bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability testing of a sun exposure questionnaire for the Northern Ireland population
Authors: McMullen EA , Dolan OM , McCarron P , Kee F 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground  Sunbathing and other types of exposure to ultraviolet radiation are the major preventable risk factors for skin cancer. Due to the continued increase in incidence of melanoma in Northern Ireland, we have conducted a questionnaire survey in an attempt to gather information about sunbathing habits and other forms of ultraviolet light exposure amongst the Northern Ireland population.Aim  The aim of this study was to examine the test–retest reliability of a questionnaire used in a large‐scale cross‐sectional population survey pertaining to sunbathing habits, use of sun screen, skin types, and frequencies of sunburn and to assess the responses given by the subjects to determine the nature of their sun‐related behaviour.Methods  Thirty control subjects were randomly selected from a population control sample participating in a large case–control study investigating melanoma in the Northern Ireland population. All participants completed the interview questionnaire on two occasions, with a median of 15 days (range, 12–42 days) between interviews. We randomly chose control subjects who had been visited by the same research nurse, thus ruling out interobserver bias in the analyses. We used the test–retest method. Kappa statistics were used to calculate the association between test and retest scores of all the individual items. If the items contained within the questionnaire are reliable, then repeated measurement after a fairly short period of time should result in high within‐subject repeatability.Results  Questions pertaining to hours spent in the sun and sun bed usage showed high reliability (kappa > 0.7). Questions about sunscreen usage showed moderately high reliability (kappa > 0.6) in all but one of the 10‐year age bands and complete agreement (kappa = 1) in one age category (>50 years).Conclusion  This questionnaire is a reliable method of assessing sun‐associated behaviour identifying high‐risk sun‐related behaviour and misconceptions about tanning, which can be targeted for improvement in public health.
Hippocratic messages for modern medicine (the vindication of Hippocrates)
Authors: Katsambas A , Marketos SG 
Published: May 2007

AbstractMedicine feels the need to combine more than ever the traditional concepts of Hippocrates in perfect balance with the enormous power of modern biotechnology. In our times, the old message ‘go back to Hippocrates’ sounds like a utopian vision. On the other hand, technological progress tends to remove modern medicine from its anthropocentric mission. The realistic message for tomorrow's physicians must be ‘to go forward’ together with his perennial humanistic values and clinical messages, combining the recent advances of biotechnology with the Hippocratic rationalism, which is based on logical reasoning, on careful clinical examination, and on a whole humane approach to the patient and his environment. Today's physician can still learn from the Hippocratic heritage and will need to be an expert Hippocratic physician, ever more humane and competent to use all new methods and facilities of basic dermatological research.
Trigeminal trophic syndrome
Authors: Rashid RM , Khachemoune A 
Published: May 2007

