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This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 12.

Evaluating the Implementation of Expert Committee Recommendations for Obesity Assessment
The increasing prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity and their associated morbidities are well established, yet rates of diagnosis and screening for related conditions by clinicians are low. Expert Committee recommendations were released in 2007 to facilitate management of pediatric overweight/obesity. From well-child visits to a Massachusetts multisite group practice, we randomly selected 1 visit per child in 2006 (n = 56 374) and in 2008 (n = 69 681) and used electronic health record data to identify children with incident overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 85th percentile) and ascertained whether clinicians assigned r...
Source: Clinical Pediatrics - February 1, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Sharifi, M., Rifas-Shiman, S. L., Marshall, R., Simon, S. R., Gillman, M. W., Finkelstein, J. A., Taveras, E. M. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Hemispheric differences in the control of limb dynamics: a link between arm performance asymmetries and arm selection patterns
Human handedness has been described and measured from two perspectives: handedness inventories rate hand preferences, whereas other tests examine motor performance asymmetries. These two measurement approaches reflect a major controversy in a literature that defines handedness as either a preference or an asymmetry in sensorimotor processing. Over the past decade, our laboratory has developed a model of handedness based on lateralization of neural processes. This model attributes distinct control processes to each hemisphere, which in turn lead to observable interlimb sensorimotor performance asymmetries. We now hypothesiz...
Source: Journal of Neurophysiology - February 1, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Coelho, C. J., Przybyla, A., Yadav, V., Sainburg, R. L. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Restless legs syndrome in end‐stage renal disease: a multicenter study in Taiwan
ConclusionsOur findings demonstrated that RLS is common in Taiwanese dialysis patients. Clinicians should have a high suspicion for the presence of RLS symptoms in patients with ESRD, especially those with type 2 diabetes, anemia, low serum iron status and long duration of dialysis.
Source: European Journal of Neurology - February 1, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: C.‐H. Lin, V.‐C. Wu, W.‐Y. Li, H.‐N. Sy, S.‐L. Wu, C.‐C. Chang, P.‐F. Chiu, H.‐H. Lion, C.‐Y. Lin, H.‐W. Chang, S.‐Y. Lin, K.‐D. Wu, Y.‐M. Chen, R.‐M. Wu Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

OXA-181-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae establishing in Singapore
Conclusions: OXA-181 carbapenemase appears to be an important and probably under-recognised cause of carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae in Singapore. Further coordinated research into clinical and molecular epidemiology of carbapenemases is urgently required in Singapore and throughout Asia.
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - February 1, 2013 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Michelle BalmGrace NganRoland JureenRaymond LinJeanette Teo Source Type: research

The effect of larval nutritional deprivation on the life history and DDT resistance phenotype in laboratory strains of the malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis
The 'silver spoon' hypothesis of larval nutrition in insects suggests that well nourished larvae become healthier adults that are better capable of survival in variable environments, particularly are more likely to be resistant to insecticides. This paper shows how this operates in an important vector of malaria.
Source: Malaria Journal - February 1, 2013 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Shüné OliverBasil Brooke Source Type: research

Moyamoya syndrome with sickle cell trait
Source: Clinical and Laboratory Haematology - February 1, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: R. Agrawal, C. Berube, G. Steinberg, T. I. George Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research

Laboratory evaluation for T-cell dysfunction
Credit can now be obtained, free for a limited time, by reading the review articles in this issue. Please note the instructions listed below:
Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology - February 1, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Sergio D. Rosenzweig, Thomas A. Fleisher Tags: Maintenance of Certification clinical management series Source Type: research

New Products
A weekly roundup of information on newly offered instrumentation, apparatus, and laboratory materials of potential interest to researchers.
Source: Science: Current Issue - January 31, 2013 Category: Science Authors: Stewart Wills (mailto:swills at aaas.org) Source Type: research

Laboratory Scale Unit for Photocatalytic Removal of Organic Micropollutants from Water and Wastewater. Methyl Orange Degradation
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry ResearchDOI: 10.1021/ie3027026
Source: Industrial and Engineering Chemical Research - January 31, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Andrea Petrella, Mario Petrella, Giancarlo Boghetich, Piero Mastrorilli, Valentina Petruzzelli, Ezio Ranieri and Domenico Petruzzelli Source Type: research

