bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Graded associations between cardiorespiratory fitness, fatness, and blood pressure in children and adolescents
Authors: Klasson-Heggebø L , Andersen L B , Wennlöf A H , Sardinha L B , Harro M , Froberg K , Anderssen S A 
Published: December 2005

Objective:To measure the graded relation between cardiorespiratory fitness and sum of skinfolds, waist circumference, and blood pressure in children and adolescents participating in the European youth heart study.Methods:The participants were 4072 children and adolescents (aged 9 and 15) from Denmark, Portugal, Estonia, and Norway. Cardiorespiratory fitness was indirectly determined using a maximal ergometer cycle test. The sum of four skinfolds, waist circumference, and blood pressure were assessed with a standardised protocol. Linear regression analysis was used to test the graded relation between cardiorespiratory fitness and the dependent variables adjusted for pubertal stage, sex, and country.Results:A significant curvilinear graded relation was found between cardiorespiratory fitness and waist circumference and sum of skinfolds (partialr2for cardiorespiratory fitness was 0.09–0.26 for the different sexes and age groups). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure also showed a curvilinear relation with cardiorespiratory fitness, and fitness explained 2% of the variance in systolic blood pressure. The difference in systolic blood pressure between the least and most fit was 6 mm Hg.Conclusion:A curvilinear graded relation was found between cardiorespiratory fitness and waist circumference, sum of skinfolds, and systolic blood pressure. The greatest difference in these health variables was observed between low and moderate fitness levels.
Patellar taping does not change the amplitude of electromyographic activity of the vasti in a stair stepping task
Authors: Cowan S M , Hodges P W , Crossley K M , Bennell K L 
Published: December 2005

Objectives:To investigate the effect of patellar taping on the amplitude of electromyographic activity (EMG) of vasti activation in subjects with and without patellofemoral pain (PFP).Methods:Ten participants with PFP and 12 asymptomatic controls were recruited to the study. The study was designed as a randomised crossover trial. Participants completed a stair stepping task. Three experimental conditions were assessed: no tape, therapeutic medially directed tape, and placebo vertically directed tape. The main outcome measure was the EMG amplitude of the vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis during the concentric phase of stair stepping.Results:The application of medially directed therapeutic tape significantly decreased pain in subjects with PFP. However, application of tape over the patella (therapeutic or placebo) did not alter the amplitude of vasti EMG when either the PFP or control participants completed the concentric stair stepping task.Conclusion:The results of this study indicate that the positive clinical effects of medially directed therapeutic tape are not due to changes in EMG amplitude of the vasti muscle. Thus other effects such as changes in timing of contraction of the vasti are more likely candidates for the mechanism of efficacy.
Angiogenic effect of intramuscular administration of basic and acidic fibroblast growth factor on skeletal muscles and influence of exercise on muscle angiogenesis
Authors: Efthimiadou A , Asimakopoulos B , Nikolettos N , Giatromanolaki A , Sivridis E , Papachristou D N , Kontoleon E 
Published: December 2005

Background:Angiogenic factors which control the angiogenic process represent a promising strategy for restoration of blood flow, but require further evaluation before clinical use. Exercise has also been reported to induce neovascularisation in muscles.Objectives:To evaluate the angiogenic effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) and acidic fibroblast growth factor (a-FGF) on rat gastrocnemius muscle, when administered intramuscularly, and to compare them with those obtained by daily exercise.Methods:Forty nine rats were allotted to the following groups: A, controls; B, exercise by swimming; C1 and C2, intramuscular injection of b-FGF and a-FGF respectively; D1 and D2, b-FGF and a-FGF injection in combination with exercise. The antibody mouse anti-rat CD31 was used to evaluate the numbers of blood vessels present in histological preparations of gastrocnemius muscle.Results:Significant increases in the numbers of blood vessels of the right gastrocnemius muscles in groups C1 and D1 were observed compared with controls (p<0.05). There was only a slight increase in angiogenesis in the left gastrocnemius muscle of groups C1 and D1 compared with controls (p>0.05), and there was a decrease in angiogenesis in the gastrocnemius muscle of the swimming group compared with controls.Conclusion:The intramuscular administration of b-FGF, but not a-FGF, induced significant local angiogenesis in gastrocnemius muscle at the site of injection.
Type of acute hamstring strain affects flexibility, strength, and time to return to pre-injury level
Authors: Askling C , Saartok T , Thorstensson A 
Published: December 2005

