Postural sway, balance confidence and fear of falling in women with knee osteoarthritis in comparison to matched controls

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease that commonly affects the knee joints. Individuals over 65 years with knee OA have a greater risk of falls. However, there has be limited examination of the parameters of postural sway (increased time, speed and postural sway area (center of pressure area (CoP)), and OA of the knee.

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Ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and the importance of the bifid response

Bifid responses are common with respect to evoked potentials. Visual evoked potentials frequently show this phenomenon (Jones and Blume, 1985; Marra, 1990; Rouseff et al., 2005) but are rarely seen in physiologically normal individuals. Their presence often indicates a demyelinating process like multiple sclerosis. Another reason for their presence in visual evoked potentials is interference from a P135 waveform, which is a peripheral half field component (American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, 2006) superimposing onto the visual evoked potential waveform (Halliday, 1993).

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Atonic elements combined or uncombined with epileptic spasms in infantile spasms

Infantile spasms is an age-related epileptic encephalopathy due to multiple and diverse causes, which was first described by West (1841). It may be onset directly or an evolution from Ohtahara syndrome. The age of spasms onset is usually between 3 and 12 months and a peak at 5 months in 90% of cases, while an onset under 3 months or between 1 and 3 years is rare (Panayiotopoulos, 2005). Infantile spasms is characterized by an unique type of seizure called epileptic spasms and gross EEG abnormalities of hypsarrhythmia (Panayiotopoulos, 2005).

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What can time-frequency and phase coherence measures tell us about the genetic basis of P3 amplitude?

Publication date: Available online 19 November 2016
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology
Author(s): Stephen M. Malone, Matt McGue, William G. Iacono
In a recent comprehensive investigation, we largely failed to identify significant genetic markers associated with P3 amplitude or to corroborate previous associations between P3 and specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or genes. In the present study we extended this line of investigation to examine time-frequency (TF) activity and intertrial phase coherence (ITPC) in the P3 time window, both of which are associated with P3 amplitude. Previous genome-wide research has reported associations between P3-related theta and delta activity and individual genetic variants. A large, population-based sample of 4211 subjects, comprising male and female adolescent twins and their parents, was genotyped for 527,828 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), from which over six million SNPs were accurately imputed. Heritability estimates were greater for TF energy than ITPC, whether based on biometric models or the combined influence of all measured SNPs (derived from genome-wide complex trait analysis). The magnitude of overlap in the specific SNPs associated with delta energy and ITPC and P3 amplitude was significant. A genome-wide analysis of all SNPs, accompanied by an analysis of approximately 17,600 genes, indicated a region of chromosome 2 around TEKT4 that was significantly associated with theta ITPC. Analysis of candidate SNPs and genes previously reported to be associated with P3 or related phenotypes yielded one association surviving correction for multiple tests: between theta energy and CRHR1. However, we did not obtain significant associations for SNPs implicated in previous genome-wide studies of TF measures. Identifying specific genetic variants associated with P3 amplitude remains a challenge.



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Rectal tumor recurrence: What more may we learn?

2016-11-19T14-52-56Z
Source: Archives of Clinical and Experimental Surgery (ACES)
Antonio Manenti, Massimiliano Salati, Alberto Farinetti, Maurizio Zizzo, Emilio Simonini.
Background: Notwithstanding real progress in the treatment of rectal cancers, local recurrence remains a challenging problem. We performed a retrospective observational study focusing on anatomo-surgical data. Methods: In our retrospective study, we adopted new morphological classifications of primary tumor downstaging, after neoadjuvant treatment, and of local recurrence of rectal cancers, mainly based on CT and MRI images. Results: Different risk factors of rectal cancer recurrence were identified: its initial advanced stage, its high histological grading, and its non-responsiveness to neoadjuvant treatment. In addition, particular anatomo-surgical points have been underlined, mainly focused on the total mesorectal excision. Conclusions: We reaffirmed the value of a correct surgical technique, although other aspects of this disease demand further research.


