bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pubic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Surgically and Conservatively Treated Athletes with Osteitis Pubis Compared to Asymptomatic Athletes during Heavy Training
Authors: Paajanen Hannu , Hermunen Heikki , Karonen Jari 
Published: August 2007

Background Osteitis pubis is characterized by diffuse pain, inflammation, and bony changes in the pubic symphysis. Bone marrow edema in magnetic resonance imaging is associated with stress injury and osteitis of the pubic bone. Hypothesis Laparoscopic mesh repair decreases inflammation and pain in the pubic periosteum. The presence of extensive bone marrow edema may correlate with the severity of symptoms and may guide the surgical treatment of osteitis pubis. Study Design Case control study; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Surgery (n = 8) was performed by placement of totally extraperitoneal endoscopic mesh behind the symphysis. Nonoperative treatment (n = 8) included physical therapy and corticosteroids. Preoperative and postoperative pain was measured by the visual analog scale. Athletes were followed up from 1 to 6 years (mean, 2.7 years). All magnetic resonance imaging scans were analyzed blindly by 2 radiologists. Twenty asymptomatic ice hockey or soccer players served as controls in magnetic resonance imaging. Results The patients treated surgically had higher preoperative pain scores than did the patients treated conservatively. Seven of 8 athletes (88%) treated surgically returned to sport activities after 2 months of convalescence. No complications were associated with surgery. In the nonoperative group, 4 patients (50%) still had disabling symptoms after 1 year of follow-up, and they stopped their elite sports during 3 years of follow-up. The presence of bone marrow edema was distributed in the surgical (100%), nonoperative (88%), and asymptomatic athletes (65%) with no statistical difference between the groups. Conclusion This study indicated that the placement of retropubic mesh was an efficient method for the treatment of severe pubic enthesopathy in athletes. Abnormal magnetic resonance imaging findings were also common in asymptomatic athletes, which decreases the value of magnetic resonance imaging in surgical decision-making.
Is it Safe to Perform Aggressive Rehabilitation after Distal Biceps Tendon Repair Using the Modified 2-Incision Approach?
Authors: Bisson Leslie J. , Gurske de Perio Jennifer , Weber Alexander E. , Ehrensberger Mark T. , Buyea Cathy 
Published: August 2007

Background Despite improved methods of fixation, there is still a delay in early active motion after distal biceps repair. Hypothesis Distal biceps repairs using the modified 2-incision technique can be treated with early motion, and there is no difference in the cyclic performance of Ethibond and Fiberwire when used for the repair. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Nine matched pairs of cadaveric elbows had release of the distal biceps followed by repair with either No. 5 Ethibond or Fiberwire through a bone tunnel. The repairs were cyclically loaded for 3000 cycles (1000 cycles from 10-50 N, 1000 cycles from 10-75 N, 1000 cycles from 10-100 N) followed by single-load displacement to failure in surviving specimens. Results There was no difference in the displacement or stiffness between surviving repairs at any point measured. Ethibond repairs survived significantly more cycles than did Fiberwire repairs, particularly at higher loads. Conclusion Distal biceps repair using the 2-incision technique with Ethibond should allow early active motion, but early active motion may not be possible with Fiberwire.
Clinical Outcomes of the DANE TJ Technique to Treat Ulnar Collateral Ligament Insufficiency of the Elbow
Authors: Dines Joshua S. , ElAttrache Neal S. , Conway John E. , Smith Wade , Ahmad Christopher S. 
Published: August 2007