Objectives:To investigate possible links between aetiology of acute, first time hamstring strains in sprinters and dancers and recovery of flexibility, strength, and function as well as time to return to pre-injury level.Methods:Eighteen elite sprinters and 15 professional dancers with a clinically diagnosed hamstring strain were included. They were clinically examined and tested two, 10, 21, and 42 days after the acute injury. Range of motion in hip flexion and isometric strength in knee flexion were measured. Self estimated and actual time to return to pre-injury level were recorded. Hamstring reinjuries were recorded during a two year follow up period.Results:All the sprinters sustained their injuries during high speed sprinting, whereas all the dancers were injured while performing slow stretching type exercises. The initial loss of flexibility and strength was greater in sprinters than in dancers (p<0.05). At 42 days after injury, both groups could perform more than 90% of the test values of the uninjured leg. However, the actual times to return to pre-injury level of performance were significantly longer (median 16 weeks (range 6–50) for the sprinters and 50 weeks (range 30–76) for the dancers). Three reinjuries were noted, all in sprinters.Conclusion:There appears to be a link between the aetiologies of the two types of acute hamstring strain in sprinters and dancers and the time to return to pre-injury level. Initially, sprinters have more severe functional deficits but recover more quickly.
Hip passive range of motion and frequency of radiographic hip osteoarthritis in former elite handball players
Authors: L’Hermette M , Polle G , Tourny-Chollet C , Dujardin F 
Published: December 2005

Objective:To establish the relation between handball playing, passive hip range of motion (ROM), and the development of radiological hip osteoarthritis (OA) in former elite handball players. Two related issues are addressed: (a) the relation between long term elite handball playing and the incidence of hip OA; (b) the relations between hip ROM, OA, and pain.Methods:Data on 20 former elite handball players and 39 control subjects were collected. A questionnaire yielded personal details, loading patterns during physical activity, and previous lower limb joint injury. Bilateral radiographs were analysed to diagnose and classify hip OA. Passive hip ROM was measured bilaterally with a goniometer.Results:A close relation was found between long term elite handball practice and the incidence of hip OA: 60% of the handball players were diagnosed with OA in at least one of the hip joints compared with 13% of the control subjects. Passive ROM measured in the handball players was significantly lower for hip flexion and medial rotation and higher for abduction, extension, and lateral rotation than the control values. The handball players with OA reported less pain in the hip joints during daily activities than the control subjects with OA.Conclusion:The risk of developing premature hip OA seems high for retired handball players and significantly greater than for the general population. Pain and discomfort represent two difficult diagnostic challenges to the sports physician, as the repetitive nature of movements that are specific to handball can lead to alterations that are rarely seen in the general population.
Concussion management by primary care providers
Authors: Pleacher M D , Dexter W W 
Published: December 2005

Objective:To assess current concussion management practices of primary care providers.Methods:An 11 item questionnaire was mailed to primary care providers in the state of Maine, with serial mailings to non-respondents.Results:Over 50% of the questionnaires were completed, with nearly 70% of primary care providers indicating that they routinely use published guidelines as a tool in managing patients with concussion. Nearly two thirds of providers were aware that neuropsychological tests could be used, but only 16% had access to such tests within a week of injury.Conclusions:Primary care providers are using published concussion management guidelines with high frequency, but many are unable to access neuropsychological testing when it is required.
Effects of long term Tai Chi practice and jogging exercise on muscle strength and endurance in older people
Authors: Xu D Q , Li J X , Hong Y 
Published: December 2005

