MRI UTE-T2* profile characteristics correlate to walking mechanics and patient reported outcomes 2 years after ACL reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ultrashort echo time (UTE) T2* is sensitive to cartilage deep tissue matrix changes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). This study was performed to determine whether UTE-T2* profile analysis is a useful clinical metric for assessing cartilage matrix degeneration. This work tests the hypotheses that UTE-T2* depthwise rates of change (profile slopes) correlate with clinical outcome metrics of walking mechanics and patient reported outcomes (PRO) in patients 2 years after ACLR. DESIGN: Thirty-six patients 2 years after ACLR completed knee MRI, gait analysis, and PRO. UTE-T2* maps were generated from MRI images and depthwise UTE-T2* profiles were calculated for weight-bearing cartilage in the medial compartment. UTE-T2* profiles from 14 uninjured subjects provided reference values. UTE-T2* profile characteristics, including several different measures of profile slope, were tested for correlation to kinetic and kinematic measures of gait and also to PRO. RESULTS: Decreasing UTE-T2* profile slopes in ACLR knees moderately correlated with increasing knee adduction moments (r = 0.41, P < 0.015), greater external tibial rotation (r = 0.44, P = 0.007), and moderately negatively correlated with PRO (r = -0.36, P = 0.032). UTE-T2* profiles from both ACLR and contralateral knees of ACLR subjects differed from that of uninjured controls (P < 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that decreasing UTE-T2* profile slopes reflect cartilage deep tissue collagen matrix disruption in a population at increased risk for knee osteoarthritis (OA). That UTE-T2* profiles were associated with mechanical and patient reported measures of clinical outcomes support further study into a potential mechanistic relationship between these factors and OA development.

Effects of dried plum supplementation on bone metabolism in adult C57BL/6 male mice.

Dietary supplementation of dried plum (DP) prevents bone loss and restores bone mass in osteopenic animal models. This study was designed to determine the effects of DP supplementation on bone metabolic activity over time using adult (6-month-old) male C57BL/6 mice (n = 40) receiving control (CON = AIN93 M) or CON+DP 25 % (w/w) diets for 4 or 12 weeks. After 4 weeks of treatment, animals consuming the DP diet had a higher whole-body bone mineral density, vertebral trabecular bone volume (BV/TV), and femoral cortical thickness compared to the CON animals. In the distal metaphysis of the femur, BV/TV was increased in the DP-treated animals, but only after 12 weeks. Bone histomorphometric analyses revealed that DP decreased osteoblast surface (67 %) and osteoclast surface (62 %) at 4 weeks, but these surfaces normalized to the CON animals by 12 weeks. Coincident with these changes, the mineralizing surface (MS/BS) and cancellous bone formation rate (BFR/BS) were reduced at 4 weeks in the DP group compared to the CON, but by 12 weeks of DP supplementation, BFR/BS (~twofold) and MS/BS (~1.7-fold) tended to be increased (p < 0.10). The relative abundance of RNA for key regulators of osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation and indicators of osteoblast activity were reduced in the DP group at 4 weeks with no difference between groups at 12 weeks. These results indicate that supplementing the diet with DP initially suppressed cancellous bone turnover, but a biphasic response occurs over time, resulting in a positive effect on bone mass and structure.

L1 penalized continuation ratio models for ordinal response prediction using high-dimensional datasets.

Health status and outcomes are frequently measured on an ordinal scale. For high-throughput genomic datasets, the common approach to analyzing ordinal response data has been to break the problem into one or more dichotomous response analyses. This dichotomous response approach does not make use of all available data and therefore leads to loss of power and increases the number of type I errors. Herein we describe an innovative frequentist approach that combines two statistical techniques, L(1) penalization and continuation ratio models, for modeling an ordinal response using gene expression microarray data. We conducted a simulation study to assess the performance of two computational approaches and two model selection criteria for fitting frequentist L(1) penalized continuation ratio models. Moreover, we empirically compared the approaches using three application datasets, each of which seeks to classify an ordinal class using microarray gene expression data as the predictor variables. We conclude that the L(1) penalized constrained continuation ratio model is a useful approach for modeling an ordinal response for datasets where the number of covariates (p) exceeds the sample size (n) and the decision of whether to use Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) or Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) for selecting the final model should depend upon the similarities between the pathologies underlying the disease states to be classified.

Radiocarbon determination of fossil and contemporary carbon contribution to aerosol in the Pacific Islands.

