bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of powered ankle-foot orthoses on joint kinematics and muscle activation during walking in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury
Authors: Sawicki Gregory S , Domingo Antoinette , Ferris Daniel P 
Published: March 2006

Abstract

Background
Powered lower limb orthoses could reduce therapist labor during gait rehabilitation after neurological injury. However, it is not clear how patients respond to powered assistance during stepping. Patients might allow the orthoses to drive the movement pattern and reduce their muscle activation. The goal of this study was to test the effects of robotic assistance in subjects with incomplete spinal cord injury using pneumatically powered ankle-foot orthoses.

Methods
Five individuals with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (ASIA C-D) participated in the study. Each subject was fitted with bilateral ankle-foot orthoses equipped with artificial pneumatic muscles to power ankle plantar flexion. Subjects walked on a treadmill with partial bodyweight support at four speeds (0.36, 0.54, 0.72 and 0.89 m/s) under three conditions: without wearing orthoses, wearing orthoses unpowered (passively), and wearing orthoses activated under pushbutton control by a physical therapist. Subjects also attempted a fourth condition wearing orthoses activated under pushbutton control by them. We measured joint angles, electromyography, and orthoses torque assistance.

Results
A therapist quickly learned to activate the artificial pneumatic muscles using the pushbuttons with the appropriate amplitude and timing. The powered orthoses provided ~50% of peak ankle torque. Ankle angle at stance push-off increased when subjects walked with powered orthoses versus when they walked with passive-orthoses (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Ankle muscle activation amplitudes were similar for powered and passive-orthoses conditions except for the soleus (~13% lower for powered condition; p < 0.05).
Two of the five subjects were able to control the orthoses themselves using the pushbuttons. The other three subjects found it too difficult to coordinate pushbutton timing. Orthoses assistance and maximum ankle angle at push-off were smaller when the subject controlled the orthoses compared to when the therapist-controlled the orthoses (p < 0.05). Muscle activation amplitudes were similar between the two powered conditions except for tibialis anterior (~31% lower for therapist-controlled; p < 0.05).