Objectives:To investigate the influence of regular Tai Chi (TC) practice and jogging on muscle strength and endurance in the lower extremities of older people.Methods:Twenty one long term older TC practitioners were compared with 18 regular older joggers and 22 sedentary counterparts. Maximum concentric strength of knee flexors and extensors was tested at angular velocities of 30°/s and 120°/s. Ankle dorsiflexors and plantar flexors were tested at 30°/s and the dynamic endurance of the knee flexors and extensors was assessed at a speed of 180°/s.Results:The differences in the muscle strength of the knee joint amongst the three experimental groups were significant at the higher velocity. The strengths of knee extensors and flexors in the control group were significantly lower than those in the jogging group and marginally lower than those in the TC group. For the ankle joint, the subjects in both the TC and jogging groups generated more torque in their ankle dorsiflexors. In addition, the muscle endurance of knee extensors was more pronounced in TC practitioners than in controls.Conclusion:Regular older TC practitioners and joggers showed better scores than the sedentary controls on most muscle strength and endurance measures. However, the magnitude of the exercise effects on muscles might depend on the characteristics of different types of exercise.
Acute weight loss followed by an aggressive nutritional recovery strategy has little impact on on-water rowing performance
Authors: Slater G , Rice A J , Tanner R , Sharpe K , Gore C J , Jenkins D G , Hahn A G 
Published: December 2005

Objectives:To assess the influence of moderate, acute weight loss on on-water rowing performance when aggressive nutritional recovery strategies were used in the two hours between weigh in and racing.Methods:Competitive rowers (n  =  17) undertook three on-water 1800 m time trials under cool conditions (mean (SD) temperature 8.4 (2.0)°C), each separated by 48 hours. No weight limit was imposed for the first time trial—that is, unrestricted body mass (UNR1). However, one of the remaining two trials followed a 4% loss in body mass in the previous 24 hours (WT−4%). No weight limit was imposed for the other trial (UNR2). Aggressive nutritional recovery strategies (WT−4%, 2.3 g/kg carbohydrate, 34 mg/kg Na+, and 28.4 ml/kg fluid; UNR, ad libitum) were used in the first 90 minutes of the two hours between weigh in and performance trials.Results:WT−4%had only a small and statistically non-significant effect on the on-water time trial performance (mean 1.0 second, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.9 to 2.8; p  =  0.29) compared with UNR. This was despite a significant decrease in plasma volume at the time of weigh in for WT−4%compared with UNR (−9.2%, 95% CI −12.8% to −5.6%; p<0.001).Conclusions:Acute weight loss of up to 4% over 24 hours, when combined with aggressive nutritional recovery strategies, can be undertaken with minimal impact on on-water rowing performance, at least in cool conditions.
Cardiocirculatory and metabolic responses at different walking intensities
Authors: Schwarz M , Urhausen A , Schwarz L , Meyer T , Kindermann W 
Published: December 2005

Objectives:Although walking is a common physical activity, scientifically based training guidelines using standardised tests have not been established. Therefore this explorative study investigated the cardiovascular and metabolic load resulting from different walking intensities derived from maximal velocity (Vmax) during an incremental treadmill walking test.Methods:Oxygen uptake, heart rate (HR), blood concentrations of lactate and catecholamines, and rating of perceived exertion were recorded in 16 recreational athletes (mean (SD) age 53 (9) years) during three 30 minute walking trials at 70%, 80%, and 90% of Vmax(V70, V80, and V90) attained during an incremental treadmill walking test.Results:Mean (SD) oxygen uptake was 18.2 (2.3), 22.3 (3.1), and 29.3 (5.0) ml/min/kg at V70, V80, and V90respectively (p<0.001). V70led to a mean HR of 110 (9) beats/min (66% HRmax), V80to 124 (9) beats/min (75% HRmax), and V90to 152 (13) beats/min (93% HRmax) (p<0.001). Mean (SD) lactate concentrations were 1.1 (0.2), 1.8 (0.6), and 3.9 (2.0) mmol/l at V70, V80, and V90respectively (p<0.001). There were no significant differences between catecholamine concentrations at the different intensities. Rating of perceived exertion was 10 (2) at V70, 12 (2) at V80, and 15 (2) at V90. Twelve subjects reported muscular complaints during exercise at V90but not at V70and V80.Conclusions:Intensity and heart rate prescriptions for walking training can be derived from an incremental treadmill walking test. The cardiovascular and metabolic reactions observed suggest that V80is the most efficient workload for training in recreational athletes. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Cervical spinal injury in children’s community rugby football
Authors: Browne G J 
Published: December 2005

