Search

Introduction: Abnormal gene expression patterns may contribute to the onset and progression of late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Methods: We performed transcriptome‐wide meta‐analysis (N = 1440) of blood‐based microarray gene expression profiles as well as neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) endophenotype analysis. Results: We identified and replicated five genes (CREB5, CD46, TMBIM6, IRAK3, and RPAIN) as significantly dysregulated in LOAD. The most significantly altered gene, CREB5, was also associated with brain atrophy and increased amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation, especially in the entorhinal cortex region. cis‐expression quantitative trait loci mapping analysis of CREB5 detected five significant associations (P < 5 × 10−8), where rs56388170 (most significant) was also significantly associated with global cortical Aβ deposition measured by [18F]Florbetapir positron emission tomography and CSF Aβ1‐42. Discussion: RNA from peripheral blood indicated a differential gene expression pattern in LOAD. Genes identified have been implicated in biological processes relevant to Alzheimer's disease. CREB, in particular, plays a key role in nervous system development, cell survival, plasticity, and learning and memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People with whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) report difficulty with quick head movements and cervicoocular dysfunction. Changes in coordination between eye movement and neck muscle activity may be involved.Objective: To examine whether activity of superficial and deep neck muscles increases with eye movement when the head is held in a fixed position, whether this differs between directions and speed of eye movement, and whether this is modified in WAD.Design: Convenience case series with unmatched controls.Setting: Research laboratory.Participants: Nine individuals with chronic WAD grade II and 11 pain-free controls.Methods: Electromyography (EMG) was recorded from muscles that could act to rotate the neck to the right (right obliquus capitis inferior [OI], multifidus [MF], splenius capitis [SC], and left sternocleidomastoid [SCM]) with intramuscular or surface electrodes in 9 WAD participants and 11 pain-free controls. Eyes were rotated without head movement to track slow and medium-speed targets to the right or left, and as fast as possible (FP).Main Outcome Measurements: Amplitude of EMG.Results: In controls, SCM and SC EMG increased with right gaze (all P's < .03). EMG of the deep OI muscle increased in both directions (P < .001). WAD involved counterintuitive greater activity of SCM with left rotation across speeds of eye movement (SC with slow movement, P < .036), decreased OI EMG with gaze left (P < .019), and no change in MF EMG (P < .6) in either gaze direction. For FP tasks, EMG of all muscles was greater than slower speeds in controls (all P's < .0001), but not WAD (all P's > .33).Conclusions: Coordination between neck muscle activity and eye movements with increasing speed is modified in WAD. Contrasting changes are present in deep and superficial neck muscles with implications for neck function that may explain some common WAD symptoms.Level Of Evidence: IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction/pain are considered frequent contributors to low back pain (LBP). Like other persistent pain conditions, PGP is increasingly recognized as a multifactorial problem involving biological, psychological, and social factors. Perspectives differ between experts and a diversity of treatments (with variable degrees of evidence) have been utilized.Objective: To develop a collaborative model of PGP that represents the collective view of a group of experts. Specific goals were to analyze structure and composition of conceptual models contributed by participants, to aggregate them into a metamodel, to analyze the metamodel's composition, and to consider predicted efficacy of treatments.Design: To develop a collaborative model of PGP, models were generated by invited individuals to represent their understanding of PGP using fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM). FCMs involved proposal of components related to causes, outcomes, and treatments for pain, disability, and quality of life, and their connections. Components were classified into thematic categories. Weighting of connections was summed for components to judge their relative importance. FCMs were aggregated into a metamodel for analysis of the collective opinion it represented and to evaluate expected efficacy of treatments.Results: From 21 potential contributors, 14 (67%) agreed to participate (representing six disciplines and seven countries). Participants' models included a mean (SD) of 22 (5) components each. FCMs were refined to combine similar terms, leaving 89 components in 10 categories. Biomechanical factors were the most important in individual FCMs. The collective opinion from the metamodel predicted greatest efficacy for injection, exercise therapy, and surgery for pain relief.Conclusions: The collaborative model of PGP showed a bias toward biomechanical factors. Most efficacious treatments predicted by the model have modest to no evidence from clinical trials, suggesting a mismatch between opinion and evidence. The model enables integration and communication of the collection of opinions on PGP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High levels of sedentary time have been detrimentally linked to health outcomes. Differentiating sitting from lying may help to further understand the mechanisms associated with these health impacts. This study compares the inter‐method agreement between the “single‐monitor” method (thigh‐worn activPAL3TM) and a more robustly validated “dual‐monitor” method (trunk and thigh‐worn activPAL3TM) in their classifications of sitting and lying under free‐living conditions. Thirty‐five participants (20‐50 years) wore two activity monitors (thigh and trunk) for 24 hours. Total time spent lying and sitting was calculated for both methods, and agreement was determined using ICC and Bland‐Altman