OBJECTIVE

To compare grid-controlled variable-rate pulsed fluoroscopy (GCPFL) and continuous fluoroscopy (CFL) for the reduction of radiation exposure during voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) in a pediatric porcine model of vesicoureteral reflux.

METHODS

Institutional animal care and use committee approval was obtained. Vesicoureteral reflux was simulated in four pigs, and 48 VCUG studies were performed (24 with GCPFL, 24 with CFL). VCUG was performed at abdominal girths of 8-10 cm (group 1, simulates human newborn to 6-month-old infant), 12-13 cm (group 2, simulates 2-3-year-old child), and 15-17 cm (group 3, simulates 10-year-old child). An electronic device calculated total radiation exposure during fluoroscopy and image recording. With five-point ordinal scales, VCUG images were scored independently for anatomic conspicuity and overall diagnostic quality by two radiologists (radiologists A and B). An analysis of variance was used to compare radiation exposures and fluoroscopy times between GCPFL and CFL and to determine whether radiation exposure and fluoroscopy time were dependent on the pig's abdominal girth. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was used to assess whether fluoroscopy time was correlated with radiation exposure. Anatomic conspicuity and diagnostic quality scores were compared by means of the Wilcoxon signed rank test.

RESULTS

Results of analysis of variance revealed that GCPFL resulted in a significant reduction in total radiation exposure compared with CFL for each of the three groups (P < .05 for each comparison), and this reduction was most marked in the larger animals. There were no significant differences in diagnostic quality of the recorded VCUG images (P>> .05). Anatomic conspicuity was not significantly different for groups 2 and 3, but there was a significantly higher score for GCPFL in group 1 for radiologist A (P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

By using GCPFL in the performance of VCUG in a pediatric porcine model of vesicoureteral reflux, total radiation exposure can be reduced by a factor of 4.6-7.5 lower than with CFL, and diagnostic-quality images can be obtained.

The cell-free layer (CFL) width separating red blood cells in flowing blood from the endothelial cell membrane is shown to be a regulator of the balance between nitric oxide (NO) production by the endothelium and NO scavenging by blood hemoglobin. The CFL width is determined by hematocrit (Hct) and the vessel wall flow velocity gradient. These factors and blood and plasma viscosity determine vessel wall shear stress which regulates the production of NO in the vascular wall. Mathematical modeling and experimental findings show that vessel wall NO concentration is a strong nonlinear function of Hct and that small Hct variations have comparatively large effects on blood pressure regulation. Furthermore, NO concentration is a regulator of inflammation and oxygen metabolism. Therefore, small, sustained perturbations of Hct may have long-term effects that can promote pro-hypertensive and pro-inflammatory conditions. In this context, Hct and its variability are directly related to vascular tone, peripheral vascular resistance, oxygen transport and delivery, and inflammation. These effects are relevant to the analysis and understanding of blood pressure regulation, as NO bioavailability regulates the contractile state of blood vessels. Furthermore, regulation of the CFL is a direct function of blood composition therefore understanding of its physiology relates to the design and management of fluid resuscitation fluids. From a medical perspective, these studies propose that it should be of clinical interest to note small variations in patient's Hct levels given their importance in modulating the CFL width and therefore NO bioavailability. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2011 3 458-470 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.150

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of our study was to use magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR arthrography to demonstrate the anatomy of the lateral ankle ligaments using standard and oblique imaging planes in cadavers.

METHODS

MR imaging of ten cadaveric ankles was performed before and after intra-articular administration of contrast solution. Proton-density MR images were acquired in standard and oblique imaging planes. MR imaging was correlated with anatomic sections. Measurements using oblique imaging planes were obtained to characterize the morphology of the lateral ligaments.