Background Many improvements in ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction have been made since Jobe et al first described the procedure. A novel elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction technique that combines interference screw fixation on the ulna with docking of the graft on the humeral side (DANE TJ) has been reported. Hypothesis Outcomes of ulnar collateral ligament reconstructions performed with the DANE TJ technique are as good as other recently published results of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, particularly in cases of insufficient bone stock on the sublime tubercle and revision reconstructions. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods During a 3-year period, 22 athletes were treated with surgical reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament using proximal docking and distal interference screw fixation of the ligament (DANE TJ technique). All patients had a history, physical examination findings, and magnetic resonance imaging results consistent with ulnar collateral ligament injury. Patients were evaluated at a mean of 36 months postoperatively. Outcomes were classified using a modified Conway Scale. Results At the most recent follow-up, 19 of 22 patients had excellent results. There were 2 fair results and 1 poor result. The poor result was in a revision case. The 2 other revision ulnar collateral ligament reconstructions had excellent outcomes. When used in 2 cases of sublime tubercle avulsions, the results were excellent. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients: 2 developed ulnar neuritis, and 2 required second surgeries for lysis of adhesions. Three of these 4 patients went on to have excellent outcomes. Conclusion Clinically, the initial results compare favorably with other published techniques of elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. These early data support the use of the DANE TJ technique for revision cases and cases of sublime tubercle insufficiency.
Extensor Retinaculum Impingement in the Athlete
Authors: VanHeest Ann E. , Luger Nancy M. , House James H. , Vener Michael 
Published: August 2007

Background Athletes with repetitive weightbearing hyperextension activities are predisposed to wrist pain. Purpose To describe extensor retinaculum impingement of the extensor tendons as a new diagnosis for wrist pain for the athlete performing repetitive wrist hyperextension, to present cadaveric dissections to further understand the anatomical basis for extensor retinaculum impingement, and to report treatment outcomes of extensor retinaculum impingement. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed for athletes treated from 1987 to 2006 for wrist pain due to extensor retinaculum impingement. Eight wrists in 7 athletes were reviewed with a mean presenting age of 19.6 years. The hallmark symptom was dorsal wrist pain, and signs were extensor tendon synovitis and tenderness at the distal border of the extensor retinaculum, provoked by wrist hyperextension. Ten cadaveric wrists were dissected and examined to evaluate anatomical factors that may contribute to extensor retinaculum impingement. Results Two athletes (2 wrists) were treated with corticosteroid injections. Five patients (6 wrists) were treated operatively, with pathologic findings of thickening of the distal border of the extensor retinaculum and concomitant extensor tendon synovial thickening or, in 1 patient, tendon rupture. Partial distal resection of the extensor retinaculum was performed to eliminate impingement. All patients had complete relief of pain and full return to sport. Conclusion Competitive sports that require repetitive wrist extension with an axial load predispose the athlete to extensor retinaculum impingement. Athletes with dorsal wrist pain and tenosynovial thickening worsened with wrist hyperextension should be considered for the diagnosis of extensor retinaculum impingement. When nonoperative management fails, surgical resection of the distal impinging border of the extensor retinaculum can eliminate pain and can still allow athletes to return to sport without diminishing the opportunity for significant athletic accomplishments.
Essential role for Rap1 GTPase and its guanine exchange factor CalDAG-GEFI in LFA-1 but not VLA-4 integrin–mediated human T-cell adhesion