Combustion emissions are of growing concern across all Pacific Island Countries, which account for >10,000 km2 of the earth's surface area; as for many other small island states globally. Apportioning emissions inputs for Suva, the largest Pacific Island city, will aid in development of emission reduction strategies. Total suspended particulate (TSP) and fine particulate (PM2.5) samples were collected for Suva City, a residential area (Kinoya, TSP) and a mainly ocean-influenced site (Suva Point, TSP) from 2014 to 2015. Percentages of contemporary and fossil carbon were determined by radiocarbon analysis (accelerator mass spectrometry); for non­carbonate carbon (NCC), elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC). Source contributions to particulate matter were identified and the accuracy of previous emissions inventory and source apportionment studies was evaluated. Suva Point NCC concentrations (2.7 ±â€¯0.4 µg/m3) were four times lower than for City (13 ±â€¯2 µg/m3 in TSP) and Kinoya (13 ±â€¯1 µg/m3 in TSP); demonstrating the contribution of land-based emissions activities in city and residential areas. In Suva City, total NCC in air was 81% (79%-83%) fossil carbon, from vehicles, shipping, power generation and industry; whilst in the residential area, 48% (46%-50%) of total NCC was contemporary carbon; reflecting the higher incidence of biomass and waste burning and of cooking activities. Secondary organic fossil carbon sources contributed >36% of NCC mass at the city and >29% at Kinoya; with biogenic carbon being Kinoya's most significant source (approx. 30% of NCC mass). These results support the previous source apportionment studies for the city area; yet show that, in line with emissions inventory studies, biomass combustion contributes more PM2.5 mass in residential areas. Hence air quality management strategies need to target open burning activities as well as fossil fuel combustion.

Age-related periodontitis and alveolar bone loss in rice rats.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize in rice rats: (a) periodontitis (PD) progress with feeding of standard laboratory rat chow (STD) during ages 4-80 weeks; and (b) PD progress with feeding of a high sucrose-casein (H-SC) diet during young adulthood. METHODS: One group (N=12) was euthanized at age 4 weeks (Baseline). Four groups (N=8-16) consumed a STD diet from baseline and were necropsied at ages 22, 30, 52, and 80 weeks. Three groups (N=10-16) consumed an H-SC diet from baseline. Two were necropsied at ages 22 and 30 weeks, respectively. The third switched to the STD diet at age 22 weeks and was necropsied at age 30 weeks. All mandibles/maxillae were assessed by histometry for degree of periodontal inflammation (PD Score), alveolar crest height (ACH, mm), and horizontal alveolar bone height (hABH, mm2). RESULTS: In STD diet rats aged ≥30 weeks, all endpoints were worse (P<0.05) than at Baseline. In H-SC diet rats aged ≥22 weeks, all endpoints were worse than at Baseline (P<0.05). At age 22 weeks, all endpoints were worse in the H-SC group than in the STD group (P<0.05). By age 30 weeks, the STD and H-SC groups did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: 1) STD diet fed rice rats develop moderate/severe PD by age 30 weeks; 2) an H-SC diet accelerates moderate/severe PD development; and 3) switching to a STD diet does not halt/reverse PD that was accelerated by an H-SC diet. These data further clarify use of the rice rat as a PD model.

Reported pathological childhood experiences associated with the development of borderline personality disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess a full range of pathological childhood experiences reported by patients with criteria-defined borderline personality disorder and comparison patients with other personality disorders. METHOD: The pathological childhood experiences reported by 467 inpatients with personality disorders were assessed by interviewers who used a semistructured research interview and were blind to clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: Of the 358 patients with borderline personality disorder, 91% reported having been abused, and 92% reported having been neglected, before the age of 18. The borderline patients were significantly more likely than the 109 patients with other personality disorders to report having been emotionally and physically abused by a caretaker and sexually abused by a noncaretaker. They were also significantly more likely to report having a caretaker withdraw from them emotionally, treat them inconsistently, deny their thoughts and feelings, place them in the role of a parent, and fail to provide them with needed protection. The borderline patients with a childhood history of sexual abuse were significantly more likely than those without such a history to report having experienced all but one of the types of abuse and neglect studied. When all significant risk factors were considered together, four were found to be significant predictors of a borderline diagnosis: female gender, sexual abuse by a male noncaretaker, emotional denial by a male caretaker, and inconsistent treatment by a female caretaker. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that sexual abuse is neither necessary nor sufficient for the development of borderline personality disorder and that other childhood experiences, particularly neglect by caretakers of both genders, represent significant risk factors.

Biparental failure in the childhood experiences of borderline patients.

