bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ASSESSMENT OF PROXIMAL INTERPHALANGEAL JOINTS IN PATIENTS WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS VIA LASER DOPPLER PERFUSION IMAGING
Authors: NG EDDIE YIN-KWEE , TAN JOON HOW 
Published: January 2003

The study aims to determine whether the LDPI technique can provide an objective indication of synovial hyperaemia associated with inflamed finger joints. In addition, it hopes to obtain more information about the influence of pain and stiffness on the cutaneous blood flow and assess whether skin perfusion can be used as an index to evaluate these clinical parameters of Osteoarthritis.Except for the deformed joint, the red laser source (λ = 632.8 nm, visible red) failed to detect any hyperaemic areas associated with joint inflammation in patients with Osteoarthritis (OA). Measurements taken over the PIP joints of both groups have shown a good repeatability for all between-day measurements. However, the variation in between-day perfusion of the OA group is greater compared to the normal control. For majority of the subjects, perfusion in the adjacent skin tends to be lower and fluctuate less than that in their PIP joints. The study also indicates some correlation between the blood perfusion with pain and stiffness of the finger joints.Overall, the present finding suggests that a longer wavelength near-infrared laser have considerable potential for this form of imaging and that LDI can offer a convenient means of rapidly assessing an inflamed joint non-invasively. Further clinical studies in these areas are warranted.
FINITE ELEMENT SIMULATION OF ELASTIC COMPLIANCE TECHNIQUE FOR FORMULATING A TEST METHOD TO DETERMINE THE FRACTURE TOUGHNESS OF BONE
Authors: PARUCHURU SATYA PRASAD , WANG XIAODU , AGRAWAL C. M. 
Published: January 2003

Compact Sandwich Specimen (CSS) is the best specimen to test the fracture toughness of bone from small laboratory animals. There exists a direct method to calculate the stress intensity factor (K) of bone using CSS. However, energy release rate (G) is the fundamental measure of fracture toughness of a material. The direct relation between K, G, Young's Modulus (E), and Poisson's ratio (ν), defined for homogeneous materials may not apply to bone, which has a non-homogeneous microstucture. Therefore, a direct test method is required to calculate G of bone using CSS. Elastic compliance technique is used to measure G of a material. This paper presents an experimentally tested and reliable procedure to simulate the elastic compliance technique by finite element analysis. The procedure may eventually be used in formulating the direct test method to calculate G of bone and bone-biomaterial interface, using CSS.
Modulations of Signal Transduction Pathways during Sepsis and the Effects of Insulin and Mifepristone
Authors: Maitra Subir R. , Chen Elliott , Rosa Dominik , Valane Patrick D. , El‐Maghrabi M. Raafat , Brathwaite Collin E. M. 
Published: January 2003

Abstract Objectives: The phosphorylation states and the inferred activation of specific members of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways (p42/44, p38, and SAPK/JNK) were quantitated in the livers of rats by Western blot analysis during the progression of sepsis. In addition, the authors examined the effects of insulin and mifepristone (RU‐486) administration on these signal transduction pathways during sepsis. Methods: Sepsis was brought about by the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method. The control group underwent sham operation. One experimental group was injected with insulin (0.5 U/kg, IV); prior to the CLP or sham procedure, the second group was injected with RU‐486, a glucocorticoid antagonist (mifepristone, 20 mg/kg, IP), and the third group was injected with saline (control). Results: The activities of SAPK/JNK were unaltered throughout the course of sepsis, while those of p42/44 MAPK increased four‐fold after 24 hours of sepsis. The activation of p38 MAPK was also increased after 0.5 and 1.5 hours of sepsis, but returned to normal during late sepsis (24 hours). Rats that had received RU‐486 before CLP showed no change in p42/44 MAPK compared with the untreated group, but the drug appeared to suppress the activation after 24 hours post‐CLP. SAPK/JNK activation, on the other hand, was slightly enhanced by RU‐486 pretreatment after 1.5 and 24 hours of CLP compared with the untreated CLP and the treated sham‐operated rats. Insulin, given preoperatively, had no effect on the activation of SAPK/JNK, although p42/44 MAPK pathways were activated by the hormone at 0.5 hours and 1.5 hours post‐CLP only, but not in the sham‐operated controls or at 24 hours post‐CLP. The p38 MAPK activation seen after 0.5 and 1.5 hours of CLP was suppressed by RU‐486. Insulin pretreatment appears to suppress the phosphorylation of p38 in both the CLP and sham‐operated groups. Conclusions: The data suggest that sepsis induces two phases of MAPK activation, an early phase in which p38 is active, followed by a second, more pronounced phase of p42/44 MAPK activation that occurs only late in sepsis. Hormonal administration results suggest that RU‐486 suppresses the activation of p38 seen in early sepsis, and the activation of p42/44 MAPK seen in late sepsis.
A Randomized, Clinical Trial Comparing Oral Celecoxib 200 mg, Celecoxib 400 mg, and Ibuprofen 600 mg for Acute Pain
Authors: Salo David F. , Lavery Robert , Varma Vikram , Goldberg Jennifer , Shapiro Tara , Kenwood Alan 
Published: January 2003

