bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Compliance with external hip protectors in nursing homes in Norway
Authors: Forsén L , Sandvig S , Schuller A , Søgaard A J 
Published: December 2004

Objectives:To investigate compliance with hip protector use.Design:Observational prospective study.Setting:19 nursing homes (1040 beds).Subjects:All residents during an 18 month period were included in this study.Intervention:Hip protectors were introduced as a regular part of health care service for all residents. Residents at high risk were encouraged to use hip protectors regularly. Each nursing home had a contact person.Main outcome measures:The percentage of residents accepting the hip protector offer, probability of continued use, reasons for terminating use, and percentage of falls with hip protector were evaluated.Results:Fifty five percent of the residents accepted the hip protector offer. The percentage increased by age, but showed no significant dependence on gender, profession of the contact person, or size of nursing home. The probability of continued use showed no significant dependence on age and gender. Nursing homes with a nurse as contact person showed 51% higher risk of residents terminating regular hip protector use than nursing homes with a physiotherapist as contact person (relative risk (RR) 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11 to 2.05, p = 0.008). The corresponding result for large (75–92 beds) compared with small (24–68 beds) nursing homes was RR = 1.44 (95% CI 1.02 to 2.02, p = 0.036). Seventy six percent of 2323 falls occurred while using hip protectors.Conclusion:The contact person and size of the nursing home seemed to be important factors for continued use of hip protectors while age and gender seemed to be less important.
Evaluation of the North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks using a case series of injuries
Authors: Marlenga B , Brison R J , Berg R L , Zentner J , Linneman J , Pickett W 
Published: December 2004

Objective:To evaluate the potential for the North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT) to prevent the occurrence of pediatric farm injuries. This evaluation focuses upon farm injuries experienced when children were engaged in farm work.Design:Novel outcome evaluation involving primary review of three retrospective case series.Setting:Fatal, hospitalized, and restricted activity injuries from the United States and Canada.Subjects:Nine hundred and thirty four pediatric farm injury cases.Methods:The applicability of NAGCAT to each case was rated. For injuries where NAGCAT were applicable, recurrent injury patterns were described and the potential for NAGCAT to prevent their occurrence was assessed.Results:A total of 283 (30.3%) cases involved children engaged in farm work. There was an applicable NAGCAT guideline in 64.9% of the work related cases. Leading individual guidelines applicable to the injury events were: (1) working with large animals; (2) driving a farm tractor; and (3) farm work with an all-terrain vehicle. In the judgment of the research team, 59.6% of these injuries were totally preventable if the principles espoused by NAGCAT had been applied.Conclusions:NAGCAT are a set of consensus guidelines aimed at the prevention of pediatric farm injuries. The findings suggest that NAGCAT, if applied, would be efficacious in preventing many of the most serious injuries experienced by children engaged in farm work. However, work related injuries represent only a modest portion of pediatric farm injuries. This new information assists in the refinement of NAGCAT as an injury control resource and puts its potential efficacy into context.
Prevalence and diffusion of helmet use at ski areas in Western North America in 2001–02
Authors: Andersen P A , Buller D B , Scott M D , Walkosz B J , Voeks J H , Cutter G R , Dignan M B 
Published: December 2004

Objective:The purpose of this study was to examine diffusion of and predictors of helmet use among skiers and snowboarders in the Western United States and Canada.Design:6400 skiers and snowboarders at 29 ski resorts in the Western United States and Canada were interviewed on chair lifts and observed for helmet use during two consecutive ski seasons (winters 2001 and 2002).Setting:Skiers and snowboarders were observed and interviewed at 29 ski resorts in Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and British Columbia as part of a sun protection project.Subjects:Participants completing the survey consisted of 3525 adult skiers and snowboarders in the 2002 season and 2978 adult skiers and snowboarders in the 2001 season.Main outcome measure:The outcome measure for all analyses was prevalence of helmet use by skiers and snowboarders.Results:Helmet use by skiers and snowboarders is increasing and is most prevalent among snowboarders, experts, and more frequent skiers/snowboarders. No evidence was found for the hypothesis that helmet use is diffusing more rapidly among earlier adopters of helmets than later adopters.Conclusions:Although controversy remains, helmets are rapidly diffusing as a safety device at western North American ski resorts. Expert and more frequent skiers and snowboarders are more likely to wear helmets, which may indicate that helmets are recognized as a safety device.
Oesophageal haematoma and associated Mallory-Weiss tear
Authors: Lim C H , Everett S M 
Published: December 2004