methods. As there was no gold standard, further data were collected from five participants during structured activities that were designed to challenge classification, to better understand any disagreement between the methods. ICCs were 0.81 for sitting time and 0.64 for lying time. The single‐monitor method detected less lying time than the dual‐monitor method, with a mean difference of −25 minutes (95% agreement limits: −172 to 221 minutes), including three cases with extreme disagreement (mostly in daytime lying classification). The additional data collection suggested a major source of disagreement was failure of the single‐monitor method to identify lying that involved no rotation around the longitudinal axis. In conclusion, there was some agreement between the single‐ and dual‐monitor estimates of lying time under free‐living conditions, but measures were not interchangeable. The main disagreement was in how the methods classified daytime lying and lying tasks involving no lateral movement. Both methods yield promise for measuring time in bed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gluteal tendinopathy is the most common lower limb tendinopathy presenting to general practice. It has a high prevalence amongst middle-aged women and impacts on daily activities, work participation and quality of life. The aim was to compare physical and psychological characteristics between subgroups of severity of pain and disability.Methods: A multicentre cross-sectional cohort of 204 participants (mean age 55 years, 82% female) who had a clinical diagnosis of gluteal tendinopathy with magnetic resonance imaging confirmation were assessed. A range of physical and psychosocial characteristics were recorded. Pain and disability were measured with the VISA-G questionnaire. A cluster analysis was used to identify mild, moderate and severe subgroups based on total VISA-G scores. Between-group differences were then evaluated with a MANCOVA, including sex and study site as covariates, followed by a Bonferroni post hoc test. Significance was set at 0.05.Results: There were significantly higher pain catastrophizing and depression scores in the more severe subgroups. Lower pain self-efficacy scores were found in the severe group compared to the moderate and mild groups. Greater waist girth and body mass index (BMI), lower activity levels and poorer quality of life were reported in the severe group compared to the mild group. Hip abductor muscle strength and hip circumference did not differ between subgroups of severity.Conclusions: Individuals with severe gluteal tendinopathy present with psychological distress, poorer quality of life, greater BMI and waist girth. Given these features, the consideration of psychological factors in more severe patients may be important to optimize patient outcomes and reduce healthcare utilization.Significance: Patients with severe gluteal tendinopathy exhibit greater psychological distress, poorer quality of life and greater waist girth and BMI when compared to less severe cases. This implies that clinicians ought to consider psychological factors in the management of more severe gluteal tendinopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current understanding of the effects of tillage systems on cotton growth and development of contemporary varieties is limited for producers of the Upper Southeast Coastal Plain of the United States. Tillage studies were conducted in Suffolk, VA, from 2013 to 2016 evaluating conventional, minimal, no-tillage, and strip-tillage systems on early season growth, soil compaction, and lint yield of four contemporary varieties using a split-plot design. Soil compaction was greatest in the no-till system with yearly depths to a root restrictive layer ranging from 8-26 cm. No-till resulted in shorter plant heights compared to other tillage methods in 2 out of 4 yr. Relative yield for no-till was 0.78, an 8% reduction compared to the other tillage systems. Deltapine 1321 B2RF was consistently taller than other varieties in all years; with significant varietal differences being present during all sampling intervals each year except 2013. Fibermax 1944 GLB2 was shorter than other varieties. In-season plant development was affected more by variety than tillage. Lint yield differed among varieties in 2013, 2014, and 2016. Deltapine 1321 B2RF produced the highest lint yields of 1746 kg ha-1, 1467 kg ha-1, and 693 kg ha-1 in 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively. Differences in lint quality parameters were influenced more by variety than tillage system. In the short term there was no significant growth or yield penalty associated with no-till cotton production as compared to other tillage systems. Variety selection and environment were the most important factors contributing to cotton yield during this four year study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate advocacy actions of dental hygiene program alumni who had completed a Legislative Advocacy Project (LAP) when they were students in the undergraduate or graduate program. Five variables were assessed: participation, frequency, perceived barriers, engagement, and mentorship. Alumni of the undergraduate and graduate programs were compared regarding frequency of and barriers encountered to legislative advocacy actions. A descriptive-comparative research design was used with quantitative and qualitative analysis. A convenience sample of 157 alumni who had completed a seven-week LAP at Idaho State University between 2008 and 2013 were invited to complete a 52-item author-designed online questionnaire in 2015. The response rate was 41.4%. The results showed a significant difference for participation prior to and after the LAP (df=12, X2=28.28, p=0.005). Most respondents, however, did not participate in legislative actions. There was a significant difference between the two groups for two frequency items: subscribing to online listservs (p=0.001) and contacting political representatives or staff (p=0.003). The three greatest barriers were time, financial resources, and testifying. The analysis found a significant difference between the two groups for the