RESULTS

The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) had a variable number of bands in all specimens, separated by fat signal oriented obliquely parallel to the long axis of the ligament. The fibular attachment of ATFL was located in close proximity to the fibular attachment of the distal band of the anterior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL). The angle formed by the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) and the fibular shaft varied with different ankle positions. Special axial oblique plane best demonstrated the CFL. The posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL) was multi-fasciculated in appearance. Dorsiflexion of the ankle joint helped elongate the PTFL and best depicted this ligament in its entirety in the axial plane.

CONCLUSIONS

Oblique imaging planes parallel to the long axis of the individual ligaments may improve visualization of the anatomy of the lateral ankle ligaments. The orientation of the lateral ankle ligaments is affected by the position of the talocrural and subtalar joints. Understanding the morphology of the lateral ankle ligaments can help radiologists diagnose abnormalities of these ligaments.

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study was to identify pressure changes throughout the peroneal groove after a groove deepening procedure. We hypothesized that pressures would decrease.

METHODS

Twelve fresh-frozen foot and ankle specimens were used. A thin pressure strip containing four sensor pads was secured within the peroneal groove with pads 1 through 4 positioned at the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) and at the distal, middle, and proximal groove, respectively. The midstance phase of gait was simulated with loads applied to the plantar foot and posterior tibial tendon and to the peroneus longus and brevis tendons. Pressures were recorded with the ankle in neutral, plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion. Groove deepening was done by osteotomizing the posterior fibular wall. Pressure readings were then recorded. Average pressures for each of the four sensor pads after the procedure were compared to those obtained before the procedure.

RESULTS

The mean pressure overlying the CFL increased at all five ankle positions; however, these changes were not significant. Significant decreases in pressure were noted within the distal and middle groove at all ankle positions after the peroneal groove deepening procedure. Pressure within the proximal groove increased at all but one position, with a significant difference noted in neutral and plantarflexion.

CONCLUSIONS

Pressures within the middle and distal peroneal groove significantly decreased after a groove deepening procedure. Combining this technique with peroneal tendon debridement may be advantageous for treatment of partial peroneal tendon tears or recalcitrant peroneal tendinitis.

BACKGROUND

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are due to replace common incandescent lamps over the next few years. There has been no investigation of the possible effect of this on patients with photosensitive disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of exposure of photosensitive individuals to light from CFLs.

METHODS

The spectral emission from a sample of CFLs was measured using a calibrated spectroradiometer. The erythemal response was determined in one normal individual and four photosensitive individuals by direct exposure of the skin to light from a CFL. The susceptibility of a wider group of photosensitive individuals was predicted based on the light dose known to elicit a reaction during phototesting at discrete ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths.

RESULTS

CFLs emit UV radiation at wavelengths down to 254 nm. Prolonged exposure of a normal individual's skin produced erythema. However, an exposure of only 2.5 min at 5 cm elicited marked erythema in one of the abnormally photosensitive patients.

CONCLUSIONS

CFLs could be a source of harmful UV radiation to photosensitive individuals. Patients with chronic actinic dermatitis are thought to be at greatest risk. The use of a protective envelope is recommended.