Abstract
Intramural oesophageal haematoma is a rare condition that may present as vomiting or haematemesis. Mallory-Weiss tear has been proposed as a possible aetiology but the evidence to support this is circumstantial. A case of oesophageal haematoma associated with evidence of Mallory-Weiss tear on endoscopy that helps to support this hypothesis is presented.
Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Soft Contact Lens Care Solutions on Human Conjunctival Fibroblasts
Authors: Horwath-Winter J. , Simon M. , Kölli H. , Trummer G. , Schmut O. 
Published: December 2004

<i>Purpose:</i> To determine whether different contact lens care solutions for soft lenses cause damage to human conjunctival cells. <i>Methods:</i> Primary cultured human conjunctival fibroblasts were incubated with various concentrations of four different commercially available soft contact lens care solutions (OptiFree<sup>®</sup>, Renu<sup>®</sup>, SoloCare<sup>®</sup>, Titmus<sup>®</sup>) at concentrations of 5, 10 and 50 µl/ml medium. Toxicity was examined by determination of (1) the cell viability and mitochondrial activity with the colorimetric MTT test, and (2) the number of living cells with a cell analysis system (CASY 1) as compared with untreated cells. <i>Results:</i> For all four soft contact lens care solutions at a concentration of 5 µl/ml medium, no significant decrease in mitochondrial activity of the human conjunctival fibroblasts was found by the MTT test. At 10 µl/ml, only OptiFree and Titmus reduced mitochondrial viability significantly. The greatest reduction in mitochondrial activity occurred with all of the four soft contact lens care solutions at a concentration of 50 µl/ml. No significant decrease in the number of living conjunctival fibroblasts was observed by CASY 1 even at higher concentrations of the four solutions investigated. <i>Conclusion:</i> This in vitro study demonstrates that the examined soft contact lens care solutions induce changes in mitochondria of human conjunctival cells only at higher doses as observed by the MTT test. However, this damage to the mitochondria did not lead to cell death as shown by the cell analysis system.
Role of the Receptor-Mediated Apoptosis in <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> in Gastric Epithelial Cells
Authors: Ledig S. , Wagner S. , Manns M.P. , Beil W. , Athmann C. 
Published: December 2004