AbstractTrigeminal trophic syndrome (TTS) is a rare cause of facial ulceration, which is believed to develop after insult to the trigeminal ganglia or other parts of the peripheral/central nervous system in the trigeminal pathway. The pathogenesis of TTS is poorly understood. Developing a better understanding of TTS will allow early recognition and improved treatment. Although the ulcers develop predominantly on the ala nasi, the literature on ulcer locations is limited. In this article, we review the epidemiologic aspects of TTS, expand on our knowledge of the anatomic location of the ulcers, and discuss current theories for its aetiology and briefly review the approaches to its management.
Prevalence of pityriasis versicolor in a group of Italian pregnant women
Authors: Zampino MR , Osti F , Corazza M , Virgili A 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground  Although a predisposing role of pregnancy to Malassezia infections is referred, data on the prevalence of pityriasis versicolor (PV) in pregnant women are not available in literature.Objective  To investigate the frequency of PV during pregnancy, 60 pregnant women were clinically and microscopically investigated during and after pregnancy.Results  Fifty‐two women completed all visits; three women were affected by PV at first or third trimester of pregnancy, and none at 6 months after delivery. Colonization due to Malassezia yeasts was very significantly (P < 0.01) or significantly increased (P < 0.05) at the third trimester and 6 months after delivery, respectively. No variation was observed between the end of pregnancy and the postpartum (P > 0.05).Conclusion  Frequency of PV during pregnancy (5.7%) does not seem different from that reported in general population living in temperate climates (2–5%). However, higher degree of colonization by Malassezia resulted at the end of pregnancy and postpartum.
The chemokine stromal cell‐derived factor‐1/CXCL12 activates the nigrostriatal dopamine system
Authors: Skrzydelski D. , Guyon A. , Daugé V. , Rovère C. , Apartis E. , Kitabgi P. , Nahon J. L. , Rostène W. , Parsadaniantz S. Mélik 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe recently demonstrated that dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the rat substantia nigra constitutively expressed CXCR4, receptor for the chemokine stromal cell‐derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1)/CXCL12 (SDF‐1). To check the physiological relevance of such anatomical observation, in vitro and in vivo approaches were used. Patch clamp recording of DA neurons in rat substantia nigra slices revealed that SDF‐1 (10 nmol/L) induced: (i) a depolarization and increased action potential frequency; and (ii) switched the firing pattern of depolarized DA neurons from a tonic to a burst firing mode. This suggests that SDF‐1 could increase DA release from neurons. Consistent with this hypothesis, unilateral intranigral injection of SDF‐1 (50 ng) in freely moving rat decreased DA content and increased extracellular concentrations of DA and metabolites in the ipsilateral dorsal striatum, as shown using microdialysis. Furthermore, intranigral SDF‐1 injection induced a contralateral circling behavior. These effects of SDF‐1 were mediated via CXCR4 as they were abrogated by administration of a selective CXCR4 antagonist. Altogether, these data demonstrate that SDF‐1, via CXCR4, activates nigrostriatal DA transmission. They show that the central functions of chemokines are not restricted, as originally thought, to neuroinflammation, but extend to neuromodulatory actions on well‐defined neuronal circuits in non‐pathological conditions.
Roles of extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinases 5 in spinal microglia and primary sensory neurons for neuropathic pain
Authors: Obata Koichi , Katsura Hirokazu , Mizushima Toshiyuki , Sakurai Jun , Kobayashi Kimiko , Yamanaka Hiroki , Dai Yi , Fukuoka Tetsuo , Noguchi Koichi 
Published: May 2007

AbstractNeuropathic pain that occurs after peripheral nerve injury is poorly controlled by current therapies. Increasing evidence shows that mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) play an important role in the induction and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Here we show that activation of extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinases 5 (ERK5), also known as big MAPK1, participates in pain hypersensitivity caused by nerve injury. Nerve injury increased ERK5 phosphorylation in spinal microglia and in both damaged and undamaged dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Antisense knockdown of ERK5 suppressed nerve injury‐induced neuropathic pain and decreased microglial activation. Furthermore, inhibition of ERK5 blocked the induction of transient receptor potential channels and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor expression in DRG neurons. Our results show that ERK5 activated in spinal microglia and DRG neurons contributes to the development of neuropathic pain. Thus, blocking ERK5 signaling in the spinal cord and primary afferents has potential for preventing pain after nerve damage.
Arbitrary Periodic Motions and Grazing Switching of a Forced Piecewise Linear, Impacting Oscillator
Authors: Luo Albert C. J. , Chen Lidi 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
The grazing bifurcation and periodic motion switching of the harmonically forced, piecewise linear system with impacting are investigated. The generic mappings relative to the discontinuous boundaries of this piecewise system are introduced. Based on such mappings, the corresponding grazing conditions are obtained. The mapping structures are developed for the analytical prediction of periodic motions in such a system. The local stability and bifurcation conditions for specified periodic motions are obtained. The regular and grazing, periodic motions are illustrated. The grazing is the origin of the periodic motion switching for this system. Such a grazing bifurcation cannot be estimated through the local stability analysis. This model is applicable to prediction of periodic motions in nonlinear dynamics of gear transmission systems.
Pulmonary O2 uptake on-kinetics in sprint- and endurance-trained athletes
Authors: Berger Nicolas J.A. , Jones Andrew M. 
Published: May 2007

