bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of Gymnastics in the Army School of Physical Training
Authors: Griffiths DE , Hargrove R , Clasper J 
Published: September 2006

INTRODUCTION As a result of a single spinal injury seen at Frimley Park Hospital, we reviewed the injuries recorded at the Army School of Physical Training since December 1996. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a retrospective review of all acute accidents and injuries recorded in the Accident Book since its inception. RESULTS Over 75% of the injuries that were serious enough to result in soldiers having their training terminated were as a direct result of gymnastic events such as vaulting, trampolining and somersaults. These events were also responsible for most of the small number of career-threatening injuries. CONCLUSIONS This raises questions about the inclusion of gymnastic events in course training programmes, especially when considering its relevance to army training in general.
Contamination and Decontamination of Doppler Probes
Authors: Whitehead Emma J , Thompson John F , Lewis David R 
Published: September 2006

INTRODUCTION Nosocomial infection occurs in 2–9% of patients undergoing vascular surgery and can lead to death, amputation or require complex revision surgery. Neck ties, pagers, stethoscopes and Doppler probes have been shown to carry pathogens. We measured bacterial colonisation of Doppler probes on a vascular unit and audited the effect of staff education at reducing this contamination. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bacteriological culture swabs were taken from hand-held Doppler probes on the vascular surgical ward and clinic. There was no protocol for cleaning the Doppler probes, so manufacturers were contacted for their recommendations. The results of cultures were presented to nursing and medical staff, who were then asked to clean the probes with alcohol wipes after each use. After an interval of 1 week, bacteriological cultures from the same Doppler probes was repeated. RESULTS Fifty bacteriological cultures were performed from 10 Doppler probes over a 4-week period. Thirteen (26%) cultures were positive for diphtheroids, coliforms, coagulase-negative staphylococci and skin flora. After staff education, 42 further swabs were taken from the same probes; two positive cultures were obtained with scanty growth of skin flora (χ2 P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Staff education and simple cleaning significantly reduces the contamination of hand-held Doppler probes and may help prevent nosocomial infection.
Vestibular Schwannoma Management: Current Practice Amongst UK Otolaryngologists – Time for a National Prospective Audit
Authors: Saeed Shakeel R , Suryanarayanan Ranga , Dezso Attila , Ramsden Richard T 
Published: September 2006

INTRODUCTION It is generally agreed that the successful management of a vestibular schwannoma (VS) usually involves close collaboration between a neuro-otologist and neurosurgeon. In addition, it is accepted that the experience of the team managing such tumours is one of the key determinants of outcome after surgical intervention. The aim of this study was to identify current practice in the management of such tumours amongst otolaryngologists in the UK and to observe whether such collaborative working practices exist. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross sectional postal questionnaire survey of consultant members of the British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists – Head and Neck Surgeons (n = 542). RESULTS A total of 336 replies were received (62%). Of respondents, 299 consultants referred their patients to another surgeon for further management; 242 referred to another ENT surgeon (80.9%), 29 to a neurosurgeon (9.7%) and 28 to a combined team (9.4%). Twenty-eight of the responding otolaryngologists (8.6%) managed the tumours themselves, of whom 22 worked with a neurosurgeon. Of these 28 neuro-otologists, nearly two-thirds (64%) had been undertaking VS surgery for more than 10 years. The total number of patients with a VS referred to these 28 consultants during 2001 was 775, with a mean caseload of 29.8, median 23 and a range of 4 to 102 per surgeon. Seven of the 28 otolaryngologists chose their surgical approach entirely based on the size of the tumour. Eight consultants preferred the sub-occipital (SO) approach, 10 the trans-labyrinthine (TL) approach, three chose between SO and TL approaches. The majority of surgeons had a prospective, computer-based data collection and were willing to give further information about their outcomes and complications. CONCLUSIONS Amongst the otolaryngologists surveyed in the UK, we have identified 28 neuro-otologists who undertake VS surgery. The majority work with neurosurgical colleagues, confirming collaborative practice. The wide range in caseload raises the issue of training and maintaining standards and in the first instance we recommend a prospective national audit of VS management and outcomes with our neurosurgical colleagues. This would also be of value in manpower planning particularly if a minimum caseload could be identified below which results were seen to be less good.