Authors: Ghandour Haifa , Cullere Xavier , Alvarez Angeles , Luscinskas Francis W. , Mayadas Tanya N. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractRegulated adhesion of T cells by the integrins LFA-1 (lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1) and VLA-4 (very late antigen-4) is essential for T-cell trafficking. The small GTPase Rap1 is a critical activator of both integrins in murine lymphocytes and T-cell lines. Here we examined the contribution of the Rap1 regulatory pathway in integrin activation in primary CD3+ human T cells. We demonstrate that inactivation of Rap1 GTPase in human T cells by expression of SPA1 or Rap1GAP blocked stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α)–stimulated LFA-1–ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) interactions and LFA-1 affinity modulation but unexpectedly did not significantly affect binding of VLA-4 to its ligand VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule 1). Importantly, silencing of the Rap1 guanine exchange factor CalDAG-GEFI inhibited SDF-1α- and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)–induced adhesion to ICAM-1 while having no effect on adhesion to VCAM-1. Pharmacologic inhibition of Phospholipase C (PLC) blocked Rap1 activation and inhibited cell adhesion and polarization on ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition led to enhanced levels of active Rap1 concomitantly with increased T-cell binding to ICAM-1, whereas adhesion to VCAM-1 was reduced. Thus, PLC/CalDAG-GEFI regulation of Rap1 is selectively required for chemokine- and PMA-induced LFA-1 activation in human T cells, whereas alternate PLC- and PKC-dependent mechanisms are involved in the regulation of VLA-4.
Cdc42 critically regulates the balance between myelopoiesis and erythropoiesis
Authors: Yang Linda , Wang Lei , Kalfa Theodosia A. , Cancelas Jose A. , Shang Xun , Pushkaran Suvarnamala , Mo Jun , Williams David A. , Zheng Yi 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
The Rho GTPase Cdc42 regulates adhesion, migration, and homing, as well as cell cycle progression, of hematopoietic stem cells, but its role in multilineage blood development remains unclear. We report here that inducible deletion of cdc42 in cdc42-floxed mouse bone marrow by the interferon-responsive, Mx1-Cre–mediated excision led to myeloid and erythroid developmental defects. Cdc42 deletion affected the number of early myeloid progenitors while suppressing erythroid differentiation. Cdc42-deficient mice developed a fatal myeloproliferative disorder manifested by significant leukocytosis with neutrophilia, myeloid hyperproliferation, and myeloid cell infiltration into distal organs. Concurrently, Cdc42 deficiency caused anemia and splenomegaly accompanied with decreased bone marrow erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-Es) and colony-forming units-erythroid (CFU-Es) activities and reduced immature erythroid progenitors, suggesting that Cdc42 deficiency causes a block in the early stage of erythropoiesis. Cdc42 activity is responsive to stimulation by SCF, IL3, SDF-1α, and fibronectin. The increased myelopoiesis and decreased erythropoiesis of the knockout mice are associated with an altered gene transcription program in hematopoietic progenitors, including up-regulation of promyeloid genes such as PU.1, C/EBP1α, and Gfi-1 in the common myeloid progenitors and granulocyte-macrophage progenitors and down-regulation of proerythroid gene such as GATA-2 in the megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors. Thus, Cdc42 is an essential regulator of the balance between myelopoiesis and erythropoiesis.
Efficacy of different protein descriptors in predicting protein functional families
Authors: Ong Serene AK , Lin Hong Huang , Chen Yu Zong , Li Ze Rong , Cao Zhiwei 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackgroundSequence-derived structural and physicochemical descriptors have frequently been used in machine learning prediction of protein functional families, thus there is a need to comparatively evaluate the effectiveness of these descriptor-sets by using the same method and parameter optimization algorithm, and to examine whether the combined use of these descriptor-sets help to improve predictive performance. Six individual descriptor-sets and four combination-sets were evaluated in support vector machines (SVM) prediction of six protein functional families.ResultsThe performance of these descriptor-sets were ranked by Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC), and categorized into two groups based on their performance. While there is no overwhelmingly favourable choice of descriptor-sets, certain trends were found. The combination-sets tend to give slightly but consistently higher MCC values and thus overall best performance such that three out of four combination-sets show slightly better performance compared to one out of six individual descriptor-sets.ConclusionOur study suggests that currently used descriptor-sets are generally useful for classifying proteins and the prediction performance may be enhanced by exploring combinations of descriptors.
Optimization of candidate-gene SNP-genotyping by flexible oligonucleotide microarrays; analyzing variations in immune regulator genes of hay-fever samples
Authors: Pullat Janne , Fleischer Robert , Becker Nikolaus , Beier Markus , Metspalu Andres , Hoheisel Jörg D 
Published: August 2007