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of plasma viscosity after hemodilution on the thickness of the erythrocyte cell free layer (CFL) and on the interface between the flowing column of erythrocytes and the vascular endothelium. The erythrocyte CFL thickness was measured in the rat cremaster muscle preparation. Plasma viscosity was modified in an isovolemic hemodilution, in which the systemic hematocrit (Hctsys) was lowered to 30%. The plasma expanders (PE) of similar nature and different viscosities were generated by glutaraldehyde polymerization of human serum albumin (HSA) at various molar ratios glutaraldehyde to HSA: (i) unpolymerized HSA; (ii) PolyHSA24:1, molar ratio = 24 and (iii) PolyHSA60:1, molar ratio = 60. The HSA viscosities determined at 200 s(-1) were 1.1, 4.2 and 6.0 dyn x cm(-2), respectively. CFL thickness, vessel diameter and blood flow velocity were measured, while volumetric flow, shear rate and stress were calculated. Hemodilution with PolyHSA60:1 increased plasma viscosity and the blood showed marked shear thinning behavior. CFL thickness decreased as plasma viscosity increased after hemodilution; thus the CFL thickness with HSA and PolyHSA24:1 increased compared to baseline. Conversely, the CFL thickness of PolyHSA60:1 was not different from baseline. Blood flow increased with both PolyHSA's compared to baseline. Wall shear rate and shear stress increased for PolyHSA60:1 compared to HSA and PolyHSA24:1, respectively. In conclusion, PE viscosity determined plasma viscosity after hemodilution and affected erythrocyte column hydrodynamics, changing the velocity profile, CFL thickness, and wall shear stress. This study relates the perfusion caused by PolyHSA60:1 to hemodynamic changes induced by the rheological properties of blood diluted with PolyHSA60:1.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the usefulness and diagnostic accuracy of oblique coronal MRI of the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) view for diagnosis of CFL injury.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 91 patients who were suspected to have CFL injury who underwent CFL view imaging. Anatomical identification of the CFL on orthogonal MRI sequences and CFL views was evaluated. Two radiologists evaluated the CFL based on an entire length view, an entire width view, and margin sharpness using a four-point scale. Diagnostic accuracy using orthogonal and CFL views was evaluated by calculating sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Arthroscopic or clinical findings were used as the reference standard.

RESULTS

Both readers found identification of lesions using the entire length, entire width, and sharp margin from CFL view images to be superior to that based on orthogonal images. The sensitivity and accuracy of diagnosing CFL injury were significantly higher when using the CFL view compared to the orthogonal view, although specificity was not significantly different between the CFL view and orthogonal view images.

CONCLUSIONS

CFL view imaging enables better anatomical evaluation and improved sensitivity and accuracy of diagnosis of CFL injury. CFL view images should therefore be used to evaluate potential CFL injuries.

We have previously reported that in rats given the choice between operant and free access to water (contrafreeloading: CFL), repeated administrations of quinpirole, a D2/D3 dopamine receptor agonist, shifted the animals towards the operant access and inhibited water intake. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of substituting different concentrations of ethanol (2, 4, 6%) for water on the effects of repeated daily administrations of vehicle or quinpirole (0.5mg/kg i.p.) in rats that for 6 days were given access to the fluid according to an FR3 schedule of reinforcement and for the following 9 days were given the choice between operant and free access to the fluid. On the first day quinpirole completely suppressed operant behavior, which however progressively increased in the subsequent sessions, approaching control levels by day 6. Ethanol presentation did not alter these effects of quinpirole. When the resource was also freely available, quinpirole produced the expected shift from free to operant access to water (CFL). Substituting ethanol for water resulted in a concentration-related reduction of the over-responding and, consequently, of CFL induced by quinpirole. In vehicle-injected subjects ethanol did not affect responding and only marginally reduced fluid intake. Thus, ethanol appears to prevent perseveration in performing needless instrumental behavior induced by repeated activation of D2/D3 receptors.

Vasculopathy due to ischemia in damaged tissues is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. To treat these conditions, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from various sources, such as umbilical cord or peripheral blood, have been the focus of the regenerative medicine field due to their proliferative and vasculogenic activities. However, the fundamental, molecular-level differences between EPCs obtained from different cellular sources have rarely been studied. In this study, we established endothelial progenitor cells derived from cord blood- and peripheral blood (CB- and PB-EPCs) and investigated their fundamental differences at the cellular and molecular levels through a combination of stem cell biology techniques and proteomic analysis. Our results suggest that specifically up-regulated factors such as STMIN 1, CFL 1, PARK 7, NME 1, GLO 1, HSP 27 and PRDX 2 in CB-EPCs as key elements that could be functionally active in ischemic regions. We also discussed functional behaviors important for inducing and maintaining long-lasting blood vessels under ischemic conditions. As a result, CB-EPCs retained a higher anti-oxidant and migration ability than PB-EPCs in vitro. Furthermore, CB-EPCs retained a higher therapeutic efficacy than PB-EPCs in a hindlimb ischemic disease model. The up-regulated expression pattern of STMIN 1, CFL 1, PARK 7, NME 1, GLO 1, HSP 27 and PRDX 2 was confirmed under several conditions in vitro and in vivo, indicating that the up-regulation of these molecules in CB-EPCs may be critical to the mechanism of healing in ischemic conditions and that CB-EPCs may be more appropriate for inducing neo-vessels. Thus, these results may aid in predetermining which cell sources will be of value for cell-based therapies of pathological conditions and identify several candidate molecules that may be involved in the therapeutic mechanism for ischemia.