Pulmonary O2 uptake kinetics during “step” exercise have not been characterized in young, sprint-trained (SPT), athletes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test the hypotheses that SPT athletes would have (i) slower phase II kinetics and (ii) a greater oxygen uptake “slow component” when compared with endurance-trained (ENT) athletes. Eight sub-elite SPT athletes (mean ( ± SD) age = 25 (±7) y; mass = 80.3 (±7.3) kg) and 8 sub-elite ENT athletes (age= 28 (±4) y; mass = 73.2 (±5.1) kg) completed a ramp incremental cycle ergometer test, a Wingate 30 s anaerobic sprint test, and repeat “step” transitions in work rate from 20 W to moderate- and severe-intensity cycle exercise, during which pulmonary oxygen uptake was measured breath by breath. The phase II oxygen uptake kinetics were significantly slower in the SPT athletes both for moderate (time constant, τ; SPT 32 (±4) s vs. ENT 17 (±3) s; p < 0.01) and severe (SPT 32 (±12) s vs. ENT 20 (±6) s; p < 0.05) exercise. The amplitude of the slow component (derived by exponential modelling) was not significantly different between the groups (SPT 0.55 (±0.12) L·min–1 vs. ENT 0.50 (±0.22) L·min–1), but the increase in oxygen uptake between 3 and 6 min of severe exercise was greater in the SPT athletes (SPT 0.37 (±0.08) L·min–1 vs. ENT 0.20 (±0.09) L·min–1; p < 0.01). The phase II τ was significantly correlated with indices of aerobic exercise performance (e.g., peak oxygen uptake (moderate-intensity r = –0.88, p < 0.01; severe intensity r = –0.62; p < 0.05), whereas the relative amplitude of the oxygen uptake slow component was significantly correlated with indices of anaerobic exercise performance (e.g., Wingate peak power output; r = 0.77; p < 0.01). Thus, it could be concluded that sub-elite SPT athletes have slower phase II oxygen uptake kinetics and a larger oxygen uptake slow component compared with sub-elite ENT athletes. It appears that indices of aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance differentially influence the fundamental and slow components of the oxygen uptake kinetics.
Relationship between metabolic function and skeletal muscle fatigue during a 90 s maximal isometric contraction
Authors: Sirikul Bovorn , Hunter Gary R. , Larson-Meyer D. Enette , Desmond Renee , Newcomer Bradley R. 
Published: May 2007

Little is known concerning the contributions of oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos), anaerobic glycolytic rate (AnGly), maximum creatine kinase (CK) activity, and metabolic economy (ME) on fatigue resistance. The purpose of this study was to model fatigue using muscle tissue metabolic measures during a maximal short-duration isometric contraction. Muscle metabolic function was measured with [31P]-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in 54 premenopausal women (age: 33.8 ± 6.3 y) while they performed 100% isometric plantar flexions. Multiple regression analysis revealed that all metabolic variables were independent predictors of fatigue resistance after adjusting for maximum isometric force generated (R2= 0.56). ME accounted for the largest portion (36%) of overall shared variance. OxPhos accounted for the most shared variance of the three energy systems. These results support previous findings that OxPhos, AnGly, CK, and ME all contribute to fatigue resistance over a short duration. Additionally, the continued activity of CK at the end of 90 s of maximal exercise lends support to the concept of a CK shuttle facilitating energy transfer within the mitochondria.
Trends in physical activity research in Canada
Authors: Herman Katya M. , Ardern Chris I. , Mason Caitlin , Brien Susan E. , Katzmarzyk Peter T. 
Published: May 2007