Conclusion
Mechanical assistance from powered ankle-foot orthoses improved ankle push-off kinematics without substantially reducing muscle activation during walking in subjects with incomplete spinal cord injury. These results suggest that robotic plantar flexion assistance could be used during gait rehabilitation without promoting patient passivity.
Mutational analysis of the potential catalytic residues of the VV G1L metalloproteinase
Authors: Honeychurch Kady M , Byrd Chelsea M , Hruby Dennis E 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
The vaccinia virus G1L open-reading frame is predicted to be a metalloproteinase based upon the presence of a conserved zinc-binding motif. Western blot analysis demonstrates G1L undergoes proteolytic processing during the course of infection, although the significance of this event is unknown. In order to determine which amino acid residues are important for G1L activity, a plasmid-borne library of G1L constructs containing mutations in and about the active site was created. Transient expression analysis coupled with a trans complementation assay of a conditionally-lethal mutant virus suggest that, of the mutants, only glutamic acid 120 is non-essential for G1L processing to occur.
The C(-1019)G 5-HT1A promoter polymorphism and personality traits: no evidence for significant association in alcoholic patients
Authors: Koller G , Bondy B , Preuss UW , Zill P , Soyka M 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe 5HT1A receptor is one of at least 14 different receptors for serotonin which has a role in moderating several brain functions and may be involved in the aetiology of several psychiatric disorders. The C(-1019)G 5-HT1A promoter polymorphism was reported to be associated with major depression, depression-related personality traits and suicidal behavior in various samples. The G(-1019) allele carriers are prone to depressive personality traits and suicidal behavior, because serotonergic neurotransmission is reduced.The aim of this study is to replicate previous findings in a sample of 185 Alcohol-dependent individuals. Personality traits were evaluated using the NEO FFI and TCI. History of suicidal behavior was assessed by a standardized semistructured interview (SSAGA). No significant differences across C(-1019)G 5-HT1A genotype groups were found for TCI temperament and character traits and for NEO FFI personality scales. No association was detected between this genetic variant and history of suicide attempts. These results neither support a role of C(-1019)G 5-HT1A promoter polymorphism in the disposition of personality traits like harm avoidance or neuroticism, nor confirm previous research reporting an involvement of the G allele in suicidal behavior in alcoholics. Significant associations, however, were detected between Babor's Type B with number of suicide attempts in history, high neuroticism and harm avoidance scores in alcoholics.
Multifactorial day hospital intervention to reduce falls in high risk older people in primary care: a multi-centre randomised controlled trial [ISRCTN46584556]
Authors: Masud Tahir , Coupland Carol , Drummond Avril , Gladman John , Kendrick Denise , Sach Tracey , Harwood Rowan , Kumar Pradeep , Morris Rob , Taylor Rachael , Youde Jane , Conroy Simon 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Falls in older people are a major public health concern in terms of morbidity, mortality and cost. Previous studies suggest that multifactorial interventions can reduce falls, and many geriatric day hospitals are now offering falls intervention programmes. However, no studies have investigated whether these programmes, based in the day hospital are effective, nor whether they can be successfully applied to high-risk older people screened in primary care.
The hypothesis is that a multidisciplinary falls assessment and intervention at Day hospitals can reduce the incidence of falls in older people identified within primary care as being at high risk of falling. This will be tested by a pragmatic parallel-group randomised controlled trial in which the participants, identified as at high risk of falling, will be randomised into either the intervention Day hospital arm or to a control (current practice) arm. Those participants preferring not to enter the full randomised study will be offered the opportunity to complete brief diaries only at monthly intervals. This data will be used to validate the screening questionnaire. Three day hospitals (2 Nottingham, 1 Derby) will provide the interventions, and the University of Nottingham's Departments of Primary Care, the Division of Rehabilitation and Ageing Unit, and the Trent Institute for Health Service Research will provide the methodological and statistical expertise. Four hundred subjects will be randomised into the two arms. The primary outcome measure will be the rate of falls over one year. Secondary outcome measures will include the proportion of people experiencing at least one fall, the proportion of people experiencing recurrent falls (>1), injuries, fear of falling, quality of life, institutionalisation rates, and use of health services. Cost-effectiveness analyses will be performed to inform health commissioners about resource allocation issues. The importance of this trial is that the results may be applicable to any UK day hospital setting.

Sites

General practices across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
Day hospitals:
Derbyshire Royal Infirmary (Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust)
Sherwood Day Service (Nottingham City Hospital Trust)
Leengate Day Hospital (Queen's Medical Centre Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust)
Trunk and hip muscle recruitment patterns during the prone leg extension following a lateral ankle sprain: A prospective case study pre and post injury
Authors: Lehman Gregory J 
Published: March 2006

Abstract

Background and case presentation

The prone leg extension (PLE) is commonly used to identify dysfunction of muscle recruitment patterns. The prone leg extension is theorized to identify proximal muscle disturbances which are a result of distal injury or dysfunction (i.e. an ankle sprain). This case study compares the trunk and hip muscle (bilateral lower erector spine, ipsilateral hamstring and ipsilateral gluteus maximus) timing during a PLE of a 27 year old female runner during a healthy state (pre ankle sprain) and 2 and 8 weeks post ankle sprain.

Results and discussion

The gluteus maximus muscle onsets at 8 weeks post injury appeared to occur earlier compared with 2 weeks post injury. The Right Erector Spinae at 8 weeks post injury was also active earlier compared with the participant's non-injured state. A large degree of variability can be noted within trials on the same day for all muscle groups.