Abstract

Background
Genetic variants in immune regulator genes have been associated with numerous diseases, including allergies and cancer. Increasing evidence suggests a substantially elevated disease risk in individuals who carry a combination of disease-relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). For the genotyping of immune regulator genes, such as cytokines, chemokines and transcription factors, an oligonucleotide microarray for the analysis of 99 relevant SNPs was established. Since the microarray design was based on a platform that permits flexible in situ oligonucleotide synthesis, a set of optimally performing probes could be defined by a selection approach that combined computational and experimental aspects.

Results
While the in silico process eliminated 9% of the initial probe set, which had been picked purely on the basis of potential association with disease, the subsequent experimental validation excluded more than twice as many. The performance of the optimized microarray was demonstrated in a pilot study. The genotypes of 19 hay-fever patients (aged 40–44) with high IgE levels against inhalant antigens were compared to the results obtained with 19 age- and sex-matched controls. For several variants, allele-frequency differences of more than 10% were identified.

Conclusion
Based on the ability to improve empirically a chip design, the application of candidate-SNP typing represents a viable approach in the context of molecular epidemiological studies.
Hand bone loss as an outcome measure in established rheumatoid arthritis: 2-year observational study comparing cortical and total bone loss
Authors: Hoff Mari , Haugeberg Glenn , Kvien Tore K 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe aim of this 2-year longitudinal observational study was to explore hand bone loss as a disease outcome measure in established rheumatoid arthritis (RA).A cohort of 215 patients with RA (170 women and 45 men, aged 20–70 years) were recruited from the Oslo RA registry and studied for changes in hand bone mass during a 2-year follow-up. Digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) was used to measure cortical hand bone mineral density (BMD) and metacarpal cortical index, whereas dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to assess whole hand BMD, which measures total cortical and trabecular bone. DXA-BMD total hip and spine and informative data for disease and therapy were also collected.Hand bone loss could be revealed over a 2-year follow-up measured by DXR-BMD (-0.90%, P < 0.01), but not by DXA-BMD (0.00%, P = 0.87). DXA-BMD hand bone loss was only observed in patients with disease duration ≤3 years and not in patients with longer disease duration (-0.96% versus 0.24%, P < 0.01), whereas loss of DXR-BMD was independent of disease duration. Disease activity (measured by the disease activity score including 28 joints) independently predicted loss of DXR-BMD but not changes in the DXA-BMD hand in the multivariate analysis. The change in DXR metacarpal cortical index was highly correlated to DXR-BMD (r = 0.94, P < 0.001).These data suggest that DXR-BMD may be a more appropriate technique to identify RA-related bone involvement in hands compared with DXA-BMD measurement, but further studies are needed to explore this hypothesis.
Novel human CD4+ T lymphocyte subpopulations defined by CD300a/c molecule expression
Authors: Clark Georgina J , Rao Min , Ju Xinsheng , Hart Derek N J 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe CD300c (CMRF-35A) and CD300a (CMRF-35H) molecules are leukocyte surface proteins that are part of a larger family of immunoregulatory molecules encoded by a gene complex on human chromosome 17. The CMRF-35 monoclonal antibody binds to an epitope common to both molecules, expressed on most human leukocyte populations, apart from B lymphocytes and a subpopulation of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. We describe the CMRF-35pos and CMRF-35− fractions of CD4+ T lymphocytes. The CMRF-35pos fraction can further be divided into CMRF-35++ and CMRF-35+CD4+ T lymphocyte subpopulations. Resting peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes express CD300a mRNA and very low amounts of CD300c. Activation results in an initial decrease in CD300a gene expression before an increase in both CD300a and CD300c gene expression. The up-regulated expression of these genes was associated with increased CMRF-35 binding to activated T lymphocytes. The CMRF-35− fraction of CD4+ T lymphocytes proliferated to a greater extent than the CMRF-35pos fraction, in response to mitogens or allogeneic antigen. The poor proliferation of the CMRF-35pos CD4+ in response to mitogens was explained by increased apoptosis within this subpopulation. The recall antigen, tetanus toxoid, stimulated the CMRF-35++CD4+CD45RO+ but not the CMRF-35−CD4+CD45RO+ subpopulation. Resting CMRF-35++ CD4+ lymphocytes express low levels of IFN-γ mRNA. Within 18 h following in vitro activation, CMRF-35++ CD4+ lymphocytes express more IFN-γ mRNA and protein compared with the CMRF-35−CD4+ lymphocytes, however, after 24 h, both the CMRF-35+ and CMRF-35−CD4+ T lymphocytes were able to produce IFN-γ. The CMRF-35++CD4+ T lymphocyte population contains the Th1 memory effector cells.
Stimulatory and costimulatory effects of IL-18 directed to different small intestinal CD43 T cell subsets
Authors: Montufar-Solis Dina , Wang Heuy-Ching , Klein John R 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis study has examined the stimulatory and costimulatory effects of IL-18 on two subsets of murine small intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) defined by the expression of the CD43 S7 glycoform. Data from gene array studies and real-time PCR indicated that S7+ IELs had significantly higher levels of gene expression for the IL-18 receptor and the IL-18R accessory protein than S7− IELs. IL-18 costimulation of IELs in conjunction with CD3-induced activation resulted in significantly greater proliferation than CD3 stimulation alone. In CFSE dilution experiments, IL-18 costimulation favored the S7+ IEL population. IL-18 costimulation did not affect apoptosis of either S7− or S7+ IELs compared with CD3 stimulation alone. Although IL-18 costimulation did not alter the total number of IFN-γ-producing cells relative to CD3 stimulation alone, twice as many S7+ IELs were IFN-γ -secreting cells than S7− IELs in both CD3-stimulated and IL-18-costimulated cultures. Notably, direct IL-18 stimulation in the absence of CD3 activation induced an IFN-γ response that was predominantly directed to the S7+ population, indicating that IL-18 is itself an IFN-γ activational signal for intestinal T cells. In contrast, direct IL-18 stimulation of IELs did not generate TNF-α-producing cells, indicating a differential response in the activation of proinflammatory cytokines following IL-18 exposure. These findings point to distinctly different activational effects of IL-18 on IELs, both with regard to the type of functional responses elicited and with respect to the IEL subsets affected.
Is Proton Beam Therapy Cost Effective in the Treatment of Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate?
Authors: Konski Andre , Speier William , Hanlon Alexandra , Beck J. Robert , Pollack Alan 
Published: August 2007

