Electromyographic and magnetic resonance imaging evaluations of individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome

OBJETIVOS: Analisar a atividade elétrica (EMG) dos músculos vasto medial oblíquo (VMO), vasto lateral longo (VLL) e vasto lateral oblíquo (VLO) de indivíduos com síndrome da dor femoropatelar (SDFP) durante contração isométrica voluntária máxima (CIVM) de extensão da perna com o joelho a 30(0), a dor por meio da Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) e o posicionamento da patela por meio da ressonância magnética nuclear por imagem (RMNI). MÉTODOS: Avaliaram-se 12 mulheres com SDFP e 12 clinicamente normais, que realizaram cinco CIVM de extensão da perna no ângulo de 30(0) para análise da EMG. Avaliou-se o ângulo do sulco (AS), ângulo de congruência (AC), ângulo de inclinação patelar (AIP) e deslocamento patelar (DP) pela RMNI. Utilizaram-se testes estatísticos: ANOVA, análise de variância de medidas repetidas para EMG; o teste Mann-Whitney U para análise da RMNI; o teste de correlação de Pearson (r) entre EMG e RMNI e análise de variância one-way para avaliação da dor (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: Verificou-se maior atividade elétrica do músculo VLL em relação ao VMO no grupo com SDFP. Em ambos os grupos, os músculos VMO e VLL apresentaram maior atividade elétrica que o VLO. Para o grupo SDFP, a RMNI revelou maiores valores do AS e menores do AC, e verificou-se uma correlação negativa entre VMO e AIP. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados sugerem que maior atividade elétrica do VLL, juntamente com o aumento do AS e diminuição do AC, possam ser fatores favorecedores da instabilidade patelar nos indivíduos com SDFP.OBJECTIVES: To analyze the electrical activity of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), vastus lateralis longus (VLL) and vastus lateralis obliquus (VLO) muscles of individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) during maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of lower leg extension with the knee at 30°; to assess pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS); and to assess patellar positioning using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Twelve women with PFPS and 12 clinically normal women were evaluated. They performed five MVICs of lower leg extension at 30° for electromyographic (EMG) analysis. Using MRI, the sulcus angle (SA), congruence angle (CA), patellar tilt angle (PTA) and patellar displacement (PD) were obtained. The following statistical tests were used: analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measurements to assess EMGs; Mann-Whitney U test to analyze MRIs; Pearson's (r) correlation test between EMGs and MRIs; and one-way ANOVA to evaluate pain (p<0.05). RESULTS: In the PFPS group, there was greater electrical activity in the VLL than in the VMO. In both groups, there was greater electrical activity in the VMO and VLL than in the VLO. In the PFPS group, the MRI showed higher SA and lower CA values, and there was a negative correlation between the VMO and the PTA. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that, in individuals with PFPS, greater electrical activity in the VLL combined with an increased SA and a decreased CA may contribute to patellar instability.Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa (CNPq

Influence of the carbon and the titanium sublayers on the eletrophysical preporties of the thin film system ALN/SI

The carbon (C) and titanium (Ti) ions were implanted onto the surface of the silicon (Si), and the thin films of aluminum nitride (AlN) were prepared on Si(100) substrate by magnetron sputtering after the implantations. The compositions of these thin film systems were studied by optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, and the surface conductivity of those samples were measured. It was indicated that the implanted C and Ti ions did have made a difference to the electro physical properties of the systems AlN/Si

In Vivo 3D Digital Atlas Database of the Adult C57BL/6J Mouse Brain by Magnetic Resonance Microscopy

In this study, a 3D digital atlas of the live mouse brain based on magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) is presented. C57BL/6J adult mouse brains were imaged in vivo on a 9.4 Tesla MR instrument at an isotropic spatial resolution of 100 μm. With sufficient signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), 20 brain regions were identified. Several atlases were constructed including 12 individual brain atlases, an average atlas, a probabilistic atlas and average geometrical deformation maps. We also investigated the feasibility of using lower spatial resolution images to improve time efficiency for future morphological phenotyping. All of the new in vivo data were compared to previous published in vitro C57BL/6J mouse brain atlases and the morphological differences were characterized. Our analyses revealed significant volumetric as well as unexpected geometrical differences between the in vivo and in vitro brain groups which in some instances were predictable (e.g. collapsed and smaller ventricles in vitro) but not in other instances. Based on these findings we conclude that although in vitro datasets, compared to in vivo images, offer higher spatial resolutions, superior SNR and CNR, leading to improved image segmentation, in vivo atlases are likely to be an overall better geometric match for in vivo studies, which are necessary for longitudinal examinations of the same animals and for functional brain activation studies. Thus the new in vivo mouse brain atlas dataset presented here is a valuable complement to the current mouse brain atlas collection and will be accessible to the neuroscience community on our public domain mouse brain atlas website