Pill-dispenser company requests tax breaks for headquarters, laboratory
The owners of R.A.M.M. Technologies LLC hope to cash in on what they believe is a better pill box they call PillGuard. Designed to help stop prescription drug abuse, PillGuard is intended to allow dispensing of medicines only in the prescribed amount at the prescribed rate. The dispenser also can detect tampering and alert a pharmacist if tampering is detected. At Thursday’s meeting of the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, R.A.M.M. was approved for up to $200,000 in tax incentives…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines - January 31, 2013 Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Kevin Eigelbach Source Type: research

Decelerating American Physics: Panel Advises Shutdown of Last U.S. Collider
In a narrowly decided vote, an advisory panel to federal nuclear science agencies has recommended closing a particle collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, N.Y., rather than eliminating other costly facilities. The reason: federal budget woes are hitting all types of government funding from classroom education to highway repair. [More]
Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed - January 31, 2013 Category: Science Tags: More Science,Space,Technology,Cosmology,Astrophysics,Physics,Society & Policy Source Type: research

Might different cytokine trends in depressed patients receiving duloxetine indicate differential biological backgrounds
Conclusions: In accordance to early clinical response, duloxetine treatment could divide depressed patients into at least 2 subgroups characterized by clinical and laboratory differentiated behavior, suggesting different neurobiological background within depressive syndrome differentially sensitive to different drug components: pro-serotonergic effect and increase in Th1 cytokines in ENR vs. pro-noradrenergic effect and decrease in Th1 cytokines in ER.
Source: Journal of Affective Disorders - January 31, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Michele Fornaro, Giulio Rocchi, Andrea Escelsior, Paola Contini, Matteo Martino Tags: Research Reports Source Type: research

Relationship between mean platelet volume and mitral annular calcification
Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is associated with several cardiovascular disorders including coronary artery disease (CAD), atherosclerosis, heart failure, and stroke. MAC and atherosclerosis share similar clinical risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, including age, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to assess the mean platelet volume (MPV), an indicator of platelet activation in patients with MAC. The study group consisted of 101 patients with MAC. An age, sex, and BMI matched control group was composed of 55 patients who were admitted to the echocardiography l...
Source: Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis - January 31, 2013 Category: Hematology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Hepatic coagulopathy-intricacies and challenges; a cross-sectional descriptive study of 110 patients from a superspecialty institute in North India with review of literature
This study was undertaken to evaluate and correlate clinical bleeding and the commonly used laboratory tests for hemostasis in CLD patients including the subgroup of acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) patients and test the reproducibility of international normalized ratio (INR) using different reagents. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study wherein clinical records and laboratory data from110 patients (95 CLD, 15 ACLF) over a 6-month period were analysed. Variceal bleeding (33.3%) was the commonest followed by mucosal/skin bleeds (5.4%). Thrombocytopenia seen in 70.9% patients was mostly mild (48.2%) to moderate ...
Source: Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis - January 31, 2013 Category: Hematology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

A new D-dimer cutoff in bedridden hospitalized elderly patients
Asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism are leading causes of morbidity following the hospitalization of elderly people. The diagnosis of DVT is supported by the D-dimer laboratory assay. The concentration of D-dimer increases in patients with DVT, but may be high in other conditions too (i.e. cancer, infections and inflammation). Old age coincides with a physiological increase in D-dimer values, and that is why D-dimer assay in the elderly is characteristically highly sensitive but scarcely specific. The aim of our study was to explore the reliability of different D-dimer cutoffs for the diagnosis o...
Source: Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis - January 31, 2013 Category: Hematology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Protein restriction cycles reduce IGF‐1 and phosphorylated Tau, and improve behavioral performance in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model
Summary In laboratory animals Calorie Restriction (CR) protects against aging, oxidative stress and neurodegenerative pathologies. Reduced levels of growth hormone and IGF‐1, which mediate some of the protective effects of CR, can also extend longevity and protect against age‐related diseases in rodents and humans. However, severely restricted diets are difficult to maintain and are associated with chronically low weight and other major side effects. Here, we show that four months of periodic protein restriction cycles (PRC) with supplementation of non‐essential amino acids in mice already displaying significant cogn...
Source: Aging Cell - January 31, 2013 Category: Cytology Authors: Edoardo Parrella, Tom Maxim, Francesca Maialetti, Lu Zhang, Junxiang Wan, Min Wei, Pinchas Cohen, Luigi Fontana, Valter D. Longo Tags: Original Paper Source Type: research