<i>Background and Aims:</i> Two major pathways leading to apoptosis have been described. It has been shown that <i>Helicobacter pylori-</i>mediated apoptosis is mainly effected through the mitochondrial pathway (type II). The role of the type I pathway, including the death receptors, has been discussed controversially. Therefore, we investigated the role of Fas ligand (FasL) and TRAIL in <i>H. pylori-</i>mediated apoptosis by overexpressing antiapoptotic proteins in the human gastric epithelial cell line AGS. <i>Methods:</i> AGS cells overexpressing the antiapoptotic proteins dnFADD, CrmA and Bcl-2 were generated. Apoptosis induced by Fas and <i>H. pylori </i>was monitored by histone ELISA. To investigate the role of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis, AGS cells were transduced with antisense constructs against the proapoptotic TRAIL receptors DR4 and DR5. Protein expression of Fas, TRAIL, DR4, and DR5 was analyzed by Western blot. <i>Results:</i> Fas and <i>H. pylori-mediated </i>apoptosis was significantly inhibited in all generated cell lines, mainly in cells overexpressing CrmA and Bcl-2 with equal effectiveness. In the presence of <i>H. pylori, </i>TRAIL ligand and DR5 receptor were continuously expressed whereas DR4 expression was increasing time dependently. TRAILDR5 antisense significantly reduced <i>H. pylori</i>-mediated apoptosis. <i>Conclusions:</i><i>H. pylori-</i>mediated apoptosis is characterized by activation of either type I or type II pathway. Caspase-8 plays an important role since it triggers the Type II pathway. Fas and TRAIL play an important role in the <i>H. pylori</i>-mediated apoptosis.
Simulating Springtime Temperature Patterns in the Community Atmosphere Model Coupled to the Community Land Model Using Prognostic Leaf Area
Authors: Levis Samuel , Bonan Gordon B. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract
Observations show that emergence of foliage in springtime slows surface air temperature warming as a result of greater transpiration. Model simulations with the Community Atmosphere Model coupled to the Community Land Model confirm that evapotranspiration contributes to this pattern and that this pattern occurs more reliably with prognostic leaf area as opposed to prescribed leaf area. With prescribed leaf area, leaves emerge independent of prevailing environmental conditions, which may preclude photosynthesis from occurring. In contrast, prognostic leaf area ensures that leaves emerge when conditions are favorable for photosynthesis, and thus transpiration. These results reveal a dynamic coupling between the atmosphere and vegetation in which the observed reduction in the springtime warming trend only occurs when photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and leaf emergence are synchronized with the surface climate.
Variability of the Intermediate Atlantic Water of the Arctic Ocean over the Last 100 Years
Authors: Polyakov I. V. , Alekseev G. V. , Timokhov L. A. , Bhatt U. S. , Colony R. L. , Simmons H. L. , Walsh D. , Walsh J. E. , Zakharov V. F. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract
Recent observations show dramatic changes of the Arctic atmosphere–ice–ocean system, including a rapid warming in the intermediate Atlantic water of the Arctic Ocean. Here it is demonstrated through the analysis of a vast collection of previously unsynthesized observational data, that over the twentieth century Atlantic water variability was dominated by low-frequency oscillations (LFO) on time scales of 50–80 yr. Associated with this variability, the Atlantic water temperature record shows two warm periods in the 1930s–40s and in recent decades and two cold periods earlier in the century and in the 1960s–70s. Over recent decades, the data show a warming and salinification of the Atlantic layer accompanied by its shoaling and, probably, thinning. The estimate of the Atlantic water temperature variability shows a general warming trend; however, over the 100-yr record there are periods (including the recent decades) with short-term trends strongly amplified by multidecadal variations. Observational data provide evidence that Atlantic water temperature, Arctic surface air temperature, and ice extent and fast ice thickness in the Siberian marginal seas display coherent LFO. The hydrographic data used support a negative feedback mechanism through which changes of density act to moderate the inflow of Atlantic water to the Arctic Ocean, consistent with the decrease of positive Atlantic water temperature anomalies in the late 1990s. The sustained Atlantic water temperature and salinity anomalies in the Arctic Ocean are associated with hydrographic anomalies of the same sign in the Greenland–Norwegian Seas and of the opposite sign in the Labrador Sea. Finally, it is found that the Arctic air–sea–ice system and the North Atlantic sea surface temperature display coherent low-frequency fluctuations. Elucidating the mechanisms behind this relationship will be critical to an understanding of the complex nature of low-frequency variability found in the Arctic and in lower-latitude regions.
Effects of Small Incongruities in a Sheep Model of Osteochondral Autografting
Authors: Huang Fred S. , Simonian Peter T. , Norman Anthony G. , Clark John M. 
Published: December 2004

Background Exact reconstruction of an osteochondral defect by autogenous transplantation (mosaicplasty) is difficult given the variation in joint surface contour. Clinical and experimental studies do not show the extent to which incongruity can be tolerated in autografting. Hypothesis Grafted articular cartilage will hypertrophy to correct the incongruity created by recession of the transplanted surface. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods To test the response of grafts to incongruities, osteochondral autografts were transplanted from the trochlea to the femoral condyle in adult male sheep stifle joints. In groups of 6 animals, graft surfaces were placed flush, countersunk 1 mm or countersunk 2 mm, then histologically analyzed 6 weeks after surgery. Cartilage thickness, condition of the articular surfaces, and preservation of hyaline characteristics were the primary features compared. Results Bony union, vascularization, and new bone formation were present in all grafts. Cartilage-to-cartilage healing did not occur. In flush specimens, cartilage changed minimally in thickness and histologic architecture. The specimens countersunk 1 mm demonstrated significant cartilage thickening (54.7% increase, P < .05). Chondrocyte hyperplasia, tidemark advancement, and vascular invasion occurred at the chondroosseous junction, and the surface remained smooth. Cartilage necrosis and fibrous overgrowth were observed in all grafts countersunk 2 mm. Conclusions Minimally countersunk autografts possess a capacity for remodeling that can correct initial incongruities while preserving hyaline characteristics. Grafts placed deeper do not restore the contour or composition of the original articular surface. Clinical Relevance If preservation of normal hyaline cartilage is the objective, thin grafted articular cartilage can remodel, but the tolerance for incongruity is limited and probably less than that reported for an intra-articular fracture.
Testicular Dysgenesis without Adrenal Insufficiency in a 46,XY Patient with a Heterozygous Inactive Mutation of Steroidogenic Factor-1
Authors: Hasegawa Tomonobu , Fukami Maki , Sato Naoko , Katsumata Noriyuki , Sasaki Goro , Fukutani Keiko , Morohashi Ken-Ichirou , Ogata Tsutomu 
Published: December 2004