The purpose of this study was to assess Canada’s physical activity research productivity by (i) assessing Canada’s contribution to global physical activity research, (ii) determining trends in Canadian physical activity research over time, and (iii) identifying research areas of greater or lesser representation. A Medline search was performed to identify physical activity research published between 1990 and 2005 from Canadian institutions or using Canadian data. Trends over time were plotted and compared with global physical activity research patterns. Original and review articles were sorted based on subject characteristics, nature of physical activity contribution, province and institution of origin, and research area or “pillar”. A total of 5302 Canadian physical activity articles were identified for the period 1990–2005, representing 4.9% of global physical activity research. After manual sorting of abstracts, 3829 relevant articles were included for further analysis. A majority of Canada’s physical activity research has come from Ontario (49%), followed by Quebec (21%), Alberta (10%), and British Columbia (10%). Where physical activity was the primary research focus, the biomedical and clinical pillars each accounted for 39% of Canadian research, with lesser contributions from population health (14%) and health services (2%). Physical activity research productivity in Canada has paralleled global trends over the last 15 years. There is currently less physical activity research being conducted in population health and health services than in the biomedical and clinical areas; however, these areas play an important role in the development of public health policy and programs targeted at reducing the burden of physical inactivity and obesity in Canada.
The effect of pedometer position and normal gait asymmetry on step count accuracy
Authors: Horvath Sylvia , Taylor David G. , Marsh Jonathan P. , Kriellaars Dean J. 
Published: May 2007

Manufacturers of pedometers recommend wearing a pedometer on the midline of the right thigh and this recommendation is used in research. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the effect of pedometer position on accuracy. The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the effect of pedometer position on accuracy for 3 modes of gait. The Yamax SW200 pedometer was evaluated in 20 subjects in 5 different positions simultaneously: left mid-axillary, left mid-thigh, umbilical, right mid-thigh, and right mid-axillary. Each subject was asked to walk on a treadmill (54, 80, and 107 m·min–1), to walk overground (slow, preferred, and fast speeds), and to ascend and descend stairs. Pedometer steps were recorded and compared with actual steps observed. Using the same protocol, instantaneous triaxial accelerometry was used to explain position-dependent differences in accuracy. At slow speeds, the left mid-axillary position demonstrated the lowest net mean (±SD) error across all modes of gait (7.7% (±11.6%%) overground; –0.6% (±2.2%) stairs). The right mid-thigh position had significantly (p < 0.01) higher error for treadmill (18.1% (±17.3%)), overground (12.9% (±15.2%)), and stairs (2.9% (±3.9%)). Pedometer position dependent error was demonstrated, with the left mid-axillary position superior to the recommended position of right mid-thigh. The greater accuracy on the left side was wholly explained by gait asymmetry evident in step-induced accelerations recorded at right and left pedometer positions. A model of absolute error based on the ratio of steps at different gait speeds was generated to demonstrate the importance of this finding in pedometer-based lifestyle intervention studies.
Influence of age and pubertal status on substrate utilization during exercise with and without carbohydrate intake in healthy boys
Authors: Timmons Brian W. , Bar-Or Oded , Riddell Michael C. 
Published: May 2007

Substrate utilization during exercise is known to differ between children and adults, but whether these differences are related to pubertal status is unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of pubertal status on endogenous (CHOendo) and orally ingested exogenous (CHOexo) carbohydrate and fat oxidation rates during exercise. Twenty boys at the same chronological age (12 y) were divided into three pubertal groups (pre-pubertal, PP: n = 7; early-pubertal, EP: n = 7; mid- to late-pubertal, M-LP: n = 6) and consumed either a placebo or13C-enriched 6% CHO drink while cycling for 60 min at ~70% of their maximal aerobic power (VO2 max). Another group of 14-year-old boys (pubertal, n = 9) completed all procedures. Substrate utilization was calculated for the final 15 min of exercise using indirect calorimetry and stable isotope methodology. CHOexodecreased fat (p < 0.001) and increased total CHO (p < 0.001) oxidation, irrespective of group. Fat oxidation was higher (p = 0.01) in younger boys than in older boys, but similar (p ≥ 0.33) among PP, EP, and M-LP boys. CHOexocontributed to ~30% of energy expenditure (EE) in PP and EP, but to only 24% in M-LP (p = 0.02), which was identical to the older boys (24%). CHOexooxidation rate as a percentage of EE was inversely related to testosterone levels (r = −0.51, p = 0.005, n = 29). It was concluded that reliance on CHOexoduring exercise is particularly sensitive to pubertal status, with the highest oxidation rates observed in pre- and early-pubertal boys, independent of chronological age.
Manipulating training intensity and volume in already well-trained rats: effect on skeletal muscle oxidative and glycolytic enzymes and buffering capacity
Authors: Laursen Paul B. , Marsh Susan A. , Jenkins David G. , Coombes Jeff S. 
Published: May 2007