barrier of interest in advocating (p=0.05). In the qualitative analysis, themes emerged about engagement factors (collective efforts and advocacy commitment) and mentorship (mentoring experiences). Advocacy actions after graduation improved, but implementation of actions was challenging due to competing barriers. The results of this study may be useful in identifying key components of advocacy education that should be part of training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The external hip adduction moment during walking is greater in individuals with gluteal tendinopathy (GT) than pain‐free controls. Although this likely represents a greater demand on the hip abductor muscles implicated in GT, no study has investigated activation of these muscles in GT. For this purpose, fine wire electrodes were inserted into the segments of the gluteus minimus and medius muscles, and surface electrodes placed on the tensor fascia lata, upper gluteus maximus, and vastus lateralis muscles of eight individuals with, and eight without, GT. Participants underwent six walking trials. Individual muscle patterns were compared between groups using a wavelet‐based linear effects model and muscle synergy analysis performed using non‐negative matrix factorization to evaluate muscle activation patterns, within‐ and between‐participant variability. Compared to controls, individuals with GT exhibited a more sustained initial burst of the posterior gluteus minimus and middle gluteus medius muscle segments. Two muscle synergies were identified; Synergy‐1 activated in early‐mid stance and Synergy‐2 in early stance. In GT participants, posterior gluteus minimus and posterior gluteus medius and tensor fascia lata contributed more to Synergy‐1 active during the period of single leg support. Participants with GT exhibited reduced within‐participant variability of posterior gluteus medius and reduced between‐participant variability of anterior gluteus minimus and medius and upper gluteus maximus. In conclusion, individuals with GT exhibit modified muscle activation patterns of the hip abductor muscles during walking, with potential relevance for gluteal tendon loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: IFITM3, an innate immune response protein and inhibitor of viral infection, was reported to modulate amyloid‐β production in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aimed to identify single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IFITM3 associated with cognition and AD biomarkers. Method: We used genetic, longitudinal cognition and AD biomarker data from Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI; N = 1,565) and AddNeuroMed (N = 633) as discovery and replication samples, respectively. First, we performed gene‐based association analysis of SNPs in IFITM3 with cognitive performance. Second, we performed SNP‐based association analysis in IFITM3 with cognitive decline and AD biomarkers from amyloid positron emission tomography (PET), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Result: Gene‐based association analysis showed that IFITM3 was significantly associated with cognitive performance (permutation‐corrected p = 1.25×10−3). Particularly, among two SNPs (rs10751647, rs2091850) in IFITM3 significantly associated with cognitive performance, rs10751647 was associated with cognitive decline in ADNI, which was replicated in AddNeuroMed. In addition, rs10751647 was significantly associated with amyloid‐β deposition measured by amyloid PET scan, CSF phosphorylated tau levels, and entorhinal cortical thickness measured by MRI scan in ADNI. The association of rs10751647 with entorhinal cortical thickness was replicated in AddNeuroMed. Participants with minor alleles (C) of rs10751647 have less cognitive decline, less amyloid and tau burden, and less brain atrophy. eQTL analysis showed that rs10751647 is associated with IFITM3 expression levels in blood and brain. Conclusion: This suggests that rs10751647 in IFITM3 is associated with less vulnerability for cognitive decline and AD biomarkers, providing mechanistic insight regarding involvement of immune activity and infection in AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (FTD), discussing the diagnosis of the disease, its clinical profile and pathology, and the clinical and pathological overlap between FTD and motor neuron disease (MND).

Research on the effectiveness of clinical mock boards for future oral health professionals is conflicting and limited. Despite this, U.S. dental hygiene programs rely on clinical mock board experiences as essential components for preparing students for their clinical board examinations. Differences in programs' mock board characteristics may relate to board exam outcomes. The validity and reliability of mock boards can be questioned when deviations from exam criteria and procedures are made and grading mechanisms are not consistent. The aim of this study was to determine which mock board characteristics were critical in preparing students by exploring the relationships between programs' dental hygiene, local anesthesia, and restorative mock boards and their 2013-14 candidates' performance on the corresponding three Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) licensure exams. Of the 23 U.S. dental hygiene education programs in four states invited to participate, 15 agreed to do so, and 13 consented to have WREB provide their programs' test result data. The mock board coordinators provided data on characteristics of their programs' mock boards with an online questionnaire distributed in 2014. Scores calculated from the responses were compared to performance of the programs' candidates on the corresponding WREB exam. Of the 45 questionnaires (on three exams each x 15 programs), 33 were completed (73.3%). Significant relationships were found between candidates' WREB exam results and the mock boards' intensity scores, remediation, multiple experiences, and examiner calibration scores. The results of this study provide fundamental information about mock board characteristics that may assist educators in facilitating experiences to more effectively prepare students