Abstract
Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) regulates multiple genes involved in the adrenal and gonadal development and in the biosynthesis of a variety of hormones, including adrenal and gonadal steroids, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), and gonadotropins. We identified a novel SF-1 mutation in a 27-yr-old Japanese patient with a 46,XY karyotype. Sequence analysis was performed for all the seven exons of SF-1, revealing a heterozygous single base pair deletion at exon 2 (18delC) that is predicted to cause a frameshift at the sixth codon and resultant termination at the 74th codon. Functional studies showed that the mutation produced no demonstrable protein and had no transcription activity or dominant negative effect. Clinical features included small dysgenetic testes with vasa deferentia and epididymides, absent uterus, blind-ending vagina, clitoromegaly, and psychosexual disturbance. Endocrine studies showed normal adrenal function (cortisol response to ACTH stimulation, 13.4→25.3 μg/dl) and primary hypogonadism (testosterone response to hCG stimulation, 0.57→0.76 ng/ml; gonadotropin responses to GnRH stimulation: LH, 10→59 mIU/ml; FSH, 36→69 mIU/ml), and urinary steroid hormone profile analysis indicated grossly normal steroidogenic enzyme activities. The results suggest that SF-1 haploinsufficiency can selectively impair testicular development and permit the biosynthesis of AMH and testosterone in dysgenetic testes and the production of gonadotropins in pituitary gonadotropes.
Forskolin, 8-Br-3′,5′-Cyclic Adenosine 5′-Monophosphate, and Catalytic Protein Kinase A Expression in the Nucleus Increase Radioiodide Uptake and Sodium/Iodide Symporter Protein Levels in RET/PTC1-Expressing Cells
Authors: Venkateswaran Anjli , Marsee Derek K. , Green Steven H. , Jhiang Sissy M. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract
RET/PTC1, a thyroid-specific oncogene, has been reported to down-regulate sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) expression and function in vitro and in vivo. Recently, RET/PTC1 has been shown to interfere with TSH signaling at multiple levels in thyroid cells. The objective of this study was to investigate whether RET/PTC1-mediated NIS reduction can be rescued by activating cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) pathways. We showed that both forskolin and 8-Br-cAMP increase radioiodide uptake and NIS protein in RET/PTC1-expressing cells to the same extent as the parental PC Cl 3 cells. We found that RET/PTC1 decreases nuclear localization of catalytic PKA, and forskolin treatment was able to counteract this RET/PTC1 effect. Furthermore, transient expression of catalytic PKA in the nucleus increased radioiodide uptake and NIS protein in RET/PTC1-expressing cells. Taken together, these studies suggest that RET/PTC1 down-regulates NIS expression by interrupting TSH/cAMP signaling, and this RET/PTC1 effect can be reversed by activating cAMP-PKA pathways.
[18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography in Patients with Medulloblastoma
Authors: Gururangan Sridharan , Hwang Eugene , Herndon James E. , Fuchs Herbert , George Timothy , Coleman R Edward 
Published: December 2004

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
We evaluated the [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) accumulation during positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with medulloblastoma and examined the relationship of intensity of uptake with patient outcome after the initial scan.