Role of HSP70 in the regulation of the testicular apoptosis in a seasonal breeding teleost Prochilodus argenteus from the São Francisco river, Brazil
This study investigated the relationship among heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and testicular apoptosis during a breeding cycle of Prochilodus argenteus, a neotropical migratory characiform fish of importance in commercial fishery from the São Francisco River basin. A total of 48 (12 fish/sampling) adult males were caught using casting and drifting nets in four samplings from June 2008 to March 2009. Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, terminal transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL), enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and caspase‐3 colorimetric ass...
Source: Microscopy Research and Technique - January 31, 2013 Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Fabricio F.T. Domingos, Ralph G. Thomé, Patrícia M. Martinelli, Yoshimi Sato, Nilo Bazzoli, Elizete Rizzo Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

New Article: Assessing the Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loading in the Alabama (USA) River Basin Using PLOAD Model
Pollutant loadings in two watersheds, Mulberry and Catoma were assessed using the pollutant loading (PLOAD) model and model results were compared with those obtained from field sampling followed by laboratory analysis. The PLOAD model was used to det...
Source: Air, Soil and Water Research - January 31, 2013 Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research

Assessing the Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loading in the Alabama (USA) River Basin Using PLOAD Model
Pollutant loadings in two watersheds, Mulberry and Catoma were assessed using the pollutant loading (PLOAD) model and model results were compared with those obtained from field sampling followed by laboratory analysis. The PLOAD model was used to determine water pollutants including total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), orthophosphate (PO43−), nitrite (NO2−) and nitrate (NO3−) in two watersheds, Mulberry and Catoma that are part of the Alabama River Basin. Results revealed that both Mulberry and Catoma watersheds had TN and TP values that exceeded the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits set for rive...
Source: Air, Soil and Water Research - January 31, 2013 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Dev P. Gurung, Leonard J.M. Githinji and Ramble O. Ankumah Source Type: research

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression in small cell lung cancer.
Abstract Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated that urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) may be a potential stem-like cell marker in SCLC. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) has been shown to transcriptionally regulate uPAR expression. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HIF-1α/HIF-2α and uPAR expression, and to investigate the role of HIF-1α/HIF-2α in the clinical pathology and prognosis of patients with SCLC. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that HIF-1α/HIF-2α staining was mainly present in the nuclei of cancer cells. HIF-1α-positive cells were d...
Source: Pathology, Research and Practice - January 31, 2013 Category: Pathology Authors: Luan Y, Gao C, Miao Y, Li Y, Wang Z, Qiu X Tags: Pathol Res Pract Source Type: research

Monoterpene α-thujone exerts a differential inhibitory action on GABA(A) receptors implicated in phasic and tonic GABAergic inhibition.
We report that α-thujone inhibits all considered receptor types by a qualitatively similar mechanism but the strongest effect is observed for α(1)β(2)δ receptors, suggesting that tonic currents might be more sensitive to α-thujone than the phasic ones. Moreover, we demonstrate that tonic currents, mimicked by response to a submicromollar GABA concentration (0.3μM) in cultured neurons, showed a substantially larger sensitivity to α-thujone than responses elicited by higher [GABA] (more similar to phasic currents) or Inhibitory Postsynaptic Currents in the same preparation. Importantly, the extent of tonic current inh...
Source: European Journal of Pharmacology - January 31, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Czyzewska MM, Mozrzymas JW Tags: Eur J Pharmacol Source Type: research

Free light chain monomer - dimer patterns in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
Abstract In our search of new biomarkers for multiple sclerosis (MS), we aimed to characterize the immunoglobulin (Ig) free light chains (FLC) in patients' cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum, and to evaluate the diagnostic utility of FLC monomer-dimer patterns for MS. FLC were analyzed by Western blotting and mass spectroscopy. CSF and serum samples were examined for presence of oligoclonal Ig bands by a conventional laboratory test for MS. Three distinct pathological FLC monomer-dimer patterns, typical of MS but not of other neurological diseases, were revealed. In 31 out 56 MS patients the highly increased CSF l...
Source: Journal of Immunological Methods - January 31, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Kaplan B, Golderman S, Yahalom G, Yeskaraev R, Ziv T, Aizenbud BM, Sela BA, Livneh A Tags: J Immunol Methods Source Type: research