for these high-stakes exams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lateral epicondylalgia ( LE) is associated with a reduced wrist extensor muscle activity and altered biomechanics. This study compared the coordination between forearm muscles during gripping in individuals with LE and pain-free controls. Intramuscular electrodes recorded myoelectric activity from extensor carpi radialis brevis/longus ( ECRB/ ECRL), extensor digitorum communis ( EDC), flexor digitorum superficialis/profundus ( FDS/ FDP), and flexor carpi radialis ( FCR), bilaterally, in 15 participants with unilateral LE and 15 pain-free controls. Participants performed a gripping task at 20% maximum force in four arm positions. The contribution of each muscle was expressed as a proportion of the summed electromyography of all muscles. In individuals with LE, ECRB contributed less to total electromyography in the symptomatic arm but not the asymptomatic arm than pain-free controls. The contribution of EDC and FDP to total electromyography was greater in both the symptomatic and asymptomatic arm of the LE group, than pain-free controls. No other differences were observed between groups. Subtle differences in muscle activation were present with differing arm positions. These findings indicate forearm muscle activity is modified in LE. It is unknown whether this is cause or effect. Changes in the asymptomatic side may imply involvement of central mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although the cause of persistent non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) remains unknown, structural and functional alterations of the brain1 and paravertebral muscles2 have been proposed as underlying mechanisms. To date, it is unknown if improvements through exercise therapy may be attributed to measurable changes in the muscles and/or adaptations in the brain. Therefore, the objective is to examine short and long-term effects of specific skilled motor control training versus unspecific general exercise training. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial, 62 recurrent NSLBP patients will be randomly allocated (1:1) to receive either skilled motor training or general exercise training. The primary outcome is LBP-related disability. Secondary measures include: brain structure, structural/functional connectivity, muscle structure, muscle function, and proprioception. Results: We expect changes only after skilled motor training for: brain function (i.e. increased functional connectivity in default mode network and sensory-motor regions), thoracolumbar dissociation and proprioception. In addition, for brain structure (i.e. changed structural connectivity between parieto-and (pre)motor areas and motor cortex reorganization), muscle function (i.e. timing/amplitude of anticipatory/compensatory postural adjustments) and muscle structure (i.e. muscle/fat index, cross-sectional area) we expect changes for both groups, but more pronounced after skilled motor training. More specifically, we expect that changes in muscle structure are training unspecific for superficial trunk muscles, but more pronounced for deep segmental muscles after skilled motor training. Process evaluation: Learning the necessary skills for MRI acquisition and recognizing artefacts took more time than expected. Several MRI sequence alterations were necessary to ensure sufficient image quality. References: 1. Kregel J, Meeus M, Malfliet A, et al. Structural and functional brain abnormalities in chronic low back pain: A systematic review. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism 2015; 45(2), 229-237. 2. Goubert D, Meeus M. Willems T, et al. The association between back muscle characteristics and pressure pain sensitivity in low back pain patients. Scandinavian Journal of Pain 2018; 18(2), 281-293. Keywords: Low back pain; motor control; exercise; randomized controlled trial; brain 15332500, 2022, S2, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/papr.13128 by EBSCO SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES - Journal Digital Lic, Wiley Online Library on [19/10/2022]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License is LBP-related disability. Secondary measures include: brain structure, structural/functional connectivity, muscle structure, muscle function, and proprioception. Results: We expect changes only after skilled motor training for: brain function (i.e. increased functional connectivity in default mode network and sensory-motor regions), thoracolumbar dissociation and proprioception. In addition, for brain structure (i.e. changed structural connectivity between parieto-and (pre)motor areas and motor cortex reorganization), muscle function (i.e. timing/amplitude of anticipatory/compensatory postural adjustments) and muscle structure (i.e. muscle/fat index, cross-sectional area) we expect changes for both groups, but more pronounced after skilled motor training. More specifically, we expect that changes in muscle structure are training unspecific for superficial trunk muscles, but more pronounced for deep segmental muscles after skilled motor training. Process evaluation: Learning the necessary skills for MRI acquisition and recognizing artefacts took more time than expected. Several MRI sequence alterations were necessary to ensure sufficient image quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pain is a motivational stimulus that influences motor behaviour. To identify whether motor adaptation may be a purposeful strategy to avoid pain-provocative movements, we investigated kinematic adaptations to experimentally induced pain modulated by lumbar flexion. Methods: Sixteen healthy adults performed a lifting task consisting of 15 sets of 10 cycles each. Pain was induced in the lumbosacral region (sets 3-13) using electrical stimulation modulated in real-time3 to induce pain intensity of 5/10 when lumbar flexion was equal or higher than the peak flexion recorded at baseline. Repeated-measures ANOVA followed by post-hoc analyses were conducted to assess changes in lumbar kinematics between baseline (sets 1-2), early adaptation (sets 3-4), late adaptation (sets 