Comparison of kinematics in skilled and unskilled arms of the same recreational baseball players

We examined mechanisms of coordination that enable skilled recreational baseball players to make fast overarm throws with their skilled arm and which are absent or rudimentary in their unskilled arm. Arm segment angular kinematics in three dimensions at 1000 Hz were recorded with the search-coil technique from the arms of eight individuals who on one occasion threw with their skilled right arm and on another with their unskilled left arm. Compared with their unskilled arm, the skilled arm had: a larger angular deceleration of the upper arm in space in the forward horizontal direction; a larger shoulder internal rotation velocity at ball release (unskilled arms had a negative velocity); a period of elbow extension deceleration before ball release; and an increase in wrist velocity with an increase in ball speed. It is suggested that some of these differences in arm kinematics occur because of differences between the skilled and unskilled arms in their ability to control interaction torques (the passive torque at one joint due to motion at adjacent joints). It is proposed that one reason unskilled individuals cannot throw fast is that, unlike their skilled counterparts, they have not developed the coordination mechanisms to effectively exploit interaction torques.

Analysis of genetic bottlenecks during horizontal transmission of Cucumber mosaic virus

Genetic bottlenecks may occur in virus populations when only a few individuals are transferred horizontally from one host to another, or when a viral population moves systemically from the infection site. Genetic bottlenecks during the systemic movement of an RNA plant virus population were reported previously (H. Li and M. J. Roossinck, J. Virol. 78:10582-10587, 2004). In this study we mechanically inoculated an artificial population consisting of 12 restriction enzyme marker mutants of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) onto young leaves of squash plants and used two aphid species, Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae, to transmit the virus populations from infected source plants to healthy squash plants. Horizontal transmission by aphids constituted a significant bottleneck, as the population in the aphid-inoculated plants contained far fewer mutants than the original inoculum source. Additional experiments demonstrated that genetic variation in the artificial population of CMV is not reduced during the acquisition of the virus but is significantly reduced during the inoculation period.

Outbreak of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing E. coli in a nursing home in Ireland, May 2006

In May 2006, a consultant microbiologist noted two isolates of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli associated with urinary tract infections in a single week in two residents in a nursing home in Ireland

Patients involved in clinical research are more concerned about intrinsic and traditional research (“publish or perish”) conflicts of interests (COI) than potential financial conflicts: Results of interviews with advanced cancer patients enrolling in phase I trials

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Background: Concerns exist about the potential for financial COI to bias the design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of clinical trials. However, information is lacking about the perceptions of these COI among actual research subjects—both in general and relative to more intrinsic and traditional research COI. Methods: Using a standardized survey, cancer patients (pts) were asked closed-ended and semi-qualitative questions regarding their concerns about extrinsic, e.g., financial, and intrinsic, e.g. career advancement, COI. Results: To date, 120 pts either enrolled, or being evaluated for participation, in phase I trials have been approached for an interview with 96 completing the interview (80% response rate). Median age of respondents is 61 y (33–82); 55% male; 83% Ca, 10% AA, 2% AsA or HA; 38% college educated. 91%, 100%, and 94% thought that the involved investigators (MDs), drug companies, and hospitals benefited from a clinical trial respectively. The benefits cited for MDs was improvement in knowledge/ability to treat pts. The benefits cited for the hospital and drug company were described as prestige and financial. 38% would be concerned if an MD involved in a clinical trial receives financial benefit from the research, e.g., being a paid consultant or owning stock in company involved in a trial, and 43% thought that they should be informed of these potential benefits. 64% thought they should be concerned if an MD receives career advancement benefits from trial participation, and 69% thought they should be informed of this benefit. 45% thought that investigators might feel institutional pressure to enroll pts. Qualitative data revealed that pts’ lack of concern about financial COI related to their assumption that MDs already receive financial benefits-believing this to be acceptable-with some even encouraging it. Conclusions: Cancer pts were more concerned about intrinsic and traditional research COI than potential financial COI. As well, many assume that MDs receive financial benefits from research. These results may be helpful when considering COI management policies.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Neuropilin-1 expression in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is differentially regulated by hypoxia