Conclusion

An acute ankle injury did not result in a delay in gluteus maximus muscle activation. The utility of the prone leg extension as a clinical and functional test is questionable due to the normal variability seen during the test and our current inability to determine what is normal and what is dysfunctional.
Variable hydrology and salinity of salt ponds in the British Virgin Islands
Authors: Jarecki Lianna , Walkey Mike 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Caribbean salt ponds are unique wetlands that have received little scientific attention. They are common features of dry Caribbean coastlines, but they are threatened by rapid coastal development. We compared hydrology and salinity of 17 salt ponds in the British Virgin Islands. Ponds were mostly hypersaline (>50 ppt), and they exhibited dramatic salinity fluctuations in response to rainfall and evaporation. Individual ponds varied in their mean salinities and thus experienced different ranges of salinity. Differences in mean salinity appeared to be linked with hydrological characteristics. Hydrological variation ranged from permanently inundated ponds with direct sea connection to those fully isolated from the sea and retaining water only after rainfall. We characterized groups of ponds by their major hydrological characteristics, particularly their period of inundation and their degree of connection with the sea. The resulting classification appeared to reflect a continuum of increasing isolation from the sea, concurring with published geological records from salt pond sediments elsewhere. The patterns of variability and succession described here are applicable to salt pond management interests throughout the Caribbean.
Coat colour in dogs: identification of the Merlelocus in the Australian shepherd breed
Authors: Hédan Benoit , Corre Sébastien , Hitte Christophe , Dréano Stéphane , Vilboux Thierry , Derrien Thomas , Denis Bernard , Galibert Francis , Galibert Marie-Dominique , André Catherine 
Published: March 2006

Abstract

Background
Coat colours in canines have many natural phenotypic variants. Some of the genes and alleles involved also cause genetic developmental defects, which are also observed in humans and mice. We studied the genetic bases of the merle phenotype in dogs to shed light on the pigmentation mechanisms and to identify genes involved in these complex pathways. The merle phenotype includes a lack of eumelanic pigmentation and developmental defects, hearing impairments and microphthalmia. It is similar to that observed in microphthalmia mouse mutants.

Results
Taking advantage of the dog as a powerful genetic model and using recently available genomic resources, we investigated the segregation of the merle phenotype in a five-generation pedigree, comprising 96 sampled Australian shepherd dogs. Genetic linkage analysis allowed us to identify a locus for the merle phenotype, spanning 5.5 megabases, at the centromeric tip of canine chromosome 10 (CFA10). This locus was supported by a Lod score of 15.65 at a recombination fraction θ = 0. Linkage analysis in three other breeds revealed that the same region is linked to the merle phenotype. This region, which is orthologous to human chromosome 12 (HSA12 q13-q14), belongs to a conserved ordered segment in the human and mouse genome and comprises several genes potentially involved in pigmentation and development.

Conclusion
This study has identified the locus for the merle coat colour in dogs to be at the centromeric end of CFA10. Genetic studies on other breeds segregating the merle phenotype should allow the locus to be defined more accurately with the aim of identifying the gene. This work shows the power of the canine system to search for the genetic bases of mammalian pigmentation and developmental pathways.
The role of transposable element clusters in genome evolution and loss of synteny in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Thon Michael R , Pan Huaqin , Diener Stephen , Papalas John , Taro Audrey , Mitchell Thomas K , Dean Ralph A 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
Background
Transposable elements are abundant in the genomes of many filamentous fungi, and have been implicated as major contributors to genome rearrangements and as sources of genetic variation. Analyses of fungal genomes have also revealed that transposable elements are largely confined to distinct clusters within the genome. Their impact on fungal genome evolution is not well understood. Using the recently available genome sequence of the plant pathogenic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, combined with additional bacterial artificial chromosome clone sequences, we performed a detailed analysis of the distribution of transposable elements, syntenic blocks, and other features of chromosome 7.

Results
We found significant levels of conserved synteny between chromosome 7 and the genomes of other filamentous fungi, despite more than 200 million years of divergent evolution. Transposable elements are largely restricted to three clusters located in chromosomal segments that lack conserved synteny. In contradiction to popular evolutionary models and observations from other model organism genomes, we found a positive correlation between recombination rate and the distribution of transposable element clusters on chromosome 7. In addition, the transposable element clusters are marked by more frequent gene duplications, and genes within the clusters have greater sequence diversity to orthologous genes from other fungi.