12-13), and post-pain (sets 14-15). Results: Compared to baseline, participants reduced lumbar flexion in the late adaptation (p < 0.05) and post-pain (p < 0.05), and increased lumbar extension during both early (p < 0.05) and late adaptation (p < 0.05). The reduction of lumbar flexion during late adaptation was inversely associated to reported pain intensity (r = -0.52, p < 0.05). Discussion: When pain is modulated by lumbar flexion, individuals increase lumbar extension and learn to reduce lumbar flexion over time to limit pain. The adopted movement strategy (reduction in lumbar flexion) was maintained after pain resolution. Process evaluation: Pain perception could be affected by habituation to electrical stimulation and exercise-induced hypoalgesia. To ensure consistency across trials, the pain threshold was regularly reassessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood proteins and their complexes have become the focus of a great deal of interest in the context of their potential as biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We used a SOMAscan assay for quantifying 1001 proteins in blood samples from 331 AD, 211 controls, and 149 mild cognitive impaired (MCI) subjects. The strongest associations of protein levels with AD outcomes were prostate-specific antigen complexed to α1-antichymotrypsin (AD diagnosis), pancreatic prohormone (AD diagnosis, left entorhinal cortex atrophy, and left hippocampus atrophy), clusterin (rate of cognitive decline), and fetuin B (left entorhinal atrophy). Multivariate analysis found that a subset of 13 proteins predicted AD with an accuracy of area under the curve of 0.70. Our replication of previous findings provides further evidence that levels of these proteins in plasma are truly associated with AD. The newly identified proteins could be potential biomarkers and are worthy of further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous case reports and animal studies suggest that periodontitis is associated with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BROMJ). This case-control study is conducted to evaluate the association between clinical and radiographic measures of periodontal disease and BRONJ. Methods: Twenty-five patients with BRONJ were matched with 48 controls. Trained examiners measured probing depth, clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing on all teeth except third molars and gingival and plaque indices on six index teeth. Alveolar bone height was measured from orthopantomograms. Most patients with BRONJ were using antibiotics (48%) or a chlorhexidine mouthrinse (84%) at enrollment. Adjusted comparisons of patients with BRONJ versus controls used multiple linear regression. Results: The average number of bisphosphonate (BP) infusions was significantly higher in patients with BRONJ compared with controls (38.4 versus 18.8, P = 0.0001). In unadjusted analyses, patients with BRONJ had more missing teeth (7.8 versus 3.1, P = 0.002) and higher average CAL (2.18 versus 1.56 mm, P= 0.047) and percentage of sites with CAL ≥3 mm (39.0 versus 23.3, P = 0.039) than controls. Also, patients with BRONJ had lower average bone height (as a fraction of tooth length, 0.59 versus 0.62, P = 0.004) and more teeth with bone height less than half of tooth length (20% versus 6%, P= 0.001). These differences remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, smoking, and number of BP infusions. Conclusions: BRONJ patients have fewer teeth, greater CAL, and less alveolar bone support compared with controls after adjusting for number of BP infusions. Group differences in antibiotics and chlorhexidine rinse usage may have masked differences in the other clinical measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Knee joint pain and reduced quadriceps strength are cardinal symptoms in many knee pathologies. In people with painful knee pathologies, quadriceps exercise reduces pain, improves physical function, and increases muscle strength. A general assumption is that pain compromises muscle function and thus may prevent effective rehabilitation. This study evaluated the effects of experimental knee joint pain during quadriceps strength training on muscle strength gain in healthy individuals. Methods Twenty-seven healthy untrained volunteers participated in a randomized controlled trial of quadriceps strengthening (3 times per week for 8 weeks). Participants were randomized to perform resistance training either during pain induced by injections of painful hypertonic saline (pain group, n = 13) or during a nonpainful control condition with injection of isotonic saline (control group, n = 14) into the infrapatellar fat pad. The primary outcome measure was change in maximal isokinetic muscle strength in knee extension/flexion (60, 120, and 180 degrees/second). Results The group who exercised with pain had a significantly larger improvement in isokinetic muscle strength at all angular velocities of knee extension compared to the control group. In knee flexion there were improvements in isokinetic muscle strength in both groups with no between-group differences. Conclusion Experimental knee joint pain improved the training-induced gain in muscle strength following 8 weeks of quadriceps training. It remains to be studied whether knee joint pain has a positive effect on strength gain in patients with knee pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Reasons for performing study: The multifidus muscle plays a key role in spinal stabilisation. Multifidus atrophy ipsilateral to the side of osseous pathology has been demonstrated in man and pigs but has not been investigated in horses. Objectives: To measure cross-sectional area (CSA) left/ right symmetry of equine multifidus ultrasonographically and relate asymmetry of multifidus with osseous spinal pathology in Thoroughbred racehorses. We hypothesised that ipsilateral multifidus CSA would be reduced when osseous pathological changes are present leading to left/right asymmetry in CSA. Materials and methods: Twenty-two racehorses presented for euthanasia for primary reasons other than back pain were examined clinically. Ultrasonographic images on