Stress Response and Adaptation: A New Molecular Toolkit for the 21st Century.
Abstract Much research in comparative biochemistry is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms that allow organisms to adapt to and survive diverse environmental challenges. In recent years, genomic and proteomic approaches have been key drivers of advancement in the field, for example, providing knowledge about gene and protein expression, regulation of signal transduction pathways, and functional control of enzymes/proteins by reversible protein phosphorylation. Advances in comparative biochemistry have always drawn upon conceptual and technological advances that arise from "mainline" biochemistry and mo...
Source: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular and integrative physiology. - January 31, 2013 Category: Physiology Authors: Storey KB, Wu CW Tags: Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol Source Type: research

Applicability of polar organic compound integrative samplers for monitoring pesticides in groundwater.
Abstract Polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCISs) for the monitoring of polar pesticides in groundwater were tested on two sites in order to evaluate their applicability by comparison with the spot-sampling approach. This preliminary study shows that, as in surface water, POCIS is a useful tool, especially for the screening of substances at low concentration levels that are not detected by laboratory analysis of spot samples. For quantitative results, a rough estimation is obtained. The challenge is now to define the required water-flow conditions for a relevant quantification of pesticides in groundwat...
Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research International - January 31, 2013 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Berho C, Togola A, Coureau C, Ghestem JP, Amalric L Tags: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Source Type: research

Documentation and Management of CKD in Rural Primary Care.
CONCLUSIONS: Undocumented CKD in a rural primary care setting is frequent, particularly in female patients. Depending on practitioner characteristics, automatic reporting of estimated GFR might improve documentation of CKD in this population. PMID: 23371962 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN - January 31, 2013 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Rao MK, Morris CD, O'Malley JP, Davis MM, Mori M, Anderson S Tags: Clin J Am Soc Nephrol Source Type: research

Serum insulin‐like growth factor 1 and facial ageing: high levels associate with reduced skin wrinkling in a cross‐sectional study
Conclusions This study demonstrates that a higher ratio of IGF‐1 to IGFBP3 associates with a lower perceived age, via its association with reduced skin wrinkling. Whether high IGF‐1 levels actually delay the accumulation of skin wrinkling now needs investigating.
Source: British Journal of Dermatology - January 31, 2013 Category: Dermatology Authors: R. Noordam, D.A. Gunn, C.C. Tomlin, A.B. Maier, T. Griffiths, S.D. Catt, S. Ogden, P.E. Slagboom, R.G.J. Westendorp, C.E.M. Griffiths, D. van Heemst, A.J.M. de Craen, Tags: CLINICAL AND LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS Source Type: research

In vitro diagnostic assays are effective during the acute phase of delayed‐type drug hypersensitivity reactions
Conclusions In vitro assays of drug‐specific IFN‐γ and IL‐4 production offer potential for use as rapid diagnostic tests. Cytokine detection offers distinct advantages over the LPA, including a shorter assay time, a greater sensitivity and effectiveness in testing immunosuppressed patients.
Source: British Journal of Dermatology - January 31, 2013 Category: Dermatology Authors: M.E. Polak, G. Belgi, C. McGuire, C. Pickard, E. Healy, P.S. Friedmann, M.R. Ardern‐Jones Tags: CLINICAL AND LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS Source Type: research

Fetal obstructive uropathy complicated by urinary ascites: outcome and prognostic value of fetal serum β‐2‐microglobulin
ConclusionFetal serum β‐2‐microglobulin reliably predicts postnatal renal outcome in obstructive uropathy complicated by urinary ascites. Moreover, urine extravasation does not seem to protect fetal renal function.
Source: Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology - January 31, 2013 Category: Radiology Authors: E. Spaggiari, S. Dreux, I. Czerkiewicz, R. Favre, T. Schmitz, F. Guimiot, H. Laurichesse Delmas, E. Verspyck, J.‐F. Oury, Y. Ville, F. Muller Tags: ORIGINAL PAPER Source Type: research