Re-Admission Rates within 28 Days of Total Hip Replacement
Authors: Cullen C , Johnson DS , Cook G 
Published: September 2006

INTRODUCTION The aim of the study was to identify the reasons for the higher than expected emergency re-admission to hospital within 28 days of total hip replacement (THR) for Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport. PATIENTS AND METHODS Over a 42-month period, 65 (8.5%) of 769 patients were re-admitted within 28 days of discharge following primary THR. Case notes for 61 patients were available for retrospective review to assess premorbidity, initial postoperative complications and reason for re-admission. RESULTS The main reasons for re-admission were complications related to the procedure. These included thrombo-embolic disease 2.5%, atraumatic dislocation 1.4%, wound complications 1.2% and swollen limb 1.8%. Other causes such as admission to another department for problems not related to THR accounted for 0.8%. CONCLUSIONS Our findings are comparable with the published literature for early complications following THR. The three main reasons for re-admission were atraumatic dislocation, thrombo-embolic and wound complications such as superficial infection and haematoma are the commonest world-wide. The re-admission rate to hospital within the first 28 days following THR was a clinical indicator suggested by the UK Department of Health. It has subsequently been incorporated in a group of indicators used by the CASPE Healthcare Knowledge Systems (CHKS), a private healthcare consultancy and analysis company, for peer benchmarking. Our re-admission rates are inflated by admissions for non-THR-related reasons. The level of post-THR complications leading to re-admission were acceptable compared with the available published literature regarding 28-day re-admission. We anticipate that this study may act as a benchmark for other trusts.
Survey of the Management of Acute Traumatic First-Time Anterior Shoulder Dislocation Among Trauma Clinicians in the UK
Authors: Chong Mark , Karataglis Dimitris , Learmonth Duncan 
Published: September 2006

INTRODUCTION The aim of this work was to survey how acute traumatic first-time anterior shoulder dislocation (AFSD) is managed among trauma clinicians in UK using a postal questionnaire. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 150 questionnaires were sent out to active consultant members of the British Trauma Society in the UK. Questions were laid out in two ‘workgroups’. In Workgroup One, an assortment of questions was included regarding choices and methods of analgesia, methods of monitoring used, methods of reduction, and position of immobilisation. In Workgroup Two, three different case scenarios were analysed to look into the ‘post-reduction’ management. RESULTS The response rate was 60%. Of respondents, 22% have a local protocol for managing AFSD. Almost all respondents recommended pre- and post-reduction X-rays as standard practice. Most respondents favoured systemic analgesia and sedation with airways' monitoring, as opposed to intra-articular anaesthesia (68 versus 9). Eighty-four respondents advocated immobilisation in internal rotation compared to six in external rotation. Only 19% (16 of 84) of respondents would perform an immediate arthroscopic stabilisation in young, fit patients presenting with this type of injury. CONCLUSIONS This survey revealed variations among trauma clinicians in managing AFSD on the ‘front-line’. There is a need to address the issue of intra-articular analgesia, immobilisation technique and management of AFSD in the young patient with regards to immediate surgical intervention. We suggest that these issues be revised and clarified, ideally in a randomised, controlled, clinical trial prior to the introduction of a protocol for managing this problem.
