bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Prospective Study of the Relationship between Lower Body Stiffness and Hamstring Injury in Professional Australian Rules Footballers
Authors: Watsford Mark L. , Murphy Aron J. , McLachlan Ken A. , Bryant Adam L. , Cameron Matt L. , Crossley Kay M. , Makdissi Michael 
Published: July 2010

Background Hamstring strains remain one of the most prevalent injuries in Australian Rules football. The authors prospectively examined the relationship between musculotendinous stiffness of the hamstring and leg stiffness with hamstring injury in professional Australian Rules footballers during the 2006 season. Hypothesis Higher hamstring stiffness and leg stiffness are related to noncontact, soft tissue hamstring injury risk in professional Australian Rules footballers. Study Design Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods Unilateral hamstring stiffness and leg stiffness were assessed in 136 professional footballers in the month before the commencement of the competitive season. This information was then investigated relative to players who suffered noncontact, soft tissue hamstring injuries during either matches or training throughout the season to identify whether preseason stiffness was related to injury occurrence. Results Fourteen tested players recorded acute, noncontact hamstring injuries, resulting in 3.3 ± 2.8 weeks of missed match play per injury. At preseason testing, the players who ended up sustaining a hamstring injury during the season recorded significantly higher mean hamstring stiffness (11%, P = .04) and leg stiffness (5%, P = .03). When considering the injured players, the leg stiffness of the involved limb was significantly higher than the noninjured players (P = .02), whereas hamstring stiffness was significantly higher on the noninvolved limb (P = .01). Further, those players who suffered a hamstring injury were significantly older than the noninjured players (P = .01). Conclusion It appears that a high bilateral hamstring stiffness and leg stiffness may be a determinant in the risk of sustaining a hamstring injury. Further, relatively lower hamstring stiffness in the involved limb of injured players appears to be associated with increased injury and may be related to a lack of strength. The information from stiffness assessment may allow medical staff to determine the hamstring risk status for individual players in team sports.
The Relationship between Forward Scapular Posture and Posterior Shoulder Tightness among Baseball Players
Authors: Laudner Kevin G. , Moline Mike T. , Meister Keith 
Published: July 2010

Background Excessive and untimely scapular dyskinesis during the throwing motion has been associated with several shoulder injuries. The scapula provides attachment for many soft tissue structures. Therefore, many have hypothesized that posterior shoulder tightness may alter proper scapular kinematics. Hypothesis As posterior shoulder tightness increases, so will forward scapular posture. Baseball players will have a significantly more forward scapular position of their dominant arm compared with their nondominant arm. The bilateral difference in forward scapular posture will be greater in pitchers than in position players, indicating pitchers have more forward scapular posture. Study Design Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods Bilateral forward scapular posture, glenohumeral horizontal adduction, and rotational range of motion were measured among 20 professional baseball pitchers and 20 position players. Results A regression analysis showed a moderate to good negative relationship between glenohumeral horizontal adduction range of motion and forward scapular posture (r2 = .50, P = .001). T tests demonstrated that the dominant shoulders of both groups had significantly more forward scapular posture compared with nondominant shoulders (P < .004). There were no other significant relationships or differences found (r2 < .04, P > .15). Conclusion There was a moderate to good relationship between posterior shoulder tightness and forward scapular posture. Furthermore, baseball players had more forward scapular posture of the dominant arm than the nondominant arm. These results suggest that posterior shoulder tightness as evidenced by decreased glenohumeral adduction range of motion may be considered a partial predictor for excessive forward scapular posture and vice versa. Because of the association between this scapular dyskinesis and shoulder dysfunction, clinicians may find it advantageous to address these characteristics when examining and treating such athletes.
Bioabsorbable Fixation of Unstable Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions
Authors: Millington Kendra L. , Shah Jay P. , Dahm Diane L. , Levy Bruce A. , Stuart Michael J. 
Published: July 2010

