bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Duration of Parkinson Disease Is Associated With an Increased Propensity for “Reinvestment”
Authors: Masters R. S. W. , Pall H. S. , MacMahon K. M. A. , Eves F. F. 
Published: February 2007

Background. As a consequence of difficulties in movement initiation and execution, people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are typically encouraged to consciously monitor and control the mechanics of their actions. This is described as ‘reinvestment’ and has been shown to help mediate effective motor output. Paradoxically, in situations where people with PD are particularly motivated to move effectively, reinvestment may exacerbate existing movement deficits. Objective. To examine the propensity for reinvestment in a sample of people with PD. Methods. A volunteer sample of 55 people with PD was asked to complete a previously validated measure, the Reinvestment Scale. A sub-sample (and age matched controls) was asked to complete a recently developed, movement specific, version of the Scale. Data was collected on Mini Mental State Examination and the Hoehn & Yahr Scale. Participant demographics, including age of onset and duration of disease, were also collated. Results. Multiple regression analyses showed that duration of disease was associated with reinvestment score on both the Reinvestment Scale and the Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale. Conclusions. Participants appeared to become more aware of the mechanics of their actions over time. Possible explanations for this finding are discussed with reference to rehabilitation.
Training-Induced Brain Remapping in Chronic Aphasia: A Pilot Study
Authors: Vitali Paolo , Abutalebi Jubin , Tettamanti Marco , Danna Massimo , Ansaldo Ana-Inés , Perani Daniela , Joanette Yves , Cappa Stefano F. 
Published: February 2007

Background. The neural correlates of training-induced improvements of cognitive functions after brain damage remain still scarcely understood. In the specific case of aphasia, although several investigations have addressed the issue of the neural substrates of functional recovery, only a few studies have attempted to assess the impact of language training on the damaged brain. Aims. The main goal of this study was to examine the neurobiological correlates of improved picture-naming performance in 2 aphasic patients who received intensive and specific training for a chronic and severe phonological anomia. Methods. In both participants, picture-naming performance was assessed before and after phonological cueing training. Training-induced changes in patients’ performance were correlated to brain activity patterns as revealed by pre- and post-training event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning. Results. Training-induced improvement was observed concurrently with changes in the brain activation patterns. Better performance was observed in the patient with the smaller lesion, partially sparing Broca’s area, who showed a left perilesional reactivation. Conversely, the patient with complete destruction of Broca’s area showed a posttraining activation in the right mirror frontal region. Conclusions. The results show that, even in the chronic stage, phonological strategies may improve impaired naming and induce cerebral reorganization.
Baculovirus-mediated gene transfer and recombinant protein expression do not interfere with insulin dependent phosphorylation of PKB/Akt in human SHSY-5Y and C3A cells
Authors: Andersson Monica , Warolén Malin , Nilsson Joakim , Selander Martin , Sterky Catharina , Bergdahl Katrin , Sörving Christina , James Stephen R , Doverskog Magnus 
Published: February 2007

Abstract

Background
Recombinant adenovirus vectors and transfection agents comprising cationic lipids are widely used as gene delivery vehicles for functional expression in cultured cells. Consequently, these tools are utilized to investigate the effects of functional over-expression of proteins on insulin mediated events. However, we have previously reported that cationic lipid reagents cause a state of insulin unresponsiveness in cell cultures. In addition, we have found that cultured cells often do not respond to insulin stimulation following adenovirus treatment. Infection with adenovirus compromises vital functions of the host cell leading to the activation of protein kinases central to insulin signalling, such as protein kinase B/Akt. Therefore, we investigated the effect of adenovirus infection on insulin unresponsiveness by means of Akt activation in cultured cells. Moreover, we investigated the use of baculovirus as a heterologous viral gene delivery vehicle to circumvent these phenomena. Since the finding that baculovirus can efficiently transduce mammalian cells, the applications of this viral system in gene delivery has greatly expanded and one advantage is the virtual absence of cytotoxicity in mammalian cells.