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In-hospital and mid-term outcomes of patients operated on for type A acute aortic dissection complicated by postoperative malperfusion

2016-11-19T14-52-56Z
Source: Archives of Clinical and Experimental Surgery (ACES)
Paolo Nardi, Dionisio F. Colella, Marco Russo, Guglielmo Saitto, Antonio Scafuri, Carlo Bassano, Antonio Pellegrino, Giovanni Ruvolo.
Aims: To evaluate the effect of postoperative malperfusion (PM) on operative mortality and on late survival in patients who underwent surgery for acute type A aortic dissection in a referred center for aortic emergency surgery. Patients and Methods: From January 2005 to September 2015, 237 patients were referred for aortic emergency surgery at our center. We examined complete data available on 214 patients (mean age 62.5±12.6 years, 156 males). At presentation, various types of preoperative malperfusion (cerebral, renal, mesenteric) were observed in 119 patients (55.6%). Arterial access for cardiopulmonary bypass was via femoral artery (n = 99), via axillary artery (n = 99), or into the ascending aorta (n = 22). Aortic repair was performed using an open technique in 124 patients (58%). Results: Fifty-five patients (25.7%) presented PM; operative mortality was 29% (62/214): 47.3% in PM patients vs. 22.6% in non-PM patients (P 75 years at the time of operation (OR: 1.1, P = 0.0004) and renal PM (OR: 53.5, P = 0.0027). Five-year survival was 79±7% in PM vs. 94±3% in non-PM patients (P = 0.002). Independent predictors for reduced survival were age >75 years (OR: 375, P = 0.05) and renal PM (OR: 28.6, P = 0.01). All types of PM and the location of intimal tear distal to the ascending aorta were found as risk factors for survival in the univariate analysis only (P

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Use of soluble complement receptor type 1 to prevent local and distant organ injury in a rat intestinal ischemia reperfusion model

2016-11-19T14-52-56Z
Source: Archives of Clinical and Experimental Surgery (ACES)
Mahir Kirnap, Mahmut Can Yagmurdur, Nilufer Bayraktar, Cem Comuoglu, Gokhan Moray.
Introduction: In this experimental study we aimed to examine the in vivo effect of soluble complement receptor type 1 (sCR1) in preventing local and distant organ injury in an ischemia reperfusion model via the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Using these data, it may be possible to determine the clinical usage of sCR1. Material and Methods: 24 male rats, weighing between 200 and 250 g, were classified into four groups. In group 1, the SMA was clamped for 60 minutes. In group 2, intravenous (IV) sCR1 was given after laparotomy. In group 3, the SMA was clamped for 60 min, at the 60th minute IV sCR1 was administered, and then 1 min later reperfusion was carried out. Group 4 was the laparotomy group. To investigate organ injury, liver function tests (serum AST and ALT levels) and kidney function tests (serum BUN and creatinine levels) were carried out. To evaluate the systemic and local effects of inflammation, total serum levels of protein, albumin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were tested. In tissue samples, glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) positive neutrophil counts were identified. Results: According to the statistical analysis, sCR1 was shown to reduce the ischemia-reperfusion injury and have antiinflammatory effects. In addition, distant organ injury due to reperfusion was prevented by sCR1. Conclusion: sCR1 was verified to decrease both mortality and morbidity.


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Dual function of Ixr1 in transcriptional regulation and recognition of cisplatin-DNA adducts is caused by differential binding through its two HMG-boxes