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Background: Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is an isoform-specific receptor for VEGF165 and semaphorin3A, initially discovered on migrating neurons. NRP-1 expression has been reported on a number of tumour cell lines in the absence of the other VEGF receptors, where it mediates survival signals. In this study we examined the regulation of NRP-1 by hypoxia, its effect on survival in a panel of lung cancer cell lines and its potential as a biomarker in retrospective human lung tumours. Methods: A549, SK-MES1, H460 and H647 cells were grown in serum depleted media (0.5%) in normoxic or hypoxic (0.1% O2) conditions and screened for NRP-1 expression by western and immunocytochemistry analysis. Cell survival and apoptosis was determined using BrdU and Annexin-V/PI staining respectively following treatment with an antibody to the extracellular NRP-1 domain. A panel of 100 retrospective resected lung tumours and matched normal samples were stained for NRP-1 expression by immunhistochemistry. Results: A549, SKMES-1 and H647 cell lines all expressed NRP-1 and displayed reduced survival following treatment with NRP-1 antibody (1ug/ml) compared to controls (A549 46%, SKMES-1 61%, H647 53%). H460 did not express NRP-1 and no survival inhibition was seen in the cell line (104%). Reduced survival was accompanied by increased apoptosis in all NRP-1 positive cell lines. Hypoxia strongly increased NRP-1 expression in the A549 adenocarcinoma (AC) cell line, while NRP-1 was decreased in SKMES-1 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) following hypoxia. Neutralisation of NRP-1 had a greater effect in A549 cells under hypoxia (37%), with a lesser effect in SKMES-1 cells (82%). Western analysis of matched frozen normal and lung cancer biopsies showed NRP-1 overexpression in AC and decreased expression in SCC relative to normal. High NRP-1 expression was confirmed in AC and large cell carcinoma by immunohistochemistry, relative to normal. However, SCCs had a lower level of NRP-1 staining, supporting the results by western analysis and following hypoxia in vitro. Conclusions: These results implicate NRP-1 as an important survival pathway in lung cancer. Hypoxia differentially regulated NRP-1 mediated survival implicating this pathway as a potential therapeutic strategy in AC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Clinical and pathological correlations in male breast cancer (MBC): Intratumoral aromatase expression (ITA) via tissue microarray (TMA)

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Background: Most cases of MBC are hormone-receptor (HR) positive and there is anecdotal evidence of disease response to aromatase inhibitors in the metastatic setting. Study objectives were to (i) assess clinical-pathologic characteristics in a cohort of MBC, (ii) evaluate intratumoral aromatase expression and (iii) assess its’ prognostic impact. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for all cases of MBC seen at the Nova Scotia Cancer Centre between 1985–2005. Data abstracted included disease stage, tumor grade, HR status (ER/PR), HER2-neu and ITA expression as well as dates of disease recurrence and death. Tumor blocks were incorporated into 3 TMA’s with control specimens (gynecomastia, benign breast tissue, liver). Four 1.0 mm cores were taken of each tumor. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed with the following antibodies; 6F11 ER primary Ab (Ventana, USA), 1A6 PR primary Ab (Ventana, USA), TAB250 monoclonal mouse anti-HER2 (Zymed, USA), DAKO 0185 rabbit anti-human c-erbB2 (DAKO, Canada), mouse anti-human p450 aromatase Ab (Cedarlane, Canada). ITA staining intensity and distribution was compared to benign hepatic tissue and if > or = to liver was called ’strong’ while < liver was called ’weak’. The log-rank test was used for survival comparisons. Kaplan-Meyer curves were used to estimate 5year disease-free (DFS) and overall (OS) survival probabilities. Results: 54 cases were identified with median age at diagnosis of 64 (31–85 yrs). Median tumor size was 2.6 cms (0.9–8cms) and 22 (41%) had nodal metastases. 45 cases had tissue available for IHC. Of these, 40 (89%) were ER and 33 (73%) were PR positive. HER2-neu was overexpressed in 4/42 (9.5%) and 12/45 (27%) had strong ITA expression. 5 yr DFS was 71% and OS was 64%. In univariate analysis strong (vs weak) ITA expression was associated with improved 5 yr OS (92% vs 49%, p = 0.038) but not DFS (82% vs 76%, p = 0.44) rates. Conclusion: The suggestion of improved OS but not DFS for those tumors with strong ITA expression may imply that these were more responsive to hormonal therapy in the metastatic setting or had a more indolent pace of progression. It is suggested that further investigation of ITA and response to hormonal therapy in MBC is warranted.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Internet use is associated with utilization of genetic counseling for BRCA 1/2 mutations in women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer

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Background: Women obtain breast cancer risk information from a variety of sources including mass media, the internet and personal and professional sources. Little is know about how internet use for health information influences choices about breast cancer risk evaluation and decision making. Methods: Case control study of 408 women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, of whom 217 underwent genetic counseling for BRCA 1/2 testing (cases) and 191 women who did not (controls). Participants received primary care within a large health system in greater Philadelphia, PA. Results: Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer who reported frequent use of the internet for health information (>1–2 times a month) were significantly more likely to undergo genetic counseling for BRCA 1/2 testing than women that rarely used the internet to obtain health information (<2 times a year) (odds ratio 2.6; 95% CI 1.7–4.0). This association persisted after adjustment for age, race, education and Gail risk (adjusted odds ratio 2.1; 95% CI 1.05–4.2) Conclusions: Frequent use of the internet for health care information is associated with higher use of genetic counseling for BRCA 1/2 mutations in women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. The association can not be explained by differences in education, cancer risk, age or race. A possible hypothesis for this association is that internet use exposes women to more information about genetic testing, BRCA testing opportunities and the experiences of other women who have utilized BRCA counseling services.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

An audit of clinical practice in the management of head injured patients following the introduction of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) recommendations

A prospective study was conducted by the Scottish Trauma Audit Group (STAG) in A&E of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary to examine clinical practices in the management of head injured patients pre- and post-inception of the SIGN guidelines published in August 2000.1607 patients attended the department in two separate one month periods at equal intervals pre- and post-guidelines publication. The majority of patients with a SIGN indication for admission were admitted (93% pre- and 92% post-guidelines). For skull x ray (SXR) requests, in the pre-guidelines group, 92% of admitted patients with a SIGN indication for x ray had a SXR: this figure dropped to 79% post-guidelines. 36% of patients with a SIGN indication for CT actually had a scan pre-guidelines: this figure increased to 64% post-guidelines.57% of patients pre-guidelines and 44% of patients post-guidelines were discharged from A&E in accordance with the SIGN recommendations. Of patients admitted for neurological observations, this increased from 50% pre- to 88% post-guidelines. Of patients who were discharged "inappropriately", only one re-presented and was subsequently admitted but required no neurosurgical intervention. Despite publication of the SIGN guidelines and positive reinforcement in A&E and at ward level, practice has not changed significantly. Where our practice did not adhere to SIGN recommendations, there was no untoward sequelae. For published national guidelines to be effective, a formal audit structure with regular feedback is necessary to ensure a continued change in clinical practices.

Attitudes towards second hand smoke amongst a highly exposed workforce: survey of London casino workers

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To examine knowledge, attitudes and experiences of London casino workers regarding exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) in the workplace.

DESIGN

Postal survey of 1568 London casino workers in 25 casinos who were members of the TGWU or GMB Trade Unions.

MAIN RESULTS

Of the workers, 559 responded to the survey (36% response), 22% of whom were current smokers. Of the respondents, 71% report being nearly always exposed to heavy levels of SHS at work, and most (65%) want all working areas in their casino to be smoke-free. The majority (78%) are bothered by SHS at work, while 91% have wanted to move away from where they are working because of it. Fifty-seven per cent believe their health has suffered as a result of SHS. Of the workers who smoke at work, 59% believe that they would try to quit smoking if no one was allowed to smoke in the casino.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of responders are bothered by SHS, and many are concerned about the health impacts. Most want all working areas in their casino to be smoke-free. Despite difficulties in generalizing from this limited sample, these findings add weight to the argument that the legislation on smoking in public places in England should encompass all workplaces, without exemption.

Strain distribution in an elastic substrate vibrated in a bioreactor for vocal fold tissue engineering

A bioreactor previously described was used to quantify the shear strain along a bioengineered tissue scaffold driven at low audio frequencies (20-200 Hz). Standing wave patterns were calculated analytically by solving a classical boundary value problem for a vibrating string under tension and bending stiffness. Boundary conditions were non-traditional in that small pivot arms at the endpoints allowed neither the displacement nor the velocity to go to zero. The calculations were corroborated with stroboscopic measurement of the motion of the material in the bioreactor. Results indicate that shear strains up to 0.2 can be obtained at low frequencies (20 Hz), with a gradual decrease at higher frequencies due to the decaying amplitude response of the mechanical driver. The bioreactor may be useful for approximating the Young's modulus of the material in situ by probing for resonance frequencies in the standing wave pattern. A yet unsolved problem is a variable drag coefficient along the length of the material due to fluid turbulence in the culture medium.