Results
We show that infection of human neuroblastoma SHSY-5Y and liver C3A cells with recombinant adenovirus results in the activation of Akt in a dose dependent manner. In addition, this activation makes treated cells unresponsive to insulin stimulation as determined by an apparent lack of differential phosphorylation of Akt on serine-473. Our data further indicate that the use of recombinant baculovirus does not increase the phosphorylation of Akt in SHSY-5Y and C3A cells. Moreover, following infection with baculovirus, SHSY-5Y and C3A cells respond to insulin by means of phosphorylation of Akt on serine-473 in the same manner as uninfected cells.

Conclusion
Widely-used adenovirus vectors for gene delivery cause a state of insulin unresponsiveness in human SHSY-5Y and C3A cells in culture due to the activation of central protein kinases of the insulin signalling pathway. This phenomenon can be avoided when studying insulin signalling by using recombinant baculovirus as a heterologous viral expression system. In addition, our data may contribute to an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying baculovirus infection of human cells.
Sampling genetic diversity in the sympatrically and allopatrically speciating Midas cichlid species complex over a 16 year time series
Authors: Bunje Paul ME , Barluenga Marta , Meyer Axel 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackgroundSpeciation often occurs in complex or uncertain temporal and spatial contexts. Processes such as reinforcement, allopatric divergence, and assortative mating can proceed at different rates and with different strengths as populations diverge. The Central American Midas cichlid fish species complex is an important case study for understanding the processes of speciation. Previous analyses have demonstrated that allopatric processes led to species formation among the lakes of Nicaragua as well as sympatric speciation that is occurring within at least one crater lake. However, since speciation is an ongoing process and sampling genetic diversity of such lineages can be biased by collection scheme or random factors, it is important to evaluate the robustness of conclusions drawn on individual time samples.ResultsIn order to assess the validity and reliability of inferences based on different genetic samples, we have analyzed fish from several lakes in Nicaragua sampled at three different times over 16 years. In addition, this time series allows us to analyze the population genetic changes that have occurred between lakes, where allopatric speciation has operated, as well as between different species within lakes, some of which have originated by sympatric speciation. Focusing on commonly used genetic markers, we have analyzed both DNA sequences from the complete mitochondrial control region as well as nuclear DNA variation at ten microsatellite loci from these populations, sampled thrice in a 16 year time period, to develop a robust estimate of the population genetic history of these diversifying lineages.ConclusionThe conclusions from previous work are well supported by our comprehensive analysis. In particular, we find that the genetic diversity of derived crater lake populations is lower than that of the source population regardless of when and how each population was sampled. Furthermore, changes in various estimates of genetic diversity within lakes are minimal and provide no evidence for drastic changes during the last 20 years, supporting the hypothesis that the processes which have resulted in rapid speciation are primarily historical. In contrast, there is some evidence for ongoing evolution, particularly selection, in all lakes except crater Lake Masaya, perhaps reflecting the persistence of speciational processes. Importantly, we find that the crater Lake Apoyo population, for which strong evidence of sympatric speciation has been demonstrated, has lower genetic diversity than other crater lakes and the strongest evidence for ongoing selection.
Plasma levels of leptin, omentin, collagenous repeat-containing sequence of 26-kDa protein (CORS-26) and adiponectin before and after oral glucose uptake in slim adults
Authors: Wurm Sylvia , Neumeier Markus , Weigert Johanna , Schäffler Andreas , Buechler Christa 
Published: February 2007

Abstract

Background
Adipose tissue secreted proteins are collectively named adipocytokines and include leptin, adiponectin, resistin, collagenous repeat-containing sequence of 26-kDa protein (CORS-26) and omentin. Several of these adipocytokines influence insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism and therefore systemic levels may be affected by oral glucose uptake. Whereas contradictory results have been published for leptin and adiponectin, resistin has not been extensively investigated and no reports on omentin and CORS-26 do exist.

