bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of knee position on quadriceps muscle force steadiness and activation strategies
Authors: Krishnan Chandramouli , Allen Eric J. , Williams Glenn N. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIntroduction: In this study we investigated the effect of knee position on quadriceps force steadiness and activation strategies. Methods: Quadriceps force steadiness was evaluated in 22 volunteers at two knee positions by testing their ability to regulate submaximal force. Muscle activation strategies were studied in both time and frequency domains using surface electromyography. Results: Quadriceps force fluctuations and the associated agonist and antagonist activity were significantly higher at 90° than at 30° of flexion (P < 0.05). The quadriceps median frequency recorded at 30° was significantly higher than at 90° of flexion (P < 0.05). Regression analyses revealed that force steadiness was related to quadriceps activation and median frequency (P < 0.001), but not to hamstring coactivation (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The results indicate that knee position significantly affects quadriceps force steadiness and activation strategies. This finding may have important implications for designing a force control testing protocol and interpreting test results. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Differential susceptibility of muscles to myotonia and force impairment in a mouse model of myotonic dystrophy
Authors: Moyer Michelle , Berger Dara S. , Ladd Andrea N. , Van Lunteren Erik 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIntroduction:Myotonic dystrophy, or dystrophia myotonica (DM), is characterized by prominent muscle wasting and weakness as well as delayed muscle relaxation resulting from persistent electrical discharges.Methods:We hypothesized heterogeneity among muscles in degree of weakness and myotonia in an expanded [(CUG)250] repeats transgenic (HSALR) mouse DM model. Muscle contraction was compared among diaphragm, extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and soleus muscles.Results:Myotonia was found only in EDL, as manifested by longer late‐relaxation time and elevated myotonic index. EDL, but not the other two muscles, had impaired force over a wide range of stimulation frequencies. During fatigue‐inducing stimulation, DM EDL muscle force per cross‐sectional area was significantly impaired during 25‐Hz stimulation, whereas there were no differences in fatigue response for DM diaphragm or soleus.Conclusion:In an expanded repeats model of DM the EDL is more susceptible to myotonia and force impairment than muscles with lower proportions of fast‐twitch fibers. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Sleep hypoventilation syndrome and respiratory failure due to multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block
Authors: Kyriakides Theodoros , Papacostas Savvas , Papanicolaou Eleni , Bagdades Evis , Papathanasiou Eleftherios S. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractSleep hypoventilation syndrome and respiratory failure have been reported in association with a diverse spectrum of neuromuscular disorders. We report a patient with multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block who presented with sleep hypoventilation, presumably due to bilateral phrenic neuropathy and was initially diagnosed to have obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Once the correct diagnosis was made the patient was treated successfully with a combination of regular immunoglobulin and bilevel nocturnal ventilation. Delay in the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin resulted in respiratory failure. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Unconfined seepage analysis in earth dams using smoothed fixed grid finite element method
Authors: Kazemzadeh‐Parsi Mohammad Javad , Daneshmand Farhang 
Published: March 2011

SUMMARYOne major difficulty in seepage analyses is finding the position of phreatic surface which is unknown at the beginning of solution and must be determined in an iterative process. The objective of the present study is to develop a novel non‐boundary‐fitted mesh finite‐element method capable of solving the unconfined seepage problem in domains with arbitrary geometry and continuously varied permeability. A new non‐boundary‐fitted finite element method named as smoothed fixed grid finite element method (SFGFEM) is used to simplify the solution of variable domain problem of unconfined seepage. The gradient smoothing technique, in which the area integrals are transformed into the line integrals around edges of smoothing cells, is used to obtain the element matrices. The solution process starts with an initial guess for the unknown boundary and SFGFEM is used to approximate the field variable. The boundary shape is then modified to eventually satisfy nonlinear boundary condition in an iterative process. Some numerical examples are solved to evaluate the applicability of the proposed method and the results are compared with those available in the literature. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3D subsidence analyses above gas reservoirs accounting for an unconventional plasticity model