Immune network control for stigmergy based foraging behaviour of autonomous mobile robots
Authors: Tsankova Diana , Georgieva Velichka , Zezulka Frantisek , Bradac Zdenek 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe paper presents a series of experiments in a simulated environment where two autonomous mobile robots gather randomly distributed objects and cluster them on a pile. The co‐ordination of the robots' movements is achieved through stigmergy (an indirect form of communication through the environment). The random moves, necessary for stigmergy based foraging behaviour, make the task solution a time consuming process. In order to speed up the foraging behaviour, the immune network robot control is proposed. Stigmergic principles are coded in two artificial immune networks—for a collision free goal following behaviour and for an object picking up/dropping behaviour. Simulations confirm the improved performance of the foraging behaviour under the proposed immune network control. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A verified hierarchical control architecture for co‐ordinated multi‐vehicle operations
Authors: Borges de Sousa João , Johansson Karl H. , Silva Jorge , Speranzon Alberto 
Published: September 2006

AbstractA layered control architecture for executing multi‐vehicle team co‐ordination algorithms is presented along with the specifications for team behaviour. The control architecture consists of three layers: team control, vehicle supervision and maneuver control. It is shown that the controller implementation is consistent with the system specification on the desired team behaviour. Computer simulations with accurate models of autonomous underwater vehicles illustrate the overall approach in the co‐ordinated search for the minimum of a scalar field. The co‐ordinated search is based on the simplex optimization algorithm. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fault diagnosis of a simulated industrial gas turbine via identification approach
Authors: Simani S. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractIn this paper, a model‐based procedure exploiting the analytical redundancy principle for the detection and isolation of faults on a simulated process is presented. The main point of the work consists of using an identification scheme in connection with dynamic observer and Kalman filter designs for diagnostic purpose. The errors‐in‐variables identification technique and output estimation approach for residual generation are in particular advantageous in terms of solution complexity and performance achievement. The proposed tools are analysed and tested on a single‐shaft industrial gas turbine MATLAB/SIMULINK® simulator in the presence of disturbances, i.e. measurement errors and modelling mismatch. Selected performance criteria are used together with Monte‐Carlo simulations for robustness and performance evaluation. The suggested technique can constitute the design methodology realising a reliable approach for real application of industrial process FDI. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HDDD2 is a familial frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin‐positive, tau‐negative inclusions caused by a missense mutation in the signal peptide of progranulin
Authors: Mukherjee Odity , Pastor Pau , Cairns Nigel J. , Chakraverty Sumi , Kauwe John S. K. , Shears Shantia , Behrens Maria I. , Budde John , Hinrichs Anthony L. , Norton Joanne , Levitch Denise , Taylor‐Reinwald Lisa , Gitcho Michael , Tu P.‐H. , Tenenholz Grinberg Lea , Liscic Rajka M. , Armendariz Javier , Morris John C. , Goate Alison M. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractObjectiveFamilial autosomal dominant frontotemporal dementia with ubiquitin‐positive, tau‐negative inclusions in the brain linked to 17q21‐22 recently has been reported to carry null mutations in the progranulin gene (PGRN). Hereditary dysphasic disinhibition dementia (HDDD) is a frontotemporal dementia with prominent changes in behavior and language deficits. A previous study found significant linkage to chromosome 17 in a HDDD family (HDDD2), but no mutation in the MAPT gene. Longitudinal follow‐up has enabled us to identify new cases and to further characterize the dementia in this family. The goals of this study were to develop research criteria to classify the different clinical expressions of dementia observed in this large kindred, to identify the causal mutation in affected individuals and correlate this with phenotypic characteristics in this pedigree, and to assess the neuropathological characteristics using immunohistochemical techniques.MethodsIn this study we describe a detailed clinical, pathological and mutation analysis of the HDDD2 kindred.ResultsNeuropathologically, HDDD2 represents a familial frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin‐positive, tau‐negative inclusions (FTLD‐U). We developed research classification criteria and identified three distinct diagnostic thresholds, which helped localize the