METHODS:
Magnetic resonance imaging and FDG-PET scans of brain and spine were used to assess FDG uptake by visual grade (qualitative analysis) and metabolic activity ratios (Tmax/Gmean and Tmax/Wmean). Patients were divided into two groups based on either confirmation of tumor by biopsy and/or death resulting from progressive disease after the initial FDG-PET scan (Group A) or no intervention for the suspected lesion shown on magnetic resonance imaging after the initial FDG-PET scan but currently alive without evidence of disease (Group B).

RESULTS:
Twenty-two patients with either recurrent (n = 21) or newly diagnosed (n = 1) medulloblastoma underwent brain (n = 18) or whole-body (n = 4) FDG-PET scans after magnetic resonance imaging evidence of suspected tumor. The median qualitative analysis was 3 (range, 0–4) in 17 Group A patients compared with 0 (range, 0–1) in 5 Group B patients (P = 0.0003). The mean Tmax/Gmean and Tmax/Wmean ratios for 16 Group A patients were 1.3 (range, 0.1–3.8) and 2.10 (range, 0.4–5.2), respectively, compared with 0.80 (range, 0.20–1.5) and 1.3 (range, 0.5–1.9) in 5 Group B patients (P = 0.2 for both parameters, not significant). There was a significant negative correlation between increased FDG uptake and survival. Higher qualitative analysis and Tmax/Wmean were associated with significantly poorer 2-year overall survival after the initial scan (71% versus 15% for qualitative analysis grade of &lt;3 versus ≥3, P = 0.001; 46% versus 0% for Tmax/Wmean ≤2.5 versus –2.5, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION:
Increased FDG uptake is observed in medulloblastoma and is correlated negatively with survival.
Spinal Intradural Juxtamedullary Cysts in the Adult: Surgical Management and Outcome
Authors: Bassiouni Hischam , Hunold Anja , Asgari Siamak , Hübschen Uwe , König Hermann-Josef , Stolke Dietmar 
Published: December 2004

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
Intradural nonneoplastic cysts compressing the spinal cord are rare lesions. We retrospectively analyzed a series of patients harboring this entity with regard to clinical and radiological features, surgical management, and follow-up results.

METHODS:
In a retrospective study, we reviewed the medical charts, radiological investigations, and follow-up data of 11 women and 10 men (mean age, 43.6 yr) with intradural juxtamedullary spinal cysts, which were consecutively treated microsurgically at our institutions between January 1995 and January 2003. All lesions were approached via a laminectomy, hemilaminectomy, or laminoplasty at the corresponding vertebral levels and histopathologically verified. The patients were routinely scheduled for clinical follow-up 2 and 6 months after surgery. Baseline postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was ordered 6 months after surgery. Thereafter, follow-up was performed at 1-year intervals, with neurological examination and MRI.

RESULTS:
According to presenting symptomatology, two main patient groups could be differentiated: one group with a myelopathic syndrome (10 patients) and another group with a predominant radicular pain syndrome (8 patients). Histopathological examination revealed 16 arachnoid cysts, 4 neuroepithelial cysts, and 1 cervical nerve root cyst. Most arachnoid cysts (12 cases) were located on the dorsal aspect of the thoracic spinal cord. The mean craniocaudal extension of these cysts was 3.7 vertebral levels, and complete resection was performed. In four patients, the arachnoid cyst was situated ventral to the spinal cord and involved up to 17 vertebral levels. These patients had a history of major spinal trauma, and the cyst was generously fenestrated at its greatest circumference as depicted on preoperative MRI scans. The four neuroepithelial cysts and the cervical nerve root cyst were located on the ventral or ventrolateral aspect of the spinal cord, and their maximum sagittal extension was two spinal vertebral levels. Symptoms in all but two patients demonstrated major improvement; in particular, radiating pain disappeared immediately after surgery. There was no cyst recurrence on MRI after a mean follow-up period of 3.2 years.

CONCLUSION:
Intradural cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lesions causing myelopathy and/or a radicular pain syndrome. Microsurgical resection or generous fenestration in cysts with large craniocaudal extensions effectively ameliorated patients' symptomatology. A description of the first documented case of a surgically treated intradural cervical nerve root cyst is provided.