The arrangement of the nerve bundles at the branching point of the femoral nerve (F), the interrelations of the branches each other and toward other nerves in the anterior region of the thigh, and the patterns and the anatomical features of both the running courses and the distributions of the branches were macroscopically studied, whereby some special findings were observed and the following results were obtained: 1) The periphery of the femoral nerve was fundamentally divided into superficial-deeply arranged three-layered divisions. Including the femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve (Rf) and the femoral lateral cutaneous nerve (Cfl), the nerve branches at the anterior region of the thigh were totally divided into five-layered divisions. 2) The cutaneous branches of each division including Rf or Cfl could be classified in three groups: the medial cutaneous branches (m), the anterior cutaneous branches (a), and the lateral cutaneous branches (l). Based on the above results, the branches could be described systematically. Parallelly, several accessory bundles of F penetrating the psoas major muscle were observed, and two types of accessory femoral nerves (F') could be distinguished: One was higher on the segmentation and mainly flew into the 1st division of F. While the other distributed only to the medial region of the thigh. To clarify the segmental or stratifical natures of the branches of each division, F', and the interrelations among them, analyses of the nerve fibers were undertaken under the operational microscope. Consequently, the segmental differences between the divisions were distinct, and the medial branches or F'm obviously contained ventral components. Thus, when a component originated from the higher segments, it distributed to the proximal region generally taking a superficial course; when it originated from the lower ones, it distributed to the distal region of the thigh forming the deeper division; when it belonged to the ventral stratum, it distributed to the medial region; and when it belonged to the dorsal stratum, it distributed to the lateral region. On the occasion of the fiber analysis, it was found that each root of the lumbar nerve was generally divided into two or three subsegmentally-arranged subroots that divided themselves into some fasciculi arranged micro-segmentally. A minute analysis of the segmentations of the nerves became possible because of the above characteristics.

Little research has been carried out with professional football players. The purpose of the present study was to compare the size of ST and FT fibres of athletes playing different positions. The results indicate that little variability exists between backfielders and linemen and that large FT fibres are representative of successful professional football players.

Coronafacic acid, the polyketide component of the phytotoxin coronatine, is activated and coupled to coronamic acid via amide bond formation, a biosynthetic step presumably catalyzed by the coronafacate ligase (cfl) gene product. In the present study, cfl was fused to the carboxy terminus of malE, which encodes the maltose-binding protein (MBP), and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Immunoblot analysis indicated that Cfl contained an ATP-binding region, a motif conserved in enzymes which activate their substrates by adenylation. MBP-Cfl was overproduced and purified from Pseudomonas syringae and the protein fusion was used to generate antisera. Anti-MBP-Cfl antibodies and a transcriptional fusion of the cfl promoter to a promoterless glucuronidase gene were used to follow the temporal expression of coronafacate ligase. The results indicated that transcription of cfl is temperature-sensitive. Furthermore, a nonpolar mutation in cfl suggested that the gene may have a role in coronafacic acid biosynthesis.