Asthma in patients hospitalized with pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection--United States, 2009
The objective was to compare characteristics of hospitalized pH1N1 patients with and without asthma and assess factors associated with severity among asthma patients. Methods: Patient data were derived from two 2009 pandemic case-series of U.S. pH1N1 hospitalizations. A case was defined as a person >= 2 years old hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed pH1N1. Asthma status was determined through chart review. Results: Among 473 cases, 29% had asthma. Persons with asthma were more likely to be 2--17 years old (39% vs. 30%, p = 0.04) and black (29% vs. 18%, p < 0.01), and have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (13% vs. 9%...
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - January 31, 2013 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: John McKennaAnna BramleyJacek SkarbinskiAlicia FryLyn FinelliSeema Jain Source Type: research

An unusual cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with cirrhosis
Clinical presentation A 59-year-old woman with hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis and oesophageal varices underwent laparotomy and right salpingo-oophorectomy for right ovarian fibroma, 6 months prior to this admission. The pre-operative CT scan, for the assessment of the ovarian fibroma revealed, incidentally, subcutaneous umbilical collateral vessels (figure 1A). A ventral hernia developed 3 months after the surgery, and the size of the hernia sac enlarged progressively. The patient was admitted because she passed bloody stools the day before admission. On admission, the physical examination revealed collatera...
Source: Gut - January 31, 2013 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tai, C.-M., Li, H.-M., Hung, C.-M., Lin, K.-J., Lin, J.-T. Tags: GUT Snapshot Editor ' s quiz: GI snapshot Source Type: research

Survey of laboratory tests used in the diagnosis and evaluation of haemophilia A.
Abstract Although the incidence of haemophilia A is reportedly uniform across ethnic groups, the prevalence varies in different countries. This suggests variability in the effectiveness of diagnostic strategies which is of particular importance in the recognition of milder forms of the disease. To assess the different laboratory tests that are used in the diagnosis and subsequent management of haemophilia A we carried out a web-based survey of established haemophilia centres. This was sent to 13 haemophilia physicians from haemophilia-treatment centres in Germany, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Taiwan, Norway, Canada,...
Source: Thrombosis and Haemostasis - January 31, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Gomez K, Chitlur M, on behalf of the GEHEP panel Tags: Thromb Haemost Source Type: research

Rhizo-lysimetry: facilities for the simultaneous study of root behaviour and resource use by agricultural crop and pasture systems
Conclusions: The rhizo-lysimetry system provided robust estimates of root growth and soil water change under conditions representative of a field setting. This is currently one of a very limited number of global research facilities able to perform experimentation under field conditions and is the largest root research experimental laboratory in the southern hemisphere.
Source: Plant Methods - January 31, 2013 Category: Biology Authors: Philip EberbachJeffrey HoffmannSergio MoroniLeonard WadeLeslie Weston Source Type: research

Optimization of protein buffer cocktails using Thermofluor
The stability and homogeneity of a protein sample is strongly influenced by the composition of the buffer that the protein is in. A quick and easy approach to identify a buffer composition which increases the stability and possibly the conformational homogeneity of a protein sample is the fluorescence-based thermal shift assay (Thermofluor). Here, a novel 96-condition screen for Thermofluor experiments is presented which consists of buffer and additive parts. The buffer screen comprises 23 different buffers and the additive screen includes small-molecule additives such as salts and nucleotide analogues. The utilization of ...
Source: Acta Crystallographica Section F - January 31, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Reinhard, L.Mayerhofer, H.Geerlof, A.Mueller-Dieckmann, J.Weiss, M.S. Tags: thermostability protein buffer cocktails protein unfolding small-molecule additives laboratory communications Source Type: research

Evaluating ion exchange resin efficiency and oxidative capacity for the separation of uranium(IV) and uranium(VI)
Background: Previously described methods to separate dissolved U(IV) from dissolved U(VI) under acidic anoxic conditions prior to laboratory analysis were ineffective with materials currently available commercially. Three strong anion exchange resins were examined for their efficiency in separating, recovering, and preserving both redox states during separation. Results: Under oxic conditions, recovery of U(VI) from three exchange resins (Bio-Rad AG(R) 1x8 Poly-Prep(R) prefilled columns, Bio-Rad AG(R) 1x8 powder, and Dowex(R) 1x8 powder) ranged from 72% to 100% depending on the dosed mass, eluent volume, and resin selected...
Source: Geochemical Transactions - January 31, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Deborah StolikerNazila KavianiDouglas KentJames Davis Source Type: research

