THE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INURY PREVENTION PROGRAM: A META-ANALYSIS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a neuromuscular protocol on the prevention of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury by performing meta-analysis. An extensive literature review was conducted to identify relevant studies, and eventually, only seven randomized controlled trials or prospective cohort studies were included in the analysis. Subgroup analysis revealed that an age under 18, soccer rather than handball, pre- and in-season training rather than either pre or in-season training, and the plyometrics and strengthening components rather than balancing were significant. Metaanalysis showed that pre- and in-season neuromuscular training with an emphasis on plyometrics and strengthening exercises was effective at preventing ACL injury in female athletes, especially in those under 18 years of age

Oxidation-Induced Changes in the Lattice Structure of YSZ Deposited by EB-PVD in High-Vacuum Conditions

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), a thermal barrier coating material characterized by low thermal conductivity, is typically deposited via electron beam-physical vapor deposition. Notably, oxygen depletion occurs during this process, causing color changes in YSZ. Therefore, YSZ is speculated to undergo phase transformation during this process, which demands careful consideration owing to its effect on the life of thermal coatings. To study this phenomenon, bulk samples were prepared, subjected to vacuum heat treatment to induce oxygen depletion, and followed by oxidative heat treatment. Experimental results showed that the color of the samples changed to black after the vacuum heat treatment and to a lighter color after the oxidative heat treatment. In addition, X-ray diffraction and Raman analyses were performed. The monoclinic phase formation was confirmed during the vacuum heat treatment; however, it disappeared after the oxidation heat treatment. The coating obtained in a high vacuum atmosphere exhibited a black color and cubic phase, which changed to a bright color and tetragonal phase after the oxidation heat treatment

Development of Poly(2-Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine)-Functionalized Hydrogels for Reducing Protein and Bacterial Adsorption

A series of hydrogels with intrinsic antifouling properties was prepared via surface-functionalization of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [p(HEMA)]-based hydrogels with the biomembrane-mimicking zwitterionic polymer, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) [p(MPC)]. The p(MPC)-modified hydrogels have enhanced surface wettability, high water content retention (61.0%–68.3%), and good transmittance (>90%). Notably, the presence of zwitterionic MPC moieties at the hydrogel surfaces lowered the adsorption of proteins such as lysozyme and bovine serum albumin (BSA) by 73%–74% and 59%–66%, respectively, and reduced bacterial adsorption by approximately 10%–73% relative to the unmodified control. The anti-biofouling properties of the p(MPC)-functionalized hydrogels are largely attributed to the dense hydration layer formed at the hydrogel surfaces by the zwitterionic moieties. Overall, the results demonstrate that biocompatible and antifouling hydrogels based on p(HEMA)-p(MPC) structures have promising potential for application in biomedical materials

Posttransplantation Lymphoproliferative Disorder in Children: Manifestations in Hematopoietic Cell Recipients in Comparison with Liver Recipients

Purpose: To compare the clinical and imaging features of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in pediatric patients who underwent hematopoietic cell transplantation with those in pediatric patients who underwent liver transplantation. Materials and Methods: This study was approved by the institutional review board, and the requirement to obtain informed consent was waived. The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records and images of 552 hematopoietic cell transplant recipients and 195 liver transplant recipients. PTLD was histopathologically confirmed in 17 of the patients who underwent hematopoietic cell transplantation and 27 of the patients who underwent liver transplantation. The overall frequency, clinical course, histopathologic type, and imaging findings of PTLD were compared between the two patient groups by using the Fisher exact test. Results: The overall frequency of PTLD was 3% (17 of 552 patients) after hematopoietic cell transplantation (12% [nine of 75 patients] after umbilical cord blood transplantation) and 14% (27 of 194 patients) after liver transplantation. PTLD occurred within 6 months of transplantation in 14 of the 17 hematopoietic cell recipients (82%) and 11 of the 27 liver recipients (41%) (P = .012). Histopathologic examination revealed monomorphic disease in 11 of the 17 hematopoietic cell recipients (65%) and eight of the 27 liver recipients (30%) (P = .031). The abdomen was the most common site of involvement in both groups. Extraabdominal PTLD developed in 12 of the 17 hematopoietic cell recipients (71%) and five of the 27 liver recipients (19%) (P = .002). Although 15 of the 17 patients with hematopoietic cell transplantation-related PTLD (88%) exhibited responses after treatment, the overall mortality rate was 35% (six of 17 patients). All 27 patients with PTLD after liver transplantation improved after treatment and remain alive. Conclusion: PTLD after umbilical cord blood transplantation occurred as frequently as liver transplantation-related PTLD. Compared with liver transplantation-related PTLD, PTLD after hematopoietic cell transplantation is characterized by an earlier onset, a higher proportion of malignant monomorphic disease, and a worse outcome.Landgren O, 2009, BLOOD, V113, P4992, DOI 10.1182/blood-2008-09-178046Bradley MB, 2007, BONE MARROW TRANSPL, V40, P621, DOI 10.1038/sj.bmt.1705785Brunstein CG, 2006, BLOOD, V108, P2874, DOI 10.1182/blood-2006-03-011791Gong JZ, 2006, AM J SURG PATHOL, V30, P328Cohen J, 2005, BRIT J HAEMATOL, V129, P229, DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2005.05439.xBarker JN, 2003, CRIT REV ONCOL HEMAT, V48, P35, DOI 10.1016/S1040-8428(03)00092-1Cohen Y, 2003, LEUKEMIA LYMPHOMA, V44, P1287, DOI 10.1080/1042819031000077016Juvonen E, 2003, BONE MARROW TRANSPL, V32, P97, DOI 10.1038/sj.bmt.1704089Jain A, 2002, ANN SURG, V236, P429, DOI 10.1097/01.SLA.0000033429.89429.89424.F8Lim GY, 2002, RADIOLOGY, V222, P699, DOI 10.1148/radiol.2223010456JAIN A, 2002, ANN SURG, V236, P436Wu L, 2001, ABDOM IMAGING, V26, P200Barker JN, 2001, BIOL BLOOD MARROW TR, V7, P395HARRIS NL, 2001, WHO CLASSIFICATION T, P264Pickhardt PJ, 2000, RADIOLOGY, V217, P16Loevner LA, 2000, RADIOLOGY, V216, P363Curtis RE, 1999, BLOOD, V94, P2208Pickhardt PJ, 1999, RADIOLOGY, V213, P73Pickhardt PJ, 1999, AM J ROENTGENOL, V172, P1117Pickhardt PJ, 1998, AM J ROENTGENOL, V171, P1007Donnelly LF, 1998, AM J ROENTGENOL, V171, P725MCDIARMID SV, 1998, PEDIATR TRANSPLANT, V2, P106Nalesnik MA, 1998, SPRINGER SEMIN IMMUN, V20, P325Sweet SC, 1997, AM J RESP CRIT CARE, V155, P1027Harris NL, 1997, SEMIN DIAGN PATHOL, V14, P8CECKA JM, 1997, PEDIATR TRANSPLANT, V1, P55NALESNIK MA, 1996, SEMIN THORAC CARDIOV, V8, P139DODD GD, 1992, RADIOLOGY, V184, P65NALESNIK MA, 1988, AM J PATHOL, V133, P173HO M, 1988, TRANSPLANTATION, V45, P719BRAGG DG, 1986, RADIOLOGY, V159, P291NAGINGTON J, 1980, LANCET, V1, P536MURRAY JE, 1968, ANN SURG, V168, P416

