movement self-screening scores and pain

Background : Various musculoskeletal screening and functional performance tests are used to evaluate physical condition. However, validated analysis tools that can identify gaps in pain knowledge during athletes’ daily training are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pain intensity in athletes during their daily training and the KOJI AWARENESS™ test in order to determine whether body dysfunction is related to pain among athletes. Methods : This cross-sectional study was conducted in a fitness center at the authors’ affiliated institution. Thirty-five athletes (17 women and 18 men) aged 20-40 years were selected for study participation. KOJI AWARENESS™ self-evaluated test scores and pain intensity during daily training, as assessed on the numerical rating scale (NRS), were recorded. Results : The KOJI AWARENESS™ score showed a strong negative correlation with the NRS score for pain intensity during daily training (r = −0.640, P < 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between KOJI AWARENESS™ and NRS scores, even when body mass index, sex, and age were entered as control variables. Conclusions : KOJI AWARENESS™ was highly accurate in detecting pain in athletes during their training

Pivotal role of Sirt6 in the crosstalk among ageing, metabolic syndrome and osteoarthritis

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disorder commonly associated with metabolic syndrome. As ageing and obesity has a great impact on the initiation/severity of OA, herein we sought to investigate the involvement of Sirt6 in the crosstalk between ageing and metabolic syndrome/OA. Sirt6 haploinsufficiency in mice promoted the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the IPFP. Enhanced inflammation of the IPFP in the aged Sirt6 ± HFD group was paralleled with accelerated OA change, including osteophyte growth and chondrocyte hypertrophy. Conversely, mesenchyme-specific Sirt6-deficient mice revealed both attenuated chondrocyte hypertrophy and proteoglycan synthesis, although chondrocyte senescence was enhanced as shown in the aged WT mice. Thus Sirt6 has key roles in the relationship among ageing, metabolic syndrome, and OA

BATF2 inhibits immunopathological Th17 responses by suppressing Il23a expression during Trypanosoma cruzi infection

Shoko Kitada, Hisako Kayama, Daisuke Okuzaki, Ritsuko Koga, Masao Kobayashi, Yasunobu Arima, Atsushi Kumanogoh, Masaaki Murakami, Masahito Ikawa, Kiyoshi Takeda; BATF2 inhibits immunopathological Th17 responses by suppressing Il23a expression during Trypanosoma cruzi infection. J Exp Med 1 May 2017; 214 (5): 1313–1331. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.2016107

Effectiveness of KOJI AWARENESS tool

Background : The KOJI AWARENESS™ screening test is a self-administered screening tool for assessment of mobility, stability, and strength. It provides corrective exercises corresponding to the individual’s answers to the KOJI AWARENESS™ test questions. However, there is no evidence of the effectiveness of corrective exercises in improving KOJI AWARENESS™ screening test scores and activity-related pain. Methods : Twenty- six healthy subjects (11 female and 15 male ; age 20–50 years) were selected for participation. In a controlled laboratory setting, subjects were administered the KOJI AWARENESS™ test and were provided with individualized exercise programs based on the results of this first test. KOJI AWARENESS™ results were checked on the first day immediately after the first exercise session, and then again after the two-week program. Pain intensity was also assessed during daily training using a numerical rating scale. Results : Compared to pre-intervention, KOJI AWARENESS™ scores were significantly higher immediately after the first corrective exercise session and after 2 weeks of intervention (p < 0.001). Moreover, pain intensity was significantly lower after 2 weeks of intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusions : Individualized KOJI AWARENESS™ corrective exercises were effective immediately on the first day and also after the two-week program in improving the KOJI AWARENESS™ score and reducing pain intensity during daily training

Bullous pemphigoid with prominent milium formation

Milia are very common superficial keratinous cysts, and are clinically pearly white dome-shaped lesions with diameter of 1-2 mm.  Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune bullous disease, characterized clinically by tense bullae on the extremities and trunk.  The major target autoantigens of BP are BP180 and BP230.  We report a 55-year-old Polish BP patient presented prominent milium formation.  The physical examination revealed multiple tense bullae on the erythemas scattered on the extremities and trunk.  Histopathology revealed subepidermal blisters with infiltration of eosinophils in and around the blister.  Direct immunofluorescence showed IgG and C3 depositions at basement membrane zone.  Although indirect immunofluorescence of normal human skin sections was negative, indirect immunofluorescence of salt-split skin sections showed IgG reactivity with epidermal side.  Immunoblotting showed that IgG antibodies in the serum reacted with recombinant protein of BP180 NC16a domain.  ELISA of BP180, but not BP230, showed positive results.  Several months after oral prednisolone therapy, multiple large milia appeared on healed BP lesions.  Histopathology showed cysts with flaky keratinous inclusions in the mid-dermis.  We diagnosed the patient as BP with milia.  Milia are a hallmark in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, but are rarely reported in BP