BACKGROUND

Eutopic endometria with endometriosis (EMs) differ dramatically from normal endometria, physiologically and biochemically, yet the pathogenesis of EMs remains unclear. Cofilin-1 (<em>CFL</em>1), a critical modulator of the actin cystoskeleton, is associated with tumour progression, cell motility, cell adhesion, cell invasion and angiogenesis. Although eutopic endometria with EMs exhibit many malignant-like behaviours and a higher expression of <em>CFL</em>1 than normal endometria, the effects of <em>CFL</em>1 on the pathogenesis of EMs are unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the role of <em>CFL</em>1 expression in proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, invasion, angiogenesis and ultrastructure of endometrial cells.

METHODS

We isolated and cultured stromal cells derived from the eutopic endometria of 30 patients with advanced ovarian EMs (ESCs, Stromal Cells of eutopic endometria in Endometriosis patients) and 30 control patients without EMs (NSCs, Stromal Cells of eutopic endometria in Non-endometriosis patients), and evaluated their proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, invasion and expression of markers of adhesion, invasion and angiogenesis in vitro. In addition, these functions were examined after short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was used to silence the <em>CFL</em>1 gene in ESCs, and pEGFP-N1-<em>CFL</em> recombinant plasmid was transiently transfected into NSCs to up-regulate <em>CFL</em>1 expression.

RESULTS

Under basal conditions, <em>CFL</em>1 mRNA and protein were overexpressed in ESCs. Proliferation, adhesion, invasion and markers of adhesion, invasion and angiogenesis were enhanced in ESCs compared with NSCs; in contrast, the apoptosis rate was lower in ESCs than in NSCs. Silencing the <em>CFL</em>1 gene in ESCs markedly attenuated proliferation, adhesion, invasion and expression of the markers, but enhanced apoptosis. Conversely, up-regulation of <em>CFL</em>1 in NSCs increased proliferation, adhesion, invasion and expression of the markers but reduced apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The overexpression of <em>CFL</em>1 in ESCs is associated with enhanced proliferation, adhesion, invasion and angiogenesis and reduced apoptosis in EMs. These malignant-like behaviours of ESCs in EMs can be attenuated by inducing <em>CFL</em>1 gene silencing with shRNA interference.

The skin cancer was analyzed by dermoscopy helpful for dermatologists. The classification of melanoma and carcinoma such as basal cell, squamous cell, and merkel cell carcinomas tumors can be increased the sensitivity and specificity. The detection of an automated border is an important step for the correctness of subsequent phases in the computerized melanoma recognition systems. The artifacts such as, dermoscopy-gel, specular reflection and outline (skin lines, blood vessels, and hair or ruler markings) were also contained in the dermoscopic images. In this paper, we present an unsupervised approach for multiple lesion segmentation, modification of Region-based Active Contours (RACs) as well as artifact diminution steps. Iterative thresholding is applied to initialize level set automatically; the stability of curves is enforced by maximum smoothing constraints on Courant-Friedreichs-Lewy (CFL) function. The work has been tested on dermoscopic database of 320 images. The border detection error is quantified by five distinct statistical metrics and manually used to determine the borders from a dermatologist as the ground truth. The segmentation results were compared with other state-of-the-art methods along with the evaluation criteria. The unsupervised border detection system increased the true detection rate (TDR) is 4.31% and reduced the false positive rate (FPR) of 5.28%.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate how patients with central visual field loss (CFL) complete adaptive gait tasks when compared to visual normals and determine whether task difficulty significantly affects movement control.

METHODS

Ten patients with CFL and 12 visual normals negotiated a floor-based obstacle (of different heights, 5 and 10 cm) and also walked across an unobstructed laboratory (no obstacle present). Analysis assessed the kinematics of human movement for each task.