Methods
Therefore the plasma levels of these proteins before and 120 min after an oral glucose load were analyzed in 20 highly-insulin sensitive, young adults by ELISA or immunoblot.

Results
Circulating leptin was reduced 2 h after glucose uptake whereas adiponectin and resistin levels are not changed. Distribution of adiponectin and CORS-26 isoforms were similar before and after glucose ingestion. Omentin is highly abundant in plasma and immunoblot analysis revealed no alterations when plasma levels before and 2 h after glucose intake were compared.

Conclusion
Taken together our data indicate that only leptin is reduced by glucose uptake in insulin-sensitive probands whereas adiponectin and resistin are not altered. CORS-26 was demonstrated for the first time to circulate as high molecular weight form in plasma and like omentin was not influenced by oral glucose load. Omentin was shown to enhance insulin-stimulated glucose uptake but systemic levels are not correlated to postprandial blood glucose.
Aberrant nuclear localization of β-catenin without genetic alterations in β-catenin or Axin genes in esophageal cancer
Authors: Kudo Junzo , Nishiwaki Tadashi , Haruki Nobuhiro , Ishiguro Hideyuki , Shibata Yasuyuki , Terashita Yukio , Sugiura Hironori , Shinoda Noriyuki , Kimura Masahiro , Kuwabara Yoshiyuki , Fujii Yoshitaka 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackgroundβ-catenin is a multifunctional protein involved in two apparently independent processes: cell-cell adhesion and signal transduction. β-catenin is involved in Wnt signaling pathway that regulates cellular differentiation and proliferation. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern of β-catenin and cyclin D1 using immunohistochemistry and searched for mutations in exon 3 of the β-catenin gene and Axin gene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Materials and methodsSamples were obtained from 50 esophageal cancer patients. Immunohistochemical staining for β-catenin and cyclin D1 was done. Mutational analyses of the exon3 of the β-catenin gene and Axin gene were performed on tumors with nuclear β-catenin expression.ResultsFour (8%) esophageal cancer tissues showed high nuclear β-catenin staining. Overexpression of cyclin D1 was observed in 27 out of 50 (54%) patients. All four cases that showed nuclear β-catenin staining overexpressed cyclin D1. No relationship was observed between the expression pattern of β-catenin and cyclin D1 and age, sex, tumor size, stage, differentiation grade, lymph node metastasis, response to chemotherapy, or survival. No mutational change was found in β-cateninexon 3 in the four cases with nuclear β-catenin staining. Sequencing analysis of theAxincDNA revealed only a splicing variant (108 bp deletion, position 2302–2409) which was present in the paired normal mucosa.ConclusionA fraction of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas have abnormal nuclear accumulation of β-catenin accompanied with increased cyclin D1 expression. Mutations in β-catenin or axin genes are not responsible for this abnormal localization of β-catenin.
The influence of psychological factors on the outcomes of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication
Authors: Biertho Laurent , Sanjeev Dutta , Sebajang Herawati , Antony Marty , Anvari Mehran 
Published: February 2007

Abstract

Background
Psychological factors play a role in a variety of gastrointestinal illness, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Their impact on the surgical outcomes of antireflux surgery is unknown.

Methods
This is a single institution prospective controlled trial, comparing patients undergoing a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for GERD (LNF Group, n = 17) to patients undergoing an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy for biliary colic (Control Group, n = 10). All patients had a psychological assessment before surgery, at 3 months and 6 months after surgery (i.e. Symptom CheckList-90-R somatization subset (SCL-90-R), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, Anxiety sensitivity index, Illness attitude scale and Beck Depression Inventory II). GERD symptoms were recorded in the LNF Group using a standardized questionnaire (score 0–60). Patients with post-operative GERD symptoms score above 12 at 6 months were evaluated specifically. Statistical analysis was performed using a Student T test, and statistical significance was set at 0.05.

Results
There was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative psychological assessment between the two groups. In the LNF Group, 7 patients had persisting GERD symptoms at 6 months (GERD score greater than 12). The preoperative SCL-90-R score was also significantly higher in this subgroup, when compared to the rest of the LNF Group (18.2 versus 8.3, p < 0.05) and to the Control Group (18.2 versus 7.9, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference for the other psychological tests.

