bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Musculoskeletal injuries in the Norwegian National Ballet: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Byhring S. , Bø K. 
Published: March 2003

The purpose of the present study was to determine the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries among professional ballet dancers in the Norwegian National Ballet. A 19 weeks prospective study with registration and clinical assessment of dancers with injuries was conducted. Medical staff working for the National Ballet registered incidence of injuries. In addition the dancers filled out a questionnaire about previous injuries, their work situation, and factors they believed increased the risk of injuries. Of the 41 dancers (80% response rate), 31 dancers experienced one injury or more. The majority of injuries involved foot and ankle. Twenty‐two per cent of the injuries were acute injuries. Seventy‐five per cent of the injuries were soft tissue injuries. Most injuries were of mild to moderate severity. Sixteen per cent of the injuries resulted in absence from work. Factors, the dancers believed were associated with risk of injuries were related to training, organizational factors and environmental factors. Seventy‐eight per cent of the dancers experienced “negative” stress at work. Sixty‐four per cent experienced that they had little influence on their work conditions. This study showed, however, no significant association between these psychological factors and musculoskeletal injuries. It is concluded that there is a high incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in the Norwegian National Ballet.
Seasonal variability in the biophysical properties of stratum corneum from different anatomical sites
Authors: Black D. , Pozo A. , Lagarde J. M. , Gall Y. 
Published: March 2003

Background/purpose: A 10‐month‐long study on a panel of 24 young female subjects was carried out to determine whether various biophysical aspects of the stratum corneum (SC) varied with season.Methods: Three different anatomical sites (calf, inner forearm and crow’s foot wrinkle area of the face) were assessed in February, April, July and December of the same year. The assessments made were skin surface hydration using an electrical capacitance technique, transepidermal water loss by evaporimetry, number of corneocytes released using a turbine stimulation method, and skin surface topography using optical profilometry.Results: The results showed significant anatomical differences: with the crow’s foot site > forearm > calf, for skin surface hydration and corneocyte numbers; and the crow’s foot site > forearm and calf, with no difference between the latter two sites, for TEWL measurements. With these techniques, seasonal differences were observed mainly in the calf, to a lesser extent in the forearm, but not in the crow’s foot area. These mainly involved increases in these three parameters in July, as opposed to the other time‐points. Parameters of skin surface topography however, showed no consistent seasonal pattern, but markedly higher values were observed for the forearm in comparison to the calf and crow’s foot sites, which were similar. From meteorological data obtained, the average daily maximum temperature and hours of sunshine increased to peak values in July, as did the absolute humidity derived from relative humidity data.Conclusion: We conclude that the results are most likely to represent changes in the SC due to climatic factors, with the calf and forearm sites being most affected in comparison to the face (crow’s foot wrinkle area), which seems unaffected. The reasons for this latter site remaining unchanged may be due to its greater UV exposure, sebum content, and that the use of facial cosmetics was allowed.
Nonlinear model of skin mechanical behaviour analysis with finite element method
Authors: Retel V. , Vescovo P. , Jacquet E. , Trivaudey F. , Varchon D. , Burtheret A. 
Published: March 2003

Background/aims: A problem commonly encountered in plastic and reconstructive surgery is the prediction of the stress put on the skin when various types of skin flaps are used.Methods/results: We developed a mathematical model based on the finite element method, in order to determine the stress field, by simulating the mechanical behaviour of human skin during wound closure. We chose to take into account the low compressive strength by modifying the mechanical parameters of the model at each step of the calculation. The model has been developed and tested on a diamond‐shaped incision and applied on a Limberg incision.Conclusion: The results presented are the Von Mises stress in the area of skin around the scar and, when possible, the resultant closure force. They show the relevance of the method.
Effect of elastic compression stockings in patients with varicose veins and healthy controls measured by strain gauge plethysmography
Authors: Hirai M. , Iwata H. , Hayakawa N. 