Background Osteochondritis dissecans lesions of the knee in adult patients frequently require surgical intervention. However, the ideal method of osteochondral fragment fixation remains uncertain. Purpose This study was undertaken to determine the clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes of bioabsorbable fixation for unstable osteochondritis dissecans lesions involving the femoral condyles of the knee in skeletally mature patients. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Skeletally mature patients with an unstable osteochondritis dissecans lesion of the femoral condyle (Ewing and Voto stages II-IV) treated with bioabsorbable internal fixation and minimum 1-year follow-up were included in this retrospective study cohort. Pre- and postoperative radiographs were reviewed and postoperative Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores were documented. Results A total of 21 knees in 21 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria, and 3 patients were lost to follow-up. The remaining 18 patients were evaluated at a mean of 59 months after surgery (range, 12-154 months). The 14 male and 4 female patients had a mean age of 19 years at the time of surgery (range, 14-39 years). Ewing and Voto classification included 8 stage II lesions, 9 stage III lesions, and 1 stage IV lesion. Fragment fixation methods included bioabsorbable nails (11), pins (3), darts (2), screws (1), and combined screws and darts (1). Mean postoperative Lysholm and IKDC scores were 85 and 82, respectively. Fragment union occurred in 12 knees (67%); the remaining 6 knees (33%) required removal of the loose fragment. Of the 11 patients treated with bioabsorbable nails, 2 (18%) required reoperation for nail back-out. Conclusion The authors recommend caution when using bioabsorbable fixation for osteochondritis dissecans lesions in skeletally mature patients because of the low rate of clinical healing and high complication rate. Failure with unthreaded fixation devices may be caused by inadequate compression and not necessarily be related to bioabsorbability.
Preliminary evaluation of factors associated with premature trial closure and feasibility of accrual benchmarks in phase III oncology trials
Authors: Schroen Anneke T , Petroni Gina R , Hongkun Wang  , Gray Robert , Wang Xiaofei F , Cronin Walter , Sargent Daniel J , Benedetti Jacqueline , Wickerham Donald L , Djulbegovic Benjamin , Slingluff Craig L 
Published: July 2010

Background A major challenge for randomized phase III oncology trials is the frequent low rates of patient enrollment, resulting in high rates of premature closure due to insufficient accrual. Purpose We conducted a pilot study to determine the extent of trial closure due to poor accrual, feasibility of identifying trial factors associated with sufficient accrual, impact of redesign strategies on trial accrual, and accrual benchmarks designating high failure risk in the clinical trials cooperative group (CTCG) setting. Methods A subset of phase III trials opened by five CTCGs between August 1991 and March 2004 was evaluated. Design elements, experimental agents, redesign strategies, and pretrial accrual assessment supporting accrual predictions were abstracted from CTCG documents. Percent actual/predicted accrual rate averaged per month was calculated. Trials were categorized as having sufficient or insufficient accrual based on reason for trial termination. Analyses included univariate and bivariate summaries to identify potential trial factors associated with accrual sufficiency. Results Among 40 trials from one CTCG, 21 (52.5%) trials closed due to insufficient accrual. In 82 trials from five CTCGs, therapeutic trials accrued sufficiently more often than nontherapeutic trials (59% vs 27%, p = 0.05). Trials including pretrial accrual assessment more often achieved sufficient accrual than those without (67% vs 47%, p = 0.08). Fewer exclusion criteria, shorter consent forms, other CTCG participation, and trial design simplicity were not associated with achieving sufficient accrual. Trials accruing at a rate much lower than predicted (<35% actual/predicted accrual rate) were consistently closed due to insufficient accrual. Limitations This trial subset under-represents certain experimental modalities. Data sources do not allow accounting for all factors potentially related to accrual success. Conclusion Trial closure due to insufficient accrual is common. Certain trial design factors appear associated with attaining sufficient accrual. Defining accrual benchmarks for early trial termination or redesign is feasible, but better accrual prediction methods are critically needed. Future studies should focus on identifying trial factors that allow more accurate accrual predictions and strategies that can salvage open trials experiencing slow accrual. Clinical Trials 2010; 7: 312—321. http://ctj.sagepub.com
Statistical considerations in evaluating pharmacogenomics-based clinical effect for confirmatory trials
Authors: Wang Sue-Jane , O'Neill Robert T , Hung HM James 
Published: July 2010