Suppression of Raman gain in single-transverse-mode dual-hole-assisted fiber

Measurements of backscattered Raman amplified spontaneous emission in single-mode dual-hole-assisted fiber indicate suppression of Raman gain by more than two orders of magnitude compared to SMF. These results imply that fiber lasers based on the dual-hole-assisted fiber design are effectively immune to SRS, thus enabling significant power scaling beyond current limits from a single-mode core.

A survey of the specialist public health workforce in the UK in 2003

OBJECTIVES

To identify the number and distribution of public health specialists in the UK.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

Postal survey of UK members and fellows of the Faculty of Public Health and primary care trust directors of public health in England in October 2003.

RESULTS

Of 1993 individuals surveyed, 1566 (78%) responded, of whom 1331 reported working as consultants or specialists in public health in the UK. Of the 1331, 891 (67%) were on the General Medical Council Specialist Register, 53 (4%) were on the General Dental Council Register, and 92 (7%) were in the process of applying for the Voluntary Register; 295 (22%) did not appear to be on any professional register or in the process of applying to the Voluntary Register. This equated to a total UK rate of 14.1 per million 'service' public health. There was substantial variation by region from 9.3 per million population in Wales and the South West to 18.0 per million population in the West Midlands and 19.5 per million population in London. An increase of 218 (21%) additional consultants and specialists in public health across the UK would be required to bring other regions up to the level of the highest region.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey, although limited, being based on a survey of members and fellows of the Faculty of Public Health, shows that specialist public health is under capacity, is resourced in a highly variable manner, and needs to be built up to meet the challenges we face. A comprehensive workforce plan for public health is urgently needed.

The molecular diversity of the methanogenic community in a hypereutrophic freshwater lake determined by PCR-RFLP

AIMS

To combine database-held sequence information with a programme of experimental molecular ecology to define the methanogenic community of a hypereutrophic lake by a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Methanogen diversity in a hypereutrophic freshwater lake was analysed using 16S rDNA PCR-RFLP. Database-held 16S rRNA gene sequences for 76 diverse methanogens were analysed for specific restriction sites that permitted unequivocal differentiation of methanogens. Restriction digestion and agarose gel electrophoresis of the 16S rDNA from selected methanogen pure cultures generated observed restriction profiles that corroborated the expected patterns. This method was then tested by analysing methanogen diversity in samples obtained over 1 year from sediment and water samples taken from the same sampling site.

CONCLUSIONS

Restriction analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences from 157 methanogen clones generated from lakewater and sediment samples showed that over 50% were similar to Methanoculleus spp. Furthermore, a total of 16 RFLP types (1-16) were identified, eight of which contained no cultured representative archaeal 16S rRNA gene sequences.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This RFLP strategy provides a robust and reliable means to rapidly identify methanogens in the environment.

Vaskul�re Ver�nderungen in der Pathogenese der systemischen Sklerose

Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a connective tissue disease of unknown etiology. Perivascular inflammatory infiltrates and endothelial apoptosis with an impaired angiogenesis are observed in early stages of the disease, whereas later stages are characterized by an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins in the skin and various internal organs. Consistent with the ongoing endothelial cell damage, various markers of endothelial cells such as endothelin-1, sICAM-1, s-VCAM-1 and thrombomodulin are found in high levels in the serum of SSc patients. Surprisingly, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic molecule, is overexpressed in the skin of patients with SSc despite insufficient angiogenesis. Interestingly, patients suffering from diffuse SSc and patients without finger tip ulcers show higher VEGF levels compared to age- and sex-matched controls. These results indicate that a controlled overexpression of VEGF might help to protect against the manifestation of ischemic conditions. On the other hand, data from animal models indicate that a long-term, uncontrolled overexpression of VEGF might have paradox effects on the formation of new vessels leading to capillary changes similar to those observed in SSc. In addition to the impaired angiogenesis, defective vasculogenesis might contribute to the vascular symptoms of SSc.

Lack of evidence for significant neuronal loss in laminae I-III of the spinal dorsal horn of the rat in the chronic constriction injury model

Peripheral nerve injury leads to structural and functional changes in the spinal dorsal horn, and these are thought to be involved in the development of neuropathic pain. In the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model, abnormal 'dark' neurons and apoptotic nuclei have been observed in laminae I-III of the dorsal horn in the territory innervated by the injured sciatic nerve. These findings have been taken as evidence that there is significant neuronal death in this model, and it has been suggested that loss of inhibition resulting from death of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons contributes to the neuropathic pain. However, loss of neurons from the dorsal horn has not been directly demonstrated in neuropathic models, even though this issue is of considerable importance for our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie neuropathic pain. In this study, we have looked for evidence of neuronal death by using a stereological method (the optical disector) with NeuN-immunostaining, and examining spinal cords of naïve rats, and of rats that had undergone CCI or sham operations. All of the CCI animals showed clear signs of thermal hyperalgesia. However, the numbers of neurons in laminae I-III of the ipsilateral dorsal horn in these animals did not differ significantly from those on the contralateral side, nor from those of sham-operated or naïve animals. These results do not, therefore, support the suggestion that there is significant neuronal death in the dorsal horn in this model.