Authors: Salomoni Valentina A. , Fincato Riccardo 
Published: March 2011

SUMMARYThe coupled hydro‐mechanical state in soils coming from consolidation/subsidence processes and undergoing plasticity phenomena is here evaluated by means of the subloading surface model. The most important feature of this theory is the abolition of the distinction between the elastic and plastic domains, as it happens in the conventional elastoplastic models. This means that plastic deformations are generated whenever there is a change in stress and a smoother elastoplastic transition is produced. The plasticity algorithm has been implemented in the PLASCON3D FE code, coupling hydro‐thermo‐mechanical fields within a saturated (locally partially saturated) porous medium subjected to external loads and water/gas withdrawals from deep layers (aquifers/reservoirs). The 3D model has been first calibrated and validated against examples taken from the literature, and then subsidence analyses at regional scales due to gas extractions have been developed to predict the evolution of settlements and pore pressure in soils for long‐term scenarios. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PNE versus 1st stage tined lead procedure: A direct comparison to select the most sensitive test method to identify patients suitable for sacral neuromodulation therapy
Authors: Leong Randall K. , De Wachter Stefan G.G. , Nieman F.H.M. , de Bie Rob A. , van Kerrebroeck Philip E.V. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAimsTo compare the patient's response rate to the Percutaneous Nerve Evaluation test (PNE) and the 1st stage tined‐lead placement test (FSTLP) for sacral neuromodulation therapy (SNM).MethodsSingle center study on patients with refractory idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) or non‐obstructive urinary retention, screened with both PNE and FSTLP. Patients were followed prospectively and their response rate based on bladder diary after PNE was compared to that after FSTLP. More than 50% improvement in at least two relevant urinary symptoms was considered a positive response. A Wilcoxon paired test was done to compare the rates of the two screening options and logistic regression to determine possible associations. A follow‐up was conducted to determine the long‐term failure rate.ResultsOne hundred patients were included (82 female, 69 OAB). The mean age was 55 years (SD 13). The positive response rate on PNE was 47%. FSTLP showed a 69% positive response rate, which was negatively related to age. The 22% gain in positive response was statistically significant (P < 0.001) and positively associated with female gender and younger age. All 69 patients with a positive response to FSTLP received SNM treatment. Failure rate after an average of 2 years was 2.9%.ConclusionsThis study suggests that FSTLP may be a more sensitive screening method than PNE to identify patients eligible for SNM therapy, warranting randomized trials. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30:1249–1252, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Green tea drinking is inversely associated with urinary incontinence in middle‐aged and older women
Authors: Hirayama Fumi , Lee Andy H. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAimsTo investigate the association between green tea consumption and urinary incontinence among middle‐aged and older women.MethodsThree hundred community‐dwelling women aged 40–75 years were recruited in middle and southern Japan. A validated food frequency questionnaire was administered face‐to‐face to obtain information on dietary intake and habitual tea and coffee consumption. Urinary incontinence status was ascertained using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Short Form.ResultsThe prevalence of urinary incontinence was 27.5% among 298 eligible participants. The 82 women who leaked urine tended to drink less green tea (daily mean intake 622, SD 554 ml) than others without the condition (daily mean intake 757, SD 571 ml), P = 0.04. Relative to non‐drinkers, the adjusted odds ratios of urinary incontinence were 0.37 (95% CI 0.15–0.91) for drinking more than 700 ml and 0.34 (95% CI 0.13–0.88) for drinking 4 or more cups daily. The corresponding dose–response relationships for these quantity (P = 0.04) and frequency (P = 0.01) of intake were significant. However, association with black tea, oolong tea and coffee consumption was not evident.ConclusionsThe findings suggested an inverse association between urinary incontinence and habitual green tea consumption in middle‐aged and older women. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30:1262–1265, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is there an association between female urinary incontinence and decreased genital sensation?