Analysis of Charging of the HTV-4 Based on On-Orbit Data

After three H-II transfer vehicles (HTVs) had finished their mission to resupply the International Space Station (ISS), NASA requested data of the HTV\u27s potential to evaluate the charging/discharging process that occurs when the HTV docks to the ISS. To measure these data, a new instrument was installed on the fourth HTV. This instrument allows us to measure the HTV-4 surface potential relative to the surrounding plasma, and is called advanced technology on-orbit test instrument for space environment-mini (ATOTIE-mini). The ATOTIE-mini observed the HTV\u27s local potential in the orbit for more than one month. The measured potential during the HTV solo-flight phase varied between -30 and -60 V in sunlight and was about 0 V in eclipse conditions. The HTV\u27s potential during the time when it was docked to the ISS followed the ISS\u27s potential with an almost constant offset of about 10 V. The data measured by ATOTIE-mini are consistent with those measured by the floating potential measurement unit on the ISS, and thus are considered reliable. The HTV\u27s potential level itself was acceptable for ISS. Note that the solar array panels can generate up to approximately 120 V, which is much larger than the absolute potential range in sunshine. We analyze the potential distribution on the HTV surface by a multi-utility spacecraft charging analysis tool, because ATOTIE-mini can only observe one point on the HTV surface. The analysis results are discussed with respect to the flight attitude

Arthroscopic, histological and MRI analyses of cartilage repair after a minimally invasive method of transplantation of allogeneic synovial mesenchymal stromal cells into cartilage defects in pigs

AbstractBackground aimsTransplantation of synovial mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may induce repair of cartilage defects. We transplanted synovial MSCs into cartilage defects using a simple method and investigated its usefulness and repair process in a pig modelMethodsThe chondrogenic potential of the porcine MSCs was compared in vitro. Cartilage defects were created in both knees of seven pigs, and divided into MSCs treated and non-treated control knees. Synovial MSCs were injected into the defect, and the knee was kept immobilized for 10min before wound closure. To visualize the actual delivery and adhesion of the cells, fluorescence-labeled synovial MSCs from transgenic green fluorescent protein (GFP) pig were injected into the defect in a subgroup of two pigs. In these two animals, the wounds were closed before MSCs were injected and observed for 10min under arthroscopic control. The defects were analyzed sequentially arthroscopically, histologically and by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for 3 monthsResultsSynovial MSCs had a higher chondrogenic potential in vitro than the other MSCs examined. Arthroscopic observations showed adhesion of synovial MSCs and membrane formation on the cartilage defects before cartilage repair. Quantification analyses for arthroscopy, histology and MRI revealed a better outcome in the MSC-treated knees than in the non-treated control kneesConclusionsLeaving a synovial MSC suspension in cartilage defects for 10min made it possible for cells to adhere in the defect in a porcine cartilage defect model. The cartilage defect was first covered with membrane, then the cartilage matrix emerged after transplantation of synovial MSCs

The prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease complicated by postload hyperinsulinemia

Background: The long-term prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with insulin resistance has not been fully examined. In this study, we investigated the influence of postload hyperinsulinemia (PHI) after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), on the long-term prognosis of CAD patients. Methods: All study patients were diagnosed as having CAD by coronary angiography. The OGTT was performed for all patients to establish their blood glucose. Measurement of serum insulin was also performed simultaneously. Patients with 2-h insulin level of ?. 64. mU/l after the OGTT were included in the postload hyperinsulinemia (PHI) group, and the others were included in the non-PHI group. The prognosis of 208 patients (96 from the PHI group and 112 from the non-PHI group) was retrospectively investigated. Study end points were the composite of death from any cause, unexpected hospitalization for heart failure, new-onset ACS, angina pectoris requiring PCI or CABG, cerebrovascular disease (CVD), and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Variables were compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank tests. Results: The mean follow-up period was 78.7. months. Cardiovascular events including death were 40.6% in the PHI group and 23.2% in the non-PHI group (log-rank p = 0.0144). CVD, PCI, and CABG occurred continuously from early to late stage of follow-up in the PHI group compared with the non-PHI group. Conclusions: The present study showed that the prognosis of CHD patients with PHI was poor. Thus, it is important to pay attention to these conditions for improving the prognosis of CAD patients

Atrial Fibrillation Detection and Ischemic Stroke Recurrence in Cryptogenic Stroke: A Retrospective, Multicenter, Observational Study

Todo K., Okazaki S., Doijiri R., et al. Atrial Fibrillation Detection and Ischemic Stroke Recurrence in Cryptogenic Stroke: A Retrospective, Multicenter, Observational Study. Journal of the American Heart Association 13, e031508 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.123.031508.BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is known to be a strong risk factor for stroke. However, the risk of stroke recurrence in patients with cryptogenic stroke with AF detected after stroke by an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) is not well known. We sought to evaluate the risk of ischemic stroke recurrence in patients with cryptogenic stroke with and without ICM-detected AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with cryptogenic stroke who underwent ICM implantation at 8 stroke centers in Japan. Cox regression models were developed using landmark analysis and time-dependent analysis. We set the target sample size at 300 patients based on our estimate of the annualized incidence of ischemic stroke recurrence to be 3% in patients without AF detection and 9% in patients with AF detection. Of the 370 patients, 121 were found to have AF, and 110 received anticoagulation therapy after AF detection. The incidence of ischemic stroke recurrence was 4.0% in 249 patients without AF detection and 5.8% in 121 patients with AF detection (P=0.45). In a landmark analysis, the risk of ischemic stroke recurrence was not higher in patients with AF detected ≤90 days than in those without (hazard ratio, 1.47 [95% CI, 0.41–5.28]). In a time-dependent analysis, the risk of ischemic stroke recurrence did not increase after AF detection (hazard ratio, 1.77 [95% CI, 0.70–4.47]). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of ischemic stroke recurrence in patients with cryptogenic stroke with ICM-detected AF, 90% of whom were subsequently anticoagulated, was not higher than in those without ICM-detected AF