The purpose of this study was to assess the role of biparental abuse and neglect in the development of borderline personality disorder (BPD). A semistructured research interview was used to blindly assess the childhood experiences of biparental abuse and neglect reported by 358 borderline inpatients and 109 axis II controls. Eighty-four percent of borderline patients reported having experienced some type of biparental abuse or neglect before the age of 18; 55% reported a childhood history of biparental abuse; 77% reported a childhood history of biparental neglect. These experiences were also reported by a substantial percentage of Axis II controls (biparental abuse or neglect [61%], biparental abuse [31%], and biparental neglect [55%]). However, borderline patients were significantly more likely than axis II controls to report having been verbally, emotionally, and physically but not sexually abused by caretakers of both sexes. They were also significantly more likely than controls to report having caretakers of both sexes deny the validity of their thoughts and feelings, fail to provide them with needed protection, neglect their physical care, withdraw from them emotionally, and treat them inconsistently. It was also found that female borderlines who reported a previous history of neglect by a female caretaker and abuse by a male caretaker were at significantly higher risk for having been sexually abused by a noncaretaker. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that biparental failure may be a significant factor in the etiology of BPD. They also suggest that biparental failure may significantly increase a preborderline girl's risk of being sexually abused by someone other than her parents.

The changing signs in the relationships among self-efficacy, personal goals, and performance.

The common interpretation of the positive correlation among self-efficacy, personal goals, and performance is questioned. Using self-efficacy theory (A. Bandura, 1977), it was predicted that cross-sectional correlational results were a function of past performance's influence on self-efficacy, and using control theory (W. T. Powers, 1973), it was predicted that self-efficacy could negatively influence subsequent performance. These predictions were supported with 56 undergraduate participants, using a within-person procedure. Personal goals were also positively influenced by self-efficacy and performance but negatively related to subsequent performance. A 2nd study involving 185 undergraduates found that manipulated goal level positively predicted performance and self-efficacy positively predicted performance in the difficult-goal condition. The discussion focuses on conditions likely to affect the sign of the relationship among self-efficacy, goals, and performance.

Simulation of human behavior: possibilities for public health education.

Three levels of computer simulation of individual and aggregate human behavior are examined and applications to health education are reviewed. General implications of this use of computers for the training and future role of public health educators are suggested.

Childhood antecedents of self-destructiveness in borderline personality disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between lifetime patterns of self-destructive behaviour and various parameters of childhood abuse and neglect in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) compared with other personality disorder (OPD) controls. METHOD: The subjects were 42 inpatients with the diagnosis of BPD and 17 OPD controls. Lifetime patterns of self-destructive behaviour were assessed using the Lifetime Borderline Symptom Index. Childhood experiences were assessed using a semistructured interview by raters who were blind to diagnosis. RESULTS: Chronic self-destructive behaviour discriminated patients with BPD from OPD controls. In the borderline group, parental sexual abuse was significantly related to suicidal behaviour and both parental sexual abuse and emotional neglect were significantly related to self-mutilation. CONCLUSION: Both parental sexual abuse and emotional neglect appear to play a role in the etiology of self-destructive behaviour in BPD. The results highlight the importance of considering the effects of sexual abuse within its environmental context and suggest that the etiology of borderline symptoms is likely multifactorial.

Descriptive study of cough, wheeze and school absence in childhood.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory symptoms such as cough and wheeze are associated with significant morbidity, including school absenteeism. METHODS: A respiratory questionnaire was sent to the parents of all 5727 children aged 7-9 years of age registered with 95 general practitioners in the Southampton area to determine (a) the prevalence of asthma, cough and wheeze, (b) the effects of respiratory symptoms on school absenteeism, and (c) the use of anti-asthma medication. RESULTS: A total of 4830 parents replied (response rate 86%). The 12 month prevalence of wheeze in the absence of cough was 5.5%, cough in the absence of wheeze was 10.0%, and 7.6% reported cough and wheeze; 15.2% of children had been diagnosed. Of the 4830 who replied, 12.7% were receiving bronchodilators, 0.6% xanthine derivatives, 1.7% sodium cromoglycate, and 4.1% inhaled corticosteroids. In all, 348 (7.2%) children had missed more than five days of schooling in the preceding year for respiratory symptoms, while 43 children (0.9%) had missed more than 20 days of schooling in the preceding year. Of the children who had missed more than five days of schooling, 43% reported cough and wheeze, 33% cough alone, and 16% wheeze alone in the preceding year. Compared with children who coughed, those who wheezed were significantly more likely to be diagnosed as asthmatic and to be receiving bronchodilators or inhaled corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, cough was the most frequently reported symptom amongst children missing more than five days of schooling per year.

Changes in starch content and amylase zymograms during storage of Golden Delicious and Cox's Orange Pippin apples.

Changes in starch content and amylase zymograms were followed during storage of Golden Delicious and Cox's Orange Pippin apples. Although the former was stored at 3-4 degrees C under controlled atmosphere (3--4% O2; 7--8% CO2 by volume) and the latter in air at 17 degrees C, in both, the multiple forms of amylases remained active, even after the starch content decreased to zero. It is the lack of starch substrate, therefore, rather than of enzymes that limits the amylase action in the stored apple.