Authors: Lowenstein Lior , Gruenwald Ilan , Itskovitz‐Eldor Joseph , Gartman Irena , Vardi Yoram 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAimTo explore the relationship between urinary incontinence and genital sensory functioning in females with sexual dysfunction disorders.MethodsA retrospective consecutive chart review was conducted for all women who were referred to our tertiary female urology clinic with a primary complaint of sexual dysfunction between October 1999 and January 2009. Our study sample included 177 women, all of whom underwent a thorough clinical evaluation. Urinary incontinence was diagnosed based on clinical history and physical examination by a urogynecologist. The Genital Thermal and Vibratory Sensory Analyzer (GSA) was used for sensory testing in the genital area. Independent t‐test and multivariate linear regression were used for statistical analysis.ResultsOf the 177 study patients (median age 34, range 18–68), 63 (36%) had urinary incontinence. Women with urinary incontinence were found to be less sensitive to warm, cold, and vibratory thresholds at both the anterior and the posterior vaginal wall and the clitoral area (P < 0.05).ConclusionsWomen with urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction are less sensitive to all sensory testing in the genital region than women with sexual dysfunction alone. This relationship may be attributable to afferent nerve damage and the critical role it may play in the etiology of urinary incontinence. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30:1291–1294, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuromodulation of bladder activity by stimulation of feline pudendal nerve using a transdermal amplitude modulated signal (TAMS)
Authors: Shen Bing , Roppolo James R. , Subbaroyan Jeyakumar , DiUbaldi Anthony , Wahlgren Steve , de Groat William C. , Tai Changfeng 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAim: To develop a non‐invasive neuromodulation method to regulate bladder activity. Methods: Neuromodulation of bladder activity was investigated in felines with an intact spinal cord under α‐chloralose anesthesia using a transcutaneous stimulation method with surface electrodes attached to the skin area between the base of the tail and the sciatic notch.Results: The bladder could be either inhibited or excited depending on stimulation frequency and bladder volume. With the bladder distended to induce large amplitude rhythmic isovolumetric bladder contractions, stimulation at a frequency between 5 and 7 Hz significantly suppressed the contractions. Stimulation applied during a cystometrogram (CMG) also increased bladder capacity by 44.3 ± 10.8%. At a frequency between 20 and 40 Hz the inhibitory effect on rhythmic bladder contractions was weak and did not increase bladder capacity during CMG. At low bladder volumes ranging between 60% and 100% of the bladder capacity 20 Hz stimulation‐induced small amplitude (21.2 ± 14.6 cmH2O) bladder contractions. However, stimulation at 20 Hz induced large amplitude (111.7 ± 22.2 cmH2O) bladder contractions at a bladder volume about 100–110% of the bladder capacity after the rhythmic bladder contractions were completely inhibited by the inhibitory 5 Hz stimulation.Conclusions: Both inhibitory and excitatory effects on bladder activity can be obtained in cats using the non‐invasive neural stimulation approach. This pre‐clinical study warrants a further clinical trial to investigate the possibility of using this non‐invasive stimulation method to treat incontinence or urinary retention. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30: 1686–1694, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The roles of fascins in health and disease
Authors: Hashimoto Yosuke , Kim Dae Joong , Adams Josephine C 
Published: March 2011

AbstractFascins are actin‐binding proteins that cross‐link filamentous actin into tightly packed parallel bundles. These bundles are important for the organization and morphology of an extremely diverse set of sub‐cellular structures that include dynamic and stable cell‐surface protrusions, stress fibres, and the specialized actin bundles of photoreceptor and stereocilia cells. In this review, we discuss the fascin gene family and its evolution, the actin‐bundling activity of fascins and the molecular pathways by which it is regulated, and the role of the diverse actin/fascin structures in normal cellular processes. We discuss the mechanisms by which fascins contribute to disease pathologies, especially cancer, where fascin‐1 is emerging as a novel therapeutic target in carcinoma metastasis. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transition from cylindroma to spiradenoma in CYLD‐defective tumours is associated with reduced DKK2 expression