Published: March 2003

Background/aims:  Oedema is one of the most frequent signs of chronic venous insufficiency and may be present at all stages of this disorder. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of four different types of elastic compression stockings on oedema prevention in patients with varicose veins.Methods:   An increase in foot volume after elevation of the leg was evaluated by strain gauge plethysmography in 20 limbs with varicose veins and 14 normal limbs, and the effects of four different compression stockings – 8, 14, 22 and 30–40 mmHg – were compared.Results:   All stockings significantly reduced the foot volume increase compared with the no stockings patient group and the normal group. There was no significant difference in the volume increase in the normal group for all four stockings, while there was a significantly smaller volume increase in the 22 mmHg stocking compared to the 14 mmHg stocking in the patient group. Between the 22 mmHg and 30–40 mmHg stockings or between the 14 mmHg and 8 mmHg stockings, there was no significant difference in the volume increase.Conclusion:   Elastic stockings, even with a pressure as low as 8 mmHg, can prevent oedema in patients with varicose veins, as well as in normal controls. However, the 22 mmHg and 30–40 mmHg stockings were better at preventing foot oedema in patients with varicose veins than those exerting less compression.
Effect of high‐density lipoprotein on lipopolysaccharide‐induced alveolar bone resorption in rats
Authors: Jonarta AL , Pudyani PS , Sosroseno W 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether treatments with high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) may alter the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced alveolar bone resorption in rats.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were injected with 500 μg of LPS from Escherichia coli at the alveolar mucosa of lower right first molar once every 2 days for 8 days. The negative and positive control were injected with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and LPS alone, respectively. In HDL‐treated animals various concentration of HDL were injected immediately before, after the third or the final LPS injection. The bone sections were stained with tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and the numbers of both osteoclasts and preosteoclasts and the levels of alveolar bone resorption were assessed.RESULTS: The numbers of both osteoclasts and preosteoclasts and the levels of alveolar bone resorption in animals treated with HDL before or during LPS injections were lower than those in the positive control, but higher than those in the negative control, regardless of HDL doses. Similar results were also observed in animals treated with 250 and 500 μg of HDL after the final LPS injection. Only treatments with 1000 μg of HDL after LPS injections completely reduced the number of both osteoclasts and preosteoclasts, but only partially decreased the alveolar bone resorption.CONCLUSION: HDL treatments partially reduced the LPS‐induced alveolar bone resorption in vivo in rats, suggesting that HDL may neutralize the ability of LPS to induce alveolar bone resorption.
Inhibitory function of secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor (SLPI) in human saliva is HIV‐1 specific and varies with virus tropism
Authors: Skott P , Lucht E , Ehnlund M , Björling E 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVE: Secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor (SLPI) is an endogenous mucosa associated protein that has been proposed to possess anti‐human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological function of SLPI in salivary mediated inhibition of HIV infection and in addition the inhibitory effect of SLPI using isolates of varied virus tropism.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The inhibitory effect of HIV‐1 infection in vitro, mediated by 60 different saliva samples was analyzed with respect to levels of SLPI. Salivary samples depleted from IgA and SLPI, respectively, were further analyzed for anti‐HIV activity. The antiviral effect of recombinant SLPI was investigated within an in vitro system of HIV‐1 infection of target cells using a panel of viral isolates with distinct coreceptor usage. Furthermore we tested a panel of overlapping synthetic peptides, representing the amino acids in SLPI, for their capacity to inhibit HIV‐1 infection of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: These experiments show that elevated levels of salivary SLPI can be associated with an increased inhibitory effect of the whole saliva sample, and that this inhibitory effect is decreased with broad coreceptor usage of the virus.