Phenome-Wide Association Study (PheWAS) for Detection of Pleiotropy within the Population Architecture using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE) Network
by Sarah A. Pendergrass, Kristin Brown-Gentry, Scott Dudek, Alex Frase, Eric S. Torstenson, Robert Goodloe, Jose Luis Ambite, Christy L. Avery, Steve Buyske, Petra Bůžková, Ewa Deelman, Megan D. Fesinmeyer, Christopher A. Haiman, Gerardo Heiss, Lucia A. Hindorff, Chu-Nan Hsu, Rebecca D. Jackson, Charles Kooperberg, Loic Le Marchand, Yi Lin, Tara C. Matise, Kristine R. Monroe, Larry Moreland, Sungshim L. Park, Alex Reiner, Robert Wallace, Lynn R. Wilkens, Dana C. Crawford, Marylyn D. Ritchie Using a phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) approach, we comprehensively tested genetic variants for association with phen...
Source: PLoS Genetics - January 31, 2013 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Sarah A. Pendergrass et al. Source Type: research

Micromechanical Properties and Collagen Composition of Ruptured Human Achilles Tendon
Conclusion: These data imply that there may be a mechanical weakening of the tendon and that a reduced collagen content may be related to the pathophysiological characteristics of Achilles tendon rupture. Clinical Relevance: Earlier studies have demonstrated that specific training regimens to treat tendon injury can improve tendon composition and mechanical properties. This study supports the notion that treatment measures should aim to increase tendon collagen content and improve micromechanical quality of the tendon matrix.
Source: The American Journal of Sports Medicine - January 31, 2013 Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Hansen, P., Kovanen, V., Holmich, P., Krogsgaard, M., Hansson, P., Dahl, M., Hald, M., Aagaard, P., Kjaer, M., Magnusson, S. P. Tags: Achilles tendon Leg, Ankle, and Foot Source Type: research

Increased Hip and Knee Flexion During Landing Decreases Tibiofemoral Compressive Forces in Women Who Have Undergone Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Conclusion: Increased muscle co-contraction as well as elevated tibiofemoral compressive loads observed in individuals following ACLR can be reduced by using a landing strategy that encourages greater hip and knee flexion. Clinical Relevance: The findings of the current study provide useful information for the growth of rehabilitation and/or intervention programs aimed to decrease knee joint loading to prevent or delay the development of knee osteoarthritis in those who have undergone ACLR.
Source: The American Journal of Sports Medicine - January 31, 2013 Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Tsai, L.-C., Powers, C. M. Tags: Degenerative Joint Disease, Female Athletes, Imaging Studies, Reconstruction Knee Source Type: research

Femoral Cortical Suspension Devices for Soft Tissue Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Comparative Biomechanical Study
Conclusion: The Endobutton, TightRope, and XO Button have the necessary biomechanical properties with regard to ultimate failure strength, displacement, and stiffness for initial fixation of soft tissue grafts in the femoral tunnel for ACL reconstruction. The ToggleLoc had sufficient ultimate failure strength but crossed our 3.0-mm clinical failure threshold for cyclic displacement. Although this study was not designed to compare fixed and adjustable-length loop devices, it was noted that both fixed-loop devices allowed less cyclic displacement and initial displacement. Clinical Relevance: Adjustable-length loop devices m...
Source: The American Journal of Sports Medicine - January 31, 2013 Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Petre, B. M., Smith, S. D., Jansson, K. S., de Meijer, P.-P., Hackett, T. R., LaPrade, R. F., Wijdicks, C. A. Tags: Reconstruction, Biomechanics, Graft fixation Knee Source Type: research