left/right sides were acquired at 5 thoracolumbosacral levels and CSA's of multifidus or sacrocaudalis dorsalis calculated. At necropsy, osseous pathological of the TL spine and pelvis were recorded by spinal level, anatomical site, and graded ( 0-3) according to severity. The mean typical measurement error in estimating multifidus/sacrocaudalis dorsalis CSA was used to determine the significance of left/right asymmetries. An association between multifidus CSA asymmetry and asymmetrical grading of pathological lesions was sought using Pearson's χ2 analysis. Results: All horses had significant left/right asymmetry of multifidus CSA at >2 spinal levels, most commonly at L5 with total of 74 sites affected (22 horses). Seventeen horses had severe ( grade 3) pathology, 16 of these had ipsilateral atrophy of multifidus/sacrocaudalis dorsalis. There was a significant association between pathological grade and degree of multifidus asymmetry. Conclusions: Severe osseous pathological changes were common in this population of Thoroughbred racehorses and were associated with measurable left/right asymmetry in multifidus at or close to the level of pathology. Potential relevance: Ultrasonography of multifidus may be a useful clinical tool in diagnosis of back problems in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purposes of this study were to determine: 1) if periodontal treatment in pregnant women before 21 weeks of gestation alters levels of inflammatory mediators in serum; and 2) if changes in these mediators are associated with birth outcomes. Methods: A total of 823 pregnant women with periodontitis were randomly assigned to receive scaling and root planing before 21 weeks of gestation or after delivery. Serum obtained between 13 and 16 weeks, 6 days (study baseline) and 29 to 32 weeks of gestation was analyzed for C-reactive protein; prostaglandin E2; matrix metalloproteinase-9; fibrinogen; endotoxin; interleukin (IL)-1β, -6, and -8, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Cox regression, multiple linear regression, and the t, Χ², and Fisher exact tests were used to examine associations among the biomarkers, periodontal treatment, and gestational age at delivery and birth weight. Results: A total of 796 women had baseline serum data, and 620 women had baseline and follow-up serum and birth data. Periodontal treatment did not significantly alter the level of any biomarker (P>0.05). Neither baseline levels nor the change from baseline in any biomarker were significantly associated with preterm birth or infant birth weight (P>0.05). In treatment subjects, the change in endotoxin was negatively associated with the change probing depth (P<0.05). Conclusions: Non-surgical mechanical periodontal treatment in pregnant women, delivered before 21 weeks of gestation, did not reduce systemic (serum) markers of inflammation, in pregnant women with periodontitis, levels of these markers at 13 to 17 weeks and 29 to 32 weeks gestation were not associated with infant birth weight or a risk for preterm birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background; Our previous studies reported on the obstetric, periodontal, and microbiologic outcomes of women participating in the Obstetrics and Periodontal Therapy (OPT) Study. This article describes the systemic antibody responses to selected periodontal bacteria in the same patients. Methods: Serum samples, obtained from pregnant women at baseline (13 to 16 weeks; 6 days of gestation) and 29 to 32 weeks, were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (previously Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans), Campylobacter rectus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia (previously T. forsythensis), and Treponema denticola. Results: At baseline, women who delivered live preterm infants had significantly lower total serum levels of IgG antibody to the panel of periodontal pathogens (P= 0.0018), to P. gingivalis (P=0.0013), and to F. nucleatum (P=0.0200) than women who delivered at term. These differences were not significant at 29 to 32 weeks. Changes in IgG levels between baseline and 29 to 32 weeks were not associated with preterm birth when adjusted for treatment group, clinical center, race, or age. In addition, delivery of low birth weight infants was not associated with levels of antibody at baseline or with antibody changes during pregnancy. Conclusions: Live preterm birth is associated with decreased levels of IgG antibody to periodontal pathogens in women with periodontitis when assessed during the second trimester. Changes in IgG antibody during pregnancy are not associated with birth outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A recent clinical trial (Obstetrics and Periodontal Therapy [OPT] Study) demonstrated that periodontal therapy during pregnancy improved periodontal outcomes but failed to impact preterm birth. The present study evaluated seven target bacteria, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (previously Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans), Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia (previously T. forsythensis), Prevotella intermedia, Campylobacter rectus, and Fusobacterium nucleatum, in subgingival dental plaque of pregnant women in the OPT Study and their association with birth outcomes. Methods: Pregnant women were randomly assigned to receive periodontal treatment before 21 weeks' gestation or after delivery. Subgingival plaque was sampled at baseline (13 to 16 weeks; 6 days of gestation) and at 29 to 32 weeks. We analyzed subgingival plaque samples from women who experienced fetal loss, delivered a live preterm infant (preterm women), or delivered a full-term infant (full-term women). Samples were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Associations between preterm birth and bacterial counts and percentages were tested using multiple linear regression. Results: No significant differences were observed at baseline between preterm and full term women for any measured bacterial species or group of species, after accounting for multiple comparisons. Changes in bacterial counts and proportions during pregnancy