Well-trained endurance athletes undergo periods of high-intensity interval training (HIT) or high-volume training (HVT) to improve exercise performance, but little is known about the mechanistic changes that occur during this time. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of HIT and HVT on the activities of citrate synthase (CS) and phosphofructokinase (PFK), and on intramuscular buffering capacity (βm) in already well-trained rats. At 4 weeks of age, Wistar rats were divided into sedentary (SED; n = 18) and exercise training groups (n = 38). Following a 10 week preliminary training program, trained rats were divided randomly into 3 further groups that completed 4 additional weeks of continued endurance (CON, n = 14), high-intensity training (HIT, n = 12), or high-volume training (HVT, n = 12). Soleus (SOL), red and white gastrocnemius (RG and WG), and red and white vastus (RV and WV) muscles were removed 24–48 h after a final run-to-fatigue performance test (30 m·min–1; 25% grade) to determine the activities of CS, PFK, and βm. No differences in run time to exhaustion were found between the groups. However the HIT group possessed CS and PFK activities and βmin WV muscle that were 60%, 24%, and 10% higher, respectively (all p < 0.05), compared with the HVT group; differences were not found between the HIT and CON groups. Although no differences in run performance were found, HIT compared with HVT in already well-trained rats resulted in significantly higher oxidative and glycolytic capacities of fast-contracting fibres. No differences were shown in fast-contracting muscle between HIT and CON.
Muscle oxygenation during prolonged electrical stimulation-evoked cycling in paraplegics
Authors: Muraki Satoshi , Fornusek Ché , Raymond Jacqui , Davis Glen Macartney 
Published: May 2007

This study investigated cardiorespiratory responses and muscle oxygenation during prolonged electrical stimulation (ES)-evoked leg cycling in individuals with paraplegia (PARA). Four PARA and 6 able-bodied (AB) persons participated in this study. Subjects performed 10 min of passive cycling and 40 min of active cycling (PARA, ES cycling; AB, voluntary cycling) at workloads selected to elicit an equivalent oxygen uptake between groups. Cycling power output, cardiorespiratory responses, mechanical efficiency, and quadriceps muscle oxygenation (measured with near-infrared spectroscopy) were measured over the duration of the exercise. Oxygen uptake was similar in both groups during active cycling (PARA, 737 ± 177 mL·min–1; AB, 840 ± 90 mL·min–1). The cycling power output for PARA individuals commenced at 8.8 W, but varied considerably over 40 min. PARA individuals demonstrated markedly lower gross mechanical efficiency (~1.3%) during ES cycling compared with AB individuals performing voluntary exercise (~12.6%). During ES cycling, muscle oxygen saturation (SO2) decreased to approximately 72 ± 19%, whereas SO2 during volitional cycling was unaltered from resting levels. Muscle oxygenated haemoglobin initially decreased (–23%) during ES cycling, but returned to resting levels after 10 min. Deoxygenated haemoglobin initially rose during the first 5 min of ES cycling, and remained elevated by 28% thereafter. Upon cessation of ES cycling, lower-limb muscle oxygenation increased (+93%), suggesting reactive hyperaemia in PARA individuals after such exercise. During ES cycling, muscle oxygenation followed a different pattern to that observed in AB individuals performing voluntary cycling at an equivalent VO2. Equilibrium between oxygen demand and oxygen delivery was reached during prolonged ES cycling, despite the lack of neural adjustments of leg vasculature in the paralyzed lower limbs.