Case Report: A Case of Severe Clinical Deterioration in a Patient With Multiple Sclerosis

Tumefactive multiple sclerosis (MS) is a rare variant of MS that may lead to a rapidly progressive clinical deterioration requiring a multidisciplinary diagnostic workup. Our report describes the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of a rare and extremely severe course of MS. A 51-year-old man with an 8-year history of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) was admitted with a subacute progressive left lower limb weakness and deterioration of walking ability. After extensive investigations including repeated MRI, microbiological, serological, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies, and finally brain biopsy, the diagnosis of a tumefactive MS lesion was confirmed. Despite repeated intravenous (IV) steroids as well as plasma exchanges and IV foscarnet and ganciclovir owing to low copy numbers of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) DNA in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, the patient did not recover. The clinical presentation of tumefactive MS is rare and variable. Brain biopsy for histopathological workup should be considered in immunocompromised patients with rapidly progressive clinical deterioration with brain lesions of uncertain cause

Phase I/II intra-patient dose escalation study of vorinostat in children with relapsed solid tumor, lymphoma, or leukemia

Background: Until today, adult and pediatric clinical trials investigating single-agent or combinatorial HDAC inhibitors including vorinostat in solid tumors have largely failed to demonstrate efficacy. These results may in part be explained by data from preclinical models showing significant activity only at higher concentrations compared to those achieved with current dosing regimens. In the current pediatric trial, we applied an intra-patient dose escalation design. The purpose of this trial was to determine a safe dose recommendation (SDR) of single-agent vorinostat for intra-patient dose escalation, pharmacokinetic analyses (PK), and activity evaluation in children (3-18 years) with relapsed or therapy-refractory malignancies. Results: A phase I intra-patient dose (de)escalation was performed until individual maximum tolerated dose (MTD). The starting dose was 180 mg/m(2)/day with weekly dose escalations of 50 mg/m(2) until DLT/maximum dose. After MTD determination, patients seamlessly continued in phase II with disease assessments every 3 months. PK and plasma cytokine profiles were determined. Fifty of 52 patients received treatment. n = 27/50 (54%) completed the intra-patient (de)escalation and entered phase II. An SDR of 130 mg/m(2)/day was determined (maximum, 580 mg/m(2)/day). n = 46/50 (92%) patients experienced treatment-related AEs which were mostly reversible and included thrombocytopenia, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, anemia, and vomiting. n = 6/50 (12%) had treatment-related SAEs. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Higher dose levels resulted in higher C-max. Five patients achieved prolonged disease control (> 12 months) and showed a higher C-max (> 270 ng/mL) and MTDs. Best overall response (combining PR and SD, no CR observed) rate in phase II was 6/27 (22%) with a median PFS and OS of 5.3 and 22.4 months. Low levels of baseline cytokine expression were significantly correlated with favorable outcome. Conclusion: An SDR of 130 mg/m(2)/day for individual dose escalation was determined. Higher drug exposure was associated with responses and long-term disease stabilization with manageable toxicity. Patients with low expression of plasma cytokine levels at baseline were able to tolerate higher doses of vorinostat and benefited from treatment. Baseline cytokine profile is a promising potential predictive biomarker

Biodiversity post-2020: Closing the gap between global targets and national-level implementation

National and local governments need to step up efforts to effectively implement the post-2020 global biodiversity framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity to halt and reverse worsening biodiversity trends. Drawing on recent advances in interdisciplinary biodiversity science, we propose a framework for improved implementation by national and subnational governments. First, the identification of actions and the promotion of ownership across stakeholders need to recognize the multiple values of biodiversity and account for remote responsibility. Second, cross-sectorial implementation and mainstreaming should adopt scalable and multifunctional ecosystem restoration approaches and target positive futures for nature and people. Third, assessment of progress and adaptive management can be informed by novel biodiversity monitoring and modeling approaches handling the multidimensionality of biodiversity change

Gαi2- and Gαi3-Specific Regulation of Voltage-Dependent L-Type Calcium Channels in Cardiomyocytes