RESULTS

During obstacle crossing, compared to visual normals, patients with CFL lifted their lead and trail foot significantly higher to avoid the obstacle, reduced horizontal crossing velocity (only significant at low obstacle height), and increased head flexion to look down at more immediate areas of the ground (P < 0.05). During the walking only trials there was no significant difference between the two groups in any of the kinematic measures. CONCLUSIONS; Compared to visual normals, patients with CFL adopt a cautious gait strategy during tasks that present a high risk of falling, such as obstacle crossing. However, under conditions that present a low risk of tripping or falling, such as level walking, differences appear minimal.

Cytochrome bc 1 complexes have been isolated from wild type Rhodopseudomonas viridis and Rhodospirillum rubrum and purified by affinity chromatography on cytochrome c-Sepharose 4B. Both complexes are largely free of bacteriochlorophyll and carotenoids and contain cytochromes b and c 1 in a 2:1 molar ratio. For the Rps. viridis complex, evidence has been obtained for two spectrally distinct b-cytochromes. The R. rubrum complex contains a Rieske iron-sulfur protein (present in approximately 1:1 molar ratio to cytochrome c 1) and catalyzes an antimycin A- and myxothiazol-sensitive electron transfer from duroquinol to equine cytochrome c or R. rubrum cytochrome c 2. Although an attempt to prepare a cytochrome bc 1 complex from the gliding green bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus was not successful, membranes isolated from phototrophically grown Cfl. aurantiacus were shown to contain a Rieske iron-sulfur protein and protoheme (the prosthetic group of b-type cytochromes).

Leafy (LFY) and LFY-like genes control the initiation of floral meristems and regulate MADS-box genes in higher plants. The Cucumber-FLO-LFY (CFL) gene, a LFY homolog in Cucumis sativus L. is expressed in the primordia, floral primordia, and each whirl of floral organs during the early stage of flower development. In this study, functions of CFL in flower development were investigated by overexpressing the CFL gene in gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa). Our results show that constitutive CFL overexpression significantly promote early flowering without gibberellin (GA(3)) supplement, suggesting that CFL can serve functionally as a LFY homolog in gloxinia. Moreover, GA(3) and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments could modulate the expression of MADS-box genes in opposite directions. GA(3) resembles the overexpression of CFL in the expression of MADS-box genes and the regeneration of floral buds, but ABA inhibits the expression of MADS-box genes and flower development. These results suggest that CFL and downstream MADS-box genes involved in flower development are regulated by GA(3) and ABA.

BACKGROUND

Patient satisfaction with treatment is an important outcome in facial aesthetic medicine.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate subject satisfaction with onabotulinumtoxinA treatment of glabellar lines (GL) and crow's feet lines (CFL) using the validated Facial Line Satisfaction Questionnaire (FLSQ).

METHODS

In this randomized double-blind study, subjects with moderate/severe GL and CFL received onabotulinumtoxinA (20 U, GL; 24 U, CFL) or placebo. Over 120 days, the following were assessed: satisfaction, achievement of treatment expectations, satisfaction with duration of treatment (FLSQ), severity of GL and CFL (Facial Wrinkle Scale [FWS]), and aesthetic improvement (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale).

RESULTS

Satisfaction in the per-protocol population was significantly greater at Day 60 in the onabotulinumtoxinA group (n = 60) compared with placebo (n = 57) for GL (81.7% vs 0%; p < .001). Most subjects treated with onabotulinumtoxinA remained satisfied up to 120 days. Achievement of treatment expectations (86.7%; Day 60), satisfaction (81.7%; Day 60), and satisfaction with the duration of treatment (61.6%; Day 90) were significantly better with onabotulinumtoxinA than placebo (p < .001) for GL and CFL combined. Efficacy (FWS) and aesthetic improvement were observed in most subjects at Days 30 and 60, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

High satisfaction rates are achieved and sustained in subjects treated with onabotulinumtoxinA for GL and CFL combined.

UNASSIGNED

This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing lateral ankle ligament injuries and the effect of differences in time duration from injury to MRI.