also were not associated with birth outcomes. In full-term and preterm women, periodontal therapy significantly reduced (P <0.01) counts of all target species except for A. actinomycetemcomitans. Conclusions: In pregnant women with periodontitis, non-surgical periodontal therapy significantly reduced levels of periodontal pathogens. Baseline levels of selected periodontal pathogens or changes in these bacteria resulting from therapy were not associated with preterm birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A genre of papers has arisen around the premise that ecological progress and communication with non-specialists are impeded because (1) many ecological terms have multiple meanings and (2) many ecological terms have meanings similar to each other. There is a repeated call for ecological terminology to be standardized and for terms to be defined more concretely. These calls for the standardization of definitions are based on faulty premises about the way language conveys meaning. Most recommendations for definitional reform are unlikely to take hold due to properties of language and they are unlikely to stimulate increased ecological understanding. Precisely delimited definitions are necessary in very few instances, whereas extensive and prescriptive classification can hinder the development of a field by preventing some types of questions from being asked. Useful lexical reviews should focus on the development of ecological knowledge that is signaled by a wealth of terms and meanings, rather than critiquing the terms employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the use of diet modification of farm animals to reduce the amount of phosphorus surpluses caused by manure in the United States. According to the authors, mass balance shows the amount of phosphorus removed by crop production exceeded manure phosphorus additions in most counties. However about 10% showed a manure surplus. Surplus could be reduced significantly by feeding the animals according to their individual dietary requirements and using phytase in monogastric diets. They recommend diet modification to decrease manure phosphorus and to alleviate environmental concerns about surplus phosphorus runoff.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate potential associations between dynamic occlusal interferences and signs of periodontal disease in posterior teeth based on dental and medical measurements obtained from a population-based sample in the cross-sectional epidemiological study entitled, "Study of Health in Pomerania" (SHIP). Methods: Medical history and dental and sociodemographic parameters of 2,980 representatively selected dentate subjects, 20 to 79 years of age, were collected. The analysis was performed on posterior teeth only using a mixed linear model that considers the clustered structure of the data. The model also was adjusted with respect to known risk factors for periodontal disease. Results: The presence of non-working side contacts only was significantly related to probing depth (P <0.0001) and attachment loss (P = 0.001). The presence of non-working side contacts and working side contacts on the same tooth was significantly related to increased probing depth (P = 0.004) but not attachment level. The effect magnitude was a mean increase of 0.13 mm for probing depth and 0.14 mm in attachment loss. Known risk factors for periodontal disease that also showed significant associations with probing depth and attachment loss included male gender, age, smoking, education, and plaque score. Other factors significantly related to probing depth and/or attachment loss were tilted teeth, restored occlusal surfaces versus sound surfaces, elongated teeth, and tooth type (molar versus premolar). Conclusion: The effect of non-working contacts on periodontal disease status was discernible, but weak in terms of magnitude and specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic periodontitis (CP) risk is influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Using a case-control design, we tested for associations between CP and selected DNA sequence variations (single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) in or near genes coding for proteins that play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Methods: DNA was analyzed from 219 whites who were examined clinically. Cases (N = 137) were ≥35 years of age with eight or more teeth having ≥5 mm of proximal clinical attachment loss. Controls (N = 82) were ≥45 years of age with minimal or no proximal attachment loss or pocketing. Nine diallelic polymorphisms (gene and SNP descriptor) were studied in subjects: cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4, 49 A>G), human β-defensin-1 (DEFB1, 692 G>A), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1, 1548A>G), Fas ligand (fasL, -844 C>T), inducible costimulator (ICOS, 3990 G>T), interleukin-6 (IL-6, -174 G>C), cysteine-cysteine chemokine receptors-5 (CCR5, 59653 C>T), osteoprotegerin (OPG, 245 T>G), and osteopontin (OPN, 707 C>T). Genotypes were determined using an automated fluorogenic 5'-nuclease, polymerase chain reaction-based assay. Gender and smoking history (pack-years) were included as covariates in logistic regression analyses. Results: Heavy smoking (>10 pack-years) and male gender were significantly associated with disease (P <0.001). For all SNPs tested, the allele frequencies and distributions of genotypes did not differ between cases and controls (P >0.05). No unadjusted or adjusted odds ratios (comparing genotypes in cases versus controls) were significantly different than 1.0 (P >0.05) under any additive, dominant, or recessive inheritance model. Conclusions: None of the SNPs tested were strongly associated with generalized severe chronic periodontitis in North American whites. A potentially more fruitful approach in future studies will be to test for associations between periodontitis and haplotype blocks constructed from either multiple SNPs in candidate gene regions or from panels of markers that span the entire genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the predicted impact and evaluation of North Carolina's phosphorus indexing tool. North Carolina is a major animal producing state in the U.S. In many areas of the state, large amounts of animal wastes are generated, which has led to the accumulation of more livestock manure nitrogen and phosphorus (P) than can be used by growing crops. Based on median soil test results for 2003, the majority of counties in North Carolina exceeded the optimum Mehlich-3 soil test phosphorus value for crop production. The buildup of soil P in agricultural soils suggests an increased risk of P loss off-field and has been cited as a major factor contributing to decreased water quality in the state. A number of state initiatives have been passed to regulate nutrient applications on agricultural fields.