Conclusion
The SCL-90-R Somatization Subset, reflecting the level of somatization in a patient, may be useful to predict poor outcomes after antireflux surgery. Cognisance of psychological disorders could improve the selection of an optimal treatment for GERD and help reduce the rate of ongoing symptoms after LNF.
A Conservative Approach to Knee Joint Replacement
Authors: Cavendish M E , Wright J T M 
Published: February 2007

A knee joint system is described which consists of a bicondylar prosthesis and a set of stereotactic instruments. The prosthesis has been developed from Gunston's concept, and the special instruments ensure its accurate insertion through a pair of short meniscectomy type incisions placed either side of the patella. Particular features of the prosthesis are near normal articulation, and the simple operative procedure involved. Forty knee replacements were implanted in thirty-two patients during the period October 1972 to March 1975. Postoperatively twenty-seven knees were pain free, and nine others produced only slight pain. Full extension was obtained in thirty-four knees, and zero valgus/varus deformity in thirty-seven. Collateral laxity was absent in thirty-four knees. There were three ultimate failures (8 per cent). Nineteen knees were assessed as excellent (48 per cent), and sixteen as good (40 per cent), and two only fair (5 per cent). These early results are most encouraging.
A Study of the Role of Synovial Fluid and its Constituents in the Friction and Lubrication of Human Hip Joints
Authors: O'Kelly J. , Unsworth A. , Dowson D. , Hall D. A. , Wright V. 
Published: February 2007

Human hip joints have been studied in a pendulum apparatus and a joint simulator to determine the lubrication mechanisms active in normal physiological activities. Various lubricants have been used to lubricate the hip joints including bovine and human synovial fluid, synovial fluid which has been digested with hyaluronidase or trypsin, silicone fluids of different viscosities, as well as synovial fluid and Ringer's solution which have had their viscosities increased by the addition of hyaluronic acid. The results indicate that under continuous dynamic loading, fluid film lubrication seems to prevail while under static loading, mixed lubrication exists. Increasing the viscosity of the lubricant from very low values (i.e. from 10-3 Pa.s) leads to a reduction in friction, indicating mixed lubrication, until a value of about 0.050 Pa.s was achieved. Further increases seemed to indicate that fluid film lubrication was then present.
Influence of Cyclic Loading on Mechanical Loosening of Hinged Knee Prostheses
Authors: van Campen D. H. , Croon H. W. , Lindwer J. 
Published: February 2007

A combined theoretical and experimental investigation is reported with respect to the influence of mechanical loading on loosening at the cement bone interface of knee prostheses with intermedullary stems. The in vitro experiments have been performed under cyclic loading conditions with the tibial part of a Shiers knee prosthesis implanted in fresh cadaver tibiae. The experimental results indicate an unfavourable effect of peak loading (as occurring in walking up stairs) on loosening as compared with loading due to normal walking conditions.
Bio-Engineering at PCL
Authors: Hutton W C 
Published: February 2007

The Polytechnic of Central London is situated within close proximity of some of the best research hospitals in the country. It was about ten years ago that the clinician became more aware of the contribution that the engineer could make in medicine and it was at that time that the multi-disciplinary Bio-engineering Research Group was formed at the PCL. The Group works within the School of Engineering and Science and is funded by the Polytechnic and the following grant awarding bodies: MRC, SRC, EEC and the National Fund for Research into Crippling Diseases. The staff consists at present of two members of the teaching staff, two research fellows, three research assistants and two research students.
Transmission of the Load in the Knee Joint with Special Reference to the Role of the Menisci
Authors: Seedhom B B 
Published: February 2007