disease locus. The chromosomal region with the strongest evidence of linkage lies within the minimum critical region for FTLD‐U. Sequencing of each exon of the PGRN gene led to the identification of a novel missense mutation, Ala‐9 Asp, within the signal peptide.InterpretationHDDD2 is an FTLD‐U caused by a missense mutation in the PGRN gene that cosegregates with the disease and with the disease haplotype in at‐risk individuals. This mutation is the first reported pathogenic missense mutation in the signal peptide of the PGRN gene causing FTLD‐U. In light of the previous reports of null mutations and its position in the gene, two possible pathological mechanisms are proposed: (1) the protein may accumulate within the endoplasmic reticulum due to inefficient secretion; and (2) mutant RNA may have a lower expression because of degradation via nonsense‐mediated decay. Ann Neurol 2006;60:314–322
Adipokinetic hormone‐induced mobilization of fat body triglyceride stores in Manduca sexta: Role of TG‐lipase and lipid droplets
Authors: Patel Rajesh T. , Soulages Jose L. , Arrese Estela L. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractTriglycerides (TG) stores build up in the insect fat body as lipid droplets at times of excess of food. The mobilization of fat body triglyceride (TG) is stimulated by adipokinetic hormones (AKH). The action of AKH involves a rapid activation of cAMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA). Recent in vitro studies have shown that PKA phosphorylates and activates the TG‐lipase substrate, the lipid droplets. Conversely, purified TG‐lipase from Manduca sexta fat body is phosphorylated by PKA in vitro but is not activated. This study was directed to learn whether or not AKH promotes a change in the state of phosphorylation of the lipase in vivo, and what are the relative contributions of cytosol and lipid droplets to the overall increase of lipolysis triggered by AKH. TG‐lipase activity of fat body cytosols isolated from control and AKH‐treated insects was determined against the native substrate, in vivo [3H]‐TG radiolabeled lipid droplets, obtained from control and AKH‐treated insects. The lipase activity of the system composed of AKH‐cytosol and AKH‐lipid droplets (11.1 ± 2.1 nmol TG/min‐mg) was 3.1‐fold higher than that determined with control cytosol and lipid droplets (3.6 ± 0.5 nmol TG/min‐mg). Evaluation of the role of AKH‐induced changes in the lipid droplets on lipolysis showed that changes in the lipid droplets are responsible for ˜70% of the lipolytic response to AKH. The remaining 30% appears to be due to AKH‐dependent changes in the cytosol. However, the phosphorylation level of the TG‐lipase was unchanged by AKH, indicating that phosphorylation of the TG‐lipase plays no role in the activation of lipolysis induced by AKH. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 63:73–81, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of juvenile hormone on vitellogenin gene expression in the fat body of burying beetles, Nicrophorus orbicollis
Authors: Panaitof S. Carmen , Scott Michelle Pellissier 
Published: September 2006

AbstractIn the burying beetles, Nicrophorus orbicollis, it is not clear the extent to which synthesis of Vitellogenin (Vg) is under hormonal control. Juvenile hormone (JH) and ovarian development increase rapidly upon discovery of a carcass, the necessary reproductive resource, but in its absence, treatment with JH does not accelerate ovarian development. Here we investigated the effect of manipulating JH titers on Vg gene expression in the fat bodies of newly eclosed and sexually mature females. Topical applications of the JH analogue methoprene at doses of 200, 300, and 400 μg of methoprene/g beetle to newly eclosed females resulted in up to a 5‐fold increase in fat body Vg mRNA levels compared to acetone‐treated control females. However, none of these increases were statistically significant. We also measured hemolymph Vg in females subjected to prolonged treatment with an intermediate dose of 300 μg of methoprene/g beetle and found no statistically significant increase in hemolymph Vg following treatment. There was, however, a significantly positive correlation between Vg mRNA and hemolymph Vg. Conversely, although injecting sexually mature females with fluvastatin (an inhibitor of JH biosynthesis in the corpora allata) at a dose of 40 μg/ beetle resulted in significantly decreased JH titers in treated females compared to saline‐injected controls, Vg transcription rates were not affected. We suggest that in burying beetles, JH alone is not sufficient to upregulate the expression of the Vg genes and that other factors may be involved in regulating their vitellogenic cycle as well. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 63:82–91, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synchrotron radiation small angle scattering studies of thermal stability of xylanase XYNII from Trichoderma longibrachiatum
Authors: Kozak Maciej 
Published: September 2006