Background The current practice for seeking genomically favorable patients in randomized controlled clinical trials using genomic convenience samples. Purpose To discuss the extent of imbalance, confounding, bias, design efficiency loss, type I error, and type II error that can occur in the evaluation of the convenience samples, particularly when they are small samples. To articulate statistical considerations for a reasonable sample size to minimize the chance of imbalance, and, to highlight the importance of replicating the subgroup finding in independent studies. Methods Four case examples reflecting recent regulatory experiences are used to underscore the problems with convenience samples. Probability of imbalance for a pre-specified subgroup is provided to elucidate sample size needed to minimize the chance of imbalance. We use an example drug development to highlight the level of scientific rigor needed, with evidence replicated for a pre-specified subgroup claim. Results The convenience samples evaluated ranged from 18% to 38% of the intent-to-treat samples with sample size ranging from 100 to 5000 patients per arm. The baseline imbalance can occur with probability higher than 25%. Mild to moderate multiple confounders yielding the same directional bias in favor of the treated group can make treatment group incomparable at baseline and result in a false positive conclusion that there is a treatment difference. Conversely, if the same directional bias favors the placebo group or there is loss in design efficiency, the type II error can increase substantially. Limitations Pre-specification of a genomic subgroup hypothesis is useful only for some degree of type I error control. Conclusion Complete ascertainment of genomic samples in a randomized controlled trial should be the first step to explore if a favorable genomic patient subgroup suggests a treatment effect when there is no clear prior knowledge and understanding about how the mechanism of a drug target affects the clinical outcome of interest. When stratified randomization based on genomic biomarker status cannot be implemented in designing a pharmacogenomics confirmatory clinical trial, if there is one genomic biomarker prognostic for clinical response, as a general rule of thumb, a sample size of at least 100 patients may be needed to be considered for the lower prevalence genomic subgroup to minimize the chance of an imbalance of 20% or more difference in the prevalence of the genomic marker. The sample size may need to be at least 150, 350, and 1350, respectively, if an imbalance of 15%, 10% and 5% difference is of concern. Clinical Trials 2010; 7: 525—536. http://ctj.sagepub.com
Vesicle-related microRNAs in plasma of nonsmall cell lung cancer patients and correlation with survival
Authors: Silva J. , García V. , Zaballos Á. , Provencio M. , Lombardía L. , Almonacid L. , García J.M. , Domínguez G. , Peña C. , Diaz R. , Herrera M. , Varela A. , Bonilla F. 
Published: July 2010

The identification of tumour biomarkers that detect the presence of disease using noninvasive diagnostic procedures is a key part of cancer research. We determined in plasma the vesicle-related microRNA (miRNA) expression profile of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and evaluate whether plasma miRNAs can be both discriminating (between patients and healthy controls) and prognostic markers.365 human miRNAs were analysed by Taqman® low-density arrays (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) in the plasma from 28 NSCLC patients and 20 controls. Five selected miRNAs (let-7f, miR-20b, miR-30e-3p, miR-223 and miR-301) were validated independently by real-time PCR in plasma from 78 NSCLC and 48 controls and correlated with pathologic parameters and survival.Levels of let-7f, miR-20b and miR-30e-3p were decreased in plasma vesicles of NSCLC patients. Moreover, levels of let-7f and miR-30e-3p distinguished between two groups of patients for stage of disease and therefore possibility of surgery. Plasma levels of miR-30e-3p and let-7f were associated with short disease-free survival and overall survival, respectively.NSCLC patients and healthy controls differ in vesicle-related miRNAs in plasma. Levels of let-7f and miR-30e-3p in NSCLC patients are associated with poor outcome. Thus, plasma vesicle-related miRNAs obtained by noninvasive methods could serve as circulating tumour biomarkers of discriminating and prognostic value.
Bosentan does not improve pulmonary hypertension and lung remodeling in heart failure
Authors: Jiang B.H. , Tardif J-C. , Shi Y. , Dupuis J. 
Published: July 2010