Clinically Relevant Injury Patterns After an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Provide Insight Into Injury Mechanisms
Conclusion: The current findings demonstrate the relationship between the location of the tibial plateau injury and ACL injury mechanisms. The resultant injury locations were similar to the clinically observed bone bruises across the tibial plateau during a noncontact ACL injury. These findings indicate that abduction combined with other modes of loading (multiplanar loading) may act to produce ACL injuries. Clinical Relevance: A better understanding of ACL injury mechanisms and associated risk factors may improve current preventive, surgical, and rehabilitation strategies and limit the risk of ACL and secondary injuries,...
Source: The American Journal of Sports Medicine - January 31, 2013 Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Levine, J. W., Kiapour, A. M., Quatman, C. E., Wordeman, S. C., Goel, V. K., Hewett, T. E., Demetropoulos, C. K. Tags: Injury, Knee, Biomechanics Source Type: research

Therapeutic Advantage in Selective Ligament Augmentation for Partial Tears of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament: Results in an Animal Model
Background: As a result of recent studies describing the double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), selected ACL augmentation procedures, either anteromedial (AM) or posterolateral (PL), have been introduced as the treatment of choice for partial ACL ruptures. The preserved mechanoreceptor and vascularity of the remnant ACL are considered to provide additional biological benefits. Although enhanced knee joint proprioception in ACL augmented patients has been previously reported, there is no study assessing biological healing advantages of the graft after the ACL augmentation procedure. Hypothesis: Selected ACL augmen...
Source: The American Journal of Sports Medicine - January 31, 2013 Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Mifune, Y., Ota, S., Takayama, K., Hoshino, Y., Matsumoto, T., Kuroda, R., Kurosaka, M., Fu, F. H., Huard, J. Tags: Injury, Reconstruction, Operative Knee Source Type: research

Associations Between Timing in the Baseball Pitch and Shoulder Kinetics, Elbow Kinetics, and Ball Speed
Conclusion: There are specific phases that vary in relation to ball speed and upper extremity kinetic parameters, reinforcing the importance of effectively and consistently timing segmental interactions. For the specific interactions that varied significantly, increased phase times were associated with decreased kinetics and ball speed. Clinical Relevance: Although increased time within specific phases correlates with decreases in the magnitude of upper extremity kinetics linked to overuse injuries, it also correlates with decreased ball speed. Based on these findings, it may appear that minimizing the risk of injury (ie,...
Source: The American Journal of Sports Medicine - January 31, 2013 Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Urbin, M. A., Fleisig, G. S., Abebe, A., Andrews, J. R. Tags: Overuse, Baseball, Biomechanics, Kinematics and kinetics Source Type: research

Biomechanical Evaluation of the Docking Plus Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Technique Compared With the Docking Technique
Conclusion: The docking plus technique reproduces greater ligament stiffness and demonstrates a higher failure moment immediately after reconstruction than does the docking technique. Clinical Relevance: The docking plus technique allows greater stiffness and a higher moment to failure immediately after reconstruction and describes a way to maintain constant graft tension during fixation, resulting in a biomechanically stronger UCL reconstruction.
Source: The American Journal of Sports Medicine - January 31, 2013 Category: Sports Medicine Authors: McGraw, M. A., Kremchek, T. E., Hooks, T. R., Papangelou, C. Tags: Elbow, Biomechanics Source Type: research

The Effect of Sliding Knots on the Suture-Tendon Interface Strength: A Biomechanical Analysis Comparing Sliding and Static Arthroscopic Knots
Conclusion: Sliding suture through tissue weakens the suture-tendon interface in mattress stitch constructs but not in simple stitch constructs. Mattress stitches have superior holding strength compared with simple stitches. Clinical Relevance: Clinical relevance is uncertain. In situations with poor tissue quality or concern regarding tension across the repair, consideration should be given to using static knots as opposed to sliding knots when placing mattress stitches.
Source: The American Journal of Sports Medicine - January 31, 2013 Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Savage, A. J., Spruiell, M. D., Schwertz, J. M., McGwin, G., Eberhardt, A., Ponce, B. A. Tags: Shoulder, Animal studies, Arthroscopy, Biomechanics Source Type: research

The Biomechanical Stability of Distal Clavicle Excision Versus Symmetric Acromioclavicular Joint Resection
Conclusion: This cadaveric study demonstrates that the anterior-posterior load to clinical failure of the AC joint after 5 mm of resection from the distal clavicle and medial acromion is significantly greater than 1 cm of the resected distal clavicle alone. Clinical Relevance: Performing ACJR may improve joint stability, leading to fewer complications when compared with DCE.
Source: The American Journal of Sports Medicine - January 31, 2013 Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Pandhi, N. G., Esquivel, A. O., Hanna, J. D., Lemos, D. W., Staron, J. S., Lemos, S. E. Tags: Shoulder, Biomechanics Source Type: research

