, MSH6, and PMS2 mismatch repair genes and leads to a high risk of colorectal and endometrial cancer. It was recently shown that constitutional 3′ end deletions of EPCAM could cause Lynch syndrome in tissues with MSH2 deficiency. We aim to establish the spectrum of mutations in MSH2-associated Lynch syndrome cases and their clinical implications. Probands from 159 families suspected of having Lynch syndrome were enrolled in the study. Immunohistochemistry and microsatellite instability (MSI) analyses were used on the probands of all families. Eighteen cases with MSH2 loss were identified: eight had point mutations in MSH2. In 10 Lynch syndrome families without MSH2 mutations, EPCAM-MSH2genomic rearrangement screening was carried out with the use of multiplex ligation–dependent probe amplification and reverse transcriptase PCR. We report that large germline deletions, encompassing one or more exons of the MSH2 gene, cosegregate with the Lynch syndrome phenotype in 23% (8 of 35) of MSI families tested. A new combined deletion EPCAM-MSH2 was identified and characterized by break point analysis, encompassing from the 3′ end region of EPCAM to the 5′ initial sequences of the MSH2 (c.859-1860_MSH2:646-254del). EPCAM-MSH2 fusion transcript was isolated. The tumors of the carriers show high-level MSI and MSH2 protein loss. The clinical correlation provided evidence that the type of mutation and the extension of the deletions involving the MSH2 gene could have different implications in cancer predisposition. Thus, the identification of EPCAM-MSH2 rearrangements and their comprehensive characterization should be included in the routine mutation screening protocols for Lynch syndrome. Cancer Prev Res; 4(10); 1556–62. ©2011 AACR.
Relative Familial Clustering of Cerebral Versus Coronary Ischemic Events
Authors: Banerjee Amitava , Silver Louise E. , Heneghan Carl , Welch Sarah J.V. , Mehta Ziyah , Banning Adrian P. , Rothwell Peter M. 
Published: July 2011

Background—
Few population-based studies have ascertained both cerebral and coronary events or considered their relative heritability. Differences in heritability of transient ischemic attack and ischemic stroke versus acute coronary syndromes (ACS) may inform risk prediction, genetic studies, and understanding of disease mechanisms.

Methods and Results—

In a population-based study of all acute vascular events, irrespective of age, we studied family history of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and related risk factors in first-degree relatives. To allow for differences in rates of affected first-degree relatives caused by differences in disease incidence, we looked at the extent to which parental history was associated with affected siblings within disease category. Nine hundred six probands (604 men; mean age, 70 years) with ACS and 1015 (484 men; mean age, 73 years) with cerebral events had complete family history data. In ACS probands, parental MI was associated with MI in ≥1 sibling (1 parent with MI: odds ratio, 1.48; 1.04 to 2.10;
P
=0.03; both parents with MI: odds ratio, 5.97; 3.23 to 11.03;
P
<0.0001). In probands with cerebral events, however, parental stroke was not associated with sibling stroke. The overall frequency of ≥2 siblings with the same condition was also greater in probands with ACS than in those with cerebral events (odds ratio, 5.43; 3.03 to 9.76;
P
<0.00001), despite similar overall incidence of MI and stroke in our study population. One hundred forty-two (15.7%) cases of ACS occurred in families with ≥2 affected first-degree relatives compared with 56 (5.1%) transient ischemic attack/strokes. All results were similar when analyses were confined to probands with MI only versus stroke only, and independent of smoking.

Conclusions—
Heritability of coronary events was greater than that of cerebral events, such that MI was more likely to cluster in families than was stroke.