Increased skeletal muscle expression of PKC-theta but not PKC-alpha mRNA in type 2 diabetes: inverse relationship with in-vivo insulin sensitivity

BACKGROUND

Increases in PKC-theta (the major isoenzymic form of PKC in skeletal muscle) protein and isozyme activity have been reported in skeletal muscle from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and dietary-induced rodent models of insulin resistance, but the underlying biochemical mechanism is unclear and muscle PKC-theta mRNA expression has not been previously reported in patients with T2DM or in relation to in-vivo measurements of insulin sensitivity.

METHODS

Diet-only treated patients with T2DM (n=7) and healthy nondiabetic controls (n=7) of similar BMI attended the clinical research unit on two occasions, 1 week apart, for a skeletal muscle biopsy 2 h after a 75-g oral glucose load and measurement of whole-body insulin sensitivity using the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp.

RESULTS

Type 2 DM patients were insulin resistant (M-value 3.0 +/- 0.4 vs. 8.6 +/- 0.8 mg glucose kg(-1) min(-1)) with fasting hyperinsulinaemia (306 +/- 116 vs. 34 +/- 9 pmol L(-1), P<0.001) and hypertriglyceridaemia (3.6 +/- 0.7 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.3 mmol L(-1), P<0.01) relative to controls. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that expression of PKC-theta mRNA (relative to GAPDH mRNA) was 6-fold higher in T2DM subjects (0.63 + 0.25% vs. 0.09 + 0.07%, P<0.001), whereas there was no difference in expression of PKC-alpha mRNA between the two groups. Expression of PKC-theta mRNA was inversely correlated with insulin sensitivity (M) and positively correlated with fasting serum insulin concentration (P<0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first clinical study of PKC-theta mRNA expression in human diabetic skeletal muscle. The results indicate that transcriptional up-regulation of PKC-theta may at least partly contribute to the increased muscle PKC-theta signalling in T2DM, and that PKC-theta mRNA may be inversely related to in-vivo insulin sensitivity.

Luteovirus-aphid interactions

Members of the Luteoviridae are transmitted by aphids in a circulative, nonpropagative manner that requires the virus to be acquired through gut tissue into the aphid hemocoel and then exit through salivary tissues. This process is aphid species-specific and involves specific recognition of the virus by unidentified components on the membranes of gut and salivary tissues. Transport through the tissues is an endocytosis/exocytosis process. Both structural proteins of the virus are involved in the transmission process, with multiple protein domains regulating the movement and survival of the virus in the aphid and plant. Here we review what is known about the genetic, cellular, and molecular mechanisms regulating these complex and specific virus-aphid interactions.

Effects of rosiglitazone and oleic acid on UCP-3 expression in L6 myotubes

AIMS

The regulation of uncoupling protein-3 (UCP-3) expression in muscle remains unclear, specifically in relation to dietary and drug treatments. The present study evaluated the effects of oleic acid and rosiglitazone on UCP-3 mRNA expression in differentiated L6 myotubes.

METHODS

L6 myocytes were cultured and differentiated prior to exposure to rosiglitazone 10 micro mol/l, oleic acid 100 micro mol/l, or the combination, for 24 h, prior to semiquantitative evaluation of UCP-3 mRNA relative to GAPDH mRNA by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Exposure to oleic acid produced a significant increase in UCP-3 mRNA (0.012 +/- 0.007 vs. 0.0011 +/- 0.0006 for untreated cells, relative to GAPDH mRNA, p < 0.001). Rosiglitazone alone had no effect on UCP-3 expression and nor did the glitazone affect oleic-acid-induced upregulation of UCP-3.

CONCLUSIONS

In L6 myotubes, 24-h exposure to oleic acid produced a 10-fold increase in UCP-3 mRNA expression, but rosiglitazone had no effect. Oleic-acid-induced upregulation of UCP-3 was not affected (positively or negatively) by glitazone exposure.