PurposeNew treatments are introduced routinely into clinical practice without rigorous economic analysis. The specific aim of this study was to examine the cost effectiveness of proton beam radiation compared with current state-of-the art therapy in the treatment of patients with prostate cancer.Materials and MethodsA Markov model was informed with cost, freedom from biochemical failure (FFBF), and utility data obtained from the literature and from patient interviews to compare the cost effectiveness of 91.8 cobalt gray equivalent (CGE) delivered with proton beam versus 81 CGE delivered with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The length of how many years the model was run, patient's age, probability of FFBF after treatment with proton beam therapy and IMRT, utility of patients treated with salvage hormone therapy, and treatment cost were tested in sensitivity analyses.ResultsAnalysis at 15 years resulted in an expected mean cost of proton beam therapy and IMRT of $63,511 and $36,808, and $64,989 and $39,355 for a 70-year-old and 60-year-old man respectively, with quality-adjusted survival of 8.54 and 8.12 and 9.91 and 9.45 quality-adjusted life-years (QALY), respectively. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio was calculated to be $63,578/QALY for a 70-year-old man and $55,726/QALY for a 60-year-old man.ConclusionEven when based on the unproven assumption that protons will permit a 10-Gy escalation of prostate dose compared with IMRT photons, proton beam therapy is not cost effective for most patients with prostate cancer using the commonly accepted standard of $50,000/QALY. Consideration should be given to limiting the number of proton facilities to allow comprehensive evaluation of this modality.
Disparities in Treatment and Outcome for Renal Cell Cancer Among Older Black and White Patients
Authors: Berndt Sonja I. , Carter H. Ballentine , Schoenberg Mark P. , Newschaffer Craig J. 
Published: August 2007

Purpose Black patients with renal cell cancer have shorter survival compared with their white counterparts, but the causes for this disparity are unclear. To elucidate reasons for this inequality, we examined differences in treatment and survival between black and white patients. Patients and Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry and Medicare databases. Participants included 964 black and 10,482 white patients age ≥ 65 years who were enrolled into Medicare and diagnosed with renal cell cancer between 1986 and 1999. Information on surgical treatment was ascertained from both databases, whereas data regarding coexisting illness and survival was obtained from the Medicare database. Results The percentage of black patients receiving nephrectomy treatment was significantly lower compared with whites (61.2% v 70.4%; P < .0001). After adjustment for age, sex, median income, cancer stage, tumor size, and comorbidity index, blacks were less likely to undergo nephrectomy treatment compared with whites (risk ratio = 0.93; 95% CI, 0.90 to 0.96). Overall survival was worse for blacks than whites even after adjustment for demographic and cancer prognostic factors (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.16; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.25); however, additional adjustment for comorbidity index and nephrectomy treatment reduced the disparity substantially (HR = 1.00; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.09). Conclusion This study indicates that the lower survival rate among blacks compared with whites with renal cell cancer can be explained largely by the increased number of comorbid health conditions and the lower rate of surgical treatment among black patients.