Biomechanical Evaluation of Transosseous Rotator Cuff Repair: Do Anchors Really Matter?
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that anchorless repair techniques using transosseous sutures result in significantly lower failure loads than a repair model utilizing anchors in a TOE construct. Clinical Relevance: Suture anchor repair appears to offer superior biomechanical properties to transosseous repairs regardless of tunnel or suture configuration.
Source: The American Journal of Sports Medicine - January 31, 2013 Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Salata, M. J., Sherman, S. L., Lin, E. C., Sershon, R. A., Gupta, A., Shewman, E., Wang, V. M., Cole, B. J., Romeo, A. A., Verma, N. N. Tags: Shoulder, Biomechanics Source Type: research

Neutrophil counts distinguish between malignancy and arthritis in children with musculoskeletal pain: a case--control study
Conclusions: In this setting of patients, minimum changes in neutrophil count, particularly if associated with low Hb and high LDH levels, are to be thoroughly considered, because they appear as the most predictive factors for the diagnosis of tumour.
Source: BMC Pediatrics - Latest articles - January 31, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Antonella AgodiMartina BarchittaCristina TrigiliaPatrizia BaroneSilvia MarinoRosaria GarozzoManuela La RosaGiovanna RussoAndrea Di Cataldo Source Type: research

Oncocytic follicular nodules of the thyroid with or without chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis: An institutional experience
Conclusions: Based on this study, nodule size and not CLT appears to be an important clinicopathologic features in the management of thyroid FNA specimens diagnosed as OFN.
Source: CytoJournal - January 31, 2013 Category: Pathology Authors: Sule CanberkA Carruth GriffinAbha GoyalHe WangKathleen MontoneVirginia LiVolsiZubair Baloch Source Type: research

The Melbourne Diabetes Prevention Study (MDPS): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
This study will determine whether the effect of this intervention is larger than the effect of usual care in reducing central obesity and cardiovascular risk factors and thus the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Also it will evaluate how these two options compare economically.Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12609000507280
Source: Trials - January 31, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Nathalie Davis-LameloiseAndrea HernanEdward JanusElizabeth StewartRob CarterCatherine BennettSharleen O¿ReillyBenjamin PhilpotErkki VartiainenJames Dunbar Source Type: research

R164C mutation in FOXQ1 H3 domain affects formation of the hair medulla
Abstract A number of single gene mutations in laboratory mice produce hair follicle defects resulting in deformed hair shafts. The radiation induced (SB/LeJ‐Foxq1sa) satin mutant mice have a satin‐like sheen to their hair and dilute coloration. This sheen is due to failure of the hair shafts to develop normal medullas, while the pigment dilution is due to the unrelated beige (lysosomal trafficking regulator, Lystbg) mutation. A new allelic mutation, Foxq1sa‐J, arose spontaneously on the albino (tyrosinase, Tyrc) MRL/MpJ‐Faslpr background. The Foxq1sa‐J allele has a C to T transition at position 490. By contrast, ...
Source: Experimental Dermatology - January 31, 2013 Category: Dermatology Authors: Baojin Wu, C. Herbert Pratt, Christopher S. Potter, Kathleen A. Silva, Vicki Kennedy, John P. Sundberg Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research

Nutrient restriction and radiation therapy for cancer treatment: when less is more.
Abstract Calorie restriction (CR), or a diet modification aiming to reduce the total intake of calories by 20%-40%, has been shown to increase longevity across multiple species. Recently, there has been growing interest in investigating the potential role of CR as a treatment intervention for age-related diseases, such as cancer, because an increasing body of literature has demonstrated a metabolic component to both carcinogenesis and tumor progression. In fact, many of the molecular pathways that are altered with CR are also known to be altered in cancer. Therefore, manipulation of these pathways using CR can rend...
Source: The Oncologist - January 30, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Champ CE, Baserga R, Mishra MV, Jin L, Sotgia F, Lisanti MP, Pestell RG, Dicker AP, Simone NL Tags: Oncologist Source Type: research