Conclusion
Together, these data suggest that transposable elements have a profound impact on the M. oryzae genome by creating localized segments with increased rates of chromosomal rearrangements, gene duplications and gene evolution.
Outcomes in Pharyngoplasty: A 10-Year Experience
Authors: Pryor Landon S. , Lehman James , Parker Michael G. , Schmidt Anna , Fox Lynn , Murthy Ananth S. 
Published: March 2006

Objective The outcomes of 61 patients who underwent a pharyngoplasty for velopharyngeal insufficiency were reviewed to determine potential risk factors for reoperation. Design This was a retrospective chart review of 61 consecutive patients over approximately 10 years (1993 to 2003). Variables analyzed included gender, cleft type, age at the time of pharyngoplasty, length of time between palate repair and pharyngoplasty, and associated syndromes. Participants Of the 61 patients, 20 (34%) had a unilateral cleft lip and palate, 5 (8%) had a bilateral cleft lip and palate, 13 (21%) had an isolated cleft palate, 7 (11%) had a submucous cleft palate, and 16 (26%) were diagnosed with noncleft velopharyngeal insufficiency. Results Of the 61 patients, 10 (16%) required surgical revision. No statistically significant difference was found among gender, cleft type, age at the time of pharyngoplasty, the length of time between palate repair and pharyngoplasty, and associated congenital syndromes, with respect to the need for surgical revision (p > .05). Of the surgical revisions, 50% (5) were performed for a pharyngoplasty that was placed too low. Conclusions Because 50% of the pharyngoplasty revisions had evidence of poor velopharyngeal closure and associated hypernasality resulting from low placement of the sphincter, the pharyngoplasty needs to be placed at a high level to reduce the risk for revisional surgery. The pharyngoplasty is a good operation for velopharyngeal insufficiency with an overall success rate of 84% (51 of 61) after one operation and greater than 98% (60 of 61) after two operations.
Mutational Screening of FGFR1, CER1, and CDON in a Large Cohort of Trigonocephalic Patients
Authors: Jehee Fernanda Sarquis , Alonso Luis G. , Cavalcanti Denise P. , Kim Chong , Wall Steven A. , Mulliken John B. , Sun Miao , Jabs Ethylin Wang , Boyadjiev Simeon A. , Wilkie Andrew O. M. , Passos-Bueno Maria Rita 
Published: March 2006

Objective Screen the known craniosynostotic related gene, FGFR1 (exon 7), and two new identified potential candidates, CER1 and CDON, in patients with syndromic and nonsyndromic metopic craniosynostosis to determine if they might be causative genes. Design Using single-strand conformational polymorphisms (SSCPs), denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography, and/or direct sequencing, we analyzed a total of 81 patients for FGFR1 (exon 7), 70 for CER1, and 44 for CDON. Patients Patients were ascertained in the Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano in São Paulo, Brazil (n = 39), the Craniofacial Unit, Oxford, U.K. (n = 23), and the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland (n = 31). Clinical inclusion criteria included a triangular head and/or forehead, with or without a metopic ridge, and a radiographic documentation of metopic synostosis. Both syndromic and nonsyndromic patients were studied. Results No sequence alterations were found for FGFR1 (exon 7). Different patterns of SSCP migration for CER1 compatible with the segregation of single nucleotide polymorphisms reported in the region were identified. Seventeen sequence alterations were detected in the coding region of CDON, seven of which are new, but segregation analysis in parents and homology studies did not indicate a pathological role. Conclusions: FGFR1 (exon 7), CER1, and CDON are not related to trigonocephaly in our sample and should not be considered as causative genes for metopic synostosis. Screening of FGFR1 (exon 7) for diagnostic purposes should not be performed in trigonocephalic patients.
New Scaphocephaly Severity Indices of Sagittal Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Study with Cranial Index Quantifications
Authors: Ruiz-Correa Salvador , Sze Raymond W. , Starr Jacqueline R. , Lin Hen-Tzu J. , Speltz Matthew L. , Cunningham Michael L. , Hing Anne V. 
Published: March 2006