The menisci of the knee joint transmit a considerable fraction of the total load acting on the joint. This paper describes an investigation into the load carrying capacity of the individual meniscus. Interest is also directed to an examination of the function of the degenerate meniscus and that of the meniscus with different kinds of tears. Quantifying the meniscal loads is based on a four-spring model representing the load bearing areas in the knee with intact menisci. The assumptions underlying the model are discussed and the problems of loading associated with the four-spring model are described. These problems called for careful consideration of the methods of loading and aligning the joint. A loading machine with a special aligning device was built for the experimental work. The experimental procedure is described in Part II. The intact individual meniscus was shown to transmit 70-99 per cent of the load acting on the respective side. The load carrying capacity of the meniscus was shown to decrease following the removal of a simulated ‘bucket-handle’ tear but in some cases it remained virtually unaltered. The stresses in the knee with redundant menisci were shown to increase by three to five fold their magnitude in the knee with intact menisci. Following removal of a simulated bucket-handle' tear, the stresses increased, but much less dramatically. The clinical implications of total and partial meniscectomy are discussed.
A Study of the Interface between Resilient Denture Liners and Polymethylmethacrylate
Authors: Amin Wala M , Fletcher A M , Ritchie G M 
Published: February 2007

Four of the commonly used resilient denture lining materials were investigated, they were of different chemical composition, physical forms and processing cycles. Scanning electron microscope examinations of the interface between the liners and the regular acrylic resin base material were carried out in an attempt to assess the bonding of these materials to the denture base, and to evaluate the reliability of their use. The effect of water on the liner/denture base interface was also investigated, and the validity of roughening the tissue surface of the denture base prior to processing the liner was assessed. The findings point to the advisability of using the acrylic type of soft liners whenever resilient liners are indicated. Roughening the fitting surface of the denture base to which the resilient lining materials is to be applied has a weakening effect on the bond between the lining and the denture base. Long term exposure of the liners to water has a destructive effect. The infused water into the material leads to swelling and stresses build up at the denture base interface and these tend to promote distortion and reduction in bonding.
Air Flow Patterns in the Operating Theatre
Authors: Howorth F H 
Published: February 2007

Bacteria-carrying particles and exhaled anaesthetic gases are the two contaminants found in the air flow patterns of operating rooms. Their origin, direction and speed were illustrated by a motion picture using Schlieren photography and smoke tracers. Compared with a conventionally well air conditioned operating theatre, it was shown that a downward flow of clean air reduced the number of bacteria-carrying particles at the wound site by sixty times. The Exflow method of achieving this without the restriction of any side panels or floor obstruction was described. The total body exhaust worn by the surgical team was shown to reduce the bacteria count by a further eleven times. Clinical results show that when both these systems are used together, patient infection was reduced from 9 per cent to between 0.3 per cent and 0.5 per cent, even when no pre-operative antibiotics were used. Anaesthetic gas pollution was measured and shown to be generally 1000 p.p.m. at the head of the patient, in induction, operating and recovery rooms, also in dental and labour rooms. A high volume low pressure active scavenging system was described together with its various attachments including one specially for paediatric scavenging. Results showed a reduction of nitrous oxide pollution to between zero and 3 p.p.m. The economy and cost effectiveness of both these pollution control systems was shown to be good due to the removal of health hazards from patients and theatre staff.
An Interface Pressure Sensor for Routine Clinical Use
Authors: Robertson J C , Shah J , Amos H , Druett J E , Gisby J 
Published: February 2007

The art of fitting the environment to the patient is sadly lacking. There are at least 24 000 patients in Great Britain suffering from pressure sores. The art will not improve until relevant parameters of tissue viability are measured routinely wherever patients are cared for. Disorders of temperature and blood pressure were not understood until standard measurements were widely taken. What are the relevant parameters for disorders of tissue viability? The authors single out pressure and movement, and note that pressure recorded with time will also monitor movement. They offer their flanged 28 mm electro-pneumatic pressure sensor as a possible standard instrument for most clinical purposes whether research or routine. The discussion covers the theoretical objections to interface pressure measurement, analyses the sources of error in their electro-pneumatic technique and compares its accuracy to that of other transducers.