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction associated with heart failure (HF) carry a poor prognosis. Although endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) demonstrated benefits in pulmonary arterial hypertension, their efficacy in PH associated with HF was not specifically evaluated.2 weeks after myocardial infarction (MI) rats received bosentan (100 or 200 mg·kg−1·day−1) or no treatment for 3 weeks. PH, RV hypertrophy and function as well as lung remodeling and function were evaluated.LV echocardiographic wall motion abnormality and function measured before treatment (2 weeks after MI) and after treatment (5 weeks after MI) were similar in MI control and MI treatment groups. HF induced PH and RV hypertrophy compared with sham: RV systolic pressure 39±5versus23±0.8 mmHg and RV/left ventricular+septum weight 52±7versus24±0.5% (all p<0.01). Bosentan did not significantly modify these parameters. In addition, bosentan did not improve depressed RV function measured by echocardiograph from the RV myocardial performance index and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion. The respiratory pressure–volume relationship revealed that HF caused a restrictive lung syndrome with histological lung remodeling and fibrosis, also not improved by bosentan.Dual ERA therapy with bosentan does not reduce PH, RV hypertrophy and lung remodeling and dysfunction associated with ischaemic HF.
Analysis of vkorc1 polymorphisms in Norway rats using the roof rat as outgroup
Authors: Díaz Juan C , Song Ying , Moore Anthony , Borchert Jeff N , Kohn Michael H 
Published: July 2010

Abstract

Background
Certain mutations in the vitamin K epoxide reductase subcomponent 1 gene (vkorc1) mediate rodent resistance to warfarin and other anticoagulants. Testing for resistance often involves analysis of the vkorc1. However, a genetic test for the roof rat (Rattus rattus) has yet to be developed. Moreover, an available roof rat vkorc1 sequence would enable species identification based on vkorc1 sequence and the evaluation of natural selection on particular vkorc1 polymorphisms in the Norway rat (R. norvegicus).

Results
We report the coding sequence, introns and 5' and 3' termini for the vkorc1 gene of roof rats (R. r. alexandrinus and R. r. frugivorus) from Uganda, Africa. Newly designed PCR primers now enable genetic testing of the roof rat and Norway rat. Only synonymous and noncoding polymorphisms were found in roof rats from Uganda. Both nominal subspecies of roof rats were indistinguishable from each other but were distinct from R. losea and R. flavipectus; however, the roof rat also shares at least three coding sequence polymorphisms with R. losea and R. flavipectus. Many of recently published vkorc1 synonymous and non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Norway rats are likely SNPs from roof rats and/or other Rattus species. Tests applied to presumably genuine Norway rat vkorc1 SNPs are consistent with a role for selection in two populations carrying the derived Phe63Cys and Tyr139Cys mutations.

Conclusion
Geographic mapping of vkorc1 SNPs in roof rats should be facilitated by our report. Our assay should be applicable to most species of Rattus, which are intermediate in genetic distance from roof and Norway rats. Vkorc1-mediated resistance due to non-synonymous coding SNPs is not segregating in roof rats from Uganda. By using the roof rat sequence as a reference vkorc1, SNPs now can be assigned to the correct rat species with more confidence. Sampling designs and genotyping strategies employed so far have helped detect candidate mutations underlying vkorc1-mediated resistance, but generally provided unsuitable data to test for selection. We propose that our understanding of vkorc1-mediated evolution of resistance in rodents would benefit from the adoption of sampling and genotyping designs that enable tests for selection on vkorc1.
Does the core circadian clock in the moss Physcomitrella patens (Bryophyta) comprise a single loop?
Authors: Holm Karl , Källman Thomas , Gyllenstrand Niclas , Hedman Harald , Lagercrantz Ulf 
Published: July 2010

Abstract

Background
The endogenous circadian clock allows the organism to synchronize processes both to daily and seasonal changes. In plants, many metabolic processes such as photosynthesis, as well as photoperiodic responses, are under the control of a circadian clock. Comparative studies with the moss Physcomitrella patens provide the opportunity to study many aspects of land plant evolution. Here we present a comparative overview of clock-associated components and the circadian network in the moss P. patens.