Authors: Rajan Neil , Burn John , Langtry James , Sieber‐Blum Maya , Lord Christopher J , Ashworth Alan 
Published: March 2011

AbstractPatients carrying heterozygous germline truncating mutations in the CYLD gene develop multiple primary hair follicle‐related tumours. A highly patterned tumour, termed cylindroma, and a highly disorganized tumour, termed spiradenoma, may both develop in the same patient. Furthermore, histological features of both tumour types have been described within the same tumour specimen. We used three‐dimensional computer‐aided reconstruction of these tumours to demonstrate contiguous growth of cylindromas into spiradenomas, thus suggesting a transition between the two tumour types. To explore factors that may influence cutaneous tumour patterning, genome‐wide transcriptomic analysis of 32 CYLD‐defective tumours was performed. Overexpression of the Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway was observed relative to normal perilesional tissue. Morphometric analysis was used to investigate the relationship between Wnt pathway‐related gene expression and tumour organization. This revealed an association between reduced Dickkopf 2 (DKK2—a negative regulator of the Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway) expression and loss of tumour patterning. Reduced DKK2 expression was associated with methylation of the DKK2 gene promoter in the majority of tumour samples assayed. RNA interference‐mediated silencing of DKK2 expression in cylindroma primary cell cultures caused an increase in colony formation, cell viability, and anchorage‐independent growth. Using these data, we propose a model where epigenetic programming may influence tumour patterning in patients with CYLD mutations. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor inhibition overcomes gefitinib resistance in mucinous lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Hurbin Amandine , Wislez Marie , Busser Benoît , Antoine Martine , Tenaud Corine , Rabbe Nathalie , Dufort Sandrine , de Fraipont Florence , Moro‐Sibilot Denis , Cadranel Jacques , Coll Jean‐Luc , Brambilla Elisabeth 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe appropriate selection of patients is a major challenge in the treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs). Prospective trials in adenocarcinoma demonstrated that the mucinous subtype presents a poorer outcome under EGFR‐TKI treatment than the non‐mucinous subtype. Our aim was to determine the molecular characteristics associated with resistance to EGFR‐TKIs in mucinous and non‐mucinous adenocarcinoma. Eighty adenocarcinoma samples, including 34 tumours from patients treated with gefitinib in a phase II clinical trial (IFCT0401), were classified as mucinous (n = 32) or non‐mucinous (n = 48) adenocarcinoma. We demonstrated that four biological markers were differentially expressed between the two subtypes: mucinous tumours that overexpressed IGF1R (p < 0.0001) and amphiregulin (p = 0.004) with a tendency for more frequent KRAS mutations, in contrast to non‐mucinous tumours that overexpressed EGFR (p < 0.0001) and TTF‐1 (p < 0.0001) with more frequent EGFR mutations (p = 0.037). Higher IGF1R (p = 0.02) and lower TTF‐1 (p = 0.02) expression was associated with disease progression under gefitinib treatment. We observed in vitro cross‐talk between EGFR and IGF1R signalling pathways in gefitinib‐resistant H358 mucinous cells. Anti‐amphiregulin siRNAs and anti‐IGF1R treatments sensitized the H358 cells to gefitinib‐induced apoptosis with additive effects, suggesting that these treatments could overcome the resistance of mucinous tumours to EGFR‐TKIs, including those with KRAS mutation. Our results highlighted that mucinous and non‐mucinous adenocarcinoma subtypes are different entities with different therapeutic responses to EGFR‐TKIs. These data will foster the development of therapeutic strategies for treating adenocarcinoma with mucinous component. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional evidence that Drosha overexpression in cervical squamous cell carcinoma affects cell phenotype and microRNA profiles