Abstract Objective: Celecoxib is a selective cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitor used to treat pain. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacies of celecoxib and ibuprofen for the treatment of acute pain. The null hypothesis was that no difference between celecoxib and ibuprofen exists. Methods: The study was a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, controlled clinical trial. After consent, patients rated their pain on a 100‐mm visual analog scale (VAS) and categorical intensity pain scale. Patients were then randomized to receive 200‐mg or 400‐mg celecoxib or 600‐mg ibuprofen (all orally). Patients were contacted 5 hours after receiving study medication when a second VAS score was recorded, along with categorical pain intensity, pain relief score, side effects, and number of rescue medications taken. The main outcome measures were change in visual analog pain and categorical pain intensity scores, and pain relief scores, at five hours. Results: One hundred ten patients were evaluated and 105 were enrolled. Thirty‐four received celecoxib 200 mg, 32 received celecoxib 400 mg, and 39 received ibuprofen 600 mg. Ninety‐one were available for the five‐hour VAS and 88 for the five‐hour categorical pain intensity and pain relief analysis: The two patients who were unable to read a VAS were excluded, and two enrolled patients withdrew prior to medication. One patient was excluded because his injury was a fracture, and therefore did not meet the inclusion criteria. There was no statistical difference among the treatment groups in age, time from injury to medication, initial VAS score, percent lost to follow‐up, or treatment with adjunctive therapy. There was no statistical difference in change of VAS among the groups at five hours: ibuprofen 600 mg (‐23.8 mm [95% CI = ‐31.56 mm to ‐16.1 mm] [n = 32]), celecoxib 200 mg (‐16.1 mm [95% CI = ‐24.3 mm to ‐7.98 mm] [n = 31]), and celecoxib 400 mg (‐12.4 mm [95% CI = ‐23.1 mm to ‐1.8 mm] [n = 30]) (p = 0.16). There was no significant difference between the groups, at five hours, in change of categorical pain intensity (p = 0.11) or pain relief scores (p = 0.059), though the pain relief scale approached significance favoring ibuprofen. Conclusions: No significant difference exists among emergency department (ED) patients treated for acute pain, at five hours, with celecoxib 200 mg, celecoxib 400 mg, or ibuprofen 600 mg, though the power of the study to detect a change was low, 36%. However, the magnitude of pain relief for celecoxib, coupled with the cost of the medication, questions its use in the immediate ED setting.
The Status of Bedside Ultrasonography Training in Emergency Medicine Residency Programs
Authors: Counselman Francis L. , Sanders Arthur , Slovis Corey M. , Danzl Daniel , Binder Louis S. , Perina Debra G. 
Published: January 2003