Objective To describe a novel set of scaphocephaly severity indices (SSIs) for predicting and quantifying head- and skull-shape deformity in children diagnosed with isolated sagittal synostosis (ISS) and compare their sensitivity and specificity with those of the traditional cranial index (CI). Methods Computed tomography head scans were obtained from 60 patients diagnosed with ISS and 41 age-matched control patients. Volumetric reformations of the skull and overlying skin were used to trace two-dimensional planes defined in terms of skull-base plane and internal or surface landmarks. For each patient, novel SSIs were computed as the ratio of head width and length as measured on each of these planes. A traditional CI was also calculated and a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was applied to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the proposed indices with those of CI. Results Although the CI is a sensitive measure of scaphocephaly, it is not specific and therefore not a suitable predictor of ISS in many practical applications. The SSI-A provides a specificity of 95% at a sensitivity level of 98%, in contrast with the 68% of CI. On average, the sensitivity and specificity of all proposed indices are superior to those of CI. Conclusions Measurements of cranial width and length derived from planes that are defined in terms of internal or surface landmarks and skull-base plane produce SSIs that outperform traditional CI measurements.
Social Acceptance and Facial Behavior in Children with Oral Clefts
Authors: Slifer Keith J. , Pulbrook Valerie , Amari Adrianna , Vona-Messersmith Natalie , Cohn Jeffrey F. , Ambadar Zara , Beck Melissa , Piszczor Rachel 
Published: March 2006

Objective To examine and compare social acceptance, social behavior, and facial movements of children with and without oral clefts in an experimental setting. Design Two groups of children (with and without oral clefts) were videotaped in a structured social interaction with a peer confederate, when listening to emotional stories, and when told to pose specific facial expressions. Participants Twenty-four children and adolescents ages 7 to 161/2 years with oral clefts were group matched for gender, grade, and socioeconomic status with 25 noncleft controls. Main Outcome Measures Specific social and facial behaviors coded from videotapes; Harter Self-Perception Profile, Social Acceptance subscale. Results Significant between-group differences were obtained. Children in the cleft group more often displayed “Tongue Out,” “Eye Contact,” “Mimicry,” and “Initiates Conversation.” For the cleft group, “Gaze Avoidance” was significantly negatively correlated with social acceptance scores. The groups were comparable in their ability to pose and spontaneously express facial emotion. Conclusions When comparing children with and without oral clefts in an experimental setting, with a relatively small sample size, behavior analysis identified some significant differences in patterns of social behavior but not in the ability to express facial emotion. Results suggest that many children with oral clefts may have relatively typical social development. However, for those who do have social competence deficits, systematic behavioral observation of atypical social responses may help individualize social skills interventions.
Cover Picture: Residual Stresses, Thermomechanical Behavior and Interfaces in the Weld Joint of Ni‐based Superalloys (Adv. Eng. Mater. 3/2006)
Authors: Barabash O. M. , Barabash R. I. , David S. A. , Ice G. E. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe cover shows in the background a typical X‐ray polychromatic microdiffraction (PXM) image obtained from the heat affected zone of a Ni‐based superalloy weld with strong plastic deformation, while the inserts show a PXM image of the nondeformed material (upper insert) and the strong oscillations of the geometrically necessary dislocation slip systems and densities across the weld (lower inserts). More about X‐ray polychromatic microdiffraction together with orientation imaging microscopy, electron scanning microscopy, and optical microscopy for studying residual stresses, thermomechanical behavior and interfaces in the weld joint of Ni‐based superalloys can be found in the paper by O. M. Barabash et al on page 202.