BACKGROUND: Two pertussis toxin sensitive G(i) proteins, G(i2) and G(i3), are expressed in cardiomyocytes and upregulated in heart failure. It has been proposed that the highly homologous G(i) isoforms are functionally distinct. To test for isoform-specific functions of G(i) proteins, we examined their role in the regulation of cardiac L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (L-VDCC). METHODS: Ventricular tissues and isolated myocytes were obtained from mice with targeted deletion of either Gα(i2) (Gα(i2) (-/-)) or Gα(i3) (Gα(i3) (-/-)). mRNA levels of Gα(i/o) isoforms and L-VDCC subunits were quantified by real-time PCR. Gα(i) and Ca(v)α(1) protein levels as well as protein kinase B/Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation levels were assessed by immunoblot analysis. L-VDCC function was assessed by whole-cell and single-channel current recordings. RESULTS: In cardiac tissue from Gα(i2) (-/-) mice, Gα(i3) mRNA and protein expression was upregulated to 187 ± 21% and 567 ± 59%, respectively. In Gα(i3) (-/-) mouse hearts, Gα(i2) mRNA (127 ± 5%) and protein (131 ± 10%) levels were slightly enhanced. Interestingly, L-VDCC current density in cardiomyocytes from Gα(i2) (-/-) mice was lowered (-7.9 ± 0.6 pA/pF, n = 11, p<0.05) compared to wild-type cells (-10.7 ± 0.5 pA/pF, n = 22), whereas it was increased in myocytes from Gα(i3) (-/-) mice (-14.3 ± 0.8 pA/pF, n = 14, p<0.05). Steady-state inactivation was shifted to negative potentials, and recovery kinetics slowed in the absence of Gα(i2) (but not of Gα(i3)) and following treatment with pertussis toxin in Gα(i3) (-/-). The pore forming Ca(v)α(1) protein level was unchanged in all mouse models analyzed, similar to mRNA levels of Ca(v)α(1) and Ca(v)β(2) subunits. Interestingly, at the cellular signalling level, phosphorylation assays revealed abolished carbachol-triggered activation of ERK1/2 in mice lacking Gα(i2). CONCLUSION: Our data provide novel evidence for an isoform-specific modulation of L-VDCC by Gα(i) proteins. In particular, loss of Gα(i2) is reflected by alterations in channel kinetics and likely involves an impairment of the ERK1/2 signalling pathway

Intravenous human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cell administration in models of moderate and severe intracerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is as a life-threatening condition that can occur in young adults, often causing long-term disability. Recent preclinical data suggests mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-based therapies as promising options to minimize brain damage after ICH. However, therapeutic evidence and mechanistic insights are still limited, particularly when compared to other disorders such as ischemic stroke. Herein, we employed a model of collagenase-induced ICH in young adult rats to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of an intravenous injection of human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived MSCs (hUC-MSCs). Two doses of collagenase were used to cause moderate or severe hemorrhages. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that animals treated with hUC-MSCs after moderate ICH had smaller residual hematoma volumes than vehicle-treated rats, whereas the cell therapy failed to decrease the hematoma volume in animals with a severe ICH. Functional assessments (rotarod and elevated body swing tests) were performed for up to 21 days after ICH. Enduring neurological impairments were seen only in animals subjected to severe ICH, but the cell therapy did not induce statistically significant improvements in the functional recovery. The biodistribution of Technetium-99m-labeled hUC-MSCs was also evaluated, showing that most cells were found in organs such as the spleen and lungs 24 h after transplantation. Nevertheless, it was possible to detect a weak signal in the brain, which was higher in the ipsilateral hemisphere of rats subjected to a severe ICH. These data indicate that hUC-MSCs have moderately beneficial effects in cases of less severe brain hemorrhages in rats by decreasing the residual hematoma volume, and that optimization of the therapy is still necessary

Mittelalter im Labor

Mit diesem Band präsentiert das Schwerpunktprogramm 1173 der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft „Integration und Desintegration der Kulturen im europäischen Mittelalter“ erste Ergebnisse seiner Arbeit. Von Anfang an war ihm die Aufgabe gestellt, das mittelalterliche Europa in transkultureller Perspektive und auf Wegen einer transdisziplinären Wissenschaft zu erforschen und zu begreifen. Immer ging es darum, die disziplinär verfassten Einzelwissenschaften durch transdisziplinäre Arbeit zu ergänzen. Das wissenschaftliche Anliegen des Programms ist es, das europäische Mittelalter von seinen geografischen Rändern und seinen kulturellen Differenzen her zu erforschen und zu beschreiben. Der holistischen Frage nach der Einheit Europas wird die innere Vielfalt als gegenständlicher Ausgangspunkt entgegengesetzt. Europa wird nicht als abgeschlossenes, kohärentes Gebilde verstanden, sondern als ein Kontinent, dessen permanente Austausch- und Wechselbeziehungen zwischen den verschiedenen Regionen und Kulturen überhaupt erst zur Ausbildung seiner charakteristischen Merkmale geführt haben