AbstractXylanase XYNII from Trichoderma longibrachiatum is a small protein of the molecular weight 21 kDa, belonging to the family 11 of glycosyl hydrolases, which catalyses hydrolysis of xylan. This article reports thermal stability study of xylanase XYN II conformation in the temperature range 15–65°C by the small angle synchrotron radiation scattering. The study has been performed at different pH conditions: at pH 4.0 (below the physiological optimum of the enzyme activity) at pH 5.8 close to the optimum for enzymatic activity and at pH 8.0. The radius of gyration and the pair distance distribution function p(r) have been analyzed to characterize the changes of the enzyme conformation on heating. In the environment of the pH close to that of the optimum for the enzymatic activity, xylanase shows the greatest thermal stability and undergoes denaturation only above 55°C. In the acidic and basic environments, the enzyme stability is much lower and denaturation begins at 45°C. On the basis of the SAXS data, the shape of the xylanase molecule in solution in different temperatures has been reconstructed using ab initio method and program DAMMIN. The shape of the xylanase molecule at room temperature is similar to the right hand, which is typically observed for xylanase crystal structure. In higher temperatures (close to the enzyme activity optimum), the conformation of the right hand is loosened and half opened. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 83: 668–674, 2006This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Comparison of several Nicotiana species as hosts for high‐scale Agrobacterium‐mediated transient expression
Authors: Sheludko Y.V. , Sindarovska Y.R. , Gerasymenko I.M. , Bannikova M.A. , Kuchuk N.V. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAgrobacterium‐mediated transient expression may be regarded as a promising method for inexpensive large‐scale production of recombinant proteins. We optimized the protocol of transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana and compared six Australian species of Nicotiana as hosts for transient expression. The transient expression of GFP under 35S CaMV promoter was observed in all species tested, although the GFP content in leaves of N. benthamiana, N. exigua, and N. excelsior was significantly higher (3.8, 3.7, and 2.0% TSP, respectively). Usage of viral‐based expression system resulted in considerable increase of GFP accumulation in N. excelsior and N. benthamiana (63.5 and 16.2% TSP, respectively). We displayed that N. excelsior has the best characteristics in regard to biomass yield as well as GFP accumulation level for both types of the expression cassettes tested. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;96: 608–614. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on treatment of experimentally induced methicillin‐resi̇stant Staphylococcus epidermidis endophthalmitis in a rabbit model
Authors: Yıldırım Özlem , Yılmaz Ayça , Öz Özay , Vatansever Halil , Cinel Leyla , Aslan Gönül , Tamer Lülüfer , Adıgüzel Ufuk , Arpacı Rabia , Kanık Arzu , Emekdaş Gürol 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis study investigated the anti‐inflammatory effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a natural bee‐produced compound, and compared it with corticosteroids in the treatment of experimentally induced methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) endophthalmitis in addition to intravitreal antibiotics. An experimental endophthalmitis model was produced in 24 New Zealand albino rabbits by unilateral intravitreal injection of 0.1 ml of 4.7 × 104 colony‐forming units (CFU) methicillin‐resistant S. epidermidis. The animals were then divided randomly into three treatment groups and a control group, group 1 (six rabbits), received only intravitreal vancomycin (1.0 mg/0.1 ml); group 2 (six rabbits), received both intravitreal vancomycin (1.0 mg/0.1 ml) and intravitreal dexamethasone (400 µg/0.1 ml) and group 3 (six rabbits), received both intravitreal vancomycin (1.0 mg/0.1 ml) and subtenon CAPE (10 mg/0.3 ml) after 24 h post‐infection. No treatment was given to the control group. Treatment efficacy was assessed by clinical examination, vitreous culture and histopathology. There were no statististically significant differences between clinical scores of all groups in examinations at 24 and 48 h post‐infection (p = 0.915 and p = 0.067 respectively), but in examinations at 72 h post‐infection and after 7 days post‐infection, although the clinical scores of treatment groups were not significantly different from each other, they were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). The culture results of all groups were sterile. As a result, CAPE was found to be as effective as dexamethasone in reducing inflammation in the treatment of experimental MRSE endophthalmitis when used with antibiotics. More studies are needed to determine the optimal administration route and effective dosage of this compound. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.