Publication date: Available online 19 November 2016
Source:Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Gene Regulatory Mechanisms
Author(s): A. Vizoso-Vázquez, M. Lamas-Maceiras, R. Fernández-Leiro, A. Rico-Díaz, M. Becerra, M.E. Cerdán
Ixr1 is a transcriptional factor involved in the response to hypoxia, which is also related to DNA repair. It binds to DNA through its two in-tandem high mobility group box (HMG-box) domains. Each function depends on recognition of different DNA structures, B-form DNA at specific consensus sequences for transcriptional regulation, or distorted DNA, like cisplatin-DNA adducts, for DNA repair. However, the contribution of the HMG-box domains in the Ixr1 protein to the formation of different protein-DNA complexes is poorly understood. We have biophysically and biochemically characterized these interactions with specific DNA sequences from the promoters regulated by Ixr1, or with cisplatin-DNA adducts. Both HMG-boxes are necessary for transcriptional regulation, and they are not functionally interchangeable. The in-tandem arrangement of their HMG-boxes is necessary for functional folding and causes sequential cooperative binding to specific DNA sequences, with HMG-box A showing a higher contribution to DNA binding and bending than the HMG-box B. Binding of Ixr1 HMG boxes to specific DNA sequences is entropy driven, whereas binding to platinated DNA is enthalpy driven for HMG-box A and entropy driven for HMG-box B. This is the first proof that HMG-box binding to different DNA structures is associated with predictable thermodynamic differences. Based on our study, we present a model to explain the dual function of Ixr1 in the regulation of gene expression and recognition of distorted DNA structures caused by cisplatin treatment.



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A Mini Review on the Antimicrobial Treatment, Mechanisms and Patterns of Resistance among Clinical, Veterinary and Environmental isolates of Burkholderia pseudomallei

2016-11-19T09-42-10Z
Source: International Journal of Livestock Research
Muhammad Abubakar Sadiq, Latiffah Hassan, Saleha Abdul Aziz, Zunita Zakaria.
The causative agent of human and animal melioidosis, Burkholderia pseudomallei is a saprophytic organism that is widely distributed in various environmental niches such as soil and water in endemic regions. Infection results from exposure to environments containing B. pseudomallei through direct skin inoculation or contamination of wounds, and inhalation of aerosolised bacteria. The infection is usually treatable with antibiotics but the treatments are becoming difficult, because these bacteria demonstrate a high level of intrinsic resistance against most common clinically relevant antibiotics. There are various mechanisms involved in B. pseudomallei antimicrobial resistance, four among which have been established; expression of multiple drug efflux pumps of the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) superfamily, production of hydrolytic enzymes, β-lactamases, deletion of antibiotic target and reduced drug uptake due to outer membrane protein (Omp), BpsOmp38. Most of these mechanisms were established among clinical strains of B. pseudomallei such information among the veterinary and environmental isolates is limited. However there appears to be no distinction between antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance pattern amongst the strains isolated from human and those isolated from animal or environmental sources. The emergence of resistance particularly to ceftazidime, carbapenems, Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, has serious clinical implications, for therapeutic efficacy of both initial and eradication phase drugs are compromised. There is need for more investigation into clinical, veterinary and environmental isolates of B. pseudomallei to determine the antibiotic susceptibility and resistance pattern and characterization of the various antimicrobial resistance genes recognized in the B. pseudomallei genome to elucidate their role in conferring resistance to antimicrobial agents. The information about the resistance mechanisms is imperative in future efforts in design of antimicrobial agents targeting these mechanisms.


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INFLUENCE OF MICROBIAL PHYTASE ON WEIGHT GAIN, FEED CONSUMPTION, FCR, CALCIUM, PHOSPHORUS RETENTION AND ECONOMICS OF BROILER WITH OR WITHOUT FEED MATRIX

2016-11-19T09-42-10Z
Source: International Journal of Livestock Research
MANIK DHUMAL, Mahalsakant Nikam, Rajeev Marewad, shrikant Deshmukh.
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of broiler by supplementation of Phytase with or without using feed matrix. 375 day old Vencobb400 straight run chicks were weighed and distributed randomly into five treatment groups viz, A, B, C, D and E with three replicates of 25 chicks each. The recommended nutritional matrix for 500 FTU and 1000 FTU was used as per manufacturer guidelines. Treatment group A was basal diet without phytase enzyme. The body weights, weight gain, feed consumption and FCR up to 6th week of age were non-significant. The performance of Phytase supplemented groups was at par to that of control even by reducing the nutrients as per matrix and best performance was observed for Treatment groups E . The serum calcium values at 42 days did not differ significantly, however serum phosphorus values showed significant (P


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