Intermittent hypoxia can aggravate motor neuronal loss and cognitive dysfunction in ALS mice.

Patients with ALS may be exposed to variable degrees of chronic intermittent hypoxia. However, all previous experimental studies on the effects of hypoxia in ALS have only used a sustained hypoxia model and it is possible that chronic intermittent hypoxia exerts effects via a different molecular mechanism from that of sustained hypoxia. No study has yet shown that hypoxia (either chronic intermittent or sustained) can affect the loss of motor neurons or cognitive function in an in vivo model of ALS.To evaluate the effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia on motor and cognitive function in ALS mice.Sixteen ALS mice and 16 wild-type mice were divided into 2 groups and subjected to either chronic intermittent hypoxia or normoxia for 2 weeks. The effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia on ALS mice were evaluated using the rotarod, Y-maze, and wire-hanging tests. In addition, numbers of motor neurons in the ventral horn of the spinal cord were counted and western blot analyses were performed for markers of oxidative stress and inflammatory pathway activation.Compared to ALS mice kept in normoxic conditions, ALS mice that experienced chronic intermittent hypoxia had poorer motor learning on the rotarod test, poorer spatial memory on the Y-maze test, shorter wire hanging time, and fewer motor neurons in the ventral spinal cord. Compared to ALS-normoxic and wild-type mice, ALS mice that experienced chronic intermittent hypoxia had higher levels of oxidative stress and inflammation.Chronic intermittent hypoxia can aggravate motor neuronal death, neuromuscular weakness, and probably cognitive dysfunction in ALS mice. The generation of oxidative stress with activation of inflammatory pathways may be associated with this mechanism. Our study will provide insight into the association of hypoxia with disease progression, and in turn, the rationale for an early non-invasive ventilation treatment in patients with ALS

Diagram showing the possible effects of CIH in ALS.

<p>Two main features of ALS, cognitive dysfunction and motor weakness, are due to the degeneration of the central nervous system. The symptom of motor weakness, most likely accompanied by dysfunctional central respiratory drive, can cause CIH in patients with ALS. CIH, in turn, might aggravate motor neuronal loss and cognitive dysfunction in ALS via the generation of reactive oxygen species and/or activation of inflammatory pathways.</p

Percent alternation in the Y-maze test.

<div><p>The Y-maze test was performed to evaluate the effect of CIH on spatial memory in mice. After 2 weeks of CIH, ALS mice exhibited significantly lower percent alternation (PA) in the Y-maze test than did the ALS-NOX mice (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In addition, the ALS-CIH mice showed poorer spatial memory compared with the Wt-CIH mice, an effect which suggests that ALS mice are more vulnerable to CIH than the Wt mice are. </p> <p>* <i>p</i> < 0.05, **, <i>p</i> < 0.01.</p></div

Diagrams illustrating the experimental setup for the hypoxic (A) and normoxic (B) phases.

<p>Customized semi-closed hypoxia chambers with solenoid valves were developed to achieve chronic intermittent hypoxia. The hypoxic phase (90 s) was achieved with rapid infusion of nitrogen gas and the normoxic phase (4 min) was achieved with rapid infusion of room air. The final F_iO₂ levels of the hypoxic and normoxic phases were 7.8% and 20%, respectively. In the CIH group, hypoxic and normoxic phases were repeated consecutively 12 h/day for a total of 2 weeks.</p