Objective:To examine the characteristics of cervical spinal injury (CSI) in school aged children injured in community based rugby football who presented to the emergency department for assessment.Methods:This is a retrospective descriptive case series study reviewing the medical records of all children younger than 15 years of age who presented to the emergency department at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia for assessment of injury to the cervical spine between 2000 and 2003.Results:There were 125 children with CSI; most (97%) were boys of mean age 12.7 years. Injuries occurred throughout the season, with an unexpected peak in June. Neck pain was the main presenting complaint (98%). Neurological symptoms were reported in 43%, half having concussion. Hyperextension of the neck accounted for a third of all cases and was usually the result of a spear tackle. Appropriate treatment of the cervical spine on the field of play before transport to hospital was inconsistently performed. Half of the players with CSI suffered secondary injuries, consisting of concussive head injury, faciomaxillary injury, eye injury, or limb fracture. Admission to hospital was common, with all children admitted undergoing further radiological assessment. Two minor fractures were reported and no permanent neurological disability. Overall, no adverse events were reported and the clinical outcome was good.Conclusion:CSI in children playing rugby football is rarely catastrophic although often associated with other injuries. Continued efforts are needed to educate players and referees to prevent injury.
A controlled clinical pilot trial to study the effectiveness of ice as a supplement to the exercise programme for the management of lateral elbow tendinopathy
Authors: Manias P , Stasinopoulos D 
Published: December 2005

Background:The use of ice as a supplement to an exercise programme has been recommended for the management of lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET). No studies have examined its effectiveness.Objectives:To investigate whether an exercise programme supplemented with ice is more successful than the exercise programme alone in treating patients with LET.Methods:Patients with unilateral LET for at least four weeks were included in this pilot study. They were sequentially allocated to receive five times a week for four weeks either an exercise programme with ice or the exercise programme alone. The exercise programme consisted of slow progressive eccentric exercises of wrist extensors and static stretching of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon. In the exercise programme/ice group, the ice was applied after the exercise programme for 10 minutes in the form of an ice bag to the facet of the lateral epicondyle. Patients were evaluated at baseline, at the end of treatment, and three months after the end of treatment. Outcome measures used were the pain visual analogue scale and the dropout rate.Results:Forty patients met the inclusion criteria. At the end of treatment there was a decline in visual analogue scale of about 7 units in both groups compared with baseline (p<0.0005, pairedttest). There were no significant differences in the magnitude of reduction between the groups at the end of treatment and at the three month follow up (p<0.0005, independentttest). There were no dropouts.Conclusions:An exercise programme consisting of eccentric and static stretching exercises had reduced the pain in patients with LET at the end of the treatment and at the follow up whether or not ice was included. Further research to establish the relative, absolute, and cost effectiveness as well as the mechanism of action of the exercise programme is needed.
CHARACTERIZATION AND APPROXIMATION OF VALUE FUNCTIONS OF DIFFERENTIAL GAMES WITH MAXIMUM COST IN INFINITE HORIZON
Authors: DI MARCO S. , RAPAPORT A. 
Published: December 2005

Value functions of differential games with L∞ criterion over infinite horizon are known to possess poor regularity. As an alternative to generalized solutions of the Isaacs equation, that usually requires some regularity properties, we propose a characterization of the value functions using the integral form of the Isaacs equation. We prove, without any regularity assumption, that value functions are the lowest super-solution and the largest element of a special set of sub-solutions, of the dynamic programming equation. We characterize also the limits of finite horizon value functions, and propose an approximation scheme in terms of iterations of an infinitesimal operator defined over the set of Lipschitz continuous functions. The images of this operator can be characterized by generalized solutions of a classical Isaacs equation. We illustrate these results on a example, whose value functions can be determined analytically.
SOLUTION UNIQUENESS IN A CLASS OF CURRENCY CRISIS GAMES
Authors: BAUER CHRISTIAN 
Published: December 2005