AbstractBedside ultrasonography (BU) is rapidly being incorporated into emergency medicine (EM) training programs and clinical practice. In the past decade, several organizations in EM have issued position statements on the use of this technology. Program training content is currently driven by the recently published “Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine,” which includes BU as a necessary skill. Objective: The authors sought to determine the current status of BU training in EM residency programs. Methods: A survey was mailed in early 2001 to all 122 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)‐accredited EM residency programs. The survey instrument asked whether BU was currently being taught, how much didactic and hands‐on training time was incorporated into the curriculum, and what specialty representation was present in the faculty instructors. In addition, questions concerning the type of tests performed, the number considered necessary for competency, the role of BU in clinical decision making, and the type of quality assurance program were included in the survey. Results: A total of 96 out of 122 surveys were completed (response rate of 79%). Ninety‐one EM programs (95% of respondents) reported they teach BU, either clinically and/or didactically, as part of their formal residency curriculum. Eighty‐one (89%) respondents reported their residency program or primary hospital emergency department (ED) had a dedicated ultrasound machine. BU was performed most commonly for the following: the FAST scan (focused abdominal sonography for trauma, 79/87%); cardiac examination (for tamponade, pulseless electrical activity, etc., 65/71%); transabdominal (for intrauterine pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, etc., 58/64%); and transvaginal (for intrauterine pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, etc., 45/49%). One to ten hours of lecture on BU was provided in 43%, and one to ten hours of hands‐on clinical instruction was provided in 48% of the EM programs. Emergency physicians were identified as the faculty most commonly involved in teaching BU to EM residents (86/95%). Sixty‐one (69%) programs reported that EM faculty and/or residents made clinical decisions and patient dispositions based on the ED BU interpretation alone. Fourteen (19%) programs reported that no formal quality assurance program was in place. Conclusions: The majority of ACGME‐accredited EM residency programs currently incorporate BU training as part of their curriculum. The majority of BU instruction is done by EM faculty. The most commonly performed BU study is the FAST scan. The didactic component and clinical time devoted to BU instruction are variable between programs. Further standardization of training requirements between programs may promote increasing standardization of BU in future EM practice.
Does Soccer Headgear Attenuate the Impact When Heading a Soccer Ball?
Authors: Naunheim Rosanne S. , Ryden Amanda , Standeven John , Genin Guy , Lewis Larry , Thompson Paul , Bayly Phil 
Published: January 2003

AbstractThere is increasing concern that repetitive blows to the head, such as those from heading a soccer ball, can cause measurable cognitive impairment. Reducing acceleration of impact could reduce neurologic sequelae. Objective: To measure the effectiveness of four different types of soccer headgear in reducing the acceleration of impact. Methods: A standard magnesium headform was instrumented with a triaxial accelerometer. A soccer ball was propelled at the headform at three different speeds known to occur in soccer play: 9, 12, and 15 m/sec (20, 26, and 34 mph). The main outcome was the peak acceleration of the headform associated with these impacts with and without protective headgear. Results: Peak accelerations were found in a range from 144 m/s2 to 289 m/s2 (14.67‐29.5 G, G = 9.81 m/s2). Using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) methods to compare the headbands and controls, there was no significant difference in the measured accelerations at the center of gravity with or without headgear (p = 0.50). However, the interaction term of headbands, pressure, and speed was significant at F = 5.51 and p = 0.00001. Using contrasts within conditions, some headbands were found to cause a decrease in peak acceleration at the highest speed and pressure. Conclusions: Currently available headgear for soccer heading shows little ability to attenuate impact during simulated soccer heading. However, statistically significant decreases are present at the highest speeds and pressures tested, suggesting the headbands may play a role in decreasing impact for more forceful blows.
Left Ventricular Function after Monophasic and Biphasic Waveform Defibrillation: The Impact of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Time on Contractile Indices
Authors: Niemann James T. , Garner Daniel , Lewis Roger J. 
Published: January 2003

AbstractPrevious work has suggested that low‐energy biphasic waveform defibrillation (BWD) is followed by less post‐resuscitation left ventricular (LV) dysfunction when compared with higher‐energy monophasic waveform defibrillation (MWD). To the best of the authors' knowledge, the effect of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) duration and total ischemia time on LV function after countershock, controlling for waveform type, has not been evaluated. Objective: To determine the effect of CPR duration on LV function after MWD and BWD. Methods: VF was electrically induced in anesthetized and instrumented swine. After 5 minutes of VF, the animals were randomized to MWD (n = 22) or one of two BWDs (n = 46). If countershock terminated VF but was followed by a nonperfusing rhythm, conventional manual CPR without drug therapy was performed until restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), defined as a systolic arterial pressure >60 mm Hg for 10 minutes without vasopressor support. Systolic LV pressure (LVP), LV dP/dt (first derivative of pressure measured over time), and cardiac output (CO) were measured at intervals for 60 minutes postresuscitation. CPR times (times to ROSC) and hemodynamic variables for the three groups were compared. Multivariable linear regression was performed to assess the contribution of defibrillation waveform, total joules, and CPR time on LVP, LV dP/dt, and CO at 15, 30, and 60 minutes postresuscitation. Results: When analyzed as groups, significant differences in median number of shocks to terminate VF, total joules, or CPR time were not observed between waveform groups. Regression analysis demonstrated that increasing CPR time was associated with a significant effect on indices of LV function at 15 and 30 minutes postresuscitation. Global LV function was not influenced by waveform type or total joules. Conclusions: Adjustment for CPR time, a determinant of total myocardial ischemia time, is necessary when defibrillation waveforms are compared for their effect on postresuscitation cardiac function and short‐term outcome.
Transcriptional Regulation in the
Streptococcus pneumoniae rlrA
Pathogenicity Islet by RlrA
Authors: Hava David L. , Hemsley Carolyn J. , Camilli Andrew 
Published: January 2003