Impact of lysozyme and lactoferrin on oral Candida isolates exposed to polyene antimycotics and fluconazole
Authors: Anil S , Samaranayake LP 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVE: To assess the antifungal activity of lysozyme and lactoferrin on 10 oral isolates each of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis following their brief exposure (1 h) to subtherapeutic concentrations of two polyene drugs – nystatin, amphotericin B, and an azole – fluconazole.METHODS: Yeasts were sequentially exposed to subtherapeutic concentrations of antifungals and then to either lysozyme or lactoferrin and the viability evaluated by quantifying colony‐forming units.RESULTS: The exposure of both C. albicans and C. tropicalis isolates to all three antifungal agents significantly increased their susceptibility to lysozyme (P < 0.05) but not to lactoferrin. Exposure to the two polyene drugs had a lesser impact on the lysozyme susceptibility of both Candida species compared with the azole drug. Both interspecies and intraspecies sensitivity to lysozyme was noted and C. albicans was less susceptible than C. tropicalis.CONCLUSIONS: Lysozyme, in addition to being a potent natural antifungal agent, may act synergistically with the studied antimycotics.
Nursing Home Characteristics Associated with Tube Feeding in Advanced Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Md Susan L. Mitchell , Mph Dan K. Kiely , Gillick Muriel R. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To identify nursing homes factors associated with the use of tube feeding in advanced cognitive impairment.DESIGN: Descriptive study.SETTING: The On‐line Survey Certification of Automated Records (OSCAR) was used to obtain facility characteristics from 1,057 licensed nursing homes in six states from 1995 to 1996.PARTICIPANTS: Residents aged 65 and older with advanced cognitive impairment who had a feeding tube placed over a 1‐year period were identified using the Minimum Data Set.MEASUREMENTS: Nursing home characteristics independently associated with feeding tube placement were determined.RESULTS: Having a full‐time speech therapist on staff, more licensed nurses and fewer nursing assistants were independently associated with greater use of tube feeding in severely cognitively impaired residents. Other features associated with tube feeding included larger facility size, higher proportion of Medicaid beds, absence of an Alzheimer's disease unit, pressure ulcers in 10% or more of residents, and a higher proportion of residents lacking advance directives and with total functional dependency.CONCLUSIONS: Assessment by a speech therapist, staffing ratios, advance directives, fiscal considerations, and specialized dementia units are potentially modifiable factors in nursing homes that may influence the practice of tube feeding in advanced cognitive impairment.
Does Inflammation or Undernutrition Explain the Low Cholesterol–Mortality Association in High‐Functioning Older Persons? MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging
Authors: Hu Peifeng , Seeman Teresa E. , Harris Tamara B. , Reuben David B. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effect of inflammation and undernutrition on the association between hypocholesterolemia and higher overall mortality in high‐functioning older persons.DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.SETTING: Three U.S. communities.PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of 870 participants from the MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging.MEASUREMENTS: Baseline information was obtained for serum levels of cholesterol, C‐reactive protein, interleukin‐6, and albumin; body mass index; prevalent medical conditions; health behaviors; and medications. Crude and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between serum total cholesterol levels and 7‐year all‐cause mortality, while adjusting for potential confounders.RESULTS: In univariate analysis, the risk ratio of low serum total cholesterol level (<169 mg/dL) for 7‐year total mortality was 1.90 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.18–3.07). The multiple adjusted risk ratios were 1.82 (95% CI = 1.10–3.00) after controlling for markers of inflammation and nutrition and 1.39 (95% CI = 0.80–2.40) after adjustment for additional cardiovascular risk factors. Sex was an important confounding variable that contributed to the observed inverse association between low serum cholesterol and overall mortality in univariate analysis.CONCLUSIONS: Hypocholesterolemia is not an independent risk factor for increased overall mortality in high‐functioning community‐dwelling older men and women. The association between low total cholesterol and high mortality observed in crude analysis is mainly confounded by common cardiovascular risk factors, rather than underlying inflammation or undernutrition.