The purpose of this study was to examine how patients perceived the professionalism of University of Minnesota School of Dentistry students, faculty, and staff. Professionalism is defined by the authors as an image that will promote a successful relationship with the patient. Patients within comprehensive care clinics were asked to assess physical attributes and behaviors of the dental care providers using a questionnaire. The patients read statements dealing with characteristics of the dental care providers and responded as to whether they agreed, were neutral, or disagreed with the statement. The surveyed population consisted of 103 males and 97 females, 64 percent of whom lacked insurance coverage. Fifty-one percent of the patients were between the ages of forty-four and sixty-nine, but the overall age distribution was dispersed over a range of eighteen to one hundred. Our research found that all dental care providers displayed a professional appearance as well as behavior. The attire of the dental care provider affected the comfort and anxiety levels of patients, as did first impressions of both students and faculty. Most patients reported that students and faculty displayed effective time management and used appropriate language during the appointment. Finally, hairstyle, makeup, and jewelry appeared to have little effect on patients' opinions of the various dental care providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary An increasing number of patients are taking herbal medicines such as echinacea, garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St John's Wort, valerian, ephedra, kava, grapefruit juice and ginger. Although these herbal medications are considered ‘natural’ products that may have some benefits, adverse effects such as increased bleeding tendencies and drug interactions are associated with their use. Surgeonsand anaesthetists may be unaware of their patients' use of these medications because it is common for patients not to disclose their use of this form of medication, and both surgeons andanaesthetists often fail to enquire about their use. Anaesthetists and surgeons must be familiar with the effects of herbal medicines and should specifically enquire about the use of herbal medicines during pre-operative assessment. Currently available data suggest that all herbal medicines should be ceased 2 weeks before surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background; Previous longitudinal studies investigating the role of microorganisms in periodontitis have focused on subjects with a high prevalence and severity of disease. The complex profile of microbial species in severe cases of periodontitis might not allow us to differentiate which bacterial species initiate disease or which species simply proliferate after disease progression. This prospective longitudinal study followed a group of 205 subjects who showed a low prevalence and severity of adult periodontitis, and thus allowed us to monitor early microbiological changes in the development of periodontitis. Methods: Subgingival plaque was collected from proximal surfaces of a posterior sextant at 6-month intervals for 2 years. During the monitoring period, 44 subjects had either attachment loss or attachment gain. Using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), all plaque samples from those 44 subjects were analyzed for the presence of Actinobacillus actinomycetem-comitans, Bacteroides forsythus, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Results: Both subjects with attachment loss and those with attachment gain had a high prevalence of these 3 periodontal pathogens. The mere presence of any of the 3 species at a site could not predict future attachment loss at that specific site. However, subjects with a persistent presence of B. forsythus at any site across all visits had 5.3 times higher odds of having at least one site in their mouth losing attachment compared to subjects with occasional or no presence of B. forsythus. Conclusions: The persistence of B. forsythus identified subjects at higher risk, but not which specific sites in those subjects would lose attachment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of propafenone versus quinidine for the therapy of ventricular premature beats was evaluated in a placebo-controlled double-blind parallel study. A total of 105 patients was entered; 53 patients were randomly assigned to receive propafenone (600 mg/day and 900 mg/day during low- and high-dose weeks, respectively) and 52 patients were randomly assigned to receive quinidine (800 mg/day and 1,600 mg/day, respectively). Both drugs significantly reduced ventricular ectopy at both dose levels; there was no statistically significant difference between the two drugs in effectiveness, although a higher percentage of patients responded to propafenone. Side effects resulting in discontinuation of therapy were more common with quinidine. This study confirms the effectiveness of propafenone in the therapy of ventricular premature beats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the chain of grass, cows, milk and money as a review of the low-cost-production (LCP) service, presented at the Winter Meeting of the British Grassland Society in London, England on December 9, 1966. Analyses of the dairy business records of LCP; Comparisons among various management practices; Facts regarding the use of grassland for milk production.