ABSTRACT

The proper temporal expression of virulence genes during infection is crucial to the infectious life cycle of microbial pathogens, particularly in pathogens that encounter a multitude of environments in eukaryotic hosts.
Streptococcus pneumoniae
normally colonizes the nasopharynges of healthy adults but can cause a range of diseases at a variety of host sites. Transcriptional regulators that are essential for full virulence of
S. pneumoniae
in different animal models have been identified. One such regulator,
rlrA
, is required for colonization of the nasopharynx and lung infection but is dispensable for systemic infection. Previous work has shown that
rlrA
lies in a 12-kb pathogenicity islet, divergently opposed to three putative sortase-anchored surface proteins and three sortase enzymes. In addition to
rlrA
, one of the putative surface proteins and one of the sortases have also been shown to be essential for lung infection. In this work, we demonstrate that RlrA is a positive regulator of all seven genes in the
rlrA
pathogenicity islet, with transcriptional activation occurring at four different promoters in the islet with AT-rich sequences. These promoters direct the expression of
rlrA
itself, the three sortases,
rrgA
, and
rrgBC
. These data are consistent with the model whereby the
rlrA
pathogenicity islet acts in an autonomous manner to alter the bacterial surface components that interact with the pulmonary and nasopharyngeal environments.
Expression ofspoTinBorrelia burgdorferiduring Serum Starvation
Authors: Concepcion Marc B. , Nelson David R. 
Published: January 2003

ABSTRACTBorrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, is transmitted by the tickIxodes scapularis. A 2.9-kb fragment containing a putativespoTgene was isolated fromB. burgdorferigenomic DNA by PCR amplification and cloned into a pBAD24 vector. The cloned gene complementedEscherichia colimutant strain CF1693, which contains deletions of both therelAandspoTgenes. ThespoTgene inE. coliencodes a bifunctional enzyme capable of synthesizing and degrading (p)ppGpp, which mediates the stringent response during carbon source starvation.B. burgdorferihas been reported to have a stress response to serum starvation. Thin-layer chromatography was used to detect (p)ppGpp extracted from H332PO4-labeledB. burgdorfericells starved for serum in RPMI.B. burgdorferi spoTgene expression was characterized during fatty acid starvation. Northern analysis ofspoTrevealed detectable message at 2.5 min of starvation in RPMI. Expression ofspoTduring serum starvation increased ∼6-fold during the 30 min that starvation conditions were maintained. Further, expression ofspoTdecreased when serum was added to serum-starved cells. Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detectspoTmRNA from ∼106cells starved for serum in RPMI for 2.5 to 30 min or incubated in tick saliva for 15 min. Northern blot analysis suggests thatspoTtranscript was ∼900 nucleotides in length. RT-PCR amplification of the transcript using several sets of primers confirmed this finding. Additionally, a truncated clone containing only the first 950 bp of the 2,001-bpspoTopen reading frame was able to complementE. coliCF1693. The data suggest thatB. burgdorferiexhibits a stringent response to serum starvation and during incubation in tick saliva.
Genetic Analysis of the AdnA Regulon in
Pseudomonas fluorescens
: Nonessential Role of Flagella in Adhesion to Sand and Biofilm Formation
Authors: Robleto Eduardo A. , López-Hernández Inmaculada , Silby Mark W. , Levy Stuart B. 
Published: January 2003