Authors: Muralidhar Balaji , Winder David , Murray Matthew , Palmer Roger , Barbosa‐Morais Nuno , Saini Harpreet , Roberts Ian , Pett Mark , Coleman Nicholas 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAlthough gain of chromosome 5p is one of the most frequent DNA copy‐number imbalances in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the genes that drive its selection remain poorly understood. In a previous cross‐sectional clinical study, we showed that the microRNA processor Drosha (located on chromosome 5p) demonstrates frequent copy‐number gain and overexpression in cervical SCC, associated with altered microRNA profiles. Here, we have conducted gene depletion/overexpression experiments to demonstrate the functional significance of up‐regulated Drosha in cervical SCC cells. Drosha depletion by RNA interference (RNAi) produced significant, specific reductions in cell motility/invasiveness in vitro, with a silent RNAi‐resistant Drosha mutation providing phenotype rescue. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering following global profiling of 319 microRNAs in 18 cervical SCC cell line specimens generated two groups according to Drosha expression levels. Altering Drosha levels in individual SCC lines changed the group into which the cells clustered, with gene depletion effects being rescued by the RNAi‐resistant mutation. Forty‐five microRNAs showed significant differential expression between the groups, including four of 14 that were differentially expressed in association with Drosha levels in clinical samples. miR‐31 up‐regulation in Drosha‐overexpressing samples/cell lines was the highest‐ranked change (by adjusted p value) in both analyses, an observation validated by northern blotting. These functional data support the role of Drosha as an oncogene in cervical SCC, by affecting expression of cancer‐associated microRNAs that have the potential to regulate numerous protein‐coding genes. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal BACs‐on‐Beads™: a new technology for rapid detection of aneuploidies and microdeletions in prenatal diagnosis
Authors: Vialard F. , Simoni G. , Aboura A. , De Toffol S. , Molina Gomes D. , Marcato L. , Serero S. , Clement P. , Bouhanna P. , Rouleau E. , Grimi B. , Selva J. , Gaetani E. , Maggi F. , Joseph A. , Benzacken B. , Grati F. R. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractObjectiveMolecular cytogenetic techniques on uncultured prenatal samples are the sole tests applied in some countries in cases with advanced maternal age (AMA) or increased risk after prenatal screening. Moreover, there is a trend to perform invasive prenatal diagnosis (PD) during the first trimester before ultrasound manifestations, so new rapid and reliable assays are necessary to investigate microdeletions not detectable with the conventional karyotype. We report the validation study of the prenatal bacterial artificial chromosomes‐on‐Beads™(BoBs™; CE‐IVD), a bead‐based multiplex assay detecting chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X/Y aneuploidies and nine microdeletion regions having an overall detection rate of 1/1700.MethodWe retrospectively studied 408 selected samples and prospectively tested 212 consecutive samples ascertained for conventional karyotyping.ResultsWe did not find false‐positive results. Triploidies were not detected. Maternal cell contamination of male samples up to 90% was unmasked inspecting gonosome profiles. Mosaic conditions at 20 to 30% were revealed. Failures were due to low amount of DNA.ConclusionPrenatal BoBs™is a robust technology for the investigation of fetuses with normal karyotype with or without sonographic abnormalities. Running in parallel with the karyotype analysis, it can be proposed instead of rapid FISH or QF‐PCR providing rapid results on common aneuploidies and additional information regarding the microdeletion syndromes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How microbial proteomics got started
Authors: Neidhardt Frederick C. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractPublication in 1975 by Patrick O'Farrell of a procedure to separate the proteins of Escherichia coli in a two‐dimensional array on polyacrylamide gels marked the birth of the field now called proteomics. Although O'Farrell's contribution was soon to have wide ranging effects on research in many fields, the initial impact was greatest in the arena of whole cell physiology. Refinements and amplification of the original procedure, including improved standardization and reproducibility of gel patterns, introduction of techniques to measure the quantity of protein in individual spots, and biochemical identification of the protein spots, afforded investigators the ability to explore for the first time the integrated working of control circuits in the living cell. From O'Farrell's contribution has grown the rich array of techniques currently employed and still being developed in the diverse field of microbial proteomics.