UNASSIGNED

Data were collected prospectively from 82 patients who underwent MRI and lateral ligament reconstruction, and were divided into either acute (≤3 months) or chronic (>3 months) group based on injury interval. Findings were classified as normal, partial, or complete tears of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). MRI results were compared with intraoperative findings and their accuracies were assessed using descriptive statistics.

UNASSIGNED

The accuracy of MRI for partial and complete tears of the ATFL was 74% and 79%, respectively, with sensitivity and specificity of 64% and 86% for partial tears, and 78% and 80% for complete tears, respectively. The accuracy of MRI was 66% and 88% for partial and complete tears of the CFL with a sensitivity and specificity of 41% and 87% for partial tears, and 61% and 95% for complete tears, respectively. A decrease in the MRI accuracy was observed in the chronic group.

UNASSIGNED

MRI is accurate in diagnosing ATFL injuries. It is specific but not sensitive for CFL tears. The accuracy is higher in the acute setting of 3 months or less from time of injury to MRI.

OBJECTIVE

Ankle sprains due to landing on an opponent's foot are common in basketball. There is no analysis to date that provides a quantification of this injury mechanism. The aim of this study was to quantify the kinematics of this specific injury mechanism and relate this to lateral ankle ligament biomechanics.

METHODS

Case series.

METHODS

The model-based image-matching technique was used to quantify calcaneo-fibular-talar kinematics during four ankle inversion sprain injury incidents in televised NBA basketball games. The four incidents follow the same injury pattern in which the players of interest step onto an opponent's foot with significant inversion and a diagnosed ankle injury. A geometric analysis was performed to calculate the in vivo ligament strains and strain rates for the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL).

RESULTS

Despite the controlled selection of cases, the results show that there are two distinct injury mechanisms: sudden inversion and internal rotation with low levels of plantarflexion; and a similar mechanism without internal rotation. The first of these mechanisms results in high ATFL and CFL strains, whereas the second of these strains the CFL in isolation.

CONCLUSIONS

The injury mechanism combined with measures of the ligament injury in terms of percentage of strain to failure correlate directly with the severity of the injury quantified by return-to-sport. The opportunity to control excessive internal rotation through proprioceptive training and/or prophylactic footwear or bracing could be utilised to reduce the severity of common ankle injuries in basketball.

White Leghorn layers (WL) show modified foraging strategies, compared to their ancestor, the red jungle fowl (RJF). Birds selected for high production may invest more resources into production traits and less in other biological processes. This may affect the capacity to adapt to new or variable environments. Thirty birds of each of RJF and WL were raised in a stressful environment (unpredictable light:dark schedule) and 30 control animals of each breed in similar pens, but on a 12:12h light:dark schedule. We studied the differences between breed and treatment with respect to contrafreeloading (CFL), spatial learning ability and the birds' behaviour in a T-maze. WL showed less CFL, were less cautious in the test arena and showed an impaired spatial learning ability compared with RJF in both test situations. Stress impaired spatial learning in both breeds, but stressed RJF showed a more active response to the test situation than non-stressed RJF, by starting to eat faster, while stressed WL prolonged their time to start eating compared to non-stressed WL.Our results may reflect different adaptive strategies, where RJF appear better adapted to an unpredictable environment.

BACKGROUND

Although millions of aesthetic procedures are performed annually, few patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures have been used in this setting.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of onabotulinumtoxinA treatment for crow's feet lines (CFL) on relevant psychological variables and self-perception of age/appearance in subgroup populations.

METHODS

Facial Lines Outcomes (FLO-11) Questionnaire, Self-Perception of Age (SPA), and Subject Global Assessment of Change in CFL (SGA-CFL) were PRO measures administered in 2 Phase 3, double-blind placebo-controlled trials for the treatment of CFL alone or CFL/glabellar lines (GL). Patient-reported outcome measures were analyzed by subgroups (age, gender, and baseline CFL severity). Subject satisfaction with appearance was also analyzed.