ABSTRACT

AdnA is a transcription factor in
Pseudomonas fluorescens
that affects flagellar synthesis, biofilm formation, and sand adhesion. To identify the AdnA regulon, we used a promoterless Tn
5
-
lacZ
element to study the phenotypes of insertion mutants in the presence and absence of AdnA. Of 12,000 insertions, we identified seven different putative open reading frames (ORFs) activated by AdnA (named
aba
for activated by AdnA).
aba120
and
aba177
showed homology to
flgC
and
flgI
, components of the basal body of the flagella in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. Two other insertions,
aba18
and
aba51
, disrupted genes affecting chemotaxis. The mutant loci
aba160
(possibly affecting lipopolysaccharide synthesis) and
aba175
(unknown function) led to loss of flagella. The mutant bearing
aba203
became motile when complemented with
adnA
, but the mutated gene showed no similarity to known genes. Curiously,
aba18
,
aba51
,
aba160
, and
aba203
mutants formed biofilms even in the absence of AdnA, suppressing the phenotype of the
adnA
deletion mutant. The combined findings suggest that flagella are nonessential for sand attachment or biofilm formation. Sequence and promoter analyses indicate that AdnA affects at least 23 ORFs either directly or by polar effects. These results support the concept that AdnA regulates cell processes other than those directly related to flagellar synthesis and define a broader cadre of genes in
P. fluorescens
than that described so far for its homolog, FleQ, in
P. aeruginosa
.
Targeted Disruption of the α-Amylase Gene in the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon
Sulfolobus solfataricus
Authors: Worthington Penny , Hoang Viet , Perez-Pomares Francisco , Blum Paul 
Published: January 2003

ABSTRACT

Sulfolobus solfataricus
secretes an acid-resistant α-amylase (
amyA
) during growth on starch as the sole carbon and energy source. Synthesis of this activity is subject to catabolite repression. To better understand α-amylase function and regulation, the structural gene was identified and disrupted and the resulting mutant was characterized. Internal α-amylase peptide sequences obtained by tandem mass spectroscopy were used to identify the
amyA
coding sequence. Anti-α-amylase antibodies raised against the purified protein immunoprecipitated secreted α-amylase activity and verified the enzymatic identity of the sequenced protein. A new gene replacement method was used to disrupt the
amyA
coding sequence by insertion of a modified allele of the
S. solfataricus lacS
gene. PCR and DNA sequence analysis were used to characterize the altered
amyA
locus in the recombinant strain. The
amyA
::
lacS
mutant lost the ability to grow on starch, glycogen, or pullulan as sole carbon and energy sources. During growth on a non-catabolite-repressing carbon source with added starch, the mutant produced no detectable secreted amylase activity as determined by enzyme assay, plate assay, or Western blot analysis. These results clarify the biological role of the α-amylase and provide additional methods for the directed genetic manipulation of the
S. solfataricus
genome.
Convergent Evolution of Amadori Opine Catabolic Systems in Plasmids ofAgrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Baek Chang-Ho , Farrand Stephen K. , Lee Ko-Eun , Park Dae-Kyun , Lee Jeong Kug , Kim Kun-Soo 
Published: January 2003

ABSTRACTDeoxyfructosyl glutamine (DFG, referred to elsewhere as dfg) is a naturally occurring Amadori compound found in rotting fruits and vegetables. DFG also is an opine and is found in tumors induced by chrysopine-type strains ofAgrobacterium tumefaciens. Such strains catabolize this opine via a pathway coded for by their plasmids. NT1, a derivative of the nopaline-typeA. tumefaciensstrain C58 lacking pTiC58, can utilize DFG as the sole carbon source. Genes for utilization of DFG were mapped to the 543-kb accessory plasmid pAtC58. Two cosmid clones of pAtC58 allowed UIA5, a plasmid-free derivative of C58, harboring pSa-C that expresses MocC (mannopine [MOP] oxidoreductase that oxidizes MOP to DFG), to grow by using MOP as the sole carbon source. Genetic analysis of subclones indicated that the genes for utilization of DFG are located in a 6.2-kbBglII (Bg2) region adjacent torepABC-type genes probably responsible for the replication of pAtC58. This region contains five open reading frames organized into at least two transcriptionalsoc(santhopine catabolism) groups:socRandsocABCD. Nucleotide sequence analysis and analyses of transposon-insertion mutations in the region showed that SocR negatively regulates the expression ofsocRitself andsocABCD. SocA and SocB are responsible for transport of DFG and MOP. SocA is a homolog of known periplasmic amino acid binding proteins. The N-terminal half of SocB is a homolog of the transmembrane transporter proteins for several amino acids, and the C-terminal half is a homolog of the transporter-associated ATP-binding proteins. SocC and SocD could be responsible for the enzymatic degradation of DFG, being homologs of sugar oxidoreductases and an amadoriase fromCorynebacteriumsp., respectively. The protein products ofsocABCDare not related at the amino acid sequence level to those of themocandmotgenes of Ti plasmids responsible for utilization of DFG and MOP, indicating that these two sets of genes and their catabolic pathways have evolved convergently from independent origins.