A common feature of many speculative attack models on currencies is the existence of multiple equilibrium solutions. When choosing the equilibrium strategy, a trader faces Knightian uncertainty about the rational choice of the other traders. We show that the concept of Choquet expected utility maximization under Knightian uncertainty leads to unique equilibria. In games of incomplete information the optimal strategy maximizes the expected utility with respect to a two-dimensional information: environment and rationality. We define a new concept of equilibria, the Choquet-expected-Nash-equilibria, which allows the analysis of decisions under uncertainty, which result in multiple equilibria in standard analysis. We provide uniqueness theorems for a wide class of incomplete information games including global games and apply them to fairly general currency attack models. The uniqueness of the equilibrium remains valid for arbitrary noise distributions, positively correlated signals, the existence of large traders, individual payoff functions, and for the case that non attacking traders suffer a loss in case of a successful attack, as is the case for investors in the attacked country.
Apoptosis and complement-mediated lysis of myeloma cells by polyclonal rabbit antithymocyte globulin
Authors: Zand Martin S. , Vo Thuong , Pellegrin Tina , Felgar Raymond , Liesveld Jane L. , Ifthikharuddin Jainulabdeen J. , Abboud Camille N. , Sanz Ignacio , Huggins Jennifer 
Published: December 2005

AbstractCurrent monoclonal antibody therapies for multiple myeloma have had limited success, perhaps due to narrow target specificity. We have previously described the ability of polyclonal rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) to induce caspase- and cathepsin-mediated apoptosis in human B and plasma cells. We now extend this observation to myeloma cells. Complement independent cell death was measured after addition of rATG (1-1000 μg/mL) to cultures of myeloma cell lines or primary CD138+ isolates from patient bone marrow aspirates. rATG induced significant levels of apoptosis in myeloma cells as assayed by caspase induction, annexin V binding, subdiploid DNA fragmentation, plasma-membrane permeability, and loss of mitochondrial-membrane potential. Addition of complement greatly augmented myeloma-cell death. Binding of rATG to individual myeloma cell-surface proteins, primarily CD38, CD52, CD126, and CD138, was demonstrated by competitive inhibition experiments with targeted monoclonal antibodies. Three pathways of cell death were identified involving caspase activation, cathepsin D, and the genistein sensitive tyrosine kinase pathway. F(ab′)2 fragments of rATG had reduced proapoptotic activity, which was restored by coincubation with Fc fragments, and anti-CD32 or anti-CD64 antibodies. We conclude that rATG is an effective agent for in vitro induction of apoptosis in multiple myeloma, and that exploratory clinical trials may be warranted.
U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein immune complexes induce type I interferon in plasmacytoid dendritic cells through TLR7
Authors: Savarese Emina , Chae Ohk-wha , Trowitzsch Simon , Weber Gert , Kastner Berthold , Akira Shizuo , Wagner Hermann , Schmid Roland M. , Bauer Stefan , Krug Anne 
Published: December 2005

AbstractPlasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs), which produce IFN-α in response to autoimmune complexes containing nuclear antigens, are thought to be critically involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). One of the immunostimulatory components of SLE immune complexes (SLE-ICs) is self DNA, which is recognized through Tlr9 in PDCs and B cells. Small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) are another major component of SLE-ICs in 30% to 40% of patients. In this study, we show that murine PDCs are activated by purified U1snRNP/anti-Sm ICs to produce IFN-α and proinflammatory cytokines and to up-regulate costimulatory molecules. The induction of IFN-α and IL-6 by U1snRNPs in murine bone marrow–derived PDCs required the presence of intact U1RNA and was largely dependent on Tlr7 but independent of Tlr3. Intracellularly delivered isolated U1snRNA and oligoribonucleotides derived from the stem loop regions and the Sm-binding site of U1snRNA efficiently induced IFN-α and IL-6 in Flt3L-cultured DCs in a Tlr7-dependent manner. The U1snRNA component of U1snRNP immune complexes, found in patients with SLE, acts as an endogenous “self” ligand for Tlr7 and triggers IFN-α and IL-6 production in PDCs.