Oestrogen Regulates Neurofilament Expression in a Subset of Anterior Pituitary Cells of the Adult Female Rat
Authors: Fiordelisio T. , Hernández‐Cruz A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIt is the prevailing view that the neurohypophysis derives from neural crest while the pituitary's anterior lobe is of ectodermal origin. However, it has been recently suggested that anterior pituitary cells could have in part neuro‐ectodermal origin, and thus should express specific neuronal markers. This issue was examined previously with conflicting results. The present study attempts to clarify the question of whether or not neuronal markers are expressed in the adenohypophysis. Using quantitative immunofluorescence, we have positively identified a subset of anterior pituitary cells, which express immunoreactivity for neuronal markers, including 68 kDa neurofilament (NF68). Interestingly, we noticed that the expression of NF68 is sexually dimorphic (i.e. neurofilament‐positive cells are more abundant in sexually mature female rats). In addition, NF68 expression in female rats increases during ontogenic development and reaches a plateau level after puberty. Thereafter, it displays plastic changes along the oestrous cycle, with the maximum of neurofilament expression at oestrus and the minimum at proestrus. NF68 immunoreactivity was examined after ovariectomy, oestradiol replacement and treatment with an specific oestrogen receptor antagonist. Bilateral ovariectomy induced a significant reduction in the number of NF68‐positive cells. This effect was completely prevented by treatment of ovariectomized rats with oestradiol. When intact female rats were treated with the anti‐oestrogen tamoxifen, a drastic decrease in NF68 expression in anterior pituitary cells was observed. Furthermore, oestradiol administration in castrated male rats increased NF68 immunoreactivity. Double‐immunolabelling experiments provided evidence that pituitary cells expressing neuronal traits correspond to subsets of lactotrophs, somatotrophs, thyrotrophs and gonadotrophs. It remains to be established if NF68 induction in the pituitary is due to direct and/or indirect effects of oestrogens. Also, the possible functional role of this subset of NF68‐positive anterior pituitary cells in the female rat remains to be examined.
Growth and dry‐mass partitioning in tomato as affected by phosphorus nutrition and light
Authors: De Groot C. C. , Marcelis L. F. M. , Van Den Boogaard R. , Lambers H. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe studied the effects of phosphorus (P) and light on the physiological and morphological components of growth of young tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Capita). The importance of dry‐mass partitioning and starch accumulation in explaining the effects of P limitation on growth was examined more closely. Plants were grown at a wide range of exponential P supply rates (between 70 and 320 mg g−1 d−1) and one free‐access treatment (1 mm). Two light levels (70 and 300 µmol m−2 s−1) were applied. Growth response coefficients (GRCs) were calculated to address the importance of different growth parameters in explaining relative growth rate (RGR). At both light levels, net assimilation rate (NAR) was more important than leaf area ratio (LAR) in explaining the effects of P on growth as indicated by GRCs. At less severe P limitation, LAR became more important and NAR less important. Dry‐mass partitioning to both roots and leaves played a minor role in determining the effects of P limitation on growth as indicated by low GRCs. The increase in starch at mild P limitation showed that the assimilate supply was not limiting. At severe P limitation, the rate of photosynthesis was decreased, as suggested by the decrease in starch accumulation.
Nocturnally retained zeaxanthin does not remain engaged in a state primed for energy dissipation during the summer in two Yucca species growing in the Mojave Desert
Authors: Barker D. H. , Adams W. W. , Demmig‐Adams B. , Logan B. A. , Verhoeven A. S. , Smith S. D. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractDifferently oriented leaves of Yucca schidigera and Yucca brevifolia were characterized in the Mojave Desert with respect to photosystem II and xanthophyll cycle activity during three different seasons, including the hot and dry summer, the relatively cold winter, and the mild spring season. Photosynthetic utilization of a high percentage of the light absorbed in PSII was observed in all leaves only during the spring, whereas very high levels of photoprotective, thermal energy dissipation were employed both in the summer and the winter season in all exposed leaves of both species. Both during the summer and the winter season, when energy dissipation levels were high diurnally, xanthophyll cycle pools (relative to either Chl or other carotenoids) were higher relative to the spring, and a nocturnal retention of high levels of zeaxanthin and antheraxanthin (Z + A) occurred in all exposed leaves of both species. Although this nocturnal retention of Z + A was associated with nocturnal maintenance of a low PSII efficiency (Fv/Fm) on a cold winter night, pre‐dawn Fv/Fm was high in (Z + A)‐retaining leaves following a warm summer night. This indicates nocturnal engagement of Z + A in a state primed for energy dissipation throughout the cold winter night – while high levels of retained Z + A were not engaged for energy dissipation prior to sunrise on a warm summer morning. Possible mechanisms for a lack of sustained engagement of retained Z + A for energy dissipation at elevated temperatures are discussed.