RESULTS

Most subgroups receiving onabotulinumtoxinA demonstrated significant improvements in psychological impact (FLO-11 Items 2, 5, and 8) versus placebo at Day 30 (p ≤ .05). OnabotulinumtoxinA-treated subjects consistently rated themselves as looking younger on SPA versus placebo in all subgroups at Day 30 (p ≤ .05) and showed significant improvements in CFL appearance versus placebo at all time points on SGA-CFL. Overall, subjects were satisfied with their appearance.

CONCLUSIONS

OnabotulinumtoxinA-treated subjects experienced significant improvements in perceived appearance, attractiveness, tiredness, age, and satisfaction versus placebo. Subjects treated for CFL and GL experienced even greater effects.

PURPOSE. The goal of the present article is to create two five­item brief forms of the Suinn­Lew Asian Self­Identity Acculturation Scale (SL­ASIA), compare the forms for reliability and validity, and make a recommendation as to which form is better and/or more appropriate for use. METHODOLOGY. Data from two data sets (University of Illinois and University of Washington) were used in this study. The ITC brief form (Item­Total Correlation Form) and the CFL brief form (Cross­Factor Loading Form) were created for each data set. Reliability analyses (i.e. Cronbach's alpha) were conducted for the forms in each of the two studies. Differential construct vailidity was examined by comparing each brief form to target variables in each of the data sets. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS. Reliability analyses of the SL­ASIA administered at the University of Illinois indicated that the SL­ASIA, ITC brief form, and CFL brief form were all internally consistent. The three scales were also shown to be highly correlated with each other. Differential concurrent validity was assessed by comparing the ITC and CFL forms to target variables (negative social­network orientation, individualism, and attitude toward seeking professional psychological help). It was found that both versions of the brief SL­ASIA had similar correlations to the target variables as the full scale SL­ASIA. Reliability analyses of the SL­ASIA administered at the University of Washington indicated that the SL­ASIA, ITC brief form, and CFL brief form were all internally consistent. The three scales were also shown to be highly correlated with each other. Differential constuct validity was assessed by comparing the ITC and CFL forms to target variables (counseling orientations: behavioral, client­centered, existential, gestalt, Freudian, rational­emotive, and trait factor). As with the University of Illinois data set, both versions of the brief SL­ASIA had similar correlations to the target variables as the full scale SL­ASIA in this data set, providing even further evidence of their concurrent validity. CONCLUSIONS. It is possible to develop two reliable and valid brief versions of the SL­ASIA in order to encourage more research to use the acculturation variable. We recommend that researchers who need a short form of an acculturation scale for Asian Americans use either version of the brief SL­ASIA. Both have adequate levels of reliability and are highly correlated to the full scale. Neither version has a clear advantage over the other. RELEVANCE TO ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER POPULATIONS. This article is particularly relevant to Asian American college student populations. KEY WORDS. Acculturation, Mental Health

The actin filament severing protein cofilin-1 (CFL-1) is required for actin and P-type ATPase secretory pathway calcium ATPase (SPCA)-dependent sorting of secretory proteins at the trans-Golgi network (TGN). How these proteins interact and activate the pump to facilitate cargo sorting, however, is not known. We used purified proteins to assess interaction of the cytoplasmic domains of SPCA1 with actin and CFL-1. A 132-amino acid portion of the SPCA1 phosphorylation domain (P-domain) interacted with actin in a CFL-1-dependent manner. This domain, coupled to nickel nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) agarose beads, specifically recruited F-actin in the presence of CFL-1 and, when expressed in HeLa cells, inhibited Ca(2+) entry into the TGN and secretory cargo sorting. Mutagenesis of four amino acids in SPCA1 that represent the CFL-1 binding site also affected Ca(2+) import into the TGN and secretory cargo sorting. Altogether, our findings reveal the mechanism of CFL-1-dependent recruitment of actin to SPCA1 and the significance of this interaction for Ca(2+) influx and secretory cargo sorting.