Results
The moss P. patens has a set of conserved circadian core components that share genetic relationship and gene expression patterns with clock genes of vascular plants. These genes include Myb-like transcription factors PpCCA1a and PpCCA1b, pseudo-response regulators PpPRR1-4, and regulatory elements PpELF3, PpLUX and possibly PpELF4. However, the moss lacks homologs of AtTOC1, AtGI and the AtZTL-family of genes, which can be found in all vascular plants studied here. These three genes constitute essential components of two of the three integrated feed-back loops in the current model of the Arabidopsis circadian clock mechanism. Consequently, our results suggest instead a single loop circadian clock in the moss. Possibly as a result of this, temperature compensation of core clock gene expression appears to be decreased in P. patens.

Conclusions
This study is the first comparative overview of the circadian clock mechanism in a basal land plant, the moss P. patens. Our results indicate that the moss clock mechanism may represent an ancestral state in contrast to the more complex and partly duplicated structure of subsequent land plants. These findings may provide insights into the understanding of the evolution of circadian network topology.
Implication of genetic variants near SLC30A8, HHEX, CDKAL1, CDKN2A/B, IGF2BP2, FTO, TCF2, KCNQ1, and WFS1 in Type 2 Diabetes in a Chinese population
Authors: Han Xueyao , Luo Yingying , Ren Qian , Zhang Xiuying , Wang Fang , Sun Xiuqin , Zhou Xianghai , Ji Linong 
Published: July 2010

Abstract

Background
Recently, several genome-wide and candidate gene association studies have identified many novel genetic loci for type 2 diabetes (T2D); among these genes, CDKAL1, IGF2BP2, SLC30A8, CDKN2A/B, HHEX, FTO, TCF2, KCNQ1, and WFS1 are the most important. We aimed to determine the effects of these genetic loci associated with T2D in the Chinese Han population of China.

Methods
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in or near CDKAL1, IGF2BP2, SLC30A8, CDKN2A/B, HHEX, FTO, TCF2, KCNQ1, and WFS1 genes were genotyped in a case-control Chinese Han sample living in Beijing, China involving 1024 patients with T2D and 1005 control subjects.

Results
In Chinese Han, we replicated the associations between 7 genetic loci and T2D, with risk allele-specific odds ratios (ORs) as follows: 1.27 (95% CI, 1.11-1.45; p = 0.0008) for CDKAL1-rs10946398, 1.26 (95% CI, 1.08-1.47; p = 0.003) for IGF2BP2-rs4402960, 1.19 (95% CI, 1.04-1.37; p = 0.009) for SLC30A8-rs13266634, 1.22 (95% CI, 1.06-1.41; p = 0.005) for CDKN2A/B-rs10811661, 1.20 (95% CI, 1.01-1.42; p = 0.03) for HHEX-rs5015480, 1.37 (95% CI, 1.19-1.69; p = 1.0 × 10-4) for KCNQ1-rs2237892, and 1.24 (95% CI, 1.01-1.52; p = 0.046) for FTO-rs8050136 after adjustment for age, gender, and body mass index. Not only did an association between WFS1-rs6446482 and early-onset T2D exist in the subgroup analysis, but TCF2-rs7501939 and WFS1-rs6446482 were also confirmed to confer risk for T2D in this meta-analysis. Moreover, the relationship between FTO-rs8050136 and body mass index, together with the effect of CDKAL1-rs10946398 on beta cell function, was also observed in the control individuals.

Conclusions
Our findings support the important contribution of these genetic loci to susceptibility for T2D in the Chinese Han population in Beijing of China.