Dark‐bellied Brent Geese Branta bernicla bernicla, as recorded by satellite telemetry, do not minimize flight distance during spring migration
Authors: Green Martin , Alerstam Thomas , Clausen Preben , Drent Rudi , Ebbinge Barwolt S. 
Published: March 2003

Nine Dark‐bellied Brent Geese Branta bernicla bernicla were equipped with satellite transmitters during spring staging in the Dutch Wadden Sea in 1998 and 1999. The transmitters (in all cases less than 3% of body mass) were attached to the back by a flexible elastic harness. One juvenile female was tracked to the Yamal peninsula in 1998. Eight adult males were selected from a single catch of 75 to span the range of body mass observed on the date of capture (11 May 1999) and all but the lightest individual completed the first lap of the migratory flight to the White Sea, Russia, according to the time schedule normal for the species. Six birds were successfully tracked to Taymyr for a total distance averaging 5004 km (range 4577–5164) but judging from later movements none bred (although 1999 was a breeding year). Although the routes chosen during spring migration were closely similar, none of the tagged birds migrated together. On average the geese used 16 flights to reach their summer destinations on Taymyr. The longest uninterrupted flights during the first half of the journey (Wadden Sea to Kanin) covered 1056 km (mean of seven adult males, range 768–1331), while the corresponding value for the second half of the migration (Kanin–Taymyr) was only 555 km (mean of six adult males). Only 7% of total time during spring migration was spent in active flight, as contrasted to c. 80% at long‐term stopovers. Overall average travelling speed was 118 km/day (range 97–148). Including fattening prior to departure the rate of travel falls to 62 km/day (range 49–70), in keeping with theoretical predictions. Routes followed deviated from the great circle route, adding at least 700 km (16%) to the journey from Wadden Sea to Taymyr, and we conclude that the coastal route is chosen to facilitate feeding, drinking and resting en route instead of minimizing total flight distance.
Influence of CD4 T cells and the source of major histocompatibility complex class II‐restricted peptides on cytotoxic T‐cell priming by dendritic cells
Authors: Faiola Brenda , Doyle Carolyn , Gilboa Eli , Nair Smita 
Published: March 2003

SummaryWe have previously reported that bone marrow derived dendritic cells (DC) pulsed with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I‐restricted peptide efficiently prime a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response in vivo. Here we assess the involvement of CD4+ T cells in the induction of CD8+ CTL by DC by testing the ability of class II‐deficient (C2D) DC, class II mutant (Αβmut) DC and autologous serum generated DC (AS DC) to present class I‐restricted antigens in vitro and in vivo. DC generated from the bone marrow of class II knockout mice and transgenic mice expressing a mutant class II that can not bind CD4 were phenotypically similar to wild type (wt) DC, except with regard to MHC class II expression. The C2D and Αβmut DC, though fully capable of presenting the class I‐restricted ovalbumin (OVA) peptide to a T‐cell hybridoma in vitro, failed to prime a CTL response in vivo. Restoration of class II expression on C2D DC allowed priming of a CTL response; thus, the defect in CTL priming was indeed caused by the absence of class II expression. Likewise, DC generated in autologous serum were unable to prime a CTL response as these DC only express ‘self’ class II epitopes and therefore would not activate syngeneic CD4+ T cells. Addition of exogenous class II epitopes rescued the ability of AS DC to prime a CTL response. These observations provide convincing evidence that efficient CTL induction by DC in vivo requires concomitant presentation of class II epitopes for CD4+ T‐cell induction.